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Dana's Adventures in Knitting

Saturday, May 28, 2005

I'm Baaack

The beach was great. I taught my cousin to knit (but not cast off, oops!) and had plenty of time to knit, myself. I finished the FMB using the easter egg dye yarn I made last month. I't about an inch shorter than it's supposed to be, so the next one I make will be deeper. It turned out really well and only took 4 days to make. I'll try getting pictures up tomorrow. The middle section of Gatsby is almost done too. I have 7 rows of starlight pattern left and then I can start on the feather and fan section.

Friday, May 20, 2005

Farewell, so long...

Auf Wiedersehen, goodbye! It's off to the beach for me until Friday. We may or may not have any sort of internet access, so fear not I will return. Adios, Ciao, Aloha, Hasta la Vista, and Adiosu until then.

Thursday, May 19, 2005

Great Gatsby progress

Happy Birthday to me! Mom, Dad, Lil'un and I went to Macaroni Grill tonight. It was fun. I was sung to and ate hot fudge cake. Hubby had to work, but he'll be off all next week.

I've had some progress with Gatsby. I'm not putting all my energy into it because we're all getting ready for the big beach trip. I'm about a third of the way through the middle section. Here's some pics.
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ETA: I'm a...




Which flock do you follow?

this quiz was made by alanna

Wednesday, May 18, 2005

Lessons Learned

Do you ever notice that the best projects teach you something? Today, I learned not to leave my child alone in a room with slime. Slime is a semi sticky toy that farts when you push on it. It also sticks in hair like bubblegum. Fortunately, unlike bubblegum, it comes out with soap and water. Ok, that's not a project, but I did learn something. I'm leading up to learning stuff from knitting projects.

Project: LB Homespun and Funfur capelet
Lesson: Learn how to bind off properly. It was bound off so tightly I couldn't get it over my head. It ended up going to my boss' daughter, who loves it.

Project: Mariah
Lesson: GAUGE Live it. Love it. Remeasure it. Mariah was huge and kinda lumpy. :sigh: That one hurt. Also, zippers are EVIL. That is all.

Project: AV Cardi.
Lesson: Never, I repeat never, replace a cotton blend with all non-mercurized all cotton. Remember, cotton garments are subject to droop. Also, learn how to spot your place in a lace pattern by sight.

Project: VK Cardi
Lesson: For goodness sakes, learn how to seam. Please.

Project: Gatsby
Lesson: A stitch in time saves nine. In other words, a small frog now can prevent a large frog later. Be vigilant.


Maybe someday, with enough practice, I'll be an awesome knitter.

I've decided today that I need a French Market Bag. My current knitting bag looks like I picked it up out of the tacky dumpster. I even already have enough wool. I think I'll take that, Neo ,and Gatsby to the beach.

ETA: Knitty Suprise! None for me though. Trellis is adorable and I wish I had had Peek a boob back when I was nursing. It's probably a good thing. I have enough on my plate as is.

Sunday, May 15, 2005

Picture Extravaganza

I finally got around to taking some pictures. Here are some pictures of the VK cardi. I just love wearing it. it's nice, but a bit slouchy and casual. It will be perfect at the beach. Hey bonus appearence of Lil'un in a couple of these.
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here's my current WIP. It's the very begining of Gatsby. The fingering weight yarn takes a little getting used to. The darker picture is a more accurate color. You can also see the tweed I am doing the next section.
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Friday, May 13, 2005

Done!

The VK cardi is officially done. I even worked in all the ends. Except for some questionable seaming, it is perfect. I was going to wear it to work tomorrow, but I've been given the day off. Oh well, I'll just have to find somewhere to wear it before the day gets to warm. I'll have to borrow the camera from dad tomorrow and post some pics. I used seven skeins of TLC cotton Plus on sizes 5 and 6 needles and, unlike many Vogue patterns, there seems to be no problem with the pattern.

I need a quick project before I start Gatsby or Neo. I think the girls shrugs will do nicely. I'll at least do one of them. I think I'll make the free ribbed shrug from IK summer 05' for one girl and A Good Bias from spring IK 05' for the other one. The ribbed shrug will be in Caron Simply Soft in Paisley Print. I'm not sure about the Bias one. I'm thinking about either the left over Cotton Plus or maybe some pink I picked up at the thrift store. I also have that silver microspun. It depends on how much yarn it takes.

