Friday, May 28, 2004

less coding, more knitting...


Since blogger changed it's look, I've been working on updating the blog. See, when I chose to use one of the other templates, all of my links and sidebars were wiped out. And, I've been slowly trying to reconstruct a few things. I got a new background, but I still need to put back the pictures of completed items.

I think this will work for now. I want to work on the color of the font to make it a little easier to read. I love the idea of having a patterned background, but I know it can make it a little harder to read.

Tuesday, May 25, 2004

forward progress...


I finished on sleeve this morning on the bus. The ride home will be occupied with casting on for the other. I want to set an aggressive goal to finish the vintage pattern.

Then I want to start on Kate. I guess it's another case of knitting envy. By the time I get to start this project, more of the bloggers in the knitalong will already be done...but I don't care. Everyone who has made this top has had great results. Kate will definitely go on my to do list.

Friday, May 21, 2004

Rosa update...


I know I said that I wouldn't put up any pictures of Rosa until I reached the chevron pattern for the back. Well, that was 10 days ago and I'm still not there. I haven't been taking this piece on the bus with me. At first, I did that so I would have time to work on Daisy instead and avoid any spilling accidents that might happen. So, once again, this project is slow moving.

knitting envy...


I've been checking out everyone's completed Audrey and I wish I had joined the knitalong. Don't get me wrong, I love working on Rosa, but Audrey seems to have been a much less time consuming project. I might have to put Audrey on my to do list.

Then there's the ChicKnits Mondo Condo Poncho. I looks so simple yet so great. This is going to re-fuel my desire to have a poncho. I just hope that I can make it without buying more yarn. Oh, and let's not forget the Onde crazy that's still going full force.

This is the point when I usually get a little frustrated with the things I am working on and try to find a quick item to knit up. Instead, I think I'm going to plow through and finish up Daisy. I was able to get more yarn last weekend. So, all I have left is one sleeve and half of the right, front. I feel so close, yet so far.

Friday, May 14, 2004

out of material...


I have run out of yarn to finish Daisy. The pattern calls for 21 oz. of a vintage Red Heart Knitting Worsted, which was a worsted weight wool. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to find any info on this yarn so I tried to wing it a little.

So, it was time to do some math. Figuring that for worsted weight, there are 1,000 yd/lb

21 oz / 16 oz = 1.3125lbs

So I would need 1,313 yds to complete this project. For TLC Cotton Plus, there are 186 yds per skein.

1,313 / 186 = 7.05 skeins

Well, I have run through those 7 skeins and I still haven't even started the right front piece or the second sleeve. So, it looks like I'm going to be taking a trip out to the 'burbs this weekend.

I usually do a pretty good job at substitution yards when I know the gauge and length needed. I just need a good resource to use for vintage yarns. There are tons of great vintage patterns that I would like to know but don't want to keep running back to buy more yarn, or end up with tons of misfit skeins once I'm done.

Monday, May 10, 2004

slow knitting...


I'm working away at Rosa and it's really slow going. This, of course, is to be expected working at such a small guage.

Yesterday, I had to rip out 4 rows when I noticed that I had forgotten to place a bead. When I noticed it I let out a low growl, something between frustration and anger. My BF wondered what the big deal was. He even suggested that I just leave it, as if no one would ever notice it. Well, even thought the mistake was on the back, I felt a need to fix it.

I haven't put any new pix up because right now I'm just working on the body and the straight rows of beads don't make for a terribly interesting photo opp. I'll post a new picture once I get to the chevron pattern.

Friday, May 07, 2004

change is good...


I got my new issue of Interweave yesterday. The first thing that I noticed was that there are more patterns written for smaller needles. This makes me really happy. I understand that items made with larger needles and chunky yarns make for quick projects, perfect for beginners but it's about time that era ended.

A couple of years ago, when I picked up needles for the first time in years I really like the patterns out at the time. They were quick, had easy shaping (if any), and made it easy to get back into the swing of things. The problem was that chunky sweaters make me luck really fat. I'm only 5'4" and not twig thin. So, the first sweater I made (on size 10.5 needles) was awful! Needless to say, it was never worn.

Since then, gauges returned to a comfortable worst weight. I thought I was in heaven last year when several Interweave, Rebecca, and Rowan patterns were written for size 6-8 needles. Things seemed stylish, yet versatile. For the first time, I was inspired to make summer knits.

So now, I feel like the last couple of years have been a good warm up for this summer's small gauge projects. I'm getting a good challenge (and workout). After Rosa, I might pick some other small gauge projects.

Wednesday, May 05, 2004

two sleeves...


These are the sleeves that I was able to complete while on vacation. They are a bit shorter than I thought they would be, but still super cute.



Also, I'm on my way with the back. There is a hemmed, picot edge. The first 18 rows are on size 1 needles, which made for some slow going. I am just about to start the beaded portion. The body has some shaping at the center while keeping the bead pattern intact.

Monday, May 03, 2004

back from vacation...


I didn't do as much knitting as I thought I would. For some reason, I envisioned a vacation filled with down time lounging at outdoor cafes. But, that didn't really happen...In the end, I only got to knit on the plane. I was able to complete the sleeves for Rosa. They took just under 1 skein to finish. I also started the back, but only the first 12 rows.

Working this piece takes a good bit of concentration. Misplaced beads really stick out. I have already had to do some fixes. In this case for each misplaced bead, I had to drop 2 stitches in order to fix the bead pattern. Thankfully I feel comfortable dropping stitches in order to fix mistakes.