Project, Project on the Wall

Who is the most urgent of them all?

One of the things that I struggle with is keeping track of projects that I've either started or want to do.

I created an inspiration/project board in my craft room and divided it into sections for various types of projects.

For my purposes, I created a section for knitting/crochet, a section for sewing, and a section for other things that don't fall into one of those categories. (Although now that I look at it, it appears some of the projects have wandered out of their categories.  Bad projects.)

I also have room for clippings from magazines or drawings that I want to use for inspiration as well as a place to temporarily put receipts for craft projects in case I need to calculate the cost of a project, make a return, or contact a store about inventory.

It's easy to move the cards around in any order you want and once the project is completed, just remove the card permanently.

Unfortunately, I've been adding more cards than I've been removing lately.  I see a few things on my board that need some time and attention.

Now I no longer forget about projects I want to do.  But I do apparently still ignore them.

Frogging the Baby Alpaca

Spaghetti?

Nope, just frogging the baby alpaca.

For my non-knitting friends and readers, frogging is a knitting term that refers to ripping apart knitting that has already been done. Sometimes it's just a row or two and sometimes it's an entire garment.

Why is it called frogging?  Because of the sound a frog makes - ribbit, ribbit.  Get it?  Ribbit, ribbit.  Rip it, rip it.

I know - we knitters are a clever group.

Unfortunately, not always clever enough to get it right the first time.

Even more unfortunately, this

was supposed to become a Dream Shrug, but instead it became this:

Sometimes, despite careful gauging and careful knitting, good yarn goes bad.

I'm Questioning Einstein's Genius

The Einstein Coat, that is. 

Truthfully, I should be questioning my own genius.  Why I decided to knit a heavy wool jacket in May, when the temperature is just beginning to rise is a mystery.  The only answer I can come up with is that 1200 yards of bulky yarn is taking up too much space in my yarn stash so I need to make it into something so it can move to another closet.  It would be far easier to just drape the yarn over a hanger and hang it in the coat closet.

But knit it I am.  And knit and knit and knit and knit and knit.  

Miles of knitting in fact.  

So much knitting in fact, that I'm convinced that there is errata to the pattern somewhere that says "knit until the fingers on your left hand fall off."  And then in a sadistic tone it goes on to say "turn work and knit until the fingers on your right hand fall off."


Einstein makes me want to 

Give Yourself a Swirly

A Swirly Scarf, that is.

If you are under the age of 16, a swirly probably has a completely different meaning.  As a matter of fact, if you are under the age of 16, you probably shouldn't be here. This blog isn't entirely appropriate for children.

In this case, however, if you are an adult and more importantly a knitter, then you can give yourself - or someone you love - a Swirly and I promise that you will like it.

  


This is my version of the popular ruffled scarf, sometimes called a potato chip scarf.  I'm not sure why it has that name, but it may have to do with not being able to stop at one.


This one is a little different than most patterns because you are only working with 20 stitches at most rather than miles and miles of stitches.


You can make it from almost any weight and with any size needles.  I think it looks especially lovely when it is made from a yarn with a long color repeat, but it's also beautiful with a solid or even a yarn with short color repeats.


The pictured scarf is made with Crazy Zauberball by Schoppel-Wolle.  I used the purple and blue colorway, but I'm making another one in gray and red.

The pattern is easy.  If you have knit short rows before, then it will make total sense to you.  If you haven't knit short rows, just trust the pattern.  When it says "knit 8" then just knit 8 and turn your work and proceed to the next row.  You are only going all the way across every 7th row.  

Swirly Scarf

Set up:

Cast on 20 stitches

Knit 1 row

Work the following:

Row 1: K8, turn

Row 2: K8, turn

Row 3: K6, turn

Row 4: K6, turn

Row 5: K4, turn

Row 6: K4 turn

Row 7: K20

Repeat Rows 1 through 7 until the scarf is the desired length and then bind off.

You can use pretty much any weight of yarn and any size needles.  I used a size 4 with the fingering/sock weight yarn.  I'm currently working on another scarf that will be more of an outwear weight made with a thick worsted and I am using a size 11 needle.

