Gwen Makes Things

Works in Progress

2012-01-31T22:10:00.000-05:00

Remember how I was knitting a sweater? But then I got distracted? Well, you see, knitting isn't always a linear progression - sometimes it's a big ball of wibbly-wobbly timey-wimey...socks. (Ha - you see what I did there?)

It's day 34 now, and I thought I was really rocking it and only had an inch to go before starting the ribbing when I tried them on and realized that, due to my shapely and seriously ripped calves (not that I'm tooting my own horn here, or anything), 13 inches of leg off my leg = 11 inches of leg on my leg. So, looks like I have a little farther to go than anticipated.

Also, I recently decided to start another sweater (yes, even though the first isn't done yet). It's coming along quite nicely despite the fact that the collar isn't as wide as it looks like it should be. Maybe that comes with the blocking. (The pattern is Bonaparte by fallmasche)

Oh, yeah - Christmas!

2012-01-31T22:01:00.000-05:00

Hey there, blog! Long time no... blog.

Here's the promised Christmas update - I made my brother the very coziest sweater in the whole wide world. I LOVE this pattern! My favorite part is the super wide raglan increases for the sleeves. As I mentioned before, though, apparently you're supposed to wash your gauge swatches... hmmm... so it grew like a monster. Also, this holiday season was particularly hectic, so there are only candid shots of him wearing it. But, here you go!

Pattern: Ranger, by Jared Flood
Yarn: random yarn from the G-ma stash, DK-ish weight
Needles: US size 7 & 8
Ravelry link

The Husband, the Brother and me in our Christmas sweaters

Paul looking classy by the fireplace.

My BFF texted me pictures all year of various Muppet and sock-monkey themed hats. My BFF and I are serious Muppet fans. Like, seriously. We make involuntary Muppet noises when discussing the Muppets. (Don't get me started on the new movie - OH MY GOODNESS. PERFECTION.) She did a project on Jim Henson when she was in elementary school, and my brother and I starred in her video. So, anyway... I decided she needed a Fozzie hat. (Did I mention she also says "wokka wokka" in casual conversation? Truth.)

While I was crocheting the details for this hat, I kept involuntarily giggling. Seriously, you can ask my husband. Especially when I got to the hat. I amuse myself so much.

Pattern: improvised
Yarn: random from G-ma's stash
Hook: K? I think?
No Ravelry link yet... I should get on that.

Pictures!

She's wearing an apron because of reasons. (Those reasons being that I gave her an apron for Christmas. It's not a repressed women thing; it's an apron with a BEER POCKET and ATTACHED BOTTLE OPENER thing. You can find them here.)

This is her Foozie face (seriously, have you SEEN the Muppets yet? Best movie of the year.)

And one final picture from right after I made it. LOVE!

The magic of socks

2011-12-30T22:38:00.000-05:00

Things that made me irrationally angry this evening:
1. The blatant disregard for organization of any kind at my local grocery store. Seriously, the sodas are in THREE SEPARATE AISLES.
2. People who leave their grocery carts in parking spots, even when the cart return is 10 feet from the abandoned cart.
3. That uber-annoying Nadia G lady on the Cooking Channel.

Thing that made it all better:
Sock knitting.

(That's Knit Picks Felici self-striping sock yarn in the colorway Time Traveler. It's super soft. And the stitch definition is incredible. And that's a TARDIS project bag by Jessa Lu - find her on Etsy. She hasn't yet figured out how to make the bag bigger on the inside, but it's darling nonetheless.)

A super-secret Christmas knitting (and crocheting) post will follow once the super secret crocheting is done. I realize that Christmas was five days ago, but this project won't meet its recipient until New Year's Day.

My existential crisis

2011-12-22T22:45:00.000-05:00

The secret Christmas knitting is finished.

See? Many pieces of yarn from the bajillion ends I had to weave in.

Now, the problem is, the beast grew like a mo-fo when I blocked it. Apparently you're supposed to wash your gauge swatch, too? I digress.

I've been sitting here wondering if I should throw it in the dryer, for like, a minute.

I've decided, finally, that that is far too risky, and I will just hope the recipient wants a big, cozy, sweater. ~~(He'd better.)~~

Get in the TARDIS, Professor.

2011-11-23T22:17:00.000-05:00

I made a friend yesterday.

I've decided he's from Gallifrey, given how firey he is, and his name is the Professor.

Some may say I could have been a tad more productive on my Tuesday at home. To them I say, "Yes, you're probably right. But this was far more fun."

Plus, when I was done, I got to have a photo-shoot.

Pattern: Baby Hedgehog and her Mommy by Ana Paula Rimoli
Ravelry link

On my lens cap, for size comparison

Sometimes, Gwen crochets things.

2011-11-22T00:42:00.000-05:00

So, the massive Christmas knitting project is coming along nicely, but you know me (okay, or maybe you don't) - I get bored with long projects and have to take a break for some instant gratification.
One of my friends on the facebooks posted some hats she'd crocheted recently (for children, mind you), and I thought I should see if I could find a penguin pattern. Oh, did I ever. And it required bulky yarn. And I bought the yarn this afternoon. And took a break for a few hours to go to a hockey game. And the hat is still done and on my head.

Crocheting is magically fast!!

Anyway, here's the ~~ridiculous~~ awesome hat.

Pattern: Penguin Bomber Hat, by Micah York
Hook size: K and G
Yarn: Bernat Softee chunky
Ravelry link

As you can see, the pets were not as impressed as they should have been. And after the addition of tassels to tie the ear flaps up, I deem this hat complete. And awesome.

