Sunday, January 28, 2007
on the needles
Here's what I'm working on right now ~ a pair of socks! yes, I'm knitting them both at the same time on two circular needles. This is a really popular method right now so I just had to try it. I can't wait to see how they turn out and just think - you finish them at the same time!
Monday, January 22, 2007
a post for Trish
I had the nicest comment from Trish, who said that she checks my blog in hopes of seeing something new each day. What a nice complement! So this post is for you, Trish! Really, I do something artistic each day or I can't live with myself, but I don't always post it. so I will try to do better at that. Thanks for your interest.
Here is a bag that I made for my daughter while I was off work in December. It is two different pink yarns combined since I couldn't find a shade of pink in wool that I liked. It is trimmed with an antique button that I just love. My daughter ~Ellyn~ loves pink and old buttons, so this was an effort to thank her for taking care of me while I recovered from surgery last Nov & Dec.
Naturally, I needed to make a scarf to go with the purse. I started out with a beaded scarf like I made for Maureen, but somehow it didn't seem right. It was what *I* liked, but not necessarily what Ellyn would like, so I tore it out and started over. I remembered that Ellyn had been particularly fond of a "keyhole" scarf I had made her when she was young, so I found a pattern for one of those. This one is not only a "keyhole" but is done in a herringbone stitch which I had not heard of before. Perfect! It is a free pattern by Kim Hamlin of buleskyaplacas.com and was super-easy to do. I cannot provide it for you per her restrictions, but you can google that info and find it, I'm sure. I added the beaded ends on my version for fun.
The lining is a wild, pleated floral that adds the touch of the unexpected. Who wants to settle for ordinary?
I'm off to do some more knitting and sincerely wish I could knit and draw all of the time. If any of you figure out how to quit your day jobs and do that, would you let me know?? :-)
Here is a bag that I made for my daughter while I was off work in December. It is two different pink yarns combined since I couldn't find a shade of pink in wool that I liked. It is trimmed with an antique button that I just love. My daughter ~Ellyn~ loves pink and old buttons, so this was an effort to thank her for taking care of me while I recovered from surgery last Nov & Dec.
Naturally, I needed to make a scarf to go with the purse. I started out with a beaded scarf like I made for Maureen, but somehow it didn't seem right. It was what *I* liked, but not necessarily what Ellyn would like, so I tore it out and started over. I remembered that Ellyn had been particularly fond of a "keyhole" scarf I had made her when she was young, so I found a pattern for one of those. This one is not only a "keyhole" but is done in a herringbone stitch which I had not heard of before. Perfect! It is a free pattern by Kim Hamlin of buleskyaplacas.com and was super-easy to do. I cannot provide it for you per her restrictions, but you can google that info and find it, I'm sure. I added the beaded ends on my version for fun.
The lining is a wild, pleated floral that adds the touch of the unexpected. Who wants to settle for ordinary?
I'm off to do some more knitting and sincerely wish I could knit and draw all of the time. If any of you figure out how to quit your day jobs and do that, would you let me know?? :-)
Saturday, January 06, 2007
more knitting
Well, I felt like getting the rest of the knitting out and chronicled here. I want to post to a sock knitting group and I need some evidence! This was my first pair a couple months ago. I got interested when I read Wendy Knits and she talked about superwash wool. Washable wool socks with nylon for wearability? Wow, I had to try that! Years ago I knitted some socks and they got holes in the heels so fast that I gave up. And these are her famous generic toe-up pattern that was pretty easy to do. Once I worked through it, that is. And they don't exactly match because I panicked and started the second sock before I wanted to. I was afraid of running out of yarn and really, I wouldn't have. oh well. I wore them and they are marvelous! Opal yarn. (note - I got those pesky holes in the gusset, but will do that better next time!)
This second pair is another Wendy pattern, the toe-up Feather and Fan in Opal yarn. I trusted the pattern even though it looked too big for me, and sure enough, the first sock is too big. I made the second one anyway, but am still deciding whether to re-knit just one sock or unravel both and start completely over. I'm not really attached to these and I could probably find something I like better out of this yarn. I think I would like this yarn better if the heels, cuffs and toes were solid black.
This pair is a Chevron Lace pattern from knittingonthenet, done out of Lorna's Laces. Nice and lightweight and I'm wondering how they'll wear.
