Multi-Crafter

2010-11-09T11:14:00.000-08:00

Finally some knitting for my children. It may seem strange, I knit mostly child and baby items, yet my kids get the short end of the knitting stick. The large number of my knit things end up as gifts. There are a few reasons for this.....
Baby knit sizing is forgiving. I almost never knit "newborn" sized items. My babies were never really newborn sized, so I go for 3month size as a minimum, often much larger, since I know they will grow into the stuff eventually. This frees me from heavy thoughts on gauge and all that. It also means I can knit ahead for babies, or if I'm knitting something and it doesn't get finished, gift them something else and finish up that project for a future baby.

Knitting for a growing child (and goodness do they grow fast when they want to) is far less forgiving. If you measure a child and calculate the dimensions, you'd better sit down and knit that sucker up ASAP. If you let them eat a few meals, or have a nap or two, suddenly they are 2 inches taller and the things don't fit right! Ask me how I know this!!?!

I do occasionally treat my little ones to knit items, and they are most appreciative when I do, which makes me think I should work to do so, just a little more often. My latest knits for my kids.....a cabled skirt for Teagan, and two brimmed warm hats for Argen:

Knitting With My Daughter.....

2010-07-23T11:23:00.001-07:00

Teagan knitting on the hat
Originally uploaded by wendymc

Teagan learned to knit about a year ago, and has shown a little interest here and there, but not really stuck with it. I think it's just so slow to progress into something, and still requires a lot of focus and effort for her. Recently she told me the bus driver for her afterschool care program was expecting, and I saw they had bonded well. I suggested she and I knit a baby hat together to give her, and she was pretty excited.

I did more of the knitting, but Teagan did quite a lot as well. I would knit a couple rounds, then give it to her for upwards of a round. She even learned to purl on this project! The end result was great, and the woman was thrilled to receive it. (probably almost as thrilled as my daughter was to give it!)

2010-04-07T09:01:00.000-07:00

No new photos to share, sorry. I have been knitting. I'm nearly done a purple baby dress in lovely Babyboo bamboo yarn. I love that yarn, too bad I can't get it locally anymore.

I also started a pair of fingerless mitts from the Mitt Envy pattern, in Mini Mochi yarn. Pretty, soft washable yarn, with slow noro-like colour changes. Should work up very nicely. I'm optimistically thinking about fingerless mitts as teacher gifts next Christmas. Figured I had better get started now if I need to knit a whole mess of them!

Can I Finish in Time?

2010-02-26T09:15:00.001-08:00

Hat Progress
Originally uploaded by wendymc

Nearing the end of the Olympics, and I still have a ways to go on my Ravelympic project! I'm about an inch farther than the photo shows, but since the ribbed cuff portion of the hat is to be 8 inches, I have a ways to go yet! I need to find some more knitting time! I've been really busy, so even though I carry this project with me everywhere, and the mindless ribbing section lets me pick up and go, I'm just not getting enough time to work on it. That and fingering weight yarn is slow going. I've seen others knit this project in DK weight and I think that would have been better. I like how floppy the drape is on this one, but I'm worried it will be a bit small.

Still, I'm going to try and finish, but it will be close!

2010-02-17T09:17:00.001-08:00

Ravelympics!

Our Bitchybees knitting group is participating in the Ravelympics, and of course I joined in, too. I'm a pretty busy gal so despite the urge to sign up for a ton of events, I started with just one, with a special personal challenge. I'm knitting myself a lacey hat, the Eyelet Hat from Vogue Knitting. The hat itself won't be a challenging knit, the challenge is in knitting something FOR MYSELF and knitting ONLY THAT PROJECT until it is done. I am not a monogamous knitter at all. I'm distractable, easily enticed to start new things, and bad for not finishing projects. So my challenge to myself is to knit on only this hat until it is 100% complete. Every end woven in, blocked if needed, and ready to wear. Even in the first few days, I've struggled with wanting to try other things, or bring a second project along with me.

Argen's Rainbow Hat

2010-02-02T08:52:00.001-08:00

Argen's Rainbow Hat
Originally uploaded by wendymc

I don't often knit for my kids. I just can't bear to watch them outgrow items in less time than it took me to knit them! So instead I focus most of my knitting efforts on gifts. Gifts for babies, especially, since they are so small and fast.

But when Argen kept wearing a hat I had knit him, despite it being much too small, and requested I knit him a Rainbow Hat to replace it, I couldn't say no. He wanted it to cover his ears, so I finally had a reason to try out the Cameron's Cap (pdf) Pattern. I wanted it to be superwash wool to be warm but stand up to some washing and abuse, of course. I found that Mochi Plus had a great rainbow colourway, and BOY is it ever soft. It's a loosely spun single-ply that worked up great for a warm winter hat.

He loves it.

Completed Multnomah

2010-01-27T09:18:00.001-08:00

Completed Multnomah
Originally uploaded by wendymc

Finally finished this shawl, a donation for the local tea festival silent auction. The Tea Festival is an event that supports the Camosun College daycare centre, where my son attends, and at the college I work at.

This was a great pattern, very simple to knit, just straight stockinknit with increases, and then feather and fan with increases at set points. Almost mindless. And a great showcase for beautiful Noro yarn. I started the shawl with 3/4 of a skein of Noro Kureyon Sock that someone gifted to me, and promptly ran out, just into the feather and fan section. Of course it was a discontinued colour. I arranged to buy a skein off someone on Ravelry, which then got lost in the mail! So I gave up on that and sought out a similar colourway, saved a section of the teal from the first skein to tie it in, and I think it worked out fine. I'm happy with the size, it's a nice large shawl. Hopefully it fetches a good price at the auction!

2009-12-02T15:15:00.001-08:00

Strawberry Bag/Purse
Originally uploaded by wendymc

I knit up this strawberry purse/bag for my neice's 4th birthday. My sister appreciates my handknits, and I like to gift something special for family, along with a toy or other gift. I couldn't find a free pattern I liked so I worked from some photos and just made it up as I went, and I'm happy with the result. Patons Classic Wool is always a good choice for felting, and I knit it with 2 strands held together so it's quite thick and strong. I hoped the birthday girl would like it, , but couldn't have guessed how much......"It's all mine and I love it!" she said. Later on talking to grandma she said breathily "I've been wanting this ALL YEAR LONG!" which was pretty cute. So I did well with this gift.

Other projects are on the needles, matching hats for the 3 neices for christmas, a cabled vest for me, and recently I test knit a pattern for a friend. She makes some really fantastic soft toys and has a pattern for convertable mitts, and the alien hat I test-knit, in her shop at Coy. Here's Argen modelling my Alien Invasion hat:

Skull Tea Cozy

2009-11-02T12:12:00.001-08:00

Skull Tea Cozy
Originally uploaded by wendymc

We went to halloween wedding this year. It was a lot of fun, very casual and kid-friendly, which was great. We gave the couple cash, since they already lived together and didn't need much, but I wanted to give them something a little special, too. They're into zombies and stuff (they'd have to be to have a halloween wedding!) so I figured this would suite them. I'm happy with how it turned out, and I like the cliche nature of a teapot and cozy for a wedding gift.

My 2-at-a-time Socks!

2009-09-28T10:59:00.001-07:00

Socks
Originally uploaded by wendymc

Wow, almost three months and no updates, I really am bad at blogging!

I finished my 2-at-a-time socks, and I'm quite happy with them. I carry my knitting around quite a bit, so it gets jostled and tossed here and there, so I did find I was sorting out the skeins and untangling a bit. Moreso than I would with socks done 1-at-a-time. I'm not sure if the appeal of getting 2 done at once balances out the frustration of dealing with two skeins all the time. I think I might just stick with single sock knitting.

Since the sock bug was ignited (and my munchkins saw my socks and decided they NEEDED some, too) I knit them each a pair:

Argen's are with leftovers from my socks, some knitpicks essentials kettle dyed, and Teagan's are from Lorna's Laces Lucky Stripe.

They're pretty happy with their socks, and have been wearing them a lot. I'm happy about that, they might wear them out before they grow out of them - no small feat for growing feet!

And for something completely different I knit a "runner's companion" (pattern on ravelry) mp3 carrier that fits on your forearm. I happened to have some obscenely bright and festive Cascade Fixation kicking around, which I thought was perfect. My boss (recipient of this birthday gift) was happy as well.

On to Christmas knitting, I'm starting the first of it on our trip to Vancouver this weekend! Matching hats for my 3 neices.

2-at-a-time socks

2009-07-05T22:23:00.001-07:00

2-at-a-time socks
Originally uploaded by wendymc

I've been eyeing my copy of "2 at a time Socks" by Melissa Morgan-Oakes for a while now, and finally cast on for a pair of yesterday. Despite the fact I'm knitting two socks at once (and thus they move along half as quickly) and that I've been busy this weekend, I'm making good progress. So far I'm managing to keep things fairly organized, and not get all tangled up between the two skeins of yarn. I'm scared about the heels, though.

I'm heading on a trip for work in a week, and debating whether this would be good travel knitting. It could be that this extra level of complexity means it is NOT good travel knitting, especially if i want to talk to my coworkers on the plane. but I'm loathe to cast on yet ANOTHER project, just to have something simpler to work on.

Victoria Fibre Festival

2009-06-26T14:35:00.001-07:00

Teagan Weaving
Originally uploaded by wendymc

Last weekend found me at a yarn crawl and outdoor fibre market, the final events in a week long local fibre event, The Victoria Fibre Festival. Saturday our local knitting group met up to do a shorter yarn crawl than previous years, visiting 3 great shops within walking distance of one another, and ending at a Pub/Restaurant for Lunch and BeerKnitting. I found a few treasures in the shops, everyone had some items on sale. I bought a skein of Cloud Cotton which is much like the Blue Sky Alpaca Cotton, but much cheaper. 3 skeins of Soya cotton were priced so well they had to come home with me also. I found a good deal on some Tanis Fibre Arts Sock yarn and grabbed that as well.

Sunday was the fibre market, and being Father's day I didn't feel right ditching my husband with both kids all day to play with fibres.....so I brought Teagan with me. She's pretty crafty, and a new knitter, so I thought she'd be a fun companion. It turned out to be a great day for her. Everything about the event thrilled her, starting with riding the taxi shuttle down to the park, trying out weaving (see photo*), needle felting, spinning and loom knitting, and exploring the rocks and tidepools on the shore. I found a beautiful oversized skein of Gaia's Colours Worsted in pretty greens to purchase, and then teagan and I went out for Vegan pizza and brownies downtown. Good times!

*Our local knitting group had a little photo contest for pictures of the knitting events of the weekend, and this shot of Teagan weaving won me a GORGEOUS skein of Sundara sock yarn!

