Checking In

It's been a busy week in my little world, hence the lack of mid-week post, and this pathetic excuse for a post right here. Want knitting content? You might want to look elsewhere. Roza's Socks #1 is marching ever so slowly to toe #1, and poor Rusted Root is still on that waste yarn (though I finally removed it from the dummy yesterday). Today I get to attend the 6th birthday party of an extremely adorable girl I am happy to call my niece. My sister and I have decided to bring something from the Bratz line of dolls, which I have been assured are popular, though I find them very creepy.

Since a post isn't a post without pictures, I thought I'd just share a few recent shots that are in no way yarn related. Except that they may be inspirational for color or texture. I know I was thinking of knitting the whole time I taking them!

I love that in nature, colors one might never think of combining come together so beautifully. I actually have yarn in both the shade of the seaweed and the starfish.




Around here, one is just as likely to find these guys at McDonald's or the dump as the beach, and they are largely scorned (their thieving ways make them a nuisance). I love seagulls though! I wish I could sink my hand right inside that soft gray shade, it looks so comforting.




Generally, I'd shy away from putting red and green together, but look at how wonderful that green algae looks against that red brick! Maybe with a pale gray incorporated, it could work. I'm not sure I would put it into a garment, but maybe a blanket of squares.

Hopefully there'll be some serious knitting around here soon!

Slow Poke

So, Rusted Root is at exactly the same place it was at in my last post, because now that it's on waste yarn, I don't want to deal with putting it back on a needle. It's been pretty hot out here, which drains me of all motivation. I have, however, been working on Roza's Socks.

I completed the heel this morning, and have since gotten a couple of inches of foot finished.

In future project news, I think I have solved the issue of the pooling Socks That Rock!



This is Socks That Rock In The Navy, one of their shaded solids. From the swatch shown online, I was expecting something more, well, solid. This yarn is actually quite variegated, though all of the blues are the same shade. I was a little disappointed (if Socks That Rock made a true solid yarn, I'd be so in on it), but I still think it will suit my purposes. I'm planning to do some fair isle socks with it and the Marbles colorway. I'm excited to see how the colors work together, but am resolved to finish either Roza's Socks or Rusted Root first.

Now, if you'll please excuse me. I just ate a ginormous cheeseburger, fries and a huge chocolate shake. I'm off to enjoy a little coma now.

Giving In

I know that in my very last post, I said I wouldn't be putting Rusted Root on waste yarn because I hate dealing with waste yarn and I wasn't worried about fit, but I guess I kinda lied. Or, rather, I didn't know I would change my mind. And I actually didn't even change my mind, exactly, the blog did. I was getting ready to take photos of my wip, and was dismayed that even though the sleeves have been put on holders, this adorable sweater would not be shown at its most advantageous, and would continue to look like a freaking black blob, not my next favorite summer sweater.
Anyway, that's a long, drawn-out way of saying I have something to show you.

Please excuse the bat wings. I'm using those huge safety pin-like holders. I was surprised by how short Rusted Root is, I feel like I've been working on it for a really long time and should be farther along by now. I'm in the decrease section for the waist shaping right now. I know I'm not alone in my love for decrease rows.

My slow progress on Rusted Root could be somewhat attributed to my current sock project, Roza's Socks.



I was worried I'd be bored by these socks, but my worry was unfounded. I love these socks! I love working the brioche stitch, and I love how it looks. So simple, but still fancy.

I've noticed some chatter around blogland by people who are concerned about the apparent smallness of the sock in progress. As you can see in the photo, the sock looks wee. The cuff is 3x3 rib, which draws in considerably, and of course the leg is ribbed, as well. Part of what, I think, makes this sock exceptional, is the amount of stretch afforded by the pattern.



It could even be stretched more, if my hands were larger. I think this makes these socks great contenders for gift socks. I think they may even be plain enough for men's socks. I have some Cherry Tree Hill set aside for socks for my boyfriend, I'll have to see what he thinks of the finished socks.

At a Loss for a Title

I think I forgot to mention in my last post that I was on vacation this past week. I probably did this because I didn't make any plans outside of doing whatever I felt like and knitting as much as possible. Incredibly, I did not end up doing that much knitting, but I did get this much Rusted Root done as of yesterday.

Sorry for the blobbiness. I had not yet put the sleeves onto holders, and as you can see, it's black, which is hard to photograph. Since that photo was taken, I finished the last two rows of that ball of yarn (always amazed at how far one can knit on one ball of Cotton Ease), and have started the body. I'm planning to add an extra inch in this portion of the program, and another inch or so at the bottom. Despite vowing to do so as I excitedly tried on Puffy every step of the way, I have not yet put this sweater on yarn and tried it on. I may regret this later, but such is my disdain for pulling out waste yarn that I will chance it. I didn't think of it with Puffy, but as a cardigan, that was much easier to just throw on some circs and pull on. I never thought of myself as a lazy person, but there you go.

There was just the tiniest bit of stash acquisition this week. Last week, Ellen posted about some new sock yarn arriving at her shop. A new sock yarn that I had been really wanting to check out, and in a color that just screamed out to me from the group photo. So I brought the wee yarn home.



It's Tofutsies by SWTC, in #784. On my monitor, on the SWTC website, that color looks like radioactive yellow, but it's actually a bright, cheerful lime green. The ball is tiny, but makes a pair of socks! I can't wait to try it out.

Of course, I will have to wait, as I casted on last night for Roza's Socks by Grumperina, from IK Spring 2007. I'm using Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock in Powder Blue, and I love it! Even though I have had Shepherd Sock in my stash for a few years, this is my first time knitting with it. I love the sheen of the yarn, and it feels great. I'm not even through with the cuff yet, but it's just the diversionary project I need when I need a break from all that cotton. When I actually have something to show, I'll take a photo.

Puffy in the House!

