Miss Knitty

Elvira WIP

2010-04-25T10:37:00.001-04:00

Elvira WIP
Originally uploaded by MissKnitty1

This is the summer top - Elvira, all grown up. I'll have to wear a tank top underneath, but it'll be awesome for summer and made of a silk/seacell blend no less. Definitely making more garments out of the SeaSilk, that's for sure!

Echo flowers - finished!

2010-04-25T10:35:00.001-04:00

Echo flowers
Originally uploaded by MissKnitty1

Well, it was done a few days ago, but still...! I absolutely love the color, which I wasn't able to catch properly in the pic - it's a bit greener than it appears. The yarn is Handmaiden SeaSilk, which is divine to knit and wear. So much so that I decided to forge ahead and make a summer top with the rest of it. squee!!!

Christmas flip top mitts

2009-12-25T09:14:00.001-05:00

Flip top mitts
Originally uploaded by MissKnitty1

Made these, also known as 'smokers mitts'. My 2 JCrew pairs (much finer gauge) are falling apart, so I realized I needed to make some replacements. Yummy Malabrigo will always do the trick!

Yummy scarf

2009-12-24T03:27:00.001-05:00

Yummy scarf
Originally uploaded by MissKnitty1

To go with the Favorite cardigan. Had to use the rest of the yarn for something, right? :D

Favorite cardi

2009-12-19T02:24:00.001-05:00

Favorite cardi
Originally uploaded by MissKnitty1

Not sure if it'll become the absolute favorite, but it's definitely getting a lot of use. Knit with Blue Moon Fiber Arts Single Lucious Silk in Corvid. BMFA's Raven Clan colors are to die for! And it's super warm and cozy due to the 50/50 silk/wool content. Buttons aren't really yellow, but it's hard to get an accurate pic when there's not much proper daylight...

How yummy is this?

2009-12-19T02:21:00.001-05:00

Rebecca cardigan
Originally uploaded by MissKnitty1

Knit frantically in about 4 days, this is getting a lot of use. Used 1200 yds Malabrigo chunky in Frank Ochre. Soft and warm!

EatSleepKnit Loot

2009-07-07T05:16:00.001-04:00

EatSleepKnit Loot
Originally uploaded by MissKnitty1

The 'loot' was picked up yesterday, and behold the yumminess! Malabrigo Lace (Sunset, Buscando Azul, Verde Adriana, Tortuga, Glazed Carrot), sock (Ochre, Solis, Tiziano Red), and Worsted in Tortuga. I completed the Yarnathon with these purchases, so I'm carefully plotting what to use the storewide discount on now... I'll have to wait a couple of paychecks, but that only gives me more time to plot...mwahahaa! The multicolor skein is a yarnathon prize of Noelle's Noodles fingering weight yarn.

You see, after completing the Whisper cardigan in Malabrigo Lace, I became obsessed with making more garments with this yummy lace yarn. That's why I bought 4 skeins of each lace color. I already got 3 patterns which calls for Mal lace: a dress, a skirt, and a sweater.

Oh, the possibilities! (There's not enough time in the day for everything I've got in my Ravelry queue!)

Sock yarn: Handmaiden Casbah in Paris

2009-04-08T10:35:00.002-04:00

Casbah Paris
Originally uploaded by MissKnitty1

Isn't it pretty?! Squish in a skein.... and I've never knit a sock before. I think I may have to now. Especially with Tikru's awesome lace stocking pattern in the new VK *tear*. I try not to buy yarn without a pattern in mind, and, of course, when the yarn arrives, I forgot what it was...typical.

My Blue Moon Fiber Arts Lucious Single Silk (silk/merino blend) has actually arrived, too, but since the post office and customs decided to double charge me on that one I can't actually get the package until they've sorted it out - BOO!

And I really hope they make it possible to blog more than one pic at a time from Flickr...grrr...

New Patterns!

2009-04-08T10:27:00.001-04:00

New Patterns!
Originally uploaded by MissKnitty1

Super fast 4 day shipping from Kpixie (I placed the order Saturday, and I got it today!), there are some yummy patterns, a couple of which I'll be using my Malabrigo Silky for and a couple I may attempt to use Sea Silk for. I just wish I had more hands so I could work on several projects simultaneously...

Eat.Sleep.Knit surprises

2009-04-05T03:20:00.001-04:00

Eat.Sleep.Knit surprises
Originally uploaded by MissKnitty1

After several fellow Ravelers posing the question of what the surprises contained, here's a pic (so I don't ruin the surprise in our ESK Rav group).... Ta Da! I actually got 2 suprises;

1 mini sweater pattern with a small skein of Sushi Sock from the Unique Sheep with a tape measure, yarn estimator card and a card to keep measurements on.

Second surprise (10M) was 2 skeins of Malabrigo Lace in Azalea (variegated) and Pink Frost with a scarf pattern.

