Spine envy

Now, back to our regular programming...


May I introduce Spinosaurus.


This is yet another dinosaur from Patons Dinosaur book. Again I took liberties with the pattern where I could (mostly converting flat pieces to round ones).

Observations:
-This is likely the most complex of the dinosaurs I've knitted thus far. Maybe that's why it took me so long.
-Making him incorporated many of the skills learned from the other dinos. Like what? Well, the fin is felted, this guy needed claws and I had to make teeth.
-The spine? Let me tell you about the spine. I actually knit 3 of them?! The first was a prototype to see if it could be done, then another that should have fit the dino (but it was way too small), and then finally a third much larger one. I did not want spino to have a wimpy small fin and have his dino friends mock him.
Specs:
yarn: acrylic of various colors and Patons merino for spine
needles: US3 for everything except for the fin. US9 for spine
started: September, 2007
finished October 26, 2007
fiddly pieces sewn together: 23


fin: The fin was knitted flat to achieve an oval shape. CO12 stitches, changed color every 2 rows, increased every row 1st and last stitch w/ M1 until 4 rows, then increase every 2 rows until 11th row, then no increase for 8 rows, then decrease (to match increase). The piece was folded over, seamed and then felted.


Okay, one final shot. Yes, Spino's a carnivore, but this cedar tree looks pretty good...

Why don't we just patent genes...oh, we do that already.

This post is in response to the post I deleted.

***

I was asked by the lawyers of Giant Microbes to remove all indications of knitted toys (microorganisms) because I called them Macro Microbes. The lawyers of Giant Microbes hunted me down and sent me an email telling me that this infringed on their rights and asked that I cease and desist.

I did not make the toys to sell, nor did I design the pattern to sell. Furthermore, as a scientist with small children, it's not a stretch of the imagination that I would knit microorganisms. I did get inspiration from their product, and I credited them with that, but they wanted me to remove it, so I did.

Anyway, it's not worth it. I did not hotlink their pictures, and the microscopy pictures I used to identify the beasties were from the intarweb.

I'm still a bit confused tho'. I can see that Macro Microbes might appear too close to Giant Microbes, but does that mean that their company cornered the market on any microorganisms made into toys!? The knitted items are my patterns, can I share them so long as I don't use the Macro Microbe term?

Mr. Lawyer, I know you've come back to my site to check that I've deleted the post. Could you leave a comment here and let me know? Thanks.

Others should feel free to leave a comment here too.

Frosted Fern Finished

This is also known as 'Oakey Dokey' on the Niebling yahoo group. After much knitting, especially the alternate border,I finally finished. Here's the specs on this doily.Start date: Sept 30, 2007
Finish date: Oct 20, 1007
yarn: Cebelia #30 in Ecru T
needles: 2mm dpns and 2mm Inox circs

Observations:
Many thanks goes to Priscilla on the Niebling Yahoo group. Without her charting it, I would not have knitted this beauty. That sea of words was way too daunting.

*This is the not yet completely blocked shot. See the edging. It's actually very beautiful. But it started drying out before I was done, so I pulled it to take a picture of it.

I love Niebling patterns.

I will cast on for another one after I finish Campanile and Spino. Actually, I promised Z that I sould make him his dino first, so that's what I'll try to do (at least while he's awake).

Oregon

I just got back from our (now yearly) week long vacation up to Oregon.

Why Oregon? Well, it's a lovely place to visit --I hated living there, but that had more to do with the miserable life of a grad student, and not so much to do with the state itself. It's a beautiful place to visit.

I must say that it's gotten a little more diverse since I lived there. When I first moved there in 1990, I couldn't figure out what was weird about the place, something was just a bit off --being from SoCal didn't help. Then one of my friends pointed out to me that there were no 'people of color'...and you might think I'm exaggerating, but seriously, it was the land of Caucasian. Hippy Caucasian, true, with all the rainbow colors only to be found on tattoos and tied dyed clothes.

Anyway, it's gotten much better there now. A little. What other changes? Well lots. There's several malls and even a PF Chang in Tracktown. We drove by the house my friend owned when she was a grad student. She sold it before she left town, but the funniest thing was that she bought the house (with a rentable detached room) for a mere $20K. Even back then, that was the cost of a midsized car. A car. She bought a house for the price of a car. I'm afraid how much the house is worth now.

Yarn shops? I was only able to break away for a little bit to go visit the famed Ben Franklin in Springfield. But that was fun. A Ben Franklin, you say?! Well, this one had Noro, Addi lace turbos, and even cashmere. I got a couple of hanks of yarn (it's a pink color for A), the Knitted Babes book, and several balls of Cebelia only because there's no sales tax.

Once in Portland, I wasn't able to get to any shops. Oh, well. Next time.

So, knitting. I worked on Oakey Dokey, got stuck on the end part, put that away, and worked on a top down cardi (boring but good on windy roads).I also started on Sarcelle. This is with red cashmere that I got in a destash sale. It's a pretty color. The pattern? Well, I'm not a big fan of purling e-cast on stitches. That's a pain. But it's turning out nicely, easy to remember, so I'll keep working on that one.

I also brought Forest Path, but unfortunately, that did not get worked on.

Oh, the weather? It was supposed to be raining the whole time we were traveling, but we were super lucky. We had a bit of sprinkling for a little bit one day. But on our way home, this is what it looked like (picture from moving car in pouring rain).

Oakey Dokey progress

What am I doing? My list of WIPs just keep getting longer and longer. Anyway, I've joined the yahoo Niebling group KAL for Frosted Ferns --which they've renamed Okey Dokey since it's supposed to be like Oak, except that something might have happened during translation and so...

Started September 30, 2007
needles: Inox 2mm
yarn: Cebelia #30

I started it Anyway, here's my progress. I had to stop to work on the present this week, but this was great to pick up after knitting a lot of stockinette.

L is for Library

Took A to the library this last weekend and met fellow knitter Renaissance Woman for a bit of knitting. I was hoping that A would decide to fall asleep on the way there, or at least while there, but no go. I did manage to get in about an hour of knitting (mostly untangling) on my take-around project (top down cardi).

