Friday, April 23, 2004

hitting the road...


Just one more post before vacation. I'm leaving tomorrow morning for San Francisco, and I'm taking Rosa with me. So far, I've made my way through 3/4 of a sleeve and might even have it done before I go. The pattern is really easy to follow. And, once I get the hang of placing the beads I got into a pretty good groove.

Anyway, Happy Knitting and I'll see you in 10 days!

Wednesday, April 21, 2004

get on the bus...


I ride the bus to work every morning and have made knitting an integral part of my travels. Usually I'm able to get a seat within the first 3 stops and can squeeze in a good amount of knitting since I usually ride to the end of my busline. As you might imagine, I get a lot of looks and every once in a while I even get a comment or question.

Today, the woman sitting next to me commented, "I used to know how to do that when I was little." I gave here a fairly plain response, "Really?" She then said, "Yeah, but I never knew how to end it..." I was just tickled when I heard that! I just pictured a young girl (or woman) knitting infinitely...not knowing how or when to call it quits. There was something really profound and humorous about the way she said it.

Since picking up the needles again, I've been knitting continuously on one project or another. And, although I know how to "end" a piece, the knitting itself never ends. As soon as something is done, I already have a few things that I know I want to make. There's also the fact that I have had things go badly (like the poncho) that I must frog and begin again. You tell me, do you know how to make your knitting end?

Monday, April 19, 2004

gestalt...


I'm finally ready to start Rosa. I have, 930 yards of yarn and 4,800 glass beads. Some how, this will become a piece of clothing. In some ways my head is spinning. Last night I spent an hour stringing the beads onto the first 2 balls and that's not even half of them. I know that I probably won't be knitting the entire top during vacation, but I am hoping to at least get the sleeves done.

Wednesday, April 14, 2004

100 beads...


Monday after work, I went to Beadazzled to see if I could find beads, instead of having to order the Jaeger ones specified in the pattern for Rosa. They have a great store and really helpful staff. If you're ever in DC, you should check it out. I was pointed in the direction of 8ยบ Seed Beads; that was the size that could be easily strung on the 4-ply cotton. Unfortunately, the didn't have the color I wanted, a matte cobalt, in stock.

I decided to go with a navy blue. These are glass beads, so they're washable. The only thing I don't like is that they have a slight shine to them, making them look a little plastic. So, I went home and started another swatch, this one with beads...


I strung on exactly 100 beads and thought I'd get some practice. It was a little weird at first, but I got the hang of it. I like the color contrast more than I thought I would. I'll be going back to the bead store this weekend to by the rest of the beads I need...All 4,100 of them!

Tuesday, April 13, 2004

needle frenzy...


Last year when I bought my Denise needles, I thought that I was set for life. And, I've used them faithfully for almost every project I've made ever since. Well, the streak has ended.

This weekend I wanted to make sure I have everything to start Rosa, so I can take it all with me on vacation in a couple of weeks. The pattern asks for size US1, US2, and 2/3 (3.0 mm) needles. Hmm...I've never taken on the challenge of knitting anything beaded, much less at such a small gauge. So, I made my first attempt at a swatch. I had a pair of size 2 & 3 that I inherited from a co-worker. Well, the size 2 swatch was much to tight (6 st per inch) while the size 3 (3.25 mm) is a little too loose (7.5 st per inch). So, once again I found myself in the market for new needles.

So, I have ordered some Inox circulars from FuzzyMabel and with any luck I'll get them early next week. Normally, I would just hike out to the closest AC Moore and get the dependable Susan Bates needles, but I've heard some good things about these. And, since they're circular, it should be easier to knit on the plane without elbowing neighbors. I ordered all three sizes.

Thursday, April 08, 2004

left, front...done!


I finished this morning just before leaving for work. I just had to do it.

Of course, I just had to change a couple of things. The original pattern has you bind off 19 stitches at the center for a neck line. Well, I didn't like the idea of such a large vertical neckline. Also, the original instructions leave a different number of stitches for the front and back shoulders. So, I decided to bind off bind off 6 st on the 1st wrong side row, 5 on the next, and then decrease 1 st at the neckline of each of the next 4 rows. This is a total of 15 st, leaving 19 for the shoulders. So, the neckline is a nice round curve. Unfortunately, I didn't have time to snap a picture.

Wednesday, April 07, 2004

daisy, front and center...


I thought I'd give this picture one more try. I had a little more success. Hopefully, you can see the cable pattern that runs up the front panel. This is the front, left. There is a ribbed button band...that's what the lower needle is speared through. This reverse stockinette curls a ton, so I had to pin down the sides just to get the picture taken. I'm sure it will all work out once I block the pieces.


*Those are my toes in the lower right corner.

unkymoods rocks...


I've been waiting for the day when I would be able to set my mood to "knitty." Well, today is that day. And, it's permanent!

Tuesday, April 06, 2004

screwy pictures...


I tried taking some pix of Daisies but the didn't come out very well. I couldn't find the right color for a background so that the ribs showed. It was even worse for the cable pattern. I think I might try taking it outside and getting more natural light. Anyone have suggestions?

Monday, April 05, 2004

oh, happy day...


It finally came! I got my copy of Rowan #35 in the mail on Friday. I was so excited. So, it looks like I'm going to be in the market for more needles. I've never done anything in such a fine gauge. Then, I need to pick some beads. I haven't decided whether to have the Jaeger beads special ordered or not. Before I decide, I'm going to go to a local bead shop...I can wait!

Friday, April 02, 2004

happy friday...


I am so glad I made it through this week. I finished the back of Daisy and will be taking pictures tomorrow morning. Hopefully the black turns out...I'm not sure if it will because the back is a simple 2x2 rib without much detail. I also cast on and worked about 25 rows of one of the front pieces. The "cables" are pretty easy so far. I am going to make the front a stay-at-home project so that I don't mess up the pattern. I will cast on for the sleeves so that I have something to knit on the bus.

Thursday, April 01, 2004

banner help...

I'm still trying to put together a banner for the blog. Something that fits with the graphics of the background and includes the "tagline". Now that I'm done with my application for my promotion I should have some free time to fiddle with more graphics. I also wish that I had photoshop on this computer. I've been working with Paint. Not bad for a basic program though.