Rainbow Oak Knits

2011-10-23T12:49:00.001-05:00

It has been a horribly long time since I have posted... and my knitting has continued despite the lack of postings. This year has been pretty busy. I just completed this blanket for my new granddaughter:

Mind you the blanket is huge and shouldn't need any additions until she is about 10. I just kind of started and kept going until it was too large. Oh well, it should keep her warm for years to come and it was knitted with love for her and I think that is the main point.

I also completed this baby blanket for a co-worker's baby...

I also have found that I like knitting things like cozies... for just about anything... including a Kindle cover for my good friend:

I also just completed this sweater outfit for my granddaughter...

This was fun and made completely from my own head, no written patterns exist. I just kind of knew what I was going and futzed around until I got it done. The sweater is mostly mitered squares with some simple crocheted trim.

I should post some patterns for these.

Currently I used a Groupon for a local yarn shop and bought myself some NORO Kureyon with the amazing colorways and am making a felted shopping/tote bag.

Some frugal knitting ideas...

2009-10-12T09:51:00.002-05:00

Mind you I knit almost all the time... I have several WIPs going, some lapse and get ripped out, others do eventually go to their intended recipients... which is perhaps the best part of knitting, well... almost... really it's the creative process that gets me plum juicy.

The creative process itself is a rush. And it isn't just the sensation of fabric being created from a single strand of yarn and 2 flashing needles... there is the item taking shape, like sock toes or short row heels... there is also finding a new way to make things happen in terms of the knitting itself or the tools you use.

So for you frugal knitters out there, I am offering up a couple of ideas that have worked well for me.... maybe you can use them or adapt them in some way (ie create something even better).

Stitch markers... annoying little things that are easy to lose and cost a bit of money. For smaller projects, if you have a hole punch, a piece of plastic you can punch holes in (with said hole punch) and a pair of scissors, you can make tons of them for basically nothing. I like to use either those fake credit cards that come in the mail periodically or TV dinner trays.... I then punch holes in them far enough apart so as to be able to cut out around them, but not so close that they are huge.... and voila! Stitch Markers!

Next is pattern flip cards! I have a favorite pattern that is 24 rows long (twining vine) and I usually make tons of mistakes doing it. I am NOT a graph follower and prefer to just read what I'm supposed to do... but I have trouble isolating row by row instructions, since my eyes tend to wander up and down. So I extrapolated on an idea that I have been recently using for my LARPing (live action role playing): my characters have powers and I cannot remember all the little details, so I created (with my desktop publishing program) & printed out little cards with the powers on them and put the cards in protective card sleeves (available @ trading card, comic book & game stores). I then punched a hole in the corner of the sleeve with that hole punch used to punch hole for stitch markers and put them all on a split key ring. Last night I did the same thing with my twining vine pattern... one row per card and also put a covered rubber band on the key ring to hold the cards in place while I wasn't knitting... it's very easy to know where I am in a pattern repeat this way.

Another idea I came up with recently was to purchase the stitch markers that close like a safety pin... they have a flat space on them that you can write on.... these also work for putting your pattern row numbers on. So you can just put on your work in progress with the row you just finished or will be doing next (depending on how your brain works) and clip it right on your work. You could use a safety pin or binder clip too and a scrap of paper.

The point is... whatever works for you, do it! Above all, have fun!

Knitting has slowed to a crawl...

2008-06-30T15:42:00.002-05:00

I've been putting more time into my weight loss and not having has much time or brain for knitting. I have several proggies going right now... a wedding afghan, an afghan for a co-worker (make that 2), and a shawl for my mom in law....

I need desperately to get back to them! Summer isn't my prime knitting time. I haven't been reading either.

Sample proggies for a knitting class!

2008-04-12T07:08:00.003-05:00

I was kind of stuck trying to figure out a good starter project for the beginning knitting class I'm going to be teaching.

Scarves are an intuitive choice, easy, flat, can practice lots of stitches, yadda yadda yadda. But they take soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo loooooooooooooooooooooog and never get finished by any but the most dedicated of beginners.

I brought this up at a knitting group I attend and the suggestion was made to start with the washcloth... my only objection to this is that for it to be useful, it's best to make it out of cotton. I remember my first forays into cotton as a new knitter... I thought I was going to tear my hair out.

So I have veered slightly to a potholder using one big mitered square or 9 small ones, based on what my students want to do. If they are ambitious, they can even make a scarf from mitered squares.

