A Man and His Knitting

2011-12-08T07:41:00.000-06:00

Holy Crap! I knitting something else.

Yeah, yeah. I know. Koolhaas isn't the only hat pattern out there, but I just Love this pattern. Once you get the hang of it, it's really an easy and quick pattern to do.

2011-11-17T07:18:00.000-06:00

Look kids, I actually knitted something!

2011-06-02T09:02:00.000-05:00

I haven't been doing a lot of knitting lately. Mostly because I've been pretty busy doing things around the house I recently moved into with my fiance. Unfortunately, I have a new hobby too. I'm knot (get it?) letting this replace knitting though.

2011-01-04T11:13:00.000-06:00

Antoinette asked me to knit her a Habitat, but the yarn she picked out (of my stash) is Cascade Yarn Success - 50% SF Alpaca and 50% Mulberry Silk. It didn't turn out quite the way I wanted.

2010-12-30T10:45:00.000-06:00

I finished the Brown Habitat Hat.

I also finished another Greenery Hat.

2010-12-28T10:46:00.000-06:00

I have been getting a little adventurous with cables. Last week I finished a Greenery Hat and I'm even working on another one. Sunday, I started a Habitat hat.

2010-12-13T10:43:00.002-06:00

I started a very cabled hat - The Greenery Hat

2010-11-30T10:32:00.001-06:00

I also finished Jagdish's Doctor Who "Muffler"

2010-11-27T14:59:00.001-06:00

I finished Antoinette's Old Shale Scarf.

2010-09-16T14:10:00.001-05:00

I just realized something. I have been knitting for a little over 4 years.

2010-08-06T09:59:00.004-05:00

It has been a few months since I have posted anything about my knitting. Following are a few projects I am currently knitting.

This is a WIP pic of an Old Shale Scarf I have finished - Plymouth Yarn Happy Feet, colorway 10

Another Old Shale Scarf I am currently knitting - Plymouth Yarn Happy Feet, colorway 21

Yet another Old Shale Scarf - Plymouth Yarn Happy Feet, colorway 19

And, someone at work saw me working on my first Doctor Who Scarf and asked me to knit him a "muffler" in the same colors. It is pretty much going to be another Doctor Who Scarf, but not as long

I am also working on more Everlasting Bag Stoppers. And, I ripped out cotton bath towel I finished last year and knit a few smaller towels to use when working out.

2010-03-23T14:51:00.003-05:00

While I was in Seattle last week, I got to visit So Much Yarn. It's a little difficult to find, but a great little shop. I just wish I would have had more time to hang out and look around. I bought a couple skeins of Happy Feet though.

2010-03-17T23:24:00.003-05:00

I'm in Seattle, Washington this week for work. And, since I'm such a huge fan of the Koolhaas hat, I just had to walk to the Seattle Central Library and take some pictures. I didn't think there was enough light, but these actually turned out pretty good. I'm here with another co-worker, so I didn't want to drag him all over the library, so I'm gong to try to go back there tomorrow and take more pictures from inside the building.

2010-02-15T13:38:00.002-06:00

I did another Koolhaas hat. What can I say? I LOVE this pattern.

This time, I did the 10 rounds of 2x2 rib with Knit Picks Wool of the Andes in Coal, switched to Red for 8 rounds in pattern and then switched back to Coal to finish the hat.

2010-02-10T17:53:00.002-06:00

Finally finished the sweater. Just making some pockets. The pattern called for the hood to be done in stockinette, but I did it in the 5x7 rib pattern of the sweater. For the size I was following, the pattern said to knit the hood until it was 14 1/2 inches and then start decreasing, but that made it about 2 inches too long.

2010-01-12T13:30:00.004-06:00

I have finished and attached the sleeves to my Hooded Sweater.

2009-12-29T10:40:00.005-06:00

I haven't been very good at posting about knitting projects.

On October 25th, I finished the Koolhaas hat I started on October 1st.

Needles: US 6 / 4.0 mm and US 8 / 5.0 mm
Yarn: Cascade Yarns 220 Paints

I started another Koolhaas hat on October 18th and finished it on November 29th.

Needles: US 6 / 4.0 mm and US 8 / 5.0 mm
Yarn: KnitPicks Wool of the Andes in Winter Night

2009-11-16T08:41:00.001-06:00

I'm still working on my Hooded Alpaca Parka sweater (from Knitting with Balls by Micael del Vecchio) but I've hit a bit of a snag. When I started the project, I decided to use the largest size and I think it's waaaaay too big.

