RoyG.Biv, Knitter at large

unknitting is my spec-i-ality

2011-02-14T18:00:00.000-05:00

I do believe I have contracted a severe and debilitating case of knitardation. This only seems to be occurring when working on a well-written and charted pattern at the point of 200+ stitch rows. Ahem, at the BEGINNING of these never ending, mind you, easy to knit rows. Have you ever tinked a ssk? How about two of them, every 8 stitches eighteen times?

So the well-written pattern I speak of is Terra by Jared Flood. It truly is an excellent, fun, pattern. It is allll me people. Good thing, though, since now I can offer gads of advice to my students who sign up for the knit along in March. The shawl is knit in ultra alpaca. The green in super lovely! Of course the camera screwed it up, but just think: soft pinemint.

SC 5, MB, SC 5, rippppppp....

2011-02-08T22:59:00.002-05:00

oi. edgings are ever so important. They Reallllly can make or break something. I could have been finished with the lovely diagonal scarf were it not for the tricky questions a knitter (in the case crocheter) must ask oneself: Begin on right (ooh, look at the pretty chain!) or wrong side (it does seem to lay flat better)? Large bobbles with double crochet or smaller bobble with single crochet? Have it hug the knitting or chain one before and after?

These are the little quirks that distinguish a pattern! Also, is it lovely to work as well as behold? And now that I've decided, how the junk do I write this in English without taking up half of a page?

Nice little break, now back to the eleventeen different edgings on this scarf......

Hello two years later....

2011-02-07T12:40:00.003-05:00

*lets ignore the silence*
Had a stove full of wool and cake coloring paste on Sat.
Here are the results:

Played artsy-fartsy with friends on Sunday:

Just looked over the class schedule for Stitches South. Meh. I don't see a whole lot I am interested in. I was hoping to find SOMETHING knitting just to be able to survey teaching styles, but I have settled on one spinning class: spinning for knitting on Sat. 8:30-11:30. I'll have to remember to bring my french press and coffee and chicory for the early start.

Wishing AGAIN today that I had the beatnik sweater here with me. Every time I put it on at McNeedles, I don't want to take it off.

apologies for the delay. I swallowed too much paint.

2009-01-14T11:17:00.002-05:00

Hehe. didn't really, just been knitting. AND SPINNING on my new drop spindle. I don't want to write more about le residence before I can post pictures. Just sayin' i'm here is all. i''m here.

Shitfire

2008-12-23T10:31:00.002-05:00

Just remembered that I was going to finish my mother's print o' the wave stole FINALLY this christmas. Since it wasn't finished for her birthday, or christmas, or her next birthday. Wooopss. Don't think it'll happen for the 24th.

Hack...Sniff...

2008-12-22T12:37:00.003-05:00

Argh. Sick. I've avoided this for a while using the old standbys- zinc and licorice capsules. Mostly I feel like doing a whole lot of nothing. BUT I have an eye app. to get contacts (praise the mom), an app. with the bank, needs to wrap presents, and go pick up a !!FREE!! bike!! Yesh.. There WILL BE A PICK. this is me committing. Enjoy your holiday!

Grumble grumble grumble

2008-12-18T09:40:00.002-05:00

holiday knitting continues......and I am grumpy. I have been waking up lately feeling like the living dead. Me no likey. Anyhoo, right this second I am working on a crochet bath puff in Mission Falls 1824 cotton (yumyumyuym) in the most marvelous cool, dark grey. The first one of these I made is still in limbo. I held together some novelty yarn I wouldn't normally knit with the sexiest organic cotton ever made. My MIL is awesome about randomly giving me yarn she finds from her brief knitting career, but the yarns are hard for me to like. I LOVE fibers. Cotton and bamboo and silk and wool and even some polys and acryls and what not, but I do not love fuzzy yarns. I don't really even like mohair. (YET, I never say never) Soooo, I have this poof almost finished, knit with the yarn she gave me, sort of as a thank you. I don't hate knitting with the yarnheldtogetherwithsexycotton, I just don't like what it looks like. Feels ok. not so pretty.

