06.17.08
Posted in Socks, Sweater(s), Yarn at 5:46 pm by delipics
Prettyposies did my free Wordpress upgrade so writing this post right now is a whole new experience. I like the new Wordpress look. Oh, and if you left me a post, I may have accidentally deleted it, so please write back.
After a two week hiatus, A&D Sweater Support is meeting Thursday night. A very good thing because I have done nothing with my Cozy V-neck. I know I am going to have to tink and I’m dreading it. This is going to be one of those times when I will need hand-holding, sympathy and cake - lots and lots of cake.
I knew tinking was in my future when I pulled out a sweater to compare sizing to the Cozy V-neck. The final tink confirmation came when I did a search on Ravelry to see how other knitters did their versions of the sweater. (The one good thing I got from scanning Ravelry is now I know where I will start the ribbing.) Everyone else’s sweater was very fitted (hence the titled of Fitted Knits, duh!). I think the problem is one I face frequently as a petite person - it’s the armhole and body ratio thingamabobber. How to describe? Well, a regular size 2 is completely different from a petite size 2 - it’s all about proportion. Surprisingly, Wikipedia has good summary on petite sizing. A quick search on Google on “altering knitting patterns petite size” has not revealed too much. I’ll have to do more internet research. Any suggestions out there? Where are my petite-sized knitters?
In a weak attempt to distract myself from the calamity of the Cozy v-neck, I decided I had to go knitting book shopping. I bought Nancy Bush’s Knitting Vintage Socks. Alex has this book and she made me the Fancy Silk Socks for Christmas? Birthday? I can’t remember, she’s made me so many wonderful things. Anywho, my plan was to use my Socks That Rock yarn that I bought at MDSW to one of the gentleman’s sock patterns, only to find out I don’t have enough yardage for a man’s size 9 (the man being Darren, of course). Grrr - much frustration. I possibly could get away with knitting the Gentleman’s Plain Winter Sock. This pattern calls for 394 yards and the STR is approximately 380 yards, but I think this is taking a chance. Then I thought, I need a toe-up sock pattern! I saw on Knitting Daily the On-Your-Toes Sock pattern, but for a size 9 foot it calls for two skeins of 292 yards - still no go. There’s no way around this - if I’m going to knit socks for Darren, I am going to have to buy more yarn. But I have to (whiny voice)!
So after all this, I still have knitted nada but I am thinking of knitting, which at times is just as pleasurable as the actual action.
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01.27.08
Posted in CTS/RSI, Knitting, Photos, Scarf, Socks, Techniques, Yarn at 7:13 pm by delipics
Furniture shopping for dining tables
and wardrobes.
Going to The Point with Alex,
Buying yarn,
And eating.
Learning the Fair Isle technique at The Point, also with Alex,
which you can see is just a mess for me!
The good things from that day are: Barbara Kerr is a great teacher (her enthusiasm is contagious!), I learned how to knit on two circular needles and learned handy tips on provisional cast-on and knitting-in-the-round BUT I just couldn’t get the weaving technique. You know how it is - you understand it when you do it with the help of the teacher but the minute she walks away - poof! - the technique is gone from your head. I went home, ripped the whole thing apart and started over. I may take this class again if I can’t get this on my own at home.
I’m also trying to finish up Patty’s Scarf. I ran out of the yarn and it took me a while to buy additional skeins. I’m still working on small projects due to my CTS/RSI. It’s actually only RSI. I started back with physical therapy this month because I had a relapse. Things are on my mend and I will see an occupational therapist next for my thumb/index finger pain - fingers crossed - luckily it doesn’t hurt to do that!
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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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10.31.06
Posted in Knitting, Photos, Socks at 5:48 pm by delipics
Presenting my second pair of socks ~
The Kauai Tropical Blue Socks!
Specs:
- Yarn: Koigu KPPM, 100 % merino wool
- Needles: Clover bamboo double pointed, size 0
- Pattern: Koigu Fun Socks Master Pattern
This time I knit this socks a smidgen longer in the foot than my last pair to give myself more toe-wiggling room.
I hope you can notice this . . . see the top of the sock? See the difference of gauge between the top inch and the rest of the top of the sock? It goes from loose to tight. I realized later why that happened. The top of the sock is knitted while in Hawaii (I’m relaxed / I’m on vacation / I’m having a great time) and the rest of the sock is knitted in NYC (I’m on the subway / get out of my way / stresstresstress!)
But back to Hawaii - for a comparison of blues, a photo of the ocean off the Na Pali coast.
Perhaps a big more greeny-blue in the actual water, but considering I picked the yarn before I went to Hawaii, I think I did a darn good job matching colors. Everytime I wear these socks through the upcoming winter I’ll sigh and think longingly of paradise.
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10.25.06
Posted in Knitting, Socks, Yarn at 4:56 pm by delipics
I have reached the instep.
I worked on these last night while hanging out with Alex at The Point. We sat at the window table knitting and eating with very interesting results. People are drawn to the shop window - one guy videotaped us, others wave and point, some stare, most people smile and look happy. My method of dealing with this was to ham it up with exaggerated knitting and eating motions. Next time, Alex says we will have a sign, “Knitters in their natural habitat. Please do not feed them.”
While we had a great time and plan to do this again and again, we did have ulterior motives - 20% off baby! Loving the coupon! We both went through our yarn color choice angst - but what about this color? No, wait, what about this color?! Alex had a spontaneous color consultation with a group of knitters who were there to knit and bitch. I went from olive green, to a deep purple, to natural white and then back to the purple.
This is the yarn for my Blue Sky Alpaca Cropped Cardigan. I am refraining from starting my gauge swatch because I really want to finish my socks first. I also need to do some spinning - my cashmere fiber has been neglected. Plus, there’s that beautiful Golding just sitting there waiting for me. Oi, there are too many fiber choices!
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10.19.06
Posted in Knitting, Socks at 4:21 pm by delipics
Congratulations are in order to the ultra-fabulous, multi-talented, sock-maven-extraordinaire, my very good friend, Alex, a.k.a. Miss April Knitty 2007!
She called me today to tell me the big news. Years from now, while reminiscing about knitting celebrities, I can say I was there when she came up with the idea for the photo. Yes, I knew her when.
I told her she should have a t-shirt made that says, “I am Miss April for Knitty 2007.” She can wear it to Rhinebeck, and I can brag all about her.
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10.06.06
Posted in Knitting, Socks, Spinning, Subway, Travel, Weaving at 3:57 pm by delipics
As for knitting in the world of Delica’s Yarns - not a whole heckuvalot going on. Very hectic days means very tired me. I sneak in a couple of rows on my Kauai Blue Socks on my subway commute in during the mornings; evening commutes seem to be more crowded, no elbow room for knitting. My other WIP, for the L.A. baby, has hit a snag. I realized there was going to be a huge gap in the underarm, so I consulted Alex and she said I should pick up stitches as one does for picking up stitches when knitting the gusset on a sock. Lastly, spinning has been very badly neglected. Tomorrow I’m going up North to visit a friend so I hope to get a substantial amount of knitting done on the train ride.
I have to go pack now. One thing about trains, I don’t have to worry what knitting paraphenelia will pass or not pass through the security check-in.
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