stitchingmystressaway.com

Ever have a project that you quit about an hour into starting it?

Well I do.

I have a weakness for lacy tops.  Now that my Botanical Lace Cardi is complete, I felt a little at loss for what lace top I should start.

In March of 2009, I swatched for the Lattice Lace Pullover:

Don't you love how organized I was?

Which will, of course, grow up to be this lovely pullover from Knit So Fine:

From Laarag's Photostream

Then after that?? Nothing. Nada. All I knew that size 1.5 needles was the size that gave me gauge. I moved on to other projects.

But the last Sunday, I just randomly picked it back up and started the project properly this time, starting with the sleeves.

I’m knitting this with size 2s even if I don’t get gauge with it. I did the math and knitting this with size 2s, making the 36′ size will fit me accurately. (How did I get to this conclusion? This here calculation that has helped me every time. My wise buddy Steph told me about it and I feel every knitter should commit it to memory)

Sure, I got gauge with size 1.5s but it was a little too tight, for my liking and, of course, 3s were too loose for me. Size 2s make for a nice happy medium.

And speaking of Steph, the two of us went to welcome a new yarn shop to town, Looped Yarn Works in Dupont Circle. What a lovely store! It opened just the week the two of us got paid so, the proper thing to do was go and spend some hard earned bread there, right? I always appreciate it when yarn shops have sweaters-worth of a given yarn in a variety of colors and Looped certainly did that. It was very tempting  But I already started a project with some Koigu KPPPM I bought there:

I seem to be starting a lot of socks too. Pretty typical now that the December holidays are approaching

I’m part of the knitting community so it goes without saying I read a ton of blogs. But care to know what my most favorite blog is? It has nothing to do with arts, crafts and/or knitting. It’s a gem called Hyperbole and a Half. It is the fun-niest blog EVAR!

There was one blog entry in particular that I SO relate to. It’s titled “This is Why I’ll Never Be an Adult.” It struck a chord with me because I relate to it so much. I go about my life being responsible and then I start to go down hill and find myself craving recess period and nap times.

I’ve shared this gem with Jermaine, some family members and some coworkers. Some have shared it with their friends and so on and so on “All the things” is starting to become part of my circle’s lingo. For example after the new Twist Collective came out, many were saying “I want to knit all the things.” (That’s just one example I can think of) Some have even turned the infamous “Clean All The Things” graphic as their ravatar on Ravelry. With a simple edit, they were able to change “clean” to “knit.” Pretty awesome.

My buddy Jess took it a step further and made the person look like me. HOW AWESOME IS THAT?!  I looooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooove it. What an unexpected gift!

I totally have a skirt that looks like that and oh hai, that chic above haz green eyes like me.

Fist Bump Jessica. Thank you so much. You rule. GWU should be very proud of the skills you’ve attained while being a student there

I recently participated in the Loopy Ewe Swap.  My buddy, Meesh, already received her package so I can now share what I made her.

There was summer theme to this swap so there is some irony to that in June. So I struggled with what to make her. I opted for some socks because she really likes those and she told me that she likes intricate ones. Um….this calls for a Cookie pattern – Calloway

Pattern: Calloway Socks by Cookie A from her website
My Ravelry Project Page
Yarn(s): Dream in Color, Smooshy
Colorway(s): In Vino Veritas
Needle(s): US 1 – 2.25 mm
Casted On: June 6, 2010
Casted Off: June 22, 2010
Modifications: None. This pattern was written very well. It’s a nine page pattern however, each size only takes two pages. This pattern also allows for a lot of flexibility so no mods were needed to lengthen the sock.

This was a fun pattern as always. I don’t expect anything less with a Cookie pattern It’s difficult to follow a summer’s theme with wool, but hey, it’s lacey!

On Friday, I received two packages. A skein of STR Heavyweight, My Blue Heaven Colorway. I originally bought it for Jermaine for a pair of socks for him. I opened it up and said “It’s not like I signed anything saying I’d make him a pair of socks with this for him” :”>  We both love blue…so sue us.

Jermaine, not knowing this, saw this skein of loooooooooooved it. Then I felt bad for wanting it for a socks for me. But then it’s sooooooooo pretty.

Luckily, my package from Beth for the swap came and look what came in it!

Are these two skeins identical? No. But they’re quite similar. I can use this lovely skein for me and the STR for Jermaine as originally intended

Beth certainly spoiled me! I loved everything!

These gloves fit just right. Tight enough to be warm but there is still enough room in them. And, of course, they’re kitteh gloves!! =D>

I've always wanted paws, you guys

This was the entire package and I just love it! Thank you very much, Beth!

I have the next few days off. Going to a BBQ tonight, dinner at mom’s tomorrow, hanging out with a friend on Monday, but all still relaxing. I need it I hope to get some other projects completed or at least knit a nice dent in them. wish me luck!

