A Frogging we will go...

Warning**Photoless post ahead.

I decided to give sock knitting another shot. I am currently working on a pair of Jaywalkers for my twin's birthday present. We are broke, and I have had the yarn (Trekking in pastels, C destroyed the band so I don't know the colorway right now) that had been a SIP for the last 11 months. Monday night I came home and frogged that sock and cast on the Jay's. So far it is an easy and fast pattern, and I think I will have the pair done before our birthday, even if that means PFS is put on hold for a bit at the end.

speaking of PFS...
I did a stupid mistake. I set her down mid-row, when I had less than 20 stitches on one of the needles, because C needed me RIGHT THEN. When I went back to PFS after C was calmed down, I forgot that I was mid-row, and accidentally pulled the needle out of the 20 stiches. After trying for 30 minutes to get the stitches on the needles, and failing due to the very delicate nature of the yarn, I made the ultimate decision to frog. Since I was knitting commando (no life-lines), that ment frogging the entire shawl.
All
100
rows.

*Sigh*

I did break the yarn and keep some as a pseudo swatch to show N how soft the yarn knits up, and if he wants to tease D with the yarn, than that is good.

C saw the 'swatch' and asked if my knitting was broken.


I did cast back on, and I am almost done with chart 1 (again), and I think I will install lifelines (if I can find something that isn't white dentle floss) between charts. I am only working on this after C goes to bed right now, since he likes to poke the needles in the ball, and has tried pulling the yarn off the needles.

FO: Icarus

Stats: Icarus from Interweave Knits Summer 2006 by Miriam Felton
Yarn: Skacel Merino Lace in Cranberry
Needles: Addi Turbos size 3
Start date: October 30
End Date: November 22

I think this was one of the fastest knits I have ever done. From start to finish, it was just over three weeks. I think the fact that the pattern was so easy was such a help to me. After the first day of knitting, and first pattern repeat, I didn't have to refear to the chart again until I was on Chart 2. I did find a bunch of mistakes in my work after I was done with this, snags that didn't block out, SSK and K2togs that were backwards, but I am not going to let them bug me, and nag at me, keeping me up late at night any more.

I did let C help me unpin in Friday night, and he had a blast pulling up all the pins. I guess that means that I can't do any major blocking while he is awake or around.

The shawl did keep me nice and warm in the chilly banquet hall where R had her wedding (which was so beautiful!)





I did cast on for PFS on Wednesday night, and I am on chart 4 right now. This was taken 24 hours ago when I was just starting chart 3. So far PFS is a lot of fun, and I can see myself knitting another one for me. I do hope it doesn't turn out as large as Icarus, since D is so tiny

Uncharted Territory

I finished Chart 4 of Icarus this morning! I only have the 4 rows of the edging and the BO left to do. I will get this done to wear to R's wedding on Saturday!
I brought Icarus with me to work on at lunch today, but left the book at home. I have Trellis here also, and can work on that, but I am eating lunch at S's office, and the father of the little guy I am making Trellis for is S's boss. Can I work on it without him noticing?

I can't wait to get Icarus finished and cast on for PFS. I think I that will be tomorrow, depending on how much Turkey Day Prep I can get done tomorrow with C's help.

It Came! It Came!

The pattern for the Peacock Feathers Shawl came in the mail on Friday! It is taking all the will power that I posses not to throw the last 8 rows of Icarus aside (and take off the needles since I only have circ needle that I like to use in the right size) and get started on this beauty.

I didn't finish chart 4 this weekend, but I think with hard work, and ignoring the husband and child, I should finish it tonight, and get started on the 4 rows of edging and binding off either tonight or tomorrow!

I am so close to being done with this puppy that I can cry, and Icarus has been a fast knit. I CO on 10-30, and am almost done 3 weeks later.

I only hope that PFS is as fast, especially since I hope to knit another one for myself out of KP Alpaca Cloud in either Midnight or Tide Pool. I put both on my holiday wish list, and will make another Kiri out of the one I don't use for PFS.

How Cool is This...

I posted progress of my Icarus on the Lacevember page, and my first reply was from the designer herself.

