Category: musings

  • insta-content

    I had planned to do some dye talk, but the grumperina’s tagged me with a meme that I’m actually going to do! Dyeing and other knitting talk tomorrow.

    What is your all-time favourite yarn to knit with?
    This was actually really difficult for me. But, since I always go back to it, I think the winner is going to be Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece. Projects I’ve knit with it: 2 wavy skirts (one for the store and one for me), sideways spencer, cavern cardi…I think there are others, too.
    Runners-up:
    – Fleece Artist/Handmaiden Silken
    – Lorna’s Laces Lion and Lamb
    – Artyarns Ultramerino (okay, I haven’t actually knit with this. But that’s ONLY because I’m trying to restrain myself!)

    Your favourite needles?
    Denise! Addis are just too slippy and dull-tipped for me (not to mention expensive). And I love, love, love Garnstudio’s bamboo circs, but I think they’re discontinued.

    The worst thing you’ve ever knit?
    Probably Sonnet from knitty. It was my first sweater, and I used bulky wool/acrylic. Didn’t know a damn thing about seaming, especially setting in sleeves in garter stitch! It was promptly frogged.

    Your most favourite knit pattern? (maybe you don’t like wearing it…but it was the most fun to knit)

    Hm. Sideways spencer was fun to knit. I wouldn’t do it again, but it was fun.

    Most valuable knitting technique?
    Laddering down to fix a mistake! And not being afraid to frog.

    Best knit book or magazine?
    I love Interweave Knits. As for a book, I haven’t really got a favourite one.

    Your favorite knit-a-long?
    I think I only did one knit-a-long ever, for a kitty hat. I’m not really a KAL-er, although I do like watching from the sidelines.

    Your favorite knitblogs?
    grumperina, Almost Felted, Yarn Harlot. I read a LOT of blogs though, and there are a few more I’m really into at the moment, especially Whispering Pine and See Eunny Knit.

    Your favorite knitwear designer?
    I really love Teva Durham’s style and I’ve knit a few of her patterns, but I find most of it’s just too bulky. Other than her, I can’t think of anyone at the moment other than Elizabeth Zimmerman!

    The knit item you wear the most? (how about a picture of it!)
    No time for a picture right now, but of the sweaters it’s gotta be the Must Have cardigan. I wore it yesterday, as a matter of fact! I also wear my Silken Clapotis a lot too, although it’s getting rather fuzzy.

    Tag time!
    Let’s see…how about Felicia, Lauren and Dani!

  • all quiet, but patterns!

    Since I’m right in the midst of midterms (six tests in a row, at the rate of one per week…plus labs and assignments) there isn’t much to report. Which isn’t to say that I’m not knitting, just that there isn’t much to show for it.

    I did, however, finish the third tier of hexagons for the Koigu skirt and go back and fix the first tier. I think I’m going to start joining the hexagons into their horizontal strips! The middle tier should go quickly (or at least feel that way) because the actual hexagons are smaller than the ones I’ve been doing.

    I’ve been working on the black projects. Black cashmere scarf – about one foot done. Black top-down raglan – workin’ on the body.

    I haven’t yet received my extra Lorna’s Laces sock yarn yet, and I’m starting to worry a bit since it’s been well over a week. I’m sure it’ll show up soon though.

    The pattern for Cloud is almost done; it’s rather embarrassing that I’ve been working on it for so long considering it’s only in one size. In the meanwhile though, I’ve cleaned up my top-down pattern ahead of the sweater class I’m teaching at lettuce knit in November, so that’s up on the sidebar, there. Let me know if you make one!

  • now and future knits

    Since I don’t have much else to say, how about a rundown of current WIPs (shouldn’t that be WsIP?) and planned future projects.

    WIP
    Silky Raglan – I finished one sleeve tonight, with less than two balls of the grey! I’ve just started the front (or back), so I’ll see how it goes with the yarn amount. I can always unravel my swatch…
    Vera Knee Socks – I put the first, incomplete sock on waste yarn so I can start the second one, but have I? Nahhh.
    Star Gazer Lily socks – I’m past the heel turn on the first sock. Meh.
    Modular skirt (aka Koigu Skirt) – I’m done the first tier, and am done 6 of 9 hexagons from the third tier. It’s really good subway knitting, as I can do about one and a bit sections of the hexagon per ride. I’m going to use the brown Knitpicks Palette for my contrast colour; although it’s not merino, the colour is perfect.
    Katy – One more sleeve seam, a couple ends, and I’m done, done!

    Planned future projects
    – black cashmere mistake rib scarf
    – black pullover, possibly glampyre’s v-neck pullover
    – Patons Urban Aran, as a cardigan, out of Elann Highland Chunky from last year.

    – Nordic mittens from Interweave (here’s an awesome example)…I wanted to use the brown Palette for the main colour, but since I’m using the ball I have for the skirt, I’ll have to order more (darn!). I’ll do that when I order the yarn for the next project…
    – Nordic Memories pullover from Interweave.

    I think I’m going to use Knitpicks Merino style, in similar colours (Hollyberry and some kind of yellow…I’ll have to go look at the colour cards).

    Other projects I’m thinking of:
    – cabled riding jacket from loop-d-loop, in cascade ecowool (already have the yarn)
    – some kind of cabled sweater out of Shelridge Farm W4
    – socks, socks, lots of socks!
    – presents…maybe just a few this year.

    Whew, looks like I’ve got projects for the next couple months! There’ll surely be something shiny and new that I’ll just haaave to knit, but for now I’ll keep all this in mind!