Eat.Sleep.Knit rocks.

Eat.Sleep.Knit shipment arrived - WOOT!

2009-04-04T11:37:00.001-04:00

Eat.Sleep.Knit shipment
Originally uploaded by MissKnitty1

It arrived today and, as I was only expecting a partial shipment, I was extatic when it all came at once - YAY!!! This one includes Malabrigo Worsted in Hollyhock, Silky in Camote and Purple Mystery (my best friend has me obsessed with purple now), and Lace in Pagoda, Purple Mystery, Fuschia and Pearl Ten. And low and behold, it included my 10 mile surprise: 2 more skeins of Lace (with a pattern)! How awesome is that?! I'm seriously lovin' this yarnathon Erin has @ Eat.Sleep.Knit - and I'll earn mileage/yarn if someone clicks my link and orders some yarn, too (hint, hint). I want to cast on with ALL of these colors right NOW...but I'll pace myself until I find the right project for each yarn and color. For now, I'll just enjoy looking at and petting my new yarn... ;o)

Disco Lights

2009-04-01T11:25:00.001-04:00

Disco Lights
Originally uploaded by MissKnitty1

Just to throw a pic of the pretty Tilli Tomas Disco Lights silk in the mix..."precious, my precious..." It has to become something fabulous, but I'm having major decision-making issues with my yarn these days. A silk dress? A top? Sweater? Skirt? I really need to make more skirts now that I have slips ready to go underneath. Hmm...

Redwood Bark

2009-04-01T11:21:00.002-04:00

Redwood Bark
Originally uploaded by MissKnitty1

Malabrigo Silky (50% wool & 50% silk) is some seriously yummy yarn. I want to use this Redwood Bark colorway SO bad, but I can't decide on what to make with it. I may just end up jumping on the bandwagon and make a February Lady cardigan - Silky is excellent for lace patterns.

BUT, I'm a little conflicted since I want to work with some SeaSilk and my Tilli Tomas silk yarns, too. GAH! Choices, choices...

Circle cardigan done blocking!

2009-03-25T11:39:00.001-04:00

Circle cardigan
Originally uploaded by MissKnitty1

Turned out really nice, but it definitely needs a button. Working on the ZickZag Tunic now - what an addictive knit! And depending on what's in today's yarn shipment, I may even cast on for a final project for Malabrigo March. I'm switching over to Malabrigo Silky now, since it's starting to get warmer (slowly). I just can't make up my mind as to what pattern to get started with...grrr....

More finished knits! And some in progress...

2009-03-09T12:02:00.001-04:00

The Hemlock blanket - beeeutiful!

Dark Victory - YUM!

I jumped the bandwagon and made a Koolhas for the BFF...

Shifting Sands scarf
Cables & Lace Kimono

Evangeline mitts

Spirogyra mitts (gifted)

Lettuce Coat, which I renamed Apple Coat due to change in color. The brioche rib takes forever and a day to knit length-wise, so it's currently hibernating...

A dress I'm working on, which probably won't be finished in time to be worn THIS season...oh well...

Swallotwail shawl - first time I haven't finished a shawl in 3 days tops, but I guess there's a first for everything.

Pildar tunic/sweater, which will be awesome when finished - knit in alpaca.

The Welt & Rib Raglan, which is pure design genious - it can be worn inside out! One of many evil plots I have for my Malabrigo Silky stash...mwahahahaha!

The VK Eyelet Vest: I think I screwed this one up by adding rows to the fronts, but I haven't met a mistake I haven't been able to fix or hide yet, soooo....

Lush & Lacy cardi - YUM! Only sleeves and edging to go!

Long time, no see!

2009-03-08T12:34:00.001-04:00

BUT, lots of knitting has been done, and here's a few FOs:

Phyllo - I'm constantly amazed at how Norah's brain works, awesome designs.

My Gryffindor hoodie, which I worked on frantically, only to find out they moved the f'n premiere - BASTARDS!!!

Natalya mitts - absolutely loving the Sapphire Magneta colorway (Malabrigo worsted)

Asymmetrical cardi - love,love,love

The Textured cardi - is anything NOT yummy in Malabrigo? Not likely...

Yaguan, a little work of brilliance

Lace & Cables sweater from Rebecca mag

Tuxedo Vest (gifted)

Niobe from french Girl Knits - added some bling

There is more, but I need better pics. After Malabrigo March is over, I'll likely begin the spring/summer knitting, in which I want to get started on some of my silkier knitting dreams (Tilli Tomas & Hand Maiden Sea Silk!!!)

Summer knits

2008-07-02T23:09:00.001-04:00

For my summer knits, I bring you the Apres Surf Hoodie & Wakame Lace Tunic (both from Interweave Summer 2008), the Demeter-ish camisole, which I changed the edging on, added beads and whatnot, the Print O the Wave Stole in some YUMMY Sea Silk from Handmaiden (Paris colorway, for those interested). Then we have the Flower Basket shawl - 3-day ordeal, which turned out pretty nice IMO.

