tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40180242011-04-21T11:43:52.041-07:00Booga JAll about me, my family, knitting, crafts, being a stay at home mom and having three cats.Julienoreply@blogger.comBlogger801100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4018024.post-1060116842290611052003-08-05T13:54:00.000-07:002003-08-05T13:54:02.083-07:00I Moved!
Please see me at my new home:
http://boogaj.typepad.com/knitting/Julienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4018024.post-1059667413628217562003-07-31T09:03:00.000-07:002003-07-31T09:05:23.220-07:00Round and Round
I just love knitting in the round. No side seams to worry about, less purling, quick quick, quick! Fuchsia is flying along despite the smaller needles (US 5) and the ribbing. I actually like doing ribbing (this sweater is k3 p1), but I do think it is a bit slower than plain old knitting. And did I mention how much I like this yarn, even though it is 50% cotton?
Yesterday Julienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4018024.post-1059484417597921132003-07-29T06:13:00.000-07:002003-07-29T06:13:37.570-07:00eBay Auctions!
Any rubber stampers out there? I'm selling off part of my stash on eBay. There are Christmas and Holiday stamps here and a bunch of other stamps here. Thanks for looking!
Knitting news: I'm making good progress on Fuchsia. I just love knitting in the round!Julienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4018024.post-1059232160577065502003-07-26T08:09:00.000-07:002003-07-26T08:10:08.710-07:00Good Deal
I have absolutely no affiliation with KnitPicks, but I have ordered from them several times in the past and I think they are great. So, when I saw that Tahki New Tweed is one of their new special offers, I had to share. I bought 12 balls of this in a light blue color (at Knitter's Niche in Chicago) to make Blue Cardie and I just love the yarn. It is 70% merino wool, 15% silk, 11% Julienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4018024.post-1058895529639902772003-07-22T10:38:00.000-07:002003-07-22T10:39:06.603-07:00You asked for it!
Free Felted Bag Pattern
Enjoy!
Julienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4018024.post-1058816368272037132003-07-21T12:39:00.000-07:002003-07-21T12:45:52.330-07:00Kureyon Felting
Wednesday I came down with Startitis. Despite my previous bad experience with felting Kureyon, I decided to try again. This time things went right. It's okay to make mistakes, but it's really great when you learn from them. I love my new bag and it is happily carrying my current sock in progress.
Startitis struck again on Saturday:
Here is Fuchsia from the 2001 Dale of Julienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4018024.post-1058218466569859092003-07-14T14:34:00.000-07:002003-07-14T14:55:57.650-07:00Maude
Finished Maude yesterday and she fits like a glove. I'll model it later in the week perhaps. Now I am anticipating my next project -- but what should it be? Decisions, decisions.
*Beer note*
Bottled our beer last night. Not as difficult as I feared, but quite a bit of beer apparently got on my tennis shoes. I noticed this while sitting at the Joliet Public Library's storytime Julienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4018024.post-1057876752019195532003-07-10T15:39:00.000-07:002003-07-11T08:04:11.220-07:00Froggin', Finishin' & Spinnin'
I know, the picture has nothing to do with the title, but it's been so cloudy here that I couldn't get a decent picture.
Froggin' -- Laurel Hill is no more. I got out the swift and spun away all my hard work. So what will the 20 skeins of dark olive green Jo Sharp wool become? Probably not another Jo Sharp design. I recently purchased A Season's Tale by Julienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4018024.post-1057674538866595502003-07-08T07:28:00.000-07:002003-07-08T07:29:11.216-07:00TypePad Here I Come!
Did you know that there is a new blog tool coming? It's called TypePad and it's from the makers of Movable Type. I have been chosen as a beta tester for this new service and you can see the TypePad version of my blog here. Let me know what you think by leaving me a comment on my new blog!Julienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4018024.post-1057591564150334852003-07-07T08:26:00.000-07:002003-07-07T08:27:06.313-07:00Decoupage and Beer
It was a very busy weekend! I finally felt like doing some spring cleaning and I found this box that I got at IKEA a while ago and decided to decoupage it. I just took some decoupage medium that I had sitting around and a bunch of origami paper and went to work. I'm pretty happy with the results and it was very easy to do. Here's what the box looked like before:
Last Julienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4018024.post-1057188066141069162003-07-02T16:21:00.000-07:002003-07-02T16:23:54.853-07:00Summer Reading
Finally got around to getting the Knitting Blogger's Reading Group button uploaded. The first book is going to be The Life of Pi by Yann Martal which I read a while back. That's okay because now I will be free to re-read East of Eden by John Steinbeck for the third (I think?) time. I re-read The Grapes of Wrath last year, so I was due to re-read East of Eden even if Oprah Julienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4018024.post-1056648313939134862003-06-26T10:25:00.000-07:002003-06-26T10:27:54.266-07:00Mission Accomplished!