It was very pleasant to sit and knit and chat a bit. I hope to be able to make it on a more regular basis. Not that I need more knit nights...On our island, there is now Monday night at Julie's (I go to), Tuesday night at Xtown, Thursday night Alameda Yarn Co., Friday night craft night at Julies, and now Sunday afternoons at the library. I only go to one knitting group a week, but I might make that 2 a week if Sundays continues.

Oh, the group is set up by Renaissance Woman on Ravelry.

TKGA on TGIF w/ MIL taking BART

G and I planned on attending 'The Knitting Show' a bit ago. I can never remember the name...knitting...crochet...something...something. Anyway, the confusion is that TKGA and CGOA do a knitting and crochet show together and they really like acronyms (apparently).

It's much much more smaller intimate than Stitches. I even risked not using a stroller for A. She was ergo'ed most of the time.

Even tho' we live a couple of miles away, we parked the car at the BART station and took public transportation there. Why? well, we had issues parking around there the last time we went and I didn't want to deal with the hassle. It's Friday with the Farmer's Market, Chinatown...yeah...we went public transport.

We got there and decided on doing a quick once through before lunch. Well, the first stall we came to, I made my one and only purchase for...yes...a cone of yarn. It was only $12. And it'll be nice as a shawl or a lap blanket doily thing...

And yes, you read correctly, after all that, that's all that I got (yay me!) I came really close picking up a ball of lace weight at Yarn Place, but as I didn't have a project for it, couldn't and didn't buy it.

We watched the fashion show, and that was pretty neat. There's a ostrich boa jacket that used yarn that I had so, I might make that (sans boa).

There was a lady there with a lovely Frosted Flowers shawl (Gathering Lace). That has moved up in my to do queue. Her's was lovely. The Lacy knitters group was there, I might have to join the guild.

Pictures? Well, like I said, I only managed to get one yarn, and it's not very exciting, so maybe I'll take a picture of it when I make something. How's that?

Oh, we had lunch at Caffe 817 and had a lovely latte in a big bowl (along w/ sandwich). And I picked up some apples from Farmer's Market.

It was a lovely day and many thanks go to MIL for a fabulous day! And A? She slept through a bunch of it.

Campanile progress

I have been knitting. I had to wait for this to arrive. This is Colourmart's cashmere silk in rosehip color. I was hoping for a darker red, but it's pretty nice. I did a miniswatch and decided that I'd use my US2 Knitpicks and bamboo dpns. Tho' as I look at the holes, they seem woefully big...

A slight aside, I love the feel and look of the cool metal dpns. They just seem cool and look deadly...but I can't knit lace with them. They are super slick and slippery. Did I mention how cool they look?! So, I've had to re-get the dpns that I swapped away when I had decided that sock knitting non-two-at-a-time just didn't work for me. Anywhoo, I love the metal, but I'll stick w/ my wood sticks for now.

The other reason I didn't blog about this for so long is that I, misread the chart! It is such a rookie maneuver that I am almost embarrassed to discuss it here. Oh, okay, please don't snicker too loudly. Niebling (and other chart writers, I suppose) use a convention where they put a number in front of a pattern group that they want you to do multiples.

Since I obtained a copy of the chart for this, I didn't look too closely. So, I of course, thought that it's the stitch next to the number that needs to be done. Well, if you do the math (and I didn't because that would be too sad), would result in almost exponentially increasing the rounds instead of increasing by one stitch per section.

At row 23, I thought maybe I should get a picture of this. Notice how many stitches are on the needle, and it's only row 23... And then I went shoot! and ripped it. Did I mention I've done the beginning a number of times already because I was using my super-slicks and not my bamboo? That was a crummy start too, so I didn't mind ripping. And when I took the yarn off the needles, it looked like a peony. Beautiful...bye bye.

Started over and here's the picture of the in progress. See the leaf emerging (row 50 something)?

Oh, I'm looking at it and am thinking I should have used US1 instead...

Thistle

My first Niebling is called Thistle. It's also seen in Burda E294 (just in case you're keeping score).

Yay, I don't have to call it table-top-from-Anna-magazine anymore. And of course it's a thistle flower. I love it! (the picture is from wikipedia)

While you were sleeping

I should have been working on several projects that I started, but instead, I picked this little ditty up, and could not stop.

This is #21 Table top by Herbert Niebling from Anna.

Specs:
pattern: Anna magazine
yarn: green lace weight linen
needle: US1 circs from Knitpicks and US1dpns
time: 9/2/07-9/13/07
blocked: 9/14/07

modifications/comments:
I think there might be errors in the chart at the end of the knit. I kept screwing up and not having enough stitches to k2tog and what have you. So, mine is wonky. And if you look closely the last bits don't quite match the flower. So, whether I managed to not read the pattern correctly, or there are errors in this Niebling, it doesn't really matter. 'Cause I like it. I really like it.

I'm not too concerned about pinning out the points perfectly because it's linen, it's pretty drapey and I don't think those points will hold. (this was my observation from making a book marker from the same yarn).

I will likely knit this pattern again. It was fun.

I'm really glad I did this before starting a large project because I was introduced to double yarnovers, knit 5 into one stitch and knit 5 stitches to become one stitch. Oh, and given all the mistakes that happened, I think it turned out pretty nicely.

Must get back to spino and blanket and decide on yarn for campanile. Altho' I might tag along w/ some of the folks now knitting Lyra...decisions...

Pinned out

I ran out of pins and had to skimp. Here's the final picture of the doily.

Okay, maybe later, I'll go outside and cut some flowers and put it in a vase on the doily...

Doily

I lightly blocked the blue doily but didn't have enough pins for a full block. When z&a's dad looked at it, he said (and I quote) ' huh, I didn't know you were making a doily...'

Trust me, it was all in the tone...

The color's off. I've been reading the intarweb and trying to take better pictures. This is the doily without flash. And I was trying to play up the contrast, so it's not black, but a blue.

I did get rustproof pins and I've got to reblock so all the little loops pop out. All in all, a very nice knit. I do wish I didn't have to break into another ball of Cebelia for it, but oh, well.

