A little fun with dyes

Every once in a while, I get an itch to dye some yarn.  I decided to try dyeing some fiber again too.

The last time I dyed any fiber, I felted it horribly.  I was able to pull it apart, and rescue some of it, but no where near as much as I had dyed.  It was my fault though, I moved it around too much.

Here's the bit that I was able to save.  I know it looks like a good amount, but I probably had dyed almost double that.  It's more felted and fuzzy than I'd like, but I'll use it somehow... a hat maybe.

This time, I barely touched it until I rinsed it and put it out to dry.  Looks pretty good huh?  I think it's going to spin super easy, and I can't wait to get it on the wheel.

I used Jacquard acid dyes for all of it.  I was playing around with turquoise (holy crap is that a hard color to dye with) and black.  Initially I was only going to dye the one skein, and the roving, but since the dye stock was already there, I figured I could always use another skein of gray.  I do love me some gray.

Now, to figure out what I'm going to knit with this...

xoxo,
Liz

Let's hear it for the boys!

Absolutely IN LOVE with the Gathering stripes for my little man.  Such an adorable little sweater and it works up so fast!  That's probably my favorite thing about knitting for them.  It's almost instant gratification, even when you're working with fingering weight.  I made the neck a little shorter and a little snugger than the pattern calls for.  I think it'll fit him better. 

I'm maybe 15 rows away from finishing the sleeves on the Brownstone YAY!  Like I said before, I'm modifying this to have set in sleeves rather than the raglan.  I added notes on how I'm working the sleeves to my project page on Ravelry.  In a nutshell, the sleeves are knit in the round, and at the point where I'd join to the body, I'm just knitting it flat and working the shaping.  So far, so good.  It looks like it's going to work out fine.  When I get to the armhole, I'll add those notes too.

Like so many others, knitting sleeves is no fun for me.  I think that's why I try to get them done as early as possible.  If it's bottom up, I'll knit the sleeves before starting the body.  If it's top down, I'll knit until I divide for the sleeves.  Once I've divided, I'll continue knitting the body with whatever ball of yarn I'm working with.  As soon as that ball is done, I'll pick up and knit both of the sleeves, two at a time on magic loop.  After the sleeves are done, I start back on the body...the fun part. 

I knit everything that is in pairs on magic loop two at a time.  I have this fear that I'm going to knit a pair of socks or sleeves that will turn out drastically different from one another because I was stressed or more relaxed when I was knitting one.  My gauge can change according to what's going on in my life that day.  I figure if I'm going to have tighter/looser socks, I might as well have a matching pair of tight/loose socks.  Maybe it doesn't bother some other people, but it drives me insane to wear something with a noticeable difference in the fit from one side to the other.

I tried one of the sleeves on my hubby last night.  I wanted to see how the shaping in the sleeve cap was working out on his body.  This man knows me well.  As he's standing there wearing a sleeve that is almost done, we have the following conversation.

Hubby: Wow, the sleeves are pretty much done!  That means I'll probably have a finished sweater in a couple weeks!
Me: Really?  How do you figure that?
Hubby:  Well, you always knit the body really fast, but the sleeves take a long time to finish.  You've already finished the sleeves, so the body will be done in no time!


yup.... And while I'm talking about the things my hubby says about my knitting, he said something the other night that I found kinda funny.

The sleeves were only a couple inches past the elbow, and I had him try one on.  I had previously made a mistake and not changed the needle after the cuff.  That's right, I knit a lovely 15 inches of sleeve on the wrong needle. So this was a fresh new 14 or so inches. So I get the sleeve on him, and he says "This is going to be so nice.  I'm really glad you took up knitting."  HAHAHA!!  Maybe it was a had-to-be-there moment, but I thought it was funny. 

xoxo,
Liz

Stop and smell the wildflower

I've got the sleeves set in on baby girl's Wee Wildflower.  It's adorable and fits her just a teensy bit big, which is what I wanted.  If anyone is thinking of knitting this one, do yourself a favor and either knit it in the Pashmina that is suggested (kinda pricey), or in a fingering weight.  The gauge on this is murder on an average sport weight yarn.  (Pattern Gauge: 28 sts and 34 rows = 4” in Stockinette on US 3 [3.25mm])  If I was really going trying to get gauge with this yarn, my baby girl would be extra protected because the fabric would be bullet proof.

I think the Pashmina tends to lean closer to a heavy fingering weight, than a true sport.  And maybe the Cascade 220 superwash sport leans on the heavy side of sport?  Together, the combo is no bueno.  Between my gauge and the yarn, I ended up having to knit a size 2 to get the more or less size three for her.  The good thing is, there's no size three in the pattern, so it worked out well.  The 4 would really just be too big, but the 2 is a little too small on her. 

