by Kat | Nov 10, 2017 | General
If you recall, I had a good long discussion of this sweater with Mary in which we spent a bit of time doing some knitty maths to determine how to place the pattern on the sweater (since the stitch count did not match the stranded knitting chart). And, so I counted back from my “center back stitch” and began, only to discover I cannot read a chart! So, I carefully un-knit the stitches and recounted and started again. Apparently, twice was not enough so I had to unknitting a second time and start again. Hopefully the solution for wonky math skills + number of sweater stitches + chart stitch count is adding in 3 stitches to make the pattern and my button band pick up work. Sometimes, I really think that overthinking is my major problem in life. Add to that, my ethereal Plutolopi yarn did not stand up to the challenge of being un-knit twice! But, I think I am back on track and forging ahead with the yoke! Hopefully, this solution will be much better!
Now, how about some links?
If you are in the Pittsburgh area, tomorrow is Indie Knit and Spin
This week’s controversy seems to be revolving around the images of this sweater. Personally, I love the images – and the sweater is not bad either.
I am not sure whether this is insane knitting or knitting for the insane.
The texture of this wrap is so appealing!
More Advent Knitting!
Join Hands supports a very worthy cause!
Renovations by Amy King is lovely, as is her dye sense. Want to test knit something for Amy… she has a test knit going with Let’s Do This!
Andrea Mowry has a special that ends tonight with Hoarfrost, The Weekender, and Tincture.
For the directionally challenged…. (like me, lol)
Fox Isle Socks
Palmistry now in fingering, dk, and worsted weight!
There are rumors that Beth Smith will be hosting a Spin/Weave Along in January! You can sign up for more information here!
That is all I have for you this week, but…it’s NaBloPoMo so I will see you all back here tomorrow!
by Kat | Nov 3, 2017 | General
There was some knitting time this week, but it was brief. I love how that works, some weeks I manage to organize my day and give myself quality knitting time… this was not one of those weeks. Perhaps it was because I did not have any list at all to start out this week! It kind of felt like I was behind the eight ball and never got out of its way!
Note to self, do your darned list this weekend, would you?
I did get some done on sleeve one of Rusty! I am through the increases and that means no more row counting! Yay! But, note to self, do your darned list this weekend, would you? However, Gale blogged and it has been percolating in my brain…AND, I have a cake of Jill Draper Makes Stuff Rifton!! This might be the perfect thing to take to knit night! And, as you can see – that yarn stays in my new color theme – Rust! This poor Rifton has been hanging out in my stash for a LONG time because I have been stuck on what to knit with it. Not that there are not lots of projects knit with it, but nothing has spoken to me until this! I think it might even be a “no swatching required” kind of project too!
Speaking of Gale, she asked a question about knitting with Plötulopi or Unspun Icelandic – specifically: “I want to hear more about how you like (or don’t like) working with the Pluto lopi. Aside from the inability to rip out and reuse-how is it to carry around for knitting on the go? Is it a stay at home yarn?” Great questions, Gale. First up, I confess to being very skeptical upon seeing these “plates or wheels” The yarn is not yarn, but rather it seems very ethereal and wispy. I was concerned how would I cast this fragile roving onto a needle to even attempt to knit with it. However, I was pleasantly surprised that not only could I cast on, but I did the German Twisted Cast on in hopes that my edge would be sturdier. The yarn creates an incredibly lofty fabric that is insanely sturdy! So, in a word, I love working with it! Now, as to the portability of it… I tried to take it to knit night but found that it was just too fragile to be in a knitting bag (even a slippery knitting bag). I will not travel with it in the future. The wheels are happiest sitting next to you as you knit. And, for those interested, Meg Swanson has a lovely video about the yarn in the link above which I found incredibly helpful!
Now, how about some very good links for your Friday??
Library lovers (and librarians) will adore this and perhaps if you have a librarian on your gift list this year this would come in handy! (And, really… shouldn’t we all have a librarian on our gift list??)
These are not new but slipper weather has arrived (Free patterns in worsted and DK weight yarns…you’re welcome)
Bindrune oh my. More Lopi Love!
Fade comes to knee socks
Jelly Rolls, Big and Little
I love these mitts
And, these in toddler size are too cute!
Svetlana does mittens!!
Make your own stripes? I love this idea!
I somehow missed Christina Campbell’s Knit-along and walk-along. It started on November 1, but it is not too late for you to grab Camino de Paz and cast on and walk on!
And, finally Ambah Obrien’s ADVENTurous Wrap in a stripey version that uses 13 different colors (stash buster anyone?) OR for those with a super-charged stash perhaps you want to try the fade version which uses 25 different colors.