Now, I'm working on the Seeded Cables cardigan, a Debbie Bliss Pure silk yoke sweater, and I'll be casting on for the Drama Queen soon, too. I'm just having difficulty deciding which other projects to cast on for, as I'm trying to have quite a few WIPs with me when I fly home to Norway in a couple of weeks. God help the security moron who tries to take my needles, death will soon follow. They haven't before, but hey, you never know what mood those people will be in the day you fly. But then again, the fact that I'll have 2 cats with me as well might make them back off, you never know ("sir, you may hold my clawing cat if you wish....no?"). I really do need to get better at this blog, but then isn't that what they all say? ;)

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Can anyone guess?

2008-05-27T22:53:00.001-04:00

So who wants to call me to hear the good news? Hint: it's pretty big and not knitting related (although yarn certainly will be involved). I wonder if anyone is paying attention! ;)

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Finite!

2008-02-13T15:15:00.002-05:00

I completely forgot to post the finished coat...doh! Here it is! The color is more accurate in the pic in the earlier post about this, though. I have to say I even amazed myself with this one....seriously. The body was knitted bottom up per Tuulia's "Louhi" pattern, except I knitted it as an A-line coat (I knew it would look shaped anyway), only doing about 10 (I may be wrong on that number) decrease rows total. I also knitted each sleeve in the round, and then joined them to the body. I got really lucky with the raglan decreases here, though, as none of this was well planned at ALL, but it turned out PERFECT in the end. I believe I decrease the sleeves every RS row, and decreased in the body every other RS row. The only seaming on this was the 3-needle bind off for the top of the hood and the cuff cables - absolutely no other seaming involved, which was AWESOME! So, apart from my lumpy self, this coat is probably the most amazing thing I've ever knit (so far, at least). ;)

Can it get better? I'm not so sure...

2008-01-25T08:25:00.001-05:00

I know it's not knitting related, but I still have to share. Background is that I have to go shopping with my mother every time she visits, and she especially likes going to all the stores I can't afford to step into, i.e. Saks 5th Ave etc. So, we're at the Saks outlet store, and just for the hell of it, I try on a pair of MENS jeans, called True Religion (because the womens jeans are all made for stick people, IMO). Who would expect mens jeans to fit good, right? Well, the fit was AWESOME!!!!! That's it, I'm in love. They really are telling the truth when they claim these jeans do wonders for your ass. And since my mother knows she has to spend money on me too on these shopping excursions (I do NOT enjoy trekking around an outlett mall for hours on end), they were MINE! Mwahahahahaaha! Now, if I could only get a job so I could get more of these. I never understood why people would pay hundreds of dollars on jeans until I put these on, but luckily they were not that expensive at the outlet, though - phew!

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A few FO updates

2008-01-20T09:42:00.001-05:00

This is a self-designed turtle neck sweater, which I'm very happy with (then again it IS Malabrigo...hehe).

Then we have this awesome hoodie, designed by Tikruu (Finnish gal), and now her pattern will be featured in Vogue Knitting this Fall, so I'm glad I got to knit this before the pattern was taken down (VK wants it exclusive). Very happy with this one, and it was a lot simpler than I imagined. I wore this to my LYS (also brought the red monstrosity above), and got positive feedback on both - yay! It's good to know I'm doing something right!

Oh, and since I gave away my first CPH, I had to make another one for myself, also in Malabrigo (Red Mahogany colorway):

The ruby colored dream coat!

2008-01-18T18:42:00.001-05:00

In my Malabrigo obsession, I decided I wanted to knit the Louhi coat in the burgundy colorway (I like color with panache). This is a long coat originally, and thanks to the help the designer herself is providing, this is turning out pretty awesome, if I may say so. She did an ingenius job on charting the corner cables! I must admit I was doubtful before I started the corners, but it's really quite brilliant. The cabling repeats are easy to memorize, believe it or not, and I think I'm at about waist level now. So, excitement is mounting as to how the end result will turn out, but I'm trying to follow the pattern as much as possible. Is this heavenly or WHAT?! Can I get a "woot-woot"? Oh and it's also now the most expensive thing I've made so far - 18 skeins of Malabrigo worsted (you figure that one out). However, it is SO worth it when it comes to this yarn, as I'm sure the recipient of my CPH in Olive Malabrigo can attest to. I'm just so excited about this knit and I hope I get to finish and wear it before it's 150 degrees here again...

Bah humbug

2007-12-18T20:30:00.000-05:00

Well, after getting Christmas spirit shoved down the throat from everywhere, I'm a little annoyed. Especially watching the dumbest commercials of what we should all buy for eachother. Like a lot of people can afford to throw away a couple of grand on an HD TV, which you really don't need in the first place. I mean, I even get a twinge of guilt when I dream of buying something now, knowing I absolutely don't need it and that whatever it is might feed some family somewhere for a week or more. Don't get me wrong, I do like Christmas, I just don't feel very joyous this year. The only things that are keeping it afloat is knitting and the 5 year old's little gold nuggets of "wisdom".

