Last Day Knitting

Wow the weekend flew right on by didn't it? With all the evening activities I've kind of found myself missing my knitting alone time. Weird but true...the knitting weekend really did not have huge blocks of knitting time. More sample style or should I say swatch style? I tried to knit after getting back to T's place each night...the last night I did just that until 1:oo AM. It felt nice to sit & knit in the quiet apartment after the day's classes.

Sunday's event was a Tips & Tricks class with Annie Modesitt. She gave her long tail cast on tip that she shared in the Color class on Friday...pretty cool method of never running out yarn no matter how many stitches are called for. All you do is pull yarn from both the center and outside of the ball, take the 2 ends & make a slip knot, place knot on one of your needles, start long tail cast on, once the required number of stitches are cast on decide which of the 2 ends will become the working yarn...think center...and then cut off the tail. What a good idea.

She went over blocking...the how's & why's...then the most fun ever, dreadlocks! I loved the technique. Thinking about all the applications for this little "fringing" technique just excites the devil out of me. For one I hate to add fringe to wraps, scarves, hats, bags...you name it and I will think of a way not to put it on. Now the dreadlocks...so cool...fun to do and I know they would add a certain something to an edge which would look so much nicer than it does with fringe. Cannot wait until I'm doing S's scarf 'cause these are going to be on there somewhere.

The other technique that I have never done was a 5 stitch bobble. I have avoided those like the plague in the past, but now I'm going to give then a try. It may be a good use on my next bag as a closure or even decorative edging prior to the icord bindoff. The possibilities are endless with these 2 little decorative tricks. Annie also did a few things that I'm very familiar with like the icord bindoff...nothing new there, but her way of doing a left leaning decrease was new. I either do a k2tog tbl or ssk... I prefer the ssk. She came up with another that starts with knitting into the stitch and wrapping around backwards from your ususal way which marks the stitch by twisting it. When you turn the work and purl back you notice because the stitch isn't sitting correctly, this is where it gets "fun"...maybe not so much. When you get to the twisted stitch you then p2tog tbl. I dislike the manipulation of p2tog tbl....been there done it and it hurts my poor bad thumb...whiny I know. I tried it in class, but didn't feel that my left leaning decreases improved much if any. Can you see which looks nicer? My ssk's are on the right and the p2tog tbl is on the left...what do ya think?

Already It Is Day 2

Day 2 arrived as early as the first day...another 5:30 AM wake up call from the chirping birds. A little knitting to start the morning as I waited on B to get up so we could head off for the day's classes. I don't often get the chance to knit first thing in the morning, but I find it a wonderful way to start my day. The weather was terrific...sitting on the deck with the cool air was a big change from last week's heat.

After breakfast I started my morning off with Cornelia's Herringbone class and B went off for Annie's Cocoon Shrug class. Thankfully, I had heard we had to do some knitting homework for the class and had gotten it done the night before at the "pajama party". Good thing a few of us had worked it through ahead of time because we were able to have a good laugh as others caught up to the 'count error' in the pattern. Cornelia laughed along with us as we talked about how errors occur on patterns & what we should do about them...afterall "knitting is not rocket science." The pattern is very interesting and I find it addictive. Once I had it in the brain I didn't want to stop. I find myself saying just one more block...just one more block...One. More. Block. It won't take long to get the shawl/scarf done at the pace I'm going.

I had read that Cornelia knits from a skein she places in her lap. She does not wind it into a yarn cake or ball...merely lays it down and pulls yarn from it as she goes. I know I'd have a mess of tangles if I ever attempted this...

The last class for the day was Cornelia's Swedish sock class. The class was going to be outdoors under a large tent...good thing for great weather. When I got there Cornelia was none too pleased about the table & chair placement. Four rows of tables & chairs on both sides of an aisle and they were all facing forward just like school. Cornelia & I moved the tables into a large square so we were all facing each other...a much nicer, more intimate setting.

Cornelia started the class by saying that we could custom design socks for any foot with any yarn...to start you need the width aroud the ankle and the gauge of the yarn to figure out the number of stitches to cast on. As the class started we found that we were going to do a different sock...an anklet so we could get further along into the mechanics of sock knitting. Before class ended we actually made it through the cuff, leg, heel flap, turning the heel, gusset decreases and talked about decreasing for the toes and even how she closes off the toe. Cornelia uses the same technique as when you close up a hat...run yarn through the last 8 stitches and pull tight. It looks kind of pointy, but you could not feel it from the inside. I still like the look of Kitchner and I love doing it so I'll probably continue using that as my preferred method.

The patterning she chose looks nice...a 7 stitch moss pattern with some ribbing created as you go. I'm must redo the ski socks with some of the tips from Cornelia to see if I can get the heel area from bunchin up...this pattern and slipped stitch heel may do the trick!

