Knitting Angel

Procrastination-knits

I had the startling realization that in about three weeks that summer will be over for me, and the new year will start along with all the crazy that generally characterizes the new semester.

I have no idea where the time went, but I might have cried a little when I had that realization.

Knitting remains pretty constant. I am on a lace jag at the moment. Latest creation is the Swallowtail shawl. I knit it exactly to the pattern (no extra rows) in Zephry lace (silk/merino blend)- the color is Pearl (a silver-grey, which looks white but if you hold it to white it clearly isn't). I used one skein of 560 yards and used most of the skein despite the fact that the pattern called for 440 yards.

As you see, it blocked out enormous despite the fact that I did not add to the pattern.  It is more like a full-sized shawl then a small shawl (as the pattern says it is.)

Okay, so I want to knit more lace but I have to finish a gift for a friend's kid. So working on that. Have other WIPS too that I should finish. But I want to knit more lace... hmmmm what should I make? Suggestions?

Mid-summer lace

So I blocked out the Seascape shawl and it grew enormously. I think that the bamboo in the yarn had something to do with it, but here it is (only one skein bamboo/merino of sock yarn)

It is big enough to be a full-sized shawl. I love it, it is soft and light and perfect.

I seem to have stumbled back onto the lace wagon because I immediatly cast on for the swallowtail shawl, using Zephyr (merino/silk blend) that I have in my stash.)

It is addictive, easy knitting and I am down to the final edging, which is taking forever.

The color is a pearly grey-white. I have plans to make other shawls too once this one is completed. Seems that the lace bug has bitten me badly....

Meanwhile I got back my cross-stitch after having it framed. I gave it to my friend who is moving (she is military and is going to be based elsewhere.) She was delighted and loved it. The frame that the shop owner picked out looks lovely and really complimented the cross-stitch.

It is so pretty that I may have to make another for myself. I am really pleased- I think it was a lovely gift for a friend.

 

Not a shawlette

I have been trying to knit down some of my yarn stash. Seriously. My goal for the year has been to reduce the stash by a tub, which is rather lofty, I know, but I am trying.

My other goal has been to finish some WIPS. So last I posted I picked up the Damson shawlette and decided to frog back to the snag and finish it. Well.... I came to the last 10 rows or so and realize.... I had run out of yarn. The pattern, in theory was supposed to take a skein of Malabrigo sock yarn. And that is what I bought, but I ran out. I also had no idea what the color was that I was using.

Luckily my LYS keeps a record of all the yarn that you have bought in the last year and they were able to tell me that the colorway was Rayon Vert.  So now I need to order another skein to finish up. If the dye lot looks seriously different from the yarn I already have I may need to rip up to the border and do the border with the new yarn.

And I am not really all that in love with the pattern. I guess you could say that I am finishing it for the sake of finishing it, and on that note, I have to say that I am awfully tempted to just tear the whole thing out, re-wind the yarn and use it for something else. For now, it is back in the UFO pile as I have not made up my mind yet.

Anyway, the good news is that this shawlette failure spurred a shawlette success. Fed up with Damson, I cast about for another project. This time I found success. I knit (in about a week) Wendy Johnson's Seascape Shawlette out of one skein of Ani's Bamboo/Merino sock yarn, in a frothy blue green.

There it is pre-blocking.

and here it is, pinned out. It, um, turned out way bigger than a shawlette. (Maybe it was the Bamboo/Merino blend?)

The wingspan took up the length of my full-sized bed.  And I didn't even stretch it that much- the yarn seemed to just want to stretch. It will be a full-sized shawl no, doubt, not  a shawlette. After it dries I will get a picture of me in it, because I am curious to see what it looks like on.

Wendy's (of WendyKnits) patterns are really clear, well written out and fairly simple lace. She has lots of shawlettes on sale on Ravelry, and I went through them and matched a bunch of sock yarn to them. Planning to knit a few more to help go through some of the sock yarn that is lovely, but that I don't want to put on my feet.

Meanwhile, speaking of lovely yarn, a friend went to England and brought back some lace yarn for me. Its hand-dyed Merino, 900 meters from Gloucester.

It is very springy, and I need to find the right pattern to show off the yarn

Meanwhile, I finished my "Live by Grace" cross-stitch. It is at the shop, being framed (it is a gift.) When I get it back, I will take a picture. I am now working on a tiny Halloween ornament (I love Halloween stuff)  for my dad because it features two black cats in front of a harvest moon, and he has two black cats.

