tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-51881652011-04-22T00:05:00.229-04:00And she knits too!The musings of a PhD candidate who, most times, would rather be knittingDr. Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02285719904765592739noreply@blogger.comBlogger1601100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5188165.post-1069629821137931642003-11-23T18:23:00.000-05:002003-11-23T18:26:50.983-05:00Bye-e-e-e
I filled my server space and had to move...
http://acunningplan.typepad.com/andsheknitstoo/
Please update your links and check out my new digs. Typepad's really nice.Dr. Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02285719904765592739noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5188165.post-1069425674985718452003-11-21T09:41:00.000-05:002003-11-21T12:52:23.420-05:00It'll Just Take an Hour
Ya, right. I always underestimate the amount of time it takes to do finishing work--likely because I'm anxious to see the new garment. This vest is no exception. During Survivor (poor Rupert) I wove in the ends. Then it took me more than an hour to pick up the 302 stitches for the front bands:
The pattern says to pick up the left and right sides separately Dr. Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02285719904765592739noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5188165.post-1069341666302369652003-11-20T10:21:00.000-05:002003-11-20T10:47:08.796-05:00Vestige? Investigate?
I'll stop with the vest puns because I can't come up with any new ones (or at least none that aren't weirdly obscure).
I did make some progress on the finishing work though and I'm so pleased with how it's coming along. I attached the front middle cable to the back neck first and kitchener stitched the two pieces together.
Then, I picked up the armband stitches-Dr. Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02285719904765592739noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5188165.post-1069255390656967932003-11-19T10:23:00.000-05:002003-11-19T10:25:20.263-05:00Vested Interest
I finished the last piece of the vest last night, and I've been working on a bit of finishing today. First step is to sew the shoulder sleeves together:
Not a bad job if I say so myself. Then the neck band cable is extended from the front pieces and sewn onto the back neck. I'm going to kitchener stitch the two pieces together. Here's the neck piece so far:
Today, it's Dr. Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02285719904765592739noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5188165.post-1069164976175692642003-11-18T09:16:00.000-05:002003-11-18T09:17:04.700-05:00Time well invested
Okay, so I'm stealing the pun idea from Lisa's glove entries--but I have a title.
The kids were in bed phenomenally early last night so I had enough time to almost finish the last piece of the Lovely Lavold vest:
No troubles this time and only a few more hours until I'm onto the finishing work. There are lots of stitches to pick up--hundreds--but I'm trying to remain Dr. Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02285719904765592739noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5188165.post-1069077986269199652003-11-17T09:06:00.000-05:002003-11-17T09:09:57.013-05:00He Likes It!
Birthday Boy got his skull scarf on the weekend:
He was really pleased with it and we all had a fun birthday party. I still wanted to take it back and keep it for myself though.
Partying and post-party sleeping (not hungover, but went to bed far too late) meant I didn't do much knitting this weekend. I did make a scarf to go with my biggy print hat. I'll spare you a picture Dr. Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02285719904765592739noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5188165.post-1068820592038254222003-11-14T09:36:00.000-05:002003-11-14T09:39:33.983-05:00Vesty!
To celebrate yesterday's chapter completion I worked like crazy on the Lovely Lavold Vest. The front is a bit more difficult than the back because there's a lot happening--neck shaping, arm hole shaping, cable motif--but with a pad of paper in hand I got it all done (well the left side):
Sorry the picture is so bad--I even took it outside--I don't get a lot of early-day sun at my Dr. Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02285719904765592739noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5188165.post-1068757823406940452003-11-13T16:10:00.000-05:002003-11-13T16:12:31.420-05:00I just printed the 56 pages of my Introductory Chapter and Literature Review Chapter to hand in. This puts me past the hard writing and the half-way point of my first draft! Hooray! Just the results, discussion and conclusion to go. Well, then there's the revisions, but I'm focusing on one task at a time.
I've even added a progress bar to my WIPs.
Dr. Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02285719904765592739noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5188165.post-1068736842958268452003-11-13T10:20:00.000-05:002003-11-13T10:22:42.670-05:00One down...
One more pair to go! I had my Wednesday night TV binge last night and finished the first pair of commissioned socks.
I was getting sick of them, but am oddly excited to cast on the next pair which will be made from Regia Stretch Color #88.
The colour is a varigated brown/green/olive mix; very manly and forgiving. I won't have to worry about making a perfectly matched pair, Dr. Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02285719904765592739noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5188165.post-1068652639164372902003-11-12T10:57:00.000-05:002003-11-12T11:01:30.843-05:00It's so nice when...
You're knitting a well-written pattern. I worked away on the Lovely Lavold last night and it's just swimming along. The front has short rows to achieve the pointed angles at the middle and her instructions were clear and easy.
I'm more than half way through the first cable motif and it knits up fast. My ab-fab mom bought me the perfect black turtle neck to wear Dr. Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02285719904765592739noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5188165.post-1068561472358665342003-11-11T09:37:00.000-05:002003-11-11T09:38:17.013-05:00Goodies
Since I didn't do much knitting last night--I worked on my sock a bit, and tried to knit a scarf with some oddballs of Rowan Biggie Print and Big Wool--I thought I would show you some pre-yarn-diet acquistions that will be knit up this winter.
First is the Noro by Debbie Bliss book I need to make my Garter Stitch Entrelac Jacket to be called my Anniversary Coat (since the yarn wasDr. Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02285719904765592739noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5188165.post-1068426211949485112003-11-10T09:02:00.000-05:002003-11-10T09:07:33.123-05:00One Down...
I finished the first commissioned sock on Saturday, and in a fit of really smartness, cast on the second one. I knit up about half the foot, but had to stop because those little dpns make my hands sore.