Lessons Learned on Day 1

I decided to take 5 classes at Purl Jam 2008. On Day One B & I took in Annie Modesitt's "Color Combination" class bright & early... well for most the 9 o'clock hour was early, but I once again woke at the wonderful hour of 5:00 AM...that's truly early. I found class pretty straightforward & fairly easy which I was surprised about...figured that I had been doing it "wrong".

I had only done a small bit of colorwork on a blanket square in the shape of the Hokie Bird. It turned out okay, not great...a bit tight across the floats, but I was pleased that it made it into one of the blankets. The only other time had been on DH's and T's blankets...huge squares which were done as color blocks with each color wrapped around as I came to the changes. In Annie's class I discovered that I had been doing it correct for the most part. She had a few tricks to make things appear a bit smoother and easier as you knit along...as in fewer tangles of the various yarns which I loved learning. I will be trying out these techniques in a handbag and a scarf in the next several weeks.

After lunch it was on to Cornelia Tuttle-Hamilton's "Fear of Finishing" class. At the party the night before we had learned from her that we only needed 2 squares for our homework, not the 6 that had been listed. I figured we would learn different ways of joining seams of various stitch patterns...my OCD kicking in....but it was really just the mattress stitch on anything & everything. I played around with each of my squares during class & discovered that if the edge stitch can be figured out, then yes mattress stitch works well.

As Cornelia said I must think ahead about the edges of my work in order to have a nice finish. I'll really need to check my Nicole Jacket pattern to see if the designer took into account the need for an extra stitch to compensate for the basketweave patterning & the fact that during the seam joining I'll loose a stitch at each end.

I must admit to being a bit disappointed that mattress stitch was the only technique shown because I had assumed there would be other methods. In the long run it was fine because I was able to see that mattress stitch will work on anything...even my Shaped Edge Sweater. I had taken that as my UFO so I could see how to seam up those ribbed diagonal edges. Cornelia took it over to figure it out since she found it "unusual" then she passed it off to S, to stitch up the seam a bit. It bothered B that Cornelia didn't bring it back over to me & show me what was going on, but she has never seamed anything & was sorta lost with what was happening. I found nothing wrong with it...all I need to do is spread apart the seaming & see exactly how & what was done. S did a wonderful job as did Cornelia so why be upset?

Cornelia approached me the next morning to appologize about passing it off...not sure why she felt the need to say anything, but I told her it was fine & that now I had less seaming and could tell everyone that I had a "real" designer do some "finishing" on the sweater. Pretty coool I'd say! So thanks Cornelia & S for putting your creative touches to my sweater!

Back to Reality

B & I are back from our adventure to Blacksburg and what was Purl Jam. We had a great time and now B has her stash started. She admitted that there seemed to be fumes in the air and she just could not resist the urge to buy yarn.

B even DREAMED about a yarn that she saw when we were in Mosaic for the book signing. You know it is a sign that you MUST buy that yarn which turned out to be Gedifra's Filorosa. Poor thing was worried it would all be gone by the time we got to the store when she'd tell someone about her discovery. No worries, she found her yarn packed up and left one happy lady.

As I unpacked my bags today I was surprised at how little yarn I actually bought...strange event I know. DH even noticed that I didn't have as much as he expected I would have. I must be slipping somehow. I ended up with 3 skeins of Classic Elite Alpaca Sox to be used for another Lace Ribbon Wrap, 1 skein of Mountain Colors Bearfoot in Moccasin Trail, 1 skein of Blacksburg indie dyer, David Simpson's Kona Superwash 100% merino wool in the color Underwater Twilight...love the name & feel of this sock yarn. Last more Hokie colored yarn. I can never have enough of those colors...this is from Farmhouse Yarns and is 100% Andy's Merino III. The skeins even include a picture of Andy the sheep.

Other purchases included 3 books...Cornelia Tuttle-Hamilton's Wanderlust & Araucanian Leisure and Sensual Knits that included Jared Flood's Ramona sweater pattern. I also succumbed to the temptations and ordered a Lawre Laine knitting bag....yeah I know I have 3 nice bags, but you can never have enough and I have wanted a specific color and look so the opportunity was there and I just did it!

Now for a few pictures:








The lovely Gina... Mosaic shop owner and the organizer of Purl Jam

2008 Purl Jam Event Instructors/Designers:

Cornelia Tuttle-Hamilton, Jared Flood, & Annie Modesitt

48 Hours to GO....

Yep, it is now less than 48 hours until B and I leave for the long awaited Purl Jam Event! My knitting bags (note the plural...I have 3 ) are packed & ready to go. My "homework" is done...including blocked and ends woven in. I even will have an unfinished item for the finishing class! The Chicknits Ribby Shell is done except for the shoulder seams. I figured I'd take it with me and see what seaming Cornelia would recommend using on joining the shoulders.

