Saturday, July 31, 2004
Sleeve it up to me
I've finished the sleeves on the Mousse piece and I think they are looking pretty nice. Now I'm working on the body. I'm kind of winging it right now, we'll see if I like what I get.
Here are a couple pictures of the sleeves as they are right now.
I haven't made too much progress on the poncho, I plan to work that when I don't want to have to think or when I need something portable. The mousse piece requires all my concentration, a pad of paper, pen, row counter and some math skills. Once I start decreasing for both the raglan and the neckline, I'm really going to need to keep track of what I'm doing.
On a side note, is it obvious that I have big monster man hands?
Here are a couple pictures of the sleeves as they are right now.
I haven't made too much progress on the poncho, I plan to work that when I don't want to have to think or when I need something portable. The mousse piece requires all my concentration, a pad of paper, pen, row counter and some math skills. Once I start decreasing for both the raglan and the neckline, I'm really going to need to keep track of what I'm doing.
On a side note, is it obvious that I have big monster man hands?
posted by Marnie at
11:31 AM
3 Comments
Thursday, July 29, 2004
Poncho Sneak Peak
Here are a couple lightly blocked squares from the future poncho.
And here is the schematic for the final piece
The neck and front placket will be worked in knit ribbing in whatever color I have enough of when the crochet is all done. I'm not sure what kind of closure I'll use, probably buttons, but maybe snaps if I can find some good heavy duty ones.
As much as I love love love to crochet, the one thing I dread, especially with motif style pieces like this, is weaving in all those ends. Wool is a bit easier as the yarn tends to hold onto itself, but cotton is unforgiving. Since I want mom to be able to wash this regularly, I'll have to be diligent in securing those ends well.
And here is the schematic for the final piece
The neck and front placket will be worked in knit ribbing in whatever color I have enough of when the crochet is all done. I'm not sure what kind of closure I'll use, probably buttons, but maybe snaps if I can find some good heavy duty ones.
As much as I love love love to crochet, the one thing I dread, especially with motif style pieces like this, is weaving in all those ends. Wool is a bit easier as the yarn tends to hold onto itself, but cotton is unforgiving. Since I want mom to be able to wash this regularly, I'll have to be diligent in securing those ends well.
posted by Marnie at
12:21 PM
2 Comments
Poncho
I've finally gotten around to really starting the poncho for my friend's daughter. It'll be worked in a modified granny square that really won't look so granny like, I swear. The camera is in not at hand, right this minute so I'll have to post pictures a little later. It'll be worked in shades of pink and purple for the centers and surrounded by green. This would all sound more tantalizing if I had partaken of some coffee at this point in the morning.
The squares are about 3 inches wide and 4 inches diagonally. The piece will be 7 squares by 7 squares and I'm trying to design it so that it opens and closes in front like a cardigan so it doesn't have to be pulled over the little girls head. I'll try to get an illustration up soon. I would also like to clean the house, do some laundry, spend time with friends, balance my checkbook and end world hunger. I'll be happy if I cross one or two items off that list.
The squares are about 3 inches wide and 4 inches diagonally. The piece will be 7 squares by 7 squares and I'm trying to design it so that it opens and closes in front like a cardigan so it doesn't have to be pulled over the little girls head. I'll try to get an illustration up soon. I would also like to clean the house, do some laundry, spend time with friends, balance my checkbook and end world hunger. I'll be happy if I cross one or two items off that list.
posted by Marnie at
7:43 AM
0 Comments
Wednesday, July 28, 2004
Feminine wiles my tush!
So, I'm always hearing about women who never get tickets. They say they just cry or bat their eyelashes to great effect. I've been pulled over three times in my life and all three times I've walked away with a ticket. Now, granted, I'm always guilty of the given citation, but it'd be nice if once, ONCE, I were let off with a warning.
I guess this time I really had it coming. I paid my car registration twice this year and even received a refund for which I, luckily, brought my receipt, but I've never gotten my stickers and registration in the mail. I tried calling the DMV a couple times but who has 3 hours of their life to flush down the toilet? Not I. No excuse, I know, but a bummer none-the-less. Luckily, in California, the officer can mark the infraction as "correctable" meaning I can right what's wrong and be off the hook. So, I know what I'll be doing on my lunch break tomorrow.
I guess this time I really had it coming. I paid my car registration twice this year and even received a refund for which I, luckily, brought my receipt, but I've never gotten my stickers and registration in the mail. I tried calling the DMV a couple times but who has 3 hours of their life to flush down the toilet? Not I. No excuse, I know, but a bummer none-the-less. Luckily, in California, the officer can mark the infraction as "correctable" meaning I can right what's wrong and be off the hook. So, I know what I'll be doing on my lunch break tomorrow.
posted by Marnie at
9:18 PM
1 Comments
Tuesday, July 27, 2004
Flippin' flappin' camera
Either I'm being entirely flakey or our digital camera is in Leo's car. Either way, I'm not posting any pics this morning because I can't find the camera. Maybe I'll come home tonight, ask Leo where the camera is and he'll say "Silly, it's been right here [insert obvious location] all day."
