FO: Make Up Case
I needed a little instant gratification and a new make up bag.
So I knit this in one night.
Stats:
Pattern: My own, written below for newer knitters or anyone that doesn't want to bother to gauge it out. (I have those days too)
Yarn: Recycled Sari Silk. I love it, but its a pain to work with.
Needles: U.S. 8/ 5mm
How long?: 2 hours, baby!
Love it level?: 10. It does what I set out for it to do. And its pretty. And made from recycled things, which is good.
Notes masquerading as a pattern:
Using 5mm needles, CO 28 sts.
Work for 9 inches in St st.
BO all stitches.
Sew on zipper.
Cram it full of make up.
I didn't line the pouch because this Sari silk is tough. It will wear like iron, so I'm not worried about it stretching out or anything. And I still have sari silk left, so I'll probably make another.
Labels: FOs, patterns, speed knitting
Technical Difficulties
I have received a few emails about the link to the PDF version of the cloche pattern. It is not working. Boo. So, here it is so that you can print it off directly from this page!
FOXY CLOCHE- A felted version of the classic flapper-style hat. Finished Size: 32 cm/12.5” wide at brim unfelted
Yarn: Manos Del Uruguay Wool Classica (100% wool [126 m/136 yds]/100g): Pictured #56 Granite, 1 hank.
Needles: 6.0 mm/U.S. size 10 40 cm/16” circulars, 6.0 mm/ U.S. 10 Double Point Needles, adjust needle size if necessary to obtain the correct gauge.
Notions: Any decorative items to embellish the hat once complete
Gauge: 3 sts = 1inch in st st before felting
Abbreviations: PM- place marker; Sl m- slip marker; dec 1- decrease 1 stitch
Notes: Hat is worked in the round from the brim to the crown on circulars, switching to DPNs when necessary.
Brim:
Rnd 1: CO 120 sts, pm, join in the round, pm every 15 sts.
Rnd 2: K one rnd even.
Rnd 3: *K to marker, sl m, dec 1 st after m; rep from * to the end of the rnd
Rnd 4: *K6, K2tog, K6; rep from * to end of rnd
Rnds 5 and 6: K even
Rnd 6: Rep rnd 3 (96 sts remaining)
Rnd 7 and 8: K even
Rnd 9: Rep rnd 3 (88 sts remaining)
Rnd 10 and 11: K even
Rnd 12: Rep rnd 3 (80 sts remaining)
K even until the hat measures 23 cm/ 9” from the CO edge, slipping the markers each rnd.
Crown Decreases:
Rnd 1: *K to 2 sts before 1st m. K2tog, sl m; rep from *to end of rnd
Rnd 2: K even
Rep rnds 1 and 2 two times more.
Rep rnd 1 of crown decreases until 18 sts remain.
*K2tog, removing markers; rep from * to end of round (9 sts remaining)
Leaving a 10cm/ 6” tail of yarn, sew through the live stitches to close up the crown of the hat. Weave in end. Felt to desired size.
Labels: patterns
World Fair Trade Day, with 10% more new banner
Fair trade has a special place in my heart. As a social worker, I had met a number of women who survived (barely) in their countries of origin by doing piecework. they would tell me its a hard existence. Even if I hadn't met these women, I would still think that Fair Trade is a good idea.
But there are some skeptics.
So in a futile attempt to convince people, here's why I love Fair Trade products, and only buy them (when possible):
1. Fair trade products create opportunities for economically disadvantaged producers.
2. Fair Trade involves transparent management and commercial relations to deal fairly and respectfully with trade partners.
3. Fair Trade is a means to develop producers' independence through business continuity, thereby helping producers improve their managing skills and introducing them to new (and larger) markets.
4. Fair trade insures that a fair price is paid in a local context through dialogue and education. the price not only covers the cost of production, but also takes into account the principle of equal pay for equal work.
5. Fair trade means that the work of men and women are properly rewarded. Each person is paid for their contribution to production, regardless of gender.
6. Fair trade ensures a safe and healthy working environment for the producers and their workers, and that the participation of children (if any) conforms to the
UN Convention on the Rights of the Child .
7. Fair trade actively encourages better environmental practices and the application of responsible methods of production.
Those are great reasons to shop Fair Trade. To celebrate, the yarn shop I work in had a Fair Trade Sale-- 15% off all Fair Trade yarns (which is Manos del Uruguay).. Mmmmm yummy, yummy Manos.