I just hope I'm not knitting this little cardi out of barbed wire.  Baby girl is a bit of a yarn snob...and when I tried to put her in a sweater knit from Patons Classic Wool, you'd really have thought I had made sure to include razor blades and pokey things.  So far, the only sweater she even remotely tolerated was knit in Madelinetosh DK.  I can't really blame her though.  If I had a choice, I'd much rather have a sweater knit in Madelinetosh, than Classic Wool.

I was able to get her to try on the Wildflower cardi, which honestly, was a miracle.  We went together yesterday to the "button store!!!" (JoAnns), to pick out buttons for it, and I found the perfect little buttons.  All that's left now is seaming in the pocket linings, weaving in ends, and the collar and button band.

The picture is a little blurry, but LOOK AT THESE BUTTONS!!!  They really are perfect for this cardigan.

I'm hoping to finish it up in the next few days.  We'll see...finishing isn't exactly the most fun thing ever.

xoxo,
Liz

Self Imposed Insanity Part 2

(Brownstone sleeves in progress)

I wrote yesterday about a lapse in judgement where my knitting is concerned.  Here's the second part to those delusions. 

Looking at where we are on the calendar, it's just not going to happen.   As crazy as I was to make these plans earlier this year, I'm not actually insane.   I've narrowed the list down to the ones I really really wish, I could finish.  Who knows, I may be able to figure out how to knit in my sleep (Without purling.  That's a whole other story), and I'll have no problem getting them all done.  It's doubtful though, so I'll just continue with my current plan, and see if I can wiggle another one in before the season is over.

1. Brownstone for hubby (sleeves in the pic above)
2. EZ Seamless Saddle Shoulder pullover for hubby 
3. Linney Cardigan for me
   
4. Pomme de Pin Cardigan for me
   
5. Amiga cardigan for me
6. Gnarled Oak for me

I'm currently working on the Brownstone pullover in Berocco Vintage.  I really really want to get this done before the temperatures drop.  I'm modifying it for a set in sleeve, instead of the raglan.  My husband prefers them, and I think they look better too.

The Saddle shoulder isn't going to make the cut this year.... Tough luck, maybe next time, big guy.

The Linney....probably my favorite of the bunch.  I can't tell you how badly I want to have this sweater for the winter.  It is so totally and completely me.  This will be the one I really concentrate on if I can get through everyone else's.

The Pomme de Pin feels like more of a transition garment for me.  I would really love to have it ready for the fall, but spring may have to do.

The Amiga is already underway.  I think it'll make a fantastic spring/summer-nights-in-the-air-conditioning cardigan, so I'm going to cut myself some slack on this one.  I can work on this after the new year, and wear it in the spring.  You know, that season here in Florida that lasts about 5 minutes before the sun descends on us, and we settle into another 9 month summer.

The Gnarled Oak is a truly beautiful sweater, but the yarn I started using is trying to murder me, so it's not happening any time soon.


Now this is the hard part.  I don't know what it is, but something won't really let me knit any sweaters for myself, until I have everyone else covered.  I keep feeling the pull to go and knit on one of the projects for the kids or my DH.  Some kind of nurturing mom thing that wants to make sure my kids/husband are snuggly first? I don't know.  Whatever it is, it's driving me nuts.  Not because I'd rather be knitting for myself or anything.  I LOVE knitting for the kids and my hubby.  I think it's because I'm pretty sure, with all the other "plans", I won't end up with enough time to finish anything for myself.

I guess we'll have to see how well I can manage that sleep knitting thing.  Oh, and while I'm on that....  I can usually tell that I must have fallen asleep in the middle of knitting something.  The way I can tell, is that for some reason, I start purling as I drift off to sleep.  Whenever I pick up my knitting, and there are all kinds of unexplained purls, I know I probably fell asleep knitting again, and like a good knitter, I finished my row.

xoxo,
Liz

Self imposed insanity

I have a bit of self imposed insanity.  Originally, I wanted to knit 12 sweaters between here and when the cold weather arrives.  If it decides to make an appearance this year.  Last winter was the winter that never came.  I had big big plans.  Here's all that I wanted to make.

