Feb 08 2010

Busy Sounds Like Fun

Category: Bittersweet,Designing,FO,Knitting,Spinning,dyeing,events — Mistress Rows @ 1:26 pm

It’s official, I’m building up my dyeing habit. I have to be careful, because I haven’t been feeling particularly great over the last few weeks, but I’m doing what I can and enjoying it. Wednesday evenings, no later than 10 p.m., are being set aside for updates. I’m not sure if my schedule will always include dyeing every single week, but I can definitely see myself dyeing enough for an update every two weeks at least. Knock on wood. Coming up this Wednesday are two new colors of sock yarn in lighter, spring shades, and two stunning lace yarns, one in a tonal chestnut, and one in a dazzling rich sapphire with eerie mint contrasts. Momma’s got a new shade of blue, and restocked her citric acid, so watch out!

There’s news on the knitting and spinning fronts too, stuff’s happening all over the place.

Test Knitting: My scarf pattern is being knit by several people, and aside from a stitch count error, which was fixed early on, it seems to be going well for people. The biggest issue that they’re coming across is finding just the right yarn. I’m going to change the requirements to note no larger than worsted. Also, apparently Noro can lead to some fugly chunks of color, so a variegated or solid yarn might be better when it comes to commercial yarns.

Modern Mob Cap

Designing: The hat I’ve been designing is done, photographed, and completely written up. I’ve got three small process photos to shoot, but as it is it’s ready to send out to test knitters. I love the hat, really love it. Because my hair is kept snug inside the slouch section, I don’t get static-y hair from tugging it out from under my coat, and then my scarf. It fits me perfectly. Not so much in love with the black dye globules that were evident when I gave the hat a bath. Very much in love with what the bath did for the drape and definition of the fabric. An FO post will come when the pattern is ready to publish.

Spinning: I finished spinning up some top I dyed a couple of years ago and forgot I had. It was a great spin, and I love how the finished yarn came out. Pictures and an FO post no later than Wednesday. I’m inspired to dye some of the top I have in the basement, I know there’s at least one or two of you who’d like to see more Sea Glass if I do nothing else.

 

A Warm Return, in progress.

January I joined my first SAL (spin along) in support of my friend Cris of Into the Whirled. Members of Cris’s Ravelry forum voted on member submitted photos, and the inspiration for three months worth of ITW loveliness was born. The club is very reasonably priced, and you can purchase your spot as they go up, one at a time, so there’s no large outlay of cash. This month’s color “A Warm Return”, was inspired by a photo of a Robin’s nest inside a bush. I’m loving the way it’s spinning up, and my plan is to chain ply it for socks.

Last, but not least, if you’re local, please don’t forget about the Stir Crazy Stitch & Spin on March 6th! I created a page for it on Facebook and some of the guests have suggested it to their friends as well. I have high hopes that I’ll see quite a few new faces, and of course my much loved regulars. Tonight I’m emailing a promotional flyer to several local yarn shops in the hopes of reaching even more new faces. If you’d like to hand one to your own favorite LYS owner or S’nB group, you can download and print one here. I hope to see you there!

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Jan 28 2010

The Year of the Pattern

Category: Designing — Mistress Rows @ 10:47 am

Those who know me well as a stitcher are well aware that more often than not, I design my own patterns. Despite having hundreds of books and magazines full of items to choose from, when it comes to non-sweater items, I am more likely to put together my own vision culled from my stable of stitch dictionaries. I mix and match components until I get what I want. Though it can be intensely frustrating at times, I really enjoy the process. My library is a source of inspiration and knowledge. The rest of the time my library serves as a welcome refuge for those times when I fall in love with a design, or my needs leave me wanting something ready at the get go.

My craft book library. The magazines will go on the opposite facing case.

