Brooks Farm Seed Stitch Scarf
2007 @ 1:24 pm
I’ve been remiss in taking photos of my finished work so when Mr. Sassy ran out of the house last night, I made him pause for some pics. This is a simple seed stitch scarf I made for him out of my leftover Brooks Farm Duet. The colors are (still) gorgeous and Mr. Sassy loves the scarf so far 
. I was sad to miss the BFY booth at Rhinebeck this yea, but since even now I have leftovers from ‘05, perhaps it’s for the best!
Yarn: Brooks Farm Duet, no given colorway
Needles: Size 8
Pattern: simple seed stitch. Can’t remember how many I cast on. maybe 80? This made a wide scarf.
Comments: I’m really hoping the fibers don’t tickle him like they do me!
a long lost post
2007 @ 1:14 pm
Hey there… thanks for sticking it out. The family and I have been traveling like mad since the beginning of October. We arrived home for good at 5:30 last evening and I rode off at 6 to teach at Brooklyn General. It was a great class and got me back in the swing of real life rather gently.
Now down to blog business. I’ve got some random FO’s from the summer (to be posted later, it’s still too hot here for pics!) and I’ve started a new sweater for MJ, Miss Sarah’s Twisted Tree Pullover:
I’ve got the requisite amount of Knitpicks Swish in Squirrel Heather and am using size 6 and 8 needles. To my knowledge, I’m the only one making this sweater so far. I sufficiently f*cked up the first two rows (after the rolled hem) to the point that I had to rip back last night. I think I may add some pattern notes to my dear friend for the next release 
The pattern is written beautifully… so beautifully that I got downright confused.
I’m patiently (as in I call the store everyday to ask about it) waiting for the yarn I thought I ordered for myself before vacation to start my Tangled Yoke cardigan. I am starting to feel this project is doomed. More about that soon. If I ever get that yarn. I’m working on a birthday gift too, although I can’t really talk about that either. Wow, this is turning into a really great post, huh?
On to happy news about things I HAVE received! Before I get to my FO’s, I’ve been remiss in publicly thanking my lovely Spiders for showering me with thoughtful gifts for my birthday back in August…
In one package, a Heere Be Dragone (ravelry link) kit from Aurora Alpacas–this promises to be the knitting project of my lifetime. And when I am done, it will be hung above my bed instead of being smooshed up in my coat. I don’t want to steal a photo of one, so please check that link. It’s knitting insanity. There are upwards of 10 charts–yikes.
In a second package, two very useful books!
Elizabeth Zimmerman’s Knitting Workshop and Adorable Knits for Tots by Zoe Mellor. The first is sure to help me in my teaching (and knitting) and the second fills the need for toddler patterns.
Last, but not least, are you a lover of handspun? My friend Mary just opened up an etsy shop. Check out her fab fibers here.
Tangled Yoke…
2007 @ 9:07 am
I’m on board for this one after all. The combination of teaching cables in class last night, browsing FOs on Ravelry and my NEED to purchase some Silky Wool have led to the inevitable. Now I just need to get my hands on the magazine….
I’ve got nothing else to report at the moment. I finished a super boring seed stitch scarf for Mr. Sassy and had a sewing disaster that’s not even worth mentioning. Well, maybe when I figure out what I’m going to do about it I’ll tell you what happened The thing is still poised for “completion” on my machine.
Oh ok, I’ll put a little MJ filler in!
knock, knock! anyone home in there?
Charade Socks
2007 @ 4:08 pm
Having a kid is making me revert on a weird level with my fashion. Don’t worry–I’m still steering clear of the holiday-themed turtlenecks. But, when I saw these Buster Brown-esque t-strap shoes, I couldn’t resist. Many of you have donned these for years, but I chose, for some reason, to swing between pointy pumps for work and ballet flats for not work. I thought these might be the perfect showcase for hand-knit socks and will save me the trouble of finding another pair of not-dowdy and not-uppidty ballet flats.
Pattern: Charade by Sandra Park. I followed the rules until the toe of the second sock. Sandra writes the pattern for a longer decrease than I found I liked. Since no one will see the toes, I didn’t re-do the first sock. The difference is pictured below.
Yarn: Yarn Pirate Merino Tencel in Sadie. Love it. I was skeptical–it didn’t seem to have the spring in its step that I look for in sock yarn. But, it delivered! I love the sheen, especially in my new shoes, and the striping pattern, which I can’t be sure is intentional, is fantastic. A great dimension for the Charade pattern.
