Cake and grief counceling will be available at the conclution of this blog

Yeah, I'm playing Portal right now. All I can say is "brilliant".

So, what's that doing to my knitting. Eh.

I have one sleeve shortened on Ike for Matt. Should be able to get the second done today... maybe. We're in middle of some construction. Or rather, Matt is. I've done practically nothing. However, doors need to be painted, and that's my territory (see, that BFA does come in handy. 4 years in an art school and I can paint doors).

So, what else have I been working on? Mermaid? uh, no.

Central Park (no relation) Hoodie
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My Central Park (no relation) Hoodie. This actually falls into my "two mistakes and frog it" rule, but I'm not sure if I really need to. I actually have quite a few mistakes. After complaining about the poorly written pattern for Ike, I guess I should admit that I really don't read my patterns. I take the numbers for casting on, set up and any decreases/increases. Then I sort of just make assumptions. IE: I'm a very cocky knitter.

So because of that there are several things on my CPH that aren't "right". I use a long tail cast on, but due to my not paying attention to my set up row (I did blindly follow the pattern), the bumpy side of my cast on would've been on the public side. Which I don't like on 2X2 ribbing (however, I prefer the bumpy side on 1X1 ribbing). So the ribbing starts with 2 purl stitches instead of 2 knit stitch. Okay, no biggie. I can live with that.

Next problem. I didn't make the ribbing long enough. Hey, I'm short. Do I really need 4" of 2X2 ribbing? Eh, probably not. An other no biggie.

Pattern? Oh, yeah, it does give the cable pattern. I didn't bother checking the cable pattern. Just did my crosses every 6th row (since it's a 6 row cable). Well, after looking at the Ravelry photos, looks like I might have wanted to check the pattern. My cables cross more often than the pattern. Again, not a biggie and I think it looks fine. However, it might effect my gauge a bit. A cable that crosses more often is going to draw the fabric in a bit more.

So at this point, do I continue or restart? The error that bothers me the most is the ribbing starting with the 2 purl stitches. It's going to be more of a challenge for seaming and I don't think it will look as finished.

If I were smart (and I'm not making any comment on that here), I would start over. However, I'm going to handle it the way I handle all my problems. Ignore them and hope they go away. Meaning, I'll probably toss it aside for a bit and work on something else.

Like Roam:

Roam
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I can not get a decent color on this. Any sunlight washes out the colors and without sunlight, the colors look muddy. If looking for a purely mindless project, this is it. Seed stitch, then some seed stitch, and then some seed stitch. I have a little color pooling, but not terribly so. I love the drape I'm getting with my yarn and this is going to be a great light weight summer jacket. After I do all that seed stitch.

Okay, off to run some errands then settle in for some painting. Oh and by the way. The cake is a lie.

Ike is done... sorta

Ike on Matt
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So, yes I did finish Ike. However, there is a problem. A long problem. Those sleeves are almost 4" too long. The picture doesn't really show how long they are (Matt pushed them up a bit). Since Matt is 5'5", too long sleeves aren't real flattering. The whole point of me making him sweaters is so that they fit him properly, and so the sleeves will go thru a little surgery this week (yes, I'll be cutting off the excess fabric and redoing the ribbing).

This comes back to the pattern and it's directions, or rather, lack of. There is no info on how long to work the sleeves. There is no schematic, and I used the "sleeve legnth measurement" on the pattern. Not taking into consideration the sleeve cap.

Let me say this was the poorest written pattern I have ever used. In retrospect, I should've just chucked it and done it myself. This would've made a lot more sense to do it top down. I ended up having to figure out a lot of stuff myself and I changed the pockets anyway.

Okay, let's do the project stats:

Pattern: Ike by Black Purl Designs
Yarn: Queensland Katmandau Aran
Problems with the pattern: too many to list. There's a lot of missing informtion, some misleading information and some basic issues with copy editing.
Changed to the pattern: Mostly the pockets.
Overall Impressions: Love the yarn. Hated the pattern. Fits Matt fairly well (and will be better after I shorten those sleeves). So I'll give it a C on the pattern and an A on the yarn.

Wishing everyone the best this holiday season!!

An update: I replaced the zipper with one that is a better color match and I shortened the sleeves: a huge improvement!

Sunday, 7 A.M.

and I'm ahead of schedule...

Ike is blocked (and dry) with ribbing done on pockets and a little seaming done (one saddle in place).

