Friday, September 24, 2004

i just couldn't help myself...


I know that I should go ahead and start my dad's sweater...But after I finished the second panel of my Lacy Poncho, the Rowan wool cotton that I bought last week just started calling to me. So, I've started Peggy. I cast on for the back yesterday morning before going to work. Then snuck in a few rows at lunch...a few more on the bus ride home...a few more while waiting for a friend to meet for happy hour...even more on the bus ride home after drinks. Well, I picked it up this morning and I was already 4 inches into it. The wool cotton has such a nice feel and it just flies of the needles.

One reason that I didn't start my dad's sweater is because the yarn isn't really portable. Remember, it's on a 4lb cone. Unfortunately, I don't have a ball winder and I don't really have the funds to buy one right now. Plus, I'm having a really hard time deciding what size to make him. My father is a fairly tall man. He usually has dress shirts custom ordered to make sure that the sleeves are long enough. At the same time, many casual shirts and sweaters that he buys seem fine. I would like to make this sweater a real surprise, so I don't want to ask him for measurements...So, the plan is to go visit my parents this weekend and sneak a peek into his closet. Just to check out what size he usually buys, you know? I'm also considering the possibility of "kidnapping" one of his sweaters a few weeks.

The start date for Kirk will be October 1st. It will be my "at home" project. While, Peggy will be my portable work-in-progress.

Monday, September 20, 2004

4 pound bundle of joy...


Friday was a very productive day off. I got up and futzed around the apartment. Actually, I wasn't able to sleep in so I got in some early morning knitting done, along with a few loads of laundry. Then I trekked out to the 'burbs. Since we were "car-sitting" for the weekend, I figured I'd take advantage of the situation and drive up to Rockville, MD.

First stop, Marshalls. I was looking for yoga pants. I keep telling myself that I'm going to start taking classes. So, I wanted to have some comfy pants. Unfortunately, the selection was really, really bad. mission...failed.

Next stop, AC Moore. They carry a lot of Lion Brand yarns. I've been wanting to try socks for a while now so thought the Magic Stripes would be great for a first attempt. Well, it seems that they're trying to re-image their yarn department. Now, they have tons of novelty yarns...fur and fluff and glitter. Not my cup of tea! But, they also have some Patons now. mission...failed!

I was starting to regret this endeavor all together. So, I made a quick trip through Linens-n-Things. I picked up a much-needed Pur water filter and some drawers to organize my closet. mission...successful!

Next was a quick lunch at La Madeleine...always a success. I just can't resist their tomato basil soup!

I decided to skip going to Michaels. There was a chance that they would have Magic Stripes, but it wasn't worth going further out of the way to find out. So, I headed back down the Pike toward the city.

Last stop...Knit and Stitch = Bliss. I like to drop in this store every once and again. Although it's a fairly small store, the people are usually helpful and the selection is good. Unfortunately, the striping sock yarns that they had in stock were a bit more than I wanted to spend. But, they have a rotating sale bin that is 25 - 30% off. So, last Friday I scored some Rowan Wool Cotton in deepest olive...The dye lots aren't all the same, but they look damn close. I just could resist it. It should be easy enough to alternate the dye lots...maybe I'll even wind up with a cool, subtle striping effect! I think I'm going to make a vest. mission...huge success!

To end my jaunt in the 'burbs, I got myself a latte @ the 'buck and headed home...I got in some afternoon knitting and waited for my Lamb's Pride to arrive. The ebay seller that I bought it sent a UPS tracking number as soon as it shipped, so I know that it was going to arrive today. And, I made sure that I made it back home by early afternoon...The UPS guy came at about 4:30 that afternoon. So, I'm the proud owner of 4 pounds of Lamb's pride bulky...and boy is it soft! I know my dad's sweater is going to be a joy knit!

Thursday, September 16, 2004

slow week, huh...


I've been meaning to post something this week...but there's really nothing new to comment on. I've been working away on the poncho. I think I found a possible source for more yarn...and it looks like I'm going to need it. I've gone through one of ball of yarn on the 2nd piece and it only lasted 5 pattern repeats (out of 25).

I'm looking forward to my day off tomorrow. I think I'm going to trek out to the 'burbs and check out the AC Moore and some LYSs. Since I've been ordering a lot of stuff online, I feel a little bad about not frequenting local merchants.

I'm also looking forward to the DC Knit Out & Crochet on Sunday. Earlier this week, my BF and I were invited to a friend's place for crabs (and football)...but I've been looking forward to this for a while. So, I'm going to skip boil and go hand out with the "Knitting Geeks" (as BF called it).

Friday, September 10, 2004

is it too early to think about Christmas?


I think not! I know it's still 80 degrees out and the last thing I want to do is start working with wool. But if I don't get a plan in place now, I might not get things done in time.

When I got the new Rowan magazine, there was one sweater that I thought would be great for my Dad, Kirk. So, for the last month I've been trying to figure out if there was any Rowan Polar available at a fair price...The 11 skeins needed for this lovely, come with a pricetag of ~$140. And, it's not that my Dad isn't worth the big buck...I just don't have that kind of money right now.

I had been looking on ebay. Unfortunately, I need 11 skeins and most listings that I came across were for 10. I'd hate to think of what would happen if I ran out. So, then I started looking for substitutes. And, this is where I struck gold! I started looking at Lamb's Pride Bulky. It has a similar gauge and comes in tons of colors. I checked ebay one more time to see if anyone was selling Lamb's Pride and came across a seller offering 4lb cones. So now I have enough for my Dad's sweater and perhaps a nice scarf and glove set for myself...

Of course that means that I'm also waiting for another package!

Thursday, September 09, 2004

one down, one to go...


As I mentioned yesterday, during the drive to and from Michigan (~10 hours each way), I was able to finish the first panel of my Lacy Poncho. I'm going to cast on for the second half some time this week. The panel is a little long to take on the bus, so I'm going to be knitting the second piece at home. The project will take a little longer to finish, but I'd rather take time with it than have it draped all over the ground.

Also, yesterday was a good mail day. I received my two Phildar magazines from Knit'n'Tyme! Oh, happy day! One more package and I'll be able to start another project. I'm going to be making this top:

Wednesday, September 08, 2004

writer's block


I'm back from my trip. I was able to knit one panel of the Lacy Poncho and I will probably cast on for the second half some time this week. I'm also still waiting for packages.

The drive from Michigan was really, really long. And, unfortunately I feel like I'm coming down with a cold...BF is already coughing up a storm. Needless to say, I can't string together enough coherent thoughts to write a good post. Hopefully tomorrow will be better.

Wednesday, September 01, 2004

swatch me now...


Since I'm leaving for a 10 hour drive on Friday, I had to hurry up and choose a project for the road. Since there's still no sign of my Phildar products, I decided to go through the other projects that I've been wanting to start. And, the Lacey Poncho is an obvious choice. It's still really warm here in DC, and It probably won't get too cold until late September, so I should get some good use out of this wrap.

Yesterday I swatched. I did one at lunch using size 8 needles. It was alright but a little wider than the suggested gauge. I could also tell that the lacey pattern was pretty loose and wouldn't stand up to the weight of the garment. So, I swatched again after dinner. This is result:



The swatch looks much better in real life, trust me. I'm using some Paton's Cotton DK that I had in my stash and size 7 needles. I'm hoping to cast on Friday morning before I get in the car. And, hopefully, I'll be able to knit one half on the way to Michigan and the other on the way back...Nothing like setting goals high!