And after work, I'm going out for Fair Trade Coffee with a friend. Which I pretty much do everyday.
Unrelatedly, did you notice my new blog banner. Slowly my friends are lifting me out of the blogger ghetto. My beautiful banner was created by the lovely
Marth. Thanks, baby!
Labels: life, loves, my knittas, special days
FO: Broadripple Socks
These socks were so much fun to knit! I loved making them. Unlike the
last socks I knit...
Here they are:
I changed the heel and did an eye of partridge heel, which is all the rage in my kniting group. I also left out the garter stitch ripple around the top of the sock. Still very cute. And looks good in my Chucks.
Stats:
Pattern: Broadripple socks from Knitty
Yarn: Colinette Jiterbug, color Popscicle
Needles: U.S. 3/ 3.25mm
Time to complete: About 2 weeks
Love it level?: 10! They are comfy and smooshy and colorful. I was a little apprehensive about the color when I finished them, but now I love them!
I love the YOs, and t little bit of lace they made. Here's a close up of the ripple stitch:
Labels: FOs, socks
Free Pattern! Foxy Felted Cloche
Well, after much vacillating, I have decided to put my hat pattern on my blog.
Why vacillating? Well, I was working at a flegling yarn shop and distribution, and I wanted to improve sales by providing original patterns that use small amounts of yarn. But, the store is closing so I thought I would make it available to you lovely people. I have other patterns that I was working on too, so look forward to getting those badboys for free too. I love free patterns, so why not share?
I have the pattern available as a PDF, so just click the pic, knit and enjoy!
Labels: patterns
Job searching... again.
I have been told that my current yarn-job is going to end, very soon. So I am looking for new work... again.
And I spend most of my free time working on my resume... again.
What left over time I do have, I spend drinking liquor and knitting with my other underemployed, soon to be unemployed friends... again.
So I'm a little bitter and saddened by this turn of events... again.
But on the bright side, I get to change careers again. And that's fun to me.
Labels: life, working?
Steph the ENFP
Since it's so rare that these things are almost right, I'm posting this one. Because if you know me, its pretty close...
You Are An ENFP
|
The Inspirer
You love being around people, and you are deeply committed to your friends.
You are also unconventional, irreverent, and unimpressed by authority and rules.
Incredibly perceptive, you can usually sense if someone has hidden motives.
You use lots of colorful language and expressions. You're quite the storyteller!
In love, you are quite the charmer. And you are definitely willing to risk your heart.
You often don't follow through with your flirting or professed feelings. And you do break a lot of hearts.
At work, you are driven but not a workaholic. You just always seem to enjoy what you do.
You would make an excellent entrepreneur, politician, or journalist.
How you see yourself: compassionate, unselfish, and understanding
When other people don't get you, they see you as: gushy, emotional, and unfocused
|
Labels: quizzes, timewasters
A Frolicking good time...
The frolic has come and gone this year. It was a good time. And I even stayed within my budget (Ahem...). I didn't buy much yarn (WHAT?!?) but I did buy everything on my list. I met some other knitters and made some face time with vendors I speak to on the phone regularly. That was nice. I spent a litle time stalking Amy Singer, but lost her in the marketplace. Oh well, there's always next year. Here's some photos from the frolic (from top left to bottom right):
1. Didi's a sport driving us there. She's a safe driver despite my insane directions telling her to turn just at the turns come up, or after the turns.
2. This was supposed to be the Toronto skyline from the DVP, but
Marth can't use my camera.
3. And here's Marth with our delicious berry tea, that I made and she complained about. Thankless.
4. This me me on my way to the Frolic. I should look happier, but they were singing Michael Buble. On repeat. And then they dubbed it he soundtrack of the 2008 Frolic. I would have rather Ghostface Killah, but I lost 3 to 1.
5. Marth before the spree began. She was my shopping partner; I even waited for her to go to the bathroom. But I have to say, she is the worst shopping partner ever. She kept disappearing! I would turn around and she was gone! But she always found me again, so maybe she's not the worst... Maybe.
6. Here's Jen! She made it to the frolic! I wonder what she bought...
7. Here's the Purple Purl booth. Gotta love those PP girls... But the booth was packed! I couldn't get in there by the time I wanted to buy. But its okay, I'm going to visit their shop on the 24th so its all good.
