New Threads...

yep, did a little house cleaning here at the blog... so that my blog matches my main webpage a bit better. I'm debating if I want to go back to FTP so that I can use the same template as my website... but then I remember how breakable that was...

It feels good to get rid of my own coded pages (which were crap) and use a pro template (less breakage and cleaner design... I am NOT a web designer or coder). However, I'm finding the template is a little too clean. There's not a lot of options. It's a true what you see is what you get. I can't seem to add my code any where to the template (including the side bar menus)... so it's a two step click to get to my blog. I don't see how I can change that... but I'm going with my own personal ease of site management to user ease (sorry)...'cause I've got knitting to do!

Speaking of such... Matt's Cotton Samper second sleeve was finished up yesterday. I'm still waiting for it to dry. I ended up adding an extra inch to the neck opening depth (which means I also had to add an inch to the back). The yarn does shrink up... just in a cold water bath and a quick spin in the washer. I might do a little swatch and see if it shrinks any extra in the dryer... as it's taking FOREVER to dry.

So while I'm waiting impatiently for it to dry... I did cast on a wool project yesterday:


Dacapo by Hanne Falkenberg (click on the photo to go to the place where I bought my kit and stole the photo). I love it. I love the colors and the complete cleverness of the design. Then I showed it to Matt and got the "eh, looks like a design that only other knitters would appreciate". I think he doesn't like garter stitch (as he wasn't that impressed with the Cobblestone pullover either. Hmmm. I married a knitting snob. Hrumph).

Well... I think I've spent enough time on the 'puter today... even tho' I still have lots of work to do on my site. I need some knitting time.

Four Inches...

... really shouldn't seem like a lot.

Yet, I've got a bad case of SSS (Second Sleeve Syndrome). All the increases are done on the second sleeve for Matt's Cotton Sampler Pullover...with 4 more inches to go.


So close... yet I'm feeling overwhelmed with those last 4 inches.

I'm also getting really tired of working with the cotton. It simply is much harder to knit than wool. My other project is crochet with a linen/cotton yarn... which also isn't "smooth" (it splits so easily).

So I'm thinking of fall and wool and what can I work on now in wool that wouldn't be horribly warm for mid-summer. This is when I wish I liked to knit socks....

Misc Monday

A lot going on here at Knitting Park. The living room re-do is still underway... and we're currently in a holding pattern with it.


When Keith dropped off the cabinets, we discovered we had a little paint color issue. We basically had painted the walls the same color as the cabinets (which sort of defeats the purpose of spending all that money on beautiful wood if they look the same as the walls!). So we repainted.


Ahhh, much better! This room has interesting color issues. The light changes so much during the day that the color really is different depending on the time of day (or even which corner of the room you are looking at).

Keith (master woodworker) has an other obligation for the next couple of weeks, so the installation is on hold. As you can see, this doesn't bother us at all (Jake and Gena have adapted to the constant furniture movement very well... as long as they have couch access, they seem cool with it all).

The 4th of July weekend is always stressful here, as Jake is scared of the fireworks. We have a couple of neighbors that love to set off illegal fireworks all weekend... plus thanks to where we are located, we hear about 3 different towns professional ones as well). He's hanging in there, but it's hard to spoil him when he's so stressed.

As for actual knitting? Well, it's been a little hit or miss right now. Of course I'm knitting, but not my usual volume. Matt's Cotton Sampler is probably the one thing that is progressing the most consistantly. I'm not quite at the halfway point on the second sleeve. I've blocked the front, so I'll be able to do the neckband while I block the sleeves. Just not focused on much of anything right now... so I'll work here and there on things that strike my fancy as the mood strikes me.

The Half-ghan

Matt loves this new shawl. I bought this yarn for him actually (to make him gloves, but it was too "hairy"). It's light and airy, yet adds that little extra warmth that is needed on cooler days. He's decided to call it a "half-ghan", as a shawl sounds girly...


