Just Another.....Knit!

Monday, July 30, 2007

Pimpin' It Up in New York.....


I had Joanie try on the first fingerless mitt to ensure she actually liked it and would wear them before knitting the second one. I wasn’t sure what, “I’ll be pimpin’ it up in New York,” meant but she clarified that for me. She loves it!

When I finished the top of the mitt, the “jog” of the last cast off stitch was particularly bothersome. (Normally, I just camouflage that last stitch by craftily sewing it through the beginning stitches.) Also, since the pattern instructed me to bind off loosely, I used the suspended bind off technique - too loose. Knowing I had to undo it, I googled “how to neatly bind off” and came across this site: http://www.knittingnelly.com/?p=357. Check it out!!!! A simple technique that works beautifully! No more jog!!!! I tried it on the thumb first and it worked like a charm!

This is why I love knitting – there is always something new to learn or a technique to improve. The internet puts it all at our fingertips.

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Saturday, July 28, 2007

Easy to Love......

Design: Fine Cabled Mitts
Designer: Anne, Knitspots
Yarn: Autumn House Farm "Alpacita" in the Colius and Skye Sea Garden Colorways

Unable to deal with the angst that is "Kilcar," I opted to start a pair of fingerless mitts for Joan. The Autumn House yarn is perfection. I love knitting every stitch. It is soft and cushy and I even got gauge! Thank you, Janice!

They are also giving me an opportunity to check out my new Swallow Needles. I love them! Thank you, Jackie! They are flexible but not as flexible as the Bryspun and feel very nice in the hand. (And...I haven't snapped one yet!)

So far....this has been a very fun knit...which is apparently exactly what I need!!

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Thursday, July 26, 2007

A Magic that Continues....


Clue #4 - 150 rows
We were instructed to put a lifeline in after knitting row 287....of course, I snagged a stitch while threading in my lifeline...hopefully, it isn't for something majorly important. Don't have a clue!

Sock knitting continues...the first Bliss problem will hopefully be figured out sometime today or tomorrow. I see so many problems with this pattern!

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Friday, July 20, 2007

Harry Potter Night at Barnes and Noble.....


Dolores Umbridge aka Dawn......
Bellatrix & Dolores.....

Sirius Black & Bellatrix....


Platform 9 3/4......

Gregg's phenomenal artwork.....







As is typical, my camera battery died....took lots of character shots with Joan's camera. More tomorrow....

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Bellatrix Lestrange.... A Preview.....

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Thursday, July 19, 2007


The sorting hat says that I belong in Hufflepuff!



Said Hufflepuff, "I'll teach the lot, and treat them just the same."


Hufflepuff students are friendly, fair-minded, modest, and hard-working. A well-known member was Cedric Digory, who represented Hogwarts in the most recent Triwizard Tournament.



 



Take the most scientific Harry Potter
Quiz
ever created.


Get Sorted Now!


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Wednesday, July 18, 2007

Sock a Doodle Do......

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Monday, July 16, 2007

Lazy Sunday Afternoon.....



Plain sock - Opal Rainforest Collection - "Ladybug."



Knitting has continued on Debbie Bliss "Kilcar." Should be a quick knit....although I am finding knitting with chunky yarn hard on my hands...and fingers....

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Silk 'n Sabotage....



After some research - (http://www.woolworks.org/fibers.html)

"Silk is the fiber produced by silk moths. Silk knitting yarn is made from damaged silk cocoons and broken fibers. 'Raw' silk still has the original moth secretions in it. 'Tussah,' silk obtained from wild moths is brown. The food fed to domesticated moths determines their silk's natural color; this can white, green or yellow.

Silk retains heat, absorbs moisture, pills less than wool, is very strong and very stable when knit, neither shrinking or stretching."

Now I know....it wasn't me or my gauge...

The sheen, drape and stitch definition is magnificent. Overall, I am very pleased with how it turned out...

