After about a million abortive starts, I finished one of the Newborn Set booties yesterday, and I finished the second today. It’s hard to believe actual human feet could ever fit in these.
I feel a little guilty starting a new project before finishing all my other projects, but I’m so excited about the new baby! Mmmmm… that new baby smell….
Because it’s “Stitch or Cut Floss” March, I called up one of my BFF’s from high school yesterday because we hadn’t talked for a while and she had been trying to get in touch with me. Well, I found out why she was trying to get in touch with me–she’s
expecting a baby in mid-April! For a variety of reasons–they were
waiting until the second trimester to tell people, I had fallen off the
face of the earth for a few months–I am just finding out now.
I’ve decided to set aside all my guilt feelings for now and concentrate on the important issue: what will I make for the new baby? I’ve chosen this vintage-looking booties and hat kit from Suss Knits in part because it seems like HS BFF’s style and also because I actually wrote the pattern for Suss, so I should be able to proof it as I knit along.
See photo at right (pardon the blurry imaging). Isn’t it darling? (and I use that word advisedly…). It’s certainly pom-pomrific. And there ain’t nothin’ wrong with that.
High School BFF is going with neutral tones for the baby room and she informs me that the walls of the baby’s room are cream-colored. In my imagination, they match the vanilla/whipped cream color of this yarn (Suss Love) exactly. Way to go, BFF (and Hubby)!
So, I’ve been looking for a new job lately, which involves a lot of web-surfing of job sites, as well as a lot of web-surfing of sites completely unrelated to the job search by way of distracting myself. Some of my random searching takes me to that ultimate “feel good while wasting time” site, freerice.com. There is, of course, the endlessly funny televisionwithoutpity.com. And that doesn’t even count the time spent on yarn and needlework sites!
I was checking out Craigslist the other day (no, not for that!) and I got an idea, an evil idea (no, not that!). I posted a notice on the “Wanted” section asking for someone to give me a knitting machine–and someone did! I am now the proud owner of an ancient but functional Brother KH 820.
I had always heard that the learning curve on knitting machines was rather steep, and that’s not an urban myth. After about five hours, I had managed only to set up the machine and then I tried to cast on about a billion times with no luck. Here’s my best attempt:
{Sorry! this photo’s link was permanently lost
in the transfer from Typepad to WordPress}
Here, I’ve wrapped each stitch individually by hand (following the instructions very closely) and it still didn’t work! #@*&%!!
Still, this does go to show you that there are some kind-hearted people out there in the internet, which, as Ted Stevens reminds us, is not just a big truck, it’s a series of tubes. I like to think that connecting people with obscure needs with people who can satisfy those needs (no, not that!) is one of the greatest benefits of the internet. Stay tuned for more knitting machine adventures.
These were my monthly goals as of March 1st:
1. “Everything Bag” from Suss Cousins, Hollywood Knits Style (k)
2. “Breast Cancer Ribbin’ Scarf,” my design (k)
3. “Granny Square Scarf” by Suss Cousins, navy (k & c)
4. “Granny Square Scarf” by Suss Cousins, claret (k & c)
5. “Cardigan for Arwen” by Kate Gilbert in Interweave Knits, Winter 2006 (k)
6. Aran Sweater for SIL, from Ann Budd’s amazing Knitter’s Handy Book of Patterns (k)
7. “Ewe & Eye Needlecase” by Heart’s Content (xs)
8. “Corinthian Ribbed Blanket,” my “design” (a simple ribbed blanket) (k)
9. “Drizzle” by Anna Tillman for Rowan 38 (k)
10. “Ballerina Top” from Zoe Mellor, Adorable Knits for Tots (k)
11. “Aran Wrap,” my design (k)
12. “Felted Sashiko Chessboard Cover,” my design (k)
It’s a week later and here’s what I’ve finished:
No, this wasn’t on the list. Frankly, I forgot about it until it was time for SnB today and I needed a crochet project. Did you know that it’s National Crochet Month? The fabulous Ellen Bloom was there giving out crochet tips and tricks. She is definitely the expert! I learned, among other things, the “half-hitch double crochet” (OK, I may not have gotten the name right but it’s basically a technique to avoid that little gap/hole in between double crochet stitches).
Unfortunately, I’ve discovered other projects to add to my list. Here goes:
13. Jord (that’s the name of the yarn) handbag, my design (k)
14. Chair cushion cover, from Suss Home Knits (k)
15. Blue Basketweave scarf from Vogue Scarves book (k)
If they weren’t all so close to being done, I’d really despair.