WHAT DOES I DO? RIP OR FINISH? I'll try to post a pic later today when I rescue my camera which I leave at work. Why's it at work, interesting question. I need it to take before and afters when I do eyelash extensions. yurp. you got it. I do eyelash extensions in my momma's shop. oh, it's fun. it is a LOT of fun. I am about to convert to a different product and take some training for the new PLATINUM BOND ADHESIVEooooooooh. One thing I don't like about the world of eyelash extensions: everyone who trains is so freakin stuck up. I almost didn't sign up for training because the trainer, the one who I will pay, was rude to me. ugh. come on now people, come on.

My dad's side of the fam does a name draw for christmas. My mom actually convinced me to knit for the aunt and uncle I drew. Carazy. Let ya know how that turns out.....

Oh dear....

2008-12-17T10:32:00.002-05:00

Almost a year without a post? ahem. Well, school is done, I should have more time, right? Hahahahahahhahahhahahahah!!! HAHAHAHAHA!!! Welcome to grownuphood, the official time-suck. I will try more harder like to daily type. maybe there will even be PICTURES...ooooh. we'll see....
hey bird! stop eating my hair!

Like a rolling stone...

2008-01-27T23:06:00.000-05:00

I'm just gonna say, intersession was nuts. Wheel throwing was pretty fuckin awesome. In another life, huh? Now that the spring session is coming up, I have to admit: I'm feeling more lost about what I want to do, make, create, who I am as an artist, what my style is....all of those things. More lost than ever. I am just so scared that I will let myself down....and that is how it happens right there, folks. I'm scared. But it's okay. I just decided, right now, while watching Bob Dylan on PBS that I CAN figure it out. And it doesn't matter if I don't live up to my own standards. In fact it's probably a good thing I can't, because I'd have to be some sort of robot-super-hero-clone to live up to my own expectations. And THAT would just be damn creepy.
I've actually been productive in the knitting sense. I knit some pocketbook slippers, a Tychus, some Vinnlands, finished Ludog's gloves, and started him some socks. AND I have begun a journey to the other side. I just this very night purchased a kickspindle and some roving. Oh shit son. Whether I feel good about school or not, I do know that I am going to be all up ons some spinning. Word.

Darling snowfall

2007-12-16T09:04:00.000-05:00

Car's still broken. It's in King Midas's hands now, hope he's not snowed in.

The Go! Team? Rocks. Ludog just called me a nerd. Well, W/E they're awesome. I like Lesly and the LY's, too, freaking string up the rope.

Camera? Camera? Camera? Camera? Camera?

Gimme a month, I might post some pictures. By Gods, I certainly have enough to share if I wasn't so damn lazy with it. It's so big and heavy...and and.....and....okay I'll quit whining. I do enough of it. For real though, if I don't quit bitching so much, I'm going overboard. Like walk to plank type shit.

Yoga? Yoga? Yoga? Yoga? Yoga?

Inneya* folks get ::ahem:: depressed? I'm breaking boulders right now, though I'm not through much rubble yet. Finals pretty much cancel out all other needs.

Speaking of finals, right now I'm:

screen printing cloth for a hooded...thing? I need to figure out a name for this. If I had my sketchbook with me like a good girl I could scan the picture.
Another thesis piece, this one about self image. I'll just say copper and onion skins.
writing a 10 page paper on knitting for craft history. and when I say writing, I mean procrastinating.
Woven sample for curtain collection.
2 sample books: one shibori and other resist techniques, the other fabric manipulations and embroidery.

These don't sound bad, do they? Interesting and a lot better than chemistry, right? I'll keep telling myself that for the remainder of this week.

Doing my part for the enviroment

2007-12-08T10:48:00.000-05:00

My car broke down. In front of a parking meter. A faulty parking meter. IS okay? Sure, I'm not contributing to the build-up of green house gases or the deterioration of the atmosphere. Until I fix it that is. Cause I have to.

That is such a sucky thing, to HAVE to use a car. Suck. Yeah, there are buses, but what good are they when you have one class after another and have to trust the bus to be on time? Lordy, what I wouldn't give for some acceptable public transport. Like in Boston. SIGH.

School isn't driving me entirely mad, at least. Seems that things are falling into place again. (might be in part due to the Sam-E.)Oh, yes, don't remind me that I made this blog to talk about knitting. I don't knit anymore. Where's the time? To be honest, since all I do is make things all day, when I have a chance to sit still, that is exactly what I want to do. Sit completely still, not thinking.

