Fan Wine Glass Charms

Wine Glass Charms

Needle Size: US 3

Yarn: Sock Yarn Scraps

Gauge: Doesn't Matter

Other Materials: Wire hoops from craft store. One end already had a closed end so I just bent the other end to make a "hook" to close around glass stem.

Pattern: CO 9 ( I used long-tail) leaving an extra long tail

R 1 :and all subsequent odd rows thru R 7 Knit all stitches

R2 :K2, SSK, K1, K2tog, K2 ( 2 sts decreased)

R4 : K1, ssk, k1, k2tog, k1

R6 : ssk, k1, k2tog

R8 : sl 1 kwise, k2tog, psso, fasten off last loop

Use bound off tail to make a small loop for sliding onto metal loop. Use extra long tail from cast on to crab stitch or single crochet along bottom edge to firm it up and make it a bit more like a decorated fan.

Took an Acid Trip

Decided to dye today using my acid dyes for the first time. I bet the neighbors were wondering why I was wearing a breathing mask and measuring and pouring in white containers. I really hope my house doesn't get raided. They would find yarn that smells vaguely of vinegar. This was a fun project. I only wish I could knit at lightening speed so I could dye more, more, more!

This started out with yellow. The yarn has tweed color flecks in it which didn't blend well with the yellow. So in came some blue and teal. It sort of reminds me of dragonflies.

Riptide

This one is my favorite. It came out basically as planned. Used one of those sponge paintbrushed to paint the main colors then added dropslets of the same colors only darker. I think the lighter colors in the chesnut brown area are from the mixing in of a bit of yellow. I also used turquoise and teal lightened with brillant yellow.

Happy Valentine's Day

Kissy pigs. This was Liam's present. Too cute huh? The hearts have velcro.

It's a Miracle!

I found BLUE Kool-aid at the store! I bought 25, and that was just the blue. The cashier looked out of the corner of her eye at my 16 month old and said, "my, that's a lot of Kool-Aid." I feltl compelled to explain it was for yarn not drinking. She only thought me stranger. She isn't a yarnie she can't be expected to understand. And why did I feel the need to prove I'm not a bad mom and filling my kid up with Kool-Aid?

Okay, so I am seriously lacking in my new adventures this year. I plan to try a whole bunch of new techniques. Like colorwork. I don't know if it's the thought of so many ends but I see colorwork in a pattern and run. So I plan to knit along with the webs podcast and do Bird in the Hand mittens. They are truly beautiful. So useful in Southern CA right? I can't guarantee success, but I will try.

Hi, I'm an Addict

...An addict who has no desire to enter a 12 step program.

The latest results. We shall call them Citrus Concoction and Mottled Cherry. The red looks a little more varying in person.



Drying in the sun

So pleased with this one!

I'm not sure my knitting speed can keep up with my desire to dye. These were two skeins of Louet Gems Opal in Goldilock that I overdyed with Kool-Aid. The yellow bits are just portion I left undyed. I don't have a huge variety of Kool-Aid colors available to me. I did just score a working microwave at a thrift store for $15, so I can see my venturing into my chemical dyes soon. Just need to get a dye area set up outside. Also will need to order yarn to dye! I am having so much fun with this! All the color is going to turn me into a hard core sock knitter.

Smells Like.....Cherries

Lion Brand Wool, pearl grey

3 Blk Cherry Kool-Aid packets

3 Cherry, 1 Blk Cherry

Yarn sitting in concentrated Kool-Aid Water

Black Cherry Yarn

Cherry / Blk Cherry Mix Yarn

This was my first adventure at coloring yarn with Kool-Aid. It was fun and addicting. Now you may be thinking does she still knit? Yup. Has she been dutifully logging finished products. Yup. I got into Ravelry which is a forum for knitters. You can add and track all of your projects in great detail. It loads much faster than my blog thanks to flickr. Ravelry will be going public at some point so I should be able to link to my projects at that point. That will be exciting. I suspect there will be more to come on the dye front this year. Now off to knit.

