tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-82513772024-03-14T10:44:27.186-04:00Knitting backwardsThe gnittink adventures of a lefty that knits the opposite way round from the rest of you.Mollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06497812513081078954noreply@blogger.comBlogger25125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8251377.post-4673483380505119112007-09-13T15:30:00.001-04:002007-09-13T15:34:47.140-04:00Celery socksI finished my Celery socks, just in time to cast on new socks to knit while at <a href="http://www.knittersdayout.org" target=blank>Knitter's Day Out</a>. <br /><br />Socks were knit with kettled dyed yarn in several shades of celery. Size 0 needles, two socks at once on 1 long circular needle knit toe up. Patterning alternates a k1, p1, k1 rib with 3 stitches of moss stitch. Garter stitch hourglass heel.<br /><br /> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/15766699@N00/1374171862/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1061/1374171862_7e284061bd_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="celery" /></a><div class="blogger-post-footer">Fun with knitting and other fiber crafts.</div>Mollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06497812513081078954noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8251377.post-56252291569530848242007-09-09T10:22:00.000-04:002007-09-09T11:04:43.893-04:00Some FO's and UFO'sYippee! School is back in session. I have finally got preschool sorted out for my younger son and I will have lovely, lovely mornings to myself 4 days a week.<br /><br />The green top is done, washed and waiting some frogging and awaiting some revisions. I originally put in shaping at the sides of the waist which will be switched to under the bust. After washing and shrinking, the top shrunk much more lengthwise and less widthwise than I expected from my swatch. Maybe it will be done my NEXT summer.<br /><br />I have some photos of the Elann wrap, free pattern <a href="http://www.elann.com/ShowFreePattern.asp?Id=165024" target=blank>HERE</a> I found the pattern fun but the shaping was a challenge for me. Pattern was well written but there was a lot going on all at the same time. I changed the back cable pattern and shortened the wings in the front.<br />Here is the back modeled by the ever patient Dino.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/15766699@N00/1351030146/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1376/1351030146_e07928767d_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="Back of Elann wrap" /></a><br /><br />And the front modeled by a chair since Lexi wouldn't cooperate.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/15766699@N00/1350142421/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1068/1350142421_c465602d75_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="Front cable from Elann wrap" /></a><br /><br />I started the <a href="http://funknits.com/autumn_cardiganCAD.htm" target=blank>Kauni Autumn Cardigan</a> and joined the <a href="http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AutumnKAL/" target=blank>KAL</a>. I'm using colors EQ (rainbow) and EJ (white/cream/fawn/rose). I've only gotten the ribbing done so far and can't wait to start the leaves. The yarn Kauni Effektgarn is fascinating, keeps me knitting to see how the colors will play out.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/15766699@N00/1350142475/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1208/1350142475_7d72a8efd5_m.jpg" width="240" height="182" alt="Ribbing on Kauni Autumn Cardi" /></a><div class="blogger-post-footer">Fun with knitting and other fiber crafts.</div>Mollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06497812513081078954noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8251377.post-88697388471078961632007-08-28T13:06:00.000-04:002007-08-28T13:23:58.134-04:00In a green kind of placeOn and off all summer I've been working on a summer top. At this rate I ought to be finished just in time for the first snowfall.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJvFk7lTtfKnGweuWffDNkp8zYLaysQxlanLD7orqqZYSMe3HW9KHZRmmTXsk_5C2EBGswfAvPXGP7jijxrZ31ErOyVRPtZ4PBw83eMXmWaZiHk7FXgaowmve7aLHI-rMMW_BO/s1600-h/greentop.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJvFk7lTtfKnGweuWffDNkp8zYLaysQxlanLD7orqqZYSMe3HW9KHZRmmTXsk_5C2EBGswfAvPXGP7jijxrZ31ErOyVRPtZ4PBw83eMXmWaZiHk7FXgaowmve7aLHI-rMMW_BO/s320/greentop.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5103799365069037730" /></a><br /><br />The top is of my own design. I made a schematic on graph paper based on my measurement and then cast on based on my swatches. Yarn is a cone of green 4/2 cotton by Dragon Tale yarns that I bought at the Mannings. I started by knitting two shoulder straps and then casting on extra stitches for armholes, front and back to knit in the round. I am rather top heavy so the front is 26 inches while the back measures 19". I'll be decreasing soon for some waist shaping and then adding a few stitches back in to accomodate what Sandy from <a href="http://www.knittingdaily.com" target=blank>Knitting Daily</a> so poetically calls a "Buddha Belly". I haven't decided on a hem treatment for the bottom yet. Then I'll wash it and hope that the figuring I did to accomodate for the shrinkage of the swatch was correct.<br /><br />Another green project, another Baby Bobbi Bear. Pattern by <a href="http://www.blueskyalpacas.com" target=blank>Blue Sky Alpacas</a>. I <b>LOVE</b> this pattern. Knitting starts around the belly and continues upward for the front and back chest. Head is knit with clever shaping. The knitting is turned around and stitches are picked up for the shaped butt (yes it has <i>butt shaping</i>!) and then the legs are knit in the round. Stitches are picked up from the chest sides for the arms. Very little in the way of sewing up. Ears must be sewn on, eyes and nose are embroidered, crotch opening is sewn up and that's it.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwBUHQ7eB0Lr6pSa7LKDUfZbkCP5A2nK95wygI9V8T3sTgb1BVZiVerpS0Di02cDDINeopuTab_vKa3QQvR_yxh7NyCpAVaertF8O2mvsDgQAwM8b01AOzb3oAQIbsyOT9J_j2/s1600-h/bobbi.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwBUHQ7eB0Lr6pSa7LKDUfZbkCP5A2nK95wygI9V8T3sTgb1BVZiVerpS0Di02cDDINeopuTab_vKa3QQvR_yxh7NyCpAVaertF8O2mvsDgQAwM8b01AOzb3oAQIbsyOT9J_j2/s320/bobbi.