All the WIPs

I now sit in Philosophy 100. It is currently the bane of my existence. But look how happy I am with slouchy hat (pattern by Brooklyn Tweed in Fall/Winter Knit.1)

My knitting is on a bit of a hiatus at this point in time. Classes are consuming all of my time (such is the life of the student). I have managed to finish a few projects before classes got into full swing. I finished Kris’ scarf and will soon be shipping it off to Hong Kong to surprise her. Tom loves his scarf (it turned out being over 7 feet long O_o). My purple gauntlets are proving to be much more complicated that I had imagined. I’ve restarted them at least 10 times, and finally have a pattern that is working (so far). Things will probably get tricky once the thumb gets involved
Last Thursday was the first meeting of the University Book Store knitting club. We met at the local watering hole, had a few drinks, and got stitching. It is so nice to chatter about knitting things with people who actually know what you’re talking about! I’ll be sure to take pictures during the next meeting.

In my non knitting life: I keep busy playing Dungeons and Dragons once a week, watching cheesy archaeology films for my Archy 101 class and sleeping when I have the opportunity. My Archy class has a multimedia project requirement, and my dearest friend Tyler Cooper and I will be making the best archaeology film ever. The lead role will be played by our archaeologist friend (and recipient of the red cabled scarf) Tom, and a large supporting cast of other friends (details to come). It will be absurd, yet amazing.
Sadly, this is all the news I have right now. How I long for the day when I have free time.

Happy Knitting!
SBM

So much for that idea

So my goal for the semester was to take it a little easier than last semester.  I’m taking less credits, backing off on my volunteer work, and taking a little more time for me.

Or at least this was the plan.

Enter my friend, who bullied me into trying out for the university choir.  I am now back up to a full credit load, going on tour in about a month with songs I don’t know, and have way too much homework already (and it’s only the first week of the semester.

So I thought I would post some pictures of Vivian.  As my life currently stands, it is either going to fly off the needles in a vain attempt to keep some of my sanity, or it will disappear from my life for a few months so I can get everything else done.  Either way, I thought now before my life became too crazy was a good time for pictures.

This is the torso up to the arms.  I’m now knitting the sleeves, and then it’s time to join them all together.  Yay for seamlessness.

Also, it is winter.  This means it is cold.  So I knit some more socks.

Pattern and Plans

Edit: I apologize profusely for the shittiness of this pattern. I can’t believe it was so…..not ready to share. It has now been revised and hopefully will make some semblance of sense.

I went to my LYS a few days ago and bought myself Cascade Elite Miracle 3354 with plans to create cabled gauntlets on smaller needles (probably 5’s or so). I also bought Cables and Arans for inspiration.

snuggles, SBM

Pattern: Cabled Wristies

Something simple, cabley and fun Enjoy!!

Size: S (M, L)

Yarn: Lion Brand Wool-Ease Chunky

Needles: size 10 1/2 dpns, 1 set of 5

Gauge: 2×2 rib (stretched) 10sts x 16 rnds = 4″

Terms

2×2 rib: *k2, p2; rep from * for pattern

2/2 lpc: slip 2 sts to cable needle, hold front p2, k2 from cable needle

2/2 rpc: slip 2 sts to cable needle, hold back, k2, p2 from cable needle

c4b: slip 2 to cable needle, hold back, k2, k2 from cable needle

Directions

c/o 24 (28, 32) sts, join round, pm

work 2×2 rib for 4 inches

Begin Cable Pattern

Rnd 1: p7, k4, p to end of round

Rnd 2: p5, 2/2 rpc, 2/2 lpc, p to end of round

Rnd 3 – 6: p5, k2, p4, k2, p to end

For Left Glove:

Rnd 7: p5, 2/2 lpc, 2/2 rpc, p to end

Begin working back and forth (as rows)

Row 1: k13 (17, 21) p4, k7

Row 2: p7, c4b, p to end of row

Repeat Rows 1 & 2 once more

Next row: k13, p4, k7

Row 2: p5, 2/2rpc, 2/2lpc, p to end of row

Row 3: k 11 (13, 17) p2, k4, p2, k5

Row 4: p5, k2, p4, k2, p to end of row

Begin working in the round

Rnds 5 & 6: p5, k2, p4, k2, p to end of rnd

Rnd 7: p5, 2/2 lpc, 2/2 rpc, p to end of rnd

For Right Glove

Rnd 7: p5, 2/2 lpc, 2/2 rpc, p5, turn work

Begin working back and forth (as rows)

