Molly Waffles Knits

5k

2009-06-04T13:39:00.003-04:00

It's official, I'm registered to run in the Eden Family 5k in July.

Deliciousness.

2009-04-19T12:24:00.003-04:00

Friday, I went here...And came home with these...

Clockwise from top:
mocha delight, cinnamon roll, what's up doc, your peanut butter's on my chocolate

I had a cafe au lait cupcake a couple weeks ago, when someone brought them in to the school where I am interning, and I have been wanting to go to the sugar + sunshine bakery ever since. It's a good thing I don't work in Plainsboro anymore.

Time for an update

2009-03-29T18:18:00.005-04:00

It's been a while since I have posted...

I have finished my asymmetrical cardigan:
I'm pretty happy with how it turned out, and have received many compliments on it. After wearing it once, where the buttons were sewn on got stretched out a little, so I moved them over another 2" or so toward the side, and it seems to be working out better.

I also finished the Hemlock Ring Throw for my friend's wedding, which was last weekend:
I had 4 blocking mats that I received as a set for Christmas, but someone seemed to think I would not need all 4 and I think he used one of them to lay on while he changed his car's oil outside...so I now have 3 blocking mats. Luckily, I'm not anticipating making another blanket that will require blocking anytime soon. It was a fun project, and I used all but ~30g of the 7th skein of the Cascade 220 Superwash. So close to 1500 yards! It's about 62" in diameter. It was still somewhat wavy after blocking, but I think that's ok.

I did a modified 3 row bind off, with only 3 stitches in each yarn over, instead of the 5 called for in the pattern. This used less yarn, and seemed to be much less time consuming than the original bind off.

I also recently started a garter yoke cardigan with 7 balls of plymouth tweed yarn. I finally tracked down the Knit.1 magazine in early February, which has the pattern in it. I bought the yarn around then too, but the blanket took priority for the past couple weeks.

mine:
(I've actually since knitted down to the waist shaping, but haven't taken a more recent picture)

from knitting school dropout's blog:

The pattern is really well written. And I like the Plymouth Tweed, but one of my skeins had FIVE knotty joins in it. that's right, 5. When there are only 109 yards per ball, I expect FAR fewer knots. A little disappointed about that.

I started and restarted my Cotton Bamboo Smock top (Classic Elite pattern - Ravelry link here) using Cotton Bamboo in Toasted Almond.

mine:

It calls for US 3 and 5. I got gauge, but after knitting about 9" of the stockinette body on US5, it appeared to be stretching out a bit. So I ripped back to the bottom and restarted the stockinette with US4. And to make sure it's not too big, I'm doing the cabled part with US2 instead of US3.

from Classic Elite:

Then.... from Flying Fingers Warehouse Wednesday a couple weeks ago, I picked up 5 - 200 yd skeins of Farmhouse Yarns Silk Spun Cotton yarn in grey (for only $2.50/each!!). It's a tweedy looking 60% cotton, 32% wool, 8% silk worsted yarn. I'm debating using it to make a Sunrise Circle Jacket (and the ravelry link here)
I think it would work out to be a good substitute... the gauge is 5st/in on US 8, so I could probably get the called for 18st/4in with US9. I found a list of common substitutes here and people have used things like Rowan Summer Tweed which is a silk/cotton blend.

This will be on the back burner since I want to finish some other more summer-y projects (and the garter yoke cardigan) and hopefully won't be needing long sleeved sweaters too much in a couple weeks.

from Interweave Knits:

Meanwhile, I've been busy with my internship & grad assistantship & looking for a job for the fall. There seems to be a decent number of positions in the area, and the school budget vote hasn't even happened yet, so I'm hoping more become available in the next month. Not too many of my classmates are looking in this immediate area, so I'm optimistic about it. Wish me luck!

More Etsy

2009-02-21T09:12:00.003-05:00

My green/blue felted clutch was featured in a treasury on Etsy!

Etsy Front Page 2/9/09 slidesideways

2009-02-11T22:28:00.001-05:00

Etsy Front Page 2/9/09 slidesideways
Originally uploaded by Etsy Front Pagers

Just found out my little tan flower pin was featured on the FRONT PAGE of Etsy the other night! That explains all the views it had, and the reason it sold the other night. I'm very excited to have something featured on the front page for the first time :-)

ugh!

2009-02-07T19:35:00.006-05:00

...thought i was doing well with my Alpaca DROPS turtleneck sweater... I got down to 2" before the end of the sleeve and came to the sad realization that I will probably have to re-do it. I have a little pouchy thing in the armpit from maybe picking up too many stitches under the arm. (See below).It may not be totally noticeable if you're not looking for it, but it will bother me, and I might as well do this right. So I will try the other arm differently to see if I can get rid of that before I rip this arm out. I had hopes of wearing the sweater on Monday or Tuesday before we left for Florida, but it will have to wait til mid-February now. Oh well!

In other news, I realized I was sent the wrong color from Fabulousyarn - for my Plymouth Homestead. So I brought it to their attention and they sent me the correct color (the darker one) and a prepaid label to return the lighter color. I'm a little bit torn now though, I hope the darker color isn't too dark to show off some of the cables on the assymetrical cardi, but I don't want to be annoying and send back the yarn I made a stink about to begin with. I think I like the darker color better anyway...

Airplane Knitting

2009-02-01T11:41:00.006-05:00

We're going to Florida to visit my in-laws (it's weird to say that) Feb 10th - 15th.

I haven't yet decided what knitting project to bring with me!

I have a problem in that several of my current works-in-progress are not the most portable. Or they might take up my entire carry-on. For example my Hemlock Ring throw:

I have used 3 full skeins of Cascade 220 Superwash so far (4 more to go). I'm up to round 103 on the chart I think, so it's getting kind of big. Last time I measured I estimated I had over a 3' diameter, but I've done probably 10+ rows since that point. So anyway, that option is out.

My other project is the Alpaca DROPS pattern with the turtleneck, I only have the sleeves left, as I mentioned recently - and I'm hoping to finish those before we leave.

The Somewhat Cowl just needs the neck sewn on, so that's not enough to be worth bringing with me.

Another option:

I wanted to knit a little something for one of my friends whose birthday is coming up and I decided on a scarf. So I went to Pins and Needles the other day, and found this Blue Sky Alpacas Alpaca Sport on sale for 25% off! (Despite the name, it's DK weight).I would have liked to have used the BSA Suri Merino I have previously mentioned, but can't really swing $32 for the 2 skeins I'd need for a scarf at the moment. So I was happy to find this stuff, which is almost as soft and it ended up coming to ~$12 for the 2 skeins (and then I had a $20 off coupon, which made those 2 skeins and a set of needles practically free!) Anyway, I think I decided on this pattern, the Diagonal Lace Scarf by Helena Frank.

People on Ravelry seem to think this scarf can really roll though, so I might try a different edging, like the one on my Prismatic Scarf, where there's a knitted-in I-cord edging to prevent rolling instead of the garter stitch shown.

