knittingmylifeaway

Brown Blues

2012-01-23T21:52:00.002-05:00

Who knew trying to buy brown wool would be so difficult!

I went to my favourite yarn store to buy Cascade 220 Superwash for the sweater for the M4A Grad. I need about 5 balls at least, 6 by to be on the safe side. Unfortunately, LYS only had 4 balls.

I called another store I've never been too, but was willing to drive up to it. They had the right colour, but only 3 balls. I recorded the dye lot to see if it was the same as my favourite LYS. No such luck.

I talked about the difficulty during knit night and learned about Lion Brand Fishermen's Wool. So today after work I picked up 3 balls of Brown Heather. Looks really nice and feels wonderful.

I'm working on the gauge. But wouldn't you know it, I can't find a 4.5 mm needle. I'm sure I've multiples of that size around but I can't put my hand on them. Okay, I tell a fib, I actually have a 16 inch, but I need a bigger one to knit the sleeves in the round.

Velynda by Chic Knits

2012-01-15T07:58:00.002-05:00

The other project I'm going to knit in Cascade 220 is Velynda by Chic Knits. I bought the pattern at Mary's Yarn in the late fall. I love the gentle shaping of the sweater.

I knew I was going to use Cascade 220 that was the reason I chose the pattern as it would work with Cascade 220. I couldn't decide which colourway to use. At one point I was on the porch of the store with about 6 different skeins trying to see them in the natural light. In the end I chose colour 9454, Rainier Heather.

I will be knitting a gauge square later today. I won't be knitting this sweater up until I finish the M4A sweater, but I am looking forward to knitting this one.

Mittens for Akkol Sweater

2012-01-14T23:38:00.004-05:00

Last week, while on holiday, I learned about the Mittens for Akkol project. I can't believe that I never learned about this group during my years of waiting to travel to adopt my son.

As I was reading, a flurry of posts came up about the Grad colours had been posted. I investigated and learned the group knits gifts for the 'students/orphans' who graduate this coming spring. Nanci, the coordinator just returned from Akkol, Kazakhstan where she meets the grads to be, measures the students and elicits their colour choices. Each grad received a sweater, hat, mitts, scarf, thin pair of socks, and thick pair of socks. Reading about this project moved me to tears.

Many of the children in the orphanages in Kazakhstan are not orphans in the sense of parent-lessness. They live in the orphanage, or Regional Boarding School as the 4 year old to 16 year old homes are often called, but are still connected to family in some limited way. Because of this connection they are never eligible for adoption. In addition, many children come into care above the age of 4 and few families chose to adopt older children (me included). And other children, though eligible to be adopted never do get adopted and live their entire lives in the orphanage system. Whatever the reason they are in care, or however they came to be in the Regional Boarding School, it is definite they will not be leaving to a healthy, happy family with lots of cash to spend on their needs. Many leave to fend for themselves. The idea of these students leaving with a bundle of garments hand knit personally for them is a precious thing.

As I've been wanting to do something to support the children still living in the orphanages in Kaz, and that I love to knit, this is the perfect project for me.

Now I don't have a lot of time, but this is something that seems so very important to me, so I've chosen to knit a sweater for a boy. He chose browns, both light and dark, and dark gray as his colours. I've been checking out Ravelry for a pattern and finally tonight I settle on Todd Gocken's Brigade. I love it's streamlined look with the 3 X 2 ribbing up the sleeves, and I really like the offset zipper on the neck. The sweater reminds me of the style of clothes I saw on the young men in Kazakhstan.

The sweater is knit in Cascade 220. I'll do it in the Superwash version in the Chocolate colour as it will work great with his colour choices. I have some Cascade 220 for another project, so I can do my gauge, I believe both sweaters have the same gauge. I'll be out to buy the wool later this week.

I believe the finished sweater has to be sent out in early May, so I'll have to get started and finished quickly. My goal is to have most of the sweater finished by the end of March Break.

Ha ha ha Post Number 5

2012-01-09T20:41:00.002-05:00

I've got nothing to blog about except for the fact that by writing this post I will have more blog posted than in the last 2 years. So I just had to make a post. Sorry for wasting your reading time. LOL.

I Need Another Cast On

2012-01-08T21:06:00.002-05:00

There are days when I have an obsession to cast on a new project. Yesterday was one of those days.

I decided that I have a beautiful blue sleeveless shirt that I would like to wear to work. However it is winter in Canada, so a sleeveless shirt isn't going to work without something to keep my arms warm. So I decided I needed a shrug.

I went through all my magazines to look at what shrug patterns where in the house. I found a nice one designed by Joanne Turcotte in the September 2007 Creative Knitting called the Comfy Shoulder Shrug.

Great, now to find some medium weight yarn. I had been knitting a cowl that I had decided years ago to frog with some Kertzer Northern Chunky in cranberry cocktail. It was the right weight, so I cast on and started knitting. By the time I had 3 inches I knew this was the wrong yarn. I don't think I'd be able to bend my arms if I'd finished the shrug.

The search was back on. I also had some Sandnes Mini Alpakka in lilac. The alpaca is fingering weight, so I figured I could double it.

So far it is working well. I have about 3 inches done and I'm anxious to keep going. I want to see if I can get this finished before the end of the week, or before the colour and measurements for the grad in Kaz is posted on-line. I'm sure once it is posted I will want to start that immediately.

Oh, I'm not sure if the shrug will go with the shirt that sparked the need for a shrug. I decided I could always buy a new shirt in a colour that would work with the shrug.

January Flurries - Not the Snow Kind

2012-01-06T19:04:00.003-05:00

So far this month

I've cast on 2 pairs of socks.
And then I've pulled yarn to cast on a couple of hats, a pair of tights and a sweater.
I've cast on the front for Denis' blue vest.
I have a sweater for myself that I started in October that needs to be finished.
And I have two sweaters for my friend's daughters to complete.
Found out at Knit Night that there is a baby on the way - that calls for a new cast on.
And I've just signed up to knit a sweater for a boy in Kazakhstan as a graduation gift for when he leaves the orphanage later this year.

