Saturday, April 30, 2005

Thank you, thank you, thank you

Thank you everyone for your encouragement to finish and for your compliments on "Lucky". Let's just say I really enjoyed knitting her, but I'm glad she's done!

To all you serious bloggers...I need help. I love all of your thumbnail photos that you can click on of your finished projects. How do I get me some of those? (Please make it easy, I am not the best at HTML)

So what do you do after "Lucky"?
Well, I've been working on "Hazel" from Jaegar JB34 for my MIL. I must get it done this week because we are going there next weekend.
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I've been working with the knit picks cotton. I love it...LOVE IT! Did I say it was soft? I decided to make "Soleil" with the orchid colour. I have relaxed in the tension because it just flys off the needles...so I am trying to knit tighter. Did I mention that this yarn is machine washable?!
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It was interesting for the lace pattern on the bottom...but now its all about st st. So I am glad I have some cabling on my other project. I may start some socks this weeked...loving grumperina's pretty comfty sock!

Thursday, April 28, 2005

Lucky Clover Cardigan

Presenting....adult sweater #2....The "Lucky Clover Cardigan" of Stitch and Bitch Nation:

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Although I can't stand pictures of my backside...here it is, only to showcase the cardigan!
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Yarn used: Rowan 4 ply cotton (2 balls left from the 10! I could have done full sleeves!)
Thoughts on the yarn: nice soft cotton...but still reminds me of the cotton dishcloth look. I came across many knots in this yarn, bad batch I guess. Atleast one a ball and you would start and new ball and come across a knot before the end of your row. Very annoying. I do like the 4 ply as crazy as that is...I like the thinner knits on me.
Start date: March 31, 2005
End date: April 28, 2005
Pattern thoughts: Ok, this pattern is nice, but it does need some editting (Melissa the designer who happens to be in the KAL has admitted to this). There are left over stitches at the front decreases that you just kind of mask with the neckband. Here is a view of this problem:
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The arm sizes are not proper in the larger sizes, I did have to make the arms bigger.
Pattern adjustments: I co 98 sts for each arm, worked the rib then decreased every 12th row twice then every 21st row twice-90sts (it was late at night when I figured all of this...so don't ask!) Work until patt measures 12 1/2" for 3/4 sleeves. Then for the raglan cap when decreasing (I made the body the 40" finished bust size) dec 1 st every 4th row 8x then every 6th row 4x. BO rem. This gave me 14" arm circumference.

I am usually a step by step knitter but this pattern made you think alot, which is a good thing. I had to decide on the type of decreases/increases and where to put them.

All in all, this cardi was fun to knit. I love the clover pattern and I love wearing it!
Ok, it took alot out of me not to rip back and fix this, but I feel I must confess to a mistake. The perfectionist in me is dying here! There is a misplaced clover...I call it my lucky clover!
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Second row down the shoulder...second one in from the raglan...see it?! Man, that is going to bother me!
What do I start now? Hmmmmmmmm.....

I will never be a daycare worker...

Here is my morning...5 children...under the age of 4....oh man...at least one is sleeping!
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Noticed how I lined them up to watch a movie...oh yeah, sit still and be quiet!

SSSSSSSHHHHHHHHH, she's on my bed blocking...behind closed doors...away from small children...

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I need to try her on when the neckband is dry...and then...if all goes well...I will post a picture!

Wednesday, April 27, 2005

Flag on the play...

No, no, that's not a flag, it's a tissue. That's right...have a box ready as you seam this sucker.
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Is this what it is suppose to look like? I don't like how it is pulling the ribbing apart...I am not enjoying this...it is stressing me out. I am so close to picking up my two year olds crayola scissors and just start cutting up lucky...the little darling has been eyeing my yarn anyway.

I got very little sleep last night because of the cold virus my children picked up in disneyland, I've only had one coffee today, and I have a whinny two year old sitting with me...why not start seaming the neckband?
WHERE IS THE COFFEE IN THIS JOINT?????? ARRRRRRGGGGGGHHHHHH!

Tuesday, April 26, 2005

Knit Picks Cotton

Oh yeah...don't you just love a new yarn. My lovely hubby brought it home today so, of course, I had to drop everything and swatch this yarn. This is the softest cotton I have ever bought. Very soft...a little shine to it (hence the name) but not too much shine. The yarn is strong...did I say soft...and the colour is deep. I must say that the colour on line did not match the colour I got. It could be my moniter (but I don't think so). The "orchid" looked more purple on line...and it is definitely a deep rose, not quite fushia...I still like it. I also picked up some cream.
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My picture still looks fushia, but it is not that bright...I lack photo skills as seen in the many colours of "Lucky" below...or could I be making 6 different colours of "Lucky"...maybe....
I knit tight. The yarn calls for #3-#5 needles 6sts in an inch...I had to use #6. The stitches slid beautifully on my addis, not a split, nothing. I switched to #7 bamboo to get gauge for another project. I rather it on addis...I did split once with the bamboo. I haven't washed, blocked, or wore yet...but at first glance...I am loving this yarn.

