theraineysisters knitting and so much more

December 17, 2006

From Susan — A Short Update

Filed under: Current Projects,Updates — lv2knit @ 8:10 pm

I know I have been very delinquent in my blogging.  Where have I been?  I was with Sally in New York — not the city, but the state (though we were in the city very briefly).  Sally had a pair of tickets to a concert and her friend ended up unable to go, so I decided to be her stand in.  It was a lot of trains, cars and luggage wrestling.  We did not get very much else done, though it was nice to see Sally and her family.  I did not get my house decorated or the shopping done, but I’m taking it one day at a time.

My knitting has suffered greatly lately, as I have already described, BUT I did cast on for the next project. 

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The Moebius Scarf starts out strangely.  You cast on 378 sts and then transfer every other stitch to one needle and every other stitch to another.  I am at the “transfer stitches” phase.  If you drop a stitch you most likely will need to start over.  I did my cast on on the plane, but waited to get home to do the heavy lifting.  I am using 2 skeins of Kidsilk Haze in ‘Trance,’ color 582.  I was going to make it in [boring] cream but decided to branch out.  I have never regretted choosing a color because it is pretty over a color for its practicality.

Sally is wrapping up her Sunrise Circle Jacket — wow!  It looks great and fits perfectly.  I’m sure she’ll post something when it’s done.  I really like her color — a very deep, rich coffee brown. 

I am thinking that my next “big” project will be Eris from Girl from Auntie.  It is the half sister of Rogue, with a zipper.  I also need to finish up a couple of oldie moldies, which are languishing on the needles.  Or as Sally calls them: head starts!

I will try to be better at writing this week.  Hope you are enjoying the holiday season.  It is starting to feel kind of festive! :)  All we need is snow and a little jingle.

PS — I wore Anya a lot this weekend and decided it ROCKS!!  It is exactly what I wanted.  So, I am very happy I pulled it out of the abyss.

December 12, 2006

From Susan — Anya was On Me

Filed under: Anya,Updates — lv2knit @ 3:52 pm

I wore Anya all day yesterday at the craft show.  It was very comfortable and soft — like an old shoe.  That’s exactly what I wanted from this sweater.  I was not looking for a fashion-forward, edgy, exotic sweater, but a down-to-earth, wear-it-every-day sweater. 

Thanks to everyone who commented.  What nice people you all are.  I especially like blog surfing on the links you provide with your names.  It’s very nice to see what everyone in knitdom is up to. 

As for me, knitting has not been in the picture.  I am drowning in life, bobbing with my head precariously near the surface, sinking dangerously beneath the churning surf occasionally.  Blub blub.

I have decided that only lists will save me.  If it’s not written down, it will not “get in queue.”  If it is not in queue, it will not become a priority.  If it’s not a priority, it will not get done.  Simple.

I am very glad that Sally already knitted the Moebius Lace Scarf.  She has agreed to lend it to me to serve as the shop sample until I get mine finished (it is on the list, but has not made it to the top of the queue!).  That bought me some very valuable time.

December 10, 2006

From Susan — The Raising of Titanya

Filed under: Anya,Updates — lv2knit @ 11:38 am

I finished Anya (!).  I repeat, I FINISHED ANYA!!

It is not the best, but it is definitely not embarrassing either.  I just could not stand the thought of being beaten by a sweater!  I wet blocked it — blocking the bajeezers (sp?) out of the sleeves.  I sewed it together yesterday and finished the neckband last evening.  I kind of like the way the neck turned out.  I am still not totally happy with the sweater, but it is wearable.  I have a few last touches and then FINIS!!

Here is a close up of the neckband, which looks a bit squished because this picture is from my scanner:

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I do like the way the neck turned out.  With this type of neckline (mock turtleneck), there is often a problem: when it’s big enough to go over your head, it looks too big when it’s on.  I developed a bind off technique that helps with this — at least I think I developed it, because I have not seen it anywhere. 

Susan’s Elastic Bind Off:

K1, *k1, YO, slip first 2 sts over YO; rep from * until 1 sts remains on LH needle, bind off normally. 
NOTE: When you do the YOs, hold the yarn across the needle to the back so the other sts have something to be slipped over.