I was a little worried about how much I was starting until I read the Yarn Harlot's blog yesterday. It seems to be a recurring January theme for the Yarn Harlot, and if I think about it, I do it too.
Anyone else in the midst of a January flurry of cast-ons?

Finished Lately

2012-01-02T14:08:00.003-05:00

I was wondering what I've finished lately and realized that I've done a couple of small projects. I actually knit another hat for my sister but see I don't have any photos of it yet.

The first is a cowl. Unfortunately I didn't get a picture of the finished product. The cowl was for my friend Loretta' birthday. Her birthday was on the 18 of October, I finished it in time, but didn't see her until Halloween when I was able to give her the gift,.

Pattern: honey cowl by Madlinetosh
Yarn: 2 skeins of Studioloo Wink Wink Worsted in Heirloom Tomato
Needles: 5mm
Started: September 22, 2011

Finished: October 16, 2011

For my sister Kathryn I knit this set. I've sewn her name to the outside back of both the hat and cowl hoping that they don't get lost that way. The yarn lived up to its name as there was enough to do both the hat and the cowl from one ball. I have anther ball in a pink colour way that I am looking for a hat pattern for it.

Pattern:Herminone's Cable and Bobble Hat by Lauren Kent

Yarn: 1 ball of King Cole Big Value DK in purple
Needles:
Start: June 25th, 2011
Finished: September 7th, 2011

Pattern: honey cowl by Madelinetosh
Yarn: left overs from the hat above
Needles: 5.5 mm
Started: September 7, 2011

Finished: September 22, 2011

I was inspired at the Show and Tell Mary's Yarn store hosted in October to start knitting a sweater for myself. I hope to finish one soon.

New Year Resolutions

2012-01-01T09:37:00.004-05:00

I am really still here and I'm still knitting, just don't seem to get on the computer to update this blog.

So one of my New Year's Resolutions is to knit more and to update this blog on a regular basis. Note I haven't said what that means, I just don't know how regular will be regular. I've been back to work since the end of October and my son and I have had colds, pink eye and the flu since I returned to work. I put Denis to bed and I'm soon in bed myself. I'm determined to give myself at least 30 minutes of knitting every evening. Oh, I didn't mention I'm back in the classroom and I have a Senior Kindergarten /Grade 1 combined class. And my SK's stay all day. Truly it is just 2 of my little SK girls that keep me hoping all day, they are a true challenge, ergo my exhaustion at the end of the day.

I marked the end of 2011 by casting off the back of Denis' new wool vest. Later this month I'll be registering Denis for Junior Kindergarten and in September he'll begin school. All the Catholic schools in Toronto now have a navy and white dress code, so I'm knitting him a navy vest to get him prepared. I'll mark the beginning of 2012 by casting on the front later today.

Denis' day care is in the elementary school he'll attend. I love the idea that he'll just walk across the hall to his class at the beginning and end of his day. I hope to get him into the morning Kindergarten class.

Pembroke Vest

By: Kirsten Kapur

The rest of the information is on my Ravelry page http://www.ravelry.com/projects/mishmee02/pembroke-vest. I've name the project Ready for School, mainly as the knitting of this is mentally preparing me for Denis going to school. Denis has only been home 10 months and I'm already registering him for Kindergarten, wow!

Oh, please excuse the photo, I've taken better. I dropped my lovely camera and damaged the screen on the back. It still takes photos but I have to guess as to the composition. Next week I'll take the camera out to get it repair.

Sale Visit to Mary's Yarn Store

2011-08-15T13:48:00.002-04:00

Mary's was having a sale. I really didn't need to buy any yarn as I hardly ever get a chance to knit these days, but who can pass off on a chance to get to my favourite yarn store. And then my Stitch and Bitch decided to make it a field trip, I was totally game.

When Denis and I arrived at the store he went straight for the toys, maybe I've been there too many times in the 6 months since bringing Denis home :-) No, actually it is just that Denis has a superior memory.

I was after some yarn to make some sweaters for Denis. I found in the sale room some gray Falk yarn from Dalegarn. It was on sale earlier this summer, not actually a part of the sale. Ah well, it was just perfect for making Angela Hahn's Sherwood, a beautiful sweater with cables.

And then I'd also seen Baby Norgi by Wendy D Johnson. I really wanted to do a Norwegian style sweater. The pattern was done using Dale Baby Ull, but I purchased Sandnesgarn's Lanett Superwash, not on sale though. The sweater used for the pattern was done in white. No, I won't be using white for Denis, he is a true little boy and gets dirty in the blink of an eye. I purchased a sweet blue/green in dark and light and some white. The dark blue/green will be the main colour.

I did realize as I was adding the projects to my Ravelry page that I hadn't purchase enough of the main colour for the Baby Norgi sweater, so I'll have to call Mary's and request they put aside another 2 balls of wool for me. I'll go and pick them up next month when Denis is in daycare, then I'll have time to really look around the store and enjoy all the new products they were making room for with this past weekend's sale. (Spending more money no less)

Isn't that the way it goes with yarn stores, you go for the sale and end up with beautiful product not on sale. Or is that just me LOL.

There will be pictures of the yarn as soon as I find my camera again. Denis LOVES the camera and is forever taking pictures. Thank goodness for digital, I don't have to worry about him wasting film.

KAL inspired visit to Mary's

2011-06-15T14:05:00.003-04:00

My Stitch and Bitch is in the middle of a KAL. We are doing the beautiful shawl Haruni designed by Emily Rose.

