stitchingmystressaway.com

My office is right near our break room and I heard my coworker Iliana talking about wanting a handknit hat.

Oh Really?

I won’t go into details here but she has helped me a lot with some situations of late so OF COURSE I wanted to make a hat for her. I express my love, appreciation and thanks through handknits so this was perfect! So I made her….

Pattern: Syncopated Caps by Kate Gilbert from Interweave Knits, Summer 2007
My Ravelry Project Page
Yarn(s): Crystal Palace Yarns Mini Mochi & KnitPicks Palette
Colorway(s): Rainbow and Steel Grey, respectively
Needle(s): US 3 – 3.25 mm
Casted On: June 6, 2010
Casted Off: June 10, 2010
Modifications: None

However, if I were to make this hat again, I’d probably lengthen it a little more. Do you notice above that the hat covers maybe a third of my ear? Well, it was the same for Iliana so I was a little disappointed about that. Next time I will lengthen this hat–There are rows where you: K2 in CC (rainbow) K1 in MC (grey) consecutively for four rows. Next time I think I’d do it for five or maybe even six rows.

Despite that, I still loved making this hat–Making something stranded with multicolored yarns is always thrilling.

Hopefully after Iliana wears this hat a few times, it stretches out a little more. She’s from Miami so she’ll use this hat if DC gets a little breeze

I’m watching Julie and Julia. What a cute movie. I have to say I really relate to Julie’s character–she is someone who doesn’t really know what she wants to be when she grows up and I can so get that. I am wickedly jealous of people my own age who know exactly what they want and are doing it. Anyway, she picked up this blog project to cook her way through Julia Childs’ book as a challenge to herself. It got me thinking about Knit and Crochet Blog Week. Teeheee I haven’t been doing this every other day but I am doing it, a little behind but I am doing it….true to Laura fashion

Day  Four:

Is there a skill related to your hobby that you hope to learn one day? maybe you’re a crocheter who’d also like to knit? Maybe you’d like to learn to knit continental, knit backwards, try cables or attempt stranded colourwork.

OK as snobby as this might sound, I think I’m fairly grounded in my skills. Sure I would like to try entrelac but it’s a huge priority. not a big scratch to itch.

This said, I could really use some improvement in my skills. I love using both hands while doing stranded colorwork but that can sometimes and often lead to tension issues

So sure, I’m afraid of very little as a knitter but that still doesn’t mean I can’t improve.

And speaking of tension issues, here is my latest of FO….my “beret.” Note the irony.

Pattern: Selbu Modern by Kate Gagnon Osborn from her blog
My Ravelry Project Page
Yarn(s): Louet Gems Sport Weight
Colorway(s): Burgundy & Steel Grey
Needle(s): US 1 – 2.25 mm  &US 2 – 2.75 mm
Casted On: April 7, 2010
Casted Off: April 21, 2010
Modifications: None, really.

I knew something was up when I started the decreases for the crown.

But you know, I can have a sense of humor about this. Sure, it’s a pattern for a beret but oh well…fits me wonderfully like a hat.

See, this beret was meant for my buddy Lara. She’s a knitting buddy of mine who offered to do our Save the Dates cards for our wedding. As a thank you, I thought “Hmmm I wonder if she is a beret person.” I wanted to give her a personal thank you gift because God knows she gave us such a personal gift (HOLY SHIT ARE THE STDS THE BEST ONES EVER…more on that when we send them out). I don’t really think I have the head for a beret but always wanted to make one so why not use Lara as a guinea pig? But no. Even with blocking it didn’t spread out. So while it would have been great to give this to her, I fear that while this fits me like a very comfy hat, it might fit her like an overgrown sloppy hat. There are a great many other things I can make for her, right?

So Yay, Laura has a new hat for winter.

Now that you’ve read my contribution, why not check out other blogs that are discussing this same topic?

