Finished items!

I have almost cleaned off my needles. There is still a list of things to do, but they haven't been cast-on yet. First here is the group of us in the tutus from the last post.We performed well with no major issues or injuries and had fun, so that passes all of my criteria. It was a lot of work for 2 minutes of dance, but well worth it.

I also finished up the afghan for Warm-up America. Last year's was very ugly, so I made this one all myself instead of sewing up mis-matched blocks that got donated. I think it looks a little like the '70s, but still nice and someone will be nice and warm.
I also finished up the In Dreams KAL. I didn't get the last clue worked on as I normally would due to the tutus, but finally finished. It blocked to 66" wide and 33" neck to bum.I am almost done with Darin's sweater as well. I am doing the neck edge this evening and expect to get it done by next weekend.

Now what do I work on next? I have tons of stuff lined up for the spinning wheel, but I need some knitting for N's class time and when there isn't enough time to spin. I have finished washing the fleece I got, but now have to card or comb it. I purchased some Acorn 4 pitch English combs and the lace flyer kit for my wheel from the Woolery.

Lots going on

It is May already and I have tons of photos to share. I have been doing lots of stuff, but in the last 2 weeks most of my work has been on some tutus for my ballet class. There are 8 of us in the class. The tutus have invaded my crafting area. Our performance is next Sunday, so all but 1 will depart for new homes then. The boy and I also dyed Easter eggs this year and I am very proud of the rainbow one I made. In the bottom row his are the 3 on the right and mine are the 3 on the left. He did some good work on gradient dyeing.

I have also finally gotten around to plying the BFL that my sister dyed for me. I needed to clean off the wheel for a spinning class (didn't get much out of that class, so no more comment here about that). I did get 433 yds of 3-ply in this skein.
And the last thing for this post are the pictures of the finished clue 5 and 6 of In Dreams. I haven't finished the shawl yet due to the tutu invasion.
I have photos taken of the fleece washing process/project and will make a separate post for that.

In Dreams KAL

I signed up for the In Dreams knit-a-long. I am really liking the shawl so far. The actual knitting is easy, but the hard part is all them time needed to put the beads on. So far with clue 1 we used 364 beads and clue 2 needed 912. Here are the pictures of clue 1 and 2.

The boy is almost 10 already!

Tomorrow is the boy's birthday and he will be 10. Oy, where does time go? Since the last post I have done quite a bit of knitting. The boy got a Kindle for Christmas and needed a cover for it, so I knit a Griffindor stripped sleeve.
I used scraps of Andean Silk from KnitPicks and just knit in the round with a 3-needle bindoff using both colors.

I also have finished up the Henley with a Twist by KnitSpot. I used hand-spun merino for this. I love the fit and the pattern was easy to follow and very easy to sew up.Last summer I sewed up some block for a Warm-Up-America afghan that my church knitting group had created. This was just a horrid mess of colors and an assault on the eyes, so I decided to crochet a complete afghan that matched. I am using Vanna's Choice yarn and will add 2 more colors to these:
Each block is 7" x 9" and there will be 49 total for the afghan. This is one of 4 works in progress.

I have a sock that is on-going, a sweater for Darin, and I joined the In Dreams mystery KAL. This is a shawl pattern in a series from the Lord of the Rings series by Sunflower Designs. Here is my swatch-
I am using Valley Yarns 2/14 Alpaca silk in Sienna and copper lined crystal beads from the Beadwrangler. The pattern calls for 5000 beads and 1260 yds of laceweight yarn. I didn't have the copper lined beads when I did the swatch so what you see there is silver lined crystal on the left and clear crystal on the right. I have started clue 1, but I need to spend time working on Darin's sweater as well. He sat with me at the computer and selected the pattern and yarn for this one:I am using KnitPicks Wool of the Andes in the blackberry color and a pattern from Penny Striker. I don't need to follow a chart for the cable pattern any more as they are easy to follow.

Time flys when you are having fun.

March already? Where has time gone? I didn't post anything for a while as we were experiencing computer problems and I didn't want to hook up the camera to download pictures. I have gotten lots of knitting done. I have tried my hand at designing and come up with some fingerless mitts that I like. Here is the second pair:
Pattern: Martha's Mitts
Needles: KnitPicks 3mm dpns
Yarn: KnitPicks Palette less than 2 balls
The first pair were knit with KnitPicks Bare in Fingering weight Merino. I like the second ones better as they are not quite as tight and heavy.

Early in the year I finished another lace shawl. This one is Lacewing by Anne Hanson. I really like the pattern as it was a bit challenging with pattern on both the right side and wrong side rows.
I also started another project. I was looking for a top down raglan v-neck short-sleeved sweater, but after about 3 hours of searching for what I wanted, I finally settled on a bottom up pattern from Creative Knitting magazine. After taking this photo I realized that you can tell where the second ball of yarn starts even thought I did several pairs of rows alternating balls of yarn to prevent a line.

Welcome to the Year 2010!!!