I got myself deeper into dept (hey, what's another $80?) by getting the Harry Potter DVD box set for myself for Christmas (the kid is getting plenty, so his pile under the tree is the only one present, don't worry). I know that come New Year's, the bank account will equal $0 (literally). I know we'll be having Ikea's meatballs for Christmas. I know there's little chance I'll be employed by next year. The only thing I'm not certain of, and have little hope for, is that the ex will let us move back to the motherland next year. I'll be surprised if he does, actually. Maybe I should dare him to do it, since he seems to be annoyed/outraged whenever I'm able to predict what his future actions will be.

So, I've taken to doing research on the necessities of opening an online yarn store back home, so that's killing the time somewhat. I'm almost done with my 2nd generation CPH. I have plenty of unfinished knits to finish.

In conclusion, things pretty much sucks for the time being (can't even pretend to pretend I have any money), BUT as I always tell other people; "what's the positive in this situation?" Well, that I've managed to cram in a lot more 'quality' time with the wee one. We've made xmas presents for the grandparents (a pair of thoroughly hideous t-shirts), we've made gingerbread cookies (of which are almost all gone -I've had 2), and a lot of tickeling - he's the only one I know who DEMANDS it, little weirdo.

Wow, I'm completely neglecting this!

2007-11-28T07:56:00.000-05:00

Ok, so I guess it's been a while - sorry! Not that I'm getting that much traffic, but still. Ravelry has been spellbinding, so I blame them..hehe. Since I have absolutely no idea what to knit for my dad, I'm almost done with all the xmas knits (a scarf is left). Well, I know what to knit for him, but I just don't have the time or yarn to do it in time for xmas, rather.

So, I'm almost to the point that if something can't be knit up in Malabrigo, it's almost not worth knitting. That's obviously not true, but I love that yarn so much...lol.

I've made some more stuff, pics below. I also want to try my luck at the Luohi coat, which is just awesome (but looks like a lot of work, though).

Finally - the finished Central Park Hoodie!

And the Turtleneck shrug - GOD how I love Malabrigo!

And the Kitty hat...

Oh my

2007-11-08T15:34:00.001-05:00

So, I've been lacking in updates here, since I'm hooked on Ravelry - so, so awesome. This weekend will consist of lots of frantic knitting, plus a decent amount of blocking. I hope to finish 2 sweaters I've conjured all by myself; an alpaca fair isle and a chunky cabled turtleneck, but we shall see if I manage to finish. Since this weekend will be one of the rare occasions where my little eye stone will be with his father, I have a lot of cleaning and organizing to get done while he's gone, too. Phew! One thing is certain, I'll be super happy once it's all done!

This is almost like a cliffhanger

2007-10-27T22:31:00.001-04:00

Designing your own knits, that is. Oh, and it will also fry your brain. At least mine is pretty well done right about now, but at least I managed to produce a fairly good sketchy pattern. I'm in the process of knitting it now, so I shall share pics once I take them. I would say that it's typical me to go for designing something in a technique I haven't even tried yet (i.e. complicating things). Although I did draw my charts myself, they can hardly be called original because they're so simple (i.e. someone else has most likely had that lightbulb light up before). You will all be waiting with baited breat, I'm sure...hee!

Finally a coupon worth while

2007-10-25T17:50:00.001-04:00

I just scored this Namaste knitting bag on Joann.com - Under $40, when it sells for $80+! I didn't even know they sold these bags! I wonder if the coupons work on dressforms, if so, that'll be my next buy...*giddy dance*

And I'm spending more time on Ravelry than I should - since I really need to be knitting more than I am at the moment. But then the apartment doesn't clean itself either, especially when the 5 yo keeps mucking it up. Sigh. At least I'm baking break and cooking, which is good. It's amazing what one can accumulate in kitchen cupboards....

Oh, and I got Rowan mag #37, for the Butterfly pattern - beeeeutiful! Now, I just hope the largest size will fit, because the Rowan Kid Silk Haze I got for it it is HEAVEN in a ball - pinky swear. For your viewing pleasure, and may mine (although in dark red) turn out as pretty:

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This is almost too awesome to be true....but it is!

2007-10-22T07:50:00.001-04:00

Seriously - the folks who developed Ravelry are geniuses! I got my invite Friday (it's still in beta mode), and have spent all possible time since "setting up shop" there. It's a wonderful place where you can queue your projects, list your current and finished projects, list your stash of yarn (OMFG, my stash is bigger than it should be) and needles. Different forums and groups are readily available to chat away and help you out with your burning knitting questions. A knitting nirvana....

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Opinions needed!

