I've been thinking about changing the scope of my blog to include a few more of my hobbies, so I'm taking some time off from updating for the meantime while I figure out which direction I would like to go.
This site has mainly become a log for my finished knitting projects, which is fine, but I suspect also a little bit boring. I'm toying with the idea of also including bento lunches, which I've been making for myself on a pretty regular basis for several months now. I'm also intrigued by a completely new hobby and I hope to start with it soon - Blythe Dolls. I've been aware of these dolls for some time now, and my fascination with them has been growing, so I've asked for my first one for my birthday. We'll see if I get one or not. If not, I know that I will not be able to resist the temptation to buy one for myself for too much longer. Is 30 (almost 31) too old to start playing with dolls? I hope not!
Anyway, I should be back soon with hopefully some new ideas and more frequent updates!
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
FO: Mr. Pitt's Socks
I've been lazy about posting lately - these socks have been off the needles for two weeks already!
Pattern: Mr. Pitt's Socks (aka Dad Socks) by Kaitlyn Wong
Yarn: Lion Brand Sock-Ease in Toffee, 1 skein
Needles: Size 1 1/2 (2.5 mm) DPNs from Knit Picks
Date Started: April 25, 2009
Date Finished: June 9, 2009
Ravelry Link
These socks caught my eye because the recipient and I both love watching old Seinfeld reruns - in one episode, Elaine is on the hunt for the perfect pair of socks for Mr. Pitt. And these did turn out to fit quite nicely!
I usually don't get knitting requests, but when J mentioned that he really liked the yarn from another pair of socks I made, I just had to take advantage of the opportunity! This time, though, I used a slightly smaller needle and I am much happier with the resulting fabric - I'll have to remember that for next time because I've already added some more of this yarn to my stash (this time in the Rock Candy colorway).
It dawned on my last week that the year is already half over and that I need to start thinking about Christmas presents. Each year since I've been knitting, I've been trying to give more and more handmade items. Luckily, most of the people in my life appreciate my handiwork, so I certainly don't mind putting in the time. This year I am also aiming to use up some of my stashed yarn - it has started to overflow out of the two boxes I have set aside in my craft closet, so I want to get it back under control. It seems like I've also been drawn to lots of shawls and shawlettes, so I definitely see some of those in my future!
Pattern: Mr. Pitt's Socks (aka Dad Socks) by Kaitlyn Wong
Yarn: Lion Brand Sock-Ease in Toffee, 1 skein
Needles: Size 1 1/2 (2.5 mm) DPNs from Knit Picks
Date Started: April 25, 2009
Date Finished: June 9, 2009
Ravelry Link
These socks caught my eye because the recipient and I both love watching old Seinfeld reruns - in one episode, Elaine is on the hunt for the perfect pair of socks for Mr. Pitt. And these did turn out to fit quite nicely!
I usually don't get knitting requests, but when J mentioned that he really liked the yarn from another pair of socks I made, I just had to take advantage of the opportunity! This time, though, I used a slightly smaller needle and I am much happier with the resulting fabric - I'll have to remember that for next time because I've already added some more of this yarn to my stash (this time in the Rock Candy colorway).
It dawned on my last week that the year is already half over and that I need to start thinking about Christmas presents. Each year since I've been knitting, I've been trying to give more and more handmade items. Luckily, most of the people in my life appreciate my handiwork, so I certainly don't mind putting in the time. This year I am also aiming to use up some of my stashed yarn - it has started to overflow out of the two boxes I have set aside in my craft closet, so I want to get it back under control. It seems like I've also been drawn to lots of shawls and shawlettes, so I definitely see some of those in my future!
Friday, May 15, 2009
FO: Dean Street Hat
I can't believe that I almost forgot to post about this one!
