Stitch, Brinn, Stitch!

FO: Leah Vest

April 15, 2011 in knitting | Tags: finished object, FO, knitting, vest | 5 comments

I finished the vest I started the other day! Like I said, it was a super quick knit. I (by which I mean my boyfriend, Joe) took approximately nine bajillion photos of roughly the same composition. Also, I apparently feel the need to tilt my head to the side in ALL POSED PHOTOS. I tried really hard not to this time, but it still crept in. Enjoy!

Pattern: My own, which I’m currently writing up.
Yarn: Linen/Cotton blend from a thrift store sweater
Needles: US 6/4 mm

So I posted my original sketch of this design on Ravelry, but I thought when I finished the fronts that it wasn’t going to look a whole lot like that. I wasn’t sure how well-defined the points would be after I did the trim, the armholes were looking wonky and I was thinking it was going to turn out to be a u-neck instead of a v-neck.

Actually, it turns out that picking up stitches around the neckline and armholes cures a multitude of knitting sins and instead it turned out pretty much how I envisioned it. Dudes? I LOVE THIS VEST.

There are a couple of issues. It’s a wee bit snug which means the buttons gape a little and the yarn I used is a little itchy thanks to the constant shedding of little cotton bits (which by the way were a HUGE pain in the ass when I was frogging the original sweater). Also, while the arm holes worked out all right on the BACK and I could probably write it up as-is, the decreases for the neckline and armholes for the fronts are… wonky. Well, you saw the picture of the fronts.

Fortunately, I plan to correct these flaws in the pattern by knitting another version of the vest. Hopefully. I want to do a shorter version where the points end just under the bust (kind of like this one, but knitted obviously and a bit shorter). I don’t know that I have the yarn for it currently in-stash, but it’s possible I have a cotton-blend in a sweater I have yet to frog. And then I can just dye it whatever color. Or I suppose I could just knit it in wool.

Incidentally, the reason this design is called Leah (pronounced like the Alderaan (my boyfriend insists that this should be “Alderaanian”; he is a huge Star Wars nerd) princess) is for my friend of the same name, who has a super cute cropped vest like the one described above and a generally great fashion sense. Also, I like her. And apparently I am on a “name designs after my friends” kick.

Anyway, yes. Wonderful vest. Design plans for future. Now back to the man socks. *shakes fist*

WIP: Currently Unnamed Vest

April 12, 2011 in knitting | Tags: knitting, sweater, vest, wip, work in progress | 2 comments

So, as I mentioned last post, I am taking a break from the endless Manly Aran Socks to knit a vest. It’s a super quick project that I’m designing mostly on the fly, and even though I started three days ago, this is what it looks like so far:

Plus about two inches of the back. So I have left to finish the rest of the back, plus some ribbing or something around the edges. My original sketch of this design looked like this:

I think I’m going to work up a shorter version of the sketch (the tails would be right under the bust) so I can fiddle with the neck/arm shaping so the pattern doesn’t suck. I do love the princess lines on the fronts, which came out pretty much how I wanted. The neckline is a little funny, but I think that’ll look better when I work some ribbing there.

I can’t wait for this vest to be finished–I’m thinking it’ll look super cute over a flowey blouse or dress.

WIP: Manly Aran Part Two

April 8, 2011 in knitting | Tags: knitting, socks, swap, wip, work in progress, wwfy | 2 comments

So this post is a little less than thrilling. Sorry about that.

I am knitting socks. Manly Aran socks, to be specific (from Wendy Johnson’s second book). This is what they look like so far:

(I futzed around with the image a little but it’s dreary and grey today so not much light)

They are the second pair to the first I finished last week for a WWFY swap on Ravelry. I am quite ready for them to be done, though they are progressing pretty smoothly. I am a couple of rows into the gusset.

I think I’m going to start another project this evening though so I don’t get so bored knitting the second pair of gigantic socks I flings them across the room. It’s going to be a vest of my own design knit in a cotton/linen blend yarn I frogged from a thrift store sweater.