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5103802315711570098" /></a><br /><br />This little guy was knit with 2 colors of Lily dishcloth cotton (Sugar & Cream or Peaches & Cream I get the names confused) on size 3 needles.<div class="blogger-post-footer">Fun with knitting and other fiber crafts.</div>Mollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06497812513081078954noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8251377.post-90827862764069723242007-07-23T11:10:00.001-04:002007-07-23T11:18:42.854-04:00Post Potter Let DownIt took me a little less then 36 hours to read <u>HP & the Deathly Hallows</u>. Now I'm experiencing Post-Potter letdown. I have to say I was favorably surprised by the book. Lots of interesting plot twists. I was a little worried that it wouldn't live up to my expectations but it surpassed them. If you aren't finished reading yet....keep going, it's worth it in the end.<br /><br />I've been knitting on Jenna's Very Purple scarf today. I finally found the pattern again, Amy Singer's Montego Bay Scarf from <em>Interweave Knits</em>. I needed something simple for my addled brain. I had been having trouble with remembering which row I was on, on RS row starts with k3 and one with k4. I finally figured out that if the previous RS row ends with a k3, the next RS row starts with k3 and vice versa for the k4 rows.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOpCokyd2d4yWfjAq0nn3e61uaMdWq03VWsi8_gmGpDkbndi17nN0OiqeJCGPzyCFt-sg2LYNwDQ42oPiiVvIc1FJzwFK293jfR4vJh_h1RBQzhdUxmEqDya51NOcDUdmzN-PE/s1600-h/postpotter.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOpCokyd2d4yWfjAq0nn3e61uaMdWq03VWsi8_gmGpDkbndi17nN0OiqeJCGPzyCFt-sg2LYNwDQ42oPiiVvIc1FJzwFK293jfR4vJh_h1RBQzhdUxmEqDya51NOcDUdmzN-PE/s320/postpotter.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5090410959268135906" /></a><br /><br />My big purchase for the weekend:<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq4RG-mTuHh1D45kbvumI0fU6ozP5T9hL6rCJ6mWXajo2w8PHsAPVog0xKiH6Ejuy7dBRmlX5kGyyuj3qq7cDOutbEMbxingESg7DmHfLSlPTWELuSEMg0s-NdBNE2TIwaoKQY/s1600-h/fj.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq4RG-mTuHh1D45kbvumI0fU6ozP5T9hL6rCJ6mWXajo2w8PHsAPVog0xKiH6Ejuy7dBRmlX5kGyyuj3qq7cDOutbEMbxingESg7DmHfLSlPTWELuSEMg0s-NdBNE2TIwaoKQY/s320/fj.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5090411646462903282" /></a><br /><br />How can one possibly resist a color called VooDoo Blue? Can't wait to take it off road.<div class="blogger-post-footer">Fun with knitting and other fiber crafts.</div>Mollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06497812513081078954noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8251377.post-81986612479204859262007-07-17T13:51:00.000-04:002007-07-17T14:08:47.022-04:00So many projects....It <strong>has</strong> been awhile since I posted. I didn't realize how long until I saw the date.<br />Here is where I've been spending a good deal of time:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_D3FLrDXzJ0BaP52pGoy5-iUt7_W98rAvhbUfXERwNDHbLwTnqKzaqVfbtg0wCAYYqS_srcY7hC5rgqgZQnJK5e-x4vKxukR0atR1o2G8kfFpn7EfZ5TAe8MqFC523ZLuw-pC/s1600-h/pool.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_D3FLrDXzJ0BaP52pGoy5-iUt7_W98rAvhbUfXERwNDHbLwTnqKzaqVfbtg0wCAYYqS_srcY7hC5rgqgZQnJK5e-x4vKxukR0atR1o2G8kfFpn7EfZ5TAe8MqFC523ZLuw-pC/s320/pool.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5088225229834029970" /></a><br /><br />I've also been spending an inordinate amount of energy keeping two brothers from spitting on, beating, smacking, poking, splashing, drowning and generally annoying each other. August 27th can't get here fast enough.<br /><br />I caved in to peer pressure and started Mystery Stole 3. I haven't gotten very far yet, just beginning Clue #2.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-_lzdQT_ZzMUsJwbrf1ABgWXPyNu2SQGsfrqVBhrKulw2XTwiL-v5N0Wng8tjMhlh8xmPVd5xxr7FYjd4q5tqrF52haoAB15HKeZxn4jw3pz5J9D4NWR8CpFWTLRO2s3BQ1wZ/s1600-h/mysteryclue1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-_lzdQT_ZzMUsJwbrf1ABgWXPyNu2SQGsfrqVBhrKulw2XTwiL-v5N0Wng8tjMhlh8xmPVd5xxr7FYjd4q5tqrF52haoAB15HKeZxn4jw3pz5J9D4NWR8CpFWTLRO2s3BQ1wZ/s320/mysteryclue1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5088225599201217442" /></a><br /><br />I'm using SWTC Infinity, 16/2 lace weight 100% soy silk with iridescent seed beads. Using size 0 bamboo straight needles, which doesn't allow me to stretch it out for the photo. I had been using circs but the joins kept catching. <br /><br />Also been working on a <a href="http://www.elann.com/ShowFreePattern.asp?Id=165024" target=blank>v-shaped shawl </a>off the Elann website. I'm using worsted weight wool and have changed the cable pattern on the back.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBuNRJM8LfGIA3XkxJCK66lH9AgZVnIeNi3IJyjC0WdI25YRlV9fGMvZyhUFTcgvsbzcfQZkrt_SMvGnpGrbr8DrTgV8xjWMP6x-WFG355fYDubwlX9dVjBn23Czbi9JOif0EP/s1600-h/vee.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBuNRJM8LfGIA3XkxJCK66lH9AgZVnIeNi3IJyjC0WdI25YRlV9fGMvZyhUFTcgvsbzcfQZkrt_SMvGnpGrbr8DrTgV8xjWMP6x-WFG355fYDubwlX9dVjBn23Czbi9JOif0EP/s320/vee.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5088227549116369842" /></a><div class="blogger-post-footer">Fun with knitting and other fiber crafts.</div>Mollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06497812513081078954noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8251377.post-68666875906080098222007-06-22T13:25:00.000-04:002007-06-22T13:45:31.854-04:00Hat FrenzyI've been in a hat frenzy lately.<br /><br />Here are some recently finished examples.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia-9lTw3NdJPe1BACLWpVdZtjHxt0kGppTJHhaQhioT6TAeF6boHzyfDtHEJsIiHoassEuIZmlH8u_X0F_ysUbIVUOp9mNFwYFD5VNR-jgGHxf2TON5R96NT4zuEQfkjchRMCu/s1600-h/hatshats.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia-9lTw3NdJPe1BACLWpVdZtjHxt0kGppTJHhaQhioT6TAeF6boHzyfDtHEJsIiHoassEuIZmlH8u_X0F_ysUbIVUOp9mNFwYFD5VNR-jgGHxf2TON5R96NT4zuEQfkjchRMCu/s320/hatshats.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5078941432136047730" /></a><br />Blue one is made from handspun singles and some leftover manos using a slip stitch pattern. White one is made from Fisherman Wool and has XO cables. Both were just made up as I went along.<br /><br />The brown one is the hat that goes with Am Kamrin from <u>Heirloom Knitting</u> (Japanese). Here is a close up of the twisted stitch panel. Lots of fun to work but not a mindless project!