Start on Shawl

I've started the Highland Triangle Shawl. I used a white "Word" screen to that the pattern could be sort of visible. It's too dark to take an outside picture. The color I'm using is darker that is looks here. At first, I was having trouble with the knit 2 togethers and the slip 2 together (as if to knit), knit 1, and pass the slipped stitches over -- difficult to manuveur. I think I've relaxed with the pattern, my tension is a little less stressed, and the stitches are easier to complete.


We've also started reading the new Harry Potter. DH reads outloud while the boys and I listen, so I started a simple HP scarf -- 1 x 1 ribbing in maroon and gold. The color here is a little bright, too.

I picked up a ball winder at AC Moore -- 40% off coupon -- yippee. I told DH that he would have to continue to the the swifty husband, since the swift was $60.

Finished Object and Stash Enhancement

Branching Out is finished and blocked. Final stats --> It took a little more than 1 skein of Elsebeth Lavold Silky Wool in charcoal. I don't know how much more exactly because the I had already used a little of the first skein. I did 28 repeats of the lace pattern on size 8 (US) needles.

To see all posts related to Branching Out, click here.

On to stash enhancement and my next project:

My KnitPicks order came today. It includes the yarn in the photos below. First is 10 skeins of Merino Style in storm. I will use this for my next large project, which is the Highland Triangle Shawl from Folk Shawls. I also ordered five different skeins of Wool of the Andes in Stream, Winter Night, Cloud, Cranberry and Spruce. I picked up the Elizabeth I lace scarf patterns and two hanks of Alpaca Cloud in Midnight (my favorite of the lot) and Autumn. All yarns are yummy soft. My only problem with them is that they are generally lighter in color than I expected. It's really hard to tell on a computer monitor, isn't it?

I joined The Knitter's Guild of America today. I've been thinking about it for a while, and thought I would give it a try for a year.

KnitPicks Merino Style in Storm for Highland Triangle Shawl.

Yarn from KnitPicks -- Wool of the Andes in Winter Night, Stream, Cranberry, Spruce and Cloud. Alpaca laceweight in Midnight and Autumn.

Cabled Shrug

I was browsing through Fall 05 Interweave Knit and found this cabled shrug. I normally don't like shrugs. They are too small for my body type -- just too form fitting. But this one looks comfy -- the perfect thing to wear on a winter night in front of the computer or curled up in front of a fire (if one must have a more romantic image). It looks like it might be easier to keep positioned than a shawl. The back image is not online, but it is beautifully cabled. I think that this in on my To Do list. I'll have to find a yarn substitute, however. It calls for Trendsetter Kashmir, which is 65% cashmere and 35% silk. Luxurious, I'm sure, but more than my budget can handle. At $23 per ball x 12 balls for project = way too much money. It is listed as heavy worsted, so I'm sure I can find something else to use.

I've placed an order with KnitPicks, and am now waiting with baited breath.

Here's Molly from above, sleeping in a little doggie curl on the couch.

Blocking of Branching Out

I've never blocked lace before, and I hear that it transfoms it. So -- I did it. I followed the directions in the Knitty pattern. Cold water soak, carefully squeezed out the water, placed length-wise in towel (beach towel) and pulled out most of the water. I lay the protective pad on our dining room table, then the beach towel doubled over twice, and pinned the scarf to the towel. I ran out of pins -- twice! I hope it dries in the shape to which it is blocked (isn't that the purpose of blocking?) We'll see.

Thoughts and Prayers

I didn't want today to go by without a mention of the London bombings. My thoughts and prayers are extended to all in London. I remember on 9/11 how heartwarming it was to hear support from people in other countries, so I take this opportunity to extend the same to you. I offer this Irish blessing (source: internet; author: anonymous):

The light of God surround you.

The love of God enfold you.

The power of God protect you.

The presence of God watch over you.

Knitting news -- The blog was very quickly reviewed and accepted to the Southern Knit Bloggers ring. Welcome to any who wander this way from the ring.

