Friday, December 30, 2011

FO Friday: Swap Time!

Wow, sorry I didn't post anything on Wednesday! I actually had finished the project I'm going to show off today on Tuesday, therefor no WIP on Wed, and I hadn't progressed on any of my other projects at that point! I'm kind of a slacker in that sense, but I did get an entire project done in 4 days. That's pretty impressive if I do say so myself.

Now, some of you may know that I am taking place in an Arts and Sciences swap within the SCA. The particular swap is called Noblese Largesse, and it's pretty cool. When you sign up, you are required to fill out a questionnaire, and from there I'll quote from the Noblese Largesse's facebook page.

So, how is this supposed to work?

No doubt, you've noticed that you've had to fill out a questionnaire. We use an Excel spreadsheet and the RAND function to take your name and match it with someone else. We will then send you the information that your recipient filled out on their questionnaire. It is for you to decide at this point what to make them. After you make the object(s), send it out. Please make sure you send a note with your item, revealing yourself to your recipient.

Also, there's a limit to how much you can spend on materials. $20

Pretty simple, eh?  Well, yes and no. I had quite a few difficulties trying to choose what to make for my swap partner. Being a new SCAdian, and new to the world of A&S as a whole, I didn't have a wide variety of skill sets to pull from. I have knitting, I can make some glass beads, I can do some pathetic embroidery. That's about it, so I went to what I know best; knitting. Now, what to make?

From the questionaire I received, my partner has a French persona, her colors are red and gold, and to throw a wrench into my plans, she tries to only wear period (and persona) appropriate garb. I know nothing about late period French knitted garments as of right now, which is sad since my persona is late period French. Realizing I was kinda screwed, I asked if my partner liked shawls. Nope.

Time for plan B! Problem. There was no plan B. So, I spent the greater part of 2 months trying to find something I could actually make, and would be something my partner would enjoy and use. My solution? Mittens! I found this free pattern on Ravelry for these mittens, and I'm in love with them. Check it out!




I think they're pretty spiff. They're made out of a sport weight 100% wool yarn called Wool Of The Andes purchased at Knitpicks. This yarn was much softer than I expected and wears amazingly well. Not to mention, at under $3 a ball, I was able to purchase all the yarn I needed, for a little over half of my budget which still left money for the knitting needles and notions I needed! I would highly recommend this yarn. 

So, what do you guys think? I'm pretty proud of myself. I think I'll end up making more mittens in the future. Now that I know I can do this, why wouldn't I want to make such a fast, and easily transportable project?

Friday, December 23, 2011

FO Friday: Nummy Alpaca

Let's get this out in the air, I love working with alpaca. It's soft, it's warm, it's amazing. Now, what two things could make alpaca better? Add silk and hand spin those two fibers together. That's a recipe for an amazing knitting experience, and one I got to indulge in.

Now, this particular project has gone through quite a journey. The gorgeous dark green roving was purchased as SAFF (Southeastern Animal Fiber Festival) by one person (Sine), spun by another (Siobhan), and then the yarn was handed off to me to be knit into a shawl for the original purchaser of the fibers. You'd think that was enough of a journey, wouldn't you?

Nope.


Once I got the yarn, I had to learn how to figure out how much yardage I was given. This is a  very handy skill to learn, and I suggest everyone who works with yarns (especially handspun) learn this. First I placed a skein of yarn on my swift, which I happen to be borrowing from Sine until I can afford my own, measure the circumference of the yarn. Inches works best unless you end up with one or two yard wraps. I happened to have 2 yard wrapsThen near one of the ties, count thenumber of threads in each skein (yeah, it's a pain, sorry!) and multiply by the circumference of the skein - that should give you total # of inches in the skein, which then you can convert to feet or yards or whatever works best for you. I ended up with 416 yards of alpaca and silk deliciousness.
A finished project


Then, I had to choose a pattern. My first choice was called a Dummy Clap. It's a super simple, dumbed down version of a Clapotis (clap oh tee). The dumbed down version, knit a wide scarf that's about 55 inches long. when you're binding off stitches, drop some. It created those gorgeous columns of lace. It's a really nice pattern. for those who have the patience to knit a 55 inch scarf. I generally don't, but I gave it a try anyway, because if I don't push myself and do things I usually don't (or won't), then I can't grow as a knitter.




Before I frogged
Problems came in halfway through working the second skein of this project. I had only knitted about 24 inches and the pattern called for 55. There was no way I could get the length I needed for this monster of a project. I had to change my approach. So what do I do next? Frog the entire thing, an annoying and time consuming task in its own right, only to cast on the same pattern with about 20 less stitches. At this point, I'm thinking I'm pretty clever. The shawl won't swallow Sine alive, and I get to make this the length it needs to be! Wrong. I made it about 35 inches and ran out of yarn.