Pattern: Dean Street Hat by Nina Machlin Dayton
Yarn: Malabrigo Yarn Merino Worsted in Olive, about 1/2 of a skein
Needles: Size 6 and Size 7 16" circulars from Knit Picks
Date Started: March 26, 2009
Date Finished: April 13, 2009
Ravelry Link
I had purchased one skein of Malabrigo from WEBS last October and had been looking around for the right pattern for it - and I just loved this hat! I did have some gauge issues, though. I thought I was pretty close (I did actually get out my ruler and everything!), but I ended up frogging the medium size and restarting on the large. That nagging feeling that it was going to be too small kept cropping up. Boy, am I glad I trusted my instincts! Once I got the hat off the needles, I realized that my gauge had been way off. Luckily, this still fits me fine, and I think it will be even better after I get around to blocking it.
The Malabrigo was just lovely to work with, but I am worried about the pilling factor. Perhaps my tighter gauge will help with that some? The hat also used up a little less yarn than I expected, so I still have about half left - any ideas for another project? I may just end up doing another simple hat, or I have also been eyeing Pauline.
The needles I used were also new - I ordered several sizes of the Knit Picks 16" circulars to try out. I had heard that sometimes the smaller circulars can be a pain to knit with, but I didn't have any problems. I really liked them, actually - I'll have to eventually order a few more sizes.
So now I'm just trying to finish up a pair of socks (I'm trying not to fall victim to SSS - second sock syndrome) and I've started Picovoli using some recycled cotton yarn. I love the way the yarn looks, but it is proving to be a little hard on the hands, so I've had to take frequent breaks from that one. Oh, well, I'll finish it eventually - it's not a race, right?
Pattern: Dean Street Hat by Nina Machlin Dayton
Yarn: Malabrigo Yarn Merino Worsted in Olive, about 1/2 of a skein
Needles: Size 6 and Size 7 16" circulars from Knit Picks
Date Started: March 26, 2009
Date Finished: April 13, 2009
Ravelry Link
I had purchased one skein of Malabrigo from WEBS last October and had been looking around for the right pattern for it - and I just loved this hat! I did have some gauge issues, though. I thought I was pretty close (I did actually get out my ruler and everything!), but I ended up frogging the medium size and restarting on the large. That nagging feeling that it was going to be too small kept cropping up. Boy, am I glad I trusted my instincts! Once I got the hat off the needles, I realized that my gauge had been way off. Luckily, this still fits me fine, and I think it will be even better after I get around to blocking it.
The Malabrigo was just lovely to work with, but I am worried about the pilling factor. Perhaps my tighter gauge will help with that some? The hat also used up a little less yarn than I expected, so I still have about half left - any ideas for another project? I may just end up doing another simple hat, or I have also been eyeing Pauline.
The needles I used were also new - I ordered several sizes of the Knit Picks 16" circulars to try out. I had heard that sometimes the smaller circulars can be a pain to knit with, but I didn't have any problems. I really liked them, actually - I'll have to eventually order a few more sizes.
So now I'm just trying to finish up a pair of socks (I'm trying not to fall victim to SSS - second sock syndrome) and I've started Picovoli using some recycled cotton yarn. I love the way the yarn looks, but it is proving to be a little hard on the hands, so I've had to take frequent breaks from that one. Oh, well, I'll finish it eventually - it's not a race, right?
Monday, May 11, 2009
FO: Anastasia Socks
I actually finished these up several weeks ago, but I'm just now getting around to sharing. Boy, have I been busy! More about that later...
Pattern: Anastasia Socks by MintyFresh
Yarn: Koigu Painter's Palette Premium Merino (KPPPM) in colorway P114, most of 2 skeins used
Needles: Size 1 1/2 (2.50 mm) DPNs
Date Started: March 13, 2009
Date Finished: April 24, 2009
Ravelry Link
These socks were a lot of fun, and I loved the colors in the KPPPM - very bright and festive, much like New Orleans where I purchased the yarn. I had originally tried another pattern for this yarn first, but got some not-so-pretty pooling - this pattern worked out much better, I think. The two skeins looked identical in the store, but I do think they were slightly different. One sock looks slightly more faded than the other, but nothing a casual observer would notice. Even though I enjoyed using the yarn, I'm not quite convinced it was worth the price - I'll know more about that once I start washing and wearing them!
