August 2004 Archives

Thanks for your thoughts on circulars and straights! I will definitely try them again! Patience is the key... perhaps stubborness as well!

I'll be making a lacy mantilla with one of the goodies I brought home from the Fabulous Fiber Fest. This will be for my Gran. I wound up Moonstone a few days ago, a little therapeutic exercise (I like making balls!). And I found the perfect lace pattern:

Meet Diamond Mesh Lace (1 pattern repeat swatched in KFI King Tut). I found this in Barbara Walker's A Treasury of Knitting Patterns, borrowed from the library (yay). According to Miss Walker, this is "one of the most beautiful of mesh patterns.... having the diamonds themselves also made of openwork."

I wanted a pattern that could take advantage of the variegation and be blocked to open up even more than it already is. I've already calculated that with the 300 yards of material I should end up with a mantilla that's about 12" wide by 32" long unblocked. So figure about 14-15" wide by 34-35" long blocked. I'm not too keen on the garter stitch borders, so I'll spend the next couple of days looking for an alternative. Any ideas?

Having finished Grace's right front Friday I started on the sleeves. I'm knitting them together; as you can see, 2 sleeves take up a lot of room on a 14" straight needle! A couple more increase rows and I'll have to put them on separate (straight) needles. I'll be knitting about 19" worth of sleeves. Yup, you got it: I have looong arms!

The reason I haven't been using circulars or double-pointed/endeds is my knitting style. With my first project, a cable scarf (scroll to the bottom), I would prop my right needle on my thigh as I used the cable needle to do the c4bs and c4fs, then pick it up again to do the next set of stitches. Then I went on to do 2 moss stitch baby jackets. Switching from knit stitch to purl stitch and back was just easier with the right needle on my thigh. Does anyone else knit like this?

I did try to knit with circulars once: encouraged by Anita, I borrowed a friend's set/pair and tried to knit but I ended up having to brace the right needle against my body. I confess I wasn't very patient and gave up after a few tries. I've concluded that you use the style and needles that fit you best. Still, it wouldn't hurt to learn or master something new. I would love to knit something seamless in the future!

Pattern: #1 Tank with Lace in Rebecca 22
Yarn: KFI King Tut in Yellow

I would've finished this Sunday had it not been for my nasty cold running longer than necessary. I tried it on, of course, gotta make sure the armholes fit and it's not too tight. My sister's slightly more voluptuous than me, and she'll look great in this.

Pattern: Garter stitch
Yarn: Mouse and Fiber Kitten's Reese's Fleeces in Pink

Remember Mouse's ball of pink fleece? This is it. I started to knit a scarf only to run out 2 feet later (granted, it was 6 inches wide). I didn't want to frog the whole thing so I ripped back 6 inches, crocheted the sides closed, and crocheted a double chain strap to it. Instant bag! It's designated for my friend's daughter, and I'm going to fill it with crayons and a little blank book.

Mmm... agua de horchata! Everyone's Favorite Rabbit blogged about it one fine day this summer and I knew I had to try it. I used to drive 5 miles to this mom and pop restaurant for it because it was homemade. Buying the mix at a supermarket, with its preservatives and artificial colors and flavors, just wasn't the same. I let my horchata sit in the fridge overnight before blending, and I used soy milk. BF says two thumbs up! Thanks for sharing the recipe, Becky!

Lastly, thanks everyone for the Mittens comments. Those are going to Nuremberg, Germany, to BF's mom. Wish I could say they were mine, but it'll never get below 40 around here!

Pattern: Mittens with Cable Ribs from Vintage Knits by Sarah Dallas
Yarn: Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino in #602 Old Rose

Finally, a finished object! These were so easy to knit, they flew off the needles! I'm happy to say there were no mistakes in the pattern, and that the yarn was a pleasure to knit with. I used Debbie Bliss' Baby Cashmerino, which contains woolly merino and just enough cashmere to make it so soft! I have almost a whole ball left; I may buy another ball and make another pair. Maybe next time I'll change the cables to ribs, or extend them. Or maybe I'll buy another color and make stripes. So many possibilities!

The wonderful Mariko sent me some tart candy last week. Immediately after taking pictures I opened things up and ate 'em. I'm normally not a candy person (I prefer chocolate) but the bright colors and novel concepts (Gummy Fries!) got to me. Thanks, Mariko! (Fact: I helped on the Willy Wonka logo redesign some years back. We got lots of candy for "background research and discovery". Boy, were we bouncing off walls!)

