Monday, July 31, 2006

I Kind Of Took The Weekend Off

It was so hot, that I stayed in most of Saturday and Sunday. I couldn't resist reknitting on my Lumpy Bumpy Jacket. I finished one of the sleeves and started on the other.
You see, I have been having yarn shop withdrawal since camp. And I have told myself that I CANNOT go back to Dunlap until I have a finished object to take with. Kind of like make one take one.

I did knit a little on the Round the Bend Jacket last night. Tonight, I'm back it. Tomorrow pictures of how it's coming. The Lumpy Bumpy will sit for now.

Saturday, July 29, 2006

The Tropics Are Hot

It is going to feel like I need to be in a pool with a nice drink, but I am opting for a nice cool house and my knitting! Meg in one of her videos talks about the weather and how they had to stay inside today because of it. I love her line, it goes something like this "we have our knitting and so we'll stay inside".

And that is what I am going to do! Well, along with a little cleaning and definitely bill paying and have to get my lia sophia records in order. But, that is what I am going to do! Stay inside, watch some Meg videos and Knit on my Round the Bend Jacket. I hope to have pics of the sleeve tomorrow. I really like the technique she uses under the arm for joining garter. No sewing!

For today, stay inside, keep cool and Knit. I AM!

Thursday, July 27, 2006

My Camp Stash Awaits

I've ran out of room to put yarn, so the Knit Camp stash awaits me on top of my dry sink. It is actually kind of cool, cause I can look at it whenever I want and easily pull a ball down when I need it!

The stash doesn't look so bad does it?!

At the moment, I am working on the Round the Bend Jacket sleeve. It sure does seem like it is taking me forever to get to the color changes.

Tuesday, July 25, 2006

It's My Blogiversary!

Three years ago I started my blog. It was a short post that day, and they were far and few between. I'm not sure I had much to say then, nor is there much to say today. I just thought it was interesting that a whole three years of knitting has went by.

I wonder what I have to show for it? Alot more stash that's for sure.

My colorways have not changed much. I still get a kick out of caribe blue and green. I think of it as a collection. Yea, that's it. Not a stash but a collection.

Works for me!

Sunday, July 23, 2006

Sunday Updates

It's so difficult to decide on what to knit on. I have tried desparately to come up with a plan as to what to knit on.

This is the Cuff to Cuff Pullover from Wool Gathering. It is out of Unspun Icelandic. I have duplicated Meg's thought and added a small geometric pattern to the bottom to keep from rolling. I probably should have purled the first row to eliminate the little kick I am getting, but I am hoping that it will stay down with some blocking.

Next is the Suspender Pullover from Spun Out. It is from the Berroco Ultra Alpaca. I am concerned that I won't have enough yarn, but I blindly knit on and will deal with it in the end. This is idiot knitting for the moment, so it will accompany me to Knit Nights so I can talk and knit at the same time. It is kind of boring knitting, but once the front panels are done then a new color will be introduced.

My current want to knit on project is the Round the Bend Jacket from Canadian Regal. I can hardly wait to get to the color changes on this and so I will knit on it for the next couple of nights. I have the video so it is fun to watch it and knit to!

And finally, the Pie Are Square Shawl from Knitting Around out of Unspun Icelandic. Again, I am duplicating Meg's pattern (I know I really need to get away from doing that to be a true non-follower). This one I just knit on when the t.v. is on mute or off and no one is around me, so I can concentrate. I like working on the Unspun Icelandic, but when you tear it out several times you have to either toss it or spit slice it together. I may need another hank of this one to complete.

So that is where I am this Sunday on my knit camp knitting. There is so much more to do. I need my ship to come in so I can quit work and just knit!

Saturday, July 22, 2006


Why Do I Miss It So?

Why do we wish we were back at Knit Camp? Probably because it was so much fun. Probably because we know that there are camps still going on and we are wondering what they are doing now? Probably because we were dumped back in the real world and the laundry needs to be done. All I know is I miss it. Can't wait til next year and have already planned on doing things a little differently.

