17 posts tagged “knitting”
Shedir is finished! It turned out well, but there are a few visible snafu's that I'd do differently.
1. Do 1 row of ribbing instead of 5 in order to make the hat a little shorter
2. For the crown decreases, buy a #1 29" inch circ. I tried to use a 24" for a while, then ended up switching to a bamboo #2 29" simply cause that was all I had. It screwed up my tension a bit.
3. Because the hat would be a little shorter, do not omit rows 75 and 78 (I omitted even rounds 75, 76, 78, 79 because the hat was so long which led to the crown puckering a bit)
That said, I love the hat. I have a headache right now so I don't really feel good wearing it, but that's due to the headache, not the hat. I'm going to line the inside with fleece or cotton so my sensitive skin doesn't tweak out from the wool.
My newest project: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/shedir
This hat gave me a bit of trouble at first. I'm doing this in two colors, in fair isle. I love the appearance of fair isle but I can't seem to manage floats longer than 1, occasionally 2 sts without puckering. So horrible am I at fair isle that I attempted to do this hat in intarsia. With 16 bobbins. Although extremely complicated, it was actually working until I tried on the hat and realized that it was much too big. I frogged it. I cast on again, casting on 112 sts rather than 128, and using fair isle. Only did 5 rows of ribbing.
I have about 3" done, and it's still a bit big. However, I am planning to line it with fleece, so hopefully it won't fall down around my ears. :D With this fair isle, I just can't push myself to rip back. Again. If I do rip back, I'll take out another 8 sts.
Aren't they pretty? Yes, there are two.
I made a few changes/deviations from the Knitty tutorial.
Firstly, I didn't use linen tape. I forgot to check at Joann's, and that seemed like something Joann's would have. I used a clear tape to coat all the edges, and I used duct tape on the sides (to stick the fabric to). After all, you're trying to save money, so why go buy different tape when you have something that will work?
Secondly, I used Soundboard rather than homasote. Soundboard is what a lot of hardware stores, including Lowes use instead of homasote. It has the same exact properties, but instead of paying $23 for a board, you pay $8. Plus, a lot of places don't even carry homasote.
I used wood glue instead of a glue stick. Again, use any sticky glue you have on hand. I didn't use much of it though, only on the smooth side of the duct tape so the corners didn't roll up.
None of the very little bit of glue I used ever touched the fabric. (I used duct tape, who needs glue? That stuff will stick to ANYTHING, including the staple gun).
Lastly, we used a manual staple gun. I don't recommend this. The sheer amount of hand pressure/strength that is required to set those staples in deep enough is pretty high. Also, you use a lot of staples, and the sheer repetition will get your hand pretty soar. I would have had to go get an automatic staple gun except that my father volunteered to staple them for me. He was a blessing, as I definitely would have had needed to buy an electric one otherwise.
Observations
- Definitely iron and starch the gingham, I'm very glad I did.
- Have someone at the hardware store cut the board. If you don't you can also cut it with a carpet cutter. (But they have the T boards to get a perfectly straight line)
- Blocking knitted garments on boards and more specifically boards with lines is so much easier than using towels.
- The staples blend in a lot better than I thought they would, mainly because they're sunk in far enough to the board. (If yours don't sink in far enough, do like I did and take a popsickle stick and a hammer and place the popsickle stich on the staple lengthwise and hammer it down a little farther. You'd be amazed at the difference this makes.)
- You use a LOT of staples
- make sure to run your hands over the gingham once it is taped to the board and get any wrinkles/loose parts out. You want the gingham to be tightly yet comfortably stretched across the board
In RL, I finished my housesitting job. I've been working about 30 hrs a week at Company B, and next week I work 40!! Although I wasn't going to take another housesitting job (I had offers) I found one that is fine with me working long hours at Company B. Wohoo! It's only for five days, but every little bit helps.
Knitting (for those who aren't on Ravelry :D), I started and finished a gorgeous felted bag.
I'm trying to track down homosote board in order to make my own blocking boards, according to instructions in Knitty. Checked Home Depot, but they didn't carry it. I'm afraid I might end up using foam.