I'm so proud! I actually started a project and worked on it until I completed it without a)starting another project b)working on another project or c)buying more yarn for another project! The WIP list remains stable. I really want to get back to working with some wool, but Maude is calling my name. Hopefully another FO in the near future?!?
Oh yeah -- the socks. They Julienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4018024.post-959815282003-06-24T07:27:00.000-07:002003-06-24T07:27:13.320-07:00Thanks!
Just wanted to say Thanks to Anna at Anna Knits for her nifty blog stuff! You can see that I added the scrolling buttons at the left. How cool is that?Julienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4018024.post-959564052003-06-23T12:49:00.000-07:002003-06-23T12:49:22.296-07:00Antiques and Spinning
Well, I got a little bit of the Lorna's spun up and here it is! What is that thing it's on, you ask? That's an old weaving loom bobbin/shuttle thingy that I got at the Sandwich Antique Fair last month for a couple of bucks. Yesterday we went to the antique fair again and I got this:
A cute little Frankoma pitcher in Prairie Green. I bargained the seller down to $20, Julienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4018024.post-958952912003-06-21T09:38:00.000-07:002003-06-21T09:47:08.000-07:002 for 1
I've decided that in order to decrease my pile of WIP's, I need to finish 2 projects of every 1 that I start. So, here is the second completed item of the week -- Cascade Fixation short socks. I just took a regular sock pattern and instead of making a regular length cuff, I did K2P2 ribbing for about an inch. I think I have enough yarn left over to make a pair for my 2 1/2 yr old.
Julienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4018024.post-958358362003-06-19T11:31:00.000-07:002003-06-19T11:31:43.000-07:00Cat Troubles
Happy news first. I finished the Mountain Colors Treasure Pouch and it was a lot of fun to make. I highly recommend it as one of those instant gratification projects.
And now for the sad new. It all started innocently enough. Pete and I have been wanting a LitterMaid Litter Box for quite a while. So we splurged and bought one last week. It arrived, I set it up and all three Julienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4018024.post-957608832003-06-17T10:54:00.000-07:002003-06-17T10:59:11.000-07:00Autumn?
I did a little dyeing last week, with yarn this time instead of roving. I used some Brown Sheep Lamb's Pride in Frost White and lanaset dyes. This was made using the cold pour method. (I couldn't find a good link for this. Next time I'll document and create a "dyeing instructions" page.) I really like it! But what will it become?
Speaking of hand dyed yarn, take a look at Rob's Julienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4018024.post-956626142003-06-14T08:41:00.000-07:002003-06-14T11:19:16.000-07:00Trade?
I've been in yarn acquisition mode lately and I have run out of room! I would love for this yarn to go to a good home -- make me an offer! It is Wildfoote Luxury Sock Yarn from Brown Sheep. And you don't have to take all 12 -- if you only want 2 or 4 or whatever, that's fine. The colors in the picture are pretty good, I think. Email Me!Julienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4018024.post-955970312003-06-12T10:24:00.000-07:002003-06-12T10:25:30.000-07:00Happy Anniversary to Us!
It's been four wonderful years! Here we are at the big event -- our wedding was incredible! People are still talking about it. We had the reception at an old theater and we had a swing band (more like an orchestra -- 17 people I think?) A good time was had by all! It's a very important memory for me not only because I married the greatest guy EVER, but also because Julienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4018024.post-954795142003-06-09T13:42:00.000-07:002003-06-09T13:44:50.000-07:00Yarn Adventure!
I'm back from Milwaukee and Theresa & I had a great time checking out some yarn stores. As you can see I did get some goodies! Let me tell you how important store models are. . . I bought all that Svale and the pattern from Dalegarn to make the sweater on the cover because I saw and touched the store model that was hanging by the yarn.