So, tonight I started over. I didn't rip out what I've already done since I'm about half way through the hood, which is the last step. Instead, I started another sweater, but this time I'm following the pattern for a smaller size.

2009-10-23T22:40:00.003-05:00

August 1st, I started another Doctor Who scarf. This time, I'm going by the pattern - it is 12" wide. I just measured it, and it's a little over 22 feet long. Did you hear me? I said it's a little over 22 FEET long. I also used my food scale to weigh it - 2 pounds, 11 onces. And, I'm not even done. I still have at least 1 untouched skein of each color. I think I may have gotten a little carried away here.

2009-10-01T14:35:00.003-05:00

I ordered a set of the new KnitPicks Zephyr Acrylic needles and they came in today. My first impression is that it feels like knitting with Denise needles, except not as flexible.

I also started another Koolhaas hat - using my new KnitPicks Zephyr Acrylic needles.

2009-09-21T19:43:00.003-05:00

Another cup cozy, this time in the style of Jayne's Hat. It's a pretty simple pattern. I started out by casting on 40 sts; knit 2x2 rib for 45 rows.

Jayne's Cup Cozy

2009-09-19T20:56:00.002-05:00

I finally finished my Wasabi Socks. I actually finished them sometime last month - the bind off, that is. I used the Stretchy Bind-Off technique, but I only added a stitch before, between and after the 2 knit stitches and I couldn't decide if I wanted to un-bind off and add a stitch between the 2 purl stitches as well. I finally decided I had been working on them far too long.

2009-08-04T10:46:00.004-05:00

As requested, pictures of my Doctor Who scarf.

That's a quarter on top of the roll

2009-08-03T09:47:00.005-05:00

I started a Doctor Who scarf back in April and I finally finished it yesterday. I used this pattern. I run through the pattern just once and the scarf was a little over 7 feet long last week. I haven't measured since finishing it yesterday.

I didn't follow the pattern exactly. The pattern called for casting on 60 stitch to make the scarf 10 wide. But, since I don't like wide scarves, I only cast on 40 stitches to make it about 7 inches wide. However, I did start another scarf yesterday and I did cast on 60 stitches this time.

(ETA) Forgot to mention... The scarf is 7 inches wide and 13 feet, 4 inches long. I'm thinking about un-doing the bind-off to make it an even 14 inches long.

2009-05-17T14:02:00.002-05:00

I finally finished Mercy! I actually finished all the knitting months ago, but just kept putting off sewing it all together. The pattern called for a one piece-continuous strap, but I went with an adjustable strap instead.

Outer Pocket

Inner Pocket

2009-05-14T20:19:00.002-05:00

So, I'm working on my Wasabi Socks last night and I realize that I had dropped a stitch. The only trouble is, I had already knit about an inch and a half of sock before I noticed it. No worries, I had put in a life line about 5 rounds before starting the heels. Plus, the socks were a little tight at the ankle, so I wanted to add 4 more stitches to each sock.

2009-04-22T13:18:00.001-05:00

I just ordered $160 worth of yarn!

2009-03-21T23:10:00.003-05:00

And, just in case anyone has been wondering... Yes, I'm still knitting. I finished these two last night. The first is another Shifting Sands, this time done with Reynolds Smile. I only had two balls of it, so the scarf isn't even 5 feet long. The second scarf however, is 12 feet long. The yarn is some hand-spun I got from my friend Jodi, who bought it online. It's a little fuzzy and not easy to knit with and I really couldn't think of anything to use it for. So, I just started knitting a 2x2 rib and kept knitting until I ran out of yarn.

Needles: US 10
Length: 4 ft. 10 in.
Width: 5½ in.

Needles: US 5
Length: 12 feet
Width: 5½ in.

2009-01-27T16:56:00.001-06:00

My latest Bag Stopper. I just couldn't help it.

Yes, it's kinda upside-down

2009-01-17T22:29:00.003-06:00

I finished my Koolhaas Bottle Cozy. I'm really happy with how it turned out. The yarn is a little dark and it's kind of difficult to see the pattern, so I'm probably do another one in a lighter color yarn.

