LinzKnits

Sneak Peek...

2009-11-23T07:55:00.003-05:00

Sneaky Surprise is due to be gifted this morning -- so I can finally share what I'm knitting with you all later today.

But until then...

Update: Oops, plans fell through... sneaky surprise will remain a secret for a while longer! But don't worry, much more knitting to show soon!

Musings...

2009-11-12T21:39:00.002-05:00

Knitting with worsted-weight after all the lacework I've been doing, feels like cheating . . .

It's just too easy!

Knitting, baking, cooking, working...

2009-11-06T16:38:00.002-05:00

It's been busy busy chez Linz... the boyfriend is working on moving in so there's a lot of *stuff* everywhere.

I have been knitting though (TV time is perfect for that!), and have actually made progress (!) on my Hanami. Le voila:

It obviously needs a block, but I am so in love with this scarf!

I am almost done the basketweave section (phew!) and can't wait for the random YOs of the blossom section. Excellent.

Also keeping me busy: making my own whole wheat sourdough starter. What fun. I'm thinking he needs a name, and "Fluffy" sounds just about right. My new pet, I have to remember to feed him and everything!

And of course, the super sneaky project has to remain a suprise for another couple of weeks. Until then, I shall leave you with one more Hanami-shot for your viewing (drooling?) pleasure:

A Little Sneak...

2009-09-26T10:17:00.003-04:00

Ok, all is dull in my knitting world.

I'm currently working on two projects:

1) Hanami - which looks the same as last time but with a couple more repeats, and is currently in time out because of a strange lace event in the basketweave section that I'm not prepared to deal with. It's still pink, I still love the yarn, but it needs a time out.

2) Super Sneaky Project Fall 2009 - which started at the cottage, and I can't tell you much more about other than it's a present, you'll love it, and it will be gifted this fall! In fact, the knitting of it should be done shortly and I can then either attend to Hanami, or start on something else. Turns out I'm no longer a monogamous knitter, and I love it.

When you add bronchitis to the mix, it's a dull time for blog posts. On the plus side, I'm feeling good enough to knit again, and woke up feeling like a new human being this morning. There will also be lots of knitting time in the next few days as I spend lots of time on my butt trying not to do anything too strenuous.

I think I should demand drinks be brought to me, with umbrellas. And cabana boys.

RIP Pink Socks

2009-08-11T07:28:00.003-04:00

Brace yourselves, knitters.

The first socks I ever knit for myself are gone.

I loved everything about these socks (perfect fit! koigu! cables! my first socks! ankle-high!), and you don't know how heartbroken I am to have them gone. They seem to have jumped out of my suitcase in Amsterdam, where I had a very quick plane connection between Manchester and Stockholm. (Let's not discuss how I also lost one shoe and all my underwear. My thongs are having a party in Amsterdam without me...)

RIP Socks. I loved you well.

Bad Knitter...

2009-08-11T07:24:00.003-04:00

I have a finished sweater, but it's not washed and blocked yet... and I wore it ALL OVER Europe!!!

Wanna see my Featherweight?

Ok, maybe I should go wash it so I can wear it a little more proudly... and not have to unroll the collar to show people what it "really looks like".

Off to find the wool wash!

Basketweaving Away!

2009-07-06T22:57:00.002-04:00

Wanna see my Hanami?

I'm so in love with this pattern, but am having a really hard time getting a good photo of it. It seems like hot pink knitting reflects the light so much that I can't get a decent picture!

A lot of people mentioned that the basketweave pattern of the stole is tough, but (*knock wood*) it seems to be going ok for me so far. And I'm really looking forward to the 'random YOs' of the cherry blossom section. Seems like it would be tough to mess that one up.

And yes, I'm still in love with the beaded cast-on.

I dare you...

2009-06-09T09:45:00.004-04:00

I dare you to cast on for Hanami, and not be in love.

Yep, beaded cast on, you are my new best friend.

This is the beginning of the Hanami stole, which has been in my queue forever in The Plucky Knitter Silk Merino Handpainted Laceweight. Um, yeah. This yarn is to die for.

The beads are rectangular, and I think they are just SO pretty. And I'm loving having an excuse to use my fabulous stitchmarkers from Lisa. I normally avoid using them, but it was necessary for this pattern - and I'm so happy to get another chance to use them. (Even if they are red and orange, and my knitting is pink!)

I'm knitting it as part of a Snobby Beaded KAL I started on the Ravelry Yarn Snobs board. And I am now compulsively adding beaded shawls to my queue.

I don't have quite enough yarn for the pattern requirements (880 yards required, and I have 700), so I'm cutting out one horizontal repeat. We'll see if I need to cut out vertical repeats on the way...

Danger, danger...

2009-05-29T14:52:00.002-04:00

And this is why I don't let myself buy even one skein of yarn online... because this is what happens.

My First Plucky, Awww.

2009-05-22T23:41:00.003-04:00

Yep, my first order of Plucky was waiting in my mailbox for me when I got home!!!
(I also think this means I have pink laceweight coming on Monday!)

Isn't it to-die-for?

800 yards of Fingering Superwash Merino. Mmmm.

Now to figure out what to knit!

I got some shoulders!

2009-05-22T14:22:00.002-04:00

I still can't get an accurate photo of this colour (sealing wax), but man is it nice to knit with malabrigo lace!

Here's what I've got of my Featherweight Cardigan so far:

Shoulders!!

So I'm now finished all the raglan increases, and onto the back section. I have to work even for 9"... so I'm enjoying doing stockinette and having some mindless knitting on the needles.

However, I've got the lace bug again. I seem to have started a KAL (starting June 1) for some Beaded Snobby Knitting (ravelry link), so I'm really looking forward to my first beaded lace!!!

I spoiled myself with some Plucky yarn, so once it's arrived I'll decide what pattern I'm doing and go BEAD SHOPPING!

Oh noes, a craft that's sparkly. Beading is going to be dangerous!

A Little Bit of Feathers...

2009-04-27T13:33:00.005-04:00

In Toronto this weekend was the Downtown Knit Collective's Knitters' Frolic.

I picked up a few treats for myself, including 2 skeins of Malabrigo Lace in the colour Sealing Wax (102). It's a lovely rusty red, that I can't quite photograph accurately, but this is fairly close.

The wonderful Purple Purl ladies had sale prices for many of my favourites, so I managed to also snag two skeins of Fino by Alpaca with A Twist. It's a 2-ply laceweight alpaca/silk blend, and so scrumptious. With 875 yards in the skein, I'm excited to knit up some gorgeous shawls.

And so, I have a little bit of a Featherweight Cardigan. And I love it already!

I managed to wind most of the laceweight during a car trip that was supposed to be an hour long, and turned into a three-and-a-half-hour drive... but man did it look gorgeous in the skein:

My favourite part of the event? When another knitter came up to me (wearing my Whisper) and said: "Can I show you to my friend?"

She grabbed me by the arms, and took me over to her friend who was contemplating a Whisper. I then got to show off the malabrigo lace goodness, and shared the shrugigan love.

I was of course also petted by all of the ladies throughout the course of the day. It definitely pays to wear a snuggly knitted item to a yarn festival!

FO: Whisper Cardigan

2009-04-20T22:53:00.003-04:00

What a wonderful knit!

I have enjoyed every stitch of this cardigan, and may be knitting laceweight sweaters exclusively for the next little while!

Project Details:
Yarn: Malabrigo Yarn Lace (100% baby merino) in Bobby Blue (27), 1.5 skeins (approx. 715 yds)
Pattern: Whisper Cardigan from Interweave Knits Spring 2009 by Hannah Fettig
Needles: Addi Lace Turbos in 2.5mm, 3.5mm, and 4.5mm using magic loop

Stuff to know:
1) Hannah posted a really helpful schematic and sizing explanation at her blog.

2) The magic loop start was a real pain with this yarn/needle combination; it kept snapping on me as I forced it over the join. I had to restart about 5 times, argh. But after about 2 inches of knitting it was no longer a problem.

3) I knit this as part of the Yarn Snobs KAL for March and April. What fun, and great support from so many new friends!

I was desperate to wear this cardigan out, and so wore it around town all day - including to my dance class. It is so perfect in every way.

Now of course, I've been spoiled, and need many more laceweight malabrigo sweaters so I don't drive my friends crazy by wearing this one every day!

Almost a sweater!

2009-04-15T17:37:00.001-04:00

Two and a half inches to go on my Whisper Cardigan (aka. "Shrugigan")!!!!

I'm so in love, and so ready to wear this every day. Just in time for my spring wardrobe -- we've finally got sunshine and warm air today!

