A few Good WIPs

I tend to switch around in projects and Thermal is my affair du jour.
I'm so pleased to be finished the body of Thermal, and I love it. It fits perfectly, and I can't wait to finish the sleeves!
Every now and then, I also do a little 'starfish; portion of the Capecho:

I'm trying to work on this more often now, since I'd really like to wear this in the fall. Presuming it doesn't look like an afghan gone horribly awry. And last up, I've decided that Lady Eleanor requires more attention....

Ah, she's so lovely.

Decisions, Decisions

I'm trying to hold off on casting on for Forecast until I get at least one other project off the needles, but who knows if i'll manage that kind of self restraint. I've been stalking some truly inspiriing FOs on Ravelry, and they really up the temptation factor.

I've been really impressed by all the modifications people have done to their Forecasts- elimanting bobbles, changing the cables, lengthing the body and the ribbing on the arms. Here is a gorgeous example from Octopus Knits:
I hope mine would turn out like that- gorgeous, all the figure-flattering mods (longer ribbing on the body and the sleeve, small-to-non-existent bobbles), and a colour to die for. I see this, and I know I need this in my wardrobe, no question.

But then I saw this on sulala.wordpress.com: Amazing. This is the only one I've seen where someone decided to join it and turn it into a pullover with a plunging V neckline. I love it. LOVE it. But now I'm torn- the amazing cardigan, or the amazing V neck? Sure, I could knit both, but one will have to come first. Decisions, decisions.

Stash-Guilt-Be-Gone!

Since, in a few days I will be moving, last week I decided it was high time to pull out and organize the stash, needles and notions. I should have tried to stab myself in the brain instead, I wouldn't have noticed the difference. 6 simply soft - for the now Moderne Mini Lap-ghan & projects undetermined 4 db cotton dk - perhaps a ribbed bolero? 1 db cathay - fetching 2 alpaca silk - karo's argyle in hibernation 1 kid silk mohair - ??? Ideas ??? 2 rowanspun tweed dk - Le'Slouch 5 burgundy x-press - Skating Sweater 5 cream x-press - Shopping Tunic #2 1 navy x-press - (aviator hat?) 1 candy floss - ??? Ideas ??? 1 green super bulky - ??? Ideas ??? 1 green tape yarn- ??? Ideas ??? 2 lace brown - ascot 6 dishcloth cotton - mom's dishcloths 2 baby alpaca misti wstd - various hats for christmas 2 purple merino superwash - fetching + Trifecta That, is a whole nights worth of untangling. 7 whole hours trying to undo what my lovley marley did in a matter of minutes. In the end, I could not save it all, having rather to choose what to save. I lost much of the brown laceweight and green tape yarn since they were ensnaring the more expensive yarns; I had to cut them free. The rest I painstakingly wound and wove back into managable balls. Proper organization helps preparing for future projects. In my case, I realize now I have enough yarn for about 6 or 7 projects- if the cat doesn't get to it first. I need good storage options to "Marley proof". Here are two good articles to start with: Knitty: What's In Store Knitpicks Stash Managment Right now I'm torn between some ikea boxes and an old chest that I hope to renovate. I have no hope in hell hiding anything in the new apartment, so I'm opting for a piece I can display or get double use from. Ikea Vacker: $17.99 Nostalgisk: $12.99 Agen: $49.99 Dimpa: $6.99 Kaskett: $12.99 (lol, yarn kaskett: when old stash yarn is sent to pasture)

Booties Galore...

I was so excited to work with my new Koigu that I knitted these up quick quick like a bunny...

I like how they can be folded down or worn up. And the little picot edging makes these booties extra cute.

Pattern: Snowflake Booties from Baby Style, by Debbie Bliss

Yarn: Koigu PPPM (colourway #217)

Needles: 2.75mm, 3.25 mm

Modifications: none.

Notes: I think I would have preferred these in a solid colour, but then I'm usually in favour of solid colours. If it seems like I'm on a bit of a booties kick it's because I'm having a tough time finding a go-to pattern that I love- Saartje's booties are gorgeous, but I think a bit feminine for boys. So I needed one for the little lads, as well. I think this might be it!