I finished the buttonbands on Sunday night, wove in the ends, and gave her a nice wet block in some Kookaburra that Ellen hooked me up with. Let me just say, I am a convert! I've always used Lavender scented Eucalan for blocking, but was always disappointed that the scent didn't last. The Kookaburra has tea tree oil in it, and after drying, my sweater still carries that aroma. Of course, not everyone would enjoy that, but I love wearing something that's gently scented. Saves on perfume. ;)

Anyway, I went to Jo-Ann yesterday looking for some very specific buttons I had seen on someone else's blog and came up empty. I did, however, find these nice coconut buttons that compliment the yarn perfectly (a better blogger would have taken a closeup). I probably wouldn't have chosenn these buttons, but I have developed the habit of bringing in my finished project and trying buttons on it right in the store.





I made a few modifications to this pattern, one of which is detailed in the picture above. I noticed in the pattern that the lace on the peplum did not go all the way around. I didn't like that idea, so I changed the peplum. It was pretty easy for me to do this (after, oh, three or four tries), because my stitch count was different from the pattern, due to my gauge issue. I really, really wanted to use this yarn, but just couldn't get gauge. Unwilling to relegate the yarn to another project and search for something new, I decided to modify the pattern for my gauge, and while I was at it, add a new bust size. I had never done this kind of modification before, but it was surprisingly simple due to the top-down nature of the garment. I could try it on as I went! I added some length to the raglan "seams," added an inch or so to the waist, and shortened the sleeves by about six rows.





The yarn I used was well suited to this pattern, which needs a yarn with some structural integrity. I would definitely recommend a wool yarn, or cotton at a tight gauge. I used Jo Sharp Silkroad DK Tweed in Granary. The yarn feels nice in the ball, but really softens up after a wash! I used US5 needles, and do you know, I can't remember my gauge. I believe it's right around 5 stitches per inch. I made a 35" bust. Now I'm hoping for some unseasonable cold so I can wear this a couple of times before fall!

Now on the needles? Rusted Root! I finally cast on for that bad girl, and I love it so far. The STR socks are in time out while I try out some stitch patterns. If I can't find something satisfactory, I'll just have to come up with a non-sock project!

Boy, I suck at this lately!

But I have excuses! Well, one excuse. I spent last weekend in Vermont with my best friend for her college graduation. No one likes to toot their own horn, so I'll toot it. She not only graduated Summa Cum Laude, but she received the highest GPA in her college! She wore a special medallion and everything! So, I always knew she was a smarty-pants, but now there's actual, physical proof. Go Michelle!

I did not knit a stitch all weekend, but this week I've really done some serious work on Puffy. As of right now, the body is complete, both sleeves are complete, and I have picked up the stitches for one buttonband. I took this photo before I completed the second sleeve.

That stripe in the finished sleeve is a lifeline. I decided to try shortening the sleeves, and I wanted to be able to rip just to where I reduced straight rows, just in case the sleeves were too short. Luckily, perfect sleeves!

I'd like to draw your attention for a moment to the peplum. I wonder if my knitting is trying to tell me something. This is the second garment I've made in the last month or so, that has had a tutu before blocking! Makes for a disappointing pre-finish try-on, but I'm confident a nice wet block will fix it.

I know I was going to work on other projects while I worked on this cardigan, but seriously, this project is so fun! Sure, those long stockinette rows start to get a little tedious, but just when you think you can't take it anymore, they're done! I loved shaping the puffed sleeves, and even though the peplum was a bit of a trial, the challenge was at least interesting. The yarn helps, too. It's soft, but firm, and I'm just mesmerized by the color and the tweedy flecks. Next time you see this princess, she'll be finished!

Blog Fodder: or, I lost my camera three days ago

So, as the title of this post suggests, I am unable to locate my camera at this time. Therefore, I have no new pictures of Puffy, which is probably just as well because in two hours of knitting last night I completed one row over and over, finally, yes, ripping it out, meaning that after two hours of knitting I had nothing to show for it. I'm having a tiny issue at the peplum. Not only do I have the wrong number of stitches (due to my gauge modification), but I also want the pattern to go all the way around the peplum. I'll hit it again tonight.

In other news, I was tagged by Casey for a meme! It's the seven random things meme that's been going around. The idea is to give seven random facts about yourself, and then tag seven people. I'm awful at tagging, so just consider this post an open invitation to take part if you'd like.

Seven Random Facts:
1. I can't stand mayonnaise or Miracle Whip. I remember eating both as a kid, and I can't remember what happened that made me hate them so, but if I so much as suspect that something has mayo in it, I can't even touch it. Though I will, for those I love, make a potato salad or chicken salad including mayo if asked.

2. Every time I need to have a shot, I think I'm going to be fine with it, but once the needle comes out I dissolve into an inconsolable mess. I have no problem at all with tattoo or piercing needles.

3. I love animals and insects with almost a crushing passion, but I don't like ferrets, and I always kill mosquitos and ticks.

4. I adore Richard Nixon. I don't think he always made the best choices, but I think he loved America, and really wanted to make a difference. He also said, in the early seventies, that he believed we would have a woman president within fifty years. Pretty progressive.

5. Aside from my LYS, my favorite store is Staples. I have a wicked weakness for pens, especially thin Sharpies.

6. I used to work at FAO Schwarz in Boston, and to this day, I sometimes get the theme song for the store stuck in my head and it doesn't come out for hours. (There's a clock, tick-tock, where the children play/ where the fun and laughter take all cares away....)

7. I love to get mail. Part of the reason why I love to buy things online is the guarantee of a package. Even though I know what's inside, there's still a delicious feeling of anticipation when the box arrives.

Let me know if you play along. I love these things!

So. Excited.

My life has been sucked into a new void. Sure, I've been knitting, but not much. I also haven't been doing much else. There are two reasons for this.
1. Two new wee babies came home with us last week. They just found their names today. Meet Laverne and Shirley.

Shirley is the one with the black head, of course. She's actually a hooded rat, and the rest of her is white. They're super shy and a little spazzy, so I can only let them play in the bathtub, with supervision. So yeah, I'm spending a lot of time in the bathroom lately (tmi?).

