this months goals ( sort of)

So origianally, I had told myself that for the month of October I was going to focus on finishing thing and making hats for gifts. Really so far this month I have done pretty well. Yes I have entered a lot of new patterns into my que and favorites but I have not cast on anything new that wasn't a hat. For the record I have finished all the hast I have started this month.
I have a few projects that I really need to get off the needles. they are lingering in a state of "not doneness". For example the swirl. I cast on and knit it furiously and then I got bored and cast it aside for a few months. Its very pretty, very soft and I'm afraid it has gotten a bit, tedious. I'd like to get inspired to pull it out and finish it before the end of the year. So I have this on my list of things I can work on this month.
The project that really has my attention is this test knit. Its a Escher inspired blanket. I was going to use the original colors but instead decided to match the living room colors.
The ppicture isnt great but the pattern is!! Here were my first fish and tortoise I also have cream colored ducks. i must say this women is a genius.
Also on the needles, is the modified polly pullover by spud and chloe. The whole body and one sleeve are complete I have run out of yarn so it's waiting patiently to be completed.
I am also allowing myself to begin a baby blanket for a friend who is having a baby on Christmas. I haven't felt like doing it yet but hopefully I will soon.

I'm knitting lots of hats right now and giving then away. The next hat to be started is Meret by wholly wormhead.

I also might not be able to resist the urge to knit up a octopus by Pigu pigu designs.
Now the real challenge this month is that I am expecting the coastal knits book to arrive on my door step nextweek maybe. Have you seen the patterns? I want to knit almost everything in that book. How will I stay focused?

pictures pictures pictures

This Norro hat was a great stash busting project.
The rocky coast cardigan from the new coastal knits book. Anxiously waiting for my copy.

Where did summer go ?

may is gone already?

I didn't finish any projects this month. I did do tons of knitting but I spent it on so many different things I didn't finish anything. I have also been focusing on cataloging and organizing all the stash and ufo projects. Some yarn went in the give away bag, not much but some. I also made a pile of yarn that I should give away but for some reason I can't part with it. I'm giving it one last chance to become something before the end of the year and then it has to go.
I took pictures of everything and I hope to make my own excel spreadsheet to really get organized.
Id like to have some stash but not as much as I have. I love being able to go to the stash late at knit and knit up a hat or something without having to run off to the lys. However, I do not like losing things or forgetting about things and I want it all in one place.
So my goal for June is to organize the pictures I took and get it all entered on rav and in a spreadsheet.
I also need to steek my sweater that is waiting to be steeked. I might be avoiding it.
Yea, pretty sure I'm avoiding it.
I think I'll have a birthday in June too. I want to knit myself a swirl sweater from the book in my last post. Wouldn't that be a great birthday present.

finished projects from april and new stuff for May.

Last post I talked about two new books that I had just received. This one came the next day. It's called knit swirl and has a forward by the great Cat Bordhi and a review by Clara Parkes, Jared Flood and Cookie A. Those are some serious big names. It was written by Sandra McIver. Its a large hardbound book. It has 208 beutifully photographed pages. It's really only one style of garment with several variations done to it. The book is just so pretty and everything looks so cozy it's really hard not to love this book. Normally I would say it's not worth it to buy a book with such a limited focus because really how many of the same garment are you going to want to make and this is a big projects. BUT, I am really enjoying looking through this book. Here are two pictures from the book, the top one in yellow uses two different weights of yarn to get a really nice drapey look and the 2nd uses noro to get a great color palate. From the pictures you can also get an idea of what the book is about. This book isn't for everyone but if you see it take a peek through. I'm enjoying it.

SO< what's on the needles for May. We could finish some UFO's or PHD's but instead how about starting something new. The green is A Very Plucky Cardigan by Kate Hiester. I'm using dream in color classy in the happy forest colorway. What a fun yarn. It's not particularly soft but it has a springyness to it and I love the color. The pattern is very easy and well written.

Then we have the sally cardigan from craft magazine. What a fun pattern. I didn't really love it when I first saw it but then I saw someone was making it in blue and white so I went and checked out the pattern. It was how great the instructions were written and how much information that could be found on the site that really inspired me to make it. This will be my first Steek YIKES!! Once I started knitting itI couldn't put it down it's so much fun to do the honeycomb pattern.
There were finished projects in April. I finished the test knit Rotation. I used drops merino and I do not like this yarn. It grew like mad while blocking it snagged when I wore it. Not a fan. The pattern is nice. I'd like it better if I had not done the stripes on the body.


I also finiahed make up your mind from the new issue of knitty. Very fun pattern. This one I would make again. Yes, thats me in the picture. First time I have taken a picture with me wearing the knits instead of my daughter. Kinda strange to see yourself.