The pattern was quite fun though I made a couple of tiny mistakes in the first sock - I think I just forgot to YO once or twice. It seemed a lot easier not to make that mistake in the second sock using SSKs for some reason.
Since finishing these socks up, I've been focusing on remodeling my master bathroom. I demolished the old shower, tore down some walls, and removed the tile floor, the old toilet, and the old vanity. The new plumbing for the shower has been installed and new tile has been put up - black, gray, and white mosaic glass tiles for the shower stall, black river rock for the shower floor, and new ceramic tile that looks like dark gray slate for the bathroom floor. Now I just need to prepare the walls, paint, install a new toilet, put in the new vanity, tack up new baseboards and I'm pretty much finished (easier said than done!). Unfortunately, May is a crazy month for me, so these finishing touches might not be completed until sometime in June. Luckily I don't mind using my guest bathroom. I'll post before and after pictures once everything is completed.
So what is making May so crazy? All of my favorite bands are touring right now! I caught the Toadies at Stubb's in Austin this past weekend, I'll be going back to Austin tomorrow for NIN and Jane's Addiction, then next weekend I'll be headed to Dallas for the Wildflower Festival. There I plan to see Jackopierce, the Toadies again, Kool and the Gang, and maybe one or two other groups. TV on the Radio also happens to be in Dallas that weekend, so I'll be able to catch that show too. Then the next weekend I'm off to San Jose and San Francisco for another NIN/JA show. This is supposedly NIN's last tour for the foreseeable future, and I'm actually quite sad - I've had so much fun the past several years catching shows all over the place (Atlanta, Reno, Las Vegas, Dallas, Austin, Corpus Christi, San Antonio, Houston, etc., etc.) and meeting new people. It's hard to believe that I've seen NIN 15 or 16 times now. That's a lot! At any rate, I'm really looking forward to these next two shows - the setlists for this tour look pretty good so far - I can't wait to see what Trent & Co. decide to do in Austin!
Pattern: Anastasia Socks by MintyFresh
Yarn: Koigu Painter's Palette Premium Merino (KPPPM) in colorway P114, most of 2 skeins used
Needles: Size 1 1/2 (2.50 mm) DPNs
Date Started: March 13, 2009
Date Finished: April 24, 2009
Ravelry Link
These socks were a lot of fun, and I loved the colors in the KPPPM - very bright and festive, much like New Orleans where I purchased the yarn. I had originally tried another pattern for this yarn first, but got some not-so-pretty pooling - this pattern worked out much better, I think. The two skeins looked identical in the store, but I do think they were slightly different. One sock looks slightly more faded than the other, but nothing a casual observer would notice. Even though I enjoyed using the yarn, I'm not quite convinced it was worth the price - I'll know more about that once I start washing and wearing them!
The pattern was quite fun though I made a couple of tiny mistakes in the first sock - I think I just forgot to YO once or twice. It seemed a lot easier not to make that mistake in the second sock using SSKs for some reason.
Since finishing these socks up, I've been focusing on remodeling my master bathroom. I demolished the old shower, tore down some walls, and removed the tile floor, the old toilet, and the old vanity. The new plumbing for the shower has been installed and new tile has been put up - black, gray, and white mosaic glass tiles for the shower stall, black river rock for the shower floor, and new ceramic tile that looks like dark gray slate for the bathroom floor. Now I just need to prepare the walls, paint, install a new toilet, put in the new vanity, tack up new baseboards and I'm pretty much finished (easier said than done!). Unfortunately, May is a crazy month for me, so these finishing touches might not be completed until sometime in June. Luckily I don't mind using my guest bathroom. I'll post before and after pictures once everything is completed.
