OMG it's a FO!!!

Thursday, June 12, 2008

Yes that's correcto. I somehow managed to finish something. Behold:
The Swirls socks are finished. I finished up the toe this morning and had it kitchenered before lunch. I think they are gorgeous and should wear well as they are knit on such small needles. I can't wait to wear them. I think in a few days. I sliced my toe open on something yesterday and it was bleeding pretty bad, so I don't want to risk blood on any hand knit socks until it's healed. Then today I slammed my toe into a piece of wooden furniture, and I really think I broke it. I'm in some serious pain. We'll see how it feels, I have to work tomorrow, 5 hours. I'll have to be gentle.

Not a good thing though, since I'm supposed to be cleaning. Our part of the house is beyond cluttered. We have someone coming on Sunday to install a ceiling fan in our bedroom, and fix a light or something. So things have to be presentable.

I'm knitting on my loopy swap project. It's so easy, but I just can't seem to get far on it! I need to get the rest of the package together in the meantime, it's to be mailed by the 22nd.

Here is a picture of Nicholas with his new kitty Pounce. He got it for going potty today. It seems like we'll have a week of him going a few times a day for a week and then for 4 days he refuses. It's a slow process. So hopefully this reward will help. He loooooves kitties of any kind and was super excited about it.Ok now, off to knit and rest my poor toe. Maybe it's not broken, just still stinging from impact. I can wish right?

ETA: Forgot to ask: Have you plurked today?

Rivendell

Monday, June 09, 2008

So here is the picture that I promised of my redone Rivendell sock. The yarn I switched to is Claudia Handpainted fingering weight, in Sea Dreams. I bought it at The Loopy Ewe ages ago, and I think it's the perfect color for this.
I love how it looks so far, but I have changed a few things about it, the pattern is seriously lacking in clarity and direction. I hope some of that was fixed since it was published in a book. Regardless, I am enjoying knitting it.

A picture, though blurry, of my recent spinning. It's superwash bfl from Pigeonroof in Pink Lady and very pretty. This one was the best picture of the colors, the non-blurry ones were all destroyed by flash. I'm spinning for a 3 ply sock yarn. This is 2/3 of bobbin one. I can't wait to finish it!
Other than that, not much is going on. I've just finished listening to an audiobook. I signed up for an account at audible.com. There is a discounted rate (7.49 per month) for the first three months. You get one credit, which in most cases is one book. Well now that I've finished my book, I'm aching for another! I do get a discount with my account if I purchase them outright, but it's a good bit more than buying credits (try 15-25 per book!)...so now I have to wait till next month for my next credit...sigh.

So I'm building up my wish list, that way I won't forget all the books I want to get. Ok well off to do some more spinning and knitting, and laundry for work tomorrow. It's my first 8 hour shift in months, so I best be prepared and get to bed early!

Knit So Fine

Friday, June 06, 2008

So today I went to Borders. I went looking for two books. One was a cookbook, Deceptively Delicious. It seems like a good book for sneaky ways to make your kids eat stuff they wouldn't normally. So they had it, but my other book trumped that one. I only had one coupon you see, and so that one will wait for a week or two until they email me another.

This is the book I got:
I've known since the previews that I wanted to get it and after looking through it in person, I couldn't leave it there. Besides, it was the last copy they had! Here are some pictures of my favorites from the book.

Eyelet Halter:
Dolman Top:
I like this top even though it's not something I'd probably wear. Maybe without the sleeves though, like a short sleeve or vest thing.

Asymmetric Cardigan:
Traveling Stitch Legwarmers:
Lattice Lace Pullover:
Lace Stole:
Fingerless Elbow Mitts:
I think it's neat how these kind of match the legwarmers. Though I wouldn't wear them together, too matchy. I also loooove that they go up past the elbow. Good in white for a winter wedding! Obviously not mine lol, but that's the first thing I thought of.

Cowlneck Pullover:
Cabled Vest:
Kimono Top:
I adore this pattern almost above all others. Look at the fun stitch pattern! I know there was a skirt with this butterfly looking stitch, on Knitty Gritty. I wanted to make it but it was a teeny size. It looks flattering too.
And of course I like the Lace Trimmed Raglan on the cover besides. The book has lots of good information on why knitting with finer yarns is worth the effort, shaping, better fit, durability. I think it's great! I love this barbie doll picture they show, to emphasize the difference in fit and shape between thick and fine yarn garments.
The caption to the left reads:

"Even the fashion doll-with her exaggerated proportions-looks better in the clingy, thin, curve-hugging fine-gauge yarn."

The only thing that is weird, is they didn't really name the garments. They are more just descriptions of the item. I think they could have been a little more creative, but whatever. I like the patterns and I suppose that's what counts.

I caved today and started the Rivendell sock. I couldn't help it. I really just wanted to see how my chosen yarn looked in it, and I'm so close to finishing my swirls socks anyway. So I got a little bit past this point in the picture, and decided that it's not so much the colors I don't like, as the yarn. It's a tencel blend, so not as much give, and I think with the wraps that's essential. I think the yarn is also a tad too bright. So I ripped and went with my second choice which I think I'll be happier with. Pictures of it later when I get further on it. I love the pattern though!

Tomorrow is knit group at Paradise Fibers. Not sure if I'll bring knitting or spinning yet. Either way, it will be great to get out of the house!

New Projects

Wednesday, June 04, 2008

Yesterday I started Melissa's swallowtail shawl I'm knitting up for her. I started with size 3's, and it was just small and too tight, and so I switched to size 5's since all my 4's are in use, and I think it's much better. Not too tight or loose. I like how the colors spread out. Not much pooling-wise. I've got 5 of 14 repeats done. I know this will be a quick knit.
In the mail today I got the two NeedleKeeps I ordered. You may remembered I ordered some of these back in like January or so. I love them so much. Last time I got a 6 and a 7 inch. This time I ordered a 5 and a 6. Most of my needles are 6 inches, but a few are shorter or longer. My Brittany size 2 dpns are actually longer than 7 but they still fit into the 7 inch, the cap just sticks up a bit, but it works. These two have cute little charms. A froggie on the left, and a pink sandal with a flower that has little gemstones. Super adorable! Everyone should have these. I like to store my dpns in them too, keeps them safe, and unbroken.
I also got some yarn I traded for. Two and a half balls of Noro Kureyon in color 150. Grey, aqua, and some green. I got them to make a scarf like Melissa is making for her hubby. Chad liked it, so I thought I'd surprise him with one this winter.
I also started spinning my Pink Lady superwash bfl from Pigeonroof for the June Spin along on the Spinner Central board on Ravelry. I am going for a 3 ply sock, my first! It's spinning up so pretty. Pictures of that later!

Ok well that's it for now.

Cherrybomb

Monday, June 02, 2008

Look look look! Look what I have finished!Ok it needs washing, but it's done being spun and plied!I adore it. It started as about 4 ounces of bfl from the Yarn Wench, and I spun it to a thicker laceweight. If I calculate correctly, there are 830 yards here. Not bad! I had a bit leftover on one bobbin, I spun the first bobbin a little thinner than the second, but it's fine. It wasn't a huge difference. I am about to go put it in a bath, and hope it dries quick. I want to cast it on already! In case you have forgotten, it's been a bit since I've talked about my plans for this, it's for Juno Regina. I think I'll take out one of the diamond repeats, to make it thinner, and make up for having a little less yardage than the pattern calls for. It's going to be so pretty!

Ok well off to soak my lovely yarn. Night!