Yup-that’s a knit dress.

Anyone looking for the pattern should check out Wild Knitting on Amazon.

The major difference between Continental versus American/English knitting is the hand you hold the yarn in:

American:

Continental:

Here’s the great thing about this (other than being able to knit a lot quicker): I can now, successfully, do fair isle knitting (knitting with different colors). I was trying to find a fair isle pattern I wanted to try; I found something and I already have the yarn for it.

I’m taking a vote:

I originally bought yarn to make his sweater. I saw this sweater at the first knitter’s breakfast I attended and I thought it was the best thing EVER but now I look at it and think, eh:

but I think I might want to make this vest instead:

The colors I have are turquoise for the main color and then lime green, hunter green, navy and white for accent colors.

Comical Continental knitting swatches coming in my next post!
<3
The Negative Knitter

The yarn is a beautiful cotton/bamboo blend and most importantly (at least in the summer) much lighter than wool. Rather than pink I decided to go for a cooler slate blue and I am trying to make progress so that I might be able to wear the sweater before the summer is over… so far it’s not looking too good

One side note: this picture of the back was taking a while ago, but it still isn’t complete.

I’ve been distracted by other projects (some how that always happens) and I think despite my very best efforts,  I may not be the best “sweater knitter” candidate. Still in denial, I will push through this sweater and will myself to complete it and, I’m sure, many more.

I leave you with a detail shot of the cabling-what, in my opinion, makes the entire piece:

Stay tuned for updated birthday and wedding knits.
Until next time…

<3
The Negative Knitter

p.s. next Friday: Batman begins… returns… dark knights!

I’m using a very fine gauge crochet thread which I thought would take forever but I’ve been pleasantly surprised. Knitting has gone relatively quickly and I started early (which is key) so that I can pace myself. Here’s what I have so far:

I know it looks kind of icky so far but, as with almost all knit lace, it will have to be blocked later. In fact, this pattern suggests washing, blocking and then heavily starching so that it holds it’s shape.

Also, rather than green I will use navy ribbon as navy and off-white are the wedding colors.

I have a couple more projects in the works and even a few that were completed over the past few months. Stay tuned…

<3
The negative knitter

I’ve been working in a lot of projects but I haven’t been taking pictures (until today).

For Lara’s birthday, this past Monday, I made her the tea cozy from Last Minute Knitted Gifts.

I originally intended to make it with a single skein of teal Ultra Alpaca but I ran out of yarn, frogged it and had to start again. Here’s the good thing: I used some yarn I already had (YAY! stash busting) and this yarn is superwash. I ended up having to use twice the amount of yarn, because I double-stranded, but I think the end result is better; it’s a much tighter gauge and I think it will do a better job of insulation.
Here’s some of the top detailing:

Bobble:

Folds and seaming:

I bought the teapot from The Tealeaf in Waltham and I put a gift certificate to the store inside. The store is really cute and not only can you buy tea there but it’s also a tea room.

I’ve been working on more but in the interest of conserving content for future posts, I’ll leave you here.

More to come.

<3
The negative knitter

First things first, what have I finished over the past few months?
The first thing is Anais:

The color in the first picture is more accurate. It was supposed to have little webbed cap sleeves but I decided to leave them off for now.
I’ve only worn it once; it has a very fine gauge, took forever and my general feeling is, eh. This is the second Norah Gaughan item I’ve knit and I found that even though I added extra length to both, they’re still too short.

Next is the purl beret from the purl bee blog. Here’s what their version looks like:

Here’s mine:

I knit it with Lorna’s Laces Shepherd Sock in Vera, instead of Koigu. I’ve had my eye on this color FOREVER and I didn’t want to waste it on my feet. There’s a lot of left over so I could probably make some little footie socks with it. More to come on that… probably much, much later. At some point I’ll take a picture while I’m wearing it.

At the moment, I’m trying to finish this sweater I started almost 2 years ago. It’s the Hourglass Sweater from Last Minute Knitted Gifts (so much for last minute 21 months later…) I started it before I went to Las Vegas 2 summers ago and only got as far as the waist shaping and then I put it down. I think I know why, I don’t really like the yarn; it doesn’t feel that great and it makes the stitches look uneven. It’s been sitting there for so long and I just want to get it over with.

I’m really close to finishing; I hope within the next week:

Here’s an up close and personal shot of the raglan shoulder shaping:

That’s it for now. More to come, I promise.
<3
The negative knitter

We’re back in business. Let the blogging begin!

