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

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.

Not the brightest crayon in the box....

Not much going on here.  I'm working on a Carnival Top now.  Actually, I've been working on it for awhile.  I started knitting the large size with some Caron Simply Soft Tweed, and noticed after knitting through two skeins that even I wasn't big enough to wear the monstrosity I was making.  Ooops.  Plus I didn't like the tweed either.  (yes, sometimes it takes me awhile).

Switched to Cascade Sierra Quatro (a blend of cotton and wool) that I bought at a close-out sale, and started the size medium.

 
Love these short rows.  They break up the monotony of the garter stitch.

Oh - plus....

I may not have enough yarn for this one....  Livin' on the edge of insanity!  Join me?

Next!! Summer Tee?

Oranje is officially finished!  I basted the zipper in by back-stitching in two lines down each side of the zipper, and I didn't bother sewing it.  I used to quilt all the time so my hand sewing skills are pretty good.

 
If I feel at some point the zipper is coming loose, I can always take it for a visit to the sewing room. I could not take any pictures outside as it is still too hot and humid, but I was able to take a few inside with the air conditioning.  Disclaimer:  pictures that include me in them are not always that great.  Be warned.  I am not to blame if you go blind.  HA! 

 
neck detail/closed zipper

 
open zipper sleeves down

 
closed zipper/sleeve detail.

You'll notice I made the sleeves long enough so I could turn them up and show the lining if I wanted to.  Love long sleeves (better to cover up my man hands.... bwaaa).

 
Someone walked by me and said, "Hey, those are Cincinnati Bengals colors."  I froze.  What?!

By way of background. . .  I may live in Columbus, but I am originally from Cleveland and we are all about the Browns.  In Columbus you root for either Cleveland or Cincinnati, and definitely the Ohio State Buckeyes.  I know these are the colors of a sports team (hockey?) in Canada named the Oranje, right?  But can they also be Bengals colors?  If that is the case, good thing I am in Columbus.  DOH!

and with that, Oranje is finished...

 
and I am off to find a summer tee that hopefully I can finish while it is still summer.  chortle.

Zipper Mojo with a touch of a Sunrise Circle....

All the seams are done on Oranje!

It fits me nicely too, although it's 100 degrees and humid outside, so, kind of hard to get a shot.  I will do it at some point tho.  

All I have left to do is the zipper.

I actually had a nice black zipper picked out, but somehow in the knitting when I decided it would be awesome to make this a little longer, I forgot that the zipper could not also comply.  Doh!

So I found this big bundle of coat zippers I bought for cheap at a rental unit sale and decided to dye one black.  It was a little on the long side, but ve have vays of making ze zippers shorter.  It didn't dye well, kind of like a darkey brown.  ugh.  Here they both are.  Wouldn't the black one be so much better?

And then something weird happened.  As I was lamenting the black zipper and laying it up against Oranje, it was long enough.  Huh?  What just happened?  I think the knitting fairies visited me.  I am in the process of basting it on now.

Oh - and since I was doing all that seaming, I decided to finish my Sunrise Circle Jacket that's been sitting for a year.  oops.

and I even had the frog closure for it laying in the basket.  Have no idea when I got that, but fabulous find!  LOL

Now... if only it wasn't hot as Hades outside I would have more pics..... 

Oranje, hems and seams

All is going well!  No more unraveling and I was able to knit on the button bands:

 
which consisted of 5 knit rows of orange, followed by two knit rows of white, one white purl row (the turning row), two more knit rows of white and 10 knit rows of orange (enough to cover the inside edges) and cast off loosely.

And I believe I am finally ready to start sewing all the seams.

 
I decided to use thread instead of yarn to make a neater seam.

 
why yes, I have every color of thread imagineable, why wouldn't I have this orange?  HA!

 
oh - this may take awhile.....

 
next we get to figure out how to whack the zipper in this!!!