Ms. Create (It's always about the sticks and string...)

Spring Lambs, Joanie Progress and a lil Spinning

Spring is here, and I'm on the couch as usual! We wouldn't want Paul to wake up and think he had the wrong wife or anything, so I try to stick to the same schedule. ha ha. What??! I'm busy. I'm doing inside stuff. I did wander outside to check out the new baby lambs and help with the tagging. We have 11 this year, of which at least 9 of them are females (still need to check the last two born a week ago... don't look at me like that - I'm going). Some lambie action (from the deck):

Paul is full into his gardening thing. He's planted a few blueberry bushes, and replaced one of our peach trees that we lost some years ago. I also saw him go by the front window with the rototiller going towards the garden, so I think that means he is going to plant onions and potatos. I'm saving the asking for when I am ready to participate. I'm not ready to participate yet. HA

On the knitting front, I've just been working on Joanie. I have finished and cast-off the body, and just need to do the arms now. Got my 16" circular ready to go and plenty of yarn left this time - yay!!

that cool yoke (reversible cables!):

I've also been spinning a little. Still working on this massive bag of BFL/cross fleece from my flock.


I have about 15 skeins so far, not including this new one.


I'm not sure what I will knit when it's all done, but I should have enough to knit anything I want. Lots and lots of yards of it. I want to get this bag done, and start on some black/brown Border Leicester I have (with red tips from the sun!). We'll have the shearer coming soon, and I need to make room for more fleeces. I still have wool on the table that needs to be picked through before I can send it to the mill. I think it's been there awhile. I remember moving it at Christmastime, and then putting it back thinking that I needed to do it soon. yup.  Maybe next time we "talk" I'll have more stuff done.  yeah.  we'll keep thinking that.  ha ha  

Cables, Collars and Pointie Toes...

Let's just erase all doubts that I am knitting.  That's not the problem.  I am knitting.  The problem is picture procrastination.  You all know about it and a lot of you have the same problem.  Admit it.  We will share in our problem together (with no pictures of course, or long lapses in blog fodder) LOL  All this to say that the following pictures will not be really great, but at least I am catching up.  Bear with me.

I finished the cardigan.  I've worn the cardigan.  I like it, but I don't love it.  It's not that I had to use a different dye lot on the button band.  Believe me, the color was nothing like the original dye lot - way nothing like it.  I actually liked it better, but not enough that I wanted to go down crazy lane reknitting it or anything.

 

It's the collar that didn't come out right.  Well, for me anyway.  I tried putting it on like your supposed to wear it - off the shoulder-like:

ugh.  Too bunchy.  But opening up the collar is okay.

and it's comfortable and heavy so it keeps me warm.  So - like, but don't love it.  Not to mention the whole collar cable thing that gets wasted by turning it over.

Next...  I finished one of the BlackJack socks.

a little side note on socks.  You know how lots of knitters have to rework the toe more square because they don't have a point on their toe?  Not here.

pointie toe.  right?  The jury is still out on how these will wear.  Still have to knit another one yet.  That may take a little bit since I've started my newest project.  Remember?  Sweet Potato, Joannie?  Bliss.  I am so stuck on these orangey colors, I know.

but I did knit a blue cardigan in my defense.  I am almost to the part where I join it in the round and divide for the arms.  I'm showing you the top back here.  Also, these cables are reversible.  We shall see!

Lesson in Cheap, and Sweet Potato Joanie

So... for those of you who have been waiting to find out the yarn tally . . .

 

First, I have long sleeves for which I am grateful. Second, I have no button band or "collar" . . . yet. I decided to order two more skeins. I'm pretty sure I only need one more, but if I had ordered one and it didn't end up being enough I would have killed myself and then where would we be?. The chances that these two new skeins will have the same lot number of my original 10 skeins are null as I bought them from a different on-line store than the one I bought the original 10 skeins from. Why not just get it from the same store? In short, because I am cheap. I bought the original 10 skeins on sale for $4.99 each. They are not on sale now and I was not going to pay $5.99 per skein of 108 yards, and another $5 shipping. This yarn has some acrylic in it. It's not even 100% wool. $5.99? Nope. I finally found a store that had it for $4.99 and no shipping, so it's on its way. I don't know how "off" the color will be, but I figure the button band and collar being slightly different can be a design feature. Right?  Plus... there's the cheap thing...

