knitchanted

harloty goodness

2007-06-12T07:50:00.000-07:00

harlot
Originally uploaded by trillium knits.

Besides all the beer, there was also the charming Yarn Harlot. She's even funnier in person than on the page and screen. Who knew she could do such a great Jamacian accent? (We were treated to a slightly more detailed version of the home renovation story, after someone asked if she had any more projects planned.)

I got all warm and fuzzy when she was talking about the great donation total from knitters to Doctors without Borders. The key to getting people to donate money, she explained was getting them over that mental hurdle that a small act, repeated many many times adds up to big change.

There was a pause as she let that sink in. Does any one in this room have a visual aid of this concept? she then asked.

Word.

finishedmonkeys

2007-06-11T18:40:00.000-07:00

finishedmonkeys
Originally uploaded by trillium knits.

I finished my monkies on the way home from Victoria. I love these so much they will only be worn with sandals ;)

beerandknitting

2007-06-11T18:37:00.000-07:00

beerandknitting
Originally uploaded by trillium knits.

This is the cliff notes version of last weekend. Beer and Knitting. Good times. I'd say together at last, but well, they're an old married couple by now really.

Originally uploaded by trillium knits. Doesn't t...

2007-06-05T20:51:00.000-07:00

Originally uploaded by trillium knits.

Doesn't this totally look like a mugshot? :P

Yes, I knitted a crown out of crepe paper. It was kind of annoying to knit especially at the start, but it went surprisingly quickly for all of that.

Everyone at the party squealed when I put it on him, which made it more than worth the pain. I would totally make this again, especially a smaller version for a child.

Other Knitting Besides the finished monkey sock, ...

2007-06-04T09:50:00.000-07:00

Other Knitting

Besides the finished monkey sock, there was much other assorted knitting. I started (again) Gordon's jolly roger sweater. It's a yoked sweater bottom up ala Elizabeth Zimmerman. I did the bottom cable border and a few inches of body and finished up the first 100 grams of wool. I'm really liking the 220 superwash, it seems softer than the regular Cascade 220. It's not much to look at yet but at this rate will only take a few weeks to knit up, depending on distractions.

I also knit up a super secret knitting project that I'll post pictures of later in the week, on the off chance that the recipient has discovered this blog. One hint, it was not knit with yarn.

and now some gorgeous Thursday night knitters!

Knitters are really the best people.

Oh speaking of which... I don't think I've mentioned it yet but my next big sweater project is going to be Kilronan from Alice Starmore's Celtic Collection. It's still in the planning stages right now. I'm keeping my eyes out for a good yarn to replace the now discontinued pattern yarn.

In the process of researching the yarn online I met yet another wonderful knitter, Marjorie of the Prime time knitter blog. She gave me lots of great information on the original yarn used and a couple of great suggestions on other yarns that were extremely helpful. I didn't find what I was looking for at any of the yarn sales this weekend, but I have high hopes of leaving the fiber fest next weekend with at least a hats worth of a contender or two to try out.

monkey1

2007-06-04T09:46:00.000-07:00

monkey1
Originally uploaded by trillium knits.

How do I love thee Koigu, yadda yadda.

I finished my first monkey sock on the ferry this morning. What a great little pattern. By about half way through the sock I'd memorized the lace pattern so it just flew by.

I love this green to pieces, it's hard to capture with the camera, the color changes are so subtle and pretty.

monkeys! Originally uploaded by trillium knits. I...

2007-06-01T08:22:00.000-07:00

monkeys!
Originally uploaded by trillium knits.

I bought this Koigu back when the google shopping cart was starting up and giving 10 dollar off discounts at various online stores. So I got 2 yummy skeins for ten bucks, including shipping. This yarn has been calling me for the longest time, monkeys seemed like the perfect project for it.

I started these at knitting yesterday afternoon on size zeros, but after the first pattern repeat I realized they wouldn't fit over my heel. I started over on 1.5's last night and they're perfect.

finished Originally uploaded by trillium knits. Y...

2007-05-31T08:18:00.000-07:00

finished
Originally uploaded by trillium knits.

Yay! my sock buddy socks are complete. Oh dear gods what an adventure. Usually socks give me very little trouble. I mean they're small, there's no seaming, what's not to love??