I finally finished Abby’s Starlight Starbright Cardigan and it’s gorgeous

Pattern: Starlight, Starbright by Kirsten Jensen from her Ravelry Store
My Ravelry Project Page
Yarn(s): Brown Sheep Lamb’s Pride Superwash Sport & Brown Sheep Nature Spun Sport
Colorway(s): Romantic Rube & Grey
Needle(s): US 2 / 2.75 mm
Casted On: November 29, 2009
Casted Off: February 22, 2010
Modifications: none

I test knit this for Kirsten on Ravelry when I saw her finished sweater. I asked her if she needed test knitters and she took me up on it. I don’t think I’ll volunteer again to test knit a pattern. I had a wonderful time knitting this, don’t get me wrong, but I guess I don’t knit fast enough. The last few weeks, I held up Kirsten and I still feel terrible about it. I do not like holding things up and I did this during the test knit process. It didn’t help that I had a ton of Christmas knitting too during this time.

I knit this cardi using a 9 stitches/inch gauge as opposed to the 8 stitches/inch gauge the pattern states. That’s ok though, Abby’s a little on the small side. I really hope Rose and Abby like this.

I thoroughly enjoyed knitting this cardi, as I often love me some fair isle. The yarn I used, Brown Sheep Sport, was a pleasure to knit with as it is tightly spun.I found it easy to knit two colors with this yarn and I hope to use it again in future projects.

This pattern was very well written and it’s a great first steaking project for anyone wanting to do it for the first time.

Up next some more works in progress. I like this starting thinngs thing

Knitters would think of any reason to start a project and/or have a knitalong. So….there are two blizzards headed your way?? Yes, I think it’s a great reason to cast on something.

I present…….my Snowcopolypse/Snowmageddon 2010 Shawl:

This is the Conifer Shawl from the Winter/Spring 2010 issue of Knitscene. It would have probably been done if I didn’t leave it at mom’s house when I was at her place on Sunday the 7th. opps. But I got it back and hope to finish it soon.

I also finished the first sleeve on Abby’s Starlight Starbright Cardigan

and I finally finished Courtney’s socks.

Pattern: Serpentine Socks by Wendy D. Johnson from Socks from the Toe Up
My Ravelry Project Page
Yarn(s): Fiesta Yarns Boomerang
Colorway(s): Sapphire
Needle(s): US 2 / 2.75 mm
Casted On: December 23, 2010
Casted Off: February 11, 2010
Modifications: I did a short row heel instead of a heel flap. no biggie

This was my first time knitting with Boomerang. It’s a warm thick yarn for socks and I’m sure Courtney will love them. I have another skein in my stash and I’m sure they’ll making warm socks. But it wasn’t the most flexible or giving yarn. The resulting socks will be warm and very appreciated so that’s all that matters, right?

Ravelympics

The opening ceremonies for the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver will be starting at 9pm EST and that is the precise time the Ravelympics will commence I have decided to knit Seneca out of Stonehedge Fiber Mill Shepherd’s Woo. Progress pics to come!

Happy Ravelympics everyone! Be safe!

Seriously, as someone who has had her share of tendonitis issues due to flute playing, if your hands hurt, STOP!

So I mentioned that I joined the International Knit a Sweater a Month Group on Ravelry and I’ve been thinking about what sweaters/cardis I should make for a long time.  Evidently I have a thing for lace sweaters

The First is Lattice Lace Pullover by Laura Grutzeck from Knit So Fine: Designs with Skinny Yarn. I swatched for this sweater last summer but didn’t go beyond that. I have a wonderful collection of KnitPicks Gloss for this. This color looks great on me if I do say so myself The second is a pattern I’ve wanted to knit for a long time–Apres Surf Hoodie by Connie Chang Chinchio from Interweave Knits, Summer 2008. I was originally going to use some KnitPicks Gloss but I am not a big fan of the color I dyed it with. Instead, for my birthday, I got a gift card from mom and Lindsey to the Loopy Ewe. With it, I got some Dream in Color Smooshy in the Plum Paisley colorway for this wonderful hoodie. The third sweater is Lace V-Neck Top by Pam Grushkin from Vogue Knitting, Holiday 2009. I have no idea what yarn I will knit this sweater with but I have to say–it would be nice if people on Ravelry would state the size they knit and how much yarn they used. grumble. lt; Finally the fourth cardigan is Sabbatical by Connie Chang Chinchio. For a birthday present Jermaine got me a KnitPicks gift card and I got some Telemark with it. I got some of this yarn in the Aubergine color. How pretty!