2. The second I finished reading my first blogger account of Ravelry, I hightailed it to the site to leave my name on the beta tester list. In general, I love beta testing. I love trying out new stuff and giving feedback and using every browser available to me. And also, hello, awesome sounding new knitting site? Sign me up! I was shocked and ecstatic last week to get the email with my invitation code! You know how people say that they go to Ravelry, and next thing they know it's been days and they haven't done anything else? That's been my life. For the first time since I can remember, I haven't even checked my Google Reader feed for new blog entries. I spent most of today organizing my stash, and then admiring how easy it is to see what I have. Now it's on to adding my completed projects, which takes longer, because I have to hunt for project information. I am so excited about this site, mostly because I have always thought it would so great to have a forum where knitters could connect and share information, without resorting to those email lists (I can never keep up with those), or communities where it seems the posts become so repetitive if you read for any length of time. From what I understand, the site will be live soon. I can't wait!

I've squeezed in a few more rows on Miss. Puffy. Finally the sleeves have been separated, and I'm about to start waist shaping. This picture makes me imagine it as a bolero. Could be cute.

Hey, Jealousy

Okay. So I've been reading everyone's stories about Maryland Sheep and Wool, and I can barely see straight through the haze of jealousy. I am about ten times more excited about Rhinebeck now. Didn't I mention? Amy and I are totally going! I can hardly wait until October, and I keep checking the website to see if they've updated the workshop schedule yet. I've never taken a workshop before, and I'd love to learn something new.

In other news, I quelled my jealousy somewhat by casting on with the STR, kindly given to me by Amy last summer. See, I just got my Summer issue of IK in the mail, and while most of the patterns didn't thrill me, I was intrigued by the toe-up sock tutorial by Ann Budd. In it, she describes a different cast on, called an Eastern cast on, where you cast on just a few stitches and increase to make your toe. Seeing as I can't stand provisional cast-ons (they make me nervous), I had to try it out right away. Took a few tries, but I ended up with a decent looking edge (little loose, but I'll tighten it up with the tail at the end). I'm going to try to increase until the yarn stops pooling and knit from there, but I'm not sure it's going to work. I'm reaching maximum circumference right now, and the yarn is starting to really stack up. I'll give it a few more rounds before I decide for good.

Just because I'm making eyes at another project doesn't mean I've abandoned the Puff Sleeve Feminine Cardigan! I thought I was finished with the increase section, but when I used all of my US5 circulars (um, I have way more than I thought, including another 32" one) to hold stitches and tried it on my dress form, I saw immediately that I would need to do some more increases. As it stands, the sleeve holes will be way too small. So I'm plugging along, trying to drown my discouragement in the delectable yarn. (It's working!) I have created a new mantra to get me through the long, lonely rows. "In a few more rows I'll have half as many stitches." Just knowing that all of those sleeve stitches will be cast aside gives me the push I need to make it through. When my discipline really begins to waver, I look at a photo of the finished cardigan and imagine myself wearing it. The little things we do to finish!



I love how those blue flecks really shine in the sunlight, but when I'm knitting away in the living room, I don't see them at all. I'm embarking on a love affair with tweed, I think. And just in time! I have a giant cone of green tweed in the stash with a 2003 vintage!

Work Continues

I haven't had nearly enough knitting time lately, but still, the Puff Sleeve Feminine Cardigan continues to grow.

I'm loving working on it, even though I'm at the point where the rows just get longer and longer.

I did think that I would cast on for Rusted Root, but it just hasn't been in the cards. First I lost the pattern, and then I realized that I'm using my only 32" US5 needle on the cardigan, and I also need it for Rusted Root! I haven't had a chance yet to buy a new needle. Maybe I'll cast on for some socks instead, and just start the Root after the cardigan.

Out with the Old, in with the New!

I finished the baby sweater the other day, just in time for the end of the Quick-Fix Knitalong. I can't believe that April is already over! If you missed the knitalong, you can find all of us over at the Quick-Fix Flickr group. Join in and post all of your quick projects! It's an awesome place for inspiration, too.

Speaking of knitalongs, you may have noticed my fancy new button for the Fitted Knits Along. Seeing as I'm making the Puff Sleeve Feminine Cardigan right now, it seemed like fun to join in with everyone else. I actually watched the knitalong for a little while before I decided to join, and seeing all of the fabulous completed projects over there is making me look through the book in a different light. I now plan to make a couple of sweater in there that I hadn't really considered.

Moving on to pictures! Like I said, I finished the baby sweater the other day and blocked it yesterday (hand wash, machine dry). I went to Jo-Ann Fabric for buttons, and was beginning to despair on ever finding cute, appropriately sized bunny buttons when I found these!

Exactly the kind of buttons I was looking for! I love that these have an old-fashioned charm, much like the sweater. I planned to make matching booties, but as it happens, I used most of the Breeze on the sweater. I was surprised that I used so much, as I used less than two balls of this same yarn on a tank top for myself last summer.



I will so definitely be making this sweet little thing again! I love the clever construction of this sweater. I love the lace pattern. I love the vintage look. The only thing I wish I had done differently is knit a selvedge on the sleeves. Other than that, perfect. The pattern is from Elizabeth Zimmermann's Knitter's Almanac, which I recommend even as general reading.

Since I finished the baby sweater, I felt it was time to start the Puff Sleeve Cardigan with a clear conscience. Because I am such a good, welll-behaved knitter, I went ahead and swatched. And swatched. And swatched.



As I suspected, my gauge with US6 needles was way off. I was getting fewer than five stitches per inch, and I needed 5.5 stitches per inch. In the middle there, I tried US5 needles, and did a larger swatch because I thought I would get gauge. Nope. Five stitches per inch. I grumbled and complained and found my US4 needles. I only did a few rows with those before realizing that I did not like knitting dk weight yarn on US4 needles, nor did I like the resulting fabric. The nail in the coffin was discovering that I was stuck on 5 stitches per inch. I had to make a choice. I could either use this yarn for something else and choose new yarn for the cardigan, or I could try something new and modify the pattern for my gauge. I chose option two.



I'd be lying if I said I wasn't nervous. What if my math is wrong? What if I read the pattern wrong and I'm basing all of my math on the wrong measurements? I'm consoled by the fact that it's a top down sweater, so I don't have to finish it before realizing I've made an error, and the fact that the yarn I'm using is heaven to knit. I'm using Jo Sharp Silkroad DK Tweed in Granary. Wish me luck!

I haven't done much knitting today. Actually, I've yet to do any. I finally got the gumption to haul out my sewing machine and sew up a skirt I've had cut out for weeks.



