knitter’s lib

to bring you some non-knitting content, brace yourself. Here are some of my favorite pics from the Alaska trip.

Stanley Park

Pulling into Ketchikan

Juneau clearing up

Orca (or killer if you want to be un-PC about it) whale in Lynn Canal (Juneau)

Humpback whale (we saw a lot of humpbacks and they came very close to our boat, and it was awesome)

Glacier Bay

Tags: alaska, glacier, humpback, juneau, kethikan, orca, whale

So since it’s been so long I have several project updates and a lot of stash enhancement to report…at least I have photos to make it more fun.

Pattern: Clapotis by Kate Gilbert
Yarn: Malabrigo Lace in Vaa colorway
Needles: US 8 (straight)
Notes: My first Clap, I liked the pattern. It was simple and the effect is very nice and looks fancy, but isn’t really. I think the lace made a nice substitute. I wish I’d had the time/patience to use both full skeins of lace. I could have made it slightly wider and longer, but it turned out pretty good as is. I was totally sick of it by the time I finished, I think if I didn’t have decreases at the end (so I was knitting progressively faster) I would have been really cranky. But that’s just me. I totally plan on making one of these for myself using some Dream in Color Baby I got a couple of months ago.

Pattern: Thuja
Yarn: Cascade 220 in a charcoal gray
Needles: US 5 (1 29″ circular for Magic Loop)
Notes: Easy peasy pattern that knits up super fast when you use worsted weight. I hope the socks fit M, we’ll see I guess. My only issue with this was that the circular I used was I think 29″ and it wasn’t really long enough to do Magic Loop, so when I did the first sock I had some slight laddering, but it seems fine now that it’s done.

So that’s it for what I finished. I also started another pair of socks (Hedera) and while I love the yarn, the pattern has been a pain in the ass. But it looks great so I can’t complain too much. Hope to finish these by end of the month, but who knows.

And I’m still chugging away on the tank, but of course I haven’t picked it up since I’ve been back. I hope to finish it in November so I start my very own February Lady Sweater in Malabrigo, yum.

So now to the stash enhancement. I did ok on the trip. I spent more than I budgeted, but I didn’t go totally bananas overboard either. Here’s what I got…

In Ketchican I got these:

Kureyon for a travel blanket. I’ll collect single skeins of Noro Kureyon as I travel and them incorporate them into a blanket, probably a log cabin or Lizard Ridge. The color for this one totally reminded me of the rain forest hike we took in Ketchican.

Pink Carrot Creations is a lady from Ketchican who drives a truck part time. I have no idea what I’ll do with this…

The yarn is from Maryland, but I thought the colors were great so had to have it.

In Juneau I got this:

More Kureyon for the blankie, the colors are very Juneau.

In Skagway I got this:

Gorgeous Raven Frog Fiber Arts yarn (Elegante), it’s half silk half merino I think. The colors perfectly capture Skagway.

That’s it. I did buy one more skien of yarn in Skagway (Rabbit Ridge yarn), but it’s a gift for a friend it doesn’t count.

Tags: alaska, clapotis, finished object, hedera, juneau, ketchican, knitting, scarf, skagway, socks, stash, thuja, work in progress, yarn

I have been very, uh, lazy I guess for the last month. I just realized I haven’t blogged since I got back from my trip to Alaska in September. Crazy.

So a lot’s been happening I guess. I have been struggling with the stupid occipital neuralgia crap. It’s pretty bad right now, but I’m back to regular acupuncture and I’m considering meds. I actually filled the prescription but I’m not ready to commit to it quite yet. I want to wait a little longer and try some other options to see if I can get the problem solved rather than medicated to an acceptable level.

The trip was awesome, but I totally had PMS the whole time and felt like I was a bit of a pain in the ass. I finished the Clapotis for my mom and she loved it. C loved her headband. I finished M’s socks. So lots of good knitting. The weather was great, nice and cool. Our excursion were so cool. The whale watching especially was amazing. I will have pics up soon, I just haven’t been up to sitting at the computer to clean up the images and load them all. Will try to finish it this weekend.