Played wonderful surrealist games last night.

Squeeeee!!

2007-11-27T22:47:00.000-05:00

Anthropologie, dude. Anthropology. They get me every time. I'll just point out a few "must make self peel eyeballs off screen"s.
HAT:
BOOTS:BLOUSE:
SWEATER:
HEELS:

Happy birthday merry christmas!

at least I'm consistent.ly inconsistent?

2007-11-19T13:22:00.000-05:00

Ahh dear god I have been rolling in a molten river of lava for two weeks. Or just struggling with my life. (life lava)

How can a girl who has been an artist since she can remember feel like she can never be an artist? Cause I don't know. Ugh. I just want to be done with school. It just shoves frustration after frustration in my face. I have this wonderful opportunity to just make art, no job, no real responsibilities (ahem, sorta), surrounded by supportive peers and faculty all interested in helping me be the best I can. But I am just frozen. I can't make, and when I do (since I have to) I don't do the things I want to do. I am making myself miserable with this internal tug-a-war.

I keep thinking over and freaking over that I should have saved my money and just gone to beauty school to work with my mom. But that would have been too easy, right? I might have had a chance at simple happiness. I guess I just like to struggle....

Why yes, I'd love some chardonnay.

2007-10-16T16:58:00.000-05:00

Thanks for asking. Oh dear the dead weight of a deadline. sigh. There is so little time for knitting now that school has arrived. And how do I battle this atrocity? I simple incorporate knitting into as many projects as I can. I AM a textile major, and we DO have about three knitting machines at our studio.

Shit fire, I said the damned word--machine. Well, don't give me too much shit. I have to eat and sleep. If I hand knit all my projects I would be even grumpier.

So, what's next on the list? I'm working on screen printing some fulled coffee mug holder thing-a-ma-jig. YEAH! Screen printing knit fabric! Hope it goes well....

News Flash

2007-10-15T16:44:00.000-05:00

Just in case yall are wondering, when your highly anticipated blueberry tea is too hot to drink, putting some cream in it to "cool it down" is not a good idea. It's a real bad idea, because it will "curdle it up" and fuck if I have to boil some more water.

Don't belittle me, Margot.

2007-10-08T08:27:00.000-05:00

It's my budgie! Came in my box of Red Rose tea! Awesome! my new pal.....

Hey Hubbie, stop playing worms and help me take this picture!!

We won't speak of the absence. Of course I have gotten things done. Of course. Like starting some Christmas knitting. Print o' the wave wrap for zee mommie. This is my, ahem, hand dyed knitpicks. I was so f'n concerned that it just looked like some crayola markers bled on the yarn, but I guess I am happy with it. She'll love it I'm sure.

I don't know how many other knitters out there get "the guilt". Since I'm a senior in art school, my knitting makes me feel guilty because if I have time, it should be spent on school, on art.Yaknaa meea? But dammit if it doesn't feel so lovely to be rebellious.

Sooo, gangstas, my caffeine addicts swap pal from ravelry was an angel. An ANGEL! Of course, the coffee and biscotti are long gone, but I managed to snap a shot of the yarn and one of the little gifts. There's more, somewhere....
I LOVE all of it. The cup expecially. It is all I have used. See the little coffee spots?

Doin' it and doin' it and well, doin' it.

2007-08-15T22:36:00.001-05:00

Birdy wants a nest? Let's hope cause I'm making one. Well its made. But I took this pic yesterday, and who's too lazy to take another? Yeah, it's me.
Mmmmm...molasses cookies! F'n rock. sooooo good. They didn't crack though. ?
And heeere is my crochet steek. Figured out the neck thing. I guess. I'm not saying I've figured anything out until this bad boy is blocked and on my body. I've cut, and now I'm onto the button band. Wish me luck!

Stuck Stuck Stuck

2007-08-14T09:08:00.000-05:00

This neckline is givin' me a spot-o-trouble.Note: only one saddle has been knit.

Am I thinking on it too much? I'm okay with the shoulders, even my ghetto "neckline" being so squarish and basically unstyled is okay. I can do it. But what about the low neck-back?

