All Buttoned Up

My Knitpicks order came! I stalked the poor mail lady for days (she comes to my building at 3 pm- I’ve waited for her for the past 3 days) and it finally came! I’m so excited!

First, the Wool of the Andes is more yarn for my log cabin blanket. I had too many white balls and not enough colored balls - I bought some more blues to even out the ratio a bit.

I also bought 47″ addi’s for that blanket. I didn’t really like the addis last time I used them, but I really wanted a longer cable to work with (I was using a 24″ that was quickly becoming way too small). The tip sucks (I agree with Grumperina on this) but with miles and miles of garter stitch, the tip doesn’t matter too much.

I wanted to try one of the new Options needles but the sizes I’d have wanted were back-ordered. I bought a set of double-points in my favorite sock size (US 2) just to see what the finish and points would be like. Love the tips. Later, I’ll compare and contrast the tips between this set and the size 2 addi’s I have.

The red yarn (better picture, below) is my new favorite. I bought it to knit another version of the free pattern I’m knitting (two versions, I must love ya’ll!). It’s knitting up asbolutely beautifully. In fact, it’s so beautiful that I couldn’t even wait to take a photo before I started knitting it up! The third ball is missing from the above photo because it’s part of the WIP.

I also got the Simple Stripes fair-isle sock pattern. I’d hoped that it used slipped stitches, and I gues it still could but it calls for holding the two yarns and knitting the row in one go-ahead. I love the way the pattern looks though and I think it’ll pay off (even though the pattern has a short-row heel, my least favorite).

Are you getting excited about the first free pattern yet? It’s going to be nice! Super nice! Ya’ll are going to love it. I know it.

I usually like to do this on lazy Sundays, but I just didn’t feel like it 2 days ago. But now, I feel like it.

Today’s Book: Scarf Syle from Interweave Knits (edited by Pam Allen)

I don’t give scarves enough credit. Really, I don’t think they get the respect that they deserve. Too often “good” and “expereinced” knitters brush off scarf knitting. I, like many of my peers are quick to dismiss scarves as being something only beginners knit. We think ourselves too good for scarf knitting. We’re past that we tell ourselves. It’s this attitude that led to me discovering this book only recently.
This book is for people who are beyond “beginner knitters.” The AMAZING designs from Norah Gaughan, Teva Durham, Jo Sharp, Annie Modesitt, and Leigh Radford appeal to knitters who like a challenge - who like to use the unique qualities and possibilities of knitted fabric to create soemthing magicall.

The directions of this book are very clear, in typical Interweave fashion. My only qualm is that sometimes the photo for a design is featured one page after the directions start - it takes a few seconds to realize, for example to realize that “Blizzard” (by Leigh Radford) is a bulky weight crocheted wrap-like design and not, as is on the facing page of the beginning of the pattern, a delicate, light blue lacy knitted scarf.

Now, I love these patterns (as I wrote earlier). My favorite is Backyarn Leaves by Annie Modesitt. I love the color (I love green) and I love the way the leaves form a waved edge to the scarf as they change shape from wide to tapered, wide again to tapered again. Genius! This is now high on my to-knit list.

I also really like Here and there cables by Norah Gaughan. The all-over cable design creates a striking scarf that I also can’t wait to knit. The variegated yarn creates subtle stripes that are amazing. I love it. See Amber’s lovely version at the KAL here.

Another great part about this book is that it inspires you to knit and design your own scarf. Not only was I inspired by the incredible designs, but I also thought the design notebook in the back was helpful. Anyway, I’ve designed and knit a scarf that will be my first Free Pattern! I just have to knit another version (different color) and then I’ll post the pattern.

Back to the book: They final verdict:

The patterns: Couldn’t be better - something for everyone. Makes you believe in scarves again.
Techniques/Explanations - Clear and precise, in typical Interweave fashion.
Entertainment Value - I like looking at pretty things - so I’ll say this one fulfills my desires. However, it’s not as inately funny as a Stoller or McPhee Book.
Price/Value - get it for 15$ or so at Amazon and it’s totally worth it!