Row 1: k5, p4, k to end of row

Row 2: p 15 (19, 23), c4b, p5

Repeat rows 1 & 2 once more

Next Row:  k5, p4, k to end of row

Row 2: p11 (13, 17), 2/2lpc, 2/2rpc, p to end of row

Row 3: k 7, p2, k4, p2, k to end of row

Row 4: p5, k2, p4, k2, p to end of row

Begin working in the round

Rnd 5 & 6: p5, k2, p4, k2, p to end of rnd

Rnd 7: p5, 2/2lpc, 2/2rpc, p to end of rnd

For Both Gloves:

work 2×2 rib for 2 inches

b/o, weave in ends

Christmas Time

The winter season is finally here! Complete with snow, which is a rare treat for a Seattle native Here is my home in the University District, were I live with six of my friends. Please note how classy we are, with a week’s worth of newspapers spread across the front yard, along with empty keg cups and beer cans. A classic college home.

With school being out for the month, I’ve been busy with work, hanging out with friends, and knitting!! Most of my evenings have been spent either watching “The Simpsons” or “Dexter” and letting the needles click away (unless it’s Thursday: Dungeons and Dragons night )

I finished Natalie’s scarf earlier this week on the bus ride to work. Even though I blocked it, the corners still turn up a bit when worn. I think it’s because the garter stitch border is a bit to narrow, should have gone with three or four stitches instead of just the two. Overall, I am very happy with it though.

Tom’s scarf is near being finished. I just washed and started blocking it today. As you can see, I don’t have a very fancy set up, just a towel on the floor and some straight pins, but for a basic scarf it works out just fine. I’m hoping it’ll be dry by the morning so I can apply fringe and give it to Tom! Since it’s gotten so cold around here lately I thought it would be cruel to make him wait until Christmas.

I decided, being the speed knitter

I am (lol) that I would be able to

finish not one, but two projects

before Christmas arrives!

My first project is a scarf for Ian’s sister that I have named “Saxon”. It’s the middled cable section from a square from the pattern book ” The Great American Aran Afghan”. As you can see, the cabling is absolutely gorgeous, but very time consuming. The tiny little silver bits were a gift from Ian for Christmas (neither of us have

much self control and couldn’t actually wait until the 25th to exchange gift) are tiny little Budweiser stitch markers from Pookeh on Etsy. Completely adorable! (haha, apparently she makes tiny PBR cans too) He also got me the Team English bottle opener/key chain. I like that he found a way for me to incorporate my love of knitting with my love of alcohol After finishing this scarf, I’m going to start a hat for my friend Peter, a replica of Jayne’s hat from short lived TV series “Firefly.”

And that is all of the knitting news in my life. Time to get back to hot coco, a beautiful snowy evening and more knitting!

Hugs, SBM

Pattern: Ben

A pattern I created when a friend of mine, Ben, informed me he would freeze to death if he didn’t have a hat for the winter, so I made one for him! It’s knit with Lion Brand Thick & Quick with needles a bit smaller than recommended. Nice and thick for optimal warmth. The simplicity of the pattern also leaves opportunity to personalize with a variety of striping patterns.

size: S (M, L)

gauge: 14 sts x 16 rows = 4″

MATERIALS

needles: 1 set US # 10 1/2

tapestry needles

Begin: c/o 48 (52, 56) sts

join in round, being careful not to twist, pm.

work in 2×2 rib (*k2, p2, rep * for across round) for 5.25 (5.75, 6.25)”

Decrease Rounds:

Rnd 1: *k2tog, p2, rep * across rnd (36, 39, 42 sts)

Rnd 2: *k2, p2, rep * across rnd

Rnd 3: *k1, p2tog, rep * across rnd

Rnd 4: *k1, p1, rep * across rnd

Rnd 5: *k2tog, rep * across rnd

Rnd 6: *k2tog, rep * across rnd

Cut 12″ tail and pull through remaining sts. Use tapestry needle to weave in any loose ends.

Long time no Knit!

Hi Everybody! I’m sure you’ve all forgotten that I actually am a part of this blog by now which is my own fault. Life has been crazy as I am currently traveling abroad. However my fabulous cousin, the one who in fact taught me how to knit in the first place, sent me a package containing size 7 circular needles and two balls of Nashua Handknits Creative Focus worsted weight yarn in cream and blue/purple. I’ve been digging around trying to figure out what I can make with my limited materials and I think I have settled on Danica from Knitty.

I have enough yarn for it and the gauge matches up just about right. It is an entrelac scarf so I’ll get to learn a new technique which will keep me entertained as I knit on the buses, planes and ferries that I will be taking during my holiday traveling. Besides which I’m off to Denmark, Sweden, Finland and Russia so an extra scarf will be appreciated! Wish me luck! Hopefully I will be done upon my return and have pictures for you all!

ciao!

Things I Want to Knit!!

