Posted on July 25, 2012 in Books, Knitting & Crafting
Last week, I wanted to post a WIP Wednesday, but found I hadn’t progressed very much either in spinning or my knitting. Mostly because this has been the hottest summer in my hometown. We do not have air conditioning so it makes me averse to knitting a giant wool blanket. Having said that, it cooled down for a few days, and I have been crafting again.
An important thing is that I bought Abby Franquemont’s Respect the Spindle from Chapters online. I usually buy new books online from Amazon, but I found that they didn’t have the book in stock (would take 1-2 months for delivery). I also had to replace one of my Harry Potter hardcover books, so I was able to get free shipping. I do not recommend buying from Chapters online though because the Harry Potter book came dented, ripped, and dirty. I returned it at a Chapters locally, but had to pay an additional $12 just to get one off their shelf. Blah. I usually do not buy new books. The last time I did was the Boxing day sale on BookCloseOuts which are very below average retail price. I love new books, but I can’t really afford to buy them even occasionally. I digress.
I didn’t plan on buying a book to learn spinning because I have library books (but my library doesn’t carry Respect the Spindle) and the internet. I bought Stitch and Bitch when I started knitting, but I didn’t use it much then and I rarely look at it now. One book to start off a hobby is reasonable though and I’ll have it always to refer to.
As for the book, I’ve looked through it, but I actually plan on reading it cover to cover which I don’t usually do with my crafting or cook books. This spindle book seems concise and well written though.
As recommended, I have been spinning every day when I can. I think my drafting is getting better. I am slightly more consistent in drafting out something thin.
I am spinning, more or less. I am parking and drafting. It is taking forever, but it is coming out sport to lace thin now which is what I want as opposed to the chunky to fingering I had going on
before.
The thick strand on the left is the original loosely spun worsted single ply yarn.
There are still a few problems. My drafting comes out sometimes too thin, and as a result, it overspins and snaps. This has happened a few times. I think I need a smaller spindle? Secondly, I have not achieved any rhythm. I spin, stop and draft carefully, repeat. It is a time consuming to get one yard, but it is getting therapeutic and less frustrating.
I am spinning leftover worsted weight single ply yarn. The drafting of that is different than if I did it off a roving, but I am reusing yarn and it’s working. I really hope it holds up. This is my practice yarn so I may use this when I learn to ply as well. I’ll wash it first to see how it handles as a single ply though.
Now that I am spinning more, I am susceptible to spindle lust! I can’t wait until I get another spindle or two. I have my eye on a trindle, not to mention getting a tiny turkish spindle from the someone people who made mine above. Eee! Hobbies require money!
As for knitting, I think I’ve knit about ten rounds on the Girasole. I am on my second skein of Lion Brand Fisherman’s Wool. I’m having a hard time photographing the thing because it is so big now so it’ll be macro shots from here on out.
What are you crafting lately?
For more WIP Wednesdays, visit Tami’s Amis.
Posted on June 29, 2012 in Knitting & Crafting
Even though I started Girasole before this, I wanted to participate in a Veera KAL in the Sweater Odyssey group on Ravelry. I have wanted to make this ever since I saw it on Veera’s projects, but I did not know it would be so big and use so much yarn. I ran out of yarn so the sleeves are shorter and tighter, but more notably, the right panel is over 4″ shorter than the front. It works out in that two of the front panels would be hot. I just throw the left over the right and can pin it with a shawl or kilt pin.
I am not crazy about this cardigan. It disappointed me especially when I liked it so much, but I must say the colour of the cardigan is lovely! It is baby alpaca that I got on sale for this project too.
Paris, started May 25th 2012, Bound off June 25th 2012. 
Pattern: Paris by Veera Välimäki
Yarn: Inca Gold Baby Alpaca by Susan Andrew Collection – 6 balls – 1200yards/1100m.
Needles: #4/3.5mm long circular
Modifications: I did the sleeves before finishing the right front. I decreased two stitches the sleeves every five rows to make them around 50 sts (I can’t remember). Sleeves were knit to 9″ in total. Did not sew pockets.
Tools/Notions: N/A
Cost of Project: Yarn was on sale, cost around $34.
Would I knit it again? No.