On the right is some Blue Sky Alpaca Julienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4018024.post-953830782003-06-06T12:43:00.000-07:002003-06-06T12:44:45.000-07:00The reason for a raglan. . .
Here's the reason that I wanted to design a raglan cardie. It's all because I wanted a cable up the sleeve that went all the way to the neck edge. Sheesh! What a lot of work for a little detail. Did I mention that this is the first sweater I have ever knit. And here I am designing it myself. I hope it actually fits when I'm all done!
And now Theresa and I are Julienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4018024.post-953029312003-06-04T15:11:00.000-07:002003-06-04T15:11:47.000-07:00Pretty Bags
My Rowan Newsletter came today and there was an article on cushion kits from Debbie Abrahams. So, I checked out her website and she also has some really cute bag kits. I already have her book, 100 Afghan Squares to Knit, so I think I might try to convert some of the squares into bags and pillows!
Julienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4018024.post-952452712003-06-03T10:28:00.000-07:002003-06-03T10:30:48.000-07:00More Cardie & eBay
Well, I did get quite a bit done on the cardie this weekend. I finished one half of the front and I have a good portion of one arm completed. It's more fun to knit when you are designing it yourself!
What is it about eBay? I mean, this is over $100 worth of yarn and I got it for $25 -- pretty good deal, right? But what am I going to do with it?!? I'm thinking Julienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4018024.post-950973172003-05-30T14:32:00.000-07:002003-05-30T14:32:24.236-07:00Blue Cardie
Just finished the back of the blue cardie that I am designing. I think it turned out pretty well. It's just a simple raglan cardigan with a seed stitch border at the bottom and a little bit of side shaping.
In other news, I think I'm going to have to rip out Laurel Hill. After losing 50lbs, I think it's just going to be too large. Better to cut my losses than to finish it and Julienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4018024.post-950391642003-05-29T09:16:00.000-07:002003-05-29T09:18:05.000-07:00One Skein Done!
Finished one skein. I really need to think about getting a spinning wheel!
On a bloggy note. . . Pete found a nifty little graphical browser thingy from Google. It basically shows all the links from one page to another in a graph form. Kind of fun to play around with!
I have been on a reading kick (so not too much knitting is getting done.) I finished 2 books in the last Julienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4018024.post-949447142003-05-27T08:56:00.000-07:002003-05-27T08:57:02.000-07:00Rovings and Books
Last week was cool in the greater Chicagoland area so I did a lot of dyeing. Hopefully I will have some skiens of this made up later in the week.
And a big thank you to Kerstin for sending me "The Lovely Bones" which I have been wanting to read for months. Stop by her blog to check out all the Tank-y goodness. She just started "Smooch" -- very nice! (Must finish Maude,Julienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4018024.post-947440262003-05-22T09:42:00.000-07:002003-05-22T09:44:42.000-07:00Mouse Along
Fancy is enjoying the little mousie that I made! This was made with Wendy's pattern and was made as part of the Mouse Along. This project was super quick and fun! And as you can see, Fancy is enjoying the end result:
I highly recommend making one for your kitties!Julienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4018024.post-946447362003-05-20T11:27:00.000-07:002003-05-21T18:25:10.000-07:00Maddie & Maude
Finished the back of Maude and got through a couple of inches on the front. I even wove in all the ends and it wasn't too bad. This one is flying along and I'm already contemplating my next project. I'm going to design a raglan cardie -- yikes! I never designed anything before!
Today feels like a dyeing day. Now if only Maddie (see my cutie above) would fall asleep!Julienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4018024.post-943413362003-05-14T11:26:00.000-07:002003-05-14T11:28:39.000-07:00Maude & Mother's Day Goodies!
I had a wonderful Mother's day! I finished the mohair wrap and started the Maude tank from the new Mission Falls book. Look at all those ends I will have to weave in -- UGH! But I like the stripes which make the plain stockinette stitch more bearable. I'm knitting this tank with these:
And here they are open:
Yep -- Denise interchangeable Knitting Julienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4018024.post-942742542003-05-13T09:50:00.000-07:002003-05-13T09:51:23.000-07:00Mohair
Never say never! I always looked at mohair with loathing -- why? I have no idea. I just didn't like it -- too fuzzy, too stringy? I don't know. So about a week ago I walked in to Knitters Niche in Chicago with Theresa and her mom and I picked up some hand-dyed mohair and a mohair/wool carry along yarn. Only one week later I have a beautiful completed shawl! I just could not put Julienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4018024.post-941088752003-05-10T09:19:00.000-07:002003-05-10T09:33:17.000-07:00Knitting Blogs Web Ring Explosion!