I got this far and directions said to let the skirt hang overnight. Who am I to argue? It's a perfect excuse to get back to that cardigan!

Sweet Baby Knits

I finished sleeve number two on the Two Needle Baby Sweater (a.k.a: February Baby Sweater) by Elizabeth Zimmermann. I had the tiniest of hiccups when I started the body, but trusted the directions, and things are going swimmingly.

Oh, what am I thinking? That photo won't do! You can't see the aching cuteness of the sleeves!




There, that's better. I had a slight reservation about doing this sweater in cotton, but the pattern is showing up well, and this sweater should be perfect for spring and summer. I like this yarn (Sirdar Breeze), which is a cotton/acrylic blend. The blend is about the same as Cotton-Ease, but the Breeze is more tightly twisted. As with any cotton, it's a little hard on my hands, but not as bad as, say, Sugar 'n' Cream or its brethren.

As for the pattern, per usual, EZ uses clever construction in her quest against seams. This pattern is fun! The lace pattern is so easy to memorize, and the quick changes from yoke to sleeves to body keep things interesting. One thing I wish I had done, which EZ directs you to do in the Baby Surprise Jacket, is make buttonholes on both sides of the front. She says to do this with the BSJ so you can put buttons on the correct side when you learn the sex of the baby, but it has the added bonus of making it incredibly easy to match the buttons to the buttonholes. Speaking of buttons, I want to find something beyond cute for this sweater, possibly incorporating bunnies or flowers. Come to think of it, I did once see some very cute white buttons with characters from Peter Rabbit painted on them. I wonder where I saw them.





I anticipate finishing this project soon, which means that I won't be completing my goal of four quick projects in April, but also means that I'll be able to start Rusted Root!

All About Brown

I didn't really think about it when I placed the order, but when I opened my packet from WEBS, my newest obsession became apparent.

I think I'm developing a thing for brown. In my stash, I have a bag of Debbie Bliss Wool Cotton in deep brown, some cascade 220 in brown, and a whole cube of the brown spectrum. I need to start knitting some brown stuff! In a break from tradition, I not only bought this yarn with specific projects in mind, but I plan to make them soon, meaning there will be less chance that I'll change my mind and the yarn will languish. The tweed yarn is for the Puff-Sleeve Feminine Cardigan from Fitted Knits by Stefanie Japel, and the 220 Superwash is for a vest from the same book. The more I see finished objects from that book, the more I like all of the patterns, even the ones I thought I would never, ever make. I think the Puff Sleeve cardigan will be interesting in the tweed, since it's such a rustic looking yarn (the colorway is called Granary for heaven's sake), and the pattern is so overtly feminine. I can't wait! I'm trying to stay on task though and at least finish the February baby sweater before I start swatching.




I'm working on sleeve one right now. This is a fun project, but I'm always taken by surprise when I knit with cotton, how little I can knit before I have to take a break. I have a feeling that I won't be meeting my Quick-Fix goal of four projects in April (though hey, kinda... I finished CWT), but I'm okay with that. I still plan to make Rusted Root next. I will probably work on it at the same time as I do the Puff Sleeve Cardigan. I picked through my yarn basket yesterday, and discovered that I had balled up some sock yarn, too, so I'll need to find some patterns for those! I'm pretty sure I'm going to do Roza's Socks by Grumperina with some powder blue Lorna's Laces (fitting, since I won the yarn in a Jaywalker contest), but I'm not sure what to do with the STR yet.

In other news, my boyfriend went to California and brought back Victorian Lace Today! I have one word: WOW! Being a lace novice, I am a little intimidated by some of the projects, but adore 95% of the stuff in there. Will I make it all? Probably not, but it sure is nice to look at! I plan to start with one of the scarves and then move on to a shawl.

CWT, you PYT

For some reason, whenever I think of CWT, the song PYT starts playing inside my head. Fortunately, I really like that song, because I think this sweater will be in heavy rotation.

When we last left the sweater, I was working on the ruffle. I finished the ruffle somewhere around the 16th (I know this because of when I took the following picture), and was astonished enough by the ends hanging out that I was moved to take a picture.

Thankfully, I had already woven in the ends of the top portion. Otherwise, I may still be glaring hatefully at the sweater, rather than wearing it.

I spent the next day on all of the finishing while watching BTVS. Finishing tasks included attaching the top portion with gathers, basting the cinched waist to make sure I could get it over my head (I could), and staring disconsolately into the mirror at my ruffle which had become a tutu. Believing in the magic of blocking, I finished it anyway, and was rewarded!



I'm glad I added some length to the ruffle, though I only added about an inch or so. I also decreased the number of stitches for the ruffle by... one repeat? Two? I need to keep notes. I did a wet block, and am surprised to report that wet cashmere is just as stinky as wet wool. I guess I thought maybe it would be odorless, or carry the gentle scent of a rolling spring meadow, freshly mown. I laid the wet sweater out on a towel overnight, and moved the mostly dry sweater in the morning to a drying rack to finish the job. I didn't actually sew the side of the corset waist and ruffle until after blocking, because I wasn't sure if I would want to add a few more inches to the ruffle.


The tank top I'm wearing underneath it is bunching around my middle in this picture, but I'm so pleased at how well the ruffle lays. I kept petting myself all day, this sweater is so soft! I didn't think it would be possible, but it got even softer after a wash! I don't remember how much yarn I used, but I want to say it was almost 8 balls. I have some left over, and also a few balls of black, and I can't wait to find a project for it! To recap, I used Laines du Nord Royal Cashmere and US10 needles. The center portion was done on US6 needles, which made a very firm fabric. The pattern is from Vogue Knitting Spring/Summer 2006, and the original pattern was done in cotton. I might consider making another one of these in cotton, but I rarely knit the same thing twice (and if I do, I probably knit it three or four times!).

I started the February baby sweater from EZ's Knitter's Almanac, and have just reached the fun part! Reading the breezy directions have me feeling that maybe another spreadsheet is in order, but I'll try it without first.

So nice, I made 'em twice!

I woke up this morning, and upon realizing it was the 15th, and we are entering week three of April, I said to myself, "Self, it's time to get those Jaywalkers done already." And I did.

