Parseltongue!

I am finished with Tiny Owl Knits's Snakes Sweater. I think the name is Snake-a-licious.  Maybe. Anyways it is completed and I am happy!  It is definitely going in to the county fair.

My Patronus Bag, real name Fair Isle Stag Bag, is completed too! It took me forever to get the lining sewn and stitched in.  

Now, if I can just get going on my Christmas gifts. I started a sweater for R and it is just under 75% finished.  It is a stash bust just like the snake sweater.  

Yay for stash busting!

Am I ready?

Am I ready for Ann Kingstones's Gyffindor Pride socks?

Photos are from Ann's Ravelry and website.

I think I have enough yarn for them.  I am okay with sock anatomy now and I am fair at fair isle (no pun intended).

I want to try these soon.  Right now I am going to make a pair named for Dumbledore's sister, Ariana.

Oh, here are R's socks:

Pattern also by Ann Kingstone

Have you ever Kitchner Stitched with a paper clip?

Well, I am here to tell you that it is possible.  I was caught without a darning needle today so I resorted to a paper clip.  It is a bit tricky since you have two points to worry about but it can be mastered!

A quick update-

I started an Etsy shop on Monday. It has been a long time coming.  Right now I have my 3 Blythe knitting patterns listed, but hope to add more things soon. Here is the link to my shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/BlytheKnits?ref=pr_shop_more

Starting on Friday I am teaching magic loop at my LYS, Knit Unto Others, using Rebecca Dangers's Tofu the Gentle Dachshund. 

This image is actually notecards for sale in Rebecca's shop.  If interested, here is the link: http://www.etsy.com/listing/41875257/new-tofu-the-dachshund-blank-note-cards.

This one isn't even really worth mentioning, BUT, I possibly have a sweater for kids in the works.  I think it will be pretty gender neutral.  More on that later.

Yay for knitting!

Weekend

This weekend wasn't so productive.  I did finish a thing or two but nothing real significant. 

I tested a pattern that will soon be for sale through Ravelry.  I want to test it one more time.  I used a little to heavy of yarn to make it a true test because I had to alter the pattern.  Want a peak?

Once I get ready to post the pattern for sale, I will write more about the inspiration and such.

I also have a second pattern that will be going up for sale soon after the deer hat. No peaks on that one!  I haven't tested it but I think my pattern is pretty accurate. This time I wrote as I knitted.

I restarted my Some Cloudy Day legwarmers by tinyowlknits.  I got pretty far on the first one since we took a day trip on Saturday.  The trip ended up not being overly fun.  We are searching for a place to relocated in the state for better jobs.  My job is a good one, just not necessarily what I want to do forever.  I would like to go back to school and stay home a little more with R. Joe and I had a bit conflicting idea of where the ideal location was to move. So, it did not really put the rest of the weekend in a good mood for any of us, R included.

Sunday was a nice day on a cold river though! I pretty much have refused to swim in a lake this year.  I hate how the water feels warm.  I just don't think it is real healthy for you because it is not a constant flow. My little brother owns a jet boat and he invited us to go out with some friends for the day.  The river was really low at noon so he walked to boat out where the little ones could play pretty safely...and to clear the air- we are firm belivers in life jackets.  It was really nice and R had a great time playing with someone near her age.  Poor thing almost always is with all adults. It is really sweet to see how kids can bond nearly instantly. 

Bubble Top

My Knit Picks yarn FINALLY came yesterday.  I got to work immediately on my Bubble Top sweater.  I got to the point last night that I could put it on! It fits. I have the pockets left to finish and then blocking.... YEA! I order 2 skeins just to be safe, but as I figured I only needed about 80 more yards.  I am thinking of making a headband with the leftovers. 

I also purchase a skein of cotton sock yarn in Planetarium colorway.  Gosh, it is pretty. I am going to make SockPixie's Liesl Kerchief with it. 

Fair Projects

This has been a super productive weekend so far.

