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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06.22.08
Posted in Knitting, Photos, Sweater(s) at 4:18 pm by delipics
Knitting was actually accomplished Thursday night!
First I had to consult with Alex on the sizing of the Cozy V-neck. And of course, she confirmed that the sweater was too, too big. I was in a ripping-out-denial for the last several weeks - as if something will miraculously change if I show it to someone else. “Oh no, you don’t have to rip-out. Your eyes were all wrong. Everything is fine!” I had pre-warned Alex that hand holding was going to be in order.
Alex agreed with me to decrease under the armholes to improve the fit. I pulled out at least four inches from the body. Once it was over, in about 30 seconds, a huge weight was lifted off of me. What a relief; I don’t know what I was waiting for. I need to not make my knitting so precious. I told Alex I don’t mind ripping out rows, for other people’s knitting. This could be a new job - give me your knitting and I will rip it out for you.
Alex has made beautiful progress. She finished the cabling on Marjorie and has started the armhole.
The next photo I show of the Cozy V-neck should will show the beginning of the ribbing.
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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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05.29.08
Posted in Brooklyn, Knitting, Photos, Sweater(s) at 6:17 pm by delipics
Memorial Day - knitting and spinning at Brooklyn Bridge Park. My honey calls this the Sex & the Knitty photo!
Maria pulls out her spindle to spin lace weight. There was knitting, but the photos I took of knitting did not come out well.
These are the results of my knitting that day. Cozy V-neck progress - I’m pleased with how the fit is coming along nicely.
Seeehxy!
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05.25.08
Posted in Knitting, Photos, Sweater(s) at 11:45 am by delipics
About a month ago, I wrote about my fear of sweater knitting. Alex proposed a simple and brilliant idea to help overcome sweater fear - Sweater Support! In which we meet every other week at The Point and help each other as we knit through our chosen sweater patterns (sweets optional but always helpful).
Alex is knitting Marjorie from Knitty. I chose the Cozy V-Neck from Stefanie Japel’s Fitted Knits.
Week 1:
We both cast-on. Much counting of stitches and triple-checking of counted stitches. Mild swearing. Red velvet cupcakes consumed. Night ends with birthday celebrations at a Thai restaurant.
Week 2:
Sweater support kicks into action - Alex helps me figure out the right count of stitches for the front and back of my sweater. I admire her progress - check out those cables baby! Chocolate chip banana bread sustains us.
Striking a classic pose - I tried on the sweater to check if I am at the right point of separating the sleeves from the rest of the body. (See
Barbara Kerr in the background?)
Evening ends with Thai food, again. Carmine Street has good Thai. I’ve become addicted to vegetarian duck.
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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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