Well, so far it seems like any day I want to take pictures of the shawl or swatch, etc. it is crappy outside. So, I will try soon, it's not like I have very much done anyways. I cast on 400 stitches and decided to do the border in moss stitch. I have to admit, I am a moss addict. If there were a way to incorporate moss stitch into everything I do, I probably would.
I am very close to being done with the first Spring Green Leaf sock. I think the material knitted up definitely does feel better.
Well, that's all for now, back to knitting.
Friday, May 30, 2008
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Beautiful Backyard of Buffalo
Well, it is quite a nice thing that not only do I live in Buffalo, NY, but I live on Elmwood and have a nice size back yard that the apartment complex shares. It is really nice actually and I went out today and took some pictures to show you how beautiful it can be.
The back yard is mostly used by the two tenants who have dogs, one of those tenants actually grills down there too. It's actually quite nice, but the picnic table down there is usually in the shade and I am a little nervous about just sitting down in the grass that the dogs use as a giant poo box . . . so, not so much use from me.
* * * * *
Tomorrow I will share with you the very little progress of my mother's shawl, but more on that tomorrow. Also going to work on updating more of my links tomorrow.
The back yard is mostly used by the two tenants who have dogs, one of those tenants actually grills down there too. It's actually quite nice, but the picnic table down there is usually in the shade and I am a little nervous about just sitting down in the grass that the dogs use as a giant poo box . . . so, not so much use from me.
* * * * *
Tomorrow I will share with you the very little progress of my mother's shawl, but more on that tomorrow. Also going to work on updating more of my links tomorrow.
Forgotten
Well, I forgot to put this one in the first post so here she is:
This is pieces of a doll in progress. The pattern comes from:STITCH (opens in new window, all links I provide will always open in a new window)
This doll will be for my niece Justice. I intend on making it nifty clothing, such as Dora Explorer type shirt and Sponge Bob Squarepants shirt(these are her favorite shows), but we shall see. She turns five very soon, but her present won't be there until I visit in July. I am working it with Caron Simply Soft, color is bone, with a hook E/3.5mm. So far I am liking it, but then I have always loved making dolls of any kind.
This is pieces of a doll in progress. The pattern comes from:STITCH (opens in new window, all links I provide will always open in a new window)
This doll will be for my niece Justice. I intend on making it nifty clothing, such as Dora Explorer type shirt and Sponge Bob Squarepants shirt(these are her favorite shows), but we shall see. She turns five very soon, but her present won't be there until I visit in July. I am working it with Caron Simply Soft, color is bone, with a hook E/3.5mm. So far I am liking it, but then I have always loved making dolls of any kind.
Spinning Adventures
Here are my two spinning wips. The first one is some different colors of roving I dyed and decided to use them together for a fire theme, but as I as it is being spun, it reminds me of picking salmon berries back in Washington State. This is similar to the colorway Pacific Northwest where I took some blues, greens, blacks, and purples I had dyed and spun them together with a bit of hand carding. Not going to amount to much yarn, but in all honesty . . . I just really like the spinning part.
Why is it that my spinning reminds me of home lately? Not sure, maybe just a little nostalgic.
* * * * *
This second one actually has a purpose in life and has been a wip for some time now. I have been very slowly working on it, mostly because I get caught up in new projects, school, or work. My goal is to finish this during the summer and have the gloves they are intended for to be made by the time winter rolls around. I call the colorway Falling Leaves.
I want to ply it with a Knit Picks 100% Merino wool in white or atleast that is my idea so for. Not sure because white will get dirty quickly and lets face it, I am not the cleanest person. So this is something to ponder on.
Why is it that my spinning reminds me of home lately? Not sure, maybe just a little nostalgic.
* * * * *
This second one actually has a purpose in life and has been a wip for some time now. I have been very slowly working on it, mostly because I get caught up in new projects, school, or work. My goal is to finish this during the summer and have the gloves they are intended for to be made by the time winter rolls around. I call the colorway Falling Leaves.
I want to ply it with a Knit Picks 100% Merino wool in white or atleast that is my idea so for. Not sure because white will get dirty quickly and lets face it, I am not the cleanest person. So this is something to ponder on.
No need to fear
Well, I was gone for about a week, just busy with work and getting lesson plans ready for Art Camp. I took lots of pics of my other wips today though, so lots of stuff to check out. I am going to do three differnt posts to kind of break things up.
* * * * *
First up we have my desire to learn a good sock formula. This stems from loving the books Sensational Knitted Socks and More Sensational Knitted Socks. I love the whole formula idea where you can plug in your numbers and go. So, this pink sock is my first attempt to do something similar with crochet. Still a long way to go, I want to try different types of heels and toes. Anyways, right now, it's mostly ideas in my head and some in my journal, but here is the first attempt.