I'll have it done today (fingers crossed).

It's Crunch Time

and you know how I feel about crunches (I'm against them).

I did end up ripping back the sleeve instead of laddering down. I figured that between the narrow width of the sleeve and how far I had gone, that the laddering would be more time consuming than just reknitting that section. I was right. I'm back on track and the sleeves look like they go on the same sweater now:

Ike sleeves, matching
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I'm hoping that I can block on Sunday and have it seamed on Monday. Even with that schedule, it won't be done for Christmas (as I still have the ribbing on the collar and the pockets to deal with as well as inserting the zipper). If I can get it blocked on Saturday night, and it's dry Sunday morning, I'll be on time. I just don't see that happening. It's also not a suprise (Matt even picked out the zipper) and I know he doesn't expect it Christmas morning. However, that's all the more reason I would like to have it done.

Okay, back to it then. I just have to remember that crunches are better for my back than sit ups, right?

How to be stupid with one's knitting

Just be cocky. Like, think you remember the cable on the second sleeve, even tho you finished it a while ago and did the fronts between sleeves.

Ike, with non matching cables on the sleeves
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Ya, so the cables don't match. I "reversed" them (switching the right and left crosses). Luckily, I did catch it and I'll just frog down the cables, not the entire sleeve. Hopefully it will be a quick fix, but sets my schedule back a bit. It won't be done in time for Christmas. It will be done this year, oh yes, it will be done!

I really want to get back to my Mermaid, but I'm waiting to finish Matt's Ike before I tackle restarting the sleeves. It "should" go quickly once I'm back to work on it... so to give me a mindless filler, I started a pair of Mermaid socks (the Lucy Neatby pattern from Cool Socks, Warm feet):

Twisted Mermaid Socks
click to enlarge
The yarn is from an Etsy shop called Twisted and she does some pretty neat self striping yarns. This colorway is called "Firefly", and while it's much more yellow than I expected, it looks so cool knit up. An other skein (in a pink/brown colorway) is on it's way to me.

Thanks for the comments about my year in review posts. Kristen did point out that I had a lot more hits than misses this past year, and I completely concur. The worse project was an old one that I just wanted to finish and done. The San Fran Pullover was a disaster, but it was old enough that I haven't learned to go with my instincts. I now basically stop a project if I don't think I'm going to like it. The San Fran was too far for me to do that (it only needed sleeves) so I figured that if it was horrid, I'ld just get rid of it (which is what I did). I also knew that I wasn't going to like the Natural Fair Isle Beauty, but Matt sure did. So it was a struggle to work on, but he really does wear it a lot. I don't blame the Newport Cardigan for my disappointment. I do love the sweater... I just can't wear it. I'm optimistic that one day I will.

So I think I've learned a lot over the years as far as knitting goes. I have no qualms anymore of abandoning projects that I don't think are working. I've learned more about what I actually wear and what suits my body (tho' the tight sleeve issue is becoming more and more of an issue. I don't think it's just me... I think it's the style right now... especially when I saw a 52" finished sweater with a 13.5" sleeve width?) I'm also hoping I'm getting better at adjusting the math to work for me. I've got to get better at the set in sleeve math, again, as that's very much the style right now.

Okay, I guess I'm off to fix a cable panel (ugh, is it too early for a beer?). I'll be posting my 2008 goals over the next couple of days (ya, those are always funny to go back and read...). I've got some very specific goals for the upcoming year.

Let's Wrap It Up

Today will be the final installment of the Year In Review. I had hoped to have both Mermaid and Ike done by the end of the year, but I blame Bioshock (ya, I played thru it 5 times). Ike still is on track to be finished by the end of the year... and fingers crossed by Christmas morning (I'm on the last sleeve).

Okay, let's see where we are with my 2007 finished projects (again, just click on the photo to go to the archive page for that project for all the details).

Olde Peddler Crochet Shawl:


My first "for sale" pattern. I wrote this pattern specifically for Theresa to teach an advanced beginner crochet class at Olde Peddlers Wool in Morgantown. I used some of Fearless Fibers handdyed lace weight yarn, which I can't say enough how much I loved working with. Laceweight wool and crochet work really well together and the drape and color of this shawl was just what I had in mind. It's still on display at the shop, so I haven't used it much, but I'm very pleased with how it turned out.

Initial feelings: love the yarn and was pleased with the pattern
Current feelings: very happy with the results (again, haven't used the shawl itself, so can't judge that).