My only reservation is that her birthday is while we will be away, and I would have liked to give it to her before we leave, but I'll just have to give it to her a few days late when we get back.

This will definitely be portable, but I'm concerned I will finish it too fast and have nothing to knit on our way back Sunday night.

So, here's a project that wouldn't be tooo too big.
I came across this DROPS pattern the other day and I like it, "111-7 Drops jacket with raglan in silke-alpaca"

I was thinking since my second Anthro-inspired capelet has been sitting in a basket for approximately the last year (largely due to the fact that I knit past the bust and forgot to put any button holes along the way) - Maybe I could rip it out (It's Knit picks Shine Worsted in Black) and turn it into the DROPS pattern. Looks like I have enough yardage, I already know the gauge of the yarn, and it's seamless. I know wearable-items aren't necessarily the best for travel knitting, but I don't have any other scarves I need to make, and all the other items on my to-do list are larger.

Anyway, I think that's my plan for now.

Next up...

2009-01-29T21:35:00.005-05:00

So, I have found a new project for my Plymouth Homestead yarn I bought a month and a half ago...The Assymetrical Cabled Cardi (ravelry link)
Here's a pic from the author's blog if you don't feel like opening the link to the pattern.

And here's another, from Ravelry user CelticCastOn. I think it turned out really well:
The only thing is, I'm trying to decide if I want the bulk of it to be reverse stockinette, as written, or stockinette. I'm not usually a huge fan of the purl-side of things, as I think it usually makes garments and myself look bulkier. Any thoughts?? Maybe I'll knit up a swatch and see if it helps make up my mind.

I'm really proud of myself for finding a yarn I already have that I can use for this project instead of buying something new.

Even though I was tempted to buy something super nice like Blue Sky Suri Merino which I am still in love with after knitting the textured shawl with it... but I'd need like 5 skeins of it... x $16 = way too much when I'm at an unpaid internship and a low paying hourly grad assistantship for 5 more months. I'll have to wait til I get a real job...

In other news,
Here's the DROPS sweater, I bound off the bottom. Now for the sleeves.And I've done all but tack down the collar on my Somewhat Cowl:

My other projects

2009-01-20T13:07:00.002-05:00

Here's my Drops turtleneck sweater in Berroco Ultra Alpaca Light, color is buckwheat. I'm nearly to the bottom of the sweater, I have a little over 3" of ribbing at the bottom, and plan to do about 4.
Here's the picture from the Drops Website, picture should be linked to the pattern on the Garnstudio website.
Instead of making it in separate pieces as the pattern called for, I'm doing top-down, seamless. I started with the turtleneck, then placed markers for the sleeves and did raglan shaping, eventually put the sleeve stitches on scrap yarn, then continued knitting the body. I'm not making it quite as long as shown in the picture. I'm trying to take decent notes as I knit it, maybe I will post them on here when I am finished if they are coherent enough.

I put my Somewhat Cowl aside to work on this - since the Somewhat Cowl will end up with short or 3/4 sleeves and will be a warmer-weather top. I want to get this Drops sweater done in time to wear it a few times this winter before it warms up.

My other recent project I've finished was the Textured Shawl courtsey of Ravelry user Orlane's Textured Shawl Recipe. I made this with 2 skeins of Blue Sky Alpacas Suri Merino in dusk. Which was a fantastic yarn to knit with. In the 328 yards I knit with, there were NO knots, no weird lumpy joins. It was such a soft yarn to knit with. I'd love to make something else with this yarn in the future, but the yarn is a bit on the pricey side (but worth it!) and that will have to wait until I am out of grad school and have a real job (and income). I plan to wear the shawl to my friend's March wedding. Here's a picture of it blocking, sort of. I've only steamed it so far. I need to do a better job with the blocking and maybe get myself a nice little spray bottle.

Drops Jacket

2009-01-19T23:45:00.002-05:00

Ta Da! - Here it is. My Drops Jacket, finally finished. I sewed on the last four buttons tonight. I think if I were to do it again, I'd do a couple fewer button holes, but I'm very happy with it. It fits great, and it's so warm. I think I'll wear it tomorrow...

A Nice Bag featured in Etsy Treasury!

2009-01-03T13:48:00.005-05:00

Check it out, my felted bowls were featured on this Etsy Knitters"Treasury" today.

Happy 2009!

2009-01-01T19:27:00.005-05:00

It's been a couple weeks since I've posted.
A little belated, but Molly says: Merry Christmas!Here's my progress on a couple projects since the last post:
I finished my Marvel Cowl:
I finished Danica for my Dad for Christmas (modeled by not-my-Dad):
I made the Prismatic Scarf with Malabrigo (colorway: Hongos) for my Internship Supervisor:
And the Vegas Sands cowl with Silky Malabrigo for my aunt for Christmas:

Also, a couple days ago I made my second Etsy sale! :-) Very exciting. It's actually the fourth bag down in my last post that sold.

-Still haven't finished the Somewhat Cowl...
-Picked out buttons for my Malabrigo Drops Jacket, but haven't sewn them on yet.
-And because I couldn't help myself, I started another another Drops pattern - the name is too long, it's ridiculous, but it's a long sleeved, turtle neck sweater which I started in Berroco Ultra Alpaca Light in Buckwheat. I am in the process of converting it from a bottom-up pattern into a top-down seamless pattern. I'm 2 skeins in.
My goal is to sew on the buttons for the Drops Jacket before the end of the weekend.

I also need to get back to working on the Hemlock Ring Throw, which I started in September but had put on hold, for my friend's wedding (March is now quickly approaching).

Sale on Etsy

2008-12-15T18:37:00.002-05:00

I'm currently having a Holiday Sale at my Etsy Shop - I'm offering 10% off ANY purchase from my shop made today through December 25th. Check it out!

I made some bowls!

2008-12-07T23:21:00.001-05:00

And I posted them on Etsy. Wish me luck.

The pictures I promised.

2008-12-06T19:31:00.003-05:00

Somewhat Cowl, with 5.5ish" of ribbing at the neck... a little more to go.

Marvel Cowl (Wendy Bernard) with The Fibre Company's Canopy Sport in Wild Ginger - about 6" done so far:
Progress on my Danica (knitty) scarf for my Dad (I'm calling it Dadica).
And my nearly-finished-except for the buttons Drops 103-1 Jacket!

Update

2008-12-03T08:30:00.002-05:00

So since the last post:
-I finished the body and have knit about 4" of the cowl on my Somewhat Cowl
-I am happy with the bottom of my DROPS jacket, after adding several more rows of double moss stitch, but I have not yet found buttons I like.
-I started and am more than half way done with my Marvel Cowl, by Wendy Bernard.
-I made red and white striped "legwarmers" for our greyhound's front legs... because I had leftover red and white yarn.
-I've also started a black and grey entrelac scarf (Danica from knitty.com) for my dad for Christmas (first time with Entrelac! I'm forcing myself to become more comfortable with picking up stitches).