But, knitting the Lovely Lavold Vest didn't cause me any pain, so that was my Sunday project. Here's my progress:
This is one of those projects that, while I appreciate the Dr. Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02285719904765592739noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5188165.post-1068400774568444592003-11-09T12:59:00.000-05:002003-11-09T12:59:56.500-05:00Barbie Fun
Met the girls at our Stitch and Bitch on Friday night and had a great time. There's nothing like hanging out with other knitting junkies and chatting about all things knitting. It also makes Craig happy because then he doesn't need to hear all about my knitting exploits. Jenna brought me a fun toy to play with. It's a barbie knitting machine designed to crank out knit tubes you Dr. Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02285719904765592739noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5188165.post-1068214137749348752003-11-07T09:08:00.000-05:002003-11-07T09:14:33.966-05:00Friday!
(Just like Amy if I can't think of a title--the day will have to do!)
I didn't work on the socks last night because I really wanted to get to the armholes of the vest. Well, I got there and then proceeded to mess up the SSP decreases so I had to rip out about 10 rows and start again. That'll teach me to shirk knitting I need to do. I did a few rows to get it right and then called it Dr. Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02285719904765592739noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5188165.post-1068128217038963212003-11-06T09:16:00.000-05:002003-11-06T09:17:46.403-05:00Almost at the weekend
And thank goodness for that! I'm tired. The kids are waking up far, far too early (like 5:30am). Especially when I don't have enough sense to go to bed earlier (I didn't want to miss Law & Order). It's going to be a tough day at the computer.
But, all that staying-up time meant I finished the first cable motif on the Lovely Lavold vest.
I took the picture Dr. Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02285719904765592739noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5188165.post-1068046247403422552003-11-05T10:30:00.000-05:002003-11-05T10:31:04.390-05:00Lovin' it
The Lovely Lavold vest is coming along nicely. It's a lot of fun to knit, and I can actually see how the cables need to be formed which means I'm not a total slave to the charts. It's a bit hard to photograph because the yarn has subtle colour changes, and it is pea-soup foggy today, but here it is:
I tried to focus on the back centre cable, the edges are just reverse stockinette Dr. Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02285719904765592739noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5188165.post-1067884225161034162003-11-04T07:29:00.000-05:002003-11-04T08:45:48.670-05:00Starting Frenzy
Well, not a frenzy, but I did start 2 projects yesterday. One was my first pair of commissioned socks and I really like how the colours are emerging.
And, after I scaled mount laundry and got the kids to bed, I dove into the Lovely Lavold vest (my rename of Culdesac). I had a bit of trouble with the lifted increase instructions, but I think I have them figured out (the Dr. Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02285719904765592739noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5188165.post-1067869834233378912003-11-03T09:30:00.000-05:002003-11-03T09:40:48.716-05:00Finishing Frenzy
Woohoo! I finished the scarf!!!! It was a pleasure to knit up those last skulls. I had the pattern pretty much memorized and they flew off the needles. I wasn't super pleased with it at first, but after a good steaming and addition of the fringe I love it! The birthday-boy better like it or I'm keeping it. He's a bit of a curmudgeon so I'm never sure how he'll react. As Dr. Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02285719904765592739noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5188165.post-1067734006706654382003-11-01T19:46:00.000-05:002003-11-01T19:54:03.310-05:00Fall Fun
Halloween was great fun last night. It was amazingly warm (like 20C) so the kids were too hot in their costumes. But they managed to trick or treat their way to enough candy to make all of us happy. Here they are--the costumes are designed for a normal Halloween in these parts which is usually freezing.
Today we went to an apple-picking farm. It was the last weekend they're open Dr. Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02285719904765592739noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5188165.post-1067610098990490912003-10-31T09:21:00.000-05:002003-10-31T09:25:08.733-05:00Happy Halloween
I dressed the kids in their black and orange outfits for daycare and am getting prepared for halloween fun. (No costumes are allowed to avoid parents feeling pressured to dress up their kids--but having to find black and orange clothes wasn't stressful when they already had costumes for trick or treating--I'll keep my swearing to myself...)
Here's my very silly costume:
Dr. Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02285719904765592739noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5188165.post-1067525167680419552003-10-30T09:46:00.000-05:002003-10-30T09:47:24.890-05:00Arrrgh!
I did half a skull band on the scarf last night, and had every intention of finishing the band this morning--I even got up extra early. But, I somehow manage to cut my right baby finger while trying to get the wrapping off a cucumber (don't ask me how--I have no idea) and now I have a big bandaid on it and I can't hold the yarn in my right hand. I knit continental, but for the scarf I Dr. Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02285719904765592739noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5188165.post-1067437592412838282003-10-29T09:26:00.000-05:002003-10-29T09:48:22.936-05:00Aren't I Boring?
There wasn't a whole lotta knitting going on last night because, in a rare fit of inspiration, I was working on my thesis after dinner. I usually stop around 4:30 and pick up the kids at daycare and the thesis isn't touched until the next work day. Yesterday I had some ideas I wanted get on paper so off to work I went once their dad was home. It felt good to make some real Dr. Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02285719904765592739noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5188165.post-1067342910995014672003-10-28T07:08:00.000-05:002003-10-28T07:56:09.110-05:00Slogging along
Thesis writing went pretty well yesterday. I didn't actually get a lot on paper, but I found a way to write it all so it makes sense--this has been alluding me the past week, so I count it as progress. I'm almost anxious to get to it today (almost).
Progress in this meant less progress everywhere else so I spent the evening on the mundane bits of life (laundry, cleaning, Dr. Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02285719904765592739noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5188165.post-1067225468111518052003-10-27T08:57:00.000-05:002003-10-27T08:57:01.780-05:00Relaxed
Had a lazy, cozy weekend at the cottage. We walked in the leaves, played in puddles, and just stared at the lake and fall colours warmed by the woodstove and all those fall smells. And, I knit of course. I started a scarf out of Kureyon (that was destined to be a booga bag) and didn't like the look of it (I casted on 300 stitches and was striping it length-wise) so I started, and Dr. Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02285719904765592739noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5188165.post-1066995840725240982003-10-24T07:44:00.000-04:002003-10-24T07:44:52.576-04:00Warm and Cozy
So, the car is better, and I got a bunch of knitting in on the scarf. I have one more stripe to do and I can get to the skulls--this time I'm sure it's long enough. I don't think I'll bring it to the cottage because I want something easy. I might cast on some socks or a booga bag, I'll see what I'm in the mood for later. It will be nice to sit in front of the woodstove, lookingDr. Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02285719904765592739noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5188165.post-1066926207358645212003-10-23T12:23:00.000-04:002003-10-23T12:24:51.783-04:00Remote Post
I'm presently at my Uncle's auto garage getting a load of work done on my car. So no more yarn for me for a while (sigh). He's a fair and reasonable mechanic, and the work (brakes, struts, timing belt) need to be done so that's how it goes.