But before I start the new year of knitting here are the last bits of last year's work. First up are the arm warmers. This is a pattern for 18th century knitted mitts by Mara Riley. I liked knitting them, but when I make another pair I will make several changes- I didn't like how the decrease/increases look and they were a bit boring. I also need to check my gauge as these were a bit tight on my arms, but fit a friend perfectly.
Next up are the pilates legwarmers. I discovered this fall that when my calves get cold I get toe cramps in pilates class. I needed some shorter legwarmers as all of mine are thigh high for ballet class, so I found this pattern at KnitPicks and added the stirrup to the bottoms to help keep my feet warm. They fit nicely under my yoga pants and really work without interfering with my feet.I also finished the green Panda Silk socks, but I don't have a photo of the finished pair. They fit well, but stretched out a bit during the day and ended up a bit loose.

I am currently working on the edging for the Lacewing shawl by KnitSpot. It is taking a long time. After that I really don't know what to start. I got a few knitting books for Christmas (The Knitter's Book of Wool by Clara Parkes and Twisted-Stitch Knitting by Maria Erlbacher). I think I will work on another set of arm warmers with a twisted stitch motif. I also have to finish spinning the Merino roving I got a long time ago (actually before I bought my wheel). I am not loving the finished ply and I will probably have to make a 3-ply to get anything remotely even in thickness. I guess I prefer spinning worsted instead of woolen and this is not the best fiber prep for that.

My goals for this next year are to make a dent in spinning some of the fiber I already have before I get to MS&W in May; knit a few more pairs of socks than last year; try my hand at designing some items; and I think I already have an idea for one Christmas present for next year to get started on (after consulting my color expert).

I finished 2 projects

I have only worked on 1 project at a time for a bit now. I finished 2 projects and have started a third.
First is a baby present:
Pattern: Baby Blocks by Ann Norling (in The Shop on Blossom Street by Debbie Macomber)
Yarn: Vanna's choice, 8 skeins
Needles: KnitPicks size 8

The second is a shawl from Knitted Lace of EstoniaPattern: Miralda's triangular shawl
Yarn: Briar Rose Fibers, Sea Pearl, Laceweight
Needles: KnitPicks size 6

The new project is the Sarah Cardigan from Button Up your Top Down. It was a kit I got from Shelridge Farm at MS&W this year.

Almost MS&W 2009

I am headed to MS&W again this year. Before I go I got several items finished.

First, Ski Sweater. No picture yet, it is on the other camera. The sweater is wind-proof and warm.

Second, Lyra:
Pattern: Lyra by Herbert Niebling
Source: Lacis
Yarn: JaggerSpun Zepher silk/wool in Mushroom
Needles: US size 3, KnitPicks
Finished weight: 143 g or 4 7/8 oz
Time: Too long, it sat in time-out for several months.

Third, tofutsies socks:
Pattern: from Sensational Knitted Socks
Yarn: Tofutsies, about 2/3 of a ball
Size: women's size 10
Time: again, too long.

I started a new pair of socks. These are Nathaniel's Crew crew socks.
We are fans of the Columbus Crew MLS team, so he needed socks to wear to the games.

Next time it will be pictures from the festival and pictures of the finished ski sweater.

February blahs

January ended with a snowstorm and closed schools. Don't get me wrong, I love the snow, but I hate having to take a vacation day for closed schools.

I have gotten lots of work done on the ski sweater, but had to take a break. I needed to make some baby booties for a woman at work.Pattern: from 50 Baby Booties to Knit
Yarn: Debbie Bliss Rialto 4-ply (same as the traveling stitch legwarmers)
Needles: Knitpicks 3mm dpns
Time: about 4 hours


Then I went back to working on the Lyra lace. I still am chomping at the bit to start either the chullo hat or the Sipalu bag pattern or one of Knitspot's lace shawls I have everything for.

The big reason for the knitting lull is the wii Fit. I have been trying to spend at least 30 minutes each night doing the yoga, strength and aerobic games. This is part rehabilitation for my ankle, part staying in shape. I am still not fully dancing yet, but it has only been 7 weeks. I can point my bad foot about half as much as the good foot. It will get there, but I am sick of waiting. I just don't want to push it and end up in worse shape than I am now.

It is a new year.

I got to spend 2 weeks on crutches. Fortunately this got me out of doing any driving to and from Illinois, but unfortunately I could do as much helping with the cooking as normal. I have since been walking on my ankle and it is much reduced in size and color, but still bits of purple remain. I did much knitting on Lyra during the Christmas break, but ran out of room on the needles for the stitches. While I waited to place my KnitPicks order with longer needles I worked on the Ski sweater. I have gotten a good groove with that and I am ready for the neck steek.Now to get these done so I can start in on the many other projects I have yarn, needles and pattern for.

Christmas Week

Well I have no pictures of knitting today, but I have been doing a lot of work on the Lyra lace. It just looks like a wad of string. I got quite a bit of knitting time this week by being a klutz. I twisted my ankle in Ballet class monday night. After a trip to the urgent care on tuesday I had an air cast and crutches. I have spent much of the rest of the time on the couch with my foot up. I hoped to be done with the crutches by today, but I still can't put all of my weight on that foot. Fortunately it is my left foot so I can still drive, but work is a lot harder since I don't normally sit at my desk all day. I called in lame on wednesday and friday and left early tuesday and thursday. I do have to work tomorrow and them I am off for the rest of the week. We are headed to the grandparents for christmas unless the weather really puts up a fight.