I am happy with this solution and am busily knitting away to get samples completed for my class.

If you read this and want to take it, it is with the Columbia Parks and Rec Dept. Scroll down to page 3.

Here is the ugliest potholder ever (the pattern is from Vivian Hoxbro's Domino Knitting):

Does it get any better than this?

2008-03-28T10:09:00.003-05:00

I have taken 3 days off while my kids are on spring break. It's amazing. I've spent 3 days relaxing, playing with yarn and wool (knitting & spinning) and drinking coffee.

I have also managed to exercise and eat right too.

My current WIP is the "I Feel Blue" afghan. It's for one of my co-workers.

There is actually a story here: Last fall I arrived at my office to find it chocked full of yarn. My boss is a garage/estate sale/auction maven... and she gifted me hugely. So I figured a way to pay back the gift was to make afghans for all of my co-workers. I forgot to get a picture of #1, which was all in black and golds for the Ultimate Mizzou Fan. The "I Feel Blue" afghan is for a co-worker who loves the color blue... with the rogue gold stripe... since she has a really wide fun streak.

It doesn't get much better than this!

Yes, I've been knitting again...

2007-08-03T15:50:00.001-05:00

Baby Set, View 1
Originally uploaded by oakborn

...or I should say still!

This is the completed baby set for my nephew and his wife who are expecting their first little on in October. The baby shower is on August 12th... so I'm glad to know it's all ready.

The little onesie is from Old Navy and says "probably the best baby in the world".

Laptop Cozy

2007-06-06T20:27:00.001-05:00

Laptop Cozy View 1
Originally uploaded by oakborn

I got the idea from my book with loom knitting patterns, but I had to do it MY way (of course). So I did a simple knitted in the round bag with a flap in Lamb's Pride from Brown Sheep and felted it.

I made this since we are going on vacation in a week or so and I wanted some padding for my computer in the backpack I plan to carry on.

I blocked the cozy by putting my laptop in a plastic bag and then putting it in the cozy. I sewed the buttons on once it was all dry.

Of course Monty the Cat (who especially loves wool and other animal fibers) has slept on it while I wasn't looking. Heh.

Yet another project

2007-05-31T21:00:00.001-05:00

Knitted & Felted Bag for my niece
Originally uploaded by oakborn

I love these little projects that come together so easily and look so nice. My niece MMG, graduated Summa Cum Laude with a degree in (I think) molecular biology.

Funny thing is that my SIL gave her a name that, in her words, "she can spell in case she is stupid."

The Monstrosity... the St. Mary's Tile Afghan

2007-05-29T22:01:00.000-05:00

The St. Mary's Tile Afghan is finally done. It took nearly 6 months to get done. Thank Gods. I like the results a great deal and hope the newlyweds enjoy it.

thoughts on imperfection & the creative process...

2007-05-26T09:56:00.000-05:00

You know I am about to finish an afghan that I have been working on for nearly 6 months, it is a wedding gift for the only nephew on my husband's side of the family. It is beautiful project, it was born of inspiration from a tile pattern on the floor of a bathroom in the old part of St. Mary's Hospital in Jefferson City, Missouri.

I worked at this hospital 4 years ago in my first job out of nursing school. I liked the place but it was a little too long of a commute and the ICU was NOT a good fit for me at all. However, we had trainings and the like as new nurses in the oldest part of the hospital where the training room was housed. The tiny bathroom had an intricate arrangement of tiles, large sqares, small squares and rectangles which made an even larger square. At first it all seemed to have no rhyme or reason, but then I was able to divine that the groupings actually made large squares and at that point I was determined to sketch it so I could (I hoped) eventually create something with that pattern.

I was already knitter, so that was my preferred format... and I discovered modular knitting and I knew that was the key to bringing the pattern to life. I created a smaller square just to see if it could be done and it actually worked! However I used all different variegated yarns and didn't like the results, but I changed my design to just using a few colors and the results were much more striking... rather like a cubist or almost Frank Lloyd Wright sort of design.

But this was my creative process and a rather messy one it was. It took lots of work but the end result is beautiful. I learned and improved it no end. Most likely, I have not seen the end of the creative process either.

In the creation of this afghan I have made mistakes. I know where they are and the trained eye could pick them out... but I always remember a concept that my mother found fascinating... the Islamic concept carpetweavers employ... that only God is perfect and they must therefore actually weave an imperfection somewhere into their work. She found that inspiring and part of what makes us all innately human... She also found a beauty in imperfection. So, rather than begrudging myself a few mistakes, I allow them as an expression of my humanity and the divinity within.