OK So you know how I’m knitting with two colors on opposing hands? Well, I think I’ve reached a crucial point with knitting from the right hand.

I made this chart because I always mix the two up:

See, I started learning to knit Continentally, from the left hand. It was very comfortable to me, like writing with my right hand was. When I was learning to knit using the English method, or throwing, it was uncomfortable! I had uneven tension and slow technique in addition to it just not feeling right. Let me go back to the example of writing, only roles are reversed–with writing, I’m a righty. With knitting, I’m a lefty:

(...and yes I know I write Ks funny )

I use writing as an example to represent how it felt and looked knitting with my right hand–What you see above as I wrote with my left hand.

But I didn’t give up. I continued to work with it. Eventually I got a rhythm only when I held my yarn a certain way. No joke, you guys, I actually took pictures of how I was holding my yarn so I wouldn’t forget.

Naturally, I’d pick it up again and get frustrated that I forgot the magic way to hold the yarn that gave me a good fabric. I eventually would figure it out but then forget again.

Then I casted on for the Lightweight Pullover and saw it as an opportunity to knit this using nothing but English-style and, Ladies and Gents, I have become so very comfortable with this. I realized this when I picked up this project and knitted English way without even thinking of it. Lookie:

Look you guys….I’m throwing! and doing it effortlessly And I got “my way” of holding my yarn:

So dear knitters, I dare you to try something uncomfortable or something you’re intimidated of. I think we get to a point where we get so judgmental and blow things off because they just look too scary or uncomfortable. Some times it’s with good reason–one doesn’t want to knit socks not because they’re made with small needles but because they just don’t like knit items on their feet and that’s fine. But don’t not knit socks only because of the techniques used. You CAN get over techniques that might look a little funny or feel uncomfortable. Dare yourself to learn something new and get comfortable with it. You can do it. Promise. (I’ll even say that it doesn’t hurt either )

Ok let me first say that, yes, STD has a not so great connotation but it was brought to my attention that I might have confused readers in my last post. I am planning a wedding and while doing so, a STD will refer to Save The Date cards. Get it? Do we have an understanding?

Now that they’ve been sent to our invite list, can I show you the most awesome save the date cards my friend Lara made for us?

How awesome are they?!?!

The week I got the draft from Lara, I was bummed out about a certain part of our wedding (long story) and I received the draft on a Friday afternoon and just yelped from excitement. These totally got me out of my funk because this card is SO us! And my God, I had no idea I was a head tilter till I saw this and took a closer look at pics of me.

Annnnnnnyway, Lara had to get spoiled. I show my love through knitting, of course. May I present….her socks.

Pattern: Maelstrom by Cookie A. from Twist Collective, Autumn 2008
My Ravelry Project Page
Yarn(s): Shelridge Farm Soft Touch Ultra Solid Colors
Colorway(s): Iris
Needle(s): US 1 – 2.25 mm
Casted On: April 20, 2010
Casted Off: May 9, 2010
Modifications: The pattern called for six repeats of the leg pattern. I went for ten and even with that, the sock was a little short. Here’s hoping that didn’t make much difference to Lara who is shorter than me?

I love this pattern and always knew I’d make a second pair after I finished my first. It’s interesting enough to keep your attention but is also not too complicated that you have to refer to the pattern after every row.

Knitters often don’t get handknit gifts themselves. Why is that? We don’t hesitate giving each other yarn but we don’t make things for each other? At least I don’t but I’ll admit that I really must change that Anyway, Lara was quite pleased to receive them and I was so happy to make them for her. My family and friends absolutely love the save the date cards. So original. So Us. And they include our wonderful girls. They can’t be forgotten We got all that and more. THANK YOU LARA….AGAIN

And speeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeaking of socks, I recently got a copy of Think Outside the Sox and I just can’t get enough of it! I love an overwhelming majority of the patterns in the book. Go check it out at the library or get a copy at your LYS. It will not disappoint.

I’m a loud mouth. Sometimes righteously so. Sometimes annoyingly so. I can honestly say though, I have the best intentions.

I came across this Youtube video of Philip, a World War II vet, standing up for his four sons demanding that they all have equal rights. He’s ever so quiet yet his message is loud and full of love. I was immediately humbled

I’m sure that most people reading this don’t have to be told this. With all the shit that is going on in the world and in our country, why are we denying some people the right to love someone?

Even if you don’t live in Maine, please do what you can to defeat such a hateful bill. You can

1. donate. Here are some groups:  No on 1 Protect Maine Equality, Maine Freedom to Marry, ActBlue
2. defend. Hear someone call someone else a faggot? Call ‘em out. That’s hateful and hurtful. We, as a nation need to rise above such viciousness!
3. support. Here are some more groups ACLU, HRC, Gay Rights Watch or, if you want to be more subtle, wear a tshirt

OK Peeps. I don’t know what sweater to wear to Rhinebeck and I need your two cents via the poll.