More pictures to follow as soon as I get around to uploading them to the computer.

Whoops!

2008-11-16T21:40:00.003-05:00

I apparently haven't posted in 1 month.
So, here's my progress on the Drops Jacket 103-1. Since this picture, I've finished the sleeves, made the collar, and I un-bound off the bottom because it was flipping up, and I think I wanted more length since I had leftover yarn. I'm adding more double moss stitch instead of just 2 rows then 2 rows of Garter. I've done 6 rows of double moss so far, will probably do a couple more.

Here's another picture of my Francis Revisited - I don't mean to look grumpy, but it was my 4th attempt of doing the self-timer. I couldn't get a nice sunny day for an outside picture, but at least it was still day-light.
And here's my Somewhat Cowl -- Since this picture I've started on the ribbing at the bottom. Another inch or so of ribbing to go.
Anyway, that's all for now.

More on the Drops jacket.

2008-10-16T22:15:00.002-04:00

Got a little further on the Drops Jacket. See pictures below.
Not as much progress as I'd like though. I want to finish it soon so I can wear it before it gets too cold. At least Francis (see previous post) is ready for the cooler weather.

Internship + Assistantship + Classes (time spent in them, not so much the workload) is sucking up all of my perfectly good knitting time! And needing to get up at 6am means I should probably go to bed by 11 if I want my brain to work. Doesn't leave much time for fun stuff when I'm at grad school til 10 one night, and 7:30 on two other nights. On the plus side, I am really liking my internship despite it being unpaid (I just try to forget about that part).
Anyway:

Also finally finished ONE of the convertible fingerless gloves I'm making for the husband. But no picture of that yet.

My Francis is Finished!

2008-10-13T16:37:00.002-04:00

So, I am quite happy to announce that my Francis is finished. 9 days, and 14 skeins of Mirasol Sulka later... here it is. This picture is kinda dark, I will have to try to take a picture outside during daylight, when it's not 80 degrees out (in NJ... in October!?) Anyway... this is such a warm and cozy sweater and i can't wait to wear it for real in a couple weeks when it cools off. Next up is my Drops Jacket in Olive Malabrigo Worsted. No, I'm not throwing gang signs, I needed a way to hold the front closed for the picture. I'm quite proud of myself here... This is my first time using a provisional cast on. With the help of Wendy Bernard's Custom Knits directions for top down non-raglan sweaters, I converted the Drops pattern from button up, needing to be seamed all over the place - to a top down with set in sleeves. So I had a provisional cast on for the shoulder... knit down to just below the arm shaping, put the stitches on a spare needle, unraveled the provisional cast on, and knit the front down, past the arm shaping, then connected to knit in one piece. I'll post all my modifications once I know if it works out ok!

I <3 Francis

2008-10-06T08:31:00.002-04:00

So, I jumped right on the Francis Revisited pattern Friday night with my Mirasol Sulka. I decided this one was easier to start, because I'll have to play around with the Drops Jacket pattern a bit to make it as seamless as possible.
Here's my swatch:And by Saturday evening I had this much:Later Saturday night:And Sunday before bed I bound off the body! (Nice PJ pants, eh?)
I love it so far, and I can't wait to finish it. I love how it fits so far, it's slim-ish fitting, yet loose enough to wear a tank or a t-shirt underneath. It's going to be an awesome cozy warm sweater. Now I just need size 10 dpns... I found a set from someone who was destashing them on Ravelry this past weekend. (I thought I had 10s, but only have 10.5s...boo). But I may decide today that I am too impatient to wait, and go check out Michaels or JoAnns for a size 10 small circ. needle so I can get a start on the sleeves sooner...

Best Friday Ever.

2008-10-03T17:43:00.003-04:00

I love getting mail!

Despite always having a couple works-in-progress, I'm planning my next few. And here they are.

1. Drops Jacket. (ravelry link).
2. Francis Revisited. (ravelry link).

After finishing Wicked, I've decided I'm in love with Malabrigo. So I ordered 5 skeins of Malabrigo Worsted in Olive for the Drops Jacket. Long sleeves. Buttons all the way down the front (not just the top). Not so much of the A-line shape, a little more fitted at the bottom.

And, from a Ravelry swap about 2 months ago, I received a fantastic little skein of Mirasol Sulka yarn (merino/alpaca/silk) in Cocoa. And also love it. But was having trouble figuring out what to make with 1 skein. (and that 1 skein is only 55 yards). I basically decided I'd have to buy more. And I don't need another shrug at the moment. Nor do I need a plain scarf. But a big squishy warm sweater in this yarn would be fantastic for the winter. So I decided to splurge and get enough for a big sweater. So Tuesday, I saw that Verra Yarns (www.verrayarns.com) carries both Sulka and Malabrigo Worsted. And I happened to have a 15% off coupon from my previous label kit order that expired ON Tuesday. So I made up my mind and ordered it. at 10pm Tuesday night. And free shipping with $75 order. Also, I had some difficulties with getting my coupon code to work, emailed them (at 10pm EST) and got a response back in about 10 minutes with a functional code. The next day I got an email that it had shipped to me - I love it!

And so the package was on my porch waiting for me when I got home 15 minutes ago. And now I can't decide which to start first. Also I got another skein of Malabrigo in Pearl Ten to make some fingerless mitts for my sister for Christmas. (Pearl Ten on the left).
In other knitting news...
The textured tunic is no longer. Well, it is taking a nap while I figure out what to do with it. With the weight of the rest of the sweater (I knit all the way to the bottom, bound off) - the box stitch section starts at the fullest part of my chest. It looks funny, and doesn't even deserve a picture. I'm bummed because I got the shaping just right! I'm just not sure what to do with that box stitch section...

But my Somewhat Cowl is going strong-I've finished the second skein- as is the Hemlock Ring Throw -- but I've ordered a 40" cable from Knitpicks to accommodate the ever growing number of stitches - and the Harmony 10.5 tips (I figure this is a good way to try out those needles so I can determine if I want to ask for the Harmony Interchangeable Set for Christmas).

Is it possible to have Knitting ADHD?

2008-09-27T11:46:00.007-04:00

Or maybe Knitting OCD -- as I compulsively cast on new projects and I obsess about knitting when I'm not knitting (like the 38 hours a week I'm at my internship, or the 10 hours a week I'm working my grad. assistantship, and the time I spend in my car driving between these places, and possibly while sleeping).

well, my Wicked is finished, and blocked, and now I want all my sweaters to be made from Malabrigo.