Posted on May 30, 2012 in Knitting & Crafting
As you can see above, that is not Girasole, I cast on for Veera Välimäki’s Paris this weekend. I was motivated by the Sweater Odyssey Ravelry Group’s Veera knitalong. It’s a great little group, and I had the yarn and pattern all ready for it.
It is more or less a rectangle with sleeves. I really liked it when I first saw this on Veera’s projects. I’ve already knit five Rain Knitwear designs; she’s one of my favourite designers.
The yarn is 100% baby alpaca by the Susan Andrew Collection. It is the same weight as the recommended Drops Alpaca. I do love alpaca and this one is nice and sticky. I have a knack for finding purple yarn on sale. I will not lie as I have four purple sweaters now, all from yarn on sale. Most of my projects come from discounted yarn though; I do love a bargain.
Even though it is all basic stockinette, there is something soothing about its mindlessness that is allowing me to get my knitting mojo back. Must remember to keep it simple when I am trying to get out of a knitting funk.
What is on yours needles today?
Happy Knitting!
For more WIPs, visit Tamis’s Amis.
Posted on May 25, 2012 in Knitting & Crafting
This cardigan took forever to finish. The knitting itself took about a month, but I didn’t block for another month after binding off and another week for the buttons. I was very careless with the button sewing, but I was so fed up with this project by this time that I didn’t care. Maybe in the far future, I will resew it. Until then, I can wear it as it is going out or staying in. It is far from my favourite sweater, but at least I can use it when out.
Garter Yoke Cardigan, started March 13th, 2012, Bound off April 18th 2012. Sewed buttons on May 19th 2012.
Pattern: #22 Garter Yoke Cardigan by Melissa LaBarre from Knit.1, Fall/Winter 2008
Yarn: Patons Classic Wool – less than 4 skeins of the old yardage, not the new one.
Needles: #6/4mm for the CO, #7/4.5mm for the garter, and #8/5.0mm for all else.
Modifications:
- CO on 93 sts (20 less) on 4.0mm and switched to 4.5mm for the yoke.
- Knit 2 rows. Increased 10 sts using M1L (KFB is better for garter stitch in retrospect). Knit 4 rows including a button hole row. Incresed 10 sts. K1 more row then began with short rows.
- Did standard short rows.
- For the yoke, I added two additional rows between button holes since my gauge was different.
- Switched to 5.0mm for stockinette. After initial stockinette inc row, I did M1L, K1, SlM, K1, K1R.
- Inc a few additional stitches for bust after separating sleeves and body.
- 4.5mm on yoke, cuff, and hem.
- Did one extra decrease for waist shaping but maintained same waist increases per pattern
- Picked up 6 sts at underarm, decreased them, knit about 2.5-3”, then began sleeve decreases: k1, k2tog, knit around to the last 3 stitches, ssk, k1. Repeat every 8th row until only 40 sts.
Tools/Notions: 9 wood buttons.
Cost of Project: Less than $20.
Would I knit it again? Doubtful. If I were to do it again, KFB for the yoke as pattern says and I won’t be so careless with blocking and button sewing next time.
Have a good weekend! For more FOs, go to Tami’s Amis.
Posted on May 23, 2012 in Knitting & Crafting
Since the last time I posted a WIP Wednesday, I finished the Garter Yoke Cardigan on April 18th, but I didn’t block it for another three weeks due to weather. This weekend, I finally put the buttons on it and I did a very bad job of it. I became a bit fed up with the cardigan. I haven’t knit anything since I finished it except a demi hexipuff. I’ve lost a lot of knitting mojo. This one month lack of knitting can be blamed on a few things so I am slowly getting back to knitting with my next project.
Girasole by Jared Flood. Mr Flood is one of my favourite knitwear designers I think. Like him, I like tweed, rustic wool, heathers, cables, and lace on thick wool. When I saw Girasole, I wanted to make it because I had a wonderful time making the Hemlock Ring Blanket a few years ago.
I am using Lion Brand’s Fisherman’s Wool. I couldn’t afford to use the Eco for such a project.
