WIP update

I gotta finish some WIPs at this point, since my size 7 circular is in use in Mark's sweater, and it's just the one I need for a shop model in Fiesta Yarns' La Luz Multi (am I lucky or what??) I got 1.5 pattern repeats done on the second Happy Valley sock, but since I am having to knit on it when I get time here and there, it won't be done til this weekend I'll wager. But then I can wear them! YAY!

I think the corkscrew scarf will be put on hold as a christmas present, as it's also on the 7 circular. How embarassing... ;; I keep taking the needles off the cord (it's a Denise, of course) and leaving the project on the cord so I can start a new one. So I have two projects on the same needles, just moving the needles from cord to cord. Ugh.

As for Mark's sweater, I haven't gotten past the ribbing but I found the pattern again. I guess I should work on this over the socks, but I'm sooo close on the socks and this has miles to go before it sleeps and is worn. :)

We found a perfect apartment; cross your needles that we will be able to get it in November!!

Handpainted silk laceweight

Handpainted silk laceweight
Originally uploaded by happyhandpainter.

This is the laceweight previously mentioned. Don't you just want to eat those colors?? It's 400 yds, I don't know what I'll make with it. Something for Anna?? Or maybe Liz?

WIP guilt list

There's been a slew of people going through their WIPs and trying to finish them or frog them, just to clear the air a bit. And while my WIP pile is fairly small (not including school stuff) I still think I'd rather work on one or two things at a time, rather than a bunch. So I just thought I'd post the progress of each WIP, then spend 30 minutes a day working on whichever one appeals to me at that time (no "slogging through" a single one, in other words).

1.) Happy Valley Socks I actually enjoy working on these, but they're the first things I've ever knit on such small needles (sz 1) and it's taking a long time. My attention span is usually about three weeks, and these've gone beyond that so I've lost some interest. What was very smart of me though was to cast on a knit the picot cuff immediately after finishing the first sock. I hate picot, it's a pain, and I probably never would've gotten around to it. Now I'm working on the second sock, and got about 1.5 more lace repeats (about 15 rows) done today on it. I still have a ways to go, but the end's in sight.

2.) Corkscrew Scarf I'm making this out of Berroco Quest, and while it's fun to look at and the yarn feels good (shocking for Berroco!), it is BORING. And SLOW. Thusly I will probably lay this aside except for during long lectures, movies, or the dentist's. It is just so boring. Can I say that one more time? Boring to knit, even with the short rows...

3.) Saranac for Mark The pattern has not become a 'problem' yet, just because I've only knit the 2" of ribbing on the bottom. I'm sure when I get to the armpit I will never want to see ribs again ever. At least I don't have to seam anything but the zipper. I do think that I have to pick up stitches for the collar, and we all know how I feel about that. Looks like David will be doing that part, that is, if Mark ever wants his sweater before it's summer....

Oh, that wasn't too bad. I guess it's all the planned projects floating around in there that makes it seem like so much. It doesn't help that I got some gorgeous new laceweight (picture forthcoming) and the library emailed me to tell me my copy of Gossamer Webs is in. UH OH!

Oh lordy, christmas knitting.

So, I decided on some Xmas knitting for the fam and friends, and I won't really be able to start til the show's over in November, but I thought I'd post here anyway (just to remind myself if nothing else!)

A simple 2x2 ribbed scarf in Trance Kidsilk Haze for Mark's not-so-much-younger sister Liz (I started this today in class. It's turning out beautifully but I'm thinking of doing some experimentation with random cables interspersed. What do you think?)

A cabled changepurse for his younger sister to match the pretty striped handspun bag I sent her when we started dating. I've been buying handspun like mad from a seller on ebay that I love, and I got some pretty pastels to make this bag with. It will be small, so probably a quick knit. I'm thinking a shell or imitation bone/horn closure?

The Saranac sweater for Mark (his birthday is early December, and I'd like to give him his sweater before that!) in a nice olive Alpaca. I'm about 1 inch through the ribbing right now.