I hunkered down with some TV on DVD (Freaks and Geeks and BTVS, season 7), and got through the second sock in short order. All I had left was about another two inches and then the toe. Due to my supreme luck (I don't pretend it was skill, though I did try), the stripes on both socks match perfectly, and I didn't have to do any measuring at all. I just knit to the same number of stripes. Easy-peasy.



See what I mean? Every time I look at my feet, I pat myself on the back for these. I will have to keep them forever, because it will probably never happen again. To recap, these are the famous Jaywalkers by Grumperina. I have made these before using another striping yarn, but on these, I used a US2 for the leg and a US1 for the foot, which resulted in a supremely comfortable sock. I used AustermannStep in color #3. I love this yarn, though the aloe content makes it feel a little strange in the ball. Mrs. Cooper approves of this color.



I'm sure I'll be making more Jaywalkers. I can't imagine knitting self-striping yarn in stockinette ever again! I highly recommend this pattern.

Next up is the adorable February baby sweater from EZ's Knitter's Almanac. While I continue to work on the CWT, of course. I'm almost done with the ruffle (I'm finished according to the pattern, but I'm adding length), and then I just have to get it all sewn together!

Hooray for Progress!

So I got pretty far on my Jaywalker and then found myself staring wistfully at the Cinched Waist Top. After seeing the top on my dress form, I got excited about seeing this piece together, and had to pick up those stitches already! It's a nice break from the teeny needles I'm using for the sock (US10.5 for the ruffles!), and the cashmere is so incredibly soft, it's a joy to knit. I'm trying to give both projects equal needle time, but must confess that I've been working much more on the CWT, spurred on by the promise of the finish line. I'm almost to the point where the pattern has me stop the ruffle, but I'm going to add an extra inch or so. Of course, once I'm done there's an ungodly number of ends to weave in, and some fiddley finishing, so I predict more sock time and a start on a baby sweater before you see the CWT finished.

I definitely think I'll have some leftover yarn. Which is definitely okay! I have a few balls of this same yarn in black, and I could do with a luxurious scarf.

I'm pretty excited about wearing these puppies! The yarn feels awesome on my feet, and warm. Given the crummy weather we're having, I'll be wearing these socks until June. I did end up using US2 needles for the leg and US1 for the foot, and it made a huge difference! I have no problem at all with getting the leg over my heel, but the foot is nice and snug, just how I like it!




Despite the fact that it's snowing outside right now, my mind keeps wandering to spring knits. I have Rusted Root queued up, and have been checking out my cotton stash for possibilities. I hit the big WEBS online sale and ordered some Jo Sharp Silkroad DK to make the puffed sleeve cardigan out of Fitted Knits, and some Cascade 220 Superwash for a vest. The office I work in is always cold from late spring to early fall (until it turns into a furnace in the afternoon), so I will be needing a little something to put on to ward off the chill. Right now I have an ancient black cardigan and Cafe Bastille Cables hanging out there, but even though my office is cold, I don't think it warrants Lamb's Pride Bulky. [As an aside, finding that journal entry also dated when I made the Kool-Aid dyed yarn that I just now knit. It was three years ago. How times flies!] What projects are you daydreaming about?

Just a Little Lull

I haven't been blogging much lately, but I don't feel that once a week will be my new blogging schedule. I've been in a busy spell (unfortunately, not knitting-wise), but things are winding down.

Anyway, I told you that I'd take a picture of the top of the Cinched Waist Top, and I do deliver!

It looks a little strange like that, all short and rolled and not seamed. I toyed with attaching it to the corset waist before starting the ruffle, but decided against it. Why make things harder on myself? I started the ruffle the other night, getting through five rows. The pattern as written seems to make a rather short ruffle. My idea is, if the ruffle is a little longer, it will be more likely to hang down, instead of sticking out like a tutu. I'm also trying to make the ruffle a little more subdued by reducing the number of stitches I picked up by two repeats. Wish me luck! I don't think that yarn will be an issue. I only have the ruffle left, and I have at least two full balls of yarn left (I haven't checked the whole basket). I'm so glad now that I waited to make the ruffle last!

I turned the heel on my Jaywalker, and have started the foot. In a minor triumph, I tried and succeeded in matching up the stripes on both socks! Not only does this make my inner perfectionist happy, but also my inner sloth. I don't have to pull out my measuring tape at all for the second sock! I just have to work to the same stripe! No pictures yet, but I promise, next time.

Instant Gratification

You know how sometimes you want some pudding... or maybe some cake... and you don't want store bought but you also don't want to do all the measuring and melting and blah blah blah so you buy instant pudding or boxed cake just to satisfy that craving, even though you know they won't taste quite as good as your homemade, labor intensive concoctions?

That's how I feel about these mitts.

I waited patiently to work on the second mitt until yesterday, opening day of the Quick-Fix Knitalong. As luck would have it, I also had the Buffy complete boxed set (with extra special features dvd!) and a lot of time on my hands. I started the mitt in the morning with season 1, and ended it in the early afternoon with season 3 (I skipped around). The more I knit with this yarn, the more I actually liked it. I wouldn't choose it if I saw it in a yarn store, but the different shades of purple aren't that bad, and the blue adds a nice punch. I even got used to the aroma of grape Kool-Aid. To recap, I used Ann Budd's Knitter's Handy Book of Patterns for the pattern (I used the mitten pattern and lopped off the top, adding ribbing), and Kool-Aid dyed LB Fisherman's Wool with US3 needles.

After I finished the mitt, I waffled between picking up the ruffle for the Cinched Waist Pullover or starting Jaywalker #2, I decided I'd rather do ribbing in the round than pick up stitches. I got through a couple of inches of sock before I had to turn my attention to the newest addition to our family, Betsy.



Betsy is a Dumbo rat, known for their large, low-set ears. We thought that since new rats must be quarantined for two weeks (minimum) before joining established rats, we should get a pal for Eunice sooner rather than later, since she's so lonely. Isn't she adorable?

I didn't expect to finish my first quick project so, erm, quickly! I wondered if I'd have to abandon the pullover this month, but it doesn't look like I'll have to. I finished the top portion last week, but didn't take a picture. I'll get right on that!

Is This Thing On?