Why am I thinking about these particular sweaters so early in 2010? Well lace sweaters have a tendency to take forever. I mean shooooooot—I got gauge on the Lattice Lace Pullover with US size 1.5s! That’s going to take some time!

These next two patterns will take some time as well–Autumn Rose by Eunny Jang (kit bought from Knitpicks) and Blackberry Cabled Cardigan by Alexandra Charlotte Dafoe. I got this wonderful yarn, Stonehedge Fiber Mill Shepherd’s Wool, from Fibre Space in Alexandria, VA.

I don’t think the cabled cardi is going to take a looooooooong time perse but I’m still very excited to make it. The yarn is DELICIOUS!! I’ve already started swatching:

For the past few months, I’ve been considering countless sweaters.  These twelve, however, stick out the most:

TOP ROW: Blackberry Cabled Cardigan, Apres Surf Hoodie, Lattice Lace Pullover, Autumn Rose SECOND ROW: Sabbatical, Lace V-Neck Top , Kelmscott, Henley Perfected THIRD ROW : Notre Dame De Grace, Seneca, Fair Isle Cardigan (With different colors, of course!), February Fitted Pullover

Of course these can change. I won’t start any of these until I get this wonderful cardigan done for lil Abby. I’m test knitting the Starlight, Starbright pattern by Kirsten Jensen. Christmas knitting and some other personal events got in the way of my completing this so I’m bound and determined to get this done….as well as some Christmas socks…still!

I hope to have this completed really really soon.

Have a great night, everyone.

Pattern: Mini Mochi Fair Isle Hat by Sandi Rosner from Crystal Palace’s Website
My Ravelry Project Page
Yarn(s):Crystal Palace Yarns Mini Mochi 390.0 yards & Shelridge Farm Soft Touch DKW 250 yards
Colorway(s): 105 & Robin’s Egg, respectively.
Needle(s): US 3 / 3.25 mm
Casted On: October 26, 2009
Casted Off: December 2, 2009
Modifications: None

It was a fun knit. Here’s a  picture of the hat, ya know….complete

It was a little sad saying good bye to this hat. I might have to knit this again. It was snug on my head but certainly not restrictive. I like my hats like that.

Anyway, I don’t think this will be the last Mini Mochi hat I knit. It was a sad goodbye when I sent it to my spoilee, Danielle.

Happy New Year!!

I hope you had a great New Year celebration. J and I welcomed two friends to our apartment we haven’t seen in a while. It was a great new years.

In the idea of nostalgia, here is what I completed knitting-wise in 2009

So, in review:

1 Cowl
2 Baby Sweaters
3 Pairs of Gloves
9 Pairs of Socks
2 Shawls
1 Hat
2 Cardigans

There is a part of me that is a little disappointed. Last year, I made 29 items and this year, it was 22. That said, I made more sweaters and cardigans and I’ve learned a ton. See…lookie. This year I also:

Steeked:

Learned how to knit fair isle on two hands

Learned Double knitting for a future finished object for Jermaine

So yes, I wasn’t popping out finished objects as I used to in previous years but I’m still proud of myself and what I did in 2009.