I have these items on my Finished List now:

purse
dishcloth
jewelry
crochet toy Owlet
Nessie
knitted toy Kitty
bathing suit
Fairy Light hat
St. Patty's Day cap


Next to finish is the baby sweater.  All I have left is buttons and an edge on the front.

I am waiting on the mailman for my yarn.  I am not sure if it will be here but I am hoping!!!  Damnit, it will be here Monday.....

Projects Update for the Week of July 25-29

Projects-

I worked on my Bubble top until I ran out of yarn.  I just ordered more today, so this is on hold for 3-4 days more.  I got the front completely finished and nearly half way through the back.  Once I finish that, the pockets will be finished off, the roll collar added and the sleeves crocheted around.  It is pretty exciting!

I started on fingerless gloves.  One is about finished but when I get the second completed it will be ripped out to where the pattern starts.  I did the chart backwards and I am just bothered by the way it looks.

Last night I started two projects- a crocheted owlet and a purse.  The owlet is nearly finish from scrappy bits. The crown section is all I have left. The bag, well, I am still not sure how I want to finish it off.  I have about 3 1/2 inches of the body.  I can't decide if I want to do pleates and a seed stitch band at the top or two big pleats and a cable band.  The easiest, of course, would be the seed stitches, but I am kind of leaning towards the cable piece. I think I can knit it seperately while keeping my stitches for the top of the bag live.  Once I complete the band, go back and pick up stitches around it and knit the picked up and live one together to attatch it.  Not sure if it will work.   Also, I am thinking about picking up stitches at the bottom to give it a bit of dimension. I am using yarn that has been in my stash for at least 2 years.  It is very pretty and I have had a hard time choosing a pattern for it.  In truth, I forgot about it a bit.  It is Trendsetters Natasha yarn in Red, Purples and metallics.

I am making a second baby sweater to enter in the fair.  It is puple ombre and yellow.  I hope to make more to give to the hospital R was born. This one is a preemie sized.  I have one edge and a sleeve left.  Here is the first one I made for a neighbor:

I picked out another future project for the Knit Picks Simply Cotton yarn in Bermuda Heather that was gifted to me, Leafy Lace Cardigan.  I hope it isn't too hard.  I am not a huge fan of lace.  Here is a photo from the designer's Craftster page.  I am order 2 more skeins of this yarn. 

Next week, I hope to post an updated fair list.  :) Yea!

Stash Busting and Future List

Hopefully with Christmas looming in the near future I will be able to stash bust.  Some of my yarn just has to be used up.  There has been yarn purchased for specific projects, gifted yarn and left over yarn.  I have 3 skeins of Cotton Fleece in Cotton Ball that will be used for Leaf Yoke Top.  It is the one with a really terrible photo.  I would have never chose the pattern with this girl modeling it. It is the one with the model with sunglasses, a hand bag, and a belt over the top.


Four skeins of Knit Picks CotLin in Whisker left over from my first Unmentionables.  I way over bought so I have been left with 492 yards of yarn without a project, too little or too much for projects. I am purchasing 2 more skeins to make this sweater, Mary Jane:

In HSKS 9 I received 4 skeins of Berroco Comfort Worsted. I thought I could use it for the Mary Jane sweater but decided it was more fitting for the Scoop Pullover. I have about 200 yards more than it requires.

This is really the first time that I have ever enough yarn to make large projects.

I hope to stash bust with Fair projects too.

Weekend in Review

This weekend was almost productive.  I had Friday night to myself because R and Joe went for an overnight stay to fish at the river.  R apparently had a blast.  They were supposed to be home at 10 am, they got home at 3:30 pm. She had decided 3 fish just wasn't enough she needed to catch more.

While they were gone I cleaned a little.  Cleaning my house is something that has been neglected for awhile.  I can actually see the top of my dining room table again.  Slowly I am getting things put away.  I also have been culling for a yard sale.  Some of my yarn is going.  Mostly it is acrylics.  I am sick of my Vanna Baby Choice.  I haven't been using it lately, so it is going. Some awful purple fluffy stuff and the banana silk.  I have been shoving it around my house since I got it. I, suprisingly, sold the purple and blue mix to a fellow knitter so she could finish up a project. Banana silk was a very expensive lesson.