Determined to not let my new busy schedule get in the way of my knitting, I've also been working on the following projects:

The Somewhat Cowl, by Wendy Bernard with Blue Sky Alpaca Silk I bought from another Ravelry User. I started this last night despite the many other projects I have going right now, but I really wanted to try out the yarn:Textured Tunic (ravelry link) from Fitted Knits with the Elsebeth Lavold Silky Tweed I picked up on sale at the Woolly Lamb back in March maybe - I started this sometime last week i think, and since taking this picture I've gone another 3-4" or so:
Convertible Gloves for the hubby, a Knitpicks Pattern, using KP Wool of the Andes, Soot Kettle Dyed yarn:And Fetching, from knitty.com made with one skein of Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran I picked up from another Ravelry User. I finished these Thursday night I think:
Also, earlier this week I was able to go pick up my Cascade 220 Superwash that I had ordered back at the end of August from the Woolly Lamb with my birthday coupon. I got 7 skeins (1540 yards?) to make the Hemlock Ring Throw from Brooklyn Tweed as a wedding gift for my friend getting married at the end of March. I'm into the second skein already:

Wicked busy.

2008-09-13T11:46:00.003-04:00

I'm very disappointed to report that my knitting is suffering while I attempt to juggle my full time internship; 10 hours of my grad assistantship; and two 2 hour 40 minute classes each week. But alas, I am trying to do the best I can to make my Wicked (zephyr style pattern) with Malabrigo in Rich Chocolate.I'm obsessed with Malabrigo already and this is only my first project with it. I want all of my sweaters to be this soft! This picture is actually from earlier this week, I am about to bind off the body and start the sleeves today. More pictures to follow.

I'm hoping once I adapt to my new schedule I can make it to Panera for the knitting group once in a while! But getting up at 6am is killing me, even though I was up by 7 every weekday over the summer. It's been getting darker in the mornings too, which doesn't help. Mondays are definitely going to be the worst, starting my internship at 7:30am, then heading straight to work for 4 hours until class, which ends at 10pm. I'm sure I'll get used to it soon... :-X

Not at all Knitting Related

2008-09-06T23:36:00.005-04:00

ACCENT: Apparently the people of NJ notice my Rochester, NY accent - I don't really know what I say differently though.

BREAKFAST OR NO BREAKFAST: Always breakfast or else my stomach will eat itself.

CHORE I DON’T CARE FOR: Cleaning the bathroom.

DOG OR CAT: Our dog Molly.

ESSENTIAL ELECTRONICS: Digital Camera

FAVORITE COLOGNE: Victoria's Secret Angels Heavenly

GOLD OR SILVER: Gold - the white kind.

HANDBAG I CARRY MOST OFTEN: Always my Vera Bradley wallet, the bag I throw it in changes a couple times a week.

INSOMNIA: Never

JOB TITLE: School Psychology Intern + Graduate Student + Financial Aid Graduate Assistant

KIDS: Not for at least a couple years.

LIVING ARRANGEMENTS: Apartment with husband and dog and my yarn

MOST ADMIRABLE TRAIT: Sense of humor?

NAUGHTIEST CHILDHOOD BEHAVIOR: I apparently went through a butt-pinching phase when I was around five? Other people's, that is.

OVERNIGHT HOSPITAL STAY: Nope.

PHOBIAS: Spiders, and these really big slugs that I only learned about after moving to NJ.

QUOTE: Quotation. It was a pet peeve of my 11th grade English teacher for people to incorrectly use the word 'quote' (a verb) as a noun.

REASON TO SMILE: husband, dog, almost done with my grad program

SIBLINGS: one younger sister

TIME I WAKE UP: It was 6:45 over the summer in preparation for my 6am wake up call for the school year.

UNUSUAL SKILL OR TALENT: My friends say I have a mental rolodex for people's names from high school and college & random facts

VEGETABLE I REFUSE TO EAT: I can't think of a veggie I don't like.

WORST HABIT: Procrastination

YUMMY STUFF: Wegmans buttercream frosting, found on their cakes & the white half of their half moon cookies

ZOO ANIMAL I LIKE MOST: Monkeys

Finished FLS

2008-09-05T23:12:00.001-04:00

I finished my February Lady Sweater Last week, here it is:

Good News!

2008-08-24T15:28:00.003-04:00

The Mossy Jacket survived a cycle in the washing machine & dryer. I'll be mailing it off to my friend in NC tomorrow! And I got to use my "Hand Knit by Amanda" tags for the first time.

Absurd, I know: A second post on the same day.

2008-08-23T16:57:00.006-04:00

Alright, so I received my buttons from Etsy in the mail today, and now I will post about them. I went ahead and sewed on the three buttons for my February Lady Sweater.

And, I'm trying to decide which buttons to add to my Puff-Sleeved Feminine Cardigan, from Fitted Knits. Leaning towards the white.

And I also wanted to add that I bought some cool yarn from Flying Fingers' online store the other day. I think I ordered it Monday, and it came Wednesday or Thursday.
Hopyard Potluck Yarn -- apparently this normally goes for $16/sk, it was on sale for $4/sk. It's 75% New England grown Lambswool, 25% Alpaca. 100 yards, 5 oz/skein. Bulky. May do some felting with it, haven't decided yet. I actually expected to get three very different skeins, didn't expect three similar ones. The colors remind me of the Noro Kureyon I used for my Maine Morning Mitts

And, Farmhouse Yarns Andy's Merino in Balsam Fir. On Ravelry, they only list it in 200 yard skeins, but I bought these in 100 yard/2 oz skeins. Flying Fingers normally sells this for $10/sk, but it was on sale for $6/sk. I've been on a green kick lately, or maybe the past year, so I picked this color.

I have enough to make myself a sweater. When I finish the February Lady Sweater, of course. I will try really hard not to cast on another new project before I finish the FLS! I think I'll have to do something like knit from two balls at the same time so I don't have any weird striping though, as the color obviously varies alot within the same skein. Now I'm torn... when I start my Wicked sweater... do I use this stuff, or do I use my Malabrigo in Rich Chocolate?Or do I make 2 Wickeds?

If anyone reading this knows of another good preferably seamless, top-down sweater, I'd love to hear suggestions!

Loop Shawl

2008-08-23T14:53:00.003-04:00

Thought I'd post some pictures of my Loop Shawl that I finished this week. I used Classic Elite Cotton Bamboo, about 4 2/3 skeins, it's 11" x ~62" and I plan on wearing it next Friday to a wedding. And, it happens to match PERFECTLY with a clutch I bought on Etsy, made with Amy Butler's Peony Fabric.In other news, I've started the February Lady Sweater, using Knit Picks Wool of the Andes in Soot Kettle Dyed. This picture was taken about 2 skeins in, I've since started the 4th skein. The buttons I bought on Etsy that I want to use for this came in the mail today, so I'll be sewing those on soon. More pictures to follow!

I'm a slacker.

2008-08-18T15:58:00.002-04:00

Thought it was time for some pictures...
I participated in the Caffeine Addicts Swap on Ravelry again... Here's my super cool package I received last week:The Mirasol yarn is soo soft! And the Mountain Colors yarn is very pretty, haven't decided what to do with them yet.