I started my shawl by hitting my stash as I was determined not to buy anything new while I'm at home on parental leave. I chose the Marks and Kitten sock yarn that I had purchased just in case when I was knitting Mwaa's 1/2 Pi shawl in honour of Elizabeth Zimmerman. I like the look of the shawl, but I have to admit I was jealous of all the light and summery/shimmery yarns the others were using.

I decided I needed to find something a little more summery/shimmery for myself, so for now I'm going to let the dark shawl hibernate and I'm going with Dawn in this wonderful green.
Oh, and as Dawn has been discontinued, which I think is a terrible shame, the yarn was on half price.

I bought some other stuff, but that's for anther post.

Knitting in Kazakhstan

2011-06-05T10:22:00.006-04:00

Here is some of the knitting I did during my 9 weeks in the small town of Uralsk, Kazakhstan.

I usually visited my son at the Baby House for 90 minutes a day. But there were no visits on Sundays or on holidays. And then around the half way point of the 9 weeks, a flu epidemic in town meant my visits were down to 20 minutes a day. After shopping for daily groceries, my next biggest time spender was knitting. I did know prior to traveling the challenges of life during the bonding period and I brought TONS of knitting projects.

First finished was my cowl.

Pattern: Honey Cowl by Madelinetosh
Yarn: 2 skeins of Madelinetosh Vintage in Oxblood
Needles: can't remember what needles I used
Started: October 10th, 2010

Finished: November 19th, 2o1o

I actually started this project before I left for Kazakhstan. I thought that this would be a great cowl to use in Kazakhstan. I always wear a headband, but for the cold that is normal in Uralsk, I figured that I could wrap this cowl over my head for extra warmth. This was an extremely easy cowl and I have had TONS of positive comments regarding it.

Next was this shawl.

Pattern: Willow by Vicky Harding

Yarn: 2 skeins of Noro King
Needles: 4 mm
Started: November 24th, 2010

Finished: December 9th, 2o1o

I loved this pattern, it was really nice to knit. I gave this shawl to Louisa as a thank you for all her help during my first 2 weeks in Uralsk. Louisa, her husband and son were in Uralsk when I arrived. We actually work for the same school board, and the most amazing thing is our sons were in same room at the baby house (there were about 10 different rooms at the baby house).

I actually was contacted by one of the editors of YarnForever, where I found the pattern, asking me to send a photo of the shawl being worn so they could put it into the magazine. However, by that time the shawl was already back in Canada. At least it was nice to be asked.

I made this as a Christmas gift.

Pattern: 5 by 5 Basket Weave
Yarn: 2 skeins of Bernat Softee Chunky Twist
Needles: 6 mm
Started: December 17th, 2010

Finished: December 22nd, 2010

I got 2 balls of yarn at last summer's Stitch and Pitch, well technically my sister got one ball but she's not a knitter. At the last minute I tossed the yarn into my luggage. I made this little stroller blanket for Alexis. I had the joy of sharing Christmas day with Alexis and her mother Kendra. December 25th isn't Christmas day in Kazakhstan, so it was a normal business day. We ate frozen pizza and I had my first mixed salad in 6 weeks. It was a lovely day.

Unfortunately Uralsk was much colder than I could have even imagined. Day time temperature could be in the minus 25 Celcius range and that doesn't count the constant wind. I needed something extra to keep my head warm. Oh and I did find a really neat yarn store on Christmas Eve. So I went yarn shopping on Christmas Day.

Pattern: Brambles Beret by Amanda Muscha

Yarn: 3 skeins of cekpet yenexa in Black
Needles: 3.75 mm and 3.5 mm
Started: December 30th, 2010

Finished: January 2nd, 2o11

The first yarn I bought at the store in Uralsk was sock yarn, so I went back and bought this yarn. Unlike our stores in North America, at this store you had to ask for the yarn to be handed to you. I practiced saying black in Russian on the walk to the store. I'm knitting a pair of socks in the first yarn now, that is the sock that I did 8 rows of during the first 2 months home.

I brought about 3 pairs of half finished socks with the patterns, however I some how didn't photocopy the parts of patterns that I needed for all three pairs of socks. Complete fail.

Luckily I brought other complete patterns and yarn to make socks of myself. I made a pair in Monkey without Purl. I don't have a picture I'll have to post about them later.

I did make these socks though.

Pattern: b16-26 Socks in Fabel by Drops Design

Yarn: 1 skein of Drops Fabel
Needles: 2.75 mm
Started: January 5th, 2011

Finished: January 6th, 2011

I knit these baby socks for Jody's little boy Lucas. Jody met her son on December 31st, but wasn't able to start bonding until the 7th of January. Our coordinator told Jody she needed warmer socks for Lucas rather than the cotton socks she had brought from home. I loved knitting these little socks.

I also knit this shawl while I was there.

Pattern: EZ 100th Anniversary Gull Wings Half-Circle Shawl by Mwaa Knits

Yarn: 6 skeins of Diamond Yarn Luxury Collection Milky Way
Needles: can't remember what needles I used
Started: December 20th, 2010

Finished: January 8th, 2o11

What a Difference a Year Makes

2011-04-03T22:19:00.002-04:00

Would you look at that! It has been months and months since I updated my knitting blog. In that time I have done a ton of knitting and become the mother of a 2 year old boy. See, a year make a big difference.

Since collecting my son 7 weeks ago tomorrow I have done about 8 rows on the heel of sock. I know in the future my days life will settle into a routine and I will be able to knit again. I really miss it. And I want to keep track of all my knitting in both the blog and on Ravelry.

Till next time which I hope is not 8 months away,
Ciao

Robin Blue Shawl

2010-07-11T12:57:00.003-04:00

It has been over 6 months since I last posted but I haven't been idle. In fact I've done a ton of knitting, but then I looked at the list I made in January of all my works in progress, wow, I have a lot of work to do.