Basketweave Ribbed Socks:


OMG! A pair of frickin' socks. Ya, I actually quite enjoyed knitting these. Again, a yarn from Fearless Fibers, which is just lovely to work with. The pattern was simple, yet interesting. The sock and pattern worked perfectly together and I wear these socks a lot actually.

Initial feelings: love the yarn and pattern
Current feelings: comfy and well worn socks

Adara Chic


Photo isn't really "up to date", as I do have a beautiful clasp on it now. What can I say about this? I love love love it. I delibrately made this a little small, as I knew that the Adara stretches as it's worn. It fits perfectly. I love the color. The clasp is perfect. I wore this a lot at the end of the summer/early fall this year.

Initial feelings: love the yarn and pattern and was very pleased
Current feelings: love love love it!

The Newport Cardigan:


This was one of the disappointments of the year. The pattern is lovely, the yarn is lovely, my body... not so much. My heavy upper arms and this sweater just don't work together. I'm optimistic that it will fit eventually, but right now, it's sitting in my closet waiting for me to drop a little more weight. I also might try a second blocking to see if I can open up the sleeves a bit more.

Initial feelings: disappointed in the fit, but love the pattern and the yarn
Current feelings: not changed

Matt's Bad Ass Biker Skully:


I love this hat, as does Matt. Even if he can't wear it biking (it's cascade 220 and I think it would felt to his head under his bike helmet). However, Matt does want me to make it a little longer as it doesn't quite cover his ears. Which is fine. I don't like the decreases on the top anyway. I would rather it be a little more shaped than the gathered style. I just need to find the rest of the black cascade 220 and rip back and redo.

Initial feelings: aaaawwwwhhhh, look at the cute little skulls and crossbones
Current feelings: needs a minor fit fix, but still a favorite!

Okay, so that's what I've finished this year... at least what was blog worthy. I've also done some afghan blocks for class (one a month... so that's 12 blocks so far this year) and some other class stuff.

I'll try to have some actual current project photos up tomorrow.

And yet there's more...

Let's continue on with the Year in Review! If you select the pictures, it will link you to the Project Summery post for that project.

Split V in Elann's Adara:


I loved this pullover. The cotton/linen blend does stretch out quite a bit as you wear it, so I've had to "shrink" it a couple of times (a few minutes in the dryer will do). The pattern worked up quickly, easily and I just love the yarn. Got a lot of wear this summer and well into fall.

Inital feelings: loved it
Current feelings: still love it

Shoalwater Shawl in Josyln's Fiber Arts Angel Hair


This project started as a KAL with my SnB, until we realized that doing lace as a social project might not be the best idea. It's a great (and easy) lace project, tho' it does get pretty tedious by the end. Adding the beads to the bottom makes it drape beautifully. I love it, but I don't wear it (not really a shawl person, actually... but I do enjoy knitting them)

Initial feelings: glad it was done, love it
Current feelings: still love it, but doesn't get worn

Natural Beauty Fair Isle for Matt in Paton's Classic Wool


Let me say I hated this project. It seemed to be one of those cursed projects. I started this for Matt way back at the turn of the century (I think it was about 1998). The fair isle was worked flat and I didn't know any better. After I realized that the 52" finished one wasn't going to fit my shrunken husband, I restarted it to knit in the round. Went faster, but just never loved working on it. Matt wanted it sooo badly, so I finished it up for him for his birthday this year. I still think it's too big on my (mostly thru the sleeves) but he loves it (and even wore it today).

Initial feelings: I hated knitting it, didn't like the way it looked finished, but Matt loves it
Current feelings: glad it's not hanging over me any more, still don't love it, but Matt does, and that's what counts.

Rambling Shadows Jacket in Simply Soft Shadows


This is one of those, "let's see how this would work... I just want to play with the yarn and pattern". I had some of the Simply Soft Shadows in my stash, and thought that the mitered jacket would be comfy and easy care. I bought some solid for the sleeves and the binding, and I now have a comfy and easy care sweater for around the house.

Initial feelings: fun and easy project, just what I wanted
Current feelings: gets tossed on when I'm (or Matt) is chilled and need that extra layer.

Okay, that's it for today. I should finish up the review tomorrow. Right now I'm off to make some stitch markers.

Day Two of the Year in Review

A quick current project update before we look back on the year's knitting.

