January 26, 2011

So, I've finished MIL's cardigan. Looks great, feels great. I'm currently in the process of sewing the sleeves to the body, and am trying not to get aggravated. I never realized how frustrating it is to line up square set-in sleeves. While I was knitting, I was thinking of doing the sleeves in the round, but decided to follow the pattern as written. Next time, I'll listen to that voice in my head.

Also, finished the Jack of diamonds scarf. But I pulled the seam too tight so I didn't have to add another ball just to bind off. Looks lop-sided, so I will frog and start the end border a row sooner. Hopefully that'll fix it, and nobody will notice. If not I'm gonna have to take out an entire pattern repeat and I don't want to have to do that.

As for business. Got the business cards. Have to make the website go live by the 1st so I can hand out the cards and people will have a site to go to. Almost done my own socks, so I'll start the socks for JDR so I can be a walking advertisement. I've also got to do my swatches for my kids designs. I'm swatching in undyed cotton just to see if the stitches look right. Then I'll submit sketches and photos to yarn companies who will hopefully send me some yarn.

Unfortunately no pics, but I'll definitely have some up by the end of the month. Have to post for the business site, so might as well post here as well.

Sorry I've been gone so long

So...... I know it's been a long time. Part of it was life getting in the way, part of it was not having our own internet connection anymore, part of it was difficulty coming up with topics and titles, but most of it was just pure laziness.

What's New in My Life

DD is crawling now, so she's been getting into everything. That's her stuck trying to get to Brother's DVDs. She's vocalizing more, and even copying sounds that we make. Lately we've been telling her no, and sometimes she throws a tantrum, sometimes she pouts, and sometimes she just crawls away. And her first tooth finally broke through.


What's Off the Needles


DH has been bugging me for a while about seaming his sweater (like he's gonna need a heavy wool sweater this summer), so I finished it.

Also, I have everything done on DS's sweater except the zipper. Gonna go over Nana's one rainy day and figure out how to sew that baby on.

Finished socks for LK, but don't have any pics yet. Will post next time.

KIP (What's On the Needles)

I've got one very fuzzy bear made completely out of fun fur and one bear made with fun fur/RHSS mix. Both were supposed to be for Pam's contest, but DS wants to keep fuzzy cuz DH says he looks like an Ewok. Hopefully I'll finish the two by the end of the week so I can start on two blue ones that I have planned.

I'm still working on my Omega Psi Phi scarf. I got a lot done, but I think I'll frog it (again) to give myself more selvedge stitches to sew up so the double knitting doesn't bow out. There's also a matching hat planned. All my own designs. There's also an AKA scarf (Bernat pink and green camo) that is my "mindless" knitting project. Great for doctor's offices, driving to see in-laws, and anywhere else it's better to zone out than to stress about the impending event.

And finally, a sweater for DD. Dad's got one, Brother's got one, now the baby needs a sweater. I wanted something to throw on her on chilly nights, but I couldn't find anything in the stores that was as light as I wanted. I'm using Allegra Wermuth's Boheme pattern, but where she calls for DK I'm using worsted. Hopefully I've adjusted properly. I also bought the yarn for Interweave's Florentine Dress. Both are in shades of lilac, so I'm hoping they'll make a nice outfit. Thanks to Tricia for picking out the buttons.

No pics for these. Maybe next time.

Upcoming Events

• The last day of school is Friday, so I'll have both kids all day long. The plan is to go to the pool MWF and stay home the other two days (so I can get stuff done, like knitting in peace).
• DH and DS are going out to Pennsyltucky for the Fourth. I'm gonna see if I can drop DD off at Nana's so I can have a weekend all to myself. Whee!!!
• DS's scout leader has kinda asked me to help her out next year. I'm not sure I'm cut out for it, as I've never worked that closely with a group of young boys before, but everyone I've talked to thinks I'll be okay. If anyone reads this before August, please comment and let me know what you think.

Closing Thoughts

After knitting other people's patterns for almost three years, I'm starting to get my own ideas. Eventually they will get out of my head and onto needles and paper. I'm charting the Omega Psi Phi scarf as I go, and I've been writing down some stuff for gauntlets and a matching ear warmer. To save on yarn for the more complicated stuff, I've enlisted the help of my cousin (size XS) and my neighbor (size S-M) to be my models for tops. I almost never get gauge in a pattern using the recommended needles, so if anyone uses my patterns in the future they will definitely have to do a tension swatch.

My First Posted Pattern

I won't claim credit for this. It's in my head, but it feels more like I'm remembering something I saw than my own idea. But here is the pattern for DH's scarf.

SUPER STRETCHY RIB

1 skein Red Heart Super Saver (or approx. 250 yds worsted)

US 7 needles, straight or circ

Gauge not important. It's a scarf for cryin out loud.

CO 39 st, or any preferred multiple of 6 sts + 3.

Row 1: K3, [P3, K3] til end of row

Row 2: P1, [K1, P1] til end of row

Rep rows 1 and 2 until desired length, ending on row 2.

BO in patt for row 1.

Another UFO (Unfinished Object)

I finally finished knitting a project on needles. I was on a knitting high, until I tried to find flannel to sew to the back of the throw. Unknown to me, Rag Shop went out of business! WTF? Where am I supposed to find a decent variety of fabric?

Since I use Michael's as my LYS (the nearest good one I know of is in Bridgewater), I know they don't have any fabric beyond bandannas and felt. I drove to AC Moore in EB, got some good yarn for a sweater for DH (another rant for another day), and went looking for cloth. ACM has large squares for quilting and flannel pajama bottoms, but no bolts of anything. I almost bought the pj's with the intent of using those, but it wasn't worth the time and money.

I haven't spoken with anyone at Michael's, but according to Mary at ACM they have no plans to carry bolts of fabric at this time. She told me to try WalMart. Now, our local Wally World had a horrible selection of costumes this past Halloween. I bought a set of long underwear this past fall, got it home and realized the top was not in the bag. DH had ripped the plastic when he opened it, and Wally World refused to accept the return, claiming it had been washed and blaming me for the missing piece. You can understand my reluctance to look for fabric there, let alone buy it.

So, to ease my angst at Wally World and Rag Shop, Auntee gave me the address and number of a fabric shop in Somerset and Nana told me to try a place on 22 in Plainfield. This is way too much work for a 4ft x 2ft piece of flannel. So until I get a chance to hunt down some fabric, the throw is now a UFO. So back to the afghan and starting on my first sweater ever.

BTW - Battery in camera died, so no pics of afghan for now. Will update soon.