Needles: Size 1 addi turbo, magic loop method
The sock on the left follows the pattern and the sock on the right does a toe something like the Jaywalker. The decreases I did on the right-hand sock were done closer to the edge than the left. Looks like I decreased every other row for about 8 rows and then every row for 4 rows. I wound up with eight stitches to graft.
When Lisa and I compared Charades at the Point a couple of weeks ago, we were confused about why they seemed to differ. A trick of the eye? Turns out Lisa has been slipping her stitches knitwise and I like this look even better! It’s what we call a happy accident
For a laugh, check out the photo of my last sock FO here. Now you all know I wasn’t kidding about my pregnant cankles.
Vestee charades as sweater
2007 @ 12:13 pm
**update** yarn for Charades is Yarn Pirate Merino Tencel on sz 2 needles. Tuxedo Top is Louet Euroflax Linen Sport in Aqua on sz 3.
The Vestee is finally complete! Its been waiting for its contrast shawl collar to be attached for at least two months. I decided to do something about it last week when some of the Brooklyn General gals came over to knit. We had wine and some lovely cheeses… all the while i slowly attached the collar (mattress stitch in case you are out there wondering).
Pattern: Vestee by Marjorie Brigham
Yarn: 2 skeins Purple Rownspun dk, one skein of Green Rowanspun dk and one (maybe + a little) skein Kidsilk Haze in lavendarish color…
Needles: lots of circular size 7s.
Mods: I knit it in the round and did a three needle bind off in the pits. As posted here, there is another version of this pattern that has a little more yoke detail and some helpful schematics.
My sister thinks I’m out of my mind, but I am not sure this will fit MJ in the fall. Cross your fingers for me!
I’ve also completed one of Sandra’s Charade socks. Lots of fun so far!
Last night’s Stitch n Pitch at Shea Stadium was lots of fun! I don’t want to sell out my buddy, but neither of us even realized the game was over… we were too into our knitting! Oops.
I was working on my latest project, the Sleeveless Tuxedo Top from Summer Interweave.
PS-I am aware that some people think life at home with baby might be a bit of a bore. I assure you, this is not true 95% of the time. Just this morning, we had a dance party right in our living room! I ask you, non-parent, when was the last time you shook your booty at home, regardless of the hour?
nothing to see here…
2007 @ 12:12 pm
I’ve got no photos to speak of lately–life’s been pretty hectic and a camera is a hindrance to progress. Although some would argue that any progress has been made. It took me four nights to finish Harry Potter. Probably would have been less if I didn’t keep falling asleep. Damn that internal clock. I liked it and that’s all I’ll say.
I spent Sunday at Brooklyn General with Jennifer and we are now in knitting cahoots to conquer the Sleeveless Tuxedo top from Summer 07 Interweave. We’re doing the provisional cast on and everything. So unlike me to take the hard way–just ask my mother.
I also think I might be down with knitting this come fall. I’ll have to examine the pattern further to see if I can make it through the stitch pattern without driving myself crazy.
Minimalist Cardigan from Interweave Knits Fall 2007.
I’m also pretty hot to trot on making MJ a little Orangina. Shouldn’t be too hard to modify the pattern. It’s a race against the clock to Summer’s end though and my size 3s will be tied up interminably with the Tuxedo. I am by no means un-enthused, but it’s a long way to that lace panel!
PS-i found my too small One Skein Wonder, ripped it, and have made an attempt to finish up that February Baby Sweater. Something is screwed up though and it will take a little quiet time and brain power to fix. Both are in short supply.
a quick project update
2007 @ 10:33 pm
First, I have a sewing machine update. I spoke with Singer this morning and they suggested, in this order, the following: more tension on the upper thread, new needle, only sz 14 Singer needle, only J-15 bobbins, new bobbin case, timing is off. I had thoroughly tested and re-tested all of these theories. All but the last before repair–a new bobbin casing. I hope this is the magic solution and plan to find one ASAP. The alternative? Send the machine to Syracuse (is that anywhere near Brooklyn? the lovely lady wanted to know) for under-warranty inspection and repair. I figure shipping would cost as much as paying for repair. I’m still pissed that my machine is only a year old and this is happening, but optimistic that there is a simple answer. There is definitely something funky going on when I try to pull the bobbin thread through–it catches on the casing in a way that fells oh-so-wrong. I’ll keep you posted as it seems many of you are interested. In the meantime, make sure you have a sharp needle and the recommended bobbin. Buy in bulk. It’s like tp for your machine.
