07.29.08
Posted in Lace Knitting, Scarf, Sweater(s), fashion at 3:35 pm by delipics
A&D Sweater Support is on hiatus due to some really big news: Alex is now busy with the new Brideshead Revisited Boutique. I’m so happy for Alex and Emily and their next big step in their bridal accessories business. Check-in with the Brides Head blog for official opening events.
Back to the sweater, I really only have to finish the sleeves on the Cozy v-neck, but life seems to have gotten in the way of knitting. I’ve been working on a big work project and staying late at the office to get it done, coming home brain dead and vegging out with season one of The Tudors. There have been fun things too keeping me busy - familly/friends events on the weekends (like driving to Nyack and using my fine-tuned knitting store radar to find a parking space right in front of Knitting Nation). I did get in some knitting time on the Lace Ribbon scarf while on the train to and from Boston one weekend, and I’ve got another vacation coming up where I’m definitely scheduling in knitting time. The biggest obstacle on my plate right now is the memory issue with my computer. Until I get buy more memory, I can’t download photos or update software, but I don’t think I’ll get to it until mid August with my crazy schedule. Phew - vacation is coming at a much needed time for my sanity and for my knitting.
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07.14.08
Posted in Brooklyn, Fibers, Knitting, Lace Knitting, Scarf, Sweater(s), Yarn at 11:41 am by delipics
I think I have actually used up all the memory in my iBook G-4! I’m having troubles - I can’t download photographs and I keep getting this message about not enough space on my start-up disk. Didn’t know I might actually come to this - I bet this computer is full of too many blog photos and free knitting patterns! Now this barely-able-techy girl is going to have to deal with these techy problems, grrr.
I actually had photos to show on my Cozy v-neck. I finished the body and started the sleeves, after running to Brooklyn General for DP #10. I’m knitting the sleeves in the round. Just as I am raring to finish this sweater, grr again - my 16″ number 9 circulars are too long for me to comfortably knit the ribbing section of the sleeve. It’s Monday so BkynGen is closed so I’m going to try and find time to run into the city and stop by The Point.
While also at BkynGen, I bought yarn and needles for my stayacation project because as of Saturday, I am officially on staycation for this week! No big plans - just knitting, puttering around the house and then a long weekend trip to the Boston area. What I really should do is organize drawers and take clothes to Salvation Army - but procrastination has a hold on me. I did accomplish one thing - I packed up yarn that I am planning to donate in two boxes. I did some research on the web and I think I found a place - it’s a women’s correctional facility in need of yarn for their recreation department. I feel good about doing this.
Oh, so back to my project, I’m knitting the Lace Ribbon Scarf from Knitty’s Spring 2008. The yarn I am using is Canopy from The Fibre Company. This is the same company whose yarn I bought in MDSW and I’m using their yarn for the Cozy v-neck. Canopy is a sport weight yarn of 50% baby alpaca, 30% merino and 20% bamboo. So soft on the hands and easy to knit up. I’m knitting the scarf on #3 bamboo circs. While at BkynGen, I looked at the other yarns from The Fibre Company that they had there, and I love them all. This may be my new favorite yarn company - there is something about the quality of the line they have created and the colors too that I am responding too. Grr, I wish I could show you photos of how it looks - this yarn is gorgeous stuff. I chose a similar color that is used in the photos of the Lace Ribbon Scarf - a beautiful dusky blue grey that makes me think of a fall sky. I hope to have this done in time to casually drape around my neck during my actual go-away-on-a-trip vacation in August.
Keep your fingers crossed on my tech/computer/memory problem.
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05.13.08
Posted in Lace Knitting, Photos, Sewing at 3:34 pm by delipics
I must show this off -
Alex knitted this bag for my birthday. I LOVE IT! She is the most amazing knitter. Look how beautiful it is. The funny thing is, she used yarn I gave to her for her birthday. You know what this means? It means I’m going to have to get a new outfit to go with this bag.
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06.12.07
Posted in CTS/RSI, Knitting, Lace Knitting, Photos at 4:48 pm by delipics
I guess I jinxed myself with the last post because my wrist/neck/shoulder have started to hurt again. It’s very discouraging.
I was able to get some knitting in, before the pain returned, because I’m taking Knitting for Pleasure again. Arnetta Kenney is such a great teacher. She knows so many tips and tricks and she’s hysterically funny. We started with learning about lace. The class has been knitting lace swatches and we had a homework assignment of experimenting with lace patterns that go well with each other in a garment. I came up with three designs that I’m very pleased with and Arnetta encouraged me to make them. For now, I’m just swatching.
I’m also still working on my project that I started from the last class. As you can see, it’s been slow going. I love this yarn but I’m beginning to question my sanity at choosing this thin, lace weight yarn.