2009-06-12T14:03:00.000-07:00

Teacher Gifts

I like to knit little thank-you gifts for the daycare staff, both at Christmas and the end-of-year celebrations. We're coming up to the end of the year, so it's gifting time again. I might have been over ambitious this year, since Argen moved from one centre to the other, and I wanted to gift his old and new caregivers. So, the total comes to 13 caregivers and 2 admin staff this time around!! I think the admin staff are just getting cards, because I don't think I have it in me to finish enough by next friday. Argen gifted the staff at his new centre today, since it is their end-of-year celebration day. They were very well received:

Some have icord straps, some garter stitch, one seed stitch. I used this basic pattern:
Lacy Leaf Water Bottle Carrier and then switched up the patterning a little. I had some lighter weight cotton that required more stitches for some, and tried different striping in the stitches, so I didn't lose my mind knitting them all. I still have a few to knit up over the next week, too.

Teagan's First Knitting Project!

2009-06-01T21:13:00.001-07:00

Teagan's First Knitting Project!
Originally uploaded by wendymc

My daughter is a knitter. I'm so proud! Teagan's been interested in my knitting since.......well since she used to dance inin utero as my circular needles tapped on my belly! I got her a knitting loom a little over a year ago, and while she enjoyed playing on it, her attention span didn't let her do much with it. More recently she asked to learn to knit with needles, and I of course obliged.

She did well playing with some needles of mine, though they were thin and a bit slippery, so we picked up a set of short bamboo 6mm straights. I cast on and set her up, and other than a few rows grandma did, and me picking up a dropped stitch or two, she made this! With instruction she even did the casting off herself!

(in case it's not obvious, this is a rug for her Barbie doll house. It was going to be a comforter but it was far too narrow for the bed, and I figured picking up stitches to widen it was a more advanced lesson than she was ready for)

I heart Tanis Fibre Arts

2009-05-28T15:24:00.001-07:00

Telemark in Tanis Fibre Arts
Originally uploaded by wendymc

This may be the most wonderful yarn I've yet knit with. It's squooshy and soft, lightweight (for wool) in your hands as you knit, and the colous......oh the beautiful colours. I'm talking about Green Label Aran Weight from Tanis Fibre Arts. It's a lovely Superwash wool in 215yard skeins and gorgeous colourways, and available locally at Beehive Wool. It's a little pricey, almost $20 a skein, but I'm so glad I splurged.

I've been enjoying every moment of knitting this up into the Telemark Pullover, a lovely top down toddler sweater. But I've run into a problem. I'm nearly out of yarn and I'm just coming to the bottom hem. I haven't knit the arms yet. I have three choices:

1)knit the body a little short, and finish it off as a make-shift-vest with no sleeves. (and hope I have enough yarn for this!!)
2) buy another skein of yarn, making this a $40 baby sweater, for no one in particular - ouch!
3) rip it out and start over with a different pattern. (I actually have a vest in mind that I should be able to manage with this yardage)

I'm leaning towards #3. Knitting with this yarn has been a real pleasure, so I wouldn't cry about the lost "work" because I'd get to knit with the same skein twice. I do plan to buy more of this yarn, maybe even to knit a larger item for myself, but I'm bothered by spending $40 to knit up one baby sweater, when I don't even have a recipient in mind. What would you do?

2009-04-22T14:26:00.001-07:00

Super Fast Baby Knit

I had a field hockey tournament on the weekend. Our first game was in the morning, and while there I learned one of the players (someone I knew fairly well from playing over the years) had actually had her baby a few weeks back. (and YES she was out playing! Wow!) Between games I whipped up this little hat, in a soft sage Blue Sky Alpaca Cotton I had:

It came together SO quickly, probably 2 hours of knitting time? I was finishing it as my husband drove us back to the fields for the afternoon game (hence the crummy photo, snapped on my skirt on my lap in the car at the last second!) but I did get it done in time to deliver it.

The Blue Sky Alpaca cotton is lovely yarn to knit with. So soft and squishy, not like the cheap handicrafter kitchen cotton I usually knit with. Even though it's expensive, I think a skein would whip out two of these hats easily, so they are fast and affordable baby knits.

2009-04-17T15:08:00.000-07:00

As it's been a month since my last post, I'm due, eh?

I'm knitting as much as I can, feeling inspired by everything I see and eager to cast on 100 different things. I'm trying to finish a few here and there, as well. There have been babies and kids to knit for, which are luckily smaller projects.

This Oriental Dress was for a friend of mine's new baby, and the fruit purse was for the 2 year old sister of the baby:

I knit up the "everlasting Bagstopper" pattern from knitty, adding knit handles and omitting the drawstring. It was going to be for my sister as part of her present, but I liked that one so much I kept it - and knit another one for her. They're a fast, fun, useful project!

And finally, my daughter lamented, while dancing in the living room, that she "just can't do proper ballet without ballet slippers!". Knitting to the rescue! I whipped up these little slippers for her, and she was as happy as can be. She slept with them by her bed for a few days, so she could put them on first thing each morning.

I'm working on some baby socks for one friend, and a little dress for another (I have such fertile friends!), but dying to cast on the Medallion Vest on the cover of the new Vogue Knitting. I'm not sure it would suit me, but I just HAVE to knit it. I'll see how long I can hold out.

2009-03-13T12:49:00.000-07:00

A new month, and a new post.....

I am knitting plenty, I just rarely feel like I have anything worth posting about here. That and I forget about the blog. Oops. Nothing noteworthy is going on in my crafy world right now, but I felt like it was due time for a post.

I've finished up the giant pile of yarn I got from the shop downtown, to make hats and mitts. I don't know If I could have made a whole mitt with the leftovers I worked down to, so I feel good about that. The small yardage on the Knitpicks Shine Worsted forced me to use more than one colour on every item anyways, so I went even further on some and added 3 colours. I don't normally like colourwork, but the results were fun:

I finally finished up the Placket Neck Vest I was knitting for Argen in Shine Sport. Not a moment too soon, it barely fits my big boy:

And now I'm working on baby items. I have nearly finished a dress for a friend who just had a baby girl, and I know of a couple other gals who are due very soon, so I'd better get moving. Teagan would like something knit for her, since I just gave her brother something, as well.

2009-02-06T14:42:00.000-08:00

I finally finished the shawl this week. I think I just about knit the thing twice with all the mindless errors and reknitting I did, but I'm quite happy with the result. Panda Wool was really nice to work with, not at all splitty and had really nice stitch definition. I liked the colours as well. I hope it fetches a good bid at the Tea Festival next weekend!

Now I'm working on some more hats for the shop, and thinking about finishing up some fingerless mitts I started for a friend. Plus I have about a million other projects milling about in my head, as always.

2009-01-21T10:58:00.000-08:00

Well, I failed pretty miserably at the holidalies deal. At least I had few readers, so I didn't embarrass myself in front of many? See, there can be benefits to not being popular!!

The holiday season got the better of me, and add in a sinus infection and a lovely bout of bronchial pneumonia attacking me together, and I didn't have much interest in blogging. I have been knitting though. I managed to finish knit washcloths for all the daycare staff. I knit a couple more than were pictured here, those had to go out early as the student assistants didn't work to the end. I packaged each with a foam bath sachet:

I am nearly done this Transformers Hat for my husband:

I'm pleased with how it's turning out, and the fair isle wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. My favorite part is the writing along the inside of the hat. (it reads - more than meets the eye) I am running out of yarn for the very last part of the lining, so I'm using some black bamboo yarn I had left over. Magnus likes that his hat has a "secret bamboo panel", go figure.

I hit the boxing week sales and scored some fun yarns. Babyboo, my favorite bamboo yarn for baby items, some berocco comfort, another great baby yarn, and Loveit Colours:

I'm knitting away on a Shetland Triangle shawl now for the Tea Festival Silent Auction. It's a simple lace pattern, but coming out very nicely. I'm struggling with what "value" to put on it, as that will be displayed with the item and sometimes guides the bids placed. I was thinking $100, but Magnus says $200-300 is more appropriate, but it's hard to imaging a shawl I knit being worth THAT much................

I

2008-12-16T22:29:00.000-08:00

HolidailiesPost #11: Speedy

I'm a pretty fast knitter. It helps that for basic knitting, things like straight knitting or a simple rib, I can do without looking at my fingers. I can knit while walking, watching tv, or talking to people - lets me be more efficient for sure. I also carry my knitting all over, so I can sneak in stitches here and there.

Yesterday I decided I needed a cowl, so I started one on the bus this morning. I'm 3/4 of the way done, and suspect I'll finish it on the bus ride into work tomorrow. Talk about instant gratification knitting! I'm not used to the huge needles (8mm) or the thicker yarn (2 strands of worsted held together) but it's a nice change. I usually knit with dk to worsted weight, on about 4mm needles. This goes SO much faster. I think I'll be looking for more heavy-gauge knitting projects in the future. Photos tomorrow, hopefully.....

2008-12-15T12:53:00.000-08:00

Holidailies Post #10 : Brrrr!

I think I need to knit myself a cowl. It's cold out there, and apparently the cold weather and snow will be sticking around for a couple of weeks! We're just not used to weather like this around here. Thee are so many lovely cowl and neckwarmer patterns, but I just didn't see that I would need one, but now I do! I'm eyeing the Janie Cowl pattern, if I can find a bulky yarn in my stash, or make it work in worsted. I need something that I can pull up over my face and ears, that will stay there - maybe a ribbed top would work better? I could whip one up in a couple days......if my knitting to-do list weren't already a mile long.

2008-12-13T21:50:00.000-08:00

Holidailies Post #9: Snow!

It's snowing outside! Really and truly snowing. They've been forcasting it for days, but I never believe it until I see it. Living in Canada, it seems strange that snow is such a big deal to me, but here on the west coast we rarely see the white stuff. A white Christmas is rare, so snow near christmas gets folks excited.

I am not a huge fan of snow. I don't like people driving in it, I hate feeling stuck at home, worrying about how to get places, and what we'll have to cancel. Since we rarely see snow here, no one knows how to deal with it, and driving can be dangerous. I'm worried about my neice's birthday tomorrow, up island over the mountain, grocery shopping in the morning, work on Monday.

But it sure is pretty, the white blanket over everything, christmas lights glittering through the blowing flakes still falling. For now, I'm just going to bundle up on the couch with my husband and my knitting, and deal with the worries tomorrow.

2008-12-12T11:52:00.001-08:00

Holidailies Post #8: I want to Dye!

I just can't take it anymore - I want to DYE! hehe.

I bought up a whole bunch of easter egg dye tablets on sale after easter, and stored them away until I had the time and inclination to try them out. I've only ever tried Koolaid Dying in the past. I really like koolaid dying. It's fast and cheap, though the colour choices are a bit limited. It's hard to get nice rich shades of a lot of colours, especially blues and greens. Easter egg dye, from what I see, gives you nice vibrant colours. It requires the additional step of adding vinegar, but I think I can handle that.

