Saturday, 5. November 2005
It’s good to be back home! I spent the last week at a conference and I finally made it back to LA last night. Not much knitting going on recently, except that I finished a pair of really really bright knee-highs.
Materials: Regia 4-ply Jubilee Color 5473 (100g, 75% wool, 25% polyamide), Sz 0 + 1
Pattern: Figure 8 CO, 60 sts in Sz 0 all the way up to just before calves, then Sz 1 needles for another 6 inches, and finished off with 2″ of 1 by 1 ribbing with sewn cast off
Notes: Not much.. except that it’s done with k4p1 and I used up every last bit of yarn. I like knitting socks with Sz 0′s to produce a firm fabric and I think this Regia yarn has been the best sock yarn (in terms of softness) that I’ve worked with so far. The colors are abit crazy, but I’m sure no one will notice them under my jeans. It’s great to have a pair of cheerful handknit socks for this winter.
Now that I got these out of the way, I have some time to decide on my next project. I’m leaning towards the Renaissance Tunic by Teva Durham, and even obtained gauge for the pattern. But Demi is calling out to me too, so I’m having a little trouble deciding which project to dive into. I have Jaeger Shetland Aran in burgundy for Demi, but I haven’t swatched yet so we’ll see. I’m still trying to catch up with the blog-reading (boy you gals are chatty) and am looking forward to spending the weekend relaxing in my pj’s and sleeping in. Seems like you all have been busy knitting while I was away.. good thing too, because I need some serious inspiration to get my knitting mojo back in gear. For those who have emailed me while I was gone, sorry I haven’t replied. I’m still sorting through the messages but I’ll get back to you eventually.
Posted in FOs, Socks by winnie -
Tuesday, 18. October 2005
For starters, if you don’t know this already, Diana finished her Raspy. I have one word for it – perfection. That gave me the motivation to pick it up and start knitting again. 
When I ordered yarn for this sweater initially, I just looked at the yarn requirements for a size small sweater and it said 12 balls. So I bought 13 – you know, just in case. The yarn arrived and I took a closer look at the finished schematic size and noticed that the finished sleeve length before the raglan decreases was 17.5″. 17.5″? Oh SHIT — that’s like, 3/4 length for my long ass arms!!! So I hurried through the back piece to check how many balls it would require, and plowed through the first sleeve (lengthened, of course) like a mad woman. I recalculated and figured out that 13 balls of yarn would cover the knitting – SANS seaming. What??? Then I checked Elann, and for 1 ball of Den-m-Nit in Dark Indigo, plus shipping, totals approx 10 bucks. 10 bucks for a freaking ball of yarn to seam – when all I need is a few yards? I think my heart just sank.
So here’s the plea – does anyone have left-over Den-m-nit in Dark Indigo from their previous projects that they would be able to part with? I just need a few yards. Just a few measly yards. Please?
I’m going to be MIA for a while. Conference coming up in two weeks and I am running around like a headless chicken. Stress and I are like best chums right about now. And that last few yards to seam Raspy makes me want to punch myself in the face. Coulda, woulda, shoulda.
With that, I leave you with a plea and a partially finished pair of socks. Try not to look so hard at my tan line.
Edit: And thank you all so so much for the comments on Lace Leaf Pullover. Trust me, the kitchenering is not perfect. My camera just decided to compliment me once for a change. I would write individual emails to thank you all personally, but Blogger is being a bitch and displays 90% of commenters’ emails as “anonymous“. I will not be pegged a thankless bitch for Blogger’s f**k-ups… just so you know.
Posted in WIPs by winnie -
Thursday, 15. September 2005
This is what I have on the Backyard Leaves for Anna so far. I’m knitting both halves at once, so I can avoid the 2nd half syndrome. Merino Style is wonderfully soft for this scarf, and I’m knitting the scarf on Sz 5 needles as opposed to the sz 7′z mentioned in the pattern. Then again, the pattern called for a heavy worsted weight yarn while I’m knitting with a DK weight. I hope to get this done soon and send it off so Anna won’t be cold and scarf-less in Canada. I hear Ottawa is an icebox in the winter. 
