Jon's Knit Blog

Almost!

So I got a full pattern rep done tonight on Waving Lace Sock # 2. Granted, it's the foot part, so half of it was simple stockinette. But it also only took two hours (20 rows over 64 sts on 4 needles) so I'm pretty darn proud of myself. Considering that when I first started the sock, it took over three hours to get through a rep, and now the thing which takes the most time is simply going from one needle to the next.

When I was in Austin, I picked up a copy of "Socks Soar on Two Circular Needles" and I'll be trying that method for my next pair of socks, which will either be in Bearfoot Bitteroot Rainbow, or one of the two lovely shades of Lorna's Laces that Rob sent me a couple months ago. We have Blackwatch and Mother Lode (remember?) on deck. Although I have three other major active projects (and I'm supposed to finish the blue cable sweater by October 15 since it's for a colleague who will have his birthday then) on deck and another sock in progress somewhere in the apartment (I know exactly where it is, I just am not sure I want to pick it up right now, what with those pesky flimsy bamboo DPNs), so votes on which of the three as yet unknit sock yarns are welcomed.

I'm also contemplating a small contest. Perhaps the person who most accurately predicts which the next 5 FO's will be -- in proper order, will receive a present from the Land of Colinette when I go in August. I'll give you a clue to start you off. I'm 95% sure that the next FO will be the Waving Lace Socks.

Is this a good contest? Should I make it official? I've never had a contest before, so I need advice. Lots and lots of advice.

Lilac Waves of Lace

So my sister and her fiance are in town. (When they got here, he was just the boyfriend. Yesterday, he applied for and was granted the promotion to fiance!)

I asked my sister a question, too. I asked her to please try on Waving Lace Sock # 1. You may recall that I discovered that my heel flap was a tad short. Turns out it didn't much matter. Not sure if it's due to the stretchiness of the lace, or if my sister has very small heels, but she claims the sock fit "like a glove."

So I'm back in Lilac Sock Land, at least for a few more days. I've made it through the heel and gusset, and just have a couple more pattern reps to go across the foot. Shouldn't take too long, and should be the next FO. Then PPD. And after that? Well, we shall see.

Non-Photogenic Knitting

Yes, the elephants have begun their parade. I just needed a break from the other stuff. I am sick of trying to keep track of the mohair yarn-overs. The stitch markers are too small and keep slipping under the stitches, which is sort of useless, but the BWGA is growing. Just needed the day off from it. And I didn't want to touch the cotton of PPD. I'm still smarting over that bent Addi turbo.

So as I mentioned, I picked up some new Addi turbos and I decided to put the 24" US3 to good use. And I cast on, and made it through the 8 row garter stitch border (I do not like stranded purling!), and then through a few rows of the pattern. The first row of elephants have their tummies!

It seems that while the Hebridean is a lovely yarn, it does not particularly like to be photographed. This is a shame, in that the yarn is lovely. The heathering of color is really quite stunning, and the yarn knits up nicely (although it broke at one point and I had to spit-felt it back together. Yummy!) The yarn sucks the light from the photo. I had two lights (my Ott light and a halogen desk lamp) less than 3 feet away from the knitting, and even with computer re-touching and brightening and color contrast enhancement, this was the best I could do.

Hopefully once it's all knit up, I'll muster up the courage to set it on something outside in direct sunlight so it can suck all that light away, too.

In other news, my summer vacation dates have been approved! August 12 to 22! I'm planning to go to London, and I'm sorely tempted to go to Wales to visit Llanfair Caereinion, which is the millshop at Colinette. Anyone who's been there want to vote on whether it's worth it? I'm not staying in London the whole 10 days, anyhow, but I haven't decided what the whole of the trip will be. Advice is hereby sought.

Elephants on Parade

OK, so the tubular bind-off on PPD is NOT fun. The front band is done aside for the bind off. The hard part is "arrange the stitches on two needles in preparation for grafting." So I decided I'm going to try putting it all onto holding strings and then transfer to the needles. I can't figure out an easy way to do it.

So I went to Knitting 321 on 75th Street to pick up an extra tapestry needle, seeing as how I only have one. And I knew that I needed a needle in the right size to make the Elephant Waistcoat. I walk into the store, and I'm immediately greeted with the suspicion that I've walked into the wrong store. It may have been "How may I help you?" but it may have been "What do you want?"