Note: Apparently said cheapness will not stop me from ordering yarn at $9.99 for 75 yards if I have to have it or die. This has happened. You know what I mean....

The Black Jack socks are moving right along.

 

These will take longer than the Sunrise socks. I'm using size 1 dpns instead of size 2 which are usually my dpns of choice for socks. With the 30% nylon stretchiness I wanted to make the stitches a little tighter. Plus, I really need to start using size 1's more. You end up using more of the sock yarn with size 1's than with size 2's. I have lots of leftover yarn and wouldn't mind a little less. Plus, the socks are thicker and sturdier.

In addition, if you think I am satisfied with just these two projects going, you would be wrong. I am sooo over the moon on this pattern from Knitty. It's called Joanie, and I went hunting through my yarn store, um, er, I mean stash, to find enough yarn to knit it. The problem is that Joanie is going to take a lot of yarn. More than normal. Somewhere around 1800 yards I'm thinking for the size 44. The size 40 will be just a smidgen too small, and this looks like it needs to be a little on the large side. After an hour of yarn diving, the only yarn I could find enough of to make Joanie was . . . . light blue. UGH Why am I having a problem with light blue? See above cardigan. Blue is not an option. I did find some yarn in my stash that I loved the color of, especially for Joanie. I wanted something light, but not pastel. I found about five skeins of it, in sport-weight. Not the right amount or weight. Damn. I drug the light blue out into the living room. We had a staring contest. I sulked. Then I fell down a yarn hole and came up with an order of 18 skeins of Knit Picks Comfy Worsted Weight in the Sweet Potato colorway. Don't look at me like that, it says "goodbye" on it and I had a yarnarism. I just hope they have 18 skeins of it left. I won't be assured until I have it in hand. Then, the light blue yarn goes back to the stash.  Let's hope I don't run out of yarn on this one - there will be no recovery.

Sunrise, BlackJack and 324 yards left....

Okay. I must confess. While I may have been knitting "like the wind" since the last time we chatted, I have not been knitting for all of that time on the cardigan. I got sucked back into the world that is Chroma Sunrise and finished the pair of socks I was working on.

Mostly matchy matchy. I can deal.

After that... well, if you are a sock knitter it is pretty certain that you will have a "SIP" or sock "OTN" (sock-in-progress/sock on the needles) at all times. My needles were bare. I started to sweat. I looked at the cardigan. I started another pair of socks. exhale.

 

 

This is a sock yarn I haven't used before from Red Heart. It is 70% superwash wool, 30% nylon and has aloe added in. It is pretty stretchy, but not overly like some others I've tried with 30% nylon. This colorway is called BlackJack. I'm still on a plain jane stockinette stitch jag for socks. I do get tired of it after while, but not so far. I have plenty of self-striping and self-coloring sock yarn, so I'm good for as long as this particular jag lasts. Then it's probably back to some laciness or color stranding. I'm always on the look-out for good patterns to go with self-striping sock yarns. Know of any?

Cardigan Update - I did manage to finish the bottom ribbing, and have three skeins of yarn left.

 

 

Approximately 324 yards. Is that enough for two sleeves AND a button band? Is this cardigan destined for short sleeves? I hate short sleeves. ugh.

 

When it's time to knit like the wind.....

The Chroma socks are moving along well.  Just turned the heel without any incident this time.  One point for Dani.

and thanks to my wonderful friend Lisa, I won't have to use my piece of paper when I get to the Kitchenering....  She does most of her socks from toe-up so decided to send on her card to me.  How nice is that?  Thanks so much Lisa - what a wonderful present!  

as for the 7x9 squares 1/31/09?  No clue - lol!