Size F/4.0 hook with Caron Simply Soft (a light pink, sorry lost the ball band)
The fit is mostly good, but a little wonky in the heel and a little too loose on the cuff, but those aren't too traumatic. I have high hopes for this venture.
* * * * *
Next up are the socks I have started for my sister Echo with the Knit Picks yarn that I dyed. I am loving how they are turning out. I ended up knitting them on 0us/2mm needles. I swatched a few pattern designs but didn't like what they did to the colorway and decided that just a plain stockinette stitch would be the nicest.
* * * * *
Last up for this post is baby Gerrin's blanket. I am using a pattern out of a book I have called Afghans on the Double, put out by Oxmoor House and Leisure Arts. The pattern is called Distinctive Diamonds. I am using Bernat Softee Chunky in Circus, Hot Blue and Hot Lime(pictured). The Circus is a mix of greens an blues and will be the border. Not far yet, but here is what we've got:
* * * * *
First up we have my desire to learn a good sock formula. This stems from loving the books Sensational Knitted Socks and More Sensational Knitted Socks. I love the whole formula idea where you can plug in your numbers and go. So, this pink sock is my first attempt to do something similar with crochet. Still a long way to go, I want to try different types of heels and toes. Anyways, right now, it's mostly ideas in my head and some in my journal, but here is the first attempt.
Size F/4.0 hook with Caron Simply Soft (a light pink, sorry lost the ball band)
The fit is mostly good, but a little wonky in the heel and a little too loose on the cuff, but those aren't too traumatic. I have high hopes for this venture.
* * * * *
Next up are the socks I have started for my sister Echo with the Knit Picks yarn that I dyed. I am loving how they are turning out. I ended up knitting them on 0us/2mm needles. I swatched a few pattern designs but didn't like what they did to the colorway and decided that just a plain stockinette stitch would be the nicest.
* * * * *
Last up for this post is baby Gerrin's blanket. I am using a pattern out of a book I have called Afghans on the Double, put out by Oxmoor House and Leisure Arts. The pattern is called Distinctive Diamonds. I am using Bernat Softee Chunky in Circus, Hot Blue and Hot Lime(pictured). The Circus is a mix of greens an blues and will be the border. Not far yet, but here is what we've got:
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Dyeing and Trying
Well, the dyeing portion of this post is all about the Knit Picks lace weight 100% merino I dyed last night. I used Kool-aid Pink Lemonade and Lemon-lime to dye parts of the yarn and then overdyed it all with royal blue wiltons icing dye. It did exactly what I wanted it to, turning it to varying shades of teal, blue, and purple. Have a look . . .
I think it turned out beautifully and I am waiting for it to finish drying and then I will start on some chevron type socks for my sister Echo. Echo is also what I am calling the colorway since it was done all for her. I hope she ends up liking them. I will probably knit them with 0 us needles, but we shall see.
Okay, on to the trying. . . the trying is the first time I have tried to kind of do it myself in a pattern. This sweater I have been working on and off on. I wanted a sweater that was close fitting and had a plunging neckline to wear over t-shirts and tank tops, but couldn't really find a pattern for what I was looking for. So I altered a pattern I had. In Fitted Knits, the Cropped Cardigan by Stefanie Japel. I used the top of the pattern, right until you add additional stitches in the front the make the two sides meet. Instead I joined it there and am working along according to my measurements.
Yarn: Patons Shetland Chunky
Colors: Mustard and Earthy Brown Tweed
Needles: 5mm or 8us
I wanted to make it more than one color to draw the eyes to the more flattering parts. This is my first time doing color work and I enjoyed it. It becomes very rhythmic. I haven't work on this in a couple of weeks though, due to new ideas and except for this week or so, it was really nice outside. I intend for the sleeves to have a similar pattern with orange down to about an inch above the elbow and then and inch or two of brown. I prefer elbow length sleeves, although I may regret that come winter time. We shall see. Overall, feeling quite good about the sweater though. I am quite an orange fan!
I think it turned out beautifully and I am waiting for it to finish drying and then I will start on some chevron type socks for my sister Echo. Echo is also what I am calling the colorway since it was done all for her. I hope she ends up liking them. I will probably knit them with 0 us needles, but we shall see.