I have declared 2010 is the year of the pattern. I already have a pattern template made up, and have since ‘08. While I released a couple of patterns in ’09, I’m not going to hold anything back this year. I worried for a long time about accuracy, and appearing self-important. The first part is more easily solved than I could have imagined. Not only do I have a few readers who love to do that kind of thing, but I also found a group on Ravelry for just this very purpose. The rules are clear, the group is very active, and it specifically states that there is to be no compensation other than honest appreciation. It’s 100% volunteer, and I believe it to be priceless resource to budding designers. As to having the temerity to self-publish? If I put my best out there, and keep up my professionalism, that’s all any reasonable person can ask.

So… would anyone like to test knit a scarf pattern? This is the one I’m considering submitting to Spin Off. Amy Clark Moore spoke to me about it at SOAR ’08 and said I should submit it for publication to the magazine. I can do that right now since the pattern is already written, but just in case I don’t go that route (or get rejected), I’d like to have a couple of test knitters already working on it. The pattern calls for a smooth, non-fuzzy, worsted weight yarn, but it doesn’t have to be exact. Something in the range of DK to Aran would be fine, and the pattern is easily adjustable. I need at least one person who’s willing to do it in a nice, busy handspun, and another who’s willing to knit it in a commercial yarn like Noro Boku, Cascade 200 Paints, or Knit Picks Shamrock. A yarn with multiple colors in the ply, or busy variegation is recommended.

A leafy start to the Modern Mob Cap.

Coming very soon will be a hat pattern I’m 2/3 done with. Assuming the decrease aesthetics don’t do me in, it should be ready for test knitters in 7-10 days. I’ve been photographing and formatting the pattern on the fly so this one should fairly fly out the door. It called the Modern Mob Cap, features a double thick, toasty warm brim, and calls for two contrasting colors of worsted weight wool, 50g of the accent color and 100g for the main body. I can’t wait to wear it!

Happily, there are at least three more patterns in my head just waiting to come out. It’s going to be an exciting year.

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Dec 31 2009

Ring the Bell

Category: Designing,Knitting,Life & Stuff — Mistress Rows @ 11:09 am

Looking back on the year, I got a lot more fiber work done than I thought I did. Not as much spinning as I would have hoped, but I started (and finished) 18 projects. Much of my spinning has gone undocumented, but I know I finished at least 8 projects there as well. Hmm! Not bad, if I do say so myself. And so, inspired the other retrospective posts I’ve seen recently on the Interwebz, here I present to you my favorite projects from 2009.  

 As I said on Tuesday, this year has been hard in a lot of ways, with brief pockets of awesome. Those came mainly in the form of fiber fabulousness and the kindness of friends and family. I’m ever in awe of the power you guys have over my life, you bring me joy, food for thought, and more support than I ever thought I’d have from people right ‘round the corner and far flung places I’ve never been. You give me all that and more, and to thank you, I’d like to give you something back.

 

 

download now

Now that it’s been properly test knitted by at least two other people, and the kinks worked out, I’d like to offer my friends and readers first crack at the Fascine sock pattern I wrote earlier this Autumn. The pattern will be exclusive for blog readers through Three Kings Day (January 6th, in honor of the only Christmas my father knew until he moved to the States). After that time I’ll open it up as a free download to any and all who like the turn of its ankle. Go to the pattern page here, and use the link to get your advance download! And of course, the perfectionist in me wants you to please let me know if you find any errors.

I can’t thank my test knitters enough! Amy and Jenna really came through for me during the holiday rush, which was truly above and beyond. I know there are others out there who are still working on, or will be starting the sock soon, and don’t worry, that’s absolutely fine by me. The holidays are tough, and just knowing that there are great people out there who are ready and willing to lend me the use of their hands and their valuable time is precious to me.

 

Happy New Year!

Thanks to all of you, truly, for helping to make 2009 lighter on my shoulders and brighter in my heart. May you and yours know peace and blessed be.

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Nov 18 2009

FO: Stitch in Thyme Socks

Category: Designing,FO,Knitting — Mistress Rows @ 11:05 am

Pattern: Stitch in Thyme, my own pattern.
Yarn: Plymouth Rockin’ Sox
Needles: US Size 0, 32″ Knit Picks circular
Started: When dinosaurs roamed the earth. (July 1st, 2008)
Finished: About damned time. (November 15th, 2009)
Recipient: Me
Techniques: Magic Loop, vigorous pulling of bootstraps.