I think I am giddy with excitement.

There She Grows!

As has been long promised, here is a picture of C in his birthday sweater. I love how the dark colors make his hair pop! I think this is the best sweater that I have knitted to date. But since it is a toddler sized sweater, it didn't take to long to complete, and I didn't get bored half way through the project.


Icarus is growing along. I am in the middle of Chart 3, and have 33 rows left to go. I love the color of this Marino Laceweight, and I know that it will go with so much in my closet.

Now that I am actually paying attention to the way the charts are written, instead of how the previous row was written, it feels like it is going faster, even though the rows are getting insanely long. It is taking me 30 minutes to do the wrong side rows and around 45 minutes to do each right side row, so it really is slow going right now.

10 days to finish Icarus

Will I finish in time?

I am well into Chart 3 now. I think I should have it finished by tomorrow night, providing C doesn't have a repeat of not wanting to go to sleep like we did on Sunday night. That will give me this weekend to do Chart 4, and next week to work the edging and the CO. This shawl is working up so fast!

I did notice that I had my SSK's and K2Tog's confused for a large portion for Chart 2, but I don't think it will be that noticeable when blocked.

In other news, it was actually cold enough today for C to wear his birthday sweater to daycare. S was able to get a few pictures of him wearing it, so I will try to add those in the correct place later tonight.

I made out my Christmas yarn wish list last night. All from Knit Picks to make for easy online shopping for S and L, and emailed it out. I have requested yarn to knit a few sweaters, and lots of laceweight, since I am on the lace kick again.

Finished with Chart 1 on Icarus!

I finished the first chart last night, and started on chart 2. Because C didn't want to go to sleep, and stay asleep, I only got a row and a half done, and I know I have mistakes in there.
No pictures yet, but I feel like I am in the final stretch. Only 52 rows to go! I can get this done in the 11 days I have left before R's wedding!

I also bought the stuff to knit the Peacock Feathers Shawl for D's wedding! Simpatico had a wonder Marino Lace weight from Italy that was $14 for 1500 yards, and this is finer than the Marino Lace I am using for Icarus. The pattern is on order, which is a good thing. If I got the pattern on Saturday, then I would have been tempted to rip Icarus off the needles and start on the Peacock.

If I don't go too crazy doing D's Peacock, then I am going to do one for myself, in a bright blue/color.

Trellis only grew by one row. I think I will work on that 100% when I am done with Icarus, before I start the peacock.

What are your ideal lace making conditions?

Another Lavevember Q&A!

I don't have any ideal lace making conditions. I have knit lace almost anywhere and everywhere. In the mornings I knit in bed waiting for my husband to get out of the shower. I knit in the car in the way to work when my husband drives. I knit at my desk before work, I knit a lunch. I knit lace walking across the college campus to meet my husband for lunch. I knit when we get home and my son is playing, I knit lace at night while watching TV, after my son goes to sleep. I knit in the car on trips to visit family, or go to the good grocery store across town.
About the only place I haven't knit lace at is church and while running on the treadmill. Any spare chance I get, I am knitting.

I'm cheating on Icarus

I cast on for the one bit of Christmas knitting that I am going to do this year. Trellis in Lion Brand Cotton Ease from my stash. This is for my the son of my husband's boss. The family loves the color orange, and I happen to have two balls in a bright orange that should be enough for the sweater, if I make a few mods.
I am knitting the body in one piece, to cut down on the seaming, and I think I am going to knit the collar onto the body as I go as well, so I only have to seam across the back.
I am also going to put the button holes on the "boy" side, unlike the version of this that I made for Corwin's first birthday.

Slow going on Icaurs

I am slowly working on Icarus.
This is knit on size 3 needles in Skacel's Marino lace weight in a raspberry/cranberry color. I cast on for it last Monday and had been getting one chart repeat done each day until the weekend's disaster.

I should finish the next to the last repeat of chart 1 tonight, and hopefully will be done with Chart 1 by Monday.