*Dusts off keyboard*
Sorry for the prolonged absence. I've waffled back and forth over whether I should bring up the reason for it, and finally decided that I should, just a little, because I talk about my pets so much. My white rat, Squirrel, became ill last week. She went to the vet almost every day, and seemed to be improving until Saturday, when she took a turn. She died on Sunday, laying in bed with me while I read a book and stroked her. We're planning to bring home a new friend for Eunice (who is so lonely) as soon as we find her, and I'm sure I'll post about it when we do, so I thought it would be best to just get it out there now.

Naturally, I didn't get much knitting done, but I did do a little, and my pace has been picking up the last few nights. I've been working exclusively on the Cinched Waist Top, and let me tell you, this top has earned it's three (out of four) star difficulty rating. Not because it's hard, per se, but it's fiddley, and every time I get to a new part in the pattern, my jaw drops open because it's nothing like I would have expected.
Surprise the first: I may need to use hooks and eyes for closure along the corset edge.
Surprise the second: You have to knit the front, back and sleeves in a specific order (I usually skip around), because they are joined and then seamed.
Surprise the third: The lovely raglan detail is from a new technique (to me)! A cabled decrease. Fun to work, and it sure is purty.

The rounds are long right now, so I only work maybe three or four a night, but I plan to hit it hard this weekend! Doesn't it look cute?



The sweater in the magazine is made with cotton, but I think my cashmere version will be perfect for spring. It pretty much stays chilly up here until August, when we get a heat wave, and then fall arrives. I'm toying with different ideas for the ruffle. Maybe making it less... ruffley... and a little flatter? It kind of depends on how much yarn I have left over, though I've gone through surprisingly little.

Seeing how this project is taking longer than I expected, I am so looking forward to Amy's new knitalong, starting in April, the Quick-Fix Knitalong! The idea is to break up the tedium of long projects with some short and sweet ones! It's a low pressure knitalong, you can do just one small project, if you like. I have an informal goal of completing a quick project once a week. This may include one week to knit my second Jaywalker, and one week to knit my second World's Ugliest Mitt.

Oh, I haven't yet shown you the WUM?



I don't even know how long ago I dyed this yarn, but I dyed it myself using Kool-Aid and Lion Brand Fisherman's Wool. If you haven't used Fisherman's Wool, please be advised that it is very scratchy. I suppose that it's just as well that I experimented with this wool, since I find this colorway so appalling, but it made it difficult to choose a project. I don't think I have enough for adult mittens, and I didn't want to be responsible for playground taunts by making kids' mittens. A hat was out of the question. So I finally (after years and years) settled on some mitts that I can bring into work and leave for when my hands get cold. It feels good to get this out of the stash! The last bit of yarn I have from the Kool-Aid experiment is a not too bad red/orange/yellow mishmash that I will probably make into mittens for my nephews.

Anyway, I'm pretty psyched for the Quick-Fix Knitalong! In addition to the sock and the mitt, I'm planning to make a February baby sweater from EZ's Knitter's Almanac, and Rusted Root. If I remember correctly, I finished Green Gable pretty quickly, so I'm pretty sure it can be done. I'll save it for last anyway, and have it to wear in May, when the air becomes more mild and I want my skin to soak up every drop of sun (through a layer of SPF, of course!)

Stuff: Finished and New

I finished my nephew's vest!

I love it! It's so soft, I love the color, and I know it will fit him (for a few months at least). To recap, I used The Knitter's Handy Book of Patterns by Ann Budd for the pattern, and Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran with US7 needles. I used about three and a half balls for the second smallest size. In the book, the vest pattern has a v-neck, and the sweater pattern has a crew. I prefer a crew neck, so I just followed the sweater pattern for the front, since the front and back of both patterns are identical.

I must confess that I started another sweater before I finished the vest, though. I had to! I had that cashhmere yarn sitting in my basket, taunting me. I'm not made of steel! Right now, it looks like a cashmere dishcloth, but it's going to grow up to be (I believe it's called) the Corset Waisted Pullover [EDIT: It's actually called the Cinched Waist Top!] from VogueKnitting Spring 2006. I couldn't find a photo of it, and I didn't think I'd need to take a photo of the magazine. I'll take one soon. The pattern calls for the waist to be knitted first, and then the bottom (which is a ruffle), and finally the top pieces. I'm going to knit the top pieces first, however, since I'm not sure exactly how much yarn I will use, and I would rather sacrifice length on the bottom than the top. So far I've used two full balls of yarn on the waist, and I believe I have less than ten inches to go. Thank goodness! The corset is knitted at a very tight gauge, which is hard on my hands. Once it's finished, the rest of the sweater will be a piece of cake!



See what I mean about the dishcloth? Plus, the fabric is very stiff, adding to the dishcloth vibe.

Lastly, for Pioggia, a picture of the rattie girls! Just because they are so freaking adorable and love yarn. Squirrel, as usual, refused to cooperate, but Rattie behinds are cute, too.



(In all fairness, I did wake them up for playtime when this photo was taken.)

The Gentle Sigh of Disappointment

So, remember how I said I was going to start the Lace Leaf Pullover when I finished my nephew's vest? Well, I'm almost finished with the vest, so I decided to swatch for the Pullover. Plus, my knitting basket was down to dregs, so it was time to fill it again.

(Sorry for the craptacular picture, I took it last night.) Despite the yarn label information on both yarns (the one I want to use and the one used in the pattern) being almost identical, I could not even come close to getting gauge for the Pullover without a fabric that looked like fishnet. So, I decided to find a fabric I like and then find a pattern to fit. I got a nice fabric at 16 stitches to four inches. I just spent over an hour going through back issues of Interweave Knits, Rebecca, some vintage books I have and a couple of leaflets, and I have come up dry. I really wanted to get started on my cashmere sweater this weekend, but that doesn't seem likely now. Sigh. I won't give up until I find the perfect pattern, though! I can't use this yarn on just anything, and I'm afraid if I let it sit too long, it'll become that part of the stash that never gets used because it's too good for everything. Leafing through my Interweaves made me wish that magazine sites gave readers the ability to search through the archives by gauge. It would take a lot less time.

As I said before, I am almost finished with my nephew's vest.