Featherweight Cardigan

2009-04-13T22:58:00.002-04:00

The new cardigan by Hannah Fettig (creator of Whisper) is out!

Check it out at Hannah's blog!

I'm very very excited, and think I like this even more than the Whisper Cardigan. This looks much more like a cardigan than a shrug, and I love love love it.

Oh yes, top of the queue to knit next!

Taking up my knitting time...

2009-04-11T10:08:00.004-04:00

Oh dear me... I've found something else that eats into my knitting time: my family bought a Wii!

My favourite game so far is the cow racing game, that I call "cow jumping". Essentially, your Mii (personalized Wii character) rides the back of a cow, knocking over scarecrows for points.

I spent a good 20 minutes or so absolutely rocking this game, when I noticed this:

It's all knitted!!!!!!!!!

Of course, now I love this game even more!!

For more knit-stitch beauty, check out this gorgeous piece of jewelry, found via Knitty Amy's Twitter feed.

Much more whispering...

2009-04-09T23:44:00.000-04:00

I am hopelessly in love with my Whisper Cardigan, even though it's only half-complete.

I've been enjoying working on it as part of a KAL: the Yarn Snobs Ravelry group started a March Whisper KAL, which has since turned into the perpetual Whisper KAL (April's discussions going on here).

I haven't really done a knit-a-long before that has felt this inspiring to me. I'm sure I've done so much more knitting on this project than if I weren't in the KAL... even though I'm in the perpetual ribbing state. It is a really fabulous group of knitters, and I feel like we all have a lot in common.

Not the least of which is the fact that we all want to knit both multiple Whispers, as well as Hannah Fettig's new pattern (Feather?) that also uses two skeins of mal lace, coming out April 11th.

Hannah just posted that the new pattern is finished and being worked on by the tech editor for sizing purposes. But I want it now!!!!!

I've never been this impatient for a pattern before... but I already love it so.

And will probably need fuscia yarn.

I'm knitting as fast as I can...

2009-04-08T11:10:00.003-04:00

I swear, I am knitting! I'm even spending oodles of time on my knitting and I'm still stuck on this endless k1, p1 ribbing.

Who would have thought a 3" collar (and waist bit) would take this long?

I've started contemplating how I could knit simultaneously with the other things in life I do:
1) Get voice transcription software so I can "speak" my work emails and keep on knitting

2) Learn to cook foods that require a no-hands approach. I've gotten making popcorn down to a fine knitting science.

3) Knit whenever I'm having a conversation with someone, whether they understand that I'm able to pay attention to them or not... I'm testing this out tonight, but my test subject is also a knitter, so my results may be skewed.

4) Lead choral warmups with my feet. I'm sure they don't need to see my hands to know how to breathe!

5) Slack off, and watch more TV and listen to more podcasts instead of actually working, so that I have more knitting time.

6) Liquify all of my food -- no hands required if I use a straw!

7) I've already mastered reading blog posts, ravelry forums, and pdfs by scrolling with the spacebar (and any body part can hit the spacebar). Onto mastering word and excel scrolling... maybe I need one of those brain computers that was featured on House this week -- think down and the page goes down. It's worth looking into.

8) Get a new phone system so I can have conference calls on speaker phone while knitting. (Actually, this is ingenious and I should go buy a new phone this afternoon...)

9) Hire monkeys to do my daily cleaning around the apartment. I'm also finding this ingenious, but perhaps not quite as practical as #8...

10) Find a yarn-friendly workout. Somehow, I don't think rock climbing, dance classes, or zumba (Salsa-inspired aerobics) are going to go hands-free anytime soon...

Ok, ok. The main thing: spend less time on ravelry, and more time actually knitting! One inch of ribbing to go!

Shrugigan

2009-04-02T23:43:00.004-04:00

I've been working on the Whisper Cardigan from the Spring 09 Interweave Knits... and I adore it like no other project.

But you know what?

It's not really a cardigan.

It's kind of half-cardigan, and half-shrug. It's a shrugigan.

I've already knit the shrug bit... starting at one sleeve in the round, across the back (flat), and then the other sleeve. I've picked up an infinite number of stitches (ask me how long that took!) and now I'm knitting ribbing around the whole thing. Once I've got 3 inches of ribbing, I'll knit the rest of the back (the bottom half), and the front panels.

It really is a fascinating construction, and I am learning a ton from this process.

However . . .

It's not a cardigan.

(Pssst... Cobbalicious, this update's for you!)

Must. buy. sheep.

2009-03-19T14:08:00.001-04:00

Sleeve numero uno

2009-03-18T23:58:00.002-04:00

I have a sleeve!!!

Be amazed! It is super-wide, and nice and short (about 8" long so it stops at the elbow.)

I haven't decided if this is going to be cute or frightening yet... knitting more to see how I feel about it.

But yes, I am LOVE LOVE LOVING this project. Super addictive. It of course helps that I had several hours over the last couple of days (my first knit night at my LYS [!!] and a Buffy marathon tonight) to complete a sleeve. I get kicks from the sense of accomplishment...

Ok, off to bed. I do not need to knit any more tonight. I do not need to knit any more tonight. I do not need to knit any more tonight. (wish me luck!)

A Little Tube of Wool . . .

2009-03-16T11:22:00.002-04:00

Following in Amy's footsteps, I'm knitting a tube in the fingering-weight wool I picked up from Stoddart Farms at the Brickworks last summer. It's a long-term project that I mainly work on watching TV at the boy's house... therefore it's actually given me license to cast on more than one project at a time!

On the needles:
1) This tube, which will one day become a scarf...

2) The manos silk blend neckwarmer in the Topographie pattern to match my new hat, which was debuted all around New York this weekend.

3) The Whisper cardigan from the Spring 2009 Interweave, in Malabrigo Lace. Obviously this is the 'at home' knitting, while everything else is very portable. Let me knit more than the first two rows on this, and then I'll get you more photos!

Ingenius!!!

2009-03-10T11:06:00.002-04:00

I've discovered an ingenious way to deal with variegated yarns, like the Manos Silk Blend that I managed to snag at The Purple Purl after a Knitty Yarn Roundtable Night last month.

The ingenious pattern? Topographie from Knitty! Essentially, you pick in the yarn which colours will be main colour(s) and which will be contrasting. You then knit in stockinette in the round, but whenever you get to a contrasting colour, you purl! Fantastic!

I'm one-evening's-worth-of-knitting into a hat, and loving this process. I should have enough to knit a hat and a neckwarmer, but because I'm using 4.0mm needles instead of the recommended 4.5mm, I may need a little more yarn -- and I'd rather have a hat than a neckwarmer with all the scarves I have around here!

Malabrigo Goodness

2009-03-10T09:31:00.002-04:00

It's soft, it's drapey, it's the most gorgeous semi-solid tealy blue. What more could a girl ask for?

I'm using Malabrigo Lace in Bobby Blue to knit up the Whisper Cardigan from Interweave Spring 2009.

Yesterday was spent winding 940 yards of lace by hand, and doing a gauge swatch. I've decided on 4.5mm needles as the largest size, and of course don't have long enough circular needles in my stash (16" won't quite substitute for 12"... I use nice long ones and magic loop). What's a girl to do but go needle shopping?

FO: Prismatic Scarf

2009-02-24T00:33:00.002-05:00

Finished! A scarf for me!!

This was the scarf I was knitting for myself as I was waiting around backstage during a production of The Pirates of Penzance. I needed something with an easily-memorized stitch pattern, that was interesting enough to keep me from feeling stockinette monotony. This pattern was the perfect fit!

As much as I dislike knitting scarves, this was a lovely winter project. But I am already itching to do some more colourwork!

Project Details:
Yarn: Malabrigo Silky Merino in Loro Barranquero (176), 2 skeins (300 yds)
Pattern: The Prismatic Scarf by Huan-Hua Chye
Needles: 4.0mm Addi Turbo Lace Circulars
Ravelry Link: click here

Show Knitting

2009-01-12T22:13:00.002-05:00

Every time I do a show (don't forget, I'm not only a knitter, but a singer!) I like to have something on the needles.

It's best for it to be something simple, where I don't need a chart or to keep track of what row I'm on... something that I can put down mid row if need be. But it also has to be an interesting enough project that I don't get bored to tears.

At the end of the month I'm going to be in a production of Pirates of Penzance with my fabulous Gilbert and Sullivan troupe. And as the show opens in less than two weeks time, our rehearsals are getting longer, crazier, and full of more gaps of 'hurry up and wait' time.

