Pat's Knitting and Quilting
February 29, 2008 So... my shoulder is being stubborn, but I'm doing just fine! Blogging (and all that it entails) has been a wonderful experience in so many ways, but I've found that I have more joy in my life without it. I haven't quite figured out what to do with my website - I'm going to keep it going in some fashion, but not blog style. I think I will continue to put completed pictures and info in the galleries so I can keep a record of my work and it will be available outside of Ravelry. I haven't knit a stitch in the past month, and I don't see it changing for the next month, so I have some time to figure this all out! I also want to let you know how much I appreciate all of your thoughtfulness, concern and ongoing inspiration. I've been completely out of the blogging world (not even visiting blogs) in my attempt to put my life back in balance - and believe me, A HUGE amount of free time has opened up (you have no idea how much time I was spending here!!) but I still think about all of my blogging friends and I know I'll be peeking back in soon!
January 29 , 2008 Thank you so much for all your well wishes! I've got a shoulder full of cortisone - it was inflamed enough that I had to start with that before proceeding to any other treatment. (The original injury, a small tear of rotator cuff, has lead to tendonitis/impingement syndrome). I've decided to use this forced knitting hiatus as an opportunity to take a blogging and computer break too. It is time to get some balance back into my full life! A quick pic of the quilt top - I just added the pieced borders - now on to the backing...
January 24, 2008 1st the good thing... This toddler sweater is made from a pattern I ripped out of some (unknown now) magazine before 1981 when I had my 1st baby - I knit it for him - LOVED it and saved the now yellowed, ripped, ancient single page - there is not even a designer written on it - it's just called "Norse Pullover", so I have no idea who to thank for this simple beautiful pattern. (I've made 5 of them in my knitting life) . This one is for the CIC sweater challenge.
The body and sleeves are knit in the round and joined for the patterned yoke - easy as can be. The only finishing is grafting the underarms! I love this little sweater and hope it will keep a child nice and warm! Edit: Pattern just found on Ravelry!!! (Don't you love Ravelry?) It was from a McCall's Magazine in 1973 called "McCall's Makes It Just for Baby" - no designer listed.
And now for thing 2.... not so good! If you've been astute, you may have noticed that my knitting production line is slowing down - there is a real possibility that it is soon going to come to a screeching halt! I fell awhile back and injured my shoulder which has now developed into a huge mess (impingement, torn, frozen, surgery) - are some of the words I've heard - I go to a specialist on Monday and will be more informed at that point. The bottom line is that the repetitive motion of knitting is aggravating it to the point where I can't even knit a few rows without pain. I'm fully expecting the orthopedic doctor to say STOP KNITTING when I go on Monday. I can't believe this is happening!
January 20 , 2008 6 repeats in and I could see there was a problem - just look at the bias on these socks! They are swirling around my leg and who knows how they will fit over my heel and foot.
After looking at the Ravelry Nutkin projects, I realized I was not alone (although some people have made changes in the pattern to correct this problem by mirroring the swirls instead of having them all flow in the same direction). I consulted, via a flurry of emails, with my long time blog friend, Shirley, who I knew was also making Nutkins, and ..... I (we) frogged! I really like this Lorna's Laces yarn (much prettier than the color in these pictures) and now I have it in 2 nice yarn cakes waiting for the right pattern.
Isn't that a cool thumb gusset? I'm loving this pair of mittens!
My current plan is to knit at least 2 sweaters for the Children in Common (CIC) Knitting Yahoo Group toddler sweater/vest challenge. This one is going to be a little Nordic yoke pullover and I'm going to guess it will be done soon because I can't wait to get to the yoke! You'll get all the details as soon as it's done. Knitting little sweaters is so much fun!
January 14 , 2008 It looks all fancy and complicated, but it's just a slip stitch pattern - using one color for 2 rounds...no stranding except for the corrugated rib cuff. I LOVE the sole of these socks and keep thinking I might like a whole sock made from that easy pattern.
Pattern: Florenz (Ravelry Link) by Stephanie van der Linden for the Socken-Kreative-Liste.
After vacillating throughout the entire process , I frogged the whole cable on Tangled Yoke. I made the original 1 to 5 increases too tight and could tell it was going to pucker at the bottom. I tried to convince myself it would block out, but felt that strong intuition (that wouldn't go away) telling me I should rip and redo - so off the needles it came. It is now back on the needles and the set up row is done with nice loose 1 to 5 increases - I feel so much better about continuing on now!
We just got back from a weekend in Maine - I decided before we left that I wanted to start a special new project on this 2 hour car ride, so I picked out 3 colors of Knit Picks Wool of the Andes (I really DO like Knit Picks yarn , just NOT Gloss for socks!) and began a toddler sweater for the current CIC (thank you for such an all inclusive description Marguerite!)toddler sweater/vest challenge. More about that next post... Right now I should go help Dave shovel out the driveway!
January 8 , 2008 First - the new projects ...