Anyway, we're all going to use imagination time to picture our current projects.
I've made a little bit more progress on the mousse piece though it's been a side project while I work my more pressing projects. I don't want to completely put it aside or I'll lose my impetus for it and it'll be relegated to the forgotten world of UFO purgatory. Sad indeed.
I got a little envelope of beautiful pink swatches for a super secret, I can't tell you, no hints at all, project. Sheesh, if I hype it too much you'll think I'm knitting for world peace or something. I'm not.
That's all for now. I have to get ready for work. I just don't think sweats and a buffalo plaid fleece are going to cut it in corporate America.
Anyway, we're all going to use imagination time to picture our current projects.
I've made a little bit more progress on the mousse piece though it's been a side project while I work my more pressing projects. I don't want to completely put it aside or I'll lose my impetus for it and it'll be relegated to the forgotten world of UFO purgatory. Sad indeed.
I got a little envelope of beautiful pink swatches for a super secret, I can't tell you, no hints at all, project. Sheesh, if I hype it too much you'll think I'm knitting for world peace or something. I'm not.
That's all for now. I have to get ready for work. I just don't think sweats and a buffalo plaid fleece are going to cut it in corporate America.
posted by Marnie at
7:52 AM
0 Comments
Sunday, July 25, 2004
A hat in the hand
Is worth two on the needles.
I finished up the hat last night and I think it's just adorable. I added some beading in the middle of the flower for a little extra flair.
My head, as small as it is, obviously isn't small enough to model this piece so I had to employ the noggin of a local stuffed bear. His ears add a bit of bumpiness, but I think you get the idea.
I finished up the hat last night and I think it's just adorable. I added some beading in the middle of the flower for a little extra flair.
My head, as small as it is, obviously isn't small enough to model this piece so I had to employ the noggin of a local stuffed bear. His ears add a bit of bumpiness, but I think you get the idea.
posted by Marnie at
11:04 AM
0 Comments
Saturday, July 24, 2004
Hats are easy
I make hats all the time. They are the first project I started when I got back into knitting a couple years ago. I can make a hat in my sleep and yet I've ripped out this hat I've been working on three times. This would be one of the two projects I've begun as gifts to a couple of friends' daughters. The hat in question is an infant sized version of this hat. I'm using a different yarn at a different gauge in a smaller size than called for in my original pattern and my first couple of attempts just weren’t producing the right shape to stay snuggly and comfortable atop the head of a little cutie. I think I have it now, but I was starting to feel a bit less than friendly towards the project. It's not much to see right now, so I'll simply post the flower that will adorn it.
It's made with yarn from my most recent order.
The image doesn't really represent the color perfectly, but I got some plain cotton in spring green, purple and pink, and some flecked cotton yarn in spring green, purple and white. The little hat is worked in the flecked purple yarn with the flower above and the rest of the yarn will be worked into a little poncho for the other girl. There's also a little mohair blend there that I got to round out my order and play with a bit. I'm not sure what I'll do with it, I guess I just needed to own that much more yarn. I don't have a problem, I can stop any time.
It's made with yarn from my most recent order.
The image doesn't really represent the color perfectly, but I got some plain cotton in spring green, purple and pink, and some flecked cotton yarn in spring green, purple and white. The little hat is worked in the flecked purple yarn with the flower above and the rest of the yarn will be worked into a little poncho for the other girl. There's also a little mohair blend there that I got to round out my order and play with a bit. I'm not sure what I'll do with it, I guess I just needed to own that much more yarn. I don't have a problem, I can stop any time.
posted by Marnie at
8:20 PM
0 Comments
Wednesday, July 21, 2004
Never too much yarn
Well, I wish I had time to post pictures before work, but I don't because I got up late. Imagine, the one day in years that Leo is up at 6 AM when he doesn't need to be, and it happens to be the one day in a decade that I've forgotten to set my alarm clock. Lucky me.
Well, last night I got, yet another, box of yarn. It was yarn that I ordered from Smiley's Yarns. I had a little trouble with my last order because I hadn't noticed the multiple warnings saying that you must order, at least, $30 worth of yarn for them to deliver. I had gotten my confirmation letter but my spam filter ate the one telling me about my oversight. Why would I order yarn when I have so much already? Well, there are two little girls for whom I'm making items. One is getting my Flapper Hat, the other is getting a little poncho. Both will be in lovely shades of spring. It's amazing how much yarn $35 bought me from Smileys.