Specs:
yarn: Cebelia #10 blue (1.1 ball)
needles: 2.5mm dpn and 2.5mm circs
time start: August 4. 2007
time finish: September 8, 2007
mods: none that I tried to do (eg. any mods would have been errors)

I did notice that my first center flower is a bit wonky where the round started. oh, well.

oh, well. Better get those pins out.

Campanile here I come!

I am such the lucky! (pictured on left is a picture of the pattern in question)

I posted to a yahoo group as to whether I'm totally hosed or not regarding Campanile and now I am in possession of this lovely chart. Knitters are awesome!

How cool is that? Now all I have to decide is the yarn...WEBS alpaca/silk in black? colourmart cashmere in innocence(pink), purple, blue, brown, something else? zephyr in basil? or a silk lace weight? or a cash/silk from my favorite vendor?Of course this pattern is supposed to be huge, so I might have to actually swatch and do some calculations...

My other dilemma is that a couple of people replied on the board saying that they too had the same issues (buying the magazine and not having the pattern). Now, my question is...do I forward them the pattern? do I ask the person who sent me the pattern whether it's okay? or do I ask her to send it to them? What's the proper etiquette rules?

I am puzzled by the folks who bid an arm and a leg for the Anna, then just said c'est la vie? I guess the pattern's not in the book?

I'm just much more of a complainer, I guess.

I'm so disappointed.

warning: rant ahead:

From my previous post, you've gotten a sense of my giddiness in obtaining the Nieblings, but I just had the most horrible experience. I had decided that my first large project was going to be Campanile (you can see the full size picture in the magazine -middle row, on the left, the pink).

Anyway, I carefully took the pattern sheet off the magazine, being careful not to tear the thin paper. I unfolded the pattern sheet and THE PATTERN IS NOT IN THE SHEET!

I turned it over a couple of times, then double checked the pattern number, then read the instructions...no largish charts on either side of the sheet. I then read the article carefully, and it says that if I would like the pattern for the tablecloth, I need to send a SASE and to Burda in Germany and they'll send it to me,

...uhm, Hello?!...this magazine is over 17 years old! You think they'll send it? yeah right.

Oh, the company sold the patterns to Coats. And they stopped printing Annas*. I posted on a yahoo group to see if anyone knows about this, and nope. No Campanile pattern in this issue. I cannot believe this.

So, word of warning, DO NOT purchase Anna June 1990 if your heart is set on knitting the large tablecloth.

btw, you can obtain the pattern from a Burda Lace special. arghh!

I guess the really sad part is that when I googled the pattern today, and checked yahoo groups and such, and no mention of this omission. There was one mention, from Mary Francis, who was looking for the pattern. If only I had seen this one item posted on this one board before I purchased the magazine. (she's the one that told me this afternoon that it's available elsewhere).

Anyway, I can't justify another magazine right now. I guess I'll start Lyra.

Oh, I saw in person Ocean Knitter's Lyra today. It's gorgeous! It's truly amazing. I will give a update on lace knitting group another day. I'm still fuming.

Such a beautiful pattern. So disappointing. So sad.



*good news is that Annas will be printed again.

Anna Banana

Everyone knows about SABLE.

I have NABLE.

NABLE-def. Niebling acquisition beyond life expectancy. There is no way that I will be able to knit all these...but I'm going to try.

I was reading Soo's blog about her new obsession with Nieblings. I commented on her blog that at least she didn't have an Excel spreadsheet to track Anna Nieblings...er...well...like I do. Of course after I compiled the thing, I realized that I've successfully reinvented the wheel. There's a version on the lace knitter yahoo group. I guess the nice thing is that I compiled it based on information on the web (I did not previously own any Anna mags).

Here's a picture of my Anna's thus far.

I'm in search of larger square Nieblings for a shawl...know of any (besides Lyra)?

I did start another doily without finishing my last one. Will finish the blue one today at the knitting group.

Extra Anna for destash

Can you believe it? I've got TWO issues of Anna 9/85.

Anyway, to my few readers out there, anyone interested in this? It's an used copy of Anna (English) with Small Fruhling by HERBERT NIEBLING.

This is the Sep 1985 issue-- ENCHANTING CREATIONS OF KNITTED LACE - TABLE COVER, LAMP AND FRINGED TABLECLOTH. Okay, isn't that purty? The lamp and tablecloth are nice, but this pattern is why I got it.

Anyway, will trade for another Anna with knitted lace patterns (that I don't have--Niebling preferred) or will sell (make me an offer). If interested, send me an email and we'll chat. I would love to have someone also knit this up. I'm knitting the Niebling up with linen yarn as you're reading.

And if you're going to Lacis this weekend, let me know and I can bring it.

From across the pond

I was surfin' the groups a bit ago and came across someone RAKing an Alan Dart pattern. As you know, I'm in a toy knitting stint and guess what came in the mail on Saturday?
So of course I had to cast on. Here's what I made:
Stats:
yarn: the steg green and a bit of the light green
needles: US3
Start/end time: 8/31/07-9/01/07 (only because I put it down)
Mods: I lost count on the body, so I fudged the bottom piece. I figured it was garter stitch, so it's stretchy.

I meant to make the camel first, but I couldn't find camel colour yarn (I know I have some, just have to find it).

Stega

After I stopped on my doily (haven't made it back up to Lacis), after I stopped working on Forest Path, and after I ...oh, wait, haven't started another project, have I?!

I decided on Friday to just do it. Finish Steg. If you remember back to July, I was working on Stegasaurus from Patons (another shout out and thanks to chemgrrl), I stopped because I didn't have any white feltable yarn for the spikes. How lame?! I then did a swap for the yarn and it's been sitting there while I worked on other projects. So, without further ado, heeeeerrreee'sss Ssssstegggg!


Specs:
finished dimensions: 25in long and 12in tall
yarn: acrylic for body, Patons wool for plates, and ecowool for spikes
time start: July 2007
time finished: September 1, 2007
needles: US3 for body
needles US9 for plates, spike (then felted)
stuffing: 1.5 bags!