In which someone pays me to knit something...

2011-10-25T00:08:00.000-04:00

One of my former co-workers/current facebook pals/fellow crazy sighthound person recently sent me a message asking if she could give me money in exchange for a pair of knit handwarmers. Not being the type of person who can turn down the chance to knit handwarmers (money, I mean, turn down MONEY), I gladly accepted.

This Evangeline pattern is super fast and super fun (and looks super awesome). I added a pattern repeat to the short version, and reversed the cables on the right hand so that the two mirror each other.

The yarn is very soft and also very washable, which is good because these are going to a vet hospital employee. :)

The cable pattern was super easy to memorize, easy to do with the cabling-without-a-needle method, and each only took me a day.

Pattern: Evangeline by Michelle Szeghalmi-Shirley
Yarn: Lion Brand Superwash Merino Cashmere in Wine
Needles: Size 7/4.5mm bamboo DPNs
Ravelry link

Meanwhile, on the couch, I've started a massive Christmas project for someone who shall remain nameless. But is a dude. The only other hint is that it is made with this yarn from Holland that cost 10c a skein back in the long-long ago.

I'm easily distracted by Noro

2011-10-03T23:09:00.000-04:00

So I took a break from my current sweater project to make stripey Noro legwarmers (shut up, legwarmers are totally awesome), and matching handwarmers.

I improvised each pattern, and used Noro Kureyon and some of the handspun that Aunt Jane gave me last Christmas. LOVE THEM!

Now I have to go back to my sweater and see where I left off... also I seriously need to make some socks... but I suppose I should wait till this sweater is done first. ; )

You'll notice that, as always the case with Noro, one has crazy loud stripes, and the other is more low-key (the sublime and the ridiculous, as I like to call them).

Sweaters! Please don't destroy them. (Whoa-whoa-whoa.)

2011-08-16T08:58:00.001-04:00

Alright, Interwebs. I finally took pictures of the FRONT of the Modern Garden Cardigan, and took pics of the Featherweight Cardigan. Happy now? No pics of Girl Friday yet because the button issue is just too prevalent still. But, two out of three isn't bad, eh? Also, there are all sorts of hilarious face shadows due to the mid-morning photo shoot, so a couple of the shots are headless. (Seriously, my face just looked too messed up.)

First up, Modern Garden Cardigan.
Pattern: Modern Garden Cardigan, by Veera Välimäki
Yarn: Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick & Quick (Charcoal)
Needles: US 15/10.0mm
Ravelry link

Good times. Good times.

Next up, the infamous cardigan knit in laceweight, which was a complete bore to actually knit, but a complete joy to actually wear.

Pattern: Featherweight Cardigan, by Hannah Fettig
Yarn: Knit Picks Shadow (Oregon Coast)
Needles: US 6/4.0mm
Ravelry link

So what now? Well, I've already made a pair of felted slippers, and I've already cast on yet another cardigan (is it clear that I've decided to make 2011 the year of the sweater?). Whew.

YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY!!!!

2011-08-01T23:46:00.000-04:00

Finally! After months of tedious knitting! The featherweight cardigan is cast off!

I mean, it still has to be blocked, but it's cast off! And it's super soft and cozy and I kind of love it even though it was a boring bear to knit. Once my week of guests is out of my blocking room, I'll get 'er all blocked and then finally do that photo sweater post. Woohoo!

Gwen makes things for babies

2011-07-05T19:37:00.000-04:00

Since I've been totally failing at showing you any finished knitted things (because I've been totally failing at finishing this sweater), here are two super cute onesies I made for two babies I know.

First we have the Raising Cane's onesie, for my friends Jamie and Blair, and their baby Henry. Jamie is the world's greatest fan of Cane's, so I thought we should start Henry off right.

Then we have the Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams onesie for my friends Greg and Liza, and their baby Lily. Liza always makes time for Jeni's whenever she's even remotely near Columbus, and if you'd tried it before, you'd know why. (Because it is heaven in an ice cream scoop, that's why.)

These were made very simply by freehanding logos onto onesies with Crayola fabric markers. I drew the logos with pencil first, just in case I needed to change anything. Super cute, eh?

Don't worry - I'm still alive

2011-07-05T19:27:00.000-04:00

Here's how I currently feel about knitting in stockinette in laceweight yarn:

That is, slightly blurry, and quite bored. I do love the fabric that is being created, but it's dreadfully dull at this point. I'm on the second sleeve, which means that casting on the front band is in sight, and at least that will be in ribbing...

The funny thing is, I already have post-sweater plans... for a fingering weight sweater. Yes, I realize how bored I currently am, but it looks really cute.

Temporary Insanity

2011-04-26T21:18:00.000-04:00

So, what did I decide to do after finishing a super bulky weight sweater in about a week?

Cast on a lace weight cardigan, of course. That is all stockinette. I am insane.

I am happy to report that it is going way faster than anticipated, and I'm now about an inch past the armpits. The pattern is the Featherweight Cardigan, by Hannah Fettig (Ravelry pattern link), and the yarn is Knit Picks Shadow in the color "Oregon Coast," because who doesn't like the Oregon coast?

I finished a pair of short Noro stripey socks recently, and my current sock project is two at a time magic loop toe-up short socks to use up some sock yarn I had leftover from my Outside In socks.

And I promise to get good pictures of the most recent sweaters up here soon. Maybe when this featherweight cardigan is done, I can have a super spectacular cardigan post. :) Back to the stockinette!

Look! The back of a sweater!

