I'm a little scared...I'm working on the 2nd sleeve already. I'm trying to figure out how long the cardi should be so I put it on waste yarn and worked sleeves instead. I'm also trying to figure out how much waist shaping to do since well, I's sans waist right now...
On a happy note, I'm doing the sleeves using magic loop and it's working much faster than the body part. I'm being lazy so I'll take a picture of it later.
Monday, March 27, 2006
Thursday, March 23, 2006
Bpt progress
I'm working on Bpt from Knitty using the red Sisik yarn I purchased from WEBS at Stitches West. Here's the specs from WEBS:
DALE OF NORWAY
SISIK
Sisik is a beautiful wool/mohair blend with a terrific color palette. Each color is complimented by coordinating flecks of color that result in a lovely tweed look to finished garments. Sisik is very soft to the touch and a joy to knit with!
I really like the feel of the yarn and so what if it's somewhat acrylic. I got gauge using #6 Addi Turbos (yeah, I'm a loose knitter). The only thing I didn't like about this yarn is that the "coordinating flecks of color that result in a lovely tweed look" ends up flaking off the yarn and gets on your clothes and nearby surroundings.
As far as this pattern:
I initially had issues with where the increases were supposed to be and actually had to draw out a schematic to figure it out. Of course 9 inches into the sweater, I realized that altho' I got the stitch gauge, I missed on the row gauge (mine was 26row/4 inch vs. their 24row/4in). I asked the smart folks from my knitting group and was able to wrap my brain around how to fix it. However, I tried the thing on, and it fit fairly well, so I decided not to mess w/ the pattern (it would just spiral to no good, I'm sure).
Of course, when I went to join the cables, I realized I made a fundamental error, I had switched all but the back cables, such that my cables were all in reverse pattern. Oh, well. I'm just going to leave it and I doubt anyone will care. I'll have to take a picture of it for next time since my camera battery is charging as we speak.
One final note: this sweater is knitting up very quickly. I may even start thinking about z's dad's sweater again...
DALE OF NORWAY
SISIK
Sisik is a beautiful wool/mohair blend with a terrific color palette. Each color is complimented by coordinating flecks of color that result in a lovely tweed look to finished garments. Sisik is very soft to the touch and a joy to knit with!
| Content | 30% wool/30% mohair/34% acrylic/6% viscose |
| Weight/Yardage: | 50gm/148 yards/ball |
| Gauge: | 5 sts = 1” on #7 needles |
| Knitting Weight: | Worsted |
I really like the feel of the yarn and so what if it's somewhat acrylic. I got gauge using #6 Addi Turbos (yeah, I'm a loose knitter). The only thing I didn't like about this yarn is that the "coordinating flecks of color that result in a lovely tweed look" ends up flaking off the yarn and gets on your clothes and nearby surroundings.
As far as this pattern:
I initially had issues with where the increases were supposed to be and actually had to draw out a schematic to figure it out. Of course 9 inches into the sweater, I realized that altho' I got the stitch gauge, I missed on the row gauge (mine was 26row/4 inch vs. their 24row/4in). I asked the smart folks from my knitting group and was able to wrap my brain around how to fix it. However, I tried the thing on, and it fit fairly well, so I decided not to mess w/ the pattern (it would just spiral to no good, I'm sure).
Of course, when I went to join the cables, I realized I made a fundamental error, I had switched all but the back cables, such that my cables were all in reverse pattern. Oh, well. I'm just going to leave it and I doubt anyone will care. I'll have to take a picture of it for next time since my camera battery is charging as we speak.
One final note: this sweater is knitting up very quickly. I may even start thinking about z's dad's sweater again...
Wednesday, March 22, 2006
See Saw See Saw
Here's a post I meant to upload before I went to the hospital the first time...
I finally frogged my first real attempt at socks because I think socks were too loose and I just plain didn't like them. But I wanted to use the yarn to make a pair of toe up socks on one circular needle, so I wanted to split my yarn into two even skiens. How do I do this without a scale? Well, if you were me, you'd get creative with your 3 year old's toy.
z got this last year and it's a toy where you balance the animals on the two sides of the see saw. (And yes, it's more difficult than you think--but z can do it). It's an exercise in symmetry (which may not be what a then-two-year-old thinks of). Anyway, he got this toy, took off all the animals and just played with the base, saying "see saw see saw see saw see saw". (and yes, it was a little annoying, but also pretty cute)
Anyway, as I was trying to figure out the best way for me to determine approximately how much yarn was in each skein, I thought I'd use his toy as a balance. Yes. I realize that since the two skeins do not have the exact same shape, this is truly an approximate. But it's good enough for me.