I have a problem. It’s only just occured to me, this problem I have. You see I now have 5 lonely socks without a mate - plus a poor, solitary mitten, also mate-less.

It’s come time for me to admit that I suffer from Second Sock Syndrome. This means that I have many single (whiny) projects who want a mate. Lets meet one.

First up, Erica.

Nicole: Hello Erica, it’s nice to meet you.

Erica: Well it’s great to be here. I have a feeling that today might be the day.

N: How’s that?

E: Well, I have this feeling that I’m not going be single for much longer.

N: What makes you think that you won’t leave here alone?

E: Well, compared to these other socks here, my mate is already half-finished - ready for the heel turn. Also, I’m a rather pleasant pattern (Lace Leaves Socks) with such incredible beauty for such an easily memorized repeat. And - Look at my toe - the leaves finish themselves! How who can resist that?

N: That is a very clever detail I have to admit. What is your response to the fact that some of these other socks feel your yarn is a disadvantage?

E: It’s so hard to compete with merino! Stupid fiber snobs. There is absolutely nothing wrong with being superwash wool - heck, i’m even re-inforced with nylon. I’ll be here for a while - I’ll live through trips through the wash! And look at my coloring - such a gorgeous red. No one else here can compete with a red-head.

N: Well, best of luck to you! Let me know how things work out - And be sure to invite me to the wedding!

See More from this Series
Marla’s Story
Katie’s Bitter Diatribe
Sarah’s Egotistical Optimism
Vita’s Norwegian Skepticism

See what happened to Erika Here!

When my boyfriend helped me move two months ago, it took 2.5 car trips. I'm a college student. I don't really have any furniture nor rooms like a kitchen or bathroom that would contribute to the "things which must be moved."

I like stuff. I like having stuff. I'm one of those people who feel validated by worldly possessions. I know it's bad and I'm working on that. But at least I know that I have a problem.

I've tried to cut back on what I buy (because otherwise, I accumulate tons and tons of crap that I find 4 months later and wonder what the hell I was thinking when I bought that). I've made a new rule that I can only buy things related to knitting or notecards (I love sending people snail mail). Unfortunately, I've now begun to accumulate a ton of knitting stuff.

But you should understand that part of problem with liking "stuff" is that you get validation from seeing it - so if it's not in sight and I'm not reminded that I have it, I'm missing out on some joy. This combined with my desire to organize things today in the above photo and the one below. I cut pieces of my cotton yarns so that at a glance, I could know what colors and (above) ombres I have.

I also did it with my sock yarn.

I have another love, as I mentioned above. I love notecards. A lot. I have a whole box of them.

That box is full of notecards. I love to send them. I get so excited about snail mail (college students get remarkably little amounts of 'real' mail) and so I figure that other people must also. I think my high school science teacher called that the law of consitency or something i don't remember.

Anyway, I thought that while I was flashing my stash of sock and cotton dishcloth yarns, I'd also flash some of my stash of notecards.

First, where I get my notecards from: I get a lot of them as gifts. I also tend to buy a few here and there when I find a random box/pack which appeals to me. I have everything from an asian bamboo design to a design that's a few rows of woven country sun chairs. I love 'em.

Anyway, I was an Michael's craft store today and I found some new, super cute notecards. First, my new favorite:

Then, another, from the same company:

I bought this (below) package a few months ago. I love it (because it has yarn on it) and it was a total fluke that I found it - at Kohls, no less!

It's totally the card that I send to someone with a knitted gift - or one of my knitting friends who just needs a pick-me up during a rough time. Or just a bit of fun during a plain 'ol fine time. You know, it's an anytime is good for knitting kind of card. One of my favorites.

(not a true representation of color)

Yesterday, I dyed some yarn.

Let me explain. I’m a college student. I don’t have a kitchen. I don’t have a sink that’s bigger than the sinks in my bathroom. The only source of heat I have control over is my microwave - and I don’t have a container that I can dye yarn in that will fit inside it.