Knitting fills those gaps perfectly, and keeps me sane. As I'd be doing jumping jacks if I didn't have knitting, this is a good way to make sure I can sit still. The energy of performing is so intense, that I really need a counter-balance.

Besides, I've managed to convince enough of the other ladies to bring theirs that we sit around and have little knitting circles during our offstage moments. Great fun!

So, what am I knitting? I've picked The Prismatic Scarf by Huan-Hue Chye to show off the colourway of my favourite malabrigo silky merino that I picked up at The Purple Purl: loro barranquero. Mmmm. Apparently loro is Spanish for "parrot".

Definitely sproingy and silky soft.

And yes, I'm back to selfish knitting: this one's for me!

One last photo...

2009-01-12T18:37:00.002-05:00

I promise, I'm done taking photos of these mitts now!

They are washed and blocked, and I have moved on to "show knitting"... (more to come once I can take a half-decent photo of what I'm working on).

FO: Last Christmas Prezzie DONE!!!!

2009-01-12T00:31:00.003-05:00

Oooh, it feels soooo good to be done with these mitts; I had to take crappy cell phone photos to show them off:

Project Details:
Yarn: Knitpicks Palette in the aptly named "blue" and "yellow" -- Swedish colours!
Pattern: Swirly Mittens from Anne L (aka. Goldenknits)'s blog, Kultalankaa (Golden Thread) -- the blog is in Finnish and English. FYI: The pattern is more of a chart to insert into your own mitten pattern. I had to learn how to do the cuff (loose directions given), thumb gusset and thumb (no directions given).
Needles: Addi Turbo 2.5mm circular needles -- magic looped
Ravelry Project Page: Click here!

Feel free to now resume your regularly scheduled blog reading... I'm off to block and better photograph these babies -- and to dream about what I'm knitting next!

Obsession...

2009-01-07T19:58:00.001-05:00

This is how I felt when I was working on Krish's Doctor Who scarf!

Socks for Supper

2009-01-07T19:50:00.001-05:00

Sometimes you need a timeout from your knitting.

Take a minute, and enjoy:

Doh.

2009-01-04T20:40:00.002-05:00

I'm officially an idiot regarding this second mitt.

Problems so far:

1) I cast on too few stitches, and didn't even realize ("hmmm, does that look small?") until 3 inches into the cuff. Had to rip back and create some blue and yellow ramen to start over.

2) In the palm motive, I messed up a set of four blue/yellow stitches at the end of a round. I dropped a couple of stitches intentionally to sort them out, and managed to fix them, but with wonky tension.

3) Luckily (?!) problem #2 didn't matter because I totally forgot to start the increases for the thumb gusset. More ramen as I ripped WAY back. Ouch.

Hopefully these things come in threes and that's it now. I'd like to get these done and gifted!

Ticking Along...

2009-01-03T23:24:00.002-05:00

photo.jpg
Originally uploaded by linzknits

I'm working on these mitts, still... and they are a joy to knit, but I wish I weren't trying to get them done ASAP.

I think deadline knitting is enough to sap all the energy out of what I'm working on.

Luckily, these are gorgeous enough that I'm motivated to get them done!

I'm using teeny tiny needles, and funnily enough, they keep warping just a little bit. I think this two-handed stranded knitting has my tension all wound up super tight. I do manage to bend the needles back every so often, but perhaps I need to loosen up a little?

Wish me luck... I think I need it!

Dad's Hat

2008-12-30T13:12:00.003-05:00

The verdict is in on my Dad's Christmas hat

1) the hat is a little big, but he likes it that way
2) it covers his ears (YES!), and even a bit of his neck (oh dear... but he's happy)
3) it is very soft (HUZZAH!!! and it damn well should be, with the merino/alpaca/silk blend!)
4) the colour is perfect (black... surprise, surprise)
5) he is happy

My mum, sister, and I all think it makes him look a little bit like an inmate. But he loves it, so what can you do?

I found a hat in my Christmas cracker that fits me much better than his did:

Christmas Sewing

2008-12-30T13:05:00.002-05:00

Well, I am still struggling to finish Solveig's mitts... but, I have some sewing FOs to show you:

Both of them are Christmas prezzies -- one, an apron for my Mum:

I finally figured out sewing rounded corners... the pattern recommended that I sew REALLY long basting stitches around the corners first, and then pull the threads to create the curve. Magical. My new favourite technique!

This is my Mum's second handmade apron. The first one I made for her last year, and she adores it enough to have requested a second one for when it's in the wash. How could I refuse?

The second present? A pair of PJ pants for my sister. I used the pattern from Amy Butler's In Stitches. It's a fantastic pattern for a beginning sewer like me (tells you all about selvedges, grainlines, etc... all the things you don't know to check when you don't know what you're doing!), and SO cute with the wide-legged pants.

I offered to hem the legs a little shorter, but she likes them like this. What can I do?

All in all, two successes -- and WAY faster than knitting!

Happy Wristwarmers

2008-12-24T23:47:00.001-05:00

photo.jpg
Originally uploaded by linzknits

Another well-received pair of wristwarmers. I could get used to this feeling of giving :)

I suppose that's what Christmas is all about.

Happy holidays!!!

Happy Giftee

2008-12-24T09:52:00.003-05:00

My dear friend, Pemma, was the recipient of the Composed Mitts I knit for Christmas.

I think she likes them...

Merry Christmas

2008-12-24T09:40:00.002-05:00

I wish you all yarny goodness and time to knit and celebrate with family and friends!

I was hoping to post finished pics of Solveig's Swirly Mittens... but they won't be done until the new year. I've got one done... except for the thumb (and I may have to work out how to knit a thumb to do it... hmmmmm) and just barely started on the second.

Luckily, I have a store-bought prezzie for her, and she's happy with her surprise knitted prezzie coming in the new year, for perhaps Ethiopian Christmas (Jan. 7). She has a friend working in Ethiopia right now, so we had a good giggle over the delayed present.

I would normally be mortified to not finish a Christmas present on time, but I think these are going to be worth it! Let's hope Solveig feels the same way.

Oh, and as a Christmas wrap-up: all the other prezzies got finished!!! Huzzah!

Best of the season to all, whatever you may celebrate, and to all a good night.

Christmas Prezzie #4 is finito!

2008-12-19T11:05:00.003-05:00

What a wonderful and quick project! I think these will be go-to gifts for a while! One skein (just just barely, I had about 2 inches leftover, even after I skipped a row of the second wristwarmer!) and so super fast!

Hopefully the recipient will LURVE them!

Project Details:
Yarn: Manos Silk Blend in the gorgeous colourway, 3109 (what a name!).

Needles: Addi Turbo Lace (mmm... still obsessed) 4.0 mm circulars, and Holz & Stein Rosewood 3.5 mm circs for the 'smaller size'. I went MacGyver for the cables and used a paperclip.

Pattern: Toast! by Jennifer Campbell of the Purple Purl, free pattern with purchase of Manos Silk Blend or Malabrigo Silky Merino

Ravelry Link: click here

Gratuitous photos:

These will be very hard to give up, but they definitely have given me a one-skein project for the luscious balls of yarn that I never know what to do with, but desperately need to take home.

Now, to finish the last knitted Christmas present!!!

Christmas Prezzie #4 in progress

2008-12-17T08:54:00.002-05:00

Ok, here's what's on the needles:

This is the Toast wristwarmer #1 designed by Jennifer Campbell of the Purple Purl. It was a free pattern with the purchase of Manos Silk Blend or Malabrigo Silky Merino.

Lest you think I've cast on frivolously, I've managed to finish:
1) Composed Mitts, which I'm gifting tonight!
2) Dad's Super-Soft Hat
3) A pair of PJ pants (sewn, photos to come -- I'm proud!)

However, I do have still on the go:
4) An apron (sewn, not yet started and the pattern is "hiding" in my mess)
5) Solveig's Swirly Mittens (currently almost done 1... need to finish for the 24th)
6) These Toast Wristwarmers (1 almost done)

I'm not crazy, just optimistic!!!

Christmas Prezzie #2 all done!

2008-12-14T19:27:00.002-05:00

I should really knit in worsted-weight wools more often. This was a breeze to knit!!!

And yes, the hat is big on me - I think my Dad's head is bigger than mine!

Project Details:

Yarn: Mirasol Yarn Sulka in colour 211 (black with flecks of blue and brown)
Pattern: The basic hat recipe from the Yarn Harlot's Knitting Rules!
Needles: 5.5 mm Addi Turbos
Ravelry Project Page: click here

Christmas Prezzie #3 in progress...

2008-12-12T11:56:00.004-05:00

This is my "tricky knitting" for Christmas this year. I got hooked on stranded colourwork doing Pemm's wristwarmers, that I needed another project!