I usually work this from the WS, not in pattern but as to knit (as shown in the picture).  The bound off edge has a slight stretch so it goes over your head easier.  I know many people use EZ’s sewn bind off to get a stretchy BO edge, but this yarn does not like being pulled through anything (as I found out during the mattress seam phase!).

Here is a close up of the sleeve cuff:

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I crocheted a chain to weave through the cuff at the point where it hits the wrist to tighten it — I wanted it to definitely look like a ruffle and not like I have the world’s longest sleeves.  The sleeves are the perfect length — they are just too narrow — and I added 8 sts to the pattern.  The sleeves for all sizes were the same (?!) and very small at that.  I also do not like how the raglan turned out at the top (my fault).  I should have fixed it, but I did not feel like taking it apart at that point. 

It is wearable.  It’s kind of cute, but not great.  What more can you expect from salvaged goods?

 

December 4, 2006

From Susan — Anya is on its way

Filed under: Anya,Current Projects,Updates — lv2knit @ 8:33 am

I finished Sleeve #1 and have about an hour left of Sleeve #2.  I will steam block the pieces tonight and start sewing it together, though I might not get that finished today (I usually wetblock everything, but I want to see if the sleeves are right first).  I then need to pick up and knit the neckband. 

This weekend, I kept getting tempted with new and recently acquired projects, but I stood fast and resisted!  Up to this point, I caved.  That’s why it has taken so long to finish this very simple and quick-to-knit project!

Depending on all the forces of good and evil, three options remain: 1) it’s perfect — wear it; b) it fits great, but needs to be wetblocked; c) the sleeves need length tweeking.  I’ll deal with the reality of the moment and then voila, Anya will be history — this week for sure! 

December 2, 2006

From Susan — On the Road to Anya

Filed under: Anya,Current Projects,Updates — lv2knit @ 9:22 am

I am so excited because I am actually making some progress on something.  It seems like it’s been a long time since I could make that claim.  My first sleeve is done up to the raglan shaping.  I have several inches on the second.  The problem with “pulling the trigger” on the raglan shaping is that it will determine the length of the sleeves.  I have measured and thought and calculated, etc.  I always worry about this anyway, and sleeve length is harder to figure out with a raglan.  This is because it is difficult to tell how much drop there is to the armhole. 

I have measured the length provided by the top of the raglan (it is the same as the front and back) and measured from where I think the neckline will start down to my wrist. 

Total length – raglan portion = remaining sleeve, n’est-ce pas?

30″ – 10″ = 20″   Not the toughest math problem (Look, Ma, no calculator!!).  If the sleeve gods are appeased it should work out.  There is the added ruffle portion of the sleeves, but I am going to let that fall coquettishly over my delicate hands.

Thanks to all of you who commented on the “purl problem.”  I would be interested in hearing from “lefties” (Continental — pickers) knitters and “righties” (English-style knitters — throwers) to see if the problem is more prevalent with either style of knitting.  My observation of knitters over the years has given me an opinion, but I’d like to see if it bears out.

Some of you suggested using two different needles — a smaller size for the purl row.  I did try this years ago, but since only the first few sts of my purl row were affected, it over compensated.  I’m with Lorraine (and puh-lease check out her sock monkeys!!), I would probably go over the edge if I had to keep different needle sizes straight, though Sally did suggest KnitPicks needle sets as an option.

You may have noticed that I did not mention going to my Thursday night knit group.  :(  My sadness is overwhelming.  I stayed too late at work.  My new resolution (and I am not waiting for the New Year) is to leave work on time and get to my knitting group.  I need my peeps!!  I added it as a permanent appointment on my Outlook calendar.  I’m going to treat it as a medical need. 😉

 

November 28, 2006

From Susan — Red Anya Returns!

Filed under: Anya,Current Projects,Updates — lv2knit @ 1:45 am

I have some knitting mojo back!  I forced myself back into my Anya sweater, having gotten to a part on the front requiring a small amount of brain power.  I’m sure you know what I’m talking about.  Almost every knitter gets stuck when thinking or calculating becomes involved.  It’s not that I only want to do mindless knitting — I would go crazy doing nothing but straight stockinette or garter and nothing else.  BUT, when I need to stop and figure something out, it can put the brakes on a project and even be fatal.