(For those who just want to hear about the knitterly stuff, scroll down. :D)
I know there's been a bit of a lull in posting, but I have excuses valid reasons. First of all, I got accepted to Ravelry. Like many other fellow knitters, I have caught the Ravelry obsession and spend way too much time than is healthy on that site. Secondly, I've been looking for and applying for summer jobs. It's a pain and quite a hassle, as many places won't hire seasonal summer workers.
In the middle of May, I applied to four places. One wanted me to have experience in something I didn't (even though I knew plenty about four other areas directly related to their store), two weren't hiring seasonal people (one didn't tell me this until I was actually in the interview, the other didn't until two weeks after I applied), and the other one I got through the entire interviewing process only to find out that there had been a bit of miscommunication with the manager and they already had enough seasonal people.
This last one was the job I was really hoping for, and it looked really good, until they called me yesterday. I was a bit upset at this oversight, but I immediately started applying at more places, and resuming my job search. Unfortunately, it took so long for this last company (we'll call them company A) to get back to me and to go through the interviewing process that I'm already a month into my summer. Not a good thing for someone who wants seasonal work.
So yesterday I applied to two jobs (Company B and C). I tried applying at company D but their online application software wasn't working correctly. Today I looked at Company E which had a job fair, only to find out they don't have any seasonal positions open. While on my way to the job fair, I got called by company B, who wants to interview me! Yay! TI also picked up an application for Company F and talked with the manager who said they only have night and weekend shifts open. I'm not sure if that'll be enough hours, but right now anything is better than nothing. I also went into company G and filled out their application, took their little customer service test, and talked with the manager. He said I can expect a call back around Monday.
Whew! Do you understand why I haven't been posting now? :D In the past month (and a few days) I've applied to 8 companies! (Ten if you count company D and the E's job fair)
Also, last weekend we drove down to California (that's right, DROVE). And not northern California, oh no. We were in Santa Monica. My uncle had passed away after a long and fruitful life (he was 92 years old) and my mother, who was very close to him, wanted to be at the funeral. So my entire family drove down to California. It's an 18 hour drive. We left Thursday at 2:30, and came back Sunday night at 12:30. That's a whole lot of driving.
In knitting news:
I did get some knitting done! On the way done to California, I made this.
Pattern: Campfire Socks, by Cider Moon (It's a free pattern!)
Yarn: Colinette's Jitterbug
Needles: Lantern Moon Bamboo Size 2
I love this pattern, and I want to make these over and over and over in different yarns. But my mom saw these, and she wants a pair. In the same exact yarn. I'm not sure if I can handle making two pairs of socks (Four socks, four!) using the same exact yarn and the same exact pattern. The yarn is gorgeous though. It's a bit short on the yardage though, or at least that's what I thought. Because of this, I bought two balls of yarn. If you only have to buy one ball, it's a pretty average price for sock yarn. But if you have to buy two... these are not Lorna's Laces prices, my friends. It would make some pretty expensive socks. However, one ball looks like it will do just fine. And I made them a normal length, it's not like they're anklets.
My friend and I, about two to three weeks ago, decided we should make some knitted bags. We went to Ben Franklin and picked out some yarn. I chose a deep, deep purple color to make the Sheep Tote. It was such a quick knit, and turned out beautifully. I only used one strand, and adjusted the pattern a bit to maintain the same dimensions with my smaller gauge (worsted for bulky swap). We were even good little knitters and both made a gauge swatch, then felted it. I used my gauge swatch to practice needle felted the sheep. Ignore the white blobs behind the green and white ones and the white one by his head (I was trying different methods). I just love the lime green. Lime green and purple are a gorgeous combination.
On the way down to California, I also finished Soleil. That's right. I finished knitting Soleil. (I don't think I ever mentioned it here, I should have but it only took me three weeks to complete!!!) My first ever large fitted garment is done. I'm very happy with it. I haven't blocked it, seamed the shoulders, woven in the ends or done the crochet edging, but other than that, it's completely done! (To me, although it is important, the finishing is minor in comparison to the rest of it.)