As I am cleaning I am trying to organize future projects by using gallon size ziplocks.  At the beginning of summer I acquired several from places and I started storing WIPs inside them.  Depending on where I was going I would just grab a project. It was great until I spilled Dr. Pepper down one.  I am trying this method again by labeling and sorting by person or project.  So far I have:

R's Ladybug slippers
R's Future secret project (I might try to get it published.)
My sister's socks
My Leaf Yoke Sweater
R's Weasley Sweater
My future sweater, Maybe Mary Ann

That is all I remember.

Now to what I knitted on this weekend.  I started my sister's Christmas socks.  I have about 3 inches finished.  I imagine it will be a good work break project.

I finally finished the Retro Bathing Suit!  It is really cute.  Still big, but cute. I am hoping that R grows into it.  I have some awful photos of her wearing it.  She was being very contrary.

I restarted my bubble top sometime last week.  Did I even post what happened? I was on the last side decreases (about 5 inches from the beginning of pockets, 15 inches away from CO) when I realized something was very wrong.  I knew my numbers were off, but wasn't overly concerned, I thought it was just one extra stitch and I had one decrease round left.  So, I was going to compensate. I decided to count the pocket stitches to make sure I chose the ideal place for the decrease so everything would be even.  Well, apparently counting was a weakness the day I started the pockets.  I, from the very beginning, casted on wrong for the pockets. I did 37 for one and 42 for the other- 42 was correct.  I was so flipping mad at myself. I ripped and put it down for a week.

NOW, I am past the pockets and front section with all numbers mostly correct.  I think I had 2 or 3 extra stitches.  It was all good because I compensated in the bodice increases! I am so happy. The lace looks perfect and I am nearly to the arm holes. Bad news, I am on my last skein of yarn and it is half used.  I am not ordering until I completely run out.  I have many other projects that can be worked on while I wait for the mail.

Started and frogging the Beauxbatons sweater for Fleur.  It is nothing like what I wanted. I did too many raglan increases which gives it a bulky football jeresy look. I wanted a sweater that was fenimine and form-fitting.

Okay, I have resolved my stress knitting situation.  I posted the lasted time without my fair listings.  The list is so outdated and poorly catergorized that only half of my projects are going to fit.

Here is the revised lists:

Finished-
Fairy hat (hat)
St. Patty's hat (cap)
Nessie (toy)
Fluffy Bunny or Marmalade Kitty (Knitted toy)
Retro bathing suit (other)

To make-
socks?
fingerless mitts (Emerald Mitts with leftover Ultra Pima)
crochet toy? (Pass the Pigs or Owlet, depends on which is easier due to lacking skills in crochet)
pillow cover
purse
dish towl
pot holder
jewelry
doll with clothing
house shoes?

To finish-
Bubble top (sweater- yea! almost there)
baby sweater (infant sweater)

I have a baby hat finshed that I need to find.  My "To make" list increase but with small items. I think the pot holder, dish towel and even the purse could be a one day item.

I can't belive how out dated it is, but any who....  The list isn't nearly as daunting now.

Stress Knitting

It is sad when your knitting stresses you out. I want to make so many things that it drives me insane that it isn't not always possible.

For example, I have to knit Christmas presents. I don't HAVE to but I want to.

Another example, I want to add many many items to the County Fair this year.  I have 3 list going- Finished, To be finished, and To make.  It is a sad sight.

Finished-
Fairy Hat (adult division)
St. Patty's Day Hat (child division)
Nessie

And that is it. Unless I add my Zero scarf as a finished, which just might happen.

To be finished-
Bubble top
baby blanket (which I hope is big enough to count as afghan)
bathing suit (not sure if there is even a good catergory for it)
Weasley sweater (childs)
baby sweater

To make-
socks?
fingerless mitts
doll with removable clothing
purse
legwarmer (they are being frogged)

Gosh, unless I start making some of these Christmas presents, there is no hope.