In more baby footwear news, Here are a couple of shots of Saartje's Booties on their intended recipient, baby Chloe. Chloe is the daughter of my friends, Dave and Laura. She was actually a lot happier with her new booties before the camera came out:

And I think she pretty much grew out of them immediately. They are so tiny!

Book Review, Plus Free Pattern Link!

There doesn't seem to be any shortage of knitting books lately, that's for sure. I'm considering this tasty little treat as a future purchase: I admit, I'm a sucker for this kind of knitting book- so well styled, so beautifully photographed, that you barely notice that there is no way you would dress like that in your real life. Seriously, check out that cover model- she's tarted up like a refugee from Dangerous Liasions or something. But I admit, I covet that skirt like nothing else.... "An Affair to Remember"- I love the names of these patterns. And I love the following:










But then I see this, and I wonder how it got in there: Ahem. That's not romantic. That's not even classy. It looks like a lady of the evening has wandered into some country manor garden, and is hoping to make a bit of dough. Keep your eye out for the next pattern book to sweep the knitting world- The Hand Knit Hooker.

I think this might be my favorite, in terms of being quite romantic:

I would make the little sleeves smaller, though. Less wingy. But you know what's exciting? It's available online. Hooray for free preview patterns!!

If you are interested, there is a brand new KAL to join as well! I'll be subtly stalking it to see if anyone dares make that halter dress thingy. And I'll totally eat my words if anyone looks good in it.

It's too Monday to be witty: FO- Saartje Bootees

morning blogland. I had a girls weekend up at the cottage, so if this entry is fraught with mistakes, take comfort in that the brain cells I have left are working hard willing me not to crave a breakfast beer. *sips tea* (Organics-Tropical Green Tea is outstanding)
Pattern: Saartje's Bootees Yarn: Debbie Bliss Cotton Dk (3/4 of a 50g ball) Needles: 3.00mm bamboo circs Modifications: size larger in needles and in fiber weight to accomodate stash. Notes: I knit the smaller of the two sizes. Great project for gifts as it's got the homemade thoughfull touch, without breaking the bank or your back. Finishing took me a while longer than I expected though the movie Troy was partly to blame. Who can pay attention when Brad Pitt is prancing around in next to nothing, muscles gleaming, fighting to the death. boy i'd like to give him..... uh.Where was I? Oh yes.
Detail of button and garter stitch
just *had* to put them on the cat, you know, to see if they fit.... right?!

I'm in love with a Norwegian...

... named Baby Norgi.

I had no idea I loved fair isle. Or stranded. Or whatever we're calling it these days. I'm in love, love, love.

Montego Bay Remixed

Pattern: Montego Bay by Amy Singer for Interweave Knits, Summer 2007

Yarn: Lang Moon ribbon yarn in 'Azalea'

Needles: 6mm straights

Modifications: I changed the actual stitch pattern, so that the lattice lace runs completely vertically, not diagonally. This was accomplished by row 1 being k3,*yo,k2tog* to last 3 sts, then k3. row 2: purl. That's it.

Notes: I hate ribbon yarn. There. I said it.

But I can't hate the scarf, it's cute as pie.

Here are the requisite photos that show off the whole scarf, while I do a little catwalking in my bathroom: I just noticed that you can see four pairs of recently handwashed knickers hanging over the towel in my bathroom. I'm so classy, it hurts.

But this is a shot of how I'll probably wear it.....
And I'll try to keep the knickers out of future photo shoots.

Ravelry Invite Contest!!!!!

When we first heard of Ravelry, both Jen and I signed up for Ravelry, not knowing the other was doing the same thing. When we got the first invite, we joined as TeamKnit, and subsequently don't need the other one, which has just rolled in! So, the first person to answer this question correctly will win the invite: Jen and Julie usually do different projects. According to this blog, which project(s) have they both worked on? Note: We checked with the Ravelry Team before offering up our invite, so everything is on the level. Where my stitches at!?!

My Precious.....

My Koigu arrived!!
Koigu Painter's Palette (colourway #217)

My plan was to get some Koigu and make lots of baby booties. My friends just keep having little ones, and I figured it would be worth having a stash of pre-knitted baby things to whip out when needed. A nice bright colourway that would be good for boys or girls seemed like a good choice. Only now, I want to keep the Koigu for myself and keep petting it. Bad, greedy knitter that I am.....