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Sunday, July 15, 2007

The White Moth.....


All the necessary tools are at hand....



Off the needles.....



Close up of the pattern.....



Stretched as far as I could.....

Louet 12/2 Silk Yarn: Lovely
Pattern: Wing of the Moth Shawl - Beautiful
Needle Size: 4 - Oops - Should have Used Size 6
Finished Measurement: 64" X 31" instead of 84" X 42"

The pattern called for 900-1000 yards of fingering weight yarn...I used 940 yards of 12/2 silk...I guess I should have checked the weight before, huh?

I did do a swatch....really! I liked the fabric on size 4...so went with it. It is definitely not as large as I would like...but....the recipient should still be able to wear it...

The pattern is beautiful and I would definitely knit it again....and just happen to have 2 more cones of Louet 12/2 silk....just not right now.

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I Love a Mystery......

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Tuesday, July 10, 2007

The Goat.....


The only clues given by the designer was that black, white or gray yarn would be a suitable yarn color for the theme of the stole - and a bride would not appreciate it.

Any ideas?

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Sunday, July 08, 2007

Catastrophe.....


What's wrong with this picture?????

Yesterday at knitting, I was helping a fellow knitter....my baby blanket was on my lap....I picked it up to start knitting....the needle came out in my hand. Sigh...

I love the Knitpicks Options needles, but not if they are going to break mid-stream. When I got home, I quickly transferred my current shawls in progress on to Inox Express and Addi Turbo needles....strictly as a precaution....but I will rest easier.

I could salvage the baby blanket....but....I'm not crazy about it anyway....so will choose a pattern that is quicker to knit and not as large.

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Pan's Labyrinth....is my guess for the theme of the Mystery Stole 3.....


Does anyone else see a goat in the lower mid-section of the stole? Horns and all? Goat - Pan - Pan's Labyrinth.

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Thursday, July 05, 2007

Tips and Tricks.....or....How to Work a Knitted On Edge


Here is a miniature version of the Shoulder Shawl in Syrian Pattern from "Victorian Lace Today." Half the stitches have been placed on a stitch holder. (Finally did find a free circular needle!)



The first thing I do is look at the instructions for working and turning the corner. For Corner A, 4 DJ's are worked on the last 4 stitches so I place a stitch marker on the fourth stitch from the right edge to remind me to work double joins instead of single joins once I get to the marker. (A single join represents 2 edging rows knit in to one top stitch or one side loop of the shawl. A double join represents 4 edging rows knit in to one stitch or side loop of the shawl. See page 175 for more information.


Using a lace cast on, cast on 12 stitches. I prefer the provisional cast on, called Chain Cast On in "Victorian Lace Today."


Knit Row 1 of Chart B, Cyprus Pattern.



Knit row 2 BUT knit the last stitch on the double pointed needle with the now first stitch/old middle stitch on the circular needle. (Transfer the last stitch on the dpn on to the circular needle and knit them together through the back loop. Continue working single joins until you reach the marker.




When working the double join, I pick up the two loops of the first single join and put them on the left needle. I then transfer the last stitch on the dpn on to the left needle and knit them together through the back loop.

At this point, it's time to work an additional 4 double joins down the right side. Plan ahead and place a marker for corner B on the 3rd stitch from the bottom.

Hope this helps! Once you are actually knitting the edging...it will become clear and make much more sense!

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The Waiting Game.....

While waiting for MS3 Clue #2 to post, I've been working on the Wing of the Moth shawl...it truly is an enjoyable knit!

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Monday, July 02, 2007

A Different Light.....

The color is far from accurate...but at least you can see the design and the silver-lined beads.


Anxiously awaiting Clue #2!

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Two.....

Since I can't decide which yarn I like better, I will be knitting two Mystery Stoles!



The designer commented that pink would not be an appropriate color choice for the theme....but since it is unknown as of yet, I will knit them both simultaneously!

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