Well, last night I got, yet another, box of yarn. It was yarn that I ordered from Smiley's Yarns. I had a little trouble with my last order because I hadn't noticed the multiple warnings saying that you must order, at least, $30 worth of yarn for them to deliver. I had gotten my confirmation letter but my spam filter ate the one telling me about my oversight. Why would I order yarn when I have so much already? Well, there are two little girls for whom I'm making items. One is getting my Flapper Hat, the other is getting a little poncho. Both will be in lovely shades of spring. It's amazing how much yarn $35 bought me from Smileys.
posted by Marnie at
8:46 AM
0 Comments
Monday, July 19, 2004
Weekend Adventures
Saturday night we went out with our friends to listen to another friend, T-Bird spin in Venice. I just need to shamelessly plug him right now because every time we've gone to one of his gigs we have an absolutely incredible time.
This picture shows Vinnie, Leo and me. That's a cocktail umbrella in my hair. One of our other friends, Jason, pointed out that they make excellent flowers when inverted. I think I pull it off nicely.
Now for things knitting related. I've been swatching Paco. I could swatch this yarn forever and never have a final piece to show for it. The cotton and alpaca mix make it great for just about any stitch combination. Here's what I've come up with so far.
I'm thinking about doing a piece with ribbing and cables up to the chest, a few rows of seed stitch and an openwork area above the seed stitch. This might be too busy, so I'll refine it a bit. I'm still working on the mouse piece as well, but the pictures just aren't that interesting right now.
This picture shows Vinnie, Leo and me. That's a cocktail umbrella in my hair. One of our other friends, Jason, pointed out that they make excellent flowers when inverted. I think I pull it off nicely.
Now for things knitting related. I've been swatching Paco. I could swatch this yarn forever and never have a final piece to show for it. The cotton and alpaca mix make it great for just about any stitch combination. Here's what I've come up with so far.
I'm thinking about doing a piece with ribbing and cables up to the chest, a few rows of seed stitch and an openwork area above the seed stitch. This might be too busy, so I'll refine it a bit. I'm still working on the mouse piece as well, but the pictures just aren't that interesting right now.
posted by Marnie at
7:41 AM
0 Comments
Saturday, July 17, 2004
Slow Progress
Last night I nearly finished the two sleeve details. These will hang down from the elbow. I'm sort of making this piece up as I go. The white area is just crochet cotton. I'll pic up the crochet bits around the main parts of the piece as well. I'm not sure that I'll write a pattern for this piece because the yarn is discontinued and I have a lot of other projects waiting that will definitely be written into patterns.
Click the image for a close-up view.
posted by Marnie at
11:19 AM
0 Comments
Thursday, July 15, 2004
Great Glorious Yarn!
My package from Artfibers arrived today. Yay!
I got enough Catnap to make a girl's version of my Dragon Hoodie
As well as oodles of Paco to make something decadent for myself.
This is the same yarn I used in the Nautilus hat.
And finally, I got this wonderful yarn made of cotton and stainless steel. Take a look at it. I had seen it in blue and it was lovely, but I love it in red because you can actually see that it's made with metal. I see some kind of sexy, but simple, openwork top that plays against he complex irregular stitch this yarn produces.
So, now I have yarn galore to hold me for a while, which is great because in a month I will be traveling to NH and will have several long flights during which to work this all into fabric. It's times like this when I wish I could ride public transportation to work
I got enough Catnap to make a girl's version of my Dragon Hoodie
As well as oodles of Paco to make something decadent for myself.
This is the same yarn I used in the Nautilus hat.
And finally, I got this wonderful yarn made of cotton and stainless steel. Take a look at it. I had seen it in blue and it was lovely, but I love it in red because you can actually see that it's made with metal. I see some kind of sexy, but simple, openwork top that plays against he complex irregular stitch this yarn produces.
So, now I have yarn galore to hold me for a while, which is great because in a month I will be traveling to NH and will have several long flights during which to work this all into fabric. It's times like this when I wish I could ride public transportation to work
posted by Marnie at
7:41 AM
1 Comments
Tuesday, July 13, 2004
Knitty Gritty
Why didn't I get the memo? How could I not know there was a cool new knitting show on DIY? Granted, it's all beginner stuff, for now, but they've got to keep expanding if people keep watching.
Check it out
Now, wouldn't it be a slice of heaven to be able to live off of knitting? Santa, if you can hear me, that's what I want for Christmas, thank you.
Check it out
Now, wouldn't it be a slice of heaven to be able to live off of knitting? Santa, if you can hear me, that's what I want for Christmas, thank you.
posted by Marnie at
9:57 PM
0 Comments
Sunday, July 11, 2004
Whippin' up some Mousse
So, this is the lower portion to a sleeve worked up in mousse. The sleeve will be fitted to the elbow and then this will flair out from that point, longer side down. I'm thinking I'll crochet up some lace to go around the edge of the sleeve and to join the sleeve on top. I don't think I'm describing the idea well.