Okay, on to the trying. . . the trying is the first time I have tried to kind of do it myself in a pattern. This sweater I have been working on and off on. I wanted a sweater that was close fitting and had a plunging neckline to wear over t-shirts and tank tops, but couldn't really find a pattern for what I was looking for. So I altered a pattern I had. In Fitted Knits, the Cropped Cardigan by Stefanie Japel. I used the top of the pattern, right until you add additional stitches in the front the make the two sides meet. Instead I joined it there and am working along according to my measurements.
Yarn: Patons Shetland Chunky
Colors: Mustard and Earthy Brown Tweed
Needles: 5mm or 8us
I wanted to make it more than one color to draw the eyes to the more flattering parts. This is my first time doing color work and I enjoyed it. It becomes very rhythmic. I haven't work on this in a couple of weeks though, due to new ideas and except for this week or so, it was really nice outside. I intend for the sleeves to have a similar pattern with orange down to about an inch above the elbow and then and inch or two of brown. I prefer elbow length sleeves, although I may regret that come winter time. We shall see. Overall, feeling quite good about the sweater though. I am quite an orange fan!
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Longer Post with nifty WIPs
Well, today's post will be longer because work was cancelled. We are having some icky spring like weather here in Buffalo, which doesn't work well when one works at an ice cream shop. Oh well, more goodies.
First up is going to be the project for my mother that I mentioned yesterday. I have actually been mentally thinking about this for more than about 6 month or so and it is finally really coming together in my head, on paper, and on swatches.
This is my swatch so far. The bottom area is just regular stockinette stitch, then lace stitch I will be using for the background (most of the shawl), part of the chart I made for a frog (you see his toes and the bottom part of his legs), and then the top portion is where I am trying out the lace edging I intend on using (haven't gotten very far on that section though).
Here are a couple of close-up pics of the swatch.
The yarn I am using is lace weight Knit Picks Shadow in Basalt (100% Merino wool) with 2.25mm (1US) needles. I really like how the yarn looks. I was a little iffy when ordering it cause I know how colors can change from monitor to monitor, but it is beautiful. The gray is really made up of different colors that can be seen when you look closely. These pics kind of suck because I couldn't get any good light outside because it started getting really icky outside.
I also wanted to share with you my latest yarn that I spun. It is wool roving that was ordered off the internet. I dyed it with wiltons cake dyes as roving and then spun it. I am calling it Pacific Northwest, because that is where I am from and it reminds me of home. These pics are of it just after it finished drying . . . my technique of wrapping it around a large water bottle . . . blame living in a smallish apartment. It was navajo plied, also on a spindle.
I have a couple other spinning WIPs right now, I'll try to get some pictures of them up. I spin with a spindles right now although I do hope to one day own a wheel. To be fair though, there are many craft items I hope to one day own, so . . . it could be a long time coming. Maybe once I am done with school and get rich off of being a teacher . . . ha ha ha ha ha! Oh well, we all have our dreams.
The last thing I am going to show you today is a journal that I am working on for my mother. Yes, I realize I make a lot of things for my mother, but it's easy to make things for her when she actually does appreciate hand-made items since she does a fair amount of crafts herself. Anyways, the outside of the journal and spine are matte board, while the inside are pages taken out of a composition book(3 notebooks worth). I am in the middle of making the "tile" pieces I need to make the design on the outside. The "tiles" I am using are really sculpey and fimo rolled out, cut into little pieces, and baked. I like this way better because there are no sharp edges for her to cut or snag on.
Well, that's all for today everyone. I need to go do some tidying up and work on some crafts. I am sure you will learn quickly that I have many WIPs going on at one time and this is needed due to my short attention span and boat load of ideas.
First up is going to be the project for my mother that I mentioned yesterday. I have actually been mentally thinking about this for more than about 6 month or so and it is finally really coming together in my head, on paper, and on swatches.
This is my swatch so far. The bottom area is just regular stockinette stitch, then lace stitch I will be using for the background (most of the shawl), part of the chart I made for a frog (you see his toes and the bottom part of his legs), and then the top portion is where I am trying out the lace edging I intend on using (haven't gotten very far on that section though).
Here are a couple of close-up pics of the swatch.
The yarn I am using is lace weight Knit Picks Shadow in Basalt (100% Merino wool) with 2.25mm (1US) needles. I really like how the yarn looks. I was a little iffy when ordering it cause I know how colors can change from monitor to monitor, but it is beautiful. The gray is really made up of different colors that can be seen when you look closely. These pics kind of suck because I couldn't get any good light outside because it started getting really icky outside.
I also wanted to share with you my latest yarn that I spun. It is wool roving that was ordered off the internet. I dyed it with wiltons cake dyes as roving and then spun it. I am calling it Pacific Northwest, because that is where I am from and it reminds me of home. These pics are of it just after it finished drying . . . my technique of wrapping it around a large water bottle . . . blame living in a smallish apartment. It was navajo plied, also on a spindle.