This was fun!

2007-02-20T21:41:00.001-06:00

Felted Bag from homespun (better light)
Originally uploaded by oakborn.

I made this from yarn I spun myself. It was a blast to do and it spoke to me as I was doing it. At first the yarn reminded me of Mr A's cello teacher and then it told me it was going to be something for her.

At first it started out to be a scarf and hat... but I didn't like the way the colors were playing out and ripped it out and promptly started the bag. It took about 48 hours from rip to felt.

Something fun...

2007-02-04T21:15:00.001-06:00

Create your own visitor map!

Fit for a funky cat in the hat...

2007-01-02T20:27:00.001-06:00

A Seussian Hat...
Originally uploaded by oakborn.

I was playing with the concept of a square top for a hat and ended up with this funky thing... it's way warm though.

Everybody thinks it looks rather like some Dr. Seuss would have drawn.

Miss M in her Kitty Hat

2007-01-01T22:00:00.000-06:00

Miss M in her Kitty Hat
Originally uploaded by oakborn.

This is my daughter wearing her kitty hat. It's the pattern from Stitch & Bitch, but I altered its construction a bit. She loves it and now a couple of her cousins want them too.

I've really been busy knitting again this fall. I created the mini-stockings for my co-workers at the Health Department. I also knitted a big bulky sweater and funky hat for a co-worker in exchange for an equivalent of her hand-poured candles. They smell wonderful and make great gifts.

I also got paid for knitting a couple of mini-stockings and a hat for some other co-workers.

Next up: starting a stockpile of knitted and altered art items for a craft show in the fall. A HUGE afghan for a nephew getting married in the summer. I'm going to do a giant St. Mary's tile, I think... or a labyrinth... I'm not sure I just need to get started.

Still knitting, but slowly.

2006-10-28T21:13:00.000-05:00

My project is done and I have started a sweater for a co-worker that I am bartering for candles, potpourri and cute things she makes. Those will make wonderful Christmas gifts.

Here is a picture of the baby set I finished rather recently...

I used Opal Brasil sock yarn and edged it with Patons Kroy in Purple Heather. It came out very well, I think. The person for whom it was made has not received it yet.

The hat pattern is the same as I used for the Gryffindor hat and the booties are the same pattern too. I also made the sweater from the now infamous Incredible Custom Fit Raglan Sweater that I have used many many times. It's easy and so customizable.

Meanwhile, on with the knitting!! I have to knit for work too.

The Sweater of Doom... front

2006-08-19T20:18:00.000-05:00

The Sweater of Doom... front
Originally uploaded by oakborn.

This was made of all homespun yarn. I dyed everything myself except for the purple. The buttons are all antiques from my husband's grandmother's collection.

Stash Enhancement!!

2006-08-13T00:38:00.000-05:00

Stash Enhancement!!
Originally uploaded by oakborn.

I got the funky stuff Patons Evita for $1 per skein at the dollar store. It was in a bin with some funky stuff that would make a nice dark brown shag rug.

The Frog Tree was on sale @ my LYS cheap in the odd lots bin. So I just got 4 skeins in compatible colors.

It's all sooooo soft.

I plan to make a funky cardigan out of the fuzzy ribbon yarn. The Frog Tree hasn't told me what it will become yet.

I'm currently working on my sweater made of my handspun yarn. It will be funky, but it will be very me! Will post pix when it's done!

Afghan in progress...

2006-04-26T09:22:00.000-05:00

Afghan in progress...
Originally uploaded by oakborn.

I have a new proggie going on. I've been working a lot or just plain tired most of the time. So this a slow thing that is easy to pick up and put down for now.

Never mind all the damned UFOs all over the place!!

blogging, knitting, scrapbooking, oh my

2006-04-02T13:42:00.000-05:00

I wish I'd been knitting more lately, but it just seems like I have a zillion projects going all at once, and I got diverted into scrapbooking for a few months... and papermaking... and cardmaking, etc.

I'm suffering from "too many hobbies, too little time" disease.

I am working on a pair of warm fuzzy socks for my son's cello teacher and I think they will be cute. They are made with Bernat Frenzy that I found on sale @ Michael's... but it was exactly what I was looking for and I noticed it was on sale after I was drawn to it. If his teacher has cold feet after this, it won't be my fault!!