2008-12-29T14:47:00.004-06:00

I had started another Candle Flame scarf, using some Smile yarn, but I only have two skeins of it. The last two Candle Flame scarves I knitted with Smile took 4 skeins each. I wonder if I have enough for another Shifting Sands scarf...

2008-12-27T22:53:00.002-06:00

I finished another Ruffled Scarf.

2008-12-26T11:31:00.001-06:00

I turned the heel on my Wasabi Socks - again. This time, I threw in a life line, just in case.

2008-12-10T21:32:00.000-06:00

My attempt at being artsy.

2008-12-08T09:35:00.008-06:00

I have a disciple. I mean follower. I have a follower.

2008-12-08T09:17:00.004-06:00

Hey, look. Another Koolhaas Hat. A friend at work asked me to knit him a Koolhaas Hat. He asked for black, I used black, but in the pic it looks either gray, green or blue depending on your monitor.

2008-12-04T21:25:00.001-06:00

Finished another Everlasting Bagstopper. I'm planning on making a few more. I want to stop using plastic bags when I go grocery shopping.

Pumpkin. A little bright...

2008-11-30T18:27:00.004-06:00

My friend Jackie had Lara's mother make an awesome skull project bag for me.

Skull patter on the outside...

A different pattern on the inside

And, she used the same inside material for the inner part of the strap

2008-11-23T15:59:00.003-06:00

Last night, I turned the heels on my Wasabi Socks - YAY!

But, today I realized that I turned the heel too soon - needed to go another ½ inch - BOO. And, when frogging back to the start of the heel, I kept dropping stitch after stitch after stitch and got soo frustrated that I just started over - CRAP!

2008-11-16T12:22:00.002-06:00

I finished my Shifting Sands Scarf on Friday. Since I basically only used 1¼ skeins, it’s really short. A lot shorter than I usually like to knit scarves. 46” long, 7” wide. I still love the way it looks. I might have to knit another one.

2008-11-09T13:35:00.000-06:00

I finished another BagStopper.

2008-11-08T14:46:00.001-06:00

Some women from the Simpatico group got together and had a Fiber Garage Sale. I picked up some Cascade Sierra yarn. 80% Pima Cotton and 20% Merino Wool.

2008-11-03T13:09:00.002-06:00

I finished Melissa's Scarf.

2008-10-29T14:04:00.002-05:00

Scout's Swag! Rocks!! and so does Scout.

Last week, I ordered a large GoKnit Pouch in red and a medium in purple. First of all, I placed the online order on Friday - like late Friday - and it arrived the following Monday. But, by mistake, I received a pink medium, instead of purple. I emailed Scout and she suggested sending the pink pouch back and she would refund my shipping cost. Instead, I just ordered another purple - I also wanted to order another medium pouch, but in red and I'll just give the pink pouch to someone in my SnB group. So, she didn't charge me for shipping AND she even threw in a little something extra... A stitch saver and 3 of the mini-Soak packets.

2008-10-27T13:57:00.000-05:00

MONKEY!

BOOBS!

MONKEY-BOOBS!!

2008-10-17T08:55:00.000-05:00

Hey, look. Magic Loop.

2008-10-16T23:45:00.005-05:00

I had some Malabrigo Cabernet left over, so I decided to knit a matching scarf for my Malabrigo Koolhaas Hat. I thought about trying to use the Koolhaas pattern, but then I saw brooklyntweed's version of Grumperina's Shifting Sands Scarf and decided to go with it instead.

The pattern doesn't 'pop' like Jared's, but I think it's due to my yarn. I did a knitting-no-no the first time I did the Koolhaas pattern in Malabrigo. I wasn't happy with the results - I should have run through the chart one more time, and I totally messed up the crown - so I ripped it out and started over. Yes, I ripped out Malabrigo. I know, I know. I'm going to burn in a very special level of hell. A level they reserve for child molesters and people who talk at the theater.

Also, I'm using Grumperina's Cabling Without a Cable Needle Method. It's actually not as hard as it sounds.

2008-10-14T23:52:00.003-05:00

I finished another Koolhaas Hat. This one is for me.

I really love the way the crown looks

2008-10-13T20:34:00.003-05:00

I couldn't resist.

The color is called 'Marine'

And, this color is called 'Vermillion'

2008-10-13T13:04:00.002-05:00

I decided that 61 sts was going to be just a little big for Melissa's Scarf, so I ripped it out and started over with 41 sts.