So what is making May so crazy? All of my favorite bands are touring right now! I caught the Toadies at Stubb's in Austin this past weekend, I'll be going back to Austin tomorrow for NIN and Jane's Addiction, then next weekend I'll be headed to Dallas for the Wildflower Festival. There I plan to see Jackopierce, the Toadies again, Kool and the Gang, and maybe one or two other groups. TV on the Radio also happens to be in Dallas that weekend, so I'll be able to catch that show too. Then the next weekend I'm off to San Jose and San Francisco for another NIN/JA show. This is supposedly NIN's last tour for the foreseeable future, and I'm actually quite sad - I've had so much fun the past several years catching shows all over the place (Atlanta, Reno, Las Vegas, Dallas, Austin, Corpus Christi, San Antonio, Houston, etc., etc.) and meeting new people. It's hard to believe that I've seen NIN 15 or 16 times now. That's a lot! At any rate, I'm really looking forward to these next two shows - the setlists for this tour look pretty good so far - I can't wait to see what Trent & Co. decide to do in Austin!
Wednesday, April 01, 2009
Socks and Hats, Oh My!
I've been knitting, but everything just seems to be crawling along lately. I went camping this past weekend and thought that I would have lots of free time to knit, but alas, it just wasn't so. The cold, windy weather was not exactly conducive to working with my hands - I could hardly feel them!
I have been working on a pair of socks with that KPPPM I bought in New Orleans. I tried a pattern by Cookie A for the first go-around (BFF Socks), but I wasn't too excited about the way the colors were pooling. I then tried MintyFresh's Anastasia Socks pattern, and I'm in love. See?
I also put in an order to Knit Picks last week and got some new small circulars - a few sizes both in nickel and in wood of the 12" circs. I figured that I needed them for hats and sleeves and things like that. I just couldn't wait to try them out, so I started the Dean Street hat in some olive Malabrigo I picked up several months ago. The needles were really much smaller than I thought they'd be, so I was a little worried that they would be uncomfortable to use. So far, so good though!
It will be a busy week and weekend, so you probably won't see anything new from me for awhile. This Saturday I will be taking a Copperplate calligraphy class, so my hands will be tied up with that as well. So many crafty things to do, and not nearly enough time!
I have been working on a pair of socks with that KPPPM I bought in New Orleans. I tried a pattern by Cookie A for the first go-around (BFF Socks), but I wasn't too excited about the way the colors were pooling. I then tried MintyFresh's Anastasia Socks pattern, and I'm in love. See?
I also put in an order to Knit Picks last week and got some new small circulars - a few sizes both in nickel and in wood of the 12" circs. I figured that I needed them for hats and sleeves and things like that. I just couldn't wait to try them out, so I started the Dean Street hat in some olive Malabrigo I picked up several months ago. The needles were really much smaller than I thought they'd be, so I was a little worried that they would be uncomfortable to use. So far, so good though!
It will be a busy week and weekend, so you probably won't see anything new from me for awhile. This Saturday I will be taking a Copperplate calligraphy class, so my hands will be tied up with that as well. So many crafty things to do, and not nearly enough time!
Friday, March 06, 2009
FO: Basic Socks
My trip to New Orleans was a lot of fun, and it did afford me quite a bit of knitting time since I didn't have to drive. I finished these socks a day or two after we got back.
Pattern: Basic Socks #70739AD by Lion Brand Patterns (it was on the ball band)
Yarn: Lion Brand Sock-Ease in Toffee, about 60% of the skein (according to my new digital kitchen scale)
Needles: Size 2 DPNs
Date Started: February 15, 2009
Date Finished: March 5, 2009
Ravelry Link
This was my first pair of socks worked from the cuff down, and I'm pretty happy with the fit. I haven't washed the yarn yet, but I've heard they will soften up, so I'll have to report back about that. I wasn't able to match up the striping exactly, but they look fine together. I was going to make matching socks for Kendra and another friend, but I think I will actually make Kendra some footies and then the other friend will probably be getting some using the Mr. Pitt's Socks pattern.
New Orleans was a great little getaway, and I did manage to purchase a couple of skeins of souvenir yarn from Quarter Stitch - KPPPM in color P114, which I think might be called Technicolor from a quick internet search. It seemed bright and festive, much like our trip. I hope to start working with it soon - I might do one of Cookie A.'s patterns.