Don't worry when it doesn't start to curl right away - it takes several inches before it starts to swirl and twirl.

I loved knitting this because you are never working with more than 20 stitches, usually no more than 8, it's all knitting, and it makes a very dramatic piece that starts a lot of conversations if you are KIP (knitting in public).

So give yourself a Swirly.  Give your best friend a Swirly.  

You could even give your childrens' teachers a Swirly.  But if you get a detention, don't blame me.

Fiber Fest Part II

The fiber fest was a success.

What I did come home with: A bunch of yarn and fun gadgets.


What I didn't come home with: Anything that poops.

Oh, but I was tempted by this. . . 

an angora rabbit.  Have you ever seen anything so cute?  

I was not tempted by this  . . . 

Not even a little bit.  I do hope Peaches and Pear went to the same home though.  It seems wrong to separate them.


Here's some of the non-pooping stuff I came home with (you can click on the pics for a closer look).

I pretty much know what I'll be doing for the next year or so.

Retail Therapy of the Fiber Variety

Tomorrow morning some friends and I are getting up at the butt crack of dawn and driving three and a half hours to southern Indiana to go to a Fiber Fest (the yarn variety, not the gassy variety).

I've been saving up in case I want to buy one of these

or a couple of these. 

But for sure, I'm going to be buying a lot of these.

Which One of You Pissed Off Mother Nature?

Because I have a real bone to pick with you.


The weather around here has been terrible. It was only last week that we had a bad ice storm, fallen trees, and lost power. Then it turned cold. So cold that you couldn't catch a breath. Today, it is 60 degrees, but we have flooding, flash flood warnings, and tornado warnings.


Mother Nature's cycle is definitely screwed up. She may need some hormone therapy soon if it doesn't straighten out.


Speaking of therapy, I've been knitting. I know, big surprise there. But it's knitting for ME now. Me, me, me. After a couple of months of doing gift knitting, I'm back to having something on the needles that is just for me.


I picked up this yarn (Lion Brand Sock Ease) a month or so ago at Hobby Lobby when they opened. I love the cheery pink color. It's not super expensive sock yarn, but it has aloe in it and so far it is knitting up nicely, so it might be a good alternative to the gut wrenching feeling I get whenever I think about spending $40 on handpainted sock yarn. There are some nice colors and best of all, it only takes one skein for a pair of socks and it runs under $10.00 for a skein.





I'm making the Lacy Mock Cable Socks by ScarlettKnits and so far, I love the pattern. It's easy to memorize and is a nice break away from plain stockinette socks yet not too complicated.


And the best part? They are for me! Sorry, but it's the selfish, only child coming out. Sometimes I can't control her.

Hot Tamales and Tofu

Remember my Hot Tamale socks? I finished them a few weeks ago (finally) and didn't get around to posting a picture of them (not unlike how we haven't gotten around to grouting the kitchen floor either, so please try to ignore that.)



They are nothing special, but at least they are done.

Which brings me to the tofu. (wasn't that a smooth transition to a new subject??!!)


I found a really good recipe for a Peanut Butter spread made with tofu. WAIT! Don't run away. Stay with me here - I promise, it's worth it.


Peanut butter is so yummy but it is so high in calories that it's a diet wrecker. But it's so yummy. It also has a ton of fat. Did I mention that it's yummy?

This recipe is a perfect one if you've never tried tofu before or think you don't like tofu. It's great to spread on apples and celery.

Peanut Butter Dip


1/2 cup silken tofu (1/3 container)
1/2 cup peanut butter

Puree peanut butter with a blender or in food processor until smooth. Blend in the peanut butter until mixed well.

Use for apple dip, celery, etc.


Servings: 8
Serving size: 2 Tbsp.
Keeps 5-7 days in refrigerator

Knock Knock

Knock Knock
Who's there!
Alpaca!
Alpaca who?
Alpaca picnic lunch!