I explained that I needed US3 Addi Turbos to make a Fair Isle. I explained that I wanted a 20" needle, but they don't have those in this store. I bought a 24" which should be fine since the body of the sweater is a finished measurement of 27". I bought a 16", too, for the upper part once there are armhole steeks and a v-neck. What it took a long time for the ladies in this shop to understand was that I was actually the one who would be doing the knitting. When they found out I had ordered yarn from England to knit a Starmore pattern, I think they were a little bit afraid of me...

Anyhow, I need a teensy bit of pattern-reading advice.

"...thus ending on pattern round 1 inclusive. On the next round, begin the V-neck shaping."

Does this mean that the V-neck shaping starts on row 1 or row 2?

Caption This Photo!

Wish Me Luck!

OK, I'm off from work today and about to sit down and seriously pick up stitches. That's right, I aim to get the band done (or at least, started) on PPD.

Egads, picking up that many stitches sounds like a lot of work. I think I can... I think I can...

Garter Stitch is Underrated

I've been insanely busy at work lately. It's just been crazy. And my sleep schedule has been messed up and so on and so forth.

So last night when I came home, I wanted to knit.

But the three main "active" projects that I have are either at a stage where picking up lots of stitches is the next step or a lace pattern row.

And I just wasn't in the mood to think. I just wanted garter stitch. Plain old simple "don't make me think" style garter stitch.

So I thought of Ann & Kay's afghan squares and the lovely stash oddments Kay sent me to play with for this project. I found two that are sort of in a comparable gauge that look nice together, and made up a pattern. And after two or so hours of mindless, barely-paying-attention-style knitting (and watching the season finale of "The West Wing" on TiVo), voila:

The lighter color is Rowan All Seasons cotton (and I want to play with this yarn more; I really am enjoying its springiness) and the dark a no-band chenille. Yay!

No Gnus...

(Remember Gary Gnu?)

Anyhow, no knitting today. I got a bit of knitting done here and there yesterday, as I mentioned. But since I was up til 4am on Tuesday (Weds. am) and up at noon Wednesday, but at work at 7am this morning, you can imagine that my system is relatively confused (and the espresso, gin and wine aren't helping). If you want to find out more about what I did today, check out my other blog. I don't imagine you'll regret it. But if you do, I'll rebate your purchase price.

Ooops

So I only now, after having completed one sock, realize that I made a pattern-reading error in the Waving Lace Sock.

"Repeat these two rows 18 times," it said.

18 times each. Oops.

Oh well, so my heel cup is a little short. Maybe it'll still fit my sister OK.

Maybe she has small heels. She's going to be in NYC for Memorial Day. We'll find out then. And I'll leave the other sock undone...

So I worked a few rows on the BGWA instead. It grows. Only it's hard to keep track of stitches in a yarn like Fandango, so my pattern reps are slightly off. But I'll also probably be the only one to know.

Except for everyone who reads this blog.

Ooooops...

A Little Help?

Well, I started to add a "WIP" list over there on the right side of the window. It'll get longer as I figure out what I have going on... all 9999999 things.

Anyhow, anyone with any HTML know-how have any suggestions on how to make it generally look better? Free advice is gladly taken! Comment away. I love you in advance.

[I didn't get any knitting done tonight because I was stuck at work until after 2:00am and by the time I got home, read emails, and just decompressed, my eyes felt too tired to be looking at yarn. I'm going to attempt to pick up 320 stitches on PPD tomorrow, though, so all good wishes are appreciated -- in addition to those HTML suggestions!]

Because Enquiring Minds Want to Know

Well, nothing major is going on over here. I worked late last night and had to get up earlier than usual this morning, so not a ton of knitting going on. I did manage to eke out another pattern rep (20 rows) on the waving lace sock # 2. 10 rows to go before the heel, so hopefully I will have a pair of socks before too long. My sister, who is a potential recipient of the socks, will be in town Memorial Day weekend, so it'd be good (and it's realistic) to have them done by then.

Unless I get distracted again by the siren song of the BGWA.

Restisting Temptation

So I gave in.

I gave in totally, to the wonderous joy that is Colinette.

BGWA begins. I know, I know, I wasn't supposed to start it until I finished PPD and the Waving Lace sock but I'm just a bad boy. I just needed a new color. Honest, I did.