8. Here's Didi and Glenna excited about the socks that rock... Want to se the colors?
9. Here are the socks that rock! Courtesy of Lettuce Knit. Very nice yarn and I got some!
10. Here's Denny from Lettuce Knit in her beautiful shawl. She was so helpful and nice. I told her she was famous, but she didn't buy it. (She is you know...)
11. The nice woman at the Pick Up Sticks booth and I love her shrug. We discussed having big arms and how to wear a shrug without looking like a football player. A secret I may share at a later time...
12. Me and Danelle from
Spun Fibre Arts! I'll be teaching a class there in the summer. It was great to see her there!
13. Marth and
Glenna and me, in the midst of our spending, pre-guilt.
14. It's me and Didi! See how happy yarn makes us!
15. Marth and her socks that rocks. After much indecision, we decided on these colors for her. I think they suit her. Good choice, Marth.
16. At the end of the trip, this is what I bought. I know that it doesn't look like a lot, but I love what I got. On m list was, a shawl pin; some to hold my circs and some Socks that Rock. I got this
Lexie Barnes circs case for 20% off! Second I got this beautiful shawl pin from AB Originals sold to me by the man who made them. How could I turn it down? The pin is Bloodwood and the brooch is Cocobolo. Cocobolo is fun to say.
How could I go to the frolic and not buy any yarns... So I bought one hank of Socks that Rock (again, how could I not); and a hank of Fleece Artist, that I think will turn into a Forest Canopy Shawl.
Aren't you proud of how I was able to control myself?
Labels: fun, knitting misc, my knittas, yarn
Pictures from Glennaworld!
We had our weekly knit night last night. Although I didn't knit a stitch, we had great food and then a trip to Glennaworld (or more accurately,
Glenna's bedroom with lots of yarn in it) where we had fibre-inspired frivolity before the big DKC knitter's frolic on Saturday. Here's what went down:
1. Marth finished her year long Icarus shawl, which was monumental. It's looks very pretty. It will look even better blocked. I wonder if she'll give it to me?
2.Spinning demonstration by G to the C.
3.No, not nap time, me hiding (or more accurately, not hiding) under what I think is the greatest afghan of all time.
4.Blogless Didi, telling me not to take her picture. So I did.
5.Glenna modelling her brand new, out of the washer/dryer Glowing hoodie. Inspired me to put one in my Ravelry queue.
6.Here's Blogless Kim, showing the yarn cave love.
7.Here's me loving the yarn cave. All neatly bagged yarn...
8.Here's me with glenna's neatly arranged circular needles. Mine are in a bag in a basket somewhere. Sometimes I want to make a noose with my circs because they get so tangled, or I think I don't have one and buy another, and end up with 7 US size 10 40" circs(?!) But not Glenna, all neatly arranged in a shoebox. She's a neurotic knitta.
9.Me with the glorious sock yarn box. Now that's what I went to visit initially.
Now, that's a knitting night with me and my knittas.
Labels: fun, knitting misc, my knittas
FO, yo!
Finally a FO! Y'all have been very patient with me and my non-FO-sting (see what I did there?) but here's something to make up for it. I made a cropped sweater for the spring.
(For anyone in the Hamilton area, spring seems a lot like summer. I have a theory: that Spring and Fall will no longer be seasons in Ontario. From now on, we will go from Winter to Summer back to Winter. You heard it here first, folks.)
Now back to my sweater. I should have made it in cotton for the summer. So I'm starting a new one in cotton. I also made this on more fitted than I've ever made. I'm not sure if that works for me. But it had to be tried.
Things I liked: I liked the color of the wool. I like the buttons. I even liked sewing the whole thing up. The reason I didn't knit this one in the round was because I actually wanted to finish something and sew it up. I like the set in sleeves. Great sleeve option. And here's the action shot:
And the back:
Specs:
Pattern: my own take on a cardi, with a little help from a Patons book.
Yarn: Manos, baby. Color: Stellar.
Needles: US 10/ 6 mm 80cm circs
Time to complete: About 2 1/2 weeks to knit, 2 days to sew and finish. Yet to be blocked.
Love it level: Meh, about a 7. I haven't really been able to wear it... Good thing I made the sweater in 100% wool...