These guys however were a bit of a trial. For those who haven't used it yet, this yarn, Seawool from Fleece Artist, is a dream. It's beautiful soft and shiny, but it's also kind of short. I was somehow distracted by the fact that the hank was 115 grams and didn't really pay much attention to the length of the yarn. I did weigh my first sock about half way through, but apparantly my old kitchen scale really sucks. I finished sock one and was finishing up the cuff of sock #2 when I realized with growing horror that I didn't have anywhere close to enough yarn to finish the second sock.

After a short freak out, I frogged back a full repeat on the cuff of each sock and crossed my fingers. (Let's now skip over the part where I reknit the heel of the first sock entirely off center from the lace pattern and had to frog back yet again. Thanks. :P)

It came down to the wire last night, but I had just enough yarn to finish. Phew!

Note to self, make toe up socks from this yarn next time!

I washed and blocked them last night and they're out drying in the morning sun. Hopefully they'll be dry by the afternoon so I can show them off at Knit night.

rustedroot

2007-05-24T22:00:00.000-07:00

rustedroot
Originally uploaded by trillium knits.

Here's a picture of my finished Rusted Root. I still haven't blocked it, lol. I think I already posted this, but just in case.

Yarn: Cascade Pima Tencel
Needles: size 8 knit picks options for the body, size 6 dpns for the edging.

This yarn is soooo soft. I keep petting it. I cropped out my head because of an extreme bad hair day, lol.

Yet another sock

2007-05-24T21:58:00.000-07:00

lssock
Originally uploaded by trillium knits.

This is the lifestyle yarn knitted up into a basic toe up sock. It was a really fast knit with the slightly thicker than normal yarn. The twist on this yarn made it a pleasure to knit with. I really haven't seen another yarn like it.

Sockapalooza update

2007-05-24T21:55:00.000-07:00

seawoolsocks
Originally uploaded by trillium knits.

I've been a knitting floozy of late, but still making decent progress on my buddies socks.

I really like this zigzag pattern. It's nice because I can set these down at any part in the repeat and easily tell where I am when I pick them back up.

The sheen of this yarn is quite enchanting. I'm going to need some shiny socks too!

Another week passes with lots of knitting and no p...

2007-05-23T13:12:00.000-07:00

Another week passes with lots of knitting and no picture taking.
Tomorrow. Will. Be. Photo. Day.

I cast on my second Sockapalooza sock and I'm a third of the way down the leg. I love that I made the leg three repeats long, it means I don't have to measure and squint to make sure the second sock matches. w00t.

I finished my Rusted Root Sunday morning at the coffee shop. Michael Anna and Stacy were all there so I got to model it for 1/2 the Poulsbohemian knitters. In fact, finishing was a group effort as I borrowed dpns from Anna to edge the second sleeve (after cursing my way through the first one magic looping with a 16" cir, lol) and a darning needle from Michael to weave in the ends. I've already worn it twice. I'll try and remember to block it tonight so I can take a good picture tomorrow.

Also knit up is another single sock, a plain ss toe up sock from that yummy sockyarn I got the other week at amandas. It's been a while since I've knit with a self patterning yarn, and it was endlessly entertaining. It knit up really fast. I'd almost call this a sport weight yarn. I believe I got about 7 stitches to the inch with it on twos. I think I might put these aside (once I make another one) for my Mom.

Also just barely cast on is a sweater for the husband. More on that adventure later!

Whole lotta knitting... not so much picture taking...

2007-05-18T08:35:00.000-07:00

Whole lotta knitting...
not so much picture taking.

I finished all three pairs of felted clogs on time. The felting was rather hair raising this time, but everything turned out okay in the end.

FYI to other felted clog addicts out there, don't mix noro with a fast felting wool unless you're of stout heart. My mom's slippers looked like an utter disaster until the 6th time through the wash when the patons wool finally couldn't shrink any more and the noro caught up.

My first sockapalooza sock is finished and is quite lovely. I hemmed and hawed over the size and whether to make it a little short for negative ease. I finally decided to make it exactly the foot length since the width was going to stretch do to the pattern. Fingers crossed, but I think it should be about perfect for my buddy.