2008-10-09T07:49:00.003-05:00

I started knitting a scarf for a friend at work who's always cold. I started out by casting on 61 sts and had planned to do something like 10 rows of seed stitch on either end. Since she's not really a girly-girl and I don't think she's into too much foofaraw, I couldn't decide on a pattern. So, I'm just going to do the whole thing in seed stitch. I'm crazy like that.

2008-10-08T08:01:00.004-05:00

Here's a pic of B in his new Koolhaas Hat. I finished it last night.

I love the way the crown looks

2008-10-07T07:24:00.002-05:00

I finished B's hat last night, but it was too short. So I ripped back to the life line that I had put in right before starting the decrease for the crown and I'm going to run through the chart one more time. I ran through the chart 4 times - like I did with my Evergreen hat - but it was too short.

Since the yarn is sock weight or somesuch, I had decided to use size 4 and 6 needles, instead of the size 6 and 8 called for in the pattern (as mentioned in a previous post). The first time I tried it with an additional 8 sts (the chart is worked in 8's or stitches of 8. Get it? "Stitches of 8" Like, "Pieces of 8" Anyway), but after running through the 10 rounds of 2x2 ribbing, it seemed too big. So, I ripped it out and went with the called-for 104 sts, even though I'm using needles that are two sizes smaller than called-for.

2008-10-04T22:40:00.004-05:00

One of the reasons I started knitting was because I used to watch my friend Jodi knit and was fascinated by it. But, ever since she had her daughter, her hands have been too full to knit. A few days ago, I asked if I could stop by and plunder her stash. She mentioned that she might have me knit up a couple projects for her, in exchange for yarn. And, remembering that her husband had asked her to knit him a hat, I offered to do that project.

He and I work together, so I my Evergreen Koolhaas Hat to work to have him try it on for size. Later, I asked Jodi if she had a pattern in mind for B's hat and she said he really liked the one I had him try on.

He had picked out some Wool Bam Boo in gray. It's 50% wool and 50% bamboo, and not all that easy to work with - very stretchy. And, since it's more a sock weight, I'm using size 4 and 6 needles, instead of the size 6 and 8 called for in the pattern.

2008-09-29T13:55:00.002-05:00

I ordered these GoKnit Pouches last week, from Scout's Swag.

Navy

Camo

These are the small, and they're great for small project like socks or a hat.

Wasabi Socks in Navy GoKnit Pouch

2008-09-29T13:49:00.003-05:00

Here is a pic of my Malabrigo Koolhaas Hat. So far, I've done the 2x2 band and 2 rounds of the chart.

And, here's a pic of my Wasabi Socks. I'm not planning to do anything special - just generic toe-up socks and 2x2 ribbing at the cuff.

2008-09-23T08:30:00.004-05:00

Last night I started over on my first Malabrigo Koolhaas Hat (formerly known as just 'Koolhaas Hat'). And, with how good my Evergreen Koolhaas Hat turned out, I'm really hopeful with this one.

2008-09-08T09:05:00.003-05:00

I had to rip out the Hooded Alpaca Parka sweater (from Knitting with Balls by Micael del Vecchio). I deviated slightly from the pattern and the project has been hibernating for so long, that I can't remember what my plan was going to be.

The pattern called for starting with (sl1, p2) and ending with (p2, k1) and for some reason, I started and ended with 5 sts. Plus, the pattern called for 5X2 rib on the RS and purl the WS and I had done all rows in 5X2 rib.

I'm still not following the pattern to the letter - I prefer doing all rows in 5X2 rib (instead of purling every-other row). Plus, it calls for sport weight yarn and I'm using Aran weight.

And, for some reason, back in November I posted the following about this project. "This is a slight variation on the Hooded Alpaca Parka pattern from Knitting With Balls (by Michael del Vecchio). It's done in 5X2 rib and the pattern calls for the 2 stitches to be cabled on the right side, but I'm doing it straight." I have no idea why I said the pattern called for cabling - it doesn't.

2008-09-07T12:38:00.003-05:00

I finished my first Everlasting Bagstopper. I used handles from this pattern.

2008-09-03T09:50:00.003-05:00

I recently ordered a Ravelry bag from the Ravelry Mini-Mart.