You’ll see below, my supplies:

Here’s the process -

1. First, I soaked the yarn (Knitpicks dye your own) in some water over night.
2. I drained the yarn.
3. I made a pot of hot water in my coffee maker and measured the dye solution and dumped it into my dye pot (a large mason jar).
4. I added hot water to the jar/pot and swished and swirled it to dissolve the dye.
5. I put the wet hank of yarn into the jar and added more hot water until the water was at the top of the jar.
6. I let the jar sit for many hours (on my hot windowsill) prodding and poking it when I didn’t feel like doing real work occasionally. This was actually a good thing because, halfway through the day, I found a chunk of undissolved dye stuck to the yarn (think what it would look like if a piece of gum had gotten stuck to the skein).
7. I took the yarn outside and dyed the sidewalk purple used some gloves to swish the yarn and dissolve the problem.
8. Around 8 pm (maybe 9 hours after start time), I drained the yarn in the yard of my dorm. I rinsed in one of the showers (No, I didn’t get naked with my yarn - I used one of those adjustable hose heads and a strainer - I stayed really dry, promise).
9. I twisted out the yarn and hung it to dry. It’s still drying.

I know I didn’t take enough pictures. Next time (I promise)- and I’ll also try to do it in the sun - for real. For now - here’s a pic that is truer to the color.

Or, I freaking love wordpress!  This is genious.  

Ya'll will just have to bear with me as I move stuff from Blogger on over.  A few rules (for myself mostly):

1.  Every other day, I'll move a significant chunk of content over.

2.  Every 4th day, I'll add some new, bright and shiny content.  

3.  I will add my first free pattern up before July. (are you getting excited yet?) 

 And more stuff and rules as I think of it.

I need to get back to work now.  For real.  Seriously. 

In today's post (from the knitting bookshelf), I'll be reviewing "The Knitter's Handy Book of Patterns."

What? You call yourself a serious knitter? What, you don't own this book? Why the hell not?

This book is amazing. Think of the patterns in this book as providing a skeleton and you choose the skin for your projects.

Say for example that I wanted to knit a pair of mittens (which I really should do before next fall). Now, like any knitter I have an obscene amount of stash and thus, it would be prudent (prudent, knitting, really Nicole?) to use some yarn from my stash, and there is two colors of worsted weight wool that I think would be particularly awesome.

Now, I know that I knit worsted at 4.5 sts per inch (size 8 needles), but I want my mittens to be tight so that when I make snowballs, I don't get wet hands. So, I try knitting the yarn with size 5 needles to get a nice, tight fabric and I get 7 sts an inch. Then, I use this number (7sts per inch) and the size I want to follow the pattern and knit myself some mittens.

This book includes patterns for knitting mittens, hats, gloves, scarves, tams, socks, a vest and a sweater at whatever gauge you want, with whatever yarn you want.

This is a perfect book for you if you are interested in basic and classic designs or if you are wanting to dip your toes into designing.

I've heard critiques that the way this book is written out can be confusing (pages can look like a big matrix of numbers) and true, it may be intimidating the first time you try to knit with this book. I suggest making copies of pages and highlighting the numbers that pertain to what you're knitting. You could also type the instructions out for more clarity. Or, you can do what I did (below, when I was knitting socks) and use cute post-it notes to mark the numbers that pertain to your particular pattern.  

The best justification of this book is that it will save you money. Buying a new pattern or book each time you want to make a pair of mittens with a different yarn would add up (and mean less money to spend on yarn). Using the basic skeletons provided in this book means that you can jazz it up or dress it down depending on what you prefer. This book is the first step in true pattern liberation.

The Final Verdict:

Patterns - Amazing, simple, beautiful
Techniques/explanations - Pretty clear if you have a basic level of common sense
Entertainment Value - This is practical. Not so entertaining.
Price/Value - worth every penny (especially if you get it 37% off at Amazon)

Lazy Sunday Book Review Time!