So excited about the upcoming weekend. So many people I've met through Raverly to put names & faces together. A fun weekend of knitting, talking, eating, learning, ......the list is almost endless.

Three Down and Three to Go

I've completed 3 of the 6 squares I need for my Fear of Finishing class at Purl Jam next week. So far I've got a garter square, a moss square, and a just finished stockinette square. Three more to go before I head off next Thursday...should not say that it's a piece of cake...don't want to get those Knitting Gods worked up do we? Nope, I've got to decided what other patterning I need to have so I can learn how to finish off more professionally.

I'm leaning towards a basketweave of some kind due to a long hibernating pattern for a "jacket" called Nichole by Jane Ellison I found in the Queensland Collection Book 1 over a year...or maybe 2 years ago. Can that be right? I've had the yarn & book for ages so it could be 2 years. Anyway it could prove helpful to see how to seam up a basketweave if/when I knit the Nichole Jacket.

The last 2 squares have not been decided...one will have some yo's and be more lacy and the last one may be the patterning for another future project (Etrusca swatch) so I better get back to it...

Homework

Homework...no haven't returned to school, but I have some prelim work to do for Purl Jam. I'm taking a class on "finishing" as in finishing off my knitting in a more professional manner. I'm hoping that I will learn a few more ways to seam up my FO's. At the moment I only know one way...mattress stitch...which works great on a bunch of things. It doesn't work so well on certain stitch patterns, therefore when the class list showed up the finishing class seemed to fit what I was looking to improve the most in my knitting.

So now I need to knit up 6 squares to practice whatever seaming techniques that are being taught. I'm thinking I need a couple stockinette, garter, and at least something with some holes or combination of stitches. No size was given for the square, but the 6-7" sqaure would be large enough to handle and see what the heck I was doing. The class is June 20th so plenty of time to get these knitted up...need to choose a color. I'm leaning toward one of the left over oranges from the blankets.

As for the other classes I'm doing there are no homework assignments just yarn lists...I've already made a visit to Mosaic (while I was moving oldest to yet another apartment) to purchase what was needed for the Swedish Sock and the Herringbone Classes. I picked out 2 skeins of Noro Silk Garden Lite in deep blues/browns/greens(colorway 2023) and deep greens/pinks/blues(colorway 2014). Who really knows what's inside the skein...the beauty & mystery of Noro Yarns.

For the sock class Cornelia recommends either the Noro Sock or Mirasol Hacho. I decided against using my Noro for the class due to it's less than nice feel or stickiness nature. Doing a class with unknown techniques...to me anyway... I didn't want to be fighting with the yarn while I was trying to learn something new. I much prefer the feel of the Mirasol Hacho (colorway 302) ...a nice soft feel which is both smooth & even in texture. It's a varigated with deep blues, purples, pinks and a touch of turquoise blue. I've never used this yarn so I looking forward to seeing how it turns out.

The remaining classes are using stash yarn....Yeah! I have several colors left from the 2 blankets I've knitted....T's and DH's which is perfect 'cause I need 6 different colors for a color class. Really looking forward to a better understanding of intarsia, stranding, & colorwork in general. The weekend should be fun & fiber filled...hope I'm up to the challenges.

Oopsie

This is where I was yesterday afternoon when I took time for a photo shoot...I was much further along when I discovered I had a problem. Once again my thoughts got ahead of my fingers while knitting on a new project. I started the Chicknits Ribby Shell last week when I finished the Lace Ribbon Wrap. Really moving along on it too with about 8" completed...then I noticed it. A glitch. A BIG one. All the way down to just past the 2" ribbed edge.

Can you see it? The ribbing at the far left just stopped being ribbing...not once, but 3 different times! I had managed to knit my first 2" of ribbing and start on the body just fine, but then...a royal screwup. One that I had not noticed until I was over 8 1/2" into the body and started thinking ahead to the armhole shaping. As I was smoothing the surface & admiring how far I had knit in just a day I noticed that on one side I was somehow off in the patterning....what the? As I counted the ribbed section on one side and came up with 13 sets I started to sweat...not going to be 13 on the other side. Nope, only 10...I had changed the purled stitches to knit for 3 sets of ribbing and never caught it.

I first thought no problem I'd just unravel the 2 stitches of each set that had been knitted and switch them to purl stitches. It started out well, but as I continued up the section the tension got much too loose. After several attempts to get it all even and tight to match the surrounding area I had to reach the realization that I was going to have to frog back a very long way. It was already well after 11:30 PM and I knew that I had to at least rip back or I'd not sleep well.

The frogging began and took over 30 minutes to get ripped, wrapped and back on the needles. Of course I had to knit/purl around a few rows to make sure everything was back on track. At 1:30 PM I was all set with my knitting back on course and really ready to go to bed. At least I didn't dream about the problem all night.