I got a ton of yarn from KnitPicks this week. The yarn on the left (the blue 'Dusk' and beige 'Fawn') are for Baby Norgi, a sweater I'd like to knit for Ben, the eldest of my friend's children, who will turn 2 on October 1st. Ideally, I'd like to have a completed Baby Norgi to present to him on his birthday.

But that lovely 'Amethyst Heather' on the right is for me- I've succumbed to the many beautiful Forecast cardigans I've seen on Ravelry, and I'm going to knit my own. The only thing that is keeping me from being selfish and casting on for it immediately is that I didn't get gauge on the needles, and I need to go up a size, which I don't have. But I'm sure I'll solve that problem before the week is out...

Key Largo, Montego, baby why don't we FO !

Pattern: Montego Bay by Amy Singer for Interveave Knits Summer 2007 Yarn: Debbie Bliss Cathay (cotton, silk, microfiber) x3 for the body and . 25 of a 4th for the fringe Needles: 6.00 wooden straights gifted by Travis last xmas Modifications: I used larger needles to make it airier and less fringe(2strands) so I'd have a 4th ball to make some wristwarmers out of in future~! Notes: I realize now how torrid this love affair was. I set aside everything I'd been working on and feverishly worked away to finish this scarf. After the inital set up rows I had no problems with this pattern, no problems counting 3 or 4 at the beginning as I would take the clue of the end of the previous row. It did not lag on, as I've seen other bloggers suggest... I believe from start to finish it took me one week of subway knitting, couple skate sessions and approx 2-3 movies. hardly a project that requires a lot of commitment- though I did give myself over to it completely. Have I gushed enough? bah, one more. Cathay- How do I love thee? let me count the ways. 1. the color ranges are fantastic. The seafoam I choose has such depth from the silk and microfiber 2. it's drape is so magnificent- van eyk woudl be proud!! 3. did i mention it's freakin soft? 4. IT WAS ON SALE!!!! (can I get an amen?))

wip roundup

Now that my passionate fling with Montego is over, I'm turning back to the projects I left by the wayside. beaded Cami: After knitting a few rows of this on the subway this morning, I remember how much I love this bright teal. I've knit this up to my ribcage now, two more completely boring and arudous inches and I'll begin the task of emulating an empire waist from the top down. Yikes. Kelly, look out for an email of utter confusion. Saartje booties: Finished! Just waiting to be blocked, buttoned and bundled. Moderne Mason-Dixon: I'm beginning to think I'm never going to finish this, after knitting 6 color logs the garter stitch is getting to me. I'm bored out of my freakin skull. This is worse than math class@!

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and now for whats new.. Tuscany by Amy Singer I received my latest order from knitpicks on Friday! I ripped open the box anxious to pet my yarns when lo and behold- a shocking pink stared back at me. Orchid? This is what shine sport-orchid really looks like? Wow. I must have been half asleep when I chose that color. There is no way in hell I'm going to wear a tuscany shawl in that awful color. I'm sending it back tomorrow and getting three more skeins of Gloss in Burgundy to match the single skein I originally picked up for Eunny's Endpapers. Finished Counterpane Clutch by Girlwhoknits Also in that box, were two hanks for a sleek black and possbily beaded Counterpane Clutch from Handknit Holidays. I've been in want of dark evening/clubbing wristlet for some time and this one is just the ticket. I like this image for the strap possibilities. I almost like the big lalana version more, but lack patience.

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And last but not least, I can be seen knitting Montego in a skate video. Blader Session #13 to be exact. One of these days we'll have Kevin, our PR manager to guest blog about how origins of TeamKnit!, its officers and our amazing sponsorships. Yep, we're sponsored- but not in the way you think. Which reminds me, Jules - We need to do that photoshoot for Issac asap! *edit jen's: I've been spotted already! Got a random email from some dude with the link. Someone go watch the video for me and tell me it's not as bad as i think it is because I haven't see it yet!!! freaking out over nothing right?

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The Lure of the Swap

That's it, I've decided- I'm going to lose my swap virginity to Knit 1 Tea 2.
I have resisted for so long, but the idea of special tea from strangers is just too compelling....



Knit 1 Tea 2 Color Swap Questionnaire

Q:Do you like loose tea or bags, or both – something you want to try?
A: I like both. But if someone sends me loose tea, I'd like it if they could send a strainer of some kind, too.