I love how these turned out. I had gotten a lone ball of sale superwash sock yarn and paired it with some solid color yarn to stretch it into a pair of socks. I was amazed that the nondescript looking striping yarn worked up so pretty. I simply can't tell by looking at self-striping yarn how it's gonna turn out! The pattern is Karen's Lace Socks from needlesandwool.
After a few pairs of socks I wanted something even more mindless to do and that began the "cotton dishcloth phase". Sugar & Cream cotton yarn is cheap and I can even get it at the grocery, so I made tons of these cloths. I have gifted most away, but these are a couple I still have.
Then I started trying to use up the Sugar & Cream - I don't think it can be done. I also decided that the cotton cloths are relatively heavy and don't need to be so big. I made them into smaller rectangles like these and I like them a lot. That way you can use them a time or two and throw them in the wash. As long as you have someone knitting you a supply, of course! I do love these!
I wondered if you could make a face cloth that would be nice and this was my attempt with a skein of Bernat Cool Crochet, 70% cotton, 30% nylon. It has a bit of sheen and I thought it would be a treat to leave out for a guest to use. Or a nice gift in a basket with some handmade soap. (I have a friend who makes wonderful soap!)
And this is the latest ~ a baby hat and mitts and mittens for another co-worker. It will be new baby Giovanni's first winter, so I made him a hat with flaps and thumbless mitts. The hat seems stretchy, so thinking it will still fit him next year, I made him some big boy mittens, too. The yarn is Caron Simply Soft Tweed, acrylic and rayon for easy care.
And now what will I start on next? I'm itching to start socks, but I promised my sister another dog sweater for her Yorkie. I forgot to photograph him in the one I gave him a couple weeks ago, so stay tuned for that. He is one little designer dog in that thing! Now let me see.....
This second pair is another Wendy pattern, the toe-up Feather and Fan in Opal yarn. I trusted the pattern even though it looked too big for me, and sure enough, the first sock is too big. I made the second one anyway, but am still deciding whether to re-knit just one sock or unravel both and start completely over. I'm not really attached to these and I could probably find something I like better out of this yarn. I think I would like this yarn better if the heels, cuffs and toes were solid black.
This pair is a Chevron Lace pattern from knittingonthenet, done out of Lorna's Laces. Nice and lightweight and I'm wondering how they'll wear.
I love how these turned out. I had gotten a lone ball of sale superwash sock yarn and paired it with some solid color yarn to stretch it into a pair of socks. I was amazed that the nondescript looking striping yarn worked up so pretty. I simply can't tell by looking at self-striping yarn how it's gonna turn out! The pattern is Karen's Lace Socks from needlesandwool.
After a few pairs of socks I wanted something even more mindless to do and that began the "cotton dishcloth phase". Sugar & Cream cotton yarn is cheap and I can even get it at the grocery, so I made tons of these cloths. I have gifted most away, but these are a couple I still have.
Then I started trying to use up the Sugar & Cream - I don't think it can be done. I also decided that the cotton cloths are relatively heavy and don't need to be so big. I made them into smaller rectangles like these and I like them a lot. That way you can use them a time or two and throw them in the wash. As long as you have someone knitting you a supply, of course! I do love these!
I wondered if you could make a face cloth that would be nice and this was my attempt with a skein of Bernat Cool Crochet, 70% cotton, 30% nylon. It has a bit of sheen and I thought it would be a treat to leave out for a guest to use. Or a nice gift in a basket with some handmade soap. (I have a friend who makes wonderful soap!)
And this is the latest ~ a baby hat and mitts and mittens for another co-worker. It will be new baby Giovanni's first winter, so I made him a hat with flaps and thumbless mitts. The hat seems stretchy, so thinking it will still fit him next year, I made him some big boy mittens, too. The yarn is Caron Simply Soft Tweed, acrylic and rayon for easy care.
And now what will I start on next? I'm itching to start socks, but I promised my sister another dog sweater for her Yorkie. I forgot to photograph him in the one I gave him a couple weeks ago, so stay tuned for that. He is one little designer dog in that thing! Now let me see.....
Posting some knitting
Today I am posting some knitting so that you can see what I was doing all that time I wasn't drawing! Somehow I got sidetracked, then obsessed, and then, well, you know...