I finished the left front of my must-have cardi last night and the ribbing of the right front. After a few tries of setting the cable Dr. Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02285719904765592739noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5188165.post-1066830298770489152003-10-22T09:44:00.000-04:002003-10-22T09:46:01.893-04:00Not to be a joiner or anything...
But after seeing
Kathy's, Booga J's, Theresa's,
Ginny's and now Amy's ab fab Charlotte Web Shawls, I can't stand it anymore--I'm getting one.
I've been thinking about making one all summer, and I'm tired of seeing all these great shawls, tempting me, saying knit me, knit me now. The two reasons I want to knit this (because I'm sure not a shawl person): Dr. Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02285719904765592739noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5188165.post-1066741510621481442003-10-21T09:05:00.000-04:002003-10-21T09:07:52.210-04:00Good and Bad
The zipper is in! I redid the machine side by hand and it worked perfectly. I probably won't wear it zipped too often (except when I'm outside) so I'm not stressing about the stripes not matching up. Here's the finished product:
When it's unzipped it looks the same as it always did:
Even though I really wanted to start something new (like Culdesac or a Booga Bag) I worked Dr. Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02285719904765592739noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5188165.post-1066656767343404722003-10-20T09:32:00.000-04:002003-10-20T09:39:46.763-04:00Me and My Sewing Machine...
...do not get along. Last night was no exception. I spent the evening trying to put a zipper into Rosedale. My first attempt went poorly and I had to carefully rip the whole thing out. I then re-consulted my Vogue Knitting book and decided to sew it down by hand on the wrong side before using the machine. That was 50% right. I still might rip that side out. The Dr. Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02285719904765592739noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5188165.post-1066520175216885052003-10-18T19:36:00.000-04:002003-10-18T20:04:15.753-04:00Whatdaya Do?
I have a bunch of projects burning holes in my stash. I want to start Culdesac, Classic Aran for Xander, a requested vest for Emma, socks (from the nifty yarns I picked up yesterday at the CSNF--see yesterday's post), and I want to make something, anything, and felt it. So what do I do today instead? I knit a hat for myself out of Rowan Biggy Print in Shock:
I put a stand-up Dr. Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02285719904765592739noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5188165.post-1066390615349718572003-10-17T07:36:00.000-04:002003-10-17T07:37:36.863-04:00Not long enough
So I got to the point in the scarf where I wanted to start the second set of skulls and it's not long enough. My plan was to have the middle section be twice as long as one skull section, but a 56" total scarf of this sort isn't long enough. Poop. So I have to frog a few rows and then do about 6 more blocks. No sense in putting up a picture--just look at the one below and Dr. Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02285719904765592739noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5188165.post-1066310350899647132003-10-16T09:19:00.000-04:002003-10-16T09:55:51.390-04:00Scarf'n and Swatch'n
My favourite tv night was marred by the fact The West Wing wasn't on, but I still made some progress on the scarf:
I have a white band and black band left before I start the next 20 skulls. I'm getting a bit bored with the striped part, so I'll be glad when I get to the tough stuff.
I also managed to do some swatching for my
Kureyon Garter Entrelac Coat. (I have Dr. Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02285719904765592739noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5188165.post-1066225860773322442003-10-15T09:51:00.000-04:002003-10-15T09:51:00.223-04:00Nothing
I did knit a bit last night, but there's no real progress to speak of. My scarf is coming along and will be done with plenty of time to spare--if I work on it! I also worked on the Must-Have cardi. I decided to show some restraint and not start the Lavold vest. I do have the yarn--Rowanspun DK in Lavendar--but I'll try to get the other projects done first.
Now if I could only say Dr. Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02285719904765592739noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5188165.post-1066138510101528322003-10-14T09:35:00.000-04:002003-10-14T09:37:00.000-04:00Turkey Overload!
We went to my parents and had a lovely Thanksgiving. The leaves were all changing, the weather was really warm, we ate, played, saw Kill Bill--amazing, and ate lots of turkey. I got to wear Rosedale all weekend and I love it! It still needs a zipper, and I need the time to track one down, but it's the perfect fall cardi. Thanks for all the kind comments.
I also finished Dr. Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02285719904765592739noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5188165.post-1065877639851774232003-10-11T09:07:00.000-04:002003-10-11T09:08:23.403-04:00Presenting Rosedale
Hooray! I love it. I want to get a zip (in taupe or dark fucshia) but that's not stopping me from wearing it (I'm gussied up to go out to a scotch nosing--this is a rare makeup wearing event for me!).
That's the picture I like best, but here's one that shows the sweater better:
The ones of the back didn't turn out. I'll post them to my gallery when I get back from theDr. Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02285719904765592739noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5188165.post-1065792027575072322003-10-10T09:20:00.000-04:002003-10-10T09:20:27.463-04:00I just need to graph the underarms and I'm done. But, Emma's sick (again poor dear) so taking her to the doctor comes first. But if you come back later, there will be pictures of a lovely finished Rosedale!Dr. Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02285719904765592739noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5188165.post-1065707784893059782003-10-09T09:56:00.000-04:002003-10-09T09:58:41.380-04:00Close, but...
I'm not done. I had to redo the collar because my first colour combination looked muddy.