First a picture of the 2-ply that I made with the bfl that I dyed a couple weeks ago. This is from the rovings that I dyed using the hot and cold pour methods. I took one ply of each and put them together to get this. I thought it was pretty nifty!
What a week with the Knitting Blogs web ring! There were SO many new blogs added this week. As of Julienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4018024.post-940026942003-05-08T10:54:00.000-07:002003-05-08T10:55:26.000-07:00Take the new poll at the Knitting Blogs Home Page!Julienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4018024.post-938875662003-05-06T14:54:00.000-07:002003-05-06T14:58:22.000-07:00Spring Startitis?
Theresa and I had a lovely time shopping for yarn on Saturday with her mom. You can read more about it on her blog, but I wanted to post my purchases for all to see! On the left is a lovely 70% kid mohair/30% wool yarn from Bouton d'Or which is being knit with the gorgeous mohair from Wool in the Woods that is next to it. And here is the wrap/shawl thing that I am making Julienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4018024.post-935945822003-05-01T07:04:00.000-07:002003-05-01T07:08:22.000-07:00Cashmerino Booties
Needed a quick interim project since I don't have the needles for my next project (Can't wait for the shopping trip with Theresa this weekend!) So, I decided to knit up these little cuties. They will be going to Pete's best man and his wife who just had a little boy! They are made with Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino in color 202. And the pattern is from the Baby CashmerinoJulienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4018024.post-934251102003-04-28T15:07:00.000-07:002003-04-28T15:08:46.000-07:00Felted Daypack
Felted Daypack before and. . .
after.
This was a fun quick project and I love the finished bag. I used it today and it worked perfectly. Sometimes these "sling" bags can be a nuisance -- always slipping off your shoulder or getting twisted around, but not this one. It behaved beautifully! I followed the "Two Old Bags" pattern closely, but I changed the straps. I like Julienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4018024.post-931886042003-04-24T10:34:00.000-07:002003-04-24T10:47:46.000-07:00Hot vs. Cold
Can you believe that I used the same colors to dye these two rovings? So, what was the difference? The one on the left was dyed using the "hot pour" method and the one on the right was dyed using the "cold pour" method. Here's a full length picture which shows off the colors a bit better:
In the hot pour method you put everything in a pot and simmer it. The colors tend to Julienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4018024.post-931145602003-04-23T07:49:00.000-07:002003-04-23T07:51:41.000-07:00Joy Done!
Yep it's all done! (Well, not really. . . there are pesky ends tucked inside that need to be woven in but I'm not sure how to do that with this tape type yarn.) This was very fun and quick to knit, but I don't think that I would use such a bulky yarn for a tight-fitting garment again. I think a finer gauge would have been best for a little tank top.
You didn't think that thatJulienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4018024.post-930467022003-04-22T07:17:00.000-07:002003-04-22T08:17:47.000-07:00Dyeing for the First Time
Of course I had to pull out everything and start dyeing the day my dye kit arrived. The results weren't what I expected, but they weren't bad either. Here's what I did.