Observations:
I did not knit this as written, the body was in the round, then I left spots under the neck/body area for stuffing, and the head was done flat and gusset sewn on. the legs were also knit in the round --okay, only the back legs, because I couldn't decide whether I detested seaming more or having to keep track of the rounds more (since flat legs can both be knitted simultaneously). I still can't decide which is worse, actually having to think about knitting, or seaming.

The plates and spikes were felted. I had to make alterations because the largest size would have been huge. I also had to look at one of Z's stegs to check how the plates went. btw, they're staggered with the largest plates over the back legs. The eyes are french knots and I didn't do claws.

Doily and Niebling thoughts.

Are you tired of hearing about my doily? Well, me too. We ventured to Lacis yesterday in search of the blue thread to finish off the doily, but realized that I had left the tag for the thread at home. Hey, it's Lacis, and it's blue...how many different lots would they have?

Well, they had one ball in one lot and a passel in a different lot. After much pondering and hemming and hawing, decided to get the last ball with the rationalization that they might have restocked and I had grabbed the top one before, so this must be it. Right? Right?!

No. I came home and checked and it (I think) was the OTHER lot. I shall phone them today and just ask them to check for me. argh!

Oh, while at Lacis, I saw Mary Frances' finished Niebling. Oh, go and look if you've not seen it yet. When I grow up, I want to knit Nieblings like her...(wait, is that a noun? the Niebling? or a verb? Nieblinging)

Reminder: The next Lacis Lace group meets on Saturday, September 8, at 1pm.

Speaking of Niebling, Lacis actually had an old Anna magazine. It didn't have any Niebling work in it(that I saw), and the person working there was surprised they even had any Anna's available for sale. It was filed under their bobbin lace section, if you want to go purchase it. So, they might have misc. Anna's filed away in various sections if you want to go and look.

The other thing was that I actually won a few Anna magazines on Ebay. I'll show when I receive them. (I'm very gleeful because I got great amazingly fabulous deal on them.)

No, I did not go crazy bidding for Lyra. It amazes me that an old magazine would sell for $30-40 plus.

However, someone really really wanted this issue. If you know why, please let me know. Seriously, the bidding is up to $87.99 for an old magazine! It had better be autographed by Niebling himself. I suppose that I just have Mr. Niebling on my mind...they might have bid this much because they wanted the macrame section? Naw, the listing is titled Niebling. But still...if you really want to see the listing (which still has 3 days left), it's here. Well, best of luck to the bidders! I'll update in 3 days.

Doily angst

Well, it helps to read instructions...but it just raised my hopes and then proceeded to dash them to the ground. Here's my incomplete doily.

Yes, I have run out of thread as I'm binding off. I have almost finished one out of 8 wedges. Argh!

I read the instructions and I didn't have to do that extra knit row, so I thought aha, maybe maybe...well. No.

Just one more row...drats!

Can you believe it? I seriously have one, no, actually 2 rows left on my doily and I've run out of thread. I guess it's back to Lacis for more. I am trying to figure out what the scallop over the top and a 6 over it means...chain 6?

yeah. right.

But you know what? doilies are really cool and I'm liking them. Don't know what I'll do with them, but they are really fun to make.

Another FO?

Just kidding. I've still got 3 spikes for steg to do, so maybe by tomorrow. And I've spent way too much time over at Ravelry. My queue of projects keeps getting longer.

Oh, I received my prize from chemgrrl for guessing her age. wooo...pretty. I will post the picture on another day. Thanks chemgrrl!

Swan Song

Wait, did you miss something? yeah, sorry...wing in progress was pretty boring so I skipped it. But here it is complete.

Specs:
yarn: Elann lace
needles: Addi lace US3
time: from start of MS3 to Aug24, 2007

And for the record...the wing was a bit boring, but I kinda like it.

Final thoughts? Thanks to Melanie for an interesting lacy summer. Beads? new experience. Liked it, but next time, will find beads that pop a bit. yeah, I can't see the beads very well either.

Shel for G

Did I mention I needed to make another knitted item for another child's first birthday? Well, yes, I do. My group of friends (from 2nd time mom's group) are all having birthdays. As a lark, I had gifted a knitted item to the first child, and then I gave each child a knitted item as they turned one. I figured that they'll get lots of toys and books, but how many would get handknits?

So, with G, I decided another toy. I started on kangaroo (Joey) from World of Knitted Toys, but am not enamored with it enough to actually make mommy.

Then I decided to make a ear infection germ (all their kids always get ear infections). I thought that would be humorous, but z & a's dad reminded me that the parents might be a tad offended. So, that project will go to another child who's parents will think it's weird, but very funny.

Anyway, I knit Sheldon from Knitty for him. It's originally done in sport weight, but I chose to do it in worsted. Then I decided I'd better double the yarn and knit w/ US6. Woah! what a mistake. I finished knitting the body, only to decide that a smaller Sheldon would be much cuter. Not only that, but I don't think I had enough yarn.

Finished stats:

yarn: worsted acrylic in limeade green and 'baby blue' from lb of love
needles: dpn US3 (clovers)
time: August 21-23, 2007
size: 13inches long

mods: I did make one for the body instead of kfb. Instead of choking-hazard-eyes, I used felt and cut out circles for eyes which then I sewed on. I had such issues trying to knit together the shell while doing the attached i-cord that I ended up doing the attached i-cord to the top shell, then sewing the bottom on. I also put the shell on Sheldon before I sewed on legs. Unfortunately, this means that it'll be difficult to take him out of shell.

Well, it goes to a new home tomorrow. Hope he likes it.

Another baby sweater

This was for a baby girl who turned one this last weekend.



yarn: 1.5 balls of cotton-ease
time: 8/10/07-8/17/07
needles: US6
pattern: EZ baby sweater much modified.

Modifications: English mesh lace replaced gull lace
yoke knit as raglan to EZ specs plus 6 stitches

The buttons are sweet flower buttons.

Guess what...

I'm in! And upon much thought and pondering, I've decided my Ravelry name will be: Tinker

As in, I'm tinking. Get it? I was going to keep z's momma, but with A too, that is also floating around...zanda's momma. Then I decided that too much of my identity is to do with the kids, and knitting (altho' for the kids mostly) is something I do for me.