You may have also noticed that I still have my life line in there. It's a good thing, too, I've ripped back to that point a couple of times while trying to work out the shape the I wanted. Here's a close-up.
The sleeve is worked with YOs every other room on either side of a central stitch. After 17 rows in this pattern, I started short rows to elongate one side while keeping the other side even. Am I the only person who starts sleeves before deciding what the rest of the piece will look like?
posted by Marnie at
4:40 PM
2 Comments
Thursday, July 08, 2004
Yaaaaaarn
I'm awaiting yarn and it's worse than any cliffhanger I can think of. Artfibers is sending me lots of goodies to play with. YAY! I'll post pics when it gets here. I've requested some more of the lovely alpaca I used for the nautilus hat. I just love this stuff and I can't wait to make a whole sweater out of it. They are also sending some really cool yarn made with stainless steel. It's not unlike this yarn. I requested a red color and I'm thinking about the possibilities for its final use. Finally, they are sending me some catnap which I'll use to reconstruct this pattern in a yarn I can actually recommend to others.
posted by Marnie at
9:03 PM
0 Comments
Wednesday, July 07, 2004
Tuesday, July 06, 2004
Let's take a test
What happens when your knitting stash is disorganized?
a) You must dig for every notion you need.
b) It takes no less than five minutes to liberate any partially used balls of yarn from its neighbors.
c) It's like Christmas (or gift giving event of choice) when you realize you have another nearly whole skein of yarn for your project.
d) All of the above.
If you guessed "D" then give yourself a gold star.
Indeed, I have four full skeins of Mousse and a fifth, nearly full skein as well. Yipppeeeee!
Of course, if I had just kept my stuff more organized, I'd have known that all along, but let's just pretend that I'm happier this way.
a) You must dig for every notion you need.
b) It takes no less than five minutes to liberate any partially used balls of yarn from its neighbors.
c) It's like Christmas (or gift giving event of choice) when you realize you have another nearly whole skein of yarn for your project.
d) All of the above.
If you guessed "D" then give yourself a gold star.
Indeed, I have four full skeins of Mousse and a fifth, nearly full skein as well. Yipppeeeee!
Of course, if I had just kept my stuff more organized, I'd have known that all along, but let's just pretend that I'm happier this way.
posted by Marnie at
10:09 PM
0 Comments
Hooray for Jody!
Jody, of savannahchick is making my Hooray for Me Gloves. Check out her first glove here. The great thing is, she was able to adjust the pattern to make for a better fit for her hands. Be sure to read through her blog to see what she did.
HOORAY!
HOORAY!
posted by Marnie at
7:49 AM
0 Comments
Monday, July 05, 2004
Rippit Rippit Rippit
It's been one of those weekends where I haven't made a lick of progress in my knitting even though I've knitted for hours and hours. C'est la vie, I guess. On the down side, Mousse does not take that well to multiple rips and re-knits, so some of my yarn is pretty well beaten. On the upside, though, I figured as much and have been using my left over remnants to do my experimenting, so my 4 full skeins are still perfectly intact.
posted by Marnie at
9:08 PM
0 Comments
Sunday, July 04, 2004
Saturday, July 03, 2004
200 grams of Mousse
I made the wrap seen below with this great yarn called Mousse . It's light, it's airy, it seems to go for miles. The wrap uses about 125 grams (2.5 balls) of the yarn and I still have a little over 200 grams left. So what do I do with it? I had originally planned to make a long sleeve ballet style top out of all 7 balls, but now that I've used up a good chunk of yarn, I'm brainstorming. I'm leaning towards a shrug right now, something with elaborate sleeves, I think, a chance to play around with some nice lacy openwork stitches. Hmmmm....
posted by Marnie at
11:46 AM
0 Comments
Date night
We finally got around to seeing the 3rd Harry Potter, last night. Within the next few weeks, we'll get around to seeing Fahrenheit 911. I'm a bit worried about the gore and such, but I want to support the cause. As a general rule, it takes a lot to get us out to the movies, we generally always find something we'd rather do. Considering some of the previews we saw, I don't think that's a bad choice on our part.
;o)
;o)
posted by Marnie at
10:38 AM
0 Comments
Thursday, July 01, 2004
3rd time's a charm!
I've submitted patterns to Knitty three times since its inception and I finally made the cut. I couldn't be happier. :o)
If you happen to be one of the 3 knitters with regular internet access who hasn't heard of knitty, I hope you'll get there, post haste!
Here's a little preview which includes a link to the actual pattern.
posted by Marnie at
11:50 AM
1 Comments
