Friday, 30. May 2008
Ha, I know, that weekend has come and gone. I spent some time doing this…
Yes, having cold beer (good!) outdoors on an uncharacteristically cold day (bad!)….and finished a pair of Child’s First Socks.
Pattern: Child’s First Socks in Knitting Vintage Socks
Material: Sz 1 needles, and a big honking ball of Regia Jubilee India.
Notes: No mods, yea and the yarn is a little too busy for this pattern. But sometimes, you don’t listen to your inner smart-ass. It happens. Fits well though. And those leftovers? Perfect for iPhone cozies.
Waste not, want not. *Whack!* Who am I kidding… there are two hanks of new sock yarn staring back at me as I type this. Now let’s go back to this……
(Unknown beer at Father’s Office, Culver City, CA. Best sweet potato fries.)
Posted in FOs, Socks, When I'm not knitting by winnie -
Wednesday, 21. May 2008
Usually, the moment I start knitting a garment, I can pretty much plough through it (except for socks – those sit in a different category). However, knitting monogamy goes out the window in the summer time. And I say summer because California has seen some 80 to 90 degree weather recently. Like, WTF? I have the attention span of a 3-year-old and every shiny new pattern or yarn makes me want to drop whatever I’m doing now to start playing. On a fateful ravelry-browsing day, I stumbled into the spindlers’ group, and that was the beginning of the end.
Armed with a new spinning book, a Schacht Hi-Lo 1.1 oz spindle and some BFL, I sat down to learn a new skill. Two days later……
This spinning thing is hard and I don’t know what I’m doing. The spindle doesn’t spin long enough for me, I have a hard time drafting while spinning (even after this supposed pre-drafting thingamajig), and my yarn is fat and lumpy. Apparently, I have no coordination.
I am in WAY over my head, people. Does anyone know where I can take spinning classes in Orange County?
Posted in Spinning by winnie -
Monday, 12. May 2008
I spent the weekend in Vegas. There were some boozing, some hangover, some recuperation at the pool, and unfortunately, some bad sushi in an over-priced establishment.
This is what I have to show for after a long drive back to California. Caitlyn, this post is for you. And for those who have to squint to make out what the coaster says, see below.
Arrogant Bastard Ale:
“This is an aggressive beer. You probably won’t like it. It is quite doubtful that you have the taste or sophistication to be able to appreciate an ale of this quality and depth. Fizzy yellow beer is for wussies.”
Posted in When I'm not knitting by winnie -
Friday, 9. May 2008
Spring for me, is a time for open toe shoes. This red pair is one of my favorites, purchased from Frye’s. I love it’s 2″ heel (tall enough for a little umph!, and short enough to walk comfortably), the little ankle strap detail, and most of all, the retro feel.
Every girl will at one time or another, face the dilemma of having a closet full of clothes and nothing to match their shoes. Enter my spring/summer knit – the Cherry Cardigan. I have chosen Elizabeth Lavold’s Hempathy for this knit, in my favorite blue/green color.
Hempathy is a combination of hemp, cotton and modal, and reminds me of knitting with Brown Sheep Cotton Fine, which is a Merino/Cotton blend. It’s a welcome reprieve from knitting with wool and sweaty palms in the warm temperature, and I am really enjoying this knit so far.
That’s right girls, I pick my projects to match my shoes.
Posted in Possessions, WIPs by winnie -
Tuesday, 6. May 2008
It’s finally complete!
Pattern: My own, a la Barbara Walker
Materials: 6 balls of Lane Borgosesia Knit USA (660 yds), 1.5 skeins of Cascade 220 in colorway 7814, Sz 10 and 10.5 needles, 8 metal buttons, 6 snap buttons
Notes: This jacket was knit from the top down, at a gauge of 14 sts and 20 rows to 4″. Cascade 220 was held double to obtain the same gauge using Sz 10.5 needles. I measured the width of my back for 13″ and cast on the appropriate number of stitches and short-rowed my way down for the shoulder slopes. Armhole length = 7″. When I reached the appropriate length for pockets, I cast on additional stitches for the pockets and knit down for 5″, and k2tog with the body stitches. No waist shaping for this jacket. Then it’s just more knitting until the desired length. Ribbing for the sleeves, jacket border and short row neck was finished off with tubular cast off. The button bands were knit in garter stitch to prevent curling (trust me, I tried stockinette and that didn’t turn out). I left the jacket untouched for days after blocking because superwash yarn has a tendency to stretch out and that wouldn’t be the best time to seam. Sure enough, the damn thing sprang back into shape after a while and I double checked before sewing the nylon lining in place.
Sewing: I decided that I was too chicken (this time) for a zipper, so I went with my original idea of snap buttons. The inside band was lined with nylon ribbon (ends were fused with a lighter to prevent fraying) to reinforce the jacket. I figured if I am going to pull the bands apart frequently I am going to need something sturdier. Yes, it helps.
Like I said, the pockets were a little high, but it doesn’t detract me from gloating. I like how it looks buttoned all the way up, and also when I leave the first two buttons out. It fits exactly how I imagined it would, and that’s no small feat when it comes to “winging” a pattern. This one is a keeper!
(And what’s a FO without side and back views!)
Posted in Cardigans, FOs, My Patterns by winnie -
