Frustration...

I am the worst knitter ever. But first, the weekend.

This weekend was especially relaxing, but it is sad to think it is the last weekend of the season. Next weekend i wont be able to make it to the lake, so i made the most out of this weekend. As you can see from the pictures, it was especially beautiful, once the tornadoes passed. There was lots of knitting on the dock, and zoe helped a bunch. The weekend was then capped off with a CAPA Summer Movie viewing of Charade at the Ohio Theatre. Who doesn't love Cary Grant!?

As far as projects go the weekend wasn't as nice. My conclusion is, i am the worst knitter ever! Why do i have a knitting blog? I am more than a little frustrated. I had a very long wip that i had put down because a. i don't think it would have fit me and b. by the time i got back to it, my gauge was completely different. So i ripped it out and started Glee from Zephyr Style. I modified the pattern a little with the help of the Yarn Store Lady thinking i would be ok. Everything was going fine, until i got to the point where i could try my raglan sweater on. It was huuuge. and it was soo big that going one size smaller would still be too big. Argh, that is what i get for modifying a pattern. I have cast on a new sweater using the same yarn, and it is very intricate. It is Gilda, from the Rowan Pure Wool DK book. i am already frustrated with it. I hope it gets more repetitive as i get used to the pattern, but right now it is difficult and tedious. I am mostly having issues with the knit/purl into the back loop direction. It isn't a difficult direction, it is just not very intuitive for my fingers. it is not going smoothly. It is pretty though!

Stuff and things

The birthday girl received her slippers and was thrilled. She especially likes the buttons i picked out. Go rose! Lately not much knitting has happened, i have been swamped with people visiting me, birthday parties, and going out and about. Eve is home for 2 weeks, and Daniel is home until he gets motivated enough to find a job. Shannon and I have been hanging out a bunch, and have been especially busy with the showers and Hen Party planning.

I will be back again when i get back to less crazy times. I am off to the lake this weekend, knitting packed, and i am going to try and tackle sewing myself a handmade knitting needle case. Hopefully there will be knitting on the dock, and then sewing the needle case at nite. I picked out some great mod fabrics. Wish me luck.

Updates

I finally found my digital camera charger so i can post some pictures. Yay. I desperately needed it before the party this weekend too. I am one more skein into my glee sweater. it doesn't look like much yet, and its hard to tell the fit until i start knitting in the round. It looks close enough though.


I also took some of my knitting books to kinkos for rebinding. Now not only do they lay all the way flat, i can flip the cover all the way around without cracking the spine. Quite exciting. I have decided i am going to take the rest of my books to have this done. And, the next time i am using rick Steves books i am going to have this done to them too. I am so tired of chapters falling out from over use. However, the kinkos girl estimated wrong, and my vintage knits got a little cut off. I think the patterns are still readable though. Still, i wasn't too pleased. The kinkos girl did refund all of my money for all the books though.

Well i am off for the weekend. The schedule is packed tight. Tomorrow is the black t-shirt party at the lake, and then Shannon's shower is on Sunday. Eve is going with me, it is not quite her scene (or mine for that matter), so it will be funny to see how she takes it. I didn't think about it until now but I have the complete and total opposite social groups in one weekend. Black t-shirt car junkies vs. Lily Pulitzer Dublin moms. If only they were all together and I just could watch. Oh well, I will leave that up to my imagination. Stories and pics to come when I return.

byee

Twinkletoes II Finished!

Twinkletoes II

I finished these about a week ago, but i lost my camera charger so i couldnt post them. they are very simple, but i think quite cute. They are Twinkletoes from Knitty, using Rowan Calmer. I am not sure what the colour is. it might be cork??? I made these for Eve's birthday. She is more of a mary jane girl than a ballet slipper girl. I skipped the cast on for the laces, and made an i-cord strap. The buttons are just decorative.

By the way, i find it very hard to photograph my own feet in a flattering manner.

New Stuff

Last night i broke down and bought Fitted Knits. My mom and i were at knitting club and there was a new member, knitting a project from fitted knits. my mom saw the book and loved it, so i went to borders and picked it up for us to share. with my borders coupons, it only cost $11.09! that was pretty exciting. This new purchase brings my sweater to-do list to nine miles long. I think unlike most knitters, my stash includes more un-knitted patterns and books than yarn. I actually haven't bought any yarn for any of my new patterns.

I read on a website, I cant remember which one, that you should take your books to kinkos and have them spiral bound so they lay flat when you are working from them. The new girl at knitting club did this too! she is a genius. I am taking my new book and all of my rowan books to kinkos this afternoon. I am not sure how much it costs, but it is certainly better than a broken spine with pages falling out.

today's daily rose candy. enjoy.

giggles....

Knitting on the Dock of the Bay

Knitting on the dock of the bay
Watching the tide roll away
I'm just knitting on the dock of the bay
Wasting time

I finished a project this weekend! I will post the pictures as soon as i find my digital camera charger. It could be a while... It was a tiny one, so its not the biggest accomplishment. I finished a pair of twinkletoes that i modified to be mary janes instead of ballet slippers. Tres cute.

