All scarves, all the time

At least, that's what it feels like at the moment. I'm taking a page from the Bad-Ass Knitter's Manifesto and knitting "whatever the hell I want." For the past week or so, that's mostly meant working on a simple 1x1 ribbed scarf (from One Skein Wonders) out of some Moda Dea yarn I've had for over a year. It's all pink and purpley with a little strand of gold running through it. It took me this long to find a pattern that laid flat and showed off the yarn suitably; it even has little ruffles on the ends.

After finishing that scarf last night, I whipped out the two balls of orange Moda Dea Aerie that have also been marinating and waiting for the right project. I cast on the same pattern all over again and blew through the first skein of yarn in one sitting. These projects are very relaxing but also very satisfying because I have already killed 4 balls of yarn out of my stash. Wahoo!

Pictures later.

Latest FOs

(Note: I added a stash photo to the last post... it's scary, but I guess not as scary as it could have been.)

D's Fetching Mitts


Pattern: Fetching from Knitty
Yarn: JoAnn Sensations Bellezza Collection Dolcetto in pink
Modifications: Just eliminated the picot edging at the top.

Overall I think they came out quite nicely. I was a bit worried D wouldn't be able to wear them as I hadn't realized the yarn was over 50% wool, but they were fine. The only drawback is they are not machine washable. The fabric feels great—nice and soft.

Snowdrift Mittens


Pattern: Snowdrift Mittens (vintage pattern from Patons)
Yarn: KnitPicks Merino Style in Cinnamon, leftover from my dad's sweater (1.5 skeins), and some random cream-colored acrylic from the stash (.5 skein).
Modifications: None.

I really, really enjoyed making these mittens. As my first two-color mittens, they definitely presented a challenge and kept my interest. I blew through the first mitten in three days, although the second took a little longer. They are quite warm and comfortable, although next time I'd use all wool. I would also use size 3 needles instead of size 2 (I gambled this time since the 3s were already being used for the Monkey Lion socks). Sadly after a few days I noticed at least one glaring error in the mittens (see photo). Ah well. I've been wearing them the last week or so and while they are warm, I have to say that the pattern extends too far down the wrist for this kind of cuff. The finger and thumb parts fit perfectly but this particular cuff creates an annoying bulge at the wrist. Something to watch out for next time.

Not too shabby...

So, here are my predictions vs. actual amounts of yarn, as counted last night:

Prediction / Actual
Sock yarn: 30 / 25
Wool-Ease: 15 / 17

...aaaaaaaaaaaaaand, drumroll please:
Total skeins of yarn: 250 predicted, 264 actual.


Not too bad. At least I was pretty accurate in judging the depths of my obsession. Now I'll just be working to whittle it down! I'm an inch past the thumb on the second Snowdrift mitten, so it won't be too long until I can report some stash officially busted!!

Unfortunately, I've discovered that I occasionally lose all chart-reading ability, and will probably have to tink the last few rows to straighten it out (I tried an alternative method of fixing it but may have just confused myself more). Still, there have been very few of these snafus so far, which is a good sign. The mittens will probably be done tomorrow or the next day, as I am waiting on the needles so I can keep going on the Monkey Lion socks.

Oh, those are my next project, by the way. I'm calling them "Monkey Lion" socks because I'm using the Monkey pattern, and the "Aslan" colorway of Lorna's Laces. :D So far it's going well but I can't tell if the colors are going to pool on me. Gotta get a few inches into it I guess.

Predictions

I'm about to embark on a major stash weedthrough. I'm going to count total skeins and also how many of each type of yarn. I don't know how detailed I will get other than that.

Predictions:
Total skeins: 250
Sock yarn: 30
Wool-Ease: 10
Crap acrylic: 50
Baby yarn: 50

Wish me luck!

Knitting fur a good cause

I've sent in my info so I can participate in a very worthwhile project: knitting Fun Fur (yes, Fun Fur) hats for the Children's hospital of Boston.

