Craptina

I feel like a doctor

Before I go into the long haul of blogging that is overdue, let's start with some pics from the big Morocco trip, which I'm sure you all are waiting for.....

If you'd like to see the whole she-bang, click here.   While on holiday, I was able to put the finishing touches on these babies:

I am in fact, another Jaywalker lover :)
Yarn: two hanks of Claudia's Handpainted sock yarn
Mods: drop that heel flap, baby! I'm going short-row!!!
For: Moi.

Morocco was terrific. There was adventure, mystery, confusion, language barriers, the whole nine. I would go back in a minute, even if only to practice more of my high school French skills that were generously challenged. The food wasn't as good as I had hoped, and I recently learned that Moroccan's feel that restaurants are a waste of money, and the best food is found in mom's kitchen. Unfortunately, the only Moroccan we befriended was far from his own home, so we didn't get a taste of the real goods. I did however, purchase some spices and a tagine for myself, and lugged it all the way back home. I've made four different dishes with it so far, all of which have been winners, so our apartment has been smelling very nice.

Just after getting back I was shipped out to Fairfield, PA to a seminar and tour of a paper mill and a book manufacturing plant. For work, of course. I brought my camera but unfortuantly we were not allowed to take pictures of the process, but it was a very interesting to learn;  paper is basically made from 90% water, and 10% soaked tree plup. I also got to tour a paperback and hardcover manufacturing plant. It was really cool to see the machines that put books together. It was better than watching Mr. Rodgers visiting the crayon factory. Immediately after returning from that my Mom and niece came to NYC for a visit for a few days. It's been pretty busy since I got back.

I did however, manage to make a serisous dent on the Pink Tea Raglan, which I'm not showing any pictures of yet. Not that I won't share, I just don't find miles of moss stitch thrilling. I do however have some photos of Glee. It's soley this pattern that makes me feel like a doctor. See, when I cast on for this top,I was fully aware that my stitch gauge was on the money, but my row gauge was a little off. Keeping this in mind, I cast on for the smaller size, hoping to compensate. And while knitting I kept checking and measuring, and all was going to plan until I actually tried the damn thing on. The shoulders were waaaaay to wide. Now, this is would be fine if it were 1986, but I wasn't about to rip back all of my work- it's a top-down shirt, that'd be going back and redoing alllll that stockinette.  No, I decided I'd plunge ahead and finish the body, and then go back and pull out the sleeves only. Check out this photo, paying attention to the armhole on the left side.

See all that yarn just, uh, hanging there? I think the work needed to save this project deserves a medical degree. Because one couldn't just rip back- the sleeve stitches are worked in the round! So I ripped back as far as I needed to go, where my arm wasn't swimming in the material. Then I picked up the live stitches and alternatively cut one strand at a time, knitting it into the round of the live sleeve to the other end, weave in the end, cut a stand on the opposite end, work that into the sleeve round, weave in that end and around and around back and forth, until  it was too far to go back and pick up. By this time there were about 12 or so strands left, so I wove in the ends. Sounds like a feat, yes? It was knitting surgery.
Here's a photo of the wrong side post-surgery:

The right side is looking pretty good, and a picture will be forthcoming upon completion. I doubt that anyone who didn't know about these hideous strands wouldn't ever be able to tell they are there. It's totally embarrasing to me that I made this mistake, but at the same time, I impressed myself by taking a risk to fix it.  My task for this week is to finish the neck and then tackle the left shoulder the same as the right. I hope it goes just as smoothly.

Shipping Off in Style

Last week Prink and I made these........


With inspiration from Jess we made a whole shebang of these cute bags. However, Prink is such a super sewer, we didn't look at the tutorial except to oogle over her cute prints. Definitely a good guide, if you're interested in making one of these guys yourself.

Next week this gal and some friends are off on a big vacation, so projects bags were required.  Marie , Big A, Joe and I are of to Morocco! We'll be there for 11 days to experience some culture, weird food, and some possible desert camping. Jess has been a big help with guidence and advice since she was there just a few months ago. Check out her picture gallery, it's pretty cool.