2011-04-01T14:21:00.001-04:00

So, I finally finished re-knitting a sweater that I originally finished in January (Modern Garden Cardigan). After I finished it, I learned about negative ease and couldn't find anyone who could wear it.

I re-knit it in a medium, and it's perfect! Love it. Love it so much that I tried to take pics of it on this bright sunny day, but all you get is the back and my face because the camera battery died. I'll get a full post up once the battery is charged.

In other sweater news, the Girl Friday sweater has buttons! But they are too small for the button holes. Sooooo... those pictures are still on hold.

1972 called - they want their sweater back

2011-02-26T23:30:00.000-05:00

Hey, Gwen - can you make the most 70s looking sweater possible?

Sure, Interwebs! Here's how.

Step 1: Start with some totally old yarn that your Grandma gave you.

(That's right - Aunt Lydia is not messing around.)

Step 2: Start knitting the Girl Friday pattern from Knitty, Fall 2009. An inherently retro lace pattern, if I do say so myself.

Step 3: Run out of Aunt Lydia's weird peach yarn while making the collar, and instead of going out and trying to match the color, just grab some other really old yarn from the Grandma Stash and create a collar that looks like it belongs on a letter sweater from the Nixon era.

And, of course, take emo mirror pictures because you're not quite done and ready for the official Finished Object Photoshoot.

As you can see, it's hilarious, and totally deserves some pleather-covered woven buttons.

Stay tuned, folks...

Noro + Cookie A = a happy Gwen

2011-02-15T15:45:00.000-05:00

The day after Christmas, I finished my Kai Mei socks! They are made of Noro Kureyon, which is to say, they are made of dreams and rainbows. If you've never knit with this yarn before, you'll think it's a little scratchy. Then I'll tell you to machine wash (cold) and dry your socks (yes, really - I know that's blasphemy, but trust me) and they will turn soft and squishy and fabulous.

Bonus - I have plenty of Kureyon left which I can combine with another leftover skein to make something fabulous and stripy! Woohoo!

Pattern: Kai Mei, by Cookie A (from the book Sock Innovation)
Yarn: Noro Kureyon Sock (colorway S236)
Needles: US 1/2.25 mm DPNs
Ravelry link

Long overdue Christmas update

2011-02-14T23:32:00.000-05:00

Greetings, all y'all. So, I've been knitting away but have refused to post anything new here until I post the Christmas stuff because I'm stubborn like that, but have also been too lazy to post the Christmas stuff, but I realize now it's Valentine's Day, so maybe I should get on that, eh?

Here's all the Christmas knitting in all of its glory:

For my brand new nephew who was born January 31, a delightful little sweater! I bought the penguin buttons a while ago, and finally found a suitable project for them. And, of course, after the freehanded llama worked out so well on the last baby sweater, I had to add a penguin to this one.

Pattern: Paxton, by StitchyMama

Yarn: Debbie Bliss EcoBaby Fair Trade

Needles: US 6/4mm

Ravelry link

Next we have a super pretty and soft and amazing Haruni shawl for my mom. (Let me just say now that I really want everything I gave away for Christmas - yes, even the penguin sweater.)

Pattern: Haruni, by Emily Ross
Yarn: Malabrigo sock yarn
Needles: US 4/3.5mm
Ravelry Link

Moving right along, we have a pair of Ysolda hats made for my aunts. The yarn was an acrylic blend, and say what you will about acrylics, I thought it knit up very nicely and is soft and delicious to boot. May not block as well as wool, but it works for me!

Pattern: Rose Red, by Ysolda Teague

Yarn: Plymoth Yarn Encore DK

Needles: US 6/4mm

Ravelry link

Pattern: Snapdragon Tam, by Ysolda Teague
Yarn: Plymouth Yarn Encore DK
Needles: US 6/4mm
Ravelry link

Finally we have these amazingly incredible convertible mittens I made for my BFF. I LOVE THIS PATTERN!!! Modified them from the original mittens using panuru's (Ravelry) mods. Anyway, they are awesome.

Pattern: Chimera, by Julia Mueller
Yarn: some sort of blend - I think it's Wool Ease, but it was found in my stash, so who knows
Needles: US 6/4mm
Ravelry link

Since Christmas, I made an impromptu hat, started a fair isle fingerless mitt project, made an ill fitting sweater (which will need to be frogged to make a proper size - but more on that later), finished a pair of socks, and am about 80% done with another sweater. So, yeah. I've been busy. :)

I don't want to spoil you with too many posts tonight, so I'll have more tomorrow.

Happy Christmas to all

2010-12-29T09:24:00.000-05:00

I'm working on rounding up all the Top Secret Christmas Knitting that I can now finally show you, but the thought of putting all those pictures into one post is currently making my head spin. So, here's a sneak peek.

In other exciting yarn-related news, my brother got me a book on colorwork and two skeins of soft soft soft fingering weight alpaca which I am using together for a pair of fingerless mitts. And my aunt Jane, who has a small farm of happy sheep and spins their wool, gave me a giant bag of sheep-grown hand-spun fiber which I have already turned in to a hat (but still have plenty more of - yay!).

I'm going to carry on with vacation now, but I promise I'll get that Christmas post up here sometime.

We're living in the wild wild west...

2010-11-25T22:24:00.000-05:00

Oh why hello there.

As you can see, I've finished the Wild West shawl. It's made with real honest to goodness laceweight yarn! And there are bison! And it's actually a neutral color so it's more versatile than the loud and colorful shawls I'm drawn to!