The Hardest Thing

In case anyone checks the site I don't update :). Bubby is keeping me busy. Yes, I have removed Zelda's picture. As of later on today she will no longer be with us. I really can't bear to bring up the site and see her picture right now. Maybe with time. She is 14 and I have had her for 12 years. I am racked with grief but she is very sick and has less than 6 months regardless of any treatment options we may pursue. We are choosing to love her enough to let her go with a little bit of grace and comfort.

Oops Forgot

Swatch for Muir. I joined a yahoo knit a long and one in ravelry that starts Nov 15th.

Catch Up

Okay I am alive. My mother came to visit and that made things really busy. Then she left and promptly ended up in the hospital. Toss in general craziness and I haven't had time to post in a bit. I also got into Ravelry and have been over there a lot! I did finish and ship the shawl, but decided not to post pics until it was delivered, which it has been. So a real quick here is what has been happening via the pics up top. Finally blocked the Syrian shawl, made cardigan for Liam. There are all sorts of other happenings, but I have a lot going on in a class I am taking right now and that must take priority over the blog. I am going to try to get it updated and get back to it in case anyone is interested in my knitting stuff. Must feed the baby.

If Patience is a Virtue...

...I'm screwed. I am not so patiently waitig for my lace blocking wires. They did not come today. If the shawl wasn't done they would have magically appeared on my doorstep the second I ordered them. Since the shawl is done they apparently went slow boat to China. Not so good since I am in San Diego. Knocked out a quick sweater vest for Liam while waiting. Have started another sweather for him. Must go he demands attention.

My Eyes!

Sorry for the crap photos. It's ugly outside. Here's a full shot.

Close up of pattern

Yes, I am knitting on the border. Who Hoo! My very first knit on border.

There is the promised update. I will post more about project when I finish, hopefully this week. I know, lace looks like crap until you block it.

AGGGHHHH

It's back! No not the blob the sinus infection. So this post will be short and sweet. I am a lost woman I have met Schaefer Anne sock yarn. SOOOO beautiful! It has mohair in it!

National Alpaca Farm day coming up in Oct. Get to visit local alpaca farms. Fun.

Diane I have made progress on your shawl, about 1/2 way thru the body. I haven't touched it in oh about 4 days as my head can't handle counting.

Did cast on the luscious Malabrigo silk blend. I am mixing it with some other yarns in a "The Wave" wrap from Knitter's Spring 06 that I got on sale for a dollar. Interesting wrap you knit a W then put in one little seam for a very unconventional shaped wrap. The yarns are going together beautifully! In case anyone cares the Malabrigo silk / wool blend is fabulous to knit with! No splits, snarls, or snags. A bit tricky to wind up as it can stick to itself in spots and is slick so it kept riding up my swift. I sincerely hope the Dr I see in the morning gives me some good drugs. Night.

Suspicious Minds

You know when you have a hunch and you think nah. Yeah, you're usually right. I bought some fabu yarn in San Fran. Remember the Malabrigo silk blend? I wound one hank up tonight. Mainly due to the fact I didn't believe they fit appox 315 yards in a 100 gram hank. I know about how much yarns weigh and thought that sounded a bit light, maybe like 200 yards in a hank? Yup. I measured out 10 yds then weight the ball that was 10 yds lighter and did the math. Yup 200 yards exact. I know it was a preview yarn and its not widely available yet. So I can forgive the 315 yds on the label, sort of ( I am a bit grumpy). It was only 20.99 a hank so not bad either way. Still I hope they correct that when it hits the market. It is a silk blend but did seem slightly grabby when winding it up. So I thought it might be Clapotis II, now I have no idea. Waiting on the new Knitty to see if there are any cool new wraps. Diane, your shawl progress is safe as I clearly am not being lured away by the knitting sirens to a new project cast on.