Lke what? Spend more time at knit sitting around in the classroom getting to know my fellow campers. Knitting on different things. Going to Meg's sister's restaurant for breakfast ( in the three times I've been to camp I never have) Wear long sleeves to class and sox on my feet so I don't freeze! Just a few things on my list for next year. Did you notice I am assuming that I won't have any trouble getting in?

I don't even want to think of that!

Tuesday, July 18, 2006

I'm Just About Done

Just a last couple of pics of things I want to knit--but definitely in the future.

The varying shades of blue drew me to this one.
Joyce knit this shawl from a lace patterned tablecover. She just eliminated the center circle and scooped it out to be come a shawl. The yarn is a silk/wool from the market that Meg has on the second day. I didn't buy specifically for this shawl but did buy a nice caribe blue for my Pacific Northwest Shawl that I have wanted to do for some time.

It will have to wait, cause I got too much going on at the moment.

Monday, July 17, 2006

Sweaters I Have Started Since Camp

The pics are ones I took at Camp. I got to try them on and take measurements to see how I liked the fit. That was the best part about having all the sweaters to check out.

Pi Are Square Shawl. I've just cast it on a couple of times (playing with needle sizes) and am still pondering what patterns to put on mine from my Barbara Walker's Treasuries. There are so many to choose from.

The Cuff to Cuff Sweater. I have cast on and did a hem in a small little geometric pattern. Mine rolls just a bit on the cast on which I hope will block a bit.



And the Suspender Pullover. I am doing mine out of a new Berroco Alpaka yarn that Meg is trying out. This yarn is so soft.

And one other, I have started, but for some reason I didn't take a pic of. Round the Bend Jacket. Char, Linda and I are all going to be knitting on this one. I am using the Canadian Regal for mine. I really like working with that yarn.

I'm taking today off. Seems that some sort of flu bug hit me yesterday and has decided to stay around for a repeat performance. So, maybe I'll knit a little.

Sunday, July 16, 2006

Meg, Amy and Joyce, Aren't They Just Peaches?






They are always so helpful. And the three of them have produced some great knitting. I hope some day to be able to read my knitting like they do.

Are you bored yet? Too bad. Just a couple of more days of blogging about camp and then I'll settle into my regular knitting. But, I warn you, much of it will involve the sweaters I am knitting from my Camp Experience.

Friday, July 14, 2006

Show And Tell

What makes for such a relaxing camp, is the afternoons. We started with Show and Tell. You could pass if you choose, or show some of your knitting. And it does not have to be fancy or perfect. You can bring problems as I did or as the other Penny did with her Wallaby.




Thursday, July 13, 2006

What Fun It Was To Just Sit and Knit

At camp, you can knit on a small project that Meg gives you handouts for or knit on whatever you want. While she is talking, you can get up and do a little shopping around the room, go to the bathroom or take a break. It so easy going, just like a vacation only I didn't have to cook or look after anyone!


Wednesday, July 12, 2006

I Much Prefer Knit Camp To Stitches

The staff and accomodations at the Holiday Inn Marshfield were exceptional. Lunches were fantastic with different desserts each day and the portions were un real. And never once did we have to eat rubber chicken or wait in a long line!
Meg and EZ's sweaters were always accessible. I tried several on, took measuresments, took pictures and checked out details on the ones I really wanted to make. As I put them on, I could say Elizabeth once wore this.
Despite the loud noise that was next to this nice patio, a couple of nights we sat out in the great weather and knitted and in the nice weather of Wisconsin.

Today, it is really back into re-entry, it is back to work!

Tuesday, July 11, 2006

We're Back!

It has been a great five days at Camp! There is so much to tell and show and over the next couple of days, I am going to bore you all with pictures and stories, so if you want to tune me out for awhile, I will totally understand. I have knit so much my pointer finger on the left hand actually is a little sore. But it is not going to stop me from knitting. The problem I have today (my last day of vacation) is what to knit first??