I would like to make this again but try it in a stockinetts stitch or maybe a pattern on the bottom and plain top? It was a little bit hard to stay in pattern with all the decreases on the razor back. But over all it was a lot of fun to make and I enjoyed wearing it after a long run.

new books

I love it when the mail man delivers books that I had preordered. Preordering is great because you forget that you ordered the books and then its a little surprise when they arrive. Its also a risk. I preorder books that are not yet released and so there is no way to look in them and make sure the book is worth buying.I don't do it very often and I'm pretty careful and usually only buy books from designers that I am familiar with and already like. Sometimes, like in the case of my last surprise shipment I regret my purchase. I bought Knitting wrapsody because I was totally in love with the cover sweater. Turns out that's the only thing I like in the whole book.

Today I received Knits that Fit and Loop D Loop Lace by Teva Durham. Loop D Loop I bought because I own the other two books in the collection and I find them to be pretty and fun to look at.I'm a big fan of Teva.

This book has 30 patterns and although a lot of them are a little too over the top for me I did find some that I would consider making. I like the shrug on the cover the " milanese shower bolero".
I would probably avoid the lacy edging. I made a top that has that same technique and I find it difficult to wear comfortably. The sweater that I'm most interested in from the book is the tiger and snail folkloric blouse. It has a gathered neck and some nice lace work. It might have to do with the red color. I have a thing for red sweaters it would seem.

I also like these two sweaters Maybe. The tunic with the lace on the yoke and sleeves looks nice I would probably shorten it to be more of a top and less of a dress.
Then there is the sweater with the a symmetrical closure I'm not sure if I love it or hate it. I would even up the bottom some how. There is also something strange going on at the shoulder sleeve area.

You can check all these and the rest of the book at Ravelry.



This book, Knits that fit looks very promising. Normally, I hate it when a book has pre published patterns in it. ESPECIALLY when I already own those patterns in another book.
When I first flipped the book open I saw the seashell shrug. Its a pattern that I have looked at many times in my copy of runway knits. Immediately I was disappointing. Then I started looking through the book more carefully and although there are several more patterns that I own in other books there are also many I do not. I haven't taken the time to read it yet but the very beginning has information on picking a size and shape for your own body. How to wear each style so that its flattering and how to layer pieces. Then the chapters are organized by the type of sweater, cardigans, pullovers etc.
I love the cover sweater. I would totally make this. Its a long tunic or short dress so I would need to shorten it. This just might be my next project.


Then there is the Darcy cardigan. I'm pretty sure this one has been on ravelry for awhile. I really like this sweater. I would love to make it in yellow but I'm pretty sure I can't wear yellow.

the third one that I will add to my long list of must make projects is the Aubrey Pullover by Mary weaver. Again it might just be that fantastic red color. Its a simple fitted top would a cute little button treatment. I would love to have a sweater for work with these sleeves. This would be the perfect length for me to work in. The yarn is a dk cotton linen. Its made in the round so it would be quick and easy.

If only I could knit faster!!

Im sorry I can't clean the house today I need to knit bunny slippers.

Are these not the cutest things ever. You can find then on ravelry here
Does this make me a total nerd? I'm pretty sure I don't care. Ive never had bunny slippers. Even as a kid I didn't have any crazy, silly, or cute slippers. I never really wanted any.
Today, though, when I saw this pattern I decided I needed some.

April is full of inspiration

So my goal was to not start any new projects in April. Do you know what happens in April? what was I thinking. April is the beginning of spring. The beginning of spring is when all the spring and summer knitting patterns come out. April 1st the new issue of Twist collective went live. Right after that Knitty had thier spring issue up. Then just when I thought I was going to be able to hold off the temptation Knitscene came out. I love knitscene. I really love this issue of knitscene. Every year I imagine a basket full of light summer knits. Maybe a few tanks, a cropped cardigan a nice light weight full cardigan in a cotton/ wool blend. I cute tee with cap sleeves. Something in hemp or linen. Ahhh wouldn't that be great. Really, you would think I would be all over the tank/sleeveless top knitting. I'm not good at finishing sleeves. Sleeves are boring. Maybe I'll ignore all my ufo's and jump in the stash and start casting on summer projects like a crazy women. Or I could be a responsible knitter and finish what Ive started before casting on for something new.

Theme and Goals for April

Test knitting

1. Ruins fingerless gloves by pixelated mushroom.

2. Rotation by Fallmasche

No pictures for you until I'm sure it's ok to post some.

My goals for this month.
1. Finish the spud and chloe hoodie KAL project. (In the Project bag)

2. Finish Rhubarb and Custard by army of knitters. A UFO that needs to be done ( in the project bag)

3. Finish the holden shawl So I can say I knit down some sock yarn stash.

4. Pick a baby blanket pattern for Melissa's new baby boy due in July.

5. Finish the test knits, OBVIOUSLY

6. Empty the project bag.

Organizing project for the other room , I would like to put all the yarn and projects in bags with the pattern and any tools or materials needed with them. Make sure everything is logged on Ravelry and then number then in a finishing order. Post on her as well.

Last try not to fall in love with any new projects before I finish at least 4 UFO's.

Not everyone can walk around with a fish on thier head.

