tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-76443702554927102592024-03-12T23:37:07.619-05:00Tinks and FrogsI could have sworn I never did either of those things...Ruehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02903006455082291384noreply@blogger.comBlogger216125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7644370255492710259.post-15195427695623401172015-09-05T20:41:00.000-05:002015-09-05T20:41:23.062-05:00Backlog<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
So much for blogging more frequently. On the bright side, I have plenty to share. For starters, I finished my quilt!</div>
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The pattern is Jeni Baker's <a href="http://incolororder.bigcartel.com/product/half-square-triangle-sampler-quilt-pdf-pattern">Half Square Triangle Sampler Quilt</a> - a great intro pattern that breaks the various steps of the quilt-making process down into manageable pieces. The fabrics are an assortment of Alison Glass prints. I may have fallen down the Alison Glass rabbit hole since I just started cutting more of her fabric for a quilt for Tadpole.<br />
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My mom finished this lovely quilt, too, which she gave us as an anniversary present. Thanks, mom!<br />
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<i>I love this shot of the girls trying to figure out what on earth we're doing.</i></div>
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And no, I haven't forgotten that this is a knitting blog. I finished my <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/Rue/stasis-pullover">Stasis</a> pullover a few weeks ago, too.</div>
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I don't remember if the pattern suggested this or if I just wanted to use the sleeve as a swatch but it was a brilliant idea to work the sleeves first on this sweater. There are miles and miles of plain stockinette. It's a lovely yarn and I'm a huge fan of green but that much stockinette was rather boring after a while. So it was really nice to be able to jump right into the yoke once I had finished the body section. And when you're starting, the sleeves seem to go so much faster than if you've just finished knitting a giant tube for the body and know you need to work two more tubes before you can get to the fun part.</div>
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The girls helped out with this photo shoot, too. They stopped by for periodic check-ins but either had any interest in showing her face to the camera.</div>
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Despite my general neglect this summer, the garden has produced some wonderful tomatoes and other goodies. I'm a huge fan of halving the cherry tomatoes and using them in this terrific <a href="http://smittenkitchen.com/blog/2012/09/baked-orzo-with-eggplant-and-mozzarella/">baked orzo with eggplant and mozzarella dish</a>, which is in the queue for this weekend. </div>
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I didn't remember buying a larger variety of tomato when Tadpole and I went plant shopping last May. But we've been having a grand time chopping them up and making a simple tomato sauce with fresh basil from the garden. Even the kids like it. </div>
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I'm still at a loss as to what to do with the peppers. We're drying the small hot peppers - more for decoration than anything else. Any suggestions for what to do with the Spanish red peppers? Paella, maybe?</div>
Ruehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02903006455082291384noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7644370255492710259.post-40727214791557207752015-07-12T23:07:00.000-05:002015-07-12T23:07:22.227-05:00More sewing than knitting<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Rachel has already finished her KAL sweater but I'm still plugging away at the yoke on mine. After miles of stockinette, I'm having a blast with the color work.<br />
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I had some extra time over the holiday weekend and put together a dress for Tadpole that I've had my eye on for the last year:<br />
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This is the <a href="http://shop.made-by-rae.com/products/geranium-dress">Geranium</a> pattern from <a href="http://shop.made-by-rae.com/">Made by Rae</a>. Once I have another kiddo project or two under my belt, I'm itching to try some of her adult patterns.<br />
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For the life of me, I couldn't get the buttonhole stitch to work on my machine (not the first time that I've tried to talk myself into the necessity of trading up my machine on a whim). After much grumbling, Tadpole and I embarked on a trek to Joann Fabrics. She came away with a bright rainbow button and I had a nifty little tool for putting in snaps.<br />
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That same weekend, my local quilt shop called to say they were done quilting my quilt! I've attached the binding by machine but am sewing the reverse side by hand. It's by no means a fast process but I'm nevertheless enjoying both the process and the emerging product. Can't wait to see this one finished!<br />
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<br />Ruehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02903006455082291384noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7644370255492710259.post-73663611534838967902015-06-21T21:39:00.000-05:002015-06-21T21:39:08.709-05:00[Untitled]<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I seem to have fallen off the blogging bandwagon lately. A combination of only knitting a few stitches here and there late at night before going to bed (trust me, pictures of gradually lengthening green tubes are just not that interesting) and often choosing to work on a project rather than write about it have kept me away from the computer.<br />
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Even though the knit-blogging juices haven't been flowing, I've really enjoyed playing with my camera this summer. These top two shots are from our trek to the arboretum yesterday. There was a wonderful moment when the wind picked up just as I was trying to capture a shot of the echinacea and Tadpole exclaimed, "Don't worry, mommy, I'll hold it for you!" as she lunged in front of me to hold a flower stem still. (For the record, the pic above was taken after the wind died down).<br />
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Our garden is an endless source of delight this season. I'm especially fond of the sugar snap peas (even if they persist in growing out into the air rather than up the trellis I thoughtfully provided this year). I'm hoping I planted enough that some of the pea pods will make it into the house before I eat them.<br />
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The kale is looking terrific this year and the girls are eager to turn it into kale chips.<br />
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Hopefully this will turn into more zucchini bread than we know what to do with. I was good this year and (mostly) obeyed the spacing suggestions for the various veggies we planted, which explains my overflow pumpkin patch in the corner of the back yard.<br />
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So, if I haven't been single-mindedly focused on my <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/Rue/stasis-pullover">Stasis</a> sweater, what have I been doing? For starters, I finished a quilt top:<br />
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It's a night-time cell phone shot but I was (am) so incredibly proud of this one. Honestly, cutting the long straight pieces for the sashing and borders was the scariest part for me since no matter how careful I am, I'm amazed at how imprecise my cutting can be.<br />
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I'm getting this one quilted at my local quilt shop and will get it back sometime next month. Then I'll just need to put the binding on and convince Tadpole that it's mine, not hers.<br />
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With the big quilt top done, I wanted something quick and easy to piece together so I could practice some more free motion quilting. Yesterday, I cut some fat quarters into 6" squares and played with the layout until I settled on an arrangement I liked (a very methodical random assortment).<br />
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Tadpole thought placing the squares was pretty fun, too. Staying up a bit later than I should have, I pieced the top last night:<br />
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Now I just have to figure out how to quilt it. Pebbles? Free-motion lines? A combination of the two? Quilt alternating blocks and leave the others open? Clearly I still have some thinking to do.<br />
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I also need to start thinking about fall sweaters for the girls so I can start them in time to finish before fall. It was chilly enough for sweaters a couple of weeks ago and the girls were happy to model for the camera.<br />
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I could have sworn those sleeves were longer!<br />
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Tadpole has requested a sweater with "flowers and lots of buttons." Any suggestions for a girl's cardigan with flower motifs? I have several thoughts for Sprout but nothing has coalesced into a workable idea yet. It's only June - plenty of time to let the design ideas percolate a bit longer (and finish my own sweater.<br />
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In the meantime, I've just joined the sleeves to the body of my Stasis pullover and have plenty to keep me busy. Another inch or two of stockinette before things get interesting again. I'm looking forward to the colorwork yoke!<br />
<br />Ruehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02903006455082291384noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7644370255492710259.post-53582953900468337142015-04-26T23:11:00.002-05:002015-04-26T23:11:59.519-05:00FO: Kuura<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Blocking lace always amazes me. Intellectually, I know how it works - how a short bath and some stretching and pinning can drastically change knitted fabric. But I really wasn't expecting my nice, thick, cushy polwarth/silk blend handspun to transform from this:</div>
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into this:<br />
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<br />The drape! Clearly the silk is doing its job here. I had been envisioning a cozy neck warmer and wasn't expecting this slinky little piece to come off the blocking wires.<br />
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The striping in the handspun works really well with this pattern. (Note to self for future handspun projects).<br />
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<b>Pattern:</b> <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/kuura">Kuura</a><br />
<b>Yarn:</b> polwarth/silk 2-ply handspun (418 yards/4oz). I used all but maybe a yard of the skein.<br />
<b>Needles:</b> size 6<br />
<b>Mods:</b> Kuura comes with two lace charts - a simple base for the shawl body and a lacier version for the edging. Using <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/MamieB/kuura">this project</a> as inspiration, I had planned to flip the charts (using the edging chart for the body and the body chart for the edging). But I ran out of yarn before I was ready to work an edging section so I just stopped after an eyelet row and worked the lacier chart throughout. I had been debating whether I had enough yarn to work an extra row and then use a sewn bind-off but didn't want to chance it. Instead I used k2tog through the back of the loop bind-off and it came out just fine.<br />
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I loved knitting this one (the handspun was a dream to work with). Now for the real test: will I wear it? It's not exactly office appropriate. And it's a bit too delicate for weekend wear (I have two small kids, after all). Who knows, maybe Tadpole will put in a request for it next fall. She was having fun with it during our photo shoot.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcX8Q_VEr6QMYuFOW-5FhEonL6KUxrJzADRUZGVvlHR8TT8SLfPpabhb4ZPlZKeZfPi6g7PyXLPD5s1xTerT6IMuGfn_sKlPkBnYK9ZgacTSkPk_xUYE0MH54mfullHh6xfrF5HOacWqum/s1600/DSC_0026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcX8Q_VEr6QMYuFOW-5FhEonL6KUxrJzADRUZGVvlHR8TT8SLfPpabhb4ZPlZKeZfPi6g7PyXLPD5s1xTerT6IMuGfn_sKlPkBnYK9ZgacTSkPk_xUYE0MH54mfullHh6xfrF5HOacWqum/s1600/DSC_0026.JPG" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
Ruehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02903006455082291384noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7644370255492710259.post-40383915901684532272015-04-05T23:09:00.000-05:002015-04-05T23:09:12.760-05:00Yellow and Green<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Yellow is a big hit in our household - it's Tadpole's favorite color. So it was no surprise that when she and I were looking at yarn a few months ago for a new sweater for her, she automatically picked a bright yellow for her <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/wee-wildflower">Wee Wildflower</a>. The <a href="http://tinksandfrogs.blogspot.com/2014/09/double-trouble-or-adventures-in-getting.html">last sweater</a> I knit her was a dud (I don't think she's worn it voluntarily). But to say this one's a hit would be the understatement of the year.</div>
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(<i>I think that's supposed to be a pirate face.)</i></div>
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For starters, she stayed relatively still and looked in the general direction of the camera while wearing it, which almost never happens. And she wears it all the time. Voluntarily!</div>
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I used Quince & Co. Finch for this one (three skeins and a little bit for a size 4/6 hybrid). My gauge was a bit looser than the recommended yarn so I was able to follow the size 4 directions to get a roughly size 6 sweater. I think it'll still fit this fall (fingers crossed).</div>
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The pockets come in handy! I asked her the other day whether she wanted another sweater and the response was "Yes, please. In bright yellow." I have my eye on <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/gretel-16">this pattern</a> (maybe even matching sweaters for the girls). Yarn thoughts? I'm tempted to go with another Quince yarn but am all ears for suggestions.</div>
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I've also started my KAL sweater. This was my swatch:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsw7dB7p9uKHjYXwNqSyK4p3uqKFRP3ipf0ZdeXs2Qnyfii3jtHA09BZJ2FswaVa1zYIOEAs6-_utTiVhGOirKcGgS7FVRW0BkUrebepzoqHs9B93kvBXy6VN4eBrBUa3lFkhanMLEJLTq/s1600/DSC_0023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsw7dB7p9uKHjYXwNqSyK4p3uqKFRP3ipf0ZdeXs2Qnyfii3jtHA09BZJ2FswaVa1zYIOEAs6-_utTiVhGOirKcGgS7FVRW0BkUrebepzoqHs9B93kvBXy6VN4eBrBUa3lFkhanMLEJLTq/s1600/DSC_0023.JPG" height="640" width="424" /></a></div>
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I had read a <a href="http://www.whistlinggirlknits.com/2015/03/gauge-or-extended-nerdery/">blog post</a> a few weeks ago mentioning not just knitting a sleeve as a swatch but dunking the whole thing (needles and all) to see how the fabric changes after wet blocking and thought that would be perfect for this sweater. (In case you're wondering, Addi lace needles do just fine getting dropped in the sink.)<br />
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By this point in my sleeve/swatch, I was pretty sure that I'd need to frog the whole thing and start over. The ribbing at the bottom wasn't as tidy as I wanted. The tubular cast-on edge looked a bit loose and wonky. And the color work section seemed to be pulling in too much to maintain the even tension I needed.<br />
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But I hadn't realized what miracles wet blocking would work on this yarn.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4vakVXlzjEB3-CHavi6Q8ifoidSsU4b6IoL83TdsAls5ITKsB2i2-6NR56s-etZMWiKK4FDz2yOsjTlaOYN5sXNJObgzRl2gusHJNQYP5JWijZsIYUXvLTLAyQiJLaSKiWizedymkmcfm/s1600/DSC_0053.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4vakVXlzjEB3-CHavi6Q8ifoidSsU4b6IoL83TdsAls5ITKsB2i2-6NR56s-etZMWiKK4FDz2yOsjTlaOYN5sXNJObgzRl2gusHJNQYP5JWijZsIYUXvLTLAyQiJLaSKiWizedymkmcfm/s1600/DSC_0053.jpg" height="640" width="424" /></a></div>
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After a soak in the sink, the yarn fulled ever so slightly to create a beautiful, soft fabric. All of a sudden my ribbing looked cleaner (not perfect, but something I can live with). The cast on edge looked tighter. And I was able to gently massage the color work section into roughly the the same gauge as the stockinette portion. (Look at the right edge of the sleeve in the picture above - the increases on the left make it difficult to judge the line).</div>
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Dare I say I'm hoping the weather stays cool enough I'll get to wear this one at least once this spring?</div>
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Ruehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02903006455082291384noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7644370255492710259.post-63123563562621522392015-03-15T21:47:00.000-05:002015-03-15T21:47:02.845-05:00Because<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWujI4OwdMW03Q225sTmOCaygFi21gVWAZwbkqkcY4DoaNSofXbOZiQf4J155M7iy7SagdALR5yl8b6dxRE2U_LDpqIFpIp59bbGRPq32B_-rCk4yzgNhgL9a8b4TNx8ekqfbYUvtPbABS/s1600/DSC_0015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWujI4OwdMW03Q225sTmOCaygFi21gVWAZwbkqkcY4DoaNSofXbOZiQf4J155M7iy7SagdALR5yl8b6dxRE2U_LDpqIFpIp59bbGRPq32B_-rCk4yzgNhgL9a8b4TNx8ekqfbYUvtPbABS/s1600/DSC_0015.JPG" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
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Our snow is all gone; crocuses, daffodils, and tulips are starting to make an appearance; and I'm ready to break out my brand new cowl.<br />
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Something seems a bit off here. Not the cowl - it's lovely - but this year in particular I'm having trouble keeping my knitting in sync with the seasons.<br />
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In my defense, it was bitterly cold in January when I started this one. My second <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/scrollwork">Scrollwork</a> feels wonderful. I used 1.25 (ish) skeins of Malabrigo Rios so I have plenty left in the stash to work the matching hat and whip up some coordinating mitts. I used the same needles as <a href="http://tinksandfrogs.blogspot.com/2015/01/ramblings.html">last time</a>: size 4 for the top ribbing and 7 for the main part of the cowl. I had been planning to work up the hat right away but, given the weather, I'll put that one on the back burner for a while.</div>
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Instead, I'm going to start a new sweater. <strike>Because March is the perfect time to start a fingering weight stranded color work sweater?</strike> Because.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5lPACfFBsGt0fPYpy8_jg2jowninRRHIFAPeigQP7M6Sy4ou1eJKxWaXYxWrbWUEkaHs0sI1qI-68G3e_S9l66z8o1zDo1ls_Zwe9TaiZZD6Ko6NcKARwsZaLR2sMvtZqlXEgmOv65UO0/s1600/DSC_0002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5lPACfFBsGt0fPYpy8_jg2jowninRRHIFAPeigQP7M6Sy4ou1eJKxWaXYxWrbWUEkaHs0sI1qI-68G3e_S9l66z8o1zDo1ls_Zwe9TaiZZD6Ko6NcKARwsZaLR2sMvtZqlXEgmOv65UO0/s1600/DSC_0002.JPG" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/people/elkbiologist">Rachel</a> and I have been throwing around ideas for a Wool People KAL for a few weeks now and we've both settled on yoked designs in BrooklynTweed yarn. I've had the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/stasis-pullover">Stasis Pullover</a> on my mental list for a while and I already had the main color in my stash. Let's just say Rachel didn't need to twist my arm before I went ahead and ordered the contrast color. Does it count as a new yarn purchase if it helps you use 5 skeins from the stash?</div>
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If I'm being perfectly honest, I'm actually about to start two sweaters. I've wanted to make <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/gable-3">Gable</a> since it first came out and I found the perfect sweatshirt-sweater yarn: Quince & Co. chickadee heather.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKVztg5oCA4aP4kp-HnmwiHSwRG0jJvRUBXHJfDkRzH6McNoGgjIcFYZagTOkIDensFGS4mZTcDQgjwyfglRdgRKUBcR8ebg2jjjPv58t_XMaVTuCv06LP0OA9vxvXRpVjPOvCD9aUJEva/s1600/DSC_0009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKVztg5oCA4aP4kp-HnmwiHSwRG0jJvRUBXHJfDkRzH6McNoGgjIcFYZagTOkIDensFGS4mZTcDQgjwyfglRdgRKUBcR8ebg2jjjPv58t_XMaVTuCv06LP0OA9vxvXRpVjPOvCD9aUJEva/s1600/DSC_0009.JPG" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
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Now I just need to finish up Tadpole's (belated) birthday sweater. Two fingering weight sweaters in March may be <strike>questionable</strike> ambitious. Three is a bit much, even in my book</div>
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Now if you'll excuse me, I've got some sleeves to finish.</div>
Ruehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02903006455082291384noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7644370255492710259.post-5007207965043997722015-03-01T22:14:00.000-06:002015-03-01T22:14:09.143-06:00RepeatI don't often knit multiple iterations of the same pattern but my two go-to projects right now are repeats. Sounds like I'll need to add <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/scrollwork">Scrollwork</a> and <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/wee-wildflower">Wee Wildflower</a> to my go-to project list (joining <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/habitat">Habitat</a> and <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/pomander-baby-cardigan">Pomander Baby Cardigan</a> - two of my absolute favorite patterns).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHdmK3q7t115sUPOuMpYGk-TmV110-0EXUVkhLyFvOzCC3lpEZnDlH5CSUkNr3l1KOFIPJx9VcOvZUxUmR-vK6hS745iCB5ZykTt0rA4KmPHWn6WxT2xoZWzBC6kquVItXRyqpXeseb1My/s1600/DSC_0009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHdmK3q7t115sUPOuMpYGk-TmV110-0EXUVkhLyFvOzCC3lpEZnDlH5CSUkNr3l1KOFIPJx9VcOvZUxUmR-vK6hS745iCB5ZykTt0rA4KmPHWn6WxT2xoZWzBC6kquVItXRyqpXeseb1My/s1600/DSC_0009.JPG" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
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I had a hard time giving up my mom's <a href="http://tinksandfrogs.blogspot.com/2015/01/ramblings.html">Scrollwork set</a> so I cast on for a similar cowl for myself several weeks ago using a different colorway of Malabrigo Rios (Vaa, probably my favorite of all of the Malabrigo colors). I had picked this for date night movie knitting and cast on during the car ride to the theater. I was pretty good about keeping to the ribbing pattern but got hopelessly off kilter partway through the movie (Selma, which was fantastic) and set this one aside for a while in the hopes that if I ignored it long enough, my mistakes would just fix themselves. Unfortunately, that didn't happen but I only had to rework parts of the ribbing and didn't have to frog the bit I had started.<br />
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I started knitting on the train again last week and now the cowl is really moving along. I should knit on the train more often!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCLJq-mAok_LOALnpi9zeDppvzaE46L7S1U1oo4rtmRTdYM2K_5Jei5sZIm5TvCO0q3Z6LfNibuifDJbU-UHDXO7b50SdlKwUU809vF4R4ebu4EIttgbVs9ER3mAOXEtHejLSdQhbDuQVt/s1600/DSC_0003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCLJq-mAok_LOALnpi9zeDppvzaE46L7S1U1oo4rtmRTdYM2K_5Jei5sZIm5TvCO0q3Z6LfNibuifDJbU-UHDXO7b50SdlKwUU809vF4R4ebu4EIttgbVs9ER3mAOXEtHejLSdQhbDuQVt/s1600/DSC_0003.JPG" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
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This next piece was better movie knitting. Last week I was here:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMUmcR70WjK1g53SpxwYQjVL4YfeN0L5V4kYGgQtlm563AGE3bFsre09007NJgvJhnX-EbV6srQ-0YUEyRpM_hsm_LsOkKx6GWEOEtNWQop2PlAJZLmJGzizRvUg5T2B5erce-UVZ0CYUr/s1600/DSC_0005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMUmcR70WjK1g53SpxwYQjVL4YfeN0L5V4kYGgQtlm563AGE3bFsre09007NJgvJhnX-EbV6srQ-0YUEyRpM_hsm_LsOkKx6GWEOEtNWQop2PlAJZLmJGzizRvUg5T2B5erce-UVZ0CYUr/s1600/DSC_0005.JPG" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
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After a date night to go see Kingsmen (good but not great) I was ready to bind off for the arm holes.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieTxbMxvIk-2XMa7WA_uEsdXTb46Wty3ULNofzS51CR7GnnZaesb4zqblvnomNsFPpy6GXtUHFHzW5eXKNLFlX1oSCAX5wE7yDBnTz5af70-BfrreleOjJNoe5fTOi7uMXZAhI1OK5smH3/s1600/DSC_0008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieTxbMxvIk-2XMa7WA_uEsdXTb46Wty3ULNofzS51CR7GnnZaesb4zqblvnomNsFPpy6GXtUHFHzW5eXKNLFlX1oSCAX5wE7yDBnTz5af70-BfrreleOjJNoe5fTOi7uMXZAhI1OK5smH3/s1600/DSC_0008.JPG" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