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7nAIR1ZCPL4ymrl2FweiWQfzc2KrJhTyxie6IwuFzW8ykliPNYKdTygPLmHd2JfVEM7XGcZymU_d5hFYgJNNCg_ZuBx7X_lEspCObbnJGOQ_TKeOaezMIXUvPdyav4IxRTkla/s1600-h/hatclose.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7nAIR1ZCPL4ymrl2FweiWQfzc2KrJhTyxie6IwuFzW8ykliPNYKdTygPLmHd2JfVEM7XGcZymU_d5hFYgJNNCg_ZuBx7X_lEspCObbnJGOQ_TKeOaezMIXUvPdyav4IxRTkla/s320/hatclose.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5078943412115971202" /></a><br /><br />I'm keep the brown hat. The other two I will save to take to <a href="http://www.knittersdayout.org" target=blank>Knitter's Day Out</a> for Caps for Kids.<div class="blogger-post-footer">Fun with knitting and other fiber crafts.</div>Mollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06497812513081078954noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8251377.post-7941081599108863732007-06-16T14:27:00.001-04:002007-06-16T14:34:48.863-04:00Finished Sweater<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYXw8ELHo2jRFmUq7qAda1Fhx9zXd07oR6oze808HXu8hOAqqui-7UbZg6WP4FMJ5yD2Kqg2ELv5KeUOyINhnKrzWsVF9AiOwhm9l-Fl5aVq3aSTSBqe31NRetgD6xvqjXeCHi/s1600-h/blue.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYXw8ELHo2jRFmUq7qAda1Fhx9zXd07oR6oze808HXu8hOAqqui-7UbZg6WP4FMJ5yD2Kqg2ELv5KeUOyINhnKrzWsVF9AiOwhm9l-Fl5aVq3aSTSBqe31NRetgD6xvqjXeCHi/s320/blue.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5076730855418469458" /></a><br />The Bulky Cable Sweater is now finished. I've actually been getting a good deal of use out of it. It has been in the 50's and 60's here, it's usually in the 80's this time of year.<br /><br />I also got some books from Japan. New Style of Heirloom Knitting has cabled and Fair Isle sweaters. The other one is crochet of the cutest cake and food items.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ7XiZBPGUtIPntPYqjPg6UBa72WNFwM15CCOXj0t2hHN74L2jeAVOroBZTUIgbfYQId35KIBrweMOgT1Nns2yhlXe2vj1L48qkI2CbTw_g5H8VZTlrCg3hs2-ZxLwhU_HngUC/s1600-h/japanesebooks.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ7XiZBPGUtIPntPYqjPg6UBa72WNFwM15CCOXj0t2hHN74L2jeAVOroBZTUIgbfYQId35KIBrweMOgT1Nns2yhlXe2vj1L48qkI2CbTw_g5H8VZTlrCg3hs2-ZxLwhU_HngUC/s320/japanesebooks.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5076731413764217954" /></a><p><br />I'm working on the hat that goes along with the Am Kamrin sweater, just to see if I am up to the challenge of working from a pattern that I can't read other than the charts. So far it it going pretty well. The books came from <a href="http://www.saucylouise.com" target=blank>Saucy Louise</a>. Lou will special order books she doesn't have and her prices and shipping beat most of the other books I've seen on ebay and the like.<div class="blogger-post-footer">Fun with knitting and other fiber crafts.</div>Mollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06497812513081078954noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8251377.post-64932296986084042752007-05-31T08:37:00.000-04:002007-05-31T08:49:15.689-04:00Sweater progressMaking progress on the bulky cabled sweater.<br /><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_l69cANrinC8dP4CzktptEY3XUJpyUARHBseVpsiLJdqm2vCV1l-AkhzlP9gxJABsvhPS76Rtmh1FZ0f5jFVmWh1edPqbwSHs_hpnA_8exoqL_tHm9G4XkJp6Q9jg08oPDSWR/s1600-h/bluebell.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_l69cANrinC8dP4CzktptEY3XUJpyUARHBseVpsiLJdqm2vCV1l-AkhzlP9gxJABsvhPS76Rtmh1FZ0f5jFVmWh1edPqbwSHs_hpnA_8exoqL_tHm9G4XkJp6Q9jg08oPDSWR/s320/bluebell.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5070703378800448994" /></a><br />I've got the body done, now I'm working on the sleeves. I've put both sleeves on one long circular and am working both at once with separate balls of yarn. Hoping to stave off the dreaded Second Sleeve Syndrome. A lesser known but equally serious illness related to Second Sock Syndrome.<p>And BTW it isn't a baby sweater those are just giant hostas in the background.<p>I'm taking the green socks with me to work on while watching Sports Day at son #1's school. Hoping to make great progress. After these to projects are finished, I swear I will work on the purple aran.<p>I have to report the demise of the two tone blue shawl already. I went to work on Sunday and came home to find it in shreds. Curiously, Lexi the dog seems to have been using a new blue dental floss...<p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJnJJyOfnojUedDHllWvUxjVROjAoOX7nbAawAENvpY-gNvuiWQvqQYSo5Karqy9koki2s7abF7LKj0hn7xFDm6GRmUcZYEFFpOUvcscthLNLoGor9gQNtaJXUPR9CSq4oFtfT/s1600-h/bluefloss.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJnJJyOfnojUedDHllWvUxjVROjAoOX7nbAawAENvpY-gNvuiWQvqQYSo5Karqy9koki2s7abF7LKj0hn7xFDm6GRmUcZYEFFpOUvcscthLNLoGor9gQNtaJXUPR9CSq4oFtfT/s320/bluefloss.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5070705470449522162" /></a><div class="blogger-post-footer">Fun with knitting and other fiber crafts.</div>Mollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06497812513081078954noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8251377.post-62573055597873821912007-05-24T13:56:00.000-04:002007-05-24T14:39:59.060-04:00Under ControlI've gotten a handle on the UFO's<br /><p><br />Finished the oversized doily - it came out just big enough for a shoulder shawl. I used the <a href="http://www.angelfire.com/folk/celtwich/KnitHemlockRing.html" target=BLANK>Hemlock Ring Doily,</a> a vintage pattern. Mostly an exercise in using up yarn.<br /><p><br /><img src="http://home.comcast.net/~mollyb5/blogger/doily.jpg"><p><br />Also finished this hat. "Yarn" is Jazz by Lion Brand, a paper linen yarn that I dyed green. Pattern is <a href="http://www.puppyarn.co.jp/03patterns/01.pdf" target=blank>a free pattern on the Japanese Puppy yarn</a> site.<p><img src="http://home.comcast.net/~mollyb5/blogger/paperhat.jpg"><p><br />Couldn't help but start a new project though....<br /><img src="http://home.comcast.net/~mollyb5/blogger/cablegreen.jpg"><p>The <a href="http://www.glampyre.com" target=BLANK>Glampyre</a> Bulky Cabled Sweater. Pattern is interesting yet easy to work and going super fast in Wool Ease Chunky. It is a top down, cabled, garter stitch raglan. I'm almost ready to divide the sleeves from the body.<div class="blogger-post-footer">Fun with knitting and other fiber crafts.