Wednesday, April 30, 2014

WIPS

It's Wednesday again.  I love knitting.  I love the break from reality that it gives me.  This week I can use the break.

I don't have much to show you.  I've been working steadily at my 15 color rainbow socks and am getting close to tow decreases.  Love that part of socks.  It's fast.  I put another couple of rows on my Emelie cardi-the ribbing looks great now.  I haven't made it my train knitting yet-maybe next week.

I finished the Monsoon and you'll see that Friday.

I cast on an Age of Brass and Steam and am in the last major section before the edging.  This kerchief goes really fast.  Love it.


I haven't cast on for Paul's hat yet, but expect to this week.  The rest of my WIPs have been languishing away.  I'll get to them eventually.

For more WIPs visit Tamis Amis' blog.

I should have a post written by tomorrow about the Back to Back Challenge that I went to on Saturday.  (The sheer a sheep, spin the yarn and knit a sweater competition).  It was more fun than it sounded to my husband, who responded with "Wait, you're gonna watch other people knit???"  The tone was the special part of that question.  Might have thought I was going to watch paint dry.  Beige paint at that.

Happy Wednesday.

Friday, April 25, 2014

The Perfect Day + Friday + Oregon

Happy Perfect Day everyone!  I drove down to San Diego this morning for work and listened to the radio on my way.  They played a clip from Miss Congeniality- What is your idea of the perfect date?  "I'd have to say April 25th.  It's not too hot, not too cold, all you need is a light jacket."

I sort of have a fo today.  I didn't do all the work, so it doesn't really count.  I participated in a scarf swap or traveling scarf.  Five other ladies and myself each began our own scarf and knit 10 inches before sending it off to the next knitter.  The scarves made the rounds and then returned with a total of 60 inches complete.

Here's mine:


It's what's called a garbage scarf.  All scraps of various yarns.  It's a lot of fun.  I was hoping to have the Monsoon done, but ran out of yarn and had to order more.  It's disappointing when the LYS doesn't have what you want when you want it.  The internet saved the day.

Last weekend I took a trip up to Oregon to meet my sister's intended.  He's great.  While there we went to Silver Creek Falls.  If you're ever in Oregon, outside of Salem by 20 minutes or so, take a detour to the falls.  It's a great easy hiking spot for those looking for an easy hike and a short walk to the top of the falls along a sidewalk for the less adventurous.

Enjoy the view and check out Tamis Amis' blog for other FOs.





















Have a great weekend!


Wednesday, April 23, 2014

WiPS Wednesday

Happy Hump Day everyone!

It's a beautiful day out there in Los Angeles today.  Not hot- Barely warm at 70 degrees-but it is wind free and not chilly.  Makes me sad to be inside.  At least I can look at it occasionally as I write an opposition brief at my desk.  I'm taking a break to blog.

I went out of town over the weekend and had a blast.  I spent 2 hours in the air working on the Monsoon shawl.  And wouldn't you know if I ran out of yarn.  I actually ran out over the weekend.  The edging of the Monsoon takes longer than the shawl itself.  It's a 7 stitch 4 row repeat worked in short rows across the bottom.  I ran out of the third color of yarn and don't want a bi-colored edging.  So I went yarn shopping on my way into work this morning.

Unfortunately the shop didn't have my color in stock.  So what's a girl to do?  Yup you guessed it-shop online.  I don't have the ball band with me just a piece of the yarn to match.  And not trusting the color matching between that yarn and my computer screen I did what any rational knitter would do.  I bought 4 balls of yarn.  Each a different color.  All of the colors close to the one I need.  One of them is sure to be the ticket.

Since I was hoping to finish the Monsoon this weekend I was a bit bummed.  Not to worry I just went ahead and cast on another Age of Brass and Steam shawl.  I also worked on my 15 color rainbow socks for a bit.  They now have heels-sort of.



The Age of Brass and Steam is being worked in Madeline Tosh-it's gorgeous.


In that damn hat news-my soon to be bro in law agrees with my husband and says that it isn't likely that he would wear that hat.  So it gets to be frogged and made into something else.  Bro to be has agreed that a beanie would be welcome.  So that damn hat will become a beanie instead.  Much nicer to knit.

I've put another row of 3 x 2 ribbing on my cardi and will be making that my train knitting next week.  I am determined to finish it before the end of May.

That's it for WiPS this week.  The list from previous weeks remains the same minus and FOs reported here.
If you're in So Cal this weekend-check out the Back to Back challenge in Bonita California.  A team will sheer a sheep, spin the yarn and knit a sweater in one day.  They're hoping to beat last years time.