Stitch in Thyme Socks

Stitch in Thyme Socks

They can’t all be winners, but they can certainly be opportunities for learning. Case in point? These socks have taught me a lot. Things like:

  • I didn’t think the yarn and pattern combo through. I really wanted to use this yarn and design a simple sock pattern to go with it. I should have focused on a texture stitch instead of a lace and stockinette combo if I was going to knit with this style yarn. Better yet, I should have chosen a different yarn.
  • It doesn’t matter that I lost interest in the project, I should have buckled down and finished it regardless. The reason why I didn’t finish it until now? I hate SSK. How stupid is that?
  • It’s a good thing my left foot is wider than my right, somewhat making up for the fact that the foot of the second sock bears witness to how much my gauge changed between then and now.
The foot forward is the larger new sock, the receding foot is the denser first sock.

The foot forward is the larger new sock, the receding foot is the denser first sock.

And sweet jeezus, what a difference! My first sock has something like 11 stitches to the inch on size 0’s, a nice firm fabric that isn’t rock hard. (Seriously!) I wish I had the socks right in front of me to measure, but believe me, I’m probably not far off. The cuff of the second sock was knit consecutively, so it matches. However, last year I put the project aside and haven’t knit on it until now. Therefore, the heel and entire foot of the sock are at a much looser gauge. And I do mean much looser, visibly noticeable, probably 8 stitches per inch. No matter how tightly I tried to ratchet my stitches, I just couldn’t get those stitches to match up. Was I knitting the first sock on speed? WTF! I don’t even OWN sock needles smaller than 0’s.

I really like the tiny leaf pattern, just not with this yarn.

I really like the tiny leaf pattern, just not with this yarn.

I finished these up just to be done with them. It was either that or rip them out, and then the yarn would probably get tossed in a bag and forgotten for years. No way was I going to reknit them in this yarn, which while lovely to work with, I find just flat out ugly knit up. I can deal with the difference for so long as the socks last, which is better than lighting the whole thing on fire.

Consider the FO post my perp walk of shame. I have no one to blame but myself that they came out this wonky, so there you go. Posting the “bad” along with the good is only fair!

 

Leg back detail. Definitely should have made them taller!

Leg back detail. Definitely should have made them taller!

On a positive note, I really like how the pattern worked out. I wanted to design something easily resized, simple to work, but still offering the opportunity to have a bit of fun. If a knitter hasn’t tried lace yet, this would be a nice way to give it a go as the pattern is only three rows, and easily memorized. My favorite part is how it looks down the back of your foot. I’ll reknit the pattern in some of my Bittersweet sock yarn and then release it with the updated photos. I expect the visual appeal to go up tenfold.

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Nov 11 2009

We’re Getting There

Category: Bittersweet,Designing,Life & Stuff — Mistress Rows @ 2:52 pm

I’ve been a busy bee on every front, which seems to be par for the course. Thankfully, the Fibro has been under control, and I know a large part of that is due to us packing slowly and methodically. We are often guilty of procrastination, but not here. We’ve moved far too many times to leave it to the last minute, and my body thanks me for it. Some of the things I’ve been focusing on:

House

  • Packing, obviously. Our entire life will fit in our spare bedroom, including over 20 boxes of books, not counting Steve’s 10,000 strong comic book collection and my craft magazine collection. The latter should add another four boxes.
  • Attempting to close, we’re almost there. We expect word from the USDA by next week. It can’t come soon enough for us, not to mention the very impatient seller. The broker ‘offered’ to eat the $700+ rate-lock extension fee, since it’s partially his fault we haven’t closed, and our rate was supposed to expire today. He didn’t apologize, actually “I’m not going to apologize”, but made the offer saying “you’re WORTH it”. We could see our lawyer’s eyes roll in her email, and the phrase “gag me with a spoon” comes to mind.
  • I’m finally allowing myself to believe it might actually happen, as evidenced by me taking advantage of a sale and buying something to go on the mantle over our fireplace in the new home. 40% off of $17 and an additional 20% via coupon meant it was a small luxury I didn’t need to feel guilty about.
  • Steve and I are going to look at furniture tonight, mostly just measuring and pricing out our needs. Those include a new love seat, two chairs, a coffee table, and a dining room set. Our old living room furniture is tattered and the seats are sprung, and while we expected to buy dining room chairs (ours are mismatched), our table doesn’t fit in our new house.