You may notice the basket which the yarn is in. It's from my February trip to Tanzania. I love this basket; it is gorgeous, and the perfect size to hold a good sized knitting project. I am concerned about keeping the yarn clean, as you will see -- it's all in ziploc baggies accordingly. It's nice, so far, but those 11 needles are big! And I think I'm allergic to mohair, which is a bummer because there are three skeins in this project. I'll deal, but it's just that the yarn is so shaggy/sheddy... The fandango also gives off a lot of dust when being wound. I hope that it doesn't affect my allergies, though, when I go to knit it up. I'll let you know, though.

PPD Happens

So I'm back in the PPD swing of things. There are a few ends to weave in, but I've sewn the shoulders. Oddly, there is an instruction to sew the side seams - but there are none... Anyhow, it's time to pick up the edge stitches. See?

I hope it doesn't take too long to finish but I imagine I'll get it done soon-ish...

Thanks, Alice.

So this:

and this:

are here now. Yup, eight skeins, seven shades, of Alice Starmore Hebridean from Virtual Yarns to make the Elephant Waistcoat.

Trouble is, I need the pattern. Annoyingly, I never saw any part of the website telling you that the pattern book was needed to make this vest. Arrgh.

Now I have to wait for a copy of this to show up. It will ship out on the 25th from Amazon. Cheaper, and quicker to get here, than from Virtual Yarn. Still, wouldn't it be nice if, on the page with the pattern details, you were advised that you had to buy the book in order to get the pattern?

At least I got Alice's autograph... and the colors are pretty, and the yarn feels nice...

PS:

I just did a websearch and discovered, not that it's a big surprise, that Wendy has knit this vest, so I have some big shoes to fill here...

Waving Lace Sock, Part Deux

Well, I finished the edging and the first two pattern reps of the second sock. Hopefully it won't take too long to finish, as I have plenty of other projects I want to get at. I think you probably know that already...

Anyhow, I keep working on the BGWA, in my mind, at least, since I have told myself I have to finish PPD and the socks before I'm allowed to actually sully the yarn. But I still keep planning, and looking forward to winding all the yarn. Does anyone agree or disagree with me that the Scallop pattern from the AbFab Throw Kit book is the way to go with the ecru? I also have a Colinette "Toast & Marmalade" book, and I was thinking that it might be fun to adapt the chevron pattern in there to the off-whites. I don't really think I want to do the "square" or "diamonds" pattern from the AbFab book, as I don't particularly relish the idea of having to pick up all those stitches. Anyone have any suggestions/comments?

OK, well, I am going to get ready for work. I hope to have time to run by the post office first, as my Virtual Yarns kit for the elephant vest (although I think I'm going to call it the Pachydermal Waistcoat) is waiting for me to pick up. And I may have to make this before I begin BGWA because PW is for a birthday which is 2 1/2 weeks prior to the Big Gay Wedding.

I just need more hours in a day. And no distractions from my knitting...

I'm Going to Have to Do This Again

One sock done. In case you haven't been following along, it's the Waving Lace Sock from the Spring '04 Interweave Knitting magazine. In Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock, colorway Lilac.

It's also my first finished sock, so I'm rather proud of myself at the moment.

I would also like to extend a thank you to Cari for pointing out this site on the kitchener stitch which definitely helped me finish the sock.

Luckily, my Mom and my younger sister (the one who's not getting PPD) are both about the same shoe size (although Mom's feet are wider), so I'm going to send the socks, once I finish the next one, to Mom. Let's let the two of them decide. Or share...

Almost a Sock

Well, it's about 6" long from the heel now, and I have to start the toe decreases 1 1/2" before the end, so I have to figure out exactly how long the intended recipient's foot is. Trouble is, I don't have an intended recipient yet for these socks... I mean, I'm making PPD for sister #1, I'm planning wedding lace for sister #2, I have another couple projects for mom (though she might like these, the pattern says "women's medium" and she's probably a women's large. I'll have to ask her)

So I have to figure that out. It'll only take me a couple more hours of knitting (plus figuring out the kitchener stitch). So maybe tonight, after work, I'll pick up PPD instead... You'll all find out tomorrow.

In the meantime, I continue to contemplate my stash. It is rather large. I plan to do some housecleaning (which will include stash-arranging) this week, so I may let you know about the yarn I have which is waiting to be knit up... and do a refresher on the current WIP's. I should add a WIP side bar, don't you think? It'll be disturbingly long - and relatively sad in that it won't have many projects over 50%...