I was going to be really geeky and use EcoRI or my fave, Ecl136II, but the warning from Ravelry was that this will be your moniker, and you are stuck with it...and who wants to be called a restriction enzyme?!

btw, I love love love ravelry. Hope everyone gets in soon.

Doily in progress

A doily (or doyley) - a small ornamental mat usually made of cotton or linen placed underneath a dish or bowl. (from Wikipedia)

Who knew that doily could be spelled with 2 y's...

This is the KAL from the Lacis Lace Knitting Group:
Lavori Artistici a calza No. 11 - Figura 66

Translation can be found on the Lacis museum forum site or originally found on the Yahoo laceknitters group. This is a beautiful doily. I'm enjoying this immensely.

The center is a single crochet over a double loop and pulled in tightly when a few inches into the doily. I started this project using 2.25mm dpns from Lacis, but then switched to US2 circs from Knit Picks because I don't yet have US1 circs. The blue is actually much darker, but my camera...what can I say about my camera?

A bit of it is a little confusing and I might have shifted over one, but hey, whatever. It's a doily.

HP7 fini and lace

I've finished HP7! It was a good read, but I feel that now, I must find the old ones and reread them. It was a tad difficult remembering names of secondary/tertiary characters that cropped up.

The only thing I must say is that boy, there were many many deaths. And given that I had a sick child, I managed to power through it pretty fast...not as fast as I could have, I did want to savor the book.


As a thank you for my friend that lent me her book, I made this for her.

Yep, another bookmark. Since she's a knitter, and definitely a reader, I figured this would be good. I was going to make her a HP scarf bookmark, but I didn't know which house she liked (and I didn't have the colors anyway).

Specs:
yarn: cotton w/ gold twisted in (I forget)
needle size: US2 straights
time: 8/8/08
pattern: from lace bookmarks

hmmm...I do hope she realizes it's a gift, and not a bookmark I accidently left in there...

Not enough time...

I'm torn.

I just finally have HP7 and told the lender-friend that I'm a super fast reader and I'd be done w/ the book lickety split. And I've got MS3 and doily on the needles. Not to mention steg. I've got one of four spikes done for him and then all I have to do is to felt the spikes and then seam and stuff.

It's not like I can read HP7 AND knit lace or some fiddly little spike. I did toy with the idea of setting up another cropped cardi or Wicked or Green Gables and start that up since all of those projects are pretty brainless once you get past the set-up.

Oh, who am I kidding? I'll end up reading first...and every once in awhile, I'll stop and knit a row of something.

Altho' I attended a party this weekend where I overheard a guy saying that he and his girlfriend each had their own book and read the book in 37 hours. (they don't have kids)

Field Trip to to the Wonderful World of Lace

Saturday was fun! I attended my first (their second) lace knitting group at Lacis in Berkeley. What a lucky duck I am to live in such a wonderful area. Actually, I went on Friday to check out the beautiful knitted lace that's presently on display there. Gorgeous!

And on Saturday, left husband with kids and headed off-island to the Lacis, totally forgetting that there's the little thing called Berkeley swap meet going on. After acting land-sharky for awhile, finally found a parking spot on a side street. Extra bonus was that I now know where the Thai Temple is located. This is where you are supposed to be able to get the absolutely most delicious Thai food for very little $ on Sundays.

So, I met some wonderful folks and we knit lace and showed lace and it was fun. I know there are bloggers I read that were there, but I didn't ask (so if you stumble on my post, please leave a message). The two hours whipped by so fast. I finally had to dash because that parking space I got? Well, it's residential with a 2 hour limit. I really didn't need a ticket and I am pretty paranoid about Berkeley parking (ie. they tow cars parked too long--at least during football season).

Besides the knitting and all that amazing lace, I learned how to cast on for a circle using a crochet hook from Mary Francis. That is so cool. She also talked about the belly button cast-on. I think grumperina has a link to that (or she did it, can't remember).

There was also a Show-n-Tell. A swallowtail done in 3-ply loveliness. A hat inspired by GoL, a Red Hat doily hat, and the Elann aran lace sweater (you know the one that I have 3 types of yarn for). These are the ones I remembered, there might have been more. And the WIPs, wow!

Oh, and the yarn?! Lacis is carrying some amazing laceweights. I don't know if you remember awhile ago when I was lamenting on the fact that Lacis only carried shetland cobweb wool? And when I asked about zephyr they told me they'd might have ecru and black to start. Later, I got a phone call from the owner saying they didn't have any demand for it...hee hee. A year (actually 11mo.) later, they've got the full spectrum of zephyr and handpainted and linen and tussah silks and all sorts of laceweights.

So, I decided I'm doing the KAL with the folks. The info can be found at the Lacis site if y'all want to join. The magazine? spendy. But worth it. Beautiful patterns. And #66 is a Niebling (if you're interested).

The next meeting will be on the 2nd Saturday of September due to Labor Day.

Ha! And who says you can't take lace to a knitting group?! The trick is to make sure that EVERYONE else is ALSO knitting lace.

In my next post, I'll show the progress of my doily. I purchased some 2.25mm metal Inox dpns, but they're a tad fiddly. When I got home, I knitted on my US2 (2.75mm) 32in Knitpicks circs and they're fine for the doily. Gotta love magic loop!

The Mystery is Revealed

The MS3 secret is out. What's my thoughts? Well, due to the fact that I was super lame and did not put in the 'super important lifeline' properly, I shall forge ahead. And it has nothing to do with the fact that if you're knitting it symmetrical, you need to frog back a bazillion stitches...Actually, I had decided to follow the pattern as written back when there were hints as to this stole being 'different'. What's the fun in a mystery shawl knitalong if you don't knit along?! (That's my story, and I'm sticking to it)

Of course, do I wear shawls? No. Do I wear my knitted items? Actually sometimes yes. I wear Bianca and Leafless Leaf.

Anyway, it doesn't matter if this stole is unconventional (since I don't wear haven't worn shawls), I believe there will be hundreds and thousands of the same stole all over the world anyway (if even a fraction of the folks that signed up for MS3 actually complete the shawl).

I might make another one, but this time, in a different color and more contrasting beads. And maybe on this one, I'd make it symmetrical.

