Wonder What He Thinks

The postman lately has been bringing me all kinds of cool mail.  Don't cha wonder what he has been thinking?  This package took forever to get to me, and I don't mean just because it came from Germany.  Just getting it to my house.  First try, no one was home so they left a slip in the mailbox.  Evidently, I didn't read it very well, because I signed it and put it out for what I was hoping would be two day delivery.  About a week went by, and I got a notice that it was my final chance.  This time I read it, checked the appropriate box and told them where to leave it.

Friday, after a particular busy week, there it was siting on the table waiting for me.  Lovely goodness.  I've never knitted with it before, but knitting friend,  Linda has and so I just had to try some.  Are not these lovely?  And basically, purchased on a whim.

I really have no idea what the one above is going to be, i just like the colors.  The purple one below is going to be one of Franklin Habit's shawls I believe.

Earlier this week, the postman delivered a new book for me.  I had heard it reviewed on the Knitmore Girl's podcast among a couple of other blogs who blogged about it and it sounded like something that I might need.  

Then today, I received two goodies, my new Wool Gathering with a shawl that I have wanted to knit forever.

And yarn to knit it out of.  This one is for me.  I don't know which of the two shawls above I am going to knit first with it, I'll figure that out later.

This yarn came too, it is a surprise for a friend of mine.  I'm not going to do the knitting, she is, at least I hope she is!

So many cool new things to knit on I can hardly contain myself, but for now, I'm just looking at them as I have a couple of things I would like to get off of the needles first.  I'm sad though, I have to wait a couple of days for the postman to come back, even sadder because I don't think I have anything good for him to deliver to me!

I'm Not the Only One! - Wednesday Website

It is so funny when I think about knitting and which direction I want to go and then every where I turn on blogs and podcasts, someone else has an equally brilliant idea.  It would seem the latest greatest idea is knitting sweaters!  I have always been a proponent of local yarn shops promoting classes in sweaters as a second knitting project.  I still don't get why my three local yarn shops don't do more of it, but, well, that is a whole nuther post/soapbox.

Susan B. Anderson  blogged about her sweater chest a couple of weeks ago, which gave me an ah ha moment.  It would seem that she keeps her sweaters in a cedar chest/hope chest.  Hey, I inherited one of those, why didn't I think about putting my sweaters in it last Spring instead of my plastic bins?

If you haven't read Susan's Blog lately or watched her videos, you really should.  She has a great idea going over there to knit 10 or 12 sweaters that are your go to sweaters.  I whole heartedly agree.  That is kind of what I tried to do with my Knit and Fit 2014 earlier this year.

Yesterday, Bonne Marie of Chic Knits, launched a new sweater for this Fall.  I especially liked the way she presented it on her website, the four sweaters she showcased at the bottom really caught my eye as well.  I have said it before, but I really like Bonne Marie's patterns.  They fit me, give me some shaping where I need it, I just like them.

One of the podcasts that I listen to while in the car is The Knitmore Girls, I've blogged about them before.  They are getting on the bandwagon with the The Knit Girllls and Susan for a longterm KAL of knitting sweaters.  Hmmm, who would of thunk of a better idea?!

I'm in of course.  I will, however,  be reprising my Knit and Fit 2014 because, hey there is still time, won't you join me?  What sweaters are you knitting this Fall?

When Extra Sets of Needles Come in Handy

Since finishing those three Iowa scarves on Friday, I've found it hard to concentrate on a knitting project.  Well, actually, this would be the reason.  Mona Lisa and her mom and dad were here so we have been having just a ball with them all and some family gatherings.

After they left today, I decided to pull out a little top that I cast on after camp.  I just had this little bit of yarn left on the first ball to knit with and I thought I would get it out and at least finish the ball, then put it away until next year.

Before putting it away, I thought it might be a good time to move it to some other needles, and not tie might Chiagoo Interchangeables in Size 6 for a half of a year.  Come to find out, I like these old Addi's better for the Berroco Linus yarn.  There is a bit of more drag on the Addis and they are not as pointy as the Chiagoos.  Normally, I love my Chiagoos, but for this semi ladder like yarn, they sometimes catch those little holes which can be annoying.  