Just to prove to y’all that I do knit with colors other than pink, here’s my progress on Stephanie’s Spring Grass socks. I have some fingering weight 100% wool Japanese yarn in my stash and it wants to be these socks. I charted out the lace pattern in Excel so it’s easier for me to follow and so far, knitting these have been a breeze. They want to be knee-length socks. Psst.. I forgot to mention that I used Purly White’s tips on YO Short Row toes for these babies. Much much better than the wrap short rows. She posted an awesome demo and you should all check it out!
Posted in WIPs by winnie -
Tuesday, 6. September 2005
Finally finished BF’s socks.
Pattern: 4×1 rib, 68 sts to 7″, 68+2 sts for 1″ (8″), then 68+2+2 sts until 9″ before turning heel. For a man’s US sz 9 feet. BF likes them a little snug.
Materials: Sz 0 needles, Trekking XXL Color 111 (75% superwash wool, 25% nylon, 100g/ 459yds)
Just having fun with Photoshop. And oh yea, the headband is a Finnish pattern and the translation can be found here. I used 2 strands sportsweight yarn with US sz 5 needles. I think the pattern is written for worsted weight yarn.
Edit: Just discovered two beautiful sock patterns. Click here.
Posted in FOs, Hats, Patterns, Socks by winnie -
Tuesday, 9. August 2005
Lately, my mood has been quite tumultuous, and I cannot for the life of me get a grip. After much blog-surfing, I have finally discovered why. All you Virgos out there, mercury is in retrograde yo! Yea, like I actually know what that means – but if it explains why I feel this way, then good. Blame the stars.
Knitting has been happening haphazardly, and here’s proof: 
This is a finished sock that I blogged about previously. I finished the top with 4 rows of 1×1 rib and cast off using EZ’s sewn cast-off. It works! It works! Suffice to say my circulation was not cut off at the least bit when I tried it on. The Figure-8 cast on close up is shown in the picture at the bottom. It’s easy, it’s pretty, and I’m going to keep using it.
So one must not be selfish and knit only for oneself. Therefore, one must purchase awesome new sock yarn and knit for others. Case in point – sock for BF in Trekking XXL Color 111. Photographing dark variegated colors is a royal pain in the butt, hence the crappy picture. 68 sts on sz 0 addi’s, woohoo. This one is done in k4p1 rib, and trust me, I took a gazillion pictures to show you how lovely it is, but the camera begged to differ. It simply won’t agree with me on the loveliness of BF’s sock and refused to take pretty pictures. Screw it. 
One fine day, many moons ago, I ventured into my LYS to the scrap bin section and discovered two skeins of Manos yarn for $9.00. Yes, ladies, 2 skeins of Manos for $9.00. Now I’m not one to pass up a bargain like this, plus they have 4 balls of lilac Rowan Cork for $8.00. Go on, be jealous. But of course, one must not be selfish (again!) so I gave the Cork to a friend so she can enjoy my sinful purchase too. Now this dark red Manos, it wants to be the Devil Hat. I left out the horns, but added pompoms instead. I even felted them in hot water for a little bit too, and I love the results. Perhaps I could also lengthen the i-cord and make even bigger pompoms so I can stuff my bra with them. Why pay for expensive breast augmentation surgery when all you need are big pompoms? Tsk tsk tsk.. You agree? No?
Girls, have you seen this? It’s beautiful. I’m feeling the itch for lace-knitting again. I have my mind set on the Cherry Blossom Shawl too, but have yet to find the inexpensive yet good quality yarn that I can afford. Knitpicks has some good merino lace options, and at $2.29 for 440 yds, heck, I’d only be paying $6.87 to make the cherry blossom. Why haven’t I made the purchase? Well, CHERRY blossom, my friends. I wonder why Knitpicks have decided not to carry anything in the RED color family… I’d be all over them already. Hmph.
I’m still waiting for a package from my SYNO pal. I check my mailbox twice everyday.. even my neighbors’ doorsteps.. cuz y’all know the mailman screws up sometimes.. No news yet, but I’m hoping soon. If you’re reading this Swap Pal, fret not. I’m just impatient by nature and since mercury is in retrograde (what the hell does that mean really?), all kinds of neurotic irrational behavior is unleashed. I’ll curb the beast soon, I promise.
Posted in FOs, WIPs by winnie -
Materials: Regia 4-ply Jubilee Color 5473 (100g, 75% wool, 25% polyamide), Sz 0 + 1