In case you forgot what Anya looks like, (mine has raglan shaping):

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Because I am very committed to wearing this bad boy, I pushed onward.  After ten minutes of calculating, the front did not take very long to finish.  So, I got to start the sleeves — and I love them!  I love the little ruffle-like edge at the bottom.  I did have to do some figuring because I am adjusting the size, but was so inspired that it did not slow me down.  I really love the yarn and hope to be wearing this in the next week or two.

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Very fun knitting.  I wish I had more time to knit.  This is such a busy time of year — fun, but crazy!!

November 22, 2006

From Susan — The Red Hat

Filed under: Back Story,Current Projects,Updates — lv2knit @ 2:24 pm

Since I have nothing of current interest to share, I thought I would share something of less than current interest.  This is a hat and scarf I designed earlier in the year.  I submitted it to a well-known knitting magazine and it was [reluctantly — or so they say] rejected.  I still love the design and wearing the tam:

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The above sample was knitted in Debbie Bliss Alpaca and Silk DK, which I absolutely love.  It is SO-O-O-O-O soft!!!!!

Sally was one of my test knitters and made the following out of hand-dyed merino (she will need to add info on the yarn). Note from Sally: I used Kersti, which is the DK weight yarn made by the Koigu ladies who bring you all of that lovely KPPM yarn. This yarn has a bit of a “cable twist” to it.

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And the flip side:

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If people are interested, I can sell the pattern, but it will take a bit for me to set up a sales process.  It is a fun little project and gift.

As for me, I am going to make Hamantaschen to take to Grandpa’s tomorrow.  It is a good excuse to eat more of those scrumptious goodies. 

Here is wishing you and yours a wonderful Thanksgiving.  I am so thankful for the support I have received from all of you with my knitting endeavors and dilemmas over the past few months.  THANK YOU!!! 🙂

November 18, 2006

From Susan — An Update on the Sweater Request

Filed under: Current Projects,Updates — lv2knit @ 5:20 pm

RECAP: My daughter’s friend asked me (through Laura) to knit her a sweater from the recent Vogue Knitting.  I did tell Laura today that I would not be making her a sweater.  She seemed okay with that answer. 

Instead, we are having a knit night at our house this evening.  Movies, snacking and knitting.  Laura and I shopped for yarn for both of the friends that are coming over and will help them with their scarves.  That seemed like a fun compromise.

As far as MY knitting goes, it isn’t.  I have not been getting much done lately.  Too much going on and not enough energy to go around.  Tonight I won’t get too much done because Laura’s friends are a bit needy and I do want to help them. 

IF I make any progress on anything, I’ll post more and some pictures.  I’m just in a lull at the moment.  Ever have those days??

November 15, 2006

From Susan — Where are we??

Filed under: Current Projects,Updates — lv2knit @ 10:34 pm

Where are we??  Why have we fallen off the face of the knitting earth?  Just busy, that’s all.  PLUS, Sally and I are doing a mini knitalong that we do not want to share until we figure out if it works.  So, we have both been knitting a bit on it but do not have anything we want to divulge until success (or defeat?) is declared.  It is an unusal project that will either be remarkably cool or be a total flop.  The jury is still out.  We will spill all the beans once the jury is in.

Knitting News

Julia Roberts To Star in Knitting Film 

Julia Roberts will star in the big screen family drama “The Friday Night Knitting Club.” The star has been an avid knitter for years and regularly indulges in her hobby during down time on film sets. Roberts will also produce the project through her Red Om production company.  

The film is based on Kate Jacobs’ upcoming novel and centers on a single mother who juggles the demands of running a Manhattan, New York knitting store with raising her spirited teen daughter. Her regular customers gather once a week to work on their latest projects and chat, but when a tragedy occurs, the customers realize they’ve created more than just a knitting club. 

 

November 13, 2006

From Susan — A Quick Update

Filed under: Updates — lv2knit @ 1:13 am

As I said, I finished the lace mitts for my daughter.  She is a person of VERY few words, so she “thanked me” by putting them on immediately while she did homework on the computer.  I guess she likes them! 

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