I want to make Bike Helmet Earwarmers for my supervisor, and I think it would be fun to dye up some yarn for them. Magnus is out this evening, so I'm on my own anyways, the perfect time to dye. Watch for photos tomorrow!

2008-12-11T15:00:00.000-08:00

Holidailies Post #7 : Finishing Work

I really don't enjoy finishing work in my knitting. I try to use seamless/one-piece knits so that all I have to do to "finish" a piece, is weave in a couple ends. (and I hate having to even do that much sometimes!) The bulk of my UFO stack at any given time is a number of items that are done, except for seaming up, weaving in ends, or adding buttons. Sometimes all three. I enjoy the knitting, I love watching a project take shape and move from rows of stitches into a pattern or shape, but the end details don't thrill me.

I think part of the problem is I'm not great at seaming, I've never taken the time to learn the proper techiques or practice. This means it's always a struggle, trying to figure out what will work best, look ok, and be strong and sturdy. I also worry that poor seaming will muck up a perfectly good knit.

I currently have 4 toddler mittens, all knit up and ready to seam. I sense a LONG evening ahead of me.....

2008-12-10T14:58:00.000-08:00

Holidailies Post #6: Winter 08 Knitty!

The new knitty magazine is up, an exciting time for any knitter. This magazine consistantly offers a large variety of patterns, in a variety of skill levels and styles - all for FREE! The photos are great, the instructions complete, and the magazine is popular so you can always find someone else knitting the same pattern you are interested in. The server is still pretty slow, what with 8-trillion knitters accessing the site, but I managed to get on to see the patterns.

I LOVE Amused, which is a top-down seamless pullover, with a deep neck and cabled detailing for the collar. It is a 3/4 length sleeve, I might want full length, and the long ribbed panel at the waist worries me a little. It could either be slimming, or cling too much. Some speedy knitters will no doubt finish it before I have a chance to start, and hopefully I can get a better idea of how this looks knit up in a size L.

I had pretty much decided to knit the Cable-Down Raglan, and even purchased enough Cascade Superwash to knit it up. But I'm seriously considering using that yarn to knit up Amused. I feel like it might be a better choice for my personal style and body shape. The cables in the raglan appealed to me, but I'm not sure they'd look good on my not-so-tiny self.

I like the Fish Hat and may knit that for my son at some point. Amelia is really pretty, though I'm not sure I'd knit that one. There will be a pair of Fargyles socks in my future. How can I not knit such a fun pattern, written for DK weight yarn - speedy socks!

Both Poinsettia and Maja caught my eye as beautiful things I'd love to knit, but I just wouldn't wear them myself. Perhaps one or the other would be a good item to donate to the tea festival fundraiser this winter? What do you think - would folks bid on either of these?

I can't wait to get my knitting "to-do list" cleared off so I can tackle some of these new patterns!

2008-12-09T15:10:00.000-08:00

Holidailies Post #5: Wishlists

Online chatter turns to holiday wishlists this time of year. Message boards post "What do you want Santa to bring you?" topics, websites set up wishlist options, and we're all expected to have a list of our desired gifts. I'm struggling to make one up. The truth is, there really isn't much I need. I don't covet fancy expensive items I can only rationalize as christmas gifts, I don't want for the latest and greatest gadgets, and I do almost all of my reading thanks to our great library system. Not that I am totally non-materialistic, I do like "stuff" and buy myself "things" from time to time. I am already so busy making use of what I do have, and living my life, I can't imagine where I'd fit more things.

That said, I love surprises, and little gifties, so I hope my family can come up with an idea or two for me ;)

2008-12-08T22:26:00.000-08:00

Holidailies Post #4: Never Enough Time

Most people complain that there isn't enough time in a day. If there were a way to find more time, make more time, or just cut down on those pesky time-sucks like sleeping, showering, and working our day jobs, we'd have more time for the important things in life. Things like knitting.

I already make pretty good knitting use of my time, carrying a project with me nearly everywhere. It's rare I miss an opportunity to crank out a few stitches, if I find myself with spare time. I knit to and from work on the bus, whenever I'm a passenger in a car, in front of the tv, and even in casual meetings. (I just came home from our field hockey AGM where I happily stitched away on a hat. Last year they made fun of me, this year I just got a few smiles) I actually even bring my knitting to movies and concerts - what else am I going to do while sitting in my seat waiting for the show? Knitting is still thought of as a kind of geeky, old fashioned activity by some, I figure doing it at a NIN concert is doing my part to dispel that image! HAH!

If only I could learn how to type and knit, I'd be laughing. Hmmmm....I have heard mention of voice recognition software

2008-12-07T20:44:00.000-08:00

Holidailies Post #3:

Well, yet another of my commissioned hats didn't turn out quite right. My "18-24 month hat fits my GIANT melon-head 2.5yr old son, and not snugly. Yeah, I probably should have measured it sooner, it's too late to fix without ripping the whole thing out now. so I'm going to finish it up big, and hope they don't mind having a bigger hat on hand. They were clear they didn't want more of the smaller (birth-18month) range of sizes. The colours are pretty, and it's a nice enough hat, just big.

I'm having some muscle issues that give me a lot of leg pain lately. My running has been curtailed by this, obviously. I'm missing the runs (did I honestly just type that?!?) but I don't want to get badly hurt. The massage therapist says it's "congestion" and I need rest and elevation. Thankfully I can knit with my feet up on the couch!

2008-12-06T15:46:00.000-08:00

Holidailies Post #2 : Avoidance

I'm a little overwhelmed with Christmas stuff right now. There are a lot of things left to do, things to finish, and things to get started. The worst part is probably that I don't really know how much I have on my plate. In order to decrease my stress, I've been trying to worry less. This is a good thing, and I am feeling less worries. However, there is a subtle feeling of impending doom, when everything catches up with me. I'm not writing a list of everything I need to do, because the idea of that list freaks me out a bit. Somehow, by not writing up the list (literally, or just in my head) I can pretend it's all manageable, and going to work out. I have a good imagination.

My knitting alone is a little out of hand.
- I'm behind on my comissioned hats, due to some various issues (mis-sized hats, running out of yarn, creative blocks, etc)
- I have about 4 of 10 washcloths knit for the daycare staff christmas gifts, and no idea what type of soap item to package them with
- Magnus' knit item is not nearly finished (though with his January birthday I may just pretend I intended it for then - hah!)
- I need to pick out a christmas knitting gift for our knit group's gift exchange - and plan a potluck item to bring for that night.
- the booties for my young neice are looking less and less likely
- my other 2 neices may not get matching knit hats as I'd hoped
- I was hoping to knit something for each of my kids for christmas - haven't even decided on a pattern yet.
....and somehow I keep getting distracted by patterns for even MORE things I want to knit.

I'm going to get off the computer and back to the yarn now.

2008-12-04T08:58:00.000-08:00

Holidailies Day 1

I've gotten a pretty neat knitting opportunities lately, that I mentioned breifly in another post. Through a connection in my knitting group I've been asked to knit baby and children's hats for a local shop! I feel really good that my work is thought that highly of, and that I have been given total creative freedom in designing the hats, as well as some mittens. Total creative freedom is stressing me out a bit, as I want to make sure they are GOOD, so I'm working extra hard to make really nice items. They're providing the yarn, and paying me up front for each item, which is really nice.

I mentioned this endeavor at work and my supervisor immediately requested I knit a hat for a friend of hers who was becomming a grandparent. I had some leftover Cascade Sierra, a lovely cotton/wool blend, so I knit something up. She was pleased, and paid me $20 for it happily! I have a second savings account I wasn't using, so knitting-earned monies are going directly in there to fund guilt-free knitting shopping! I'm pretty pleased with how the hat turned out:

2008-12-02T11:36:00.000-08:00

I'm considering joining the Holidailies Project where you attempt to post daily from December 5th through January 6th. I will be knitting pretty much every day up until Christmas, to get everything done, so there will be material, and maybe even photos to post. Though, how many washcloth and baby hat photos do you want to see?

I'd really like to post more, and maybe this will get me going again....

Noro Taiyo

2008-11-21T10:17:00.001-08:00

Noro Taiyo
Originally uploaded by wendymc

This is some LOVELY yarn I picked up in Hawaii last month. Yes, I was on a trip to Hawaii and was seeking out yarn shops - such is the drive of a knitter! They didn't have much in either shop I checked out, no surprise that knitting isn't as big in a warm-weather place like that - but I did come accross this gorgeous skein, and a hiyahiya 9inch circular. I haven't tried the 9inch circ yet, but I'm eager to see how it is.

I've been knitting plenty. I'm working on a fair isle had for my husband for christmas (or his birthday 2 weeks later if I'm slow) that is taking a long time. My floats are a little tight so I hope the hat fits! I also just got a gig knitting hats for a shop, and I am REALLY excited about that. My boss at Camosun heard about that and comissioned me to make a hat for a coworker who just got a grandson. It's exciting to knit for pay, very validating of my skills!

I'm also trying to crank out dishcloths. I want to knit one for each of the staff at the daycare, about 12, and maybe a couple for my brother and sister as housewarming gifts, both are moving in December.

2008-10-01T15:56:00.001-07:00

Another dry spell of posts, that does NOT indicate a knitting dry spell. In fact, I have a number of FO's to share.

I knit this Kimono Top in Bernat Soy yarn. The pattern is intended to come out smaller, and I just knit with larger needles and yarn and it came out around 18month-24month size. It is a super easy pattern, and I'm pretty sure I'll knit more. I gifted it to a friend for her small 2 year old's birthday and it was a hit with the girl and her mom.

This Bainbridge Scarf was a neat project. Basically you knit a short tube, then knit little ties to go at each side. When you wear it, the ties meet up and give you a little tail hanging down, and a lovely, sharp looking scarf! I knit this in Elsebeth Lavold Hempathy. I think it would be nice in something cozier, too, so I may knit this one again.

Just in time, I finished this Totally Autumn Afghan for a friend's wedding. I actually unpinned it from it's blocking space, wrapped it, and headed for the wedding, it was that close. It came out a little smaller than I'd hoped, even adding 2 pattern repeats. I blocked it BIG TIME, and it grew by more than a foot both ways, so I was satisfied. I used Cascade Eco for this, for the price and fibre, since I wanted wool. I have overlooked that yarn before, it feels scratchy on the skein. Once I started knitting it, it softened right up. It's a great choice for afghans and the like, and so affordable.

I'm working on a coupling things right now. Nearly finished a Telemark Sweater, for no baby in particular, halfway through a Broad Street Mitten for my coach (I do plan to knit her a pair!) and considering a slew of washcloths for travel knitting as my family heads to Vancouver this weekend. I'm hoping to get to 3 Bags Full while I'm over there for some shopping. Not that I need more yarn......maybe I'll just look?