Lots of knitting going on here

This would be further along if my guage swatch hadn't lied to me. It is the Telemark Ski Sweater from KnitPicks. I was about 6 rows more than what you see here when I discovered it was about 4 inches too big. The guage swatch said 6.75 sts/inch, but I was actually getting 6.25 sts/inch. Out it came and I have re-started.
I would have gotten further, but I had to go to a lace knitting class. I had a class with Anne Hanson of Knitspot. We worked on a little "sampler" for the advanced lace knitting part of the class and then got to see a trunk show of her designs. I got the sampler mostly done in class, I just have to graft part and then block.

I also got some new yarn. I got the chullo hat kit and the palette warm sampler from KnitPicks. I think they sold out again.


I also finished the legwarmers


Pattern: Traveling stitch legwarmers, Interweave Knits, Spring 2008
Yarn: Debbie Bliss, Rialto 4ply superwash, 3 balls
Needles: US 4, 3.5mm
Modifications: added 10 rows of rib at bottom to make the stirrup part
Time needed: 2 weeks!!!

These were a fun knit. I was afraid they would not fit my 16" calves, but they did just fine. I have worn them for a ballet class and I think I will need to run a piece of elastic through the top to keep them up.

Here is my basic knitting project. I loved the Jojoland yarn, but it wouldn't work for the legwarmers, so I had to find a new project for it. I think the entrelac shows off the color changes quite nicely. I have 3 balls, so we will see how long it takes to make this scarf.

Summer almost gone.

At work we are mostly done moving 3 labs. It was a lot of extra work and eliminated the need for a gym membership for a bit. I have gotten some knitting done. I can't show one item as it is a stealth project. I really liked working with the KnitPicks Swish yarn. I can't remember if it was the DK or worsted, but it was really nice to knit with. I hope it washes well.

I also finished block 5 of the Aran Afghan. I really liked this block. The 24 row repeat made the pattern fly. The other blocks have had either 4 or 8 row repeats and I was getting bored and didn't want to finish them. I think most of the rest of the blocks will be a larger pattern.

Last night I decided to start a new project. I found out that Lacis was selling the Lyra pattern by Niebling, so I ordered that and 2 other lace knitting books. I started Lyra last night with the mushroom Zephyr I had purchased a few years ago and knit 2 mystery stoles with.

I also got a book of Amigurumi, mostly for the duck pattern, but there are lots of others I want to try. I am still learning how to do crochet well. This duck was worked on while watching the opening ceremonies of the Olympics and in the car. He/she/it looks funny, but cute.

I also signed up for the Mystery Stole 4 (by PinkLemon's mother). I will probably not knit this as the mystery unfolds as the last 2 mysteries I did were not much to my liking at the end. I am a process knitter, but I am running out of people to gift lace knitting to.

I am back.

I have done some spinning. Here is about 775 yds of a 3-ply made from 2 ply of coopworth and 1 ply of a mohair/llama/merino blend. Unfortunately I think I am allergic to the blend part. My eyes started itching every time I worked with it. I still have more of the coopworth that I can spin to a 3-ply to add yardage to this.



I also finished one mouse from the Alan Dart Circus mouse pattern in Simply knitting. I decided to make a ballet mouse instead of a juggler. I still need to figure out how to put ballet shoes on her feet. She is about 7 inches tall including ears.

This past week we spent in Holly River West Virginia camping. Here is the campsite after the rain finally stopped. Note that the big white shelter is tilted. The rain the first night overloaded the tarp part and bent 2 leg parts and the ridge pole.


While camping I worked on Egeblad. I decided to follow BrooklynTweeds' idea of using thicker yarn and a doily pattern to make a throw size. I was using Lion Brand's Fishermans wool and 5.5mm needles. It finished up to be about 36" diameter. A little to small, but still looks good.

Where does time go?

Since I posted last, I have competed in another Feis (got 4 medals, danced 5 times), had a ballet dress rehearsal for the recital, mostly finished a sweater and got frustrated trying to design a lace shawl. The sweater is the Inverted V kit I bought at MS&W this year. I just have the crochet edging and blocking left to do.
This was a fun easy knit with shaping only at the shoulders and armpits. Now to stop the curling at the bottom.

I have been trying to design my own triangle lace shawl. I found a pattern I thought would work for the last part before the edge and then tried to find patterns to go in the big open space before that one. I charted several things in Excel and they tried to knit them. The first one I tried was just too much solid knitting, not enough lace. The second one I tried, I had the increases for the triangle wrong. I give up. It is way too hard for me. I just don't have the patience to see this through. I will just continue knitting other people's patterns. I didn't even take pictures of my trials, they were that unsuccessful.

I got the newest available Simply Knitting and just love these mice. I need to make them all, but I have to get the next issue to get the rest of the patterns.
I haven't figured out how tall each is, but I need to make them.