Clueless Knittery

Dead Blog

2007-05-17T12:43:00.000-05:00

I apologize to any who were following my knitting mishaps for the deadly silence of late. Soon after my last post I did something to injure my left arm (knitting obsessively for hours on end, perhaps?) and it's been ridiculously sore ever since. I have still been knitting but have had to limit myself to 45 mins. a day which sometimes still makes my arm ache. I finished up Wicked and will get around to posting a picture soon. It came out fairly well for a first sweater but if I had it to do over again I'd opt for the long sleeved version and I'd make it longer because it just skims my waist and tends to ride up. I've also completed a felted penguin my daughter named Bob (pics to follow), an elephant I passed on to my sister (sorry forgot to take pics), various socks and a hat intended for myself that my daughter has stolen.

A wicked fitting

2007-01-19T19:51:00.000-05:00

Wicked is temporarily off the needles and on waste yarn because I didn't want to chance knocking half the stitches off the circulars and knowing me that's exactly what would've happened. This was so nerve-wrecking for me but so far it seems to fit! It's a little snug over a thin tee but that's what I was hoping for because I really dislike baggy, bulky sweaters.

My 1st Sweater

2007-01-19T14:48:00.000-05:00

Something tells me grilling season is officially over!

I've cast on for Wicked which is my first attempt at knitting a sweater. After the legwarmer disaster, I decided to selfishly knit something that would be all mine. I'm doing this in the small size.

Yarn:Paton's Merino Wool in "New Denim" (3 skeins bought for $3.99 ea @ JoAnn's. Deal or what?)
Needles:#8, 29" Circular, the pattern called for #7, 32" but my gauge was incorrect & I couldn't find 32"'s in 8's
My gauge(for future reference because making this swatch on circulars was a real pain in the behind): Paton's Merino, #8 circs 4.5 sts to the inch(18sts 4"), #7 circs 5 to the inch(20 sts 4")

Wicked woes: I finished up what I thought was a near perfect neckline only to drop a stitch and then drop 5 more in a failed attempt to fix my error. Eh, stubbornly continuing to knit in the dark after losing power probably wasn't one of my better ideas. To make things worse I then noticed I'd been knitting the cable twists on the wrong side. Unknitting wouldn't help this mess. So, I hid myself in my room when I discovered what I'd done to avoid teaching the kids some colorful new words and began to rip. I'm about reading to try it on. More later . . .

Kitty Comforter or Dishcloth?

2007-01-11T19:24:00.000-05:00

I've finished up the dishcloth for the January KAL and attempted to set up a clear shot so I could forever document my screwup (not that the cloth itself won't be a good reminder). Ms. Mia, though, she had other plans for the soft little square.

Is this for me?

Thanks mom, these purly nubs provide most excellent traction for my paws.

What's that you say, you want me to move?

Needless to say she didn't budge without much prodding. What do you think, is it a winter flower, a snowflake or a bobble-less poinsettia? It was done up on #7's, per usual, with a straightforward seed stitch edging that I managed to maul during an episode of the Dog Whisperer. It's not my fault. It featured the author of one my favorite reads of 2006, Marley & Me and I couldn't tear my eyes away. I was so engrossed by the family's newest dog woes (the new dog gleefully slaughters pet chickens) that I didn't notice my error until I had bound off and well, by then I was too lazy to bother unraveling the thing. I'm the main dish scrubber anyway and it'll be a good weekly reminder for me to always read the pattern instead of mindlessly knitting along thinking I know it all.

Hey look, it's almost a very imperfect sock!

One of the myriad reasons why sock one still isn't complete. These are more basic vanilla vegan cupcakes that I won't get to eat because I wasn't bright enough to triple the batch. The dogs have been drooling over me all evening holding out hope I'll throw them a treat but, alas, they're for a dance competition kickoff celebration and not meant for me or the canines.

Legwarmer FO & socks!

