Santa drinks Starbucks!
Yes, really.
We’ve spotted Santa at Starbucks a few times while Mom and I were mall-walking. The first time it happened, I tried to double back and and nonchalantly shoot a picture with my Treo camera. However, he saw me through the window and waved. I was too embarrassed to bother with a picture and sheepishly went on with my walk.
The next time we walked by Starbucks (the one located on the Second Level, West Market Street, across from Eddie Bauer), Mom saw him and decided to go inside and ask him his permission for a picture. He graciously obliged.
You never know, you might bump into Santa the next time you go to Starbucks! Edited 12.4.07 Santa also rides a motorcycle! (Scroll down to the last picture; thanks Tracey!)
In other news… I noticed that this blog’s number of comments is approaching the 2,000 mark. I hope to reach it before the end of the year. If someone leaves the 2,000th comment on or before December 31, 2007, I’ll award a $20 gift certificate to that person. The winner will be able to choose a certificate from one of the following: Amazon, The Loopy Ewe, or Woolgirl. Will you be the lucky commenter??
general, site updates | 14 stitchesNapoli
Here’s a pair of socks for November! They were started in October, but I kept getting distracted by other things.
I was a bit disappointed to find out that the rib pattern in this version is the same as the one used in the Yarrow version (see this post for my completed Yarrows) from the same book. The cuffs, heels, and toes are different, so that more than made up for it.
knitting, socks | 11 stitchesKitsch
Happy Thanksgiving to those celebrating tomorrow!
I actually started this project several times back in late August-September. I made so many mistakes I finally frogged it and put it aside. An opportunity to try again finally came when I was in a lull between projects.
I hope I’m not causing any bad ’70s flashbacks with this color combination! I used these two colors partly because I was fairly sure the recipient would like them, and because their official names are Paprika and Thyme, quite appropriate for kitchen use.
It’s a fun pattern, simple but interesting at the same time. It’s also a bit challenging because the Gingham stitch pattern uses an odd-numbered row repeat before changing colors. I’ve done this before with other projects, but for some reason, I had a serious block with this project. I kept frogging or tinking back needlessly, or making too many errors. Things went much more smoothly after taking a break.
I made one modification to the second Grid section (the two-color section before the cast-off edge). I added in two contrast-color transition rows after the Gingham section (to prevent slipping stitches of both colors in the first row of the Grid section). I knit one row with the green, and then on the WS, *K1, S1 wyib*, and ended with K2. With these two extra rows, the borders seemed more balanced.
I couldn’t get the double-knit and crocheted handle given in the pattern to turn out properly. After ripping out several attempts, I tried a few new approaches until I finally settled on the reversible, uni-color version you see in the photos. I decreased the needle size to US 2.5 (3 mm) for a firm fabric. I liked how it looks, so I’m including the instructions here for future reference
accessories, decor, knitting | 19 stitchesVictoriana
On Ravelry, I volunteered to test-knit a fingerless glove pattern for Hattie at Stitch Therapy. She was updating and converting the pattern from a blog post to PDF format and wanted new samples knit with currently/commonly available yarns and new photos.
I knit the smallest size, even though I wasn’t sure they would fit my hands. They do fit, I was surprised! They are snuggest around the base of the thumb gussets; you can see how stretched the stitches are on the right-hand glove in the picture below.
accessories, knitting | 15 stitchesSlytherin!
Whee! Early last week, my Hogwarts Sock Swap TWO package arrived from Amelia Crowhaven! She sent some great stuff!
Triple-patterned
As I finished up the baby items back in September, I was really craving stimulation; I wanted to knit something a bit complicated, something that required a lot of attention. I knew stranded colorwork was exactly what I needed.
This is only my second stranded project (and fourth where I’ve used my left hand). It was a perfect opportunity for me to practice knitting with both hands. I’m sure you will be able to pick out a few problem areas in the pictures, but overall, I’m happy with the hat. (I’m not happy with how my left hand tensions yarn, however.)
I had the most trouble with the bullseye pattern and tinked quite a few times. I thought I was vigilant enough to have avoided any mistakes, but nope! I found two mistakes in the color patterning after washing and blocking the hat, rats! While knitting, I often paused to admire the floats, they’re such fun!
I love the cuff, but honestly, it seems too big and obscures much of the bullseye underneath. On the other hand, the cuff adds an extra layer for warmth. I’d recommend skipping the colorwork on the cuff, knitting a few rows of plain stockinette (or perhaps just a small motif), and then incorporating another twined herringbone to balance with the one at the cuff top. The twined herringbone is a really nice detail and reminds me of the vikkel braid used in Estonian folk knitting.