First I soaked the yarn and roving in water while I perpared all the supplies. The yarn was some Cascade 220 in a natural color and the roving was Blue Faced Leister. Then I mixed up the Julienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4018024.post-930027962003-04-21T13:49:00.000-07:002003-04-21T13:54:39.000-07:00Happy Birthday to Me! (part 2)
Yipee!! They are finally here! My long lost swift and winder have finally completed their journey from distant lands to me. I've already been playing with them (and so has Fancy -- the kitten)! Thank you Booga P -- I love them! And thank you to the guys at ThreadBear -- the swift & winder were worth the wait! Gotta go play with my new toys some more, but Julienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4018024.post-927372142003-04-16T14:04:00.000-07:002003-04-16T14:04:25.000-07:00Ready to Dye
Look what I got in the mail today! Yep -- a Lanaset dye kit. I got it from Julie at Sheep Hollow Farm and I have to say that she got it to me QUICK! I also thought it was a good buy -- you get 12 different colors and a little sample card showing the colors. It even includes instructions! And this was only $26.10 shipped. I'm very happy with it. Now, my daughter will be Julienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4018024.post-923188072003-04-09T15:22:00.000-07:002003-04-09T15:22:48.000-07:00Blue Faced Leister 2-Ply
Here is that first skein of Blue Faced Leister that I have been talking about. I thought it looked okay, considering how little I have spun before. This is my first real skein. I've tried little bits before, but this actually made my shoulder sore. I just couldn't stop spinning it! Here is a close up:
It even kind of looks like real yarn! I might have to work Julienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4018024.post-922567302003-04-08T17:58:00.000-07:002003-04-08T18:07:11.000-07:00Button Time!
Made a new button for the Knitting Blogs website. Feel free to steal it! I've also done a little work on the Knitting Blogs website -- added some links and a sign in for the ring (in case you need to update your info, url, blog name, etc.)
On a knitting note -- I have been working on the other half of Joy. It's about halfway finished, but since it's the same as the front I Julienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4018024.post-919384672003-04-03T13:37:00.000-08:002003-04-03T13:38:46.000-08:00No Knitting to Report
Why you ask? Because the stamping business is keeping me darn busy. New spring stamps are coming out and I have been updating my website all day. (Want to see them? Just click here!) And another order arrived yesterday. Whew -- I'm in need of some kitting time!
I've also been working on the Knitting Blogs Web Ring and the Knitting Blogs Website. I'm now posting Julienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4018024.post-915106912003-03-27T15:54:00.000-08:002003-03-27T15:54:33.810-08:00I want an inkle!
But I'm not sure which one to get. Does anyone have one? Please let me know what features I should be looking for. I found one that looks nice at NCWood. What do you inkle weavers think?
Don't know what inkle weaving is? Just check out InkleWeaving.com!
Julienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4018024.post-912839292003-03-24T07:47:00.000-08:002003-03-24T07:47:15.420-08:00Knitting Blogs Web Ring InfoLook what I created today: http://knittingblogs.blogspot.com/Julienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4018024.post-911291412003-03-21T08:00:00.000-08:002003-03-21T08:03:33.000-08:00Joy!
Here is the front (or back) of Joy from Rowan's Cotton Tape booklet. I bought this yarn from Cucmberpatch and I have to say that they have great service, low prices and quick delivery. I will be buying from them again!
And on another note, here is a shocking look at our kitties. Why so shocking you ask? Well, first of all, they are usually sleeping. And even more surprising isJulienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4018024.post-909240462003-03-18T06:39:00.000-08:002003-03-18T06:39:47.466-08:00Web Ring Administration
Whew -- Ivete wasn't kidding. Keeping up the Knitting Blogs webring is a handful, but I think I'm starting to get the hang of it. There are so many sites now -- and more being added every day. If you come across any sites that are missing the ring code or aren't active anymore, just email me! I'm also going to try to get a new info page set up that includes not only Julienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4018024.post-907681872003-03-15T09:31:00.000-08:002003-03-15T09:38:06.000-08:00Me
Okay -- this is kind of sad -- we have had a digital camera for a year and I could only find one picture of myself. And in that picture I was trying to hide behind my daughter. So, in celebration of becoming a lifetimer at WW this coming week I decided to have Pete take my piture with the camera. So, here I am with my Constant Companion bag. Hi!Julienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4018024.post-907426292003-03-14T18:22:00.000-08:002003-03-14T18:26:25.000-08:00My Yarn
I thought it was time to take out the spindle and make a little yarn. My last few attempt have been less than inspiring, but today I actually got yarn! Honest to goodness yarn that I could actually knit up! It has taken a bit of practice, but I think I'm finally getting a more even draw (?!? I don't know any real spinning terms since I pretty much taught myself from a very old bookJulienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4018024.post-906235322003-03-12T18:17:00.000-08:002003-03-12T18:23:34.000-08:00Kool Aid
I was kind of bored this afternoon, so I got out some of the ugly eBay yarn I have and the packets of koolaid that I bought at the grocery yesterday and went to work. Above you will see the yarn before. The pinkish one is Barella Country Garden Superwash Wool -- a dull pale ash rose type color -- blah. The cream color one looks better in this picture than it did in person -- a veryJulienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4018024.post-904868492003-03-10T16:00:00.000-08:002003-03-10T16:04:23.000-08:00
Birthday Gifts!