I’ve decided to do NaNoWriMo this year, for reals. I have an idea, and I’ll be spending this week doing some character and plot development in prep for the kick-off. So for those of you not familiar with NaNoWriMo, it’s National Novel Writing Month, and I think it’s been going on about 10 years, maybe longer. The idea is to try to write a novel (50,000 words or more) during the month of November. So Nov 1 to Nov 30th @ midnight. I have sorta been signed up for the last couple of years but have never done a damn thing. This year I’m taking it a bit more seriously. I hope that I’ll be able to get my prep work done this next week because I think that will be key to me moving forward for this for real. So because I’m also going to use NaNoWriMo as a way to get my ass writing everyday I’ve decided to split this blog up again. I know. I am so fickle. I’ve been wondering how boring all the knitting stuff must be to some people and vice versa for personal stuff. Not that I have more than like 5 people that have ever read this. So anyway, details to come.

So knitting is next…

Tags: alaska, blogging, blogs, nanowrimo, occipital neuralgia, pain, travel, trip, writing

So I have the summer blues, so this post will be totally random probably. I haven’t done crap on my August xmas socks. I cast them on, knit to the heel and realized they were too big. I’ve cast on again and done the cuff, but I”m afraid these are too small now, and since I need to finish my mom’s cruise present I’ve been ignoring these socks. I’ll need to finish them later in September though, or something.

This month has been rough. I’ve been struggling with headache, nerve and muscle pain since the beginning of the year and while I’m pursuing treatments nothing seems to work that great. So I hurt. A lot. Every. Day. I love my knitting but right now thinking about knitting is better than actual knitting for me some days. Combine that with my desire for some cool weather so I’ve been dreaming about knitting the February Lady Sweater, and I’ve come up with a list of 4 different yarns that would be lovely (Classy, STR HW, Malabrigo, Nature Wool).

I am really in love with Dream in Color yarns right now and everyday I have to restrain myself to keep from ordering enough for like 4 projects. The colors look so great. I really need to go check out some in person before I determine what I really want, but I’m trying to hold off until next Thursday so I have a halfway chance of getting it on sale if I can’t resist. I like so many of the colors that I’m like, well if I do a Clapotis in Baby then I could do color A, and if do a FLS in Classy then maybe B, oh then what about a FLS in C as well. It’s ridiculous. I do have a 1 skien of Smooshy that I bought after selling some stash yarn.

I’ve been thinking about sock clubs again…I think I might be burning out on socks. I know it’s shocking, but I think the “have to knit 1 pair per month” thing is getting old. I’ve pared down my sock gift list now because of this. Maybe I’m just pissy because I want some socks for me, and at this rate I won’t be getting any until next year. Anyway, uh back on topic. So I’ve been mighty tempted by Blue Moon Fiber Arts and their Rockin’ Sock Club. I almost signed up for it late this year, but then decided it just wasn’t fiscally responsible. I know sign ups for next years club are in a few months (like October) so I’ve been trying to figure out if I want to save up for it or what. I did some math and I realized if I bought 1 skien of every BMFA color I like I’d spend like $300, and I’d be getting like 15 skeins of yarn, and the sock club will be almost that much (it was $250-ish this year) and I’d only get 6 skeins of yarn…and some patterns. So I think I will once again be strong and forgo the sock club this year. Maybe if I can afford it I’ll sign up for a smaller club later in the year.

Let’s hope I snap out of this soon…

Tags: BMFA, buying, cardigan, doldrums, Dream in Color, knitting, knitting fantasy, sock clubs, STR, work in progress

I got some yarn. I know, shocking.

I got something for the August xmas socks.

Fleece Artist Sea Wool in Lily Pond

Then I got some great indie dyed (or indie dyer, or indy??) yarn in a RAOK (random act of kindness) which is going to be perfect for another pair of xmas socks.