This hat is huge–I knit the largest size (22″ circumference), but it blocked out a bit bigger than that. I’ll be sending it to FuzzyBritches for her Warm up the Winter campaign.
accessories, knitting | 19 stitchesMysterious Women
(There is a bit of knitting content, I promise!)
You might recognize these names and know what they have in common:
- Karen Grigsby Bates
- Amanda Cross (Carolyn Gold Heilbrun)
- Diane Mott Davidson
- Rosemary White Gatenby
- Carolyn Keene (Harriet Stratemeyer Adams, and others)
- Jane (Gillson) Langton
- Emma Lathen (Mary Jane Latsis and Martha Henissart*)
- Katherine Hall Page
- Kate Ross
They’re all mystery authors. I thought this was quite appropriate for Halloween.
And what’s more, we all attended Wellesley College. I was already aware of the Stratemeyer connection, but I had no idea Cross, Davidson, or Page went to Wellesley. I’ll definitely be checking out the other authors new to me. Has anyone read most or all of these authors?
By coincidence, I had queried in the Ravelry YarnWords group forum about a long lost and vaguely remembered book I had read during childhood. The book turned out to be The Swing in the Summerhouse, by Jane Langton! In addition to the Homer Kelly mysteries, she writes The Hall Family Chronicles, of which Summerhouse is the second book.
One of the characters, Eleanor Hall, is a knitter! At one point in The Diamond in the Window, she uses the sharp point of a needle as a prying tool. Later, there is a paragraph about the knitted gifts she made. I’m quoting it here because I think it will strike chords with some of you.
…She had knitted something for everybody. Aunt Lily’s present was one mitten with the promise of another. Edward’s was a nose-warmer that buttoned in back. Uncle Freddy’s was an enormously long striped muffler. It dangled to his knees.… “It was just knit-a-row, purl-a-row,” said Eleanor. “I almost forgot to stop.”
(The Diamond in the Window, Jane Langton, pages 119-120)
I wonder if Langton knits?
Source: “When it comes to murder and mayhem, Wellesley authors are masters,” by Karen Grigsby Bates, Wellesley, Fall 2006.
*Of the Emma Lathen duo, Latsis is the Wellesley alumna. They also wrote under the pseudonym R.B. Dominic.
books, general, knitting | 7 stitchesGauging Felt
Before I began work on the two big gifts due later this year, I realized I needed to knit and then full at least one swatch. Normally I don’t worry about gauge and size for felted items since the fulling process controls the end result. These two gifts I’m making are a bit more complicated than a simple bag, slipper, or hat. They need to fit reasonably well, and it would be awful if I went through all the knitting and oh-so-permanent felting to end up with too-small garments.
The designer of the pattern I’m using, Bev Galeskas (of Fiber Trends fame) gives two gauges, one pre- and one post-felting. My first swatch with the recommended needles (US 10 or 6 mm) was way too small for the pre-felting gauge. So, I swatched again, and then a third time and finally achieved gauge with US 11 (8 mm) needles. (Why doesn’t the US include 7 and 7.5 mm in the standard sizes?)
You can see how different the swatch sizes are; the gray was my original, too-small swatch, and the green one is much better. After centering the swatch, I marked off both pre- and post-felting stitch and row counts. It’s only necessary to mark the post-felting gauge, but I did both for my peace of mind. Also, cotton (or another non-felting) yarn must be used as markers.
Another reason I wanted to test swatch is that this project has an edging that is knit-on after felting. I read through the directions and had a vague sense of how it worked. I thought about trying applied i-cord or an edging similar to what is used in the pattern to see how it would felt. In the end, I decided not to do this because I liked the subtly different textures of the felted and un-felted fabrics in the pattern photographs. Continue reading »
felting, knitting | 17 stitchesBib Modeling Strategy
1. Stake out potential model’s favorite sleeping spot.
2. Wait until model is asleep.
3. Put camera and bib within easy reach.
4. Wait a little bit longer. model could be faking sleep.
5. Turn on camera.
6. Double check that camera noise didn’t disturb model.
Continue reading »
Bibbage!
As I was working diligently on the baby set for my cousin, I realized I would be remiss if I didn’t whip up a couple of bibs to include in the package. I went stash-diving and found a couple of colorful cottons.
If you think the cast-on (bottom edge) looks wonky on this bib, you would be correct. I had the bright idea to make a ruffled edge. So, after consulting Stanley’s Knitter’s Handbook, I cast on twice as many needed stitches. But I goofed, and forgot to take into account the proportions of garter stitch. Someday I’ll try casting on thrice the amount needed.
(These colors remind me of Cotton Candy…)
(This last picture is my favorite!)