</div>Mollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06497812513081078954noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8251377.post-79167380425304988162007-05-16T20:43:00.000-04:002007-05-16T20:58:53.785-04:00UFO's Attack!In an attempt to get my crafting life under control, I gathered up all the UFO's I could find. The pile was quite <s>scary</s> motivating.<p><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgFmH6eaJDcuqZusSkXEPJDcMJ8OUvXaWn4onFZJAUYvtTiZ7tlCBfaXEryfmOvChUF-PkmVsfyW2HEK5acnHOypQldVjiYQZrWTK24X4f44dpK1FZ7Y-idUcX1b9WZQQVSErq/s1600-h/ufo.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgFmH6eaJDcuqZusSkXEPJDcMJ8OUvXaWn4onFZJAUYvtTiZ7tlCBfaXEryfmOvChUF-PkmVsfyW2HEK5acnHOypQldVjiYQZrWTK24X4f44dpK1FZ7Y-idUcX1b9WZQQVSErq/s320/ufo.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5065324134125671858" /></a><p><br />I found just a couple.<br />I even finished a few...<p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8aFzEbKD3xzpXItEkUpHabbiWtcJl3i6ROpfaIX0RawOLHA8yjtqvYC72KcEbzRCAUm_UVYnj-GlOFDLEidp2Bq-clssZx1I0cBLiaIeEz0dwKU2jxz7kILK0v7C8PYeMlAMg/s1600-h/lollybear2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8aFzEbKD3xzpXItEkUpHabbiWtcJl3i6ROpfaIX0RawOLHA8yjtqvYC72KcEbzRCAUm_UVYnj-GlOFDLEidp2Bq-clssZx1I0cBLiaIeEz0dwKU2jxz7kILK0v7C8PYeMlAMg/s320/lollybear2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5065324503492859330" /></a>A little Japanese style softie bear.<p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0R6PJm3m_EMEcbYHZWL6qxRr5GEYv42R6iOKwS7Oyd0SDA7TeIZsVeWzNH0fWWBb7wQbVHTJ-kGZ1pk1UC1MXiFqUQj9vk1M7wldxYztmxRXUB8Kwi8kkN34rtE7jmNvh5n3G/s1600-h/socky.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0R6PJm3m_EMEcbYHZWL6qxRr5GEYv42R6iOKwS7Oyd0SDA7TeIZsVeWzNH0fWWBb7wQbVHTJ-kGZ1pk1UC1MXiFqUQj9vk1M7wldxYztmxRXUB8Kwi8kkN34rtE7jmNvh5n3G/s320/socky.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5065324799845602770" /></a><p>A wild sock monkey.<p><br />Both are now residing in my Etsy shop.<p><br />Frogged the purple scarf and the blue <a href="http://www.knitty.com/issuespring05/PATTmariposa.html">Mariposa</a>. Worked a bit on the green crocheted sun hat. Put the green socks aside for travel knitting. Kept the purple Aran cardi & blue lace shawl by my bedside hoping I will take them up again soon. The crocheted throw rug made from fabric strips is in the undecided pile.<p> <br />Of course I went to <a href="http://www.the-mannings.com">The Mannings</a> yesterday and got some teal green 5/2 cotton that really wants to be a summer top :) ...<div class="blogger-post-footer">Fun with knitting and other fiber crafts.</div>Mollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06497812513081078954noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8251377.post-78766876708868717162007-05-14T12:24:00.000-04:002007-05-14T12:36:40.675-04:00Cajun KnittingDid some knitting with a friend this weekend...<p><a href="http://home.comcast.net/~mollyb5/blogger/craw.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px;" src="http://home.comcast.net/~mollyb5/blogger/craw.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br /><p>Cary the crawdad came all the way from Louisiana to enjoy a bath in the hot springs of Maryland.<br />Just before he was eaten, he knit a couple of rows on my newly started celery socks. Excuse the crappy cell phone camera picture.<p><br />I put the socks down this morning to swatch for <a href="http://glampyreknits.tripod.com/glampyrephotos/id119.html">this Glampyre Pattern</a>, although I'm doing blue instead of green. Amazingly enough I think my gauge will be right on with the requisite size 11 needles. Usually I have to go down at least 2 needles sizes to get gauge.<p>Also an update on the garter stitch short row heels on the spider socks. I was a bit skeptical about how comfortable they would be, I don't like bumpy things on the underside of my feet. I'm wearing them today and they are quite comfortable. The Knitpicks yarn washed up very soft and cushy.<div class="blogger-post-footer">Fun with knitting and other fiber crafts.</div>Mollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06497812513081078954noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8251377.post-16876613473874089832007-05-09T10:02:00.000-04:002007-05-09T10:17:32.008-04:00Socks with a Secret<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_vjVGmnTe2NtkgpBueJwAzj-4ehR3HW8IcgCTJNp5zRNkLhLYhs6GcZJFBZVqBY_r1LGuCXx_OyoUDbdoab2rwRlCJTJs55axAIgyOGpC_Tro0u_Xcus__AD6IM-OjQeDGIJ8/s1600-h/purplesocks.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_vjVGmnTe2NtkgpBueJwAzj-4ehR3HW8IcgCTJNp5zRNkLhLYhs6GcZJFBZVqBY_r1LGuCXx_OyoUDbdoab2rwRlCJTJs55axAIgyOGpC_Tro0u_Xcus__AD6IM-OjQeDGIJ8/s320/purplesocks.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5062562199211664962" /></a>Just this morning I cast off on some socks. I really like the colorway. I handpainted Knitpicks superwash sock yarn using guidelines from <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Yarns-Dye-Creating-Self-Patterning-Knitting/dp/1931499810" Target="blank">this book</a>. Working with the 20 foot long skein of yarn was a bit of a challenge but I think the results were worth it.<br /><p><br />The secret of the socks....<p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQoO6meDki_lMMslXMg2wmKHmmdrFeyjPmGTxbMtAtEij1XZE6HsgElUpU-7gxNqZzWX9ELCaP7sLCUP1epDoMYC_kIcztLP3Nw87EF0fKt5r9Wspj60UTLpzLHDiXl84qSwmn/s1600-h/spider.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQoO6meDki_lMMslXMg2wmKHmmdrFeyjPmGTxbMtAtEij1XZE6HsgElUpU-7gxNqZzWX9ELCaP7sLCUP1epDoMYC_kIcztLP3Nw87EF0fKt5r9Wspj60UTLpzLHDiXl84qSwmn/s320/spider.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5062562491269441106" /></a><p><br />Knit into the top on a field of reverse stockinette is the Spider from Barbara Walker's Third Treasury.<p>Heels are garter stitch, short row from <a href="http://www.inknitters.com/Issue1/lucy.pdf" Target="blank">this article by Lucy Neatby</a> from the INKnitters website. I added an extra two rows of garter before I started the second half of the heel. This seemed to make the line in the center of the heel, where the wraps are picked up easier to work and look neater. The jury is still out on whether the garter stitch will be comfortable to wear since I have freakishly sensitive foot bottoms.