Baby Girl

1. Wee Wildflower Cardigan out of some Cascade 220 superwash sport in Wisteria
2. Little Oak out of some Madelinetosh Merino Light in Twig
3. Not sure what pattern just yet, but something in a worsted weight that I have on hand.  Delicious Plucky Knitter Primo Worsted in a color called Bleedin Armadillo Grooms Cake. (pic below)

Baby boy

1. A smaller version of the Protego Pullover out of some cascade 220 superwash sport in colonial blue.
2. A Gathering Stripes in Plucky Knitter Primo Fingering in Ballpoint and Oatmeal.  Such a lovely combo.  This one I'm modifying a bit.  I'd like the neck to be a little shorter, and not as wide for my little man.  I started it the night before last, and it's looking great.  Can't wait to see it on my little guy.
3. I'm still not 100% sure about the worsted weight sweater for him either.  I'm thinking I'll knit him an Abernathy.  It's so adorable, and the neck will make it nice and easy to get on and off of him.  Here's the yarn I'm using for that. (below)

So let's tally.  That's six total sweaters so far.  Not too bad though, the sweaters for the kids work up super fast.  At least for now they do.  My girl is almost 3, and my son is 1.5 years old.  I would have had those done already, or at least half done, but with kids, it's a little tricky.

You can't go all nutso and decide you're going to get their sweaters done early.  When they're this little, who knows when they're going to hit a growth spurt...or not.  All the time you spent knitting could end up being for nothing if the sweater doesn't fit.  Most people try to beat that by making the sweater a size or two larger than the current size for the baby.  Well that's all well and good if the kid grows the right amount.  If they don't, it's either going to be too small, or too big.  And please, don't get me wrong, I think kids are adorable, I'm just not the biggest fan of kids running around wearing clothes that look like they're two sizes too big and everything is rolled up and huge. 

Oh and while we're at it?  That whole they'll-grow-into-it thing...not always true.  Well yes, if it's too big, they WILL grow enough so that it'll fit them, but that might be right smack in the middle of summer.  And I don't care how cute that sweater is, it's not going to get worn. 


My method of attack, is to wait until as late as possible in the year, take the measurements, and then knit like a mad woman so that I have sweaters for them with a hope of fitting properly.  Trust me, I've made this mistake before.  The Ballpoint yarn, as a matter of fact, was a sweater in progress last year, and little man somehow must have gotten a hold on some Miracle Grow milk and outgrew it before it was half done.

So if you're asking me?  wait.  Wait longer than you think is reasonable, then wait a week more.  Then take your measurements, and knit like crazy until your hands form into claws, and you may or may not need help bathing.  Trust me.

Right.  So that's six sweaters.  The other six?  Well, those are just delusions I guess, because those are adult sized.  Hahahahahaha! Who's that crazy lady that thinks she's going to knit six child and six adult sized sweaters between now and December?  I'll tell you all about those tomorrow.

xoxo,
Crazypants Liz

Lineas Cowl

My LYS got a shipment of Mini Mochi not too long ago, which means it's probably been months omg it was way back in January.  I always think they're so pretty, but I never know what to do with them.  Because of that, I tend to pass on the yarn.  I love self striping yarn for vanilla socks, but that's about the extent of my liking for patterns in yarn.  I'm sure people have knit socks out of Mini Mochi, but it just doesn't seem like a very durable yarn where socks are concerned.

I tend to prefer the semi solids and heathers mostly, followed by good ol' regular solids.  My fun and crazy yarn is almost always reserved for socks.  I feel like I can have a little fun, and keep it from being out there in everyone's face.  I'm like a closet crazy-color-loving yarnie.   Maybe that makes me boring, but it's just the way I am.  I found myself longing for a few of the colorways, and figured what the hell...I'll get some, and figure it out later.  I can support my local shop, and push myself out of my comfort zone a little.  It's always good to do that once in a while just to shake things up.  I thought I might try a Spectra scarf with one of the colorways.  I love love love the spectra that I knit in grey and black.  Woohoo!! Grey and black..what FUN COLORS....end sarcasm.  Honestly though, I wore it tons last season.  Maybe I could use black or grey with one of the colorways and have a really fun super colorful (by my standards anyway) scarf.

I have yet to start on a second spectra, but I did come up with a little something that I really like.  I wrote it up as a free pattern, and put it up on Ravelry.  Here are the details.

Enjoy!

Lineas Cowl

Download Here

Free!

Simple stripes and wonderful texture make this a perfect accessory. This cowl is knit in the round, with two different colors for endless (stash-busting) possibilities.

Size:
56” Around x 8” Tall

Yarn:
385 Yards fingering weight in Main Color (MC)
195 yards fingering weight in Contrasting Color (CC)
Note: these are real yardages used with about 10 yards added in as a buffer. When planning, it’s always best to have a little more, than not enough. Having said that, this cowl is easy to adjust if you’re running out of yarn.