This morning, I picked up stitches for the armhole and did a ribbed edge for about an inch. Unfortunately, I picked up way too few stitches and had to rip it. Fortunately, the whole endeavor took only about a half an hour. I kind of felt like I hadn't picked up enough stitches, next time I'll listen to myself! I love this little vest. It's so soft and cuddley, and it's simple enough that he can wear it with most of his clothes. I only have maybe two hours worth of work left on this one. Maybe I can even finish it tonight!

I'm also still plugging away on Jaywalker number one.



This was the best picture of the sock, so please excuse the plain white socks in the background! When I finished the leg of this sock, I let it sit a couple of days before starting the heel. I'm so glad I did, because in the interim, I wore my first pair of Jaywalkers. Now, I adore my Jaywalkers. They hug my feet like none of my other socks, and never fall down or come off in my boots. I do have one beef with them, however, and it is this: the leg is so tight, I have a hard time getting my heel into the foot of the sock. Once my feet are in there, everything's great, but it's a tiny struggle to make it happen. On this pair, I switched to a US2 for the leg of the sock, but kept wondering how this new needle size would affect the fit on my feet. Then, I had a revelation. I am the boss of my knitting. I can do whatever I want. So I began the heel with a US1 needle, and have knit amost the entire foot on the new size. And you know what? The fit is awesome! I have no problem getting my foot into the sock, and once it hits the heel, it slides into place like a new ink catridge in an ink jet printer. I can practically feel the click. I can't wait until these are finished. I can tell already they will be in heavy rotation.

Wish me luck with finding the perfect pattern! If you happen to see anything for the right gauge, using about 820 yards of chunky weight yarn, perhaps calling for eyelets, give me a holler!

Mish Mash

No knitting pictures today. My Jaywalker is just a leg right now, and I'm only a couple of inches into the front of my nephew's vest. So, just some chatter today.

First of all, I am so excited about a pattern I found yesterday, I almost posted right off about it. It's Rusted Root by Zephyr Style. I have kind of this thing for puffed sleeves lately, and I almost fell off my chair from the adorable-ness of this top. I bought the pattern immediately, and as soon as I got home I raided the stash for appropriate yarn. I'm just shy of the yardage requirements with most of my cotton yarns, but I do have enough Cotton Ease in black, red, bright pink, bright yellow and pale yellow. I also have enough in two colors of Lamb's Pride Cotton Fleece, but there are two problems with that. One, I bought that yarn specifically to make Sherwood for my nephews. Two, and this might seem contrary to number one, I've found that Cotton Fleece does not wear well. I have a ChicKami (love this pattern) I made with CF, and it's so pilly and fuzzy, I hardly ever wear it (I certainly never wear it out). True, I wash it in the machine and air dry, but I do that with a lot of my knitted garments, and none of them look like that. My reasoning for using CF in the boys' sweaters anyway is that they will not wear these garments as long as I would. They'll get one season wear out of them, and that's it. Since I want to make Rusted Root soon, I'll probably use Cotton Ease (which incidentally, I have never seen pilling).

My other exciting news is rather old. On Valentine's Day, there was a gigantic snowstorm here, and I had the day off from work. My boyfriend and I decided to take advantage of the storm and see a movie. The theater is by this crappy strip mall, which includes a craft store which is going out of business. I had been to this store once before, but was unimpressed with their yarn selection, and never went back. But who can resist a going out of business sale, right? I was dumbstruck when I turned down an aisle away from the acrylic and discovered 100% cashmere yarn AND Debbie Bliss Pure Silk for 40% off! So I have enough cream colored cashmere and pink silk for sweaters. After a meeting with my consultant, I decided on the Lace Leaf Pullover from Interweave for the cashmere (if I can get gauge). I pulled the pattern out the other day, and am just waiting to finish the vest before swatching (you've gotta have goals). Now I just need to find something perfect for the silk.

Well, if you've made it through all of that, you totally deserve a picture. Perhaps something... adorable?

And also a perfect illustration of bad bunnies. She chewed through those laces eventually!


PS: I got my Interweave yesterday! Yippee!!!

Thinking about Getting a Rabbit?

Please, allow me to talk you out of it. I try not to get up on soapboxes here at Swatch This!, it is, after all, my knitting blog, and I have plenty to say about knitting already. Easter is coming, though, and that happens to be a time when bunnies are bought by the hundreds to add a little cuteness to the Easter festivities. Then, about a month later, hundreds of rabbits are discarded when people discover that a rabbit is not the pet they anticipated.

If you’ve been reading my blog, you probably know that I have two rabbits, Mrs. Cooper and Baxter Brown. I do not purport to be an expert on rabbits, but I have done a lot of research about them. I’ve also had rabbits in the past.

The first thing you should probably know, if you’re planning to bring a rabbit into your home, is that they are destructive creatures. Rabbits love to chew, and see no distinction between the cute little chew toy you bought for them, and your wooden furniture. They eat power cords (which is not only annoying, but hazardous), carpeting, clothes, shoes, paper… anything they can get their little bunny teeth around. Add to that the digging most rabbits like to do, and a lax owner can quickly have a ruined home. I feel fortunate that my rabbits aren’t that destructive. Cooper likes cords, which means we keep them out of her way. Both rabbits like to dig at carpeted corners, which means we make them inaccessible. It’s entirely up to us whether or not our rabbits destroy our home, it is not the rabbit’s fault if we fail to bunny-proof.

Rabbits are expensive. Sure, you can get a bunny for twenty bucks at the pet store, but don’t expect to buy a suitable cage at that store, and keep in mind that you can’t buy everything your rabbit needs at that one store. One of my rabbits, Mrs. Cooper, is too large for a cage (the recommended size for a rabbit cage is five times the size of the rabbit). Baxter Brown has a cage which we built for him using NIC blocks (the cage is HUGE and cost only about $40, plus time). They eat a ten pound bag of bunny pellets (timothy based, because they’re both adult rabbits) every two weeks. That’s $15 per bag, not including fuel for the twenty miles I have to drive to buy the pellets. They each eat about a bag of hay each week, which is cheap, $5 a bag, per rabbit, but I had to try a few varieties before I found a timothy hay they would eat. And then the expensive food: greens. Most diets recommend 1-2 cups of greens per five pounds of rabbit per day. My rabbits eat a bag of prepared salad greens per day and a half. Those are about $3.50 per bag. Sometimes I buy a head of romaine, which lasts a couple of days. I spend about $20-25 a week on greens and vegetables for the rabbits, which is an essential part of my rabbits’ diets. So, that’s about $150 a month on food.