Here are the specs:
Pattern: Wild West Lace Shawl, by Evelyn A. Clark
Yarn: Knit Picks Gloss Lace Yarn, sterling (less than a skein, for realz)
Needles: US 4/3.5 mm
Ravelry link

And here are the pics!

I think it's pretty great, even if that close-up photo of the bison uploaded sideways...

Cute sweater recipient update

2010-10-30T20:00:00.000-04:00

Just an update on the adorable llama baby sweater:

The lucky recipient, a 6 pound 6 ounce baby girl was born on 10/28.

I got the distinct honor of meeting her today, and I almost didn't give her back to her mama! She is absolutely adorable, and I was so glad I didn't have to lie about her cuteness. ;)

The new mom and dad can't wait until she's big enough to wear that sweater, as well as all the other beautiful handknit items they were lucky enough to receive.

Congrats to the whole family!

What's going on?

2010-10-28T21:05:00.000-04:00

And now, what's currently going on on my needles.

A shawl... with BISON!!!!

Wild Wild West Shawl, by Evelyn A. Clark

Socks! With Noro Kuryeon! And a Cookie A. pattern! (Kai Mei from Sock Innovation)

The most accurate picture of the colorway

This one was my Niagara Falls traveling knitting companion, and the second one is on the needles as a commuting knit for my travel days at work (when I sit in the truck for a couple hours a day traveling the countryside in search of dogs and cats to surgicate).

Also in the works off and on is a really obnoxious red confetti cropped sweater. It's either going to be really cute or really really ugly. Or both. Like a pug.

As soon as I find the pictures of the ADORABLE hat and socks I made for my yet-to-be-born nephew, I'll post those. :)

Now, back to the shawl...

Introducing Vivian!

2010-10-28T20:58:00.000-04:00

So, I finished the Vivian sweater sometime in September. And it is absolutely fabulous. I still need to baste down the ribbon backing on the zipper, but that hasn't stopped me from wearing it at every opportunity. :)

Pertinent details:
Pattern: Vivian, by Ysolda Teague
Yarn: Cascade 220 Heathers in the color Turtle (awesome)
Needles: US 8/5.0mm circular (first Addi Natura, but then after that was chewed on, trusty Knit Picks Harmony)
Ravelry link

And now, for the fun part...

As you can see, the hood IS small.

Fenny started to get interested.

Clifford just wanted his but scratched.

Nappy Fenny shows off the cabling.

Vivian traveling on a road trip to Niagara Falls.

And Vivian by a large boulder at Niagara Falls.

Woohoo! Wearing handknit sweaters is so fun that now I have a hankering to make more...

Thanks for making babies, everyone!

2010-09-20T22:18:00.000-04:00

You know what's fun? Knitting for babies! Everything is so tiny and adorable! And fast! And did I mention adorable?!

My friend Liza is due in November, and since her baby shower was yesterday, I can finally post the adorable sweater I made for her.

I started with some random yarn I had lying around the house, and the Five Hour Baby Sweater pattern that has been adapted and transcribed by more people than you'd care to shake a stick at.

That was cute enough. But then I decided to go all wacky and embroider onto the sweater. With yarn and not embroidery floss, because this was on a whim.

So, I taught myself chain stitch, which is ridiculously simple, and winged a little sun and a llama, because Lliza lloves llamas. A llot.

When the llama was finished, I actually giggled out loud. Like, "Teeheeheeheeheeee!" The Husband was a little concerned, until I showed him and he had the same reaction. It looks a bit like a prehistoric cave llama, but I think it's awesome.

So now I'm working on a Super Secret Project for my sister-in-law, who is due in January. It is also adorable and I'll be sure to post it after her shower.

In other news, Vivian is done! And she is awesome! And I need to take pictures! When it is light out! So, you'll just have to wait a bit...

So close!

2010-09-05T21:58:00.000-04:00

I'm doing it again. Wearing an unfinished sweater, that is.

Because the sleeves/shoulders/yoke are done! And all that is left is to knit the hood and install a zipper (which I anticipate taking far too long but turning out far too well).

Here's an emo in the mirror picture to show progress. I think the purple cable of the needle adds a certain je ne sais quoi.

I suppose next you're going to tell me I have to take it off in order to keep knitting.

Unknitting

2010-08-20T23:07:00.001-04:00

Well, I did it.

I finally worked up the courage to rip back and re-attach the rogue left sleeve of Viv. Okay, "rip back" is a little harsh. With so many cables to worry about, I instead painstakingly "un-knit" two and a half rows (I was really stoked when I realized the left sleeve was the first one I came to in the unknitting - no need to even unknit past that one in the attachment row! Woohoo!).

Then I wanted some Ramen noodles, because that's what the unknit yarn reminded me of.

Another reason the unknitting was helpful, was that I was able to transfer my lovely Viv to my beloved Knit Picks Harmony needles. Why? Oh, someone decided to nom the Addis.

But guys? Guys? GUYS?

After unknitting, and counting, and knitting, and recounting, and then counting some more, and then, oh, maybe a little more counting...

I'm back to the same row as before the Great Sleeve Fiasco of 2010 and this time the sleeves match! Viv is symmetric! And I'm wearing a yoke-less on the needles sweater as I type this just out of principle!

Okay, I have to go now, it's really too hot outside to be wearing wool.

Gwen Also Makes Pie

2010-08-15T00:33:00.001-04:00

I love pie. I mean, like, really love pie. When I got married, we had wedding pie. See? I really love pie.

