Archive for January, 2008

WIP Week: Somewhat Cowl

Thursday, January 31st, 2008
Categories: In Progress, Somewhat Cowl

Somewhat Cowl

Here’s the progress on my mom’s Somewhat Cowl. I’ve decided that I actually prefer pure stockinette sweaters, because they’re completely brainless and I only ever have to tink back a row if I accidentally forget a raglan increase/decrease. I also really love that this sweater is seamless, because I am currently in seaming hell with my Phildar sweater and it’s encouraging to know I won’t have to go through it with this one.

The seaming is growing on me, though! I love how that sweater is coming out, and if I can find a camera by tomorrow I will show you exactly how awesome a one-armed sweater can be. And once I’ve finished the whole thing, and finished Colchique, and finished a seamless raglan that fits me (keep an eye out for an EZ pattern in the future), I will tell you exactly which process I think is better. I’ve been afraid of knitting a seamless sweater for fear it will be completely structureless, but this Somewhat Cowl is looking really nice so far. Hopefully my mom will like it.

More pictures after the jump.

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WIP Week: Greenzo!

Wednesday, January 30th, 2008
Categories: In Progress, Orangina

I didn’t want to call this shirt Orangina because it’s not orange, and Greenina doesn’t fit very well. Greenzo, however, fits like a glove. And so voila: Greenzo. (For those not in the know, I named this shirt Greenzo after David Schwimmer’s one-time character on the bext comedy on television, 30 Rock. Watch this show! It is awesome! I would never let you down with a television recommendation.)

Greenzo

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WIP Week: Malabrigo Neckwarmer

Tuesday, January 29th, 2008
Categories: In Progress, Scarves & Shawls

Malabrigo Neckwarmer

Here’s the neckwarmer, waiting for a button. I managed to sew the button on just as I was leaving my parents’ place and didn’t get to take a picture, so as soon as the batteries on my own camera are charged, you’ll get your FO photos. Because it was a WIP when I took the pictures, I can still technically post them this week!

I really love the pooling effect that occurred in this yarn. It looks like a blue tiger. I really really really love this yarn and I can’t wait to have an excuse to buy some more. I’d get some in Bulky, and make a beautiful hat and mitten combo. I don’t care if they would match this neckwarmer, I only care that they would be the most squishy, deliciously warm and soft mittens in the solar system.

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WIP Week: Touch of Grey

Monday, January 28th, 2008
Categories: Touch of Grey Sweater

I’m so excited, you guys! I had good light and a good camera and a clean room on Friday, and I actually managed to take pictures! Lots and lots of pictures. I’m feeling a bit overwhelmed, so I’ll be blogging them in parts for the rest of the week until I run out. Here’s the first batch. These pictures of my Touch of Grey sweater were left on the camera from the last time I took pictures and I never got to post them.

Touch of Grey Flower

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Saturday, Pattern Day #31

Saturday, January 26th, 2008
Categories: Saturday Pattern Day

If you are knitting or have already knit a pattern that I’m talking about, leave me a comment and I’ll update my post with a link to your version. If you’ve written up a pattern and you want me to link to it, send me an email or leave me a comment and I’ll post it! It makes the list longer and my job easier.

  • Don’t knit Cecil unless you’re prepared to have it showered with mushy peas.
  • If you knit Cisco, you can make your child look like a miniature Japanese teenager. (I like to imagine that all Japanese people wear wacky clothes and live on the covers of Gwen Stefani albums.)
  • If you’re already preparing for Easter, here’s a pattern for knitted Easter eggs. And here’s another.
  • These Picot edged mittens are mega-cute.
  • Here’s a rough guide for a slouchy beret. I’ve not had success making hats for myself, so I might want to try something like this to fit over my hair, which is usually tied back and too big for my tighter hats.
  • This Sheila Cape is so adorable!
  • Bristol is a neck warmer, and it’s pretty classy.
  • Brompton is a pretty cardigan pattern. I love the colour! But I like tighter-fitting sweaters so it may not be my style. The basket-weave stitch on the edges is really smart, though! Example here.
  • I never realized there were lots of other Smariek patterns! Here’s a Heart Lace Cloth (in time for Valentine’s Day), Persephone Mitts, Swirl Hat, Osiris, Regina, and an Embossed Turtle.