Wow. That's some green

I also bought Ravelry and Bob pins

As well as a "Hello. My Name Is (Inigo Montoya. You killed my father prepare to die) button

2008-09-03T09:45:00.002-05:00

I finally finished the Hot pair of my Hot & Cold Socks project. I had planned to do some type of cable along the outside of the leg, but couldn't decide which cable to use. Instead, I just finished the leg in 2x2 ribbing.

2008-08-19T13:23:00.003-05:00

I'm still working on Mercy. Just about the only time I work on this project is during my lunch hour at work.

The inner pocket

The strap. I'm planning to make it adjustable.

Part of the completed body. I'll definitely need to do some blocking before putting all the pieces together

And, another view of the completed body

The outer pocket - sorry for the blur

2008-08-12T08:27:00.004-05:00

In an email to Jackie... "Ravelry.... down.... for maintenance.... Can't... get to forums.... Strength... failing.... Must have... forums...

"I can only get away with knitting at work during lunch. But, I can get away with browsing the Ravelry forums which gives me my knitting fix while I'm at work."

Seriously, when I'm at work, I get my knitting fix by reading the forums on Ravelry. And, when I'm at home, I knit. And yes, that's pretty much my life. I also read various knitting blogs - Crazy Aunt Purl - Brookytweed and those of my friends. My other option would be checking out what's new or on sale at KnitPicks, like the way cool Straight Harmony needles, but that would be a mistake.

2008-08-05T10:13:00.004-05:00

I've finished the ~~Hot~~ Cold pair of my Hot & Cold Socks. After the heel, I continued several rounds in stockinette and then stitched to 2x2 ribbing. I only wanted a short sock, so I only went a few inches up the leg.

I haven't washed or blocked them yet but I couldn't help myself and I'm wearing them today.

Look ma, no holes

2008-07-31T09:04:00.002-05:00

Nothing really new to report. I've made it past the heels on my Hot & Cold Socks. Originally, I was going to knit both pairs of socks at the same time, on the same two circular needles. But, since one pair will be 2x2 ribbing for the leg and the other will be stockinette with a cable on one side, I decided to move each pair to their own needles. Knowing me, I would have goofed something up going from one pair to the other.

I'm still working on Mercy (Man Percy). I've gotten the body and the outside pocket done and I'm working on the strap and the inside pocket.

2008-07-24T13:19:00.005-05:00

I'm about halfway through the heels on my Hot & Cold Socks - which are toe up with short row heels and I just found the best pattern/technique for Short Row Heels without holes. (Pictures to follow shortly) For my first socks with short row heels, I used this technique and the hole are hideous.

2008-07-17T20:26:00.003-05:00

Well, it's done.

Even the crown turned out great

2008-07-15T12:32:00.009-05:00

I decided to rip out my last attempt at Brookytweed's KoolHaas Hat (in Malabrigo Yarn Merino in Cabernet). I totally FUBR'ed the crown plus I should have run through the pattern a couple more times. It looks more like a Kufi.

When I finished my first gloves, I had some KnitPicks Wool of the Andes in Evergreen left over, so I decided to knit a matching hat. So, several 2x2 rounds into it, I decided to try another KoolHaas hat. I've actually finished it once. I paid particular attention to shaping the crown this time, and it turned out great. But, I decided to work the pattern one more time to make the hat a little taller. Luckily, I had threaded a life line through the last row, right before starting the crown, so I just ripped back to there.

2008-07-06T00:09:00.002-05:00

Another Jayne's Hat for my friend James who requested a large. I'm also making another large for my friend Nate. Plus, James' wife asked me to make one for her.

2008-06-27T09:49:00.002-05:00

The last bottle cozy didn't out quit the way I wanted. So, I made another one. This was soom maroon Encore I had left over from my Maroon and Black Skull Socks. I wanted to knit a couple more rows at the top, but run out of yarn.

2008-06-18T10:53:00.002-05:00

I forgot to post about my last KnitPicks order. I finally ordered a set of Harmony Interchangeable Needles. I don't have pics of them yet, but here are pics of the yarn I also ordered.

Volcano Twist

Inca Gold Essential Tweed

For some reason, I only ordered 1 skein of the Inca Gold on my last KnitPicks order, so this time I ordered another skein.

2008-06-17T11:29:00.002-05:00

Here's a pic of the Bottle Cozy (second attempt). The spacing between the double cables is a little much, but oh well.