2007-10-17T18:50:00.001-04:00

Ok, so I only used just over 2 balls of my Faerytale yarn for the Sun Ray Shawl. I got 3 colors of this yarn, 5 balls each. Now what? I'm thinking of making another shawl, too, but I'm very tempted to attempt one of the following:

Now, the red and green is the same, I just thought it was nice seeing an actual FO, too. The colors I CAN use are either the green seen in the pic above OR the red in the other pic. Damn, I didn't even realize how convenient those pics were! Shall we start the voting? Just leave a comment naming the color of the dress (in the pic), so it's easier to figure out for me...

Procrastinating?

2007-10-17T08:35:00.000-04:00

I've been meaning to post this since last week, but I didn't get around to take pics until a couple of days ago. Sigh

Anywho, a few things have now been finished, and here they are:

Simple Knitted Bodice in super soft wool (I need to figure out a better way to take pics this way):

Sun Ray Shawl - amazingly quick! It took about 3 days...

Fetching fingerless mitts - I'll be making lots more of these, since they use little yarn and are quick knits -and pretty! I think I must be losing count of my rows or something with these, because one always turns out longer than the other...weird.

And now for stuff I'm still working on...

The Dark Mark Illusion scarf: I just finished making a chart for the back of this scarf, since the illusion doesn't show up on the back. And of course I wasn't clairvoyant enough to knit this in the round when I started, either... On the other hand, I might just knit the back in plain black, and use the chart to make another scarf. Hmmm.... It's pretty cool - if you're looking straight at it, you won't see anything - you have to look at it at an angle to see the pattern.

This is what I'm working on with my dyed cashmere, but I'm pondering ripping it out and doing a cabled lace pattern instead...hmmm....

And this is a freestyle knit in my Inka yarn, which ultimately will (I think) turn into some kind of jacket/cardigan. I haven't quite planned it out yet, and I need to ponder some more before I continue this one. I do love the colors, though!

And this is the hood on my Central Park Hoodie, which turned out a little weird (no, I did not follow the pattern, and I'm sure it would have turned out normal if I did). Still contemplating if I should rip and re-knit, but the jury is still out on that one.

What kind of yarn are you?

2007-10-11T08:07:00.001-04:00

You are Merino Wool.
You are very easygoing and sweet. People like to keep you close because you are so softhearted. You love to be comfortable and warm from your head to your toes.

I guess other people would have to agree or disagree with this, since I'm not entirely sure how I'm percieved.. :)

Cats...

2007-09-30T10:12:00.003-04:00

As some of you may know (and perhaps noticed and even seen), I have kitties - 2 of them. Well, I woke up this morning to a living room COVERED in Tilli Tomas Aspen....expensive wool yarn I'm currently knitting with (and white, nonetheless!). They do go for the good stuff, I tell ya. Luckily, the yarn was not harmed - just spread out.

And as I'm writing this, I turn, to see a cat eyeing my blocking board (currently on top of my ironing board). I swear, it's as if they're thinking "Gee, if she's telling us no and stay away, that must be something worth getting into!". The sad thing is that even if the iron (which is on the blocking board) falls on them, it will only make it more intriguing...sigh.

So, My Central Park Hoodie is coming along nicely - I only have the button band and the hood left.

I added short rows to the Wicked, which turned out well (to my own amazement), so it's only a matter of knitting my way down to the bottom.

The Simple Fitted Bodice only has the neck edging and arms left (this is what the Tilli Tomas Aspen is for, which the cats got into). Instead of the purl ridges at the bottom, I did a subtle ruffle edge instead.

I received some absolutely gorgeous lace weight alpaca yarn the other day, which I may use to give Eunny Jang's Print O' the Wave stole a go with - adding beads to it. I even got US 2 needles, so I'm the only one holding myself back now.

As for my cashmere yarn, I think I'll attempt a cabled hooded wrap with that - it may turn out well, and it may not...hehe. I have sort of a picture of what I want, so we'll see if I can make that happen.

I'm also procrastinating in starting my (perhaps ambitious) project of knitting my Inka yarn into a sweater coat - military style with lapels and stuff. At least it will be relatively easy to knit, with the Inka being a bulky yarn. I'm still going back and forth on what texture and stitches to use, since stockinette is kinda boring.

In other words; ots to make, not enough time to do it!

F'n crap!

2007-09-27T08:40:00.001-04:00

Trying to edit a post and all it does is the opposite of what I tell it to do. WTF?! I'm seriously angry at the dashboard right now...grrr! Like anyone cares, right?

Why the hell can't you put pics where you want them (instead of them showing up at the top whenever you add a pic)?

And why can't you copy and paste?! This is probably what annoys me the most. And you can't edit out pics either, then you have to delet the whole post (at least it works that way on my dashboard)....ARGH!

I'm Evil Kaneivel, I tell you [Dyeing cashmere]

2007-09-26T09:32:00.000-04:00

Or the nutty professor, whichever....hehe.