2007-01-05T10:17:00.000-05:00

I've discovered I'm a loose knitter. Either that or my daughter and I are punier than most average folks. Despite obtaining gauge for the Ruffled Wristlets they're still flopping around on my upper arms and the legwarmer project had to be frogged after I completed the first one, showed it to my daughter who looked at me with a horrified stare and said "those are for my legs?" I think she feared I'd force her to wear them to school where everyone would point and say very mean things. It's so hard being a third grader these days . . .

So, after going down several needle sizes and chopping off a good 4 inches of length I figured they'd be perfect. Nope, still too baggy according to the kid who doesn't like them. Sigh, I forget she wasn't raised in the 80's and really hadn't a clue what a "legwarmer" was all about. Sorry for the crappy picture but she wouldn't leave them on long enough to get a snapshot. Guess I'll be frogging these and making myself a hat. They were knit up on Lion Brand Wool Ease with size 6, 7 & 8 needles and seamed up the sides with a somewhat neat mattress stitch on one and a sad, confused attempt at mattress stitch on the other (I was too lazy to redo it after the daughter decided legwarmers weren't her thing) . If I ever desire to knit up another pair I'll use circulars because the seaming thing is just not for me. Which brings me to my next WIP:

Yep, that's a sock, alright. After all of my bitching a month or two ago, I decided to give circular knitting another try. Only this time I ditched the slippery metal needles and am using bamboo instead which makes a world of difference. I've been following Silver's Sock Class tutorial and so far I've managed to knit up the ribbing and am ready to start dividing stitches for the heel. Wish me luck because I'm betting I'll need it. I'm using size 4 dpns and some cheap acrylic yarn because I didn't want to mess with the good stuff until I have my technique down.

And here's my sweet old Sam who may end up wearing the legwarmers:

Where To Start?!

2007-01-03T17:12:00.000-05:00

I scored some fabulous books and magazines but don't know where to start. Such problems, eh? I am so thrilled to own these to peruse at my leisure. No more rushing to the library to bring 'em back on time.

I decided to frog the dreaded, never ending boucle blanket but did it only after my little one was fast asleep. I know, I know, I'm a horrible mom but I'm only willing to suffer so much for love and, hey, she did steal my Ruffled Wristlets that took me half a lifetime to knit. I detested working with that splitty boucle stuff and decided to pair it with some cheapie Pound Of Love to make a snuggle for the local Humane Society. The pattern, from Knitting for Peace, is a simple 44 CO, garter stitch done on #8 needles and it's turning into a nice cushy mat that should keep a kitty good and warm. I was hoping to do several of these but it's so very heavy on the needles that it makes my hands ache.

And my little Mia who promptly sat on the snuggle as soon I set it down.

More Vegan Cupcakes

2006-12-23T19:40:00.000-05:00

Instead of knitting, this is what I've been up to today. These are more cupcakes from "Vegan Cupcakes Take Over the World" which I highly recommend. These are the basic chocolate, basic vanilla slathered in vegan buttercream frostings and I made a dozen Jimmy Carter peanut butter cupcakes with chocolate ganache.

My cupcakes caved in due to my tossing the shortning & margarine in a mixer and waltzing away. Fortunately, frosting covers a multitude of sins.

My slaves hard at work frosting these babies for me.
Knitting content next time, really.
And this is what Buds did today. He's the smart one, if you ask me.

Ruffled Wristlets From Hell Are Done

2006-12-13T19:31:00.000-05:00

And just in time for Halloween . . . Ah, better make that Christmas. This was a project which was initially meant to be part of a Halloween costume but after finishing up the first wristlet and fighting with the damn ruffles for hours, I found myself doing everything I could to avoid knitting up the other one.