Here is a more detailed explanation of what needs to be done with each of the projects in my "March Goals" list:
1. "Everything Bag" from Suss Cousins, Hollywood Knits Style (k): lining needs to be cut out, sewn and attached to inside of bag, including the two pockets; button and closure needs to be attached; handles need to be attached
2. "Breast Cancer Ribbin’ Scarf," my design (k): the two halves of the ribbed portion need to be Kitchenered together–yick!
3. "Granny Square Scarf" by Suss Cousins, navy (k & c): the ends need to be woven in, and the knitted, ribbed portion needs to be sewn to the two granny squares on the ends
4. "Granny Square Scarf" by Suss Cousins, claret (k & c): the ends needs to be woven in; the ribbed portion of the scarf needs to be finished; and the ribbed portion needs to be sewn to the two granny squares on the ends
5. "Cardigan for Arwen" by Kate Gilbert in Interweave Knits, Winter 2006 (k): ends need to be woven in and one sleeve needs to be attached
6. Aran Sweater for SIL, from Ann Budd’s amazing book (k): shoulder and sleeve seams need to be sewn together; sleeves need to be attached; cabled funnel collar needs to be knitted
7. "Ewe & Eye Needlecase" by Heart’s Content (xs): sheep is about halfway done, and none of the needlecase has been assembled together, see earlier entry here
8. "Corinthian Ribbed Blanket," my "design" (a simple ribbed blanket) (k): one last skein of yarn needs to be knitted up; single crochet edging needs to be worked; and tassels attached
9. "Drizzle" by Anna Tillman for Rowan 38 (k): ends need to be woven in; decorative buttons need to be sewn on
10. "Ballerina Top" from Zoe Mellor, Adorable Knits for Tots (k): needs to be blocked, sewn together, and crochet edging needs to be added; I also want to add some embroidered flowers
11. "Aran Wrap," my design (k): the actual knitting is about halfway completed, and then I need to add crochet edging and tie
12. "Felted Sashiko Chessboard Cover," my design (k): knitting is about three-quarters completed; then needs to be felted, sewn together and decorative embroidery added
Well, that should keep me off the streets for a while! The most time-consuming item is, of course, the sheep needlecase–as God is my witness, I’ll never work a 40-count one-over-one design again!!
I am officially declaring March 2008 to be my “stitch or cut floss” month (doesn’t that sound much nicer than “_____ or get off the pot” month?). But what does that mean, Kate?
I’m glad you asked, gentle reader. “Stitch or cut floss” means that I will, come hell or high water, finish all my UFOs by the end of the month. I will start April 2008 UFO-free!
In no particular order, these are the projects that I need to finish–“k” indicates a knitting project, “c” indicates crochet, and “xs” indicates cross stitch, of course. Here we go:
1. “Everything Bag” from Suss Cousins, Hollywood Knits Style (k)
2. “Breast Cancer Ribbin’ Scarf,” my design (k)
3. “Granny Square Scarf” by Suss Cousins, navy (k & c)
4. “Granny Square Scarf” by Suss Cousins, claret (k & c)
5. “Cardigan for Arwen” by Kate Gilbert in Interweave Knits, Winter 2006 (k)
6. Aran Sweater for SIL, from Ann Budd’s amazing Knitter’s Handy Book of Patterns (k)
7. “Ewe & Eye Needlecase” by Heart’s Content (xs)
8. “Corinthian Ribbed Blanket,” my “design” (a simple ribbed blanket) (k)
9. “Drizzle” by Anna Tillman for Rowan 38 (k)
10. “Ballerina Top” from Zoe Mellor, Adorable Knits for Tots (k)
11. “Aran Wrap,” my design (k)
12. “Felted Sashiko Chessboard Cover,” my design (k)
Since I finished all those old cross stitch projects, I’ve been trying not to start a new one until I finish the Heart’s Content Needlecase, so that explains the huge discrepancy in the ratio of knitted to stitched projects. I promise to “correct” that in the future. Tomorrow, I’ll fill you all in on how pathetically close I am to finishing all of these. Sigh.
Lately, I’ve been really intrigued by the idea of braiding. I was trying to think of some new ways to finish a cross stitch project with braided cord, or how to use braids in a needlework pattern (as in Moss Creek’s “Julbock Christmas Pocket” from the 2004 Just Cross Stitch Christmas ornament issue).
Then it struck me–knit a braided scarf! And I’ll name it after Rapunzel, she of the fabled long blonde braid! Silly me, I thought I was the first to think of this name, but it turns out that Anthropologie beat me to it by a couple years–here is a blogger with her own take on the Anthropologie version. Doesn’t this look like a great way to use up some of your stash?
However, from the beginning, I was thinking of braided I-cords rather than strands of yarn, and you can see the (unfortunately shaded) close-up of my version to the right. I thought a nice, neutral ivory would look nice and classic, and maybe even a little blonde. I also chose to up the difficulty factor a bit with four strands instead of the usual three.
