Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Happy Christmas to all

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. 

Thursday, November 25, 2010

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

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...
 


Saturday, October 30, 2010

Cute sweater recipient update

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!

Thursday, October 28, 2010

What's going on?

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!

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...

Monday, September 20, 2010

Thanks for making babies, everyone!

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...

Sunday, September 5, 2010

So close!

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.

Friday, August 20, 2010

Unknitting

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.

Sunday, August 15, 2010

Gwen Also Makes Pie

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!

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.