I'm plugging away at this project again. I'm on chart E and feel like as much as I knit, I'm not getting anywhere. But I'm determined to finish this project, I'm not one for bailing on a project part way through...though let's not talk about the fingerless gloves, ok?
The weird thing is that I *know* this project will take two skeins of the Alpaca with a Twist and I can't find the second skein. I've turned the house upside down -- and found other yarns that I forgot I had. My yarn is stored in two spots in the house, so this skein can't be anywhere else?
I can only assume that it is in the same place that my 'Victorian Lace Today' book is. I *know* I own this book, but have no idea where it is. I've looked everywhere.
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Dirk's Socks 08-2008
These socks have taken f-o-r-e-v-e-r to get done. Just a stab in the dark, but I think it is because I haven't been sitting down and just knitting them.
However, this morning I turned the first heel and started the second heel, which means I have hours and hours of mindless cuff knitting in my very near future.
For these socks I did an eye of partridge heel to see if they fit and wear better.
However, this morning I turned the first heel and started the second heel, which means I have hours and hours of mindless cuff knitting in my very near future.
For these socks I did an eye of partridge heel to see if they fit and wear better.
Saturday, August 23, 2008
A Mini Road Trip
I got up this morning with the urge to take a mini-road trip! As I was leaving the house, my lovely husband gave me $60.00 and requested I purchase roving for myself. So, I headed down to Green Valley Weavers in Colorado Springs and on stopped at Table Rock Llamas in Black Forest on the way home.
Here's what I brought home:
A left, a nice heathery wool roving from Green Valley. There is about half a pound in the bag and I got a good price on it. I'd really like to get better at spinning, so I know that I need to practice, practice, practice.
On the right, half pound (around 1350 yards) of laceweight Merino also from Green Valley. I'm going to kettle dye it with hibiscus twigs and bark and alum that I got at Table Rock Llamas. I also stopped at Vitamin Cottage and got two bags of hibiscus whole flowers to add into the mix. I've experimented a little bit with dyeing with Kool-Aid and some spices, so I'm really excited to see how this turns out.
Finally, hand-dyed wool roving from Table Rock Llama. Again, for practice spinning.
I really enjoyed Table Rock Llama's shop and plan to make more trips there in the future. When I got there today, Ann Budd was there teaching a workshop and I was so very disappointed that I didn't know about it in advance, but in looking at their newsletter they've got great workshops every month, so I'm going to keep an eye out for something to attend in the next few months.
Here's what I brought home:
A left, a nice heathery wool roving from Green Valley. There is about half a pound in the bag and I got a good price on it. I'd really like to get better at spinning, so I know that I need to practice, practice, practice.
On the right, half pound (around 1350 yards) of laceweight Merino also from Green Valley. I'm going to kettle dye it with hibiscus twigs and bark and alum that I got at Table Rock Llamas. I also stopped at Vitamin Cottage and got two bags of hibiscus whole flowers to add into the mix. I've experimented a little bit with dyeing with Kool-Aid and some spices, so I'm really excited to see how this turns out.
Finally, hand-dyed wool roving from Table Rock Llama. Again, for practice spinning.I really enjoyed Table Rock Llama's shop and plan to make more trips there in the future. When I got there today, Ann Budd was there teaching a workshop and I was so very disappointed that I didn't know about it in advance, but in looking at their newsletter they've got great workshops every month, so I'm going to keep an eye out for something to attend in the next few months.
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Long Time No Chat
Life has been a little topsy-turvy lately due to two surgeries on one of our boxers and I haven't (gasp!) been knitting very much. Our boxer is recovering well, so no worries on that front.
However, last weekend I did resurrect Mystery Stole 3 from Pink Lemon Twist in an effort to finish it. I do have one snafu a few inches back that it bothering the hell out of me, but the lack of a lifeline anywhere tells me that I will just have to live with the mistake. I wore my Mystery Stole 2 to work yesterday and that always makes for a great day/ I'm hoping to wear Mystery Stole 3 soon!
I've also been plugging away on my husband's socks. I told him that my next husband was going to have to have smaller feet. He didn't laugh.
We did get another large wooden bookshelf in the office so that I have a place to store my knitting books and magazines and I've been taking yarn out of the misc bags and putting it in totes so that at least it's all in one place of a sort.
However, last weekend I did resurrect Mystery Stole 3 from Pink Lemon Twist in an effort to finish it. I do have one snafu a few inches back that it bothering the hell out of me, but the lack of a lifeline anywhere tells me that I will just have to live with the mistake. I wore my Mystery Stole 2 to work yesterday and that always makes for a great day/ I'm hoping to wear Mystery Stole 3 soon!
I've also been plugging away on my husband's socks. I told him that my next husband was going to have to have smaller feet. He didn't laugh.
We did get another large wooden bookshelf in the office so that I have a place to store my knitting books and magazines and I've been taking yarn out of the misc bags and putting it in totes so that at least it's all in one place of a sort.
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....
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
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
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
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Wine and Roses Mitts
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*.
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!
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
....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??
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!
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.
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
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.
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
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.
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
!!!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........
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.
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.
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!
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!
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