Well, diving right into the deep end, I pulled some Knitpicks Palette from my stash, and seeing as it costs about $2/ball, I figured I'd be ok even if I messed this up completely.

I'd bought these colours for my boyfriend's Mum, Solveig, as they are the Swedish national colours, originally destined for a pair of stripey socks. But I think these results are going to be much more exciting:

Mittens!!!! Solveig's Swirly Mittens!!!

Don't you love them? I'm using the chart from this blog, which I think is in Finnish. It's much more of a chart than a pattern, and it's my first real pair of mittens, so I'm learning mitten construction as I go. Definitely fun knitting!

My Mum loves the pattern on the back:

And you have to see what I'm doing with the thumb:

Yes, these are my official precursor to the Selbuvotter mittens I am dying to make. But those will be for me!

Christmas Prezzie #2 just started

2008-12-12T11:37:00.003-05:00

I'm doing a super-snuggly-soft hat for my Dad out of this luscious yarn:

It's Sulka, by Mirasol Yarns. A 60% merino, 20% alpaca, 20% silk blend. It is a gorgeous black, with tiny shots of brown and blue throughout. Enough to keep my interest while knitting, but not enough to read as anything other than black for my conservative Dad.

And when you buy Mirasol yarns, a portion of the purchase price goes back to Peru. You can read about it at their website. I'm going to include one of the yarn tags with the hat, so my Dad gets the story too.

So... the hat has gone through many pattern ideas in my head.

Idea #1) Striped black and grey hat -- Actually, this is what my Dad requested, originally. I asked him (in Heathrow Airport) if he'd actually like a hat I knit him, and he asked for a soft cashmere black and grey hat - you know, with stripes. I don't think he actually wants stripes, he just thought of the two colours together. So I've vetoed this one as I know what the yarn is like.

Idea #2) Beautiful, manly cables on an all-black hat -- This was my brilliant idea, and thankfully I talked to Jennifer at The Purple Purl about it because she mentioned cables won't show up on black, and I should do grey instead for them to show. As you can see, I aborted the cable plan and went with black.

Idea #3) K5, P1 rib with stockinette every other row -- A fantastic idea from Jennifer, but I decided I wanted a real 'ribby' look at the bottom edge. This will be a hat I knit out of a thinner-weight yarn ... probably for me.

Idea #4) K2, P2 rib at the bottom "ear" edge, stockinette to the top -- The final pattern! This is what I'm knitting, and I'm using the hat/head proportions from The Yarn Harlot's Knitting Rules. Seriously, this book has saved me more times than I can count. I'm knitting a hat with a 23" circumference, and knitting for 7.5-8.5" before the decreases. I think I can handle that.

And yes, all I've done is cast on. But it's sooooooo smooshy already!

Christmas Prezzie #1 done!

2008-11-08T11:20:00.004-05:00

The stranded fingerless mitts are done!

I have so enjoyed this project, my first colourwork knitting!

In fact, I got so much enjoyment from it that I've purchased some colourwork books that should arrive next week, and I'm on my way to pick up a couple more from the libary. Reviews to come!

In the meantime, here are the FO details:

"Where do Generals Keep their Armies . . ." (Composed Mitts)
Pattern: Composed Mitts by Michelle Rose Orne from Interweave Knits, Fall 2007

Yarn: Blue Sky Alpacas Sport Weight, Alpaca Silk, and Melange to get the colours right

Needles: 3.5mm (US 4) Addi Turbo circular needles, using magic loop

Ravelry Page: click away!

Yep, it's going to be hard to give these away.

One mitt done!

2008-11-03T00:52:00.002-05:00

IMG_0090
Originally uploaded by linzknits

Ok, I am in love with colourwork. This project has been so much fun, and SUCH a learning experience.

I think I am going to do a lot more stepping out of my comfort zone to learn new techniques.

I am now knitting two colours with one in each hand! I'm 'picking' the one in the left hand, and 'throwing' the one in the right hand.

There are fabulous technique explanations out there, and the ones that really made the process click for me are this post at Knitting in Color and this TechKnitting tutorial.

I can't wait to work on the next mitten -- hopefully with new and improved even tension!

Faux Fair Isle

2008-11-01T13:29:00.004-04:00

Apparently, I'm not knitting Fair Isle at all.

My composed knits are just knitting stranded colourwork, and there are GRAND debates all over the internet about what you're actually allowed to call Fair Isle. Fair Isle is a type of stranded colourwork, but not all stranded colourwork is Fair Isle. And you can have woven colourwork... don't get me started.

Doh.

If you are interested in Fair Isle and knitting accuracy, first of all, I apologize. Then I direct you to this fantastic blog, Knitting in Colour so you can read the entries on Fair Isle vs stranded colourwork parts one and two.

Fair-Isle Frenzy!

2008-10-31T17:04:00.003-04:00

Yep. First little bit of Fair-Isle, and I am so hooked.

So very hooked, that I had to take a crappy webcam pick to show off. I am absolutely in love.

Somehow I managed to get all this done (about 1/2 the first wristwarmer) last night. It feels like this is going so quickly. I guess compared to giant lace, it is going to be a quick project!!

Yarn Bouquet & Back Join

2008-10-30T13:56:00.003-04:00

If I'm going to be talking technique, you at least deserve a pretty photo: a yarn bouquet of my alpaca for the Composed Mitts.

I am concerned (or shall I say petrified) about the number of ends I will have to weave in at the end of this project. On each mitt. That's TWO mitts, with about a bajillion ends.

Therefore, I've already been looking for ways to avoid this problem, even before casting on.

I have found what appears to be the perfect solution: the back join!

I promise you, it is well worth your time to check out the posts at TechKnitting. The Series Index is an excellent overview of the techniques on this blog, and my mind has already been blown by thinking about charting charts, and i-cord hat topper cast-ons.

First Fair-Isle

2008-10-30T13:44:00.004-04:00

I had a blast this afternoon picking out Alpaca at Lettuce Knit, my favourite LYS.

I may know absolutely nothing about Fair-Isle, but I know I love picking out 6 skeins of Blue Sky Alpacas, my favourite yarn on the planet.

The project will be the Composed Mitts from the Fall 2007 Interweave Knits for a dear friend for Christmas. I think this is the perfect excuse to learn a new knitting technique.

I managed to purchase the pattern online from Interweave -- quick and easy!

As usual, Ravelry Notes here will likely have more frequent updates than the blog.

Scrumdiddliumptious!

2008-10-29T22:31:00.003-04:00

I paid a first (and looooong overdue) trip to my LYS, The Purple Purl, this afternoon. (What!?! I've only been in the neighbourhood for 11 months, cut me some slack!)

Wow.

They have an astounding assortment of incredible yarns. I would deem them all suitable for the YarnSnob within me . . . all except maybe for the sequined bamboo-something, but we'll pretend I didn't see that.

I discovered some lovely finds today, and thought you should know about them. My first thought for each of them was, "why don't I know about this?" so I thought I should give a Public Service Announcement:

1) Mission Falls 136 Merino Superwash - ravelry link

This seems to be a perfect all-purpose merino. It's a DK weight, and at about $7 per 136 yard ball, I could see this becoming a house yarn. It is soft and scrumptious, and I want to knit everything with it. They also have a heavier-weight non-merino that is very soft, but this was perfection in my eyes.

The colour range is also extensive, and most of the colours the LYS had in stock would have blended beautifully together.

I will definitely pick some of this up for baby stuff in the future.

2) Malabrigo Silky Merino - ravelry link

Um, yum. I want to bathe in this. Daily.

This is a DK weight. If it had been laceweight I would have bought extensive amounts. Probably the entire stock.

Most of the colourways were solids/semisolids, but there was one plum/yellow variegated skein that nearly made its way into my purse. To die for.

3) Mirasol Miski and Mirasol Sulka - ravelry links here and here

Both worsteds, both super soft. So soft that they could be a hat for my Dad, and that's saying a lot. The Miski is 100% baby llama (and yes, you can feel it), while the Sulka is a wool/silk/alpaca blend.

The colourways are gorgeous - there is even a black yarn that has so much subtlety it wouldn't be a bore to knit with.

Yup. Go. Pet.

Spend money, I promise it will be worth it.

It must be fall...

2008-10-25T10:26:00.005-04:00

Must. Knit. This. Immediately.

I think everyone in blog land is suffering from Startitis right now, I know I sure am.

In response to spending my entire life (ok, the summer) on the big blue Mum-shawl, I needed a little something to knit.