Business

  • I’ve contacted an organization for small business people and will be speaking with a consultant in my area after we move. The organization helps small businesses find out what options are open to them, offers consulting advice, and direct them to programs of interest.
  • My goal is to have my new DBA, new packaging, and my studio set up by January 1st. If I can sneak in some dyeing before then for the holiday rush, that would be great.

Designing

  • The Fascine sock pattern is out and getting some attention from a gaggle of test knitters, much to my joy. I know at least two pair are already started, and I look forward to seeing them knit up.
  • I’ve been getting several older patterns I’ve written and templated finished so I can put them up on Ravelry. At least one of them really doesn’t need to be test knit as it’s a simple cowl with crocheted border, so that will most likely go up first. This is the cowl I wear almost every day during the cold months, called Scaollopine. It’s so simple, but has an elegant border. I wish more of my friends were both knitters and crocheters, I love writing patterns that incorporate both!
  • I’ll be reknitting and actually documenting the Estrella Bella scarf pattern that I knit to wear at the 2008 SOAR fashion show in my Kryptonite handspun. It’s undocumented (but really pretty) because I hoped to submit it to Spin Off but never did. I think there’s never been a better time than now to get off my butt and do it.
Kryptonite

Kryptonite

So, that’s what I’ve been up to. I’ll say right now, there will be very few handknit gifts this year, if any. We haven’t even moved yet, but oh boy it’s going to get even busier.

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Mar 27 2009

Darvoset & Dead Opera Singers

Category: Designing,Knitting,Ramblings,Swaps — Mistress Rows @ 9:05 pm

This post is brought to you by Darvoset, which appears not to work on me, and a dead opera singer. I was wondering when I’d find something I was immune to again with my weird metabolism. When you leave me alone on a Friday night I sometimes start cruising iTunes and Youtube, a deadly combination for the neighbors, who really must wonder what the f*ck is going on here on the 2nd floor, as I’m a fan of singing Italian Opera when I can figure out the words (or look them up online.

I’m a fan of Pavarotti because, personal life aside, he was amazing. He and I get along, as I can TOTALLY rock the tenor. This song features the best of two worlds, U2 and The Tenor.



This next one features him singing my favorite opera piece, Nessun Dorma. I waffle between preferring this sung by a female soprano, or by him (tenor). This is the last song he sang before he died of pancreatic cancer, though this is not that last performance, just a better video.

And just so you don’t think I’ve been up to nothing fibery in particular, despite not being able to eat solid food (yay oral surgery), I’ve been crocheting on mom’s mom’s shawl. That’s boring to post a photo of, since it still looks exactly the same, but I will show you my nerves sock I started at the convention last weekend and worked on in the surgeon’s office. It’s a little further along than this now, and while I really did try to work a pattern from Knitting Socks with Handpainted Yarn, the white ply of the yarn kept making it look too busy, so it’s a Plain Jane sock. The yarn is Patons Stretch Sock yarn in “Olive”.

Also, here are a couple of shots of the fingerless mitt pattern I designed for my Secret Pal reveal package. I didn’t realize until after I’d pored over all the Walker books that the quilted pattern I chose looks just like the Leyburn socks, at least on the back of the hand. Oh well, I really did try several patterns from the book before choosing this one. They fit both me, and Connie (my old boss/friend), which is good because Connie has average girl hands, while mine are plus size. The fully ribbed palm was the special touch added in for knitting for someone whose dimensions I know nothing about. Here’s hoping she likes them! The yarn is hand dyed rayon I got in a swap, another reason for the stretch. The recipient isn’t too sure about wool so I wanted to play it safe.