Progress

Switched needles to Addie Turbo Lace, much better, am using stitch markers to note pattern repeats. No matter how smart and crafty you believe yourself to be if you think a pattern is so simple you can do without the markers? Wham you are proven WRONG! Lesson learned. Damn I hate learning lessons.

A Lot Going On

Another Color Me Mine Success, It's a Chalkboard Cup!

Handy cool new wallet courtesy of Diane! Whoo Hoo!

Fetching fingerless mitts. Not loving this pattern.

Pattern: Wrist/Hand Warmers from Last Minute Knitted Gifts

Yarn: Love, Vicki Howell Collection, 70%bamboo 30% silk, YUM, 1 skein

Needles: US 5, one long Knit Picks Options for Magic Loop

Time: couple hours

Notes: LOVE this pattern and yarn!

Patons SWS fingerless mits to be same pattern as above, US 6, Knit Picks Options

Belatrix still going, albeit SLOW

First fish for Fish Blanket using Brown Sheep Lams's Pride Worsted

This will be ongoing

Finally a Clapotis

Project: Clapotis

Yarn: http://www.kraemeryarns.com/yarn/vintage.asp

Yarn: Vintage Alpaca Limited Edition 2006, dk, fawn, 4 skeins

Needles: US 6, Knit Picks Options

Time: 1 1/2 weeks

Size: 23" wide, 77" long

A Close Up Shot

This shot doesn't show the warmth of this color, the first is much better.

Project Notes: I added an extra repeat in the straight section. I was already going to gave to break into skein 4 for a couple yards, so I wanted to feel it was worth it. Alpaca stretches and doesn't bounce back. Probably why mine came out way longer than the original and I used more yarn on teh decrease than the increase section. Note it should have used the same amount. I love the length of this one. It still scrunches up to be a long scarf due to the dropped stitches, but is a good wrap if I feel the need. Since I used dk weight it isn't too bulky. I find this pattern addicting. It was simple enough that I could cruise along with the added thrill of dropping stitches. The yarn used is all natural and undyed and is sooooooooo buttery soft. I am in love. It even feels sikly. Note I did have to pick the stitches to get them to drop all the way down. I just saved that for movie watching. I also like the fact that this yarn is from Alpacas in Nazareth, PA and the yarn is processed, milled, whatever here too. I can just picture the alpaca who grew my yarn prancing around, I believe her name is Maude. I will make another Clapotis. The next one will be in a varigated yarn to maximize the pattern, although the color of this yarn in person is a scrumptious brown. Might have to go back to 2 Sisters and Ewe to snag some more in another color. This time I will park near Starbucks and avoid the nasty meter man who gave me a ticket. I was less than two damn minutes over! He ticketed everyone. Must be so surly due to the heat, which is finally broken. Off to dream land.

Humble Beginings

Project: shoulder shawl in Syrian pattern, Victorian Lace Today.

Needles: US 6, Knit Picks options

Yarn: Kaalund, Wysteria

Other Items needed: A booklight so I can see when trying to do this in a darkened room so as not to wake the buby! Laugh, but it works.

This is my first lace weight project, but it is off to a good start. This pattern is simple yet pretty. It doesn't compete with the colors of the yarn. Still undecided as to how I am going to do the border.

Extreme close up!

The Joy of Yarn

The holy grail has been found, er I found Imagi Knit of San Francisco. I am in love with this shop! Walking in I felt lightheaded with all the yarn in one location. Yarn lined the walls from top to bottom and was piled in baskets all around. All the yarns I have only drooled over from my computer were there in the flesh to be pet. It took me a good hour to peek, poke, and get my bearings. That is with going in with a PLAN for what I was seeking to purchase! There was quite a variety of yarn from all the well knowns to yarns from more local sources. The staff was friendly without being on top of you. They seemed to understand my need to look around in awe for a rather long time. When I had questions they were friendly and pleasant, even though I kept finding all the new stock that didn't have prices just yet. They do have an online store that has a smaller selection then the brick and mortar storefront. I FINALLY understand all the fuss over Malabrigo, soft and comes in a seemingly endless variety of colors. I have begun a foray into lace knitting. My main goal was to get some handpainted lace weight yarn as its not overly popular in my LYS. Diane loved my shawl I made for me and wanted a shawl for her very own. She picked and bought her yarn and I am currently working on her shawl. There are very few people I would do this for so you should feel very privilaged Diane. She was nice enough to choose 100% silk so I get to play around with that. Now for the lovelies.