Check out Tamis Amis' blog for more WIPS

Wednesday, April 16, 2014

WIP Wednesday and #AndKnitting

Happy Wednesday everyone.  My list of ongoing works in progress hasn't changed much from two weeks ago.   I haven't picked up most of them at all.  I started the Monsoon shawl as a knitting group KAL and am close to finishing.  This shawl is knit in worsted weight on size 10.5 inch needles.  It's awkward working on larger needles after so many projects on ones, two's and an occasional three.

In any case, this shawl is a fast knit and easy.  Really really easy.


It's not the best photo, but it is lace and it is still on the needles.  And lace before blocking always looks like a hot mess.  I keep wavering on whether I like the color combo or not.  I like it here.  I loved it in the skeins.  But last night knitting it I hated it.  It's the grey.  Feels too dark and blah.  But then I was working on it on the train this morning and was back to liking it.  It's all cascade 220.  The middle color is a mix of the other two.

I may be done with this in time for Friday's Fo post.  (probably not-cause I don't know when I would have time to block it- but you never know.)

On a side note- there have been a lot of articles in the news, on blogs, and even TV about knitting lately.  None of it has been great reporting.  Most of it has been cliched.  And I think most knitters just ignore it for the most part.  In the UK there is a magazine called the Guardian.  They wrote a piece, supposedly by a knitter, that was poorly done-no depth, no research, lots of cliches.  Louise from Knit British wrote a scathing retort, that I quite enjoyed and I think you may as well.

Check out Louise's rant here: http://www.knitbritish.net/andknitting/?utm_content=buffer152b0&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=buffer

And check out twitter, search #AndKnitting for knitters responses to what they do other than knitting.  

Lawyer, writer, biker, runner, teacher, wife (housekeeper, cook & personal assistant) #AndKnitting.

For more WIPs go to Tamis Amis' blog.



Tuesday, April 8, 2014

YARN CRAWL LA 2014

Last weekend was the pinnacle of yarn crawls.  Los Angeles County had 29 stores on the crawl this year plus one pop up shop.  My local knitting group started Thursday night at out knit night by yarn bombing the van that would transport us to all 29 stores.



We began the crawl Saturday morning at 9 am and finished Sunday night at 5:30 (30 minutes to spare).  Another group member, Sarah, followed along in her own car (she had plans later but wanted to hit as many stores as she could.)  Next year we hope to have a bigger group.  It's a lot of fun.  Even when the Knitagator makes everyone stay to the schedule.

Our van was the big hit of the crawl.  Store owners and employees heard about our van and wanted pictures, at least half of all our stops included posing with the van.

We spent the most time at the first stop-Alamitos Bay Yarn Company and the Yarn Over Truck.  First by posing with the van:

Then by going through "Candyland" at Alamitos and taking selfies with the Gingerbread man for extra drawing entries.


Me


Bessie


Me again

I planned our route, taking into consideration the Hollywood marathon and another event in LA-Civivla-both of which were guaranteed to cause traffic nightmares.

We went to 16 stores on Saturday-spending no more than 15 minutes per store and eating lunch on the go.



I have no idea which store this is.  


This scarf was on display at Twist, Yarns of Intrigue.  The yarn surrounding it is their own hand dyed yarn.  It reminds me of Malabrigo.  Soft and luscious.


It would take a daring woman to wear a knit bikini...


At Gather DTLA, in the hallway outside the shop, we found an art installation-made of yarn.  Looks like a giant web.






Gather is located inside a book store on Spring and 5th.  This area is always a traffic nightmare and parking is impossible.  Unless you pay to park in one of the lots.  We choose to have our wonderful driver, Bessie, drop us off so we could run up to the store for stamps in our passports.  We paid to park last year and were not interested in repeating that.  ($15 for 5 minutes).  Parts of 5th and Spring are closed to traffic on Sundays for the farmers market.  Add to that the closures for CivivLA and we were't taking the chance that our schedule would be messed up.

After downtown we headed back towards Santa Monica and went to the shop on the crawl and then the pop up shop at Wildfiber.  Wildfiber was set to close the week before the crawl and someone stepped in at the last minute and purchased the shop-saving it.  It's a fun shop.  They decided to do a pop up shop and had a book signing by Mel Clark.  Joan and I both picked up her book "Knitting Everyday Finery" and had Mel sign them.

Then it was back on the road for more stores.  During the crawl, we had stretches of 30 minutes to 5 minutes while driving where we were able to knit or crochet.  I began the Monsoon shawl for my knitting group knit a long.  I made it to the section before the lace-about 52 rows in.

We spent the night at a hotel Saturday night.  Hung out in the hot tub for a couple of hours to unwind and then hit the sack.

