Monday, July 26, 2004

Happily knitting away...

When this thing, this...this...this knot pops up out of nowhere!

From out of nowhere...

I've heard of this happening, but have never encountered it. Is this normal? How often has this happened to you? I was busy knitting and watching The Iron Giant, so I didn't notice it right away. Until I checked my work! Luckily, the knot ended up on the wrong side. I suppose there are simple remedies when encountering such frustration. Portofino was already in a ball when purchased, so there was no way of knowing ahead of time.

After a brief moment of wondering if I had purchased defective yarn, I went on to the utter confusion of the RRI(right raised increases) and LRI(left raised increases) on my Honeymoon. The decreases were a breeze...a snap...no problem-o! And they look just fine. I'm not sure the increases are being done correctly. They look okay to me. As mentioned before, the yarn is a bit forgiving. I'm just looking forward to finishing. I'm a slow knitter and it's a bit intimidating when I'm reading about everyone else finishing their projects and moving on.

There's so many things I want to start, but am holding off. At least until I finish Honeymoon and my friend's beanie. Oh, and don't forget, I still have my daughter's tank to work on. I've decided to modify the pattern on that project...so, I'm not going to put too much pressure on myself to finish that up in a hurry.

I'm wondering...how slow is too slow?

Wednesday, July 21, 2004

Beads and yarn...

Still working feverishly(?!) to finish my Honeymoon. Not much to photograph, I'm just below the "shape bust" section of the pattern. And I promise to include photos once the cami gets closer to being finished.

I've been doing some beading to break up the monotony of knitting stockinette in the round. This is my take on a design I found in a Japanese bead magazine. The original called for a temari ball type design which I felt was a bit impractical for an everyday look.

starry heavenly!

Why all the beading? Well, I found a new bead shop in my area. Until recently, I would have to travel over 45 minutes through Honolulu traffic to find decent beads. So bead shopping was a rarity. Now, it's a smooth five minute drive on my side of the island. I will be paying them a visit again today. Do you think three visits to buy beads in week is a bit much? Thank goodness there aren't any yarn shops near by...

This beanie has been haunting me for months. I need to finish this soon. It's been promised to a friend and I'm sure he has given up on ever seeing it. I hope he appreciates it...I'm doing it sans pattern and have been stuck trying to figure out how to do the decreases. I really need to study up on garment constrution. I found a formula for hats a while back and if I can find it, I will definitely need its help.

Ribbed!

It seems crazy to be working on cold weather gear when it's 90 degrees out...

Saturday, July 17, 2004

Honeymoon, v2.0...

Second Honeymoon
 
Ahhhhh...now I'm glad I ripped my first attempt.  Once I got past the eyelet portion and saw some progress, I felt like I was actually knitting.  I'm even enjoying the decreases.  Although the left decreases are a bit confusing.   I am hoping I'm not twisting or turning those stitches.  This boucle is pretty forgiving...and I think it will be less obvious if there is a slight glitch somewhere.  I hate to admit it, but I don't think I would recognize a twisted stitch if I ran into one anyway.  
 
It's been difficult to find time to knit with full-time work and getting the kids and myself ready for the coming school year.  My daughter has decided to stay in Hawaii, so I am busy getting her set-up for the fourth grade.  I have yet to finish registering for my classes in the fall.  I'm an anthropology major and it's been slow going with only 2 classes a session, but I will keep plugging away until I get my degree.  I'm more concerned that my son will be a high school junior next year.  Yikes!(shudder) Driver's ed. 
 
I am looking forward to starting a knitting group on my campus this fall.  One of my friends that I taught to knit attends the same campus and we discussed starting one this semester.    If  you are reading this and attend the Leeward campus of UH, please contact me(see profile).  Let's get together!   
 
Here's some Peace Fleece I had in my stash.  I'm thinking of using them for holiday gift giving.  Just need to find appropriate projects.   I've been thinking of cell phone cozies to go with some of the beaded phone dangles that I'm making.
 
Merry Christmas?!!
 
I'll try to post photos of some of my beaded projects next post...
 


Tuesday, July 13, 2004

I pledge...

  • To read a pattern completely through before starting a project.

  • To swatch a complete 6 inch sqare. Not 2, not 4...but 6.

  • To chronicle my projects in a journal.

  • To not expect the impossible from a yarn. A boucle blend will
    not behave as a mercerized cotton.

  • To try a new stitch pattern at least once a week.

  • To become more discerning when shopping for yarn, especially
    in pricing. Somewhere, there is a better price.


