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I made a thing:
Pattern: Lacy Vines, a test knit. I’ll edit with a link when the pattern is up.
Yarn: Recycled wool, hand-dyed by me with Kool Aid
Needles: US 8/5mm
Mods: None, though I did use a provisional cast on.
It was supposed to be a scarf but mine came out rather wide and shortish so it’s more of a shawl. I really do like it. I like it (and you all) so much that I suffered 90 degree (F) temperatures to snap an action shot:
The pattern was super fun to knit and when it goes up, you should all go knit it. It works up super fast in heavy yarn and there are lots of dropped stitches, which is super fun. My yarn was really sticky so I had to tug the dropped stitches all the way down, but it’s lovely nonetheless.
This is a pattern that really benefits from a wet block. When I had finished one half (it’s knitted in two parts and seamed in the middle unless you cast on provisionally, which I did) I steam blocked it to see how it came out, and it’s definitely more open and airy after a good strong wet block than it was with a steam.
I am currently down to two projects on the needles (we won’t talk about the scarf in hibernation): a sweater, which is a design I’ve been showing you, and some TARDIS socks, about which I am totally thrilled.
And one final note about the Ravelympics kerfuffle. If you’ve been following me on Twitter, you’ll know my opinions on the matter (and also that I’ve started watching STTNG). I’m knitting a sweater for the Ravelympics. Because that’s what it is and that’s what I’m calling it and the USOC can suck it. It’s a challenge for me and just because I didn’t sweat, I did train and it is an accomplishment.
The Ravelympics are in the spirit of international cooperation, something the USOC should know and care about it. When you piss off knitters, we band together, stronger, and speak out for ourselves. The Ravelympics is happening (though I’ll not be watching the Olympics after this PR disaster) and I, for one, will not be silenced.
Also, Twitter Knitters are fabulous. I love the community of knitters on the internet.
I finished my stripey socks today!
Pattern: Toe-up sock, wedge toe with a Crystal heel (which is basically a modified afterthought heel).
Yarn: Red Heart Heart and Sole (blue) and Knit Picks Stroll Multi, colorway Paisley (the pink/purple)
Needles: US 1/2.25 mm KP circular
I knit these socks over 56 stitches, which is what I usually use, but I think I ought to switch to 60. They fit but they’re a little difficult to get on over the heel.
These are socks and they are lovely but I don’t have a tremendous amount to say about them. The heel is very similar to an afterthought heel but I really like a flap-and-gusset heel the best. So for my next socks, which will be TARDIS socks, I’ll use a flap and gusset. As is my wont.
I’ve actually knitted up another scarf-like thing that was for a test knit. It was super fast so I’ll have pictures of that soon.
PS: New socks.
I currently have two things on the needles, both of which have made some progress since I last showed you them.
The vanilla socks:
I’m two stripes away from the heel on the second sock. I keep these in my purse at all times so they get worked on fairly regularly.
And the design I’m working on, tentatively called Roundabout:
I took this picture this afternoon and had since picked up stitches around the bottom to work a ruffle. Mostly to stop it from rolling up, which bugs me. So yeah.
I’ve also recently done some dyeing:
The skeins came from different sweaters but have similar compositions, wool/nylon blends, perfect for socks (that I’ll have to handwash). There’s a little bit of difference in the weight but I kind of want to do striped knee socks or some sort of two-color shawl.
I dyed the green in my crock pot and the purpley/rust colored one in a pot on the stovetop. I used a combination of Jacquard Acid Dyes and Kool Aid.
I did another two skeins too but I had to dip them a second time and they’re currently drying. I’ll have pictures of that later.
On a personal note, my younger brother is graduating from high school tomorrow. Allegedly. So, y’know, whoo or whatever. : )
So my boyfriend has a 13-year-old cousin who is, as is typical, really into guns. As sort of a joint design effort between him and his mother, they requested mittens that look like finger guns. Six months went by and he still really wanted them, so I went ahead and made them:
Pattern: None. I might write it up but it involves intarsia in the round.
Yarn: A recycled wool (tan) and a recycled wool/acrylic (black). I’d have liked to use acrylic for a teenaged boy but I didn’t have any in a flesh color.
Needles: US 6/4 mm
They were sort of a pain in the ass what with the intarsia and whatall, but I still think they came out pretty well. The triggers are only on one side but I knit the thumbs so each glove can go on either side. The trigger and trigger guard are just a bit of embroidery.
I might still add a band of orange around the tip of each finger/barrel (since these are clearly not actual firearms and law requires toy guns have that stripe) but I’m calling them done for now. I hope they fit. I think they should. I based the sizing on my own hand but made the fingers longer. So they should fit at some point.
In any case, it’ll probably be at least a couple of weeks before they make it to their recipient.
I finished my Bigger on the Inside Shawl!
Pattern: Bigger on the Inside
Yarn: Lambswool/angora/nylon blend lace, recycled and dyed by someone in WWFY.