Here's the finished collar:
And, I changed the zipper facings which took some figuring--I'm only done one side. I didn't like how the stitches looked when picked up on the wrong side so I picked them up on the right side. It's actually the best stitch pick-up I've ever done. HopefullyDr. Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02285719904765592739noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5188165.post-1065622247541175602003-10-08T10:10:00.000-04:002003-10-08T10:10:47.560-04:00Intarsia Magic
Here's a photo of the back of Rosedale and these neat little intarsia rectangles (they still need to be steamed flat):
And here's a close-up of the intarsia rectangles on the front:
The rectangles are worked for many inches and then stopped leading to those neat stripes in the middle. The stripey magic of kureyon makes it all happen. It also makes the long rectangle on theDr. Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02285719904765592739noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5188165.post-1065532381414521692003-10-07T09:13:00.000-04:002003-10-07T09:13:03.126-04:00So pretty
If I do say so myself. I didn't have tons of time to knit last night but Rosedale is coming along. Every row means a few less stitches (I'm decreasing for the yoke) so I each row takes a bit less time. Kureyon is magic, I want keep knitting so I can see how the colours of the intarsia and the stripes will evolve. It's a fun project. Here's it trying to look like a cardi:
Dr. Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02285719904765592739noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5188165.post-1065448098840817162003-10-06T09:48:00.000-04:002003-10-06T09:48:18.326-04:00Relaxing
I had a fab but quiet weekend. Craig and the kids left Friday at dinner and returned late Sunday night. I was all alone. I stitched and bitched with Kate, Jenna and Amy, stayed up until 2am watching Thelma and Louise, slept late, stayed in my pjs most of Saturday, watched DVDs and relaxed.
Of course, most of the downtime was spent working on Rosedale.
Sometimes a pattern is Dr. Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02285719904765592739noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5188165.post-1065186988611127542003-10-03T09:16:00.000-04:002003-10-03T09:16:28.540-04:00Alone--almost
I didn't knit much last night because there's was lots to do. Craig is taking the kids to the cottage this weekend and I get to stay home all alone. I haven't been all alone for this long since the kids were born. It's going to be great. I get to stitch'n'bitch with the girls tonight, sleep late, get some time to work on my thesis, watch some DVD's and work on Rosedale. SundayDr. Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02285719904765592739noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5188165.post-1065100696980449822003-10-02T09:18:00.000-04:002003-10-02T09:32:22.366-04:00See Steph Frog
Here's how I took this:
And recycled the yarn to make Rosedale. I got the instructions from Knitty making this an all-Knitty production.
First I undid the seams of the sweater and then frogged it (rip it, rip it) using my ball winder. Kureyon is a bit sticky so I had to be careful, but it's neater and faster than doing it by hand.
Here's my sweater all wound up (it was Dr. Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02285719904765592739noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5188165.post-1065016834201429122003-10-01T10:00:00.000-04:002003-10-01T10:00:34.363-04:00Thanks
Thanks for all the comments on the scarf and wishes of a happy anniversary. It was a lovely day. Craig sent me some wonderful flowers (he's not one to surprise me, so it was very unexpected).
We also got to go out for a great Japanese dinner where we ate too much (mmmm sushi, sashimi, gyoza...) and had some nice quiet time alone.
Today, we're back to normal life. Emma's home sick Dr. Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02285719904765592739noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5188165.post-1064927523208429132003-09-30T09:12:00.000-04:002003-09-30T18:33:48.803-04:00Revealed
So here's the mystery project.
It's a Forty-Skull Scarf in honour of a friend's 40th birthday. There will be twenty skulls on each end and a stripey middle. (I know you only count ten--the other ten are on the back--it's a tube.) The whole thing is knit in the round to hide the fair isle floats. It's made in Wool Gatto in white and black. I chose this wool because it's washable Dr. Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02285719904765592739noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5188165.post-1064841801100886592003-09-29T09:23:00.000-04:002003-09-29T09:26:11.360-04:00A Sock?
I finished one of Xander's socks yesterday, and I think he likes it. He wore it all morning while I started the second one.
I also got a bunch done on my mystery project. I'm still working on the design (which seems done because it's a simple project) but I'm afraid of making a gift the recipient won't like. I should be following Theresa's Things I Wished I'd Known #8. Whatever I Dr. Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02285719904765592739noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5188165.post-1064764399176545092003-09-28T11:53:00.000-04:002003-09-28T11:53:53.143-04:00What's Old is New Again
So, I'm taking out some of my autumn wardrobe and a I have a knitting epiphany. Why don't I take
this sweater, which is too big and the wrong use of kureyon, rip it out and make Rosedale!
I think I'm more of a cardi person anyway.
I have a serious case of startitis--I won't even get into the patterns I'm loving from The Children's CollectionDr. Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02285719904765592739noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5188165.post-1064682710243850672003-09-27T13:11:00.000-04:002003-09-27T13:17:07.776-04:00Found it
The luck of e-bay was shining on me and I picked up this Rowanspun DK in Lavender
to make the Elsebeth Lavold vest. Notice it's not grey? I love heathered purples and had one of those "aha" moments when I saw it. And the price was considerably less than I would have paid locally. (Canada must have huge import duties on British yarns. This particular yarn locally is about $10.25 Dr. Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02285719904765592739noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5188165.post-1064583021772349832003-09-26T09:30:00.000-04:002003-09-26T09:32:47.986-04:00The Groove
I got back into my thesis groove and I'm feeling good. I devised a plan to write some easy stuff every day, and then research the harder stuff after that. This way I have some definite progress--written pages--and I feeling like I'm getting somewhere. Today I'm off to the library for some more sources that I must have and then I can get back to the hard stuff and get it out of the Dr. Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02285719904765592739noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5188165.post-1064491095148664732003-09-25T07:58:00.000-04:002003-09-25T09:08:54.220-04:00Figuring it out
Not much knitting yesterday because Craig and I got to go out. We walked in our neighbourhood, went to the Book City and had a coffee, but it was nice to have leisurely time together.
I did buy the latest Knitter's, and before you question my taste I'll tell you why. First, I've discovered Elsebeth Lavold and I'm in love with her work. She's featured in the magazine and Dr. Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02285719904765592739noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5188165.post-1064409897110770982003-09-24T09:24:00.000-04:002003-09-24T09:24:57.020-04:00Flitting
So I started yesterday morning by casting on and doing the ribbing for one of the front panels of my must-have cardi. Then I was off to Yoga and down to work. I worked dilligently for several hours and then, due to a software glitch that I am yet to understand, I
lost all my work! And I'm still feeling bitter about it. It was just notes on a book I was reading, but still.
