A new hairstyle needs….

A new hairpiece. Or in this case, a lacy knitted headband.
The specifics:

Pattern: Lacy Hair Tamers (Interweave Knits webknits – this may have been a subscriber exclusive that I printed off when last December was free)
Yarn: Knitpicks Gloss (70% merino wool, 30% silk) in Woodland Sage
Needles: US 2 (bamboo)
Size: Fits me. (It hadn’t yet been blocked for these photos)
Time: Knit in one day
Mods: Yarn sub. Also, I grafted the two pieces together instead of doing the version of the 3 needle bind-off described in the pattern.
Pattern notes: Line 9 in the chart has an awkward double YO. I found that it stopped being akward when in the next row I purled the second yo through the back loop.

General thoughts – I was suprised that this pattern didn’t have a grafted center (you knit two pieces bottom up and join at the top) – it just seemed like it should have one. So I decided to add one. The 3 stitch garter edging was a bit intimidating – but I think that I managed to make it look pretty seamless.

This picture shows the join better – I can see the kitchenering, but then again I’m a knitter – and this hasn’t been blocked yet.

I really liked this pattern. I’d been pondering the idea of a knitted headband for a while and this was great – just the right amount of lace and a great lesson in headband construction. Now I want to get my hands on some more of this great yarn and make some more in other colors with other designs.

Also, my hair is nowhere near this red – or any red at all. Oh, the crazyness of digitalizing colors found naturally.

Also, I do like the Knitpicks Gloss. It’s got a perfect amount of shine. It’s not as soft as 100% merino (obviously), but I think that for classy socks (or accessories) this yarn is absolutely perfect. I’ll be using it again.

Autumn is about change…

The biggest one for me right now? A hair cut! Check it out…

One of the worst parts about moving is finding a new hairstylist. I was robbed of mine when she got married and moved to Chicago 6 or so years ago (how dare she!). Ever since, I’ve looked for someone who can get me, my hair and my vague instructions (like for length, I usually say “I don’t want to be able to put it into a ponytail”). I love how it looks sophisticated, yet young, girly but not silly and I LOVE how it moves! Finally I found someone here in Bloomington who understood my mumbo-jumbo! Of course, I may be leaving when I graduate in June. Figures.

Other Signs of fall:

The leaves changing colors! By the way, this building is part of the Residence Hall where I work everyday. I love how gorgeous it is here! The grounds and buildings are simply stunning. However, I do not live in that building or even close to it. I’m in a fringe building a few blocks away that looks like a big cinder block. Still, I consider myself lucky to live/work here (even if I don’t actually live in a pretty building).

The leaves falling! Already!

I feel so unprepared! I have this list of things that I want to do before I graduate (and potentially leave Bloomington) and high on that list is to take photos of the leaves in Autumn (it’s gorgeous down here, gorgeous) and I’m not ready for the leaves to fall yet! They must stay on the trees, at least for a little bit longer!

There’s nothing like the crunch of the leaves and the brisk coolness of fall. I was so excited today because I got to wear a new, finished pair of socks – one you haven’t seen yet… until now!

I love them, but I hate them. Introducing… The finished pair of of Knitpicks Memories in Redwood Forest (a very fall colorway):

Here’s the specifics:

Pattern: A basic 2×2 rib
Yarn: Knitpicks Memories (Merino wool, Redwood Forest Colorway)
Needles: US 2 Clover Bamboo (My fave for socks)
Began: May or June 2006
Finished: September 23, 2006
Final Measurements: They fit my size 8 feet (as do most socks based on 64 sts)
Final Comments: This was boring (usually this would be too boring), but in the circumstances where I was knitting it, it was perfect. I did the second sock in 3 days flat (a record for me) after knitting the entire leg while watching the the finales and first episode of this season of Grey’s Anatomy (OMG, it was AMAZING).

Also, both skeins of these socks (one skein each with some left over) are the same dye lot. I specifically remember checking. And yet, view the pooling. I hate it! I hate it! Usually, I tolerate a bit of pooling, but when it’s different on each sock – that’s just too much for me. These socks are going to get lots of wear and abuse. I’m not too proud of them and there will be no love lost when these are the first pair of handknitted socks I wear out.

The yarn itself is very soft and it was a pleasure to knit with otherwise. It’s pilling but I think that’s cause it’s merino and soft yarns do that. So my only real complaint is the pooling.

But now I’m hesitant about knitting the Fly Fishing color that I bought because I know it’ll pool just the same way. So, for now, I’m sticking with my hand-dyed.