I'll have to agree with Jen (see 8/23 post): the bloggers breakfast was more fun than the actual Fiber Fest. I got to meet Jen finally (La and I met before), and Lauren, Wendy, Nancy, Mouse, and Fiber Kitten. Kristin, who doesn't have a blog, showed up as well. It was great to finally see the people behind the blogs. As for FFF, I'm sure the event will grow in size; there were 30 booths total, with about half devoted to quilting and crafts.

Habu had the most interesting textures. I left empty-handed from there (couldn't think of anything I could make from the little sample balls) but surprisingly I did manage to spend some serious money on another booth, Chasing Rainbows Dye Works. These are both merino/kid mohair mixes:

Sandalwood is a blend of muted greens, blues, browns, and creams. I'm usually hesitant with variegated yarns but this understated mix was too lovely to pass up. I'll let this sit in the stash for a while.

Moonstone has the most incredible colors! This caught my eye immediately with its purples, sages and peaches. Also muted, not vibrant. This will be a winter scarf for someone special.

Finally, some pink Reese's Fleeces from Mouse, who got it from Fiber Kitten. It's fleece, cut with a rotary cutter into 1/4" strips. Who would've thought? I put my mouse there for comparison; Mouse says there's enough there for either a scarf or a hat plus leftover. It was tightly wound at the center, ergo its density. I'm putting this as a scarf for another winter knit. Okay, I'm set with enough yarn for 5+ projects. Gotta knit faster!

Here's another quick winter knit: Mittens with Cable Ribs from Sarah Dallas' Vintage Knits. I'm just about to start on the thumb gusset. The yarn is Debbie Bliss' Baby Cashmerino in #602 Old Rose. The picture doesn't do justice to the color at all, which is more like this, with less blue. The mittens are intended for BF's mom in Nuremberg, but I'm a little worried that the yarn may be too thin. I may end up knitting a second pair in 100% wool if these don't turn out to be warm enough. Any suggestions on a good wool?

As much as I love Vintage Knits, I have some complaints about the book. There are instances where additional sizes are missing, or charts where there is no color key. It seems like there needs to be some additional proofreading, as I've read about mistakes in the directions. I've been in design long enough to know the nightmares on design and copy deadlines, so it's understandable to miss a few mistakes. But not a lot. I'm going to contact the publisher and hopefully they'll forward my concerns to Miss Dallas.

I finished Tart's back last night and started on the front. Tarty she is with all those holes! Time to go camisole shopping! I'm quite satisfied with the way this is turning out. I just had to make sure the yarns didn't twist into themselves and make little gnarly worms. My sister's been asking for her knit tank top, so I'll be able to give this to her by the weekend!

This is my next entry in the Candy-Along, which I'll call Tart for all its lemony yellowness. It's the lace tank top from Rebecca 22 (first on left). I'm using some KFI King Tut, a 100% cotton that I bought in a fit of Tour de France mania. There are changes, of course: first, the original was knit in the round and I'm doing it flat. Second, I'm doing reverse stockinette stitch as opposed to 1x1 ribbing. And third, I'm doing simple edge decreases for armhole shaping. I'm knitting this with yarn doubled on US 10.5/6mm needles, a combination that makes quick results. I thought it would be heavy, and it isn't, fortunately. What you see here is 2 days' worth of lacework, a nice break from the ribbing and cables of recent WIPs.

Yes, I’m talking about Secret Pals! After a disastrous bike ride Monday in which I crashed not one, but two times on my road bike, I pedaled home, bruised and bleeding, dreaming about the nice warm shower I was going to take, when I passed our mailbox with a big envelope sticking out. (Forgot to take in the mail on Saturday, we were probably out in the mountains as usual.) First words I saw: “August Secret Pal”. Hello! You can bet I opened that thing right there and then.

Secret Pal sent me 2 Jaeger pattern books! And I've already tabbed some patterns! There's Lichen, a ribbed turtleneck sweater, and Grace, a collared peplum cardi. And then there was Vixen, which called out, "Oh Cable Gal! Knit me!". Two looks in one: elegant (with a silk scarf poking out from top) and casual (with khakis and Converse lowtops), so I’m going to make it. The pattern is charted, which I’ll probably rewrite because I’m not good with charts (hence frogging my Bellini tank 6 times), and it uses discontinued Jaeger Wool Stretch, so I’ll have a great time hunting for that.

