Category: knitting

  • a wednesday problem

    Work work work. The problem with freelance-type work is, it’s really hard to separate out work time and play time! It’s easy to just keep working and working. Well, for me, anyway. Mostly because I feel guilty if I have time to work and am not doing it. Does that make any sense?

    Thanks to everyone who helped me destash – I had so many packages to take to the post office that when the woman there saw me, she took out a whole mailbag for my packages! A few more are going out today.

    So. How about some knitting talk? I finally finished the sleeves of the Manos silk cardigan –

    manos sleeves

    I did them both at the same time – which was kind of a drag when I was actually doing it, because it seemed so slow! But then I got up to the cap and then, behold! Not one but two sleeves! It was pretty exciting to finish them both together.

    Now I just have to do the button bands and collar. I think the sweater’s going to take a little more yarn then I’d hoped, eight skeins rather than seven. Ah, well. I can make the collar nice and long.

    Now here’s my Wednesday problem – I don’t know what to take to Knit Night tonight! The Manos cardigan is sort of at a tricksy point to take to a place where much talking and probably drinking will take place. Maybe it’s time to bust out some plain sock knitting? But what I really want to do is cast on for another sweater! What sweater, what yarn? Do I have the supplies? Do I have the brain power to start something new?

    This is often my dilemma.

    I do think I’ve solved what to take, though – the Manos sweater (the button bands won’t be too hard to figure out) and maybe needles and yarn for new socks. I could really use some new plain socks. Yeah, that sounds okay.

    (Although I do still really want to cast on for a new sweater.)

    Back to my lunch!

    lunch, take II

    Chickpea salad: chickpeas, cucumber, tomato, chunks of haloumi cheese, lots of parsley, good olive oil, lemon, and a sprinkle of cumin. Pita wedges are obligatory for soaking up the dressing!

  • take it off my hands, part IV – the yarn one

    Holy comments, Batman! Awesome. I knew that’d bring out the lurkers ;)

    So, without further ado, the winners:

    Twinkle’s Weekend Knits – Jeanine
    Classic Knits at Home – Michelle

    Winners have been emailed. I felt bad I couldn’t give books to everyone!

    So up next… a rather large yarn destash. Prices are in USD or CDN (they’re close enough anyway) and include shipping to Canada and the US. If you’re international, let me know and I’ll amend the price. Payment by Paypal, balance transfer or credit cards – and please don’t send money until I’ve confirmed. Please, help me make room!

    Visit my destashing page!

    Finally, since every blog entry needs a photo (well, not really, but whatever), my finished Manos Silk cardigan body. Any ideas for names?

    manos silk body

    This took a bit under four skeins, so I think I’m on track to use just 7 skeins for the whole sweater!

    P.S. Insidious spammers have somehow hacked in and may be putting in horrible filthy links at the bottom of my posts, as read in blog readers (but not on the blog page itself, weirdly). Any ideas on how to stop them? Please let me know if you see anything off! I’ve deleted some stuff already, and it doesn’t show up in the RSS feed anymore, but Bloglines may not have updated yet. Argh.

  • take it off my hands, part III – Classic Knits at Home

    Classic Knits at Home cover.jpg

    I’ve got one copy of Erika Knight’s Classic Knits at Home to give away! (Also see my give away of Twinkle’s Weekend Knits, one post down!)

    This is a gorgeous book that makes me wish I lived in that particular house! There are 15 patterns total for various around-the-house knits, using simple textures and gorgeous yarns to produce luxurious pieces that really would “keep forever”. I’m quite inspired by a few projects in particular – a circular rug worked in hemp with short rows; a big chunky floor cushion knit from bulky yarn, and the patchwork hexagon blanket on the cover. Even the knitted plant pot covers, as improbable as they might be, are rather cute!

    Somehow, though, I don’t see myself getting to any of these patterns anytime soon (not the least of which is because I don’t have a house to decorate), so I want to give it to someone who’ll appreciate it!

    To enter, just leave a comment. I’ll use a random number generator to pick a winner on Friday.

    Comments will close Thursday, April 17, at 11:59 PM EDT.