As a reward for getting the first sock done promptly, I cast on for Rusted Root Wednesday night with some lovely green Pima Tencel that's been marinating in my stash since last year's Webs sale. I'm making one size smaller than my measurements after my Wicked turned out a bit too big. I tried it on after separating the sleeves from the body and it seems perfect. This is another quick knit. I'm sure it will be done by the end of the weekend. Then I'll cast on sock pal sock #2.

It also occurs to me that I need to get back to my seasilk scarf soon. I've reached the point of constant paranoid yarn weighing as I try to figure out when to start the 2nd border so as to ensure having enough yarn to finish, while wasting as little as possible. :P

turned the heel

2007-05-11T09:09:00.000-07:00

turned the heel
Originally uploaded by trillium knits.

I got a quite a bit of knitting done yesterday on my sock pal's first sock.
I'm still really loving this yarn. Must aquire more seawool! (because you know, I only have enough sock yarn in the stash for a dozen pairs of socks)

I was undecided for the first couple inches, but I now really like the combination of the muted stripes and the vertical lace pattern. I think it adds just enough interest. Hopefully my sock buddy won't think it's too much! These should be really wearable socks too, I love how stretchy the fabric is with the lace being based on a 1x1 ribbing. They should stay put without drooping. (fingers crossed) :)

I've been churning out felted slippers this week too (2 pairs done, 1 to go!) So changing back and forth from size 15 needles to size 0 has been nice on my hands.

beginning Originally uploaded by trillium knits. I...

2007-05-07T07:31:00.000-07:00

beginning
Originally uploaded by trillium knits.

I finally decided on pattern and yarn for my sock buddy! My pal was quite easy going so it took a while to decide. This is my first time using the sea wool and I'm really loving it. I will definitely have to get more for socks for me!

My last several pairs of socks have been toe up, so it's nice to change things up and work from the top again. The pattern I'm using is from the first Sensational Socks book by Charlene Schurch, the 8 stitch ribbed lace.

Although this yarn is slightly varigated, I think it's going to be solid enough to show up the pattern well. We shall see. I'm not afraid to frog if I don't love it, as we've got plenty of time on this project :) I feel an overwhelming desire to make these socks as perfect as they can be. Anybody else noticing a hyper sense of perfection going on?? I think it's because these are for another knitter. Usually my hand made gifts go out to people who really won't notice small goofs ;)

I'm knitting these magic loop on my beloved size 0 knitpicks circs. and I'm getting 9 stictches to the inch, which seems just about perfect for this yarn.

grape knee highs Originally uploaded by trillium k...

2007-05-03T14:50:00.000-07:00

grape knee highs
Originally uploaded by trillium knits.

Yay! Done in time to wear to knitting tonight.

Now on to gift knitting.

And while I'm at it, here's the supermerino that...

2007-05-01T10:42:00.000-07:00

And while I'm at it, here's the supermerino that I ordered for a short sleeved Wicked.

I seem to be on a green kick this month!

Mmmmmm Here's the Victoria trip yarn I was drool...

2007-05-01T10:41:00.000-07:00

Mmmmmm Here's the Victoria trip yarn I was drooling about yesterday.

Stalking my Sock pal is soooo much fun. I think i...

2007-05-01T08:29:00.000-07:00

Stalking my Sock pal is soooo much fun. I think it's safe to blab that she speaks a language other than English, since there are members in 26 countries! Babel Fish is totally giving me the gist of her posts, and of course pictures are universal, but the mangled syntax of the translation program is just endlessly entertaining! It may help that I'm easily amused. :P

A quick update Much progress was made on the knee...

2007-04-30T13:09:00.000-07:00

A quick update

Much progress was made on the knee socks of doom this weekend, Thank goodness! I took a trip up to Victoria with a gaggle of relatives including a cousin from Australia and her best friend who are touring the states, so I had a lot of car and boat time to knit.

I feel like I have to finish these before I dig into 3 pairs of gift slippers with looming deadlines, so it was nice to make a good bit of progress. I think I should have them done by Thursday if I don't get distracted, w00t.