To top it off, I added big tassels at the ends (see image at left). At 96″ long, you’ll certainly be able to wrap it around your neck a few times, so even though it’s quite skinny, you’ll still stay warm. Of course, you can make it as long or as short as you want.
For the free pattern, click here (or follow the “Free Pattern” link under the banner above). And please send me any comments or suggestions.
The crocheted Woven Stitch Table Runner pattern is up! Check out the “Free Patterns” link above. I actually finished the table runner a few months ago, but it sat around in my FUFO pile waiting for the pattern to be written up. This is a really simple pattern but I love the way it turned out so much that I wanted to share it with everyone. The yarn has a really beautiful sheen and the shells and wooden beads in the trim makes the runner, in my humble opinion, both elegant and casual. I could imagine this runner with a fancy table setting or out on a picnic table near the beach.
Obviously, you can make the runner any size you wish depending on the size of your table and the surface area you’re trying to cover. You can figure out how much yarn you’ll need by multiplying the width by the length and comparing that result with the surface area (width X length–in this case, 9″ X 60″ = 540 square inches) covered by my pattern. If the surface area of the runner you want to make is, for example, 432 square inches or 80% of my pattern, then you will need approximately 80% of the yarn I have called for in my pattern.
The trim is sewn on with needle and thread after the runner is crocheted, and instructions are provided in the pattern here. To the right, you can see a photo with the back of the runner showing so you can see how the trim is attached. Obviously, there are a lot of different trims out there so the possibilities for your decor choices should be endless.
So, in my report yesterday I forgot to mention one of my favorite booths, Tootsie P Yarns. Check out all these amazing packs of novelty yarns on the left. I think I’m in love.
Tootsie P is based in Long Beach (a beach city about 20 miles south of downtown Los Angeles) where she sells kits and custom designs that combine a variety of yarns within each piece of clothing. The color combos are very vibrant, which I love, and there’s a lot of variety of color ranges–warm and cool colors, metallics, mattes, earthtones and neutrals, brights and neons, dark and light colors, pastels, and everything in between. You would really have to try hard not to find an appealing color palette.
Here’s a side view of some of the same containers. The yarn brands represented include 
Trendsetter, Colinette, Bollicine, Cascade, Filatura di Crosa, Prism and Habu (mmmmmmmm….. Habu…..). Sorry, got sidetracked there for a moment. Bonus points for anyone who can identify the individual yarns in the photos!
Each of these packages contains a Tootsie P pattern and enough yarn to make one of these loose-fitting cardigan tops:
Tootsie P calls her designs and hand-knit clothes and accessories “wearware.” She was gracious enough to talk to me for a while when I mentioned that I was something of an aspiring designer myself. I get the feeling that she’s in the process of starting out, so let’s all support her. Need any novelty yarn? Want to make yourself or a friend something truly one-of-a-kind?
The Pasadena Bead and Design Show is quite a visual feast. I know that’s a cliche, so you’ll have to pardon me just this once. But, as you know, cliches often arise from a certain kind of truth, so I’m sticking to my metaphor, especially since, like a feast, the Show gave me too much to digest and left me staggering home in a dazed stupor.
There were at least one hundred exhibitors with the most amazing beads made of every conceivable material and in every possible shape. Many of the booths featured hand-made jewelry and other kinds of wearable art, as well as all the fixings for making your own beaded items. I didn’t attend any of the classes, but the offerings looked intriguing and I saw some amazing handmade items being worn by exhibitor and attendees alike.
My favorite jewelry and bead exhibitors included: Dancing Turtle Studios (Asian enamel designs), Casalinda Studio (simple, elegant jewelry based on designs inspired by nature), Taina Hartman Studio (alas, no web site), and Imagine Unlimited (beautiful hairsticks similar to Mei Fa, but half as expensive).
My favorite fiber artists included: Pluckings (the fashions are a little over-the-top for me, but really fun, and I support anyone who can make a living with handmade knitted and crocheted items), Stella Page Design, Material Things (OK, the last two are not technically fiber artists, but beautiful accessories), Shibori Girl (amazing hand-dyed scarves), and Kyoto Kimono (they sell new and vintage kimonos and accessories, and, more important for us crafters, they rescue beautiful fabric scraps from vintage kimonos that can be used for quilting, sewing, backing a cross stitch project… the list is endless).
I love the latest trends towards Asian design in fiber arts; the colors, natural themes, and elegance of the lines are simply sublime. I’m currently working on an sashiko-inspired needlework design of my own. More to follow. Soon, I hope.
The Lyf So Short 