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I finished the left front this afternoon and, while I don't think I'll have a finished sweater ready for Tadpole's birthday later this week, I should be able to have it ready during her birthday month.<br />
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I bound off my <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/luna-viridis">Luna Viridian</a> cowl sometime in the last week or so, too. I can't put this one in the finished pile yet since it still needs blocking. I'm not enamored of the shape in its umblocked state so I doubt I'll feel inspired to block it any time soon. It looks uninspiring on me but pretty nice on the girls. (Sprout has insisted that this one go to her.)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzADw3IsaTEbCAT0z5hysoJnEqUPTX7wYiOyDklETpO4J8BKawXGsbolarNO-AiOgNLua9vTUJZtInVevtlcTyUuEjOnZA6jzEcsyvOXDGSjM9P6QTZJNm9oY3_ytpfnKM0T4doZzcDokw/s1600/IMG_4436.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzADw3IsaTEbCAT0z5hysoJnEqUPTX7wYiOyDklETpO4J8BKawXGsbolarNO-AiOgNLua9vTUJZtInVevtlcTyUuEjOnZA6jzEcsyvOXDGSjM9P6QTZJNm9oY3_ytpfnKM0T4doZzcDokw/s1600/IMG_4436.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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I've added it to the "needs blocking" pile, tucked away behind my desk along with this lovely scarf.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3FrsqT-OuHJ_gow2J-byom0BahYbRHAv3k0XwaiacbXpHefQuZHgExgLM2B3WDt-uqjFjruw7Y3DjxhpZPRM9URuWkRl4WJsUjbipzNxrXT3NAjzLH2N_NTmIrzNkTpBAMWDpNXwFKval/s1600/IMG_4448.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3FrsqT-OuHJ_gow2J-byom0BahYbRHAv3k0XwaiacbXpHefQuZHgExgLM2B3WDt-uqjFjruw7Y3DjxhpZPRM9URuWkRl4WJsUjbipzNxrXT3NAjzLH2N_NTmIrzNkTpBAMWDpNXwFKval/s1600/IMG_4448.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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I'll get around to blocking one of these days, probably when I figure out how to look good in a silvery grey.<br />
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In the meantime, I finally finished laying out the squares for my half-square triangle sampler quilt!<br />
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I even had a helper while picking the squares back up. They're all in order and I just have to remember what system I used when stacking everything up into a single pile. Wish me luck!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAIegX0t5kteNZResLnhwj0hBy7mU6L-SD-tIMGsR0CCggiAtiUb7qxCnBQwqLWGWGI-GA9hhZpCalX_tbScQpEKdLh372mD_xbKmrH1XWhJ4Hza-xeD2_4dX6HCu31JPqLjo9YoxeEKQL/s1600/IMG_4451.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAIegX0t5kteNZResLnhwj0hBy7mU6L-SD-tIMGsR0CCggiAtiUb7qxCnBQwqLWGWGI-GA9hhZpCalX_tbScQpEKdLh372mD_xbKmrH1XWhJ4Hza-xeD2_4dX6HCu31JPqLjo9YoxeEKQL/s1600/IMG_4451.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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It'll probably be a while before I finish this one (and I'm nervous about cutting long straight pieces of fabric for the borders so I may procrastinate for a while on that step). But while I still had momentum, I put the first block together this evening.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghEa7XPiXtnFofy8FQaZr_XYX2Y6mJDYDjrtT1enIbDNtXvbQIc5G9inEJc0BrHh3_Rtx4uSbjNbAbA8t_Oyx8wy3Q7nHbvyIsukjbBCZqCl2Gum6mLbieMDrSryz6T6ptgX9uRzEBjrtq/s1600/IMG_4456.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghEa7XPiXtnFofy8FQaZr_XYX2Y6mJDYDjrtT1enIbDNtXvbQIc5G9inEJc0BrHh3_Rtx4uSbjNbAbA8t_Oyx8wy3Q7nHbvyIsukjbBCZqCl2Gum6mLbieMDrSryz6T6ptgX9uRzEBjrtq/s1600/IMG_4456.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
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The points aren't all perfect but this still looks pretty good to me.Ruehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02903006455082291384noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7644370255492710259.post-71450884320913594042015-02-23T22:22:00.000-06:002015-02-23T22:22:17.969-06:00Birthday Sweater<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxHqdNjHRVH0M1ys4bn_qBwu2oiffcOeMs4VuPgHlWFGRxeMzt_midqvFh_5YG_ccmfGJUxJ2TVuwZWfXxasl-9ZrNbaodVgwrHo_9EI_qKdQFnqZfl6caLyKa-2WrW1VMrsr-G_ry7yd3/s1600/DSC_0002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxHqdNjHRVH0M1ys4bn_qBwu2oiffcOeMs4VuPgHlWFGRxeMzt_midqvFh_5YG_ccmfGJUxJ2TVuwZWfXxasl-9ZrNbaodVgwrHo_9EI_qKdQFnqZfl6caLyKa-2WrW1VMrsr-G_ry7yd3/s1600/DSC_0002.JPG" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
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Sprout turned one last week (I have no idea where the last year has gone - somewhere between work and sleep deprivation, probably). And in honor of her birthday, I finished up a sweater for the son of a dear friend of mine who had turned one in January.</div>
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<b>Pattern: </b><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/lucky-you">Lucky (you)</a></div>
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<b>Size:</b> 2T</div>
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<b>Yarn:</b> Malabrigo Rios (2 skeins)</div>
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<b>Needles:</b> size 6 and 7 addi lace circulars</div>
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Sprout helped me with the FO shots (and confirmed that I had worked the right size).</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIP9aWcPhGHABV_tLJgOiz_2gAfW3e_CJPFZL7Ktx06R-fgOkpBYhMJZkw_jUO3R5UZuiOmu71l2gDCW0i2J-QGqcu8DZI7aqvhGY9pn6Fb8koMQm7zWSZ2RqypferZHudWTzjRRdmnofx/s1600/DSC_0004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIP9aWcPhGHABV_tLJgOiz_2gAfW3e_CJPFZL7Ktx06R-fgOkpBYhMJZkw_jUO3R5UZuiOmu71l2gDCW0i2J-QGqcu8DZI7aqvhGY9pn6Fb8koMQm7zWSZ2RqypferZHudWTzjRRdmnofx/s1600/DSC_0004.jpg" height="640" width="424" /></a></div>
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This sweater is all about big squishy cables, which look fantastic in Rios. I don't remember using a cable needle on this one (see earlier comment on sleep deprivation) so I'm pretty sure even the largest crosses are doable without a cable needle.</div>
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And did you see that zipper in the first picture? I won't make you scroll back up - here it is again:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyHhvndlgyclwWpalbxGuUTKWMOVpAEhtrg7-uOPhYkajoGY_Q0UYymcaoaGqn2tLx8jfhQ6MKDaElm_DrFYVW5JNmBRn2BsODa_1JpkXMbGozlneqGnxWm_Iycymb2fWOK-WAEAcVVgw3/s1600/DSC_0002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyHhvndlgyclwWpalbxGuUTKWMOVpAEhtrg7-uOPhYkajoGY_Q0UYymcaoaGqn2tLx8jfhQ6MKDaElm_DrFYVW5JNmBRn2BsODa_1JpkXMbGozlneqGnxWm_Iycymb2fWOK-WAEAcVVgw3/s1600/DSC_0002.JPG" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
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I'm enormously proud of it. I should be - I sewed in a zipper about 4 times on this project. Ok, maybe 2 and a half. But that's still 1 and a half times more than you really want to do.</div>
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Note to self - check to see if the zipper is a separating zipper <i>before</i> sewing it all the way in. That put me back a couple of hours (you'll notice I said "a" zipper rather than "the" zipper above).</div>
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I hadn't planned to use a zipper in the first place but I ran out of yarn about halfway down the second sleeve and, since I had bought the yarn over a year ago, I doubted I'd be able to find any that matched. So I had to borrow some from somewhere. Half the button band got me to the cuff and then stealing a few rows from the other cuff let me get two full sleeves.</div>
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Second note to self - yarn does not magically regenerate. </div>
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When I see that I'm running out of yarn, I tend to set the project aside and hope that if I don't look at it directly, more yarn will somehow appear. My knitting life would be so much easier if I just frogged the first sleeve cuff right away and got the piece out of my WIP pile. Somehow stealing yarn from the button band doesn't seem quite as traumatizing as ripping back the sleeves so this zipper trick may be my saving grace. Especially now that I have lots of practice at sewing in zippers.</div>
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Third note to self - try to buy enough yarn next time. Maybe it's time to check out the <a href="http://knitbot.com/stashbot/">stashbot</a> app.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVaTpS5VzR4NAMVUDKAZql7QiEcXMWEsounVQ_1sxooZMRp9XeSDMzGUCBFMWEVT_s6s03hKUQe8xDkEBFSsUSfXzpXkkokrpibDlN2AwJbw5xQyh1YWEJxLB-mysJeH__C2uqWgumhTfS/s1600/DSC_0009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVaTpS5VzR4NAMVUDKAZql7QiEcXMWEsounVQ_1sxooZMRp9XeSDMzGUCBFMWEVT_s6s03hKUQe8xDkEBFSsUSfXzpXkkokrpibDlN2AwJbw5xQyh1YWEJxLB-mysJeH__C2uqWgumhTfS/s1600/DSC_0009.jpg" height="640" width="424" /></a></div>
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Ruehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02903006455082291384noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7644370255492710259.post-90193393515696795142015-01-26T21:56:00.002-06:002015-01-26T21:56:39.428-06:00PretendThe other day, I came across the ultimate "grass is greener" picture - a young family that had moved to Maine to try their hand at farming (all captured in glorious, natural light photos, no less). I sat at my computer and had a 15-second pity party for myself. You see, for that brief moment, I wasn't content with my great family, challenging and stimulating job that pays enough to support us, and comfortable house in a nice town. I wanted to be the kind of person who crafts in the middle of the day in sun-filled rooms and takes beautiful pictures of her domestic pursuits. And then I realized that I can do that - at least on the blog. So this weekend, when the sun came out I ran and grabbed the camera. I even knit a bit during daylight hours (very rare for me these days) while Tadpole and I watched the animated <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0077687/">Hobbit</a> during her sister's nap.<br />
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I know how important it is for many bloggers to acknowledge all of the effort behind the images they share with the world. But that's not what you're going to find here. Only a masochist would enjoy hearing me catalog the number of late nights I've worked after putting the kids to bed or the mental debate between trying to sneak in a bit of exercise and getting something that might resemble a reasonable night's sleep. That's all there in the background but not something I want to focus on here. Instead, welcome to a heavily edited glimpse into the small part of my life where I get to be one of those people who crafts in a sun-lit room.<br />
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Here we go...<br />
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I've been on a cowl kick lately. Not so much knitting them as favoriting patterns on ravelry right and left looking for just the right one. While I'm on the lookout for the perfect combination of cables (I'll let you know when I see it), I'm having a blast trying one of the hybrid cowl/shawl patterns from <a href="http://www.theyarniad.com/">Hillary Smith Callis</a>. I've just reached the part of the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/luna-viridis">Luna Viridis</a> pattern where you join the stitches for working in the round and I'm curious to see how the shaping turns out.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCpbVBo9sNY3bohSOpCMd14eW-btWUbhV9BxtOUO7znDpZ7axQcCgougRZfyL7Q9j9tOiFrGm92AZsozua8hSpn-hk5CDACW7XsRN6sKn_VtGzHMpA9ylCTa6q_UojawJLAHSHiU8Ha3bj/s1600/DSC_0011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCpbVBo9sNY3bohSOpCMd14eW-btWUbhV9BxtOUO7znDpZ7axQcCgougRZfyL7Q9j9tOiFrGm92AZsozua8hSpn-hk5CDACW7XsRN6sKn_VtGzHMpA9ylCTa6q_UojawJLAHSHiU8Ha3bj/s1600/DSC_0011.JPG" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
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The yarn is tosh merino light (leftovers from when I had knit my <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/Rue/color-affection">Color Affection</a> ages ago). It's a lovely green so you'll understand why I want to wrap this up and knit a bit before calling it a night.<br />