It's Done and so am I

I've finished the Lace Ribbon Wrap for the Mosaic Maniacs KAL... Whoo Hoo! The last stitch was stitched on May 27...today is June 3rd. Yeah alot of a lag in completion time and write up, but the other part of my life kept interrupting me. I knitted until I had about 1 gram of yarn left...worked out so well it was almost like I planned it. I stopped right at the end of the 24th row of the pattern with enought yarn to knit 2 rows plain. Perfect! I figured I could go on for a few more rows, but what was the point? The patterning would have looked all wonky ending on any other row so I'm done. Did I mention how pleased I am with the result?

Very happy...so happy that I was able to get a decent length with the one skein of Blue Heron Merc. Egyptian Cotton. That worried me a little as the ball got smaller and smaller, but the length was nowhere long enough for my taste. In the end after it was blocked I have a decent sized wrap...or scarf if I choose to double up the width.

The Details:

Pattern: Lace Ribbon Scarf by Veronik Avery

Yarn: Blue Heron Merc. Egyptian Cotton

Needles: Clover Bamboo, size 3, 24" circular

Size: Blocked- 23" wide, 72" length

Modifications: Cast on 116 sts. was the only modification and knitted until I was almost out of yarn

18 Repeats and Still Going

I have now completed a total of 18 pattern repeats on my Lace Ribbon Wrap and still have a good bit of yarn left. My plan is to continue knitting until I've used all the Blue Heron. I see no good reason to stop until then. The wrap is now 58 inches unblocked and I'm hoping to get another 12 inches or more out of what I have left. This last bit of yarn doesn't seem to getting any smaller...my DH keeps asking if I'm knitting because the yarn doesn't appear to be getting any smaller.

I still have no idea how many more repeats it will take to finish, but I'm still enjoying the knitting on this project. This should be done by the Purl Jam Event next month. I cannot wait to see everyone else's scarves/wraps...the Mosaic Maniacs should be a site to see if everyone can get them done for the big event.

Oh Boy! Oh Boy!

Eyelet Mock Cable

Whoo hooooo! What a nice surprise to discover today as I read through my usual blog list. Today when I clicked on Stitch Marker I discovered the happy news that I was one of two radomnly selected to receive a prize. A few months back I knitted up 4 dishcloths for Larissa's Dishcloth Project.

I used some yarn in the stash...Peaches & Creme in ivory and some Sugar & Cream in white. It is amazing to see the number of dishcloth patterns that are out there. These patterns were all found at http://www.knittingpatterncentral.com/directory/dishcloths.php

Little Shells

Snowdrop Lace

Fir Cones

New WIP...swatch at least

Graduation is now a done deal...was a very nice weekend spent in Blacksburg with my boys. The weather turned out better that I had hoped. Friday we ran around all day in cool and drizzly conditions...then friday evening for the graduation events in Lane Stadium we had clear skies and a moonlit evening to walk back to the car with the Grad! Saturday was sun shiney and perfect...so no ruined pics or clothes. My oldest is now a Graduate of Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University. A real mouthful of a name for what most call Virginia Tech, but that's the name on the diploma. Now proud Mom's off the soapbox and back to talking about knitting.....

While in Blacksburg I was given an early Mother's Day gift...a certificate to Mosaic from my oldest. After an early dinner he said that "you really want my gift now"...then it struck me what it could be. I was so very pleased for the thoughful gift from him. My DH and I headed off to Mosaic to check out the possibilites while my oldest got ready for graduation. Of course my DH took a nap in the car while I shopped & gabbed...I was even able to get a cup of coffee and due to the kindness of a knitter's offer of a needle knit on a swatch for a bit before he came to get me.

I ended up buying 4 skeins of Rowan Calmer in Slosh a nice smokey blue and 2 skeins of Fleece Artisit's Sea Wool in Mermaid (I think based on color descriptions). I started swatching for the Angela Hahn's Etrusca while I waited for DH's naptime to end. I only got a few rows before it was time to head on off to pick up my son and his girlfriend for the night's big event. Last night I started the second swatch in the ebellished garter stitch as the designer recommended to verify all is well with the selection...it's looking as if size 7 needles will be the choice. I have to finish a bit more to check the row and block to see how the Calmer is going to do, but so far I'm spot on gauge. I love the soft feel of the Calmer...the first time I have used this yarn. I hope to cast on this week for the tank because I'd love to wear it next month to Mosaic's Purl Jam . If interested check out the link quick since there are only a few spots left!

Another Shot

I tried another shot at dying yarn with koolaid. What colors....the Hokie combination of orange & back cherry what else would I use? Of course forgot to take pics as I went...the brain is not up to par this week. I did remember to get before & after shots of the yarn so that will have to do. This skein turned out somewhat different than Mom's....I tried to actually paint lines into the yarn. Not sure it worked out as planned, but the colors mixing are nice. Next may need to lay the yarn out in long sections and plan to paint individual strings. Wonder how that would turn out? Would I get nice changes on colors or a muddy blending when it was knit up.