I am trying to decide on a new knitting project. After the Yarn Harlot talked about this shawl -- the Highland Triangle Shawl from Folk Shawls, I got interested. I already own the book. It calls for a DK weight yarn, and I'm thinking about Merino style from Knitpicks in the Storm color. I'm part of the Summer of Lace yahoo group, and saw the finished SeaScape shawl pictured here. Hmm, another possibility, maybe with Alpaca cloud from Knitpicks in midnight? And then Creatures of the Reef from Fiddlesticks came to mind again. I like the yarn used in the pattern, which is Zephyr wool-silk, maybe in Indigo. See a blue pattern emerging? Time to order yarn!

Pushing it out of the Nest

Here is a photo of my Branching Out scarf unblocked. Wish me luck, as I am now going to take her upstairs and block her. I hope this works!

I've worked on my blog now for several months. It has been a learning experience -- trying to understand tags, incorporate pictures and buttons. I've really enjoyed it. Today I shoved the baby Sandpiper out of the nest. I applied to be a part of three knitting blog rings. We'll see if I get approval to join any of them.

I've also designed a new button; just for fun -- because I really like playing with the button designing web page. If you are looking for a site to use to design simple buttons, check out GRSites Button Maker.

Project done -- almost

I finished the Branching Out scarf. Well, almost. I have finished the knitting and need to block it yet. I'm looking forward to the blocking -- everything I read says that blocking really changes the look of lace. I'll post a pre-blocking picture from home.

I've started another felted purse. Mom has been in the hospital, and I wanted something mindless to do in her room. I'm using a navy blue Brown Sheep Lambs Pride, 10 1/2 needles (circular, 24 inch) and just knitting knitting knitting. Cast on 88, knit 56 rows. No stripes in this one.

I want to do the project from Pawley's Island pictured in the previous post, but I need to pick up needles first. My LYS is closed for vacation, and I can't find size 19 needles with sharp enough points to avoid frustration during the endless K2T.

Stash Enhancement

I should have mentioned in the entry following our vacation that I went to a yarn shop at Pawley's Island while we were in South Carolina. It is called Island Knits and is located in the Island Shops, right along Route 17. Take a look at the photos of their shop on the web page. The setting is just beautiful. It is set among several other small shops, surrounding a creek with a pond. They have ducks and swans; my husband and sons even saw either heron or an egret while we were there -- right in front of them, hoping up on the railing before flying away.

The shop itself is very nice. It has a front porch with rocking chairs. Sample knits on the porch and all through the shop. The lady who was working when I was there was very friendly and helpful. I had a great time shopping. She invited me back the next evening for there Wednesday evening class.

I bought the yarn and needles that you see above. One of them is Ritratto by Tahki Stacy Charles. It is a mohair (28%), Viscose (53%), polyester (9%) and Polyamide (10%) blend. It is color #64. The other one is the Trendsetter yarn, Spruce in the Blue Calvin colorway. I bought these two yarns to make a "Spider Shaw" -- a free pattern that they gave me at the store. I also bought a pair of Brittany needles, size US 8. I just loved the ends of the needles; aren't they pretty? I would recommend this store!

Buttons in the Sidebar

Thanks to JK and this post in the Knitter's Review forum, I was able to add buttons to my sidebar that are links. I am so happy! I now have lots of buttons.

Branching progress

No new picture to post of the Branching Out scarf, but it is coming along. I've finished almost 16 repeats, which means that I am over half-way done. I've never knit with anything like this silky wool -- it feels different that other yarns I've used. I'm anxious to block this baby and see how she does. I've joined the Branching Out knit along (link on the sidebar). It is fun to see all the different versions people are doing. I don't know how to do it, but I think one done in fall colors would be nice, especially if it could be done like this one that Alison from Digital Yarn has done. Very subtle color changes.

Wendy at Wendy Knits has started a Summer of Lace. There is a yahoo group going hosted by Wendy -- post on sidebar -- as a knit along. I never thought of myself as a lace knitter, but I guess Branching Out is lace, and so is my Koigu scarf. I learned alot of increasing and decreasing stitches with the clapotis, so maybe it is time to learn something about lace. I joined the KAL.