I wasDr. Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02285719904765592739noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5188165.post-1064323268996807262003-09-23T09:21:00.000-04:002003-09-23T09:21:08.970-04:00One Down
I finished the back of my Must-Have cardi last night, and stayed up far too late to do it. It will have to be blocked well for the width, the cables must have squished it up. I'm really happy with it, and stole some time this morning to cast on one of the front pieces.
Then I realized September is almost over and I have something else in the knitting basket to finish. I have done Dr. Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02285719904765592739noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5188165.post-1064236984673924162003-09-22T09:23:00.000-04:002003-09-22T09:28:24.853-04:00Learning New Tricks
This wasn't the most heavy-knitting weekend because I actually had a social life. I did knit with Amy and Kate on Friday night which was fun and chatty (I like anyone who talks as much as me!) But Saturday we had a million things to do, and friends coming for dinner so I only did a few rows.
Sunday I did get to sit and knit and I learned something new. I figured out Dr. Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02285719904765592739noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5188165.post-106397900496805102003-09-19T09:43:00.000-04:002003-09-19T09:46:31.543-04:00A Blustery Day
Well, the tail of hurricane Isabel hit Toronto last night, which made it a perfect night to snuggle on the couch and knit. I only made one small, fixable mistake last night so I accomplished a whole bunch:
I'm stretching my brain powers and trying to memorize the cable pattern. It's really not hard; I just want to limit my reliance on the charts because it makes for faster Dr. Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02285719904765592739noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5188165.post-1063895128301857112003-09-18T10:25:00.000-04:002003-09-18T10:28:39.420-04:00Team Knitty!
I just joined Team Knitty in the CIBC Run for the Cure for the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation. I would love your support. Just click the pink button on the left to donate.
Thanks!
Dr. Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02285719904765592739noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5188165.post-1063892055219879122003-09-18T09:34:00.000-04:002003-09-19T09:44:19.996-04:00Oops!
So I'm working away on my Must Have Cardie and watching last season's cliffhanger of The West Wing, having a great old time. Then it's almost 11 and I notice I screwed up the large diamond cables. Shit! The cable pattern is written down and there is a chart and I was using the written down stuff, except the last three rows of the pattern were on the next page and missed them. Shit.
Dr. Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02285719904765592739noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5188165.post-1063801607200961042003-09-17T08:26:00.000-04:002003-09-17T10:26:08.910-04:00Finishing and Starting
Emma and I were home sick again yesterday, but she's better today, and I finished these:
They're a Christmas present for a friend. I used Rob's Broadripple pattern and Cascade Fixation, but I knit this pair from the toe-up. It was fun but I'm ready to get into wool sock yarn again. Xander (my almost 3 year old) wants a pair of socks so the next pair I start are for himDr. Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02285719904765592739noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5188165.post-1063713788725534392003-09-16T08:03:00.000-04:002003-09-16T08:31:19.250-04:00Phew!
It worked. It worked. It worked. It worked. Hooray!
My sweater is now 1.5" longer and it looks great. I'm hiding my face because I'm sick and I've been taking care of Emma (who has strept throat), so grooming is a bit low on my list. I'm glad to know that so far, for me, there's nothing a good blocking can't cure. And, making this sweater longer got rid of the extra boxy-ness soDr. Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02285719904765592739noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5188165.post-1063638134963685712003-09-15T11:02:00.000-04:002003-09-15T11:05:59.983-04:00Goodies!
Friday I got this in the mail:
And it is gorgeous. The colours are perfect and are some of my favourites. As much as I adore Kureyon some of the colours are too pink and bright for me. This one (80) suits me fine. Too bad it's been discontinued.
I have to thank Theresa again for finding me this yarn and facilitating it's delivery to Canada. This on-line knitting community isDr. Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02285719904765592739noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5188165.post-1063591979785897992003-09-14T22:12:00.000-04:002003-09-14T22:15:26.500-04:00Horrors!
I've been sneaking in bits of time to finish my koigu sweater all weekend. Just moments ago I cast off the last stitch, cut the yarn and try it on and...
I don't like how it looks on me. Shit.
I purposely shortened the length (originally 23") by about 2 inches because I'm short-waisted and I don't like my sweaters too long. Well, this was a mistake because the wide band at the Dr. Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02285719904765592739noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5188165.post-1063375736785343082003-09-12T10:13:00.000-04:002003-09-12T10:14:58.600-04:00AnticipationI got one of those tags on my door saying the post-office was by and couldn't deliver my package. Our street is closed to traffic because they're tearing the whole thing up for repairs so there are no deliveries (for 6 weeks--even pizza--yikes!) I'm thinking this is my yummy Kureyon that
Theresa is forwarding to me. I have to wait until after 1pm to pick it up and the anticipation is killingDr. Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02285719904765592739noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5188165.post-1063289886690838152003-09-11T10:18:00.000-04:002003-09-11T10:22:18.693-04:00Crochet Koigu
Last night I sat with my fabulous mom and learned to crochet the pieces of my koigu sweater together. It looked rather easy--you put the hook through one loop of the cast of edge of each should for instance--and then single crochet them together. Well, as with all new things, it's not as easy as it looks and it's taking me forever. I have both shoulders and one sleeve done, and Dr. Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02285719904765592739noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5188165.post-1063206134661139102003-09-10T11:02:00.000-04:002003-09-10T11:02:14.650-04:00Emma had a great first day of school. I went to the school and lurked across the street to see her come off the bus and play in the yard until the bell rang. Then she instinctively knew to line up and follow the other kids in--it was super cute. Later, she couldn't stop talking about all the things she did, the kids she met and the classroom. It's so nice to see her happy. I think daycare Dr. Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02285719904765592739noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5188165.post-1063113521951198302003-09-09T09:18:00.000-04:002003-09-09T09:23:32.466-04:00My cashmere adventure did not start so well. I think it must be me, but I always have trouble with my ball winder and swift. The skein ended up in a huge tangled mess that took half an hour to undo. I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong, but I better find out soon or I'm throwing the gadgets in the garbage and hand-wind the balls. I suppose it could be that the hank was tangled, but I'll never Dr. Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02285719904765592739noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5188165.post-1063036909398295582003-09-08T12:01:00.000-04:002003-09-08T12:02:55.616-04:00This is cashmere:
I bought this one, so soft, lovely, hand-painted, 350 yard skein on e-bay last year. I've waited for it to speak to me and tell me what it wanted to be. Now, I think it will become a multi-directional scarf using this pattern. I think it will be perfect--the cashmere will be close to my face so I can revel in it's softness and the pattern should enhance the hand-painted Dr. Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02285719904765592739noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5188165.post-1062769868490280322003-09-05T09:51:00.000-04:002003-09-05T11:25:23.506-04:00Last night, I had the pleasure of stitch'n and bitch'n with Kathy, Kate and Amy and it was great fun. This is the first time I've met Amy, who noticed me while I was feeding the parking meter and I hear "It must be you, I recognize the sweater"...she's a fun chick for sure.