Again, I had run into a problem. But as luck would have it, I ran into Sine on Sunday and we got to talking about her shawl when she let me know she prefers triangular shawls anyway! How lucky of me that I prefer knitting triangular shawls better as well! Next to find a great pattern. I eventually found a pattern on the lionbrand website. It's called the Easy Triangle Shawl #60301. It's the same pattern as the Splendid Triangle Shawl #80982AD. I love this pattern. It's great for yarn that is Worsted to Bulky weight, and its made for Lion Brand Homespun yarn. I saw this as the perfect pattern for the yarn I had. A little worn from all the knitting and frogging it had been through, I washed it and re-skeined the yarn to help it recover a bit. Worked like a charm. This is what I ended up with!



Please keep in mind that this has yet to be blocked. The shawl will increase in size and the stitches will be much more even once I have finished the blocking process. However, I need to get blocking wires first. That will happen within the next week or two, and then I can block this and the other three projects that have been waiting patiently to be blocked. hehe

In the end, it took about 2 months from purchase to finished product of this shawl. I hope that it was well worth the wait, and I can't wait to hand it over once it's completely done. 

Friday, December 16, 2011

WIP Friday? True Story!

Well......this is technically supposed to be FO Friday, but since I haven't actually finished anything, I might as well show the two new projects I started. ^_^;; I like having a variety of projects going so that I always have something to work on, no matter what mood I'm in. Do I want to make a shawl? No problem! Bag? Can do! Blanket? Sure thing! Even though it might be a bit maddening at times, it really does help when I get bored with a project. So, on to my latest projects.

As I mentioned in my last post, I was going to start working on the Sharktooth Shawl by Stephen West. It just so happens to be the first shawl for this shawl club (still writing up a post for that)! I love this thing. The only problem that's really stopped me from working on it more than I have is that I don't have the pattern printed out yet, and knitting at my computer makes my back hurt. :/  So, here's the first half of section 1 completed!

Note: I have all of section 1 finished, I'm just too lazy to take a picture of it right now. Just sayin'.

The first "teeth" have just been completed. Love how the yarn looks


Here's a better picture of the colors in the yarn.


Now for something a bit unusual for me. I started a crochet project last night on a whim. My dear husband (DH) has been asking for almost a year now, for me to crochet him a blanket. Up to date, I've started and frogged 4 different blankets for him. Reasons varied from project to project, like bad tension, gauge different from piece to piece, not knowing what I'm doing, ect. The list goes on and on. I think I finally figured out what the problem was. I didn't have a pattern.




It's so simple, but I've realized something about myself. If I do not have a pattern for a project, then I won't work on it. Weird, I know, but true. Hopefully I'll finally be able to make the DH happy finish a nice crochet project!

I'm using 3 different color for the Afghan. The two darker ones don't quite contrast enough for my liking, but I've gotten this far, and I'm not going back now.

Now, you might be wondering to yourself, "Self, isn't that just one big granny square?" The answer would be yet. 100% yes. Well, at least for now. I'm not sure how large I'm going to make this beast until I start another one. I'm planning on having between 4-6 of these monster squares completed and seamed together to create the blanket. Simple, but effective.

Also, it eliminates all the gauge issues I was having the the regular sized granny square afghan I was trying to create. It also didn't help that the thought of seaming together 180-200 granny squares gave me the chills. Much easier this way.

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

WIP Wednesday: Holiday Knitting

The holidays are upon us, and despite your religious slant this time of year, there's a good chance gifts will be exchanged, and that's no different for me. Here's some project that are on my needles right now, some will hopefully be done in time to be given out as gifts.

Market Bag!

I love this thing. I have to admit, I was nervous using linen for knitting considering how hard it is on the hands, but I'm so glad I decided to go for it. This is a Christmas gift for myself, and I'm so excited for how it's turning out. I love how easy the bag is to construct as well. It's knit flat, folded in half and the sides are seamed together forming the bag. Then I just knit the handle, and attach! Viola! How simple is that? I also like how sturdy the bag will be. Since it's linen, there will be very little stretching of the fabric, and once I wash the finished product, it will soften up quite a bit. 

I'm using 2 skeins of Louet Euroflax Sport Weight in the Charcoal colorway. The yarn itself was a splurge and over half of my Christmas budget that I had set aside to buy myself things with. The pattern is a free Ravelry download. The pattern was created by Vicki Square, author of some awesome knitting books; Knit Kimono, 

Folk Bags: 30 Knitting Patterns and Tales from Around the World, and Lace Style, to name a few and I highly recommend checking out her work. 


The 2 skeins of yarn

Halfway done with knitting the body of the bag.

Next up is what I'm calling my Vintage Loxley. This pattern is another one of Stephen West's brilliant creations. The construction itself is quite remarkable, and I believe that anybody can make this hat if they have the basics of knitting under their belt. The hood is created first, using garter stitch of all things. Stephen makes use of short rows to add some shaping, and a build-in Icord boarder on the edges for a more polished looking piece. After, stitches are picked up on the side of the hood, and the back is knit in the round to create the back. Clever decreases create an oval shape and give a really cool look to the piece. Once that's done, it's just a matter of knitting the scarf part of the Loxley and finishing it up!