Ravelry has subtly informed me that i am on a tear with the casting on. I’ve started several new things and haven’t blogged about them! Horrors. Here’s the quick and dirty:
- EZ February Baby Sweater. You guys didn’t even know I cast on for this one! It’s been mostly commute knitting, but its been sidelined. Buddha is sad because I lost the yarn.I was planning on ripping my OSW, but now I can’t find the thing. GRRRRR. I’m almost done with the second sleeve (body to go), but I can’t find the rest of the yarn!
- Charade Socks. I love these! I’ve been wanting to cast on for socks for ages it seems. I don’t know why. Don’t I keep saying I’m not a sock person? Anyway, this Yarn Pirate stuff is pretty great. The colors look fabu and are knitting up just right. Killer pattern Sandra!
- Phildar Camisole. HINT HINT
- Vestee. I am painfully close to finishing this.
- Lace Trim Bolero (Vogue Summer ‘05). Even more painfully close to finishing this! Only one more inch of sewing to go.
Alright, I gotta get my ass in gear.
In other news, I received this gift from my Lovely Spinner friend, Heather:
Not everyone can pull off this shade of green, but I know one baby who most certainly can!
lace trim bolero
2007 @ 8:18 am
I finally have a photo worth taking of what has, until now, been a navy blob…
Until it’s sewn up it’s not much to see–especially in such a dark color. I have read a bunch of bloggies about the knitting up of this little sweater and I have to say this: it’s not as much of a pain in the ass as I thought it was going to be. Maybe it’s cuz I prepared myself for having to sew on so much trim or that I am very excited to wear it with my dress. At any rate, I may be singing a different tune when I do start joining the trim, but until then, it’s been pretty fun! Ok, maybe not the part where I had to pretend to know what I was doing when Left Front instructions said to “reverse shaping as for right front”. Yes, I messed it up the first time. But, it turns out I only lost a day on that sleeve ripping crap.
As for the dress, it’s going to need more work. The thing needs a belt. I got it at Loehmanns at a deep discount and none of them had belts, but this pretty thing is literally begging to be embraced by a belt of some kind. Enter new project, stage left. I don’t see myself finding the appropriate navy blue belt in a store. And I definitely don’t want to spend $ on a navy blue belt. It’s not a color I rock often enough and I can’t imagine I would find a good one for a bargain. I took my dress to the shop and started a fabric hunt. I just need something about 2 inches wide that snaps or hooks in the back. Something to break me up in the middle. Nothing. Matches. Poo. Almost jokingly, Catherine suggested the bobble trim. Wouldn’t you know, it’s a perfect match and actually looks CUTE. Yikes. Here I go a-sewing
another one on the needles
2007 @ 10:34 am
I’ve started the Lace Trim Bolero from Spring/Summer 2005 Vogue Knitting. It’s to match a dress I’ll be wearing to a wedding this summer–late June.
Wish me luck in finishing it on time! I’m working one of the fronts now and have already completed the back. I love love love the yarn–navy blue, almost black, Zara. I can’t believe its my first time using it! I’m using size 6 needles and its making a great, jacket-like fabric. I hope it fits… the smallest size is 36″
After this is finished, I plan on resurrecting the Phildar Camisole (check out Lisa’s). I’ve got the back and most of the front done! I’m not feeling the color anymore. It’s very 2004. So is the rest of my wardrobe though, haha.
Happy Memorial Day. BBQ your butts off.
R.I.P. Pink Pinwheel
2007 @ 1:25 pm
Pinwheel, Pinwheel spinning around… it is done. I knew all along I wanted to do it–thank you for the support! My one dissenter was my sister-in-law… a casual knitter who told me I was crazy. I think she might be right. I ripped this morning and it wasn’t nearly as satisfying as I thought it would be. Actually, it made me sort of nauseous to watch the blankie writhing around as I rewound the wool. This final photo of the blanket says it all. It looks fabulous, doesn’t it? 36″ across.
even the ruffle is nice. *sigh*
Back to square one. I better cast on for the log cabin quick, before mourning and regret set in.