This came Tuesday. Or, I picked up Monday’s mail Tuesday afternoon having come home from a job interview (debating on whether to go full-time or stay freelance at this point, but that’s a whole ‘nother story). Secret Pal, you’re the best! First, a skein of Green Mountain Spinnery Mountain Mohair wool/mohair blend in lovely teal green with slight variations in hues and tints. Second, a skein of Koigu KPPPM in P332, a burst of fuchsia, pink, purple and brown. Aah, incredible! I’m stroking the skeins as I write this, wondering what to make. I’m thinking a cabled hat for the Moutain Mohair to keep the head toasty on winter climbs, and Latifa for the KPPPM, with pink/purple/café au lait blocks in between the ruffles. Any other ideas, anyone?

Secret Pal also sent a knitting journal with (how cool is that?) cables on the cover. Why didn’t I think of this on my own? No more stickies and torn paper scraps all over my patterns! Everything will go in here. Thank you for the books, journal and yarn, Secret Pal!

This came yesterday, courtesy of eBay and my new discontinued yarn source (hey, she might have some Jaeger Wool Stretch!). Ten balls of fluffy Rowan Kid Soft in grassy green Blithe, Kid Soft patterns gratis, and mystery yarn for my Secret Pal! Now I’m debating whether to knit Fluffy Sweater from Vintage Knits, Sasha (cowl neck sweater) or Anna (oversized raglan turtleneck) from the Kid Soft pattern book. All I have to say is this: ROWAN IS EVIL! You know what I’m talking about. All these wonderful yarns and great patterns, and us knitters with only two hands and a couple of hours every night to complete just one thing… Evil, evil, evil!

Okay, here’s just a little knitting content, work has been busy... I’m about 1/3 done with Grace’s right front; hopefully I’ll be finished by the weekend. I’ve also finished 3 beanies with a couple more to go. And then finally I’ve cast on for my sister’s tank top. Good thing summer lasts later here, she’ll still be able to wear it in October!

Happy Knitting!

So I'm chugging along on Grace (ribbing) and a hat (more ribbing), and I'm going to start on a mitten (say it one more time!). Not incredibly exciting to view or to knit at this point, just doing the k2, p2 dance...

Tuesday after work I met La of JenLa down in south Torrance for some boba and knitting. It was my first time meeting a fellow knitblogger and I have to admit I was kind of nervous. I mean, you know this person kinda sorta on a personal level, but kinda sorta not really, you know? But I had nothing to worry about, it was like continuing a conversation that started on a blog. Her Candle Flame shawl looks and feels absolutely gorgeous! And that center rib? Gives it character. I showed her all my silly ribbing. We talked about Jen (juicy gossip! j/k), doing a yarn crawl, and the upcoming Fiber Fest (if you're in Southern California August 21, send them a note; a pre-fest meet-up is in the works). I'm looking forward to meeting up with La again, and anyone out there who wants to do a South Bay s&b!

People, be proud of me. I'm slowly exorcising acrylic (or at least the 100% variety) from my stash! I went with my Mom (who, by the way, is an excellent crocheter) to In Stitches in Manhattan Beach and left with some heavenly Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino in #602 Old Rose! I also bought some yarn for the Secret Pal, but it's a secret!

That's all for tonight! I had a few drinks tonight so I don't know how coherent my entry was; I'll find out tomorrow...

So what did you do this weekend? I hung out with Anastasia Myskina. Well, we were separated by 2 tiers of seats, an umpire, countless ballkids and a bodyguard or two... Here's Maria Sharapova:

she of the endless legs and golden tresses, warming up in one of the side courts. I had to crop out the drooling men; it was obvious they were watching her... forehand swing. (smirk)

And did I tell you my new best friend is Lindsay Davenport? We watched her 3 days in a row at the Acura Classic, swinging her way through her matches in a cute pink dress. And while I was rooting for Anastasia, who was clearly the underdog at the finals, I was happy to see Lindsay win, 6-1, 6-1. Did I also tell you that she's almost 14" taller than me? And that all of it was Leg?

Lest you think Yummy Yarn has turned into a sports and books blog, here's a finished left front of Grace:

It needs blocking, of course, but I'll wait until I have the right front before doing so. The directions for the fronts call for 2 sets of needles (a heads-up to Mariko and Jill), which proved to be a little difficult with straights, so I compromised with knitting every 4th row with the smaller needles. I'm not sure if that was a success, as you can tell that the ribbing is slightly larger and longer than the cabling. If blocking doesn't do the trick, I'll have to do some short rows (paging Nancie Wiseman!) on the collar.

I've also been working on my winter knits, trying to get the easier projects done first. I've got 2 beanies down and one on the needles. When I've amassed a pile I'll do some show and tell!