16 August, 2007

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.

13 August, 2007

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

07 August, 2007

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.

06 August, 2007

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.

01 August, 2007

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!