One of the first things was this felted purse. I found the pattern on the internet; I believe it was called Sophie, and I beaded the handles from my jewelry-making stash. It is Cascade 220 wool, doubled, and is lined in black.
Then I made a smaller purse for my friend Maureen. It is from the Pursenalities book, black Patons wool and fun fur with an I cord handle.
And a coordinating beaded scarf for Maureen out of KnitPicks Elegance, baby alpaca & silk, color Redwood ~ yummy~
Then more Cascade 220 in gray for this Lucy Bag and a fun novelty trim. It's a roomy tote.
The Lucy bag closes by looping the large handle up through the small one ~ very fun!
I made the Sophie bag bigger and added flaps to wrap around purchased handles. This one was not planned - just knit with whatever caught my fancy as I went along. It is lined with a black & white small houndstooth check fabric that used to be a pair of slacks!
Another Sophie bag, and the one I am carrying the most, is more Cascade 220. One strand of a solid green and one of heathered. I like the softening effect of the heather.
My DIL discovered this fabric when we were shopping and it was perfect for the lining and to attach the handles. The purse also has little brass feet on the bottom ~ such a nice touch!
I couldn't resist the Candy Cane pattern hat. It was made for Meredith, a co-worker's baby. I improvised on the rose and it came out great.
And I have been doing socks as well! I was so taken with this Crayon Pattern from a magazine that I ordered up a bunch of Lorna's Laces yarn and made a pair for each of my grandchildren. They are surprisingly nice weight even though the yarn seemed so thin. I did weave an extra strand through the heels when finished, just in case.
And that isn't all of it, but it's all I have photographed at the moment. I'll be back with more, but right now I need to go have a knit-fix!
One of the first things was this felted purse. I found the pattern on the internet; I believe it was called Sophie, and I beaded the handles from my jewelry-making stash. It is Cascade 220 wool, doubled, and is lined in black.
Then I made a smaller purse for my friend Maureen. It is from the Pursenalities book, black Patons wool and fun fur with an I cord handle.
And a coordinating beaded scarf for Maureen out of KnitPicks Elegance, baby alpaca & silk, color Redwood ~ yummy~
Then more Cascade 220 in gray for this Lucy Bag and a fun novelty trim. It's a roomy tote.
The Lucy bag closes by looping the large handle up through the small one ~ very fun!
I made the Sophie bag bigger and added flaps to wrap around purchased handles. This one was not planned - just knit with whatever caught my fancy as I went along. It is lined with a black & white small houndstooth check fabric that used to be a pair of slacks!
Another Sophie bag, and the one I am carrying the most, is more Cascade 220. One strand of a solid green and one of heathered. I like the softening effect of the heather.
My DIL discovered this fabric when we were shopping and it was perfect for the lining and to attach the handles. The purse also has little brass feet on the bottom ~ such a nice touch!
I couldn't resist the Candy Cane pattern hat. It was made for Meredith, a co-worker's baby. I improvised on the rose and it came out great.
And I have been doing socks as well! I was so taken with this Crayon Pattern from a magazine that I ordered up a bunch of Lorna's Laces yarn and made a pair for each of my grandchildren. They are surprisingly nice weight even though the yarn seemed so thin. I did weave an extra strand through the heels when finished, just in case.
And that isn't all of it, but it's all I have photographed at the moment. I'll be back with more, but right now I need to go have a knit-fix!
Monday, January 01, 2007
Major PAUSE
Wow, it has really been a while since I posted. I don't know what got into me, but I just STOPPED drawing as quickly as I started!! I think it makes me sound a bit unstable, but really, it was just the course of events. One day I was drawing, and the next I was knitting like a madwoman!! I was out buying yarn and knitting every free moment of the day and lamenting that I didn't have time to draw! I will have to post some of my knitting because I really did accomplish a lot.
Meanwhile, I did have surgery in November that put me out of commission for a while. I am recovered now and will be going back to work in one more day ~ YIKES!! I was off for seven weeks, which is enough to let you forget the trail back to the evil empire!! Alas, there are breadcrumbs to mark the way...
Meanwhile, I did have surgery in November that put me out of commission for a while. I am recovered now and will be going back to work in one more day ~ YIKES!! I was off for seven weeks, which is enough to let you forget the trail back to the evil empire!! Alas, there are breadcrumbs to mark the way...
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