I realized all 5 of my current projects have charts - I have charts in my dreams at night! The challenge is to find the correct chart for what I want to be knitting at any given moment.
And now for the disappointing sock yarn -KNIT PICKS GLOSS! Just look at this sock!!
I knit the "Travelers Stockings" about 1 year ago and have only worn them this fall/winter - 8 to 10 times at the most. After the first time I wore them, they pilled horribly and looked old for their very young age. I have always washed these socks by hand and hung them to dry - they've never seen a washer or dryer. Can you believe it? and the very sad part is that I knit another pair of socks with the same yarn. I knit 2 pair of my favorite Nancy Bush patterns with this yarn - Damn! I haven't put my purple Child's First Sock on my feet yet (except in that picture) and now I don't know what I should do - maybe just keep them to look at! Hang them on the wall for decoration. For comparison...this is the very 1st pair of socks I ever knit from fingering wt. yarn. Knit in 2004 and worn consistently ever since the day I finished them. These have seen more wear than any socks I've made! Oh how I love good ole Regia! (and for that matter Lorna's Laces, Opal, Trekking, Austermann, and all the other sturdy, durable and still beautiful sock yarns).
I just pressed "publish" when my doorbell rang - I'm editing to show you what was in the package on my door step!
I was a winner in the "Holiday Giveaway" contest over at the amazing knitting/designing sister's blog - Kathryn Ivy. Just look at this huge yarn and roving dye kit! They even have an Easter Egg Yarn Dyeing Tutorial . Isn't the yarn in that link picture gorgeous! Looks like I'm going to have some dyeing fun - I may even have to pull out my spindle and learn how to spin up some of that roving! Thank you Grace and Alice!!
January 2 , 2008 I bought this kit almost 3 years ago just before we left on a road trip to Alaska - I love kits for vacation knitting - all so nice and compact and ready to go! ANYWAY - I never even pulled the yarn out of the bag on that trip, but there it was still nicely packaged and waiting for me this winter.
Pattern: Bosnian Patterned Mittens by Beth Morimoto
A well written pattern with a beautiful chart - I made no changes. I love both the palm and back patterns and the beautiful cuffs with the tiny bit of rust peeking through. The thumbs are placed slightly toward the palm side for a perfect anatomical fit! These mittens are so warm with the extra layer of worsted wt. yarn from stranding - perfect for walking on these cold winter days. They are MINE!
Sleeves attached to Tangled Yoke....hopefully I'll be tangling soon!
For some reason, I'm being drawn to socks again. Right now I'm working toward the toes on Florenz and I just started Nutkin (not enough done for a picture yet) as my take along socks, but already I'm deciding on my next socks....and there are so many choices - just in KALs alone. Madder Rib for Vintage Sock, Canal Du Midi for KOTR, Ravelry Sockdown has a choice between Cookie A (I would make Thelonius) or an intarsia mystery pattern. I also received a new Red Bird Knits stranded pattern and what about my Cat Bordhi book? - still haven't made a sock from that one - how about plain stockinette in one of my beautiful variegated yarns? Or maybe I'll just start more mittens - or a scarf...
December 28 , 2007
I'm moving along S-L-O-W-L-Y on Irtfa'a - here she is today in her unstretched state after completion of the shoulder drop section. It will be awhile...... but I sure am enjoying the process on this one!
For a peek at our Christmas morning - Click this photo Happy New Year!
December 19, 2007 On Saturday morning, I was perusing my bloglines feeds and stopped in my tracks when I got to Kirsten's blog - Through the Loops - always a source of inspiration for me! She had JUST generously made her pattern for Thorpe available to all of us as a wonderful holiday gift. I had been looking for the perfect plain basic earflap hat for Dave and this was it! I immediately cast on and finished it that night, adding the edging and braid Sunday morning at breakfast.
I used leftover (from these mittens) Elann Peruvian Baby Cashmere (tripled) for the edging and braid and used every inch of it up - I feel so virtuous - not one tiny bit left over!
Cam's latest creation! With family arriving in 2 days and a list of things I need to do that goes on and on (and somehow doesn't include blogging or knitting), I'm guessing I won't be back until after Christmas .....so have a merry one!
December 14 , 2007 Bet I would win if we had a "most boring titles" contest! I LOVE corrugated ribbing! Whenever I see a sweater, sock, glove....ANY pattern with corrugated rib, I want to make it - The prettiest ribbing in the knitting world! BUT I do not enjoy knitting it. There is absolutely no flow to the knitting - It's like I have 2 left hands or I'm trying to pat my head and rub my tummy at the same time...I feel awkward, incompetent and VERY slow - NO rhythm to it at all. 12 rows on a pair of socks and I'm done! I can't imagine doing a whole sweater's worth of corrugated ribbing! Does anyone have a secret? Is there something I should be aware of that makes the process smooth and natural?