Needles: US 2
Mods: I knit as written though the proportions are a little wonky.
I think I did more decrease rows that increase rows so the top bit is kinda wonky. I love how it came out.
TARDIS!
I went down a bunch of needle sizes because the shawl calls for fingering weight and I used lace weight. The resulting shawl is still really airy and light. It’s a bit more like a scarf than a shawl, but I can still sling it around my shoulders when the AC is up too high.
Since finishing the TARDIS shawl, I’ve started sweater number six for the year, a tank top I’m designing for the Designer’s Challenge group on Ravelry. Still working on the vanilla socks (for which I’m going to do a crystal heel from the latest Knitty) and I’m almost done with the leg of the first one. The next socks in the queue are some TARDIS socks because I’m a huge nerd. I’m planning to make some fingerless mitts with the lace I used for Bigger on the Inside held doubled. I can be completely nerdy and matchy at the same time. Y’know, in six months when the weather is no longer a billion degrees.
I’ve been doing some things in between substitute teaching. Some crafting things. Some other things. I’ve been watching the West Wing. I’m currently in season four and it is delightful. I got this in the mail yesterday:
Season 2!!!!
And this last week:
Seasons 8 and 9 of the X Files were pretty sad, but I was super excited to see there was a spinoff with the Lone Gunmen, whom I loved. So yay.
Then there was some crafting. I made this out of a floppy disk metal bit:
Why yes, that is the Starship Enterprise. Awwww yeeeeeah. There’s a tut here if you want to make your own.
Finally, there’s half a pair of mittens I’m designing:
They’re for my boyfriend’s cousin who requested the design. What do you guys think? Can you tell what it is? The thumb makes everything a little wonky. It’s a work in progress.
I currently have three projects in the works plus another small one for Etsy. First up, the vanilla socks:
I’m doing an afterthought heel which is why they look oddly long.
Next is a Bigger on the Inside shawl from the most recent Knitty:
It’s a recycled wool/angora blend that I had dyed through WWFY. I love it.
And finally….
OMG. Spinning. I know. If you’ve just started following the blog… any time in the last year, then you probably didn’t know I did that. BUT I DO. I was watching the Knit Girllls podcast and felt the urge to spin. I got out some Romney I got from an OWS swap a while ago. I’ve missed spinning. I really love it. Because I clearly don’t have enough yarn as it is.
In unrelated fandom news, I’ve finished reading the Hunger Games trilogy and am going to see the movie this afternoon. If you’d like to hear my thoughts, hop on over to Twitter.
Whoo, I finished Ophelia the other day.
(Please ignore my grumpy face)
Pattern: Ophelia
Yarn: Recycled cotton tape
Needles: US 8/5 mm
Mods: Well, it’s in the round. I followed (sort of) the directions until the eyelet round and then I just sort of made it up as I went. Y’know.
I really like how it came out. There are some flaws of course, since I don’t swatch or consider anything in advance.
I really like how the back came out. And it was just good luck that I happened to have a cute blouse with spots almost the exact same shade of lavender. And the yarn is quite soft and very comfortable.
I had to wear something with sleeves under the tank cause I wore it to work, but when the summer temps hit the nineties I’ll just wear it over a cami. The fronts decrease away from each other a bit too much for me to wear it on its own, plus the v dips down too far. I love it though.
And in case you were wondering, this is sweater number five for the year. Not that I need 12 sweaters. I do like making summery tops though. As you can see. : )
I am currently working on my fifth sweater for the year, a modified Ophelia
I’m using some recycled cotton tape yarn that’s super soft. I’m a little worried about how much yarn I have but I think I can make it. I’ve worked the bottom in the round for more of a vest than a cardigan. I’m also working the top part differently since when I started it (I’m a bit further along than the picture shows) I couldn’t concentrate well enough to follow the lace so it’s just stockinette.
I also have some vanilla socks in the works:
I do like stripes.
I knitted a sweater so quickly I didn’t even have time to tell you I’d started. Ravelry tells me I started it on May 3rd. So that’s a five day top. Aww yeah.
Pattern: Frock Camisole From the spring 2008 IK (and also free online)
Yarn: Recycled Cotton/Ramie
Needles: US 7/4.5mm
Mods: Surprisingly, knit exactly as written for the smallest size.
I’m not completely happy with the fit, but I like it well enough. And it’s certainly comfortable. Probably a great top for lounging about in. Not too sure how long it’ll stay this white, but you never know.
In case you were wondering, this is my fourth completed sweater this year. If I can crank out one more by the end of May, I’ll be back on track for 12. Not that I need 12 sweaters. Although two so far were for other people.
This was a pretty simple knit although if I were to make it again (which I probably won’t), I’d make the skirt part slimmer, maybe a little fitted. I like the rouching at the top.
I’ve already cast on for sweater number five, an Ophelia tank I’m going to knit in the round. Also, there are socks. I love knitting socks.
Stitch, Brinn, Stitch! 