I'd been looking for an excuse to make summer pie, and when our friends decided to have us over for a cookout I jumped at the opportunity to bring a pie. Especially since my mom had just delivered some fresh Ohio peaches. Mmmm...

Supplementing the Ohio peaches with Pennsylvania peaches and Michigan blueberries, I made my first non-apple, pumpkin, or pecan pie. And man, is it good. I know because I completed Operation: Late Night Pie Delivery to my mom just a while ago, and of course we had to have a piece.

I started with a peach pie recipe and added blueberries (4 cups peaches, 1 cup blueberries).

Then I made my crust, and added a little ceylon cinnamon because I <3 Penzey's and was feeling saucy.

In goes the filling (not pictured: pats of butter).

My first lattice crust! It was exhilarating.

Baked and cooling. The second pie was hilariously hastily made, but after tasting it I assure you it is scrumptious. (Do people still use that word? "Scrumptious?")

Guess how much butter is in this pie? (Hint: It's 14 tablespoons.)

Hey, That Girl!

2010-08-15T00:18:00.000-04:00

It's done! And it's soft! And yellow! And cute!

Finished just in time for church last Sunday.

Pattern: Hey, Teach! by Helene Rush Knitty Summer 2008
Yarn: Knit Picks Comfy Worsted, Creme Brulee
Needles: US 8 /5 mm Harmony interchangeable circulars (Knit Picks)
Ravelry link

Now onto the pics...

I suppose you're going to tell me that 8 buttons are too many. (I may agree. These buttons are gorgeous but heavy... perhaps too heavy for the poor button band.)

Clearly the best way to wear it.

But the options are limitless!

Ta da! Thanks, Nikon, for autofocusing right under my arm instead of on me.

Then something adorable happened.

Light at the end of the tunnel...

2010-07-25T23:57:00.000-04:00

There's light at the end of the soft yellow lace tunnel!

The back and both sides of Hey Teach! are done, and the sleeves have been cast-on (both at once, because why do this twice?).

Here's how she's looking.

Finally I was smart enough to take daytime pictures - these are very true to the buttery yellow color of the yarn. Can't wait to finish so I can wear the world's most cheerful cardigan!

Hey, you!

2010-07-05T23:45:00.000-04:00

It's an addiction, the knitting.

Immediately after binding off the Monkey socks, I cast on a Project Which Must Not Be Named (you see it's a present for someone) and finished the PWMNBN in about a day and a half.

Then, my super happy fun Knit Picks order came (lots of Creme Brulee Comfy Worsted cotton, some grey lace yarn, and some bright yellow lace yarn), and I immediately cast on the Hey, Teach! sweater. It was midnight. I had to work the next morning. But, I had to cast on RIGHT NOW, you see. Mind you, I didn't knit the first row until after work the next morning, but no matter.

This yarn is sooooooooo soft! And this pattern, despite having inches and inches of stockinette, is going so fast!

Bonus - my purling finger is feeling better now, see?

Here's how the sweater is looking now. It's not quite as dark yellow as the non-flash pics, but not quite as light as the flash pics. Some day I'll take photos in the daylight; then the color will be right.

Done! Hi, Monkeys!

2010-06-26T23:32:00.001-04:00

The monkeys are finished! And they are happy and lovely. Next time, I'll definitely use a solid or variegated pattern, though, since this garish self-stripe kind of obscures the pattern.

Pattern: Monkey, by Cookie A. Knitty, Winter 2006
Yarn: Pattons Kroy Socks Jaquard, Tutti Frutti
Needles: US 1 /2.5 mm 16 inch and 24 inch circulars (Knit Picks)
Ravelry link

And now, more pictures!

Finger update

2010-06-16T00:20:00.000-04:00

The poor, dear, injured finger is improving. Purling still requires a great deal of strength and mental fortitude, but it is getting better. I like to think that the knitting is helping the mobility and not hurting it. :)

So I'm about a pattern repeat or two from starting the toes on the Monkeys, and I just have to say this is the easiest pattern to memorize ever! I love it and will definitely be making a non-self striping pair which will better show off the awesome pattern.

Just so this isn't a lame photo-less post, here is a picture of a giant dandelion from my trip to Oberlin. (Okay, so I think it was really a hydrangea without its petals, but whatever.)

A few small delays

2010-06-05T18:13:00.000-04:00

Greetings, Interwebs.

Still working on the Monkeys, but have had a few setbacks recently.

First, there was the move. The Husband and I bought our first home right before my birthday (mid-May) and had a whirlwind of packing and moving and cleaning and painting and unpacking and more cleaning. We now have an awesome house with this deck (go ahead and be jealous):

It sits on a pond and there are ducks and geese and herons and all sorts of other waterfowl.

The second, and more painful setback was a massive cat bite I suffered at work 10 days ago (I know it was 10 days ago because I just finished my antibiotics). It was right on the distal joint of my left index finger and the finger got all swollen and there was pus and I had to go to the ER and I'm still following up with an orthopedic hand specialist, so I'm a bit slow yet. It feels much better now, though, so these socks should be done soon(ish). Here's how they're looking these days:

Catharsis

2010-04-23T00:31:00.000-04:00

You know how sometimes people get really sad/worried/stressed and they turn to food for comfort? (You know, other people, not me of course...) Or how some people turn to crack to escape reality? (Okay, really not me this time...)

Well, when it comes to knitting, socks are my crack. (Um, that didn't sound the best, but you get the point.)

I'm still working up the patience to rip that dang sweater back a few rows. I really do love how it's coming out, it's just that somehow even though I trusted the pattern, that one darn sleeve is on all wrong (and since there's a nice bold cable running down the outside, it's quite obviously on wrong). So, it'll be fine, and I'll get it done, but not yet.