Knitting Olympics - day 4

2008-08-12T13:31:00.001-07:00

olympicsday4
Originally uploaded by wendymc

I never think to update this blog, even though I'm knitting all the time! Right now I'm dedicated to my knitting olympics project Totally Autumn from knitty. It's a cozy, chunky-weight lace throw. I'm knitting it up in Cascade Eco+, one of the few affordable, but still NICE options available. I'm done 50 rows now (the photo was from last night) and am falling a bit behind. I need to be done something like 64 rows this evening to be on track, and that's just not going to happen. If I'm lucky I'll manage 2 or 3 rows on the bus ride home, and that will be it for the day. But I'm going to keep at it! This is a gift for a wedding that isn't until the END of August, so I have a few extra days even if I miss the olympic finish.

My Aleita tank is on hold while I knit this, and there are countless other things adding to my queue each week. I need more knitting time!

Apple Cozies

2008-07-11T10:44:00.001-07:00

Apple Cozies
Originally uploaded by wendymc

My most recent finished objects were a set of 10 Apple Cozies (only 9 pictured, one was gifted early) for the staff at my children's daycare. I like to gift them with something special and unique, since they do such a good job taking care of our kids. These are a great stashbuster, I think they use around 30yards of DK weight yarn each! I knit them in cotton, soy, acrylic, corn and wool, and all came out pretty nicely. I thought I was sick of them, but I think I'm going to make one more for a friend - she shares my birthday on the 16th of this month, so I'm pressed for time.

I'm getting less knitting time in now that it's summer. I'm off twice a week with the kids, and trying to bike more, and my prime knitting time is on the bus to and from work. Still, I'm getting some things done. I'm working on a top for my brand new neice, nearing the end of my Aleita tank, and have my eye on some larger projects for myself. I just need more time!

2008-04-30T11:32:00.000-07:00

I'm gaining some confidence in my knitting. Strange pattern directions don't scare me as much anymore, and I'm willing to play with what needles I have on hand a little more, adjusting mentally for gauge on simple projects. But the other day I impressed myself. I'm working on the Aleita Tank from Interweave Spring 2008 and noticed a split stitch. It would have bothered me, and probably been a physical weak point in the garment, so it had to be fixed. So I dropped a stitch down *33* rows to knit it back up properly. It looked fantastic when I was done, you couldn't even see where I'd done it. And this was on the bus in poor light - go me!

Feeling bold, I'm now considering a speed knitting project for Mother's Day. There is a lovely DK weight sock pattern called "Rainy Day Socks" I'm thinking about knitting. I have some Berocco Comfort in my stash - 100% acrylic but really soft and nice knit up. I'd started a mini vestee in it, but it's not really working out, so I'm considering ripping and starting again anyways.....11 days, can I do it?

I have been knitting!

2008-04-11T08:52:00.001-07:00

Aleita Tank
Originally uploaded by wendymc

Have I EVER been knitting! I hae got a bunch of projects on the needles, plus I whipped up a few quick things as well. My sister got a cotton water bottle holder (which she liked, very much), 2 newborn hats were sent off with my knitting group's charity bundle for the hospital, and a knit dishcloth was completed to give my coworker as a housewarming gift. I love small projects for the quick satisfaction!

On the needles now is a nearly finished baby cardigan in Cascade Sierra. I realy like this yarn, it feels like really nice soft cotton, but is less stiff due to the wool content. I'm interested to see how it handles wear and laundering. The pattern is nice, I might make another as this one only took one skein of the main colour, and a little bit of two accent colours - I have more than enough to make a second one.

I'm also making progress on the Aleita Tank from Interweave Knits. This project is for me and is knit in Knitpicks Cotlin. Another great cotton blend, it feels like it will be great for summer. I'm a little concerned about the flaring of the ribbed hem, but I'm going to trust it will be ok.

I've got a cabled baby hat with earflaps (Zoe Mellor design) knit up but needing the edge knit on, and lots of projects in mind. I've been swapping on a Karma board on Ravelry, so I've got some lovely new yarns to play with. (cotton cabled worsted weight, some cotton blends, Bernat Soy, and a 100% soy in veregated that looks interesting)

I have more than enough yarn in my stash, but I'm also planning a shopping trip in Seattle next weekend. The trip is actually an early anniversary weekend with my husband (10 years this summer!!) but we've factored in a little retail time. He'll be checking out a couple gaming stores, and I'm meeting a friend in The Fibre Gallery for yarn :)

2008-03-26T10:23:00.000-07:00

I'm totally overwhelmed, but in the best possible way. I have SO much new yarn, and SO many project on the needles and in mind, I just don't know what to work on! It's like an all you can knit buffet in my house right now! I got my knitpicks Cotlin for the Aleita Shell, plus some green Swish Superwash for a baby sweater. I purchased a bit of Cascade Sierra from a friend to make up a CUTE baby sweater I'm dying to work on as well. My trip up island on the weekend meant a couple yarn purchases, of course, and those are itching to be knit. Babies are due all over the place this spring and summer so I need to keep knitting gift stuff, and I have a few "nearly done" projects on the needles as well!

Thankfully I have about an hour of knitting time each day on the bus, and then some time in the evenings to knit in front of the TV. Still, there just aren't enough hours in the day, it seems.....

2008-03-14T09:21:00.000-07:00

I've been knitting a LOT lately. Good thing, because I keep buying more yarn. I have to at least pretend I'm going to be able to knit it all up in to something!

I am nearly finished Argen's Gansey sweater, and I'm really happy with how it's turning out. It's exactly what I wanted to make for him, and the colour is fantastic for him. Photos when it's completed. (I only have the collar to knit on, so it shouldn't be long) I'm working on some baby knits, I know of lots of babies on the way soon. I've got a seamless baby kimino needing buttons, a baby hat I just finished, and a mini vestee I'm planning on starting today.

2008-02-28T09:07:00.000-08:00

My knitting hasn't been going well lately. I'm working on the sleeves for Argen's Gansey right now.....first attempt at the sleeves had me following the pattern but determining that made them WAY too narrow for his hands and arms, once I was 2/3 done. *RIP* Second attempt had me knit to about the 2/3 mark again before I determined a serious needle size error. How Serious you ask? The pattern calls for a 4mm for the cuff, and a 5mm for the main part of the sleeve. I used a 3.75 ALL THE WAY UP!. *RIP* I'm about half way up the sleeves this time, hopefully for the last time. In a funny twist, I am knitting both sleeves together, to ensure they are the same size and gauge, and I don't get too bored to do #2, so my errors were doubled each time - hah!

My second issue was with the Aleita Shell from Interweave knits Spring 2008 that I'm making for myself. I picked up the magazine, happily picked out an alternate yarn of Elsebeth Lavold Hempathy and cast on. The reccomended needle gave me a huge, holey fabric. A needle several sizes down looked nice, but gave a way-too-small gauge. I am not willing to do the math and mess with the pattern, so I have to find something else.

In happier news, I have received some knitting gifts lately. A knitter at our weekly group is moving and brought a bag off cast off acrylic and cotton yarns she doesn't want to pack with her. I picked up a fantastically bright lime green cotton for dishcloths, plus 2 smaller amounts in more moderate colours, and a big skein of thick and thin fun yarn for my daughter to use on her loom. And today I got to work to find 2 pairs of knitting needles on my desk - my coworker was cleaning out her place and came accross them.

Tonight Teagan and I are heading over to visit our neighbour. She's on bedrest following an operation and is bored out of her mind. I'm going to try and teach her to knit, and Teagan's bringing her loom to "knit" with us. Should be fun!

My Haul from the Yarn Shop

2008-02-20T14:25:00.001-08:00

My Haul from the Yarn Shop
Originally uploaded by wendymc

Ever since the preview for the Spring 2008 Interweave Knits came out, I've been awaiting it's arrival on the news stands. It's full of cute spring cardigans, a lovely child's dress, and a fitted shell that would make a great tank on it's own. Finally it was in yesterday, and I was home sick from work.....so I bundled up and ventured out. An artist must suffer for her craft, after all!

I picked up the magazine, at the local yarn shop where I knew they'd have copies, and other things began calling to me from the shelves. I knew I would be knitting the Aleita Shell for myself, so I had better scope out yarn options. I found some Elsebeth Lavold Hempathy that came in a beautiful wine colour, and seemed close enough to the reccomended yarn to do the trick. Then I remembered I had a 20% off coupon in my purse, from filling a customer loyalty card. WELL, I couldn't leave with just that one yarn purchase.....into my basket lept the Cascade Sierra I'd been dying to try, and some soft Basics Stop in bright springy colours that should make a great striped baby sweater. I left before more yarn found it's way into my basket, and I'm pretty pleased with my purchases.

2008-01-22T13:41:00.000-08:00

I'm finding plenty of time for my knitting. I bike to work some of the time, but at least 3 days a week I take the bus, which is a total of 40+ minutes of knitting time. Throw in the odd evening or lunch hour knitting session, weekly knitting group, and you can see I'm knitting a LOT! It's great!

I knit up a Toasty Topper for my son, but it's a little on the small side. I used Cascade 220 held doubled, and had to go up a needle size to make it knit easily. I think I could have gone up one more needle size, and gotten a nicer fabric and that little extra room I needed for my toddler's large head:

One of the gals in my knitting group is expecting a baby in a week or two, so a surprise shower was arranged for her. I couldn't attend, but I whipped up a little hat for her, using a Pointy Ribbed Baby Hat and some pretty yarn I got at the Xmas exchange. I forgot a button and was pressed for time, so I whipped up a bobble and it worked just fine. Added bonus, no button for the baby to try and eat! This photo is from before I got the strap on:

I finished up Stulpen Fingerless Mitts for my mom's birthday last week. I'm not sure she was that pleased with them, but I know she appreciates the effort. You can't see in this crummy, rushed photo, but there is a beautiful cable on the back of the hand, where the ribs all weave in and out of each other:

Next on the needles? I really want to knit the Bainbridge Scarf as it looks fast and easy, and is a nifty pattern idea. I'm hoping I have some pretty, slightly luxurious yarn in my stash to use. I think it would make a good gift for my mother in law, who has a birthday in a week. (she's out of town for a couple weeks, though, so I have some time)

I'm also working on a Norweigan Baby hat for some folks I hear just had another little boy. (I used to play lacrosse with the parents)

2007-12-24T13:13:00.000-08:00

Christmas Knitting!

I think I might actually finish all my Christmas knitting, including the projects I decided to add as of YESTERDAY! Last night I finished up the felted crowns for the neices(I think the little shiny star "jewels" finish them off nicely):

And a felted Squid for my son and felted Spider for my daughter:

I knit a kitty washcloth for my friend and neighbour, and am halfway through a heart washcloth for my mother-in-law. My brother's Police Line Scarf is about 30 minutes from done, not counting seaming and blocking - but I won't need to have it ready until my mom's Christmas gathering on Sunday so I have plenty of time for that.