Well, I did a little experiment - I dyed my cashmere yarn. I got it a while back, but I didn't like the thought of white (or cream in this instance). So, I figured since people dye at home, I should be able to - cashmere is wool (a protein fiber) after all, right? Then I came across the notion of KoolAid - who knew you could use that to dye yarn? Well, I certainly hadn't. I found a really good article at Knitty (they even had a color card of the flavors), and decided to try my luck. Kinda hopin I'd be successful, since cashmere ain't cheap. So, off I went to get my KoolAid... I decided to get the Black Cherry and the Grape, since I wanted a deeper red and purple. I did 700 yds in the red and 500 in the purple.

Since cashmere is extra sensitive, I didn't want to do the stovetop method, so I decided to use Ziploc bags instead. I mixed lukewarm water with the KoolAid powder (I used about 3 packets per skein - 100yds/2oz), and put my (soaked) yarn in. Then I put the bags out on the balcony - in the sun. I'd read somewhere that this was a good way to heat the water without shocking the yarn, and by god, it was. It obviously took longer than it would have on the stove, but I'd rather be safe than sorry - especially with cashmere. I let the yarn sunbathe until the water was clear (i.e. the yarn had absorbed all the color), and then soaked it in the kitchen sink with some Eucalan. Then I hung it to dry in the shower. It's still not completely dry, but I'm very happy with the results of my first dyeing attempt.

The ingredients

The soaking of the yarn - who said toys can't have a purpose?

The sun bath

The finished product (red is Black Cherry flavor and purple is Grape flavor).
Now, I just have to sort out the mess I made (because I was lazy and didn't un-wind the 2 balls I'd already made)...

Central Park Hoodie

2007-09-25T12:19:00.001-04:00

My Central Park Hoodie is coming along nicely - yay! This is a fairly quick knit, and I might have been done, if I wasn't working on the HP cloak and Wicked in between....hehe. I just need a little variety; when you get bored with one, pick up another - works great! Working on the first sleeve now, so maybe I'll be done by this weekend, who knows. One thing is for certain - I LOVE the Malabrigo yarn - so soft!

Wicked

2007-09-17T21:28:00.001-04:00

Just started this using Rowan Tapestry (what a NIGHTMARE to frog, but oh so lovely otherwise). I'm going up a couple of sizes because I don't have the exact gauge, so we'll see how this one turns out. I've also never done cables before, so that adds a certain thrill element to it all as well...stay tuned...

Experiments...!

2007-09-17T18:33:00.001-04:00

My first blocking experience is underway, and it's going better than I expected (I was envisioning singed fibers, but this did not happen). Yay! Yes, it's inside out. No, I haven't added the fringe, BUT it will be done after I'm done blocking. With this blocking business, it'll be quite a bit longer than the pattern calls for, but oh well. Right? Hehe

This is the Harry Potter Gryffindor scarf I just finished making for Ben (who also thought it shouldn't take more than 5 minutes), which I started Friday night. So, all in all about 3 days work - not bad! And in between my sweater factory here, I'll be making the Dark Mark Illusion scarf - it rocks SO hard!!! I just need some green yarn for this...hmm....

I have more FO pics to post, but I won't do it quite yet, since they're xmas knits and the recipients may peek in here...muhahahaha! More post will be coming, though, because I'm knitting like it's going outta style over here...hee!

Taking the next step

2007-09-10T15:28:00.001-04:00

So, I couldn't help myself, but wander into JoAnn's and Barnes & Noble's today. The result? More knitting books and plenty of beads and string. After using scrap yarn as stitch markers for a while, I suddenly realized how easy it must be to make my own
fancy ones, so off I went. Now, I'm going to use both wire and hemp (although not at the same time) for my stitch markers, since I don't particularly care for the rigidness of wire markers (ergo I'm making both, to see how they are to work with). This could get very interesting, but I have to contain myself until the wee one goes to school tomorrow, since I know the cats will try to "help", too....Hee!

Voila!

2007-09-08T08:18:00.001-04:00

Here it is: my oh-so-wonderful knitting nook. The pic really doesn't do it justice. This Expedit shelving unit from Ikea is AWESOME. In case you can't tell (because of the chair), there are 16 cubes here, and my yarn occupies 12 of them - and there's still more yarn (acrylics), which I have in wicker baskets (not seen in these pics). God, how I love being organized! Apparently, the cats love it, too, and Sophie wonders why I didn't think of this contraption sooner - it's great to climb on!

And I got one for the "dining" room, too...I just have so much crap! (That doesn't really fit in my apartment).

Finished the first xmas present last night: Boatneck Bluebell in Cascade 220 Quattro. All that remains is weaving and blocking. I won't be able to get an action pic of this one, though, since it's too small for me and the recipient lives in another country.