Yes, I am knitting a giant wool doily blanket in the summer. I’ve had the yarn for awhile and the pattern for even longer. Secondly, I can take my time with this since it seems I have not been too interested in anything lately. This could be a good way to bring my mojo back. Finally, since it is summer, I can block and dry this outside in the sun! It’s for the best because I can’t imagine waiting for this thing to dry indoors in the winter.
Wish me luck, everyone. What is on your needles this week?
See more WIPs Wednesday at Tamis’s Amis.
Posted on April 11, 2012 in Knitting & Crafting
Progress on my blue Garter Yoke Cardigan:
Taken on the new iPad 3 and Instagram since I wanted to test both features.
I finished one sleeve yesterday. While I was doing the body, I didn’t want the sleeves to take up my remaining yarn so I put the body on hold (it’s beyond the waist shaping now) and started the sleeves. That way, I can make this a fairly long cardigan. I am really liking this royal blue from Patons Classic Wool.
Let’s be honest, I’d have finished this sweater in less than two weeks given my situation. I’ve been very slow with it and spent a few days not even knitting a bit. I know knitting hasn’t been on my radar as much lately because of that and the fact I haven’t been on Ravelry much. I was a bit sick the other week and distracted with other things. I also haven’t been watching shows or movies that much and I almost always knit during those times. I don’t really sit and knit; I’m usually watching something while doing it. Even with lace!
In any case, the Crazy Zauberball I mentioned a few weeks ago, I bought as a birthday present to myself. Yay! Except I have no idea what I will do with it yet.
I’m nearly done this cardigan and due to my lack of knitting mojo, I haven’t really been excited for my next project. Maybe I will take a break and knit some hexipuffs. I haven’t done that since last year; I can make a couple and then plan my next project.
Do you ever feel you lose momentum during projects and why?
Check out other WIPW at Tami’s Amis.
Posted on March 21, 2012 in Knitting & Crafting
I have resolved to blog more about knitting so I will be doing Tami’s WIP Wednesday and Finished Object Friday when I can. Lately, I haven’t been knitting too much and to be honest, the last project I did, I hated. Rarely do I hate the end result as much as I did this Andrea’s Shawl I was working on. It wasn’t the pattern’s fault really, mostly it was one of the yarns. Anyway, I have something else on my needles now.
The Garter Yoke Cardigan from Knit.1 Fall/Winter 2008. I wanted to make this for a long time. I can’t even remember why. I finally got a copy of the pattern. Here’s my tiny amount of progress:
I started this project last week, and I usually knit faster than this, but I’ve been doing other things lately so I haven’t been knitting as much.
I am using Patons Classic Wool. I got it on sale at Michaels the other week. I noticed that Patons changed their yardage so now you get twenty less yards per skein. Three of the skeins I got still have the old yardage, but this change is Patons way of adjusting for higher wool prices. I don’t dislike Patons, but to be honest, I do feel I should just save up and buy better wool. When it goes on sale, it is very cheap and affordable, but now with the shortened yardage, I will probably not buy this yarn for pullovers anymore.
I have been struggling not to buy yarn these days as there has been a Crazy Zauberball calling my name. I shouldn’t since my yarn stash is overflowing. I can’t live beyond my yarn means especially given my tenuous situation. Is the yarn calling and you must say no?
Since I am a knitting monogamist, that’s it for me this week. The weather is warmer so I am less sitting around knitting and more cleaning and exploring.
Have a good rest of the week.
For more WIP Wednesday posts, go to Tami’s Amis.
Posted on March 1, 2012 in Knitting & Crafting
I love Kauni Effetkgarn. In 2010, I bought three balls of the EQ colour in Switzerland. I used up two that summer, but I had one left to save for the future.
In February, I finally used the third skein in two projects. First, I wanted to make a sweater with the yarn. I picked Margot and decided to stripe it and make it short sleeved. My Margot on Ravelry 
.
Secondly, the Stripe Study Shawl. It was inevitable for me to knit this striped shawl. My Stripe Study Shawl On Ravelry
Both projects have been striped with Briggs & Little Sport in natural/undyed which is the right weight and has the same rustic appeal as the Kauni wool. Also, the B&L was inexpensive. I used 1.5 balls of the B&L for both projects.