MS3 clue 4 done

Given the fact that I haven't read HP7, it still took me awhile to finish clue 4. Not only that, but I had 2 errors in the project. They can be seen here.

I only fixed one. I tinked back 5 rows to fix it. The other problem I tried fixing by laddering down, but decided to just knit it back up because I could be making more of a mess than it is. I'm pretty sure that no one will notice unless I tell them there's a problem.

The other issue I had was with the putting in the super duper special lifeline. I forgot until row 295. I went back and weaved in a string. I'm totally crossing my fingers hoping that the lifeline won't be used, because I could be totally hosed.

Fashion Girl

My son called me a 'fashion girl'. In z-a-nese, a fashion girl is a girl that is pretty or dressed well.

This is why he called me a fashion girl. This is actually knit wire bracelet number 2. Number one was given away this weekend to a 13 year old girl on her birthday.

Specifications:
yarn: 32 gauge wire (less than half a spool)
needle: US6 metal dpns (2)
beads: #6 glass beads in varying pinks
start time: July 29, 2007
end time: July 29, 2007 (very quick project)

A couple of notes on the picture: I'm actually petting my cat (that's the mass under my hand). And the other note is my hand is looking old. That's something they don't tell you about...how your hands age. Very sad. However, pretty bracelet.

Pithy instructions for FASHION GIRL:
String on a whole passel of beads.
Cast on 11 stitches using e-cast on.
knit and add beads as the fancy strikes you.
Purl the next row.
Repeat knit purl rows until 7 inches (when stretched out).
'kitchner' together to form loop with purl side out.
Slip on wrist and stretch out width so that the bracelet fits wrist.

A couple of comments:
I only added beads on the knit side.
I liked the purl side out better because it causes a natural flaring out of the bracelet, verses the bangle effect with knit side out (remember how stockinette curls)
As I was knitting, every once in awhile, I would 'expand the knit fabric and pull it again so that the stitches would become more uniform.
I slipped the first stitch.
I did not bind off, the stitches were 'live', but it was wire, so it didn't go anywhere.

So, I'll call this the 'fashion girl bracelet'.


This was so easy and fun that I believe I shall make more of them, and maybe even investigate 'lace w/ wire'. hmmm...

And you should make one too. The wire is thin enough it doesn't hurt your fingers and I think every one should be a fashion girl.

Stitch n Pitch wrapup

Here's my version of the event, and I'm sticking to it.

z had swimming lessons at 5pm, so I packed everything up and off we went to pick up the boy and go to the class. (he's doing quite well learning, btw. Very close to swimming for real). z&a's dad arrived at 5:40pm to take them, and off I went.

Met up w/ the ladies at the Ferry terminal, 'cause there's no better way getting to the game**
It's just too bad you can't use discount coupons for the game rides, oh, well.

It was enjoyable getting to the ball park, and the fact that the boat dropped you off at the stadium, well, that was purty cool. We picked up our goody bags, only to find that we were missing a few items. The folks were super accommodating and when I wanted a different pattern, the guy let me look through the various bags to swap the pattern.

Garlic fries were delicious, and the chicken, not too impressed (I've had numerous tastings with z 'cause that's one of his favorite food groups -- chicken nuggets). The game? Oh, yes, the game. Not too much happened, then our group decided to leave and as we're leaving, yep, you guessed it, THAT's when they scored.

So, long story long is that we sat in line for a really long time because the game went into extra innings and we were tired and cold by the time we got back to the island. And I just talked to one of our group and they got a flat tire, so they didn't get home until 3am! Brutal.

What did I bring to work on?
1)the pattern and one ball of yarn for Wicked
2)MS3 yarn and forgot the pattern
3)bibs

What did I actually work on?
I purled a row for MS3 and since I forgot the pattern, it was not meant to be.
I finished one bib in Giant's orange and started another one. So yay, I had an almost FO.

Here's the loot:

Stitch n Pitch

Okay, that was fun! I'm cold, but otherwise, very fun.

I wish they gave out yarn instead of these honking 19in clover needles.

Will show pic of goodies tomorrow. Of course I forgot my camera, so I didn't take any pictures of the event.

However, there will be a SnP at Oakland on September 16. This time, I think I'll take the family.

Another EZ Feb baby sweater

I made this sweater for a sweet girl turning one (birthday party tomorrow). Yet another February baby sweater, this time out of new cotton ease.

Specifications:
yarn: Cotton ease in violet 1.5 balls
needles: new Options US6 and US8 with 40in cables
pattern: from Elizabeth Zimmermann's Knitter's Almanac
start date: July 17, 2007
end date: July20, 2007
modifications: As before, I knitted the sleeves in the round. The garter yoke was knitted with US6 needles and the lace was with US8. The pattern was followed except that I didn't cast on additional stitches for sleeves or body. I took a 12 month sweater and knit to that specifications. However, I did block out the sweater when I realized that she is bigger than A.

I also only put buttons on the top because I like the look.

I hope it fits.

Has anyone made an adult Feb sweater?

steg legs

So, I'm knitting steg, right? And I put down this project to work on a birthday present for a little girl (this Sunday). And I picked steg legs up again the other night because the yarn I got wasn't the same dye lot and was substantially different (hello?! Cotton-ease? new colors, can't get the colors even close?). And I had to go and buy another ball hopefully of the same dyelot.

Anyway, picked up the legs and knitted in the round so that the legs will be identical. Yep, you guessed it. I thought they looked wonky, so I counted stitches. Somewhere around the knee area, I screwed up, one leg had 31 stitches, the other had 39.

So, partially ripped the one leg and am knitting. And will have to do the same with the other since clearly I increased twice on one leg and missed the increases on the other.

Remember, the whole reason I'm knitting it 2-at-a-time was so that they'd be the SAME! duh.

Yeah, yeah, I managed to work on MS3 after drinking a couple of cocktails, but I can't manage to knit stockinette in the round.

Alameda Yarn Co. Info

So I went by again...yesterday there were piles of boxes outside (I'm assuming there was a big delivery of yarn) and today, I stopped by and saw Gail in the shop. So, she was the owner of Creative Accents down in San Leandro that closed earlier this year. She's now opening up the yarn shop one building over from Tuscany.