Any way here is one of my very proud accomplishments, Robin's Blue Shawl

Pattern: Star of Evening Triangle Shawl/Scarf by Anne Hanson
Yarn: I skein of Tanis Fiber Arts Pink Label Lace Weight in Peacock
Needles: 3.25 mm and 2.75 mm
Started: September 1st, 2009

Finished: June 21st, 2o1o

This is a relatively easy shawl to knit, though it can be deceiving in the beginning. The pattern is made up of 24 rows and begins in the corner, once you have around the first 9 stitches you keep repeating the 24 rows until the entire shawl is the size you wish. Then instead of a simple cast off, there is an eight row pattern to create triangles along the top edge. To keep track of where I was in the pattern, I wrote the pattern onto 12 index cards. Each card had the knit side and corresponding purl side. I also used stitch markers to note each 9 stitch cluster, this way I could immediately see if I'd missed a stitch or dropped a yarn over. I think I only made 1 error in the entire shawl.

I loved knitting this shawl.

I made this for my co-worker Robin who is finished her secondment to our consultant position and is off to even greater work helping teachers to refine their teaching. Robin has been so much more than a co-worker, she's been a sounding board, cheerleader, mother/sister/best friend all rolled into a petite little red headed body. Robin cried when I gave her the shawl, what more could you ask for in response.

Emergency Hat Knitting

2010-01-29T23:33:00.005-05:00

I had my weekend knitting planned.

A little bit on my sisters garter stitch vest in Marble Chunky (I love this stuff),

a lot more of the Baby Surprise Jacket for my very wonderful very pregnant friend's third baby due to arrive in the next two weeks,

the heel of my second sock of my New Year's Eve cast on socks,

another swatch of my Grotto Wrap in Noro Sekku to see if I can make it work (who knew Sekku is cobweb, I thought it was just a normal lace weight),

and the second half of my Block-A-Month afghan block.

But no, I won't be working on any of these worth while projects. Instead I have emergency hat knitting to do.

When I picked up my sister this evening she did not have her hand knit ribbed hat in Marble Chunky Sand. No, instead she was wearing this monstrosity in fuchsia. Who puts a fuchsia hat on the head of a woman in a burgundy coat????? And what woman in her prime of life wants to be seen in public wearing this hat I ask you????

So, before I bring my sister back toher group home tomorrow evening I must knit her a new hat. Luckily I bought a new ball of Marble Chunky in Sand when I was at my LYS yesterday. It is suppose to be used to finish my sister's Granny Square Afghan, but you use what you have in an emergency.

Luckily, if I don't finish in time, I can send her back into the cruel world with Papa Bear hat that I made using Elizabeth Zimmerman's Knitting Workshop instructions. Whew!

JB's Finished Afghan

2010-01-22T20:39:00.003-05:00

My second finished object for 2010.

Pattern: Knitted Afghan by Rosemary Drysdale
From Knit Simple Magazine: Holiday 2008
Yarn: 5 balls of James C Brett Marble Chunky, 13 Misty Brown
Needles: 8.00 mm
Started: December 7th, 2008
Finished: January 11th, 2010

Can you see me behind the afghan? I'm standing with my toes on one edge and I'm holding the other end and stretching up on my toes. It is XX large.

First FO for 2010

2010-01-09T21:11:00.002-05:00

Here is my first finished object for 2010. I started it on Wednesday, and finished knitting it this morning. I'm blocking it now and need to sew two buttons on it when it's dry.

Pattern: Duet by Linda Wilgus from Knitty: Winter 2009
Yarn: 2 balls of Fable handknit Pure Baby Alpaca (2 stands)
Needles: 5mm
Started: Wednesday, January 6th, 2010
Finished: Saturday, January 9th, 2010

I love the feel of alpaca. I need to find a hat pattern to use up the other 2 balls of yarn I have in my stash. This is all the yarn I had left over from the two balls I used for this project.

Oh Marie, did you notice I borrowed your system for writing the important information. I follow the master.

Tweed Shoulder Bag

2009-12-06T08:41:00.003-05:00

Yesterday I cast on, and cast on, and cast on, and cast on, and finally (for now) cast on the final project I have for this Christmas. The project is from Debbie Bliss' Fall Winter Magazine

I have to admit, there are a lot of projects in this issue that caught my eye. But the Tweed Shoulder Bag is one that I'm going to try and get finished for the 18th of the month.

I've chosen Bliss' Donegal Chunky Tweed, the recommended yarn, in the denim colourway. The gifty has demonstrated an interest in denim coloured bags recently, so...

I chose to make two tweed bags for my friends gifts this year. Now, I didn't realized I'd chosen tweed as the yarn for both until I was in Romni purchasing the yarn.

The first bag I made, the Folded Tweed Bag was very straightforward and simple. This Tweed Shoulder bag, as you might have noticed from the fact I had to cast on 5 times, is not as simple and straightforward. There are 3 patterns within the front and back panels. It will be interesting to see how this goes along. I'd never make comments on the personalities of the giftys, but I am wondering if I chose pattern that suit their personalities. LOL

Organizing and Updating

2009-11-28T16:05:00.006-05:00

I've been trying to organize my knitting projects, needles and stash. As a part of this project I'm also trying to up date my stuff on Ravelry. One reason is I love Addi circular knitting needles. I've heard they are reusable and that I don't have to have a new pair for each project, but I don't know what I own so I sort of keep buying them.

Check out my beautiful organizing system. These are just a few of my bins. We have a problem in our basement with periodic flooding incidents during the summer. We've had 3 floods in the past 5 years. Because of the possibility of water in the basement we try to keep everything off the floor and in plastic bins. I've found that shoe boxes work really well for my knitting projects.

The flood in the summer of 2005 brought raw sewage with the rainwater into the basement. Out went my stash and all my needles. It sort of gave me a fresh start and an excuse for overindulgence. But come on already.