I have officially gone nuts (about yarn)

2007-09-07T15:08:00.000-04:00

I have gone completely insane and aquired an insane amount of yarn. Well, maybe not, but I suspect it IS an insane amount for the normal person - unless you’re a yarn addict like me, and a yarn store like Webs is completely yarn porn to you. I will be putting up reviews as I knit with them…
Cascade 220 Quattro (color: Fiji) 10 skeins ($1 per sk at my LYS)
Drops/Garnstudio Inka (color 4) 28 balls total (got an insane dicount from Knitty Noddy - I LOVE Evelyn!!!)
Drops/Garnstudio Ull Flame (color 16) 14 balls ($2/ball on sale!!)
Drops Muskat (color 24 - I think) 13 balls
Filatura Di Crosa Brilla (color 127 or 414, I can’t tell) 12 balls
Du Store Alpakka Faerytale (colors 712, 715, 717) 5 balls ea color - can we say “shawl”?
Debbie Bliss Alpaca Silk DK (colors 1 - 15 balls, 4 - 10 balls, 7 - 8 balls, 8 - 2 balls, 9 - 1 ball) about 36 balls total (mostly black and orange), which was 70% off at Knit Happens - I LOVE this store!!! (I could possibly live there)
Debbie Bliss Pure Silk - 10 skeins in turqoise (on sale at Little Knits)!
Araucania Pomaire (colors 2 - 5 skeins, 10 - 8 skeins, and 11 - 10 skeins) Also 70% off at Knit Happens!
Araucania Nature Wool (colors Yellow and Turqoise)
Araucania Magallanes (colors 305 & 307)
Rowan Tapestry (colors Antique, Rainbow, and Rust) 10 balls ea
Yarns arriving soon:
Valley Yarns Berkshire: colors Coffee Bean, Dark Teal, Wine, Red Purple, Turqoise, and Navy
Berrocco Ultra Alpaca in Peat mix, Cranberry mix, and Blueberry mix, 6 skeins ea
Berroco Peruvia in Aquamarine, 8 skeins
Cascade Pima Tencel in 9516 (dark blue?) 13 balls (for the dress in Fitted Knits)
Elsebeth Lavold Hempathy in beige (03) 10 skeins
Elsebeth Lavold Classic AL in Midnight Blue (3), Garnet (6), Pine Green (12), and Purple (14), 10 balls ea
Cascade 220 in Burgundy (2401) and Yellow (7627), for my HP scarf and Quiddich sweater
Cascade 220 Tweed in Evergreen (7602) and Navy (7630), 6 skeins ea.
Cascade Eco Wool Plus in Butternut Squash (8444) 2 skeins - for the short-sleeve cardigan in Fitted Knits.
I’m sure there’s more (or maybe not?), but I’ll add it once I realize what it is.

So many patterns, so little time!

2007-09-07T08:27:00.001-04:00

Man, I have so many things I want to knit, both for myself and others...just look at the pretty pics below:
The Alexander McQueen knock-off sweater (this one was knitted by Rosalynn: http://www.rosalynn.com/blog/)

Elann's pinwheel sweater - I love the colors! (this one by rippedoffknitter: http://rippedoffknitter.wordpress.com/2007/08/09/wake-me-up-when-september-ends/)

The Eiffel Top (by Lana Hames: http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEwinter06/PATTeiffel.html)

Wicked (from Zephyr Style: http://www.zephyrstyle.com/catalog/item.cfm/2367447/3974522#image_1)

I'll be back with more once I get back to the puter...

Almost forgot to share the joy

2007-09-05T15:20:00.000-04:00

My blocking board arrived yesterday - can you BELIEVE it was “only” $60?!? Being a sucker for doing things properly (and afraid of screwing it up), I caved in and bought the EZ Sew blocking board after finding it this cheap online. I think it actually only took about a week and a half to get it (from placing the order until arrival), and I was expecting about a month - awesome! You can order it here, if you’d like one. :) Let the blocking begin!

It's official

2007-09-04T18:59:00.000-04:00

Hello, I'm MissKnitty and I'm a yarn addict. Do support groups for this even exist? Seriously, any LYS or e.g. Webs is completely yarn porn to me.

There, I said it. So, my best friend will be getting a Ms Marigold in Debbie Bliss' Alpaca Silk DK (Purple), my other friend will be getting the Bluebell Boatneck (Fitted Knits) in Cascade Quattro Fiji[red] - it was $1/sk at my LYS!!!!! (I'll post progress pics soon), and I haven't yet decided what to make for a 3rd & 4th friend. Sigh. AND, I'm working on another Fitted bodice in Tilli Tomas Aspen, which could seriously be mistaken for cashmere, it's that soft.

I've also fallen in love with the following (see pics):
Knitty's Revolution jacket
IK's Tilted Duster
Knitscene's Central Park Hoodie
A bunch of Fitted Knits and Knitty patterns and this ribbed shrug and bell sleeved sweater.