Sunday morning we were up early, had breakfast and hit the road in time to get up to Santa Clarita well before their opening at 10 am.  Creative U is the store in Santa Clarita and it was our favorite.  Of course it is also the farthest from us at an hour without traffic and probably a 3 hour drive with traffic.  They had the best selection of Cascade and Rowan yarns in LA county.  They do a knit night on Friday nights that sounds like it would be a ton of fun.  We're already planning a Saturday day trip up to Creative U.  And given them fair warning that we'll be heading up to hang all day on their couches.  The owner was lovely and said we're welcome to stay as long as we'd like.


I love this bear.  I'll have to knit one for my Mom-she loves bears.


Here he is in his habitat.  Looks like the perfect place to hang out.



Here is Joan and Lisa, I believe at Twist, Yarns of Intrigue.  Check out Lisa's newly finished Spectra.  It's gorgeous.




Friday, April 4, 2014

FO Friday

Happy Friday Everyone!

It's a great day.  Not only is it the end of the week, which I love, but it's also time for the LA County Yarn Crawl.  I'm excited for this weekends crawl.  Last night at knit night we yarn bombed the van we'll be traveling in.

Sneak peek:


I will take better pictures this weekend and share them next week.  The van looks awesome.  We'll be easy to spot.

I have a finished object this week.  My Spectra is finally done.  It needs to be blocked but doesn't look too bad.


It's difficult to get a picture of this without a model.  I'll have someone snap a picture of me in it soon.  


Hop over to Tamis amis' blog for more FO Friday stuff.

Wednesday, April 2, 2014

WIP Wednesday

Happy Hump Day!  I've been counting down the days until this weekend for a while now.  Why? You ask?  Because it's LA Yarn Crawl time!!! 29 stores in 2 days.  My knitting group and I are going to go to all 29 stores on the crawl this year.  I have the entire route planned out (and that took some time, planning and work).  After all it is Los Angeles.  And, maybe you've heard, we have a wee bit of a traffic problem here in LA.

I'll take pictures as I am able to this weekend and will tell you all about it next week.  We're yarn bombing Bessie's van again this year and hope we can outdo last years efforts.

What's on the needles this Wednesday?  Pretty much the same list.  Couple of changes.

*That damn hat
*15 color Rainbow socks
* Emelie Sweater
*Shallows Cowl
*Collar finishing on Channel
*Monsoon Shawl

That damn hat is the Donegal cap.  I think I need to just restart the thing.  I told the recipient to not hold out hope of it ever being finished and to maybe pick something else.  But here's the thing.  29 other people have knit this hat.  That means it is not impossible.  I will not let it get the better of me.  I will finish that damn hat.  Maybe its the yarn.  I am using wool.  Pattern calls for a Hemp yarn.  If I can find Hemp yarn this weekend I'll recast on.

My 15 color Rainbow socks are so much fun.  The colors pop really bright.  The silvery thread sparkles.  Haven't reached the heel yet.

Emelie sweater- I ripped out and restarted.  The 3 x 2 ribbing was off.  blech.  So I recast on and made it a whole 4 rows.  I know.  Such progress.  I'm just whipping through this thing and will probably be done by April 15th of 2022.

The Shallows is almost half way done.  I'm really liking the pattern.  It's easy and I can remember it.  Bonus**.  I finally changed needles.  I was using my Knitters pride interchangeables.  But they were too heavy.  Made knitting slow and felt awkward.  Now I'm using some no brand cheap things that weight next to nothing, but make the knitting flow better.  I bought a package of circular needles size 0-15 from Amazon for $15 thereabouts or incredibly cheap.  The cords are sticky and twist ALOT.  The join sucks rocks.  The needles themselves are not bad.  Very light and if you don't mind stopping to assist your stitches over the join every single time, usable.  With the Shallows the cowl scrunches up on the needles, leaving the cord twisting by itself.


Here's a close up of the colors...

I'm still having camera issues.  Totally sucks.  New phone and the camera should be golden.  It refuses to focus so it's going back home to it's mommy for repairs over at Samsung.  Hopefully they will repair or replace it.

The Channel has lost all favor with me.  I have it sitting in a project bag on a table in my living room.  I see it almost every day.  I know I am really close to being done, done.  And wearing it, but still haven't made a move towards it.  It needs to become more interesting and then I'll finish it.  Maybe when I get on a finishing kick.  We'll see.

And the last thing on the needles this week is the Monsoon shawl.  It's a fairly new pattern from Interweave knits spring edition.  My knitting group has a few new knitters and a few shawl virgins.  This is a worsted weight lace shawl on size 10.5.  It's perfect for the beginners.  I'm knitting a long and will help out where it's needed.

What do you have on the needles?  Check out other WIPs at Tami's amis's blog.