The fabric is a great stormy blue, but it makes stitching hard to see. Anyway, off to scheme on more shawlettes and to decide what to do about the Damson shawl.

 

June heat

Midsummer has already struck. In South Texas we are in an epic drought-- as one of my colleagues put it "I don't know that I will ever see rain again." That might seem a bit extreme but some days it seems that way with the temperatures hovering around 100 for days on end. Rain would be good, rain is desperately needed, some days it really seems that it will not ever rain again (it hasn't really rained since last fall with the exception of one thunderstorm about a month ago.)

Meanwhile I am thinking about knitting goals for the summer. The other day I pulled out a project that became a UFO last year after a it snagged massively on a zipper in my knitting bag and I couldn't deal with it--- I pulled out the needles and frogged up to the snag and then took some painstaking time putting the stitches back on the needles. Now it is moving forward.

It is Damson from Ysolda's Whimsical Little Knits 2- as you can see right now it is just a pile of garter stitch- I am close to finally getting to the edging, but it will be a little bit longer before I have pictures of anything that looks remotely like a shawlette. It is knit in Malabrigo sock.

It was my birthday earlier this week and my mom sent me some new dresses (thanks mom!) as I have recently lost a little bit of weight- not really dramatic, but enough that I need new clothes so everything doesn't look sloppy and large on me. So the dresses were appreciated. My dad sent me a fun gift too:

Four hand-made bags for my knitting projects. They are super cute. So there is this older woman who makes these bags who lives in my great-aunt's apartment complex in California. Anyway my dad saw a bag that my great-aunt had  bought from the woman and he liked it and decided to buy me some for my knitting projects. Seriously fun eh?

Meanwhile the baby blanket goes on- no progress pictures because, well it all looks the same, just bigger. It is taking a while to knit, but I hope to have it done within a month or so. Remind me next time to not knit a baby blanket from DK weight yarn. Might have been a bad idea.

After the baby blanket is done I think I am going to stick with socks and shawls for the summer. It is just too hot, although I have sweaters I would like to work on, I think that is an impossibility in this heat.

Meanwhile on the cross-stitch front I am finishing up a project that is destined for a friend who will be moving away soon.

I have to finish putting in the little flowers around the wreath and it will be done soon. I thought it was rather sweet myself.

 

Summer cleaning

Officially it is not summer, but with the temperature around 95,  it feels like it is pretty much here.

For me, summer comes at the end of the school year, in a flurry of finals, grading and graduation.  By the end of it I am always drained and go into mental shutdown for a few weeks. It wasn't hard to do this year, my computer got a bad virus and had to hang out with the tech guys for a few days to be fixed, and there were other things to attend to.

Such as cleaning the apartment.  I try hard to keep things neat during the school year but this spring life got away from me and I had a dusty, out of control apartment to contend with. Let me tell you, my apartment is barely bigger than a luxury garage (it is cozy-- I like the small size) but it was a DISASTER. So I took this week to get things in order. It took me three days to clean the place (this included the major reorganization of closets, and the kitchen cabinets, moving the huge sofa to clean behind it, etc) one day to deal with the installation of a new cable modem (I got a better deal with a different company) and a morning to take Chloe to the vet (its allergy season.)

Meanwhile I found, and re-set up my loom. (It had been hiding in a closet)

The loom is now out, so I can actually weave again. I need to finish this first trial project that I started  way back in the day..... and then maybe actually try to make something.  I have to see if I can even remember how to warp it again. I feel bad, because I bought the loom when I lived in Ohio but never really got to weaving on it-- life just seemed to pull me away. I figure with it now out and in my living room, I can no longer ignore it.

Milo as you can see is tired after all the cleaning. Look at him, sticking his tongue out at the camera!

Meanwhile, the baby blanket continues to grow- it is now slow going as it is big and just seems to be in a black hole of knitting, but remember how I said that I was making this blanket for no one in particular? Well one of my friends (I just discovered) is pregnant-- so for once I am ahead of the game. Need to get blanket done! And I think the colors do well for either  a boy or girl, what do you think?

Finally, it is summer and I will be working on a manuscript during the days but in the evenings I generally try to watch a whole new news that is on DVD. In summers past I have watched all of The Tudors, Big Love, Sex and the City, The West Wing, Ballykissangel and Upstairs, Downstairs.  Anyway, I need a recommendation for a good series-- do you all have any?

