Summer Vacation

   It's been quite a while since I've had anything to report on, but I have a very good excuse.  I spent the first two weeks of August in Europe and have finally gotten back into the swing of things back here in Nebraska... just in time to start another crazy semester in which I'll be teaching again... on top of all of my other time commitments.

   My first week, in Norway, was all about working.  But I did find some time to enjoy some of the gorgeous scenery.  Here's just a taste.

  Again, this week was supposed to be about working, but it was really hard to concentrate when I really just wanted to be outside the whole time.  I also met these guys, who wandered the island and hung out on the beaches like it's no big deal.

   Once the work was over, my visit took me south to Oslo and also to Sweden, where castles and palaces are all over the place.  So unlike plain old Nebraska... sigh.

   Not to give too much away, but Norway is amazing, pretty much anywhere you go and Old Stockholm is probably my favorite city ever.  If you get the chance to see either of these places... take it!

   As for crafty things, I did manage to finish something!  These are a pair of Cadence Socks knit in gorgeous Tosh Sock in Ink.   

   I'm really picky about sock patterns (and lace patterns for that matter).  I generally have two requirements.  First, they need to be enjoyable to knit (a fun lace pattern adds to this).  Second, they need to have a reasonable stitch count and a no-fuss heel construction (also adding to requirement #1).  

   This pattern is a winner in every way.  The lace repeats are simple enough to be easily memorized, while the pattern changes it up enough to stay interesting.  The heel and stitch count makes for a well fitting sock without any weird proportion problems like some patterns.  I made no changes to the pattern and got a great fitting pair of socks.  I'm sure I will use this pattern over and over again.

   Summer is quickly coming to a close.  Classes start up again next week so I will be spending some time this week planning my fall projects.  They might be ambitious. But hopefully not too ambitious. :)

quiet

   It has been awfully quiet around the blog for a while, but that does not mean that no crafting has been happening.  Around this time last year, I was in a knitting funk, but not this year.  I have many plans and many of them are right on schedule.  I surprise myself sometimes with how much knitting I can do when I have my mind in the right place rather than scattered about.  Since work has settled down a bit (very busy, but only working during "normal" business hours for the last few weeks), I have time to knit on a regular schedule and plenty of daylight hours to get things knit up... fantastic things.

   Like my Apirka Socks.  I CO on May 2nd and finished weaving in the last end on July 7th.  This was a big project, but I'm happy to say that I was able to finish it in a reasonable amount of time - in between many other projects of course.

   These socks were a relatively easy knit, but there was a bit of uncertainty (which always seems to slow me down) about how successful they would be.  There was no way that I would be able to get the same gauge as specified by the pattern, not that the pattern as written would have fit anyway...  So I improvised.  I knit a swatch and used a total of 5 different needle sizes to get them to fit properly.  I also had to re-chart the toe and heel so the foot of the socks would fit.  In the end, however, I love the finished pair and I'm pretty sure I've finally mastered Kitchener stitch.  Cuff-down socks are still not my favorite method, but being able to successfully graft stitches opens up quite a few doors to new-to-me sock designers.  

   Speaking of socks, I discovered a new yarn shop in my town and felt I had to bulk up my yarn stash a bit.  So I brought a few lovelies home with me.  Including this amazingly pink skein of Mal sock

and also two pretty skeins of Mal lace.

   I still have not explored shawl knitting in any real depth, but I expect this new addition to my stash will solve that.  

Now I'll go back to plotting another big project for the fall.

 

WIP Wednesday

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   Today I don't have any finishes to show you, so I guess it's time to introduce a couple of new WIPs.

   The first up is Windswept.  I anxiously waited for a couple of months before the pattern was released in late May.  Then I bought it immediately.

Source.

   I'm using another Mirasol yarn (these are seriously addicting to me), T'ika in this royal blue color.  The yarn is 100% cotton, so I'm hoping for this to be an easy to wear pullover for cool nights this fall.

   My next WIP is Gemini, which I'm knitting in another 100% cotton yarn that I ordered last week, Estelle South Pacific.  

Source.

   This one was CO simply because it finally got hot and humid here in Nebraska, making any knitting with wool (other than for socks) unbearable.  Nothing prompts summer knitting like summer. :)  

   I'm taking a bit of risk with my size choice for this top since I'm in between sizes and am not sure that I am able to get the full 4" of negative ease the pattern calls for.  I got gauge with a larger needle than the pattern calls for, but if I knit the closest size, I would only get about 2" of negative ease.  Not enough.  My easy solution is to go down a needle size and knit my closest size to eek out a bit more negative ease.  Hopefully this works out or well enough at least.  If not... well, we'll re-vist this possibility later. 