I offered to knit a shawl for N&D's wedding, so I have to gather some photos of different shawls and let them see it, then N is going to take me yarn shopping! He had the look of a deer caught in the headlights when I told him that we would either have to go to Bedford or Arlington to find the right yarn, but I told him what we would probally pay and he was impressed.

I think my new favorite thing about knitting lace is you can get so much knitting done with very little out of pocket cost.

FO: Kimono Styled Sweater

Pattern: Kimono Styled Sweater from Knit Picks
Yarn: Knit Picks Marino Style in Storm
Modifications: I left off the optional belt

It took me almost 4 months to knit this sweater. I gained 15 lbs durring construction, and the sweater is a little snug on me. Back on the diet so I can wear this.

Sorry for the pictures being so dark, and the inabilty to read the cables.

FO: Not-SO-Portland Pullover

Pattern: Portland Sweater from Fall 2006 Interweave knits
Yarn: Angora Goat50%/Wool 50% from Russia
Yarn source: Ebay.com
modification: I put a split in the reverse stockingknit section of the body since I didn't have a larger needle. I used a sport weight yarn instead of a lace weight mohair. I modified the neckline for more of a scoop neck instead of the high neck in the original sweater.
Knit in just over 3 weeks

Due to the itchness of the yarn, I doubt I will get much wear out of this sweater.

FO: Swallowtail Shawl

Pattern: Swallowtail Shaw from Fall 2006 Interweave Knits
Yarn: Knit Picks Shimmer in turquoise splendor
Yarn source: KnitPicks.com

I like how this turned out, however, I think the yarn overshadowed the pattern of the shawl.

FO: The Birthday Sweater

I knit this sweater for Corwin's second birthday.



Pattern: Double Scoop
Yarn: Interlacements Superwash Marino Wool in Turkish Carpet
Yarn Source: Simpatico Yarns
Modifications: Knit in one colorway and left out the design on the original sweater.

Of course, Corwin won't let me put it on him for a photo.

The Knitting Questions, or the Usual Suspects

How long have you been knitting?
Off and on for the last 6 years. I picked it up as my main hobby about 18 months ago.

How did you learn to knit?
I taught myself from a book.

Favorite thing about knitting?
It relives so much stress, and can be done almost anywhere.

How long have you been knitting lace?
One year. I did my first lace project last September.

Favorite thing about knitting lace.
You don't have to worry as much about "Will it fit" or "Will it be too hot to wear in Texas"

The yarn question, or flash your stash
Favorite lace yarn?
Alas, I am at work and having camera issues still, so no flash. Love Kid Silk Haze, and am plotting how I am going to be able to afford to get my hands on more. Until then, I am going to have to live with KP, and Zagger.

variegated or solids for shawls?
Solids. The only project I have completed in a variegated is too busy. That said, I am planning on doing a rectulanger shawl in a variegated soon to see if that looks any better.

Favorite lace color?
None, they all look nice.

Technique, or show us your skillz

Circs or straights?
Circs, for everything. Straights are too unwieldly

Favorite lace knitting trick?
Tinking back a few wors.

Lifelines?
Only if it is a very difficult pattern. Well, only my first bit of lace really.

If so with what?
Dental Floss

Fancy blocking wires, or just sewing pins stuck in your carpet?
Pins stuck in the carpet, and cotton string for the straight edges.

Pattern, or can you follow directions
Pattern.

shawls or lacey items?
Shawls, but I will try a lacy sweater soon.

triangle, rectangle, or circular shawls?
Triangle. Rectalgles are too boring, and I haven't tried a circular shawl yet.

Charts or printed instructions?
Charts. I am a visual knitter, and written patterns confuse me.

Favorite lace you've knit?
Kiri, in Kid Silk Haze, but I gave it to my mom for Christmas. I want to knit it for myself.

Favorite lace you want to knit?
Peacock Feathers Shawl. I have been wanting to knit that for a year, and might be able to knit it in a few months for a friends wedding.

Just Fun, yup that's right, just for fun

Favorite jelly belly flavor?
Peach

Tell me everything you know about Eric the Red.....
He was a Viking warlord who settled in Greenland a long time ago.