I cast on a new project this weekend to commemorate the completion of Twinkletoes II The pattern is Glee from Zephyr Style and I am using the bottle green "vintage" merino from my mom. Can yarn be vintage???? I am not sure, it is 30 years old so I am counting it as vintage. And it is from France; from a yarn shop in the town of Versailles (the town outside the palace).

today's daily rose candy

tee hee

It was a long hard weekend...

Soo the weekend is over and I am back to another work week. This one with 7am mornings. yippee.

This weekend was one of the most excellent weekends ever. Both Hashi and Ponti came to visit me at the lake. It rained most of the weekend, but we got a couple of boat rides in and even a trip to the cranberry. Yay for cute bartenders.

Even with the rain, I didn't get any projects done. I started and ripped out the toe for another pair of twinkletoes, but at the end of the weekend it still wasn't on the needles. However, Monday I came home and whipped one out. One more to go. I am having trouble with the size and this time I even checked my gauge. I ended up making the child size again, just modifying them to be longer. Oh well, they are still cute and hopefully will fit.

SP11 Questionnaire

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
I particularly like alpaca and alpaca blends. I will work with any natural fiber. I am in love with all Debbie Bliss yarns. Out of natural fibres, i tend to use more wools than cottons or linens. I don't like acrylic blends but have had to resort to it sometimes. eww.

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?
I have a pouch for my dpns and circulars. I am not so good at organizing my straight needles. They sit in a vase in my kitchen. That is on the (large) list of things to do.

3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?
My mom taught me when i was 12 but i did not really pick it up again until i was in high school. I think i am an intermediate. I'm not sure.

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
Nope

5. What's your favorite scent?
Lavender. I like herbal scents, not a big fan of sweet or floral scents. I hate vanilla.

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?
Yes! My favorite candy is Baci. They are from Italy.

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?
I knit, dabble in sewing, and crochet some. I have tried spinning but it didn't work out so well. I also have woven (on a public loom, i don't own one) but i haven't had time to go to the arts center lately. I subscribe to Readymade Magazine and sometimes even complete a project.

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)
Alternative indie pop, I think thats a genre, that is the closest i can describe my music. Stephen Malkmus, Elliott Smith, Talking Heads, Elvis Costello, Amy Winehouse, Cure. I love mp3s and am an ipod freak.

9. What's your favorite colour(s)? Any colors you just can't stand?
I have been on a green kick lately. I am not a big fan of orange, yellow, or pink. i also rarely use varigated yarn. i know thats boring but i dont like the look in sweaters. I dont use much more than a tweed. In socks striping yarns are great, and i already have some favourites picked out for when i venture towards that (click here, here and here), but in the meantime solids for my sweaters and accessories. (plus, i heart cables, and i think they look best with a nice plain colour)

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?
I am single and live alone. I looove dogs but am not allowed to have one in my current apartment. My parents have a dog which i still consider partly mine.

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?
Yes, yes, yes, and no.

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
I like to knit small accessories and sweaters. I am not a sock knitter.

13. What are you knitting right now?
I am working on a capelet from Wrap Style, a sweater from Sublime, Glee from Zephyr Style, and mystery gift. (i am not sure if the person recieving the gift reads my blog, but you cant be too careful.)

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?
Yes.

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
Circular. Bamboo and Addis.

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?
No, but my mom lives nearby and owns both.

17. How old is your oldest UFO?
2 years, but it is stalled for technical reasons.

18. What is your favorite holiday?
Christmas! I love giving presents. It is one of my specialties.

19. Is there anything that you collect?
I am a bibliophile. My apartment is too small for knickknacks, and probably is too small for my stash.

20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?
I don't have anay knitting subscriptions but i love any rowan or debbie bliss patterns. I am still debating if i want to spend the money on Fitted Knits. I also really really want to make the Katharine Hepburn Cardigan from Lace Style and the Log Cabin afghan and Mitred Afghan from mason dixon knitting. I guess im too cheap to buy a whole book for one pattern.

***update. my mom said she wanted to make some patterns in fitted knits too, so i broke down and bought it. but with my borders coupons it came to only $11.09!

21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?
I haven't tried entrelac before. Mostly because it is a bit far down on the projects list.

22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?
Nope. I wear a size nine. Is that what sock knitters need? I might be tempted to try them if some sock yarn showed up mysteriously (wink wink) but so far, nothing.

23. When is your birthday?
November 3rd. sometimes i get crappy presidents for my birthday.

24. Are you on Ravelry? If so, what's your ID?
I am still waiting for my invite, but i am pretty far down on the list.

Christmas at Casa de Rose

Except i don't get any presents in return. Boo hoo. they look pretty in the corner of my apartment though. these are all for only 2 weddings and i still have one to finish and 2 to buy. i guess there aren't that many gifts, they just are big boxes.

So, on my projects i am making lots of progress, but it justs look like they are never going to end. I finished the left front for my basket weave sweater, but i have delayed casting on the right front. im sure i will start tonight at knitting club.

I have officially decided to rip out my Tyrolia Sweater but the Rowan book i bought uses at least 11 skeins for all the patterns and i only have 10. bummer. I think i am going to make Glee from Zephyr Style. i think it will turn out well and it actually takes less yarn than what i have. yay!