Pattern: Soleil from Knitty
Yarn: Debbie Bliss Cathay
Amount Used: 6 skeins
Needles: US 6
Adjustments: I made the torso a bit longer, and I actually made the straps thinner by 6 sts. They're still plenty wide)
1. Clessidra 4-21-07, 2. My dad's fair isle stocking, 3. Octavius, 4. Suki Bag, 5. Andrea's Cloud 9 mittens, 6. Snicket socks, 7. Finished Suki bag, 8. Cabled hat, 9. 7.2.06 Dulaan hat, 10. 7.4.06 014, 11. Bead knitting, 12. Gloves, 13. Counterpoint big block unseamed, 14. My second sock, 15. Tofutsies FO Closeup, 16. Tofutsies FO
I've started a new project. (Looks around furtively, waiting for someone to jump out and yell at her). I know, I know. But there's extenuating circumstances. For one, this is the first time I've bought yarn in two months. Two, this yarn was really cheap. Three, I really, really wanted it. :D
It's sari silk! I found 200 grams of sari silk for only $10!! I was so ecstatic. Now that I've researched it a bit I know you can find it at prices somewhat similar to this (although still higher) on the internet, but the only sari silk I'd encountered before this was like $16 for 50 grams. Sheesh.
Anyway, it's gorgeous so I've been knitting Unbiased, from Knitty. I have the two front pieces done. I've modified it a little bit, because 200 grams is about 7 oz, and the pattern calls for 11, so I downsized it. My bag will be 12 in by 10 in instead of 15 in by 12 in. Because of the decrease in size, I also modified it a bit so that the bag didn't dip down so low. Size eight needles seem perfect for this yarn. The garter stitch is loose enough that it retains flexibility. However, given that it'll be a bag, I'm thinking I should line the lining with interfacing if I want a bag that retains it's shape. Otherwise it'll be floppy. I haven't decided what I want yet. I also picked up a skein of TOFUtsies, which is really soft and in my favorite colors.
And I made quite a bit of progress on Clessidra. The ride there and back on public trans was quite a chunk of time, so I had some quality knitting time.
I know that my blog's been pretty slow lately. First I had spring break, and then when I came back I had so much to say that I would start writing up a post, only to end up saving it rather than posting it because it was still incomplete. Does that ever happen to you? So much to say that you don't say anything at all? Well, it's not so much to say, necessarily, it's that I have a lot of pics and the like to add, link to, and post. Anyways, instead of posting content, I've been posting memo's, videos, and other filler. They're a lot quicker than actually writing something.
But I'm biting the bullet, so here it goes. This is my first second week back from spring break, and getting back into the swing of things is being somewhat problematic. It's amazing how much a week off can get you used to doing what you want, and doing absolutely no homework. Over the past three days Mid last week I slowly started to do my homework again. It's very sad, but it's taking me a while to get used to being in school again.
Spring break was wonderful, if incredibly busy. On Monday I went to Vancouver BC with a friend, where we spent the day. We went to Stanley Park, and just had a bunch of fun hanging around downtown all day. When we were at Stanley Park I picked up this little guy.
It became very fitting as later we saw these guys. How apt of a purchase
The rest of spring break was spent hanging out with friends, and it was pretty busy. On Sunday, I took the Amtrak back to school, where my sister picked me up and we went to Powell's, the largest used and independent bookstore in the world(my sister got me a Powell's gift card for my 19th birthday; she knows me too well) where I got the Harlot's new book as well as The Best of Knitter's Arans and Celtics. I love both books. There are multiple designs in Arans and Celtics that I love, but these two are my favorites.
Best of all, they are arans/celtics with SHAPING! Not only that, they also come in my size. No changing needed! I love it. It's going to be my next project after Edna.
Speaking of projects, I have quite a few going. I reorganized my closet which included reorganizing my knitting. Unfortunately, Vox does not allow for the customization of sidebars, otherwise I'd list my WIP's there. I'm seriously thinking of also posting on my Blogger account (still posting here too, cause I love it here) simply because Blogger let's me mess around with it more.