This weekend I'm planning on dropping into Mosaic and buy some Kraemer Jeannie. I'd like to have enough to knit up some socks. These little cakes aren't enough for more than a skinny scarf. I'll have to find more black cherry koolaid if I go the Hokie color route with the socks...although I'm leaning toward another colorway. I'm thing a cool green lime maybe? It could match my current wip...lace ribbon wrap.

Too bad there is not more than 24 hours in my days. I have too much going on this month to add more...graduation & birthday cards to make, 3 days till oldest's VT graduation, windows to replace which leads to painting inside & out, and lastly painting the entire house as I go. Did I mention that the summer's heat is mixed into all this painting?

"I don't understand Lace Knitting"

Yep, my DH said to me last night that very thing..."I don't understand lace knitting." At the time I was fussing a bit about a stupid error I'd made in my Lace Ribbin "wrap". He went on to say that he thought it was "interesting" just why would you want to knit it? I laughed because I really have no idea why I find lace so fun, yes I said fun to knit. Maybe it's the fact you have to pay attention and keep focused on your knitting. Let's face it I do enjoy that piece of the puzzle because I'm a totally obsessed knitter. A project gets into my head and I cannot put it down until it's complete. The lace has been that way for me the last few months. First, it was Laura of Dragonwing Arts Summer Radiance Shawl that I completed in March, now it's the Lace Ribbon. My other projects are suffering from neglect.

There are a few other reasons. I love to watch how the simple act of a yo becomes this complicated looking twist in my current project. When I've messed up and dropped a yo I've tried to recreate the twist 2 rows down...does not look right, but is it oh so simple when you remember to just wrap a loop and on the next row knit or purl it.

Lace has taught me a few things along the way. The first is to use a life line if you don't want to pull your hair out with a major error full of lost yarnovers. I've become much better at both "reading my knitting" and using charts to knit. When I first starting knitting I figured no way would I be able to read a knitting chart...too complicated looking, symbols to remember, etc. Now I adore using charts vs written instructions. I now prefer the charts, but will read through the written directions for anything that may not be clear on the charts. Why do some designers use a chart, but write extra instructions buried in the written? Drives me crazy...then I am a bit.

Boring...No Way!

Still knitting my evenings away on the Lace Ribbon "Wrap" that I've been involved with since the April 19th knit off with the Mosaic Maniacs from Raverly. I'm getting through the repeats faster as I go...can now knit through a whole pattern repeat (24 rows) before bedtime. If I make bedtime after 11:30 PM...I'm usually so close to finishing that I stay up past my usual time so it can be finished.

Today I weighed the yarn to see how much further it will go...about half way or so at the moment. Out of a total weight of 227 grams I still have one unused ball of about 84 grams, working ball of 50 grams and 93 grams of knitted yarn. So all that checking on how much yarn is left to knit means is that I think I will have enough yarn to get this to a minimum of 60"...maybe. It's now measuring out to about 26 inches unblocked.

Loving how this is coming along so far...I've been able to catch errors pretty quickly without ripping out or even tinking back. Yeah, I know that the Knitting Gods are going to smite me down any day now, but I'm feeling pretty happy about this project. I'd like to get this thing done in the next couple of weeks so I can start on a few summer tops. Finding it difficult to focus on those with the KAL going on too...pressure is a good thing in one's life right?

Dye Job

Achieved another new thing in the land of knit...dying yarn. Yep, I got the Koolaid out, mixed it up, and painted some undyed yarn (Kraemer Natural-Jeannie). The yarn & koolaid were in a swag bag that my Mom & I got last June at Mosaic's Hokie Healing Project. (Side Note: the Hokie Healing Project involved over 8000 eight inch squares from knitters all over the world. A group of knitters decended upon Blacksburg last June & turned the squares into blankets for the families of those killer & injured at Virginia Tech last April. Scroll down to May through July entries at Mosaic's website for pictures.)

Mom asked what to do with her skein this past weekend and I offered to dye it for her. Yesterday I was to get the job done since it was so warm and sunny outside. First I had to take the ball of yarn and reskein it using my swift. I tied off the skein using cotton yarn in 3 equal sections. By tying off using a "figure 8" at each point I was able to easily remove the skein from the swift without making an absolute mess out of it. I must say that it worked like a dream...no tangles and it was easily put back on the swift to wind back into a ball once it was dry.

To start the dying process I first added warm water and a splash of vinegar to the stock pot I use for washing socks...then added the yarn to soak. While that was happening I mixed up the 2 koolaid packages (black cherry & orange) with 1/4 cup of warm water. Once the yarn had been totally saturated with water I squeezed out the excess and placed the yarn into baking dish.

