Three Days of Nothing to Do September 4, 2006

I loved this Labor Day weekend. I had been feeling so unproductive for so long: no finished knitting projects, a list of to-do items for around the house that just kept getting longer and longer… So this weekend, I just started knocking stuff out.

First and foremost, I started on Alix’s birthday gift. Yet another knitting needle holder. This time I used a nubby dark blue and black fabric (which I bought for a handbag making class a few years ago) for the exterior and muslin for the interior. I also decided to try to make a pattern out of it, so I’ll either be posting it here (or Craftster) or trying to pitch it as a story to Jo-Ann’s craft magazine or something. At any rate, others will be able to benefit from my gradually perfected knitting needle holder design. But until then, I don’t have any photos (still need to get ribbon for the tie closure).

But today was the crazy productive day. I hung a curtain rod (and drilled a few too many holes in the wall–need to get a better stud finder), some photos in my room, and my vintage mirror (which used to be attached to a medicine cabinet of old, so it had pre-drilled holes). And then I recovered my bulletin board.

Ages ago, I found a beat-up wooden frame in a thrift store near work (there used to be three great thrift stores, a knitting store, AND a fabric store on my regular lunchtime walk). Martha Stewart recommends using Homasote for a bulletin board, but good luck finding a piece in a size smaller than 4′x8′. I covered some cardboard with cork tiles, then covered that with fabric. For this re-covering, I added some museum board to have a stiffer backing to it, covered it with an Amy Butler fabric, attached some ribbon, and hung it up. Ta-da.

Now my desk looks like something from Blueprint. I love it.

Maybe I can finish my tank top at the next stitch and bitch…

Summer knitting August 19, 2006

Reprising my knitting project of last year’s trip to the Jersey Shore, I’m about halfway done with the back side of the Rowan shell. I finished the front about a month ago. Will post photos when I get home. One thing’s for sure, I’ll need to throw it in the washing machine before I block it. There’s so much sand in both sides!

Can’t wait to start that red Rowan cardigan for my next project!

Long time, no post May 31, 2006

Oh my Lordy, it’s been ages since I last posted. I haven’t been working on too many crafty projects lately. Although I did make an awesome knitting needle holder for Vera’s birthday that I sorely regret not taking a photo of. I finally figured out a few design things with it. Such as:

• A self-binding edge–basically cutting a bigger piece of the exterior fabric, then hemming it inward to bind the lining
  
• Mitered corners–OK, I only successfully did this on two of the four corners, but still…
  
• Basting–yes, I knew it all along, but this time I did it and proved my theory that basting was the secret to getting all the various layers to stay in place
  
• Muslin lining–it doesn’t move around on you!
  

But I also knitted this cool project for baby Rex. I need to get it in the mail before he grows out of it.

It’s the Baby Denim Drawstring Pants pattern from Joelle Hoverson’s Last-Minute Knitted Gifts, still my favorite knitting book. I couldn’t find Rowan Denim anywhere, so I used Blue Sky Cotton in a pale blue. I’m not sure how well the color will go over with his punk rocker parents, but it’s the thought that counts, right?

Hourglass Is Done! August 24, 2005

I never thought I’d finish! Well, I knew I would eventually, but I wasn’t so sure it would be this year. I started seaming up my hourglass sweater before I left for vacation last week, then brought it all with me to the Jersey Shore. I remembered how cold the nights could get, with the wind blowing off the ocean, so I figured if I didn’t bring another sweater, that would be enough motivation for me to finish it. I did the hems while sitting on the beach, chatting with my mom, the tide coming in and wetting our feet. It was great. The nights were warm, but the A/C was cold, so I wore it a couple of times.

I also knitted an airy scarf for my friend Kerry Ann. I’ll be mailing that to her soon. AND I’m about halfway done one side of the Toledo sweater. Finally, some progress!

Knit-free weekend August 13, 2005

I have so much work to do before I leave for vacation next week, that I don’t think I’m going to be able to finish my hourglass sweater yet! Dang it! It’s been sitting on our kitchen table for a week, staring at me.

At least I’ll have something to do on the plane next week. And I think I might start one of my other sweaters–either Toledo (sleeveless, for me) or Hike (long-sleeved, for Chad). I think I might be selfish and start Toledo. The smaller, sleeveless option sounds like it’ll go quicker than the men’s long-sleeved option.

My hour(glass) is almost over August 7, 2005

My hourglass sweater is almost done! Between looking at apartments this weekend, doing work, and checking out the Velo Rouge Cafe that just opened up near our current place, I finished knitting the Hourglass sweater! I just dug out some old cotton yarn to pick up the stitches so I can finish off the neckline.

I have to say, I bought almost the exact amount of yarn that I’ll need for this one. I think I’ll have about ten yards left over.

Photos soon (I hope).

In other news, I just tore through my stash to get rid of everything I’m not using in the yard sale we’re having next week. If anyone wants some scrap leather (maybe I should sell that on eBay?), Patons Decor yarn remnants (gray, maroon, dark brown, tan, and dark green), dark purple corduroy, felt scraps, or Wedgewood blue burlap, send me an email. I’d definitely be willing to trade any of these for something of equal (i.e., little) value, like stitch holders.

Getting the Yoke July 26, 2005

I tried to think of a better pun, but I couldn’t. It’s late, I’m tired. So there.

I knitted up the second sleeve of my Hourglass sweater on the plane to Indianapolis last week, then attached it to the rest of the sweater the first night, then knitted up about half the yoke on the flight back. I’m hoping to finish it up this weekend or so. I’ll post photos then. Hooray!

I’m a ninny July 16, 2005

I just realized the other day that the Hourglass Knit-a-long button on this page never actually linked to anything. Oops. I fixed it now, though.

I made some decent progress on the second arm of my Hourglass sweater while waiting to get my hair cut. Apparently I was my hairdresser’s only customer today who wasn’t running late. And I was 15 mins. early. Thanks to that series of events, I’m already at the first decrease!

Arming the Hourglass July 14, 2005

I knitted the finished first sleeve onto the body of my Hourglass sweater, and after searching for a half hour on the Web for this diagram, I realized I did it correctly! I’ll post photos tomorrow. I need to catch up on the TdF and sleep first.

No knitting July 10, 2005

Another weekend, another bluegrass festival. This time, my band played at the Good Old Fashioned festival, which showcases all local California bands. It was also Chad’s first bluegrass festival, and he’s still alive (and talking to me), so that’s a good sign.

I keep thinking I’m going to get a lot of knitting done at these festivals, but I haven’t yet. Patti asked me to make her a banjo strap, though. I think I need to catch up on some other projects first. Although I do have a good idea on how I can improve my mando strap pattern/process (but mandolins and much lighter than banjos).

I’m getting together with Erika and Jen on Wednesday, so I hope to finish the first sleeve and attach it to the Hourglass sweater then.