I have a few fun projects I can't wait to get started on, the Toasty Toppers hat-scarves from Knitty for my kids, and a "Better than the Real Thing" sweater for me from Yarn Girl's Guide to Knits For All Seasons. Both should be reasonably quick knits on thick yarns, so quite satisfying. I need to buy yarn for the sweater, and conveniently the local yarn shop has a big sale on the 31st......perfect!

2007-11-11T15:02:00.000-08:00

The plus side to being sick, is it sometimes frees up some time for knitting. I've been off work sick for a day and a half, and missing a few other scheduled activities as well. When I felt up to it, I pulled out the needles and focussed on finishing off a bunch of nearly-done projects. First up, Picovoli:

I'm dissapointed in this one. The picot edging on the sleeves and neck and hem was a real pain to execute, and the result still rolls and looks really funny on the sleeves. I feel like I have 80s wings going on. It's too bad, I like the fabric this yarn made, and the fit is otherwise great. I may see how it looks under something, or if I mod the sleeve caps a little. If I rip back the picot edge on the sleeves and just let them roll up to be thinner, it might look ok.

Next comes Skirtsicle:

Not the best photo, but I think my cute daughter is worth looking at, too! She loves the skirt, and I'm quite happy with how it turned out. It fits her nice, and the fabric is thick enough to be at least a little warm, as we're heading into winter. I didn't bother with a picot edge, with blocking (steam ironing) casting off matching the pattern (knit and purl) seemed roll resistant enough. I like how the yarn stripes worked out.

I'm nearly finished the Baby Surprise Jacket:

It needs a good blocking and some buttons. I think I may have to look at my seaming, as the button band doesn't overlap, but I'll see if blocking helps this out. I think this will be a gift for an expectant friend - I'm headed to her baby shower next weekend. I have about 2/3 of a skein of yarn left, I may try for matching socks or booties.

And finally, I'm making real progress on the Daycare Auction Scarf:

I'm hoping it will be an ok item. The stole I sent last year was much larger, and thus much grander an item for the auction, but I know I can finish this in time and with plenty of yarn. I think a lace scarf is more practical for more people, and the colours are great, so hopefully it will fetch good bids.

2007-11-05T13:55:00.000-08:00

I've been knitting some, though not so much as I'd like. The yarns in my last post are rapidly becoming beautiful objects, and I'm enjoying knitting with them very much. The Hacho yarn is a nearly-completed Baby Surprise Jacket for a friend. I ran out less than a dozen yards shy - so I guess I will make matching booties or a hat or something once I buy another full skein to finish it off. I'm a couple inches into a narrower scarf for the daycare silent auction with the Fleece Artist yarn. I'm struggling against the thought that a regular width scarf won't seem that impressive, since I donated a huge stole last year - but I really don't want to run out of yarn. I'm also tight for time these days, and I know I can finish a regular sized scarf. If I'm super speedy I could always make two, I have lots of the yarn from last year's project left over.....

Plans in place to knit up a Police Line scarf for my brother, though I need to research double knitting, first.

2007-10-18T11:22:00.001-07:00

Pretty new yarn
Originally uploaded by wendymc

Our family took a little vacation over to Vancouver on the weekend. This is the second year we've done this, and it might become our yearly family vacation. We take in the zoo, aquarium, science world and ikea, plus some shopping and eating, of course. Kid-friendly, low stress, and relatively inexpensive. We may extend it from a 3 day weekend to a 4 day one next year, so we can spend some time on Granville Island.

One of the hilights of the trip for me was a trip to Urban Yarns, a nifty little yarn shop over there. Some gorgeous yarns, and good sales. I didn't need much yarn (have you SEEN my stash lately??) so I didn't buy much, but I couldn't leave a couple special purchases behind. The 2 lovely skeins in the photo above are Hacho by Mirasol Yarns which I'd never seen before. It's really soft and the colours are even richer than they look in the photo. This is destined to be a Baby Surprise Jacket - not the most traditional baby colours, but it should look nice, I think. Sadly I was 2 inches into the first attempt when I found a huge error and had to rip. Ah well, it's should be quick to knit back up again.

I also brought home this gorgeous Fleece Artist Merino:

Which will become some kinds of scarf or stole for the Daycare Silent Auction this winter.

All these lovely, wonderful yarns are making me eye some of my cheaper wools and acrylics more critically. I may have to find new homes for them, to make room for all this nice yarn that keeps following me home.

Finished Felting!

2007-10-04T09:41:00.001-07:00

Finished Felting!
Originally uploaded by wendymc

Felty goodness! I finished up the felted hat for Argen. I knit up the brimmed hat from HandKnit Holidays, put an extra row on the brim, and obviously made it extra large pre-felting. (it covered my head and face) It felted up nice, but too small! I had to stretch it out a bit to fit my son's giant melon. He's put it on a few times now, but he's not sold on wearing it.

I also knit up a felted crown out of some leftover koolaid dyed wool I had. The pattern is here at the Fibre Pirate Blog. It knit up super fast, so I think I'l be making a few more - the neices and my kids will get them for Christmas, maybe. I dyed some wool blue and green for the next one, and I'm thinking about some beads or sequins I could sew on for extra pizazz.

Red Dwarf Sock Progress

2007-09-20T13:49:00.001-07:00

Red Dwarf Sock Progress
Originally uploaded by wendymc

Making progress on the Red Dwarf socks. I really like knitting with thicker yarn and bigger needles. It moves so much faster and is encouraging to see te sock grow. I like the look and simplicity of the short row heel, this is my first time trying one. Toe-up is also appealing to me - this is just a great all around pattern!

I'm also working on some stuff to felt - a crown and a hat. Also in the queue is a skirt for Teagan. Busy, busy!

Red Dwarf Socks

2007-08-31T11:06:00.001-07:00

Red Dwarf Socks
Originally uploaded by wendymc

I am knitting, I'm just not posting. It seems there just isn't time to do both consistantly, so knitting wins out.

I'm working on the Red Dwarf Socks found at Turtlegirl's Bloggy Thing right now. They're knitting up quick, I'm enjoying working with thicker yarn. It's Regia 6-ply (in the Jungle Colourway) on 3mm needles, much faster knitting than my standard 2.25mm ones! I used the figure 8 cast on as reccommended, but doubled the number of stitches to cast on for the start. I like the toe much better done this way, 16 stitches to start makes a really pointy toe, and I don't have pointy toes!

Lacy Eyelet hat for coworker's daughter

2007-07-27T10:02:00.001-07:00

Lacy Eyelet hat for coworker's daughter
Originally uploaded by wendymc

Finished up gifts to bring in for my coworkers today. I am on holiday for a month starting Monday, and one coworker is going on Paternity Leave soon, so it had to be today. (the babies are also 6 and 7 months old, so I'm already overdue!)

The Lace cap and Tassle hat are for a little girl. The lace cap is made out of Patons Katrina and I love how squishy and stretchy the fabric is. I'll definitely be making more, especially since the hat only took about half a skein. I tried to make matching socks but I ran out of time. The tassle hat is one I was making for my neice for christmas last year, but it turned out too small. Perfect for a 6 month old. Bernat Satin (my tried and true baby yarn) for this one.

The other coworker has a little boy so he gets the knit vest I made. It was going to be for Argen, but it barely fit him when I finished it a month ago, so there is no way he'd get any wear out of it by the time fall rolls around. I love how this vest turned out, and my coworker seemed pleased.

Next up, swatching for Trellis for another friend. (and taming and purging my unruly yarn stash....)

Fibre Fest and other knittery....

2007-07-23T13:21:00.001-07:00

Lizard yarn
Originally uploaded by wendymc

I had a fun time over on Saltspring Island for the Fibre Festival this weekend. I met up with a bunch of the Bitchy Bees gals and they were great company. We checked out the Saturday Market first, where I was elated to find Nut-Free Vegan Fudge for the kids, and admire some interesting pottery. Once we made our way over to the fibre festival, there was plenty more to see. We saw some drop spindle spinning (she made it look so easy!!), and how linen yarn is made, and an amazing display of some mathematical patterns in knitting. For shopping, most of our time was spent oggling and fondling the yarns at the Indigo Moon booth. I didn't buy anything there, though I was tempted. I bought the yarn pictured above, plus another skein in muted jewel tones. They're 50/50 superwash merino and tencel, enough to each make a pair of socks. (The lizardy yarn is for me!) The day ended off with a visit to an alpaca farm. There we met some shy Alpacas and some pushy Sheep, and fed them all some grain.

Back to knitting, I'm drowning in UFO's and deadlines. I'm trying to finish a yellow cardigan for a coworker, that I'd like to deliver this week. I have a baby gift that I need to decide on and make within 2 weeks, and then there is everything else I was already working on. If only I didn't have a full time job to keep me busy!

2007-07-18T21:54:00.000-07:00

I'm very excited because it looks like I will be going to The Saltspring Island Fibre Festival on Saturday! A local knitting group I've hung out with in the past was organizing to meet up and "do the festival together, but most gals were turning it into an overnight camping excursion. I can really only manage a day trip, but happily another knitter is driving over and has room in her car for me. I'm really, REALLY excited. I'm looking forward to an adult day trip away, and of course, knitting and yarn and all that good stuff!

I'm still working away on my Wyvern Socks. They're moving slowly as I don't have much knitting time, but the sock is longer, so there is progress. I just finished one arm on the baby cardigan I'm knitting as well, more progress.

I turned 30 on Monday and was gifted with tea and a pair of skeins of Noro Kureyon yarn from my friend. The search for the perfect project is on. I WAS thinking I would like a multidirectional scarf for myself, but many folks tell me that Noro is a bit scratchy for a hat or scarf. I guess the Fake Isle hat from Magknits is out, too? Maybe a Kureyon Kozy is a better idea? I do need a tea cozy.....Other ideas?

2007-07-12T15:09:00.000-07:00

Not only can I not keep up with everything I already have on the needles, my "to knit" list keeps growing. Ravelry is not helping, now I have easy access to plenty of photos of hundreds of fantastic projects, showing how different yarns people chose change the look. I'm trying to be realistic about which projects I add to my queue, only adding those things I think I might actually make, but it's still getting to be a long list.

One project that I really REALLY like the look of is the Puff the Merino Dragon Scarf I'm not sure if I would actually make this, seeing as shipping alone is $13 US to get the kit to me. (at $25 the kit isn't outrageous, but the shipping pushes it up too high for me!) I wonder if the pattern is available alone anywhere.....