And I also finished the baby sweater I made for my friend who was expecting this month... I got it done just in time, as she had the baby yesterday! I bought the cute little dinosaur buttons from Etsy user Creamrose. I'm pleased with the result, hope my friend is too! The sweater is supposed to be 3-6 mos, I hope it will fit in a couple months! The pattern is Mossy Jacket by fawn pea. I chose to add an extra button so I could use another dinosaur button. The pattern was very easy, although I had a little difficulty getting the button band on the left to look how I wanted it to, and there were LOTS of loose ends to sew in at the end.

Haven't posted in a long time...

2008-07-27T12:50:00.004-04:00

I've been a bit busy with my summer class and reviewing for the School Psychology Praxis this past month. But I took the Praxis this weekend, and my summer class is almost over! So I thought I should post.

I finally put a little ribbon in my eyelet skirt (pattern by Kat Coyle, some revisions were made to make it shorter, and I knit it in the round) and wore it for the first time:

I also started the Puff-Sleeved Feminine Cardigan from Fitted Knits by Stefanie Japel, I finished the body earlier this week and finished one of the sleeves yesterday. I made a lot of modifications including making the sleeves less puffy, making the body a little longer, and knitting straight stockinette stitch instead of the lace peplum.
I started the Little Silk Shrug from Lace Style by Pam Allen earlier this week too, I'm 96 yards into that:
And because I haven't posted since June... Fourth of July weekend we took a crazy 25 hour round trip drive to northern Georgia and back for a family reunion and I was able to get lots of knitting done! I finished my mini-Clapotis using the Misti Alpaca hand dyed yarn from a Ravelry swap (still needs to be blocked)
And because I wanted to make a bigger clapotis (probably 2-3x as wide as the scarf, but still not full-sized), after making the scarf sized one, and because I really wanted to try knitting with Bam-boo -- I was able to make this much of a second Clapotis, using Classic Elite Bam Boo yarn, this is 4 skeins worth, I have 2 more skeins so I can make it longer.

Baby Knits

2008-06-30T23:21:00.003-04:00

I finished the Irish Hiking Baby Blanket I made for a friend who is expecting in early August.
She had told me she liked purple, once she found out they were having a girl, so I ordered Knit Picks Comfy in Lilac Mist. I was THRILLED when she told me they had picked out this bedding from Pottery Barn for the nursery:
Here's a close up.

Also finished the Baby Uggs for her:
And I found a fun little "punk rock" binkie holder on Etsy which I thought my friend would get a kick out of:

Anyway, 2 outta 3 are knitted.
On to finishing the baby sweater for the NEXT baby to be born (due end of August).

Mojitos, anyone?

2008-06-21T12:31:00.005-04:00

...because our spearmint is out of control! And, we didn't even plant any this year. Some survived from last year (despite the garden being plowed this spring), and now it's growing like crazy.

Our supersweet tomatoes are starting to grow, too:
And our Romas:
And our cherry tomatoes:
Watering the sugar snap peas:The pole beans:

And here's a pretty snap dragon from our porch:

A Nice Bag is back on Etsy!

2008-06-03T22:08:00.007-04:00

I'm back on Etsy! I tried selling some stuff on Etsy about three years ago during the beta testing stage, and didn't have much luck. But now, I'm hearing non-crafty people talk about Etsy, so I'm hoping it's gotten more popular in the last couple years. Here's my little shop, cross your fingers for me that I sell something!

I tried putting Etsy-mini on here to preview a couple of the bags I have listed, but I can't do javascript, I guess. So here are a couple pictures of bags currently for sale on Etsy. Check it out, and tell all of your bag-loving friends.

And a side note, if anyone reading is in the Rochester area, there are about 20 or so A Nice Bags on consignment at Gift Ferry's in Fairport, NY. Make sure to check them out during this upcoming weekend's Fairport Canal Days (June 6-8) or stop by another time this month to check them out. Here is a small sampling of the bags there, made by both myself and my mom.

And a little plug for the store they're being sold at:

Gift Ferry's, LLC- "Something new.something different.and always affordable!" Fairport's most unique gift "stop" with something for everyone on your list, shop Gift Ferry's! Located in the Village's historic Railroad District, 106 North Main (corner of High Street -106 North Main Street - 585-377-6940)

Hand Knit by Amanda!

2008-05-15T16:48:00.002-04:00

These are pretty sweet. I saw personalized labels on someone's knitted things on Ravelry, I think. So I found this 'charm woven labels' website and ordered myself 20 'Hand Knit by Amanda" labels on May 3, and they were waiting for me in today's mail. I think they're pretty awesome anyway.

Update on Knitting and Airports.

2008-05-13T12:18:00.004-04:00

I'm very happy to report no problems getting my wooden circulars through security at both the Newark and San Diego airports. I'll need to post pictures on my progress, but on our trip to San Diego I managed to knit 3 full skeins of the Irish Hiking Baby Blanket, and I started the fourth, then it started to get kind of big to have out on my lap on the plane. Then I also got through about half of my mini-clapotis. I have 4 dropped stitch rows so far. I'm eager to finish both... but while we were gone my copy of Sensual Knits came Amazon... as well as my Classic Elite Cotton Bam boo... so now I'm anxious to try the Loop Shawl pattern to maybe bring as a wrap to an upcoming wedding. Ahh! Too much knitting I want to do!! But at least my LAST full time semester of grad school is over, and I have nothing to do now except work during the day. That leaves a whole lot of time to knit at night :-)

Edited to add photos, but I think the pics are at too high a resolution:

I figured it out. Plus a reminder about the craft show in Rochester.

2008-04-29T10:58:00.003-04:00

Ok --
So I've decided what to do with the Yarn I received from the Ravelry Caffeine Addicts swap.I'll be making a mini version of Kate Gilbert's Clapotis, per these modifications, so I can use my 218 yards of Handpainted Misti Alpaca Worsted. I liked Ravelry user KnittingBetty's version:
Anyway.
I decided for our trip I will bring my Misti alpaca yarn & wooden circ. needle & this pattern, as well as the Baby Irish Hiking Blanket I started, also on wooden circ. needles. I'm only half a skein into the pattern and I have 8 more skeins, so I shouldn't have a problem making that project last. I already have the blanket pattern memorized so that will make for some easy-peasy knitting. Now I've got my two projects that don't require trying anything on, both with wooden needles (hopefully they'll make it through security). I'm excited!

One last reminder about the Craft Show at Casa Larga in Rochester on Thursday:

The “SPRING ARTS & CRAFT SHOW/SALE” & “ THE HOME PARTY BUSINESS SHOW” will be held at CASA LARGA WINERY on THURSDAY, MAY 1, 2008.

The GENESEE VALLEY QUILT GROUP will be participating with their new quilt to raffle.

ADVENT HOUSE, (a Fairport Hospice) will also be participating. We will also have our traditional food drive for the PERINTON FOOD SHELF!