They’re not really mismatched, I guess it’s the angle I took the picture at, or how she pulled them on.

p1130188a

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Feb 19 2009

Calling All Locals

Category: Designing,Friends & Fun,WIP,events — Mistress Rows @ 7:28 am

Don’t blink, but it’s only just over two full weeks till the Stir Crazy Stitch & Spin. Two weeks and three days! Whoah. So please, if you haven’t already, print out a flyer and ask your LYS if you can post it. Coffee shops and bookstores are also good spots.  Tell your friends! I’m torn between promoting my little heart out and worrying that we might run out of space. You never can tell with this kind of thing, that’s for sure. I’ve been gathering some books to give out as door prizes and I’m also putting out the word… if you’re a dyer or pattern designer and you’d like a little publicity, please consider donating a small prize. Include your business information of course and I’ll also list and link you on the blog.

I really hope that there will be at least a couple dozen people there, and I don’t think that’s too optimistic – weather permitting. I get such a kick out of having passionate people all gathered together, I know it’s going to be a blast!

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Tilt is, for sure, going to be a long term project. I can feel the slog happening already. I have started a stole for my grandmother (on my mother’s behalf) to offset the tedium, but no pictures yet. It’s maddening how few worsted weight shawl patterns there are out there, either crochet or knit, that I like – or that would work for a solid colored acrylic yarn. I am, once again, designing my own, again in crochet. At least then I know it’ll go faster and when it comes down to starting mom’s shawl, or starting HER mother’s shawl, I have to go with the person who’s least likely to be able to wait.

Feeling kinda blah today so I’m sorry there aren’t more pictures or anything exciting. Well, the Stitch & Spin is exciting, at least to me. :)

Mood: Tired
Listening to: “Summertime” – Janis Joplin

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Jan 22 2009

All Wrapped Up

Category: Crochet,Designing,FO,events — Mistress Rows @ 5:41 pm

I still don’t have any good action shots of me wearing my new shawl, but I do have some nicer shots of it off the blocking board. It’s amazing what you can do with those last few minutes of light as you’re walking in the door. These photos were taken just as you reach my front steps, part of the charm of living in an old brick “Victorian” are the little details that you can’t afford or find in newer homes.

Wrap in repose.

Wrap in repose.

The shawl is probably 8 feet long, after blocking. Part of that is the effect of gravity, the weight of the shawl pulls it longer – which has the unfortunate side effect of making it narrower. It’s about as wide as your average wrap, but not as wide as I’d hoped. I’m sensing a theme. Next time I design one of these things I’m going to make it at least 25% wider than I think I should. Then again, if I’d made this particular project wider I’d have run out of yarn, or at least cut it VERY close. The length of the shawl is actually perfect, in that I’m able to toss it over one shoulder and saunter about my workplace feeling very elegant. Well, as elegant as one can be in tailored chinos and combat boots.

What’s really excited me are the comments I’ve gotten, online and off, as to offering the pattern for sale. I feel weird about it because the pattern involved a bit of “fudging” which is a familiar term to those who designs their own crochet patterns. Crochet is very free form, and it has an organic quality to it that’s hard to explain if you don’t already crochet. You can literally stitch any shape, wander off in strange and unexpected directions, and literally create almost anything you can imagine. Not that you can’t experience freedom in knitting, but it’s much more immediate in crochet, for me. So, what I’m getting at is that I feel odd saying “fiddle with the stitch count until you have this many filet crochet boxes across, generally skipping every other stitch (or more as needed). I’m going to sit down with a pen and paper this weekend to see if it’s as awkward as I think.

 

If I do end up getting to where I’m comfortable then I plan to offer it as my first pay-pattern. I’ve already got one pattern up for free on Ravelry, strange that both involve crochet on one level or another.