I'm putting together a package for my partner in the Summer Stash Swap I joined. It's fun shopping from your stash, and takes some of the "How much do I spend? What if I choose badly for my partner??" stress away. I have some neat yarns I just don't seem to be using, and a couple seem perfect for my partner. I'm trying to think of a couple neat extras to throw in to round out the package as well. This will be my first knitting swap ever :)

2007-07-04T14:00:00.000-07:00

I've been working on the Wyvern socks for myself, and a hooded baby cardigan. Both are creeping along, I don't have a ton of knitting time, or focus to work on these projects. I did find a local knitting group that meets on a night I'm free, so I've been enjoying that the last few weeks.

I also just got my invite to Ravelry.com!! I sense that the little bit of knitting time I did have is going to shrink further playing with ravelry, and getting my projects and yarns into the system. It's very VERY cool and well worth the wait. (I'm wendymc over there, by the way)

Cupcake Hat

2007-06-24T15:21:00.001-07:00

Cupcake Hat
Originally uploaded by wendymc

This was a really quick knit. I cast on Friday afternoon and delivered it midday Saturday, and I wasn't knitting non-stop or anything, either. The pattern is at http://www.nakedsheep.com/cupcakehat.html and I didn't have any problems with it. I used Bernat Satin, and I went down to a 4mm needle.....perhaps that is why it came out too small. It fits the recipient's 18 month old sister, but the 3 year old's head is just a bit bigger. I gues I'll be knitting another one!

The bobble things (I think the pattern calls them nubbles) were pretty hard on the hands, especially since there are 40 of them, but the effect is pretty neat. The pompom gave me a lot of trouble, I totally forgot how to make them. Ah well, the kids won't notice.

Argen in the Oz Vest

2007-06-18T16:54:00.001-07:00

Argen in the Oz Vest
Originally uploaded by wendymc

The Oz Vest from Natural Knits for Babies and Moms is finished. I was worried it would be too small, but it fit's Argen now. So long as he doesn't grow TONS in the next few months, he should be able to wear it this fall. I loved the yarn I chose - Scheepjes Softfun. I used about a skein and a half, it's 60% cotton, 40% acrylic, and very soft.

I modified the pattern to knit in the round, and regret that decision. With the garter rows in the pattern, I didn't save THAT many purl rows knitting on circs, and I got messed up on the upper half many times. I lost track of which side I was on, where the decreases were, and got all the ends tangled up. Next time I think I'd just knit the pieces flat, I only saved the two short side seams anyways. It was a fast (not counting my mistakes and ripping) knit and turned out nice, so I might make more. Perhaps I'll whip up another for a baby gift with the other 1.5 skeins I have left.

Teagan Models her Monica Tank

2007-06-04T16:00:00.001-07:00

Teagan Models her Monica Tank
Originally uploaded by wendymc

I finally finished up Monica for my daughter. I made a few mods, and they worked out pretty well. First, I changed it to be knit in the round - no reason not to, since it was all stockingknit with no shaping. This also eliminated the need to purl, so it knit up extra fast!

I subbed in stash yarn. Both acrylics, both a mystery to me beyond that. I liek the look of the multicoloured ruffle, though it's a bit catchy so I hope it doesn't pill and pull too badly.

I did i-cord for the straps. My thought was that knitting the straps would let them stretch out too much. I just wish I'd thought to make them a touch shorter to allow for a little stretching, even with the modded straps.....

2007-05-24T14:38:00.000-07:00

Summer Knitting

I couldn't resist the contest over at Skeins Her Way. Go check it out, and tell her you heard about it from me!

My summer knitting goals:
- more dishcloths
- more squares for Blankets4Canada
- fall vest for Argen (Oz from Louisa Harding's Natural Knits for Mom and Baby?)
- another tank for Teagan (Debbie Bliss Eyelet Vest from Special Knits??)
- finish Teagan's socks (ideally before summer)
- socks for Argen
- baby gifts for about 4 friends
- finish picovoli for me

So a busy, knitty summer ahead!

2007-05-23T21:15:00.000-07:00

Just because I haven't been updating, doesn't mean I haven't been knitting!

I've got a couple things that are ALMOST completed, so I'll have some photos to show. (caplet and tank for my daughter) I'm working on Picovoli for myself in some nifty cotton yarn, recovered from a failed Tivoli T I started more than a year ago. I'm knitting some socks for my daughter in fun striped yarn. I was nearly done the first sock when I thought it time to try the thing on her foot.....way too small. Rip, rip, rip! Here's a photo of how they looked a little before I ripped them:

I'm trying again with a seed stitch rib in place of the chevron pattern, and it's loosened up the guage quite well. I'm doing these toe up and trying a short row heel, so some new things for me. I have a slew of babies to knit for, plus plans to knit some things for my son. Busy, Busy!

2007-03-24T17:11:00.000-07:00

I can't believe I didn't post about completing the stole!! I finally finished it, just in time for the tea, and I am really quite proud of this piece. I used Fleece Artist Blue Faced Leicester, which is amazing wool. The pattern is Sivia Harding's Gothic Leaf Stole.

I'd never properly blocked any knit items before. One wool cabled sweater got a light "wash and lay out, stretch and mould to shape" blocking, but that was the whole of my experience. Lace is much, MUCH different. My first attempt ended up all scalloped:

While that was pretty, it wasn't the look I was going for. Since I left it to the last minute I didn't have time to go chase down blocking wires - so some crochet cotton had to be used instead. I pulled the cotton so tight it snapped at one point! (I nearly had a heart attack when I thought it might have damaged the stole!) Once I got it all re-pinned, it looked much better:

I was amazed at how the blocking defined the lace stitches so well, and evenned everything out. Here is a photo of it hanging outside:

I have about a quarter of the yarn left, maybe more, but I'm not sure what to do with it. I loved this pattern but I'm not ready to work with it again, so I might seek out a different lace pattern and try a scarf for myself.

sobbing

2007-02-25T21:44:00.000-08:00

*sobbing*
Originally uploaded by wendymc.

I was really excited to finish the 19th repeat (of 24) tonight. It was looking like I'd actually finish this thing on time, and it's looking so nice.......then I found the hole. It's a doozy, right around repeat 11, so there is no way I could rip back. I want to cry!!

I somehow "corrected" the stitches afterwards so the problem is at least focussed to that section. I know I can tie it up to stop unravelling, but how do I make it look nice? Even if I can figure out the stitches and get them all organized, whatever I do to tie it off is going to be painfully obvious once I block it out.

*sob*

Gothic Stole Half

2007-02-21T07:46:00.000-08:00

Gothic Stole Half
Originally uploaded by wendymc.

Halfway point in the Gothic Stole. I once again have hope I'll finish it in the next couple weeks as needed. It was looking dicey, but I've picked up the pace. Some rows I can memorize and then they really fly along. I love how it's looking, I can't wait to block it out for full effect. I've never properly blocked something, though, so I hope it's not difficult.

Knit Booties

2007-02-07T14:49:00.000-08:00

Knit Booties
Originally uploaded by wendymc.

Best photo I could manage of this wiggly boy. These are the Anchor booties (Minus the anchor motif) from Zoe Mellor's "50 Baby Booties to Knit". They were going to be a gift but they came out big enough to fit Argen so I think he'll get to keep them.

And now back to the shawl....with about 400 rows and only 4 weeks left, I can't put it off any more!

Gothic Stole Progress

2007-02-02T16:42:00.000-08:00

Gothic Stole Progress
Originally uploaded by wendymc.

The stole is moving right along. The first repeat gave me trouble, and I redid it a few times, but I got into a groove and it's growing quickly now. I think I'm even one and a half repeats past what you see inthe photo.

I have been going to a bi-monthly knitting group at a friend's home. Great, casual group of ladies, and I really enjoy it. But, the host is very pregnant, due any time, and so the knitting is on hold. As luck would have it, I came accross a local group at a coffee shop that is held weekly and it's pretty much a drop-in kind of place, so I checked them out this week. Nice gals, and quite friendly. I got a full repeat of my stole done (impressed them with my project - heh) and I think I'll go back. It's on Tuesday nights when Magnus is home, which is a bonus.

I joined up with Project Spectrum 2.0 for fun. The idea being there are 3 colours for every 2 month period all year, and you're to create and share art/craft fitting those colours. I'd already started some grey baby booties, so that fits for the February/March set of Blue, White and Grey!

2007-01-13T15:51:00.000-08:00

I've been knitting quite a bit lately. I knit a chemo hat to donate, a winter hat for my son, a baby hat for a gift, a pair of socks in chunky wieght yarn for my husband's birthday, and swatched a bunch of lace. I am enjoying knitting so much, knitting really makes me happy.

Today I ventured into the yarn shop - ALONE - for almost an hour. It was so nice to fondle all the yarns, flip through the patterns, and not feel time pressure. I managed to finally select the yarn and pattern for a shawl I'm making. My kids' daycare is doing a silent auction fundraiser and I offered to donate something, I thought a shawl would work out well.

I'm knitting the Gothic Leaf Stole. There was a sample hanging in the shop done in Fleece Artist Blue Face Leicester 2/8, so I bought that as well. It's a little darker than it appears in this photo:

I haven't figured out how to handle a 1000 yard hank of yarn yet, but I'm excited to get started!

2006-12-24T17:17:00.000-08:00

Lots of knitting of late. First of, in a mad spurt of "finishitis" I finished off a slew of UFOs languishing in my stash. They were all very near completion, but still I feel accomplished getting them all done:

Hats for my 2 kids, an apple hat for a baby, three hoodies, a 'sunhat' in woolease, a lacy pink hat and a round baby blanket. The three hoodies in the top right were a gift for a friend - for her toddler and twins. I also finished up two knit hats for my neices today:

Just in time for gifting tomorrow! I like them so much I might try for a boy version for my own son. And I'm considering knitting Berroco's free Snowflake Pattern in cotton yarn as a washcloth....

2006-12-08T22:29:00.000-08:00

I need more knitting time! Or more hands, or something. There are SO many things I want to knit, and so many more I don't even let myself consider due to lack of time. My holiday projects (5 hats total, no more seemed sane) are moving along quite well, thankfully, but I want to make so much more!

Argen is outgrowing his second handmade by me sweater, Teagan long ougrew the last one I made her, I have sock yarn to make socks for them both, socks for myself in mind, baby gifts to make (for babies due in January!!) a charity hat project I want to participate in, something for a silent auction due in the spring, and a tank I want for myself. Plus a ton of other cute things keep catching my eye.

I'm also itching to do some felting and koolaid dying, try more fair isle, and do a lace project. Such aspirations for someone with no free time!

2006-12-07T14:37:00.000-08:00

Almost finished the knit gifts for my friend. (still need to weave in some ends, block and wrap them) I also started the hats for my neices, they are knitting up really quickly, which is good.

I saw a cute sweater in the yarn shop today, knit cuff to cuff with veregated and then with jacquard yarn, contrasting cuffs, and little triangle flaps for the buttons. I wasn't thrilled with the yarn (Sisu Fantasy - really scratchy and cheap feeling) so I didn't buy the pattern and yarn right there. I may just use the free cuff-to-cuff pattern available online and add the flaps myself, they don't look hard. Then I can use a nice, soft wool if I like.