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But before I go, I think I've found the perfect baby gift knit: Elizabeth Zimmerman's <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/surplice-baby-jacket-wg50-so43">Baby Surplice Jacket</a>.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-AMIH4jcDfhm78k_oyyzYpe_wNm9J5_zBk1X2Axrf4MpBF9o_AyZlnWOo44X3gebVUYoBX0gfq9YQlSPzkMThNa4yUdcJhOGXvAtBVarIeb2mZ28x3_agO6AVEirNZx6Z7lbkTGsN_znw/s1600/DSC_0007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-AMIH4jcDfhm78k_oyyzYpe_wNm9J5_zBk1X2Axrf4MpBF9o_AyZlnWOo44X3gebVUYoBX0gfq9YQlSPzkMThNa4yUdcJhOGXvAtBVarIeb2mZ28x3_agO6AVEirNZx6Z7lbkTGsN_znw/s1600/DSC_0007.jpg" height="640" width="424" /></a></div>
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This is the same sweater she wore home from the hospital. What other baby pattern do you know that fits as well at 11 months as it did at 11 days?<br />
<br />Ruehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02903006455082291384noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7644370255492710259.post-70692934164838837082015-01-19T22:29:00.001-06:002015-01-19T22:29:56.230-06:00Ramblings<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWiFdSqwvCuXvQshOI3b8F7s2sHsjXmr3xgNVZDYsLRn7X4NqB8_T-LtWfv6Sbhc9zDf0P_2Zjt1s-1lxkGxeQT0VY1kT5o6Pu0zcIVeNVHi0w2XqqIAjr6sLVWF6WBD1HsCaB20G-EVCR/s1600/DSC_0003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWiFdSqwvCuXvQshOI3b8F7s2sHsjXmr3xgNVZDYsLRn7X4NqB8_T-LtWfv6Sbhc9zDf0P_2Zjt1s-1lxkGxeQT0VY1kT5o6Pu0zcIVeNVHi0w2XqqIAjr6sLVWF6WBD1HsCaB20G-EVCR/s1600/DSC_0003.JPG" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
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I wasn't planning to knit anything for the holidays this year but I ended up knitting three xmas gifts (technically four, since I made a matching hat and cowl for my mother). In reverse order of finishes, mum got the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/scrollwork">Scrollwork</a> hat and cowl set worked in Malabrigo Rios.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6OfxNEYi16K-u9Xdvpn-W4RLlgKtR0TEMW0_ip29EpBMsNpuoldnPPl1FquwlX5pDE-OBsCYkDrEtC_Uq824F67xHmbmuyuIu8VqLgQl3IOch3tn3h3xTrC_czAh0MqrsaGOKnZ58JKhyphenhyphen/s1600/DSC_0001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6OfxNEYi16K-u9Xdvpn-W4RLlgKtR0TEMW0_ip29EpBMsNpuoldnPPl1FquwlX5pDE-OBsCYkDrEtC_Uq824F67xHmbmuyuIu8VqLgQl3IOch3tn3h3xTrC_czAh0MqrsaGOKnZ58JKhyphenhyphen/s1600/DSC_0001.jpg" height="640" width="424" /></a></div>
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The cables are fantastic, the instructions clear, and the fit of the cowl is great for cold, windy days. And Rios is a delightful yarn to knit with. Although I have to confess that after binge-listening to the <a href="http://knit.fm/">knit.fm</a> podcast over the last couple of weeks and hearing Pam Allen discuss all of the nasty chemicals that go into making a wool yarn super wash, I'm a bit put off the idea of buying more at this point. Probably a good thing for my stash.<br />
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Anyway, Rios seemed to be my go-to yarn for knitted gifts this season since I also used it to whip up a <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/lacunae">Lacunae</a> hat for my grandfather. I had worked a <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/Rue/lacunae">similar hat</a> for Mr. Tinks and Frogs several years ago and decided to support the designer and actually purchase the pattern this time around since I didn't want to think too hard about the crown shaping. I should have just unvented the pattern again since I ended up working the crown shaping three times before finding something that would fit an average man-sized head.<br />
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To distract you from the fact that I don't have a good picture of that one, let me show you my sister's present, fetchingly modeled by Tadpole:<br />
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It actually looks half-way decent on me, too.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGGMgt3I89xTVlZ4oQwT-yt8Pf-siaCJfN-aHaVNModMo_kL6KCBWJeZfU0pDQw8gxDdxD3O9oPQ1C4BU1FgLoc_EZQE48OdTVFSmQDO87gValAeV0u0KBJOsvvB7L-nMPfFHdMDlbAfc6/s1600/IMG_4042.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGGMgt3I89xTVlZ4oQwT-yt8Pf-siaCJfN-aHaVNModMo_kL6KCBWJeZfU0pDQw8gxDdxD3O9oPQ1C4BU1FgLoc_EZQE48OdTVFSmQDO87gValAeV0u0KBJOsvvB7L-nMPfFHdMDlbAfc6/s1600/IMG_4042.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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This is Shibui's <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/pebble--peak-hat">Pebble/Peak Hat</a> worked in <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/yarns/library/shibui-knits-pebble">Shubui Pebble</a> held double. I cannot say enough good things about this yarn (except for maybe the price point, which is actually quite reasonable when you consider the fiber content). And the hat pattern is delightful - an interesting twisted rib pattern at the hem, several inches of stockinette you can zoom through, finished off with some clever grafting at the top.</div>
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Having been so productive with my holiday knitting, I really wanted to treat myself to something special. I'd been eyeing <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/gable-3">Gable</a> from the latest Wool People and thought I'd try it in the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/yarns/library/bare-naked-wools-stone-soup-fingering">Knitspot Stone Soup Fingering</a>, which had recently come into my LYS. I eagerly picked out a color and brought some skeins home. Unusual for me, I sat right down to wind the first skein so that I could start swatching and ended up with this:</div>
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That's right, 19 separate segments of yarn were wound together into the skein. Let's just say I won't be trying that yarn again for a while. I'm very grateful for how gracefully my LYS handled the situation and let me return all four skeins. But doesn't change the sour taste I have from the whole experience and fact that I desperately want to be knitting a sweater right now (a sweater for me, that is). Anyway, I can take a hint - no sweaters for me for the time being.</div>
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So I went back to my trusty Rios and started up some more gift knitting. I love the cushy cables!</div>
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Now I just need to find the time to finish the piece and pop it in the mail. </div>
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Time is always short around here but I've been making some for my newest crafty pursuit. Thanks to a blissful four-hour quilting extravaganza (courtesy of Mr. Tinks and Frogs for wrangling the girls and sending me out the door last weekend), I finished squaring up what must have been hundreds of half-square triangles and started laying out blocks.</div>
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I think I'm in love. Now I just need to lay out the last row of squares and start piecing everything together. Bets on how long that will take?</div>
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And I've been practicing my free motion quilting. Tadpole and I went to my favorite fabric store together a couple of weeks ago and she asked if I would make a quilt for one of her toys. How could I resist? So she's getting a mini quilt with all-over pebble free motion quilting using fabrics and thread that she picked out.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggEyCBeLCtyXbe56475u3bsHF_LhbJvkkRHsPVOdhj-os87xx8A_fN7IJY5DJ_E0lU5ZVvCT0jBO-y5acH3Wm-2y0K4jzNv634aJXa62SmXxT07xTCRh98UZgZ31RcgzNAw9z2GcLY5jwr/s1600/IMG_4265.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggEyCBeLCtyXbe56475u3bsHF_LhbJvkkRHsPVOdhj-os87xx8A_fN7IJY5DJ_E0lU5ZVvCT0jBO-y5acH3Wm-2y0K4jzNv634aJXa62SmXxT07xTCRh98UZgZ31RcgzNAw9z2GcLY5jwr/s1600/IMG_4265.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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It's by no means perfect but I'm definitely seeing progress. Now if only I could figure out how to keep the thread from breaking while I'm working. Maybe I'll come up with an answer by the time I finish this piece. Fingers crossed!</div>
Ruehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02903006455082291384noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7644370255492710259.post-45802623893614567622014-11-30T22:38:00.001-06:002014-11-30T22:38:57.255-06:00HappyDid I finish the mittens I mentioned last time? Yes, yes I did. I can't remember the last time a knitting FO has made me this happy.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP0sxiS6OxhMgUo3L2G9jBT_lZi5jzfDRfLQ1voo5iKfVUdhpmq3VssEqpyTQsYO9FBH7sFQBcAPF6wCScqPsMLnsvd4AsGRalVH2F8a5Pt37OtiDjiwFzSFi8DbY8QswXopbGxoWp8JND/s1600/DSC_0064.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP0sxiS6OxhMgUo3L2G9jBT_lZi5jzfDRfLQ1voo5iKfVUdhpmq3VssEqpyTQsYO9FBH7sFQBcAPF6wCScqPsMLnsvd4AsGRalVH2F8a5Pt37OtiDjiwFzSFi8DbY8QswXopbGxoWp8JND/s1600/DSC_0064.JPG" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSSwGu9fO-D3Ip0lL4G1kDuJ18OOaz09ljap-lAKAk2SsZm4MbRaM1YbjI8znfubQFTTIxhvTCpst6mkw4tc2HLD_vPjq22u8IshHO9hhC-e_TVSKTlL732xCMwx2H9y2zJVGrpgIZb6k9/s1600/DSC_0062.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSSwGu9fO-D3Ip0lL4G1kDuJ18OOaz09ljap-lAKAk2SsZm4MbRaM1YbjI8znfubQFTTIxhvTCpst6mkw4tc2HLD_vPjq22u8IshHO9hhC-e_TVSKTlL732xCMwx2H9y2zJVGrpgIZb6k9/s1600/DSC_0062.JPG" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>Pattern:</b> <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/snowfling-mitts">Snowfling Mitts</a> by Tanis Lavalle</div>
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<b>Yarns:</b> Tanis Fiber Arts Yellow Label DK Weight and Tanis Fiber Arts Purple Label Cashmere Sock (I bought them as a kit <a href="http://www.tanisfiberarts.com/products/snowfling-mitten-kit">here</a>)</div>
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<b>Needle: </b>size 3 circular for magic loop</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihGbELJj5Q2HCmlKfdnj5qM_DYlipcQpev9wgh0v4gzyhqzhp-4ZfAiWu_SMicaSODYJUvVmdOaa9BfBfFPC8URxcxCZWXwm-G-T0cL5OgTvWXRFbn8MrYklpv0jKeBULUE1vv43Y049I2/s1600/DSC_0066.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihGbELJj5Q2HCmlKfdnj5qM_DYlipcQpev9wgh0v4gzyhqzhp-4ZfAiWu_SMicaSODYJUvVmdOaa9BfBfFPC8URxcxCZWXwm-G-T0cL5OgTvWXRFbn8MrYklpv0jKeBULUE1vv43Y049I2/s1600/DSC_0066.JPG" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
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Cashmere lined mittens, where have you been all my life?</div>
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The mitts were fun to knit and (when I actually sat down to work on them) pretty quick, all things considered. The linings - essentially a second pair of mittens attached to the first - worked up much more quickly than I expected. It's no wonder I have my eye on the <a href="http://www.tanisfiberarts.com/products/sweet-nectar-mitten-kit">new mitten kit</a> available from Tanis Fiber Arts.</div>
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I'm pretty pleased with my new sweater, too.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH70Mji3phiwi54LgVTlBDcSyXlCF1QcszKH7RyDvhPJRUlX3IJxQEVaFDrVgIisiKJkYpUczmWtdBkNMHdkNvE7uS1iqnj6AjrpPmEBpujpdk6VNRQKmLNIN0DpbzyGYD5-C7fAULtFaS/s1600/DSC_0072.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH70Mji3phiwi54LgVTlBDcSyXlCF1QcszKH7RyDvhPJRUlX3IJxQEVaFDrVgIisiKJkYpUczmWtdBkNMHdkNvE7uS1iqnj6AjrpPmEBpujpdk6VNRQKmLNIN0DpbzyGYD5-C7fAULtFaS/s1600/DSC_0072.jpg" height="640" width="424" /></a></div>
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<b>Pattern:</b> <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/rocky-coast-cardigan">Rocky Coast Cardigan</a> by Hannah Fettig</div>
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<b>Yarn:</b> Sundara Yarn Aran Merino</div>
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<b>Needles:</b> size 7 for the body, size 6 for the ribbing</div>
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I ended up working the sleeves flat after discovering that even with alternating skeins, the stitch counts on the sleeves caused some truly horrendous flashing. Once I'd acknowledged the fact that I needed to frog several inches worth of sleeve to see if I could get the colors to play nicely together, the sleeves flew right by.</div>
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This was my first time working with the Sundara yarn and I'm not sure I would use it again. I'd be tempted by a less variegated color but each skein had at least one knot and the yarn is already pilling. (To be fair on that last point, I've worn the sweater every weekend since I finished it so it's seeing a fair amount of wear.)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBChwFVed8BtL-wo9xD0K1A6cEE2ozSRFaShYgspcKimrjqNONhXh02fjx2rEZoPpM60y47aoUZgamZh7t9pfz76pHhHFvNTQJQ9gekii1w_OGHVkxeNvdSyn3BjPfm6A-Aff8xOOAc_5i/s1600/DSC_0071.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBChwFVed8BtL-wo9xD0K1A6cEE2ozSRFaShYgspcKimrjqNONhXh02fjx2rEZoPpM60y47aoUZgamZh7t9pfz76pHhHFvNTQJQ9gekii1w_OGHVkxeNvdSyn3BjPfm6A-Aff8xOOAc_5i/s1600/DSC_0071.jpg" height="640" width="590" /></a></div>
