I made a hat last night!

And I’m really quite impressed with myself. It is Foliage from Knitty knit with Lion Brand Jiffy. I wasn’t expecting to like the yarn, but I really do, actually. It isn’t obnoxiously fuzzy like it seems like it might be when in the skein and the color is really nice. The yarn didn’t snag or split and held up even through 2 or 3 froggings. For some reason, I couldn’t get the pattern to line up properly. And I really really like the way the finished product feels.

Great pattern, too. Written directions and charted–I went by written ’cause my chart skills aren’t so great and I knit it while watching a movie. TV causes too many distractions for chart knitting for me. I can definitely see myself knitting it again or adapting it for a lighter weight yarn more suitable for summer. It has instructions for chunky and worsted versions, but I think a DK bamboo version would be quite nice :D

Oh, and one last photo for the teen knitters of Rav, who are in a hair-showing-off mood. I desperately need at least a trim.

 

Another FO finally!

And, no, I didn’t even mess up the white balance on these photos. The walls are a pale beige, hit by evening sunlight, so looks even more yellow. But, the red on the gloves is very true. And, yep, my skin tone is actually that strange. I’m the same color as my Irish boyfriend’s freckles, actually. But that’s a bit better than a friend of mine from high school–she was cardboard-box colored. No joke. We made a cardboard cutout of her for a play and she was the same color as the box. It caused much amusement.

But, yeah, those are the gloves that I was knitting with the Fingerless Glove Fanatics LAST MONTH. Finished the KAL a little late :p Pattern is Merletto Mitts, but crazy modified. Knit with KP Palette in red. No fancy colorway names for that one :D

So, the mods:
1. CO only 48 stitches. At gauge, the pattern works out to be about 7.8 inches around. Obviously a bit large for my barely 6 inch wrists.
2. Carried the pattern, minus the cables ’cause of the lack of stitches, around the back of the wrist until the palm/beginning of gusset. Easiest way to do the back is to follow the chart, but when you get to the column of 6 stitches that make the cable, just knit one stitch instead. So, just to make it confusing :p

On all even rows: K all.
On all pattern rows: Work first 29 stitches exactly as pattern states.
For the last 19 stitches:
Rows 1, 5: k1, *yo, sl 1, k1, psso, k1, k2tog, yo, k1. Repeat from * 2 more times.
Rows 3, 7: k2, (yo, sl 1, k2tog, psso, yo, k3) 2 times, yo, sl 1, k2tog, psso, yo, k2.

I believe that should work. I mean, it did for me, but I may have messed up in transcribing. But, like I said, easier to just work from the chart and turn the cable column into one stitch on the last 19 stitches.
3. Lengthened thumb gusset by doing increases every 3rd, not 2nd rounds
4. 12 rows of 3×3 ribbing instead of the pretty, but kinda wonky, ribbing the pattern had.

Overall, it was an enjoyable knit.  I mean, the fact that the pattern is 7 pages long is a bit of a downer, especially considering there is at least a full page if you add up all of the banner ads at the top of each page and then the last page itself is one, fuzzy picture so kinda not worth printing…but, hey, it was a nice pattern and free, so can’t complain too much.   The layout-geek in me was crying, though.

 

I’m an addict.

So, another bunch. All glass beads, all but the black ones fit up to US 10.5 needles, the black ones fit every needle I own :p I love the new dollar store, full of pretty beads. I made all of these in about an hour while watching the middle->end of The Princess Bride. I love that movie. It’s a lot of fun. I meant to knit during it, but then I decided to catch up on some promised KYS stitch markers. I then noticed my new beads and made these ones instead. I kinda fail. I don’t work tomorrow or the next day, so I’ll get those done for sure. My fingers kinda hurt from these ones, though–I was doing some of the wraps, at least the beginning, using only my fingertips and that’s not the smartest idea. Metal tends to be stronger than flesh, I’ve noticed.

Oh, and I do still knit. I have photographic (if somewhat fuzzy) evidence :D Here is an almost done (*coughJuneKALcough*) Merletto Mitt, a Branching out Scarf and a Top to Fit Me v2.0 (complete with cool stitch marker :D).

 

Slightly new packaging

Fancy...

Complete with my own crappy writing, pricing and descriptions. Man, my writing is messy (that is me actively trying to write legibly.) I’m still pretty stoked on the logo–created in grade 11 art marketing. Back when I was consistantly a band geek, it’s a musical note and my initials all in one (lowercase d, capital M. dM) . Not to mention pretty snazzy looking. And colorful staples always amuse me, I’m a simple creature. Now, I just have to master the art of not giving them away before I get them to the LYS to be sold…at least a new dollar store opened in town that sells the supplies significantly cheaper than the other one–a dollar for a pack of 8 rings as opposed to a dollar for a single one!

I swear I’m still a knitter.  I even almost have a glove done!  And I’ve frogged a bunch, but CO for another project, so I’m still in the double-digits on the WIP front :p

 

I have a new notions box.

Fancy Shmancy new notions case!