I got some more work done on my toe-up broadripple sock, but didn't get a chance to finish my koigu sweater. I'm not Dr. Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02285719904765592739noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5188165.post-1062690425482231562003-09-04T11:47:00.000-04:002003-09-04T12:58:43.420-04:00So last night we parked ourselves in front of the tv to watch the modern day Pride and Prejudice that is, Bridget Jones's Diary. All that Colin Firth this week is divine. I have to see more of his movies (I have Shakespeare in Love, seen Valmont many times, but I know there's got to be more!)
Anyway that afforded me enough time to finish the body of my Koigu sweater. HOORAY. So today I Dr. Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02285719904765592739noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5188165.post-1062602966036418262003-09-03T11:29:00.000-04:002003-09-03T11:38:44.956-04:00I got this in my email just now and I have to share:
You have been banned from this forum.
Please contact the webmaster or board administrator for more information.
I guess Squawkbox tv doesn't like negative criticism...hee hee. (And now that I'm banned I can't even contact them for "more information").
I feel like such a sh*t disturber--I haven't been banned from anything for a long time.Dr. Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02285719904765592739noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5188165.post-1062600459035291242003-09-03T10:47:00.000-04:002003-09-03T10:47:39.036-04:00I knit a whole bunch last night. I parked my butt on the couch, put in my Pride and Prejudice DVD and worked like crazy on my Koigu sweater. Craig and I have seen it about 10 times, but we still can't help but watch every episode in one or two sittings. Yesterday was no different, we watched for 4 hours because we had to see the end, and I'm looking a bit tired today. But, I did manage to getDr. Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02285719904765592739noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5188165.post-1062512897109769932003-09-02T10:28:00.000-04:002003-09-02T10:28:17.066-04:00Alright, I've added another free comment service I got from here, but I still want my old comments back to download, so I have a copy. I mean what's the point of blogging if I can't have my comments too. I'm not sure how I will put them in my blog again, but I'm sure as hell am not going to pay them any money. I've wrote them a nasty note to that effect (I created another free account to talk Dr. Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02285719904765592739noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5188165.post-1062509945344279972003-09-02T09:39:00.000-04:002003-09-02T09:57:28.936-04:00So I come back to my blog after a nice long weekend at the cottage and find this:
This commenting account (SBX-GWUUCVXDA) has expired.
This means that the account owner has not renewed or upgraded their account. SquawkBox Basic/free accounts must be upgraded if they are heavily used over a prolonged period of time.
If you are the account owner, to continue using this comment account Dr. Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02285719904765592739noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5188165.post-1062164918733657192003-08-29T09:48:00.000-04:002003-08-29T10:10:09.976-04:00Koigu Koigu Koigu
I sure love koigu. The coming of fall must have reinspired me because I really want to finish my Koigu sweater that I started in January. I'm almost done the front and since the bottom is done in the round I only have that and the top back to finish before blocking. It is so soft and the colours are so beautiful. And, I should have enough to make some crazy socks to match (Dr. Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02285719904765592739noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5188165.post-1062106564170634752003-08-28T17:36:00.000-04:002003-08-28T17:45:00.650-04:00I think I need a cigarette
Not two days ago I told you all about the gorgeous coat I was lusting after made from Noro Kureyon #80 and how I don't really have the cash to buy the 19 balls of yarn I need to make it. Then yesterday I found out colour 80 is discontinued, so I was feeling desparate since I would never get to make this coat.
Then wonderful, lovely, Theresa writer of one of my Dr. Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02285719904765592739noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5188165.post-1061990220360188042003-08-27T09:17:00.000-04:002003-08-27T09:19:53.203-04:00First some housekeeping: the pattern below that I am lusting after is from Debbie Bliss' Noro 1 book and is knit in Kureyon in colour 80. Someone asked, and I don't know why it didn't occur to me to tell you all that.
It must be because I am gearing up to get writing again. I've lapsed this summer and now I have to get back to my 2-3 pages a day writing strategy. They don't have to be perfectDr. Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02285719904765592739noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5188165.post-1061912723026316482003-08-26T11:45:00.000-04:002003-08-26T12:00:19.360-04:00Last night I spent a bit of time working on my koigu sweater and I'm in the mood to get it done. It must be because I'm almost at the armholes so I'm in the home stretch (I have the sleeves done already). But after a bit of going round and round I got bored so I picked up my fairisle mystery project and got going. I'm really liking how it's coming along. I'm going to do a bit of investigatingDr. Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02285719904765592739noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5188165.post-1061816601865855002003-08-25T09:03:00.000-04:002003-08-25T09:19:40.706-04:00Smooch Revisited
I finished my Smooch tank in early July but hadn't worn it because it was really low cut. But Friday, I got an idea from Kerstin's blog where she put a lace through the eyelets to avoid too much clevage. I immediately crocheted a chain and put it on, and now I have a whole new top that I want to wear:
Thanks Kerstin for the great idea!
