Saturday, August 30, 2008

Number crunching

I have been working on finishing the pattern for Violet. As you can see I have been crunching numbers trying to size the pattern up. Math isn't my strong point so I'm checking and rechecking my numbers. Then when I was almost done I decided that I should make the pattern

available for multiple gauges. Which means more number crunching this weekend and then off to have it editted and test knit.

Guess what came in the mail last week? Custom Knits!!!!! Yes, I got two copies. I was soooo excited about it coming out that I didn't realize that I paid for and pre-ordered two copies.

There are a lot of really great designs. The best part is Wendy tells you how to alter each design to make it your own. I love the design above but I'm not much into belly showing shirts so I would customize the pattern to make it long enough to cover my stomach.

I absolutely love this hat. I usually don't wear hats but I might make an exception for this one. I think this would make a quick and beautiful Christmas gift. Yes there is only 116 days til Christmas. OMG!!!!

I love this top. Too bad summer is almost over. I will definitely be adding this to my future project queue.

If I didn't have so many UFO's I would cast on for this gorgeous number. I'm drawn to the green. There is another picture of this same sweater in a dark tealy blue with no shirt beneath it. Seems like a very versatile knit.

Too many beautiful designs. The book is also a great read. I haven't had a chance yet to read it cover to cover but I plan on doing it soon. Wendy is very talented.

I know that I have way too many projects going on around here but I decided to join a sew-a-long for the Amy Butler Weekender bag. You guessed it there is a group on Ravelry called Amy Butler Lovers. I ordered the material over a year ago.

I haven't sewn in awhile so this should be interesting. The hubby will be happy because he bought me a sewing machine over 5 years ago and I never used it. I had good intentions but I never broke it out to sew. I'm excited because Amy Butler's fabrics and patterns are gorgeous. My friend Michelle has made many of her bags and she says the patterns are easy. Check out Michelle's beautiful bags here and here.

I promised to post some pictures of my Namaste Newport bag in peacock. The color in the pictures is pretty accurate. It is not the bright teal color that it appears on some of the on-line stores.

The yarn in front of the bag is knit picks yarn in various shades of blue. I love this bag and the color is just beautiful.

Off to finish crunching my numbers. Have a great long Labor Day weekend!!!!!

Saturday, August 23, 2008

Glad to be home

My trip to Colorado was nice but I'm glad to be home. It was a busy trip. Most of my time was spent working and going out to dinner with co-workers. I did manage to slip away to do some shopping. My first stop was the Knitters Kove in Colorado Springs. I found them through ravelry there is a knitters kove group.

I wasn't shopping for anything specific, I just wanted to browse and see what they had. It's not a really big shop but they did have quite a big selection of yarn. I bought some Pagewood Farm hand dyed sock yarn Yukon in colorway new horizon. It's 70% merino, 20% bamboo and 10% nylon. I couldn't resist the color. I also picked up a hair pin lace loom. I've always wanted to learn how to do hair pin lace to make this skirt. I also picked up some stitch markers and some double points. I don't know what happens to all my stitch markers they keep disappearing. I planed on stopping at Posh Yarns in Denver but I never got a chance.

Colorado Springs is beautiful. This is the view looking out my hotel window. It took me a little while to get use to the dry Colorado air. I'm use to the high and I mean high humidity that we have in Ohio. The best part about the dry air was no frizzy hair.

I did take some knitting with me but I really only got to knit on the plane. I started the February Sweater (ravelry link). I knit quite a bit on the flight to Denver but ended up ripping most of it because I didn't like the way my one row button hole looked. I decided to use this version of the one row button hole.

I'm using Dream into Color Classy in November Muse. The color reminds me of the fall leaves. I can't wait to get to the gull lace portion. Off to relax and knit.

Monday, August 18, 2008

What to Pack?

I'm headed to Colorado Springs today for work. I had to get up early today to pack because I spent yesterday cleaning out my flower beds and deciding what projects I wanted to take with me. At least my priorities are straight. So I decided I'm going to take the February Lady Sweater (ravelry link) for my airplane knitting. I'm using Dream into Color Classy in November Muse. I actually don't have enough yarn to complete the sweater so I'm going to need to order more. I only have two hanks and I think it's going to take about 3.5 hanks.

I'm also taking Violet. It's my own design which I will make available both on my blog and on Ravelry. Here is a little peak on what it looks like. I've been trying to get this pattern written up for way to long (since January). I've also got the name of a couple of local Colorado Springs yarn shops. I'm hoping that I will have enough time to stop and check them out. The hotel has free internet so I'll see if I can get a post or two in.

Friday, August 15, 2008

Addictions????