 

Tweedy Baby Blanket

I have been trying hard to work on my stash, which is substantial. I know I sound like a broken record, but I have been trying. Then yesterday I went by my LYS because I had a few moments to kill before needing to go to a university function (yes, on a Saturday.)  There they had the cutest little children's book called Freddie's Blanket that is about a baby platypus and a blanket  and it contains knitting patterns--and I stood there wondering if I needed to have a Platypus, or a blanket. Or both.

There aren't any babies in the pipeline as far as my friends go at the moment, but I'm at that age where they seem to be coming with a certain amount of regularity, so kid's stuff is always a good bet. I could knit the blanket it and put it aside and I guarantee that within a year I will have someone to give it too. Anyway something about the blanket called to me with its siren song... I just had to make it.

I had a moment of "No, really, I don't need any more yarn." but I looked at the blanket and something happened that had not happened in a long time. I.Needed.To.Knit.It.Now. Really I did needed to knit that blanket.

In a flash my credit card was out and a few minutes later I was walking out with 4 balls of Brown sheep Serendipity Tweed, and the book.

I cast on last night and as of today I have this:

Slip stitch colorwork may be my new love. This is amazing progress given that I started last night. I am already scheming- I may need to make one like this for myself (so lap, not baby blanket sized.)

Of all things to get me knitting again-- a baby blanket-- I have been in a knitting torpor the last few months (really the last year- I finish stuff here and there) but all of a sudden I feel excited about knitting again. Also the yarn, Brown Sheep Serendipity Tweed-- it is super soft and I kinda love it. Might need to make a garment out of it (it is a mix of wool and cotton.)

a Tweedy Baby Blanket-- who knew? (Now I think I need to knit the Platypus- with overalls of course, because he comes with a pattern for overalls.)

 

Tomato-Goodness

I planted my tomato plants early this year as it has been hot and dry now for over a month, and in the last few weeks it has regularly been getting into the 90s. We seem set to go into a drought and a long, hot summer, which the prospect of is more than a little unpleasant (my first summer here it was over 100 F for 55 days in a row. Think on that.) But the upside is that I planted early without worry of frost.

I have taken over a back porch behind my building. It gets better light than the front porch and a water hose is set up right next to it, so it seem fortuitous.

Five tomato plants, two pepper plants and some basil is in there with the tomatoes.

Plus I have little green tomatoes already on the vine

I have never had tomatoes on the vine so early-- usually they don't start springing up until July or so, but this little plant seems determined to get going! It is pretty exciting to have my garden-in-pots back. I just hope that no critters discover it and plunder the fruits.

Meanwhile I am working on a really boring Habu scarf in stockinette stitch. It just keeps going on forever and ever and I don't want to bore you with pictures, so instead I am going to talk about the new contraption I picked up the other day-- my new stitching stand.

A lot of the stands out there for cross-stitch or needlepoint are attached to scroll frames. I don't use scroll frames (I prefer Q-snaps or stretcher bars) and usually I stitch with one hand holding the frame, which works fine for smaller pieces, but I discovered that on my larger pieces it didn't work because the frame grew so heavy with all the extra fabric, and clumsy to hold when you were working on certain parts of the design. I envied a few of the women who had stands and then when the shop owner said that she had found a small company that makes clamp stands in Austin I got excited, because that is what I wanted. She ordered one for the shop and I tried it and loved it, so she placed an order for me and I picked up my new stand yesterday.

(Don't laugh at my plastic tablecloth- Milo scratches at the table and even though its almost brand-new, the top has some horrible marks I cannot get out-- so to prevent further damage I buy these plastic tablecloths at the dollar store whenever they have them and just try to keep the table covered from kitty claws.)

It can sit on the table or your lap (works great in my recliner on my lap) and the clamp can hold any kind of frame or hoop, meaning it is good not only for cross-stitch, but needlepoint, punch needle or rug hooking (as long as you use some kind of frame or hoop.) And it is adjustable and folds down flat, so it can easily go places. Plus, as far as stands go, it was reasonably priced. So now I can get back on my big project (I had avoided it because it was getting hard to stitch because of the weight). Super excited!!! A nice treat for myself and one I think that will be a good investment.

A few Finished Objects

April is the month of many months, lots of grading and just a ton of work in the academic world. So I have been focusing on small projects because I just don't have the time to take on anything large. Also, I am trying to clear out a few UFOS (like the mitered scarf that I posted about last time.)