 

Hue Shift Part II

   Earlier in the year, I finished up one quadrant of my Hue Shift afghan,

and over the weekend, I finished up my second quadrant.  I planned on knitting one square per day, but got sidetracked once or twice and had to catch up.  Each square takes about 40 minutes to finish, assuming I don't get distracted.

   I have a love/hate relationship with garter stitch.  I love how squishy the finished fabric is, but I really hate knitting in garter (I love me some purling!).  It seems to be harder on my hands since I have to "open up" each stitch in order to knit, whereas for purling, I can just slip the needle in and wrap the stitch with very little effort.  It might just be my knitting style...

   Anyway, these two sections finish up all of the solid color squares.  Hopefully the color changes for the next two sections will be interesting enough to get them finished soon... and by soon I mean on this side of Christmas.

one skein

   I'm not really a fan of small knitting projects.  I prefer things that are a bit more complex.  Or large.  Something I can actually wear.  Mostly this means sweaters with a good number of sock projects thrown in.  I don't usually do things that take only a day or two to finish or make baby items.  My most basic project is a vanilla sock.  So I don't really have a lot of use for a single skein of yarn (unless it's sock yarn).

   When I dyed up two skeins of yarn using two very different dye baths, I wasn't exactly thinking critically about what I wanted each single skein to be.  So this little project isn't one I'm particularly thrilled with (I can't muster up a whole lot of enthusiasm about this one), but it's done.  I no longer have this guilt-inducing single skein of yarn living in my stash and taking up space.

   I do however, like the little pops of the original blue that show up in the slip stitch pattern.  But meh... maybe these mittens will be gifted or passed along to someone else.

slowly growing or slow going?

  After buying a kit for the Aprika socks from the Cyber Monday sale at Knit picks, I finally worked up the nerve to cast on during May.  I'd hesitated because the reviews for the pattern were hot and cold... but mostly cold.  

   I knit my socks toe-up and have never completed a pair of stranded socks, so this project is a first for me in many ways.  The cuff and first couple of charts around the top of the sock seemed to drag on forever.

   But then I finally got to the good stuff.  My stitch count went way down after finishing the calf shaping and the main chart pattern is pretty addicting.

   Since the photo above, I've knit a few rounds of the foot chart.  But this pattern is starting to slow down for me.  I think it's mostly because I'm not thrilled about the afterthought heel method because I can no longer try the sock on as I go! /knitter problems  There's less of a safety net when you can't be sure of the fit on something so I think that I'm subconsciously trying to delay an inevitable fit-fail-frogging by hiding these at the bottom of my WIP pile.  I may knit to a good stopping point on the foot the knit the heels so I can go about my trying on every few inches like I do with a toe-up sock.  

Uma

   My favorite sweaters are Chic Knits designs.  They are my favorite both to knit and to wear.

This is Uma.

(cow-spotted kitty included for scale)

Just another knit for myself.  

Pattern: Uma, Chic Knits

Yarn: Mirasol Sawya

Colorway: Black

   The yarn I used for this one is interesting.  It's a cotton, alpaca, and silk blend that is velvety soft - it actually feels like velvet when knit up.  It didn't knit like a cotton, but isn't super hot like alpaca usually feels to me.  I think I'll have to pick up some more of this.

it has been too long...

So here's a finish for you!

Pattern: Fancy Feet Anklets Kit, but I substituted a different lace pattern.

Yarn: Knit Picks Comfy Fingering

Colorway: Lilac

   It's been a busy summer for me so far, which isn't a bad thing, but sometimes it leaves me with not enough crafting time.  And unfortunately my writing obligations elsewhere have left me a bit out of sorts when it comes to blogging.  But limited crafting/blogging time does not mean that there is no crafting time to be had.  I have lots to show you!

   Besides finishing that quick pair of anklets in the photo above, I've recently dug out some old WIPs and cast on a few more.  Right now I think I'm feeling spread a bit too thin when it comes to projects, which means it's time for me to get some things off the needles.  But where to start?  