It just about makes me sick the fact all of this needs to be finished in a month. This is just the beginning of the list. 

I am going to have a short weekend because there is so much I want to do during my 3 days.

Updating on Projects

My project updates are getting a little ridiculous because it is practically the same things!

My new project is Soft Kid Bubble from Boutique Knits book. I am about 9 inches into it. Now I am having to problem solve because I am leaving out the pockets.  This was an attempt to conserve yarn because I maybe about 80 yards short and I just think they will stretch and hang funny. That 9 inches is looking very beautiful.

Next project which I thought I was finished with is the Leaf tee.  I am going back and putting sleeves in and ribbing along the neck and bottom edges.  Everytime I look at it I just feel it is crappy looking and unfininshed.  Not just that I felt very frumpy wearing it.  I used yarn that had no dye lot and it is very obviously that I did not incorporate it together.  I am actually banking on some dye bleeding in the blocking process to make it somewhat uniform.

Black Unmentionables are a couple of rounds away from being finished. I am ripping out the BO in the first leg because I think it is too tight for the ruffle.  Nothing major, but I am happy to see them nearly finished.

Inamorata, the infamous trouble maker, is still incomplete.  I wanted to wear it on 4th of July weekend so I was trying my best to get it finished.  I have been crocheting around until I get to the spots that need straps to cut down on finishing time.  I have finished the front straps and button holes/buttons and I was rounding to the spot of the back straps.  I put the top on so my husband could help me place the straps. I got up without thinking and ripped out 5 inches of crochet.  I was so angry I haven't touched it since.  It has been nothing but a pain in the rear!!!!

R's retro bathing suit is just about finished!! I can't remember if I have posted about this project.  It is so cute; it is a SockPixie pattern that she published with Petite Purls online publication.  I am using Cascade Fixation in hot pink and lime green.  I am working on the ribbing around the sleeves and the neck and back.  R is so tiny that the size 2t is too large, but hopefully this means she can wear it next summer too. 

I am continuing writing patterns for my Blythe dolls.  Unfortunately, my weekend did not go as planned so nothing new is ready.

I did work on my second batch of cotton yarn that I dyed. I have several more section that need to be rinsed before I post photos.  I will post the first attempt at the same time.  The tie-dye kit has been working out rather well.  I am pretty proud of the finished products.

Knitting up a storm

I am in the process of taking a hiatus from swapping.  It is amazing what I can do when knitting for no one but me.  I have made a pair of Unmentionables, which I call "Grey Undercrackers"  on my project page on Ravelry.  I made my first sweater Emmaline (simply called Emmaline on my project page) which I had to deviate from the pattern significantly.  Once I got past the bust I realized it was not going to fit me properly. I have started, got nearly finished, and frogged Inamorata (Inamorata in Violet). It is back on the needles.  Once again, I got WAY past the bust and realized it was not going to fit.  I must have larger nungas that I thought.

Unmentionables-
Wow, they feel really nice.  They are on my butt right now.  In fact they inspired this blog posting.  I am planning to make another pair real soon for myself but first I am going to make R a pair from the little girl companion pattern.  Her's will be made out of Kraemer Little Pebbles yarn in yellow. 

My next pair are going to be made out of Cascade Ultra Pima Cotton in black.  Ah...it is so so soft.  I had a moment of fear while knitting my grey pair (Knit Picks CotLin in whisker) that they were going to be too tight.  Fortunately, they fit.  I was going to make the black pair in medium, which I have changed my mind.  While wearing them today they have steadily stretched to prefection. 

Emmaline-

Cute, Easy, and Quick.  I am a bit opposed to the fact it is spring/summer top in bulky weight yarn but it will be a nice fall top.  Arkansas weather allows very little time to wear something of this nature during spring. 