I'm not real sure I am ready to put this one away yet, if I would seriously knit on it, I may be able to wear it at least one time this Fall over a long sleeve shirt.

 While contemplating what to knit on next (that is a WIP), I decided to pull out a little shawl in hopes that I could finish it before Summer is officially over.  This one is out of Berroco Folio which is a luscious feeling yarn, I will surmise because of a bit of alpaca in it, but it too was on a Chiagoo needle (not an interchangeable), and it felt a bit slippery to knit on.   I decided to hunt down a Knit Picks Harmony needle and knit a few rows with it.

My conclusion was that I wasn't real crazy about them for this yarn.  Yes, there was a bit more drag, but it really wanted to drag way too much over the join, something I really dislike when I am knitting a fairly easy knit.

The second conclusion is that the yarn is just way too dark on the Harmonies.  I can knit in the dark very well, but this one I occasionally need to see what is going on and they just were not what I wanted to feel in my hands.  So, I've knitted it back onto the original needles for now.

Now for the final conclusion, is this what I want to be knitting on?

Finally Finished Friday

#3 of the Ribbed Pennant Scarves.  I bought the yarn last March while we were knitting in St. Louis.

They are for the Iowa Hawkeye fans, aka Miss Mona Lisa's cousins and one for her when she is old enough to wear scarves.

Mona Lisa will be here with her parents tomorrow.  We are looking forward to them all seeing our new house and how they like the upstairs bedroom for them.

I'm off to find my next WIP for the My Sister's Knitter KAL.  It might have to be a sweater or one of the afghans as it's pretty chilly around here this end of the week!

What The?

So, last night I finally got the Birds Nest Shawl all wet and laid out on the table.  I was pinning it around and 

found this.  How the heck does that happen?  Was it a thin piece in the yarn?  I don't think so.  Did I catch it on something?  I don't think so.  Did I use that magic knot on it that I am becoming less and less fond of?  Maybe.  I think, I'll revert back to the old fashion way of burying the ends.  

Tomorrow or Saturday when it is dry, with the aid of my handy dandy drying helper, I'll see if that is at the start of the shawl or the end.  If it is at the end I'll rip it back and reknit the final border.  If at the beginning, I'll do some repair.

Sometimes, it pays to use the tried and true methods instead of those new fangled methods!

Wednesday Website

Warning, I am getting a little obsessed with all things Shetland.  The next few Wednesday Websites may be sites about anything that remotely has Shetland in it.

The Shetland Trader

Happy Birthday Char!

Another

Scarf is done.  #2 complete.

New project.

And the cool part is I have the yarns to do them out of from days gone by.

Not Even A Week

Well, my resolution to knit WIPS lasted about a week.  The wishful thinking of losing 5 lbs lasted until Thursday night, when we celebrated a birthday at Knit Night.  After that, it has went down hill.  But, today is a new day and after a couple of events today, I am back on track with my knitting and healthy eating.

First of all, I opened up Susan's blog post this morning on her Minnesota State Fair sweater that is freaking unbelievable!  If you do not read Susan and Sally's blog you should.  Rainey Sisters Those two are masters of knitting.  I know Susan a bit better than Sally, but both of their knitting just bowls me over.  You have to though, read today's post, because she really got me on the road to where my knitting needs to be going.  Susan is a leader not a follower.

The second event that happened today was my therapy call to Linda.  Linda and I seem to be so in tune to the same problems with our knitting and an hour every so often on the phone seems to get us both straightened around and with our heads back firmly back where they should be when it comes to knitting.  We both tend to have so many SQUIRREL moments when it comes to knitting.  And for me, I can spend hours of precious knitting time on the computer chasing the last greatest knit and then turning around and I have accomplished nothing on my knitting.

The third event for today was I went to file some patterns away, the Cardigan file was there and I thought I would see what was in it for patterns.  (A side note, I am looking for something to knit my Wistful out of) Three patterns popped out that I just loved a year or so ago.   I had filed them away never giving them any thought, until today.  Wow, there were three potential patterns that were hidden away that I loved.  None of them are on the top 20 in Ravelry, but I am okay with that, because, they are unique and that is just what I need right now.  Something that no one else is wearing, something that says I knit and I am unique, not a copy of what every one else is doing.  My own identity, I say it again my own identity!