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The shape - an open front raglan cardigan - was perfect for a post-baby body. </div>
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I find myself drawn to more fitted pullovers and I'm itching to try <a href="http://customfit.makewearlove.com/about/">Custom Fit</a> (Amy Herzog's program that fits sweater patterns to your measurements). But I don't particularly want to make a sweater to fit my current measurements. My next commitment to a sweater will come after I've made a commitment to the treadmill. Sadly, knitting is not an aerobic exercise.</div>
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Especially when one has recently discovered Nantucket Cranberry Pie (i.e., cranberry sauce with a sugar cookie baked on top). If, like me, you had an extra bag of cranberries sitting in the fridge after Thanksgiving, then you may need <a href="http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2010/11/nantucket-cranberry-pie/">this recipe</a> to help polish it off. It's quite good with fresh whipped cream on top. Don't ask me how I know.</div>
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Ruehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02903006455082291384noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7644370255492710259.post-46861450748250651802014-11-19T21:01:00.000-06:002014-11-19T21:01:27.521-06:00Fall Sweaters<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Has it really been almost two months since I last touched the blog? It's been snowing this week and I realized that I had better share some fall sweater pics before winter fully arrives and the leaves in the background look completely out of place.</div>
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Sprout has been sporting a bevy of hand knits this season, only one of which is not a hand-me-down:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB0Kk12WiBpvKV_mCc1BJrpTORvkYKWyKI9p2z_RuoZuWvGY-MtczRTt8oSfSem5U4jjmJ40emgiL2PHhyphenhyphenHBMxRkyT-tL4Tjl4-00rFRfuRHJCNg07XJUBnWVJXKx_xPXz6h0ryp8vyvqS/s1600/DSC_0020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB0Kk12WiBpvKV_mCc1BJrpTORvkYKWyKI9p2z_RuoZuWvGY-MtczRTt8oSfSem5U4jjmJ40emgiL2PHhyphenhyphenHBMxRkyT-tL4Tjl4-00rFRfuRHJCNg07XJUBnWVJXKx_xPXz6h0ryp8vyvqS/s1600/DSC_0020.jpg" height="640" width="424" /></a></div>
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The pattern is the delightful <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/wee-wildflower">Wee Wildflower</a>, worked in MadelineTosh pashmina (a truly fantastic yarn). I don't recall what size I worked - probably 12 months, rather than 6 - but I remembered to pull the sweater out just in the nick of time before Sprout outgrew it. Instead of working the sleeves flat and then sewing them onto the body, I picked up stitches around the edge of the armscye and worked short rows to shape the sleeve cap before knitting the sleeves top-down. This let me eek out every last inch of yarn for roughly bracelet-length sleeves.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCQVB5oO8zLdgtYaAsW2Kjqy0Z0TNHHaYlypVw-TxNQQji_SaFmh9iykyZkld9TeHba4fxEnU7hS4BaS6kqcdnMFwMdoOxiSxsL6O4DzL6kOLgsjAdm-9wZAu93pQ0RAUvSwOtOOdk6nN0/s1600/DSC_0027.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCQVB5oO8zLdgtYaAsW2Kjqy0Z0TNHHaYlypVw-TxNQQji_SaFmh9iykyZkld9TeHba4fxEnU7hS4BaS6kqcdnMFwMdoOxiSxsL6O4DzL6kOLgsjAdm-9wZAu93pQ0RAUvSwOtOOdk6nN0/s1600/DSC_0027.jpg" height="640" width="424" /></a></div>
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<i>Where would we be without an FO shot involving Sprout eating grass?</i></div>
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Just because I haven't been cranking out new baby knits doesn't mean the little one is deprived of a lovely set of sweaters to wear. Remember this one?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWJCyzpbAXMZNitoVa6w1GL9uxn0I9A3UIJdz83-A7obU9DTDdXziBerFJifol7MrcFcRMv0VEnzJz_CbtD8uRa6k7bqaxFBnvOZISuhPpWiqTY76awnm5hLMV0ATk-NC05YmUuqXP2qp6/s1600/DSC_0032.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWJCyzpbAXMZNitoVa6w1GL9uxn0I9A3UIJdz83-A7obU9DTDdXziBerFJifol7MrcFcRMv0VEnzJz_CbtD8uRa6k7bqaxFBnvOZISuhPpWiqTY76awnm5hLMV0ATk-NC05YmUuqXP2qp6/s1600/DSC_0032.jpg" height="400" width="265" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhborjxCWcjdVhLLRVQhbwd3c0-J9m-Z5to5QbKo3U2t_lJraW04tCuVBXVyTr22QEXDXPQO7ZG2VGaMNvxOd2QkjTljToCHIvIYm8U2AlvF7WpAjMQqY44Jl2CaX2vlAB-M2VYwPJSyz-b/s1600/DSC_0035.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhborjxCWcjdVhLLRVQhbwd3c0-J9m-Z5to5QbKo3U2t_lJraW04tCuVBXVyTr22QEXDXPQO7ZG2VGaMNvxOd2QkjTljToCHIvIYm8U2AlvF7WpAjMQqY44Jl2CaX2vlAB-M2VYwPJSyz-b/s1600/DSC_0035.jpg" height="400" width="265" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/tadpoles-purple-sweater">Tadpole's Purple Sweater</a> has been a big hit with Sprout, too.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVYQJqiikK0v89NOIs-Hb2AGw6dcI3CsgWCI6U0V8E5hipbPM6s2wVhjYDZ6aHdq0ZgFIjRHW1IIUrd1Fvukx_Q8iyjstDG0Kfcc_-mljGn31sLTqcEwQbm4uuLLyNaNglteMkBAOeylUm/s1600/DSC_0059.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVYQJqiikK0v89NOIs-Hb2AGw6dcI3CsgWCI6U0V8E5hipbPM6s2wVhjYDZ6aHdq0ZgFIjRHW1IIUrd1Fvukx_Q8iyjstDG0Kfcc_-mljGn31sLTqcEwQbm4uuLLyNaNglteMkBAOeylUm/s1600/DSC_0059.JPG" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
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I pulled out another <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/Rue/crazy-idea">old favorite</a> last weekend. It never ceases to amaze me how much Sprout looks like her sister did at this age.<br />
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Sprout isn't the only one with a new sweater this fall - I finished one for myself, too! And by the time I get back to posting about the sweater, I may have even finished my new mittens.<br />
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Did I mention that they're lined with cashmere? I can't wait either.Ruehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02903006455082291384noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7644370255492710259.post-15296453907812351152014-09-21T22:26:00.002-05:002014-09-21T22:26:20.818-05:00Double Trouble (or, adventures in getting two small children to smile for the camera)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Something about finishing that shawl a little while ago has set of a finishing frenzy (full disclosure: no, I haven't mailed it yet). I wrapped up a sweater for each of the girls <i><b>and</b> </i>managed to get pictures of both of them wearing their new sweaters at the same time. I should have bought a lottery ticket because that never happens around here.</div>
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First up: my baby version of Amy Miller's <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/princess-fiona">Princess Fiona</a> pattern for Sprout.</div>
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Next, a basic raglan for Tadpole with the raglan decreases hidden in a braid cable.<br />
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I really tried to get good pictures of the girls together in their new sweaters. And I usually managed to get a good shot of one but the other was either acting up or melting down. Like this one -<br />
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Tadpole looks fantastic and is actually smiling for the camera but Sprout is just done with the situation and is about to wail.<br />
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We went outside and had a rollicking time trying to get the girls to look in the same direction at once. Art direction went something like, "Tadpole, look at the camera!" and "Sprout, don't eat the grass!" Someone is constitutionally incapable of staying on her back these days. Anyway, it gave me a push to add "learn to adjust the shutter speed on my camera" to my to do list. (Yes, that list is about three miles long at this point.)<br />
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Back to the sweaters. I managed to eek a full-sleeved sweater for Tadpole out of my single 400 yard skein of worsted weight yarn. How? Dumb luck. The sleeves were narrow and that is what saved me - I had about 12 inches left after I finished the i-cord bind-of on the second cuff.<br />
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The raglan cables really are my favorite part of this sweater. A close second is the contrast between the seed stitch body and the stockinette sleeves. Such a great mix of textures -- perfect for the subtle shading in the skein.<br />
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I had thought to do a baby version for Sprout using the orange yarn you can see above but the seed stitch that didn't seem so bad worked in worsted weight was mind numbing when worked in a fingering weight yarn. So instead I did this:<br />
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A top-down stockinette pullover with bracelet sleeves, a placket at the back, and an interesting lace detail at the side (not that you can see it here).<br />
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Better now? I may have swatched on this one to figure out my stitch gauge. I don't think there was too much thought behind the initial cast-on (I went with the number of stitches that looked "about right," however you want to define that very technical term). The placket was thrown in so that I didn't have to worry about whether I had made the neck opening too small. Raglan sleeves were a similar choice: they generally fit without any fussing with the proportions. I threw in a slight a-line shape to the body to make sure there was plenty of room and ripped back the bottom hem when I needed some extra yardage to finish the sleeves.<br />
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If I were to do it again, I'd change the proportions of the back/front and sleeves at the top of the sweater to make the sleeves narrower and the back/front wider. That said, I'm pretty pleased with this one.<br />
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And Sprout is, too.Ruehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02903006455082291384noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7644370255492710259.post-4234492730075016532014-09-10T07:00:00.000-05:002014-09-10T07:00:00.982-05:00Alaska and backDo you remember the shawl I've been working on for over a year now? Yeah, I'd forgotten about it, too, for a while there. Sometime last year my grandmother mentioned that she'd like another shawl so I kept my eye out for a nice wool/silk blend yarn in a color I thought she'd enjoy and settled on a Romi Hill design. I brought the yarn along on our vacation last year and cast on while sailing somewhere in the north Pacific. After assorted fits and spurts of knitting (including one mad dash when I thought I might have a chance of finishing the shawl before my grandparents came to visit earlier in the summer), I finally had this to show:<br />
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It strikes a dramatic pose well, don't you think?<br />
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The pattern is Romi Hill's <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/fiori-di-sole">Fiori di Sole</a>, worked in Miss Babs Yasmin (I used approximately 3/4 of the skein) on size 4 needles.<br />
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I absolutely love the edging pattern - so much fun to knit! After the clever beginning, you can zoom through the leaf lace body of the shawl while you look forward to the edging chart. The crochet bind-off took <b>forever</b> but was well worth the effort.<br />
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I really like how the designer took a basic stitch pattern that many of us have seen and knit several times before and layered on clever details to make the project worthwhile. The petals at the top of the shawl are gorgeous. And I especially appreciate details like having you knit the center stitch through the back of the loop for a nice clean line down the middle of the shawl.<br />
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Hopefully my grandmother likes it! (It would probably help if I actually packed up the shawl and mailed it to her, don't you think? That's on my to-do list for this week.)<br />
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I had a lot of fun blocking this one - more than I had expected. You see, my helper decided she'd rather play in my office than take a decent nap the morning I decided to block. Of course she woke up after I'd started soaking the shawl so there was no turning back at that point.<br />