That is all I have for today, BUT!!!! I will see you back here tomorrow!! Have a good Friday everyone!
by Kat | Oct 27, 2017 | General
The temperatures dipped into the frosty range last night, but today we are supposed to get up into the 70’s. This pairs with splotches of color finally showing up on the trees in my neighborhood! And despite this chilly start, I am so happy for the weekend to be here! I am committed to spending as much of it outside as possible since these warming days cannot last forever!
My friend, Beth has inspired me to get back to doing a little spinning and so after weeks months of my wheel standing idle I got it out this week and finished spinning up and plying this purple yarn. Sadly, I am not thrilled with the color and I also think it needs a bit more twist, so I will have run it back through the wheel to put a bit more twist in. I am not thrilled with the color of the purple yarn (I think it’s Targhee, but I am not certain). It looked very differently before I spun it up and my original plan was to combine it with this the fawn colored Shetland to become the yarn for Sarah Jordan’s Wynne. But, looking at them together in a photo I am not quite sure how much I like them together. So, what I thought would be a quick spin, is definitely not quick at all and has inspired much thinking and pondering.
And, speaking of thinking…I have been just wowed by Kym’s and Vicki’s “Arrows”! And, they have inspired me to begin gathering together all the leftover bits of yarn I have. I think Arrows would make a wonderful way to start off 2018! Anyone want to Arrow along with me?
And, because you can never do too much thinking…I saw this sweater in Traverse City and my daughter and I thought it was adorable (but it is not $51 adorable for a toddler!) So, I am scouring Ravelry for a pattern I can modify to knit this for Genevieve!
Now, how about a few links to think about this Friday!
That is all I have, see you back here on Monday!
by Kat | Oct 20, 2017 | General
How on earth is it already October 20?!? Amirite?
But, how is this perfect fall weather? Outside of Monday when frost greeted Sherman and I for our morning constitutional, it has been most gloriously beautiful. Crisp, cool mornings that give way to sunny, warm days. This weather can just stay for a good long while!
Operation List Completion went very well this week, surprisingly and I am feeling decidedly accomplished!
AND, I have some details to share about the Charitable knitting I completed and blocked! It is Justyna Lorkowska’s Close to You pattern, and this might become my “hitchhiker”. Super fun to knit, an easy-to-memorize pattern, and it uses just one skein of sock yarn. I used some deep stash that I got eons ago from The Loopy Ewe. It is Fleece Artist sock yarn (I think 2/8 BFL, sorry I am not sure and the tag is long gone). I love how it turned out and I am thrilled to be helping support this cause: The Foster Success Foundation.
In the book category – I did have a more than slight moment of panic last night!! Two audiobook holds have come through: What (the hell) Happened and Little Fires Everywhere. I have 21 days to finish them…can I do it? (Also, of course this happened after I started listening to Life after Life on a recommendation from Mary!)
For those that love Anthony Bourdain’s Parts Unknown… he is in Pittsburgh this week! You won’t want to miss it! Really!!
Now, how about some links?
- First up, Marie Greene has a new sweater pattern: Azimuth
- Plucky Knitter has a new pattern collection out, but I especially love Martin. I love the versatility of a vest and this one has some cute details!
- There are some new things from Kirsten Kapur and Thea Colman! I love this yarn pairing and really wish I was going to the reception at Jill’s studio!
- Animal Bonnet is just in time for Halloween!
- Electra is beautiful (and it is a lovely shape as well!)
- Tamangur… I love the yarn and the construction of this sweater. (P.S. The yarn is lovely and very affordable!)
- These socks… or maybe these… oy! (And, really… the Socks of Narnia is an awesome collection and reading knitters are my favorite)
And, finally… I am doing a bit of work with my dear friend, Beth Smith. She has some new classes coming and some other wonderful surprises! If you are not on her mailing list, you should be!!
That is all I have for today, enjoy your weekend and I will see you back here on Monday!
by Kat | Oct 13, 2017 | General
TGIF! (Even on a Friday the 13th!!) I mean really, what is better after a nice long vacation than the weekend, amirite?
As I ease back into real life (as opposed to fake life? LOL Or, how about the ‘normal routine’ haha!) the weekend is just what I needed! And it feels good to be back to “normal” happy hours and normal weekend plans. Nothing feels better than the “normal routine”! I am such a creature of habit!
However, I am sorely missing those Michigan views and today’s image is from a most spectacular sunset on our last day in Michigan.
I do have lots of fun links this week, starting with a big shout out to Margene and Vicki for making this list! Bravo ladies!
- Slow Knitting: a journey from sheep to skein to stitch (and there is a free pattern available on MDK!)
- Knit/Wit has a new pattern: Calamosca Cowl
- A Bear and A Bunny Suit
- Making No. 4 / Lines has some lovely patterns in it, but I especially love this!
- The fade phenomenon comes to the cardigan.
- Woods: Making Stories
- Full Circle Cowl (with the hopes that it will soon be cowl weather here!)
That is all I have for the week, enjoy your weekend – whatever your routine is! See you back here on Monday!
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