I received some gorgeous Filatura di Crosa Zara in my perfect red from an SP swap many moons ago, and have wanted to make myself a hat/scarf set from it. Finally, I cast on for the hat, using the top-down no-swatching method from the Live Dangerously, Don't Swatch Hat by Susan Lawrence.

I've used this method before, notably for the Sweet Pea baby hat. I love it, and probably won't knit a hat any other way unless there's a really gorgeous pattern that I can't stop myself for. I mean really, no swatching!! I'm using the Addi Turbo Lace needles that I'd picked up for the shawl, and they make a big difference with the M1L and M1R increases. So easy!!!

And in a blatant stash expansion moment, I picked up some divine yarn from the Farmer's Market today. I've been chatting with Silvia from The Stoddart Family Farm for a few weeks now, and she managed to dye me up my own colourway. It was supposed to be pinks and purples, and by a happy accident, managed to include lovely gorgeous blues!

It's fingering weight, and so soft. As it is hand-painted, and variegated, I don't want it to be knit in a lacey pattern.

I think it is destined for an AmyKnitty Stockinette Crazy Lightweight Tube Scarf. You know, like this: ravelry link. Although, I think that will be worth swatching for to see how this yarn knits up in stockinette.

The Wrap, It's a Wrap!

2008-10-13T11:20:00.003-04:00

†I gifted my Mum with the Path of Flowers Stole (big blue thing that ate my summer), and she adores it!! (phew!)

Action Shots (click to make big):

Project Details:
Pattern: Path of Flowers Stole by Chrissy Gardiner

Yarn: A Kidsilk Haze knock-off from the basement (sale section) at Romni. No labels, no tags, no dyelot...

Needles: Started on 4mm Holz & Stein Rosewood circular needles, but after struggling too much with the P2-tbls, I picked up a pair of Addi Turbo Lace 4mm circulars. The difference is unbelievable, and I swear my knitting got faster!

Time on the Needles: July 13 - October 10, 2008, with no less than 5 restarts!

Ravelry Link: click here

Project Post-Partum

2008-10-09T22:10:00.005-04:00

The stole, she is done!

Just in time for my Mum's birthday (we're celebrating on Sunday), I have just gotten the stole off the needles. A lovely block tomorrow morning before I head off for work (to dry while I'm at work) and it will be ready to present to my Mum on Sunday night.

Oh yes, I am happy.

Unblocked lace photos -- not much to look at, but here you go:

I have to say, that I already have experienced the melancholy that comes with being done with a project: when I was on the last repeat of row 3 (I loved that row), I was sorry to be knitting it for the last time.

I honestly thought I'd be knitting this shawl for the rest of my life, and now that it's done I'm feeling a wee bit down. And without a project... Hmmmm.

Don't worry - I'll feel fantastic tomorrow when it's done blocking!!!!!!!!!!

Behind Schedule

2008-09-10T21:50:00.004-04:00

Well, for a massive number of reasons, I am well-behind schedule on my knitting (the birthday stole for my mum's 60th in October). But you know what, I get to show off 45% of the stole, AND my new chairs:

Instead of knitting, I've been spending time with dear friends and family, and taking time to enjoy my loft and the sunsets here:

I have also recommitted to my Weight Watchers, and have taken lots of time to exercise and cook. Fabulous.

Whenever I do sit down to knit, I spend more time snuggling with the stole than actually knitting. But really, doesn't it look snugglable?

But of course, that's not helping the knitting much. So I'm going to sit in this corner and work on the stole:

Don't let me come out until it's done.

Ten Percent

2008-08-07T22:27:00.002-04:00

It's coming, slowly.

I'm using up my lunch hours working on this lovely stole, which I swear is a shawl and not a stole because it's going to be 65.5" wide!!!!

This is the centre pattern repeat, the one that made me knit this shawl. It's lovely. Yep, definitely worth all the effort and restarts.

So wish me luck to keep to my deadline - I now have to knit about 8 rows per day... hopefully the cottage trip in 2 weeks will let me knitknitknit and makeup some of this lost time!

And of course, you need an 'overall' photo:

Progress Pacer

2008-07-30T22:54:00.004-04:00

Well, according to my nifty (knifty?) excel spreadsheet - I'm at 2.6% complete on the gorgeous Path of Flowers Stole. Le sigh. I figure I'm looking at about 33 pattern repeats (of 16 rows each, and about 8 minutes per row) to get the 65.5" required, so I might be blogging this exclusively for a while as I'd like to have it done by October 14th (my Mum's birthday). That means a minimum of 7.45 rows per day, with no days off, leaving one day for washing, weaving in the ends, and blocking. Yeah, wish me luck.

In random knitterly news, I bumped into the Yarn Harlot on the street today when I was post-yam-burrito and she was pre-yam-burrito. Yum. I don't think I was too much of a dork. Although, I did accost her when she was in a non-yarny situation.

The ladies at Lettuce Knit were incredible this evening - both the staff and the knitters! They helped me pick out some Addi
Turbos, the new-to-me lace ones, and MAN are they incredible. The stole is going faster already, and these P2 through the back loops are SO much easier! Huzzah! Definitely money well spent. I was worried they would be too slippy for the silk/mohair blend - but the coating is different from the regular Addi Turbos, so they're incredible! Yes, it's love.

Okiedokie, off to bed to dream of lace.

Rollercoaster Knitting

2008-07-29T18:25:00.006-04:00

Well, not to get your hopes up with the post title, but I wasn't rollercoaster knitting; my knitting has been a roller-coaster ride lately.

I'm working on the devastatingly gorgeous Path of Flowers Stole by Chrissy Gardiner. Shhhh, it's a surprise for my Mum's 60th birthday in October.

So, it's deadline knitting and it's the toughest lace I've ever knit. There are pattern rows on the purl side (ahhhhh!), and there are 2 different lace charts, which you knit from twice for each row. It's tough, and the centre motif (the gorgeous one that made me want to knit this shawl) is not memorizable by mere mortals. It's a vertical motif, and as I'm knitting horizontally, it's not going to implant in my brain. (The problems I'm having are in no way the designer's fault... the pattern is beautifully written and laid-out on the page. This is just a bit of a reach for me.)

I'm using a KidSilk Haze knock-off from Romni (20% off sale, woooo!), in a lovely robin's egg blue. The colour changes depending on the light, which I love.

Well, this knitting has driven me crazy. I've ripped back FOUR TIMES now. But I think I can finally read the lace, so this is my last attempt. If I can't get it on this try (I swear I'd have half the thing done if I could add up all the knitting I've done) then I'm moving onto another project. Luckily for my Mum, I love her enough to keep working on this shawl (but even this love has its limits... I can't give up any more sanity for this project...)

In lieu of my normal camera, I'm using my webcam (I'm camping at my parents' house due to a family emergency right now - which also makes sneaky knitting for my mum quite tough).

Therefore, I present to you a montage of my knitting feelings:

Knitting Despair at my frogged lace -- which won't even frog the whole way:

Knitting Joy at a new cast on -- complete with my favourite stitch-markers from Lisa:

And Knitting Peace -- working on the lace, for the fifth time:

And of course, here is my Path of Flowers Stole Ravelry Page, in case you want more frequent updates.

Knitting half makes it whole?

2008-07-08T10:36:00.004-04:00

My mum has been working on the Debbie Bliss Classic Baby Cardigan from Vogue Knitting Spring/Summer 2007.

She has lovely tension, and knit all the flat stockinette bits.

After much debacle, she asked me for help with the finishing.

So, I have done the knitting from the yoke up (unfortunately at a slightly looser gauge), and now the little cardie is blocking.

This was so sweet to knit, even with the collar problems (go check the errata at the Vogue website if you're knitting this -- you need to pick up the collar stitches from the WS!). My only complaint with the yarn, Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino, is that it's a little splitty. It seems to untwist while I knit with it, and then I occasionally catch between the plies instead of the whole loop.

But the almost-finished product is very much greater than the sum of its parts, and I'm definitely going to be knitting more baby sweaters!

I'm currently waiting for the cardigan to dry, and then there will be seaming and button-fun:

More details on the cardigan's Ravelry page.

Lisa's Birthday Sheepie

2008-07-08T00:44:00.003-04:00

Well, for starters:
A very happy birthday to Lisa!

Today I got to spend the day with a lovely knitting friend: a divine lunch, bead shopping, and partaking in the Romni 20% off all-wool-in-the-store sale! What a great day!

And, as Sunday was Lisa's birthday, she needed a Sheep.