Here's just a list of some of the things I'm currently trying to get done to give you some idea:

1. Apirka Socks: these stranded socks are halfway done and I've committed to finishing them by the end of July - hopefully with some time to spare.  They are an easy enough knit, but I'm most motivated to work on them only once or twice a week and never on consecutive days.
2. Hue Shift Afghan:  I started another 25 square section (my second of four) and have given myself a one square per day (or better) deadline.  Which means I should be done with this section by June 25th.  
3. Spiral Mittens: Last month I experimented with Kool-aide dyeing and CO these mittens to use up a single skein of grape scented yarn. :)
4. Cameo Shawl: I just got back from visiting family in California and needed something portable and simple to knit on the plane.  SO. MUCH. GARTER. STITCH.
5. Cassidy: I'm still working on Cassidy.  Before leaving for CA, I managed to finish and block both fronts.  Now I'm being mocked by the single sleeve that needs to be knit and blocked before I can begin the seaming.
6. Cadence Socks: I CO to use some gorgeous yarn and knit about 3" but I will likely frog and go up a needle size.

   There's so much to do!  Funny how involved I can be in my "hobby" when my "job" is just as intense. Work hard, play hard...

   One thing I have been sort-of good at is keeping my stash acquisitions in check for the most part.  But I fell hard at my favorite LYS in CA.

Lets just say that it could have been worse and in my defense, my sock stash was getting dangerously low.

one in every color

   I finished this cardigan before the end of April and pretty much haven't taken it off since then.  This is the perfect spring cardi to throw over everything.  The a-line shape is really flattering and the simple garter and stockinette stitch is not too busy, plus the cotton is cool and so soft.  I'm already planning to make another one of these in a wool or wool blend for the fall and maybe another cotton one in another color (or twelve).

Pattern: Miriam Cardi

Yarn: Knit Picks Simply Cotton Sport

Colorway: Haze Heather

   Sweaters like this are usually boring knits because they are so plain, but they really are the easiest to wear.  I've been making a lot more of my sweater knitting decisions and yarn choices based on what I will actually wear rather than just being an interesting knit.  But sometimes these kinds of sweaters and the time and effort put into knitting them is more valuable.  In fact, this sport weight piece took me about 20 days of knitting time (almost exclusively on this) to knit.  I used a little less than ten balls of yarn which cost me a grand total of about $14.25.  Way less than what a store bought sweater would run me and it's really a steal considering this is a handmade item.

In other words, I'm really glad I learned to knit. :)

WIP report

This last week I've been focusing on two main WIPs.

 The first is Uma, a top down cardigan that is full of interesting techniques.  The plan is to have this sweater done by the week of the 20th, which should be doable since I've already completed the only seaming (at the neckband) and have started to weave in some ends already).  

  Above is my progress as of Sunday morning, but yesterday I managed to knit a sleeve cap and add a couple of inches to the length.  Interestingly, I discovered yesterday that I have never knit a short-row sleeve cap before.  I'm very familiar with short rows and hiding wraps, but I've just never used the technique for a sleeve cap.  So that was interesting and looks great (trust me on that) so far.  I think I'll have to come up with some excuses to knit short-row sleeve caps more often.  

   My next WIP is from a Knit Picks kit, Apirka Socks.  These will definitely be a long term WIP so I don't get burned out on the stranding and end up burying these in the WIP basket.  I'm working these (sort of) two-at-a-time on two sets of needles.  Mostly so I don't have to remember the needle changes I'm making to get these to fit.  It's slow going knitting on both socks at once, but hopefully, this will help me avoid SSS.  

   In other news, I got the next Santa's Village chart in the mail over the weekend.  I'll be ordering some floss and hopefully, will find some time to squeeze in stitching time before the end of the month.

not dead!

   I am not dead.  I've just been exhausted, busy, and excited about new things!  I have a couple of finishes to catch you all up on over the next few days.  But in the meantime, here's what I'm currently working on.

Pattern: Fancy Feet Anklets base pattern, subbing a different lace pattern

Yarn: Knit Picks Comfy Fingering

Colorway: Lilac

   Just a simple pair of anklet socks, based on a pattern I have used many times in the past.  This time, however, I substituted another lace pattern in for one of the options provided by the pattern.  Yesterday morning I finished up the cuff and BO on the first sock and knit the toe of the second while enjoying a couple cups of coffee and watching the birds.  It was a fantastic weekend with fantastic weather!

   I've got big knitting plans for the summer which involve only my existing stash.  If all goes according to plan, three months of knitting projects will cost me around $11.00.  The cost being only for pattern purchases.

  My big project will be a pair of Apirka Socks.  I've had this Knit Picks kit for a while (since cyber monday maybe?) but have not had the nerve to attempt another pair of stranded socks.  The reviews on the pattern are not so hot, but the socks are gorgeous.  I'm prepared to do some tinkering with the pattern gauge to get a good fit.  So, these should be a challenge to say the least.