This is a great way to get the lingering skeins of the dreaded Fun Fur out of my stash, and give it to someone who is actually ASKING for it, by request. I'm sure they'll have a blast with their new "hair." So, pass it along, or if you're so inclined, sign up! I'm looking forward to getting started. There's a contest involved, too, if that gives you more incentive.

Found via I'm Knitting As Fast As I Can.

Mitten addiction progressing nicely

I finished the first Snowdrift Mitten. I don't know what it is—maybe something about seeing the pattern emerge row by row—but I just could not stop working on it last night.

It's not the greatest mitten in the land, being that it's kinda lumpy due to my tension and the fact that I think I went with needles a size too small (the 3s are currently being used for the Monkey Lion socks). Still, as my first Fair Isle project they represent quite an accomplishment.

I've already cast on for #2!

Advice for knit-mag advertisers

I received an ad for a knitting magazine (which will remain unnamed) in the mail the other day. This is a magazine I've flipped through once or twice on the stands; I think I own one issue. However, their advertising made my skin crawl to the point where I don't think I'll be buying it again.

How not to advertise a knitting magazine

1) Do not use the phrase, "this isn't your grandmother's knitting."

2) Do not use the words "polka dots," "fringes," and "poncho," particularly not to tell me that your patterns feature "everything from perky polka dots to sassy stripes to beaded fringes that add pizzazz to a poncho." This does not encourage me to look at your magazine. In fact, it encourages me to run the other way.

3) The same goes for lines such as "...a fur-look yarn combined with an acrylic creates a stylish faux-fur vest!" I shudder to think what this vest looks like.

4) Lastly, please, please, PLEASE do not include eye-scorching visuals such as this:


Yikes. Just... yikes. I don't consider myself a yarn snob by any means, and I've used all sorts of yarns for all sorts of projects, but .... OUCH.

*runs back to Interweave*

Hello, 2007 - Knitting for the new year

What's up for 2007?

1) Stashbusting. Inspired in particular by anny purls (a great knitblog, by the way), I'm going to be knitting from stash as much as possible. Some exceptions may be made for gift knitting, or if, you know, that PERFECT, AMAZING YARN for a PERFECT, AMAZING PROJECT comes along. :) I have yet to actually count/catalog the stash. It's a bit too scary.

2) Charity knitting. I want to continue knitting for Dulaan and other projects. The first two charity knits of the year:


...two small hats that will probably go to Caps to the Capital (Shouldn't that be Capitol? I suppose either way can work.). One is the leftovers of cashmere yarn from my One-Skein Wonder; the other is leftovers of Joann's Sensations Bellezza Collection Dolcetto (now there's a mouthful) from a project I can't discuss quite yet. They are both really soft and each one finished up one or two of the small leftover balls of yarn in my stash.

3) Expanding my knitting horizons. The first big leap? My first Fair Isle project:


...a pair of Snowdrift Mittens (also inspired by anny purls... hers are just lovely!). It's also a stashbuster because I'm using the leftover KnitPicks Merino Style from my Dad's sweater, and some random cream-colored yarn for the second color. I'm really, really enjoying two-color knitting. It really keeps my attention and the results are so nice!

4) Do some of those projects that have been in the planning stages forever. The first? I'm making a vest for myself out of the hand-dyed Patagonia yarn I got in Vermont two Octobers ago.


I am using the Ruby pattern by Saunshine (the Cornelia Tuttle Hamilton pattern in the Noro book just isn't doing it for me). I love the way the yarn knits up, but I am afraid I'm going to have to order one more skein. :(

5) Start the Christmas knitting in January! This goal has definitely been accomplished—Mike's present is already done! WOOHOO!! Anyway, I'm going to try and make the gift knitting decisions a lot earlier this year. I think that will help.

6) Do some non-knitting-related projects, like oh, say, FINISH MY LONDON SCRAPBOOK. Sheesh. And sew stuff.
Welp, that's about it! I'm looking forward to a craft-filled 2007!!