<p>In the garden is the reason why I keep my scrubby Scotch Broom plant around. Hubby threatens to cut it down every year but I know for a week each year it does this. <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwtlTrJ1nqNA0zm6QytRDDx5wg53o2MWs2VCiQMKjmjEHDa1U6TRlEdxXe7Pn_n7PXFP49DI3A2vH7cH39Imvf-9YilpkBXKEOTpOpGgh_pd_C04nvK7Vumoo90Md74plITgo2/s1600-h/broom.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwtlTrJ1nqNA0zm6QytRDDx5wg53o2MWs2VCiQMKjmjEHDa1U6TRlEdxXe7Pn_n7PXFP49DI3A2vH7cH39Imvf-9YilpkBXKEOTpOpGgh_pd_C04nvK7Vumoo90Md74plITgo2/s320/broom.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5062564690292696674" /></a><div class="blogger-post-footer">Fun with knitting and other fiber crafts.</div>Mollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06497812513081078954noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8251377.post-46881521600741800012007-05-08T19:17:00.000-04:002007-05-08T19:33:38.459-04:00Sheep and WoolHere is all I got at MD Sheep & Wool. I think I am officially jaded (not to mention quite broke). The festival has just gotten too crowded for agoraphobic me.<br /><br /><img src="http://home.comcast.net/~mollyb5/blogger/sheepandwool.jpg"><br /><br />Two skeins of yarn dyed by Juanita of Meadow Medley. Merino dyed with natural dyes and in person they have lovely tonal gradations. The dark blue is dyed with logwood and the pink with osage and cochineal. Every time I got to Sheep and Wool or Knitter's Day Out I buy a skein or two of Juanita's yarn. One of these days I will put them together and make something wonderful - or at least that's what I keep telling myself!<br /><p><br />Book is <u>Charted Knitting Designs: A Third Treasury of Knitting Patterns</u> by Barbara Walker. Lots of nice cable and twisted stitch patterns, my current obsession.<p><br />Before Sheep & Wool I spent 5 mind-numbing hours proctoring the SAT test. I managed to finish up and cast off on my mother-in-law's socks during the last section.<p><img src="http://home.comcast.net/~mollyb5/blogger/redsocks.jpg"><p>Yarn was dyed by me, I think Henry's Attic Kona Superwash. Got quite fuzzy after washing. Yes, they are small but the woman has <i>size 4 feet</i>! They may even be a bit big.<div class="blogger-post-footer">Fun with knitting and other fiber crafts.</div>Mollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06497812513081078954noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8251377.post-7359532678923185652007-05-04T09:14:00.000-04:002007-05-04T09:34:43.788-04:00Socks, humming birds and beesThis tangle is what I’ve been working on lately. Trying to get them finished for my MIL’s birthday before they go on vacation.<p><br /><img src="http://home.comcast.net/~mollyb5/blogger/socktangle.jpg"><p><br />Two toe up socks at the same time on one long needle using <a href="http://www.hellchick.net/needles/patterns/toeupsocks.shtml"target="_blank" >Hellchick's</a> formula. Yarn is some superwash merino that I dyed.<p><br /><img src="http://home.comcast.net/~mollyb5/blogger/redsock.jpg"><p><br />I’m doing to leg in an interesting rib pattern - 2 rounds of k2,p2 ribbing followed by 2 rounds of knit. <br /><br />When I went out to take the sock pictures I was dive bombed by two scuffling humming birds that were fighting over the feeder. Not sure why they are so aggressive this year. I managed to get a picture on one of the culprits. <p><br /><img src="http://home.comcast.net/~mollyb5/blogger/hummer.jpg"><br /><p><br />Very worrying news out about honey bees. Honey bees are one of my favorite creatures. Read about it <a href="http://www.csmonitor.com/2007/0404/p13s01-sten.html" target="_blank" >here</a>.<br />As an avid flower gardener, as well as a consumer of food in general, it’s a bit terrifying. Be kind to your bees and think twice before you spread that pesticide!<br /><br />Saturday I'm off the <a href="http://www.sheepandwool.org" target="_blank" >Maryland Sheep and Wool</a> for the afternoon. I've gone almost every year for at least 14 years and watched it go from a fairly small event to the spectacle it is now. Budget is pretty limited this year but I've come to the realization that if I know 24/7 for a number of years I would never use up the yarn in my basement. I'm hoping to find some Japanese pattern books, Janet Szabo's updated <a href="http://www.bigskyknitting.com/Books.html" target="_blank" > Aran Design book</a> and maybe get some dyes. Have to save a little bit to get a yummy lamb kabob or two. Don't think I'll lug my camera along but will post pictures of my loot when I get home.<div class="blogger-post-footer">Fun with knitting and other fiber crafts.</div>Mollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06497812513081078954noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8251377.post-7120845885713930052007-04-24T14:30:00.000-04:002007-04-24T14:35:13.777-04:00Sari Silk TamedAwhile ago I wrote about a purse I was making out of recycled Sari Silk. I finally have it finished. It is lined, has a zipper and as of this weekend handles!<br /><br /><img src="http://home.comcast.net/~mollyb5/blogger/purse.jpg"><br /><br />And since it finally got warm enough for flowers to bloom (right up to 80 degrees!), enjoy the Dicentra a.k.a. Bleeding Hearts. The bloom for about 1 week every year then go dormant. <br /><br /><img src="http://home.comcast.net/~mollyb5/blogger/heart.jpg"><br /><br />I think I will go back outside and look at them again. With the heat this high they won't last long.<div class="blogger-post-footer">Fun with knitting and other fiber crafts.</div>Mollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06497812513081078954noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8251377.post-53273013397088914912007-04-20T13:34:00.000-04:002007-04-20T13:53:09.999-04:00Treasure Trove of HankiesMy in-laws are in the midst of decluttering their house. My MIL gave me two boxes full of vintage handkerchiefs, many with thread crocheted borders.<br /><br /><img src="http://home.comcast.net/~mollyb5/blogger/hankyrainbow.jpg"><br />A virtual rainbow of colors!<br /><br />Some of the designs really wild.<br /><br /><img src="http://home.comcast.net/~mollyb5/blogger/wildhanky.jpg"><br /><br />Right now I am in the midst of washing them all and since all the boys are gone on various camping/grandma trips, I look forward to an evening of hanging out with the dogs ironing these dainties. What an exciting life I lead!