Wooly Wonka Fibers 100% Merino Sock yarn in Country Garden

Then I went to Long Beach and the yarn store I went to didn’t have any Noro Kureyon so I grabbed this instead, but I’m rethinking this purchase. In hindsite I see that should have just gotten the buttons and maybe looked for a book I’ve been wanting. You might see this up for sale soon, but we’ll see.

Lorna’s Laces Shepard Sock Multi in Mineshaft

I got this for another special gift for a mystery person. So gorgeous.

Malabrigo Lace in Vaa

And finally, I sold some stash and replaced with something I’ve been coveting for a while:

Dream in Color Smooshy in Dusky Aurora

So I’ve pretty much only got 1 xmas yarn purchase left to make (unless I make guy knitted gifts), but I’ve got 5 pairs of socks to knit still.

Tags: dic, gifts, malabrigo, sea wool, shepard sock, smooshy, socks, stash, xmas, yarn

I’m so behind with FO’s and WIP’s and stash busting counts, that I think I’m just going to add up my numbers and call it a day. No, I guess I’ll show what I finished in July, it was a busy month.

First, I finished Ella’s B, which I already blabbered about enough.

Then I finished the City Shawl.

Pattern: City Shawl by Stefanie Japel
Yarn: Brown Sheep Lamb’s Pride Superwash Bulky in Japanese Plum
Needles: US 15 (circular)
Notes: I’m not too happy with the size and I think I’m going to order one more skein of the yarn and add to it. Maybe. It’s not in the budget though. The pattern is super easy though and the yarn is nice even with mohair I think I can wear it against my skin or with a light layer.

Then I finished a Calorimetry as a gift for someone…mysterious. Need to sew on the button still.

Pattern: Calorimetry by Kathryn Schoendorf
Yarn: 1 skein of Malabrigo Merino Chunky in Paris Night
Needles: US 9 (straight, Bryspun)
Notes: The Malabrigo has a following for a reason, the colors and softness of the yarn is amazing. I really love working with both the Worsted and the Chunky. I have worked 2 colors and have 2 more in my stash, so I guess I’m a junky. This is a super easy pattern and this makes a nice little gift for someone. I CO 88 and did 5 repeats instead (as several other Ravelers using Bulky weight yarn suggested).

Then in the last day I finished my July xmas socks (Impressionist Socks).

Pattern: Impressionist Socks by Closca de nou
Yarn: Koigu Painter’s Palette Premium Merino in P117
Needles: US 1 circular (Magic Loop)
Notes: Love, love, love the Koigu; the colors are so beautiful. Would definitely like a pair of Koigu socks for myself. The pattern is pretty minimal, but also not too hard to figure out in the vague spots, and it really shows off the Koigu colors.

Tags: blanket, calorimetry, finished object, headband, knitting, shawl, socks, wool, wrap

So I got all my July stash enhancements (aka, project yarn) now so I can share them.

First, I traded my Araucania Nature Cotton (in purple) for sock yarn (enough for 3 socks).

I have sent the Wildfoote off to another knitter as a random act of kindness (RAOK), I feel lucky to be able to buy sock yarn every month for my xmas socks and I know that not everyone has that luxury now or ever so I wanted to share the sock wealth.

Then I got some lovely Araucania Ranco Multy (or Multi) from a fellow Raveler:

I originally bought this as xmas sock yarn for one of my unscheduled gifts (ie, not on the knitting calendar so no fixed date for yarn purchase), but then I got the Tofutsies in that trade so I’m going to use it instead. So I think the Ranco will be for either a scarf or some other type of gift since the colors aren’t me.

Then I got this lovely, lovely Lamb’s Pride Superwash Bulky in Japanese Plum for myself. I’m making the City Shawl with it (pics soon).

I have one last skein that I got for my sister’s xmas socks, but haven’t gotten the pic loaded yet. Next time.