Post pix soon.

My new cell phone & its sock

2006-01-11T10:25:00.000-06:00

My new cell phone & its sock
Originally uploaded by oakborn.

Every cell phone needs a home. Mine got one make out of Brown Sheep Wildfoote sock yarn in "Symphony"... finished it in about 6 hours.

Knitting fool...

2005-12-30T14:56:00.000-06:00

A's completed gloves
Originally uploaded by oakborn.

Completed! Made with Lion Brand Magic Stripes. I like 'em! A does too.

Walk softly and knit loud gloves?

A also gave me a nice $15 gift certificate to Hill Creek Yarn Shoppe... so I got the Vogue On the Go "Gloves & Mittens" book and a skein of Brown Sheep's Wildfoote in bright purples and blues.

Went shopping with my friend and she wasn't surprised to see me drawn to everything bright and loud in the shop. {grin}

Over 2 months? Busy!!

2005-12-26T03:53:00.000-06:00

I've been so busy I have been knitting little proggies that really aren't particularly worth posting. I did get a bunch of mini stockings done for my co-workers and loaded them each with a couple of peppermints and a tealight candle as small gifts.

Yesterday, Christmas day, I finally finished the socks out of Opal Southwest (no longer available, I think) for myself. Just little ankle sox... but definintely in the "Walk softly and knit loud sox!" category. But somehow I've lost my warm wool winter sox I've made for myself in years past... so I had to knit some new ones. Actually these were started for my mom while she was in the hospital, but she never came home so I finished them for myself.

I have done a bunch of little scarves and crud not really worth posting. I have been experimenting with a new toe turning on these sox and dropping stitches just for fun. So I made my socks and found out that my toe-turning theory worked like a champ. And dropping stitches for fun and profit is easy.

My toe turning (not original, I'm sure)...
Take your total number of stitches around your foot based on guage of yarn/needles and cut that number in half. Then figure out half of that number and go slightly more than that (depends on how pointy you want your sock toe) and cast on that number of stitches. (for this sock I had 56 total, cut in half is 28 then I decided 10 is what I wanted to start with)

Anyway cast 10 stitches on and knit back 10, then grab your choice of needle (for knitting in the round) and knit along the cast-on edge (opposite your existing stitches) and then start knitting in the round adding a stitch at the beginning and end of each side (4 per round) until you are up to your total # of stitches around the sock. Then continue and turn your heel in your favorite way.

Simple Drop Stitch Scarf
Cast on odd number of stitches, knit 4 rows (this number is also optional).

On 5th row, knit 1, yarn over to end. At the end knit 1.
On 6th row, knit1, drop yarn over to end. At the end knit 1.

Repeat the knitted rows and drop-stitch rows.

Easy, looks kind of neat.

Fleece on Earth! Good Wool to All!

How to make the funky hat... baby and adult sizes...

2005-10-15T23:25:00.000-05:00

Mind you the baby size has been tested... the adult size is extrapolated... so try it on as you go.

Baby Puff Hat
(don't know what else to call it)
(see pic in previous post)

calculated to fit a 13" newborn head

Guage 11 sts (stockinette)/inch
(I used #6 circular needles and Plymouth Encore Yarn, worsted wt in the colors suggested for the Gryffindor scarf on www.atypically.knit)

Note: this little hat could be done all in scrap yarns with whatever colors you want as long as you use basically the same yarn weight.

Cast on with color A (I started with the red) 29 stitches and knit them.

Pick up and knit 29 stitches along the other side of your cast-on edge. (This will require a long set of circular needles to do the magic loop, 2 sets of circulars, or a set of double pointed needles.)

This will give you the basis for knitting in the round.

Knit 5 more rounds (Mark the round with a stitch marker if needed) in Color A.

Join (with your desired method) in color B (Gold in my version) and knit 6 rounds.

Alternate until you have 7 stripes (mine was 4 red & 3 gold).

Do not change colors at the point, but do 5 rounds in 1 x 1 (K1, P1) ribbing in color A. (This keeps the stripes the same when you fold up the ribbed band.

Now switch to color B and continue the 1 x 1 (K1, P1) rib for 4 rounds and bind off in your favorite method. (A slightly looser bind off might work best here since it is the edge of a hat and you want some stretch to it.)

Weave in the many ends... (pain in the rear, I know).