This weekend Theresa and I finally got together and did a little fiber shopping -- and look what I got!! Yep -- more birthday gifts! A beautiful drop spine box in cute little fishy paper and a gorgeous scarf made from Noro Silk Garden -- both handmade by Theresa! Thank you so much Theresa!!
Progress
After an extended cold/flu thing that kept me down for almost two Julienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4018024.post-904853582003-03-10T15:30:00.000-08:002003-03-10T15:30:53.403-08:00AD FREE!
Yep -- I forked over $15 to Blogger and got rid of the ads. Whew, glad I finally did it!
Julienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4018024.post-900315522003-03-02T20:23:00.000-08:002003-03-02T20:25:24.000-08:00WOW!Have you seen the new Knitty????Julienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4018024.post-898044032003-02-26T16:16:00.000-08:002003-02-26T16:19:10.000-08:00Happy Birthday to Me!
Okay, so my birthday was yesterday, but I had the flu so I think I should celebrate today! Thank you to everyone who sent me birthday wishes!! My most exciting (and also knitting related) gift has not arrived yet. It's a swift and ballwinder!!!!! Yipee! Thanks Booga P! I also got something that I have wanted since . . . well, since I moved out of my parent's house I Julienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4018024.post-898029572003-02-26T15:48:00.000-08:002003-02-26T15:52:52.000-08:00
I'm up to the armhole steeks! You can see the little opening at the top edge. Basically you cast off 10 stitches and then cast on 4 on the following round. Those four are the cutting stitches or steek. I'm really enjoying this project and find myself wanting to work on it all the time. I'm seriously looking forward to getting to the pattern at the top though. The polka dot thing is just Julienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4018024.post-895217702003-02-21T14:48:00.000-08:002003-02-21T14:51:35.000-08:00
Fair Isle Fun
I've officially started my first fair isle project and I haven't been able to put it down! I always thought that fair isle was some mysterious and extremely difficult skill that I would "someday" attempt -- someday being in the distant future. But Theresa found a class at the Knitting Workshop in Chicago and we signed up. After two weeks of class I am feeling pretty good aboutJulienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4018024.post-893105132003-02-18T07:42:00.000-08:002003-02-18T07:45:12.000-08:00
What have I been doing?
Working mostly. I wish I was knitting, but it's my busy time of the year at my store. I did finish my green hat though! And just in time for our first big snow of the year. The hat is okay, but I think it could have been a little longer/taller. Sometimes it doesn't want to stay put in a strong wind. I might weave a little elastic into the bottom band to give it Julienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4018024.post-890518642003-02-13T13:08:00.000-08:002003-02-13T13:09:15.000-08:00
Trade anyone?
I am learning how to spin on a spindle and I purchased some wool and cotton from The Bellwether a while back. The wool was working for me, but the cotton -- not so much. Thus, I have available for trade The Bellwether's Sampler No. 5 which includes 1/2 oz each of five different naturally colored cottons. I would love to get some more wool roving to practice with. So, if you Julienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4018024.post-886719312003-02-06T14:47:00.000-08:002003-02-06T14:54:45.000-08:00
Look what the UPS Man Brought!
I figured it was time to get down to business and really LEARN about knitting, so I splurged at Amazon and got these:
Sweater Design in Plain English by Maggie Righetti
Knitting in Plain English by Maggie Righetti
Knitting Without Tears by Elizabeth Zimmermann
The Knitter's Companion by Vicki Square
I have Julienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4018024.post-886172022003-02-05T15:58:00.000-08:002003-02-05T15:58:27.716-08:00
Finished!!