Needles:
US Size 5 (3.75mm) or size needed to obtain gauge

Gauge:
19.5 stitches = 4” in stockinette on washed and blocked swatch.

Materials:
1 stitch marker
Tapestry needle for weaving in ends

Now go do it... that's right, dig into the stash and cast on yet another project. 

xoxo,
Liz

Chevy Cowl

Ah, the Chevy Cowl.  I love love love chevron stitch.  I love how it's more interesting than a plain stripe, and not much more difficult to execute.  I love how it looks like you did so much more work to get it to look that way, when really all you did was a couple increases and a centered double decrease.  The one thing that I don't love, is how it can pucker the tops and bottoms of the fabric. 

About 9 months ago, I started a blanket for my baby boy that was to be the pinnacle of my chevroniness (yeah, that's a word....well, now it is)  I was loving the colors for him.  There was a cream/offwhite, a milk chocolate brown, and a really dark bittersweet chocolate kind of brown.  I know, that sounds like a lot of brown, but trust me on this one, it was pretty.  I swatched, I fell in love, I did some math and I cast on.

I was happily knitting away on it, with visions of my little man running around the house with his favorite blanket in tow.  Believe it, it was going to be his favorite, or at least that's what my little knitted heart told me.  After maybe 10 rows, I noticed that the bottom edge was looking a little wonky. 

Now, if it was wool, I could have blocked it out, but this was cotton.  Let's be real here, this is a baby we're talking about.  Things get messy.  I'm under no illusions that it won't be spit up on, spilled on, have food mashed into, and dragged along the floor.  I'm not even going to get into the details of what many of us parents call "a blow out".  This thing will need better washing than I'm prepared to give a blanket.  Into the washer it must go, so the cotton I picked, was perfect.

Being cotton, and being that I was intending on throwing it into the washer and dryer with all of their laundry, that bottom edge was really starting to bug me.  It wasn't going to get any better, because I was never going to block it.  I made myself stop knitting, and just let it be for a few days.  When I came back to it, it didn't look any better (as if tiny magical beings come in the night and change the properties of knitting and yarn to accommodate the image you have in your mind).  I did what I had to do for my sanity.  If I didn't like it now, I was surely not going to like it 10 hours worth of knitting from now, or even later when I bound off.  So I pulled the needles out, and ripped the whole thing back.  Right now that cotton is sitting with the rest of my stash, just hanging out with the holmies.

I guess the bottom edge never stopped bothering me.  I didn't realize it at the time, but somewhere deep in the recesses of my mind, I wasn't ready to let it go.  One day, completely out of nowhere (and I really mean out of nowhere.  I think I was doing dishes), I had a thought.  Hey...short rows.  Short rows might do it!  That night, I settled onto the couch after the kids were asleep, and swatchity swatch swatch swatchersoned my way through the night until it was time for me to go to bed.  It was working, but not exactly the way I wanted.  After letting it simmer for a couple more days, I finally figured out why it wasn't working the way I wanted.  Some more swatching, then internally cursing myself really really wishing I had written everything down as I did it, some more swatching with notes! and the method to my madness was complete.

After all that effort, it seemed a waste to only knit the baby blanket and never share.  Surely that puckered edge has tortured another knitter.  Surely there are other knitters out there that avoid chevron for this reason.  Thus, my idea to turn this little nugget of chevron lovin' into an accessory.

The Chevy Cowl

See that?  Awesome bottom edge that doesn't pucker or curl?  YAY!!!!!!!!!

And yes, that's me in the pictures.  It's kinds freaky to see yourself out there like that for the whole world to see.  Anyway, here are the details to the pattern.

$3.49 USD

This cowl is worked flat in a worsted weight and comes in two sizes. The top and bottom are worked with short rows, to fill in where you’d normally get those peaks and valleys along the edge of anything worked in a chevron pattern. It’s fun & quick to knit, keeps you engaged and looks great when finished.

Size:
small (large) Finished size 20” (22.5”) wide x 9” tall

Yarn:
140 (160) Yards Worsted weight in Main Color (MC)
60 (70) Yards Worsted weight in Contrasting Color (CC)

Needles:
US Size 7 (4.5mm) or size needed to obtain gauge

Gauge:
19.5 stitches & 29 rows = 4” in stockinette stitch

Materials:
Stitch markers
Tapestry needle for weaving in ends
3 buttons

Included in the pattern are links to videos on how to work invisible wraps and turns, and my favorite one row buttonhole.

xoxo,
Liz