Puffs: I just used a pom pom maker that my mother in law gave me... but here are some free instructions from the web.

You could also put on dangly tassels, crocheted twisties, cute buttons or anything that you want on the corners of the cap.

Have fun! Add cables or anything that you can think of to make it truly you cap!!

Adult Puff Hat
(don't know what else to call it)
(see pic of baby version in previous post)

calculated to fit a 22" adult head
(not tested... just extrapolated from a baby cap that is 10" and stretches to 13", so your mileage may vary... so try it on/measure your own head!)

Guage 11 sts (stockinette)/inch
(I used #6 circular needles and Plymouth Encore Yarn on the baby version, worsted wt yarn in the colors suggested for the Gryffindor scarf on www.atypically.knit)

Note: this hat could be done all in scrap yarns with whatever colors you want as long as you use basically the same yarn weight.

Cast on with color A (I started with the red) 50 stitches and knit them.

Pick up and knit 50 stitches along the other side of your cast-on edge. (This will require a long set of circular needles to do the magic loop, 2 sets of circulars, or a set of double pointed needles.)

This will give you the basis for knitting in the round.

Knit 5 more rounds (Mark the round with a stitch marker if needed) in Color A.

Join (with your desired method) in color B (Gold in my version) and knit 6 rounds.

Alternate until you have 14-16 stripes (guestimate here, I doubled and added a few, again, try it on and make sure it's right for you).

Do not change colors at the point, but do 5 rounds in 1 x 1 (K1, P1) ribbing in color A. (This keeps the stripes the same when you fold up the ribbed band.

Now switch to color B and continue the 1 x 1 (K1, P1) rib for 6 rounds.

Switch back to color A and continue the 1 x 1 (K1, P1) rib for 5 rounds and and bind off in your favorite method. (A slightly looser bind off would work best here since it is the edge of a hat and you want some stretch to it. I like the suspended bind off, shown here.

Weave in the many ends... (pain in the rear, I know).

Puffs: I just used a pom pom maker that my mother in law gave me... but here are some free instructions from the web.

You could also put on dangly tassels, crocheted twisties, cute buttons or anything that you want on the corners of the cap.

Have fun! Add cables or anything that you can think of to make it truly your cap!!

Please post comments on how I can improve this pattern or to let me know how your caps have come out! Send pics!!

Finally posting again... so busy irl!

2005-10-15T21:51:00.000-05:00

I have continued to knit over the last few weeks... just have been working a lot... I have complete now: a nice warm winter scarf for Mark made from a merino wool, super bulky yarn from Mondial that I found on sale in a shop in Rolla, MO...

And the big proggie that is finished now is a Harry Potter Baby set for a friend of mine (note the Crookshanks buttons):

Another mini stocking...

2005-09-20T13:22:00.000-05:00

Yes, I love doing these since I can just whip them up without a pattern. This is made of the Opal Southwest sock yarn like Miss M's headband.

I have another one going in Hot Sox by Bernat. It should come out in rainbow strips.

My goal is to create 50 of these by Christmas and then I should have plenty for little gifts for many people.

Knit, Knit, Knit...

2005-09-19T09:15:00.000-05:00

Here's a catalog of my finished projects since last post... a scarf out of the Target yarn and Lion Brand Polar Spun I found at Tuesday Morning last week.

There are more mini-stockings out of odds and ends.

And a headband for the Divine Miss M made out of Opal Southwest sock yarn...

And I worked 44.5 hours last week.

A few days off = busy needles!

2005-09-11T07:57:00.000-05:00

Oh my goodness! The Gryffindor Scarf is finally done! Can you believe it...?! I think that it took me almost as long to finish the last stripe as it did to do the rest of the scarf, or at least it felt that way!

doing some little stuff. I bought a new digital camera so I project got finished, I've been having some funSince this can take my knitted stuff, family and other stuff. It's greatdecent pictures of and a blast to play with. I think I can program it to make dinner...

Anyway, some of the little projects include: a case for the new camera and 4 mini -stockings.

And a cool find at my local Target store... in the $1 section!! Yarn! They also had knitting needles, instructions books and fun fur yarn... check it out soon since this section changes rapidly!

Nearly there!

2005-09-08T19:02:00.000-05:00

17th Stripe! Actually I'm in the 19th now, but there's no pic of that.

That's the nurse's station in the background, by the way.