I'd really like to make some mittens or fingerless gloves for mark's brother's girlfriend Anna (what a mouthful!) in Fiesta Yarns' Australia colorway, since she's from Australia. I even thought about knitting them in wool, then putting some simple intarsia with the same colorway in a different yarn from them, like a boucle. I can't see her wearing fun fur type stuff, and I hate knitting with it! I'll have to save my pennies to afford this yarn though.

A felted laptop bag out of Big Wool for Mark's actual christmas present.

Hmmm, on his mother's side that leaves his brother and his mom. I knitted her a scarf already and her pretty curly hair wouldn't go under any hat, and it isn't cold there at that time! Maybe a cotton lace cuff with a ribbon lacing it shut? That would be pretty, and she's very fashionable. It would also be a quick knit! As for his older brother, maybe a cabled hat that matches Mark's in a different color, like blue?? Not sure on this one.

Then there's his father's family. Oh Lord, you see why I'm starting now?! Maybe some Hyperbolic Plane christmas ornaments for his two younger brothers (boys like funny shapes, right?!). No idea on his father, as I've never met him, only seen pictures. No socks though... I only knit socks for me, Mark, and my mother. :P They take forever! For his stepmother, don't ask why, but I just thought a knit lumbar pillow for a desk chair would be cool. Or is that lame? Maybe I'll knit some cool dishcloths and be done with it.

For my family...! My sister and brother-in-law will get purchased gifts. They are too hard to please and not crafty at all. My sis does b&w photography so a book of photographs is a possibility. My brother in law deals with cars and plays golf. I really hope he has picked up some new hobby because I don't think I could bring myself to buy a golf gift! My niece and nephew are more fun, I can knit them stuffed animals. Perhaps a seal for my niece, but what about my nephew? He is all into cars but I don't give traditionally 'boy' or 'girl' baby gifts. A turtle, or how about a polar bear? We'll see.

As for my mom, I'd like to knit her a pair of socks. I don't know that that's realistic though, so perhaps I can finish some of her UFOs as a gift!! And my dad? Well, I know what he's getting from my mom for Xmas (it's a really good gift!) so I'll knit a matching cushion or something!!

WHOA that list is long. Guess I'd better get started!

Corkscrew Scarf

corkscrewscarf
Originally uploaded by happyhandpainter.

This is one of the ONLY novelty yarns I have ever liked - Berroco Quest. It's sparkly, the "fur" isn't long enough to be noticeable, and it's actually quite soft. My aunt lost her husband over the weekend so I'm knitting this beauty for her to let her know I care. I thought the shape was a bit cheerful too.

It's a surprisingly fast knit too, and I'm learning about short rows. Perhaps I'll make a beaded one out of the Kidsilk Haze I bought online (color Trance) for one of Mark's sisters for Christmas....

One Skein Wonder

One Skein Wonder
Originally uploaded by happyhandpainter.

Finally, some knitting content! Until I figure out how to blog multiple photos in one post, I'll just be showing this one. This is my first One Skein Wonder, and I must say that I enjoyed the pattern.... EXCEPT for picking up the stitches! I'm horrible at it. I have books on finishing, but I just can't seem to do it. :\

I wasn't having too good of a day yesterday, and it was much cheered up by the fact the Mark's mother sent me a nice note all the way from New Zealand. She is such a kind lady; did I mention how lucky I am that his family is lovely?

I'm thinking of going to a gallery show of knit objects at the Barrett Gallery at Vanderbilt today... maybe meet my mom and aunt for lunch and do a little shopping for my secret pal. I'm hoping I'll find a place that has what I'm looking for so I can feel it and pick out exactly the color I want. I won't say any more lest I give myself away. :)

eeep...

Mark moved in with me last night, how exciting! The apartment's a mess, of course, but hopefully we'll be able to get most of it squared away. I definitely want to make sure it's our apartment, not just mine, so I'm sure we'll be moving some things around. I also ordered two books from powells.com (THE place for used books for cheap!) abou decorating small spaces/apartments; maybe that will give us some ideas.

