Tuesday, July 22, 2008

Reading Blogs

I use Bloglines to read through feeds of my favorite blogs and as I was reading through them this evening, I realized that I can't remember how I stumbled across some of the ones that I read and others I came across in various ways.

I read Jeanne's blog because I found her when I was googling all over the internet (pre-Ravelry days) trying to find someone who had made the same IK pattern (Ravelry link) I was struggling with. This blog is from my spoilee in a Secret Pal swap -- it was a great match-up as we have so much in common! While this blog was my spoiler in the same Secret Pal swap!

Just musing....

Wednesday, July 09, 2008

Plurking....

Like I don't already waste too much time on the internet and then I find out about Plurk It's a complete time waster, but highly entertaining at the same time!

Allie in the Lace Headband


Allie in the Lace Headband
Originally uploaded by BoxerPixie.
I've been searching for little projects to use up the small bits of sock yarn that I always have left over...and little lacy headbands are the project of the week for me!

Wednesday, July 02, 2008

Classic Teddy Bear


Classic Teddy Bear
Originally uploaded by BoxerPixie.
Pattern from Interweave "Holiday Knits" 2007 Issue. Made with Berroco Ultra Alpaca Light. Very fast and easy knit, however, next time I need to make the head smaller, I think it looks weird.

Thursday, June 26, 2008

Dirk's Socks


Dirk's Socks
Originally uploaded by BoxerPixie.
The end.

Tuesday, June 24, 2008

Wine and Roses Mitts


Wine and Roses Mitts
Originally uploaded by BoxerPixie.
They are done! This pattern was so fast and so easy -- and I'm pretty certain I have enough of the yarn left to make a second pair.

The yarn is Jo-Jo Land 100% cashmere 2 ply and it's *delicious*.

Thursday, June 19, 2008

HAPPY DANCE! HAPPY DANCE!

My husband totally rocks!

Guess what he bought me?!

Go ahead, guess!
What? No guesses?
Ok, I'll tell you:
AN ANTIQUE SOCK KNITTING MACHINE!!!
It's an Auto Knitter made in 1920 in the original wooden crate and even still has the documents and manual with it.
I am thrilled beyond thrilled and can't wait for it to get here.

Monday, June 09, 2008

Wine and Roses Lace Mitts


Wine and Roses Lace Mitts
Originally uploaded by BoxerPixie.
....Fastest lace knit project EVER.....

I cast on for this project on Saturday at YarnArts, which means I didn't get a lot done -- but last night I wove in the ends on the first completed mitt and cast on for the second one.

The yarn is JoJoLand 2 Ply 100% Cashmere and it's delicious. Kathleen at YarnArts also carries it in a stunning bright dark blue and a warm chocolate brown...I'm thinking these would make a great gift for my mother and mother-in-law. Especially since it takes less than one skein of this yarn. And who doesn't love 100& cashmere??

Monday, June 02, 2008

2 Ply Wool - It' YARN!


2 Ply Wool
Originally uploaded by BoxerPixie.
Color me thrilled -- I was really jazzed by the results of some practice spinning this weekend.

This is some Lincoln wool that Dirk got for me at the Alpaca show a few weeks ago. What a difference there is spinning wool versus alpaca! I have been struggling with me spinning, not realizing that I was using totally the wrong fiber for my skill level.

Thursday, May 29, 2008

Shaped Lace Tee


Shaped Lace Tee
Originally uploaded by BoxerPixie.
It's done.

Finally.

It's not blocked yet but I am so glad it's off the needles.

Monday, May 26, 2008

Kool-Aid Dyed "Pixie Loves Dirk" Socks

Not a great picture; I'll need to take a better one. But this is how the socks are turning out.

I love the tie-dyed look and Dirk thinks that are so neat -- he even asked if I making them for him. Sadly, I told him no, but that I would knit up some fun colored socks for him.

I asked if hot pink cabled ones would be OK, he said that would rock.

Saturday, May 17, 2008

Finished Jaywalkers


Finished Jaywalkers
Originally uploaded by BoxerPixie.
Socks done.