The “ESTATE ROOM” will feature a “HOME BASED PARTY BUSINESS SHOW”, which will highlight 10 different businesses offering sampling, as well as information on their product and home parties.

Wine tasting 1, 2, 3 & 4pm.

FREE ADMISSION!

585-383-1538 (INFO)

Go to www.casalarga.com for directions.

Knitting on a Jet Plane

2008-04-28T22:08:00.004-04:00

We will be flying from Newark, NJ to San Diego next week...then making the return trip 5 days later. that's a lot of down time...and my semester is now over, so the time is all mine. I intend to bring along some knitting for the trip. Hoping some wooden needles will make it less likely to be confiscated by a fiesty airport security guard. What makes a good plane project? A lot of things on my knitting queue are intended to be worn, and I can't be trying on a top-down sweater as I go while up in the air. My only non-wearable WIP is a cabled baby blanket, which may make a good project because the pattern isn't too complicated. Only thing is that it will take up a decent amount of space after 7 hours of knitting. Other to-do projects include baby booties, but those will probably take no more than 2 hours to make. (picture from Ravelry)

Decisions, decisions...

april showers bring may flowers?

2008-04-28T15:07:00.001-04:00

flower pins
Originally uploaded by anicebag

I went crazy with flower pins. Hopefully at least a couple of them will sell at the craft show on Thursday!

Shameless Plug for 'A Nice Bag'

2008-04-20T22:29:00.007-04:00

My knitted bags, etc. will be available for sale at:
the Craft Show at Casa Larga Vineyards
on May 1, from 10am til 7pm.

For anyone reading this in the Rochester area that doesn't know where Casa Larga is, it's at 2287 Turk Hill Rd in Fairport, NY 14450. Phone: 585.223.4210.

Here are SOME of my bags, as well as some of my new knitted flower pins that will be available for sale.

If you know anyone in the Rochester area that might be interested in a fantastic felted bag, please tell them about the craft show at Casa Larga! It's a juried show, so there will be lots of other nice handmade stuff available for sale there too. AND, don't forget, Mother's Day is May 11 - so it's just in time to pick up something nice for your mom. ;-)

You can see more of my bags at my website: www dot anicebag dot com. Or click on the link above.

Alright... back to my loads of grad work. can't wait for the semester to be over.

What to do... besides homework

2008-04-06T13:44:00.005-04:00

By writing this post, I'm totally putting off writing a reflection paper for my counseling class...and I'm ok with that.

So, don't get me wrong, I have a long list of patterns I'm ready to start. Including:
-zephyrstyle Green Gable, using Knit Picks Comfy in Cypress.
-zephyrstyle Tree Jacket, using Knit Picks Comfy in Pomegranate.
-Wendy Bernard's Somewhat Cowl - short sleeve version, using Blue Sky Alpacas Alpaca Silk in Spring.

Not to mention my current works in progress... the faux-baby uggs, Arbor, my anthropologie capelet-turned-cardigan, the step-ribbed stole, the Rowena Cardigan...and my second Rusted Root that I'm about to finish.

But, I'm a planner. I like to plan things. and plan my knitting. and put off my homework.

I'm having a hard time deciding what to do with the yarn I picked up on sale at the Woolly Lamb.
I've got 4 skeins of Cascade Sierra (768 yards, worsted weight) in pink. It's 80% Pima Cotton, 20% Merino Wool. The best part of this is that it was 40% off of the original $8.00 price tag, for a grand total of $19.20. (I realize only 3 sk are pictured below). and I've got 7 skeins of Elsebeth Lavold Silky Tweed (917 yards, DK) in a tweedy olivey green. This is 40% silk, 30% cotton, 20% merino, 10% viscose.
Here are some things I want to knit. I'm pretty sure they're all top-down, as I prefer not to seam things. For this reason, my progress on the Rowena cardigan pretty much stalled out when I discovered top-down knitting (I promise I will finish it sometime soon!)

Wicked from zephyrstyle.com (I would need about 500 yards of worsted weight for the short sleeve version, or 800 yards for the long sleeve version, and somewhere in between for 3/4 sleeves)
Textured Tunic from the book Fitted Knits, specifically I like this one by ravelry user theskinnyknitter (and it even uses Silky Tweed) -- Pattern calls for about 800 yards of Aran weight, but probably less because a). I'm short so the torso length will need to be adjusted, and b). I don't want super-flared sleeves.
28thirty from zephyrstyle.com, but I'd like to make it longer, like this version ravelry user pinkladyknits (Pattern calls for about 600 yards of worsted, I would probably use 700ish to make it longer)

Hourglass sweater from the book Last Minute Knitted Gifts (Pattern calls for 800 yds of Aran weight yarn)

Hourglass sweater but cardigan-ized like ravelry user parikha did. (Also, ~800 yds).

I don't know who reads this little blog of mine, but if anyone reading this has opinions about how I should use my Sierra, or my Silky Tweed (whether it's something from my list, or not) your comments are welcome!

Now I guess it's time for me to do some real work.

Finally!

2008-04-01T22:53:00.004-04:00

Came home from class to find this lovely box waiting for me:

Here are the four colors of Knitpicks' new line that I ordered:
And here's my Glee, minus the hooks. The hooks should be able to pull the ribbing a little straighter (I practiced with safety pins).

Anticipation!!

2008-04-01T17:18:00.003-04:00

I just got a tracking update from the Post Office regarding my Knit Picks package.... as in, it was delivered this afternoon! Which I am glad to hear considering it sat in Edison, NJ (40 min away) from Thursday until yesterday morning.

But I was (and still am) at work, and I've got class tonight until 10. You don't even know how impatient I am to get home right now to check out their new Cotton-blend yarn, "Comfy," which I intend to use to make myself another zephyr pattern or two (Tree Jacket? Green Gable?), and to make a baby sweater and booties for a friend who is expecting. And if I really like it, I'll order more to make a baby blanket for another friend who is expecting. But first I have a group meeting, a group presentation, and 2 hours of class after the presentation... The anticipation is killing me!!

Edit: oh by the way, on the knitting front -
I finished Glee yesterday, just need to buy hooks for the neckline. I also started a second Rusted Root last night using Knit Picks Shine Sport, in Terra Cotta (or as the hubby said, "raw salmon"... that's why he doesn't have the job of choosing yarn color names) I will be making it in a smaller size than the last one I made since I hear Shine sometimes has a tendency to stretch a bit. I'm making a few modifications to the pattern as well, which I'll have to post about later.

Lots of tops!

2008-03-26T12:36:00.004-04:00

I started Glee with the Classic Elite Soft Linen I picked up last week. I finished the first skein this morning:

I got more Knit Picks Shine a little while ago too, I was able to finish the sleeves on this:
It started off as the Anthropologie-inspired capelet. But I wanted to make it with a cotton-blend yarn for warmer weather. So then I also had to conver the pattern from bulky-weight yarn to worsted weight yarn. And I will be making it full length instead of cropped.