I finally frogged my first real attempt at socks because I think socks were too loose and I just plain didn't like them. But I wanted to use the yarn to make a pair of toe up socks on one circular needle, so I wanted to split my yarn into two even skiens. How do I do this without a scale? Well, if you were me, you'd get creative with your 3 year old's toy.
z got this last year and it's a toy where you balance the animals on the two sides of the see saw. (And yes, it's more difficult than you think--but z can do it). It's an exercise in symmetry (which may not be what a then-two-year-old thinks of). Anyway, he got this toy, took off all the animals and just played with the base, saying "see saw see saw see saw see saw". (and yes, it was a little annoying, but also pretty cute)
Anyway, as I was trying to figure out the best way for me to determine approximately how much yarn was in each skein, I thought I'd use his toy as a balance. Yes. I realize that since the two skeins do not have the exact same shape, this is truly an approximate. But it's good enough for me.
Tuesday, March 21, 2006
Two socks on single circular needle
As promised, here are the finished socks:
As I said, these socks were made by using a single 40inch circular #1 Addi Turbo and following the general directions from this site. I followed the link on that page to learn the fancy schmancy crazy figure eight cast on (very unweldy to do the first couple of rounds). After some rows, I put them on the Addi and started knitting. Once I finished the heels, I decided to do a 3X2 rib. I wanted to do something more fancy, but I didn't have any knitting books with me at the hospital.
(note to self: moisturize)
(I think most of the nurses thought I was knitting something for the baby and were surprised when I wore them when I was done,)
Specs:
yarn - Lion Brand Magic Stripes (Bright Spring pattern) a little less than 1 skein
pattern - simple toe up from site
amt of time to finish - less than a week
here's a pic of the socks in progress (or more rather, almost complete)
I highly recommend using this technique if you're like me and really hate counting and recounting rows so that you don't get uneven socks.
I did even start the socks at the same point in the yarn to ensure that the socks match. However, when turning the heel, I must have messed up a little because the designs became out of sync and one sock pattern is a quarter stripe different than the other (the good thing is that you really can't tell).
As I said, these socks were made by using a single 40inch circular #1 Addi Turbo and following the general directions from this site. I followed the link on that page to learn the fancy schmancy crazy figure eight cast on (very unweldy to do the first couple of rounds). After some rows, I put them on the Addi and started knitting. Once I finished the heels, I decided to do a 3X2 rib. I wanted to do something more fancy, but I didn't have any knitting books with me at the hospital.
(note to self: moisturize)
(I think most of the nurses thought I was knitting something for the baby and were surprised when I wore them when I was done,)
Specs:
yarn - Lion Brand Magic Stripes (Bright Spring pattern) a little less than 1 skein
pattern - simple toe up from site
amt of time to finish - less than a week
here's a pic of the socks in progress (or more rather, almost complete)
I highly recommend using this technique if you're like me and really hate counting and recounting rows so that you don't get uneven socks.I did even start the socks at the same point in the yarn to ensure that the socks match. However, when turning the heel, I must have messed up a little because the designs became out of sync and one sock pattern is a quarter stripe different than the other (the good thing is that you really can't tell).
Saturday, March 18, 2006
Priceless...
Sorry for not blogging lately, things have been uhmmm...eventful.
2 calls to 911
3 ambulance rides*
~2 weeks total in the hospital
4 significant bleeds
2 days of fasting in case of 'emergency surgery'
too many to count hospital cafeteria 'gd' meals plus snacks
6 IV lines 'just in case'
2 painful shots of Betamethasone
1 diagnosis of complete placenta previa
1 pair of toe-up on one circular needles socks
ZERO 29/30 week baby...Priceless!
But, did ya notice? I finished my socks! I'll have to take a picture of the completed socks in a little bit.
Complete placenta previa--yeah, at 10 weeks, when I got my CVS, they mentioned that my placenta was there, but hey, it'll move. At 18 weeks, when I got my main ultrasound, again, they noted the position of the placenta, but hey, it's only 18 weeks and the placenta will move... well, apparently, it didn't move.
As for the bleeding, it wasn't painful or anything, there just were very impressive amounts of it. So much that they had to put additional IVs in to make sure that I would get lots o' blood if I needed a transfusion. It's a little freaky to bleed like that and have no pain (while blood is literally running down the legs). z's dad likened it to a CSI crime scene.
As for the hospital, the nurses were kind and very helpful. The TV sucked (no cable). And the food? blech. And you'd think that a large hospital would figure out a diabetic diet w/o any problems...but no. I had sugar spikes because they accidently gave me regular food . And there were times when the nurses scrounged food for me because the dietician so limited my carbohydrates that they didn't give me enough calories to eat.
