One Crafty Bitch

Absence Makes the Heart Grow Fonder??

Yes, I have been MIA for a couple of weeks. No, that does not mean that I haven't been knitting.

I made some progress on the Badcaul sock.

Yes sock. Not socks. I am still on the first. It was wayyyy to hot here for a few days to knit wool.

I even turned the heel. But this happened:

Why do I have this hole? How do I fix this? And are those smaller holes supposed to be there? These are short row heels. I feel very in the dark about sock knitting at this point. Maybe I need to invest in a good sock knitting book and not just attempt to knit a pair of socks from a random pattern that I like.

Any advice on the heel situation?

I have also been working on a surprise project, and something in cotton for those days when it is too hot to knit with wool.

Rain Rain Go Away

For the past week and a half it has been raining in Boston. This evening, for a little whileand for the first time in what seems like ages, I saw the sun. The rain was really starting to get to me, but it has made the city positively verdant. Green really does seem like the perfect match for May Project Spectrum.

I did decide to give the green knitting a little bit of a rest though. Instead of casting on for a green Picovli which I do have the yarn for (Debbie Bliss Cathay in colorway 1206 - an olive green), I decided to give socks a shot. I found the pattern for Badcaul, which I really like, and decided to use some of my Socks That Rock in Queen Rock. I have to say I am really enjoying this. I cast on Sunday at Wicked using the Turkish cast-on, and unfortunately had to frog after I made some progress.

The second cast-on (more successful, knock on wood...) occured yesterday evening after work. I seem to be making decent progress and am definitley enjoying the cabling practice.

I just can't help but keep trying it on to see the progress...

It's not like it's really appropriate weather for woolen socks. Well actually, right now, it probably is but hopefully it won't be soon.

One Skein is Wonderful

The One Skein Wonder is complete and ready for wearing, and a lot of wearing I'm sure! I really enjoyed knitting this and it kept me entertained while working "Wicked." This project was really perfect for me while working at the theatre, because it was easy, mindless knitting that I could do while sitting around wtih everyone, and quite portable too.

I'm really excited about the color of this one - I think it will go great with a lot of pieces in my wardrobe, and will look lovely with the dress that I decided to make it for - the outfit will make its debut next Friday evening for a cocktail party! An added bonus - May is green month for Project Spectrum, and since I have been loving green and thinking about Project Spectrum, I felt like it was the perfect time for me to join.

And so, without further ado...

(lovely shot huh? I'll try to get better pictures of it actually on...)

And here's one flat on the bed

Knitting ADD

Just because I haven't updated in a few days certainly does not mean that I haven't been knitting. Quite the contrary  my friends. I casted on two new projects this week to be worked along with the nemesis shrug - Odessa, and One Skein Wonder. I've made progess on both, despite some frantic frogging, well at least on the part of the OSW. I think the frogging of Odessa is forthcoming.

In other knitting news, the yarn fairy (a.k.a. the post-person) has brought many wonderful yarns this week to add to the stash. Pictures of the new yarn are forthcoming. I think they deserve daylight photographs!

In any case, the OSW (in its second incarnation) was casted on today, and I am enjoying knitting it - an easy knit so far, and perfect for working on on the train and at the theatre, since it is portable, and pretty mindless. It reminds me a lot of the boobholder in construction.

Nemesis

I can now move "corded" along from the WIPs gallery into the FOs gallery. It should have taken a lot less time, but with my work schedule, I was getting a bit distracted.

I picked up the nemesis shrug again, and some progress is being made. I do have to wonder though what made me think it was a good idea to knit in black angora. I have to admit, the picture in the Vogue Knitting Accessorize is gorgeous - it is a classic and beautiful shrug, and the pattern was labeled "very easy, very vogue." It all appeared so tempting. How was a girl to know that trying to correct mistakes in black angora can be absolutely infuriating? I find that every time I make a mistake with this project, I wind up throwing it in a corner and not looking at it again for about two months. I predict that it will have been thrown in the back of the closet by Wednesday. Hopefully some progress will have been made by then!

No Rest for the Wicked

Despite my ridiculous schedule lately, I have been making progress. I was able to knit a fair amount last night at work, and I'd say that I'm about 2/3 done with "Corded."

I was planning on purchasing a set of Denise Interchangables yesterday, but unfortunately the LYS was all out. They are expecting a shipment soon. I'm still a little bit on the fence about them. I've read some excellent reviews, but some people have also commented about the joins, and just preferring regular circulars.

I guess I have some more time to ponder this one.

Windsor Button Enables Me

I took a trip to the LYS today before heading into the Opera House for work (take 2). I wound up spending considerably more than I intended to - I purchased two skeins of Noro Daria in colourways # 08 and #02 to make Grumperina's Corded. I was only planning on making one, but then really liked both. I figure my indecisiveness will work out in the long run, as I will have two gifts put away for later. I also acquired a button for my completed boobholder, and two skeins of Rowan Cashsoft DK in a lovely sage green which I believe will eventually make their way into hats.

On the Noro Daria - I'm not sure how I feel about working with this. It is definitely a unique texture.

On Corded - I don't know why, but I had pictured a much larger bag. This is one of those times where I definitely didn't put anything into perspective. I made my gauge swatch and for some reason, it did not occur to me that 4 inches is not much less than 5, or 7 inches.

In any case, this brings my project count to two right now, one "corded" and my nemesis shrug which is sitting in the corner of my room. Details of the shrug are forthcoming...

Let's Start This Off Right - With A Boobholder!

Pattern: Minisweater (a.k.a. boobholder), by Glampyre

Yarn: Red Heart Supersaver Multicolor in Artist Print

Needles: US 9 Clover Circs

Started: Thursday, 13 April 2006

Completed: Monday, 24 April 2006

Modifications: Extra raglan increases to fit my line-backer shoulders, and extra increases in the body to fit the ample bosom

New project completed, new blog!

The minisweater was pretty much my first serious project besides a bunch of hats and scarves. I have to say that this pattern was amazing. I was a little bit confused at first when I got to row 15. I was confused as to what constituted the sleeve sections and body sections, but after googling the pattern, I found some others were confused as well.

As for the yarn...I didn't particuarly enjoy knitting with Red Heart Supersaver. I loved the color, but was not at all used to knitting with acrylic. I wouldn't reccomend it, but it was easy on the wallet, so I guess I can't complain.

I did find that this pattern required extensive fittings to my body, and even in that case, I am not sure that it is the most flattering garment for my body type. I did enjoy knitting it immensely though, and am proud of myself for actually completing something larger than a scarf!