I've got some jaywalkers on the needles for trip, and that should hold me for awhile. In other knitting news, I've cast on for Glee and I'm in Stockinette Hell. I'm currently up to 324 sts, and I'm increasing every RS row until there are 384. (!@$!@#^) Then I can get psyched to work in the eternal round of never ending stitches. Ugh. This project is going to take awhile, but the end results look worth it. Check out how cute Carrie looks....

Oh, and I finished the front side of the Pink Tea Raglan. No photo to share for a blob of pink seed stitch. I fear that the projects I have chosen are much too repetitve. Something should be done about that. Casting on for the Dollar and a Half cardigan is a must upon returning from vacation.

So I'll leave you with these photos before my departure, since I love my cats so much and they crack me up all the time. 

I swear there was water in the water dish...but I bet this was more tasty.....

                                                                                       

No....this is the best way to get a drink!

Whatever initially interested her in the drawer wanted her to stay....
















                                                                                                REALLY STAY.....

Radical Baby

Please welcome into the world baby Diego!

My best friend recently had this beautiful baby boy. Here is Diego at three weeks old. As you can see from his huge eyes he's very curious about the world.... he also enjoys feeling warm in toasty in his Placket-Neck Pullover his Auntie Ginny, or Crazy Aunt Ginny, as Pony kept calling me the whole day. The little guy loves to curl up on a shoulder and sleep, as we had lots of cuddle time. The pattern is from Last Minute Knitted Gifts I love just about all the patterns in here! This sweater pattern comes with instructions for newborn to 8 years old! In the 6-8 hour gift section, I was able to whip this up in just a few days. Does that yarn look familiar? It's some more good-olde Brooks Farm, itching to get out of my stash. It's nore the best machine washable sweater for a baby, but I figure it'll stretch with him as he grows.

And in other knitting news, I completed a hat for one of Austin's friends, by request:

If you're thinking that this hat is really big,you're right. This guy has a 24.5" knocker, and he specifically asked for it to be kinda longer so it would "poof" on the end. And the pom pom? He personally requested that too. Now, this is just a basic hat, but I made a serious attempt to challege my skills one more step.....do you see it?
Wait- here's a close-up:


It's the teeniest bit of fair isle, no- I'll say color work, because it's not really very much at all, but I'm proud of myself for trying. I was knitting on the train and gave it a shot with no books or instructions. So with some contorted fingers and super twisted colors, I figured out how to strand the two on the wrong side. *smile* It's a small step in a new direction.

Tomorrow I'm going to see the Radical Lace and Subversive Knitting exhibit at the Museum of Arts & Design. There's a field trip bound to happen with the spiders, but who says you can't see a knitting exhibit more than once? 

subway time

The other day I had the most striking thoughts:

“I think I’ll get off this express and take the local train to work; I can get little more knitting done.”

Later that day, on the L train platform:

“Hmm…I can ride the L to the last stop and stay on the train until it goes back into service. I’m in no rush, I’ll get at least 20 minutes more knitting time.”

Now there’s no Christmas knitting that urgently needs completion. I have no babies on the way that need their bibs or blankets by the end of the week. I simply just love my knitting time. Ok, so after the L train I realized it was a little silly to ride the train that much longer- but I was early to my appointment and what would you rather do- Wait on the sidewalk or get some more knit time in?

Now if I wasn’t a knitter it might seem crazy to have these ideas. But if you’re not a knitter you can’t understand the deep satisfaction from finishing one last row, or completing another half an inch at lunchtime. You ladies know what I mean. It’s like coffee. (I don’t drink coffee, so really this isn’t a very good example.) Who knows why so many people MUST have a cup to function each morning. Why do people pay $4.45 for a single cup at Starbucks? Because it’s that good, it’s a daily addiction. It’s the same with my knitting time. Just back off and let me be- It’s that good. 

I've been working on a cardigan from the fall issue of IK, the Sienna Cardigan, by Anne Smith. It's working up nicely, and I'm taking the physical challenge by working the back and front sides at the same time.