EDIT: Here's a scan of the ribbed shrug swatch. The colors aren't very accurate. Think strong jewel tone.
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Tuesday, May 10, 2005

In the home stretch

I'm on the last sleeve of my Vogue Cardi. I'll be done and ready for pictures in just a couple of days. So far I am happier with this project, than with anything else I have made thusfar.

Mother's day was nice. Lil'un and I took a nice walk in the neighborhood, but otherwise we mostly just stuck around here. I got a pair of knitting earrings and a twenty-five dollar gift certificate to Knit Picks. I'm not sure what to get. I may just wait a bit and see if they come out with any new yarns. I have enough yarn in my stash to keep me busy for quite a while.

Strawberries are in! I picked 5 qts the other day and they are delicious. I need to pick some more for jam. There's nothing quite like the taste of fresh picked strawberries still warm from the sun.

I made some awesome enchiladas the other day. I whipped up some homeade red sauce and shredded some chicken and cheddar. I think on my day to cook at the beach I'll make mexican food. It'll be a nice change of pace.

Friday, May 06, 2005

bleh

The best thing about this week is that it is almost over. Ever have a week where everything is against you. I run errands and it takes twice as long and to top it off I run into attitude. GIVE ME A BREAK! I was so wound up about it yesterday I couldn't knit. Even Lil'un has been whiny and talking back. I had to send him to bed early tonight because of it. I'm just so dog tired.

I did finish the back and am about 6.5" up the first sleeve of VK cardi. Strait stockinette sucks and I am in no mood. :P

Next project will definitely be Gatsby broken up by finishing Neo. I really ought to press on with Neo.

Monday, May 02, 2005

Obsessed

I found Dale Freestyle in both deep red and cream on sale at Webs for 3.30/sk. That would be $63 plus shipping for the corset top. It's superwash too.

I could use Andean Silk. It would cost around $59 and comes in cream and barn red. I'm not sure about the red shade. It also isn't washable.

Then again I could use Cotton Plus. It would be $32.50 and washable. They have a nice red, although I wish it were a bit darker.

Why am I even thinking about this? I'm not even starting this project for a few more months. Sigh...I have a feeling that this is where my Birthday money will go.

If anyone knows a nice, cheap washable yarn with a gauge of 19.5 st/27row per 4" please let me know.

Sunday, May 01, 2005

Love at first sight...again

It happened again. Another pattern grabbed me from behind and accosted me. You...Will..Make...Me...and abuse ellipses while you're at it. I can't make it until after I make the Gatsby shawl, the girls' shrugs, Neo and a few other things I can't think of right now, but I want it to be a winter sweater anyway. Here it is:
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The pattern is here.

I'll make it a few inches longer with longer sleeves in merino or soft alpaca. I could also do without the buckles on the side. I'd love it in either ivory or intense red.

Front Finished and Sping Cleaning

Turn up the music and break out the Margaritas; I finished the front of VK hoodie. Woohoo! It takes so little to excite me sometimes. I'll get pictures next time I can get ahold of a camera. I cast on the back and will hopefully finish it in a couple of days. Not the week and a half the front took. I picked up yet another ball of yarn for it because the front took every bit of three balls and I just had 8 balls total. That and I'm paranoid. So far so good.

My Uncle finally sent me the girls measurments for shrugs. It only took a couple weeks :P . I think I'll use Caron Simply Soft in Paisley Print that I already have in my stash. Now to come up with a pattern... They are going to be Christmas presents. I hope the girls like them.

In other than knitting news, we are spring cleaning. Hubby, Lil'un, and I burned yard waste and started filling the horrible holes in the back yard. We got a new septic tank and drain field a while back and the fella who installed it never came back to fill in the sink holes (Grumble Grumble). Anyway, Mr B, a friend of ours, came by and heped out as well and we had a nice day of it. Lil'un even had his little shovel and wheelbarrow out and helped shift gravel. Very cute!

Today is laundry and computer room cleaning day. We're just taking a bit of abreak now.

Oh, almost forgot, I've started my SP shopping. I have so many neat ideas. I only hope she likes them.
 
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