Knitting Pattern a Day Week 26 Review

Hiya, I'm back again, with another week's review.

Monday, June 26, 2006 -- Black Striped Teen Top #3 continued . . . see my review of last week. If this doesn't look complete passe in a year's time, I just might make it.

Tuesday, June 27, 2006 -- Sun Visor Cap. This made me laugh out loud, because my mom wears (usually woven) hats like these. She's on to something, though, because she has great skin. And I'll tell you, I think this hat is pretty cute.

Wednesday, June 28 and Thursday, June 29 -- Iben Dress and Hat. This looks like a nice "heirloom" gift for a special baby (1 or 2 year old). It's beautiful and probably a bit time consuming. I would probably never have an opportunity (or need) to make it, but if someone makes something of this quality I think it would be treasured.

Friday, June 30 -- Lacy Diamonds. All-over patterns! I love them. I don't know how many of the ones in this calendar are duplicative of ones I have in my books, but it's always cool to seem them.

Saturday/Sunday July 1 and 2 -- Canadian Flag Dishcloth. Hee hee, I like this! I might put this aside as a lesson in intarsia.

I might be back later this weekend with some stoopid pictures, as I took several recently. I also have an AFO (Almost Finished Object) to share!

xoxo. . . ZMsK

At Long Last! The Week 25 Pattern-a-Day Review and some general ramblings

Here's the Week 25 Review of the Knitting Pattern-a-Day Calendar patterns. Yes, I'm late, and should have done this last weekend but my mind was preoccupied. There's a few things going on in my life outside of knitting and sewing, but more on that later.

Monday, June 19 and Tuesday, June 20 -- San Juan Islanders' Sock #2. A cute, colorful sock pattern that I'll probably give a whirl at some point. The Honey Lane Farms yarn sounds heavenly; I may have to try it sometime. Alpaca. . . Mmmmmmm!!

Wednesday, June 21 -- Itsy Bitsy Bikini. This is done on a knitting machine, which I don't have. I'm not certain if I would wear a knitted bikini, or a bikini at all. Or a knitted bathing suit. They don't seem like they'd be very good to swim in, and I'm definitely more of a swimmer than a lounger. (In fact, I don't like lounging on a hot beach at all, and avoid lots of sun exposure.) What is everyone's opinions on knitted bikinis?

Thursday, June 22 -- Marjaana Eyelet Crush Pullover. This is one of those patterns that I would LOVE to know what the finished product looks like *on a person*, and how about a close up of the detailed stitches? I checked Scheafer Yarn's homepage, and they don't have pics either. I can't tell if it would look good or would make me look like a multicolored barrell. Too bad.

Friday, June 23 -- Trio Tote Bag. Kinda cute; I'm so into felted bags that I wonder if I'd ever give this non-felted baby a whirl.

Saturday and Sunday, June 24 and 25 -- Black Striped Teen Top #3. I like this, even though it is very trendy. If have a shirt I bought at H&M years ago that is similar to this, but that I haven't worn in a while. I'll probably put this aside for a while, and if it doesn't look horrendously dated next year, maybe I'll make it.

I got a couple of books/magazines recently that I'd like to chat about.

I picked up a crafting magazine called Cutting Edge. Has anyone seen this yet? I thought it was a great all-around crafting mag. It showcases a few commercial patterns, but also gives lots of tips on "How to Sew a Roll-Up Shade", how to spruce up thrift store/flea markets find, how to embellish store-bought clothes and shoes, and a cool article on Jenny Hart of Sublime Stitching. I thought it was a great inspiration, and ZantiMisterKnit liked it too.

I also finally picked up "Generation T: 108 Ways to Transform a T-Shirt" by Megan Nicolay. I wouldn't make everything in this book, but love most of the ideas and am hoping to be inspired to soon go through my too-large pile of shapeless t-shirts and snip away! There are even some "no-sew" projects, for those who are needlephobic.