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At first, she thought we should be spinning instead of playing with finished yarn.<br />
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But then she discovered the T-pins -<br />
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Discovering this little person was suddenly mobile on a floor with sharp pointy objects was not how I intended to finish this project. Like a good parent, I grabbed my phone and snapped a picture before moving her out of harm's way. Let's just say it was an exciting morning and, thankfully, the only thing that got stabbed was the carpet.<br />
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And just in case you thought I was going to be a tease and not share a picture of Alaska, since that is where this all started, here is the Dawes glacier just after dawn:<br />
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What a way to kick off the day.Ruehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02903006455082291384noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7644370255492710259.post-68957929595038553462014-09-06T07:30:00.000-05:002014-09-06T07:30:02.084-05:00Instant GratificationThat's really what sewing projects feel like to me, especially when most of my knitting projects seem to be stalled (that's a topic for another post when I have pictures to share with it).<br />
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A few weeks ago I shared the quilt top that I pieced in an hour. I'm still blown away by how quickly that went. I'm a reasonably speedy knitter but you just can't make something that big that quickly with knitting needles and yarn.<br />
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The rest of the quilt took a bit longer but I think I finished it the next weekend (these last few weeks have gone by in a blur - I know I finished the quilt on a weekend but I can't remember which one at this point). And now I have a lovely baby-sized free-motion-quilted quilt.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXZYAeKtn6CYo994eJcHBPOZADcCTR1Lb_7Zj8pukFLwiP9SjfnfNPStNqUqY4rnpUbBD2s2LZUnn7JSP24kUvd0KwCUFO8CkdImSv3-Zf_uLLVCIUNttJVfbA_3jU4dBRAkyq-4vftR7P/s1600/DSC_0026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXZYAeKtn6CYo994eJcHBPOZADcCTR1Lb_7Zj8pukFLwiP9SjfnfNPStNqUqY4rnpUbBD2s2LZUnn7JSP24kUvd0KwCUFO8CkdImSv3-Zf_uLLVCIUNttJVfbA_3jU4dBRAkyq-4vftR7P/s1600/DSC_0026.JPG" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
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See? Baby-sized. Six-month-old baby sized, to be exact.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9UAyvcGGpskSrvEr6tGUGZI5UT99zdQr-zu4i70KLR4srzxfJogbZvJp8lGfw-QY_HAMd0tqV0tMqdlVl4xoRgR-l35w6mfXNOB5dzcuS7mrS9HfQEO6GHdq1EryqqnQ5UWzuzIuNZS1L/s1600/DSC_0025.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9UAyvcGGpskSrvEr6tGUGZI5UT99zdQr-zu4i70KLR4srzxfJogbZvJp8lGfw-QY_HAMd0tqV0tMqdlVl4xoRgR-l35w6mfXNOB5dzcuS7mrS9HfQEO6GHdq1EryqqnQ5UWzuzIuNZS1L/s1600/DSC_0025.jpg" height="640" width="424" /></a></div>
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Although technically it fits a three year old, too, if you don't mind doubling up.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbEx4U51nP84rjAk78oqzl39ZPQLbjlErevF2p8xbFuUpstqGfBeEK3dYnK077LpV3sffEzcYl0cIFbvSHkVHC_uBjMByrGFbhBdlhKo7fe37BHG2XnjrhkjbFumWNbVLo5VASQIICPbiN/s1600/DSC_0020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbEx4U51nP84rjAk78oqzl39ZPQLbjlErevF2p8xbFuUpstqGfBeEK3dYnK077LpV3sffEzcYl0cIFbvSHkVHC_uBjMByrGFbhBdlhKo7fe37BHG2XnjrhkjbFumWNbVLo5VASQIICPbiN/s1600/DSC_0020.JPG" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
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The top is made with assorted purple batiks I received as a gift ages ago (although I still don't think I'm old enough to have received something "ages ago"). I used an Alison Glass print for the back and a coordinating Kona solid for the binding, which is machine stitched. I just didn't have the patience to do this binding by hand, not when I was so close to having a finished product to play with.</div>
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And by "play with," I mean run outside, put the baby on it, and start snapping pictures. Let's just pretend that this shot was another attempt to show the backing fabric.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5U8fgBM6FGG4zh3aNHijOw4LSig0qyeqPkYZemlcNrQkhw1nzYY1XFvZp5ZU80z8KlmxMFnbNhWCuj1hrfFVN6v9cNgvBaUUiacKSSFoewWIcpr8_9Ndqu642Ld61LiDajAZXZIix6tF8/s1600/DSC_0028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5U8fgBM6FGG4zh3aNHijOw4LSig0qyeqPkYZemlcNrQkhw1nzYY1XFvZp5ZU80z8KlmxMFnbNhWCuj1hrfFVN6v9cNgvBaUUiacKSSFoewWIcpr8_9Ndqu642Ld61LiDajAZXZIix6tF8/s1600/DSC_0028.JPG" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
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Just like we'll pretend that I was trying to capture my quilting stitches in this one rather than someone's baby blues. </div>
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I think I'm hooked on free motion quilting - there's this heady feeling like you could do <i>anything</i> with the stitching. At this point I need to start practicing better control over the stitches. That's for the next project. I'll definitely need to buy more fabric!</div>
Ruehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02903006455082291384noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7644370255492710259.post-38606345546269360092014-08-10T21:47:00.001-05:002014-08-10T21:47:27.017-05:00Besides the knittingI've actually been pretty productive on the knitting front lately. I finished my big lace shawl, and the lace scarf that has been my train knitting for much of the last year. Are they blocked? Well, no. But I did weave in the ends, so that's something, right?<br />
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And I've almost finished a sweater for sprout (my replacement train knitting once I finished the scarf) and started a new sweater for her once the first one got too finicky for commuting.<br />
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Do I have pictures of any of this? Nope.<br />
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But I do have pictures of the other crafty things I've been up to besides the knitting.<br />
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After all, I have my Tour de Fleece spinning to share:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKjdpHar1gNzMTWZSEutDJGUrAK9M9WuFTopTEchN9c6LNOz2TtSPgbsyNt6ju7zUhjUYUjjzK_-1X8D-8qz235JeGcMcJlUBuS5s_jcXA1uJ188GVZ_PgpybFFcm2HRcypf9VOy5vnzFD/s1600/DSC_0018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKjdpHar1gNzMTWZSEutDJGUrAK9M9WuFTopTEchN9c6LNOz2TtSPgbsyNt6ju7zUhjUYUjjzK_-1X8D-8qz235JeGcMcJlUBuS5s_jcXA1uJ188GVZ_PgpybFFcm2HRcypf9VOy5vnzFD/s1600/DSC_0018.JPG" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
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That's 612 yards of BFL 2-ply (roughly a heavy fingering weight - I haven't checked the wpi count) spun from 6 ounces of Briar Rose top. The Tour was a fantastic way to focus on spending time at the wheel. I actually managed to spin every day that the riders raced. But I've managed to sit down at the wheel only twice since. Not for lack of motivation (I'm really looking forward to spinning up the second half of my fiber and turning it into a <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/tilt-5">Tilt</a> wrap), but there are only so many hours in the day/week and I have plenty of other demands on my time.</div>
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Like this little person helping me take an FO shot of my new yarn:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9qddVy-E9AyiEzLkzWZt3nlXAPC3D5X4mUVnh0WcQ6tRqAjq1-urHnpyhGs4AI95rCaNCWbXdhb59oF-1Xt_cF_-LDRcgD7iZcaTbioJ2F94TQUOtfGXDRr5yBPL_lwxrZtkDMPtJVMdu/s1600/DSC_0007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9qddVy-E9AyiEzLkzWZt3nlXAPC3D5X4mUVnh0WcQ6tRqAjq1-urHnpyhGs4AI95rCaNCWbXdhb59oF-1Xt_cF_-LDRcgD7iZcaTbioJ2F94TQUOtfGXDRr5yBPL_lwxrZtkDMPtJVMdu/s1600/DSC_0007.jpg" height="400" width="265" /></a></div>
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Just for comparison's sake, here is (part of) what I spun when I first did the Tour three years ago<br />
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and this is the not-yet-washed BFL from this year</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw7YKuTDjGwQOi8qHc-QdIKgnW0rvU21vZR5faMyVVGPt9awXnLV50Wcwb2xxZUzZ3jxi6kjwIkYN7Sns_MOG6bmq7XmR4VSTV_GouMk1WGlHnsLm1ySubaKYpFypmoF6hpb_YRShkk2s9/s1600/IMG_3214.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw7YKuTDjGwQOi8qHc-QdIKgnW0rvU21vZR5faMyVVGPt9awXnLV50Wcwb2xxZUzZ3jxi6kjwIkYN7Sns_MOG6bmq7XmR4VSTV_GouMk1WGlHnsLm1ySubaKYpFypmoF6hpb_YRShkk2s9/s1600/IMG_3214.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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What can I say? My girls like yarn. At least they come by it honestly.</div>
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Yarn isn't the only thing to keep me occupied these days. The quilting bug bit again. I'd pieced these giant flying geese blocks while I was still on maternity leave and then sewed them together into a mini quilt top a few weeks ago. The fabric had been sitting on my desk for a while and, with some great encouragement from <a href="http://jaceycraft.blogspot.com/">Jacey</a>, I decided that decluttering my workspace needed to include taking my first stab at free motion quilting.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCmtvFq7p8SuwhLwjVST8uymP14kUiScRmTy4CE-lBwDhre0j0Puk0NOvsdUs1bl8RgUiOkj6cZ7n5IemNAl6K31cCQxhNP1BRPyYa24rel8okGyvB9fmvf0vf6bmhfVukr2lrCXPhsU2e/s1600/IMG_3283.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCmtvFq7p8SuwhLwjVST8uymP14kUiScRmTy4CE-lBwDhre0j0Puk0NOvsdUs1bl8RgUiOkj6cZ7n5IemNAl6K31cCQxhNP1BRPyYa24rel8okGyvB9fmvf0vf6bmhfVukr2lrCXPhsU2e/s1600/IMG_3283.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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It's not perfect (there's a reason I'm not showing the back) and quilting only in the dark sections hides imperfections nicely, but it's done! And I had so much fun that I'm planning to use FMQ on my next quilt, which I spontaneously/accidentally got started on this weekend with leftover squares from Tadpole's birthday quilt.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKPh_P6KXZ2pZcGIb0YE4JlbynIIGnMOB3BFEN86YfkbeNeUObL4QUyIwXhp9KDkU9H5cQLYd2xPrtu9CQ8CNOvEYufcweLAC3IEamtlzopVRG3QHVP4m2kCg3n9i9mFurwcUmwYcChS-l/s1600/IMG_3312.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKPh_P6KXZ2pZcGIb0YE4JlbynIIGnMOB3BFEN86YfkbeNeUObL4QUyIwXhp9KDkU9H5cQLYd2xPrtu9CQ8CNOvEYufcweLAC3IEamtlzopVRG3QHVP4m2kCg3n9i9mFurwcUmwYcChS-l/s1600/IMG_3312.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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Yes, I probably should have watered the back garden instead of dragging Mr. Tinks and Frogs outside to snap a quick picture. But I was so darned proud, I couldn't contain myself. You see, I somehow managed to lay out the blocks and chain piece the rows together in an hour on Friday night. An hour!</div>
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And, just in case looking at this picture makes me think that I really should go put my quilt sandwich together (a very bad idea) instead of knitting a few stitches and heading to bed (the responsible approach), I'm going to leave you with a shot of our pumpkin collection. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzXypQ1tsADRkj38vAJ6CEojo2akYdFz4y6i6a7l0nxIamq4cVjcgy4O5aMO7L65Bjtx-q-Uj3Vtlk3XP5mYsoc3zZgYSP9dJMvex3ZN7AJDIY8415kHiCmLWaoPMzpa7hGY0hr8i26QYp/s1600/IMG_3324.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzXypQ1tsADRkj38vAJ6CEojo2akYdFz4y6i6a7l0nxIamq4cVjcgy4O5aMO7L65Bjtx-q-Uj3Vtlk3XP5mYsoc3zZgYSP9dJMvex3ZN7AJDIY8415kHiCmLWaoPMzpa7hGY0hr8i26QYp/s1600/IMG_3324.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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Who knew pumpkins ripened in August? Not me. We're going to be eating a lot of pumpkin pie this year.</div>