Q:What is your favorite kind of tea (Brand, flavor, variety, etc)?
A:I prefer white and green teas, flavoured blends with those are wonderful! I've had a tropical fruit green tea that rocked my world recently.....

Q:Favorite color in regards to tea or one you would like to try? (black, green, red, and white) (keeping in mind that this is how this swap is set up).
A:White and Green are my favourites.

Q:Would you say you were a tea pot kind of person or just a hot water heater kind?
A:I do both.

Q:What tea accessories would you like but have never purchases for yourself?
A: One of those little tea bag plates. I can't bring myself to buy one, but they make so much sense. Or a seriously cute milk and sugar set. I covet those.

Q:How do you prefer to be pampered? (examples: mani/pedi, bubble bath, yummy treat, etc).
A: Moisturizers or tasty treats, please!

Q:If you were a kind of yarn what would you be and why?
A:I'd be a squishy soft merino.

Q:If you had to knit/crochet baby booties, a fun fur scarf, or a fair isle sweater, which would you choose and why?
A: The booties- I've been working on too many big things, I'd want something small just to finally have an FO!

Q:What other event would make you skip a tea party? (A garden party? A book club meeting? A yoga class? Opening night for a new action thriller? etc?)
A: A hot date. A good movie. Combine both and you might not hear from me for days....

Q:What treat would you consider essential at your tea party? (Sweet? Salty? Scones? Those petite pastry trays with a couple of all sorts of things? Little crust less sandwiches?)
A: Sweet treats, like cupcakes.

Q:When buying yarn for a project how do you choose - do you buy the one called for or do you substitute?
A:I substitute most of the time- I find a lot of patterns call for ridiculously expensive yarns! I'm not interested in spending $100 for shawl yarn. Maybe that makes me cheap. I think it just makes me sane.

Q:What do you carry your knitting/crocheting in when on the go?
A:A ziploc bag in my purse. I have needle holes in every purse, and I get jabbed in the ribs ocassionally.

Q:Favorite movie to watch while knitting/crocheting?
A:Anything, really. I'm not that fussy. I watch a lot of CSI when I knit.

Q:Are you a traditional tea cup kind of person or a mug type of person? Do you care if they match?
A:Mugs all the way- and matching is for wedding china, not daily life.

Q:Favorite childhood birthday party?
A:Anyone's but mine- my birthday is 2 days before Christmas and drowned out in the seasonal festivities.

Q:Favorite type of scone and jam?
A:classic scones with clotted cream and strawberry/raspberry jam (suddenly I'm starving....)

Q:If you use candles, what is your favorite scent?
A:Vanilla or apricot.

Q:If you could choose 3 people to have 'tea' with, who would they be and why? (famous or not, living or dead).
A:My mom, my aunt, and my grandmother, before she got Alzheimers. Because I remember what that used to be like, and it was always a great time. The women in my family are strong, earthy, hyper, and funny as hell. To sit at a table with them is to remind myself how truly lucky I am to have family like that.

Q:You've been invited to a tea party, what 'props' will you wear (formal or casual)?
A: Who knows what I'll wear, but I'll be bringing my manners. I think good manners are the best props around.

Q:Any allergies/preferences you have or are willing to admit to?
A: I don't deal well with anestethic, but I'd seriously question my swap pal if that was in any way relevant....

Q:Anything we missed that you want your pal to know?
A:I don't like cartoonish or overly frilly/girly stuff. Not to appear ungrateful, but I'm not going to use a pink mug with a cartoon daisy or a shoe on it. That's just not me.

What the......?????

Where to begin..... Well, I spent all evening pushing to finish the Waist Cincher Top from Knitting Lingerie Style. And despite measuring, and measuring, and measuring....see that freakishly tiny armhole? And freakishly tiny neckhole? That should be plunging neckline.


Yeah. The only thing plunging are my hopes of looking fabulous in my chocolate brown sweater. That I cannot wear. Because it's completely f**ked up!!!!

Basically, I needed to lengthen the stockinette section by at least two inches, and length the armholes by another two inches as well. So I'm 4 inches off.

Four. Flipping. inches. Gagh!

*Groans. Sighs. Goes off to take a shower to wash the smell of failure away....*