Coke, classic or with lime?
Classic. All the way.

Holiday carols, sing along, or wish they would be banned from all public airwaves?
Wish they would be banned, but since I have a young child, I am going to be hearing them for the next two decade's.

What is the definition of irony?
Me doing something delicate

How many licks does it take to get to the center of a tootsie roll pop?
57

Why is my cat always puking in front of my son's bedroom door?
Because its a cat (Same problem here)

What is your superior power?
I make milk.

If the laundry is 9 foot by 11 foot (just dreaming, that's a big laundry room), and the walls are 8 feet tall, and you are going to tile the entire room in tiles that are 3 inches by 5 inches, what color should those tiles be?
White. Better to photograph items against.

What's for dinner tonight?
Leftovers. Chicken noodle soup and salad.

What is clogging my children's bathtub drain?
You don't want to know. Trust me.

Friday night I was working on Icarus while watching a Bollywood movie with friends. It wasn't until I sat down to work on her last night that I noticed I dropped stitches, in the row of K2tog's. They had laddered down about 8 rows.Somewhere between screaming, crying, and trying to figure out how to fix it, took a deep breath and frogged. back. 8. stinking. rows. Everything I had done the night before.I only wish that I had been using lifelines.I have everything back on the needles, and didn't miss a stitch, thankfully, and am almost back to where I was Friday night with the knitting.

I also found the camera that Heather got me for Christmas a few years ago. I hunted down fresh batteries for it, only to find out that it is not compatible with my new laptop. Windows doesn't read the softwear, and I don't have the right type of plug to download pictures, so I am going to have to rely on using Steve's camera when I can find it.

I'm in the process of seaming up the Not-so-Portand Pullover, and I hope to have photos of it later today.

Progress

But no photos.

I did change the name of the blog yesterday, to something more Knit friendly. I like it, its kind of catchy, but not as catcy as some of the more famous blogs on the web.

I joined the Lavevember knitalog! Its my first official knit along, and I hope that I will learn some blogging and knitting tips from everyone else there.

I was home sick from work yesterday, and got much knitting done on Icaurs. I finished the 3rd go around of chart 1, and should be done with the 4th run through today. If I keep up at this pace, I hope to be done with the 5th' repeat on Sunday, and the 6th by Wednesday. I think I will finish this before Rabeya's wedding on the 25th (Only 21 more days until then).

I also got some blocking done yesterday, without the little one around. Swallowtail is blocked. I just need to weave in the ends and take some photos of it. I think I will give it to Steve's mom for Christmas, then we are done with her.

I also blocked the Not-So-Portland Pullover yesterday. I think I will seam it tomorrow or Sunday, and then she will be ready to wear, with a shirt on under it of course.

Tomorrow I will try to get photos of everything, both for this neglected blog and for other places that I lurk/post.

I really need to blog more.

*Sigh*

I must also remember to take pictures of stuff.

Swallowtail remains unblocked. I have the pins to block it, I have the cotton thread(yarn) to block it, I have the space to block it, I just haven't had the time to block it.

I did suck it up and finish The Portland Pullover in like 4 days. Once I got past the second sleeve, I got the body done in no time. I cast on for the body on Thursday morning, and bound off Sunday night. I did make some modifications to the pattern. Since I didn't have the money to buy size 13 needles, I added a slit in the reverse stockingnet area. I also left out the 10 rows of knitting on the top, and left it with a more scooped neck look. I hope to block it this weekend, and sew up the sleeves, and depending on how it looks then, I might go back and adjust the neck line.

Icarius in my left over shimmer Died again. I did cast on again Monday night in some Skacel laceweight Marino that Steve bought me last June for our anniversary. If I don't mess up again, than I hope to have it done in time to wear to Rabeya's wedding on the 25th.

Sherwood hasn't been touched in a week. I still think of it as a WIP, but I don't have a deadline on it since I am making the size 4.

I have finished seaming the Kimono Style Sweater, but I hate it on me. Maybe after I lose more weight (instead of gaining weight) it will look better. Or maybe if I had thought ahead and put in short rows for my big nursing boobs.