Would it have been worth the risk of having too little stitches for the saddle to follow the directions for the steeked neckline? Will the garter-stitch band make the too low neck-back work itself out? And if so, won't the front then be too high? Well, I'm gonna have to try something or I'll never know. I might try knitting an extra saddle (EZ calls it a shirt yoke) across the back like shown in the seamless hybrid in KWOT. Whatever I do, I am not sure I can still call it a pure saddle shoulder, but shit hopefully I can calling it "a sweater that fits".

Look at that numnum!

My first Rant ;) Aaawwww!

2007-08-13T18:19:00.000-05:00

Universities! Ugh! So married in June, right? Well, fuck if I could do it over again. I asked financial aid how to go about having my aid considered by my husbands income instead of my mother's and they said NOTHING CAN BE DONE UNTIL YOU ARE MARRIED. They did NOT say, since you already filed your FAFSA, because there is a deadline and you HAVE TO, that NO MATTER FREAKIN' WHAT, my mother's income will be used. MY MOTHER IS NOT SUPPORTING ME. I I I will be paying for everything for the next school year, not my mother. I am an independent!
So the assholes let me go through the motions of filing a letter to be considered for my independent status, and lemme tell ya, they took a month to let me know that shit don't matter. Now, my tuition has to be paid in 5 days or I will have to pay a late fee and risk losing my classes.
Just thought I'd bitch about that for a moment. Not real happy about borrowing more money than I have to because my mother makes more my spouse and I do.

Happiness? HAPPINESS! Her name is Fawkes. My darling peach-faced lovebird.

Also: I am prettty sure I have picked out the yarn I want to buy for my secret swap pal for the ravelry caffeine addicts group(But I can't tell. Cause it's a secret). On to the coffee and mug!

Shouldn't you be blogging?

2007-08-13T06:52:00.000-05:00

WARNING! Gigantic post...

Soooo... finally finished those pesky socks. I had the stitches picked up for-EVER to re-knit the top of the second twisted flower (aka crap on my foot). Couldn't stomach knitting the lace pattern the other direction. Call it a cop-out, but I just knit a new cuff and ghetto grafted it back on. I didn't even TRY to match up the stitches or make it pretty. And you know what? I am glad I did. I didn't let my perfectionist nature get the best of me. The socks are finished and I am enjoying them!
Next on the list would be....

Ahh, yes. The saddle shoulder aran cardie. goodness. Had a little period of brain fartiness. I was intent on following the shaping instructions to the T, but you know what? That is exactly the opposite of EZ. Knit to fit, right? My shaping just happened to work out a little differently because of my shape, gauge, and the snug fit of MY sweater. I was decreasing too many stitches in the body to do the saddle shoulders. However, the fog has lifted. The second attempt at the yoke appears to be working, we'll see. I'm not past ripping back again to get it right. I'm all about creating functioning knits (especially when I spend $$ on the yarn) and I'm psyched to wear this. OH! OH! Totally almost forgot. I'm making the buttons with the help of my darling Ludog! FUN. Pictures will come later.

Since scraping the hubby glovies, I had been working pretty exclusively on the cardie. Bout a week ago I knit a swatch from the Misti Alpaca picked out by my love and cast on for the ribbing. Lightning bolt of idea! Buahhaha! LD had a prob with the fingertips being....lumpy (from running yarn through remaining stitches to close). Grafting? Would that work? Probably, but I found a different solution. He wants them pretty long so they'll go under his sleeve and keep his wrists warm. What better way of making sure they are long enough than knittin' em finger up? Gonna try The Turkish cast-on method, inspired by Purly Whites. Thanks DUDE!
We bought the Lord of the Rings trilogy at Target pretty cheap this weekend. I needed mindless knitting. Scarf? Check. Is gwon be a scarf for hubbie. Pink? Yeah, well I am planning on dying it after the fact. And yes, I am knitting straight from the unwound skein. Buzz off.
'K I ordered some knitpicks bare to dye ... so I had to practice a 'lil, right? There's a peek of what I started out with. Check the ravelry stash for more pics (LadyBills). Shit, not to be presumptuous, they're on flickr, too. RainbowsRneato.