I think at this point I have 2 sweaters, 3 summer tops, 2 scarfs, 1 pair of fingerless mittens, 2 shawls, 2 bags, 2 baby blankets, 2 afghans, and a cowl in various stages of process. Oh my gawd, I've just realized that I have ADHKD (Attention Deficit Hyperactive Knitting Disorder)

Some, like this top are hibernating because I goofed some how and I don't have the heart to frog the entire left side. I must have changed the gauge because the left front is less than 1/2 the width it should be.
This beautiful Angel Shawl has an error as the stitches are out. Both these projects will take some concentrated time to figure out what's up and what's to be done next. I might even need professional help.

On the other hand, this top is perfect at the moment. I just need time to figure out what to do next. The point I'm at now is written with some of the instructions already given and some new instructions. I have to go back and figure out how far along I'm with the first set of instructions and then and the new instructions. Confused? Well, so am I.
The instructions for the center decreases were set much earlier. I need to decrease for the shoulder now, but continue decreasing for the center. I'll figure it out one day, again when I have a working brain.

At the moment I'm working on 3 projects. The Tweed Folded Bag that is giving me conniptions with the garter stitch border. Have I ever mentioned I hate picking up stitches or counting over 100. This project involves both picking up stitches and counting to 400 or so. Argh!

In addition I'm finishing the second of these Drops Alpaca fingerless mittens. Good thing the weather's been so mild as I've not needed them yet. These are my purse knitting as I carry them around in my purse.

And I'm working on this cowl. It is the Hobnail Wrap designed by Penny Ollman and shown in the Fall 2009 issue of Knitter's Magazine. I was actually 5 rows from finishing when I discovered I had 4 extra stitches and the bobbles didn't match up. So I frogged it and now I'm on the second row of bobbles. Only 8 more rows of bobbles to go.

The bag, and cowl are Christmas presents. I also want to make another bag. They all have to be finished by the 18th of December. I better get at it.

I'm not allowed to purchase anymore yarn or start any more projects but, the last time I was in Mary's Yarn store in Unionville I saw the most beautiful silk yarn. It was a variegated purple/silver colourway and only $35 a skein. Hmmmm, if I sort my projects and finish some, maybe I can buy some for my Christmas present to myself. Don't you think?

Elizabeth Zimmermann's Knitting Workshop

2009-11-22T09:43:00.006-05:00

During the summer, I picked up a copy of Elizabeth Zimmerman's Knitting Workshop. Two weeks ago I really began reading and knitting along with the book. I'm loving it. Her instructions are so straight forward and easy to understand. I definitely will be picking up her other books and her daughter's books in the coming months.

By the way, November 30th will mark the 10 year of EZ's passing.

The book begins with instructions that include cast on, knit, purl, increase and gauge. I couldn't believe that after all the years I've been knitting that I could learn so much about the basics. I've changed the way I cast on and increase.

The hardest step to follow from EZ's book is the instructions on determining gauge.

DON'T test it on a 2 inch square, but on a decent-sized cap. Why do you suppose I'm having you make a cap?
TAKE IT off its needle, lay it out flat, dab at it with a steam-iron, perhaps, and place two pins in it EXACTLY 4 inches apart horizontally.

Taking knitting off needles and measuring was the hardest thing I have ever done. It makes the most sense, but I still don't trust my skills in being able to get the stitches back onto the needle. I'd have to frog it and start from the again.

Now I am dyslexic, so I frequently misread instructions, so somewhere along the line I missed the hat measurements, and the first attempt was a little long.

I left too much space between the ribbing and the beginning of the colour work. The other mistake was in not reading the "Important Note" on page 30 that stated that the decrease as stated on page 29 would make the cap "come to something of a point". Well, as you can see it did. So my first attempt at the hat was TOO BIG

I decided to try another hat, but this time with more colour work.

I've been afraid to try the two hand throwing of the wool. With EZ's instructions, the continental knitting method was so simple. I looked at the picture on page 29 of the beautiful colour work of the crown of the hat, I decided to try that for myself.

Unfortunately, I became a little tight in my tension and the hat ended up being TOO SMALL.
So, of course I had to try it again. This time I switched the main colour to the darker of the two. This time it was JUST PERFECT.

Now I have three hats. I think of them as my 3 Bear Hats, one was too big, one too small and one just right.

I made all three with Ecological Wool by Cascade Yarns of Undyed Peruvian Highland Wool. I bought the wool at Mary's Yarns in Unionville, my favourite yarn store.

A Shawl if a Beautiful Thing

2009-11-14T15:29:00.002-05:00

I've worn my Champagne Bubble Wrap twice since I blocked it. I feel so regal while I'm wrapped in it's pretty pink and blue triangles. I specifically purchased a dark gray turtleneck sweater to show off the colours of the wrap.

I've learned that a very finely knit garment looks like buckess until it is blocked. I've read that somewhere, most likely in that exact language, but until I've seen the results for myself I could never believe the difference.

Folded Tweed Bag Update

2009-11-11T09:00:00.003-05:00

I HATE PICKING UP STITCHES!

I've been working on the edge of the bag for the last 10 days. The bag was finished ever so quickly, but the picking up stitches is driving me crazy.

I even drew a plan for myself so I could see where the stitches would be in relation to the 4 stitch holders I was suppose to be using and the 408 stitches would go around the rectangle. Since making the plan, I've lost it. (Deh, I have the pad of graphpaper, but no plan). And, I can't seem to be able to count up to 408. I'm going to try again tonight and use the split stitch markers so I can divide the counting up.

The worst thing there are only 6 rows of knitting and then the bag is finished.

Oh, and I broke my own rule about not buying new yarn until I finished something I've already started. But I found a really cute pattern in the Knitter's Magazine Issue 96, Fall 2009. On page 26 of the magazine they have a beautiful a Hobnail Wrap, which is a large cowl. I decided to make one for Christmas for the elderly mother of a wonderful man from work. This gent is a member of my building security and is a one of those people who make you feel good every morning when you arrive in the building.