Finished Felted Slippers

Thursday, January 24th, 2008
Categories: Finished Projects, Slippers

Felted Slippers

Wow, this took a long time to post. Now I finally have a picture, so it can finally go up!

Felted Slippers, started February 1st, 2007, finished June 12th, 2007 (but I’m not sure when the second one was felted because my mom did it)
Pattern: Knitting at Knoon Family of Slippers
Yarn: Bulky yarn from Simpson’s, now The Hudson’s Bay Company. It was given to me by The Beau’s mom, and originally belonged to one of The Beau’s grandparents.
Needles: Big ones!
Modifications: I made some mods to account for gauge, but that was just straight algebra. No other mods were needed.
Would I knit it again? I would indeed! My mom loves them and says they’re wonderfully warm. They’re a bit slippery which I would have liked to fix, but she actually likes sliding around the house. She says it’s fun. My mom is hilariously wacky.

I like this pattern because it actually stays on your feet. They’re essentially giant felted socks. I’d like to make a pair for myself, I think. They were initially meant for me to use in the lab and then ended up too small, so they went to my mom. If I made some for me, I think I would put a bunch of puffy paint on the bottom for stickiness, and perhaps some sealant to keep out moisture. No idea how I’d do that, but I’ll cross that bridge when I come to it!

Goodness Gracious!

Tuesday, January 22nd, 2008
Categories: Other Crafts, Video

[kml_flashembed movie="http://www.metacafe.com/fplayer/1029494/how_to_make_fire_balls.swf" height="345" width="400" /]

This is some intense post-sewing action. It just barely makes the cut for a knitting blog, but it’s too cool not to post.

I want to try it but I would undoubtedly set myself on fire.

Let’s Recycle!

Monday, January 21st, 2008
Categories: Other Crafts, Recycling

Want to use up a few magazines? Got some junk mail you want to tear up? Have some… er… “anthropology journals” under your bed that you have to get rid of before your new boyfriend finds them? You’ve come to the right place.

Recycled Picture

Yay, a pretty picture. Just cut up things in strips, and then make it pretty somehow. Man, some crafters baffle me with their ability to make these things look like they were not just thrown up by my cat.

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Saturday, Pattern Day #30

Saturday, January 19th, 2008
Categories: Saturday Pattern Day

The new DROPS patterns are out! So this week’s SDPD is all about Drops. I like seeing pictures of patterns when I’m searching around, so I’ve got a nice photo montage here for you guys of the patterns that I like. What do you think, guys? What’s the winning pattern for this season of Drops? My favourites are the top 5 in the list, although I’m not sure I would knit them (except for the raglan 2nd from the left, which I might do in a solid colour with leaner arms perhaps).

If you are knitting or have already knit a pattern that I’m talking about, leave me a comment and I’ll update my post with a link to your version. If you’ve written up a pattern and you want me to link to it, send me an email or leave me a comment and I’ll post it! It makes the list longer and my job easier.

Bolero in Inka Raglan sweater in Inka Top with short sleeve and lace pattern in Muskat Dress in stocking st and moss st in Paris Dress in stocking st and berry pattern in Silke-Alpaca
Top with slanting cutting on front piece Trendy sweater, hat and scarf in Eskimo Loosely knitted sweater in Vivaldi Socks in garter st with lace pattern in Alpaca Jacket with short sleeves in stocking sts and blackberry stitch in Silke-Alpaca
Cape with lace pattern in Vivaldi and Cotton Viscose Jacket with lace pattern and raglan sleeve in Muskat Socks in double thread Fabel Ankle socks in Fabel Ankle socks in double thread Fabel
Shawl with cables and bobbles in Silke-Alpaca felted slippers in double thread Vienna Knitted coat in Inka Inka Sweater with sleeves knitted in rib Sweater with round yoke in Paris and Cotton Viscose

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Where to put all that money you’ve resolved to save this year

Thursday, January 17th, 2008
Categories: Cute Things, Ideas & Inspiration, Other Crafts

Put your money in the kitty

Things in the shape of kitties are always news.