So, what do I turn to to relive the knitting stress? More knitting! (hahahaha, it's an addiction...) But not just any knitting - SOCKS! Nice, safe, reliable, cozy, socks. And not just any socks - fabulous Cookie A patterned, extremely garishly colored self-striping yarn socks. And, just for kicks, I'm doing them two at a time on two circulars (new technique - holla!).

It feels great. It's just what I needed to forget about that stupid sleeve fiasco. And it means I'm finally getting around to knitting a pair of Monkey socks. I bought the yarn impulsively on clearance over a year ago, and decided it would turn into Monkeys shortly thereafter, but it hadn't come up in the que yet.

I've almost finished the cuffs tonight, and I'm so excited! SOCKS! (Did I mention, socks?)

They're bright and happy and the leg pattern starts tomorrow and I love them already.

Ugh!

2010-04-22T00:41:00.000-04:00

Knitting's not all hugs and puppies, kids.

Sometimes it's being really excited and proud about attaching the arms of a sweater and then knitting three rows including a crap ton of cabling before realizing one sleeve is attached all cattywhompus.

Not sure when I'll recover/work up the nerve to rip back and fix it.

That is all.

The massive sweater update

2010-04-10T16:32:00.000-04:00

Don't worry, I'm still knitting.

I've finished the first sleeve of Vivian, and have attached that, and now must make the second. I kind of started with the right sleeve instead of the left, so I went ahead and attached it. I kind of knit 3 extra rows and had to frog them back which drove me nuts last night, then I spent way too long trying to figure out what to do with the underarm stitches on the waste yarn (I figured that they'd be grafted in the end, and I was right - had I read all the way to the end of the pattern I would have realized that, but I kept stopping at the charts. Little did I know the finishing part came after the charts...).

So, anywho, I'll start the left sleeve tonight. I can't wait to be done with this sweater because, a - I think it will be fanfreakintastic, and b - I have more projects planned in my head! (The first of which will be Hey, Teach! so I have something I can wear in the summer - Vivian is a little heavy.)

I'm also in the process of buying a house and moving, so the knitting time will be seriously cut down in the next few weeks.

TBK Seal of Approval

2010-03-12T23:35:00.000-05:00

This is what happens when I leave Vivian unattended...

Needless to say, I think The Big Kitty approves.

Hi, Viv!

2010-03-08T00:19:00.000-05:00

Now that the Olympics are over, I now return to my regularly scheduled knitting.

Here's how Vivian is doing these days.

And I made it to row 76!

There's a lot of choose-your-own-adventure sizing going on here, so I certainly hope it comes out well. A curvy girl's gotta do what a curvy girl's gotta do, you know.

Olympic Socks

2010-03-07T09:05:00.000-05:00

That's right. I did it. 17 days, 2 new techniques, a new pair of socks! The 2 at a time sock thing is pretty nifty, because it does eliminate the dreaded second sock syndrome, but I did miss my DPNs from time to time. And as I said in a previous post, initially I loathed the afterthought heel for making me pick up so many freaking stitches, but it does look cool. For some reason, the top of these socks came out longer than the bottom, but that just makes them look good from the top. All in all, I'm happy with them.

Pattern: Outside In, Janice Kang (Knitty Summer 2009)
Yarn: Knit Picks Imagination Hand Painted Sock Yarn, color - Seven Dwarves
Needles: US 1 1/2 /2.5 mm 60 inch circular (Knit Picks)
Ravelry Link

Winner!

2010-02-28T00:33:00.000-05:00

I did it! And with a whole day until the Closing Ceremonies. Extended picture-taking session tomorrow. Now I'm going to bed.

You're not hardcore unless you live hardcore

2010-02-21T12:34:00.000-05:00

Hey, Gwen, it's 1:30 am and Bob Costas long ago handed the reigns over to Mary Carillo, what are you doing still up?

Oh, I don't know... maybe OBSESSIVELY FINISHING THE FIRST HEEL OF THESE SOCKS!

At first I hated the afterthought heel because I had to pick out and pick back up 74 freakin' stitches, but then I kind of loved it. Nice to have the pattern seamlessly continue on the heel.

Back to the Olympic grind...

Ba ba baba ba ba ba dum dum dudum ba ba dum ba ba dum dum dum

2010-02-15T00:06:00.000-05:00

Um, that was the Olympic theme...

Because I am hardcore and because I am crazy and because what better thing to do when you just started a giant sweater project than to start another project, I signed up for the 2010 Knitting Olympics.

(I will admit, I cast on during the opening ceremonies at 10pm EST because I couldn't take casting on at midnight when the flame was lit when I had a 15 hr work day to look forward to the next morning. But, the rules clearly state to cast on between 6-8pm PST.)

Anywho, my project is Outside In by Janice Kang. 17 days. 2 new techniques (2 at a time on one circular and an afterthought heel). 1 crazy goal to finish before the flame goes out.

Just starting out during the opening ceremonies (I think this is some IOC address)

Progress thus far

The glorious inside of the Outside In socks

Random notes:

1. There is a big difference between size US 1 2.25mm (what the pattern called for) and size US 1 2.5mm (what I have) needles. After 4 rows, the sock was clearly going to be giant (and I was already making the medium size) so I managed to whittle down each sock by 8 stitches over the next few rows and am now knitting the small size (for my size 8 1/2 - 9 feet). The beauty of this is that the tops of the socks will not be too tight around my legs. Bonus.