<br /><br />And yes, I do plan to store them flat instead of folded as they had been stored. <br /><br />Here are some finished socks:<br /><img src="http://home.comcast.net/~mollyb5/blogger/socks.jpg"><br /><br />Knit in Trekking XXL - <a href="http://ange.vox.com/library/posts/tags/yarn">color 126</a>. I was originally very excited with the color, it reminded me of <a href="http://www.brachs.com/products/product.asp?base_code=255">Brach's Sundaes Neopolitan Coconut Candy</a>. I'm not really sure why that excited me so much, one of those fits of yarn store mania. Knit up I thought they were truly atrocious. I think it must have been my stitch pattern because the ones knit in stockinette <a href="http://caroleknits.knitblog.com/archives/2007/04/hi_my_name_is_c_1.html">here</a> are beautiful.<br /><br />So I overdyed them with a purplish red and like how they came out.<br />Pattern was a standard top down sock, done in a feather & fan/old shale stitch. Garter ridges eliminated in the foot because I have stupidly sensitive foot bottoms.<br />I'm fairly impressed that I got the striping to match up as closely as I did. Don't generally care if my socks match, much less the striping matches.<div class="blogger-post-footer">Fun with knitting and other fiber crafts.</div>Mollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06497812513081078954noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8251377.post-60066573214503780442007-04-16T11:21:00.000-04:002007-04-16T16:24:02.646-04:00Drop Stitch Scarf - Free PatternRecently I spun some yarn from a birthday roving from my brother and SIL. They bought the roving at <a href="http://www.ashevillehomecrafts.com">Ashville NC Home Crafts.</a> Card attached said it was hand dyed by AnneMarie Walter of Asheville, NC. AnneMarie's creations can be found at her etsy shop - <a href="http://www.smokymountainfibers.etsy.com">Smoky Mountain Fibers. </a><br /><br />The yarn turned out very pretty.<p><img src="http://home.comcast.net/~mollyb5/blogger/handspunred.jpg"><p><br />I've been spinning off and on for about 5 years but had never really made anything with my handspun. I decided to cast on for a scarf. Knitting with yarn that I had created was a triumphant, liberating feeling. The yarn was very soft compared to most of the commercial yarn I use and easy on the hands. <p><img src="http://home.comcast.net/~mollyb5/blogger/dropscarf.jpg"><p><br />I made up the pattern - here it is:<br /><br /><font color=red>Drop Stitch Scarf</font><br /><br />Used about 4.5 oz of worsted weight handspun yarn<br />Needles US size 10<br /><br />Cast on 15 stitches.<br />Row 1: K3, P3 across, ending with K3<br />Row 2: P3, K3 across, ending with P3<br /><br />Continue in K3,P3 ribbing until you are out of yarn or the scarf is as long as you want. <br /><br />My scarf came out about 7 feet long.<br /><br />Bind off, dropping the middle stitch of each 3 stitch rib (i.e. bind off 1, drop next stitch, bind off next stitch, bind off next stitch, drop next stitch etc...)<br />When completely bound off, gently stretch the scarf to help the dropped stitches run all the way down the length of the scarf.<br /><br />Here is the pattern that the dropped stitches made:<br /><br /><img src="http://home.comcast.net/~mollyb5/blogger/dropdetail.jpg"><div class="blogger-post-footer">Fun with knitting and other fiber crafts.</div>Mollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06497812513081078954noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8251377.post-1176471479836424742007-04-13T09:24:00.000-04:002007-04-16T10:48:01.726-04:00Big Dyeing Adventures with Mama-EA couple of weekends ago I was lucky enough to take a dyeing class with <a href="http://www.mamaespot.com/blog/">Mama-E</a> of <a href="http://www.mamaespot.com/eshop/">C*eye*ber Fiber Warehouse</a>. Class was great. Learned loads and dyed lots of yarn and fiber. Let me tell you, dyeing is much harder work that it looks! Those hand dyed skeins are worth every penny.<br /><br />Here is the yarn:<br /><img src="http://home.comcast.net/~mollyb5/blogger/dyedyarn.jpg"><p><br />Here is the fiber:<br /><img src="http://home.comcast.net/~mollyb5/blogger/roving.jpg"><p><br /><br />I've had time to knit up a few things from the dyed yarn.<br /><br />Socks for someone that promptly wore them outside without shoes from the rainbow dyed yarn.<p><img src="http://home.comcast.net/~mollyb5/blogger/natesocks.jpg"><p>I branched out and tried 2 socks at once on 2 circulars. Not nearly as confusing as I thought it would be and the satisfaction of getting both done at the same time. An excellent tutorial is the<a href="http://www.socknitters.com/2circs/index.htm"> Cybersocks class</a>.<br /><br />The start of a <font color=purple>VERY purple scarf</font> for Jenna.<p><img src="http://home.comcast.net/~mollyb5/blogger/jennascarf.jpg"><p>Scarf pattern is <a href="http://www.tangledwebb.com/free-patterns.html">"Athena" One Ball Scarf</a>.<div class="blogger-post-footer">Fun with knitting and other fiber crafts.</div>Mollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06497812513081078954noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8251377.post-1175537134062902482007-04-02T13:48:00.000-04:002007-04-16T10:48:28.810-04:00Mulch ManiaSpring here at the <STRIKE>ranch house in the far suburbs</STRIKE> country estate means mulching. To be precise LOTS of mulching- 3 dump truck loads of mulch, renting a bobcat and getting very dirty. All those flower gardens seemed like a really good idea when we bought the place.<br /><br /><img src="http://home.comcast.net/~mollyb5/blogger/bobcat.jpg"><p> <img src="http://home.comcast.net/~mollyb5/blogger/mulch.jpg"><br /><br />Got a kit on Saturday for Baby Bobbi Bear from <a href="http://www.fabulousyarn.com">Fabulous Yarn </a>. Quick shipping and they take Paypal for payment - always a plus. <br /><br /><p><img src="http://home.comcast.net/~mollyb5/blogger/bobbi.jpg"><br /><br />Pattern, <a href="http://www.blueskyalpacas.com/pattern_detail.php?patterns_ID=2">Baby Bobbi Bear</a> by <a href="http://www.blueskyalpacas.com">Blue Sky Alpacas</a>, is a quick knit and very well written. I didn't even have to use the <a href="http://www.blueskyalpacas.com/pattern_update.php?patterns_ID=2">"Visualizing Assembly"</a> notes under corrections on the website. Done in Blue Sky Alpacas Organic Cotton (2 hanks). Yarn is nice and soft, worsted weight. Pattern is done with minimal seaming and knit in the round on double pointed needles. I could barely get it away from my little guy to take a picture.