My fitting problem was that the decreasing in the bust area to make it a empire waist was going to be too tight for me.  I have a larger rib cage from pregnancy.  On my 5 foot frame my tiny baby had no room to grow and it causeed my rib cage to expand to the medium/large sizing of the pattern when I am a small up top.

I would like to make this sweater again.  I think I can compensate early on in the pattern, now that I know, for the medium size for the empire waist.  This would be nice for my belly area too.

Imamorata-

Oh, well this was my mistake.  It is what I get when I check gauge.  My gauge was a bit large than the specifications for the pattern so I though I could make the XS size and be fine.  Well, I was wrong.  This time my bustline was too large.  GAH! I ripped the whole thing out and started over.  This time I am omitting the cable.  It will be a time saver and it really didn't look very good. 

I am using Twilleys of Stamford Freedom Gorgeous in deep violet.


HLBOE Term 4-

This term the subject is Fantastic Beast.  I have a lot of ideas!  I am hoping my swap mate will choose something that I know I can pull off really successfully.  I am feeling pretty rejuvenated.  I am going to start really soon on the little things that can go into any house package. 

I am coming back to Hogwarts as a Slytherin.  I have been a Gryffindor for all of the swaps and I am ready for a change.  It is a bit hard to let go, but I would really love to put together a package for a Gryffindor! 

To do list:

Finish Alpha Phi Alpha  scarf
start Nessie
finish kitty for Claire

Suffering Blog

I have been really neglecting my blog as of late.  Nothing has come to me to write about. I started a few but they went no where. 

I have been in a knitting funk.  I guess it is all the spring air we are having in Arkansas.  I've got to finish up my commissions.  I am sick of them. 

I have been knitting an adorable sweater by SockPixie.  Check out her complete blog: http://sockpixie.blogspot.com/ . I am using her pattern Retro Cardi.  I am axiously awaiting the child and adult versions.  It just maybe my first real person sweater. 

I participated in Ravelympics and accomplished my goals and more....  I have some really cute monster and creatures.  I wish I didn't give up my whale (narwhal, I was afraid to give it with the tooth to an unknown child or home), but it was for a good cause.  I donated him to my county foster program for a Valentine present.

Hmm...that is about it.

Ravelympics 2010

I joined Ravelympics. I am on the Danger Craft Team. I have 2 goals knit like a mad person for two weeks and stash bust (specially scrappy bits). Here is what I have planned to start on 12 February:


Pattern: Narwhal
Yarn: baby blue and red cotton
Needles: US 5 dpns
Extras: eyes and chop stick

Pattern: Cat
Yarn: black, grey, white cotton
Needles: US 5 24" circs and dpns
Extras: eyes and nose

Pattern: Frances
Yarn: variety for legs and solid for body and arms
Needles: US 5 dpns
Extras: eyes and felt

Never ending list

I always have list of "things to do" and it seems like I never get those things done.

So, here a is a new one-

1. finish my Cosmic Creepers (ran out of yarn, NAUGHTY WORD)

2. make R hunting hat (get vibrant orange color yarn)

3. start my new hood (frogging the other, anyone want over a thousand yards of Llamma Silk?)

Old list-

1. finish mitts for HLBOE (thumbs)

2. cat for Joyce

3. 2 hats for Heidi

4. start Hufflepuff scarf

5. rasta hat for Calvin

Mermaids

I made a mermaid baby.  I absolutely fought my daughter off of it to just get a picture for my Ravelry projects.  It was ridiculous.  The baby is cute I must agree with R.

This may all be repetitive because I can't remember what I wrote last.  

I am getting a Nintendo DS from my hubby, I think I put that in the last.  Well, I purchase Nintendo Dogs Chihuahua (Merry Christmas to myself) and my hubby was mean and started playing it.  He made a dog and apparently you can not start over!  I have never ever heard of such. If anyone reading this might know an over-ride please email me!  Joe is really angry with himself.

He made a boxer and I wanted a chihuahua.  It was an accident so I am not too mad.

Oh well.