Pattern: Basic Socks #70739AD by Lion Brand Patterns (it was on the ball band)
Yarn: Lion Brand Sock-Ease in Toffee, about 60% of the skein (according to my new digital kitchen scale)
Needles: Size 2 DPNs
Date Started: February 15, 2009
Date Finished: March 5, 2009
Ravelry Link
This was my first pair of socks worked from the cuff down, and I'm pretty happy with the fit. I haven't washed the yarn yet, but I've heard they will soften up, so I'll have to report back about that. I wasn't able to match up the striping exactly, but they look fine together. I was going to make matching socks for Kendra and another friend, but I think I will actually make Kendra some footies and then the other friend will probably be getting some using the Mr. Pitt's Socks pattern.
New Orleans was a great little getaway, and I did manage to purchase a couple of skeins of souvenir yarn from Quarter Stitch - KPPPM in color P114, which I think might be called Technicolor from a quick internet search. It seemed bright and festive, much like our trip. I hope to start working with it soon - I might do one of Cookie A.'s patterns.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
FO: Saartje's Bootees
My friends have started having lots of babies over the past couple of years, as evidenced by these, my 5th pair of Saartje's Bootees! These are quick-to-knit (despite the finishing work) and have always been a crowd-pleaser at baby showers. I'm sure I will knit more in the future, too - I have a feeling that the babymaking will only increase as time goes by!
Yarn: Vickie Howell Rock in Trent, about 1/2 of a skein and Sublime Yarns Extra Fine Merino Wool DK in Plume, about 20 yards
Needles: Size 3 DPNs (treated the DPNs as small straights)
Buttons: small shell buttons from Joann's
Date Started: February 10, 2009
Date Finished: February 11, 2009
Ravelry Link
I was glad that I was able to use up more yarn from the stash. Even though I'm not necessarily on a yarn diet, I did realize that my storage bins are overflowing. Until I can create some more room in my two giant yarn boxes, I'm trying to abstain from anything new. Of course, souvenir yarn purchases don't count into this, which brings me to my upcoming trip...
I'm heading to New Orleans this weekend, so I'm hoping that I'll have a couple of pairs of basic socks to show off next week using Lion Brand Sock Ease in Toffee - I should get in some good knitting time in the car! I needed a plain stockinette project to alleviate some stress, and these have done the trick! The Toffee colorway has been very popular in my little circle too - both my sister and another friend saw them and want some of their own! I'm even hoping to make some baby-sized socks with the leftovers for little Amanda - then we can all match! :)
P.S. Thanks to Kelley for the first picture - she was the official photographer at the shower and I couldn't resist stealing this great shot of the booties with the mom-to-be! You should really check out the larger versions of it at my flickr page - her camera is awesome.
Yarn: Vickie Howell Rock in Trent, about 1/2 of a skein and Sublime Yarns Extra Fine Merino Wool DK in Plume, about 20 yards
Needles: Size 3 DPNs (treated the DPNs as small straights)
Buttons: small shell buttons from Joann's
Date Started: February 10, 2009
Date Finished: February 11, 2009
Ravelry Link
I was glad that I was able to use up more yarn from the stash. Even though I'm not necessarily on a yarn diet, I did realize that my storage bins are overflowing. Until I can create some more room in my two giant yarn boxes, I'm trying to abstain from anything new. Of course, souvenir yarn purchases don't count into this, which brings me to my upcoming trip...
I'm heading to New Orleans this weekend, so I'm hoping that I'll have a couple of pairs of basic socks to show off next week using Lion Brand Sock Ease in Toffee - I should get in some good knitting time in the car! I needed a plain stockinette project to alleviate some stress, and these have done the trick! The Toffee colorway has been very popular in my little circle too - both my sister and another friend saw them and want some of their own! I'm even hoping to make some baby-sized socks with the leftovers for little Amanda - then we can all match! :)
P.S. Thanks to Kelley for the first picture - she was the official photographer at the shower and I couldn't resist stealing this great shot of the booties with the mom-to-be! You should really check out the larger versions of it at my flickr page - her camera is awesome.
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