The pattern can be found over at Lion Brand but you have to register for free patterns first and then backup (a pain, I know). I used 2 skein's of Lion Brand's Black Wool-Ease in worsted weight & 2 skeins of the black "Ruffles" yarn. To get gauge I had to resort to a size 6 needle and they still turned out too big. If I ever get the urge to knit these up again I would not continue to do the increases after the first 9 inches or so because the ruffles tend to flop over. It's an easy rib knit pattern but the ruffles are a real bitch to bind off. I grudgingly admit that the second wristlet was easier and fits better but there's no way I'm knitting up another pair in the near future!

My poinsetta cloth is also done. The pattern can be found at the Monthly Dishcloth KAL blog. I used red 100% cotton yarn purchased at JoAnn Fabrics and #7 needles. The bobbles were a fun new thing to learn and I like the look of this cloth so much I might knit up a few more for myself.

My current WIP are legwarmers which I promised my daughter I'd make about four months back. I'm using Lion Brand Wool-Ease Worsted Weight in white pearl and a pattern that a nice lady on the Monthly Dishcloth KAL shared with the group. It has a knit, purl ribbing and the body is worked up in stockinette by switching up a needle size every 3". So far I haven't managed to screw it up too badly (but I'm not finished yet!)

Yumminess

2006-12-13T11:04:00.000-05:00

Healthier cooking is something I've been working on for a few years. But I love sweets and really why eat dinner when you can have guilt-free Vegan Cupcakes ? Cupcakes that are almost good for you and good for the animals, can it be true? I didn't think so either until I tried these. Made with whole wheat pastry flour, soy milk, canola oil and the best transfat free veggie shortening "buttercream" frosting ever, these are the best tasting cholesterol-free cupcakes I've ever tried. This is one impulse cookbook that I don't regret purchasing. You'll have to buy your own copy HERE because I'm not sharing mine.

This is what happens when you leave an 8 and 10 year old with a big bowl of frosting and two dozen cupcakes ;) This here is a basic chocolate cupcake (page 37) slathered and drowned in chocolate buttercream frosting (pg 144).

Knitting Notes:
I've got a few things going which I'll post when I find a little time and Ive decided that the ex-large Heart Cloth would make a perfect burb rag for baby. The cotton yarn absorbs wet "stuff" very nicely and, big bonus, it's also washer/dryer friendly. Fortunately, I have no need for such things anymore (and am I ever thankful for that!) but my sister is expecting in March so she'll be getting this in her new baby package. Mistakes sometimes turn out to have the most surprising of outcomes, eh?

Helping Pets Without A Home

2006-12-06T20:49:00.000-05:00

I'm betting you have a PetSmart nearby. If you find a spare hour this weekend or next, pack up the dog or brave kitty and head out to that local PetSmart and get yourself a cute keepsake of your furry pal with Santa, read details HERE . Honestly, I've never been a fan of photos with the big man in the red suit but this is for a good cause. For each picture purchased, PetSmart donates $5.00 to a local animal rescue league. Even better donate your time for this fun event. The materialism of the upcoming holiday season has been bumming me out more and more as each year passes and I've been feeling all grinch-like and honestly just want to skip the whole holiday spending thing, you know?

So, instead of shopping (which I despise) or cleaning cat boxes (which isn't nearly as unpleasant as shopping), I spent an hour or so last Sunday collecting donations at the door for the local Humane Society and handing out flyers for the event. It was painful because I'm shy but I'm also a people watcher and was fascinated by the differing reactions when I started my meek little plea for cash and people spied my collection basket. I met some very sweet, generous people as well as more than my fair share of rude folks. But the best part of the day was spent helping out (okay, mostly watching) the dogs get photographed with Santa. It was so much fun meeting the dogs (no cats showed during my shift), many in little holiday outfits! One family even brought several changes of clothes for her good natured labrador to try on. Too cute! I very much recommend this event if you have a relatively well behaved pal. I only dared to bring one of my three dogs, the pee-er and the the barker were left at home, but it's a picture we'll enjoy forever.