So this week I finished a pair of socks that had been in the works for a long time. At any one time I am usually knitting at least two pairs of socks-- one that is a self-striping sock and one with a pattern. I tend to not get them done very quickly, so I am trying to just stick to one pair of socks now. Anyway I finished up the self-striping pair this week. They are knitted in Regia silk, which is super soft and really nice to work with.

I think I love them. They are soft and wearable.

Right now I am working on a Habu scarf, which is super boring, but I want to get it done so I can finish another UFO.

As for cross-stitch I finished my little pattern

This is one of the Bent Creek Snappers. I have another one to stitch and I want to frame them together, as a pair. It was a tiny and satisfying stitch, but I do need to learn how to start finishing my cross-stitches, as I have no finishing skills whatsoever.

Next up- a needlepoint I am working on and that Habu scarf. Then I hope to finish my other pair of socks. I guess you could say I have finishitis. I hope it sticks with me for a while....

Spring fever

Maybe it would be more appropriate if I titled the post "Spring Allergies." Chloe and I are suffering from them right now. Ick.

Anyway Spring has sprung in South Texas. It is already 80 F out and the flowers in my flowerpots have come back from the nasty freeze this winter to bloom.

There's a bit of cheer for those of you who still may be snow-covered up North.

Meanwhile I finished a serious UFO this week. I started this scarf  almost three years ago. Bought the yarn during a trip to San Francisco and I don't know why I never finished it but I didn't. Anyway the yarn is ArtYarns Supermerino (super soft) and the pattern is for a modular diamond scarf (by the yarn company.) And it is finally done.

That would be Chloe modeling for you, of course. The scarf is a bit short but it is actually quite right for Texas weather plus it hasn't been blocked yet and my guess is that it will block out to be a bit longer.

I have several other UFOS that I have dug out from the bins and placed bags so that they will be completed... eventually. I have been trying hard to not buy more yarn for the stash (and have been more or less successful) but I also realize that I need to knit down my stash. My goal for the year is to reduch by one rubbermaid bin. Maybe that is optimistic but I am trying... so I hope to have more FOs soon for you.

My Hawk Run Hollow cross- stitch is coming slowly

I discovered that completing the corner (where the snake and water are) is a bit hard because of the way I have to hold the q-snaps, and because of all the extra material stuffed in the q-snap covers (remember this is only one block of 12) it is getting hard on my left hand... So I ordered a wooden clamp stand that sits on the table or your lap (I tried it out and really liked it) and am waiting for it to show up at the shop where I stitch (The Stitcher's Hideaway in San Antonio)  the stands are made in Austin, so I think it won't be long but for the moment I am taking a rest from HRH and instead working on a tiny project.

It is a Bent Creek Snapper and all that is left if the barn and the moon (and a little star.) It is satisfying to work on something small for one. I think the scale of HRH was getting to me.

As I said early, it is warm here in Texas. Milo has started having window-fights with his arch-enemy Peanut (The stare at each other other, slap at the window, puff and hiss. It is funny.) Allergies are back and so is the heat. Soon the summer will set in and we will sizzle. Must knit fast because soon I won't feel like it and retreat back into cross-stitch.

Over the River and through the woods...

I think one of the things that keeps me from getting much cross-stitch done is the fact that I have to constantly set it up and put it away when done. Can't have little needles and threads laying around with a dog and cat that spend much of their days alone in my shoebox of an apartment, so I do have to make sure that everything is cleared away when I am done.

That being said, last night I watched a movie and made some progress:

All the lettering is done, aside for the "O" in the "Over." Now I have to stitch in the stream with the fishes. This while project is going to take way longer than I thought (this is only one panel of 12. Yikes.)

About a week ago we had a rare moment here in Texas. We had a snow day.

As you can see, it was very little snow. Miniscule really-- but it had remained below freezing for about 3 days before this, and  about 1/4 inch of freezing rain fell before the snow, meaning that the roads totally iced over. As in skating rink. I woke up that morning and all the highways in the county had been shut down, school was canceled, and the roads were impossible. (There are no salters or plows down here-- so while you may laugh about everything shutting down with so little ice/snow, remember that it snows here, oh once every few decades.) So we waited, basically, until the ice melted.

Anyway, life remains quiet. I have seed-started some seeds for tomato plants- I am doing these for myself and some friends who want plants but don't want the hassel of seed-starting (not like its hard but they seem freaked out about it)

I love watching seedlings grow! In about 10 days I hope to have a few little guys poking out.

Anyway, I have picked upa  few small kintting UFOs that I wish to finish. Too small for any meaningful pictures, but I will share them soon!