First The Candidates

Climbing Vines

Stilwell

Please Vote Here:
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is finished

Pattern: Stilwell by Jared Flood from Made in Brooklyn
My Ravelry Page
Yarn(s): Knit Picks City Tweed Heavyweight
Colorway(s): Jaquard & Snowshoe
Needle(s): US 8 / 5.0 mm
US 6 / 4.0 mm
US 10 / 6.0 mm
Casted On: August 24th, 2009
Casted Off: September 6, 2009
Modifications:  Body – The pattern originally stated that the body should be 13 inches long and have 3/4 sleeves. I wanted neither. After the colorwork area of the body, the pattern instructed to knit until you have 7.5 inches then start the increases for the beginning of the chest. I knit 10 inches instead. The body is about17 inches. (I’m 5′10, so there! ) Sleeves – In order to make them longer, I had to spread the increases out so after the color work, I did an increase round and did another five rounds later. Following that I increased every 7 rounds 3 times, then every 5 rounds 5 times, and finally I increased every 6 rounds twice. Might sound random but I tried it on as I did it and it feels wonderful.

Now the needles.

When I first read the pattern, I saw that you knit the colorwork with tens. I originally thought “wow…that seems awfully big.” I knit the color work on the body and one of the sleeves with 9s and notices an ever so slight tightness. Not so significant that I would frog it but it was still there. I then knit the color work on the other sleeve with 10s and thought it looked less tense. Lesson, here? Listen to the damn pattern, in this regard One final note-I used 6s for the placket area. 8s made it looks incredibly sloppy.

I absolutely LOVED the yarn!! It feels wonderful and was a pleasure to knit with. Got perfect gauge (4.75 stitches/inch) on the 8s. There were times when the tweed bits fell off as I knit with it but it happened maybe three times while I was knitting the sweater??

This will likely be my Rhinebeck sweater. What will be yours?

I’m halfway through my goal of completing four works in progress in July.

Pattern: Gumdrop Socks by JC Briar from Blue Moon Fiber Arts Rockin’ Sock Club
My Ravelry Page
Yarn(s): Socks that Rock, mediumweight
Colorway(s): Sugarplums
Needle(s): US 2 / 2.75 mm
Casted On: June 18th, 2009
Casted Off: July 12th, 2009
Modifications: I just did a round toe. That was the only modification I did.

I absolutely love this heel! It’s Lucy Neatby’s Garter Stitch short row heel. There are wraps in this heel, yes, but you do not have to pick up the wraps. Not that picking up wraps is all that a pain for me. It really isn’t. That said, this heel is easier to make and, to me, it looks more natural. Plus garter stitch on my heel gives it more of a cushion.

Socks that Rock, as usual, did not disappoint. This pattern was perfect for their yarns. I seem to be drawn to patterns that are hand dyed friendly.

Next WIP that is going down:

…Darsana’s Mit’ens.

and with that, I’ll leave ya with a cute lil picture of Layla playing with the leftover yarn from my Gumdrop Socks.

I have joined the WIP Wrestlemania KAL on Ravelry. Why not get some projects finished with some of the most awesome knitters and crocheters on Ravelry–LSG!

1. Climbing Vines Pullover, 2. My Gumdrop Socks, 3. Baby Bendall’s Vest, 4. Darsana’s Mittens

Yes I know it seems rather odd to be doing a sweater in JULY but I have to say–I’ve thoroughlyenjoyed making the Climbing Vines pullover. I’ve completed all but the front of the sweater and I really am liking how it’s turning out. The subtle semi-colored yarn, Classy, is great for this pattern and it’s making the not so interesting parts (read-sleeves) fly by.

These socks are SO. MUCH. FUN! and this heel:

fleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeew by. It’s a short row heel with very little dealing of purling/knitting three wraps blah blah blah. I think I might use this heel for a while.

Baby Bendall’s Vest – I LOVE Swish DK from KnitPicks. This yarn is just so soft, which is obviously ideal for a lil bebeh. I really like the heathered effect in the blue. I showed this vest to the mom, a coworker of mine, and she just loved it. I’m making a vest in between six and eight months. Yes, that doesn’t fall within the sizes in the pattern, however I added a few stitches From what his mom tells me, lil Dylan Bendall will be a rather big baby so he might very will fit into this when he hits four months. hehe

Finally, these stranded mittens are for Darnsana. I know it’s a little odd, again, to be making such a winter item in the heat of summer but I love stranded items, so there

I think, if I stay focused, I’ll be able to finish these. Then again I said “stay focused” teehee