I then used a couple of stencil brushes to "paint" the colors on the skein. I randomly placed the colors throughout the skein letting the colors move into each other...Hokie Yarn was born. The directions called for you to cook the yarn in the microwave for 2 minutes, let it sit for 2 minutes, then finish off for another 2 minutes of cooking time. Once it had cooled down enough to handle I ran tepid water on it until the water was clear...this only took a minute. It looks pretty good although it seems to be more orangy red than burgundy. I now must have a full sized skein so I have enough yarn to for socks. Oh no...more yarn to buy!

Pictures to follow once Blogger let's me do that...tired of the waiting.

Still Knitting...Always

Still knitting away on the Lace Ribbon Scarf for the Mosaic Maniacs KAL project...love, love love it! A total of 4 pattern repeats and still going strong. I seem to be averaging one pattern repeat a evening (24 rows) which considering how big I've modified the "scarf" is a good thing. The wrap is 116 stitches wide so I have 12 sets of the pattern going on. Amazingly fast I think to be this far along...helps that I've had some time during the day to knit this week. The all day rains and waiting for Verizon to set up our new service has aided in getting so much completed.

Next week will be a different story with the pretty weather I have several outdoor projects that will start up. Let's hope I'm able to knit during the evening. I'm also still playing with swatches for a couple of tank tops that I should start soon. My gauge has been awful...don't have a clue as to why that is. I may throw caution to the wind and knit as I have done before and cast on anyway. The Etrusca tank is on hold for a few weeks to allow for anymore pattern errors to show up. Angela emailed me with one this past week so I think I'll hold off for another couple of weeks before starting this one.

Progress

I'm making good progress on the Lace Ribbon Scarf (wrap in my case) that I'm doing as part of the Mosaic Maniacs KAL. I have modified the cast on from 53 sts. up to 108 stitches so that it will be wide enough to use as a wrap. At least it looks wide enough on the needles...so now I only have to worry if I'll have enough yarn for a nice length wrap. I have a backup plan if the worse happens...either buy more Blue Heron Egyptian Merc. Cotton or use my leftover stash of Handmaiden Sea Silk in Storm to edge both ends.

So far I've completed the 2 pattern repeats the KAL Moderator suggested we have done by the end of this week. My hope is to be several repeats into the wrap by the weekend. The pattern has been very easy to memorize and read as I work so it's going pretty quickly. I have not used a lifeline yet, but probably should add one now...better safe than sorry.

Casting On Tomorrow

Tomorrow is the start of the Lace Ribbon Scarf KAL with the Mosaic Maniacs on Raverly. As I mentioned a few days ago I'll be using the Blue Heron Eygtian Mercenized Cotton in a colorway called Leaf...very Springlike with greens, blues and a touch of yellow.

I've tried swatching to see how this is going to work with the pattern. First I tried out the Addi #2's which didn't really show the stitches as defined as I would have liked. So I moved up to my Harmony #4's...well I tried to until I broke the needle. Yes, that makes 2 Harmony #4's broken in a 2 week span. The first broken needle wasn't any doings of mine, but I can't say that about this mishap. I put my hand right down on top of it as I was answering my phone...then to compound the screwup no one was on the phone.

Rather than call Customer Service again I just tried using the superglue trick. I've tugged & twisted it and it appears to be fine. My guess is that it will be until I'm well into the project, then all will go "k-flooey". My DH thinks these are too fine with too many layers to be used in the way they are being used...screwed on the end of a cable in this case. He may be right...they are beautiful, just not very strong which is sad.

More Edge & Some Sock

Finally finished one of the sleeves on the Shaped Edge Sweater. I think it took longer to do that sleeve than it did to knit the front or back. I wonder why? I've been knitting on this for at least a week. Who know's it might be longer than that since it seems like it's taken forever. I have been really trying to clear out this last item so I can move on to some fun knits...just not working fast enough obviously.

The Edge is looking pretty good now that I have a sleeve to fit in with the back & front. One problem may be the sleeve length once I actually get to the point of putting this thing together. I didn't modify the length since I do have long arms, but this sleeve sure does looks loooong. I may have to roll them back and have a cuff if that happens...I will not rip an entire sleeve back just for length...that's crazy talk at this point.

Since this has taken so long I've been rethinking the order of other projects... maybe I should go ahead with some tank top patterns instead of the 2nd sleeve. Afterall, it's time for warm weather things! The 2nd sleeve hasn't been cast on so I won't worry about not remembering where I am in the pattern. Yep, I've talked myself right into it, next up will be one of the tank tops I'd like done before it gets too hot around here.

As for progress on our neighborhood 1st sock knitting group...I've gotten past the heel flap a week or 2 ago and am now waiting for the group to catch up. Since everyone else is only an inch or three into the cuff portion of their socks I just may go ahead and finish sock 1 and start the 2nd sock. I think I should be able to jump ahead and still have a sock to demonstrate the heel flap when they get to that point.