I planned on starting mom’s wedding shawl, with commercial yarn, when I realized that I’d bought the wrong yarn for the pattern. I had it in my head that the pattern called for 1,200 yards of lace weight, so I purchased Knit Picks Gloss Lace. Turns out it needs fingering weight yarn, I had it half right, but I should have bought the regular Gloss. Damnit. And I really want to get started on that so I can pick up and put it down over the course of the year till it’s done. Steve’s sweater is also frustrating me, but instead of a project I can’t start, this one I can’t finish! The local stores don’t have the yarn in stock right now and since my order total is under $25, I’d have to pay as much as the single ball is worth in shipping… plus tax! What kind of nonsense is this? Grrr. I’m not sure what to do, to be honest. JoAnn’s is usually no problem for me.

Lastly, I’ve had some really nice feedback about the Stir Crazy Stitch & Spin online and off. I’m hoping we get a nice crowd, I’ll be putting flyers up locally starting next Tuesday. Oddly enough, my announcement drew a “disagree” on Ravelry, could it be because I asked that all children be closely attended by an adult? Hopefully no one takes offense, but it’s important to me that everyone be able to enjoy themselves. Spinning wheels are not only potentially dangerous to little fingers, but they’re also very expensive. I’ve seen, more than once at public events, a child anywhere from 8-12 years old just sit down and start pulling or pedaling roughly at the wheel. I love kids, I really do, but I’m trying to think of everyone. Hopefully guests will understand. Anyway, if you’re local, I hope I’ll see you there!

Mood: Content
Listening to:  Disturbed – Sacred Lie

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Jan 18 2009

On a Roll!

Category: Crochet,FO,Knitting,WIP — Mistress Rows @ 9:07 pm

Come Friday I was amazed that it was the weekend already (again) and now, come Sunday, I’m mystified as to how it’s just about Monday (again). I live in a time vortex, I swear. 

HOWEVER… I can feel absolutely, 100 freakin’ percent pleased with how much I’ve accomplished in the last few days. Let’s start with the Sweater of DOOM, shall we? As you can see, I have re-knit the bottom. What you can’t see is that it’s a simple seed stitch border. The reason why you can’t see it is because I refuse to take a close up until it gets a bath and block. Let’s just say ramen yarn isn’t particularly attractive. I’ve got high hopes that the bath will do much to even out all that nonsense. It does look much nicer on him now, that I will say! Skimming ladies, skimming. 

Tweedy grey sweater of MADNESS.

Tweedy grey sweater of MADNESS.

Our next picture shows just how close to the end that I was before I ran out of yarn. Oh yes, sweet, sweet denial. I kept telling myself I had one more ball of yarn. What I should have kept in mind instead was the undeniable truth of the universe. My husband has monkey arms. I think he has monkey arms just so that he reach things on high shelves, have enough length to wrap around my largeness, and to drive me mad whilst knitting him a sweater out of the deep well of love in my heart. 

Cruel fate, so close yet so far.

Cruel fate, so close yet so far.

That last part might just be the melodrama in me talking. I don’t really believe he has monkey arms just to spite me. 

Now, on to things of a much more thrilling and satisfying nature! With great fortitude and strength of spirit, I crocheted my little heart out on Saturday and finished my Maja Shawl (new name yet to be found) in time to wear it to Steve’s company dinner at a VERY posh restaurant later that evening. Even unblocked it was gorgeous, though a bit more like a really wide scarf, but still servicable as a wrap. Steve, sweetheart that he is, pointed out several times that I had made it myself since all his coworkers know that I knit, spin and crochet. He’s a keeper, that one. Totally makes up for the monkey arms. 

If you only knew how BADLY she wants to be laying on that mat.

If you only knew how BADLY she wants to be laying on that mat.

I am IN LOVE with this shawl. Everything about it makes me happy. The yarn has a bit of texture due to it being essentially a thread plied single. It is incredibly soft, yet durable because it’s a wool/acrylic blend, about 56% wool if I remember correctly. The pattern for the body is very easily memorized, and the lacy border was a fun break (and took way longer than you’d think). I truly enjoyed every bit of designing it, though fudging the fit so the different pattern counts would work makes me wary of writing it up for others. I think I’ll design another shawl in the same style in the future, with the aim of offering it for sale. 