<div class="blogger-post-footer">Fun with knitting and other fiber crafts.</div>Mollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06497812513081078954noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8251377.post-1175210392020380172007-03-29T20:11:00.000-04:002007-04-16T10:48:50.441-04:00Lichen rufflesThe Frill Seeker scarf is done. Pattern can be found at <a href="http://www.lionbrand.com">Lion Brand </a>as can the Ruffles yarn. Color has been custom <a href="http://knittingbackwards.blogspot.com/2007/03/taming-sari-silk.html">dyed.</a><br /><br />The colors of the scarf remind me of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lichen">lichen </a>, one of my favorite things. I also really like moss but then again I’m strange.<br /><br /><img src="http://home.comcast.net/~mollyb5/blogger/lichen.jpg" /><br /><br />I changed the pattern some, adding ribbing to the back of the neck like a seaman’s scarf and worked both halves from the bottom up and grafted them together just to one side of the ribbing.<br /><br /><img src="http://home.comcast.net/~mollyb5/blogger/lichenhalf.jpg" /><br /><br />The Ruffles yarn is worked by picking up a few strands of the yarn near the edge with the rest hanging down, hence the ruffle.<br /><br /><img src="http://home.comcast.net/~mollyb5/blogger/ruffled.jpg" /><br /><br />Not sure I will ever wear this creation but I like to look at it. My friend Renee walked in and told me it was ugly and asked if it was for the dog. Not sure the dog deserves cashmere.<br /><br /><img src="http://home.comcast.net/~mollyb5/blogger/dinolichen.jpg" /><br /><br />Model: Dino – yes named after the Flintstones dinosaur-dog. What can I say, hubby watched too much TV as a kid.<div class="blogger-post-footer">Fun with knitting and other fiber crafts.</div>Mollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06497812513081078954noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8251377.post-1175022688394110892007-03-27T16:04:00.000-04:002007-04-16T10:49:27.735-04:00A taste for knittingWe have virtually no carpet in our house, much to the dismay of Lexi our dog-with-no-fur. My closet happens to have lovely dirty green carpeting that has yet to be removed.<br /><br />Hmmmm…. Suspicious<br /><br /><img src=http://home.comcast.net/~mollyb5/blogger/bits.jpg><br /><br />Even more suspicious<br /><br /><img src=http://home.comcast.net/~mollyb5/blogger/slipper.jpg><br /><br />This used to be the toe of a felted slipper. Notice how the fuzz has been carefully nibbled away before tearing apart the felted yarn.<br /><br /><img src=http://home.comcast.net/~mollyb5/blogger/slipper2.jpg><br /><br />Despite being informed that dogs are considered a delicacy in some parts of the world, particularly young, well muscled bull dogs and that I still have contacts in the world of international freight forwarding – I don’t think she looks worried, do you?<br /><br /><img src=http://home.comcast.net/~mollyb5/blogger/lexisnooze.jpg><div class="blogger-post-footer">Fun with knitting and other fiber crafts.</div>Mollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06497812513081078954noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8251377.post-1174918657337461722007-03-26T10:46:00.000-04:002007-03-26T11:35:51.236-04:00Taming Sari Silk<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/1742/540/1600/129989/summerpurse.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/1742/540/320/327183/summerpurse.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />I bought a skein of recycled Sari silk from the MD Sheep & Wool fest last year. Not being a big fan of novelty/fuzzy/variagated yarns I'm not sure why. Took me a long time to find a pattern I wanted to use but I finally did <a href="http://www.yarnmarket.com/yarn/Himalaya-Aloo_and_Silk_Summer_Purse_P-37-2391.html"> Aloo & Silk Summer purse </a>.<br /><br />Of course before I made the purse, I lost the pattern....<br />While doing some kid-free knitting at my friend Linda's house on Saturday I saw this in one of her books. It is Square 26 : Twisted Columns from Barbara Walker's <em>Learn-to-Knit Afghan Book.</em> I thought the mosaic pattern would add structure and it looks similar to the original pattern. I also liked how the random color changes were broken up. <br /><br />Here's a close up:<br /><img src="http://home.comcast.net/~mollyb5/purseclose.jpg" /><p>The second yarn is hemp - sorry not very good at keeping labels on things. My son said it feels like rope. Hopefully it will soften with use.<br /><br />Also did some extremely imprecise, quick & dirty dyeing this weekend. <p><br /><img src="http://home.comcast.net/~mollyb5/blogger/rufflesgreen.jpg" /><p><br />Yarn: Ruffles by Lion Brand<br />Dye: McCormick's food coloring - blue, green, yellow<br /><br />Method: Skeined and soaked yarn in vinegar water with a little salt added.<br />Stuck the skeins on some Saran wrap, squirted with food coloring. Sealed up the package and microwaved for about 3 minutes. <br /><br />I'm making the Frill Seeker Scarf from the Lion Brand website. Tan cashmere is from a sample pack from Colourmartuk on ebay.<br /><br />AND I really will try to update more than once every 2 years from now on!!<div class="blogger-post-footer">Fun with knitting and other fiber crafts.</div>Mollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06497812513081078954noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8251377.post-1097537941932480752004-10-11T19:20:00.000-04:002007-03-27T16:26:30.436-04:00Baby Pumpkin HatLet's just say that the rest of September was a complete washout. And that having hives all over you body is not a lot of fun. I didn't get much knitting (or anything else done).<br /><br /><img src="http://home.comcast.net/~webix/1.JPG" align="center" /><br /><br />I did get two little fruit hats finished. The Raspberry (pink) is a version of the Ann Norling Fruit Hat pattern with bigger bobbles than called for in the pattern. My mother-in-law requested it so send as a baby gift to friends in England. The pattern is wonderfully written and fun to knit, I highly recommend it!