Then both of my socks will be done when I finish teaching everyone how knit socks. We may get together this weekend and see how everyone's is coming along with their knitting...maybe I'll be able to get some progress pictures to post.

Remember the 32

One year ago today the Virginia Tech Community was horrified by the actions of one individual. Words cannot express the deep sadness that I feel for those lost on this date one year ago. I hope that those left behind are able to find peace and know that the entire Hokie Nation grieves with them in the loss of their loved ones.

Please take a moment today to remember those lost on this one year anniversary of the shootings.

"Take time to remember the legacies, remember the dreams and remember the talent that our community has lost. I hope you are inspired to work harder to honor the 32. Share your talents with the world for the 32. Achieve your dreams for the 32. Be more compassionate, friendly and thoughtful for the 32. Be better, for the 32."

words spoken by SGA President Adeel Khan last August at the dedication of the permanent Memorial for the 32 lost on April 16th, 2007

Never Forget

Ross A. Alameddine

Christopher James Bishop
Brian R. Bluhm
Ryan Christopher Clark
Austin Michelle Cloyd
Jocelyne Couture-Nowak
Daniel Alejandro Perez Cueva
Kevin P. Granata
Matthew Gregory Gwaltney
Caitlin Millar Hammaren
Jeremy Michael Herbstritt
Rachael Elizabeth Hill
Emily Jane Hilscher
Jarrett Lee Lane
Matthew Joseph La Porte
Henry J. Lee
Liviu Librescu
G.V. Loganathan
Partahi Mamora Halomoan Lumbantoruan
Lauren Ashley McCain
Daniel Patrick O’Neil
Juan Ramon Ortiz-Ortiz
Minal Hiralal Panchal
Erin Nicole Peterson
Michael Steven Pohle, Jr.
Julia Kathleen Pryde
Mary Karen Read
Reema Joseph Samaha
Waleed Mohamed Shaalan
Leslie Geraldine Sherman
Maxine Shelly Turner
Nicole Regina White

We Are Virginia Tech

We Will Pevail

Stash Busting...1 Year Later

I selected the yarn to use for the Mosaic Maniac's Lace Ribbon KAL...Blue Heron's Egyptian Mercenized Cotton...now there's a mouthful.

I bought this yarn over a year ago at Mosaic so this was a no brainer. I've been debating for the last few weeks what to do with it. I pulled it out and sit it on my desk to contemplate my choices...Mystic Lace Mystery KAL, Clapotis, or my own made up pattern. I decided that this was perfect for the pattern. Tonight I think I'll try to swatch a bit and see which needle gives the best look to the stitches.

I may even go nuts with the pattern and switch it up a bit by making it more wrap like than scarf. I have 1000 yds of yarn so I think I have enough to widen the scarf by casting on double the stitch count and knitting more repeats until I run out of yarn. Math may need to be used to figure this one out...oh no. More to come on this project which is to be cast on this Saturday.

Spring is for Growing...As in WIP's

How many WIP's can a person actively work on? I have no idea, but I'll be adding one more to my nightly knitting. The Mosaic Maniacs group on Ravelry is going to knit the Lace Ribbon Scarf from the Spring Knitty as a KAL starting next Saturday. I'm excited that I already have yarn in the stash...only have to decided between the koigu and the fleece artist.

Although I don't really have too many items on my needles at the moment. I've been swatching for a tank top...Soleil since last week. Currently at a stand still waiting for a needle replacement to arrive...more coming up about that problem. I find for the first time in a long time I've had difficulty obtaining the correct gauge for this tank which is 22 sts/33 rows. The yarn I love to use in the summer...Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece in the color "Teddy Bear" usually knits at 5 stitches per inch on size 6 needles...which would be about 20 stitches over the 4 inch swatch.

I first started out using my Knit Picks Options size 6, then my Harmony Options size 5's. When I tried to use my 4's, however, there was a problem with one of my needles...the cable and the hub fell apart before I could attach the cable. What the heck was up with that? These were a gift from my oldest and had not been out of the package so I called Customer Service and a new needle has been shipped....Yeah! So the tank is on hold at the moment. I cannot figure out why I keep getting 16-18 stitches, but maybe it'll will all come together later this week.

Also working up a few other tanks...summer is coming and I live in tank tops. My other 2 projects are Chick Knits Cami with wide straps in Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece in Nymph. The last pattern is a new pattern from Angela Hahn called Etrusca. Angela designed the Lutea Tank found in last Summer's Interweave Knits that I loved so much I knit 2 of them for myself. I'm going to try and use the Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece in Harvest... stash busting on this one...the rest I had to buy.

I love all of these so I need to get busy and get the gauges correct so I can have something new to wear as the weather gets warmer.