The constant Companion is dry and ready to go. I'm very happy with it and would highly recommend this project to anyone. The felted fabric is thick and sturdy. As you can see, it stands up all by itself -- even when open:
And it is very roomy. I'm sure a whole sweater project could easily fit in it. Another bonus is the double handle. If you pull each handle out, you end upJulienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4018024.post-885506062003-02-04T13:25:00.000-08:002003-02-04T13:28:16.000-08:00
99.9% Complete:
Here it is after felting! It seems very thick and sturdy and I can't wait for it to dry. I put it through the wash on a hot wash cold rinse three times. The first two times it was in with a bunch (3-4 pair) of jeans. After the 2nd wash it looked like some fuzz from the jeans was sticking to the bag, so I left only the most washed out and faded pair in for the thrid wash. IJulienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4018024.post-885437702003-02-04T10:56:00.000-08:002003-02-04T10:56:54.820-08:00
Here is a close up of that i-cord bind-off. The bag is currently in the washer with 4 pairs of jeans -- updates soon!
Julienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4018024.post-884987242003-02-03T15:47:00.000-08:002003-02-03T15:47:57.746-08:00
Constant Companion ready for Felting!
Well, I've made it through the triple i-cord bind off and man does my hand hurt. I think it will give the top edge of the bag a lot of added strength though. Now I just have to knit the 120" of black i-cord for the handles and then I'm ready for felting! I'm really getting jealous of everyone's Suki bags. That might have to go on my list after the Julienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4018024.post-883273152003-01-31T06:40:00.000-08:002003-01-31T06:43:44.000-08:00
Fuzzy Feet Felt-Along
All the cool kids are doing it! Give in to the peer pressure and join in by clicking on the link above. I think I'm going to use the left overs from my Constant Companion project. So, my warm Fuzzy Feet will match my knitting bag -- pretty neat, eh?
Thanks Kate for organizing this event and thanks Theresa for giving the world fuzzy feet!
Julienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4018024.post-882086162003-01-29T07:42:00.000-08:002003-01-29T08:07:09.000-08:00
The Constant Companion bag is coming along nicely. Kind of hard to see from the picture since it's all bunched up on a 24" circular. The pattern suggests using a larger size, but I had to make do with what I had.
Here are some delicious low-fat muffins. I made up the recipe this morning and baked up a batch. Good stuff!
Julie's Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins
1 1/3 Cups whole wheat flourJulienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4018024.post-881111442003-01-27T11:31:00.000-08:002003-01-27T11:34:49.000-08:00
Friday night I got to go see Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers and it was GOOD! I just had to put the pic of my favorite actor from the movie up for all to see. (Yeah -- I'm a geek. I've read the Tolkien books about 4 times all the way through and I've probably read the Hobbit about 6 times. I'm a geek for many other reasons too, but I won't go into that right now!)
I also finished a Julienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4018024.post-879609712003-01-24T08:01:00.000-08:002003-01-24T08:04:20.000-08:00Felting is my obsession
Yesterday I received this gorgeous Cascade 220 from ThreadBear Fiber Arts. I can't say enough about these guys -- friendly, fast and very helpful! Go visit their online store and drool over the Koigu! This yarn is destined to become a Constant Companion. I'm going to use the basic pattern from the Knitter's Stash book, but I'm going to make my own design -- stripes orJulienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4018024.post-879214642003-01-23T14:24:00.000-08:002003-01-23T14:42:42.000-08:00
Pattern: My own pattern which I will post as I go.
Yarn: Filatura Di Crosa Ultralight in color 60 (dye lot 1740) purchased at Knitting Workshop in Chicago.
Needles: US 6 Clover circular (24")
80% complete
I thought I would never find yarn for a hat to go with the Cozy scarf, but the helpful woman at Knitter's Workshop suggested this yarn and I really like it! The hat has knit up Julienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4018024.post-878657762003-01-22T15:06:00.000-08:002003-01-22T15:07:11.000-08:00Secret Project
I have lots to report, but no pics so I'll just wait to post updates. Let's just say that someone's birthday is fast approaching, and I have been working on a special project for her. I have also started a hat, worked on Pete's sock and "enhanced" my stash. More later. . .Julienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4018024.post-874822702003-01-15T08:52:00.000-08:002003-01-15T08:58:04.000-08:00Figure 8 Cast On
Every wanted to know how to cast on for toe-up socks without having to use a provisional cast on and having to graft later? Why not try the Figure 8 Cast On? I was looking for a good illustration of this technique, but had a hard time finding anything. Here's my attempt to explain it:
Okay, first you need to wrap the yarn around the two needles in a -- you guessed it -- Julienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4018024.post-874463282003-01-14T16:58:00.000-08:002003-01-14T17:00:41.000-08:00
Not much knitting and these stamps are why. I have been so busy with my online store ( Stamping Online ) that I haven't had time to knit! All this crazy time spent working will result in cold hard cash to spend this Saturday at Tangled Web Fibers in Oak Park, IL. Theresa (go check out her blog -- it's looking great!) and I are going on a little shopping trip. I'm sure we'll also have to Julienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4018024.post-873667272003-01-13T11:43:00.000-08:002003-01-13T11:53:57.000-08:00
Pattern: Toe-Up Socks -- my own pattern which I will post as I go.