2006-11-07T16:15:00.000-08:00

Still knitting. As much as I can....though not as much as I'd like. I have gift 2 of 3 on the needles, and 3 more in my mind. I started a felted box from Mason-Dixon Knitting, but it's turning out funny so I might give up on it. I also started a Branching Out scarf in Patons Brilliant glittery yarn. I don't know who it will be for, I just had an urge to do some more challenging knitting.

2006-10-03T15:58:00.000-07:00

Well, the knitting curse is over. I've completed a Toddler's Knit Helmet for Argen, and 1 of 3 knit christmas gifts I decided on....so far. It's not a lot of knitting, but I haven't got a lot of time these days.

Our family just took a little holiday to Vancouver, and I managed a visit to Urban Yarns while I was there. What a lovely shop! They have so much fantastic, touchable yarn! I knew I didn't have time to knit up half of what I WANTED to buy, so I just bought yarn for hats for my kids. Some super-soft Berrocco Lullaby in blue and raspberry for Teagan, and Debbie Bliss Wool-Cotton (I've wanted to try this stuff for a while) in bright blue and brown for Argen. I'm itching to start them but I just got going on christmas gift #2 so I want to keep moving on that one.

Magknits.com has a new issue out, with a couple things that look neat. I'm liking the felted pumpkin bag, that would let me koolaid dye some yarn to get the orange, too......I need more time. An eigth day of the week just for knitting and drinking tea would do nicely!

2006-08-13T19:05:00.000-07:00

I think I'm knitting-cursed right now. First I messed up the hedera sock. Then another sock that had been a long standing UFO. Next, I messed up a simple toddler hat, a pattern I've made a few times now, by messing up the gauge really badly. Finally, I can't seem to cast on for even a simple beanie hat tonight, the yarn splits like crazy! AAARRRG! My knitting "to do" list is growing and I can't knit a thing!

Hedera sock

2006-07-26T20:55:00.000-07:00

hedera sock
Originally uploaded by wendymc.

So I did get some knitting done - though it's all headed for the frog pond. I thought I lucked out gauge-wise with the Hedera sock, but the increase in needle size meant the heel was WAY too long, and I'm just not up to recalculating and adjusting. I found out the pattern is intended for a size 7 foot. My 9.5 feet are not going to fit that pattern without some adjustment other than just a bigger needle, so I think I'll look for another. Jaywalker, maybe?

Brimed Hat

2006-05-27T09:28:00.000-07:00

Brimed Hat
Originally uploaded by wendymc.

From Holiday Knits, knit in Woolease. I hoped the guage would come out well, and I lucked out! This hat is for a cousin, but I think I'll make one for Teagan next. I love how the brom isn't too floppy....I may do Teagan's in cotton which would make it even stiffer, I think.

2006-05-16T14:11:00.000-07:00

I haven't been doing much knitting lately. I've been busy with another project....

Introducing our new son Argen. Born April 28th, 9lbs8oz and 22inches long. He and his big sister have been taking up all my time, so I haven't been knitting much at all. I'm also still suffering from some Carpal Tunnel from the pregnancy, so that doesn't help matters either.

2006-04-13T15:13:00.000-07:00

I finished up the pirate hat. The finishing wasn't that bad, once I steam ironed the heck out of it, everything lay flat and nice for sewing up. I questioned the need for the lining but it finishes this hat off SO nicely. I was going to felt it down to fit baby boy early on, but I think I'll leave it and let him grow into it. I don't want to risk ruining the hat after all this work, and considering the big-headed babies I make, it won't be too long before it fits anyways.

I also whipped up a Kidlet Tank in some Lion Brand Microspun I had lying around. It takes about one full skein to make the smallest size, following the pattern using a 4mm came out to a slim size 2. I'm going to see how this one washes up (pilling, etc) and then maybe make another in the next size up. This one fits funny after she eats a big meal, it's that close in sizing. It's a super easy/fast knit, though!

2006-04-06T18:32:00.000-07:00

THe pirate hat is nearly complete. I've finished all the knitting, and just need to tack under the lining, then felt it a wee bit to shrink it. (it's about toddler sized and it's meant to fit my new baby - when he gets here) I finished the knitting a couple days ago and have been putting off the finishing......it requires tacking the UN-boundoff stitches to the inside of the hat. There are over 100 stitches so it sounds like a bit of a headache to do.

2006-03-31T22:50:00.000-08:00

Stash Flashing Time!!

Click here for the YARNAGE

I finally got photos of all of my yarn, needles and UFO's uploaded. I have a LOT of yarn, ove 100 skeins! Still lots of "cheap" yarn, but a bit of an improvement over last year, I think:

Last Year's stash flash

I was amazed to see I have 12 UFOs right now, not counting the THREE baby hats I found almost done, and finished up, while sorting this morning. Lots of stuff close to completion, too. I should get busy and finish things up!

2006-03-26T21:35:00.000-08:00

I started a new project, We Call Them Pirates From Hello Yarn. I'm Knitting it in a thin alpaca yarn and it is SOOOOOOoooooo soft! I've never knit with alpaca before, but wow, it's so nice and cuddly! It sheds a bit, and sticks together somewhat, but it's cuddle factor makes up for that. The hat is coming out a tad larger than I want, I'm making it for my baby boy, but I'll felt it down a bit I think. The edge tension is a little looser than it is where I'm getting into the pattern, but hopefully it will all work out. Overall for my first fair isle I think it's going well:

And it's just so fun knitting a design that is so not-traditional, especially in soft fuzzy yarn!

2006-03-18T16:11:00.000-08:00

I THOUGHT that the baby sweater I was working on seemed 'off' in a way, but I carried on. I've mad this particular sweater twice before with no issues, so I thought my mind was playing tricks on me. Unfortunately, I should have paid better attention when I thought it was wrong, I had screwed up pretty badly. Instead of continueing to increase the shoulders/sleeves to the THIRD buttonhole, I stopped at the second, a difference of 18 rows. That makes for a pretty warped sweater with tiny little arms. It's totally unsalvagable. I can either rip back about 80% of what I've done and fix it, or just start over completely. I'm not sure I feel like doing either.

The baby is due mid April, so I have a little time, but not much. I checked my stash and I don't have any other "gender neutral" yarn so I'm sort of stuck redoing this sweater, or something similar. I hate when knitting, which is supposed to be fun, gets frustrating.

2006-03-12T16:41:00.000-08:00

I finally finished the doll-sized placket neck pullover:

It's a little bigger in the body and the neck than I'd like, but at least this way it will be easier for my daughter to put on and off the doll. She seemed pleased with the sweater, but I think the real joy will come when her doll and baby brother can dress alike.

I'm starting a simple cardigan in Patons Look at Me for a friend - the mom of a child at Teagan's daycare is due 8 days before me!

2006-02-24T16:08:00.000-08:00

I've started the doll-size placket neck sweater. I'm just about to start the arms, but it should go pretty quick. I'm a little worried that the neck won't be wide enough, this doll has a monster head, but we'll see.

I bought 4 skeins of yarn in a blue veregated colourway to make Teagan a matching style sweater. I debated on a more girly colour, but this way I can hand the sweater down to the boy, getting more use out of it. She looks good in blue, too. The yarn I got this time doesn't do the fake fair isle thing, but I figured that the larger size would distrort the effect away anyways, and this colour was nicer.

No photos of the yarn because I'm currently sorting my 18million photos on the computer for printing and archiving - damned if I'm going to take more knitting photos to add to the mess until I'm done!

2006-02-19T20:37:00.000-08:00

It's finished!

I finished the Child's Placket Neck pullover tonight. There was so little finishing, just kitchener under each arm and sewing the front of the placket down. The knitting itself was fast and easy, so it was a great pattern/project. My daughter was confused about which baby this sweater was for (we got her a baby doll for christmas she promptly named 'baby brother') So I'm thinking of making a matching one for her doll with the 3rd ball of yarn I bought. This sweater only took 2, so I am hoping I could squeeze out a doll size one with one ball and the little leftovers I have.

I am considering making another for Teagan, too, in another colour. The yarn is soft and nice to work with for an acrylic, and the pattern is just so nice.

2006-02-13T13:50:00.000-08:00

The Olympics sweater is progressing nicely. I really like this yarn, it's very soft for an acrylic and the colourway is so pretty. At this point I'm considering making the sweater in a larger size for Teagan, too. Of course, I'm still on the stockingknit body section so it's all easy at this point - we'll see if I still want to make another after dealing with the upper part. Here's the sweater so far:

2006-02-10T07:40:00.000-08:00

I finished the baby cardigan last night. It still needs blocking (in a bad way!) and buttons, but otherwise it's all done. I'm still not thrilled with how the sleeves attached, but even with fiddling that's as good as it got:

I'm hoping some blocking will help them out. It ended up bigger than I expected (Debbie Bliss' sizes do run large) so it may be for the fall rather than when he's a newborn.

Here is the yarn and the start of a swatch (warmups) for my knitting olympics project. It's an acrylic yarn but really nice and soft.

2006-02-08T22:05:00.000-08:00

I really, REALLY dislike finishing work on knitted items. One or two simple seams I can handle, but putting together a whole sweater is so frustrating for me. It seems like the pieces don't match up, my sleeve ends up crooked, or there is some other problem.

I finally finished all the knitting for the baby cardigan I'm knitting, and started the assembly today. Several hours of seaming in, and I'm only halfway done. What I have done doesn't look right, so I may be ripping it to start over. The sleeve looks kind of puckered, I think I need to space out the stitches more than I did. Unfortunately, that means ripping all the seaming I've done on the arm so far, which is most of the work I did. The sweater is looking cute, but at this point of the project I remember why I always favour top-down/seamless projects. Once the knitting is finished (the fun part for me) I still have to tackle this frustration, and I end up feeling like the quality of my finishing work detracts from the end result.

I'm going to work at it, though. I want to finish it tomorrow night, so I can feel free to start my next project (a SEAMLESS baby sweater) for Friday's Knitting Olympics beginning.

2006-02-06T15:17:00.000-08:00

The Knitting Olympics!

This sounds like too much fun to miss:Knitting Olympics. Basically you have to cast on for a new project during the openning ceremonies of the olympics (Feb 10th)and finish before the flame goes out. (Feb 26th)My plan is the Child's Placket-Neck Pullover from Last Minute Knitted Gifts. I have some neat self patterning acrylic I'll use, assuming it swatches up alright. It's not a very ambitious project, but I don't have tons of free time these days, so I think it's enough of a challenge to finish in 16 days. The additional challenge is finishing the cardigan I'm working on now, first. I don't want to start the new sweater until the old one is done - better get knitting!