Oooh... purty...

Oooh... purty...

All told, do you wanna know how much it cost me to crochet this stole? I used 6.5 balls out of 8 and they cost me $1.50 each on sale. Yes, I made a generously sized stole (in crochet!) for $9.75. Crazy! And what really makes me smile is that unlike sometimes, this was sale yarn that actually fit my needs exactly. It isn’t languishing in my stash, a guilty purchase that has no future. I made KICK ASS-NESS with it! I’m all about the kickin’ of the ass. I just wish the light were still good so I could show you what it looked like when it was done drying… it blocked out perfectly and I lurves it very much. 

Gothic-y goodness!

Gothic-y goodness!

Lastly, I have started a pair of mittens in the same yarn as my mom’s cowl. Since I never posted on the old blog about mom’s cowl (that I remember) I’ll make a nice combined post when they’re done and share all the love at once. For now I will show you this much, though I am actually far enough along that in a few minutes I’ll be decreasing for the top of the first mitten. 

Mom's been asking for them, and I am happy to oblige.

Mom's been asking for them, and I am happy to oblige.

 

Listening to: Guns ‘n Roses – Welcome to the Jungle
Mood: Inordinantly Pleased

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Jan 03 2009

Really? Really!

Category: Crochet,Designing,Knitting,WIP — Mistress Rows @ 7:12 pm

Despite a seeming complete and utter lack of knitting and spinning content on this blog during the holidays, I can tell you wtih all honesty that yes, indeed, work has been done! And lo, work has picked up on the husbeast’s sweater! It better pick up, the damned thing needs to be finished by January 11th, his 35th birthday. 

Lo! A sleeve!
Lo! A sleeve!

As you can see, there’s a sleeve there. The sleeve has since been finished and I am happy to say that I have a couple of inches of the second sleeve done. I am NOT so terribly pleased to note that I despise the cabled bottom when actually worn by the husband in question. It’s neither flattering on his “man’s body” nor is it at all what I was hoping for. *le sigh* So, I will have to rip it out and redo it with the simple 1×1 ribbing I did on the cuffs. Boring, but the tweedy yarn doesn’t allow for the cables to popl like I wanted. Everything looks muddy and overstretched. 

My other current project is a shawl for myself that I am crocheting. I titled it Maja when I started it, since it’s my working women’s shawl, functional yet pretty. Imagine my surprise when the winter Knitty published and there was another shawl by the same name. Crappers. Bah! I am safe and secure in the knowledge that I named mine before that one was published, but since mine’s still a work in progress I suppose I’ll have to rename it. 

 

 

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Curled up, about four feet long right now.

Curled up, about four feet long right now.

The yarn is Stellina, by JoAnn’s, and I’m very much enjoying working with it. I bought it when they put it on super sale, instead of $6 per 50g ball I paid $1 or $1.50, depending on what day I bought that particular batch (I went back for more). The yarn isn’t discontinued, they just “clearanced” it for some reason. Now it’s back in stock like nothing happened. Anyway, the yarn is 54% Wool, 36% Acrylic, 10% Nylon, roughly sport/DK weight with a nylon wrap. It’s similar in construction to Lion Brand Homespun, for reference. 

 

I see the shawl becoming a slightly frilly wrap that I can use to keep the back of my neck warm at work. Since my hair is so long, and I am so lazy, when I wash it I end up going to work with a wet head. Said wet hair has to be put up, but the cold air still falls on the back of my neck and really gives me the chills. Having something durable, but still mostly wool to wrap around myself will be very welcome. Plus, it’s the kind of thing that transitions from work to afterhours easily. I can see myself wearing it with a nice dress to a great restaurant in a heartbeat. 

There’s spinning as well, but I’m going to save that for it’s own FO post. I haven’t been doing nearly so much as I’d like, but I did get a challenge done, to spin up some of the roving I bought at SOAR. This one’s a real beaut too! I really enjoyed spinning it, and it was a bought from a brand new vendor (to me). 

Hope you’re having a great weekend, I’m spending mine with the hubs and The Doctor!

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