And, this weekend I finished my Dr. Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02285719904765592739noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5188165.post-1061566508076505532003-08-22T11:35:00.000-04:002003-08-22T11:39:47.570-04:00I went to the knit meetup on Wednesday and had a good time talking to the other knitters and seeing what they were up too. There are some seriously talented beginners out there, bravely substituting yarns and doing gauge swatches and modifying patterns to make lovely sweaters. It's nice to see that the craft will continue on despite the "I can't even purl" luxury yarn scarf makers out there. (Dr. Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02285719904765592739noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5188165.post-1061471812525622012003-08-21T09:16:00.000-04:002003-08-21T09:18:23.010-04:00We interrupt this knitting for a political statement:
Dear Mr. Mills
I am a constituent in your riding and am writing to express my full support for same sex marriages. I feel it is an important equality issue for Canadians and want my gay and lesbian friends to enjoy the same rights to marriage as I do.
As my elected representative I expect you to represent the views of your ridingDr. Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02285719904765592739noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5188165.post-1061386450910086672003-08-20T09:34:00.000-04:002003-08-20T09:40:03.143-04:00I had a great day yesterday. I actually got to the gym and had a good workout. Then, I met an old high school chum, Leslie, for lunch and she decided to come along to Romni wools with me. I haven't been in about 5 years and am sorry to have foresaken it for sooooooo long. I love it in there. They have everything (well almost, they were out of kureyon but are expecting it soon). Leslie, who Dr. Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02285719904765592739noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5188165.post-1061297423522400202003-08-19T08:50:00.000-04:002003-08-19T08:52:13.013-04:00Startitis has attacked me. Instead of working on the 4 perfectly good projects I have on the go, I start another one. The yahoo knitalong group is starting on felted bags and ever the joiner, I thought: "I have a pattern and yarn waiting to be a felted daypack!" and off I went. It's a neat pattern from Two Old Bags that I got from Threadbear and I'm using Cascade 220 in purple (9345) and Dr. Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02285719904765592739noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5188165.post-1061215524183727322003-08-18T10:05:00.000-04:002003-08-18T10:05:24.200-04:00I'm sure everyone's already talked about it, but here's my blackout story:
The power went out around 4:10 as I was getting ready to go to the grocery store. I figured it was a work crew in the neighbourhood and went out anyway. The car radio informed me that it was a "major cascade failure" so I decided to get the kids at daycare and get home. That was uneventful though the traffic was Dr. Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02285719904765592739noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5188165.post-1060886307121691992003-08-14T14:38:00.000-04:002003-08-14T14:46:17.483-04:00The secret project is still in the growing stages. I did up a good sized swatched and decided the fair-isle in the round scarf in worsted weight alpaca will kill the intended recipient because it will be too hot. So on the excellent advice of Wendy I've decided to go with a sport weight like Dale of Norway Falk. I'm thinking Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino, but the budget might not allow it. I Dr. Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02285719904765592739noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5188165.post-1060789869947582432003-08-13T11:51:00.000-04:002003-08-13T12:05:08.903-04:00Finished the kiddiekami! And she loves it!
and here she is holding the bean she grew (she asked me to put that in)
Finally, by request of ab-fab designer Bonne Marie here's Emma and me in our Chickamis:
I have enough to make her another one (more stripey) which I will need to do for next summer as this one is a smidge tight. I'm lucky she's a skinny minnie.
Last night I worked a Dr. Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02285719904765592739noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5188165.post-1060694382170995322003-08-12T09:19:00.000-04:002003-08-12T09:19:42.116-04:00I didn't finish Emma's kiddiekami last night--I just have the straps to do--because I got sidetracked making the chart for my friend's birthday present. So there I am using my measly paintbox program to chart the pattern, when my amazing husband asks for my chair, fires up Autocad and starts making me knitting graph paper. If you don't know, Autocad is a computerized drafting program (my Dr. Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02285719904765592739noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5188165.post-1060607647863900292003-08-11T09:14:00.000-04:002003-08-11T09:15:34.860-04:00I'm whipping along with Emma's kiddiekami. I separated the back and front last night and am 10ish rows away from finishing the back. Emma went with me to the yarn shop Saturday and (with my guidance) she chose the colours and decided their placement. That four-year-old has serious style!
She decided on 4 big blocks of colour and I, unfortunately, took the straps into account when deciding Dr. Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02285719904765592739noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5188165.post-1060543697024932602003-08-10T15:28:00.000-04:002003-08-10T15:28:37.686-04:00Cleo's all done and I like it. I made the full back version, so I only put on one elastic instead of two which save some of the dreaded sewing. Here's me in the finished product; I made a splash wearing it at a BBQ yesterday.
There's another closer-up image in my gallery and sorry for the picture quality, it's a hazy day today.
That being done, I decided to make another Chickami. With Dr. Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02285719904765592739noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5188165.post-1060348819155750982003-08-08T09:20:00.000-04:002003-08-08T09:20:19.090-04:00Well my web-space problems are all better for now. I got some free website space at canucksites.com to house my photos. I'm not going to post any web pages for public view there right now because there are banner ads that change continuously and are a pain. But the 50mb space will help out a lot. I might have to take the plunge and buy a domain and rent some space but I'm trying to avoid it Dr. Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02285719904765592739noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5188165.post-1060264452412966622003-08-07T09:54:00.000-04:002003-08-07T09:59:02.496-04:00No pictures today because: 1. I filled my designated web space capacity (5mb) provided by my ISP and 2. I spent the evening web-cleaning so I could free up some space. Poop. It didn't take very long to fill my space. I'll have to dump my Mexico photo album for now so I can fill up some blog photo space. I guess I need to buy a larger web-hosting space. Any suggestions out there? My blog is Dr. Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02285719904765592739noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5188165.post-1060176223095339492003-08-06T09:23:00.000-04:002003-08-06T09:34:21.120-04:00Well I made it through my first day back and actually got some school related stuff done. I'm really really really trying to make my thesis my first priority. It's hard working from home because all sorts of temptations lurk. There's all the mundane household stuff (cleaning, laundry, cooking) and then there's the knitting basket and the internet. I think I might be checking out my local Dr. Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02285719904765592739noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5188165.post-1060095066837462512003-08-05T10:51:00.000-04:002003-08-05T11:18:27.166-04:00More Vacation Fun
We spent most of the week at the cottage lazing around. However, mid-week, Craig and I dropped the kids at my parents' place and headed back to TO for the "SarsStock" concert aka Toronto Rocks featuring the Rolling Stones!