What I did on my vacation

We just got back from vacation, and I thought I would share what I knit while we were there. I started a clutch from the book Weekend Knitting by Melanie Falick. I knit it from these yarns (except the Mountain Colors) that I mentioned before -- the blue, teal, dark green and remainder of Shaeffer Yarn. I felted it this morning. I has turned out larger than I anticipated, so I'm turning it into a purse -- I just need to find out what handle to use. I also need to figure out how to sew in a zipper. I've never done that before.

I started Branching Out from Knitty. This is a lace scarf that I'm doing in Elizabeth Lavold's silky wool. I saw the pattern on Knitter's Review and realized that I already had the yarn for it. Amazing. I like it so far. I'm about 10 repeats into it. I'm trying to teach myself to use the chart -- so far, so good.

I've also included a view from our window on vacation. Nice to sit here on the terrace, admire the view and knit.

Oh, and I read the Yarn Harlot's book book book, and loved it -- A Knit's End: Meditations for Women who Knit too Much by Stephanie Pearl-McPhee.

The view from our window on vacation 

Image -- Branching Out

Branching Out lace scarf

Purse following felting. Still needs closure and handle

New purse prior to felting 

Lexington Trip

We went on a surprise trip to Lexington, Kentucky last Saturday, which, of course, included a trip to the Stitch Niche. I have been wanting to try some Koigu yarn (made in Canada -- I didn't know that), so I bought two skiens of a blue colorway, number 818. I really like it, and have started a scarf from a Koigu book called "a rib lace scarf." It's done on US size 3 needles. I bought a circular set from Susan Bates -- Quicksilver. I don't like them for this project. They are too dull, and the cord is too short -- 16 inches. So I switched to my sock needles from Knit-n-Hook in Huntington. They are Inox needles -- only six inches long, but I keep a point protector on one end, and they are doing great.

Recent Koigu purchase and beginning of scarf 

Le châle est fini.

In other words, La Clapotis is finished.

I liked the shimmer yarn (Knitpicks; Stained Glass Colorway) The finished product is SO VERY SOFT. Huggable. Not much pooling of color at all -- only one area of pink that is visible in the top picture. Doubling the yarn must prevent a lot of the pooling.

I should mention that I used about 1340 yards of shimmer -- this is, of course, about 20 yards more than three skeins. I might have made it in three, except for the dreaded knotting incident, which was solved by removing the knots with scissors. I actually didn't sacrifice too much yarn, so I don't know (???). Three skeins or four? I used US size 8 needles.

Finished clapotis. Note one area of pink pooling. 

Finished Clapotis 

Almost done

I am on the decrease section of the clapotis. She is almost done. Each row that I knit is one stitch shorter than the last, because each row now has a decrease at the end. AND when I drop stitches, I get to drop two rows of stitches at a time. ALMOST DONE.

I've included two photos. One is clapotis in my husband's desk chair -- not that great, but I wanted a dark background on which to spread her out. The second is a stitch detail photo.

I'll take another photo when she is done -- maybe outside in nice light, although the color is pretty true in these photos.

Clapotis stitch detail 

Work so far on clapotis 

Fun at Knit-n-Hook

I went to Knit-n-Hook today -- our local yarn shop -- and had some fun. I bought a skein of Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece in columbine blossom -- a nice blue (which isn't listed on their site -- discontinued?), to match this yarn that I had in my stash -- also a Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece. I'm going to be brave and try to make socks out of this yarn. Wonder if it will work.

I ordered two books from Amazon a week or so ago -- Weekend Knitting and At Knit's End: Meditations for Women Who Knit Too Much. This second book is written by Stephanie Pearl-McPhee, who is the Yarn Harlot. I'm saving both of them for vacation. I did peak in the Weekend Knitting book and found a pattern for a knitted bag. I had leftover yarn from the felted purse that I made with Miss Priss yarn, so I bought some Brown Sheep Lamb's Pride wool to match -- in Emerald Fantasy and Blue Flannel -- stripes for the bag.