Recently I went two two local alpaca farms for National Alpaca Day, an annual event where alpaca farms across the United States open their gates to the public to get a close-up experience of these fascinating creatures. I had no idea that we had any alpaca farms nearby, let alone two!


I learned so much about these darling creatures. For example, did you know that they always have a guard llama with them? Alpacas are such gentle creatures, but a llama is more aggressive and will guard them. (In case you don't know your alpaca from your llama, the llama is the rather ugly grey girl with the face like a horse.)

Don't you just want to grab a handful of fluff and nuzzle your face right into them? Unfortunately, they are very shy and don't like much human contact. It's just unfair that something that cute can't be cuddled.

My main reason for going was to see if they had any alpaca yarn for sale. And boy did they! They had enough to get me into trouble for a long time.

The yarn came from the very alpacas pictured above. I think that part of it makes it so neat. I can't even put into words how soft this stuff is.

This one is my favorite.

It is a mixture that comes from mother and daughter alpacas. See the mix of brown and black? It reminds me of my labs.

If you get a chance to visit an alpaca farm, "paca picnic lunch" and do it! But leave some yarn for me.

The Answer, My Friend, Is Blowing in the Wind

The answer might be blowing in the wind, but I hate it when my hair is.

The air conditioning in my Jeep isn't working right now, so I've been driving with the windows down. Unfortunately, my shoulder length hair whips around making it virtually impossible to drive. Not only is it a hazard, I resemble Phyllis Diller once I arrive to my destination.

Lately I've resorted to wearing a baseball cap while driving, which doesn't do much for my feminine side, even if it is pink.

I love the look of crocheted caps, but since I don't crochet very well (and feel like I'm cheating on knitting when I do crochet), my hope of having a cute, open weave summer cap was slim.

However, I finally found a knitted version that I was able to modify and VOILA! I present to you my "No More Blowing in the Wind" summer cap.




It's made from some leftover Egyptian cotton, but I like it so much that I'm making another one from some pink ribbon.

So now I have to find another excuse when I arrive at my destination looking like a hot mess.

Another Completed Project

Pattern: Waterlily Top by Katy Ryan (Interweave Knits, Spring 2006)
Yarn: Ornaghi Filati Bazar Le Fantasie - Egyptian Cotton


Of all the projects I've finished so far in my (very short) knitting life, this is by far my favorite. It fits perfectly, the yarn was a dream to knit with, and best of all it took less than a week from start to finish.

I'll definitely make this one again next summer, probably in a plain color.

My only complaint is that like most other tops that are in style recently, it treats everyone to a peep show unless I wear a tank top underneath.

A Few Finished Projects

Yes, I actually followed through on my goal for July of finishing at least four projects.

Drifters Shawl

Yarn - Eros Drifters (3 skeins)
Pattern: Basic triangular pattern (k1, m1, k to end)

Gosh I hated this project. It was destined to be a cool summer scarf when I purchased the yarn but after frogging it about 15 times (and spending an equal amount of time detangling the f-ing yarn), it ended up as a simple triangular shawl. Surprisingly, I don't hate it now that it's done. I don't exactly have a time or place to wear it, but at least if that time or place ever comes up, I don't hate it.

Bonsai Tunic

Yarn: Lion Brand Cotton Ease
Pattern: from Interweave Knitting

My first constructed project. My first chart. My first completed sweater.

For so many firsts, I'm actually very happy with this tunic. The fit is almost perfect. There are some small areas where my knitting could have been improved, but overall, it's a completely wearable project and I'm very happy with how it turned out.

Clapotis

Yarn: Southwest Trading Company Soy Silk

Pattern: from Knitty.com

I don't know if there are any knitters out there who haven't made Clapotis or at least plan to make it. It was an interesting knit and one that can be worn a lot of different ways.

Dean Street caps

Yarn: Acrylic (for washability)

Love, love, love this pattern. It looks so much harder than it is. These hats may or may not be Christmas gifts for family members who may or may not read this blog.

Mission accomplished - finished at least four projects during the month of July.

Let's not discuss the progress on the desk though - okay?