I entered a contest on Ravelry to win a Namaste goodie package through the Namaste Love group. Here's the pictured I entered with me and all my Namaste bags. As you can see I'm thinking about getting the Charcoal Laguna.

So far I have:

  1. Black Jetsetter
  2. Camel Jetsetter
  3. Raspberry Jetsetter
  4. Mauve Messenger
  5. Lime Malibu
  6. Peacock Newport
The Newport is a new purchase. I got it in the mail last week from kpixie. These bags are addicting. I own a lot of knitting bags that I never use. They just sit in my closet. The best part about these are they are a knitting bag and a purse in one. That way I don't look like a bag lady.

I've also found that I have another addiction. Yes it's an iPhone. I got it about two months ago. It isn't the new 3G version but that's okay. I'm still learning about all the apps that are available and yes there is a group on ravelry called iLove my iPhone.

The group has been really helpful. I learned a lot about what cases work the best, look the best and protect the phone the best. Not to mention all the reviews for the iPhone apps. I'm thinking about downloading stitchminder, which is a basic row and pattern counter. There's even an app (iFlickr) that lets you take a picture with your iPhone and then upload it to Flickr. I haven't got as far as installing any apps for now.

Sunday, August 10, 2008

New Skirt, New Hair

I finally finished it and the best part is it fits!!! I was worried that this was going to be too small once it was washed. It blocks great and shrinks in length only and by blocking I mean wash it and through it in the dryer. I actually started this last August. Other than blue fingers from it bleeding on my hands, the Rowan denim was great to knit with. My favorite part is the lace and the ruffle.

Pattern: Indigo Ripple Skirt
(Ravelry link)
Source: Interweave Knits, Spring 2007
Yarn: Rowan Denim
Color: Nashville (8.5 balls)
Size: Smallest
Needles: US Size 4
Modifications: I did the usual mods. I cast on for the second
smallest size and increased until I had the correct number for the
smallest size. I also lengthened the stockinette portion of the skirt to
15 inches before washing. I did 50 rows for the lace portion and crocheted
a chain for the draw string with a size H hook and the yarn held doubled.


I wore the skirt to the grocery store yesterday and some lady stopped me to tell me how cute my skirt was and to ask where I bought it. I proudly said I made it. This is definitely one of my favorite knits and will be a summer staple.

I also got a new hair cut by a stylist trained on how to cut curly hair. I learned about how curly hair should be cut in the book Curly Girl. If you're a curly girl you've got to get this book. It has taught me so much about how to care for my hair. It even teaches you how to make your own shampoo and curl refresher.

The hair cut was very different from any that I've ever had. The stylist cut my hair dry one curl at a time. She also taught me how to properly apply product and gave me some great styling tips to help avoid frizz. I got her name on the naturally curly website. I was a little worried going to a new stylist because I've had some really bad hair cuts. My hair shrinks when dry so if it's cut too short I can end up with baby doll bangs. Usually not a good look for me. The hair is cut with the natural curl pattern so my hair actually ended up curlier after the cut. It's a little shorter than I wanted but I am still happy with it.

Saturday, August 2, 2008

Too Nice For Yoga

I'm a huge Knit and Tonic fan. Wendy's patterns are so fun to knit and easy to modify for a perfect fit. I can't wait for her book to come out. I pre-ordered mine on Amazon.

This is another one of Wendy's great patterns the Yogini Bolero. I was worried when I was knitting this because it looked way to small. I'm really happy with the final product and the fit. I'm thinking of making another short sleeve version out of Blue Sky Skinny Cotton. I also bought some Cotton Fleece in a deep purple to make a long sleeve version. I love these fast knits.

Pattern: Yogini Bolero
(Ravelry link)
Source: http://www.knitandtonic.typepad.com/
Yarn: Hemp for Knittig Allhemp6LUX
Color: Zinfandel (2.5 hanks)
Size: Small
Needles: US Size 5
Modifications: Instead of the 6 decreases for the
optional shaping I only completed 3 decreases. I also
lengthened the top. The size small says to knit until the
top measures 10.5 inches from the cast on before binding
off. I knit until the top measured 12 inches before binding
off. I have broad shoulders so I think that's why I had to
lengthen the top. Because this is knit from the top down you
can try it on as you go so you can achieve a perfect fit.

Another blog that I love to read is Lara's blog. She knits so many great things and all of her FO's fit great and are so flattering. She had a contest for her blogiversary and I was one of the winners. I won a hank of Sundara 100% hand-dyed superwash merino wool (fingering weight) in the colorway Bird of Paradise.

I can't wait to knit this up. I'm not sure what I want to make with it. Socks? A scarf? The hank is 350 yards. If anyone has any pattern suggestions leave me a comment.