31 posts tagged “knitting”
My first sweater:
Also my first knee high:
I'm working on the gusset currently. Yes, I'm using the magic loop method. Very easy for the leg, but the pattern I'm using (just a basic ML sock pattern) gives zero instruction on how to navigate the heel using this technique. I ended up using DPNs for resuming knitting in the round, then transferring back to the circular. I hope this works out ... fingers crossed.
Also a scarf for Mike which I forgot to take a picture of. It's a straightforward grey ribbed scarf, to be followed by a matching hat. I also need to knit a catnip grass toy for Petrea and should probably churn out a few dishcloths before Christmas. So much to do, so little time ...
[WARNING: SPOILERS] Tried to watch Death Proof last week. We managed to get about halfway through, then gave up. It truly was a tedious, time-warping mess. Crazy guy with stuntman's car kills five drunk/high young women after the audience must spend an hour listening to them blather on and on and on in true Tarantino style. I thought for sure it was the 70s: the cars are old, the clothes are dated, the music is bizarre ... but then one of the girls starts texting. So I guess it's a 70s version of present day. At any rate, you don't know boring until you try to sit through this silliness.
I love Pulp Fiction. I love Reservoir Dogs. Even though Tarantino has disowned it, I love Natural Born Killers. I'm looking forward to seeing Inglourious Basterds once the crowds have died down. But really, the "conversations" these women have aren't even remotely interesting, and having to sit through their rambling and awful dancing for almost 60 minutes only to have them all destroyed by Kurt Russell's death-proof car was, shall was say, infuriating. That's 60 minutes of my life I'll never get back. Then, fast-forward 18 months, and it's four new victims prattling away in a car, and you know they'll end up as so many body parts strewn across the road, so you stop the DVD and save yourself from wasting any more time. The end.
Actually, one good thing came out of that film: I finished my grey afghan!
I used a pattern from Come to Silver, and even though it appears to be straight-forward, it could have been much simpler. The explanation for Kitchener stitch ... not very helpful. I watched a video tutorial instead. But hey, it's my first sock! And it fits! For the second one I'll use more sock-friendly yarn and a different pattern, one specifically for the Magic Loop method. I'm just so happy to have completed something functional!
Anyway, I added some loose catnip while stuffing it, and Tubbs went right for it. Actually, first I had to lock myself in the office since of course they both smelled the catnip. However, when the toy was finished, Buddy was too busy hiding from imaginary enemies under the bed, so only Tubbs gave it a test-run.
And it's a hit! Of course it's the catnip that's the "hit," but hey, I just made a cat toy! *Pats self on back* An online friend in Maine is kindly sending me some green felting yarn, so my next grass will actually look like grass. I may even add the eyes.
Sorry I haven't been blogging lately ... that's what happens when your life is boring! I have, however, finished my first Knuck. My hands are always cold at work, so I thought I'd try my hand at sort-of-fingerless gloves (really just the tips are missing). The construction wasn't as difficult as I thought it would be, other than having a hard time with tight, unco-operative stitches when knitting the fingers together.
Many things are wrong with this poor Knuck. I guess the worst is that it's too small. I made the kids' size, since I have small hands, but they aren't that small. I'll try the women's size for the left one and see what happens. And obviously I didn't bring the ribbing down far enough on the wrist.
And then of course there is the fact that the fingers are purled while the hand is knit. Actually, the fingers were knit and I accidentally began knitting inside-out so the purls were showing. I didn't notice until a good 10 rows down, so I just kept going. Yeah, I'm observant. I turned the Knuck inside-out so at least most of it is on the knit side. We'll try to rectify this with the left one.
Fortunately the yarn I'm using should be enough for two pairs. I may have a wearable pair by June. Just in time to put them away!
I'm not a very good knitter. I make a lot of silly, small mistakes and I can't always be bothered to go back and correct them. I also suck at following instructions (a lifelong problem). I've been working on an afghan for several months (did I also mention I'm a slow knitter?), and it took me a good 50 rows to notice I'd completely omitted the K3 border. Do you think I'm frogging the whole thing and adding the border? I'll figure out a way to knit or crochet something around the sides when it's complete.
I've been trying to conquer hats, and I think I finally have. Even a simple K2, P2 rib has stymied me the past few months. I have, however, successfully completed not one but two hats after many failed attempts (too many small errors, mysterious holes, stripes not lining up, etc). I've been working on the Who hat for my cousin Spencer. My mother asked me to knit him a hat for Christmas, but I just wasn't good enough at the time. I'm hoping this hat will work out, and since I'm 80 percent done I'm going to say YES! This hat will work out, and even fit!
So I attended Pacafiesta this weekend and found some awesome hand-dyed Tradewind Knits yarn from The Loop's booth. I felt some of the softest yarn I've ever felt. Fortunately I managed to stay within budget. ;-)
I have always had an issue with any show that forces animals to interact with the public. I much prefer the setup for dog and cat shows, as no one is really allowed to pet the animals other than their owners and trainers. I was dismayed and very uncomfortable with the way the pacas were trotted through the crowds (okay, small crowds, but still). One paca stumbled and fell to the concrete floor, on which he stayed for a few minutes before being hauled up by the harness. Another skittish paca tried to bolt when two teenage girls attempted to pet it. Again, it was out of its pen and not in the show ring. Obviously, pacas are not crazy about people so I don't know why it was considered acceptable to force them to interact. I also didn't enjoy having to dodge paca shit on the floor. Needless to say I will not be attending again.
That said, they are lovely animals and I enjoyed seeing spinning in action.
Okay, so after getting advice from Alwen on my beloved Ravelry, I frogged my first attempt at the Longcat Scarf and tried again. This time the knit stitches are on the outside, where they belong. I'm also counting more carefully. Ahem.
See, it actually looks like cat ears now. And speaking of cats, since it happens so rarely, here is a pic of Buddy and Tubbs tolerating each other. I'm so proud of them *sniff*.
... is something that still needs work. Apparently. Counting is not my strong point.
It would also help if I could find instructions on how to begin a row of double knitting, and how to end one. Oh yes, this is *supposed* to be the head of this Longcat Scarf. I bought the yarn awhile ago and would like to have it done before the snow flies (another month here) ... but obviously I need a LOT more practice.
This is my second attempt at a hat. I decided to try this pattern since it's knit on straight needles (knitting in the round on circulars must still be conquered). The top is a bit wonky, but at least it fits!
With my first attempt I didn't bother checking the gauge, so right now it's an egg-shaped-lampshade-warmer.
The pattern is from Stitch 'n Bitch: The Knitter's Handbook. Now to spend some serious time on my afghans; Christmas will be here before you know it (shudder).
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