How on earth I'm going to find time to finish them all is beyond me, especially since I'm still pondering what kind of cardigan (long) to make out of my Inka yarn. Oh, and I want to have a go at making shawls - starting with one, of course. Is it bad that I'm almost hoping I'll stay unemployed? Sigh...
On another note; I'm absolutely GIDDY because I just got 2 EXPEDIT bookcases (black/brown) and 1 will be completely exclusive to knitting (read: yarn stash)! This is good, since my livingroom stash has now overflowed into my bedroom (which is small). And of course I got the boxes that go with it, so it'll be all suave looking. Ok, got to go put it all together now - I shall post pics of my masterpiece once it's done and stashed out. Hee!

Hee!

2007-08-21T17:27:00.000-04:00

I couldn’t be more giddy right now…I just got a hold of some Drops Inka yarn, which is beeeeutiful! I’m planning on making a Fitted Tunic with what I have, but I might splurge on some more and try to make a long duster coat and a sweater for my mom. Yarn porn indeed….sigh.

Christmas will happen early this year...

2007-08-15T02:09:00.000-04:00

God, I wish I was a hindu goddess and had 8 arms so I could knit several things at the same time...just look at these yarns!!! Little Knits sales are just AWESOME (I wish I was really rich). And Webs is great too - the Araucania wool was only $3.49/$5.99 per ball. I almost wish I never looked...LOL. I tried looking up reviews on the yarns, and besides 1 bad one of the Kureyon, it sounded good to me. Therefore, I've decided to do yarn reviews on here. Obviously, I won't be able to talk about those below yet, but I'll try to add what I've worked with so far whenever I have time.

YAY for yarn!

Kureyon 170
Kureyon 95

Debbie Bliss Pure Silk 07

Araucania Nature Wool
Araucania Nature Wool
Araucania Magallanes
Araucania Magallanes

& Above: Rowan Tapestry in Rustic, Antique, and Rainbow. Hee! They are SO pretty!!!

Ok, so we're STILL crossing our fingers...

2007-08-14T03:24:00.000-04:00

Unfortunately, they only managed to play a tied game yesterday, against the team on the very bottom of the league. Disappointing, to say the least, BUT we're hoping they snap back into shape asap. It wasn't so much that they played bad, but the other team (Start) was all that more desperate to get points. For those who might not know, if you win, you get 3 points, if it's tied, each team gets 1 point, and (obviously), if you lose, you get NOTHING. The player you see in the pic above is Daniel Nannskog, our brilliant Swede forward - #11! I have to add, that I'm proud to support such a wonderful team...meaning they play fair, and don't sport the 'rugby' style like some other teams do on the field.

Ta Da!

2007-08-14T03:14:00.001-04:00

My Simple Knitted bodice is DONE! Well, almost... Yes, yes, I know it needs to be blocked - I'm getting to that. Any day now...hehe. See, the thing is, I've never blocked before (and therefore, a few finished projects aren't really finished), so it's a little scary. However, when I'm confident in how to block silk, I'll be getting on the ball - promise!

Simple Knitted Bodice

2007-08-08T06:37:00.000-04:00

Ok, so apparently I just fouled up the lace pattern....BUT I'm NOT frogging it this time - maybe it'll just look artistic or something...hehe. As soon as I can find my USB chord, I'll add a pic here, too (I found it!). The blue color is so pretty could eat it! Figuratively speaking, of course. ;)

Textured Tunic - this one w/o side buttons

2007-08-07T05:56:00.000-04:00

Ok, so I'm in love with Stefanie Japel's book, Fitted Knits . I might actually attempt to knit a majority of the patterns in it, regardless of level - what's skill level for the determined knitter?! Hee!
I've already done the V-neck pullover, which came out very nice (but I forgot to take pics before giving it away). It was a super fast and easy knit, and I will definitely be knitting more v-necks!

But I digress... I'm finishing the Textured Tunic today, and since I live on the very edge with my knitting (i.e. I don't always make swatches or try the damn thing on), it will be like hearing the Jaws theme in the background when I finally do try it on. I do want to block it, too, but this is something I've never done before, so it scares me a little. Eeek!

I have to say, though, that I LOVE the Lana Grossa Royal Tweed yarn - so soft and a pleasure to knit with. You get really good stitch definition with this yarn. I definitely have to get more colors of this yarn at some point (and hope it doesn't get torn up by kitty claws). It's almost weird not having airborne cats coming at my knitting nowadays, since my mom's cats are totally uninterested (we're at my parent's house at the moment).

I'm also working on the Simple Knitted Bodice, which I'll elaborate on later.

Woohoo!

2007-08-07T05:53:00.000-04:00

My very own knitting blog - who'd have thunk? Well, I plan on keeping this as updated as I can, at least. Once I take pics of my past projects (and my current ones), they'll be added, too.