I'm thinking the boxes were from Plymouth, because I saw lots of Encore. I will try to go to this yarn shop more often than Tuscany. I seriously went there less than 10 times total the whole time they were open.

Must support LYS.

Dino II - the Rise of Steg

You might remember a bit back when z asked for a steg 'just like the one on the computer'. Well, that would be chemgrrl's awesome stegosaurus for her nephew. Anyway, I was all going wild on the color combinations...blue steg with yellow plates ala UC colors, purple steg with black plates (UW?), green body with yellow (UO) etc. He wanted a green steg...good thing I have been stockpiling yarn (green especially). Then I asked what color for plates. I wanted pink (very retro 80's preppy) and was told that it was 'too girlish'. What about yellow? nope.

Anyway, ends up he wants green with red plates. So that's what he'll get ( I warned him it might look Christmassy, but that's what he wants. chemgrrl has a great technique for getting the plates to stand up and that's what I'll do too.

Here's a picture of the progress thus far. Not looking too cool right now, is it? The yarn is a surprisingly soft (for acrylic) vintage Spunkist yarn in 'avocado'. On the new Options US3 needles. Why, that would be two back legs, modified to knit in the round with magic loop two at a time (the same way you'd do socks). But I think I'll do the front legs flat because I'm not saving that much time by knitting in this manner.

started July 11, 2007

New Lace knitting group

I just read about it -- Lacis has a lace knitting group that meets once a month. Lacis, as in less than 10 miles from me. And there's a group of lace knitters that meet at the beginning of each month on the East Bay. I'm too chicken to go tho'. I've seen the work these folks do and yes, just a wee bit intimidated.

I wonder how much lace knitting goes on? I can watch fluffy TV and knit lace, but I don't bring these types of projects to my group (unless I'm purling the other side). I just think that I'd be too distracted by beautiful lace to actually get any knitting done.

Maybe I'll try to saunter over there and pretend I'm buying something at the same time as their next meeting. Naw, I'm clucking...

MS3 Clue 3 finished

Here's clue 3 finished yesterday. What more to say? uhmm...I bought beans and it's onward to bowling, steg, wicked, and others...

Alameda Yarn Co?

What's this? a new Yarn shop? in Alameda? One building over from a now-defunct yarn shop? Anyone have any info? Anyone?

The sign on the door says they'll be open at the end of this month. hmmm...

funny little hedgehog

I've been thinking about 'hugable hedgehog' from Fiber Trends. But I'm not going to purchase another pattern. But I'd swap for it...alas no takers.

I did have a swap for FC: Easy Knitted Toys. I traded sock yarn for this book. And even tho' the swapper found out that the book was out of print and worth a bit, she still made the trade.

btw, I don't have startitis, I have anti-startitis. I'm stalled on my other projects.
1) Cropped cardi--so almost finished, but not quite. It was suggested that I do a felted decorative thingie for the cardi to cover up the eye hook. So, I've got to do that.

2) Bowling pins-- the sand in the film canister has a center of gravity that's too high and will more likely to topple before while being set up, so I've got to go to a store and buy beans.

3) MS3--awaiting the next clue.

So, what's a girl to do? I've picked out my next project (Wicked), but should I use old Cotton-ease or new -- that would be black verses uhmmm faded black. Or should I use my BS Cotton Fleece (also in black)?

While waiting to make the decision, I figured I needed to do something with this crazy novelty yarn from my new-to-me book. Don't you love it? novelty petrochemically beauty.

Since I do not have the hedgehog pattern, I opted to make baby hedgehog. Here's my rendition: It's not the size they claimed (6inches), but then again, I used a US3 on worsted weight. Mine turned out to be maybe 4 inches. They had you cut felt out for the feet, but I knitted them instead. So, can you believe this little guy required 5 separately knit pieces?! There's got to be a better way...aha, next time, in the round!

Bowling

I am knitting a bowling ball set for z. It's from New Knits from the Block (many thanks to knittinmama for the pattern idea and loan of the book). This project was started while the sweater was blocking also. I couldn't decide between lace and toy...I figure when I get tired of doing one, I can switch to the other--'cause one's mindless and fast (doubled worsted weight in the round) and the other is just a pleasure but requires concentration and very thin yarn.

First off, I've never knit a ball before, so I don't know if there's a 'proper' way. My ball turned out a little off. Not that round, but that may have been partly due to my modifications. In the original pattern, there are no finger holes, instead, you stitch in circles in white. Well, z would have none of that. How can you have a bowling ball without finger holes?!

So, I put them in. I guestimated and here's the result:

I think that I may knit a larger bowling ball for z -- heck, it really didn't take that long. Maybe this will be the prototype ball. Oh, and the black yarn I received as a RAK (or is it a RAK if you ask for yarn?!--it's a AK). Anyway, thanks goes to knitherapy for the black acrylic yarn. She also sent me a skein of lovely silky wool...how cool is that?! the silky wool will become a scarf at a later point.

As for the bowling pins, he actually wanted each pin to be a different color, and the coordinating part being the red stripe for all the pins.

Again I test knitted this. I doubled worsted weight yarn and decided that was way too small (don't ask me how I figured that one out). I trebled the yarn and started knitting a pin...uhh...the pin was going to take more than one skein of acrylic! Not only that, but I projected that the finished object was going to be ginormous. So, that got ripped.

Tried the doubled yarn again and this time, used US7 needles instead of US4 and found that the knit fabric still held and yet looks nice.

So, that's the shocking green yarn in the back. It's recommended that you add beans on the bottom of the pins to help them stay up, but I think that the pins might get nasty. So, instead, I've got some old film canisters that I will fill up with sand, and then tape well and use that to see if that bit of extra weight would work for the game. Altho' I guess that if they are too heavy, this will be akin to the carnival scam games where you can't knock anything down.