Started them May 7, finished today. Not to shabby considering I work full time, work at the shop and need to set aside at least 2 hours a night to snuggle with my boxer dogs.

Friday, May 16, 2008

Kool-aid Dyed Wildfoote


Kool-aid Dyed Wildfoote
Originally uploaded by BoxerPixie.
!!!Wow!!!

Pretty cool, eh? These are destined to be one of the most KICK-ASS pair of socks in the world! This is my take on the "Flat Feet" yarn. I'm calling them my "Pixie xoxoxo's Dirk" sock yarn

Tonight's Sit 'n Knit was a small crowd. My friend Joy and I took advantage the owner not being at the store to stop the madness. Joy ran to Wal-mart for Kool-aid, then we purchased all the white Wildfoote sock yarn in stock.....

I did however email the owner to tell her that we had fun even with her absence, we DID clean up after ourselves and some how there is no more plain white sock yarn in stock in the shop........

Thursday, May 15, 2008

Jaywalker Update

To avoid the dreaded SSS issue, I immediately cast sock #2 on the day after finishing sock #1. Last night I turned sock #2's heel and am working my way down the foot. The Jaywalker pattern is extremely easy to memorize, I've enjoyed the DPN technique. However, I'm convinced that two socks at a time is the way to go. Sure, it seems like it takes longer since you don't see any finished socks until the very end of BOTH of them -- but then presto! you are done with BOTH socks -- no one cold foot while you finish the twin.

Speaking of twins, I was fascinated as my two Jaywalkers are turning out within 1 row of matching stripes -- very odd considering the long repeats on the Trekking XXL yarn that I am using.

Once these socks are done, I really MUST devote time to the shaped lace tee....it's just taking f-o-r-e-v-e-r.

Tuesday, May 13, 2008

Stalled Project: Mystery Stole 3

This project has been stalled for months and months...I just can't seem to sit down and work on it. So on Saturday night, I made myself make time for it.

I worked two rows (each 99 stitches of laceweight), held it back to admire my handiwork, studied it, looked at the chart, looked at the knitting, wondered where the row with three beads was, looked at the chart again, looked at the knitting again...and realized last time I worked on it I had pulled out 15 rows and had just knitted those two rows that should have had 15 others rows completed in front of them.

I ripped the two rows out and shoved the whole project back in the bag which was then shoved to the back of my knitting stuff.

Saturday, May 10, 2008

Triva Question #2 Answer

That last question was tricky and to everyone else the difference is really subtle while to me the difference is HUGE.

Did you notice that the picture wasn't fuzzy? That my sock looked crisp? I got a new-to-me digital camera! Dirk upgraded his camera and I got his old Nikon CoolPix 4300!

Friday, May 09, 2008

Triva Question #2


Jaywalker Sock
Originally uploaded by BoxerPixie.
Ok, this one is a bit harder.

There is something different about this photo.

What is it?

Wednesday, May 07, 2008

Triva Question Answer

Both Amelia and Marsha had correct answers!

The sock is cuff down, not toe up which is my preferred method of sock construction.

And I'm using double pointed needles -- something I've never done with socks. Yes, that's the truth! A zillion pairs of socks and I've never used DPN on a pair!

These are Jaywalker socks, which means I have a 50-50 chance on them not fitting and being totally wanked off that I have to it rip it out.

I'll keep you posted.

Triva Question


A Jaywalker
Originally uploaded by BoxerPixie.
There is something unusual about this sock,

Can you tell me what it is?

Tuesday, May 06, 2008

Wool


DCP02222
Originally uploaded by BoxerPixie.
My spinning to date has been frustrating, to put it mildly. It was always slow-going and a struggle.

The first go at it was hampered by the wheel I was using. It is a handmade antique that we purchased at an estate sale. The price was *excellent* but it doesn't spin true and is difficult to treadle.

Next, came the gorgeous Lendrum double treadle for my birthday. MUCH easier to treadle, better bobbins, soother uptake....still crappy results.

This weekend at the Alpaca show I got $6.00 worth of wool roving. Last night I burned through 3 oz in about an hour with fantastic results.

Success at last. Previous spinning was practiced on alpaca which apparently isn't for beginning spinners.