2. For some reason (probably because it was near midnight when I checked the pattern) I thought the pattern said the cuff was 15 rows. When I went to start the leg, I noticed it was actually only 12 rows. Valuable time has been lost!

3. Only a few snafus so far - mostly 1/2 of one sock where I forgot all decreases for a row, but then made up for it later.

4. This 2 at a time sock thing is pretty darn awesome.

5. Sometimes I miss my DPNs. But I do not miss Second Sock Syndrome.

6. That is all. Goodnight!

Sweater Update

2010-02-12T00:05:00.002-05:00

Here's what I look forward to all day at work:

Millions of charts and cables for the Vivian sweater, deliciously smooth Cascade 220, and the best chair there is - Chairington 2.1.

I'm trying to make the sweater as custom as possible so there's a little finagling involved with decreases and increases and what not, but it's a good time.

I learned this week that the seed stitch in one panel is supposed to be mirrored in the opposite side, and I didn't do that, but honestly - it's seed stitch, can anyone really tell?

Love my new very inexpensive Knit Picks row counter (holla at ya, Knit Picks!).

Super Soft Shawlette

2010-02-11T23:59:00.002-05:00

Finished up the Ishbel shawlette earlier this week. I used the super duper soft green yarn that my BFF brought back from Scotland, and when that was about to run out, switched to some also soft but not quite as soft sock yarn, then did the bind off in the original green.

I must say I'm happy with how it turned out. I had my doubts at times after I'd switched to the variegated yarn, but it all worked out. One of these days I'll actually complete a lace shawl that is a solid color only...

Pattern: Ishbel, Ysolda Teague
Yarn: Orkney Angora St. Mangus DK (color = bottle green); Knit Picks Imagination Handpainted sock yarn (color = mermaid lagoon)
Needles: Knit Picks Harmony interchangeable circulars, size US 6/4.0 mm
Ravelry link

Pre-blocking:

Blocking:

I'd like to give a shout-out to blocking wires. You make my life so much easier, and let me block a billion points with approximately 8 pins.

And, of course, here are some glamor shots in the snow.

The Nerdy Old Lady

2010-02-04T22:49:00.000-05:00

"...When is my yarn going to be in at the yarn store?" I wondered out loud.
"You ordered yarn at the yarn store?" the Husband asked.
"Um, yeah..."
(hysterical laughter) "NERD! You're a nerd! And an old lady! A nerdy old lady"

Well, it's in! All 7 skeins of it. Cascade 220 Heathers, color Turtle.
(It's going to be the Vivian sweater, by Ysolda Teague.)

That extra skein is to finish Mom's Fetching I started to try Magic Loop, then ran out of yarn in a classic yarn project/yarn : cereal/milk situation.

So, good news Mom! Your mitts are done!

(pictures taken in haste as the batteries to both cameras died at the same time)

Pattern: Fetching (Cheryl Niamath), Knitty Summer 2006

Yarn: Cascade 220 Heathers, Autumn

Needles: addi Natura size US 8/5.0 mm 40# circular

Don't worry, the Ishbel is coming along nicely. Since this picture, the fab green yarn has run out and I've switched to a crazy variegated yarn to finish things out. I think I'm making it work.

Carry on.

I Heart You, Shawl Patterns

2010-01-24T22:36:00.000-05:00

"Cast on 3 stitches." I'm in love.

Just cast on the Ishbel shawl by Ysolda Teague. (Ravelry Link)

This is the rest of the Scottish Yarn, an angora/lambswool blend and it is even more bright green than pictured and soooooo super soft.

A Scottish Hat

2010-01-24T22:31:00.001-05:00

So, my BFF went to Scotland donkey's years ago, and brought me two luscious skeins of Scottish yarn. I kept trying to make something with the first skein, and nothing was turning out right, so I kept frogging it and setting it aside. I finally decided to try the Foliage Hat from Knitty, and it worked! It's a tad big for my tiny noggin, but still cozy. And it was super quick to knit.

It was a hard color to photograph, but it's closest to this unworn picture - a nice deep purple.

Pattern: Foliage (Emilee Mooney), Knitty Fall 2007

Yarn: Jamieson's Shetland Marl, color - amethyst

Needles: Harmony interchangeable circulars - US sizes 9 & 10.5
Ravelry Link

What's So "Magic" About Magic Loop?

2010-01-23T17:46:00.002-05:00

Magic Loop. For a long time I've avoided it. Who knows why - perhaps it was my strong double pointed needle pride (I mean, come on - it's impressive to knit with FIVE needles at once!), perhaps it was that I couldn't quite visualize how it was supposed to work, or (most likely) perhaps it was just that I didn't have the proper needles.

So when the time came to buy a circular needle with a cable long enough for my up and coming sweater, I decided to give it a try. I'm currently waiting on the yarn for the sweater and had to Knit Something Right Now to avoid obsessing over the sweater. My mom requested a pair of Fetching, and as it is my favorite instant gratification knit, I decided to use it as an opportunity to learn Magic Loop. So, with scraps of Cascade 220 from my brother's hat, and my shiny new Addi Natura Size 8/5mm 40 inch circular, I went to work. (Of course, I ran out of yarn pre-thumb on the second mit, so now I need to get more.)

At first, it was a little fiddly, what with the cables smacking me in the arms, but once I got the hang of it, I can see why people like it. There aren't as many opportunities for ladders, you only have to adjust your hands and needles once per round instead of thrice, and it does look pretty nifty.