After a while it starts to way you down a bit and you just don't feel like knitting anything.  But, another event that happened was that it got cool last night.  The long term forecast looks pretty good, which really means now is the time to get knitting those Fall knits, so they can be worn.  I know I have said it before, but I really want to wear my knits every day.  I want to be really known as a KNITTER.  To do that, with the help of my therapy call to Linda, I really need to decide what it is I want that to be and then knit it.  Don't be going down that Ravelry hole that doesn't accomplish any knitting for myself and only pulling patterns that everyone else is knitting.  Be a leader or at least love what you are knitting!

The stars must have aligned themselves and have been just waiting for me to file some patterns away, because as I opened the file cabinet drawer, the Cardigan file was there and I thought I would see what was in it for patterns.  (A side note, I am looking for something to knit my Wistful out of) Three patterns popped out that I just loved a year or so ago.   I had filed them away never giving them any thought, until today.  Wow, there were three potential patterns that were hidden away that I loved.  None of them are on the top 20 in Ravelry, but I am okay with that, because, they are unique and that is just what I need right now.  Something that no one else is wearing, something that says I knit and I am unique, not a copy of what every one else is doing.

Finally, I have given myself permission to get side tracked from my 5 WIPS/5 lbs challenge and enjoy my knitting.  I hope you are too!

Fish or Cut Bait

I have this Madelinetosh yarn.  I've had it for probably a year.  I've knitted it into several sweaters (in my mind).

I have a simple v-neck cardigan pattern that I did through Amy Herzog's Custom Fit website.
It's been on the needles as separate pieces and off then back on the needles all in one.

But, for some time now, I've been wanting to knit Hannah Fettig's Featherweight.  So, I cast it on as well.  I know that I am going to need to add some length to it, as well as close up that front a bit and longer sleeves.

I am thinking that with my modifications, I may have something very similar to a ready made sweater that I love and wish that I would have bought more of them when I bought this one several years ago.

What I need to do now, is decide which sweater it is going to be and work on it!  I'm in the mood for sweater knitting, how about you?

It's A Start

Project 1 off of the needles.  Even though, it is a small one, it counts!

I bought the yarn earlier this year from Knitorious in St Louis.  The pattern is the Ribbed Pennant Scarf and is a freebie from Universal Yarns.  This is Scarf #1 for one of  Mona Lisa's cousins.  The other is on the needles.  They are die hard Iowa Hawkeyes fans and I could not resist knitting it for them.

Wednesday Website

I've found a new podcast that I am really liking!  It's my new drive to work listening.  And towards the end of each podcast, Emily is giving us some hints on photography which I am really getting a lot out of!

http://www.fiberphotographylife.com

I Had To Do It

Earlier this Summer, I cast on the Pi Shawl using my Madelinetosh Pashmina in the Cousteau colorway.  I've knitted it on it quite a bit, in the dark while waiting for egg throwers and in the truck while the Tall Guy, Baby Boy B and I shopped for furniture for houses.  It was a really good mindless knit.

Even though it was mindless, I just could not get it out of my mind that I was wasting a really good yarn on stockinette.  Some research on Ravelry and the many Pi Shawls out there soon had me giving serious thoughts as to how to continue.

I finally made the decision to rip it out and do some lace instead of the plain stockinette stitch.   I am hoping that lace shows up on it, since it is so dark.  There isn't much to show yet, because since I made the decision to rip back, there hasn't been much opportunity to pull it out of it's bag yet.  

In the meantime, I've been kicking around the idea of ripping back my sock heel and trying the after thought heel.  I'm just not real happy as to how the heel on this yarn is shaping up.  And from what I can gather, the afterthought heel may alleviate some of what I don't like on my Bite Me yarn.

Aw, what the heck, I am giving it try.  Maybe I'll really like it and do it all the time on my socks.

Stay tuned for how the rip backs turn out.

Happy Birthday Karen!