I also took up the offer for a free introductory issue to Martha Stewart's Blueprint magazine. Ugh. I'll be honest, I am really disappointed in it. It's completely not what I want at this time of my life: another magazine telling me what I should buy. It reminded me of InStyle, except without the celebrity aspect (thankfully!). I just can't get excited about it, and sent back their invoice with a "No, Thank You!" written across it.

I got a good yard sale find: a three-volume knitting book series for $1! And ZantiMisterKnit paid for it. It's from 1980, and isn't as fug as one would think. Oh, there's fug, there's MAJOR FUG, and I hope to post pictures of such fug here, but there is a great stitch dictionary in one of the volumes, and some of the project patterns are really nice too. I can't remember who pubished it, and don't feel like going downstairs to check it out, but if anyone is really interested I'll post that info later.

I also got a Patternworks catalog in the mail, and ordered a wooden swift and a felted turtle kit from them. It's my present to myself for getting the ball rolling on getting a new job. Yup, that's what has had my life so hectic that I can't blog -- I'm going to interviews! It's exciting and scary at the same time. I can't go into a lot of details right now about my current job, but I'll just say it's time for me to move on.

Once I do have a job, I think my present to myself will be one of the nice tweed Jordana Paige knitting bags. Yes, I may buy myself a knitting bag that costs roughly as much as a signature facial at a nice spa on Newbury Street. Why? Because I'm worth it.

I know I've been neglecting you lately, dear blog. . .

but here is a quick post (stolen from Sachi!)!

Your Stripper Song Is

I'm Too Sexy by Right Said Fred "And I'm too sexy for your party Too sexy for your party No way I'm disco dancing" Yes, you're super sexy. But you never yourself too seriously!

What Song Should You Strip To?

I promise a real post with knitting/sewing/photo content later!

Knitting Pattern-a-Day Week 24 Review

Here's the Week 24 Review of the Knitting Pattern-a-Day Calendar patterns. I forgot to post it over the weekend; I was way too distracted by the gorgeous weather!

Monday, June 12 -- Small Knitted Bags. These are little envelope bags that you can make in any stitch pattern. Looking at these are giving me a couple of good ideas. . . One being a refillable sachet holder. It's something I am going to look into.

Tuesday, June 13 -- Ribbed Shell. Nice little ribbed-knit top. I'm thinking of making this; just not in wool like the example. I've got some yarn at home that may work for this, and I do need to use it for something.

Wednesday, June 14 -- Toesties-Flat Version. This is the same as an earlier pattern, except the slippers are knitted flat (good for those who are afraid of knitting in the round). Now that I have my fuzzy feet, I don't think I need these, but they are cute.

Thursday, June 15 -- Rachel-Girl's Tank Top. Really, really adorable, long-ish tank top for little girls. I like this because, even though it has a modern look to it, it doesn't look like "miniature adult" clothes like so many modern girls' clothes do. I hate when little girls' clothes have a drapy, sexy look to them -- they are little girls!!!! Not little strippers!!! So, I like this.

Friday, June 16 -- Gemstone Wire Bracelet. These are neat, but I don't know if I ever intend to knit jewelry. Some people swear that it's easy, but it looks like it would be tough on the hands. Some cottons kill my hands; I'm so spoiled by Malabrigo and cashmere. . .

Saturday and Sunday, June 17 and 18 -- Thirsty: Water Bottle Holder. Um, not my cuppa, but it claims to teach a person how to knit in the round on two straight needles, so, I may try it. Maybe I can make a drum stick case with it or something.

I'm Not Dead!

Really! My hands haven't fallen off either!

I've had things to post but have been too lazy to take pictures. Either that, or it has been too gross and rainy/dreary out to take pictures. As it turns out, we took the pictures inside anyway.

Top News: I finished ZantiMisterKnit's socks!!!!!

(Warning: the following pictures have a snake in them. She's very cute, but consider yourself warned if you are squeamish about snakes.)