Takin' Breaks

2007-07-17T14:29:00.000-05:00

I suppose tinking back to fix a cable that is not broken is a sign to take a break. Progress on the cardie has been rewarding! Almost to the armpits. And holy crap, ask me how many skeins I have used! Don't be frightened by my enthusiasm, ask! I'm not eve through the second. Dayum, huh? Me likey. However, this just has me contemplating what to knit with the leftovers. I am thinking some sock-boots. I'm also thinking I need to buy new yarn. Like I could just start a new project with yarn from the last! Ha! (Particularly good pizza)

Hey good looking, whatcha got cookin'?

2007-07-08T09:00:00.000-05:00

Howdy! Soooo...trifles pics? Yeah, um, they were good. We'll leave it at that. How bout some wine 'n berries? But this week-end (end of week and the weekend? What/ev) was homemaker-licious. Me and the Ludog made some pizza with our gifted pizza stone. Delish. Actually, surprisingly so. We're proud. So proud we made another last night.
Who knew I'd ever be inspired by Martha Stewart? It was definitely her guest more so, not that it makes it any better that I spent the better part of a day making candy. Like what we need is mountains of candy, but that's what we got. And it's good. Really good. Don't worry, some will be mailed off to deserving recipients, not all that sugar's going in the bellies. On a Sunday, however, this freezer-full of choc has me asking, "Is it time to go to the laundromat? (?) (!!!)
Socks are moving along. God I love this color way. I do.

fourth-i-ness

2007-07-04T09:21:00.000-05:00

Bought a new cookbook last night and the ingredients for raspberry and blackberry trifles. NUM. Well, the knitting is on a bit of a standstill. Since the gloves have been nixed until a better yarn is purchased, what is there to work on? I don't dare start the cardie, cuz soon as the new-improved hubbie-glovie-yarn is purchased, I'll have to devote all my time to then or there will be hell to pay. So yesterday I attempted to pick up the stitches on the twisted flower socks. That shit was confusing. So I'm taking the easy road and casting on for the second sock. That is what I WAS doing until hubbie put on HP and the goblet of fire. Ya know, when I was wasn't living with a person of interest, if I had free time, I'd knit some damn socks. But now my free time is being vied for....well ya know. Anyway, with luck I'll have some pretty trifle picks later...

Is it just fine?

2007-07-02T15:18:00.000-05:00

It's just fine. After shortening a couple fingers, weaving in all the ends, and chopping off the much-too-tight ribbing, I took at couple shots and realized.... (Ignore the strange color please)

the f'ing yarn is already pilling. Yeah, these are gonna look real good after a couple of wears. So basically I made myself a template for gloves to come. Back to the yarn store....which in truth, I'm not so unhappy about. He he!

Today was a little funky. I don't feel right. I felt great this morning om'ing with W.L. on the giant t.v. and great when I met Ludog for lunch (not so great when I 'skint' my ankle on the stone steps on the way to see him, but at least it was because I looked great in a white sundress and sassy brown heels) but the feeling faded once I got home by myself again. Doesn't usually happen....maybe I'm feeling the lonesomeness again. Miss my friends.

I'm Baaaack (frigg 'yall)

2007-06-29T09:21:00.000-05:00

Okay, I'm pretty sure I just write this blog for myself, but in case anyone is wondering where I disappeared to, I've been in marriage land. All is well and I still love my husband throughout the whole wedding process, which I hear is quite rare.
We have moved into our tiny, tiny, itsy, bitsy studio apartment. And guess what? I friggin love it! I friggin love the disgusting old-ass floor in the bathroom and kitchen which match the towels, shower, curtain, and table cloth already in my possession and my heart. If you only knew how much I pushed for us to register for the orange towels....not that we got them, or technically really needed them. But if we had, they would friggin match!
Only a few things went sour...like the T.V. we bought with our money dance haul; A 37" HD on clearance at walmart (tell me that isn't beautiful...) for the price of a 32". If you have investigated the prices of flatscreens....you know. Who knew 5" could cost so much? Well we couldn't wait to get this bad boy hooked up to the Xbox and DVD and, oh shit son, Wai Lana in 37" high definition!?! Drag it up two flights of stairs (the second of which is extremely narrow and steep), plug it is the wall and.......WEEHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! High pitch squeal. So that's at the shop...AND we're waiting for our back-ordered futon frame and coffee table. Sleeping on the floor, awesome.