I can't quite capture the look of this half-ghan. The yarn just doesn't photograph well.


The "pattern" is quite nice to do, and using such big needles made this a quick knit. I will absolutely do this again with different yarn (and hopefully more yarn... as I would love it to be about an other 6" deeper).


Guess I should give some project stats, eh?

Pattern: Textured Shawl Recipe (ravelry link). Not really a pattern, but just notes and the textured stitch pattern.

Yarn: Fibre Company's Buck (70% alpaca/ 30% wool, aran weight). Bought at MDS&W in the "ends" basket.

Changes to the pattern: well, can't really say I changed anything, as there really isn't a true pattern. I will say that instead of counting rows, I went by inches (each section is 4").

Overall Impressions: a lovely simple concept for a shawl with a fun textured pattern. While I don't wear shawls (don't feel sophisticated enough to to be stylin' in wraps like this... not my style), I find that they are nice to toss on around the house. I think this will actually get some wear.

It's a shame that I don't particularly like wearing shawls or scarves (or hand knit socks for that matter), as I like knitting them (well not socks for that matter). The lack of finishing... the sizing of using as much yarn as you have... plus that whole gauge flexibility thing makes them a delight to knit. However, let's face it, when it come to what I actually wear, we can assume that I'll grab a cardigan first (and most likely a green one at that!).

So that means I'm back to work on Melinda... a lovely crochet cardigan!

Wool Withdrawl

I've been focusing on just two projects lately: Matt's Cotton Textured Pullover (still need to finish the first sleeve) and Melinda (still working on the right front). Between the pure cotton and the linen cotton blend... plus the recently finished cotton blend projects, I realized that I needed a fiber with some flexibility... just to mix it up a bit.

Introducing my Textured Shawl:


This pattern is more of a "guideline" from Ravelry and with US 10.5 needles, it's been going very quickly. I'm already on my last skein of yarn.

The yarn is an alpaca/wool blend that I picked up at MDS&W to make Matt gloves, but the high alpaca content didn't quite work for him. So it's going to be a lovely little simple (and snuggly) shawl. A nice instant gratification project that helps break up the summer projects a bit.

The yarn is very hairy with high tranference. It's very soft and drapey... I can't wait to see how it blocks! (with some luck, I'll have the knitting done today or tomorrow... but I'll need to find space for blocking. Living room being torn up cuts into my blocking space).

Then back to cottons and linens!

Production Coordinator

So we had Matt's parents here for a few days, and immediately jumped into the remodeling of our living room (well... sort of immediately. The custom built cabinets had already been started).

Matt's painting right now, as Keith is moving very quickly on the cabinets. I'm doing my best to stay out of the way, yet give the impression that I'm being helpful. Hmmm... sounds just like when I worked in publishing (heehee).


Jake has sort of taken the whole company, house destruction with his usual "eh" attitude. As long as he has a napping spot, he's okay.

In fact, it's giving me the opportunity to work on Matt's Cotton Sampler Pullover. The first sleeve has 4" more to go. It might get done by the end of the month? Maybe.

Communications is the key to any good relationship

Melinda and I have had some recent issues and after some intense discussions, I think we've worked out our problems and are moving forward with a better relationship.

I've agreed to read and follow directions... specifically for the same size through out the pattern.

Melinda has agreed to be more consistant with gauge, as long as I'm honest about my size.

We both agree that this relationship is well worth the effort and work. We know that together we can create something beautiful.

In other words, after looking at the finished back, I realized that Melinda wasn't going to fit me. So a complete restart was done... and I don't really mind.

I have decided that the fronts and back will be worked to the armhole shaping, then I can do all the shaping together (so I remember what I did). I look forward to many happy years with a finished Melinda (that fits).

I'm currently about halfway thru an in-law visit, so Melinda isn't getting the attention she needs... but I'll make it up to her (and I'm losing faith that she'll be done by the end of the month, which I believe puts me behind schedule).