Knitting Impotently While N.O. Floods

2005-09-02T02:57:00.000-05:00

I'm 785 miles away from New Orleans. I watch the television coverage with a mix of horror and facination, knitting madly. I don't know what to do. I cry when I see the people begging for help. I get angry when I see politicos saying "we understand the frustration" or "we didn't have any idea this might happen." I get even angrier when the way the poor, especially African Americans of NO are being depicted by the media. I am even more incensed about the news that stuff might have actually been done to prevent a measure of the devastation we are now witness too. I want to go help, but I am at the same time glad I'm where I am.

My friend in Florida is OK and staying with friends. Another friend who lived in New Orleans and his wife refugeed to relatives in St. Louis. I am grateful for them. I am angry at those who had the means to leave and didn't. I am distressed beyond words for those who could not get out. I am angry at a government that didn't help them escape. I am angry at Greyhound bus lines closing down Saturday before Katrina hit. I have no problems with those who have stolen food, water and necessities to survive. I am angry at the idiots who stole electronics and pointless things just because they could. My other thoughts can be found on my LiveJournal.

Meanwhile the Gryffindor scarf has grown to the length you see there. I'm into the 12th stripe of 19. I will have yarn left... I am glad I've had something like this project to do this week. I can watch TV and knit around and around and around while being glued to the TV set. It seems I can wrap my mind around the knitting, so I'm clinging to it like a lifeline to a saner, safer, warmer, fuzzier world.

It's amazing how life goes on like normal here. The kids are still in school, we've all had a cold, Mark and I are working... but for the gas prices we are mostly untouched by the disaster that has destroyed so many lives. But with the backdrop of the news, I don't want to live this week over... could we try a retake?

Gryffindor A-Go-Go

2005-08-29T09:07:00.000-05:00

It's longer as of 0900!

Gryffindor Scarf speeds up.

2005-08-29T05:46:00.000-05:00

After finishing the baby set, I was barely into the yellow stripe, now I'm into the 2nd yellow stripe. The colors are a bunch more vibrant than the pic shows.

This pattern is from atypically.knit. It's a free pattern which she posts most generously on her site and makes available to HP fans. She also has the colors suggested in several types of yarn, so it's very easy to follow even for a beginner.

My typing fingers are in bad shape tonight. I am not sure what sort of digital diarrhea I am suffering from. Anyway, the scarf will have 19 stripes of alternating color with fringe. It should come out just about 62" long and 7" wide, double thickness. I am using Plymouth Encore, which is 75% acrylic/25% wool and very very soft and easy to use. I also found it takes me about 2 minutes per round, which should take about 14 hours total knitting time. (not including fringe placement) I kind of like having a project like this for a bit, although the urge to throw in cables is almost overwhelming....

A note about the cat butt in the pic: I tried to pose the scarf on Neville, but he was intent on playing with/chewing on the knitting needles, so I had to move the scarf and get the picture quick before my knitting needles were toast. And yes, the cat is named Neville (as in Longbottom from HP and it still fits him, not too bright or graceful... he also has a penchant for licking my friend Knitvixen's toes when she comes over. He also likes to clean people... noses are a biggie and so is one spot on husband M's arm... it's about bald now.

Baby Hat, Booties, Sweater, Trimmed Washcloth

2005-08-28T11:55:00.000-05:00

I am very proud of my latest creation that I just finished. I wish the quality of my camera was better so it could reflect the detail of this hat, sweater, booties and washcloth set better.

The yarn was Lane Cervinia Caprice Color. I have searched online for more of it, but can't find it. I was downright amazed at how far the two 50 gram balls went. I did use some matching off-white baby weight yarn that I had laying around to contrast and trim the sweater. The buttons are antique... M's grandmother used to save buttons off clothing and his mother gave me Grandma S's collection.

The little hat has a 2x2 rib with 4 cables (6 sts) that continue up the cap on a reverse stockinette background.

The sweater is a mostly-eyeballed size based on my fave sweater pattern. It's the ultimate in customizable. You can see some other sweaters I've made from this pattern here and here.

The pattern for the booties came out of my own head. I just started with an actual baby footprint at work... I'm an OB nurse and it was a slow night. I plan to perfect the patterns for the hat and booties and get the directions clear so I can get them written up for general use... or do a book? I learned a lot in the creation of these patterns, so it was a fun process.

OMG... What's Up With the Ugly Ass Hats?

2005-08-26T10:04:00.000-05:00

I just got my latest e-newsletter from Lion Brand yarn and it contained the pattern for these ugly ass hats.