FO and Contest Winner

April 6, 2011 in knitting, swap | Tags: buffy, buffy the vampire slayer, doll, finished object, FO, knitting, swap, toy, willow rosenburg | 1 comment

Warning: If you are FiberAlchemist, my partner on the Craftster Whedonverse swap, DO NOT READ THIS POST. It contains swap spoilers.

Sooo I held a contest recently, which means we need to have a winner! For the contest, I asked you to look at this picture:

and try to guess what I was making. There weren’t many entries, but there was one that was correct! Mimi of Eskimimi Knits said “Is it a doll or toy with red hair?” And that is the correct answer, so she will be winning a kit to knit some spats! Look for my email so I can send it to you!

But who is this red-headed doll specifically?

Why, it’s Willow Rosenburg!

I am currently participating in a Whedonverse swap on Craftster.org (because such is my love of Joss Whedon and Buffy/Firefly/Dollhouse), and I made this doll as one of the items to include in the package. Specifically, it is Willow from the episode “Doppelgangland” in which Willow’s vamp alter ego from “The Wish” comes to Sunnydale and tries to eat everyone. At one point, Willow and vampire!Willow switch clothes, which means….

I also made vampire!Willow’s clothes for her to wear!

The little leather clothes were kind of a huge pain in the ass to sew and they’re rather difficult to get on (so I’m sending Willow already in them). They did come out more or less exactly how I envisioned them though, so that’s awesome.

The doll itself is knit in acrylic yarn (from some estate sale or something) and the red hair is acrylic too, latch hooked in individual strands (which was also a huge PITA, but it came out looking really good).

Willow’s pink sweater is plainer than the one she wears in the episode, but I’m lacking in tiny butterfly appliques and anyway, the fuzzy pinkness is exactly as envisioned, so a score on that one. I used the machine on the leather outfit, but I sewed the skirt by hand (I wasn’t at my machine and I wanted to work on it).

I really hope my partner likes her! I’m really proud of how she came out, and I am sad to send her away. Maybe I’ll make myself another Willow doll with a different outfit from a different episode. : ) I have to finish up another item that’s almost done and then make one more thing, and my swap package will be ready to send. My partner says she should be sending this weekend too. I can’t wait to see what she made me!

KCBW: Knitting and Crochet Time

April 3, 2011 in blog | Tags: 2kcbwday7, blog, knitting, life | 1 comment

Write about your typical crafting time. When it is that you are likely to craft – alone or in more social environments, when watching TV or whilst taking bus journeys. What items do you like to surround yourself with whilst you twirl your hook like a majorette’s baton or work those needles like a skilled set of samurai swords. Do you always have snacks to hand, or are you a strictly ‘no crumbs near my yarn!’ kind of knitter.

So I’m pretty sure I discussed this last year, but I knit damn near all the time. In class. While walking. In the car. Hanging out with friends. At a party (though less there as my stitches go a little wonky after a drink or two…). I don’t really have “knitting time” cause to me, every time is knitting time.

Recently, I’ve been knitting here:

This is a blanket fort some friends and Joe and I built in our living room. It’s highly awesome. There are twinkle lights inside.

It’s perfect for curling up with some pillows, my laptop, my boyfriend, and my knitting. Yay. : )

This is the last entry for Knitting and Crochet Blog Week, so I hope you guys had fun (and that new readers will stick around!). Don’t forget about the contest. You should totally enter even if you think someone has already guessed it–if your answer includes a more specific detail, you could still win! You have until tomorrow sometime or until I get around to choosing a winner. : )

KCBW: Something to Aspire To

April 3, 2011 in Uncategorized | Tags: 2kcbwday6 | 1 comment

Is there a pattern or skill that you don’t yet feel ready to tackle but which you hope to (or think you can only dream of) tackling in the future, near or distant? Is there a skill or project that makes your mind boggle at the sheer time, dedication and mastery of the craft? Maybe the skill or pattern is one that you don’t even personally want to make but can stand back and admire those that do. Maybe it is something you think you will never be bothered to actually make but can admire the result of those that have.

Apparently I forgot to hit post yesterday, so look for day seven of this later today.