I found a beautiful cranberry coloured yarn from Kertzer. It is the new Northern Chunky in Cranberry Cocktail (0409). I chose the yarn in acrylic as it will may need to be washed frequently, and I know this gent does the laundry. It isn't my goal to make his life harder.

It is almost half done yesterday evening, even after it took me half a row with bobbles to figure out how to make the bobbles (oh, it's knit together, not knit. It's going so fast as you knit with 2 strands of the chunky yarn together on size 9mm needles. Hopefully I'll have it finished tonight.

Champagne Bubble Shawl

2009-11-03T22:46:00.003-05:00

Before I begin documenting my works-in-progress, I thought I should document my finished projects.

First off I have my Champagne Bubble Shawl. I call it Champagne Bubble Shawl because I knit it this July when my sister Kathryn was home for her week vacation. When Kathryn is in the house, Lawrence Welk is playing on the t.v., ergo the name of this shawl. It was knit to the soundtrack of LW.

Yarn: 3 hanks of Cadenza Hand Paints by Estelle, 80% Superwash Merino Wool and 20% Tussah Silk in colour 966 (Verigated pinks and blues), 350m to 100g
I have 60 grams left over.

The pattern is from the Lace Live article by Jane Sowerby in the Summer 2008 issue of Knitter's Magazine, Page 28. The pattern was called Midori Green Shawl

I finally got around to weaving in the ends and blocking it today. With the change in weather I'll be able to use it as soon as it is dryed.

Blogs: How many can I manage?

2009-11-03T10:58:00.000-05:00

Blogs have been SO important to me as I've learned about the adoption process in Kazakhstan and in keeping me sane as I wait. I also, along the way discovered knitting blogs. They are a wonderful way of sharing my love of knitting and learning about this comsuming hobby. So it seemed natural to begin both a blog about my adoption journey and my knitting. However, somewhere along the line I started a third blog about my house. I guess somehow I'd separated my life into boxes and created blogs for each of the boxes.
Well, I've decided to do away with my home blog and I've deleted it. It's now gone. Hmmm, maybe I should have saved the entries first, oh well, it's not really gone for the next 90 days and then it will be really gone.
From now on I'll have a blog to keep track of my adoption and homelife (they are one and the same, right) and one for knitting.

Let the edging Begin

2009-11-03T00:05:00.005-05:00

The body of the Folded Tweed Bag is finished. Now I begin the picking up stitches for the edging.

I will be using the light beige colour, the one called Autumn, to do the edges. The edges are done in garter stitch.

I'm really pleased with how this bag has knitted up and I love the feel of the yarn.
The colours of the yarn seem to be working too. I love the pink and the blue shades, and I love the MC, the dusty rose colour.

As I've been working on this, I keep thinking of all the lovely sweaters in Debbie Bliss' Fall/Winter 09 magazine that are in the tweed section. My mind keeps saying, 'Hmmm, maybe I could knit that sweater". Then I remember that I promised myself that I'd actually finish a bunch of my works in progress before I spend another penny for yarn. One day I should record all my works in progress. I don't know if it would encourage me or depress me entirely.

Actually, as I've been knitting all weekend, I kept hearing a voice in my head talking about an afghan that's unfinished. I really wish my brother would be quiet when I'm trying to knit, I'm sure I'll finish his afghan sometime in the next couple of years. It's not my fault he's soooooooo tall!

Folded Tweed Bag

2009-10-31T14:12:00.008-04:00

As promised, pictures of the wool for the Folded Tweed Bag. It is knitting up very quickly and I'm liking what I see.

The pattern came from this book by Interweave Press. I bought the book because I want to knit one of the baby sweaters. However, since getting the book home, I've started on the cover mittens and now the Folded Tweed Bag. The book has a pattern for a knitted hobby horse, I'm sure that will make it to my 'work in progress' one day. Oh, and no, I haven't started on the baby sweater (YET).

This is what it is suppose to look like when it is finished. Finding the perfect buttons will be a lot of fun.

I've already have this much knitted (I cast on Thursday night after making a huge pot of Beer Chili, mmm it was delicious). So far I've done the front, bottom and about 1/3 of the back. When I've finished I add a border around the entire rectangle in garter stitch. The border will be in the Autumn colour which is the colour of the band I've just finished.

Romni Wools

2009-10-29T17:40:00.002-04:00

I went to Romni Wools today. I'm still recovering.

I've been told how big the place was and I've heard about all the wool they have...but I was completely shocked by the place. I'm just slightly claustrophobic and I was a wee bit uncomfortable in the store. Luckily it is a yarn store, another kind of store and I would have been back out the door the minute I looked inside.

I was there on a mission to buy wool to make two bags. I found the patterns and wanted to make the bags as Christmas gifts. The first is the Folded Tweed Bag by Kathy Merrick in Interweaves Knitted Gifts. The one in the book is made with Plymouth Yarns, but I learned that no one in Canada imports Plymouth yarns. So instead I bought Jo Sharp's DK Tweed. The bag will be a bit smaller than the one in the book, but it is a bag, all sizes fit, don't they. The main colour will be Paper Rose (406) with Autumn (414), Celestine (401) and Treasure (424).

The second bag is from Debbie Bliss' Fall/Winter 2009 magazine. It is the Tweed Shoulder Bag. Now, I didn't realize until I was in the store that I'd picked two patterns that use a tweed yarn. I just liked the patterns and knew that they would work for my friends. For the Tweed Shoulder Bag I bought the recommended wool, Donegal Chunky Tweed by Debbie Bliss. I found a denim blue tweed colour that should be perfect for my friend. While I was wandering around the overwhelming yarns on the first floor, I came across a beautiful chunky alpaca yarn. It was ever so soft, unfortunately it would not have the stiffness for making the bag.