According to the blurb they are their interpretation of something created by an Italian designer from the European fashion runways. I think they should be left on the runway, like at Charles De Gaulle airport.

I wouldn't wear such a hideous lampshade, and I wouldn't make any of my lamps wear them either. I think a nice linen lampshade would be much more becoming, especially if I could hold a lightbulb in my mouth ala Uncle Fester.

I'm running in fear and loathing now...

UFO land!! argh!

2005-08-25T18:53:00.000-05:00

Well, I've gotten a hat and pair of booties done for a friend who's expecting in about a month. I just have to finish the little cardigan sweater. I can't find the yarn online anywhere, but it's Lane Cervinia space-dyed in almost candy colors with off white. It's acrylic, but really kinda' cool. I bought it at Myer's House & Barn Weaving Dept in Florissant, MO a few weeks ago. It was only $2.50 for a 50 g ball. It's a light-weight yarn but it goes an amazingly long way... they only had 2 balls and I would have bought more if they'd had it. So I'm supplementing with some off-white acrylic of unknown origin that matches well in weight and color, so it will add some interest as well. I found it funny that I managed to get a pair of booties and a hat out of one ball of this stuff and was able to get an excellent start on the cardigan before running out of the first ball.

I am also working on a Gryffindor scarf for a friend. I'm into the 2nd stripe of 19, following the pattern found at http://www.atypicallyknit.com. Easy to follow and makes sense. That is Plymouth Encore worsted in the suggested colors. It's a very soft 75% acrylic/25% wool blend that is really yummy to knit with and should wear like iron. I'm excited to see the finished proggie.

I also have the sweater for myself out of my homespun in many crazy colors in the works. It will be fab once it's done.... I successfully did the twining vine pattern (fave of mine, but usually frustrating beyond belief) down both sides of the opening. For some reason, the version of it in Vogue Ultimate Knitting made more sense to my head than the same pattern in an older book I have. Anyway, I have to just finish the sleeves in that and cure the lettuce-leaf edge on one side of the cardigan opening... I got a little too happy with the picking up of stitches along the edge. The front is curling anyway, so I imagine I'll just add to the front and try to flatten it a bit. I'll wear it regardless. I know it will be warm.

I have a pair of socks started for Son A, but it's been months since I worked on those... so I'll prolly rip out and start over after remeasuring his growing feet.

I have a cool plan in the works for the Divine Miss M... a camo hoodie knitted out of Red Heart's camoflage yarn. I'll just measure her huge old navy hoodie to ensure proper fit.

Other big proggie this fall is spinning dark and light wool, plying together and dyeing orange and knitting scarf for friend.

I'm never busy or anything... I work full time too!

Now to go find dig cam in order to help son with school proggie.

2005-08-22T20:40:00.000-05:00

Neville the Nose Cleaning Cat

Hello Out There

2005-08-22T20:16:00.000-05:00

I'm starting a new blog just for my knitting and spinning. Hopefully I will keep it updated. I guess I could crosspost from my LJ about the warning label I found on my Addi Turbo circular needles last night. The comments have led to much hilarity in general.

I have about 93 UFO's floating around that need my attention right now. I think the baby stuff project for a friend who is expecting is first in line since she is due in little over a month. I made a cute and rather original cap. Now I'm creating booties out of my head... and writing down what I do. As an OB nurse I have the luxury of being able to measure baby footprints we have taken to get some sort of idea of how big to make the booties... and last night was very slow... so I had plenty of time to get a relatively impressive start in said baby footwear. I will post pix when I get the whole thing done.

I'm also working on a Gryffindor scarf that is in barter for a scientific calculator for my daughter... when you are cash strapped, $20 for yarn and some time is cheaper than $100 for the new calculator. The Divine Miss M is showing herself to be a true geekling, entering the 8th grade, she is taking Honors Integrated Math and was positively gleeful about the concept of a graphing calculator.

My favorite project of current workage is the sweater made out of my homespun yarns. It's wild with purples, pinks, greens, grays, browns, etc. Whatever was laying around in short. I'm actually onto the sleeves now.

I also have to finish the spinning of light and dark wool that will be dyed orange for a scarf for another friend as a barter exchange.

Then theres's that pair of socks for A that really are begging for completion.

I just wish that I'd gotten pix of the felted bags I sent as gifts for our Japanese exchange student and her family.