My daughter Ginna was talking about how cool it would be to have a Pokemon hat. A particular pokemon who is a fish. I had downloaded the dead fish hat from knitty way back when it came out, so of course, I was proud to announce " I can Do that" After hunting up the pokemon card for that character and coming up with a sketch She gave me her instructions and I set off knitting this hat. I added whiskers and inserted pipe cleaners in them to help them stay up. I knit the eyes instead of using felt. I also made the fins a bit different. The white is some of my cherished glow in the dark yarn. The supply is getting smaller.






Not nearly as exciting as the hat, I also finished the greenfield cardigan. It's from the new England knits book. It came out way too big. Not sure if I will try to felt it or just go with it. This is # 5 for IntSweMoDo2011.

I really need to design my own garder yoke cardigan because they all seem to have a neck that is way to wide for my small frame. I also want long skinny sleeves.

finished projects update for February

Here we are in March, the end of March even and I'm posting my finished sweaters for February.

These are # 3 and 4 for IntSweMoDo 2011. I don't know why I didn't post them sooner.
This was the crisp and Grey vest from Veera Valimaki. She has some really great patterns. I used spud and chloe otter to make this.
Very fast knit.



This one was the Eternalism vest from Knitscene winter /spring 2011. Also a very fast knit. I love the yarn. Which reminds me, the pattern used about half of what I bought for it.

I guess my theme for February was vests.

I also spent a little time on a UFO that is a vest . Its a rowan pattern and Im using rowan colorscapes. Wish I had finished that one too. It wouldn't have taken any time I just got bored with it.

weaving love.

I started my 4th weaving project yesterday. It was one of thoes listen to your gut moments. While I was warping the loom I was having some trouble with the yarn and I really should have stopped then and picked another yarn. I didn't. I finished warping and started weaving. I noticed right away that something wasn't right about the tension. Then after wewaving about 1 1/2 inches I noticed my first broken warp thread. It didn't snap it just slowly fell apart. as I looked I watched another one fall apart. The yarn was disintegration. So I pulled it all off the loom and put it in the trash. The yarn just wasn't strong enough to be used as a warp and I was basically pulling it apart. So today I picked a yarn from deep in the stash. It doesn't have any ball bands but I'm pretty sure it was knitpicks stroll in a taupe heather color. Its plenty strong and is holding up much better. I used about 1 3/4 balls of it to warp a 8 inch wide surface on a 12 dent heddle. I am using mini mochi for the warp and even though I only have a few inches I can see that this is going to be a very pretty scarf.

a very sporatic blogger

Im not a very good blogger. Im blaming my new loom, It"s so much fun to weave. I got a 20 inch flip rigid heele loom and I love it. I have been pulling out old stash and weaving away. Life in generally is super stressfull right now and weaving is very calm and mediatative. I think part of it is that I'm so new at it that Im just playing with no exspectations.
In knitting news, I started a small shawl. It's my first shawl ever. Mostly Im trying to use up some sock yarn stash and there was a KAL on the cold sheeping forum so I jumped in.
I finished a hat for Raven at work. She's leaving to move home. She wanted the kitty hat from Stitch and Bitch so I did that. I also finished the dead fish hat for Gin from Knitty. That was an adventure. I changed the pattern to make it look like a pokemon charachter.

post missing

I just noticed that my post about finishing the Aidez Cardigan is missing. This was my 2nd sweater finished in January for the IntSweMoDo2011. It turned out well except for the seam on the collar is a little bulky and the collar is a little to tall for my small frame. After I wore it a few days It wasn't as annoying.

Goals for Feb

My goals for Feb:
At least do a few rows on the 2nd sleeve of Kerrera
Finish the Fish hat for Gin (soooo over this project) DONE
Finish the eternalism vest from the new knitscene DONE
Finish the body of the greenfield cardigan and start a sleeve
Work on the spud and chloe hoodie Kal
Knit a sock for the sock yarn stash KAL
Go through another bin of yarn and make sure it is photographed and already in my Ravelry stash
No yarn purchases
Don’t start anymore new projects this month OPPS

Figure out how to update the knito meter on my blog. (MIGHT JUST REMOVE IT)

first sweater done for IntSweMoDo2011

Here it as a finished sweater for 2011. I started this one on Jan 3rd of 2011 and finished it around the 8th I think. Super fast knit on size 15 needles. Its in puffin which I was really happy with. It's a one ply yarn but it's pretty sturdy. The pattern is very simple and takes no effort to knit up. I wanted to start a new project before I went in to the ufo finishing frenzy.
I then went to work on my Aidez cardigan and finished all the knitting for that today. I just have to block it and assemble it. I think that will be a good weekend project. Hopefully it will be warmer and dry this weekend.
I havent done any sock knitting for the 12 socks in 2011 challenge.
I haven't bought any yarn so I'm still clean in the cold sheep challenge.
I have knit up 11 balls of yarn so far for the 100 balls of yarn knit in 2011.
Seems like to many things to keep track of.