Carmela's Cardigan is also going fast.  Have you noticed that whenever you are knitting something and you are worried that you might not have enough yarn, you knit it like the wind?  That's what is happening here.  Almost to the ribbing portion of the bottom, then I still need to do both sleeves.

The pattern called for 9 skeins of Paton's Shetland Chunky Tweeds (108 yards per skein).  I've used 6 so far and have . . .

4 left.  Doing the math, I should have one extra.

yeah . . . 432 yards left for ribbing and two sleeves.  Long sleeves.  I believe there could be an issue.  I'm pretty sure I will find out soon, though, since I am  . . . . knitting like the wind.  LOL  Cross your fingers for me!

Organized Chaos....

Fist pump.  I did it. I cleaned that horrible closet out and organized it. I didn't even realize how much stuff was in there until I had it all out.

Before:



After:



and the fabric showed me a good time too while I was organizing it. I even thought for a few seconds about quilting possibilities. But then, the thought was gone. Damn. Well, if the quilting mojo ever comes back I will certainly be ready. I may even have vintage fabric by then. HA.

Also, the craft room is fully organized which hasn't been the case in awhile. Now, if said room doesn't fall off the house from its weight I should be in business.

Whats in all those crates, baskets and bins?  Well... you know, don't you?  S.A.B.L.E. acquisitions.... and don't look at me like that - you can still see the floor.

Moving along on the sock/cabled cardigan front.  I'm a little worried about the yarn for the cardigan though.  It called for 9 skeins and I had 10, so I shouldn't be worried.  But I'm down to 6 left and it seems to be going too fast.  Let's hope gauge does not have it in for me.  Will update in a few days to show my progress.

Snow, More Cabling and Forgotten Heel Turns...

We're getting our first real snow here in Central Ohio, and it is so cold.

We had been experiencing spring-like days for weeks it seemed, with lots of sunshine, so I was very spoiled. Now... it's just cold and snowy... as it should be for mid-January I might add. I for one am going to take advantage and get some awesome couch-potato knitting done this weekend. Oh wait, that would be me every weekend. Chortle. whatever...

Progress on Carmela's Cardigan continues.

 Who is Carmela you ask? I have no clue, but cute name for a cardigan. I've got the first bit of knitting done that forms the top of the yoke, and I've joined onto the bottom of it and am starting to knit down. I actually was using the line-by-line cable directions and the cable chart to make sure I ended up with the right amount of stitches, etc. I was at full stop once, but I soldiered on and I believe I have come to the part where I need to separate out the sleeves. Not getting too far ahead on the pattern, so we'll see how it goes. Not lots of cables to contend with either. Out of the 22 row cable chart, only four of those rows are cabled. I'm pretty sure I can handle that! Stay tuned for more progress.

As for the Chroma Socks, one is finished and . . . . wait for it . . . I had to get a pattern out! I forgot the count on how to turn the heel and it was really really bad. I tried it twice and both times had to rip it out. The third time (with the turn-heel pattern I grabbed from any sock book) was the charm, and it may be that I need to hop up a bit on the sock knitting. I mean... I let the memorized turn-heel thing get away from me. What's next? The Kitchener thing? (Note - the Kitchener thing is on a piece of paper because I totally cannot memorize it) HA!

and I sorely wanted "matchy matchy" enough that I broke up and through the remainder of the yarn and found the place where I believe is the closest I can start to get the second sock to match. Not sure if it will be a complete match, but here's to hoping!

oh - and I'm still thinking of those plastic containers for the closet. I'm doing it soon, I just know it! (very soon since Paul just walked in with the plastic stuff I needed......  oh boy)

Socks, Plastic and Cables....

Okay - it's been two and a half months since I posted.  Where did I go?  This is not me.  Well, its not the me I wanted me to be.  In my delusions of greatness I am posting at least 3 times a week and knitting like a fiend.  There...  it's out there.  Now maybe I'll do it.  Maybe.