And I even swatched! In the round! Now I'm not anxious about this project. Well, anxious to CO, not anxious about knitting the pattern.

As for sweaters, I'm ready to cast on Uma in this Mirasol Sawya in black that I bought a while back.

   I'm also waiting for the release of Windswept from Tin Can Knits.  I think this blue T'ika would be fantastic knit up as an easy, casual pullover.  Hopefully the pattern is released soon, but not so soon that it distracts me from the projects above before they are finished.

   So here's hoping I can stay on track and on the sheep this summer.  

Weekly WIP Report 4.14.13

   This isn't exactly a weekly report; more like bi-monthly.  Things have been busy as ever the last couple of weeks in addition to me getting a cold and generally feeling like crap for the last several days (nothing a couple of lazy days and lots of knitting time couldn't fix).  I'm starting to feel a lot better.

   Here's what I accomplished.

   This was the update photo I was going to share with all of you on Thursday, but that didn't happen.  Since, Thursday however, Miriam has come a long way.  Here's what she looks like as of today.

   I managed to knit the sleeves and begin the raglan shaping.  It's a relief that my rows are getting shorter as I work my way up to the neckline, but I know that I'll have to knit the garter stitch neckline and that will be an ordeal.  I knit the sleeves two at a time.  Not my favorite method, but I knew it would be much easier to get them both done at the same time so I could move on to the exciting bits.  So far, I've used 6.5 balls of simply cotton sport.  I think I need to give my wrists a break before I attach the 7th ball.  Maybe I'll get started on seaming the sleeves up or get a start on the next chart of Santa's Village.   

   Now that the low temperatures are consistently above freezing for several days at a time, I've been wearing my cotton socks instead of my usual wool and boots combo.  So I thought I'd work another pair of anklet socks.  The pattern I'm using for the pair above is based on the Fancy Feet Anklets Kit from Knit Picks, but I sort of do my own thing until I get to the heel.  This particular lace pattern is not included in the kit.  I swapped in one from a stitch dictionary for something a bit different.

overloaded

   This week I've been especially productive at work and overall on top of my game (working out in the mornings and going to bed at a decent hour).  This means that during the couple of hours I get to work on a project at the end of the day, it needs to be something extremely uncomplicated.  No lace.  No cables.  No colorwork.  Nothing that actually involves my brain to be present at all.  Which is why I'm glad I happened to cast on a new cardigan late last week.  Lately I haven't kept to my WIP or stash rules, but I think for now, I should work on whatever makes me happy at the moment.  As long as I'm working on something, my stash is shrinking.

       That there is Miriam, a sport weight cardigan that is nothing but garter stitch and stockinette.  The perfect mindless knit.  I'm using Knit Picks Simply Cotton Sport (now discontinued) in Haze Heather, a sort of heathered lavender color, that looks a bit more grown up than the lavender my teenaged self chose as the wall color for my bedroom in my parents house.  I think this piece will be a welcome simple layering piece in my wardrobe.

   I've been knitting for about 4 years now and I've knit many sweaters over that time, but this is my first sweater knit in a smaller gauge yarn than DK.  I'm easily amused by how much drape I'm getting in this fabric simply because of the lighter weight yarn.  

   However, knitting in sport weight is slow going.  Especially, since I have to be careful to not overdo it with the cotton to save my wrists some pain.  That 3 1/2 inch band of garter stitch at the bottom took me 3 days to knit!  I'm not really a fan of knitting garter stitch anyway (I'm a rare purling lover), but I do love how thick and squishy the fabric is.    

   Overall, I love everything about this yarn with one huge caveat. Why must they make the ends so hard to find!  This is a failed attempt to fish the end out of center of the ball.  Instead of finding the end, I managed to make a huge knot somewhere in the center and had to resort to pulling from the outside.  We'll see what kind of mess awaits me when I knit down to the center.  

Weekly WIP Report 3.31.13

   Happy Easter Everyone!  Today is a gorgeous day in Nebraska and I intend to put it to good use.

   This week has been hectic as usual, but I did get in some good crafting time.  Gemma is slowly growing.  I've got yet another increase row to go on the yoke, so it is slow going until I can split the sleeves and body.

   In fact, I've already started to cheat a bit on Gemma with some sport weight cotton.

   But I'll be spending most of today trying to finish this...

I've slacked a lot on this month's Santa's Village chart.  So hopefully, I can get this one done today and stay on track.