The yarn is Schoeller Stall's Fortissima Disco in color # 9051.

The pattern is the "Garter Rib" from Sensational Knitted Socks by Charlene Schurch. It requires a little more concentration that regular ribbing because you alternate by knitting every other round.


I used two balls of this yarn for my husband's feet, which are a US size 11.5. I used Clover Size 2 US bamboo dpn's.

I started them sometime around the 2nd week of May and finished them on Saturday, June 10. Yeah, I needed a break in between the two socks.




It should come as no surprise that my current WIP is on Size 15 US needles. It's the "Lagoon" purse from Eva Wiechmann's book Pursenality Plus. I cast on for that on Sunday, June 11, and even though it is going to be a pretty fast knit (double-stranded worsted weight on size 15 circular needle), it's knit in stockinette and therefore, a tad on the boring side. I can't wait to get to the decreases!!

And because this blog is ultimately about me:

I finished my first Wardrobe Refashion project!

The skirt is, indeed, refashioned. I cut the bodice off the first dress I ever made, which is now too big for me but was an empire-waist minidress with a keyhole right below the collar (not quite giving a glimpse of the rack but there to let you know. . . oh yeah, if you get close enough and look from the right angle, you might see rack). I was really big on 60s style when I made it (and can probably dig up pics of me wearing it, since I wore it to the 2000 Las Vegas Grind). Anyway, I cut the dress down, resized it, put in a 7" zipper, did my best to finish the seams because this 100% cotton pique shreds every time you wash it, and voila! New skirt for summer!

I made the shirt from New Look Pattern # 6176, View A, from some 70s pink, brown and black roller skating fabric that I got off eBay.

Modifications: I used ribbon for the shoulder straps and back tie (sorry, forgot to take pics of the back view!) because sewing a long strip and then turning it inside out takes more patience than I have. I bought the plastic bits for the shoulder straps so they are adjustable (fancy!). I also had to add a couple more darts and make it a little smaller; I guess I'm a little smaller than I thought.

And I made buttonholes! For the first time EVAH! And you know what? I have no clue what I was intimidated about all these years: they are easy! Easy peasy even!



This picture is not to show you my rack, or my bra, but to show off the detail of the fabric, which I think is ADORABLE. I have a bit left and am trying to figure out what to do with it. Maybe mix it with some of the pink fabric (I still have some, from when I made the aforementioned pink dress back in 2000) and make a purse?

How about a kerchief?



Solvie likes to "help" when I am sewing. Which means she sits on the pattern pieces and the fabric. When I don't have things on the floor, she lies on the floor and hangs out with me.

I really thought she would fight wearing the kerchief, but she seemed to rather like it and posed nicely with it. Except she looks like she is being strangled in this picture.




It fits my head too, although a little tight, but it looks cute. Maybe I'll wear it.

Future projects: McCall's M4829 in view D (which is the middle one in the picture of the three views), in a spring green cotton pique much like the pink of the skirt. I bought 4+ yards a few years ago at $1.98 a yard (yay Winmill Fabrics!!!) and have only used it to make my Lorax purse for the Dr. Seuss Swap. I began cutting out the fabric pieces tonight (and yes, Solvie sat on the pattern!)

I also have a big men's Hawaiian shirt from the 60s or 70s. It's a little butt-ugly, but I have a weird attachment to those. I'm trying to think of a way to make it into a skirt, keeping the button-down aspect. I might try to combine it with some brown twill (if I can find it!).

Happy Weekend Everyone! It's supposed to hit the 90s here on Sunday, and it is about freakin' time!!!!

Baa! Baa!

You Are A: Lamb!

Peaceful and gentle, lambs have been used in religious imagery for millennia. Lambs are baby sheep, an animal tended by shephards since the dawn of history. As a lamb, you tend to stay together in a flock and graze on grassy land. Lambs don't mind being led and tend not to go off on their own.

You were almost a: Groundhog or a Chipmunk
You are least like a: Monkey or a SquirrelWhat Cute Animal Are You?