Sunshiny Day for Summer Radiance

I'm not sure that 'sunshiny' is the proper use of the English Language, but it's fitting today. It has been quite a few days since the sun has shone as brightly as today. I took the opportunity to get a few pictures of Summer Radiance in natural light.

The darn thing is difficult to get a nice picture of due to its size, but I certainly tried numerous times. Don't you just love the digital camera! The full length size really does give an idea of how large the shawl is. If I were to do another shawl I might consider dropping charts 10-11 & maybe a portion of the fern leaf pattern...not sure it would work, but I'd prefer a shorter triangle if I were to keep & wear it.



The shorter length would allow me to wear it sideways rather than down the back. I don't really like the peak going down the middle of my back...yes, I'm one of those that thinks it makes me look/feel like an "old lady". Only my personnel preference and not a reflection of the original design which has been my obsession these last 2 months. I'm hoping that the intended receipient adores it as much as I do...

We'll see about that in a few weeks time...stay tuned!

WhooHoo I'm Done!

I have finished the lace test knit for Laura at Dragonwing Arts. She is calling her design Summer Radiance which is fitting since it has a few nature inspired elements...fern leaves is the first element to be knitted. The ferns plus a little "vine" started basically from the tip upwards through the first 9 charts. The section definitely reminds me of a maiden hair fern leaf.

My favorite section was towards the end (charts 12 through 14)...not because it was almost done, but I loved what appeared to be leaves marching two by two upwards. Those charts were very easily memorized and any error was quickly noticed...I loved that part. NO TINKING of frogging back to the life line for the entire 3 chart sequence...a first for me.

The worst section for me to knit was the last chart, but I think that my brain was still on sick leave and wasn't as focused as I could have been. It was this area where I made an error by forgetting to YO and I didn't catch on that the patterning on that particular element was a wee bit off. My decision to not rip back 3 rows is something I can live with...although I may try to correct it with some creative manipulation if it starts to bother me. Can anyone see the error?

Overall I thoughly enjoyed knitting lace...my first big lace project. Everything else has had small bits of lace thrown into the mix. Must have liked (loved) it since nothing else really was knitted on while this was underway.

Details:
Pattern: Summer Radiance Shawl designed by Laura of Dragonwing Arts

Yarn: Malabrigo Lace in Indigo

Needles: Addi Lace size 5 on a 60" cable

Size: Unblocked- Top 64" Sides 62" Blocked- Top 64" Sides 62"


Once the sun comes back out...if it ever does I hope to do the shawl justice with a great photo of the blocked rendition.

More Problems

Woops I messed it up again...started to purl on the even row just like I was supposed to do only I didn't carry on until I had finished the entire row of 395 stitches. I do not remember when I switched to knitting. Thankfully I caught the error when I was 3/4's of the way through the row. I only had to tink back maybe 300 or so stitches...could have been worse.

Since that little mishap cost me 30 minutes of knitting, unknitting and then reknitting I didn't get much accomplished on finishing the darn project. My positive side thought I'd get through at least half of the chart before it got too late. Really need to pay attention tonight and see how it goes.


I also have been knitting on the sock for our neighborhood sock class...not pleased with the yarn & how it's knitting up. Maybe it's the 25% nylon content, but the sock looks way to big. I'm using size 2 needles and a basic sock pattern I've used quite a few times with great sucess. I think I will switch down to #1's when I get to the heel and finish off with those. The patterning is looking nice...hopefully I can get a match when I start the second sock .

The yarn is Chicago from Wisdom Yarns...75% superwash wool and 25% polyamide. The color is 232: navy, light blue, white, a odd pink (flesh color) and a tan. The pattern moves from stripes to stripes with a blotch of color resembling blocks as you knit around. I like the patterning just not happy with the feel of this sock. Maybe it will impove...but if not it's a class sock for demo purposes.

The End is so Close

The end of a test knitting project is so close...don't want to jink myself just yet. Only 20 or so rows left on this lace project. I have not counted the number because I tend to mess up when I know I'm about to finish. I guess I get too excited and make stupid errors...like last night.

I was moving right along thinking ahead to how many rows I could finish before bedtime. Then I get to the end of the first row of the last chart and I have 6 stitches left rather than the 5 I was expecting. I went back to the start of the row and started counting and double checking...yep I messed up on the 3rd repeat of almost 20 repeats of the pattern. You'd think that by now I'd be really conscious of how to do a proper sl1-k2tog-psso now wouldn't you...the pattern has had a ton of them. For unknown reasons I decided that I should do sl1-k1-psso. Why you ask? I have NO IDEA except to drive me up one wall and down the otherside. I had to tink back well over half of 400 stitches of merino lace to fix the stitch and re-knit back to the end of row 383. I continued on and completed a few more rows before I decided it was time to sleep. Maybe I'll get alot more done tonight when I sit down to knit.

I'm looking forward to finishing this week..pics to be posted once the designer gives her permission.