As has been previously mentioned on this here blog o’ mine, I am what they call a Fearless Knitter. Meaning no, there aren’t things in knitting I think I couldn’t do. I lace, I cable, I knit backwards, and I colorwork (a little. I don’t like it that much). Generally I tend to knit pretty simple things cause that’s what I prefer, but that doesn’t mean I can’t or don’t knit more complicated things (see those socks I posted a couple days ago).

What I do lack is patience. On the whole, I prefer things that can be knitted quickly. I have a whole host of patterns in my queue for sweaters knit in fingering or lace weight yarn, and though I would love to own them, I simple do not have the patience. I usually knit one thing at a time and work on it til it’s done, but not that kind of sweater. For example? This sweater:

It took me almost six months to knit it. It was a super simple knit and I’m sure I could have finished it in around a month but it took FOREVER. Each row just kept GOING and GOING and GOING and GOING.

That being said, it is one of my favorite sweaters.

And will I make more sweaters in lace or fingering weight yarn? Probably. I have the yarn for three more in my stash and actual plans to make them (including another Featherweight in Malabrigo Lace).

Another thing that I wish to improve at (though, strictly speaking, it is not a knitting thing) is grading sweater patterns. I have a ton of sweater ideas sketched out and the yarn to knit several of them (though admittedly, I do lack the time), but I’m not very good at writing up the patterns and mathing them for different sizes. For example:

This sweater is pretty simple: It’s a loose raglan sweater. Writing up and mathing out the pattern? Took FOR. EV. ER. Partially it’s because I’m bad at math, partially it’s because I never swatch (I measure gauge about halfway through the project and use it for the other sizes), and partially it’s because I utterly lack the patience.

Some of those I can improve, anyway.

(PS: Don’t forget to enter yesterday’s contest! You can win a kit to knit some awesome spats!)

KCBW: And Now For Something Completely Different

April 1, 2011 in blog | Tags: 2kcbwday5, contest | 5 comments

This is an experimental blogging day to try and push your creativity in blogging to the same level that you perhaps push your creativity in the items you create.

For today’s blog post, we’re going to have a contest!

I am working on a thing. The thing involves yarn, but it is a secret thing. A very special secret thing. If you can guess what it is based on the photo below, you will win a kit to make my Spiffy Spats (yarn, buttons, possibly a project bag, copy of pattern).

Here is the secret close-up photo:

Leave a comment with your guess and a way to contact you. You have until the end of blog week (Sunday night) to guess what this thing is. You may use whatever means necessary to find out (for example, investigating other websites I’m known to inhabit). Contest is open to everyone, regardless of location. If no one guesses successfully, I’ll pick a random winner to win the kit.

Good luck!

ETA: The more specific the better. Just sayin’.

KCBW: Where Are They Now?

March 31, 2011 in blog, knitting | Tags: 2kcbwday4, FO, knitting, repair, socks | 6 comments

Whatever happened to your __________?

Write about the fate of a past knitting project. Whether it be something that you crocheted or knitted for yourself or to give to another person. An item that lives with you or something which you sent off to charity.

There are a lot of different aspects to look at when looking back at a knitting project and it can make for interesting blogging, as much of the time we blog about items recently completed, new and freshly completed. It is not so often that we look back at what has happened to these items after they have been around for a while.

How has one of your past knits lived up to wear. Maybe an item has become lost. Maybe you spent weeks knitting your giant-footed dad a pair of socks in bright pink and green stripes which the then ‘lost’. If you have knit items to donate to a good cause, you could reflect on the was in which you hope that item is still doing good for it’s owner or the cause it was made to support.

Let me tell you a story. It’s a story about a sock. These socks in particular:

They are my only pair of woolen, hand-knit mid-calf high socks. I ADORE THEM. I’m still not crazy about the colors, but they are delightfully warm. Except there was a problem. If you recall the original FO post for these socks, I mentioned one of the legs was too small because I accidentally decreased too many after the heel. I wore the socks a few times; I really had to work to get that one on.

And then disaster struck.