And with that last order from Knit Picks I got some Shine Sport in "Silver Sage" to make Arbor. I'm almost done with the first skein for that.
Have I mentioned I've become a big fan of top-down knitting??? I have a long list of things to make when I'm done with these three.

Yarn Porn!

2008-03-24T23:50:00.002-04:00

Soo... knitpicks released their new summer colors (and an entire new yarn line) today... :-)

Trip to the Woolly Lamb.

2008-03-21T16:54:00.004-04:00

After getting my Berroco Suede in the mail yesterday I was busy at work last night while watching Tommy Boy on TV. I made this:
I started the second bootie this morning, I'll deal with sewing them up when they're both finished.

Today I headed over to the Woolly Lamb in Pennington and picked up some Classic Elite Soft Linen, after reading the review of it on Knitter's Review the other day. The Woolly Lamb is the only LYS around here that stocks it, apparently. Pins and Needles here in Princeton does not, unfortunately, since it's only about 2 miles from our apartment. Anyway, plan to use it to make Glee from zephyrstyle.com
Well, they also had a giant SALE sign in the window. So I checked out the sale table which included some Cascade Sierra (80% pima cotton, 20% merino wool) at 40% off! So I picked up 3 skeins worth, which will give me enough to make some kind of summery top, TBD.
And... 25% off Elsebeth Lavold Silky Tweed. (40% silk, 30% cotton, 20% merino, 10% viscose) which is apparently discontinued? Anyway, project for this is also TBD, but I picked up 5 sk. (~655 yds?) which should be enough for a short sleeve/three-quarter sleeve top or a smallish clapotis, don't know yet. I think I want to make the textured tunic from Fitted Knits, but if I use this yarn I'd have to make the sleeves shorter than long sleeve to have enough yardage.
I'm justifying these purchases because I had signed up for a swap in the "Caffeine Addicts" group on Ravelry, and it seems that the moderator for the swap is MIA and matches were due out on March 8th. Soooo instead of spending that cash on a swap partner, I got myself some goodies. Plus if I'm making myself some cute tops, I have less of a desire to go shopping :-p

a good mail day!

2008-03-20T17:27:00.002-04:00

I got home from work today and found all of this waiting on our porch:

Yay! Berroco Suede in Hopalong Cassidy & Wild Bill for the Suede Booties I'm making for a friend who is expecting. Thanks so much to Ravelry users ewe-mexico and somebunnyslove for giving these up as this kind of yarn is not available at my LYS.

and a mini Easter Basket from my parents including a Dunkin Donuts Gift Card :-D

Now if only my Fitted Knits book from half.com would come... The order was confirmed on March 1 but half.com provided a window of March 11-21 for the book to arrive (to NJ... from Michigan). The seller hasn't responded to two separate emails over the last two weeks... I'm guessing I'll be filing a claim when it doesn't come in tomorrow's mail :-(

Time to enjoy my 4 day weekend!

a very random post.

2008-03-16T21:27:00.006-04:00

Here are some fun pictures from this weekend.

Molly helping my husband on the laptop:

Husband made Peanut Butter cookies while I went to the store to get ingredients for these grasshopper cupcakes so I could bring something "green" to work tomorrow for our St. Patrick's Day party.
Our hat rack came this week and we hung it up this weekend, and tested it out with some hats and Molly's fleece jacket.
I found some clothes to donate, here's a favorite (wool) Old Navy sweater of mine... I love the color... but it accidentally went in the dryer a couple weeks ago. We put it on Molly and took lots of pictures. Turns out our arms are about the same length.

Just wanted an excuse to post some pictures. I guess I should include something knitting related! I've been working on the Eyelet Skirt by Kat Coyle from Knitty. I won't be making it quite as flouncy as the picture though, will be doing fewer increases in the eyelet section at the bottom. And here's a picture of where I'm at right now: the first three repeats of the eyelet pattern:

Too many knitting needles

2008-03-10T11:53:00.001-04:00

Too many knitting needles
Originally uploaded by anicebag

I also wanted to add that I finally took inventory of all my knitting needles - mine and those that were my grandma/great grandma's... I have a lot. I had a handy little wallet-sized card from Kaleidescope Yarns in VT to keep track of my needles but I can't seem to find it. so I cleaned out all the old broken ones, and really heavy old metal ones (presumably from my great grandma?), and put them all on Ravelry so I can keep track.

Here's a picture of some of them...

Rusted Root finished

2008-03-10T11:50:00.001-04:00

Rusted Root finished
Originally uploaded by anicebag

Thanks to a gross rainy Saturday this weekend I was able to finish my Rusted Root top! I started it Monday March 3rd... I'm pretty happy with it! I'm trying to decide if I made it a little too long - I think I will decide after I wash it. I also hope the sleeves get a little less puffy after washing... I thought they were too puffy on me, but it looks ok in the picture.

Add this to my Snow Day Knitting List...

2008-02-23T18:25:00.002-05:00

Chunky Cabled Hat
Originally uploaded by anicebag

The "Unoriginal Hat" by Stephanie Pearl-McPhee.
In my determination to try cables, I found about a skein and a half of Debbie Bliss Soho left over in my stash, and used it to make this hat. I started and finished the whole thing last night, after finishing the String bag and attaching the Doctor's Bag handles.

Snow Day: Part II

2008-02-22T18:54:00.002-05:00

The Snow Day also allowed me to knit a whole bag: the

Saturday Market Bag by Jodie Danenberg. I came across the pattern and some modifications on Ravelry. So using only a ball and a half of Lily Sugar 'n Cream cotton yarn, I produced the following today:

Stuffed Full of Yarn:

Unstretched:

It was a productive day in knitting-land!

Snow Day! Part I

2008-02-22T18:42:00.003-05:00

I was awoken at 5:19am and again at 5:50am to find out that both Rider, and Eden were closed today due to "inclement weather." Here's the inclement weather:

Not really that bad. But plows are apparently not real big in NJ. Regardless, I enjoyed having the day off... The mail came with my bag handles for the Doctor's Bag, so I sewed those in. I still need to find some sort of support for the bottom of the bag, but none of our cardboard boxes are long enough for this bag. Anyway, here it is. It is huge:

Anthropologie-inspired capelet/shrug

2008-02-17T13:26:00.001-05:00

Anthropologie-inspired capelet/shrug
Originally uploaded by anicebag

Finished the capelet this morning! This was a nice quick distraction from the Rowena Cardigan which will clearly take longer to finish.

I like getting mail!

2008-02-16T13:49:00.005-05:00

First off, last night I finished the back of my Rowena cardigan and casted on for one of the front pieces.

We got back from walking the dog this afternoon and there was a KnitPicks box waiting on the porch! Very exciting. I ordered 2 skeins of Cadena to make the anthro-inspired capelet pattern I found on Ravelry, as well as some Wool of the Andes in some springier colors for some more felted bags.