So where to begin? How about the play by play of my first hand painted yarn project? It’s the Four Corners Headband from Knitscene, Winter 2007/Spring 2008.

First I made the 5 squares and 2 triangles(motifs); I made them with Cascade 220 but if I did it again I’d use a yarn that’s meant to be dyed. They were really quick; all 7 took the length of a football game.

The motifs bathed in some wool wash mmm… bubbles…

Then they soaked in a vinegar/water mixture

I mixed my colors (sage and brown; I was going for an “earthy” theme) using Wilton frosting dyes and used the straws to paint the motifs

Then the painted motifs steamed in the microwave. I have to say, I was kind of afraid that it was going to blow up but rest assured everything turned out okay

Here’s what they looked like post steam. At this point I was really afraid that it was coming out hideously (and yes, Rebecca, that’s a plastic Hello Kitty plate)

I also had to dye and steam some yarn to attach the motifs together

Once all the yarn dried I put it all together and got this:

Not bad.

I like the over all look of the headband however my color choice ended up looking more camo than earthy. I have some other dyes so I may try again.

All together, a great project (especially for new crocheters like me).

Next time, I’ll feature some pictures of WIPs that are now FOs and this weekend I’ll get some photography under my belt.

That’s it for now. Yup, I’m getting sick again.
<3
The Negative Knitter

Last night, Lara and I went to see Juno:

Awesome movie, I would highly suggest.

While we were waiting in line to buy tickets I noticed Mr. Boston, (from I <3 New York) Lee and his twin brother, Mark, who was in my sophomore yearn philosophy class at BC.

Let me tell you, when I first saw him on the show I was very confused; his voice was really high and I totally didn’t remember him sounding like that in class. Turns out: they’re twins. When I got home I pulled some ghetto stalking moves and looked him up on MySpace. It turns out they went to my rival high school.

I’m still on my crotcheting kick and I’ve made myself another hat. To go along with my “I’m so gangsta” hat I’m calling this one:

The color is really ugly; old gold, but I kind of like it. The pattern shows a button on the crown in the back. I haven’t decided if I’m going to add one or not.

Here are some obligatory bathroom mirror shots:

I also made this scarf with the same ugly yarn. It’s called “one skein scarf.” Too bad the name is deceiving and I still have more ugly yarn left over.

ANNND, because I need to end ever post on a negative note; I think I’m getting sick.

<3
The Negative Knitter

No, I haven’t stopped (are you crazy?) but I’m in prime time x-mas knitting and I can’t share any of those projects because most of the recipients read this blog You’ll have to wait a few weeks to see what I’m up to.

In the mean time, I’m selling off some of my yarn to pay off the excise tax on my car so if you’re in the market for some yarn check this out (or here, on Destash*)

Jaeger Trinity 4 skeins $20

Misti International Pima Cotton/Silk 4 skeins $28 SOLD

Classic Elite Montera 2 skeins $15

Berroco Cotton Twist 1 skein $3

Berroco Softwist 3 skeins $12

Rowan Rowanspun Chunky 2 skeins $18 SOLD

Jo Sharp Rare Comfort Kid Mohair 1 skein $5.50

Louisa Harding Fauve 1 skein $7

Bernat Berella 4 Solids 2 skeins $2.50

Araucania Nature Wool 2 skeins $15

Misti Alpaca Chunky 1 skein $10

Cherry tree Hill Potluck Bulky 2 skeins $16

Noro Cash Iroha Magenta 10 skeins $80

Noro Cash Iroha Dark Powder Blue 5 skeins $40

Louet Euroflax Originals 2 skeins $30

Berger du Nord Charmant 2 skeins $15

Berroco Air 10 skeins = 1150.0 yards $70

Berroco Foliage 4 skeins = 400.0 yards $20

Classic Elite Patina 14 skeins = 1512.0 yards $70

Crystal Palace Merino Frappe 8 skeins = 1120.0 yards $48

Elsebeth Lavold Cable Cotton 3 skeins = 279.0 yards $13

Filatura Di Crosa Zarella 6 skeins = 726.0 yards $30

Reynolds Saucy Sport 7 skeins = 861.0 yards $15

Valley Yarns Southwick 1 skein = 105.0 yards $3

Valley Yarns Southwick 1 skein = 105.0 yards $3