Yarn: Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sport in Forest (37) purchased from ThreadBear Fiber Arts
Needles: US 1 Brittany Birch dp's 7" (wish they were 5", but that's all I have)
5% complete
I decided to try a toe-up sock for the first time! All the patterns that I had used some funky toe or were for a different weight yarn or Julienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4018024.post-870202252003-01-06T11:57:00.000-08:002003-01-06T12:00:20.000-08:00
What was I thinking? Here I am with the huge Jo Sharp sweater project going on and I started a pair of socks last night. Actually, I always have to have an easy, mindless project in addition to a more complicated one. Since I finished Maddie's scarf, I thought I better start something new. This is my second pair of Regia's (here's my first), but my first pair of "self-patterning" socks and Julienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4018024.post-868902332003-01-03T12:28:00.000-08:002003-01-03T12:29:51.000-08:00
Maybe I'm being too optimistic saying that I am 10% complete, but I'm feeling pretty good about my progress. This is the first cabled item that I have ever knit and I am really enjoying it. I think that might have something to do with the yarn though. If you haven't knit with Jo Sharp wool, I would highly recommend that you try it. The stuff is so soft and silky. This picture was taken Julienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4018024.post-868484732003-01-02T15:07:00.000-08:002003-01-02T15:07:47.000-08:00
First FO of 2003!
Things look promising for 2003! January first and I already have a completed project. You can see more info on this scarf in the gallery which has been updated. It's funny because I started this scarf back in December and last weekend I got the Winter '02/'03 issue of Family Circle Easy Knitting which has a scarf pattern using this same yarn! It's the pillows that made meJulienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4018024.post-867114722002-12-30T13:08:00.000-08:002002-12-30T13:10:39.000-08:00
Pattern: None -- just cast on 20 stitches and knit!
Yarn: Sirdar Snowflake Chunky Magic in shade 413
Needles: US 8
85% complete
This yarn is a real pain to work with! My daughter loves it though and like to come "pet" it while I am knitting. It also matches her winter coat perfectly, so it's worth the trouble.
Julienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4018024.post-863220992002-12-20T08:01:00.000-08:002002-12-20T08:02:21.000-08:00
Pattern: Laurel Hill, cropped version, size C, from Jo Sharp Book One
Yarn: Jo Sharp Wool in Moss
Needles: US 4 for ribbing, US 5 24" Circular Bamboo for the body
5% complete
At this point I have finished the ribbing on the front and the first 8 rows of the pattern. The pattern had an error and I have already had to un-knit and re-knit a few rows, but I am on track and it is Julienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4018024.post-862913902002-12-19T15:11:00.000-08:002002-12-19T15:17:55.000-08:00
Here is Maddie's Felted Bag! It is based loosely on this free pattern from KnitKit.com. I've been planning on making the My Constant Companion bag for a while. You can buy it from KnitKit.com, but it's also in Knitter's Stash if you already have it. Basically I used 10 1/2 circulars and cast on 30 stitches using Cascade 220. I knit 30 rows and then picked up 15 stitches on the first side, Julienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4018024.post-862405112002-12-18T14:59:00.000-08:002002-12-18T14:59:03.806-08:00My new home! I still have a lot to do here, but it's a start!
And now for some knitting news. I just made a little felted bag from a hank of Cascade 220. Pictures soon. I am also working on Laurel Hill from Jo Sharps Book One. I got a great deal on the yarn on eBay! Pictures of this are also coming soon!Julienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4018024.post-859060652002-12-12T11:03:00.000-08:002002-12-12T11:03:49.250-08:00Time for a whole new blog. I'm tired of trying to monkey around with the old template.Julienoreply@blogger.com