While in Victoria I made it to Beehive and picked up the Yarn Harlot tickets they had on hold for me for Fiber Fest in June. Yay! Thank goodness they are small enough to fit in my wallet so I won't be likely to lose them in the next month and a half! (KNOCK ON WOOD)

I of course didn't make it out of there unscathed, but I limited the damage to three skeins of mouthwatering hand maiden goodness. I'll try and take yarn porn pics tomorrow. ;)

I picked up a skein each of merino sock yarn, Silken and Peter Rabbit. Droooooool. The last two make me want to roll around nekkid in yarn. :P They're in matching shades of spring Green so will most likely end up together as a hat or gloves or... who knows.

The last bit of Yarny goodness is that I have my Sockapalooza Pal! Yay! I can't wait to get started on my first sock exchange. How exciting!

I got Gordon to take a picture of Wicked Friday ...

2007-04-30T13:05:00.000-07:00

I got Gordon to take a picture of Wicked Friday night. :) It's still growing a bit with wear. I think I might have to thread a little elastic through the neckline to make it a bit smaller. It's comfy and all good though.

I will definitely make one size smaller with the short sleeved version.

I've been referring to wicked as my six day sweat...

2007-04-26T14:58:00.000-07:00

I've been referring to wicked as my six day sweater. I cast it on Wednesday evening just over a week ago, and finished it on Tuesday. Today it's finally dry. I loooove it. So comfy and soft and perfect. Halfway through the knitting I ordered some supermerino to do a short sleeved version. I think I'll go down a size when I make the next one. This one is loose and comfy and perfect for layering, but I'd want it smaller for a wear alone sweater. I'll have the boy or someone at the coffeshop take a picture of me in it tonight, but here it is laying flat.

I'm also thinking of going without the pocket on the shortsleeved version, and instead change the bottom to a wide swath of the twist edging that's on the collar and sleeves. We shall see. :)

I went back to knee sock #2 when I finished Wicked, so I've gotten a little farther along finally. I finished the short row heel this morning and I'm finally on the leg. w00t.

Details:
4 skeins of Cascade 220 The Heathers
Size 9 needles
Modifications from pattern, I just doubled the waist shaping decreases.
I made the 36"-39" size

First knee sock done! It took about two weeks, ...

2007-04-15T22:25:00.000-07:00

First knee sock done! It took about two weeks, a little longer than my average pair of socks. Not too bad really for a sock I want to marry, ;) This is based on the Clessidra pattern from the new knitty, I just changed the placement of the cables and made them toe up so I could adjust for my very curvy calves. Wow, what a luxury, a knee sock that fits perfectly. Now I just need another one just like it!

Here's a view of the back cable.

The yarn is gloss from Knitpicks. The body of the sock was knit on a size 1 circ, the cuff on size 0. I also used carry along elastic for the first half of the ribbing.

Finished Object! I'm in love with this sweater. ...

2007-04-08T21:44:00.000-07:00

Finished Object!

I'm in love with this sweater. It's the Airy Lace Wrap (or something to that effect) from Fitted Knits. It knit up really fast, although I had to take a break halfway through to power through Dad's birthday knitting. It's soft and comfy and surprisingly warm.

Other knitting this week included a lot of progress on my Clessidra inspired knee high socks. I'm about 10" up the cuff on sock #1. (I'm knitting them toe up) It looks great so far. I'll post a picture when I finish the first sock.

I also fell sway to temptation at the yarn shop Friday afternoon. I tried to leave without it... but I found myself turning around and walking back into the store. This seasilk crack... I couldn't resist it. And then to compound the decadence, I was forced to buy Victorian Lace today, because, you know, I just didn't have a suitable pattern for this silk in all my many pattern books.

Here's a sneak peak.
This is the "Wide and Handsome Border" I've completed 2 of the three repeats. After the border section is done I pick up stitches and knit a drop stitch pattern for the body of the scarf. OMG this yarn is like what I imagine Heroin is like. It's so amazing.

This is definitely a knit only at home project.

Dad's Clogs. Gotta love the Fiber Trend Clogs. T...

2007-04-04T09:08:00.000-07:00

Dad's Clogs.

Gotta love the Fiber Trend Clogs. These are always a hit. Someday I will have my own. I believe I am currently fourth in line for a pair ;)

Before Felting:

After felting:

Pattern: Fiber Trends
Yarn: black patons classic wool & blue lion cool wool
Yet another combo of inexpensive wools that felt well together, w00t.