  • I felt I needed to set some guidelines for myself. I tend to get excited about starting projects and not think things through which usually end in disappointing results. My impulsive nature is being challenged. Patience is not only a virtue, it's become a necessity. I'm in such a rush to reach the destination, I'm not noticing mistakes along the way. Slowing down would be a good thing.

    And learning a new stitch pattern keeps me focused on where I want to go with my knitting. It helps me to realize that I can do more than just knit and purl.

    Here's a couple I tried this past week...

    Feather and Fan Cable

    They are from the book "How To Knit" by Debbie Bliss.



    It's one of the first books I purchased when I began to knit. I still like to use its stitch libraries and there is a entrelac workshop that I would eventually like to tackle.

    But, for now, back to the cami...

    Thursday, July 08, 2004

    Day off...

    Not really.

    After a 7-day work week, I was hoping to get some relaxation time to knit...but nope. I was wrong. Kids need attention. House needs attention. And inside, my Self is whining, "What about me?!!"

    To top it all off, I spent most of my second day off fussing with my computer. I was hoping to put in new USB ports, as the ones I currently have do not work. It looks like it may take a bit longer to get some decent pictures up.

    I wanted to get the mundane out of the way so I could have at least a few hours to knit and read. But things just weren't happening for me.

    Oh well, at least I attended the Honolulu Stitch 'n Bitch last night. It is always refreshing to spend time with fellow knitters. Everyone was working on some really wonderful projects. Michelle is knitting the shapely tank in black Cotton Fleece. What a great yarn! I really love the way it looks and feels. We talked about a knitting getaway(a knitaway!). A trip to the Mainland to go yarn shopping. I know it's something I would seriously consider doing. And check out Opal's tank...it's coming along nicely, too.

    I was thinking of ripping my Honeymoon Cami. I enjoy knitting this pattern, but it looks a bit sloppy. Yes, this is what happens when I get really tired and should not be knitting or anything else for that matter, except to get some shut-eye. But working straight shifts for days on end, I just had to have a fix. Anyone ever knit in their sleep? Don't try it! And rather than keeping on and wincing everytime I have to look at it, I think it's time for Ms. Frog to do her "thang".

    On the other hand, Oli's tank is coming along fine. And I'm looking forward to seeing it on my daughter. I love the colors. And the moss stitch I used for the hem is probably one of my favorites stitches.

    yummy colors

    Speaking of daughter, I took her to a place here called "Hanai Bear". Hanai in Hawaiian means to adopt. The shop has dolls and animals that a child can choose from. They are not stuffed and once a child finds one, she can help to fill it with stuffing from a huge stuffing machine. This is the most fun part. And the attendant asks the child if her friend is cuddly enough. If it's decided that all is okay, the child picks a little felted heart from a basket and says a pledge to promise to take care of her newly adopted friend. The heart is then pushed into the doll and then it is zipped permanently. The final step is to choose a name and fill out the "Certificate of Adoption". Here is a photo of Oli putting the heart into Emma Rose...

    I promise to keep you safe and happy!

    So cute, Emma Rose has been with Oli ever since.

    Hmmm, looks like I'll have to find some time to knit doll clothes...

    Saturday, July 03, 2004

    I am in the midst of a Honeymoon...

    Lovin' the knittin' but not the camera

    I love this project. But not wanting to bore you, I won't go into another tirade about not having enough time to knit. I'm just hoping to get some time in tomorrow evening while watching fireworks.

    Have a safe and fun holiday, y'all!



    Are you a Bad-Ass?

    Bad-Ass Knitter, that is! Now this is what I'm talking about...check out what Wendyknits has to say about it. Join her...join me. And get one of these:

    Be a Bad-Ass

    And while you are at it, get rid of that annoying little voice in your head telling you that you aren't holding the needles correctly or using the right yarn or that you are knitting too slow.

    Celebrate independence!

    Friday, July 02, 2004

    Happy Friday...

    Not when it's a Tuesday in your work week. Haven't had much time to knit. Or for anything else. I have been working on my Honeymoon Cami every chance I get. This is a very fun knit. I'm still working through the eyelet border. It isn't as difficult as I thought it would be, as I was a bit worried I was not doing the "ktbl"(knit through the back loop) correctly. But so far it looks okay. I think the decreases are the parts that will have me pulling hair.

    I will try to post a photo of the cami later tonight. My camera phone is okay, it just does not take the kind of photos I want to really post here. But it will have to do until I find a digital camera.

    I am headed off to work. A lovely, holiday weekend for everyone, just another workday for us retail employees. I need one of those bumperstickers that says, "I'd rather be knitting!".

    Have a great day...
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