The shaping is pretty simple. I've never worked a front and back at the same time like this, but I think I'm up for it. There's some cables along the front edges with a lace pattern. It's shaping up nicely.

The yarn is not anything special, it's some cheapo-woolease from JoAnne's I got a million years ago. I figure it'll be a durable sweater, so I've got some other projects in mind that'll be much softer on my fingers.

Here is a photo of  my cat Dizzle, contemplating knocking over some more ornaments on our meager tree. My animals love the holidays for this, and the leftover turkey, of course..

... and OMG - Austin, is totally BBE, because he fixed this post and he made me the greatest French toast this morning that was to DIE for.

Accidental Kinda Sweater completed

Pattern: Boogie, from Knitty.com
Yarn: Brooksfarm Fourplay
Needles: Size 8 Addies (yes, I know, dumb move, too big for this yarn)
Serious-Ass Modifications: Elongated the ribing to 5 inches. Added a four stitch box edging along the shoulder sleeves. Not really happy about the width of the sleeves, but I'll get over it. Used Kitchener Stitch to seam the shoulders instead of binding off. Shortened the length between cables cuz I like em tighter, beeoch.
Time: 3 weeks.
 

Accidental Kinda Sweater

Thanks so much for all the birthday wishes. I hope everyone had a delicious thanksgiving, wether you were having turkey or tofurkey. I ended up at my brother's house, where the entire family gathered. My parents even came up from North Carolina and we had a ball.

Let me just say that Austin is the BBE- my birthday gift was a set of the Knit Picks Options needles. Ok, yes, I did mention that those needles might be a good gift, but he came through, and they are pretty sweet.

In knitting news I've got an accidental pattern on the needles. I think I'm being plagued by yarn shortage. I cast on about two weeks ago for a cardigan and quickly realized as I finished the back that it was likely that there wasn't enough yarn for the entire sweater, or maybe there was just enough, but it wasn't looking good. However, a back is a back, and a project could still be salvaged. I started looking for sweater vest patterns, knowing there was more than enough for the front. So here's the front of Boogie, a knitty.com pattern.

It's cute how the cables run up the front and split around the neck. I've modified the pattern slightly, adding more ribbing at the bottom because I had already had it on the back and I plan on adding a purl square edging along the sleeve side. So it's just about finished. I'll see where I'm at yarn wise when the front is done. Maybe there is enough for sleeves, but I doubt it. By the way this yarn is the Brooks Farm Fourplay, on size 8's. I'm crazy about how the color on this is coming out.

So while upstate the whole family went to see my brother Billy's band, 3  play a show. They have been growing more and more popular in the past few years. It's definitely hard rock rock, sometimes metal, with a serious edge. They came back from a world tour about a month ago where they went to Japan, Australia, Eastern and Western Europe, and England. I can't believe how they have grown. These guys used to play in my basement, and now they are touring the world. I wish I got to see more of my brother, but I know he is living a dream.

ps- check out the knitted vest! He found it at a friends house, I'm so jealous I didn't knit it!

Back on track

So I've been back in town for about a week now, and I think it's taken that long to get out of "vacay mode". I lost track of time out west in that short time, which is always a fun thing. The wedding was really beautifuly done at the Little Chapel of Flowers. A non-denominational minister married the couple, and there was a live broadcast on the web! No Elvis or Evil Knievel making an appearance, so it was really pretty. After the ceremony, we went to the Bellagio to take pictures in front of the fountain. 
And no, I didn't win any money, or rather, I won back the money I lost (and then some) but then lost all that again. Shucks. But it was a great time. I learned how to play roulette and definitely improved my blackjack and pai gow skills!
Here are some of my favorite photos from the trip, you can see the whole photo album on the sidebar on the right.

Yes. Right on the Strip.

Yoppy, the bride    

Gerard and Austin

Texas Tina!!! Not usually a fan of slots, I couldn't pass up the name on this one.....

A casino detour to Red Rock Canyon. a MUST SEE for Vegas!

So we had a great time! Four days was more than enough to do and see (don't do the roller coaster on top of the stratosphere, total ripoff). And in knitting news we have an FO!