About these socks... I've wanted to make Florenz (Ravelry link) since the pattern came out for the Socken-Kreativ-Liste July 2007 socks. I printed it off immediately and picked my yarn out, but have not had a chance to start them until now. They are beautifully designed by Stephanie van der Linden . After making my way through the ribbing, I began the slip stitch pattern and immediately got confused. The directions for rows 3 and 13 are wrong (at least in the English version). I didn't trust myself on this, so I emailed Punkin, who had recently completed hers - she concurred - the directions for rows 3 and 13 should read YO and slip 3 stitches with yarn in FRONT. I'm now on my way....
December 9, 2007 AKA November Mystery Socks...
and remember that little pile of yarn cakes?
I'll provide the all details next time (because I'm in a huge hurry this morning) ... Oh, I guess I could take a minute to at least find the link to these beautiful Bosnian Mittens.
December 3 , 2007 The yarn flew quickly - ordered 11/27 ....at my door 11/30! It is exactly what I wanted!
I immediately wound my dark, rich Corvid Laci into a giant cake.
I pulled out the directions...all 13 pages....and started reading them. I quickly realized that I might be in over my head AND that this was not going to be a quick project! The more I read, the more confused I got, so I did what I always do...I just STARTED! Usually it all begins to make sense when the yarn is on the needles and it was no different with Irtfa'a! Take it one baby step at a time ....
I must say that this is one of the most well written patterns of any that I have ever used. Anne gives both charts and clearly written step by step directions. At first I needed to refer to BOTH, but now it is all clear and I'm on my way....SLOWLY....This shawl will not be knit quickly. It is a mindful pattern that requires my complete attention and I don't have a lot of that kind of time (but every time I get some - I'll be working on this shawl! ) On another note....Happy 23rd Birthday to my daughter, Kate! (Her birthday is today, but we celebrated last night due to everyone's schedules) She got to pick out anything she wanted from the "gift knitting" bin....as you can see, she chose the Bird Foot Socks. Our feet are the exact same size which makes it easy!
November 27 , 2007 I rarely see a pattern that I have to make instantly, but when I saw this pattern on Jennifer's queue in Ravelry, I immediately printed it off, pulled out some beautiful heathered Wool of the Andes and cast on! They are thick luscious cabled mittens that have a nice long cuff - perfect for New England winters!
Pattern: Chevalier Mittens designed by Tikru I knit the pattern exactly as written, but color coded the chart to make it easier for me to read. I have never come so close to running out of yarn on a project. I realized part way into the hand that it was going to be close....by the time I was knitting the thumb, I actually got so concerned that t I measured how much yarn it took to do each round (12") and measured my vertical gauge. I needed 10 feet to finish and had 10 feet 5 inches of yarn left! A few more pictures....
Next mittens to be made...
My fingers have also been getting quite itchy to knit some lace, so when I saw Anne's new incredibly beautiful Irtfa'a Faroese Lace Shawl pattern. I quickly bought, downloaded and printed it off . Now to decide on yarn... I really should knit a black shawl - For the 1st time in several years, I had an opportunity to dress up this weekend. The only nice clothes I have would have needed a black shawl....guess what? I've never knit a black shawl and none of the 6 shawls I've made worked - what a WASTE of a dress up opportunity!! BUT - I don't WANT to knit with pure black - I'm thinking of using one of the Raven colors, but I'm concerned they won't be dark enough...STR isn't always true to the color cards - Has anyone bought Raven Lace weight?? Decisions, decisions... 1 hour later.....Decision made.... 1750 yards of "Corvid" is winging it's way to me!
November 21, 2007 Sorry about the flash photography, but there was no sun in the forecast and I didn't want to wait to show you my Lenore Socks!
Pattern: Lenore designed by the Yarn Harlot for the October Rockin' Sock Club kit. After the cuff, the pattern is just a 2 row repeat that is easy and fun - a perfect take along sock! I loved knitting these socks and I love wearing them too - the only socks I've made that actually match with black pants! (edit: I take that back - Fair Game are beautiful with black pants too!) Look at this pretty little scalloped cuff...
(After this kit, I'm a little sad that I didn't sign up again for next year - oh well... I sure won't have any trouble finding pretty socks to make....there are so many gorgeous skeins of sock yarn out there and more beautiful patterns than I will ever be able to knit up!) Speaking of pretty socks - isn't this a nice heel flap?
Enjoy your Thanksgiving!!
November 16 , 2007 You'd think she could have come up with a better name than that! But it DOES describe exactly what this hat is. I love the beautiful all-over pattern and it is a very soft, warm and highly wearable hat. Thank you to my bodyless head for modeling this hat since I couldn't take a good picture on my own head and I had a very small window of sunshine!
Pattern: All-Over Two-Color Patterned Watch Cap from Hat's On by Charlene Schurch* I did not have this hat off the needles for more than 3 minutes before I started these mittens...
This is the cuff of the Chevalier Mittens - beautiful cable architecture with more cable fun to come!
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