Both of these projects will be for vacation travel (Yippee!).

I also bought a skien of Mountain Colors Wool quarters in Missouri River Blue. I have no idea what to do with this. A very fun shopping trip!

Molly and my yarn from my shopping spree.

Squiggle Possibilities

Thought I might try using the squiggle for a scarf to wear to church on Pentecost. I’ve tried carrying it with a thin, plain red yarn (I don’t want to dilute the “redness” of the squiggle), and I’ve tried knitting with it alone. Nothing has pleased me. Back in the stash it goes – I’ll try again later.

Finished Object -- Yippee

While Shimmer awaits winding (I did finally get the tangles out of the yarn), I have been working on two other WIPs. I finished (yippee) the diamond block scarf from the Vogue Knitting Scarves book. It turned out nice. It took three skeins of alpaca -- I used a blue American alpaca yarn; 110 yards (1.75 oz). I’m thinking that it would make a nice table runner, so once I block it, I may try it out on the dining room table (who knows?). I’ve also made some progress on the socks that are pictured earlier in this blog. I may actually finish the second one of the pair.

Diamond alpaca scarf, folded. Only one end is visible.

Knots Knots Knots

Steve has gone on retreat with the Emmaus Walk for the weekend. I miss him terribly.

I’m still working on the clapotis, but unlucky for me, the two balls of yarn have become tangled – a mess. I’ve spent a lot of time trying to untangle the nastiness. Just as I was about to see the light of day, figuratively speaking, I ran upstairs to check on the boys, and Molly – our goat-beagle, got a hold of one of the yarn balls. She didn’t do much damage, but she did greatly increase the tanglement of the yarn. ARGH. Clapotis is on hold until I can untangle the yarn, and then I’ll need to wind the next two hanks into balls to use them.

Goodies from Lexington

We took the boys to Lexington for a Family Retreat – meaning that we spent three days together – just the four of us – spending two nights in a hotel, playing with each other. We try to do this each spring break to have some time away from the real world.

One benefit for me was a visit to The Stitch Niche in Lexington – a very nice yarn store. I came away with a pair of US11 Lantern Moon ebony needles. I have no idea what I will do with them, but I like them – they are beautiful. I also bought a ball of red – bright red – squiggle yarn from Crystal Palace. Here, again, I have no idea what I’ll do with it, but it was so RED.

Squiggle and Lantern Moon ebony needles.

She is growing...

La Claptosis is growing. I am now on repeat number five. I was being very careful to click my row counter after I completed each set of repeats in the straight sections until I realized (duh) that I only need to count the ladders of dropped stitches to know how many straight repeats I've done. I have found that this pattern almost counts itself. I am using stitch markers -- yes, I know that I can purl the dropped stitches instead of knitting them and avoid the counters, but I REALLY need these little plastic rings to say, "Here, dummy, ktb here, then k, then ktb." I also think that "reading my knitting" would be more difficult with this Shimmer yarn. It is MUCH thinner than worsted, even doubled, and it doesn't speak as loudly as worsted when you try to read it. I like my markers, even if they do slow me down, and I plan to keep them. They are very well trained in their job, which is to say, "Now NOW NOW. Stop just knitting and do something different!"

I read "Yarn Harlot" this morning, and have added it to my list of blogs to regularly read. Try this one; you'll like it! I must try to find her new book on Amazon.

My next goal with the blog is to try to figure out how to add buttons to the sidebar. I would like to try to join the Knitter's Review blog ring, but I've got to figure this problem out first.

We went to Lexington for a family retreat this past weekend. I'll write about that trip in my next entry. Our adventure did include (for me) a trip to a yarn store and a (yippee) purchase.

Things that make you go hmmmm..