In other news, I got an email asking me why my pictures always have me talking, or singing; the writer wanted to know why I always had my mouth open. there are two reasons for that readers:
1. D can't take a good pic of me to save either of our lives. He gives me no warning. I'll be talking to him and saying/doing something stupid and "click" that's the pic. He thinks that he's being a great photographer, with the candids. But he's wrong. Seriously wrong.
2. My mouth just happens to be open. All the time. Either talking to people or yarn or myself; or singing; telling jokes; eating; in the above pic showing off my muscles telling D how strong I am and then in the bottom I think I'm doing the robot.
And who doesn't like a good session of the robot every once and a while?
Labels: FOs, fun
Knitterly Gifts
My friend
Marth finds my ongoing battle with fun fur at the store rather funny. Its true that there's alot; its true that the fur is not my fault; and its true that its 50% off the lowest price... So when she was hanging out with me at the shop, she picked up some fun fur and said she would make me a gift with it. And here it is:
She made me a muppet-skinned toiletries bag! And lined it in hot pink material. Every girl needs a fur case. And muppet fur is so soft and hard to find.
I'm a lucky knitta. Thanks Marthur!
Labels: gifts, knitting misc
You know how it is...
.. when you're really busy. I've been working alot. In the yarn store. If you can call that working. Which I do.
I have been knitting, but I have a serious case of start-itis going on as of late. I am currently knitting: my Van Gogh cardigan which will be an hommage to the painter; a pair of ripple socks in colinette jitterbug (which I love); mitts for D; a moorish-inspired fair isle sweater (which is on hold technically) and I bought some Manos silk blend to start my own Clapotis (which I think is far enough away from the trend now...); and I want to cast on for a cotton short-sleeved cardi for the summer.
I blame it on working in a yarn store.
How will I finish them all?
In other news, I've done my taxes, so no jail for me this year. And lots of return to by yarn. Also, the Knitter's frolic is next week, so I will have lots to report on that.
Also, if you pop over to
marth's blog, you can see how knitting-zen and wise I've been in solving her stash guilt issues.
Labels: knitting misc, life, working?
Viva la Cupcake Revolution!
Well here they are, the first of probably 1000s of batches of
sweet cuppin' cakes from
Vegan Cupcakes Take over the world! I made chocolate cupcakes with peanut buttercream frosting. So good. Sooooooooo good. I know they don't look as pretty, I don't have a piping bag-- I'm in the market...
Vegan cupcakes will take over
my world. I don't think I'll ever bake another non vegan cupcake.
Labels: baking, sweet cuppin' cakes
All Good in the Hood...
... Now that I got this:
Labels: baking, cooking
Impulse (yarn) spending
When I heard about this new Noro sock yarn, I had to have it.
I have a love a love affair with Noro. I have a drawer full of all different kinds-- even discontinued Noro yarns. My Noro drawer is the envy of all my knitting friends. Ok, well, mostly
Canary Sanctuary... but that's enough if you know how much she loves her yarn. The odd thing is, I've only knit a scarf out of the Noro I have. I just need to have it.
And that's whatthis Noro sock yarn was like for me. I had to have it. So I bought it.
But why did I do that?
I love the colors; they remind me of a sunset. They are bright and cheerful, and go together beautifully. Everything I expect the color of Noro yarn to be. The yardage is great. And it looks good when you hold the ball in your hand.
But there is a couple of downsides... It's wool and Nylon, but very scratchy. I'm not sure I could handle a pair of socks being made from this yarn. It doesn't feel nice. aybe after a wash is will soften up, but right now not so much.
The washing... If I do makes socks with it, they will have to be handwashed, or more accurately soaked because the wool is untreated.
It's pricey. At wholesale cost this yarn is alot, so the LYSs have no choice but to sell it at $20 CDN a ball. So I bought one ball. But I don't think socks are the answer for this yarn, so what can I do with it?
Hopefully, I can fins a project that will work and help me to love the Noro sock yarn. My friend Didi made the most beautiful shawl and
gave it to me, answering whether or not I am a shawl person. (Which I am. I rock that shawl.) So maybe I can find a lovely, ad easy lace shawl pattern to try. The problem with that is I manage to screw up any lace knitting I come in contact with. So I'll have to think on it.
Have you bought any of this yarn? What are you doing with it?
Labels: indecision, Noro, yarn lust