Tags: gifts, ravelry, scarf, socks, stash, trade, yarn

So. I finally totally finished Ella’s blanket. I’m very disappointed in how this project turned out. It’s a little sad because I put so much into that project and I basically didn’t really think the use of cotton + wool together through. I also got lazy at the end and threw the blanket in the wash (cold water, gentle cycle, low spin) but it kinda roughed up the wool and it didn’t help the cotton shrink back. So I feel like this is a failed project. My sister wants me to give it to Ella anyway though because she’ll like the textures, so I guess I will. I also have that crochet blanket I will finish soon that I can give her, but that feel so…I dunno I guess because it’s acrylic I’m a little embarrassed by it, but hey I got plenty of acrylic blankets in my closet from both my grandmother and one of my great-grandmothers so I guess it’s not the end of the world.

So, I did some work on that acrylic, aka striped, blanket and I’m not sure now if I can really finish it this month. My neck is killing me lately and I’m trying some new techniques for knitting/crocheting, but I’m slow right now. I also think I have more to finish than I originally thought. I guess we’ll see.

I’m rocking along on the Koigu socks, and should finish one this week so those shouldn’t be a problem. Since I think I’ll finish these pretty quickly I’m thinking of doing a Calorimetry for my sister for our Alaska trip and a scarf for my Mom. I just got some pretty Araucania Ranco Multy from a Ravelry purchase (for socks, but then got a better yarn in a swap) that would probably make a good Lace Ribbon Scarf. I think I’ll use some leftover sock yarn to make the Calorimetry.

I also got some Fleece Artist Sea Wool for socks (I have 2 pairs of socks that don’t really fit into my knitting schedule so I’m buying yarn as I can for those two and will knit when I have time).

I also traded my Araucania Nature Cotton in purple for 4 skeins of sock yarn. I know. I got a skein of Tofutsies, a skein of Regia Color 4-ply and 2 skeins of Wildfoote from Brown Sheep. The Tofutsies is for a pair of xmas socks and the rest are just for the stash for now.

I also ordered 2 skeins of Lamb’s Pride Superwash Bulky so I can do a City Shawl for myself for the Alaska trip, my last personal yarn splurge (besides the Noro I’ve budgeted) until December.

I’ll be getting all this stuff this week and I’ll post pics soon.

Tags: blanket, gifts, ravelry, socks, stash, xmas, yarn

I finished Ella’s B! YES, before she turned 2. That’s big, right? I’ll post pics later. I need to wash and block because seaming really stretched out the cotton squares. I’m hoping a wash and block will bring them to heel. So I don’t see little Ms. Ella dragging this around any time soon since it weighs like a ton thanks to those Biggy Print squares, but hopefully she’ll enjoy it for a long time.

Whew, it feels good to finish that huge project. I would like to finish my crochet stripe blanket this month as well so I’ll only have 1 blanket/throw on the needles (Cavendish). I do want to do the Log Cabin blanket(Rav link) in Mason-Dixon Knitting, but I think I’m going to ask for the book as a present so I don’t know when/if I’ll get it.

So speaking of spending money…I have finally worked up a real budget and I’m trying very hard to stick to it. I have allowed myself to purchase yarn for 1 personal thing, but for the rest of the year I’m going to try to not buy anything else except sock yarn for gifts. If I make it to December and keep to this and can afford to I’ll then reward myself with a skein of Socks That Rock for me, if I like knitting it (I’ll be doing a STR pair of gift socks in September). I will allow myself to buy 1 skein of Noro during my Long Beach trip and 1-3 skeins during my Alaska trip in September (these will be used for that log cabin eventually).