MS3 Clue 2 finished

I suppose I'll just keep posting my progress on this project. I finished Clue 2 yesterday (July 8, 2007). We're now in the straightaway portion. Janis at Yarn! (see side for link) claims to see a face in there...and now, that's all I see...

oh, hey, like my lifeline? the only time I used it? yeah, when I was trying to knit w/ the lifeline in as I started clue 2. I don't usually put in lifelines, but I figure since I have no idea what it's going to look like, I'd better.

Here's a picture. I'd better get crackin' on my other projects now.

Oh, Darn! I'm G-rated

I really don't post this stuff too often, but yes. I am for general audiences.

This rating was determined based on the presence of the following words:

* pain (2x)

Get a Clue! MS3 clue 1 finished

Did I mention that after I decided not to start MS3 until I finished the cardi? Well, I finished the thing and cast on for MS3.

Materials:

2 skeins of elann.com Peruvian Baby Lace Merino in parchment.
1 tube of pearly white #8 beads (a pain to find)
1 32" US3 Addi Lace turbo
1 #13 crochet hook


I wanted to do the bead thing with this stole because I've not knitted with beads and I thought this would be interesting.

So, first off, procurement of materials.
YARN: I had black laceweight yarn and some pale-ish colors, but I didn't have white/off-white yarn. Oh, I take that back. When we were up in Oregon last year, I got a ball of alpaca laceweight, but there wasn't enough yardage (yeah, that's it...not enough yardage...). btw, they're now out of the parchment color.

NEEDLES: I wanted to check out Addi Lace Turbos so I went to my LYS (Article Pract) and they actually had it on sale. Of course, they had mislabeled the needles so I thought I was getting an even better deal...sigh...but it's still pretty good.

BEADS: I checked every big box store in the area for the right size beads -- to no avail. Okay, I found red #8 seed beads at J's but I didn't want a huge contrast. I then went 'Doh!' and remembered that there's actually a bead store on the island. I'm sure I was annoying the ladies at the store because I couldn't decide between 2 colors. I guess I could have bought both, but that would have been extra lame. I settled on the pearly off-white.

CROCHET HOOK: Okay, lesson learned the hard way. For one night, I couldn't find my crochet hooks and ended up fashioning a bit of 20 gauge wire into a hook device thingie and used that to get beads on. Then I found my crochet hooks only to realize that the smallest size crochet hook I own is 12. That hook looked itty bitty, but only ~15% of the beads slipped over okay. I sorted through the beads to find the ones that would fit over the hook. So, I limped along using a crochet hook that was too big. So, yesterday, I broke down and went to Lacis in Berkeley (yes, I know how lucky I am that this store is in my hood) and purchased a hook for less than $2. Oh, drats! if I'd know how cheap hooks were, I would have gone by there earlier. I purchased a 13 and got home and read that I should have gotten a 14. Oh, well. The great news is that all the beads fit on this size. YES!

I did have to tink back 4 rows yesterday because I realized that I made an error the night before. Yes, I tried knitting this after we got home from watching fireworks -- very lame. Note to self: do not knit lace when exhausted. The only other thing is that I forgot 1 bead in the center. I'm not sure how I did that, but I wasn't about to rip back 8 rows to replace it.

We received Clue 2 today. After a bit of yahoo group reading, I thought I should put in a lifeline before I started clue 2. Yeah, well. Putting in that lifeline? yep, I screwed up somewhere. Need to figure out where I went wrong on 1st row of clue 2. It figures...

Cropped cardi complete (almost)

That I-cord edging got easier, not any less tedious mind you, but easier. I did hit a point, maybe 3 inches in, where the aha moment occurred and it became mindless-- and not a struggle. I finished it off at my knitting group and started to sew on the clasp. Oh, please let me back up. I knitted a loop-o-i-cord for a button, but a 5 stitch I-cord button hole looked way too clunky. I then decided a simple lime green button...didn't find one that I liked. Hey, I know, a eye hook thingie. But then I saw a simple silver clasp. Why perfect!Okay, not so perfect. After I sewed it on and tried it on, realized this is 'decorative' in the sense that it does not stay clasped shut. After much cursing, took the clasp off and will go back to getting a eye hook.
edited to add: the picture is upside down, but the clasp still doesn't work.

Oh, and when I tried it on for z&a's dad? His first comment, isn't it a bit short? I guess that even tho' I had lengthened the sweater, it's still cropped. Yeah, whatever.

So, I wet blocked it and I'll get an eye hook thingie later.

Specs:
Pattern: cropped cardi from Fitted Knits aka Leaf from Knitty
size: 37.5 inch version with mods
Start time: June 24, 2007
End time (without clasp): July 2, 2007
Yarn: limeaid Cotton Ease
Amount used: less than 4 balls
needle size: US6 circs and dpns
modifications: made a total of 3 increases down the front of the cardi every 8 rows (both sides) and at the front, only cast on 3 stitches. In summary, instead of casting on 9 stitches in the front, I had a total of 6 stitches. I also did the sleeves in the round because (well, just read my darn blog, will ya--why knit flat when you can knit in the round?). Lengthened the length by another inch--clearly not enough.

In hindsight, I should have made the sweater even a abit longer. Altho' I wonder if a bit longer would have made it look dowdy...it really wouldn't have been the same sweater. I do wish I did something to pay homage to the leaf motif. I really liked the leaf motif that Stephaneener used on this sweater. Oh, well, it's not like I'm going to rip out the picot edging on the bottom and put in a leaf lace detail...maybe for another sweater, tho.

The photos didn't happen

Well, good intentions I had, but picture taking didn't happen today. However, I did finally manage to finish clue 1 of MS3 -- with beads.

More info tomorrow.

Happy 4th!

There's the FO, and projects started...will post pics tomorrow


Happy 4th of July!

Leafless Not too cropped sweater

Easy knit. Except for the attached I-cord. I'm having issues with it. Not that pretty--I'm talking about mine, I think it's a very nice edging for the sweater, that's why I'm working on it. And that tie? I can totally see me always fiddling with it, so instead, I'm going to make a little i-cord loop and on the other side, sew on a button.

But besides the i-cord, it's finished. I lengthened the sweater a bit. I even sewed up the picot edges. Very purty. A pita to knit that much more that gets folded over, but it's a very nice finish. I think I shall have to revisit picovoli and make one that actually has a picot edge.