OK So Here's the Deal

On September 1st, I am participating in the My Sister's Knitter Tackling WIPS KAL over here.  My goal for this KAL is not cast on anything new until I get some of those pesky WIPS done.  As part of this KAL, I am self-imposing myself on a cast on diet.  My thought is that I cannot cast on anything new until I have completed (and by completed, I mean sewn up and blocked) at least five things.  And while on this cast on diet, I want to seriously lose five WIPS AND five pounds.  Then I'll reward myself.

It all begins on September 1st.  So you know what I am doing now, don't you?  But, of course a frenzy of casting on.  Well, not a frenzy, but I am updating my Ravelry Project Page to include my recent cast ons.  I have them in my little book, but I thought it was time to do a little updating on the project page as well.  I am also eating up anything bad…I know I know, whatever I gain I still have to lose, but hey it's my challenge.

My sox alone would be four projects if I would just knit them up.

And it would free up three bags for other uses.  But, besides sox, I do have a couple of other WIPS that I'd like to get off of the needles...

But, the only one that I really know for sure at this writing is that I want to finish my Scallop Shawl first.  I want to be wearing this at the shop or at home when the air condition is on to keep the chill off of the arms when wearing my t-shirts.  It is out of Frog Tree Alpaca so it is super soft and won't be scratchy on bare arms.

It is going to be tough to be WIP knitting, because there are so many great sweaters out there that I want to be knitting for Fall, which is sure to come faster than we would like.  In the mean time, we are hopeful and thinking positive thoughts that before Fall is over, we will be down one house!

38 Years and Counting

Yarn Shop Knitting

Not that I needed to buy yarn for my yarn shop knitting, but a week ago, Knit 4 Together got in some new yarn that feels so soft, and is in my color sort of.

It also fit the bill for a look that I had found earlier this year for a look that I am going for in the  Knit and Fit 2014 wardrobe. 

I really do believe that late August is really the time to start thinking about what you want to be wearing in just a few short months.  For the above look, I have chosen Heidi Kirrmaier's Snowbird. This sweater and yarn is going to be perfect for jeans or work.  And it will be one that I can tuck in my bag and wear in the a/c or when Fall brings a chill.

 

A friend of mine thought that this pattern wouldn't give me enough challenge.  Haha, she really doesn't know Heidi's patterns, because if she did, she would know that Heidi doesn't just do plain old top down construction.  She always takes you in a direction that has you wondering how is that gonna work?

This is the start of the sweater, the left and right collars?  

The Summer of Shawls is not over yet, I have a couple (okay several of those on the needles), I'll blog about that whole thing next week.  And hopefully, my one Summer Sweater will be blocked and sewn together in time for wearing late next week.  All that and more, later.  Until then, start thinking about your Fall wardrobe, you really will be wearing it soon (even though we are having high 90s all this week and humid.)  If you knit it, Fall will come, eventually.

Mail Call!

The mailman has been very nice to me lately.  Only thing is the Tall Guy is seeing a string of packages come for me.  I may need to start sending them to work…Kidding.

Meg showed this book at Knit Camp.  They just got their copies last week and mailed them out.  I am becoming to all things Shetland and Denise and Lori's trips there has only increased my appetite for all thing Shetland.  This winter may be the Winter of Shetland knits!

I could just not resist more project bags.  Well, when you have a lot of projects you need a lot of project bags right?!  These are from Little Skein in the Big Wool.  I ordered a set of stitch markers from her as well.  Not sure why, since I have a collection or two of stitch markers already.

Ah well, it was a weak moment.

Wednesday Website

Non-knitting related website of the week, because its my blog and I can.

http://www.alsa.org

Some of my family and friends are taking the ice bucket challenge and me too.  ALS has gotten a lot of press and donations from this.  I say good going!!

Because I can.

Cutting It Close

I was one step away from ordering another ball last night, thinking I might need it to finish the neck band on my Women's Boxy Pullover out of Cottonation.  But, I decided to wait until the light of day and see how far I could get.

Ta Da!

Ad I still have plenty to sew it up together after its blocked.

It was close.  And I am so pleased I did not push that button to order a skein for just a few rounds!