I Concede

con·cede \kən-ˈsēd\

1. To acknowledge, often reluctantly, as being true, just, or proper.

Remember how I made fun of the yarn bra?

I take it all back.

It's probably the single best knitting related purchase I've ever made.

I was wrong. Vern was right.


And as his reward, I'm knitting him these

Knit Tits.

Always perky and no bra needed.

A Very Weird Shopping Trip to the Knitting Store

Did I walk away with fantastic sock yarn? No.

Did I walk away with the latest and greatest pattern book? No again.

I walked away with the following:


1) One skein of Eros Drifters yarn.

I hate this yarn with the passion of a thousand fires. However, I'm not about to give up on this project. About two months ago, I bought 2 skeins to make a scarf. Didn't like the scarf. I must have tried 10 different scarf patterns with this horrid yarn. I finally settled on making a very loose and airy shawl. Of course, you know what is next. That's right, not enough yarn. So back to the store I go to get more. Of a yarn I despise. All because I vowed to finish projects this month.

2) A package of Yarn Bras.

Vern picked them out. I think he saw the word "bra" and just figured that it was as close to porn as he was going to get today. I didn't even know my yarn needed a bra.

3) Pattern Tamers.

What, you ask, are Pattern Tamers? They are magnets with ribbon on them that cost $15. Yes, really. Ribbon glued onto magnets. $15.

It was my consolation prize for taking my husband into the yarn store with me.

Overachiever

I don't know whether I'm an overachiever or just hopelessly out of touch with reality. But when it comes to projects, it's a classic case of "my eyes are bigger than my stomach." Or rather "my big ideas are greater than my time and talent."

Regardless, I've got a few things on my needles - both the knitting needles and the sewing machine needles.


First I should probably introduce you to JoAnn. She'll be my stand in for those bloated and bad hair days. You'll probably see a lot of her.



My first project is one that is from Interweave Knits magazine and is called the Bonsai Tunic.

This is what it should look like when it's done.



I have most of the back completed so far, and I'm hoping to finish this by the end of May.

(JoAnn looks like she needs to lose some weight - her butt looks a little big in this sweater.)

I love this little vest because it can be worn with a short or long sleeve shirt underneath it so it should span pretty well across the seasons. It is also my first attempt at charted knitting, so now I'm one step closer to being a "real Knitter." With a capital K. (I did take quite a bit of teasing from Vern for making it in almost the exact same color as the model in the magazine. What can I say? It looks good in that color. . . ).

A couple of knitting projects that I'm dying to start are the Waterlily Top (also from Interweave)

and the Soleil tank top from Knitty.com.

On the sewing side of things, I'm doing a Trash the Stash project and plan to use, sell, or otherwise eliminate all of my fabric stash. I have my fabrics divided into summer and winter fabrics, so I'm working on the summer fabrics right now. I figure if I use it all up, I can buy more of the new fabrics out there and actually have room for it! My goal is to use it with patterns that I already have or that I find online so that I don't have to buy more "stuff" in order to get rid of the old stuff.

The sewing projects are mostly quick projects, so I'm actually hoping to have all of them completed by the end of this month also.

The first project is to make an apron out of this vintage tablecloth. I'm planning to use a pattern from In Stitches by Amy Butler. I love wearing aprons - they make me feel all Holly Homemaker.

I'm also going to participate in a sew-along from Sew Mama Sew and make a vintage style smock.

This is a 3-week long sew along, so I'm going to try to do a little each week as it is presented. It's a pretty easy pattern, so I shouldn't have any problem keeping up with this one. I've got a couple of cute fabrics in my stash that I have in mind for this.

(Gee, with all the apron/smock talk, you would think that I cook and clean a lot. Not true. I just like to look like I do.)

Finally, I ran across a super easy tunic in the most recent issue of Threads. It's simply made from rectangles. I'm going to make it in a basic black stretch fabric so that I can wear it with all my t-shirts this summer. This one should whip up in no time.

Whew. I'm tired already and I haven't even cleaned up my sewing room so that I can get started.

If you don't hear from me for a few days, send help. Or Martha Stewart.