I've been in an organization phase, which may or may not have come on by watching a "Hoarding" episode where the woman was a "container" Hoarder.  I love containers.  One difference though between her and me.  I'm only allowed to keep stuff in one room (and a couple of other hiding places which I will never divulge).  Another difference?  If it's not yarn, I love throwing stuff out.  When I fill up a garbage bag it makes my heart full.  Sometimes I pick stuff up and throw it away just to fill a bag.  If you tell Paul I will deny it all.  LOL

Anyway, my craft room is looking spiffy except for the closet which is like a big tupperware cabinet (you know exactly what I mean).  I have big plans for it though, modular plastic even.  Stay tuned and when it's complete I'll post some pictures.

When last you heard from me I had just finished a Radiating Star Blanket and Dolphin for my nephew Daniel.  I have since made another blanket and a cute pink little pig (well, it's not really little) for my niece, Livvy.  I didn't take photos though.   I was off my photo game and immediately put it in a box to send to her.  I'm hoping she will send her Auntie Daniele some pictures so I can post them later.

I've also finished a pair of socks that I had going for way way too long.  Just plain Jane ones.

and started another pair using the Chroma Fingering from KnitPicks.

The colorway is Sunrise.  Not sure I like the yarn content (splity and not spun tight - almost like a pencil roving) as these will be handwashed and I love wearing my socks, but the color changes are awesome and I'll get lots of excitement (although probably not wear) out of them.  I bought some of the worsted weight because sweaters and such I can keep going a lot longer without using Superwash.

I've also started a new cardigan.  I'm really excited about it.  The construction looks like lots of fun, and the cardigan is pretty awesome too.  Win Win  and cables, which I haven't done for awhile.

It's Carmela's Cardigan from Paton's #860, Shetland Chunky, Top Down Classics.  The first piece is knit straight and I'll be working down from it next.  I'm using Paton's Setland Chunky Tweeds in the Sea Ice Colorway.

and I only miscrossed one cable so far (that was a two hour cuss fest).  I lost my place and I couldn't for the life of me figure out where I was on the chart after I ripped back to it.  Live and learn these cable charts.  I vow!!

What are you up to?

Stars and Dolphins

Has it really been almost two months since I last posted?  Am I really still on the same project that I was then?  What happened?  Oh - yep, that would be the facebook time-suck game thing.  Sorry.  Not sure how much longer that will be happening, but hopefully I can get more projects done at least.  I did finish Daniel's new blanket and even made a little sidekick with the yarn I had left.

He is a cute little Dolphin, huh?  His nose looks more like a beak, tho.. ha ha.   Lots of awesome crochet animals in this book - Huggable Crochet.  I can see myself sitting on the couch making animal after animal (if I can ever tear myself away from the computer for a minute).

Also, love the Radiating Star Blanket pattern.  I would love to do another with lace yarn or some such other instead of worsted, just to see how it comes out.  Very easy too!

No time for blocking tho, just washing and in a box on its way to Daniel.  Hope you like it little sweet pea!  Maybe I'll make some other animal friends for you for Christmas.

Finally, in case you think I am doing absolutely nothing productive, I have been working on an old Zebra cross-stitch.  It's slowly getting bigger, but it will be forever before I finish it.  I've managed to pick the biggest pattern in the book.  I also have a second sock going of a pair, that's, well - okay - there may be some SSS (Second Sock Syndrome) going on there.  :D

Once I get going on some projects again (which I hope will be soon), I'll start posting more.  Otherwise, it's me, facebook and the zebras.  OY!

Radiating Stars and recycling yarn.....

Knitting.  Right.

My nephew Daniel seems to have gone through his last blanket that I made him and Ava is requesting another.  He loves blankets with little holes in them so he can stick his fingers through.  Apparently one hole got so big in the last blanket that we were all afraid he was going to put his head through it (which he had done) and hang himself from a banister or something (which he has not done).  So, I'm knitting another.

I have wanted to start a square or circular shawl or blanket for awhile now, so I decided to knit the Radiating Star Blanket.  Lots of holes in that, and I'm loving the knit so far.  Very easy pattern:

as for the other "thing" I was knitting when last I posted, after knitting it twice and frogging it twice because it still would fit a small elephant, I decided I didn't want it that bad.  :D  So let's not talk about that again.

Onward.