Anyhow, off to work I go...

Get Your Gusset On

Well, I finished the gusset decreases and a full repeat of the lace pattern last night while watching the final episodes of "Friends" which I had TiVo-ed while I was in Texas. Now I have to figure out how long to make the socks, which, since I'm not sure who I'm making them for is a rather daunting proposition.

It also appears, at least at this point, that two skeins of Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock would be enough yarn to make three of these socks. I have to figure out something to do with the rest, I guess.

Anyhow, I'm sure you want me to share the error I made last night on the sock so that you can laugh at me and my knitful foibles. I was watching TV as I was knitting, as I already mentioned. I do this regularly. Only on one of my needle changes (I'm on the ebony DPNs, in case you don't recall), I skipped a needle. So I had this lovely strand floated across 16 stitches but didn't realize until I was right there. So I had to tink back over 48 stitches which included K2TOG's and YO's. But I got it all done and it looks right. Yay, go me! I will probably take a photo for you soon. I am running low on AA batteries, though, so the ones that should be in the camera are actually in my cordless mouse. I'll buy some new ones today. Promise!

And We're Back...

I have returned.

I am not yet with anything interesting, photowise, for you. You must, for a little while, at least, content yourself with the fact that I have regained internet access and, since the conference is over, a bit of knitting time, and I will have lots to show you and lots to knit and lots to do.

I have been knitting a bit, though, on the Waving Lace Sock. I knit the heel and then realized that I had fucked it up -- I forgot that I was supposed to *Slip 1, Knit 1, repeat from * to the end, and I had simply Slipped One and knit to the end. I didn't really think about that, though, until after I'd already picked up the gusset stitches and worked a few rows there, so I was rather peeved to have to frog, but I frogged nonetheless. I have now successfully knit the heel with the alternating knit and slip stitches. Much less give to the fabric this way, which does seem to make sense for a heel. And I have now about halfway through the gusset decreases. Hopefully the rest of the sock will move along quickly and I can get to the second one and actually complete something. God, that would be nice.

I had a card in the mailbox when I returned home that they're holding something for me at the Post Office. I assume it's the Elephant Waistcoat, and I'm excited to have yet another project I'm not ready to start sitting around here tempting me. Oh well, at least I'm back home and will hopefully have some time to knit.

For now, though, I have a lot of blogs to catch up on!

To all you mothers out there in blogland, Happy Mother's Day!!!!!!!

Yentala's School of Knitting Design

So I'm in Texas, remember? And yesterday, I dropped by Hill Country Weavers and who was there but the world famous Yentala! I was also lucky enough to make the acquaintance of this lovely knitter as well.

Well, I had a swell time. Bought a few more Addi turbos including some super-long #6's with which to attempt to accomplish the tubular bind-off on PPD when I get home and back to that chartreuse cotton. I also bought six skeins of yarn which will be photographed upon my return to NYC. Scarves, scarves, and more scarves will be happening with this yarn.

Speaking scarves, somehow I ****ed up the Multi-directional pattern (I started short-rowing on the wrong side of the scarf) so it's a stupid shape and I have to rip it out. Luckily, I have the ebony needles with me so it was back to work on the Waving Lace sock (which I took the opportunity to show off at Hill Country Weavers. Everyone oohed and ahhed. I think they're just impressed that there's men who want to knit lace. Anyhow, the sock is coming along nicely. Only six more rows until the heel starts. It's a very pretty sock, although I should probably reserve my final judgement until after I finish and block it.

Anyhow, the other fun thing that happened at HCW was that Yentala (aka Debbie) and I discussed knitting and a theoretical design for an evening bag. I selected a few skeins of yarn from around the (extensive and huge) shop and suggested what I would do with them to make an evening bag. It was quite fun and it made me think I need to be dabbling in design a little bit more.

Then again, I also need to finish the myriad number of projects currently in my WIP pile. Considering how many projects are waiting to be finished (and how many fabulous things I have in the waiting-to-be-started pile), I have my work cut out for me and need to not take on any new ones until I finish a sizeable chunk of what I'm already working on.

Easier said than done. Anyhow, let's be optimisitc and think that I'll have at least one finished Waving Lace sock by the time I get back to NYC next weekend. Well, at least finished up to the grafting, since I don't have a tapestry needle with me. Anyone care to make any wagers?