Finally! Not only did knitty release it’s new issue today, but the fall/winter issue of Knit.1 arrived in my mailbox on Monday. Now I have a whole new list of things I want to knit XD

I was actually a little bit disappointed with this season’s knitty, but there were still a few beautiful patterns. Stefani Japel’s “Therapi” is very appealing. I especially like the wide collar, though I think the sweater could benefit from a tie for around the center, or perhaps buttons. Some sort of closure. “Gwynedd” has the most gorgeous cable work. Not something I would knit for myself, but definitely a scarf I’m itching to knit for someone else. Also “Bejouterie” = awesome.

This issue of knit.1 is one of my favorites yet! There is a section featuring patterns created by some infamous knit bloggers (Cookie A, Larissa Brown, Stefanie Japel, Mari Muinonen and Wendy Johnson, to name a few). I could not be more pleased. All eight patterns are gorgeous and wearable, as well as fun to knit and inspiring. Oh, how I have been inspired! My personal favorites are Ysolda Teague’s fairy tale(esque) socks, Jared Flood’s slouchy, cabled beret and Ellie Stubenrauch’s adorable colorwork mitts. There is also the oversized beret on the cover which I love, and several cute red sweaters in the back of this issue that I’m hoping to get around to making (eventually) So much to knit, so little time…. Click here to see pictures of of them all. You have to buy this magazine. It’s amazing! (and hits the shelves December 16th so get to your local bookstore to buy it or you will be very sad at all the awesome patterns you’re missing out on).

Thanks to all the beautiful patterns created by knit bloggers, I have been inspired to give pattern design a whirl. I have already come up with my first pattern, which will soon be posted here for all to use. Pattern and pictures will be coming soon.

Happy Knitting!

SBM

Horrible at this…

I am a terrible blogger. Always have been, probably always will be. It’s just the way things go.

My adventures in knitting have been many since I last updated. The green vesty thing I completed messed up by sewing the arm holes up, more than once. After must frustration and several attempts to pull out the stitches without harming the vest, I came to the sad conclusion that nothing could be done. It made me quite sad to see it in the trash

I am now have a number of projects on the needles (as I always do. Like I’ve said, worst case of knitter’s ADD you’ll ever see in your life). Currently I have a cabled sweater for my housemate and good friend Tom

A Christmas scarf for my housemate and secret lover, Natalie. (Our love is so secret that she doesn’t even know about it )

As a gift for myself, and an excuse to go to Hilltop Yarn in Queen Anne, I have begun gigi from Knitty Summer 2008 edition. Hilltop is absolutely gorgeous ! Tons of yarn tucked into a little old house. You can even have a cup of tea as you browse. It’s a shame I forgot my camera (as I am apt to do…) but I’m sure I will be visiting there again soon

In over knitting news, I’ve started knitting for a charity called “knit one save one” sponsored by save the children. So I’ve knit some itty bitty hats (oh Gwyn, the horror is still fresh in my mind! I thought I would never knit preemie hats ever again…)
Aren’t they precious

I also made myself this caplet based somewhat on this pattern from Vickie Howell’s website. Cute  :3 Sadly, I forgot to take a picture of it before I headed over to the boy’s house to settle in for a night of studying (we see how well that’s going ) so you will all have to wait in anticipation to see how it looks.

I joined raverly a little while back, and I haven’t actually used it yet….no surprise there. My goal is to get a record of my next project (probably gigi since the other two will probably be done before I even get to figuring out how to use the website). So…if you want to stalk me there as well, have fun!

In the non knitting sector of my life, things are good. I go to school. I do well in school. I go to work. I do pretty well at that as well. My Ian-boy is as amazing as ever. I got my first tattoo! It hurt. But it was worth it.

And because once you start, it’s hard to stop, I’m thinking of getting another tattoo, in honor of the sticks. Yes, I am that much of a Knit Knerd.

More pictures to come after the holidays, and details of my adventures in Las Vegas! And regardless of what you here, no, I will not return from Vegas married, even if I could have the ceremony done by a chorus of singing Elvi (elvi being the plural of Elvis, of course )

SBM – out!

Adventures in Sweater-land

So I’ve gotten a start on Vivian.  It took a little longer than I expected.  I went to cast on for it the night after I bought the pattern, and suddenly I realized that I couldn’t find my size 8 needles.  I had a moment of complete and utter panic (SBM was pretty sure the yarn had spontaneously combusted when I tried to tell her about it) before I remembered that oh yeah, I can always, you know, buy more needles.  Besides, who can pass up an excuse to visit the yarn store?  So the next day I went to Paradise Fibers, and this time I have pictures.