So, tonight after I make dinner, I'm going to cast on the Folded Tweed bag. It was suppose to be a light worsted weight knit up on 4.5mm needles. But, as I said, I have the DK weight and I'll be using 4mm needles. Hopefully, I'll find my camera and get some pictures. I also have to update my internet provider so that loading pictures doesn't take an hour a picture.

Off to make dinner. It's chili tonight. Mmmmmmmm. Perfect for a beautiful fall day like today.

Pink Cardigan

2009-07-14T13:11:00.002-04:00

Moving Along on the Baby Blanket

2009-06-13T21:57:00.002-04:00

I have 2 blocks done and I'm on block number 3. I only have one skein of each of the five colours, but I'd read on Ravelry that the blanket can be done with 5 skeins. If I need more I can certainly order more, and as there is a block of it done separately I don't really have to worry about dye lots.

I know my blog would be ever so much more interesting if I were to include some more pictures. I got the camera back from my brother who borrowed it 2 months ago when he took his students to Quebec City. But now I've lost the do-hickey that plugs into the computer to allow for down loading of pictures. One day I will know where everything is in this house...actually, no, I already know where everything is in this house, they're all in a very special place. You know that place, where you'll always remember where the thingy is, but in my case I know I put it in a special place, I just can't remember which special place I put it in.

Moderne Baby Blanket

2009-06-12T22:00:00.002-04:00

Now I know I said I need to block and sew up my cardigan, ...but I need something to knit. And instead of going for something in hibernation I started something new.
I read on the Yarn Harlot's blog that she is doing the very boring garter stitch afghan. I went onto Ravelry to look at the pattern and decided it was perfect for using with the Knit Pick Shine Sport that I bought earlier this year.
I asked JB for his input in the colour selection. I do not have the eye that he has. He is so much better at putting colours together. I read online that Shine Sport works best at 3.5 mm. So I've cast on and I've started.
Okay, I have to make a confession. I cast on and sort of did the first block last night. But when I began the second block it didn't work. The new block was like a ruffle. Hmmm, so tonight I reread the instruction. Oh, I'm suppose to knit 36 garter ridges, not 36 rows. So I'm actually suppose to do 72 rows.
And that's where I am right now. I'm on row 46 of 72. Let see if block 2 actually comes together properly.

Nearly Made It in Time

2009-06-10T23:09:00.001-04:00

Well, Friday was the Loretto Order dinner and I did NOT wear the pink sweater. It is all knitted, but I need to block it and sew it together. I tried to sew it together without blocking as the instructions suggest, but it is too hard to get it together. It needs to be stretched out because it has a lot of k2p2k2 sections and in the picture these stitches are flat not ribbed. So I'll block the sweater and then sew it up. I have this real fear the sweater may not fit, especially the arms. So the question becomes do I try and loose weight or redo the sleeves??????

I have a plan

2009-05-16T09:19:00.002-04:00

I've never done this before, but I'm going to give it a really good try. I'm going to try and finish a cardigan to wear to an fund raising event.

On the evening of June 5th I'm attending a fund raiser for the IBVM sisters, the Loretto Sisters. I attended the Abbey for high school and was taught by many a Loretto Sister, but I'm really going because one of my mother's very favourite friends ask if I wish to attend with her.

Okay, now here's my plan. I'm knitting Sirdar's Cardigan #9005. I started it late Wednesday evening when I ran into trouble with the Purple Polka Purl Dots top. I've already finished one sleeve. It is really knitting up fast. So all I have to do in the next 3 weeks is the other sleeve, two front pieces and the back. Oh and block it and sew it together. No sweat. Let's see how I do.

Oh, did I mention I can't think of anything else I own that might work that night, hmmm, I'll be so busy knitting that I'll never have time to shop, so I had better get this finished. Good thing it's a long weekend.

I'll try to post some pictures soon. I don't have my camera right now, my brother took it with him when he took his class to Quebec last month and I still don't have it back.

Lost Within PurplePolka Purls

2009-05-13T23:20:00.000-04:00

Yesterday I finished the back of the sweater, so today I wanted to start on the fronts of the top. I picked up the pattern and began decoding it for myself. I read and read and re-read the instructions. I even read the instructions out loud to my brother (not that I really expected him to understand anything I said). But I couldn't figure out what I was suppose to do.

The top looks wonderful so far. I love the way it's coming together. I just wish I knew what I have to do to get it finished. Thank goodness for the Internet. I'm going onto Ravelry to ask if anyone can help me decode the pattern.

Yarn swift was an expensive experience

2009-05-08T20:45:00.000-04:00

I went back to my favourite yarn store as they let you use their yarn swift to wind a ball of yarn. I'm about ready to join my last ball of Butterfly Super 10 for my beautiful Purple Polka Purl Dots summer top. So, instead of hand winding the yarn as I've done for the past 2 hanks, I decided to treat myself and use the store's swift. It turned out to be an expensive experience.

Why, do you ask?

Because I could resist purchasing more of the beautiful Butterfly Super 10.

I am utterly enjoying knitting with this beautiful cotton thread. It is very easy to knit and feels wonderful. I bought 5 hanks of 3446 Cotton Candy to knit a beautiful 1 button lacy cardigan (pattern by Sirdar #9005) and 3 hanks of 3475 Geranium to knit a sleeveless top (pattern also by Sirdar #9155)

While I was in the store I wound 2 hands of the lighter colour, the cotton candy. I told Lynn that I should have wound them all as it would be less expensive that way. She was confused until I told her the cost of winding my one ball of 3928 Plum (4 patterns and 8 additional hanks of yarn).

I bought another Sirdar pattern (#8400) of another sleeveless summer top. It has a sharp zigzag pattern going up the front and back. And I also bought the Naturally Yarns pattern FC 46 of another sleeveless summer top. This one is knit in 4 ply.

Oh, and I didn't' mention the shipment of Shine Sport I received today from KnitPicks, did I? Well, I save that for another day. Maybe the day I have to pay the credit card?