Pattern :Picovoli t-shirt

Yarn: Cheap-o mercerized cotton from Hobby Lobby.

Needles: Addies circular size 6 and one 2.75mm crochet hook for edging.

I really like how the pooling came out, it's a little crazy. The pattern was really simple however I had to restart after completing about 4 inches because the shirt was way too big. I have a 36" bust so I ended up doing the 34" size (instructions not given, but can be fudged between the 32 and 36 sizes). I would definitely knit another one of these, I'm happy with out it came out :)   

Machine-Knit Sweaters

Not much hand knitting has been going on this week. This past sunday I missed the Knit Out for the second session of machine knitting at FIT. I'm still not sure how I feel about machine knitting, I don't think I can make the commitment "crossing over" but the speed is enticing. We finished knitting the sweater in the second session. But that seems weird to say, I mean, we're not actually knitting, the machine is knitting. Ah, man. This is what gets me. I can't admit that it's knitting.

However weird I feel about the machine doing the knitting, I have to admit the seams look pretty good. I took my camera with me again for some action shots.

So, we finished the front and back, which were done straight without any shaping.  This is a boatneck sweater, so the neckline naturally rolls, and the neck is  wide- Big 80's sweater.

So this is the front (or the back, they're knit the same way) and the shoulder seams are knit with waste yarn. The sts in the middle are bound off and that's the neck.

The cool thing about the machine is that you can bind off the sweater seams at the same time, and it makes a gorgeous finish.

This shot is after the neck is bound off on both sides. I'm attempting to place both shoulder seams on the needles so I can bind them off at the same time. Already on the needles is the back.With the small eye tool I'm slipping the edge sts through the tool and then placing the stitch on the hook where the back is already placed.

Look confusing? You're not alone.

Here's another look at it:

After the front and back sts are on the needles, you use a hook to loop the sts together, like a single crochet. And that pink yarn? It's just waste yarn, so it just gets pulled out and tossed.

The thing is, the knitting goes really fast, the front and back were finished in 20 minutes. It's the S word that always gets us. It never gets any easier.

Look at this seam! It's flawless and beautiful!! All those backbreaking litle stitches and holes have paid off for the better. It's not Kitchener, but it looks pretty damn good.

                                                                                                                     And here we have the final shot, without sleeves:

Isn't it huge? I doubt I'll ever wear it, maybe as a layer under a coat this winter, it is wool after all. And of course after class Prink and I still had yarn fever, which we released at The Point at their 20% off Knit Out sale. We missed Amy Singer and the Knit Out, but I picked up some cotton to make up for it.

I gotta get started on some baby gifts, and I'm thinking bibs and a Baby Yoda Sweater. I saw a cool pattern for a bib in M/D knitting. If there's anything left over, I'll probably try out the knitted dishcloth pattern. It seems to be catching on.   

The varigated colors are Cascade, and I'm totally spacing on the name of the blue cotton. It's mercerized, and whatever it is, I'm excited to try it out.

And in non-knitting news I'm moving again this weekend. Austin and I are going to try living together, and we're starting this Saturday. I can't wait to move, I am super super excited!!!! His apt is also a loft in Bushwick, about 25 blocks further into brooklyn from where I am now.  I'll be able to have my own little room, which will definitely be a craft area away from the cat hair. I only mention it because we'll be having four cats between the two of us. Yesch. I can already feel the cat food crunching under my feet.....

Short-Changed Clap

......and I'm out of yarn.

39 STS LEFT AAAAAAARRRRRGH!!!!!

I took the advice of Jess who warned me about three skeins of Lorna's not being enough. Unforutnately this was after I had completed the 10th straight row. So I stop the straight rows and started decreasing, but it just wasn't enough. Cross your fingers I get my hands on some Lorna's Laces Lion and Lamb die lot 9573, color 112 Sand Ridge. Anybody? Anybody got a few extra yards in your stash? Sigh. Frogging and rodoing is a last resort, only. I'm going to call the Point tomorrow and see if they still have one skein left.
What's up with all the yarn drama lately?