<br /><br />The <font color=orange>Pumpkin</font> is my own design done in worsted weight, newborn size. Approximate gauge 4 st/in. I cast on 64 stitches on double pointed needles. I used size 5 but I knit v-e-r-y loosely, the rest of the world would probaby use size 7 needles.<br /><br /> I joined in the round and started by knitting in K1P1 rib for 4 rows. Switched to knit 7, purl 1 for 14 rounds. Then I knit 5, knit 2 together, purl 1 around. Each subsequent row I knit 1 less (k4, k2tog, p1; k3 k2tog, p1; etc...) When I was down to 7 stitches I switched to green and knit 9 rows then knit 2 together around and did 10 rounds. I finished the top by stitching the narrower portion in a circle like a curly pumpkin vine. One that has already been given away as a gift I crocheted a leaf and attached it to the stem.<br /><br />I've also begun a heavily modified version of the <a href="http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEwinter02/PATTtangledgarden.html">Tangled Garden socks</a> from <a href="http://www.knitty.com">Knitty</a>. Since I knit so loosely I couldn't get the gauge called for in the pattern so I'm working on size 0 bamboo needles and have redone the chart. I'm using the yarn I dyed and talked about below. I like how the overdyed yarn is making large stripes. I'm not sure yet if the green is going to provide enough contrast to see the design.<br /><br /><img src="http://home.comcast.net/~webix/sock.jpg" align="center" /><div class="blogger-post-footer">Fun with knitting and other fiber crafts.</div>Mollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06497812513081078954noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8251377.post-1094754265465256272004-09-09T14:08:00.000-04:002004-09-09T14:24:25.466-04:00Adventures in OverdyeingI've had the <a href="http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEwinter02/PATTtangledgarden.html">Tangled Garden</a> sock pattern from <a href="http://www.knitty.com">Knitty</a> printed out for a couple of weeks. The pattern calls for buying white sock yarn and dyeing with Kool-Aid. My stash included several partial balls of variegated and printed sock yarn so I decided to use those.
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<br />To dye I first skeined all the yarn then soaked it in hot water with a generous splash of vinegar. In a pot I combined hot water, Wilton's Christmas Red Paste Food Coloring (50 cents in the clearance aisle at Walmart) plus a packet of Black Cherry Kool-Aid. I also added some salt and vinegar. I simmered the yarn for a few minutes until the dye exhausted and let it sit until it was cool enough to handle. I rinsed and hung it out to dry.
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<br /><img src="http://home.comcast.net/~mabelpring/dyed.jpg" vspace=10 hspace=10>
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<br />The tangled mess above is a sample of the BEFORE yarn. The ball next to it is the AFTER version. All the yarns had white as a major component but varied in color and fiber content. My resulting balls are all different but I think similar enough to make some interestingly eclectic socks. I'm combining them with an olive green gleaned from the sale bin of a LYS.
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<br /><img src="http://home.comcast.net/~mabelpring/overdyed.jpg" vspace=10 hspace=10><img src="http://home.comcast.net/~mabelpring/knitup.jpg" vspace=10 hspace=10>
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<br />I like the contrast I'm getting so far. Alas, along with knitting backward, my other knitting foible is that I knit very L-0-0-S-E-L-Y. The pattern specifies a gauge of 9 st/in. on size US 1 needles. I'm using US 0 needles and have gotten 7 st/in. I don't have a set of DPNs that are smaller so I guess I'll be doing some significant reworking of the pattern's 24 stitch repeat. But then I just hate blindly following instructions, don't you?
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<br />AND the cat has been redeemed. My purse is a Vera Bradley knockoff that went through the washing machine just fine. I did let poor Murder back in the house. Good thing because the tail end of Hurricane Frances is still dumping rain on us.
<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer">Fun with knitting and other fiber crafts.</div>Mollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06497812513081078954noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8251377.post-1094674787901247422004-09-08T16:11:00.000-04:002004-09-08T16:46:13.436-04:00Happy Birthday to MeI'm hanging around the house on a rainy birthday and have decided to start a knitting blog.
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<br />Right now I'm working on Lucy Neatby's Faeroese Flower Shawl. I'm about a third of the way through. The pattern is well written and has a nice big chart. I'm using Zephyr (50% merino/50% silk) in Suede. The yarn just slides through my fingers and is a joy to work with.
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<br /><img src="http://home.comcast.net/~mabelpring/faeroe.jpg" align="center" />
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<br />It doesn't look like much yet. The flowers are the central panel and the work has started from the top edge.
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<br />One of the difficult things about knitting backward is that the decreases are opposite of what are called for in the instructions (k2tog I work as SSK). Since my stitches sit on the needle "backward" as well it's taken me a long time to figure out how to accomplish decreases.
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<br />My mom gave me some money for my birthday which I'm going to use to buy yarn for my next big project. Now the big question is......design my own Norwegian cardigan or a Fair Isle (possibly one from <a href="http://www.blogger.com/app/">Yarns International</a>). Certainly something with lots of color work - my favorite kind of knitting.
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<br />On a lighter note, my birthday present from our cat Murder (yes the other one is named Mayhem) was to pee on my purse. She is now spending the day out in the rain!
<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer">Fun with knitting and other fiber crafts.</div>Mollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06497812513081078954noreply@blogger.com1