The Heart Cloth

2006-12-06T20:05:00.000-05:00

I found this beautiful Valentine Cloth Heart pattern over at Knitting On the Net and had this fantasy of whipping up a dozen or so for gifts. But alas, I was so underwhelmed with my results and irritated with myself and my dumba*s mistakes that I've put off doing much of anything else.

See, I didn't call this blog Clueless Knittery for nothing. The directions are simple, knits and purls on #7 needles and repeating rows but instead of using one of the many solid color cotton balls of yarn pining away in my dresser(and no, I'm not telling just how many), I decided to use this multicolored ball and this is the less than stellar result. It's supposed to be a dishcloth but I repeated the pattern one or two times too many (or maybe more . . .) and now it's almost a blankie. I'm very disappointed with my idiocy but that won't stop me from giving it away to some poor sucker (ah, lucky recipient) at Christmas time. Christmas is sneaking up on me and I don't have time for a do-over.

Stop your whining, you're exhausting me and it's snack time!

Knitting the Dog ~ Fur Real

2006-11-17T13:32:00.000-05:00

At the risk of forever being known as the "insane dog lady", I admit to searching for, locating and purchasing Knitting With Dog Hair. Initially I picked it up for kicks but as I thumbed through it, I began to get an itch to pick up the doggie brush and get to work. And would you look at the bounty harvested from just ONE brushing of two golden retrievers and a grumpy lab?

But back to the book. . . Why spend all sorts of money on yarn when I already have two fuzz producing critters? But then again, am I really so cheap that I'll wear a hat that smells like my dogs? I refuse to answer that.

Smell was my biggest worry when I ran across this book. I know only too well how stinky my wet dogs can be, but apparently they say the smell can be washed out quite permanently and easily and then they ask if one has ever smelled a sheep up close. Good point!

With smell issues out of the way, I read on with interest. Instead of throwing away all of that lovely golden fur floating around my home, I might actually be able to use it and make FREE YARN! Of course this involves quite a bit of work. Daily brushings, the labor intensive washing, washing and washing again of the fuzz (without clogging your drain in the process), then one must card (comb) the fuzz so it all lays the way it should, then you've got to oil it, spin it (an art in itself) and ply it into yarn. Yikes, it looks so easy when laid out in a few pages in a book but it sounds too much like work for someone like me.

After you've done all of the above, you can knit hats, scarves and just about anything that you'd knit with wool, if you have any energy left, that is. The projects seem pretty straightforward but the instructions assume one has some familiarity with knitting. There are scarves, hats, mittens sweaters, even a doggie sweater (the pic shows a pug smugly wearing a sweater made from newfoundland fur, way too cute!). You must know the basic stitches, know all about knitting the round, know how to use your double pointed and circular needles and how to work fair isle/intarsia if you want to finish many of these items. I would've appreciated a little knitting 101 section here (especially for the color work, are you supposed to purl or knit the colors??), but that's just me and I suppose that stuff can easily be found on google but still . . .

The other downside of this book are the black and white photos. The items are described as beautiful tones of "golden retriever fur" or whatever and then they go and show a grainy b&w photo of a fuzzy looking scarf/hat/shawl which was so disappointing. Also, there are not nearly enough photos showing how to make and use the drop spindle but the carding section was well illustrated and appears simple enough that even a nitwit like me can probably figure it out. I seriously doubt I could learn the art of spinning dog fuzz using only this book and will look for a video if I ever get my fuzzies washed and ready, Actually, this whole washing and rewashing bit intimidates me the most!

There is a section outlining breeds and their "spinability" for those on the lookout for potential fuzz factories. Lucky for me, my two goldens are top producers but my labrador retriever is a poor choice. Apparently, though, his "short chocolate sprinkles" can be added to all of the glamorously soft golden fur to spice up the color. Who knew?