Therefore, I reveal to you the Super Sneaky Suprise Summer Knitting, Lisa's Sheep:

Project Details:
Pattern: A Felt Flock by Bev Galeskas
Yarn: Knitpicks Wool of the Andes in Cloud and Coal

More photos and details at le Sheep's Ravelry page.

Secret Surprise Photo

2008-07-03T22:41:00.002-04:00

Oooooh, what can it be?

It's the Sneaky Secret Surprise Knit . . . hmmmmmmmmmm.

Sneaky sneaky...

2008-07-02T23:33:00.002-04:00

Super Sneaky Secret Summer Knitting complete.

Super sneaky pictures to come tomorrow.

Super Sneaky Secret Present to be delivered soon.

Unsneaky pictures to follow, posthaste.

Stalled?

2008-05-19T10:17:00.003-04:00

Well, since I finished my Icarus I took on a few little projects: my sunshiney socks, the baby Sweet Pea hat, and the toys for the girls.

Now, I'm in a slump. I want to start on another big project, but I'm not ready for something big.

And I want to knit from my stash.

Every time I go into Ravelry to figure out what to knit next, I get sucked into something else. It's like all the problems of the internet times a million, because it's ALL KNITTING!!!!!

Hopefully the things I need to knit will help me figure out what I really want to knit. I really should be working on the armwarmers for Pemm, and a Secret Summer Project...

Oh, which brings to mind my current favourite joke:

"Where do generals keep their armies?"

"In their sleevies."

Bah dum bum, chhhh.

Never been blogged...

2008-04-21T12:24:00.004-04:00

Well, my very first knitting project circa Christmas 2002 -- a Dr. Who scarf for the boy.

Yep. It took forever, it's all garter and all acrylic. Le sigh. "I wish that I knew what I know now, when I was younger."

I abducted le scarf this weekend for a good washing...

Thought you might want pictures. I'd say it's about 12 feet long!!! Definitely long enough for my boyfriend to wear wrapped around his neck, and down covering his legs in cold movie theatres!

More photos & details at the scarf's Ravelry page.

FO: Sunshiney Socks

2008-04-17T13:54:00.002-04:00

Oh, LOVE!!! I call them my Sunshiney Socks, and they are my custom-knit wool (koigu) socks just for my tootsies! In typical Linz-timing, they're ready just for Spring. Sigh.

But, I love them, and they will bring me lots of sunshine this Winter!

Eye of Partridge Heel, frogged and worked again a whopping extra 3 times to get rid of the holey heels...

Project Details:
Yarn: Koigu KPPPM (still my all-time favourite for socks... but I haven't gotten to any STR yet)
Needles: 2.5mm Addi Turbo Circs, 80mm long
Pattern: Toe-up one one circ, with magic loop, improvised as I went with a figure-eight cast-on, Eye of Partridge Short Row Heel, and stockinette throughout with a k2,p2 rib top.

Lots more photos and details on their Ravelry page.

Yarn Harlotting & Prezzies!

2008-04-07T09:51:00.004-04:00

Yep. It's a verb now. I went Harlotting last week -- on Tuesday night I made it to the launch for Stephanie's new book. Oh, what fun!

I met up with one of my favourite knitters, Lisa! She got to see my new digs, and brought me a fabulous housewarming gift: handknit cotton dishcloths (!!!!AHHHH!!!!) and an amazing hand-soap that smells like red peppers. Mmmmmmm.

You have to see these dishcloths (they match my favourite kitchen stuff!):

This one's my favourite:

This one is so pretty:

This one is a bit trippy for mornings... but how I love it:

I love how you see the colours in the diagonal stripes on this one:

And and the event, surrounded by Toronto knit-bloggers, I even got blogged! Check it out at Martha's blog! I'm the one with crazy eye and my Icarus in #8!

Socks for me!

2008-04-07T09:35:00.003-04:00

You know, it's nice to knit something small, for me. So what better thing to do, than knit up the beautiful koigu from my stash that I have been DYING to work with:

So far, I have one lovely, custom sock. With crazy increases and decreases at my whim to fit my feet perfectly! Hopefully I can do the same thing for the second sock.

Oh . . . I have managed to put my camera "in a safe place", so here are webcam photos. Really -- imagine me in my PJs waving my leg in front of my mac to get some blog photos. Yeah, it's been a silly morning:

Yes, that is an eye of partridge heel you spy -- with short row shaping and everything! Oooh, ahhh.

I think I'm doing a better job updating on Ravelry. Mmmmm, Ravelry.

Easter Prezzies

2008-03-23T08:17:00.007-04:00

My cousin's fabulous daughters are joining us for Easter Brunch today, and after the bunny request, I thought it was only fair to knit them a couple of stuffed toys for the occasion!

Project Details:
Pattern: Jean Greenhowe's Bunny from "Jean Greenhowe's Knitted Animals", modified to be knit in the round

Yarn: Mary Maxim Starlette (100% acrylic) in Amethyst (605)

Needles: 3.5mm (US4) Holz & Stein Rosewood Circulars

Ravelry Page: click here

Project Details:
Pattern: Jean Greenhowe's Puss in Boots from "Jean Greenhowe's Knitted Animals", modified to be knit in the round, and without all the fancy clothes... oh, and an extra ear because I knit no chapeau

Yarn: Mary Maxim Starlette (100% acrylic) in Amethyst (605)

Needles: 3.5mm (US4) Holz & Stein Rosewood Circulars

Ravelry Page: click here

In Love...

2008-03-08T07:38:00.002-05:00

Yes, I'm still in love with the dinosaur I knit for my baby cousin this Christmas. Finally got this photo uploaded, and love it!

March Break starts in 7.5 hours! WOOOOOOOOT!

New haircut

2008-03-04T08:59:00.002-05:00

I feel all sleek and sophisticated with my new haircut! I suppose it was time, as I haven't done anything with it since the chin-length bob I got last February. Yep, my hair grows super fast, because she cut off about 4 inches.

Lots of layers, happy Linz.

So, now that I actually feel like a grown-up, I'm off to run around with the toddlers and do some singing and dancing! We'll see how much the layers get in the way!

I haven't been knitting much lately, forgive me. I had an incident with a baby sweater, and have needed a little break. Besides, my sewing machine is all shiny and new and needs me! But soon, there will be stuffed animals! I've promised them for Easter, so I should get cracking! One purple bunny, and one to be determined...

Sign of Spring

2008-02-26T12:50:00.002-05:00

I know it's wishful thinking, but I really need Spring to be coming... or at least around the corner. It feels like it's such a long way off these days, especially as it's snowing again today.

When I saw fresh buds on a plant that I thought might not flower again, it just made my day!

Sewing Project!

2008-02-25T12:26:00.003-05:00

Now that I have my new sewing machine, a lovely Janome S313, I'm practicing sewing straight lines. That means little projects, like my first real project: a 30x30" Furoshiki I sewed for a friend last week from this pattern, (I printed and included these excellent folding instructions from the government of Japan!).

Yesterday, I knit up the Magic Rice Bag in this photo, (it's the same fabric I used for the Furoshiki). I used the pattern from Mommy Cooks as a guideline, and used plain white 100% cotton for the inner layer. I did divide the inner bag into 3 compartments, to hold the rice in place. I'm already glad that I included that modification. It added maybe 10 minutes of extra work, but made a big difference.

I know I did a good job, because 2 minutes after it was done, it was out of the microwave and on my boyfriend's head. Yes, his head. Apparently, he had ear tension. I'm not asking.

Knitting In Costume

2008-02-19T14:11:00.004-05:00

Here's some multitasking for you:

Knitting backstage, while playing scrabble (poorly), waiting to go onstage, and wearing fake eyelashes.

This was taken in the Green Room of my last show -- I managed to get a number of girls bringing their knitting. We would all sit around knitting/crocheting/scrabbling while between scenes.

And yes, the fake eyelashes get in the way of everything. But aren't they fun? (You can click on the photo to make it big, and see them closeup!)

Lunch!

2008-02-19T14:02:00.006-05:00

Mmmm, kiwi.

They were on sale, and I'm trying to eat more healthily again. Kiwis are definitely an easy way for me to get my fruit intake in!

And nice to photograph, too.

Stay tuned for Pink Lady apples, grapes, and pomelos. (Don't worry, I'm not exclusively blogging fruit on my knitting blog - although, that could be fun.)

In actual knitting news, I've been gifted some purple cotton to knit Isabelle's bunny, (thanks, Vanessa!). I had no idea mercerized cotton could be so soft!!! Once there's been centre-pull-ball winding, I'll get some knitting done!