2008-06-15T20:33:00.002-05:00

I finished my Dallas Stars Away Scarf. I started it on April 5th, and finished it today. And no, it didn't take me 2 months to knit a simple 2x2 ribbed scarf. It's just that I didn't work on it straight through. I knitted most of it during the Stanley Cup playoffs, but put it aside when Dallas got knocked out.

2008-06-15T14:22:00.001-05:00

Yay!! My first gloves. The fit is a little off, but I think they're pretty good for my very first pair.

2008-06-15T12:24:00.003-05:00

I've started over on my bottle cozy. On the first attempt, I didn't make it big enough. Also, I'm changing the pattern - the first attempt was going to be 2x2 ribbing; this time, I'm throwing in some double cables.

And, I'm practically finished with my gloves - I'm just weaving in the ends and closing up the gaps between the fingers. Pictures coming soon.

2008-06-11T20:39:00.004-05:00

I finally decided to take on some gloves. The pattern is Kerri Cadd's Cigar Gloves but I finished the index and ring fingers.

They actually fit. And yes Jackie, they're inside-out ;-)~

I just need to finish the pinkys and thumbs and weave in all the ends

2008-06-11T20:21:00.004-05:00

The pattern is Cheryl Niamath's Percy. But, I'm calling mine Mercy, since it's a man-purse. I can't remember exactly when I started this project; I think it was the first part of May.

2008-06-10T12:52:00.003-05:00

I'm knitting a cozy for my water bottle because I'm tired of it sweating all over my desk at work. I have a couple other projects that I'm working on but haven't posted - either here or on Ravelry - but will be soon.

2008-05-13T07:44:00.001-05:00

So far, I've finished 8 of the Mini-Jayne's Hat but I haven't decided how many more I'm going to make.

2008-05-12T08:38:00.006-05:00

I had already offered to donate a few Jayne's Hats to Can't Stop The Serenity - Dallas. Then, one of organizers saw these somewhere and asked if I could make some. So far, I have made 8 - 4 on Saturday and I'm finishing up the 4 I started yesterday. It took about 4 hours to make 4 hats, knitting them at the same time, using the Magic Loop method.

Mini Jayne's Hat - hanging from the mirror in the bug

Mini-Jayne's Hat X 4

They're really easy to make:

HAT
- With Orange, CO 20 sts and join for working in the round.
- Knit 2 rounds of 1x1 rib.
- Knit 4 more rounds in Stockinette.
- Switch to Gold and work 4 rounds in Stockinette.
- K2TOG for 2 rounds.
- Thread tapestry needle through remaining stitches and tie off.

EAR FLAPS
- With Ranch Red yarn, pick up 4 sts on one side of the hat.
- Knit 6 rows in Stockinette.
- Slip 2 sts, K2TOG, pass 2 slipped stitches; break yarn and pull through last stitch.
- Cut a short piece of Ranch Red and thread through last stitch so there are 3 strands.
- Repeat on the other side of the hat.

POOF BALL
- With all 3 colors, make a tiny tassel and stitch to the top of the hat.

FINISHING (Optional)
At this point, the Mini-Jayne’s Hat is complete. You can also attach a longish piece of yarn (about 6 to 8 inches) to the top of the hat in order to hang it from a car mirror. Or, stitch a small magnet to the inside to make a ‘fridge magnet. The options are endless…

2008-05-07T21:55:00.006-05:00

Yea for new stitch markers from See Jayne Knit.

Steampunk Stitch Markers

~~Skulls and Hearts~~ Black Hearted Scoundrels

2008-05-02T08:52:00.003-05:00

I also ordered some Harmony needles from KnitPicks.

32in Circular Needle Size 1 (2.25mm)
47" Circular Needle Size 1 (2.25mm)

32in Circular Needle Size 2 (3.0mm)
47" Circular Needle Size 2 (3.0mm)

2008-05-02T08:24:00.007-05:00

Shortly after posting yesterday's entry, both my KnitPicks and Elann orders arrived. So, the following is a picture-heavy post...

From KnitPicks:

Wool of the Andes Red - 2 balls

Wool of the Andes Chestnut - 2 balls

Wool of the Andes Mocha Twist - 2 balls

Wool of the Andes Evergreen - 2 balls

Wool of the Andes MacGregor Hand-Dyed - 2 balls

Shamrock Reilly - 2 balls

Essential Inca Gold Tweed - not sure why I only ordered 1 ball

And, from Elann.com:

Sonata Ruby - 3 balls

Sonata Deep Black - 8 balls

2008-05-01T08:02:00.006-05:00

My friend Jackie was giving me a hard time the other day because I haven't posted anything in a few (or several) days. Apparently, she gets bored at work and she entertains herself by reading blogs. She also gave another friend a hard time for not posting - check Lara's "suckage" entry of April 10th. Sooooooo, Jackie, what should I blog about...