Right on Track

2009-05-06T00:35:00.000-04:00

I'm in a celebrator mood tonight. I'm making the Polka Purl Drops, pattern by Veronik Avery. I just completed the 56th row of the shaping of the front and waist with lots of decreases and making stitches, not to mention the 14 rows of purl polka dots. At this row I should have 63-2-108-2-63 stitches, the twos are seed stitches for the fake seems. Well, as surprised as I am, I'm perfect. I feel like screaming and yahooing all over the place, but it is after midnight, I might wake my neighbours.
Now on to the next stage, getting ready to divide and shape armholes.

Felting Amanda Squatty Sidekick

2009-04-30T18:19:00.000-04:00

I'm felting my little purse again. I felted it back in March, but the hot water in my house isn't quite hot enough to felt properly. So, I used boiling water this time and it looks so much better.
I love the colour of this purse, but the picture in the pattern was done in a very pretty pink. Hmm, I could always do with another purse, right?!

I'll post another picture of the purse when it is dry and has a pretty button to finish it off. I'm thinking of getting some pretty cotton or silk to make a lining.

Buying yarn is addictive

2009-04-30T14:22:00.000-04:00

I never realized before how addictive it can be purchasing yarn. Okay, I'm lying. I've always known, but I didn't face up to my addiction until now because I would stash my yarn all over the house and not in a one place. Now that I'm re-organizing the house I've been collected said stashes and consolidating them into one stash.
"Hi, I'm Michele and I'm addicted to purchasing yarn"
What is worse is the Internet for enabling me in my addiction. I saw the cutes knit turtle on someone else's blog yesterday (memory failure, the blog was a yarn blog and it is not remembered). So I went to find the pattern (on Knitty) and to purchase yarn to make a few for friends' children. I couldn't decide what colours to purchase so I bought one of most of the colours.
So when did I actually think I'd have time to actually make these cute little turtles with detachable shells. Maybe when I'm finished the 2 afghans, 3 tops, 2 sweaters, 3 hats, 2 pairs of socks, 3 shawls that I'm currently working on.
Oh, no, I think I'm addicted to starting knitting projects too. HELP

The trouble with DPN

2009-03-07T08:42:00.000-05:00

DPN are driving me insane.

First they are instruments of torture, the 8 inch-going to gouge out your eye needles. I have a real problem with sharp things near my eyes. The typical DPN is SO long that I absolutely hate using them for socks as the knitting is so far away from the sharp point of the needles. I tend to take my glasses off which makes me quite blind so I have to bring my work much closer (like an inch or two from my eyes) in order to see anything. It's like those horrible 3 D scary movies of the past with the scary item flying back and forth from your eyes, except these would really hurt. Can't you just hear generations of mothers saying, "you'll poke your eye out!"

Secondly the bamboo needles bend. I found some really nice 5 inch bamboo needles, one sock down and I'd bent them all. I guess I really put pressure on them, but how do you get rid of ladders if you don't pull tight, and in the pulling I guess I put pressure. So for sock two I changed to 6 inch bamboo and they are also beginning to curve. And working with pointy, very sharp needles an inch or two from my eyes with a slight bend so the far point is not in the same place as the near point or where my fingers are holding the thing is driving me crazy.

I just hope my feet appreciate all the hard work and sacrifices my fingers and eyes go through to make these socks.

Amanda's Squatty Sidekick: Take 2

2009-02-21T12:48:00.001-05:00

Well, I did decide to frog the purse when I got home yesterday, and I'm extremely glad I did. The shape of the purse is SO much better this time around. I had made an error right off - in fact, the error was in knitting the first row after casting on. How much early can you make your error. The base of the purse consists of 60 rows. You create the sides of the purse by picking up stitches, along the base of the purse. I realize that I wanted a knitted row for the last of my 60 rows so as to be ready to pick up the stitches knitwise.
I also decoded the pattern before knitting. When I say decoded, I mean I need to translate the pattern into both pictures and smaller units of numbers. The pattern clearly tells how many knits etc between M1 stitches, but I NEED to know how that works. So, before I start knitting, I figure out how the pattern works. My first time around I didn't do this, I just started knitting. As the body of the purse began to get wonky, I wasn't sure what was wrong because I didn't know how the pattern worked.
So yesterday, after frogging the purse, I figured out the pattern and saw how the increases and decreases worked within the sides of the purse.
Now all I need to do is finish the handle, make the closure and, yippee, felt it.

To Frog or Not To Frog

2009-02-20T16:21:00.000-05:00

Yesterday I began Amanda Squatty Sidekick from Interweave. It is a felted purse. I knitted most of the bag last night and all I have left to do is the handle and the flap. BUT it doesn't look quite right to me. So all day I've been thinking about frogging the silly thing and beginning all over again.
Now, I know that the individual stitches will not be so noticeable when I felt it, but it will have a very much pronounced shape and that's what worries me. I don't think I made the increases and decreases in the right places. I'm so anxious to finally felt something, okay to felt something INTENTIONALLY, that I want to just finish it. But on the other hand, if I don't LOVE the silly thing I'll never use it. And, hey, I spent some very hard earned money for the beautiful green wool (Manos del Uruguay) (still think I should have bought the red instead).
Well, lets see what I decide when I get home.

Just what I need

2009-02-20T09:00:00.000-05:00

Yes, this is just what I need, another blog. But when I go to write I keep thinking that what I want to write just doesn't belong in one of the other two blogs that I have. I'm a very organized person (not) so I must have organized blog entries too. LOL

So here is my knitting blog.
The title, knitting my life away, takes me back to high school. I believe that is one of the comments I wrote to go in the year book the year I graduated. I unfortunately stopped knitting for a couple of years, but since the fall I've been knitting like a fiend. It is one of the driving forces in my life. And one of the huge money grabbers, LOL.

Hopefully I'll add more to this blog than I do the other two.