This was an informative, very niche book, that takes its topic seriously and was a fun read. It's got me looking at the fuzz balls in a new way but I'm not sure if I'll ever work up the energy to collect, wash, card, and then spin this stuff into workable yarn because I'm just too lazy. Though it might make a nice little side business for someone with a lot of time to spare. Imagine a keepsake of your beloved pet made out of their shedding fur? The possibilities are endless . . .

Wait someone has already beat me to it!

Where's my fuzz mom?

And here's some actual knitting I've been working on, the 2 heart bags are completed (woo hoo!) but I've been too lazy to felt them and here's the beginnings of the Nov Midmonth KAL. I've also been working on a heart cloth for a gift but will get to that later because blogger is giving me trouble with the pics and I'm quitting while I'm ahead.

Can't You See It's A Turkey?

2006-11-08T19:34:00.000-05:00

I've finished the Nov. Dishtowel KAL. It's a turkey but apparently I'm the only one who can see it. My husband's guess? "It's a tree, right?" He did the same for the candy corn illusion so I'm trying not to take offense here.

I've been working on making two more heart bags for the nieces and possibly a third since we suffered an unspeakable mishap on the bag I finished and felted. Apparently, the bag was left within reach of a bored dog who was so enamored with my work he decided to lick and nibble on the strap while we were away for an hour or two. Nibble is too nice a word for what he did. He tore completely through the strap leaving it a soggy, shredded mess. I didn't take pictures so heartbroken was I. I managed to repair it but had to refelt the entire bag and it's now about 3" inches all around. It's a mini-mini bag suitable for carrying around a piece of bubble gum and a quarter. I'll post a picture if I can bring myself to look at it again. The dog and the "I'll just drop my stuff on the floor and walk away" kid are still breathing in case you were wondering . . .

"Yummy wool, I love you so, especially when you're between my teeth"

All Felt Up

2006-11-03T08:44:00.000-05:00

I'm very pleased with my first felting attempt. The felting bit was painless and I am amazed at how all of the stitches fused together making the fuzzy heart pop. I'd like to thank Midnight Knitter for her easy to follow pattern. It turned out so cute I may knit up a few more for my nieces and other little ones who'll love the sparkly fuzziness of the heart and the lipgloss I'll throw in it. It's almost big enough to fit a 300 page paperback without too much stretching. I may knit one for myself but will double the pattern, adding more rows at the beginning and end so I can fit my current book in progress comfortably (most important!) along with my keys and a skinny wallet.

We're [Almost] Felting

2006-11-02T22:31:00.000-05:00

The pattern from Midnight Knitter. I've wanted to give felting a try for months but feared the whole thing until I joined the felting KAL over at Romancing the Yarn .

I found the supplies at my favorite local yarn shop who didn't carry the Technohair but knew exactly what it was and did their best to find me a nice substitute. I got me some trendy hairy stuff (which was on sale, I might add) and some lovely black Cascade Wool along with a pair of size 10 1/2 needles.

The whole thing took very little time and is done mainly in stockinette with some garter thrown in along the bottom edge. The fuzzy stuff is carried over with the wool and the chart was a breeze to follow. What was I so afraid of, anyway? Here it is before sewing up the sides and knitting the strap.

Here's a shot after it's all seamed up and ready for my first felting attempt.

And,finally, here's my sweet old Sam modeling the latest in high end dog accessories for winter the "Have A Heart Drool Catcher"

It's agitating in hot water in the washer as I write (the bag not the dog), along with two pairs of jeans. Laundry, felting and drool removal all in one fell swoop!

Creepy Tree or Rotting Mushroom?

2006-10-30T11:02:00.000-05:00

Either way this unblocked piece is downright fugly. But hey, the nightmarish thing is off the needles! Working with LionsBrand "Ruffles" was an experience I'm only willing to repeat one more time because I'm determined to see this project come to an end, along with my remaining sanity. The stuff is difficult for a new knitter and nowhere in the directions did they mention how impossibly tight the stuff gets and how impossible it is to bind off without resorting to teensy dpn's.
Lionsbrand says this about Ruffles:

Ruffles is a wonderful new yarn with endless creative possibilities. Slip knitting needles or crochet hook through the fabric and watch it transform like magic into pretty rows of ruffles.