Today’s book (and the first of my new series) is “The Happy Hooker” by Debbie Stoller. Some of you may know this book better as the Stitch and Bitch Crochet book. I’ve been a proud owner of this book since, well, last Tuesday.

Let me start this review by describing my intense distaste for crochet. I think it’s far too “free form” for my liking. I need structure. I need rules. I need patterns. However, I also realize that this distaste is rather silly and snobby and something holding me back from truly conquering the fiber arts. So I bought this book via Amazon and it was in my hands a few days later.

As soon as the book was delivered, I instantly turned to the first few pages, eager to read what Stoller had written about crochet. Some of what I enjoyed most about the original S&B was the incredible stories about knitting she’d included. This book was no let down. As a Human Sexuality major, I especially enjoyed the bit about how the derogatory “hooker” term actually stems from some crochet origins. It was entertaining and really, pretty informative.

The techniques section was very clear and in typical Stoller fashion, witty and entirely unboring, especially for technical writing. I was quickly able to conquer all the basic stitches. I haven’t felt confident enough to try a granny square or a flower yet, but that is also compounded by the fact that I’ve been rather crazy busy lately.

The only real disappointment with this book were the patterns. I was disappointed with what Stoller had decided to include. Only one or two (one of them, a wrap, I posted, right) really jumped out at me as something I’d actually ever want to make. But, in all actuality, I didn’t buy this book for the patterns. I wanted to learn crochet, and that’s what I got from this book, thus I am satisfied with the price I paid (10$ and change).

The biggest sucess for this book however, was helping me to understand that crochet can have a place in the yarn world. Knitting kicks it’s ass 6 days of the week, but on that seventh day, when the knitting gods rest, crochet can and does rule. Maybe soon I’ll crochet the Moon Beads capelet from Wrap Style that I covet so much.

Final verdict - Patterns - one big, yarn over of a disappointment.
Techniques/explanations - 4 out of 5 cable twists
Entertainment Value - 4 out of 5 skeins of noveltly eyelash
Price/Value - A very fair amount to justify cutting into your yarn budget.

I finished the Pinwheel blanket.
Here’s the specs:

Pattern: Pinwheel blanket
Yarn: KnitPicks ShineSport, 6 balls, one of each color, two of the darker blue.

Needles: Size 5 circs - I started with DPNs, switched to 16″ then a 24″ and finally a 36″ Circ.

Border: Purl forever one row, work 1 row of eyelets (k2tog, yo, repeat), purl forever again one row, BO. This combatted the curling awesomely

Final measurments: about 31″ diameter both before and after blocking

Knit for: My newest little cousin …

Time spent knitting: Roughly one day per color - 6 days

Changes I’d make next time: I’d use some wool content for some stretch, and size 6 needles and more yarn to get a bigger blanket. Oh. And if you do this blanket yourself, the best place to change colors is where they eyelets are.

7.25.06 - ETA - Here’s a tutorial on making YOs for the increases in a later post.

(Originally posted OCtober 2005)

Color knitting has been something I've been fearing. There's just so many yarns to keep track of. And I could never seem to get my fingers to work right. Granted, this is an assesment of one intarsia experience. Only one. Irrational fear, I know.

I knew that Sally Mellville's color book could cure me. I got it in the mail last week or so and I've been dying to try her techniques.

Anyway, last night, I spent 2 hours knitting a practice fair isle swatch. It was actually easier than I thought it would be but I seemed to lose my groove as I went, oddly enough. Anway, here's the (sort of) finished product. I think I might felt the piece. Or keep it as a trophy on my mantle. Who knows?

Also, as the piece was still on my needles but nearing the end, one of my residents walked by and thought I was knitting a hat! The way the work was scrunched, it did seem rather hat-like and actually quite adorable. So I think I might turn this motif into a hat pattern. It my be my first free pattern! Whoot! We'll see.

Anyway, don't the colors look pretty neat together? I'm really happy with the finished product. I keep showing people saying "look what I can do!"