Where I pulled the leg of the sock over my heel stressed the stitches so much that they popped! This was in December, right at the beginning of winter.

I put them in a basket and ignored them for a couple of months.

A couple days ago, when the weather was lovely and I was sick of knitting gigantic man socks, I pulled them out and thought, “Y’know, I might like to wear these socks. I think I’ll reknit the leg.” And so I did.

They fit much better now and I’m very glad I fixed them.

KCBW: Tidy mind, tidy stitches

March 30, 2011 in stash | Tags: 2kcbwday3, organization, stash, yarn | 6 comments

How do you keep your yarn wrangling organised? It seems like an easy to answer question at first, but in fact organisation exists on many levels. Maybe you are truly not organised at all, in which case I am personally daring you to try and photograph your stash in whatever locations you can find the individual skeins. However, if you are organised, blog about an aspect of that organisation process, whether that be a particularly neat and tidy knitting bag, a decorative display of your crochet hooks, your organised stash or your project and stash pages on Ravelry.

Believe it or not, my craft supplies are actually very organized. I can usually find whatever I need without too much trouble, especially my knitting/crochet supplies. I keep my dpns in a needle roll, my fixed circulars in a roll I got in a swap, and my interchangeable set in the pouch they came in from Knit Picks (okay, it’s not the best pouch ever, but it works). My collection of stitch markers are in a box on my craft table and I have a couple in my notions bag, a little zipper pouch I keep in my purse with my current project.

My yarn is actually the thing that is the least organized, but it’s not too bag. I keep it in large plastic bins under my bed:

The bin on the left contains mostly sock yarns, along with sport weight and lace weight. The middle bin is mostly worsted weight (with a couple bulky weight things). The bin on the right is mostly scraps organized in bags by fiber, though it also includes over flow from the other bins (like the oversized cone of green lace weight that won’t fit anywhere).

Also, if you look carefully in the corner, you can see my small stash of acrylic, obtained mostly by a friend from an estate sale:

But the most helpful thing for organizing my yarn and seeing what I have is Ravelry. I finally uploaded my entire stash, pictures and all, to my Ravelry stash page in December. I’m so glad I finally did it: it’s great being able to scroll through all the yarn I have and deciding what to knit next. It also helps my organize my pattern queue–the first page has patterns matched with yarn in the stash.

In short: Bins and Ravelry. Yes.

KCBW: Skill + 1UP

March 29, 2011 in blog, knitting | Tags: 2kcbwday2, finished object, FO, knitting, manly aran socks, socks, Viper Pilots, wwfy | 7 comments

Look back over your last year of projects and compare where you are in terms of skill and knowledge of your craft to this time last year. Have you learned any new skills or forms of knitting/crochet (can you crochet cable stitches now where you didn’t even know such things existed last year? Have you recently put a foot in the tiled world of entrelac? Had you even picked up a pair of needles or crochet hook this time last year?

So over the last couple of weeks, I knit these socks:

(sorry this pictures is so bad, IDEK)

Pattern: Manly Aran Socks by Wendy Johnson from Knitted Socks for Everybody
Yarn: Cascade Heritage Paints
Needles: US 1s
Mods: None
Recipient: WWFY swap, presumably to go to a gigantic man. I knit the large size upon request and these are BIG SOCKS. And they TOOK FOREVER. And I have to KNIT ANOTHER PAIR.

So I knit these socks. And they were possibly the most complicated cabling thing I’ve done to date. Lots of twisting, lots of chart-following, lots of complicated little cables. But here’s the thing: I understand how cables work. I know how to get them to turn left and right and over and under. After I figured out how to do a basic open cable, I suddenly got cables. Which means once I’d finished a whole repeat of the cable pattern for these socks (I knit them two at a time like a boss), I pretty much had the pattern memorized. YES.

WHICH MEANS that the socks I mentioned during last years Blog Week (The Viper Pilots of complication and DOOM? TOTALLY DOABLE NO PROBLEMS AT ALL. Cable patterns, top down, heel flap, and all.

LIKE A BOSS.