You can read more about this sock (in it’s sad single state) here.

Another Single…

Welcome folks to Nicole’s Sexy Single bar. A new sock just walked in the door – lets inteview her, shall we?

N: Hello there, how are you?

Sarah: Great! Cruising the path of life ya know? I just got back from whitewater rafting in Colorado and I’m still on an adrenaline kick.

N: Wow, what an amazing attitude you have! What brings you into the bar?

S: Hoping for some fun. I’m not really wanting anything to serious – just someone to go on adventures with me. The ideal person would have a great dye job (like myself) and be just as speedy and high energy as I am.

N: What kind of advantages do you think you have to these other folks here in the bar, still waiting for a partner to be finished for them? You are the rookie after all.

S: Look at my curves. Who can resist that? I have such an interesting texture and pattern without being too dificult. It’s the perfect mix!

And my coloring – would you look at that. Perfect for fall hikes to look at the leaves changing. I’ve got everything – plus, I’m not clingy, needy or demanding – I just want something casual – like myself.

N: You do indeed have incredible coloring. There’s some pooling on the foot and ankle, but the way the colors distributed on your heel is simply incredible. That’s the way hand-dyes should always look, in my humble opinion.

S: I agree – I’m always sticking my heel out to show it off – I just know that’ll pay off. I expect some hot action soon.

N: It’s true, I don’t know how anyone would resist. Hands down, you are definetly the hottest sock in this bar. I can’t wait to see how things go for you. Be sure to let me know the details. It’s been a while since I’ve gotten any “finished pairs” action (the Embossed Leaves socks where a bit prudish and didn’t share the lurid details).

View More from this Series:
Katie’s Bitter Diatribe
Marla’s Story
Erica’s Tale
Vita’s Norwegian Skepticism

It be a special day today!

It be “Talk Like a Pirate Day!” It be also me birthday! Twenty-two years of age me be today (at 10:35 am exactly).

Some relevant stuff:

Check out the “We call them Pirates” hat here….

Make ye own Cap’n Jack Sparrow here.…

Today be a day to knit like a pirate!

Tazo. Be still my heart.

WARNING: This post is entirely devoid of knitting content.

I love Tazo teas. Drinking tea is my new favorite thing in the entire world. I love tea so much that I have devoted an entire corner of my tiny room to tea consumption. Observe le table de bistro.

Seriously, this is my new favorite stuff in the entire world–with only a little exaggeration. I’ve bought some new tea mugs and some other tea essentials and I love hosting people over for tea.

My favorite kind – the best kind in the world, is the Passion flavor (in the cup above – I’m drinking it as I write this actually). It brews red and has an incredible fruity flavor.Also, Mambo is fruity, but it’s loose leaf – something new to me – and oh so yummy. I also like the Sweet Orange Medly flavor – and even the normal, usually boring Earl Grey is absolutely scrumptious – especially with some local honey that I bought at our Farmer’s Market.

It’s been a long time that I’ve gotten so excited about something that isn’t knitting related.

How a college student dyes yarn.

I’m sorry. I moved blogs. You can find the post you’re looking for here.

Curse.

Damn the curse. Damn it.

A Success Story!

It took a long time, and a definite “grin and bear it” attitude, but I finally finished my embossed leaves socks.

Here’s the specifics:

Pattern: Embossed Leaves Socks (Mona Schmidt, Interweave Knits, Winter 2005)
Yarn: Knitpicks Essential (superwash wool and nylon)
Needles: US 2 Clover Bamboo (My fave for socks)
Began: March 2006
Finished: September 1, 2006
Mods: None except the yarn substitution
Final Measurements: I don’t have sock blockers. I wish I did. They fit my size 8 feet.
Final Comments: This is a great stitch pattern that is a pleasure to “watch.” I wish that I’d chosen a thicker yarn for the knitting. um. Yay! I’m finished.

So, the moral of the story is that Erica has found a mate. We can all be happy for her as her and her mate gallop off into the sunset of handknitted-sock-land. Look at how cute the two of them look as they cuddle.

The Second Sock syndrome persists, however. Rather than make significant progress on the second of a sock that has already been knitted, I’ve started 4 new socks (in my defense, all but one has been frogged). Seriously. I’m knitting the yarn I dyed the other day into this amazing sock pattern and I turned the heel today (I started it 4 days ago)! Meanwhile, I’m still on the leg/ankles of the second socks (assuming I’ve even started the second of that pair). Sigh.

Although, honestly, I should give myself more credit. This was the oldest UFO in my stash. That’s something right?

See another post about this pattern here.