I think in the future, I'll probably alternate between DPNs and magic loop. It's good to have an ever-expanding arsenal of technique. And I've already ordered sock sized circulars with loooooong cables because next I'm going to try 2 socks at once on one circular in an attempt to avoid the dreaded Second Sock Syndrome.

The Husband's Christmas (in January) Socks

2010-01-22T23:40:00.000-05:00

The Husband, because he is awesome, understands that I get in a yarn frenzy pre-Christmas and was content to receive a ball of sock yarn in his stocking, knowing it would become socks. And it did!

And they fit!

Pattern: Harris Tweed Socks, Ali Green
(Sort of. For the first sock, I misread the pattern as "Rows 1,3: k2p2; Rows 2,4 k all stitches" instead of "Rows 1,2: k2p2; Rows 3,4 k all stitches," so I had to keep that up for the second sock. Whatever, they still look fine.)
Yarn: Berroco Sox
Needles: US 1 1/2 / 2.5mm Harmony DPNs
Ravelry link

2009 Highlights

2010-01-22T19:11:00.000-05:00

2009 was a busy year in the world of my knitting.

I knit (knitted? past tense is tricky) my first pair of socks just before New Year's Day 2009, and my current sock count is now 6 1/4 pairs (one pair is, of course, on the needles - one must always have a pair of socks on one's needles), and there are quite a few pairs in my mental cue that I Just Have to Make Right Now, and every time I visit a yarn store, I have to recite the mantra "I don't need more sock yarn, I don't need more sock yarn..." and then I always wander over to the sock yarn just to tease myself.

I also discovered shawls, lace knitting, and the Magical World of Blocking this year. Lace shawls are a thing of beauty because: A) Well, they're beautiful; and B) They are deceptively simple to execute; which C) Makes you look like some sort of knitting rock star.

I felted for the first time in my Christmas knitting frenzy, and it's awesome! You knit something big and floppy and then put it in the washer and then it's small and awesome! Seriously.

I also now understand the obsession with Malabrigo (it's like knitting a cloud), Noro (I am hypnotized every time), and Knit Picks' Harmony needles, and am beginning to go to Cascade 220 as my standard workhorse yarn (sorry, Jo Ann fabrics, but I'm becoming a fiber snob. So much so, that I just typed "fibre.").

Anywho, let's take a look back in a photo-heavy blog post at some of 2009's creations.

Here's a present I made for the baby girl of some friends of mine. Aren't they the cutest?

They are adorable long toed booties...

Then fold up into tulips!

Pattern: Tulip Toes (Cathy Campaigne), Knitty Summer 2006

Socks, oh, socks. I love you.

Lace + Socks = super happy fun time

Pattern: Baudelaire (by Cookie A, my sock hero), Knitty Summer 2006

Here's a shawl I knit for my G-ma for her 93rd birthday. It was my first shawl, and first large lace project.

Pattern: Forest Canopy Shawl, Susan Lawrence

Next we have a gratuitous pair of Fetching made in preparation for a trip to Alaska. My first time working with Malabrigo, and I wanted to make a bed out of it and roll around in it.

Pattern: Fetching (Cheryl Niamath), Knitty Summer 2006 (it was a good issue, okay?)

Here's a shawl for me!

Pattern: Springtime Bandit, Katie Gagnon Osborn

Here are socks I made for my mom for her birthday. They were almost too small, but not enough that I got to keep them. Lace AND cables? That's insane.

Pattern: Absinthe (Sara Morris), Knitty Spring 2009

The Husband and I celebrated our 1st anniversary in October. Because the first anniversary is paper, I made him an origami heart:

And because we both love penguins, I crocheted an amigurumi penguin that ended up looking like Mr. T because I was using scrap yarn and the dark purple was extra fluffy.

I made him a lei because we honeymooned on Maui.

Pattern: Penguin Amigurumi found in Women's Day, apparently. Link

Noro Stripey Socks! They're my fave.

Pattern: Noro Stripey Socks, Faith AD (of the Needle and the Damage Done)

It's Christmas time!

For my brother, a pair of fingerless mits

Pattern: Dashing (Cheryl Niamath), Knitty Spring 2007

And a hat

Pattern: Trilobite (Hannah Ingalls), Knitty Summer 2009

For G-ma, some felted slippers!
Pre-felting:

Post-felting:

Pattern: Felted Slipper, Midnattsol

For my BFF, a noro scarf!

Pattern: 1x1 rib, repeat until done with alternating balls of 1 skein of Noro Kureyon

And for my aunts, more Noro scarves!

Pattern: Improvised crochet - alternating rows of single and half-double crochet until the ball was done. Then added kicky buttons.

Finally, for my mom, a shawl (that I loooove) made with yarn I bought in Alaska.

Pattern: Aeolian Shawl (Elizabeth Freeman), Knitty Spring 2009

The Husband's Christmas in January socks will get a special post.

Whew!

Hello, Interwebs.

2010-01-22T14:58:00.000-05:00

Well, it's happened. I've joined the ranks of people with blogs devoted to their crafty endeavors. (Mostly of the knitting variety.) I figured it would be a good way to document my work, jibber jabber about fun new techniques I've learned, complain about fiddly spots, and rave about luscious Malabrigo (mmmmm...).

Who am I? I'm a daughter, a sister, a wife, an animal doctor, an equestrian, a runner, a lover of both books and video games, an avid eater of fine cheeses and almond butter, someone who Thinks She Can Dance (which may or may not be the case), but here I'm Yet Another Blogging Knitter.

So, here I am. Ready for the Interwebs.