Four of the Radical Knitters are ready to go.
We made it, knitting in hand.
Our home for the next 5 days. The Holiday Inn Marshfield was a wonderful place to stay. The rooms were great. The wait staff and food were the best I've ever eaten when attending seminars.
We made it home and still had a little room in the car.

Tomorrow, the knit camp room and all it's wonderful sweaters.

For now, I'm going to drink some coffee, look at some books, wind some yarn and watch some knitting videos. A perfect end to my version of a knitting vacation.

Thursday, July 06, 2006

Up, Up And Away

In a couple of hours we are off to knit camp. Linda, this is better than Disney!

I'll blog early next week with all the great details. Just as I was typing this, I remembered my notebook for the knitting classes. Sure enough, it was right here on the desk from Stitches, the last time we went.

See you next week! Wooooo Whooooooo!

Wednesday, July 05, 2006

By George I Think We're Goin

Although, the fates have tried to stop us, the four Radical Knitters, I think, are going to make it to camp. Between, mothers and sons, the roadblocks have tried, but we have made it through, and we will be taking off for Knit Camp early tomorrow!

I started to pack last night and will finish throughout the day today. Why does it seem like I am taking everything I own on a small little trip? Why does it seem like my suitcase (which is on the big side) is never big enough?

I still have my swatch to knit. I knitted one, but don't like the size of it. Geesh, it's just a swatch. And my cardigan that I have been knitting on for several weeks, is back to the beginning again. While knitting a sleeve, my gauge on double points changed from what my gauge was on the circulars, so I ripped it out and did a larger needle. Then I double checked my actual sweater. Something, one should do before you get 10 inches done. I didn't like how the gauge had changed on it. And I measured over 4 inches, instead of the one inch I had been measuring periodically. Measuring the needle that was in it, I discovered that I was using a smaller needle than I used on my swatch. So, I went to the correct size and will know later if the gauge is now acceptable. Where has my mind been?

I am taking my good camera and lense and hope to have tons of pictures to bore the blog with. Be back in a week!

YIPPEE SKIPPEE, we're goin to Camp. Look out world!

Tuesday, July 04, 2006

Happy 4th of July



Be safe!

Monday, July 03, 2006

Prepping For Camp

No, I am not selling lia while there (well maybe), but I chose this folder because it was light weight and flexible to stuff in my bag.












And then, I put my patterns in it that I am either working on or might want for reference while there. A couple of extra plastic sheets still need to go in it.














I have put my camp info with color cards from Schoolhouse Press in in an old folder from work.





Hopefully, I won't think of either lia sophia or work while I am gone, even though I have reminders with me!

Sunday, July 02, 2006

Shower Due Date July 22, 2006

I have mapped out a daily plan of what I have to have done in time to have this blocked and dried. So far, the timeline has been changed twice. I know I don't need to have this done for the shower, but this is one of those, that I would like to have done. If not, in time for the baby's birth in October is okay.



It's slow goin cause it is on size 1 needles, but it is garter which is kind of mindless unless you split the thread.

The sex of the baby is unknown so I am going with the pic as is. There is blue and pink, so both sexes will be covered. Hope the parents see it that way. Whichever, I know it will be appreciated!

EDIT--We celebrated my in-laws 59th anniversary today with brunch. My niece was here and there is a nursery ensemble on her list for the shower. So, I've decided to get it from us and give her the knitted outfit above closer to the baby's due date. So, that can come off the TO BE KNIT list. Back to regulary scheduled knitting - KNIT CAMP!!!!!

Saturday, July 01, 2006

I Was Feelin Kind Of Good

I'm makin progress on my camp sample. I felt good that I had come so far. But, then, reality set in and I realized that the zigzag portion of the pattern is way too tight. You can tell from the photo what I kept tellin myself was not so bad. Yes, I'll rip it back, and begin again. I don't want to, but it isn't right.

And I am so suppose to be learnin along the way, afterall.

I have goals for knit camp. To master the two color knitting (including better looking lice), do steeks, cut my sweater and to be able to do short rows successfully. I'll be happy if I accomplish those.
Or close.