Matt's Ike Caridgan is getting closer. I'll have the left front done today and I'm hoping to get the second sleeve past the ribbing. I'm still swatching a bit for the Central Park (no relation) Hoodie. However, it's not a priority, so it's more of a "thinking about it" rather than actual swatching.

Okay, let's get back to what I've knit this year.

The Jamaican Bag


A great pattern from the One Skein Wonders book. I used a Katia yarn (I forget the name of it) and love working the pattern. So much so that two other bags have been started (and both are almost done) as well as Lucy Neatby's Mermaid socks (same stitch pattern). It's one of those great mindless knit in the round patterns. This bag is currently at Olde Peddler's Wool in Morgantown, but should be coming home soon.

Initial Impression: Loved knitting it and love the way it turned out
Current Impression: Hard to say, as it's been at the yarn shop since I finished it, so I haven't actually used it yet.


The Sitcom Chic:

Started this on Jan 1 as part of our SnB KAL. Used some beautiful TLC Cara Mia. Chose the wrong size. While I love it, and wear it around the house all the time, it's a little big for me. However, I love the pattern and the yarn (and I'm still tempted to rip it down to the sleeves attachment and work it so it's a little smaller thru the raglan shaping, either thru needle size or more raglan decreases).

Initial Impression: An easy, mindless knit (those yoke rows sure are long at first)
Current Impression: A lovely casual around the house sweater that is getting a lot of wear.

The San Fransisco Pullover:


Um, ugh. This didn't work at all. I loved the colorway of the yarn (yes, it's RH SuperSaver) and thought that it would make a nice around the house "sweatshirt" kind of project. It didn't work at all. The yarn never softened up, the design didn't work with the yarn and again, ugh.

Initial Impression: bad choices all the way around
Current Impression: not my problem, it went to the donation center

Matt's Son of A.R.A.N. Pullover

Okay, this was by far my favorite project of the year... and up there as a favorite of all time. I knit that baby in about 3 weeks. I could not put it down. The Cotton Ease was delightful to work with. The pattern easy to work. It fits Matt perfectly. Love, love, love, and love it. (oh, and it's machine washable).

Initial impression: most fun project to knit, loved the finished project
Current impression: love love love love it! (I think Cindy needs one)

Okay that's it for today. Must work on Matt's Ike... and maybe a trip to the grocery store.

Ahhh, the good ol' Year In Review!

When your knitting is kinda boring and it's mid December, what else is there to do but do the annual Year In Review.

I like doing this, as sometimes my initial reaction to a finished project isn't always what I feel about it after some time has passed and I've seen how the project actually works in the "real world". So let's get started!

First up: the Because I Love You Ribbed Pullover.

This was made upon request. Matt wanted just a ribbed mock turtleneck in a soft yarn. I wasn't so sure how I felt about doing all that 2X2 ribbing, but ended up being a nice mindless project. I had planned on finishing it for him for Christmas last year, but ran out of time, so it was finished in early January.

Initial feelings: glad it's done and he loves it
Current feelings: he still loves it and wears it quite a bit

Next up: the Tie Front Crochet Shrug

This was a quick and easy project done in Lustersheen from a Leisure Arts booklet. The original version is very cropped. I added some length so it hits me at my waist.

Initial feelings: I wasn't sure if it was "me". I thought it was cute, but was weary of actually ever wearing it
Current feelings: I've worn it several times, and I have to say that it's a lovely little spring cardigan. So I'll say that it's a success.

Next up: The Ribby Cardigan

Okay, first let me say that I need to get a better photo of this one. I used Red Heart Tweed (discontinued) for this and the Chicknits pattern. I have some minor issues with the pattern (the sleeves are a little snug and there's a funny roll at the back of the neck... the back neck needs some shaping). Let me say right now that this gets worn more than anything else that I've made this year. Both Matt and I wear it and we wear it a lot. It's flattering (even with the roll at the back of the neck), extremely comfortable and very stylish. This pattern will be knit again, with some minor modification to fix the little things that I don't like about it.

Initial feelings: I was so annoyed with the tight sleeves and the back neck roll that I didn't think it would get much wear.
Current feelings: the most worn item made this year.

Last project for today: The Half Linen Cardigan

I had purchased some yarn from Brooks Fiber Farm, but there were only two skeins available. I was browsing thru my books and stumbled across the "Linen to Gold" from the Best of Knitters: Jackets book and thought this yarn would be lovely in the pattern. Uh, ya, it was perfect. This knit up so incredibly quickly and I had just the right about of yarn (less than 2 yds were left after I was finished). An other project that I plan on doing again, even in the same yarn (different colorway), however I got three skeins to make it longer.