A little ditty of details

Ok, I am so close to finishing "Lucky"...but I must tell you, I think I made it too small. Yes, that's right. *I have changed my mind, it is not too small. I just retried it on with safety pins and it is fine. I am hoping the neckband will help the shape and WW will take off the excess 10+lbs so I don't look like a hoochy momma in it. I measured inbetween sizes, so I did the smaller knowing that I will loose the lbs I have put on. It also is shorter than I would have like (Winnie also had the same comment) I would add 2" to the length. I love the 3/4 sleeves and thank god I made them bigger in width!
Here are some little shots of some details so far: The sidetie sewn in the seam and the "boatneck" that I hope will be fixed with the neckband.
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I just had to show you my armpit! I love the fake grafted seams and invisible mattress stitch as well as the work on raglan seems.
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And here she is, awaiting her neckband (which I hope I will knit today!)
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Ok, so my photography is lacking some expertise in flash/no flash work...the colour actually is true in the sidetie photo.
*added text after post

Monday, April 25, 2005

"Lucky" has sleeves!

After seeing Winnie's completed "Lucky", I knit furiously to complete the sleeves. I wasn't sure (because of my fat arm problem) if I would have enough to make full sleeves, and I do love 3/4 sleeves, so I adjusted the pattern for 3/4 sleeves. It turns out, although I haven't completed the ties, I would have had enough yarn.
So here they blocking as I watch, waiting...I must sew these tonight!
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My lovely children, who have not had naps today....will go to bed early, so I will try to get the ties done or atleat some seaming...but do go look at Winnies....it is beautiful!

Sunday, April 24, 2005

Back from Disneyland!

Ok, we weren't really in Disneyland but my sister's house is pretty close! We went to Toronto for a visit and I just must say Christina's house is really crazy...but a good crazy. She has two little girls that she keeps busy with activities and events all day long. Playtime in the yard not only included the huge swing/slide/rope climbing combo but also she set up stations for golf, hoola hoop, tight rope(skipping rope) walking, ring toss, bikes, car ride, digging for worms in the garden, horse shoe toss, snacks...etc...etc...etc. I just chose a nice chair to knit in, of course! Inside, her basement is FILLED with toys...everything...now, they don't spoil their children and buy all this, these are all hand me downs. Everything from a room with the "kitchen station" and baby doll centre to another room with serious play. Little people, doctor, barbies (which thankfully my boys didn't fancy), trains, games, balls, basketball, chalkboard, plastic animals, tents, EVERYTHING you could imagine. Then she also blared kids music and blew bubbles the entire time.

My children cried all the way home.

We were able to hit many knitting stores, to check them out. I've got her back into knitting...and hopefully inspired her for more projects. Renee was with us, so we were three serious knitters on the prowl. We first went to a very nice, posh store with all the upscale brand name yarns and some serious "fiber snobs". We left empty handed. Then it was off to "linda's craftique". They were very friendly and helpful and I picked up some butterfly mercerized cotton...which may become "Ray". Then we went to two kitty cornered knitting stores. We of course chose "The Yarn Tree" with the "20-40% off all yarn today only" sign! I wish went went here first! There were some wonderful deals, but I do have a lot of yarn coming from internet purchases, so I behaved. I picked up some 4 season cotton, my first time with an acrylic cotton blend...hopefully will become a beautiful sweater for the boys.
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I did mange to do a little knitting while visiting. I worked on "Lucky's" sleeves and started the band for the neck. There seems to be problems for some knitters with attaching the band, so I decided to work on this to get ideas. Here are the sleeves, I am working at the same time...
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I also finished the first pattern repeat on "Hazel". It is really looking nice!
Rowan sent the "Frieda" poncho yarn kit, some lovely brown "cork"...that will not become a poncho. I'll probably do a scarf with it, we'll see.
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And I have joined the newly made "knitting and weight loss" ring. Of course, a trip to Christina's does mean weight gain...so I will start back on weight watchers now...the race is on!

Monday, April 18, 2005

Loving "Cathay" yarn

Ok, I just had to post a picture of "Hazel"...I've been working a little today on the front cable work...
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Don't you just love the look of this yarn! It is soooooooo nice to knit with and feels wonderful! Too bad it is for my MIL...but I will try it on....just to see how it looks! Now to get started on those sleeves for "Lucky".

A weekend at Grandma and Grandpa's

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Mom suggested I bring my knitting to the beach...yeah right, chasing these two.

I did however work on my knitting back at grandma and grandpa's. The boring back of "Hazel" is blocking...awaiting the very interesting cabled front. I love the DB Cathay yarn...it looks much better as "Hazel" than "Ray". "Lucky" is also coming along...I can't wait to get this done to wear it. Left front was completed on the ride home.

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Now "Lucky" needs some arms...I think they will be 3/4 sleeved...hhhhhmmmmmmm.

Sunday, April 17, 2005

What is wrong with this picture?

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Just for you MA! What went terribly wrong? Thanks for the WW Mag...looks like I needed some encouragement.