Actually, to be honest, I'm bad about not posting unless I have an update about a project or I've bought some really cool knitting accessory or bought some nice yarn or something like that. I'm usually the same with my bug blog. Not a lot to report at this time though:

1. I've started a bath towel. It's based on the Dish Cloth pattern that came on the label of a Lion Brand Kitchen Cotton cone. I've made the dish cloth and a hand towel by doubling the stitches and just making it longer. For the bath towel, I quadrupled the number of stitches. People think I'm crazy for knitting a cotton bath towel - especially one as big as this - but... Oh, well.

2. I've knitted another Jayne's Hat and have even started another one. I'm donating one of the hats I knitted earlier to the Dallas Can't Stop the Serenity.

3.

4. I have a rock garden but yesterday, two of them died.

5. I recently made a KnitPicks order. Details and pics to be posted once the order arrives.

6. I don't think I've posted anything about it before, but several months ago, I started a sweater. I wanted to try a pullover sweater, knit completely in the round - I can't stand seaming - but I couldn't find a pattern I liked. So, I just started casting on until I thought I had enough to fit me, then started knitting 2x2 ribbing. I didn't even think about sleeves or anything, so once I got to the point where I needed to think about the sleeves, I put the project away until I could find a pattern that would work. But, I'll be able to use the instructions for the sleeves from this pattern.

That's all I have for now...

2008-04-15T08:54:00.004-05:00

In addition to trying to get me to try Options Needles, Jackie has also been trying to get me to try knitting Continental and knitting with the Magic Loop method.

I just can't do it. With Magic Loop, my hands kept getting tangled in the loops and moving the project "forward" on the needles in order to work it, is just awkward.

And, as for knitting Continental, my left hand isn't coordinated enough. And, I didn't just try it for a few sts and give up. I did two rounds on a project with 44sts. It was like trying to knit with my right hand and someone else's left hand. But, I am going to try again, because everyone keeps telling me it's much faster than knitting English.

2008-04-10T17:27:00.001-05:00

I just found this on Dark Roasted Blend.

2008-04-09T09:26:00.004-05:00

I have a really bad habit of not testing/checking gauge before starting a project. I usually just grab some needles and yarn and start knitting. What can I say...? I'm a guy.

Wow, I never thought I would make that statement about knitting. "Sure, I leave the toilet seat up - I'm a guy." "Yes, I'm a pervert - I'm a guy." But, I just never thought I would make that comment about my knitting.

Swatches? We don't need no stinking swatches.

Edited to add: Oh, and another thing I'm bad about not doing is blocking. I usually just wash the FO and let it air-dry. And, that's only for clothing items. Stuff like cozies and such, I don't even wash them.

2008-04-08T21:00:00.002-05:00

My friend Jackie has been trying to get me to try Options Needles. So, she gave me one of her US 1 needles, and I tried using it on my Hot & Cold Socks. The plan was to knit from one of the Addi US 1 needles to the Options US 1 needle that Jackie gave me. But, as it turns out, the Addi needles I've been using are actually US 2's and not as the package had me believe. Crap for crap.

2008-04-08T10:33:00.012-05:00

I finished the Ruffled Scarf for Frances. For the last 2 rows, the pattern called for *K1, increase, repeat; (last row) *P1, increase, repeat. However, after doubling the stitches on the next to the last row, made it really difficult to do purl increases, so I settled for knit increases instead.

Pattern: Ruffled Scarf (A115) Using Cascade Venezia Pattern
Yarn: Cascade Venezia, color 107
Amount: 203 yards (just a little less than 2 skeins)
Needles: US 10 / 6.0 mm circular needles (Denise needles, to be exact)
Started: March 30 2008
Completed: April 6 2008

2008-04-05T17:16:00.009-05:00

Here are some really cool stitch markers I picked up today at the DFW Fiber Fest. They're from Lone Star Arts (LoneStarArts.etsy.com).