It was amazing! We got there mid afternoon, found a patch of grass near a speaker and a large screen, and listened to great bands all day with 450,000 Dr. Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02285719904765592739noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5188165.post-1060030666664588712003-08-04T16:57:00.000-04:002003-08-04T17:08:52.940-04:00Whew! What a week!
I had a great vacation. Now I'm back and I hope this feeling lasts me through the back-to-work week. I have lots to report, but little time (unpacking, laundry, kids-sad-to-be-back, groceries, etc.) so I'll give a bit now, and more later.
First, I whipped through Chickami. Started a week ago Friday, finished the following Monday. I LOVE it. What a great pattern, easy, Dr. Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02285719904765592739noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5188165.post-1059168558790147892003-07-25T17:29:00.000-04:002003-07-25T17:34:40.456-04:00The goddess was listening (or at least the guys at Canada Post)! The yarn arrived! Poor koigu was quickly cast aside (yet again).
I had enough time (while kids played quietly) to do this lovely swatch out of Sonata in Sapphire Print:
And, cast on my Chickami and join the Knitalong. I have all the tools I need (I hope) to knit this baby up while I'm watching the kids play on the beach.
IDr. Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02285719904765592739noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5188165.post-1059136181697030062003-07-25T08:29:00.000-04:002003-07-25T08:30:26.040-04:00My yarn order from Elann is lost! They're tracing the package, but I haven't heard anything (Elann has been excellent with keeping me informed). I'm bummed because it's been well over the usual delivery time and I really wanted the cotton to make a chickami while I'm on vacation. Maybe the yarn goddess is listening and will make sure it comes today. If it doesn't, it looks like I'll be doing Dr. Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02285719904765592739noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5188165.post-1058970946877706822003-07-23T10:35:00.000-04:002003-07-23T10:37:11.870-04:00Not much happening in my knitting world this week. The kids' daycare is on their annual two-week shutdown so I'm home with them doing fun stuff. This means no real time for knitting. Also, my Elann order is slower than usual and I'm still waiting for my Sonata cotton to arrive so I can make a chickami. I have been doing a bit of knitting on my koigu sweater (from VK Fall 2002). I have the Dr. Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02285719904765592739noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5188165.post-1058794400011883132003-07-21T09:33:00.000-04:002003-07-21T12:24:21.613-04:00
Hooray! It's done! I actually finished it on Saturday, but was too busy to post. I really like it! My only complaint is that it's longer than I would like (meaning the neckline plunges a bit too much too) but I think that will be remedied by a washing since cotton does tend to shrink. There's more pictures of the tank in my gallery for those wishing other views (something that might prove Dr. Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02285719904765592739noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5188165.post-1058583650171951142003-07-18T23:00:00.000-04:002003-07-18T23:00:49.996-04:00I'm feeling better now...because of this:
Now that it's on the blocking board, I can reflect and share the small things that really helped me get Smooch made--and might help you too.
1. Give the pattern a good long read. Notice things that might give you trouble (for me it was all the shaping things that had to be done at the same time, and the fact that there were instructions that saidDr. Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02285719904765592739noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5188165.post-1058537779925458952003-07-18T10:16:00.000-04:002003-07-18T10:18:22.800-04:00WARNING: I am going to bitch and rant for a moment. If you are sensitive about profanity please skip the following paragraph. But I know you're curious now...
The Smooch Pattern is making me nuts. How much more vague could it be. I have no problem doing three things at once--decreasing at the arm, decreasing at the neck and making eyelets--even when they occur in different intervals and on Dr. Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02285719904765592739noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5188165.post-1058448443059816782003-07-17T09:27:00.000-04:002003-07-17T09:27:22.980-04:00The Knit Meetup was fun. I got to meet some new knitters and see what people were doing. I also got to meet The Girl from Auntie who started Knitflame and is a knitter extraordinaire. She was making a beautiful aran-styled sweater with swirly cables. She was designing the pattern as she knit, in a group situation--I was rather impressed.
I humbly worked on Emma's sock. Gotta love small Dr. Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02285719904765592739noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5188165.post-1058382186807868402003-07-16T15:03:00.000-04:002003-07-16T15:10:13.656-04:00I'm going to my first Knit Meetup tonight. I didn't want to work on Smooch since I'm 5 rows away from starting the neck shaping and that will take some concentration. So, I casted on some socks for my daughter Emma using leftover Lang Jawoll Jaquard (colour 82.0159) I had in the stash. Sorry about the image, it's raining outside, so I can't take a good picture.
I'm using Wendy's generic Dr. Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02285719904765592739noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5188165.post-1058274186418802882003-07-15T09:03:00.000-04:002003-07-15T09:19:46.466-04:00Update: I guess ebay sellers read knitting blogs. A few weeks back I mentioned (see June 24) that a seller sent me the wrong item by mistake and didn't offer to pay shipping to return the item or apologize. Everything was fixed quickly, but I was miffed. Well, yesterday I received an email apologizing, refunding the extra shipping costs and offering a discount on my next purchase. It was a Dr. Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02285719904765592739noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5188165.post-1058189543649017042003-07-14T09:32:00.000-04:002003-07-14T09:54:37.586-04:00I had a great weekend. We went away to the cottage. The weather Saturday was cool, so we lazed about. Sunday was beautiful and we canoed, swam, hiked, played and enjoyed the best of summer. I also got to knit a bunch. I finished the back of Smooch and my second broadripple sock.
I love these socks. I was going to give them to my mom, but am thinking of keeping them for me. My only Dr. Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02285719904765592739noreply@blogger.com