Progress

2008-02-10T13:39:00.000-05:00

I started the Rowena Cardigan this past week, I've knit one skein of it so far -- I have about 9" of the back of the sweater done. This yarn really slips off the metal needles easily, I liked knitting on the smaller bamboo needles I used for the bottom ruffle better - but I don't know if it's worth buying yet another set of needles.

And I'm 3 skeins into the Step Ribbed Stole. Still don't know what I'll do with this. Maybe use it as a super wide, super soft scarf. Or it could be used as a wrap, maybe with a black dress or something, but I don't have too many upcoming events I could use it for. I like knitting with this yarn anyway!

Finished up a couple things...

2008-02-03T23:06:00.001-05:00

I finished the fingerless "Maine Morning Mitts" tonight - very excited, this was my first project on dpns. I made them an inch shorter than the pattern (in the Knitter's Book of Yarn) called for because they came up a little too high on me.

Also finished the "Dizzy Lily" Greyhound snood - a pattern I came across on Ravelry. This was also done on dpns, very exciting. Also my first project involving cables, though there were only a couple of them.

Ravelry!

2008-01-28T22:46:00.001-05:00

Very excited... after joining Ravelry's invite list on January 17, I got my invite tonight! I've added my current projects, and I'm in the process of adding some completed projects to the site.
http://www.ravelry.com/people/MollyWafflesKnits

And, an update on the Maine Morning Mitts - I've got an inch to go + the thumb on my first "mitt." I was pleasantly surprised that I didn't have any problems knitting on the dpns, just a little awkward juggling 4 dpns at first. Can't wait to finish the set.

Maine Morning Mitts

2008-01-27T17:41:00.001-05:00

I caved and I'm starting another project from the Knitter's Book of Yarn: the Maine Morning Mitts.

And when I stopped by the local yarn shop to get some needles I need for the Rowena Cardigan, I picked up a little Noro Koreyon in the following color to give the morning mitts a shot.

This will be my first mitten-like project, and my first actual project knitted on double pointed needles.

Doctor's Bag sans Handles

2008-01-26T23:36:00.000-05:00

I finished knitting the Doctor's bag the other night and tonight I finished piecing it all together with a 3 needle bind off. Also got the dowel needed for the support at the top of the bag, 3/8" diameter, and sewed that into place. I looked for bag handles at Michael's and Joann's today and was unimpressed. Will check out a yarn shop in town tomorrow to see if they have anything interesting, otherwise I'll look online. Also need some sort of firm (cardboard or plastic) base for the bag that I have yet to look for.

While I was at JoAnn's and Michael's today, I was also looking for some size 4 circular knitting needles for the Rowena Cardigan pattern I want to start only to find that NEITHER store had them. In metal or bamboo. That was quite a let down. JoAnn's was sold out of that size, while Michael's didn't seem to have circular knitting needles in anything smaller than a size 7. (!?) Will have to look for those at the LYS tomorrow as well...

what i've done.

2008-01-23T21:34:00.001-05:00

Found this "meme" on another knitter's blog and thought I'd do it too. I was surprised by the number of things I've actually done, and found it helpful in setting some new knitting "goals" for the year.

Key: Bold=done, Italics=Will Do, Normal=No Desire

Afghan

I-cord

Garter stitch

Knitting with metal wire

Shawl

Stockinette stitch

Socks: top-down

Socks: toe-up

Knitting with camel yarn

Mittens: Cuff-up

Mittens: Tip-down

Hat

Knitting with silk <--- blend, anyway. Moebius band knitting

Participating in a KAL

Sweater

Drop stitch patterns

Knitting with recycled/secondhand yarn

Slip stitch patterns

Knitting with banana fiber yarn

Domino knitting (=modular knitting) <---?

Twisted stitch patterns

Knitting with bamboo yarn

Two end knitting

Charity knitting

Knitting with soy yarn

Cardigan

Toy/doll clothing

Knitting with circular needles

Baby items

Knitting with your own handspun yarn

Slippers

Continental knitting

Designing knitted garments

Cable stitch patterns (incl. Aran)

Lace patterns

Publishing a knitting book

Scarf

Teaching a child to knit

American/English knitting (as opposed to continental)

Knitting to make money

Button holes

Knitting with alpaca

Fair Isle knitting

Norwegian knitting

Dying with plant colours

Knitting items for a wedding <---- wedding gift

Household items (dishcloths, washcloths, tea cosies...)

Knitting socks (or other small tubular items)on two circulars

Olympic knitting <---?

Knitting with someone elses handspun yarn

Knitting with dpns

Holiday related knitting

Teaching a male how to knit

Bobbles

Knitting for a living

Knitting with cotton

Knitting smocking

Dying yarn

Steeks <----?

Knitting art

Knitting two socks (or other small tubular items) on two circulars simultaneously

Fulling/felting

Knitting with wool

Textured knitting

Kitchener BO

Purses/bags

Knitting with beads

Swatching

Long Tail CO

Entrelac

Knitting and purling backwards

Machine knitting

Knitting with selfpatterning/selfstriping/variegating yarn

Stuffed toys

Knitting with cashmere <----blend.

Darning

Jewelry

Knitting with synthetic yarn

Writing a pattern

Gloves

Intarsia

Knitting with linen

Knitting for preemies

Tubular CO <---?

Freeform knitting

Short rows

Cuffs/fingerless mits/armwarmers

Pillows

Knitting a pattern from an online knitting magazine

Rug

Knitting on a loom

Thrummed knitting <---?

Knitting a gift

Knitting for pets

Shrug/bolero/poncho

Knitting with dog/cat hair

Hair accessories

Knitting in public

On a side note, the last skein of KnitPicks Cadena came today, so now I can finish my Doctor's Bag! Unfortunately my grad classes also started back up this week, so I won't have quite as much time to devote to knitting, but I will finish it soon!

More on the Step Ribbed Stole

2008-01-20T23:07:00.000-05:00

Day 3 of the Step Ribbed Stole, 2 balls (220 yards) later...

I'm enjoying knitting with KnitPicks Andean Treasure...it's very soft! And this pattern is easy enough that I can knit sort-of mindlessly while watching tv.

Progress on the Doctor's Bag

2008-01-19T16:53:00.000-05:00

Making this Doctor's Bag from Tracy Ullman's Knit 2 Together with KnitPick's Cadena yarn. Here are the two short sides, one long side, and the bottom of the bag. I'm 80% done with the last piece, but waiting for more yarn to arrive so I can finish it up. Then I need to find the dowels to give the bag some structure, and some handles that I like.

Step Ribbed Stole

2008-01-19T15:00:00.000-05:00

I'm knitting the Step Ribbed Stole from The Knitter's Book of Yarn, using KnitPicks Andean Treasure (100% Baby Alpaca) on US size 7 needles. Here is the first ~5" of it...