I finally delivered a finished sweater to my friend Joe, who left for Beirut this evening.  I ended up redoing the shaping on both sleeves, which still came out slightly larger than I hoped, but he was happy to get a knitted gift.

This solo shot is crappy, but you can get a glimpse of the drop sts from the elbow to the wrist! They come up on the shoulder and on the back as well. The shaping and the drop sts was really very simple, and it only took me a long time to knit, because I was lazy.

Pattern: Drop Stitch Pullover
From: Knit1 Magazine, Fall/Winter 2005
Yarn: Reynolds Andean Alpaca Regal 90% alpaca, 10% wool
Time: approximately  2.3 months.
Notes: *Please see this  previous post for the crap you may walk into if you try this pattern. (vogue knitting has still not e-mailed back)
**majority of this sweater was knit on the subway.

Neverthe less, I'm happy with the way it turned out. It's a bulky weight yarn, but it's a light-feeling sweater, which will be perfect for layers. He will be traveling to the desert, kind of, and it does get chilly.

In other knit news, My friend Prink and I took our first machine knitting class at FIT  this past Sunday. We are going to make a sweater in three all day sessions, and that's more than enough time! We already finished two sleeves in one day. Having a knowledge of hand knittng really helped fix mistakes, and  the class was not as difficult as I anticipated. Of course, I'm a geek, and I took my camera with me:

A Sleeve!!!! FIT even provides students with fiber, real fiber, and although it may not be the best color, it is wool and it is a sweater. Prink and I are a bit confused if it's going to be wearable. There's no shaping on the front or back of the sweater pattern, not even armhole shaping. The sleeeves have increases of course, but it's a boatneck sweater. I'm thinking if it's a big oversized 80's sweater, this one might have to go in the goodwill pile. I'll give it a shot, but I don't have hopes of this sweater ever making it to my closet.

Here's an action shot of Maria's mock-rib cuff. The pink yarn is the wast acrylic. 38 sts on that bad boy, and it gets 50 rows done in 30 seconds!

 

                                                                                                                                              Here's a shot of Prink and a full look at the machine. Rabbit ears at the top hold the tension and keep the yarn from knotting. The handle on the right slides across the needles. This machine uses needles that would be equivilent to size 3 or 4. Tiny!

 

                                    

And here's another shot of Prink binding off with a crochet bind off. The needles easily slide back and forth on the machine.

More machine knitting news next week!!

New Editions

Please partake of the new addition to my humble collection of equipment. A Swift and Winder!

Special thanks to Brooklyn Handspun for dontating her extra ball winder- which leads me to think- how DOES one end up with an extra winder? Does anyone else run into this problem? Anyway, thank you very much Marie, it was high time I got a swift anyway. cbgerstner, an e-bay seller, makes these gorgeous oak swifts at a very resonable price. She ships really fast, and this swift has been great so far. I would totally recommend her store.

I don't know why I've been winding by hand all these years.

And in clapotisland  I'm 1/4 through my straight rows. But I am beginning to understand that hell exists and it has no end.

The Point  was having an adrenaline rushing sale, so I finally picked up some Lorna's Laces for my next project. This yarn is so funny. Whoever sees me working asks if it's Lorna's- it's the most notorious object knitters make with this luscious dreamy yarn. I feel like I'm the only person on the plants who hasn't made claoptis yet. I tend to let fads to pass before realizing what's going on. I'm just a late bloomer. However, I'm eager to hop on the Razor Cami bandwagon that everyone else has jumped  on.

On a non-knitting note, I have given birth to two little kittens: Dizzle and Darla.

These two adorable bandits came from my friend Pony, who is basically an animal caretaker, in upstate new york. Someone brought her Darla, the luscious black lover here, and at 6 months old she popped out a litter of kittens. Dizzle (the gray one) is the runt of the litter and they were inseperable. I still catch Dizzle nursing!  They love each other very much. Because Darla was a street cat, she's pretty skittish, but she's doing better each week. Here they are on a box in the storage area of the loft- they're favorite part of the apt the first two weeks they moved in.

                            CAN YOU RESIST THE CUTENESS???