Monday, November 23, 2009

You Know You Knit To Much When....

Last year Corinne gave me the Yarn Harlot's desk calendar. It has been a never ending source of enjoyment to me every morning when I come into work. Monday mornings are even more enjoyable because I get to read Saturday, Sunday AND Monday.
The following was Sat Nov 21, 2009
You know you knit to much when..... you realize that you are planning attendance at holiday parties based not on obligation or whether you think they will be fun, but on whether you can knit there. True so true. Cracked me right up!

Friday, November 20, 2009

In the home stretch...


One disadvantage to knitting in the round with steeks is this. I design on the fly. That means that although I make up a pattern it is subject to change at any time. Knitting the whole vest with steeks means that if something doesn't measure up, a colour combination or a design, I have a helluva lot of stitched to ripppp out. However it is nice not having to purl stranded. In the end a hard call.

I had a chance to measure it up to my son's back last weekend and I think we are going to fine with the fit. I really do not want him to see this until it is finished. It is starting to look like a tapestry. He is very conservative and I am a little concerned it will be too bright for him. The rib around the V-neck and the armholes will tone it down. (I hope)

The WMBSE are moving along as you can see. I started the rib whilst standing in the "flu shot" line the other night at the local school. One young lad was quite fascinated and kept watching me out the corner of his eye. Once upon a time I wouldn't have though of a thing of it and would have chatted him up but our insular society has everyone so afraid to speak to strangers. I let the moment go by. I didn't want some mother after me.



The "tubey" thing came in my last order from Knit Pics. It was very cheap and actually there were 2 in the pack. It is made of heavy paper so I don't have to worry about "cutting" the wool. It is great for keeping the extra needle and a crochet hook ( just in case I drop a stitch) all together with the yarn.



Finally I have the first figure finished on the Peace Scarf. I have about 5 rows of just straight knitting before I start the next design. I really wish I had picked yarn that had a more pronounced colour definition. I can only knit on this by a bright light.

Me thinks my mother is not going to get the tapestry bag for Christmas. I really wanted to enjoy that knit and hate to be "under the gun" or as is said, "Knitting with a hot needle." I think I will go with the Jared Flood Mittens that were on the cover of Vogue last year. I was going to knit them before but was distracted. Who me? I will have to read the pattern over carefully as I have NO confidence in Vogue patterns anymore. The moratorium is still in effect I am not buying their magazine anymore. Knitty and Twist Collective and Ravelry could very well put them out of business .... in my opinion.

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Knitting and War..what an oxymoron











During, what came to be known as the "Great Wars," posters like the above, encouraged everyone to "Knit for the Troops." The following pictures illustrate a time when everyone, not just women, picked up the needles and did their bit.









Baghdad 2009
If this doesn't warm your heart then nothing will.
Take a moment today to think of this knitter and his compatriots.

I think the Taliban needs to learn how to knit!

Monday, November 9, 2009

Up to my eyeballs in projects...

I regret that I have had to add word verification to "comments" after being "viagra spammed" on both my blogs. I know it is a pain in the pinny but it is the only way.

Sheesh I did it again.
1. Michael's Heritage Vest
2. Sophia's Sweetheart Sweater
3. Tapestry Bag: I would like to make one for Granny for Christmas.
4. Faery Ring Sweater: c'est pour moi

5. Carl's socks...don't really count...these days I always have socks on the needles
6. Molly's socks
7. edit to add the Global art Peace project scarf......yikes I forgot this one

Friday, November 6, 2009

Oh my goodness....

I got off work an hour early today. I have the best boss..EVER. I digress. Sooooooo.... I went to Little Red Mitten. I haven't been in about two weeks so I was due. Anyway, I promised Carl another pair of socks. This weekend I will cast on the WMDSCE (world's most boring sock colour ever). Grey
I bought the only copy if this in the shop.: I am waiting, to crack a page, until I am guaranteed uninterrupted perusal of this latest book of inspiration.
and
I bought 11 balls of Galway Irish Wool for this:The pattern is a free Ravelry download. Isn't that a lovely gift from the designer? This will be for me.... In this colourway...Heather teal # 701...you may now drool...


I have a new favourite designer:
Mary Scott Huff

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Finally finished





Whew, it seemed to take forever to finish these socks. That is because I kept putting them aside to work on something else. OK next up is to finish the vest for Michael. I frogged about 5 rows or more, I would rather not remember, of the next pattern repeat. The colour combination wasn't working for me and I had a brain fart and began decreasing too drastically which would have meant the vest would have had spaghetti straps. All that aside I am back on track.

The next sock knitting will be to get back to Molly's socks. They are a lovely shade of purple and Koigu too.

Speaking of Koigu....I had bought a lot of it once before with the idea of using it in a vest for Michael. (see.... I had good intentions) This was a couple of years ago, anyway, I think I am going to use it in an ASJ for myself for spring. It is miles of garter stitch but great for TV watching. I started to swatch with a 3.25mm but it is too sloppy. I want firm with out it being a plank. I will try a 3mm next.


Still working on the scarf. I really can't knit this in the evening. it is hard to determine the dark brown parts from the dark blue parts.
Leave it to me to pick the hard stuff.



Geesh! I am pleased with the results so far. It isn't the Bayou Tapestry for crying out loud so I am cutting my self some slack. "beating back the perfectionist gene"


I bought my self the DVD about "Gustav Klimt." There is something about his work that appeals to me. It is the colour, composition and texture. I will probably end up not liking the artist, as often happens, but I do like the work. I am saving it for the next evening Carl has to work. I will let you know what I think of it then.