So here's the knitting news:

RAVELRY! Right now I'm working on hubbie's glovies...and like everything else having minor problems. I did a brain fart with the ribbing and grabbed much to small needles, even though I made the gauge swatch with the ones I am now using for the hand. It's all good cause even though Ludog can't get his big honking hand through the ribbing right now, the rest is a breeze and I'll reknit that one's wrist part.

Also there are the damn twisted flowers socks. I posted about these forever ago, I know, but damn I had some hold-ups. After I had one sock completed, I just couldn't get over the disappointment that the pattern competed so much with the gorgeous color way. I also was a bit disappointed in the not-stretchy ribbing (which might factor into how tightly I knit on the hubbie glovies). Ripped that out...argh. I just frustrated myself into a hibernated knit. So, last night Ludog saw the picture on my ravelry projects and says, "YOU knit that? It's gorgeous!" I'm convinced. I'm definitely going to finish the gloves first.

I'm was so taken with Mr.BT's cardigan I decided to make one of my own. Been sitting on the pattern and yarn since before the wedding, and I can't wait to start. Just finishing up the cable charts and swatches (and of course the gloves. I will be massacred if I don't finish those).

so much white

2007-04-18T15:07:00.000-05:00

Outdoor installation, you say? Why sure. Don't mind if I do. Here is a model I made in preparation for a biggie. Ideally, I will hang it from a tree in wings court in downtown New Bedford, and anyone who pleases can step inside and zip themselves right on up.

Hope it works. There's my ideas on paper (if ya are interested in the process I go through, which is usually very scatter-brained and...shitty). The interior will be lined in bubble-shaped cloth protrusions...good luck on figuring out what that means.
Here is my progress on tubey. Seems like it will be needed if the weather keeps up. I think a giant death cloud of moisture has descended upon my life.

Lalala! Happy girl! I want some of this! Any of it, really. Preferably this or this. This really describes my current situation, and showcases the colors of a fav artist. Hee hee. Off to the laundromat!

NOT knitting.okaymaybealittle.

2007-04-13T11:17:00.000-05:00

Oh Shazaam, is that Lady Bill's kitchen? Well, it's part of it! Tiny, huh? Where I am standing to take the picture is where the stove and fridge are. I have a wooden microwave cart in there , too that I use to hold spices and as counter space for when I'm cookin'. I made brownies last night!! I really have the best recipe, fudgy on the inside and the crust has a delicious little crispy layer. And dammit if they don't taste better every day after they are baked.

Here are some little nettie-poos I made for an installation I made at the CVPA where I do my thing. I hot-glued (Sounds cheap, dude, but that shit works and it didn't show at all! I was a skeptic at first, too, until this little project.) some copper pipes under an industrial sink and hung these beauts from them. OF COURSE I don't have a picture of it installed, partly because my camera is heavy and hate lugging it around and partly because it was mysteriously taken down. Maybe the hot glue failed and I should amend my rave up there, but w/e. I can put it back up, or even somewhere else if I feel so inclined. Here they are:

Is that knitting?
Yup. It's the recycled cotton becoming tubey. I'm loving it. Really.
Here's the neat little crochet cast on.

I had drawn out some ideas for sweaters made from the yarn, and when I went searching for ideas in construction techniques, I found tubey, which is almost identical to my drawings. So, of course, I'll be making some changes.

The blue is my original drawing, black after finding pattern. I think I want to knit a square neckline instead of just literally attaching two tubes, like the pattern. I was also (obviously from the drawing) considering making a button band. Maybe I can still knit it in the round and then do that whole steeking thing. BUT I am wrong to assume I can steek cotton? I know all the examples I have seen on blogs have been wool.....I don't know. Anyway the edge and button band will just be seed stitch. I need a basic sweatery-thing that I can wear pretty often, and possibly layer. Cross your fingers for me!

Sunday, bloody Sunday.

2007-04-01T18:37:00.000-05:00

Well, hello again! Here is a little baggie-poo I made for my gauche paints. Sweet, aint it? It's pretty small, that's just a regular sized button on it. I was still feeling the lump, so I finished this to help me get in the creatin' mood.