Wednesday, April 13, 2005

Here she is...Hourglass

Ok everyone...my first adult size sweater....
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Now this is a learning sweater.
  • I love the yarn, Gedifra "korfu" in cream, but I would choose a lighter yarn for this sweater next time.
  • I love working a sweater in the round, it made things move along quickly.
  • I did frog it when I was half way in the smaller size...this size is too big though. Next time I have to really look at the schematic and adjust it to fit.
  • I would make it a little shorter in the body and arm length.
  • The colour is not my favourite, but will look better with a tan now that the sun is finally here!

All in all, I do like it, I will wear it because I MADE IT!

Knitting Night

Tuesday is always the "official" knitting night in my house. If truth be known...every night is knitting night in my house! Anyway, here are the ladies hard at work
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Jen works on her "denim" raglan sleeved sweater for one of the boys....Maria (with the protruding prego belly) works on "Nell" for Maia, in a lovely DB Cashmerino Aran.
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Stephanie is fake knitting...she just has no interest, but I will convert her. Renee is passing time on a dishcloth awaiting her dk cotton which hopefully (so I can check it out) arrive today. Aunt Joanne (reading from Kaffe Fasset's brilliant knits...thank you Christina for that $1 purchase!) is busy making those twin grandaughters some lovely cotton striped sweaters.
And I am hard at work on "Hourglass" which is finally ready to reveal!

Tuesday, April 12, 2005

Something strange is happening with my computer

Ok, strange happenings with my computer. It was just shutting off...For no apparent reason. Almost like it overheated, like a fan was out or something. Anyway...After it continuously shut down all night Sunday...I brought it in yesterday. Nothing is wrong with it. Hmmmmm....not really sure what that is all about.
Anyway, without a computer to search for yarn or blogs to read (I did get withdrawal shakes imagining what wonderful yarn was new at my favourite discount sites....) I knit "lucky" right front. I stayed up till 11:30 knitting and finished this morning while driniking "the other caffeine", tea. (how I made it through the morning without my coffee I 'll never know. I went to the grocery store to pick up cream before I picked up my computer...I will never run out of cream again!)
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Here she is....this is more the colour than the picture in the post below.
I need to work on "hourglass" to get it finished. I did run out of yarn, even though I got an extra ball to compensate for the yardage mistake in the pattern. So thank you to Sylvia at http://www.knitwerx.com for sending me my yarn with the lovely thank you card:

"Hi Carolyn,
I hope your project is coming along beautifully!
Sylvia @ Knitwerx "
She is so nice and thoughtful...and even acknowledged my project that I am working on which I obviously ran out of yarn for. Excellent customer service!

Sunday, April 10, 2005

Feeling Lucky

Last night was all about lucky. I finished the back, after deciding that I would decrease the increased arm the same as the medium size, but it will be larger around the neck area, unless I figure something out. So on to the other pieces. It actually moves quite quickly once you get the pattern down.
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I also started the back of "Hazel" to see how I like the DB Cathay in that pattern, instead of aqua. It is very nice, and I will be ripping out "Ray" and doing "Hazel" for my MIL.

Thursday, April 07, 2005

Knitty is here!

Ok, the new knitty is up...how do I feel about it? Well, there are certainly some interesting patterns, to say the least. However there is atleast one that I will make time for
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Soleil...it is cute and if not for myself, I know my MIL would like it. There are some nice bags and some flowers that interest me...we'll see. I am curious to know who will be making that skirt....hmmmmmmmm.

The most exciting thing today is seeing my blog on someones list of blogs they read! I am a new blogger, and still learning....but thank you KNITNANA! It's nice to know someone finds my blog somewhat interesting!

Wednesday, April 06, 2005

Nearing the end of Hourglass

I've got arms attached now! This is very exciting for my first adult size sweater...still not sure how it will turn out, but it's looking pretty good. Hourglass Sweater should be complete by tomorrow. Tonight I am reading blogs and going to bed, my head it pounding. After a day with my terrible two year old, who through a fit over his animal crackers that spilled on the lawn...oh man. What a challenge today. I don't even have the mind to knit...it's that bad.
I keep thinking about "Ray" in the DB Cathay...I don't know if the yarn is appropriate for this. I think "Hazel" would be more appropriate for this. We'll see how I do tomorrow on the knitting front, I may frog "Ray".
Lucky is moving along as quickly as 4-ply does. I am at a stand still until I figure out how to adjust the pattern for larger arms. I'm not sure what to do about the raglan seem on the back and fronts....so here I sit, ready to shape arm holes on the back...waiting...waiting...waiting...for my brain to figure it out. The SnB book is all about adjusting sweaters to fit, but nothing that I can find on Raglan sleeves.
Rowan Calmer is in the house! Ten skeins...for me. Oh what to make...hmmmmm.

Monday, April 04, 2005

What did you do sit on your butt and knit all weekend?

Yeah pretty much! I have brought the hourglass sweater back up to the armpits and started a sleeve.
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Finish knitting and sewing "Max II" in the blue handpaintedyarn, just need to block and put in zipper.
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I started the Lucky Clover Cardi in the Rowan 4 ply. This is going to be an ongoing project because of the weight of the yarn and the detail.
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I also started "Ray" from the new Jaeger Magazine for my MIL in DB cathay in teal. Really loving this yarn....its wonderful to knit.
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