Last Friday Alex and I went to The Point after work to knit even though the air conditioning was broken. Isn’t that dedication? (Veronique was there with I’m guessing was The Spiders? and I got to see her cute, cute haircut!) Alex poured over patterns for a sweater she’d like to make for herself. I sustained myself through a couple rows of my project with a slice of banana bread with chocolate chips and a cold ice tea. That was the last time I knit - five days ago. FIVE. DAYS. AGO!!!! I totally skipped out on Knitting In Public Day and instead took my friend’s son to the park to get him out of her hair for the afternoon. Very fun but then I was exhausted afterwards and took a nap. Three year olds are tiring, even the good ones. The other times I’ve been busy with house guests to keep me distracted, but when I’m not running around I’m all antsy because I am not knitting or crocheting. I need to keep creative - going back to painting was suggested for the interim - I think I might.
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04.29.07
Posted in Crochet, Knitting, Lace Knitting, Music, Photos, Techniques, fashion at 4:04 pm by delipics
I changed my mind about my project for The Knitting for Pleasure class because I was concerned about what I could actually complete within the time frame. I’m aiming for a lacy vest/tank combo - empire waist, ribbon laced at the bustline, good for layering. Bit vague sounding but it’s still in the developmental stage.
I decided on the Chain Stitch from the Mon Tricot Knitting Dictionary. Yes, the same yarn as for my Lace Shawl. I thought about buying more yarn but common sense prevailed and I decided to go with what is already in the stash.
I want to use this pattern for the body and a rib pattern for the bust area. The first time I did the rib, it didn’t line up with the chain stitch. See how it is all the way to the right at the top?
I frogged and and re-knit the rib pattern to line up with the eyelets. I did a practice decrease on one edge so I could envision what a v-neck may look like. Learning how to do all those ssk and K2tog tbl from the Lace Shawl was good practice for figuring this part out. (Does anyone else find this kind of stuff exciting? I figured out which way to do the decrease - on my own - and I was just so pleased!)
I also did that picot bind-off as a possible edging. Not sure if I like it, maybe if I space it out more? The wrong-side of the swatch - hmm, maybe I should do the rib for the body and the chain stitch for the bust area?
I’m also going to sent this off (finally!) to my sis - another Santa Cruz Hat. I really enjoy knitting this pattern. I used up the free Patons SWS soy/wool yarn from The Yarn Harlot event at FIT. It looks a little blobbish here on the ground . . .
. . . so I took a quick pic (actually, not so much quick as acrobatic arm-wise so you don’t see the camera in the mirror) of me wearing it so you can see the pattern stretched out over my head.
End Note:
Bjork wearing this incredible crochet costume designed by the Icelandic Love Corporation, and Bjork wearing a crochet mask here (click on photo on the right to see a larger pdf version).
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04.09.07
Posted in Lace Knitting, Photos at 2:41 pm by delipics
I finished the lace shawl just in time for Easter. Luckily, I tossed the shawl into my luggage at the last minute - I realized blocking this shawl at my parents’ house was ideal - large carpeted area and no pets. I did a no-fuss block process - fifteen minutes in Soak, spread out on two towels, no pinning at all.
I am so pleased with the final results!
Specs:
- Pattern: From Vogue Knitting Fall 2005 by Deborah Newton
- Yarn: Mystery heather yarn content from J.C. Rennie & Co.
- Needles: Size 7 Addi Turbos
- Notes: I knit the main body of the shawl to only 60 inches, intending to knit the border for extra length, but I became extremely frustrated trying to follow the border pattern. I decided on the picot bind-off after much searching for a suitable edging. Even without the border I found the shawl to be long enough for me. The lace pattern for the main body of the shawl is easy to follow, and when I was in the zone, I felt I flew through this section quickly.
Detail photos:
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04.03.07
Posted in Knitting, Lace Knitting, Socks, Sweater(s), Yarn, shopping at 5:24 pm by delipics
I am project-less and it’s a weird, weird feeling. I had devoted myself exclusively to the lace shawl, no other small project waiting in the wings, because I was determined to finish the darn thing it.
This transitional area between projects is an exciting space to be in - looking through knitting and crochet magazines and books, surfing the internet for knitting or crochet patterns, staring at the yarn stash. I have a couple things in mind:
- I am taking a knitting class with a friend and I think I have decided on the project - the cozy v-neck pullover with deep ribbing from Stefanie Japel’s Fitted Knits. I like the classic look, the body-forgiving ribbing, and if I start it now, I will probably have actually finished it in time for sweater weather.
- I want to make another lace project - a shawl? a scarf? a bag? Not sure yet, but I am fascinated by the lace knitting so I want to keep on going.
Here’s the thing - I wanted to stick to the yarn stash. No, really! I think I can find something in the stash for the as-yet-to-be-decided second lace project and even possibly for the socks. But I am going to have to buy yarn for the cozy v-neck. Tomorrow I am going to School Products for a looksie.
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