I went to the Boston craft extravaganza this afternoon. Jewelery stuff was pretty great. I was blown over by a stall of wooden spoons. Glass stuff was pretty generic and ugly. Fibers were generic and ugly, too. That sucked, cause I'm a fibers gal and I don't want my craft misrepresented. Overall, I'm not entirely sure it was worth the $15 entrance fee.

It was nice, however to get out for the afternoon. I finally ate some sushi, also, at my fav place: Symphony Sushi. Sweet. Do the caterpillar maki. It's worth it. Happy Day!

Oh Shit, Son!

2007-03-31T14:18:00.000-05:00

Yeah, it's me. I'm finally here again. Feeling a little lumpy, so maybe talking about the things I have been up to will boost my motivation. This is a sock I brought with me on my flight to Louisiana over spring break.

Yarn: Lorna's Laces in Jay Pond
Pattern: Cookie A's Twisted Sock
I was going strong with this little number until I hit a bump in the chart for the heel flap. It has been resolved, but I'm saving it to work on when I have the concentration I am looking so hard to find again. Also, during my little hiatus I began to question whether I am doing the yarn and the pattern justice in the marriage of the two. I am interested in this pattern, too. Should I rip this and start Thelonious to show off the beautiful LL?
Here is a closer picture with the pattern stretched out. See how the yarn and the pattern compete with each other?

This is the yarn I raped a sweater for. I bought the sweater last summer SPECIFICALLY to wear this winter. Yeah, didn't happen. The fit was pretty awful and the hood was so heavy, there was an issue of me being able to breathe when the neckline was forced up to my chin. But I love the yarn! So, I'm hoping for a winner. (Design in progress)

Another spring break happening. I decided the night before I left that I needed a new bag. So there it is. It is great for carrying my notebooks in and has a thick, plush strap. Perfect! Plus, I finished it in a very courageous evening spurt.

This yarn is left over from a cover for my mom's boobie. (That whole mastectomy thing can be a bitch.) Has great drape and works with the drop stitch pattern perfectly. It can be a bit of a bore at times, and I am just realizing that I don't like the bamboo needles I have so much that they dissuade me from knitting. GA-Damn!

Wrong Side Right Side

OK, almost up to speed. THE YELLOW SWEATER!!! Its finished. (Engagement pictures taken over the break as well.)
This sucker had been on (and off) the needles in various forms for like an effin year. Much too long. My pattern, GGH Soft Kid yarn. It is cropped with ribbing on the arms and waist, and it can be worn off the shoulders or on. There is a deep V front which can be worn backwards as well. My favorite detail of this is the stockinette roll on the back.

One more thing, not knitting related, is a pattern I am working on for my textile design class. Until next time, much love.

Snow fallin' on da head

2007-02-02T14:27:00.000-05:00

Woke this morn to see:New Bedford under snow!

Cherie Likes Snow Okay. There was like 4 inches on my car! Squish squish squish. This is my third time EVER seeing snow...real snow...and it was the most I've experienced. cool.

yes, yes, I also would like to share some ideas I have for the day I walk as a bride. Which is in June, I'm not just way pre-planning or anything. I'm preparing to truly become the Lady of the Bills. I want my hair to have a 40's feel...Here goes:
The blond-o in the top right corner has a good look.

The time has come...

2007-01-31T23:00:00.001-05:00

...for me to blog! Oh shazaam. I suppose this is one of my resolutions for this year of 2007. Classes have begun, I am squeezing in the knitting when I can. For example:

The lovely Rosebord mittens. I have fallen deep, deep, hard in love with these. This is the palm, where if you were already lucky enough to notice, I have forgotten to make a space for my thumb to go through. I also left out some patterning in that delightfully blank triangle. Directly beneath in the cuff design is yet another error in the center of the rosebord. Hah. Well, I like to confine my mistakes, okay?
Just look at that wonky tension. Sigh.
Seriously now. Fast knit. Fast! I'm totally absorbed. Pattern is yummy. Oh, and SO much great help from Nordic Fiber Arts. I was set on a color scheme from above, but my cheap-ass didn't want to spring for the color card (not to mention the waiting!). So after emails and prompt phone calls, I got exactly what I wanted. No surprises!

So there I go, one blog down, infinity to go!