Ain’t it purdy?  I dragged my roommate along too, and she seemed very bemused by me petting everything.  There’s still hope for her, though.  Even if she wasn’t quite as open to the touchy-feely aspect of it, she said a lot of things like “oooh, that’s a pretty color.”  So she’s not totally dead to the magic of yarn.

Anyhow, I cast on for Vivian.  I cast on for the smallest size.  Now I am pretty petite, but not quite that petite.  I did it knowing that Wool Ease knits up a bit bigger than a lot of other yarns of the same size.  So I should get about a perfect size this way.  I could have just messed with the needle size, but then the resulting fabric would have been very dense, and then it wouldn’t have quite the right hang.  I think that this is going to yield the best result.  In any case, it seems to be working pretty well so far.  Keep your fingers crossed for me!  I would do it myself, but I’m going to be to busy knitting

Accidentally in love

So I’ve been looking at all these patterns, trying to figure out what I wanted to do with the yarn SBM sent me.  I knew I wanted some sort of a hoodie.  Possibly with cables, but I was willing to see what I could find.  I spent quite a while on Ravelry, seeing what was out there, and I had just about settled on a pattern.

Then the new Twist Collective came out.

And I found this.

Literally, this is the closet I have ever come to love at first sight with a pattern.  I saw it, and I immediately knew I wanted to make it.  With baited breath I scrolled over to see what the yarn was that it called for… and it was a match.  I looked around to be sure, and there was no question.  The yarn that was used for the sample product and the yarn in my posession are the same weight.  I nearly died of joy.

I dithered about it for approximately 24 hours.  After all, I’ve never bought a pattern off the internet before.  I tend to pick mine up off free sites, or books I borrow from the library or friends.  But in the end this was just too good to pass up.

I haven’t cast on yet.  I plan on doing so tomorrow.  There will be pictures.  This is also going to be the first project that I bother to follow on my ravelry page, so check it out there too.  GwynSully, for those who care.

Speaking of pictures, I can’t leave you without one, so I give you what I decided to do with the other yarn that came in that box:

That’s right, I’m making socks.  This is the first sock, and I’m actually that far into the second sock right now, but I don’t feel like taking more pictures at the moment, so this is what you’re going to get.  They are warm and oh-so-cosy… and yes, they’re for me.  I’ve been a bit of a selfish knitter lately.  This is what happens when I get cold.

Fortuitous Find and (almost) Finished

Ok, so you caught me… I’m a huge fan of alliteration.  Now that we’ve gotten that out of the way…

So despite all the F-words in the title, this entry is all about a V-word, Versatility.  I’ve just today finished with the actual knitting part of the operation (Barely.  More on that later).  I’m really pleased with it.  By one of those strange knitting happenstances, the yarn is much softer as a knit object than it was in a skein.  I love it when that happens.  I’m really pleased with it, but it definitely could use some blocking.  The lace border could be better defined, and it could use some vertical stretch.  I’ve been trying to decide how best to go about it… I’ve never blocked anything like this before.

The other thing it needs, of course, is buttons.  I thought it was going to take me forever to find them, but then one of those miracles occured, the kind that convince me that I am, in fact, a natural-born knitter, and the universe is more or less madating that I do this.  I was wandering the dollar store, of all places, just for the heck of it, and out of the corner of my eye, I saw them.  The buttons.  The ones I had unconsciously had in the back of my brain since I started the project.  I consulted with my Mom, who happened to be visiting that weekend and, along with the rest of my family, was the reason I had a car to get to the dollar store in the first place, and she agreed.  These were them.  The perfect buttons for the project.  So I acquired 30 buttons for $3.  How much better does it get?

As mentioned, Versatility almost didn’t get this far.  Despite cutting out the bobbles and an entire repeat of the pattern, I almost ran out of yarn.  I have no idea how this might have happened, since I’m pretty sure I bought as much as the unchanged pattern called for.  Oh well.  These things happen.  Though it took some slight tightening of guage at the end, I did manage to finish, and that is the important thing.

Still working on the cabled scarf.  Muir has been a bit on hold, but I think I’m going to pick it back up again.  I have a hankering to knit more socks, but I’m pushing it firmly aside for the moment.  Oh yes, and one more finished project…

This is the blanket I crocheted for my Dad for his birthday.  I was able to present it to him this past weekend.  As previously mentioned, I cannot take complete credit for this project.  It was started I don’t even know how long ago by my paternal grandmother, and I had the honr of completing it.  It was really neat, to finish something she had started… I don’t know how to describe it, exactly, but it made me feel like even though I never got the opportunity to know her very well, because by the time I was old enough to try, her dementia was too advanced… despite this, I was still able to make a connection with her through this blanket.  I like that.