Petal Baby Hat

2006-01-23T10:26:00.000-08:00

Petal Baby Hat
Originally uploaded by wendymc.

I made This Petal Hat intending it as a baby gift, but as you can see it ended up a bit on the large size. Teagan likes it, and it looks cute on her, so I'm not worried it came out so large. The pattern is written flat but I just knit it in the round. There is a wide plain patch because I forgot to remove the 'seam allowance'. The top came out nicely, too:

I really like this pattern, once I get it started it was easy to remember and just knit away. I started a second hat in some cascade fixation yarn. The yarn is pretty crazy bright, but hopefully ok for a young baby:

I altered the pattern to cut out the seam allowance which eliminated 3 stitches and the cascade is thinner yarn, so even with the same size needles it's coming out smaller. The cascade is knitting up quite stretchy, too. There is a lot of yarn so I may be able to make matching socks or mitts.

2006-01-19T14:46:00.000-08:00

I lost my hook. I settled in at the hospital yesterday (waiting for an ultrasound) ready for some time to work on the star blanket, and I didn't have my crochet hook! I looked at home and can't see it, so my only hope is that it't in the car, having fallen out of the bag. I don't know what size I was using so replacing it won't be easy if it's not int he car.

Someone linked to an amazing shawl at http://www.needlebeetle.com/lace/swallow.htm. I have never had any desire to make a lace shawl, but this one is tempting!!

Star Blanket

2006-01-18T13:08:00.000-08:00

Star Blanket
Originally uploaded by wendymc.

Got a little farther on the star blanket. I like how it looks framed in blue, though I really REALLY wish I had made the yellow part in the centre bigger. Too late now! I'm not sure how much blue to do, and I was thinking about doing some blue, and then some yellow, or striping back and forth, I'm not sure what I'm going to do.

I brought it to work with me, because I had an ultrasound appointment this morning. I knew I'd be waiting so I thought I could get a lot done. (I finished a round and a half doing my glucose test at the lab the other day, over 800stitches!) I get to the waiting room, pull out the blanket and.......no hook! So I had to sit and read out of date magazines and curse myself for not double checking that the hook was in the bag this morning.

Star Blanket

2006-01-08T20:56:00.000-08:00

Star Blanket
Originally uploaded by wendymc.

I've been working on my star blanket a bit. It's an easy portable project where I don't need to refer to a pattern, and I can stop and start easily since I'm not counting stitches or anything. It's really slow going, though. I realized why - it's over 400 stitches per 'round' now, and each round only nets me another cm around the blanket. I don't know how big I'm going to make it, but it's going to take me a while.

I'm wishing I'd made the middle yellow part bigger, but I am NOT ripping back now. I'm going to edge it in light blue, but the bulk of it will be white, I think. The pattern is neat, but if I made it again I'd use thicker yarn and a bigger hook. The blanket wouldn't be as fine and soft, but it wouldn't take half a century to finish.

Given it's taking me so darn long to make, I think I'm going to keep this one for our baby boy to use.

2006-01-05T10:51:00.000-08:00

I'm very excited, my friend is getting a local Stitch n Bitch organized. There is another group that meets monthly, but I never clicked with them. They're nice, I just didn't connect, plus they meet downtown on weekends, which is harder for me to manage. It's just going to be the two of us this week, but hopefully next week there will be more interest. Lots of folks off the local parenting board are interested, they just couldn't make it tonight. I'm looking forward to dedicated knitting time, out of the house, with a fancy coffee drink :)

The Debbie Bliss sweater is annoying me. The shoulder shaping made NO sense, so I'm adapting it and hoping I can make it all work out. I've just started the second front piece, so there isn't too much more to knit. I need to make the second pocket before I can progress much more, though.

2005-12-31T14:16:00.000-08:00

I'm working away on a simple baby sweater for the boy. My goal is to finish this one BEFORE going into the hospital to have him! I'm using the Simple Baby Layette pattern from one of Debbie Bliss' books, and some cotton/acrylic yarn by Patons. (Rio) It's looking a bit big, but then he can grow into it. I've already got the back and one pocked finished, so it's working up fairly quickly.

Matching Socks

2005-12-27T13:46:00.000-08:00

Matching Socks
Originally uploaded by wendymc.

Teagan and her new baby doll model matching socks. I made the socks for Teagan first, and then thought I may as well whip up a matching doll pair with the leftovers. Various (stupid!) mistakes caused the doll socks to take longer than the toddler socks to make, but she seemed happy with them in the end.

I did find that homemade socks don't seem to stay on kid feet as well, so I may stick to knitting her hats and things for now. They'll be fine in shoes, but running around in the socks they kept slipping down on her.

2005-12-15T15:32:00.000-08:00

I'm killing the Accordion sweater. I've been frustrated with it all along, it's just not fun, and I'm getting too many signs to "give it up already":

the ribbing will need MUCH blocking to widen out enough
it was painful to knit woolease on bamboo needles
now that I switched to metal needles, it's only bearable, not fun.
I'm questioning the colour choice
I saw a sweater that would be much nicer than this one promises to turn out, for a mere$12 in the store
I just realized I knit the left front backwards.

SO I think this sweater has a date with the winder, to be turned back into centre pull balls for some other purpose. I'm both frustrated and gleeful about this.

I'm looking forward to my next planned project - tiny knit doll socks to match my daughter's, so on christmas she and her brand new baby doll can wear matching socks. (they're girly sock colours and her doll is a boy, but she won't care)

2005-12-07T12:48:00.000-08:00

The socks have been knit, though I still have to weave in the ends. I hate finishing work, seaming, weaving, all of that stuff. In this case I have only 4 short tails to weave in and I haven't done it. I really should, then I can wrap the socks up and be done with them!

I'm back to working on Teagan's Accordion sweater (from knitty.com). I have done too much to abandon it, and if I don't finish it soon she'll get no wear out of it before she's too big. I've done the back and the left front, and am about 1/3 done the right front now. It's moving much faster on metal needles, if I really work at it I might finish it for christmas.

Teagan's sock

2005-11-24T12:37:00.000-08:00

Teagan's sock
Originally uploaded by wendymc.

Progress so far on Teagan's sock. I haven't had a lot of time to work on it, but it goes fast when I do get to it! It looks small, but the ribbing stretches quite a bit. Seemed like a perfect fit this morning. Teagan knows I'm knitting them for her, but I'm hoping after finishing (and trying on) the first one, she'll forget for a month so I can gift her with them at christmas.

New Yarn

2005-11-21T08:38:00.000-08:00

new yarn
Originally uploaded by wendymc.

I went to the yarn store in Colwood this weekend, in search of some veregated Sox yarn (Bernat) for socks for Teagan. They had the colourway in the photo, on the left, that I think should do nicely. The yarn on the right just called to me from the shelf - they had a sample knit up and it's so pretty and bright. I might make an earflap hat for Teagan out of it.

Face Cloths

2005-11-14T10:02:00.000-08:00

Cloths
Originally uploaded by wendymc.

I've been knitting some face cloths lately. My bigger projects (Accordion sweater for Teagan, blanket, etc) were all bugging me, and I needed some instant gratification. I'm enjoying the simple lace patterns, enough detail to keep it interesting but still portable tv knitting.

I'm thinking of making up bath Tea or bath salts to package with them as gifts for the daycare staff where my daughter is....

2005-10-28T09:31:00.000-07:00

Knitting Meme! I was tagged by Shetha for this one:

What is your all time favourite yarn to knit with?
I haven't knit with a lot of nice yarns. If the 'cheaper' yarns I like Bernat Satin, and Lion Brand Woolease. Sirdar Rio (cotton/acrylic blend) was super nice to knit with, and I liked Patons Look at Me, before they discontinued it.

Your favourite needles?
Circulars, for everything. I like doing socks on two circs, and even flat knitting feels better on them. Most of my needles are Aero or Susan Bates Metal and plastic needles I've picked up at thrift stores. I have one pair of casien DPNs that are nice to knit with (but taste and smell nasty) and my Pony Pearl DPNs are comfy, too. I don't really like bamboo, they grab the yarn too much.

The worst thing you've ever knit?
I tried making Chicknit's Boatneck Shell, but I tried to do it in the round and adjust the measurements. This was as a very new knitter, and I didn't even know about guage. I used Phildar's Paper Phil yarn which is hard to knit with and impossible to rip, so this project lingered for a few years before I finally just threw it out.

Your most favourite knit pattern? (maybe you don't like wearing it...but it was the most fun to knit)
I love making these cabled hats:

Super easy to knit, but work up fairly fast. Good portable knitting that isn't straight stockingknit. The pattern was from a book called Hip Knits, I think.

Most valuable knitting technique?
I don't know the name for it, but when you need to rip many rows, and you insert your needle into the stitches, then rip-rip-rip and the stitches land back on the needle automatically at the intended point. Saves so much time and stress versus trying to get all the stitches back on the needle one by one after some frantic ripping.

Best knit book or magazine?
I don't really have one. I really like "Adorable Knits for Kids" but I haven't knit anything from it yet. I love Debbie Bliss' items, but don't like her patterns. if that makes sense.

Your favourite knit-a-long?
I haven't completed one. I joined the Soleil-along, and failed out.

Your favourite knitblogs?
Sandra at Stay at Home Knitter, Carrie at Carrioke.net, Spring at Twistedstitcher.net. Wendy at Knit&Tonic is really entertaining, too.

Your favourite knitwear designer?
Uh, don't know if I could name enough to pick a favorite! I like Debbie Bliss' stuff quite a bit, though.

The knit item you wear the most? (how about a picture of it!)
I haven't knit a lot of things for myself to wear, actually. Ironically the one handknit top I wear the most, though, is the very first one I made, one of the first things I knit. The pattern was in the first Knit It, and I used Lion Brand Homespun.

Sorry for the darkness, it's the only photo I could find.

Tagging Sandra at Stay at Home Knitter

Multi-Crafter

Knitting With My Daughter.....

Can I Finish in Time?

Argen's Rainbow Hat

Completed Multnomah

Skull Tea Cozy

My 2-at-a-time Socks!

2-at-a-time socks

Victoria Fibre Festival

Teagan's First Knitting Project!

I *heart* Tanis Fibre Arts

Noro Taiyo

Knitting Olympics - day 4

Apple Cozies

I have been knitting!

My Haul from the Yarn Shop

Finished Felting!

Red Dwarf Sock Progress

Red Dwarf Socks

Lacy Eyelet hat for coworker's daughter

Fibre Fest and other knittery....

Cupcake Hat

Argen in the Oz Vest

Teagan Models her Monica Tank

*sobbing*

Gothic Stole Half

Knit Booties

Gothic Stole Progress

Hedera sock

Brimed Hat

Petal Baby Hat

Star Blanket

Star Blanket

Matching Socks

Teagan's sock

New Yarn

Face Cloths

I heart Tanis Fibre Arts

sobbing