Coffee Bean Stitch Markers

Little Tikis(ish) Stitch Markers

2008-03-31T13:20:00.000-05:00

Yet another cozy. I used the Magic Cast-On method to start out, did the rest in a 1X1 rib and finished with Peggy's Stretchy Bind-Off.

2008-03-31T12:30:00.000-05:00

How do you like my nifty yarn bags...?

Yarn Bag Closed

Yarn Bag Open

2008-03-31T11:00:00.000-05:00

So, I decided to start on another pair of socks. But, this time, I wanted to be a little more adventurist and use US 1 needles and Colinette Jitterbug yarn, in Fire (color). I'm using the same pattern I used for my Maroon and Black Skull Socks - Brooklyntweed's Chimney Socks. Once I got a few rounds into the toes, I realized I had plenty of needle space left and decided to start another pair. So, I moved the Fire socks off to some DPN's and used Colinette Jitterbug in Lapis to start another pair. Once I got to the same point in the pattern as the Fire socks, I moved everything back to the same two circular needles.

My plan is to use the Lapis for the toes and heels and Fire for the foot and leg for one pair and Fire for the toes and heels and Lapis for the foot and leg for the other pair.

2008-03-31T10:18:00.015-05:00

This is a scarf I'm knitting for a friend. She loves purple. And, since she's always cold, she'll still be able to use this skinny little scarf for a couple months.

I found the pattern here. But, it's broken. The instructions are as follows:

CO 72 sts
Row 1: Knit
Row 2: K2tog to the end of row. 36 sts remain.
Row 3: P2tog to end of row. 18 sts remain.
Row 4: *K2, P2*, *Repeat to end of row.
Repeat Row 4 until scarf is 3 inches from desired length.
Row 5: *P Inc*, repeat to end of row-36 sts.
Row 6: *K Inc*, repeat to end of row-72sts.
Row 7: Knit.
BO and weave in ends.

However, if you with 18 stitches, you'll end with K2, when you should end with P2. So, following is my modified instructions:

CO 64 sts
Row 1: Knit
Row 2: K2tog to the end of row. 32 sts remain.
Row 3: P2tog to end of row. 16 sts remain.
Row 4: *K2, P2*, *Repeat to end of row.
Repeat Row 4 until scarf is 3 inches from desired length.
Row 5: *P Inc*, repeat to end of row - 32 sts.
Row 6: *K Inc*, repeat to end of row - 64 sts.
Row 7: Knit.
BO and weave in ends.

2008-03-28T12:58:00.001-05:00

This is a sad day. Simpatico Yarns in Bedford is closing. :-(

2008-03-24T09:44:00.008-05:00

I started Koolhaas Hat from Brookytweed. This is my 4th try. It's going okay for the first couple rounds, but then things get out of whack. Part of the problem is that I didn't understand working from a chart at first. I was working the whole chart from left-to-right, instead of working the odd numbered rows/rounds from right-to-left. That was the mistake on my first 3 attempts.

This time, I'm having trouble with some of the bars. If you click the picture below, I've noted the bars.

2008-03-23T02:44:00.020-05:00

The Maroon and Black Skull Socks - Round 3 are done. This time, the skulls are on the bottom of the foot. Plus, for one sock, I pearled the skull; and, on the other sock, for the area around the skull, I switched to pearl and knitted the skull. Next time, I'm going to Fair Isle the skulls, or at least try to.

2008-02-28T13:37:00.003-06:00

I think I'm going to try another attempt at the Koolhaas Hat this weekend. This is the yarn I want to use...

2008-02-28T13:26:00.006-06:00

A quick pic of Maroon and Black Skull Socks Round 3...

2008-02-21T10:16:00.007-06:00

I finished my Stars Scarf. It's done in gartor stitch, so it was really easy. Just something to work on that didn't take a lot of thought. I used Red Heart yarn (I know, I know) in Gold, Hunter Green and Soft White. I did 8 rows of Hunter Green (not counting the cast-on row); 4 rows of Soft White; 6 rows of Gold; 12 rows of Hunter Green; 6 more rows of Gold; 4 more rows of Soft White and then back to Hunter Green for the length of the scarf. Then, at the end, I just reversed the order of the stripes.

This is the Home Game version, and I'm planning to do another with Soft White for the length of the scarf. I'll have to rearrange the color of the stripes though.

Started 01/10/2008 and finished 02/16/2008. It took me a little over a month, but I didn't work on it all the time. This project should have only taken a week at the most.