Anyway, the good news is that every day the baby is on the inside means that she'll be healthier and have to spend less time in the NICU. We're shooting for 36 weeks, would be happy at 34 weeks and would settle for 32 weeks (I'm at 30weeks 5 days).
*the first time we called 911, the ambulance took us to the local hospital w/o any OB care and had to call for another ambulance to take me to my hospital.
2 calls to 911
3 ambulance rides*
~2 weeks total in the hospital
4 significant bleeds
2 days of fasting in case of 'emergency surgery'
too many to count hospital cafeteria 'gd' meals plus snacks
6 IV lines 'just in case'
2 painful shots of Betamethasone
1 diagnosis of complete placenta previa
1 pair of toe-up on one circular needles socks
ZERO 29/30 week baby...Priceless!
But, did ya notice? I finished my socks! I'll have to take a picture of the completed socks in a little bit.
Complete placenta previa--yeah, at 10 weeks, when I got my CVS, they mentioned that my placenta was there, but hey, it'll move. At 18 weeks, when I got my main ultrasound, again, they noted the position of the placenta, but hey, it's only 18 weeks and the placenta will move... well, apparently, it didn't move.
As for the bleeding, it wasn't painful or anything, there just were very impressive amounts of it. So much that they had to put additional IVs in to make sure that I would get lots o' blood if I needed a transfusion. It's a little freaky to bleed like that and have no pain (while blood is literally running down the legs). z's dad likened it to a CSI crime scene.
As for the hospital, the nurses were kind and very helpful. The TV sucked (no cable). And the food? blech. And you'd think that a large hospital would figure out a diabetic diet w/o any problems...but no. I had sugar spikes because they accidently gave me regular food . And there were times when the nurses scrounged food for me because the dietician so limited my carbohydrates that they didn't give me enough calories to eat.
Anyway, the good news is that every day the baby is on the inside means that she'll be healthier and have to spend less time in the NICU. We're shooting for 36 weeks, would be happy at 34 weeks and would settle for 32 weeks (I'm at 30weeks 5 days).
*the first time we called 911, the ambulance took us to the local hospital w/o any OB care and had to call for another ambulance to take me to my hospital.
Tuesday, March 07, 2006
Ribbon Clapotis
I had gotten the Moda Dea ribbon for a ribbon Clapotis. This is what I worked on during the Winter Olympics and I managed to finish it during the closing ceremonies. Here it is:Specs:
Clapotis pattern from Knitty
Moda Dea Ticker Tape - 7 plus a little more skeins
Size 13 needles
~21 inches before drops
The only thing is...I'm not sure I like it. It was very heavy feeling before I dropped the stitches, and although it feels pretty airy now, I don't know. Maybe when the weather is less crummy here in the Bay Area, I'll take it out for a test run.
If it turns out I'm not fond of it, I can always frog it and use it for some type of sweater (I think I have enough ribbon).
Monday, March 06, 2006
Finally Stitches West Yarn pics
It's taken me awhile to actually take pics of my pretty yarn. As I mentioned, I had to try the Socks that Rock yarn. The picture doesn't do it justice, but oh, well. It's a very beautiful dark green grey.
And here's the two large yarn purchases for sweaters. I'm thinking cardigans both since that's what I tend to wear. Maybe the knitty hooded cardi (Bpt) for one and the other? Probably another cardigan from Knitty. I'm having difficulties thinking about pullovers since I have a big belly and don't want to knit a sweater that I won't be able to try on for months.
Finally, here's the Noro I got for possibly a small felted bag.
And here's the two large yarn purchases for sweaters. I'm thinking cardigans both since that's what I tend to wear. Maybe the knitty hooded cardi (Bpt) for one and the other? Probably another cardigan from Knitty. I'm having difficulties thinking about pullovers since I have a big belly and don't want to knit a sweater that I won't be able to try on for months.Finally, here's the Noro I got for possibly a small felted bag.
Friday, March 03, 2006
We have SOCKS!
Well, I finished them. And here they are. Pretty basic pattern from the net (I don't even remember which one). All I know is that they were easy peasy. The only problems I had was trying to turn the heel (not knowing whether it was half of the stitches turned, or the specific number-- see previous post).
Next time, I'm going to try the 2 socks at once thing. I was a-surfing and found this little gem -- The Boy Who Knits. In his most recent entry, he speaks of doing the Jaywalker socks from Grumperina ala magic loop two socks at once! I'm going to attempt this too. If he didn't have detailed instructions, I would have done them as written from Grumperina, but you know what I figured out the one thing I really do not like about knitting socks is counting the rows to make sure the socks actually matched. I figured that I probably counted the same darned rows of the second sock at least10 times...(but then again, mayhaps I have a smidgeon of OCD)
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