Working with Ruffles requires a special, yet simple, technique. The loops are formed by inserting the needle or hook into the yarn.

I says this about Ruffles:

Ruffles, my bloody fingers and I despise you. Your marketing director may find you "wonderful" but I can't get the nightmarish vision out of my head of accidentally slipping you off the dpn and then losing you and all of your nasty little threadlits in the process ON THE FREAKIN' BIND OFF. My poor pets ran in terror and my neighbors probably think me a shrieking maniac.

"Mom, you scare me more than the big beasties"

"Scream? What scream? I smell food and I'm not budging 'til I get some!"

Bookcrossing: I Am Not Loony, Really, I'm Not

2006-10-27T11:33:00.000-05:00

Who would've ever thought that getting rid of your clutter could be so rewarding? I know there are people who will forever consider me a nut, a loon and a weirdo for dropping my books wherever the fancy strikes but I'm betting they haven't seen my armoire which is so stuffed with books that I can no longer fit clothes inside. Okay, in all honesty, I've been hitting the to be read stacks with a vengeance because I'm needing a new spot to hide my yarn! Who needs clothes, anyway?

It's catches like these that make it all worth the trouble. Keeping two four year old twins occupied while their dog is in surgery? How can this not be a good thing?

"Keep the grub coming Mom and we promise we'll never call you loony."

Why Art Thou So Inept?

2006-10-27T10:36:00.000-05:00

I didn't want to start something that would be way over my head again (like the sorry attempt at socks I tried a few weeks ago) and figured this "Knits for Kids" Ruffled Wristwarmer project would be a snap. Apparently, my ineptness knows no bounds because I've managed to screw this up not once but twice. It's a simple pattern done up with Lion's Brand Wool-Ease in knit one, purl one ribbing, with knit thru the front, knit thru the back increases every 6 rows but as I was, oh lets just say nearly freaking finished, my needle snagged my knitting bag which I stupidly left beside me and all 50 stitches were violently ripped off the metal needle. I did my best to salvage the thing but now my perfect ribbing (ok, so it's not so perfect but it's my fantasy) is marred by ugly twists. I'm at the point where I just want to be done with it or rip it to shreds . . . Needless to say, I am not going to have these ready for Halloween. Unless I call in sick to work. For the next three days/weeks/months?! This picture hides the many imperfections that are driving me mad:

Candy Corn Dishtowel FO

2006-10-22T16:58:00.000-05:00

I finished my dishtowel but Mia, the camera hog, doesn't think it important enough to merit a photo. Since it's my first completed follow-the-pattern project, I'm almost afraid to use it to scrub grimy dishes. It seems so disrespectful, you know?

From this angle you can see the "illusion" a bit better. This was fun to knit up and done on #7 needles with 100% cotton yarn I bought at Joann's.

It was way too cold to practice yoga outside today in bare feet but the trees looked so gorgeous I gave it a try anyway. After 10 minutes, I bid nature goodbye for the warmth of my fur filled house. I ended up doing one of Elsie's Yoga Podcast routines instead. A decent workout that was so relaxing I fell fast asleep on the floor. I'm loving this podcast thing because I can take my practice anywhere I can fit a mat.

FROG it all

2006-10-20T12:28:00.000-05:00

Cute, eh? And oh so easy to knit up, they say. "They" apparently don't suffer from insomnia.

Sadly, this project which was 3/4's of the way finished has been frogged. Somewhere in an insomnia induced haze I knit where I supposed to purl, purled where I was supposed to knit and made an ugly mess that I couldn't fix. In my frustration, I ripped and ripped some more until there was nothing left but a pile of crinkly yarn. It felt pretty good until I'd realized what I'd done. Oh the horror!