I was playing around with photos again, and posted the picture of our beagle, Molly. I then tried to delete it and go an error message. The post in gone from my list of posts that can be edited, but remains on my blog. Oh, well, meet Molly, our beagle. She is a "goat-dog." I must hide my yarn and needles from her because she will eat them.

I have completed the increase section of the clapotis, and am starting on the straight sections. I have dropped the first stitch. So, I'm moving along.

Three new images

I've posted three new images this evening. The first is one of some impulse yarn that I bought. It is a cotton fleece yarn (80% cotton, 20% wool) put out by Brown Sheep -- handpainted. I just loved the colors in the yarn shop and bought it. I have no idea what I will do with it.

The second photo is of the finished (yea!) felted purse. It felted beautifully! Just wonderful.

The third is of my first attempt at a clapotis. The colors are working well, but in the last increase that I've finished, I'm getting some pooling of the pink. I hope this disappears as I continue with the next increase and on into the straight section. I've joined an email group called Clapotis Knit along 2005 and am getting lots of good info from the group.

Clapotis using Shimmer -- almost done increasing 

Felted purse done! 

Kaleidoscope yarn from Brown Sheep 

Finishing and Flowers

The purse is finished. It took less than a week to knit, and then I felted it. It was my first felting project. I was so surprised how easy it was. It felted into a purse shape (which sounds obvious, but I was surprised). Thanks to comments from Knitters Review, I purchased a Clover Wonder Knitter at AC Moore to make the I-cord for the handle. I thought it would be something that the boys would think was "cool." They did, and I liked how it worked. They cord felted just as easily as the purse. Thanks again to Knitters Review, I knew not to felt them together. What a great forum.

Summary:

Pattern: Fibertrends pattern AC-9
Yarn: Miss Priss in Eleanor Roosevelt colorway; Schaefer Yarn Company. I used one skein and some left over.
Needles: Circular, Size 10 1/2
Handle: I-cord made with Clover Wonder Knitter

I started now on a clapotis using the Shimmer yarn that I have pictured below. So far, I like it. The colors are falling well in the fabric. I using two strands together which had me a little worried. The fabric is very soft and airy; it should be nice in warmer weather. The purl front and back; knit front and back; and knit in back gave me a few fits, but I went to Knitting Help. As always, it was helpful. I started last night, and I am on the second repeat for the increasing section.

Thursday is my birthday. Steve (dh) sent me flowers at work today, and they are wonderful -- beautiful. But not nearly as wonderful as he is. He'll be out of town on Thursday, and I miss him.

Grant has started running track. Yesterday he found out that he is on the "B-team," which, apparently, is good. He's running in his first meet on Thursday -- hurdles.

Image Happy

So, I've posted lots of new images. Most are self explanatory and have been mentioned before. The last one, just below this post, is a row counter from KnitPicks. It is actually pinned to the felted purse I've started, but I did a crop of the actual photo so that it could be seen. It works by sliding beads around the loop. I'm sure that the bead colors are different on each counter, but for mine, I slide 1 pink bead for each row. For the fifth row, I remove the four pink beads from the loop and slide a blue/purple bead onto the loop. This bead counts as five. The counting continues in this manner for up to 30 rows.

Row counter from Knit Picks 

Beginnings of Fiber Trends Felted Purse with Schaefer yarn. 

Sock and a half with yarn. 

KnitPicks Shimmer in Stained Glass colorway.

More projects on the Needles

I've finished one sock and have started on the other. The heel is almost done. What once was string is now a sock. Amazing.

We went to Lexington, KY this weekend and stopped at The Stitch Niche. Great store. I bought a pattern from Fiber Trends for a felted purse and yarn from Schaefer yarn Company called Miss Priss in the Eleanor Roosevelt colorway -- lots of blues, teals and greens. It looks like the ocean and so far the fabric look great.

My yarn arrived from Knit Picks. I ordered Shimmer in Stained Glass. This is 70% alpaca and 30% silk. I'm going to try to double it (it's laceweight) and knit a clapotis from it. I was reading a post on Knitters Review -- yarns to use for spring/summer versions of this popular scarf. Someone (Morgan) suggested shimmer. Here is her photo of her shimmer version: Morgan's clapotis. The yarn is so soft and beautiful. Love it.