Both of my rabbits are litter boxed trained (very easy to do with rabbits, especially older, altered ones), and I quickly learned that unless I wanted to change litter boxes every day, I would need to find a litter. Pine shavings are widely used in pet stores, but are actually bad for rabbits. I use CareFresh, which is made of recycled cardboard. It’s safe for the rabbits to eat, it’s soft, they love digging at it, and it absorbs odor like nobody’s business. It’s also between twenty and thirty dollars for a large package, which lasts about a week and a half, or two weeks. Also keep in mind that no matter how well trained your bunny is, you will find occasional rabbit poops around your house. Rabbits are poop machines, which is awesome if you have a compost heap. If you don’t, I’d get a good vacuum cleaner. Rabbits are not for people who like an immaculate house! Between the poops and the paper shredding and the hay strewing, your house will never be the same again.

Back to money, let’s talk veterinarians. You will need to become close with yours. Rabbits are extremely good at hiding illness, and usually, if your rabbit starts to show serious signs of being ill, it’s too late. They are fragile creatures, capable of literally being frightened to death, and something that might seem inconsequential (like noticing your rabbit hasn’t eaten since yesterday) is actually life threatening. A rabbit’s digestive system is so delicate, if anything throws it off balance even the slightest bit, they can develop serious problems. In a rabbit, a sneeze necessitates a trip to the vet. Our rabbits have gone to the vet so often (for sneezes and fighting wounds, not to mention nail clippings), the staff know them on sight. It’s also very important to make sure that there is a veterinarian in your area who can handle rabbits. Rabbits are not like other animals, and you should make sure your vet has experience with them. I am so lucky to have a clinic nearby with two rabbit experts on staff.

Finally, and perhaps the hardest for people to come to terms with about their rabbit, rabbits are not cuddly little lap animals. Rabbits do not like being picked up or held. They are prey animals, and prefer to have their feet firmly on the ground. They enjoy human interaction, as long as the human plays with them on their level. My rabbits are good with children, but would never tolerate rough play, and I would never let a child pick up my rabbits. Rabbits must be supported and picked up gently. A rabbit’s muscles are more powerful than its bones, and a rabbit can break its back by struggling to get away from being held. Please also keep in mind that rabbits are not short term pets! They can live anywhere from five to fifteen years. I had a rabbit who was ten years old. Please do not get a rabbit if you can not commit to their care.

Which naturally brings us to adoption. Maybe you’ve read this and still want a rabbit! They are undeniably adorable and interesting, and if you’re crazy like me, maybe you even enjoy cleaning out litter boxes and picking out vegetables for them to try. My rabbits make me laugh every day, and one of my greatest pleasures is watching them run and binky every night. If you still have your heart set on having one of your own, please adopt one from your local shelter. Not only will you be helping out a homeless rabbit, but you will get a rabbit who has already been fixed! Neutered and spayed rabbits are easier to train, less aggressive, and spayed rabbits have a decreased chance for female cancers. Older rabbits are also great pets because they are more mellow, less destructive, and again, more trainable. I would also encourage you to research breeds a little before adopting, since some breeds have a reputation for being more hyper or needing more space or exercise time than other breeds (of course, personalities will vary).

Try to think of a rabbit as more like a cat or dog. Many people get a rabbit instead of a cat or dog, because they think a rabbit is less responsibility. Aside from the fact that with all pets come responsibility, a rabbit especially is a lot of effort and care. They have to be brushed (very often for a long haired rabbit) because they can neither digest nor throw up the hair they ingest. Their nails need to be trimmed on a regular basis. They need to be watched while they run around free in non-bunny-proofed areas, lest they find something attractive to chew. They need unlimited hay, a careful diet, and their input and output carefully monitored (I start my day by checking each rabbit's litter box for evidence of illness). I have tried to be as factual as possible here, but of course there are always more points of view, and more information (this is already incredibly long!). I highly recommend reading The House Rabbit Handbook, and Rabbit Health in the 21st Century: A Guide for Bunny Parents before bringing a rabbit home.

And most importantly, please remember, a pet rabbit is not a wild animal! They may look like their wild brethren, but the rabbits at pet stores and shelters are no more wild than your neighbor’s cat. Setting a rabbit “free” is cruel and will certainly result in a terrible death for the rabbit. There is no shame in taking an animal you can no longer care for to a shelter.

Taking down the soap box now! Oh! And there’s one more thing you need to know about rabbits and Easter. It’s when we celebrate Mrs. Cooper’s birthday! She was born in April, so it just seems right. Please consider carefully whether a rabbit is right for your home. If you decide to get a rabbit or a different pet, please visit your local shelter first. Chances are good you'll find your next best friend waiting for you.

Simple Things

I finished the back of my nephew's vest. It went by pretty quickly, considering that I haven't had much time to knit lately. But you know, that's what's so great about kids' stuff.

I think when I refill my basket, I'll put in the yarn I bought to make Sherwood for my older nephew. If I wait until he gets much bigger, I won't have enough yarn!

After I finished the back of the vest, I felt like doing something different. The stockinette had gotten me through a rough week, but I needed a little something with some kick (just a little). So, I cast on for another pair of Jaywalkers.



I really like this yarn! It's Austermann Step, and it has aloe in it. The yarn in the ball feels a little strange. Not bad, just different. Knit up, it's very soft, with excellent stitch definition. When I bought it, I didn't realize it was self-striping. I don't usually like striping yarn, it's just not my thing, but I love it in the Jaywalker pattern! I wonder if I have any other striping yarns in the stash somewhere....

In other news, I'm slightly aggravated with Interweave Knits right now. I renewed my subscription (late, I admit) on January 14. My confirmation email said the Spring issue would be mailed on February 22. I still have not received the flipping magazine. I wrote them an email asking if it had been sent, because I don't know how much longer I can hold out before I just buy it on the newsstand! I'm dying over here!