Kaalund 100% silk from Australia, color wysteria, 300 meters ea

I am currently working with this yarn and like it very much!

Mist Alpaca handpanted, Color 06, 100% baby alpaca, 215 yds each

This yarn is so bright and fun in person!

Ahh alpaca, my true love.

Whisper, 100% merino, hand painted lace weight, 1365yds

Aurora Yarns of Moss, CA.

This reminds me of the bay and mussel shells picked up along the beach in RI as a kid.

Color is noted as one of a kind not to be repeated. Gorgeous!

Malabrigo, 50% merino 50% silk, Color Stone Chat, 315 yds.

This yarn will be available at the end of the year to sometime next year.

Imagi Knit had a couple preview skeins in a handful of colors. I scored the last 2 in this color. They were just about out of this lucious yarn. It is soft and shimmery.

If you ever get the chance to go to San Fran this shop is a must see!

Farm Country , I Mean Modesto, CA

A Duck Pond

We took a trip to Modesto, CA around mid August to see my best friend Diane who is moving to Orlando, FL for a job. Of course this happens right as non-stop flights from San Diego to San Fran are coming soon at $39. Oh, well. It was a fun trip and Buby got to spend time with Luna, Diane's weirmeriner (sp ?) (it's a big dog). He mostly enjoyed the attention of a dog, maybe he would like it on a smaller scale. We had tons of fun just hanging around. We made a trip to Coloe Me Mine, which is becoming a bit of a tradition. Photos will be posted when Diane ships my piece. Mainly we terrorized Diane with a Buby.

Buby appreciating the local trees. Yes, he kisses everything! Including himself in the mirror with mac and cheese mouth. Just ask Diane.

The City by the Bay

Random tree on the walk to Pier 39

The Sea Lions must be visited

Golden Gate (of course)

Good old Alzatraz, Couldn't miss that pic.

Our first full day with Diane was spent in San Francisco. I loved this day trip! Where to begin. The first event was a visit to Imagi Knit, the details on the knit shop coming soon. The Bart didn't go quite all the way to the knit shop so there was a trek, uphill, which began in the ghetto. Okay maybe not the ghetto but it was a not so nice place. I will say I am not a city girl and typical find the city a dangerous place. A helpful fellow on the Bart said it was like 2 blocks. More like a country mile. I said it was all uphill right? As I was the only knitter I am sure the others were wondering how this could all possibly be worth the long haul. We finally arrived and we all went in. I was in there for an hour and a half. The non-knitters quickly made way to a cafe across the street. Now when I WAS done I did feel the need for nourishment. The cafe was a local sort, not a big corporate coffee chain, that served delicious iced coffee. The sort that you can feel clogging your arteries as I think it had tons of cream. A delicious hazelnut cake type pastry was inhaled. Good thing the walk back was all downhill!

We hopped back on the Bart to go to downtown. We had a rather long walk from the station to Pier 39. The better to build up an appetite! We promptly ate at some random restaurant. Went to check out sea lions, view Alacatraz, and catch a glimpse of the Golden Gate. More shopping, much more eating (crepes with Nutella and strawberries!). There is a shop named Chocolate Heaven. YUM! Buby loved San Fran from atop his daddy's shoulders. He could be heard singing away as we took in the sights. It was a full day and I was most happy with my yarn purchases!