WIP's
- Clessidra from Knitty, using Knit Picks Essential
- Bunny Hop baby blanket for whomever in my family has a child next (several of my cousins have gotten married in the past few years)
- The Counterpoint baby blanket for my friend who's expecting in September
- Edna, of course
- Jaywalkers (I ripped all the way back and started them over)
- Great American Aran Afghan
These are the 6 that, when I have time to knit, I knit on. However, unfortunately knitting time has been lacking lately mainly because my time is taken up by school, and when it isn't I'm either reading or beading. Beading had taken over knitting time for a while because I hurt my thumb and could neither knit nor spin, but I could awkwardly bead. Now though, my thumb is nearly 100% and I can get back to knitting!
I finished
Guess what I made? I'm so incredibly proud of myself!
And of course I made a few pairs of earrings while I was home during Spring Break.
I know it's been over a week since I last posted, but I promise you, I come ready with excuses! Last week was a bit insane due to my huge essay midterm (write 2 complete essays (including thesis statements) in an hour and a half as well as write the answers to the 'short answer' questions, which mean paragraphs), so I wasn't able to post then.
But at the heart of the matter is that this is a crafting blog, and for the last week and a half, I have been unable to knit, spin, and until a few days ago, bead. I injured my thumb on Sunday the 11th, and it's currently in a brace. When I went to the health center on campus they said that it was probably a weird sprain, but that if it got worse or didn't get better within a week, to come back in and they'd refer me to the hospital to get an x-ray. It was worse by Wednesday, so I made an appointment for Thursday only to have it canceled because the practitioner was sick. The woman on the phone brushed me off, saying since I couldn't remember doing anything to it that it was almost assuredly not a break, so I shouldn't come back in. Yet come Tuesday of the next week, it was even worse, even with taking 1800-2400mg of Ibuprofen a day. Yes, you read that correctly. The practitioner prescribed me 9-12 pills of Advil a day. So today I'm going in again to see the nurse practitioner, and hopefully get a referral to get an x-ray.
Don't worry though; there will still be lots of pictures and other things!
Anyways, since my thumb is out of commission, my crafting has been incredibly reduced. The only thing I can do is bead, and even that is quite a bit slower and more awkward than normal. I have made a few things though, and I can show you the knitting I was working on before I injured my thumb.
This is Clessidra, from the Spring Knitty. I'm using the Knit Picks Essential Solid (75% Superwash wool, 25% Nylon) in Burgundy, which is ridiculously soft. It looks like this yarn may be prone to pilling, but we'll see. I'm using one of my Lantern Moon bamboo circs, which I use when I do cables without a cable needle on socks.
As for beading, I made some Bluebell earrings.
I'm not sure if I mentioned this before, but a few weeks ago when my sister and I went to Buffalo Exchange, I found an incredible purse. And I do mean incredible. 100% real leather (it creaks and everything!) that has been carved/burned into a beautiful rose design.
The detail on this bag is simply amazing. I think it's relatively old, although if anyone can contradict that, I'd be happy to know. I am completely in love with this bag. It's common knowledge in my family that I'm an avid bag collector; I just love having new purses. I am a bit picky though. Any bag has to fill several criteria. One, it has to be unique. I try to avoid the bags you find at Sears, or everywhere. You know the ones, the ones that although they may be made by different companies, they all look the same. Two, it has to be colorful. And obviously, I have to love it.Those are really my only criteria, but you'd be surprised how much that eliminates. Of course, if the bag is so extremely colorful it may overpower the fact that I found it at Macy's. But even then, because it's so colorful, not that many people will have it, at least in the surrounding area.
This Saturday I went to see the Plain White T's. Since it was an all ages concert and it was St. Patricks day (Portland really gets into it) there were a lot of high schoolers there; a few too many for my tastes. However, the concert was amazing. I moshed for hours in the pit, so when I came back I was exhausted. I was going to buy their cd, but I figured since I can buy that anywhere I'd get a tshirt instead. I'll have to pick up their CD later.
I'm going home on Friday! Go spring break!
You know that criminology test? (mentioned here) I got an 84 out of a possible 86! Whoohoo!
In other news, I gave my sister the earrings I had made for her, and she loves them. I can also post them here. I'm working on Clessidra from the Spring Knitty 2007, and it's turning out well. I have pics, but I think I dislocated/broke my thumb, and since I have to write 3 essays in two hours on Thursday for my CB class, I don't want to aggravate it any more.