This is the last of the Kauni I have and since it isn’t sold locally, I am not sure when I will buy it again. If I do, I’ll probably stock up. I get a huge kick out of knitting with this yarn and it is easily one of my favourite yarns.
Posted on February 2, 2012 in Knitting & Crafting
Knitting has been a love of mine in the past few years and I think it will continue to be. In 2011, I worked on 36 projects in 2011 and completed 33 of them. I have two ongoing sock yarn blankets that probably won’t be completed by the end of 2012 either.
This an image heavy post.
Continue reading →
Posted on January 7, 2009 in Books, Knitting & Crafting
My ongoing series of knitting books that I consume and like, but do not list in my official book lists. The first knitting books list is here.
Ravelry or Amazon links
The Knitter’s Handy Book of Patterns by Ann Budd – The books gives basic instructions for all kinds of patterns in any size and gauge.
Knitty Vintage Socks by Nancy Bush – Bush’s sock books are all popular for a reason; they feature interesting and nice sock patterns.
Son of Stitch N’ Bitch by Debbie Stoller – The SNB books are not great for patterns, but they usually have a couple of gems though. This one has Uncle Argyle Scarf and Smoking by the extraordinary Jared Flood.
Folk Vests by Cheryl Oberle – It seems I like knitting things that I never really wore before I started knitting. I got this book and wanted to knit 80% of it even though I hardly wear vests or know people who do.
Wrap Style ed. Interweave Press – I made the Shetland Triangle, and I hope to make the Lady Eleanor Stole one day along with a couple of others.
Vogue Knitting on the Go Pattern Books – Portable and small pattern books. Here are some that I’ve consumed.
Weekend Knitting by Melanie Falik et al. – Filled with lots of useful and lovely quick knits.
The Knitter’s Book of Yarn by Clara Parkes et al. – A great resource as it details lots of info about fibres. It also has some fantastic patterns.
Viking Patters for Knitting by Elsebeth Lavold – Do you like cables? This is your book.
101 Designer One Skein Wonders ed. Judith Durant – Lots of nice stashbusters like the first book.
Posted on December 15, 2008 in Knitting & Crafting
My first started and completed project in London, but I don’t think I’ll need them that much even though everyone has been saying this has been an unusually cold December. Then again, I am from Canada. I digress; these mittens are lovely and easy. I went down to 3.75mm thinking these would be too big. They are actually now on the smallish side for mittens, but since I have small hands to begin with, they are more or less the right size. They were knit two at a time with magic loop. The thumb gusset mod is essential to me because I also prefer a gusset. They match my Noro Striped Scarf. The combination makes it very warm for this mildish climate.
Mitered Mittes, started October 23rd 2008, finished December 7th 2008
Pattern: Mitered Mittens (May) by Elizabeth Zimmermann from Knitter’s Almanac
Yarn: Noro Kureyon (50 grams / 110 yards) #159 – less than 2 skeins (I have about 25ish grams in total left)
Needles: #5/3.75mm 40″/100cm Hiya Hiya metal circular with magic loop
Modifications: Grace’s thumb gusset mod.
Tools/Notions: Yarn holders, markers.
Cost of Project: $15 for yarn.
Would I knit it again? Yes, but I probably would make it a shorter cuff and go back up to 6.0mm.
Posted on October 18, 2008 in Knitting & Crafting
My friend wanted some legwarmers, and these are simple, but still appealing. It’s just k1p1 all the way through. She is very tiny and I only cast on 40 sts, but I could have CO 42 for her. She chose the colours. I knit these two at a time on one circular. I learned that technique for the Tangled Yoke Cardigan (which is on hold indefinitely), and it is pretty neat. The book says this is a four hour project, but it really is not. Though, still quick and mindless, good for gift giving.
Sandy’s Legwarmers, started September 20th, 2008 finished September 27th, 2008
Pattern: Super-Easy Legwarmers by Joelle Hoverson in Last Minute Knitted Gifts
Made for: Sandy
Size: Small
Yarn: Patons Classic Wool Merino (100g/223 yards) in Paprika and Harvest – less than one skein each
Needles: #7/4.5mm 40″ circs
Modifications: No yarn doubling, cast on 40.
Cost of Project: $14 for yarn
Would I knit it again? Maybe, but yarn doubled with mohair as intended.