Bunny By Request

2008-02-18T01:40:00.004-05:00

My cousins' kids came to visit last weekend, and of course got a sneak peek at some of my knitting. The older one, Isabelle, is just under 3 years old. She took one look at my knitting, and said:

"Lindsay, can you knit me something?"

Of course, I said yes, and asked her what she wanted me to knit for her. The joyful answer was:

"A sheep, a bunny, and a sweater."

"What if I could only knit you one thing?"

"A bunny. A purple bunny."

My first response was to think of the baby bunny I knit her when she was born:

But, of course, Miss Isabelle is no longer a baby, and needs a supremely wonderful toddler bunny.

I am thinking of a purple version of the Jean Greenhowe bunny I knit Krish a couple Christmases ago:

You know, with the addition of a ballerina tutu, and some other sparkly bling. Perfect for a little girl who loves bunnies and purple.

Sweet Pea Hat

2008-02-18T01:21:00.004-05:00

And the Surprise Baby Prezzie has FINALLY been delivered to its intended baby recipient - Miss Piper. Isn't she lovely? Now I can show you some photos!

As Piper's initials are P.E.A., it seemed only fitting to knit her the Sweet Pea Hat. It turned out a little large (two inches is a lot on a baby), so it's rolled up in this photo. What this means, is that you can't see the darling brim - knit in the contrasting sage green you see at the top of the hat.

I loved this pattern, and adore this hat. The vines, peas, and pea pod were so fun to knit. (I actually knit the hat top-down following Susan Pierce Lawrence's directions. I love avoiding swatching at all times.)

I can't wait to knit more of Susan B. Anderson's designs, like this beautiful cupcake hat that Alison at the Blue Blog knit for her one-year-old!

Project Details:

Pattern: Sweet Pea Hat by Susan B. Anderson, with some modifications (knit top-down as per Susan Pierce Lawrence's directions, in the round)
Yarn: Moda Dea Washable Wool in 4474 (Raspberry) and 4440 (Moss).
Needles: 5.5mm Addi Turbo Circular Needles, 24" long
Ravelry Link: Here.

Pretty Pashmina

2008-02-16T23:08:00.002-05:00

Here is my lovely new pashmina that I was gifted today by my boyfriend's mum. Yes. I love it, and was just thinking I needed a brown pashmina!

There are little sparkly bits of ribbon-yarn in it. Pashmina + silk + ribbon yarn = perfect.

Project 365: Day Three

2008-02-14T08:36:00.001-05:00

Because I have such lovely brick in my loft, it only seems fair to show off the pattern it makes, as a part of one of this week's themes for Project 365, Patterns.

Happy Valentine's Day, all!

I've managed to catch another cold. Bleagh. I'm giving Cold-FX a try, cross your fingers that it works -- Thursday through Saturday are my busiest teaching days!

Project 365: Day Two

2008-02-13T08:43:00.000-05:00

One of the Themes for this week's Project 365 is Patterns. The explanation mentioned how brick can create pleasing patterns, and I immediately thought of my new loft. Not only do I have pleasing brick patterns, but I also have pleasing pipe patterns.

Icarus Project Details

2008-02-12T13:21:00.000-05:00

Pattern: Icarus Shawl, by Miriam L. Felton, from Interweave Knits, Summer 2006
Yarn: Misti Alpaca Laceweight, in colourway C743. Scrumptious
Needles: 2.5mm Holz & Stein Ebony Circulars

Be sure to check out my post about the magic of blocking!

Project 365: Day One

2008-02-12T12:25:00.001-05:00

Here is my very first photo for Ravelry's Project 365. Info about the project is in my previous post. You can click on any of these photos to see them enlarged, at my Flickr site.

Winter is prevailing here in Toronto, and I think we've had enough already! As much as I love snow, it's getting a bit tough getting around the city. There are snowbanks the size of cars, and the side streets (and my parking lot) are all crusted with a sheet of ice. I just know I'm going to glisser* any moment now, and land on something that shouldn't be landing on ice!

If you pull up the Large Size of this photo on Flickr, you'll actually see individual snowflakes! Huzzah for the macro setting!

*The Word of the Week from CBC Radio's show "C'est la vie" - it means "to slide")

Ravelry's Project 365

2008-02-12T09:12:00.000-05:00

I've joined a group on Ravelry, called Project 365.

The idea is that you take a photo a day for a whole year. At the end of the year, you have a photo-journal of the year, day by day.

Hmmm, this might just be the inspiration I'm looking for!

NB: I'm also streaming the RSS feed from the "365ravelry" Flickr tags. If you can't get into Ravelry, you can at least add photos here, and get the feed!

How I'll wear my Icarus

2008-02-04T01:13:00.001-05:00

Yep, I got to wear my Icarus out in public, to a party, tonight! She got rave reviews!!! Huzzah!!

Excuse the photo, I can't quite figure out the light in my apartment. This one makes me look great - it's my supermodel shot. I don't actually look like this in real life . . .

Snow Day!

2008-02-01T14:35:00.001-05:00

Oh, did I ever need a snow day.

I've finished part one of two, of the Sneeeeeeky Surprise Baby Project! Huzzah!

AND, I'm blocking Icarus!!! That means you need photos! (Click on photos to see them BIG, in Flickr!)

I'm hoping to wear her tonight, but maybe that's over-optimistic.

I definitely loved this project, and can't wait to take post-blocking photos! I knew that once I'd gotten the chance to block this shawl, it would drastically different. However, I think I knew that on a purely intellectual level. Once I got Icarus all pinned out, I was quite shocked at the difference. (Just like I am every time I block lace! I really should remember how cool this process is!)

Pre-blocking vs. Blocking:

Yup. It's love.

Sneeeeeeeeky.

2008-01-29T00:47:00.000-05:00

Ok, so my current project is sneeeeeeeeeeky, surprise baby knitting.

This is what you get . . .

Yeah, I know. Boring blog fodder. But what's a girl to do?

In love with increases

2008-01-26T08:25:00.000-05:00

Well, in learning just howtheheck I'm supposed to M1R, I stumbled upon knittinghelp.com

Has everyone seen this site? It really is worth a visit.

My absolute favourite right now is the page of increases. It shows ON ONE PAGE all of the increase variations in actual knitting, describes what they are good for and when they can each be used best, and then has an uber-clear VIDEO that shows you how to do it.

Magic, I tell you.

Go - play! You'll enjoy it!

Icarus has flown off the needles...

2008-01-23T00:18:00.000-05:00

... and man, does she need to be blocked.

I love knitting lace. I think it's time to invest in some blocking wires. Because check this out:

Yeah, unblocked lace. Scintillating, isn't it?

Close-up? Meh.

But just you wait 'till she's all blocked!

Almost an icarus!!!

2008-01-21T23:07:00.000-05:00

As much as I may not want to admit it... I seem to have abandoned my blog for Ravelry. Eep! Here is my re-attempt at posting regularly. (Although, I don't think I was terribly good at it in the first place.)

Oh my goodness! I have FINALLY finished the last chart, and I am halfway through the 2nd-last edging row of dear, dear Icarus.

This project has amazed me for the last 18 months, and I can't wait to have it off the needles. At the same time though, I think I'll have some finishing pangs... I've been working on this for so long, that I just don't know what to do without it!

(I'll find something, I'm sure).

Stay tuned for an update sooooon. (Of course, there will have to be blocking, and I have a new 650 sq. foot abode. Wish me luck on that one!)

Christmas Dinosaur

2007-12-24T11:10:00.000-05:00

Phew! I finished this lovely spotted stegosaurus just in time for Christmas!

Yep, I love him. As much as I love all Jean Greenhowe toys!

Project Details:
(You know I just want to link to the Ravelry info here)

Pattern: Pink Spotted Dinosaur by Jean Greenhowe, from Jean Greenhowe's Toy Collection
Yarn: Leftover Worsted Weight Wool of the Andes from Knitpicks, in Pumpkin and Winter Night.
Needles: 4.0mm (US 6) Addi Turbo circs... (man, does it feel strange to be knitting on big, metal needles, instead of tiny, rosewood ones!)
Knit for: Baby Cousin Lucas

He took me 3 days to knit - but only about 3 hours total knitting/sewing time. The finishing on him was very easy, as it always is on Greenhowe patterns - everything lines up just how it should. Ah, except that the first spines I knit were too long (my fault for changing yarns), then my second and final spines were a bit short. I like him this way, though! I think he looks like a punk-rock steggy with a mohawk!

Happy Holidays to all, and to all a God Jul!

Blog Boredom?

2007-11-04T21:39:00.001-05:00

I think I need to knit something a little more exciting than Icarus, so that I actually have something to blog about. Or just knit faster . . .