One other exciting thing is that I listed some graphic novels I had collecting dust on ebay (Blade of the Immortal volumes 2-4 and 7-10 if you're curious) and another ebayer helped me figure out that they're almost all first editions! Maybe now I'll make enough for the whole enterprise to be worth it.

I also listed some Noro Silk Garden, and I'll be adding other things when these sell. I've got a lot of little amounts of things, and while one-skein-wonders are cute, I don't want to make anymore of them!!

Secret Pal 6 questionnaire!

1. Are you a yarn snob (do you prefer higher quality and/or natural fibers)? Do you avoid Red Heart and Lion Brand? Or is it all the same to you?

Yes, I'm afraid so! I have a legitimate reason though, many types of acrylic cause me to break out with angry red welts and rashes. It goes away after a while tho.

2. Do you spin? Crochet?

I do spin. I don't know how to crochet though!

3. Do you have any allergies? (smoke, pets, fibers, perfume, etc.)

Acrylic and some foods like meat and eggs.

4. How long have you been knitting?

About one year. I knit constantly though.

5. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?

Yep, just search for my email (beh2g AT mtsu DOT edu).

6. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products etc.)

Anything soothing and not overly sweet. Vanilla, citrus, leafy things, and laundry detergent!

7. Do you have a sweet tooth?

Kinda, but I don't eat things that have egg products in it if I can help it. Milk is ok though.

8. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do?

I paint, draw, sculpt, cook, and occasionally write.

9. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)

I like singer/songwriter stuff. Bright Eyes, Eric Clapton, Bruce Springsteen, Talib Kweli (ok, so he's a rapper/songwriter.)

10. What's your favorite color? Or--do you have a color family/season/palette you prefer? Any colors you just can't stand?

I look hideous in anything yellow or yellow green. I like peach, deep blue, anything blue-green, cream, dark brown, and occasionally a pale, leafy green.

11. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?

I have a boyfriend and one spoiled little cat. (Her name is Electra.)

12. What are your life dreams? (really stretching it here, I know)

To move overseas (hopefully to New Zealand:) create knit sculptures, drawings, and paintings. Also maybe own a cafe.

13. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with?

Right now it's Debbie Bliss Cotton Angora (but we have that on a good sale at our LYS), Rowan Cashsoft DK, and some handspun that I buy on ebay. I have some Kidsilk Haze on the way too, but I've never used it. We'll see. OH! And BIG WOOL. I LOVE BIG WOOL.

14. What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?

Anything scratchy or really textured.

15. What is/are your current knitting obsession/s?

Cables and lace.

16. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?

Sweaters and socks. And stuffed creatures?

17. What are you knitting right now?

A Cotton Angora One Skein Wonder, the second sock from a pair of Lorna's Laces (color Happy Valley), an alpaca sweater for my boyfriend.

18. What do you think about ponchos?

They are extremely unflattering.

19. Do you prefer straight or circular needles?

Circular, but it depends on the project.

20. Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?

It depends on the project. I don't discriminate :)

21. Are you a sock knitter?

Yeup!

22. How did you learn to knit?

I taught myself from a book.

23. How old is your oldest UFO?

Maybe 3 months? It's a tank top where I lost my place in the pattern. Ooops....

24. What is your favorite animated character or a favorite animal/bird?

I love rabbits, chinchillas, or anything else related to the lapine family. But I don't collect rabbit "stuff".

25. What is your favorite holiday?

Thanksgiving. All that food!

26. Is there anything that you collect?

Besides yarn?? Isn't that enough?! :) Books, I guess, especially graphic novels.

27. What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?

Interweave Knits.

28. Any books out there you are dying to get your hands on?

Rowan Mag 37. The Barbara Walker knitting series (4 books, I believe??) "I Don't Mind if You Forget Me" by Yoshitomo Nara (this is out of print and very hard to find at a reasonable price however.) Also any Agatha Christie mysteries. I've only read two, "The Murder of Roger Ackroyd" and "Ten Little Indians" but I'd like to read more.

29. Any patterns you have been coveting, but haven't bought for one reason or another??

Any of the Rowan pattern books... I can't afford them!