As far as goals for 2010, I want to concentrate on sweaters, pullovers, cardigans. I seem to be in a huge sweater kick. I joined the IntSweMoDo2010 group on Ravelry. Sure, working on a wool sweater in July in DC won’t feel that fantastic but that’s where lace sweaters might come in

I have some sweaters in mind for this KAL but I’m still getting my thoughts together for it. But I’m really looking forward to it. It’s a KAL with very little rules as that is up to the individual knitter, which is nice, seeing as how I have work deadlines, not knitting ones

Happy new year, everyone! Stay warm and happy knitting.

is complete:

Pattern: Cherished Pullover by Renee Sparkes
My Ravelry Project Page
Yarn(s): KnitPicks Pallette
Colorway(s):
Mist – 1.42 skeins, 328 yards
Marine – .26 skeins, 60 yards
Cornmeal – .08 skeins, 18.5 yards
Garnet Heather – .22 skeins, 51 yards
Pool – .12 skeins, 28 yards
Rainforest – .24 skeins, 55.5 yards
Liptstick – .34 skeins, 78.5 yards
Needle(s): US 1½ / 2.5 mm
US 3 / 3.25 mm
Casted On: July 18, 2009
Casted Off: November 8, 2009
Modifications: None–I followed the pattern to a tee because I don’t really know how to modify a stranded sweater. The only thing I changed was that I didn’t do the K2P2 ribbing at the neck because I was nervous the neck hole would be too small.

This pattern was so fun to make! The pattern was written so so well (Thank you Renee!) and the color combination just pops.

There was one area where I think I could use some help/practice and that would be in the sleeve area. Perhaps all I need are 12 inch circulars but I did notice some bulkiness. Hopefully that will go away when I block it? This sweater is quite dense so I don’t have a huge ton of confidence in the blocking process as I would if it were lace. But oh well. This is still a great sweater and I learned a lot.

I called this “Laura’s Experiment” on Ravelry because even if it doesn’t fit Abbey, which, I hope, is doubtful, I’ve learned a lot about steeking and more advanced fair isle techniques. So much so, I’m test knitting this wonderful cardigan from Kirsten for lil Abbey too. She’s going to be spoiled Christmas afternoon!

I have compared steeking to going on a roller coster for me. First time I did it, I was very nervous and scared. Afterwards, I was like “That was so awesome!”

Well steeking is the same. The sweater and me before the cut:

Was I nervous? OF COURSE but I did a ton of research on Eunny’s blog and Mary Ann Stephen’s blog. I decided to do two sew lines on each side of the steek cut area. I did that because I was that paranoid and I can’t say I was doing a great job of sewing.

This was the end result. Everyone was right. It really wasn’t that bad.

I was nervous that things would start unraveling but it didn’t, lo and behold. Everything was fine.

As of now, I almost have the first sleeve done. This will be finished soon. I can not wait for Christmas to give it to Abby. I can’t wait to see her in it as well as show it to Rose.

I’ll be posting some FO’s soon in addition to this. I’ve also started some Christmas gifts with new yarns that I’d like to share as well.  Many of my Christmas presents will be knit. I seem to be on track with everything so that I don’t feel like I’m in Santa’s Sweatshop December 24.

Friday before last, I got this cell phone pic from Jermaine who had the day off. He was at home and there was a slight draft because it was one of DC’s chilly days. He put on his BFF socks I made him and sent me a pic of him wearing them. That was so extremely sweet.

Then I went home and casted on a pair for myself. Yes, it was partly sentimental but I also remember making them for Jermaine and going “I wanna a pair.”

So I finished mine this past Friday

Pattern: BFF Socks by Cookie A. from her blog
My Ravelry Project Page
Yarn(s): Socks that Rock, Heavyweight
Colorway(s): Tanzanite
Needle(s): US 3 / 3.25 mm
Casted On: September 30, 2009
Casted Off: October 9, 2009
Modifications: I did this pair of socks toe up and used a short-row heel.

I tried very hard to use all the yarn and I pulled out the scale and made two even yarn cakes. Guess that didn’t work because one of the socks is about an inch taller. Oh well.

I love these socks. They’re so warm and I know my feet will really appreciate them when it starts to get cold.Our apartment is very drafty.

This past weekend was a very low key weekend. I made some nice progress in Abby’s Christmas present. I’m about to cast on the steek stitches. This is Laura=

Next weekend is Rhinebeck. I still don’t know what sweater I will wear but it will either be Stilwell or Climbing Vines. Looks like the latter one in my poll though. Hmmmmm