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<br />Ruehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02903006455082291384noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7644370255492710259.post-56795698540973898892014-07-21T20:47:00.001-05:002014-07-21T20:47:25.770-05:00Tour UpdateNo fancy updates here but I did finish my second bobbin of Briar Rose BFL last night so I'm all ready to start plying tomorrow.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWTgf4AyYZQy4cnkb8NHTmFVknLD2wWHhK-VctY1dVkEWUGLdA-jeeSHcwuV47eqLvJ42oRZI6m1FaO2LJ4XWeP0YJDBIa8tvYgMDElYqXkfTrFDl6nl0LWFAInWhmn8luYnZnptgWMK5W/s1600/DSC_0002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWTgf4AyYZQy4cnkb8NHTmFVknLD2wWHhK-VctY1dVkEWUGLdA-jeeSHcwuV47eqLvJ42oRZI6m1FaO2LJ4XWeP0YJDBIa8tvYgMDElYqXkfTrFDl6nl0LWFAInWhmn8luYnZnptgWMK5W/s1600/DSC_0002.JPG" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br />Ruehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02903006455082291384noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7644370255492710259.post-80219687457496786482014-07-14T21:25:00.000-05:002014-07-14T21:25:14.176-05:00Summer non sequiturs<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I'm spinning like a dervish (well, a dervish who sneaks in 20-30 minutes with the wheel after work in the evenings) and having a blast with the Tour de Fleece. So far, I've managed to spin every day of the Tour. Yay! Naturally, my photographic evidence is scant - my only daytime shots are from last weekend and are making their way from my phone onto the computer while I type (along with several hundred other pics of this and that). Tomorrow is a rest day on the Tour and I'll poke around a bit to see if there is some fun way to show off my nighttime snapshots of spinning progress. A gif maybe?</div>
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But for now, I thought I'd share a few non-spinning delights. Ok, not too far removed from spinning, at least for this first one.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV7TVPqQ8egxhdpuv_vfJ7Dk_RVjFipk86jrLgskzY6ztV-dYB3iCTBSsvSNWaz1wEQkfoT1NaRn3jAhlknX9kxWQjjoGEC0lCHJkBmR1wETKBtlQ4osToOfAWv1Kz1UzXZhwWoZDYjHMi/s1600/DSC_0010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV7TVPqQ8egxhdpuv_vfJ7Dk_RVjFipk86jrLgskzY6ztV-dYB3iCTBSsvSNWaz1wEQkfoT1NaRn3jAhlknX9kxWQjjoGEC0lCHJkBmR1wETKBtlQ4osToOfAWv1Kz1UzXZhwWoZDYjHMi/s1600/DSC_0010.JPG" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
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Pretty much as soon as the yarn was dry, Tadpole and I wound up my new polwarth/silk yarn. And I cast on the next day. <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/kuura">Kuura</a> is a delightful pattern to knit - interesting yet intuitive and not too busy. I'm flipping the main body and edging charts to have a lacier body to the shawl. We'll see how it looks in the handspun.</div>
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So far, so good. This yarn is just lovely to knit.</div>
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And, bit by bit, I'm slowly working the crochet bind off on my <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/fiori-di-sole">Fiori di Sole</a> shawl.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe7TT2yLR1VqAZb8HSv7DrbYKIGOZnXP92g6HC9hzxvmSjiXm61h4QwRMr1L4GqnGoU3YtmSZkG910ylLFMch8xO0lJFuyIcbex-X4eQnFBnMe2p5h5YWwiu4RKxCV9aphsg5xhuWahQLh/s1600/DSC_0014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe7TT2yLR1VqAZb8HSv7DrbYKIGOZnXP92g6HC9hzxvmSjiXm61h4QwRMr1L4GqnGoU3YtmSZkG910ylLFMch8xO0lJFuyIcbex-X4eQnFBnMe2p5h5YWwiu4RKxCV9aphsg5xhuWahQLh/s1600/DSC_0014.JPG" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
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I feel like this is moving at a glacial pace but it's not quite that bad. Maybe more like tortoise speed. It would probably finish up more quickly if I didn't ignore it to play with my new handspun.</div>
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And, in non-knitting news, I have pumpkins!</div>
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Honest to goodness pumpkins in my backyard garden (ok, expanding onto the driveway, if I'm being really honest). That picture is a day old now and the little pumpkin was almost the size of my fist when I went to check on it this evening.<br />
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I've got some handspun calling my name before it's time to turn in for the night so I'll just leave you with this shot of our garden visitor hanging out with the zucchini.<br />
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How many rows can I knit before I nod off on the needles?<br />
<br />Ruehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02903006455082291384noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7644370255492710259.post-53409028040561409092014-07-06T11:52:00.000-05:002014-07-06T11:52:50.972-05:00And we're off!Sitting down at my spinning wheel last month proved much more fun than I'd hoped. The polwarth/silk blend was a dream to spin and exactly what I needed to get back into the groove with my wheel. So, in a typical fit of ambition, I decided to join the Tour de Fleece this year.<br />
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I have a bump of 12 oz of Briar Rose Fibers BLF top that will be perfect for my goal of spinning every day of the Tour. And I have my team in place to cheer me on:<br />
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We dropped our cable subscription ages ago so I was thrilled to see that you can download an iPad app to watch the Tour de France. Tadpole and I watched today's stage streaming live while I spun this morning.</div>
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But I'm getting ahead of myself. Before I could spin the BFL, I had to finish up my polwarth/silk blend. Nothing like a holiday weekend (and a baby who naps reasonably well, not to mention a three-year-old inspired to nap, too, by the prospect of staying up late to watch fireworks) to make the time to finish up spinning and plying that fiber braid.</div>
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This is the first handspun yarn that I've wanted to start knitting up as soon as it came off the niddy noddy. </div>
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That's approximately 4 oz, 418 very light, airy yards of worsted spun 80/20 polwarth silk top from <a href="http://www.sweetgeorgiayarns.com/">SweetGeorgia Yarns</a>. </div>
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It's still ever so slightly damp so I'm trying to restrain Tadpole's (and my) urge to wind it up <i>right now</i>. I think it wants to be a <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/kuura">Kuura</a> with the charts flipped like in <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/MamieB/kuura">this version</a>.</div>
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I think we can hold off a little longer. My team is chomping at the bit to get back to spinning.</div>
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Ruehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02903006455082291384noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7644370255492710259.post-6338978928172631762014-06-04T14:13:00.005-05:002014-06-04T14:13:59.629-05:00Rogue fibreIt's been a while since I've sat down at my spinning wheel - I'd gotten bogged down in an ill-fated attempt to learn woolen style spinning. So, with a <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/people/elkbiologist/handspun/mysweetspot2----falkland">burst of inspiration</a> from a fellow spinner, I decided it was time to go back to my comfort zone of worsted style.<br />
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This week I pulled out a braid of <a href="http://www.sweetgeorgiayarns.com/">Sweet Georgia</a> polwarth + silk fibre in the rogue colorway and stole some time to sit back down at the wheel. (I may have even moved sprout's play mat down into my office/craft room so I that could spin a bit with her while tadpole was at school.)<br />
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Hello, wheel. It's good to see you again.</div>
Ruehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02903006455082291384noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7644370255492710259.post-38920282348855741422014-05-25T20:40:00.001-05:002014-05-25T20:42:23.026-05:00RevisionsI had a fantastic idea for a kids sweater bouncing around in my head recently. It would be a simple stockinette raglan, worked bottom up, with the bee lace from Cookie A's <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/kai-mei" id="id_6d7c_7d98_b47b_de29" target="_blank">Kai-Mei</a> sock pattern along the raglan seams. <div><br></div><div><img id="id_cd7f_b01e_5027_736c" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-YFMXgRCW1Ho/U4KbgTiQ0SI/AAAAAAAACPs/yeO7kB5rRrY/%25255BUNSET%25255D.png" alt="" title="" style="margin: 4px; width: 710px; height: 532px;"></div><div><br></div><div>This design started to get a bit squirrelly from the get go. I couldn't figure out what edging to use for the bottom hem that wouldn't detract from the bee lace. A turned hem would have been great, except that I only have 400 yards of the yarn I'm using and I didn't want to lose yardage on the hem. So that was out (now that I think of it, a picot hem might have worked). Then I thought: seed stitch! At this point, I didn't want to transition from seed stitch at the hem to a stockinette body so I decided to make the whole body in seed stitch. </div><div><br></div><div>I happily motored along to the underarm and used a provisional cast on for the sleeve stitches at the yoke. This is my favorite sweater construction for babies and kids - work bottom up to the neck and then back down the sleeves with whatever yarn is left. </div><div><br></div><div>I think I made it through two repeats of the bee lace. It was just a mess. </div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_c76e_1916_33eb_f50d" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Cgou_GtjmvY/U4Kbi11CHxI/AAAAAAAACP0/ACL7YqJZxh4/%25255BUNSET%25255D.jpg" alt="" title="" style="margin: 4px; width: 532px; height: 710px;"></div><div><br></div><div>I had forgotten one of the key elements of Kai-Mei's success: negative ease on the sock so the foot stretches out the lace. That was not going to work on a kid's sweater. </div><div><br></div><div>So I ripped back to the start of the yoke and decided to borrow from another of my favorite <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/pomander-baby-cardigan" id="id_41b1_e9a0_f6ae_e0f5" target="_blank">patterns</a>. This time around, I tried a braid cable at the raglan and hid the decreases in the cable. </div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_c684_1a4_8d26_35d8" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-LRRgfj0y75E/U4KbkFQ6eNI/AAAAAAAACP8/-BIlTg7ZTao/%25255BUNSET%25255D.jpg" alt="" title="" style="margin: 4px; width: 532px; height: 710px;"></div><div><br></div><div>That works much better. I threw in some short rows to shape the neck. The sleeves are stockinette and should knit up quickly at this gauge. I'll probably use a turned hem to finish them since it looks like I'll have enough yarn. </div><div><br></div><div>Miss Tadpole even agreed to help me check to make sure the neck was loose enough. </div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_27e8_c1c8_49e9_31e5" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-r9uscvdHyHE/U4KbkYr0yzI/AAAAAAAACQA/MPwCzqi1Zag/%25255BUNSET%25255D.jpg" alt="" title="" style="margin: 4px; width: 532px; height: 710px;"></div><div><br></div><div>EZ's sewn bind off worked like a charm. But then the sweater was off a moment later. </div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_904e_e9d7_f075_9789" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-rEYZJvEv6mc/U4Kbkuw3UxI/AAAAAAAACQE/iP1953RR_WQ/%25255BUNSET%25255D.jpg" alt="" title="" style="margin: 4px; width: 532px; height: 710px;"></div><div><br></div><div>Once I'm done with the sleeves, I think I'll write this pattern up. At the very least, I'd like to make a coordinating sweater for sprout. And this will be a nice pattern recipe to have handy for gift knitting. Plus, if I'm really good, I can set up a spreadsheet to crunch the numbers for me. </div><div><br></div><div>(I haven't forgotten about the purple sweater pattern - it's on the list. I just need to get my pattern writing feet wet again before I dive into that one.)</div>Ruehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02903006455082291384noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7644370255492710259.post-87832849229498475032014-04-25T08:30:00.000-05:002014-04-25T08:30:00.533-05:00On the edgeTwo blog posts in a week - when was the last time I did that? Someone must be napping in her crib more.<br />
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Two of my current WIPs had me thinking about garter stitch edges lately. If you just knit row after row, that first stitch often gets loose and floppy unless you do something to tighten it up. These two designs tackle the problem in clever ways. No simple slipped stitch here!<br />