Now, you might be wondering why I'm calling this my Vintage Loxley? Answer is pretty simple. The yarn I'm using is 3 skeins of Berroco Vintage in the ever so descriptive colorway, 5107 Cracked Pepper. It's a nice ash grey color and I think it'll be neutral enough to work with whatever I happen to be wearing. Something that surprised me about this yarn though, it's 50% acrylic, 40% wool and 10% nylon. For how soft and warm this yarn is, I was very surprised how little natural fibers were in it! I have to admit, the yarn was a little splity, but that was also my knitting needles' fault. The points weren't very tapered, and thus not very conducive to knitting with this type of yarn. The pattern is available through Ravelry or through the Westknits website for $6. 

The finished hood. Need to work on the scarf part

Modeling

What it will theoretically look like when completed.
What else is on my needles. Hmmm, well I'm still working on my Beekeeper's Quilt. I haven't completed any more hexipuffs since my last post, but I have received some new yarn! 


There they are! Pretty, huh? Here's the yarns and their corresponding colors.

KnitPicks -- kettle-dyed spruce, rouge, kettle dyed jay, and a hand-dyed orange (I think the orange is 6 grams) 
Sock it to me harlequin (7.5 grams) 
Regia bamboo colors 
Opal Neon color 1930 
Cascade Heritage Handpainted color 9872 
Patons Kroy Socks stripes in sailor stripe 
Patons FX in camo colors

I can't wait to start making more hexipuffs. I'm having a little trouble getting a uniform size with my hexipuffs, which is why I've slowed down production on them. I really do need to figure out how to make them all the same size if this quilt is going to be a success. 

While this next thing isn't technically on my needles yet, it will be today, since the pattern for the first Westknits Shawl Club and corresponding Knit-A-Long (herein referred to as a KAL) is released today! The pattern for this month is called Sharktooth and it's beautiful. I'll have a post specifically about the Shawl Club in the coming days, but for now here's a picture of the design Stephen West's latest creation, the Sharktooth Shawl!





I have some other things on my needles right now, but those are super secret presents and I don't want them knowing about them just yet. So for now, I'm keeping my lips sealed. ^_~

Monday, December 5, 2011

Every Project Needs a Good Bag

The title says it all folks! This post will be dedicated to my lovely project bags. All of these have been given to me by amazing and lovely people that I've met through Ravelry. Project bags are PERFECT for knitting on the go. I prefer the box bags since they travel well, and I like the structure. I'll eventually end up getting some drawstring bags, but for now, I'm happy with box bags.

Without further ado, my project bags!!

This is my Pink Hooter bag! I adore this one

My latest procurement! This is my celestial box bag

Doctor Who project bag!!! I squealed every time I saw this for
the first week I had it.

My Lime Green Paisley box bag. This was my first and as
you can tell, certainly not my last project bag!

My first sock sized project bag made out of a gorgeous purple/brown
batik fabric

Sweater sized box bag! Self explanatory. It has little snowmen
on it. How festive!

I can't wait to get more project bags in the future. They keep my projects neat and contained, and they just look so spiff! Who knows, maybe showing some of you guys these bags will inspire you to go and collect some as well for your fiber arts! They work awesome for crochet, they have drop spindle sizes and so many more options! Look around, I promise you won't regret it!

Friday, December 2, 2011

FO Friday: Shawl Edition

Okay, so I've been super busy with my shawl knitting lately........you could say I've been a little obsessed enthusiastic about it! I can count 5 shawls (one of which got eaten, so no pics. T_T ) that I've finished since my last update. I've pretty much been hyper focused on making these darn things! I have found a designer that I love! His name is Stephen West and I think what I love about his designs is that men can wear them! It's so hard to find patterns and projects that myself, or Richard can get use out of.

Of course there are always mittens, scarfs and hats.......but those are soooooo booooring!! I need intricate stitches to keep me engaged and focused on the project at hand! That's just what Stephens designs do for me! Here are 4 of my FOs to keep your appetites wet for next week! Keep in mind some of these aren't pictures of the blocked item, so they'll be smaller and less polished. Once I have pictures of the blocked items, I'll post those on a future FO Friday.


This is my Herbavore. It has panels of twisted stitch ribbing to create a beautiful  affect.
Closeup of the ribbing section
A closeup of the different types of stitches on my Blue Whale shawl.
Stockinette, Reverse Stockinette and Seed Stitch
A better view of how it's all looks
My Pagona. Not a really good shot of all it's intricate panels, but still pretty
A panel of Stockinette next to a panel of Reverse Stockinette
Boneyard. My first shawl. I adore it
Closeup of the details and you can see a little bit of the
heathering in the yarn.