I have a couple other spinning WIPs right now, I'll try to get some pictures of them up. I spin with a spindles right now although I do hope to one day own a wheel. To be fair though, there are many craft items I hope to one day own, so . . . it could be a long time coming. Maybe once I am done with school and get rich off of being a teacher . . . ha ha ha ha ha! Oh well, we all have our dreams.
The last thing I am going to show you today is a journal that I am working on for my mother. Yes, I realize I make a lot of things for my mother, but it's easy to make things for her when she actually does appreciate hand-made items since she does a fair amount of crafts herself. Anyways, the outside of the journal and spine are matte board, while the inside are pages taken out of a composition book(3 notebooks worth). I am in the middle of making the "tile" pieces I need to make the design on the outside. The "tiles" I am using are really sculpey and fimo rolled out, cut into little pieces, and baked. I like this way better because there are no sharp edges for her to cut or snag on.
Well, that's all for today everyone. I need to go do some tidying up and work on some crafts. I am sure you will learn quickly that I have many WIPs going on at one time and this is needed due to my short attention span and boat load of ideas.
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
News and a WIP
Well, we got the wonderful news yesterday that my boyfriend is now an uncle of a little boy named Gerrin. Gerrin was 5lbs and 9oz. I can't wait to make some little boy things for him. I am of course much more excited than my boyfriend, but oh well, hopefully we will be able to get to Ohio sometime and see the new baby.
My socks that are for my mother are moving along slowly, mostly because I have another item I am working on for her which is a lot of planning and will take some time. I will take some pics so far of the swatch and give some ideas tomorrow.
Pattern: Ten Stitch Leafy Lace from More Sensational Knitted Socks
Needles: 1us or 2.25mm
Yarn: Sockotta (45% cotton, 40% superwash, 15% nylon)
Color: 816 - - or in my words "spring green"
Modifications: I turned it into a twelve stitch pattern so it could accomodate the size I needed.
I like the pattern and how it is working up, but in all honesty, I am not really a fan of the yarn so far. I think it is a little scratchy feeling and I don't know if I will use it again after this. It was originally chosen for it's color and I thought the yarn felt fine in the store, but working with it is a little different. I am holding most of my judgement on how the socks all knitted up feel though. We shall see.
My socks that are for my mother are moving along slowly, mostly because I have another item I am working on for her which is a lot of planning and will take some time. I will take some pics so far of the swatch and give some ideas tomorrow.
Pattern: Ten Stitch Leafy Lace from More Sensational Knitted Socks
Needles: 1us or 2.25mm
Yarn: Sockotta (45% cotton, 40% superwash, 15% nylon)
Color: 816 - - or in my words "spring green"
Modifications: I turned it into a twelve stitch pattern so it could accomodate the size I needed.
I like the pattern and how it is working up, but in all honesty, I am not really a fan of the yarn so far. I think it is a little scratchy feeling and I don't know if I will use it again after this. It was originally chosen for it's color and I thought the yarn felt fine in the store, but working with it is a little different. I am holding most of my judgement on how the socks all knitted up feel though. We shall see.
Monday, May 19, 2008
Moving In
Well, I have started to add some of my links to the sidebar and will post later today the new socks I am working on for my mother. They are still very much a WIP. It's going to take a little while for me to completely move in here, but it's moving at a good pace. Now it is time to go play with my little patio garden. Maybe I'll take some pictures when I am done rearranging. If you would like to see any of my previous work or garden pics, please have a look at my livejournal account.
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Traveling Vines in Coffee
Traveling Vines in Coffee
Pattern: Eight Stitch Traveling Vine from More Sensational KNitted Socks
Needles: 4US
Yarn: Moda-Dea (100% superwash wool)
Color: Coffee
These were originally started for my mother, but I got a little sidetracked while watching LOST and made them a little long for her. I tried them on to see if they would fit me and they did! They feel wonderful, which I why I didn't just frog back but instead decided to keep them and make my mother a different pair.
This image is the most accurate to the color:
Overall, I am very happy with how these worked out. I love how they feel and in general have just fell in love with Moda-Dea for socks. I have learned that with these socks I like quite a bit of negative ease as my mother wears a size 7us shoe size and I wear a size 10us shoe size.
The next few days I am going to try to post some of my WIP and what I intend to do with them.
Saturday, May 17, 2008
Very first post!
Well, this is my new blog. I have a livejournal account, but I wanted to have a blog so hopefully I will be more consistant in logging my arts and crafts. I will start tomorrow with the socks I just finished!
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