I do find that not thinking ahead with my carefully planned craft spending gets me into trouble sometimes. So last month I bought a lot of yarn for summer knitting and I want to start one of those project now that the blanket is done. But I didn’t think about needles. The pattern is knitted in the round and I don’t have a huge selection of circulars for regular knitting. I did happen to have the recommended size needles but when I tried to knit with them I found them awkward and unwieldy, and thought it might be throwing off my gauge. I also realized I didn’t have the smaller needle called for in a circular at all. So I feel now that I have to get (= buy) needles for this project now, and since my gauge is all screwy I might need to get US 4 & 5’s and US 9 & 10’s. I’ve also determined I’m pretty partial to the Addi Tubo’s, but come on that’s $60+ worth of needles right there and that’s not in the budget. Anyway, I ended up buying the select sizes and a 24″ cable from Knit Picks in their Options interchangeable needles. It’s about $38 for that and I can add to the set as I need or have the money.

This thing with the needles happens a lot more than I’d like to admit for my projects, which is sad since I think I must have at least one pair of needles for every size now. In fact one year with refund money I bought the entire Bryspun straight needle collection (like US 2- US 15) and a selection of their circulars as well. I really do like the smaller straight ones, but the larger ones are too heavy for me and I hate the cable on the circulars. I’m hoping the Knit Picks will be great and I can sell my Bryspun circs and just build up the KP set as I need or can afford it. I really would like to do more of my sweater knitting in the round.

I also forget to consider things like patterns, like if I need a standalone pattern for a project I’m usually so focused on the yarn that I forget to factor in the pattern cost. This is not such a big thing since most standalone patterns are under $10, but I feel like the need to buy a pattern, or more needles leads to more needless spending. Or it has in the past.

I also think another thing I have to look out and plan better for are those swaps and sales I do through Ravelry. I got totally schooled by the USPS this week because I had some stuff for fellow Ravelers to send off and I didn’t have the right mailers and ended up using Priority Mail things. Don’t do it. It’s not CRAZY expensive, but it’s way cheaper to send 1st class and provide your own envelope/box.

Ok, enough of me rambling about budgets and crafting expenses. How about I talk about things I learned this week.

I learned how to do the Figure 8 Cast On last night! I started my first pair of toe up socks and I used that cast on for them. I watched this excellent video on YouTube by fiberfool (Rav name too) and then after I did the initial part I used Knitty’s great article about toe up cast on’s to figure out how to do the increases.

So to recap this totally long and rambling post…

I finished Ella’s blanket.

I started my July xmas socks and learned some new stuff to do it.

I am still swatching for the Ribs and Lace Tank.

I have blown my entire craft budget for July already (except that skein of Noro).

I will have new needles and about 2100 yards of yarn in the next week. Oh wait I didn’t talk about the yarn did I? Next time.

Tags: blanket, budget, figure 8, finished object, gifts, knitting, needles, patterns, socks, toe up, work in progress, yarn

So I did manage to finish one thing in June (w00t).

I give you my Charade socks

Pattern: Charade by Sandra Park
Yarn: Claudia Handpainted Yarns Fingering in Plumlicious
Needles: US 1 40″ circulars (Magic Loop)
Notes: These took me forever to get started, which is why it took me about 2.5 months to actually finish them. I kept making mistakes when casting on and doing the first bits of the first sock. Once I got going though they went pretty fast and the pattern is easy to follow. The yarn was nice. It was a little splitty, but not horribly so. I think the colors are nice and it definitely pools a lot less than everything else I’ve used so far. So thumb’s up on the Claudia’s Handpainted Fingering. These are destined to be a xmas gift for someone.

So other than that nothing done. I did get VERY close to finishing Ella’s blanket. I have about 5 inches of the last piece of trim and then seaming the trim on and I’m done! I will definitely finish that in the next week (I hope). I am also aiming to complete that striped crochet blanket this month as well (it would knock 4840 yards out of the stash!) as well as a pair of xmas socks. I am also swatching for the the Ribs and Lace Tank and really hope to get cracking on that.

Tags: blanket, finished object, gifts, planned projects, socks, stash, tank, work in progress, xmas