I am officially (according to the over-thought spreadsheet of doom) over 80% done on my lovely shawl, so things might get more interesting around here fairly soon. If I can ever figure out the edging. Why don't people chart edgings? Is it REALLY easier to explain it in words?

In other news, I am totally besmitten with Ravelry, and I am spending way too much time queuing new projects. Yeah, that's the last thing I need to do right now.

Off to work on the shawl so I can maybe get a surprise prezzie done sooooon.

Oh, anyone doing any exciting Christmas knitting? I don't know if I'll be able to this year, as I have the surprise prezzie, and I'm MOVING to my FIRST NEW PLACE!!!! AHHHHHH!

Too cute!

2007-10-17T10:52:00.000-04:00

I can't believe I never posted these gorgeous pics of the happy recipient with her Bo Squiddley Baby Blanket (pattern in the sidebar):

SOEXCITEDAHHHH!!!

2007-09-21T14:42:00.003-04:00

Woo, I'm on Ravelry!!!
Come find me as linzknits!!!

AHHHHHH!

Wheeee, on to Chart Three!!!!

2007-09-16T23:27:00.000-04:00

Huzzah!
Chart two of dear Icarus is done, but as I'm staying with the boyfriend, there are no photos just yet. And maybe that's a good thing, unblocked lace is not exactly scintillating blog fodder.

I can't wait to start on chart three!!!

Chart Twoooooooo!

2007-09-09T23:25:00.000-04:00

Woo, woo! Chart two!
Let's go, chart two!!!

I made it to chart two of Icarus, FINALLY!

Excuse me while I go concentrate, because I have NOT learned this lace pattern yet.

Photos coming soon.

Rockin' Girl Blogger

2007-09-08T11:44:00.000-04:00

(Oh dear, I should have done this a long time ago... forgive me!)

The ever-fabulous Amanda at K is for Knitter nominated me for a Rockin' Girl Blogger Award:

The award was started by Roberta Ferguson... and here's what you need to do if you get one:
1) give her credit
2) put up the badge
3) add 5 other rockin' girl bloggers to the list

So, thanks so much to Amanda!!!! WOOO!

And here are my new 5:
1) Vanessa at The Sinister Knitter. She's pregnant with her first little one, and knitting the most beautiful entrelac Lady Eleanor I've ever seen with Soy Wool Stripes. Yumm.

2) Karlie at A Long Yarn All Wound Up for being my first Sockapalooza pal, always writing wonderful things, and being a constant and loyal knit-blog friend!

3) Alison at The Blue Blog, not only the organizer of the Sockapalooza sock swaps, but one of the fastest knitters I've ever seen, the mum of twin boys and a gorgeous new baby girl, a die-hard (dye-hard? tee-hee) Harry Potter fan, and the writer of the very first knit blog I ever got addicted to and HAD to check daily!

4) Jane at Yarnstorm, who is my inspiration to make everything in my life more beautiful. If you don't know this blog, you really need to.

5) Cara at January One, who has the best eye for photography I've ever seen, and writes very well about knitting. She's also pregnant, (there must be something in the wool...) and is the organizer of Spin Out in NYC.

Ladies, your blogs make me want to knit and do many beautiful things in this world. What could be better?

Officially overdoing it...

2007-09-08T11:33:00.001-04:00

My brain is officially on sensory overload, and seems to want to stay that way.

It seems like I can't just sit down and knit, I have to knit and do something. Why I don't think of knitting as doing something, I have no idea, but apparently I don't.

Maybe this is a guilt-thing? Like, I can't take the time to myself "JUST to knit", so I have to be doing something else at the same time? But, the "something" seems to usually be TV- or movie-based, so it's not like it's anything productive.

I've already discovered I can't read and knit, and I don't always have the right mindset to sit and listen to music and knit, so on goes the TV... sigh.

I think I need to allow myself to just sit and knit. I might enjoy it more that way.

Half an Icarus?

2007-09-06T22:56:00.000-04:00

Hmmmm!!!

You know... I felt like I was in the Icarus black-hole-of-doom-and-getting-nowhere for a really long time, but it looks like I'm escaping! Somehow, I'm magically half-done (last time I checked I was only 20% done)... and I'm 5 rows away from being done Chart 1! Woo!

I really can't wait to get onto the next chart. I think the beauty of Icarus is in the next part, and I can't wait to get there!

You know what I also can't wait for? Ravelry!
I've got about 3000 people on the list in front of me now, so it should be sooner rather than later. Yay!

Ok, off to see if I can finish chart 1 before bed...

Random Thursday...

2007-08-09T18:01:00.000-04:00

Everyone else in blogland is doing it, so I present to you Random Thursday.

More specifically, this post is going to be random-Austrian-photo Thursday.

1) A peacock butt. Kind of makes me want to knit Peacock Feathers

I have determined that peacocks are evil creatures. They live outside lovely Austrian castles, and make hideously loud noises to scare away the tourists.

2) The insides of a Stachelbeeren (Gooseberry). Man, is that tasty stuff. I love the purple layer around the seeds. Yep, it makes me want to dye yarn in this colourway... yarn like Koigu. Mmmm, Gooseberry Koigu!

3) A typical Austrian folk-costume: (I've actually seen ladies in the street wearing similar garb)

Knitting Etiquette?

2007-08-02T03:52:00.000-04:00

Hmm, Knitting Etiquette is a rather funny thing. I think it's very subjective, and that there is a very thin (Shetland-weight) line between appropriate occasions to knit and inappropriate ones.

I have been knitting at our Artist Recitals here. These are informal concerts for my summer program, that we have every Monday and Wednesday nights. In the past, I would NEVER have knit at a concert, although I also would have welcomed anyone to knit while I was singing. Why the double-standard? Well, I guess it's because of the opinions of non-knitters (oh, the muggles).

I know that when I (personally) have an easy enough pattern, I actually can concentrate better on things (conversations, concerts, TV, movies) when I can knit at the same time! So I've got endless stockinette on the needles for my Icarus, and I choose to knit at the concert.

However, I understand that it could appear to others (audience members and performers alike) that I am paying less attention to the concert (conversation, movie...) because I am knitting. But, selfishly, I concentrate better AND I get my knitting time in!

This is the main reason why I don't knit in classes! I don't want to offend my professors, even though I'm the one doing the learning, and it would help me!

Likewise, when I hang out with some friends (mainly knitters, or those who 'get it'), I have no qualms about pulling out my WIP, but with others I know that it will offend them! How do you figure out exactly who those friends are?

Where do you draw the line? Do you have to put your knitting away at times when you don't think you should?

Ooooooooh, ahhhhhhhhh!

2007-07-26T12:06:00.000-04:00

The Fall 2007 Interweave Knits preview is up!

This excites me to no end, as Eunny Jang is their new editor, and I am in love with everything she creates! It's definitely time for me to get myself a subscription, because this is a really beautiful issue.

I am madly in love with Eunny's Tangled Yoke Cardigan*, and Kate Gilbert's Cinnabar Pullover. They make me smile.

The Composed Mitts by Michele Rose Orne are definitely making it onto my Christmas Knitting Giftlist this year. Huzzah!

What are your thoughts on the new designs?

A True Hat Story

2007-07-25T11:53:00.000-04:00

I don't know if I ever showed this hat off on the blog.
It was a Christmas present for my boyfriend a few years back, and makes me smile to think of it.

As you can see here, it's a simple hat pattern (I just made it up, and started decreasing when it looked big enough) knit with double-stranded cheapy yellow acrylic from my stash.

The braids were the toughest part. I wanted them to be "posable" and so needed them to be wired. To get the strength I needed, I ended up triple-stranding yellow pipe-cleaners around 6 strands of floral wire. I then put one of each of these 'bunches' of wire inside each strand of yellow braid. Of course, the ends then needed blue ribbon!

They were very well-received by my boyfriend, who had (believe it or not) requested such a hat after watching a cooking show with a crazy Frenchman wearing ridiculous hats (including, a carrot hat)!

He wears it every Winter (to my delight), and will even wear it when driving. The looks we get are priceless; it is as if the random people we pass on the street are saying: "Hey guy, do you know that you've got braids on your head?"

Yup. Sheer crazy, and perfectly wonderful.

Looking for a new shawl pattern?

2007-07-20T11:14:00.000-04:00

In the last two days I have found two tremendous resources:

1) Jenny Raye's list of Rectangular Shawls

2) Vicki's listing of Triangular Shawls, organized by required yardage (fabulous!)

Both lists link directly to free, online patterns. This will definitely be keeping me busy for a long while! Enjoy!