Initial feelings: what a great pattern for this yarn!
Current feelings: love it and wear it to most knitting events

Okay, that's it for today as far as the Year in Review goes. Just a quick update on current WIP's.

Keith's biker beanie is done... and gone. Matt took it with him today and I didn't get a pic of it before it left. I'll try to get a picture of Keith modeling it. The colors do match their cycling kits perfectly (let's hope the 2008 kits are the same colors!).

Matt's Ike is progressing. I'm now done with the back, one sleeve and the right front. The left front in on the pocket. Still optimistic that I can have it done by Christmas

Now that the Central Park (no relation) Hoodie is available for individual purchase, I bought it and I'm swatching it. I'm already thinking that TCL's Heathers might be perfect for it (and since I have soooooooooo much of it).

In some sad news, I had ordered some Estelle Silk from Elann and it's never arrived. Elann says I have to wait to the 17th before it's officially "lost", but I've never had a priority package take longer than 5 days and we're up to 19 days since it shipped.

Okay, off to switch laundry and maybe do some swatching.

I guess I need to update

I'm feeling the pressure of trying to get things finished. Meaning I don't want to work on anything. Since I'm hoping to get Matt's Ike Cardigan done for Christmas and I want to finish Mermaid for me, I've been trying not to cast on anything new (Roam doesn't count... as that really is a swatch, and I won't concentrate on it until the start of the knitalong on Jan 1) or work on much else. I do have a few small projects I'm sneaking in here and there (a simple fisherman's rib scarf for me and a crochet biker beanie for Keith in the team's colors), but instead of working on what I'm supposed to be working on, I'm simply not knitting much.

I blame Bioshock. I've now played thru it 4 times, getting all the acheivements but the new one (Balls of Brass... playing thru it on hard without dying... or rather using the "checkpoint" system in the game that people thought made the game too easy... and ya, I'm thinking my balls are not of the brass kind, as I had a difficult time getting thru it on hard with the Vita-Chambers).

So I don't know... I need something to spark my interest in my knitting, and nothing is really doing that for me right now.

Thanks to everyone that left comments about Matt's handywork. The piece is just lovely and I almost hated filling it with books. Sam is still in it, but it's mostly just knitting books, stereo speakers and a few other odds and ends. The yarn bins are being stored in the cabinets underneath (as is the printer). Matt's been using the desk area for work, so it's nice to have spot for him when he's working from home (which is most days).

Of course, he's done working for the year again. He never seems to use up his vacation and they'll only roll over one week... and since he rolled over one week last year, he's got to use up his time or lose it before the end of the year. So he's home and is planning on attacking our downstairs powder room. Which desperately needs work.

Okay, I'm off to do some laundry and maybe look for something new to cast on just for some inspiration?

A little of this, little of that

First, let's talk about an FO.

My Knitting Storage Center
click to enlarge
Matt is basically done with our new built in bookcase. With a little help from Keith. There's a couple more pictures over on Matt's blog.

Okay, so Matt got one of his projects done... how am I doing you might ask...

Well, the body of Mermaid is done, and I did cast on the first sleeve. However, I've been thinking out the sleeve length and I think I'm going to start over so that they're a little shorter. I'll follow the cast on for the size small, but make the medium width.

I do have a baby sweater about halfway done and Matt's Christmas sweater (Ike) is sort of stalled. However, I'm swatching for Roam (as I'm going to do this as a KAL on Ravelry).

After a lot of looking at yarn choices (as there's no way I'm spending $275 to make it in the original yarn), I ended up ordering some Sailor from Elann. It came yesterday, so I'm swatching it:

Roam
click to enlarge

I was shocked at how thin the Sailor was when it arrived (it's listed as a DK weight yarn, but I have to I would put it in a sport/fingering weight catagory). Saying that, it's working perfectly (so far) for Roam. I think the style of the jacket really needs a drapey fabric (especially since I'm using a 100% cotton yarn instead of a silk blend yarn as per the original). The colors don't seem to be pooling on me so far, so I'm pretty happy with how it's looking. Oh, and yes, that is the width of the back... how can I swatch to see if the color is going to pool too badly unless I make my swatch the size of my sweater, right? (like I need a justification to cast on a project).