2009 knits

2009 knits, originally uploaded by mslj88.

1. baby booties-close up, 2. Little feet for little foot, 3. "Application Socks", 4. go with the flow socks, 5. roscoe's garden cap, 6. baby blue, 7. smell my feet, 8. comparing stripes, 9. ishbel, 10. amelia front, 11. rainbow socks, 12. cat hat grrrrr

2009 felt like kind of a slack knitting year for me. I had long periods of knitting-less activity. But even for my slump, I managed to finish a nice little collection.

I'm trying to get better at finishing things. 2010 promises to be full of some baby-knitting for dear loved ones.

A day of rest

Hello blogging world! Long time, no speak! Err..or type, rather. I write to you the side of a warm fireplace at my mom's house where I'm spending the holiday weekend. I've been incredibly busy organizing our Give Handmade Crafstravaganza! It's been a lot of fun & given me an opportunity to work with a lot of great folks & network with almost 90 incredibly inspiring artists. We also started a new blog, 518handmade!, to continue to nurture the culture of DIY & handmade in Albany.

That being said, I'm freakin' tired people. And I can't wait until the days are actually here, when it's less about organizing logistics & more about getting to meet all these folks in person & peruse their art.

At times like these I find I'm so busy I can hardly remember whether or not I've brushed my teeth. And yet..I somehow seem to knit even more when I'm busy & stressed. I'm currently working on socks, a sweater vest, a hat, and a coat for my niece. And I think I finished the Ms. Darcy cardigan in about a week.

Name: "Bronzed Darcy"
Needles: US9
Yarn: Elsebeth Lavold Classic AL in "Bronze" (purchased at Rhinebeck 2007)
Thoughts: It's a little short for my preferences. And if I did it over, I would've done it in the round. But overall, I still love the sweater & the look of it.

I should have more finished work to show soon. Including stuff I've been working on to sell at our show. I'll be teaming up with Corinne and sharing a table with her & her kick ass art.

Foiled & Finished

I've already been foiled on just day 2 of my attempt to blog every day this week. However, it gets to a certain point in my day that I just have to cut myself off from doing work, errands, or being on the computer in general.

However, today I'm going to try to do two posts. One now, one after my evening meeting. Maybe that's cheating, but who's to judge?

Here are my completed "Farmhouse Nutkin" Socks!

I actually finished them about a week ago, but haven't been home during day light hours to photograph them. But I love them! The pattern is simple enough that the pooling stripping of colors still looks good & doesn't take away from the design.

Here's the Specs:
Pattern: Nutkin
Yarn: Blue Moon Fiber Arts Socks that Rock (Medium weight) in colorway "farmhouse"
New Techniques: This was my first time doing short row heels, which I liked. However, on the purl side, my increases create too much of a hole (which you can kind of see on the next photo). I think I just have to practice making it tighter.
I scored a bunch more sock yarn at Rhinebeck last weekend, but that's for another post.

catching up

It's only been a few short days since I returned from my adventures in Central America and I'm still getting used to my new skin (figuratively and literally). Figuratively speaking, I'm still enjoying the new found novelty of hot showers, toilet seats, my very own apartment, not returning to school, being unemployed and speaking English. Literally speaking, I actually have new skin as I'm peeling from a sunburn I caught on the Caribbean side of Honduras.

I have a ton of things to update about, but expect them to come gradually over the next week or so. I figured I'd start it off with a finished project though.

Pattern: Leyburn socks by MintyFresh
Yarn: Socks that rock- 24 Karat

As mentioned in previous posts, this was my first time doing toe-up socks. So I learned some new techniques, but the basic pattern repeats were easy to remember which made it an interesting, but still accessible, knit.

Aside from these socks, I have some photos too that will have to serve as a belated project spectrum wrap up for the June/July Air segment. Perhaps tomorrow.

stay golden

I've been really getting my knit on lately. After finishing the button tab hat, I decided a pair of hand warmers would be nice to match. I knit them literally in a day. One of them was knit entirely while in a work meeting. I had been meaning to blog about them, but was having a hard time getting a good photo. These ones are still a little too overexposed so the color doesn't translate as well. As per usual Rasca is in the shot. What can I say? My cat loves the camera.Project: "Golden Warmers"
Pattern: Emerald Green Handwarmers by creativeyarn
Yarn: Elsebeth Lavold Cotton Patiné in that mustardy yellow color that I can't get enough of right now.

I also started some socks that are proving to be an exciting challenge for me. I'm using the Leyburn pattern for my very first venture into toe-up socks. This will be a useful skill since I'm notorious for under or over estimating sock yarn.

The pattern also required learning the provisional cast on method, how to "wrap" a stitch and a new way to create a short row heel. Learning all these new techniques has actually made it a more intriguing, and therefore quicker, knit. I'm more than half way done with the first sock and I just started the project three days ago.

I'm also excited that these knits coincidentally go along with the Air theme for the project spectrum june/july.

I've also been a lucky duck in terms of fun mail lately. Rachel sent me this amazing yarn from Asheville, NC that her friend spins and dyes.

It's an Alpaca and wool blend that's dyed with copper, black-eyed susans and marigolds! It smells like working in the garden (in a good way). And if you are interested in scoring any for yourself, she can be contacted at wildbergamot@riseup.net

On a roll

I've got the knitting itch again. I mean the kind where the second you finish a project you are eager to have another one in your hands again. I recently finished these:

Pattern: Roza's Socks, from Interweave Knits Spring 2007
Needles: Size 2dpns
Yarn: Rowan 4ply Cotton in "Ripple"

They were really fast & a straight forward knit. I wasn't crazy about them at first, but they've quickly grown on me. I think they are simple & elegant.

I've already started some Monkey Socks with new yarn I ordered from Knit Picks. I loved Cookie's "Hedera" pattern so I'm hoping these will be just as enjoyable.
I also started the "Backyard Leaves" scarf from Scarf Style. I'm already confused by the chart though. I think I'm going to need some feedback from my other crafty friends on this one.
This will be for a friends birthday. It's been quite a while since I've knit for other folks. But the nice part is that I'm also using up yarn from the stash leftover from my bonsai tunic. Sweeeet.

PS- I also have the library itch lately. I love the library. I'm all about taking out knitting books & books on CD (to knit to!)