I'll try to grab the camera tonight and post photos.

Something else to read

I found two blogs this morning that look to be very well written and interesting. I found a reference to them in a magazine that I picked up called Personal Writing. I've added links to these two sites on my sidebar. Fallible and Marginal Comments are written by a husband and wife. Both have very interesting writing styles as well as topics. I'll keep an eye on these.

I've turned the heal on the socks, but haven't found the camera yet. It worked pretty well, although I had some trouble figuring out exactly what needle to use to pick up the stitches to make the gusset. That 1/2 hour of pondering and frogging ended with an "AhHa" moment, and I was back up and "socking."

Socks and Pictures

Socks. I've started knitting socks. So far I've finished the cuff and leg of one and am getting ready to start on the heal. I'm using a sock yarn from Elann called Sock it to me Collection Colori. I'm using the Northern Forest colorway. So far, so good -- needle size is US2, four needles plus an empty. The pattern is from Knit Socks by Betsy McCarthy. The book is shaped like a sock. The pattern is called "Classy Slip Up." Once I do the heal I'll post a picture.

Which reminds me, I have figured out how to post pictures. Fun. I've also added a link box to the side of the blog. The links I've added are for Knitter's Review, a great help for knitters -- reviews and a forum; the web page I maintain for work; and the web page for Knitting Help -- great resource with videos.

Finished and What Next?

The brother's scarves are finished. I really like the farrow rib pattern! It can be found at http://www.knitlist.com/01gift/farrow-rib-scarf.htm

I am now working on a vertically stripped scarf for my husband using cream, forest green and burgandy from Brown Sheep Co. -- Lamb's pride (http://brownsheep.com/lp.html). It's looking nice, except that the edges are rolling. He likes the thinness of stockinette stitch, but I added four rows of garter on the edge. At the joint between the two stitches, the scarf is folding over, so I have to figure out how to fix that problem.

I've been trying to decide what large project to start on next. I still need to finish the alpaca scarf (done in American alpaca yarn). I'm thinking of a clapotis using Handpainted Yarn's merino wool in a bright blue called "azul bolita." I am also interested in a shawl using Irish wool from Black Water Abbey yarns -- the really nice dark green. I don't have a pattern in mind yet, but I ordered the book Folk Shawls this morning, so maybe that will give me an idea. I also ordered the S and B Nation book. I'll have fun waiting for the mail next week.

I would also like to learn more about blogging, so that I could add hyperlinks to the side bars and photos -- so that's another goal.

Works in Progress

I am currently working on:

1. An afghan -- This was my first large project. I stopped it to work on scarves for Christmas. I look at it now -- about 2 feet long -- and see how my knitting has improved. I may move this to the frog pond; I'm not sure that I want to finish it because the many mistakes in the first two feet would bother me forever. Maybe I'll rip it out and start again.
2. A scarf for me -- This one if from Vogue's Scarf book (small carry-along size book). It is a "basketweave" type scarf with squares of garter stitch and squares of stockingnette (spelling?). It is knit on the bias, so the edge is zig-zaggy. I'm doing it in a pretty blue alpaca from American Alpaca.
3. The Brother's scarves -- As I mentioned before, each boy is getting a scarf. They are done in Farrow rib, which is knit knit purl knit knit purl each row. The result is a rib pattern with an intervening "column" of moss stitch. I like it!
4. A square for felting -- I'm working on and off on a long swatch knitted from wool to try out felting.

My first scarf knit with Trendsetter Savvy yarn

This is my first real project. I knitted it in June of 04 mainly in the car as we drove to Myrtle Beach. The yarn was purchased at the Stitch Niche in Lexington, KY. It was expensive, but I really enjoyed using it, and I have worn it endless times this winter. It is a plain garter stitch scarf, 12 stitches across, over 6 feet long.