Yepperz. See, people seem to think I’m a jewelry box sort of person. And I am! But, I’m not much of a jewelry person–I’m kinda too lazy to change my earrings daily, so I tend to just collect them. But, I’ve gotten rid of the ones I never use and am down to a very small amount. Same with all of the other jewelry. So, I don’t have enough to fill ALL of the jewelry boxes I own. But, I just can’t give the boxes up. I’ve found a use for at least one–a notions case! A super pretty, fancy notions case! It holds stitch markers and measuring tapes and yarn needles and hand cream! And it sits there looking all fancy and sophisticated. Plus, things don’t get lost. I have this way of losing things. Like, those darning needles? I just can’t keep ‘em. They seriously run away from me or something. But, now they are safely in a case.

Oh, and I’ve made a bunch more stitch markers!

 

:D

I FINISHED SOMETHING! ME! EVEN A PAIR OF SOMETHINGS!.

So, those are my version of Ganiggle’s Under the Rose pattern (rav page).

The were knit with Knit Picks Essential (black) and Palette (red) on US2 needles. They come out just a smidge big for me, so they are perfectly sized for a normal person. I love the pattern and the product! Excuse the wretched nails, it turns out that putting clothes on clippy-hangers isn’t all that good for cheap nail polish. Go figure, huh.

In other knitting news, I’ve gotten about 14 pattern repeats done of Almost Armor, but for some reason can’t get a good pic. Oh well :P I’ll show it off later.

I feel sorry for anyone who hasn’t seen this. In fact, I feel sorry for everyone who has only seen a youtube version. Actually, I feel sorry for me for not having seen it live.

 

…finally the continuation!

Okay, so another random disappearance there :p So, here’s the rest of that epic list:

1. Cables Rock Short Using Knit Picks Wool of the Andes that Nordly RAK’d me in one of her KYS packages. It was originally a long version, but there wasn’t enough in the skein for a pair, so I frogged and shortened. Unfortunately, I really suck a knitting second gloves. So, I have a glove completed and it is quite lovely, but is also quite lonely. I don’t know how many pairs of fingerless gloves one person needs, though, so these may end up gifted to someone :D
2. Fruity Bag Um. Kinda got neglected. It’s a bag that I’m going to use for holding fruit in grocery stores instead of those flimsy, yucky plastic ones? But I was making the pattern up as I went along and then put it down… Poor thing! It’s made from SWTC Bamboo, which is quite lovely and the bamboo needles are wearing in like butter… or would be if I were using them! But, it’ll get done eventually, I’m sure.
3. Scarfy Noro Kureyon and Diamond Yarn Galway. Quite lovely yarns and is going to be quite a nice almost stained glass window colored scarf. But, going along slowly. The needles suck–sticky plastic and are too long to knit with comfortably. So, it’s sorta not going as quickly as it really deserves to, considering the lovely yarn. I may end up just making it work on a couple of DPN’s so they aren’t so annoying. And the colors are great, but not me, so this is likely to be a gift as well.
4. Scarf-Mitts The Entwined pattern from Knitty and Red Heart Symphony make for a nice warm fluffy scarf. More cheap sticky plastic needles make for really annoying long rows of garter stitch. So, again with the lack of progress. I’m seeing a trend. No second mitts, and no progress when using cheap sticky needles. Now, I could do something about this or I could keep with the compulsive start-ititis.
5. Top to Fit me v2.0 This time, it’s Picovoli, available from Notions. Lovely pattern, I’m knitting the 38 inch bust with a different gauge, which according to my calculations should make it fit me. Crossing fingers! I’d love to have a top for me eventually! Love the needles, hate all of the stitch markers I’ve used so far. I guess as someone who makes them, I’m kinda picky. Some have bent, some have snagged, some are too heavy…
6. Star Wallet Lovely yarn, but gonna be frogged, so I’m not even go into detail.
7. probably gonna be frogged… Again, may as well not say much.

And that’s about it, methinks. Maybe we’ll get back to regular blogging eventually…

 

kinda epically long…

To get my butt in gear for the summertime, and the finishin’s easy group
on Rav, I’ve decided to get a recap of all my WIP’s, on the needles and off (meaning, the ones that need non-knitting-finishing :D) So, get comfy, this is gonna take a while… All links are Rav links, apologies to those of you not on. You can click on the pictures to get to the originals, proper sizes maybe, or the titles to get to my Rav Page.