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First up, Martina Behm's <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/hitchhiker">Hitchhiker</a> - that addictive little scarf pattern - grows into a toothy swirl of garter stitch. The teeth have a stockinette edge and the curve is formed by a k1f&b on every row (beginning the RS rows and ending the WS ones). The result is a tidy, yet extremely elastic, edge. No need to pick up and knit a border to hide imperfections on the edge.</div>
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(This is my new midnight knitting project, now that I've finished the girls' latest knits. The decadence of the cashmere silk blend I'm using more than makes up for any boredom my fingers might feel with the garter stitch.)</div>
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Romi Hill's <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/fiori-di-sole">Fiori di Sole</a> has the cleverest garter stitch edge treatment that I've seen on a lace shawl. Instead of the typical basic garter edging, she has you work a garter eyelet band with a decrease on the very edges of the shawl to balance the yo eyelets (ssk, k1, yo, k2 on the right edge and k2, yo, k1, k2tog on the left). The decreases tighten up any looseness from the previous plain WS row and give a lovely (yet sturdy!) edge which I expect will come in very handy for blocking.<br />
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If you're working a sweater or similar garment with a garter stitch edge, I'm a big fan of slipping the first stitch of the row knitwise, with the yarn in back. It makes for a neat and tidy edge without disrupting the garter ridges. That's what I used on <a href="http://tinksandfrogs.blogspot.com/2014/04/in-which-one-of-my-daughters-models-her.html">Sprout's latest sweater</a> and it worked like a charm.<br />
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<br />Ruehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02903006455082291384noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7644370255492710259.post-18491993336315983192014-04-23T09:51:00.000-05:002014-04-23T09:51:51.538-05:00In which one of my daughters models her new hand knit garmentWhy yes, Tadpole and I have been reading Winnie the Pooh together. Those chapter headings must be rubbing off on me.<br />
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Both of my girls have new hand knits. One of them has tried hers on. That would be the immobile one, currently lacking the words to say "I'll try it on later, mommy."<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1hfxv2C4Z5yYl2t14wLItlEj9UTCW_rYW6Op1R4pHSyUdbE1eKC-2FtY5Sr25-dBOfKIRN9Mpmiu41oYND57jTeg84Qy7OkfMfxryJhWuoxDY6YyUfFAWhZlpFBi1DOINP8R7WsHGp6ej/s1600/DSC_0004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1hfxv2C4Z5yYl2t14wLItlEj9UTCW_rYW6Op1R4pHSyUdbE1eKC-2FtY5Sr25-dBOfKIRN9Mpmiu41oYND57jTeg84Qy7OkfMfxryJhWuoxDY6YyUfFAWhZlpFBi1DOINP8R7WsHGp6ej/s1600/DSC_0004.jpg" height="400" width="265" /></a></div>
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Tadpole has a lovely new dress - the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/goldilocks-8">Goldilocks</a> pattern - and I think it will fit. Hopefully she will be up for trying it on before she outgrows it.<br />
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Sprout was a more cooperative model in her new sweater, although she wriggled so much I had to switch to auto focus on the camera. Try telling a two-month-old to hold still - it just doesn't work. But happy, energetic babies are delightful creatures so we still had a lot of fun. Before I get distracted with the baby shots, here is the sweater itself:<br />
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Now for my model:</div>
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See why I wanted to make sure I showed you the sweater first? I kept getting distracted by those baby blues. Ok, now you can see how the sweater fits. It's still a bit big on her so I'm hoping it will fit for another couple of months - at least through the cool early summer evenings.<br />
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Now that I have you thoroughly distracted by the baby pics, I'm thinking of writing up the pattern. Any interest? This version was knit on size 1 needles using Sundara fingering merino yarn. Yes, there were lots of tiny stitches. But the stitch pattern would also look lovely in a heavier sock or even sport weight yarn on larger needles.<br />
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So if I were to write this up, would you prefer a free pattern with just one size or would you rather have multiple size and yarn weight options for a fee? And, perhaps more importantly, would you be interested in test knitting the pattern? I can promise an interesting knit, some clever details, and a satisfying FO. But you'll have to supply the baby.<br />
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<br />Ruehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02903006455082291384noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7644370255492710259.post-5654937731627077342014-04-13T03:08:00.001-05:002014-04-13T03:09:13.081-05:00Midnight musings The new Twist Collective went up today and I was reminded that I'm really not a spring/summer knitter. There was one piece - <font color="#000000" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><a href="http://www.twistcollective.com/collection/component/content/article/140-shop/spring-summer-2014-patterns/1767-square-by-robin-melanson" id="id_3533_7fcd_ef21_ffa1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">a square shawl</a></font> by Robin Melanson - that I liked but none of the other patterns spoke to me. That's fine. I tend not to wear knits n the summer unless it's a chilly evening. So it's not surprising that the image I liked best in the whole magazine was an add for Wool People 7. I eagerly popped over to the Brooklyn Tweed website only to find that WP7 has not yet arrived (and confirmed that I have not been living under a rock, for I never would have missed a new BT publication pre-baby). But I was reminded of one of my absolute favorite BT designs lately: <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/stonecutter" id="id_c8da_3f9e_4738_8a67">Stonecutter</a>. <div><br></div><div>Why are all of the sweaters I like right now pullovers? This is not a new phenomenon. I felt this way most of the time I was pregnant with sprout. Now that I'm eight weeks post-partum, it will still be months before I am comfortable with my shape and measurements and willing to make the commitment of a complicated sweater. </div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_192f_c261_5346_bf1f" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-OlLKc_C0GGc/U0pGBmDTXLI/AAAAAAAACME/O1gCQ5i0lmQ/%25255BUNSET%25255D.png" alt="" title="" style="margin: 4px; width: 540px; height: 719px;"></div><div><br></div><div>So what am I working on these days? Well, there's the exception to my general "I really shouldn't be knitting a sweater right now" policy: Rock Island. An oversized open front cardigan designed to be worn with several inches of positive ease doesn't present the same fit issues as a closely fitted pullover where an inch either way matters. </div><div><br></div><div>I'm also finishing up a sweater dress for Tadpole (the striped piece in the picture up above). In the couple of days since I snapped that picture, I finished up the edging, wove in the ends, and gave the dress a soak. The fabric grew a fair amount in the bath so I'm curious to see how it dries. </div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_c1d8_7282_345e_91da" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-HOirwJoW3cQ/U0pF_sMeZSI/AAAAAAAACL8/zUDlPnojYQY/%25255BUNSET%25255D.jpg" alt="" title="" style="margin: 4px; width: 540px; height: 719px;"></div><div><br></div><div>I've also started the first sleeve for sprout's new sweater - my current midnight knitting project. I happily cast on the other night only to discover that I needed to frog my inch or so of work when I looked at it the next morning. Apparently being able to count to 36 is not a skill I possess at 2am. </div><div><br></div><div>Speaking of midnight knitting, my companion is not quite asleep yet and I'm going to get a few rows in before trying to get us both back to bed. </div>Ruehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02903006455082291384noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7644370255492710259.post-83529529995629428732014-03-20T11:18:00.001-05:002014-03-20T11:18:42.991-05:00Knitting with BabyI finished a February Baby Sweater for my February baby the other day:<br />
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The yarn is Knitting Notions sport weight that I had picked up a couple of years ago, thinking to make something for Tadpole. That didn't happen so I thought to use the yarn for Sprout. I'd initially tried a bottom-up henley design of my own making (quick pic <a href="http://tinksandfrogs.blogspot.com/2013/10/this-and-that.html">here</a>) but ultimately decided that I didn't like the way the colors in this kettle dyed yarn flashed across the body of the sweater. So the yarn went back into the frog pond for reincarnation.<br />
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After I had knit the garter stitch yoke, I frantically searched through my Barbara Walker stitch dictionaries for a 7-stitch lace pattern to swap out for EZ's choice of gull lace. Nothing caught my eye and an hour later (precious knitting time gone), I settled in for gull lace after all. The knitting flew by - even the sleeves, which I might have complained about just a bit since I wanted this piece to be <b>done</b> - and the gull lace turned out to be the perfect stitch pattern for spreading out the slight variations in the yarn.<br />
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Miss Sprout even obliged for a photo shoot:<br />
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There she is with her serious face, contemplating the milk she's about to spit up all over her nice new sweater.<br />
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Here's how you can tell this is not my first kid: I wiped the spit up off the sweater and then picked the camera back up to continue shooting. Once we were done, I popped the sweater in the sink for the wash and wet blocking I should have given it in the first place.</div>
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My new little sweater model has obliged on a couple of other photo shoots, sans spit-up:</div>
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My <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/Rue/pomander-baby-cardigan">Pomander</a> cardigan fits reasonably well now with room to grow. I know I've said it before but this really is a delightful pattern, well written and full of thoughtful details. The designer has a gorgeous <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/winter-garden-jumper">jumper pattern</a> knit using Loft. I'm having visions of knitting coordinating jumpers for the girls. (Note to self: finish your current WIPs first!)</div>
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Another favorite: <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/Rue/surplice-baby-jacket-wg50-so43">EZ's Baby Surplice Jacket</a>.</div>
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These two may be my new go-to baby knits patterns. The EZ pattern has some of the same clever shaping as her BSJ and is also designed to grow with the baby. In other words, you don't have to worry so much about size - it should fit the recipient for a while (i.e. several months, which is quite a bit in baby time).</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span">I've got another sweater for Miss Sprout on the needles right now and I'm making slow but steady progress with mostly middle of the night spurts of productivity. When her sister was this age, I found myself getting frustrated when she wouldn't go back to sleep in the middle of the night (or go back to sleep soundly enough to transfer to her crib so that <i>I</i> could go back to sleep, too). Looking back on that period, I wished that I had just focused on enjoying the snuggles and time with my small daughter. (I also realized that </span>rocking a baby in the middle of the night<span class="Apple-style-span"> was prime knitting time and the knitting might have helped me calm down a bit). I told myself that I would do better if there ever were a next time. Now that the next time is here, I can't say that I don't want to go back to sleep but the midnight wakings (and staying awake) are less fraught and I've had some wonderful times enjoying getting to know this new little person in our lives and making something for her to wear while I'm at it.</span></div>
<br />Ruehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02903006455082291384noreply@blogger.com5