Dish Towel KAL Day 2 & Day 3

2006-10-18T18:16:00.000-05:00

It's book meeting night and instead of making an attempt to read a few pages of this months selection (well, first I'd have to find the book) I've been doing this instead.

Can you guess what this is? I know, but I'm not telling!

Graham sniffs things out and is mighty impressed.

It's Day 3 and I've done something wrong. I knitted in the tails of the yellow and orange yarn to save myself from weaving in the ends when I finish (read this tip somewhere online) but they're showing on the right side of the work. Does this tip only work on solid work or did I screw it up?

I Won, I Won . . . a ruined palette

2006-10-17T16:40:00.000-05:00

I entered a contest at one of the
makeup blogs I like to visit to view the pretty new things that I can't afford and my prize arrived today! Isn't it the cutest? It's Benefit's Weathergirl Palette and is filled with beautiful colors for every day wear.

Unfortunately I had to run out, left it on the bathroom counter and came back to find this. Block your eyes, Benefit fans, because it gets ugly.

*sniff* Seems as if curious little fingers were busy while I was away. Note the missing applicator which was completely immersed in the lovely champagne gloss and had to be tossed in the trash. Fortunately for the boy-child involved, I learned something from my yoga practice and took several deep breaths and walked away instead of reverting to screeching maniac mode . . . It's only a thing, a once beautiful, prestine thing that was all mine for all of two minutes.

In knitting news, I've cast on for two projects and am learning how to knit with two colors which is easier than expected thanks to all of the help I discovered online. Here's the beginning of the Mid-October Knitalong which is supposed to be a surprise. Because I've been blog-hopping I'm pretty sure I know what it is. Ah well, serves me right for being so damned nosey.

This is the beginning of Ruffled Wristlets which are going to be part of my Halloween costume if I don't screw them up too badly.

And here's Sam today doing his best impression of "THE DOG"

My Feline Menagerie

2006-10-10T16:14:00.000-05:00

This is Ms. Mia who we think is two. We adopted her from the Humane Society this past August and she's made herself right at home. She loves nothing more than to attack that big ball of boucle that I'll never use up in this lifetime.

This is Mr. Kirby whom we adopted as a wee cute little kitten a year ago. (Note to self: Cute doesn't always = sweet!) He's rather wild and more than a little evil but he keeps the big dogs in line and we love him anyway. This here pic is quite deceiving. Kirbs has no interest in me unless I'm serving up breakfast.

This is Buddy who's almost two and can sleep through anything.

And finally there's Sammy who's 11 and, after many years of humiliating photos, more than likely secretly loathes me.

Slippery DPN's and CAY

2006-10-09T09:22:00.000-05:00

Bored of my knit, purl for eternity blanket, I attempted to learn knitting "in the round" with metal double pointed needles and cheap-ass yarn purchased at Joann's. Mistake #1 was thinking I could master this technique in a weekend (ha, ha), then I went and purchased slick metal dpn's and the CAY which was filled with breaks and 4 ply that mysteriously shrunk to 1 ply and then back again to 4 ply. I ended up frogging 4 failed sock attempts before giving up. Tell me again, folks, all the stress reducing benefits of knitting?!

On the plus side I did successfully learn the long tail cast-on and managed to knit one little pinky ring/warmer in the round. I also discovered some helpful videos at Knittinghelp.com so the weekend wasn't a total wash out.

Messy Hearts

2006-10-04T12:18:00.000-05:00

Are you impressed yet? Desperate to finish something quickly, I decided to work up a pair of simpleton wristbands with the rainbow boucle on a #5 needle. When will I learn? This boucle, though lovely and soft, is hell to work up. It splits and tangles and is driving me a little more insane each time I pick it up. I'm going to use it along with a sturdier yarn next time around and see if I can find a little love for the stuff.