The WIPs

1. Almost Armor. Just started today as a KAL with the KYSwappers. Called Almost Armor because the color is almost metallic. Armor-ish, even. The pattern Branching Out in some yummy Artfibers Golden Siam that was Karma’d to me from MLO. I think it’s fitting to use a KYS yarn in a KYS KAL. The photo doesn’t do it justice–not big enough and the lace isn’t blocked. But I think this is gonna turn out gorgeous. And, lacy silk? Perfect for the cool summers that I get for living in the rainiest city in Canada.
2. Baker’s Dozen Lazy Anklets. Another KAL, this time with the Baker’s Dozen KAL group on Rav. Monthly pattern and two year-long ones. First is Basic Sock Recipe, but I got bored and decided to make them anklets. Really short anklets. Just to annoy my BF with another pair of “not real socks.” He’s got a weird prejudice against anklets.
3. Black Black Heart. Test knitting Under the Rose for Ganiggle on Rav. Beautiful pattern and I’m aware that the hearts are actually red. The yarn is (red) KP Palette and KP essential. These are going to be quite nice gloves, if a bit big on my scrawny wrists. Luckily, they aren’t intended for me. Silly skinny-wrist-ness makes unmodified glove patterns an automatic gift to someone.
4. FGF June KAL. My poor Merletto Mitts, after all the mods I’ve made, have been sorely neglected. See, I stole the needles I was using to use on Under the Rose. Again, the yarn is KP Palette. These were gonna be way too big, but I made them not. Hopefully, I can redecypher my modifications once I get to doing the second set. It would kinda suck to not be able to make them fit me after all that work!
5. Zort’s Zig Zag. Failing utterly to test-knit Zortified’s Spiral Zig Zag pattern. I don’t like frogging, but I did something wonky in the palm, so I have to. Plus, this yarn (Sox 4 Color Twister) is totally unsuitable for the pattern and for my taste in gloves. Far too bright and variegated, for both, actually. It overwhelms the pattern and I’m unlikely to wear them.
6. Large.. The gloves I was knitting to pre-test-knit the large size of By Starlight. They are just hanging out waiting for their turn to be knit–at least the second one is. The first is done, except maybe the thumb.

You know what? It’s late. I’ll do the other…7? some other day.

 

By Starlight is available!

I’ve just been activated as a design seller on Ravelry, so my first for sale pattern is available! It’s the cable fingerless gloves that I’ve been working on for ages. The pattern is $4.50 and has multiple sizes and lengths to choose from. So, here it is!

By Starlight

Fingerless mittens with choice. Two sizes, two lengths.

Sizes

Long Small: 8.5 inches at cuff; 6 inches at wrist; 11.5 inches from cuff to end.
Long Large: 9 inches at cuff; 7 inches at wrist; 13 inches from cuff to end.
Short Small: 6 inches at cuff; 6.5 inches from cuff to end.
Short Large: 7 inches at cuff; 8 inches from cuff to end.

They Require:

Malabrigo Yarn Worsted Merino (100% Kettle Dyed Pure Merino
Wool; 3.5 oz/216yds), 1 skein Burgundy #41 or other worsted weight yarn with some “sproing.”

US 8 DPNs (set of 4 or 5) or size needed to obtain gauge
Cable needle or 5th DPN
Smooth waste yarn for thumb
Tapestry needle
Stitch Markers

By starlight, I’ll kiss you.
And promise to be your one and only.
I’ll make you feel happy,
And leave you to be lost in mine.
And where will we go, what will we do?
Soon said I, will know.

 

blah

Sorry for the random disappearance there. Somehow, my totally awesome new clothing store job turned out to be not so awesome. Despite not being blamed for anything, and actually getting a “promotion” (quotes because that “promotion” is a whole 25 cent an hour raise…) it’s really quite stressful, what with all the money disappearing and people being accused of drinking on the job. Plus, the complete lack of any stock being put out and my utter lack of training…anywho, what that works out to is my being totally drained and not motivated to do anything. Moving on :D

Does this look familiar?

The same yarn as was once gonna be the sweater to fit me (Eiffel from Knitty) but got frogged ’cause there was no way it was gonna fit me. I cast on for Picolovi from Knotions, but am not getting gauge. However, doing the math says it really ought to fit this time, ’cause I’m also not knitting my size :D *crossingfingers*

Yummy karma-mail today from Becky–a skein of Malabrigo in Red Java

Absolutely yummy and I have no ideas as of yet what it’s gonna turn into, but it will be much loved :D

And a couple of gloves. Not much progress, as they are sharing the same set of needles.
Heavily modified Merletto Mitts (from Javajem Knits. Here’s my Rav project page)

They were way huge, so I fixed that :p
Basically, the easy way to do it is to CO less stitches and remove the cables from the palm side–replacing the 6-stitch column with a single stitch to accommodate the yo’s.
CO 48 sts.
Work k3, p3 rib for 12 rows.
Work lace and cable pattern for first 29 sts, on remaining 19 work as follows:
Rows 1, 5: k1, *yo, sl 1, k1, psso, k1, k2tog, yo, k1. Repeat from * 2 more times.
Rows 3, 7: k2, (yo, sl 1, k2tog, psso, yo, k3) 2 times, yo, sl 1, k2tog, psso, yo, k2.
At thumb gusset, work last 19 sts and thumb gusset in st st.
Thumb gusset–lengthened to fit my long hands by working increases every third row, not second.

And totally unmodified Under the Rose Mitts, designed by Ganiggle. (Pattern available in her shop)

(Oh, and the long fingerless gloves I’ve been getting test knit are all done and written up as a pattern–By Starlight. But you can’t have it. Still waiting on being able to upload it to Rav :D)