Knitting Pattern-a-Day Week 23 Review

Here's the Week 23 Review of the Knitting Pattern-a-Day Calendar patterns.

Monday, June 5 -- Sharon's Pixie Sweater. Cute little kids' sweater made out of Paton's Pixie, with the option of eyelash yarn for stripes. It's probably really soft too; I'd like a bathrobe or a housedress knitted up in this stuff. Something that I can lounge around the house in. I think the cats would like some blankets in this too. Oh, and ZantiMisterKnit would like slippers. . . Darn this soft yarn!

Tuesday, June 6 and Wednesday, June 7 -- Ancient Mariner Socks. More sock patterns for ME!!! Whoopeee!! I may have to try them all out and figure out what I love and what I hate, since I can't figure it out from the pictures. These look nice.

Thursday, June 7 -- Felted Bowl. Oooh, they have the yarn and the needles sticking out of the bowl, looking like the international symbol for "noodle house". It's making me hungry! I would definitely make felted bowls; I am addicted to felting projects. I will probably end up with felt bowls all over my house and my desk, with all kinds of doodads in them. It will make people crazy.

Friday, June 9 -- Baby Blanket in Summer Net. Cute blanket, and cute colors! Summer Net is marketed as a great summer yarn that "wicks moisture away from skin". I might have to go onto the Crystal Palace website to check it out. I'm sure ZMrK is thinking "hats! Hats! Hats!". . . (edited to add: I looked at it, and I don't think it would make good hats. It's a little mesh-y)

Saturday and Sunday, June 10 and 11 -- Toad Rock Tie. This has a legend attached to it about ties on telephone poles in an area of British Columbia. So, it appears that the ladies at Knittah Please were not the first! Not something I would make, but a nice little giggle for me on a rainy day.

Knitting Pattern-a-Day Calendar Week 22 Review + Some Yarn Porn

Here's the Week 22 Review of the Knitting Pattern-a-Day Calendar patterns.

Monday, May 29 and Tuesday, May 30 -- Not Your Ordinary Sock. I love socks. I not only love socks, I love sock patterns. It would generally go without saying that I love this pattern, however, I don't. I can't figure out what it is that turns me off to this pattern -- the colors? I like bright colors, and I think I've proven that. The garter stitch? That could be. When I figure out exactly what it is that I don't like, I'll let you all know.

Wednesday, May 31 -- May's Top-Down Triangle Edging. This reminds me of duck feet, which, of course, makes me go "squeeee!" Has everyone figured out yet that I love ducks?

Thursday, June 1 - Sonoma Tank. This is nice in a very simple way. I just would make it with a little bit of shaping. It's made out of silk, which I have a love/hate relationship with. I love how silk feels (for the most part) and I love the smell of silk; what it hate is its tendency to lose its shape and how sweaty it can sometimes be. I want to experiment a bit with soy silk and banana silk, though.

Friday, June 2 -- Lace Wedding Garter. Hee hee, I think this is really cute. Even though I'm already married (and didn't have a garter, nor did I toss a bouquet), I would probably make this, just because. . .

Saturday and Sunday, June 3 and 4 -- Pom Sari Cardi. Nice basic cardi. I'm more intrigued by the model's hair -- it's a silvery/grey color that I hope my hair becomes when and if it decides to go all the way grey. But the blue cardi looks wonderful on this model.

Oooh, and look -- Blogger is letting me post pictures again!!!

Here's my loot from last weekend's MA Sheep and Wool Festival:



And, just for you, Carine, here's a close-up of the pink and the green mohair:

Dear Blog

What aren't you letting me upload any pictures? Have I done you wrong, ever? How can you keep my adoring public away from my yarn porn?

Please, can we reach an agreement? You let me upload pictures and I'll never call you a mofo again.

Love,
Andrea

P.S. Is Blogger like a pusherman? The first couple of photos are free, but once they have you hooked, ya gotta pay?