OK, it’s not that bad November 24, 2007

So it turns out my crocheting was so bad because I was using a really inelastic cotton. I finished up this really simple black hat and I had a ton of yarn left over so I decided to swatch with it (for this free pattern I got at Michaels):

I started the hat yesterday and finished it up this morning; who knew crochet was so fast?! (apparently, everyone but me)

Here’s a dorky bathroom picture of the finished product:

Let’s see, what else have I been up to?…
-I bought Son of a Stitch n’ Bitch; possible projects to follow
-A stripped cardigan for my goddaughter for x-mas
-A breast cancer awareness scarf for my friend’s mom who just had a double mastectomy two weeks ago. Here’s what it looks like so far:

It looks kind of icky at the moment, but I will block it within an inch of it’s life when I’m done.

I’ll leave you this holiday weekend with this picture; I’m so gangsta:

<3
The Negative Knitter

iamknit tries to crochet November 11, 2007

It appears I have met my match; namely, crochet.

I took an intro to crochet class last Sunday. Here are my attempts at crocheting since then (they’re labeled by attempt):

As you can see, I definitely need (lots of) practice. In an effort to not embarrass myself further, I will refrain from sharing until I’ve become a master.

Over the past week, in addition to my crochet attempts I’ve made some progress on two of my WIPs.
Anais:

and Roam:

Even though I’d like to actually finish one before I start something else, I need to think about x-mas knitting. I think I’m going to start a cardigan for baby G.

That’s all for now.
<3
The Negative Knitter (not crocheter)

I forgot to show you my halloween project! October 30, 2007

Here it is:

I was hello kitty

After I took this picture I crocheted a single chain around the ears to make them look more even.

Here’s the hat in action:

(yes, I’m wearing a corduroy jumper)

<3
The Negative Knitter

Lots of goodies October 28, 2007

It’s Sunday at 1PM and I’m already contemplating a nap. This morning Lara and I “ran” Bill’s Pizzeria 5K Road Race to benefit the Travis Roy Foundation. I’m glad we did it but I’m exhausted and sore.

This week’s trip to NYC was eventful for several reasons but here is net result knitting-wise:

I worked on the ribbing for Anais and it’s almost complete. Hopefully but the end of the day today I’ll be onto the body and get a better sense of whether or not my “knit in the round” planning will pan out.

While I was in New York I hit up School Products yarn shop. I have to say, I wasn’t overly impressed. Maybe after Purl and The Point everything else is just downhill.

Of course, this didn’t stop me from buying something. One of the nice things about the store is their selection of yarn cones by the pound. I bought some bulky superwash wool for just $12/lb. (for those of you non-knitters, that’s spectacular). I bought 2.98 lbs of a tan and 1.81 lbs of a royal blue.

I’m pissed at myself because I walked right by Habu Textiles on my way there and didn’t even know it. Oh well-I guess this just means I’ll have to go back to the city.

Then yesterday I bought these:

They’re perfect for handknit socks! Now if I could just finish the 2nd sock in a pair…

<3
The Negative Knitter

I have a new tag… October 25, 2007

…it’s “The Negative Knitter” (and that’s why I love Six Feet Under)

Thanks LK (or really, should I thank, The Greatest Ever?)

I know this makes no sense but I will continue with a new project I just started. It’s Anais from Norah Gaughan Volume 1:

So far I have completed the neckline insert and started the first inch or so of the ribbing at the bottom. The pattern is written to be knit in pieces, front and back, but I’ve opted to take a chance and knit it in the round and just split at the arm holes. We’ll see how it goes.

Here’s the color (it’s called pea soup):

Back to the World Series… hopefully i’ll have some progress shots this weekend…

<3
The Negative Knitter

Who knew? October 20, 2007

I’m traveling to NYC again this week to visit the NY office. I decided since I’ll be there for a few days I should check out some LYSs; I’ve been to Purl and The Point before but I was looking for something new. It turns out Schoolhouse Press is one block away from the office. How did I not know this before? I’ve been to NYC 5 times for work since January and I never knew it was RIGHT THERE. It looks like 6th times a charm.

My brother’s benefit this weekend was a success and I was able to finish my Nantucket Jacket in time.

I can’t say I’m completely thrilled with the results but I think it was a good first stab at a sweater for myself. Here are some issues I had:
1. It’s way too short for how wide it is. It needs to be about 5-10 inches narrower and about 6 inches longer. I think I should block it and see if I can squeeze some more length out of it.
2. I didn’t start the collar soon enough so it doesn’t have the shawl-like collar intended in the pattern. Should I rip out the top shoulders and do the collar again? probably. Am I going to? Hell NO. I’ll have to deal with that mistake.
3. I need to move the buttons in A LOT. Maybe if I move them in an inch it will narrow the body just slightly.
4. I’m not good at crochet and the edging around the whole neckline and button-band as well as the sleeves are crochet. It looks okay but I wish it were better. Luckily, I’m taking a crochet at my work LYS, Wild and Woolly, on November 4th.

Now for a WIP:
I’m making part of my Halloween costume this year. I started it on Thursday night while watching the Red Sox game and I’ll finish it while watching the game tonight. I have to keep the costume a secret until LK’s party but here is what I have so far:

I’ll show you what it looks like after next Saturday…

The hand-dyed controversy and just what I’ve been looking for October 1, 2007

First things first: hand-dyed yarn. For me, it’s a love/hate relationship. When it’s in a hank or even wound it looks so pretty and then you actually knit with it and the ever-hated “pooling” ensues.

Last week I was at the LYS near my office and I found Colinette Cadenza in the colorway Monet; gorgeous. I bought it, brought it home and decided to cast on Roam by Cosmicpluto herself, Laura Chau. So far, I’m pleasantly surprised. I’m alternating between two hanks every 2-4 rows.

I think the combination of alternating hanks and seed stitch has really minimized the pooling; seen here:

Now, just what I’ve been looking for:
Awhile ago I came across the Phildar Swing Jacket Knitalong and fell in love when I saw this picture:

I looked and looked and looked and the only place I could find the pattern was at an online store in Canada. I almost gave in and bought it one day until I discovered that it cost more to ship the pattern to the US then it cost to buy the pattern.

Then today I got an e-mail from Little Knits and in it there was mention of some new Philar yarns they are carrying. Not only are they carrying the pattern I want, Phildar Tendances Autumn 06/07 BUT it’s 67% off; $5.99 vs $17.99.

I can’t wait until it gets here!

Completely un-knitting related September 24, 2007

I’ve decided I want to quit my job-move to Iowa and become a cowgirl.

Here’s my picture from when I will be inducted into the National Cowgirl Hall of Fame

I need your help! September 23, 2007

I need to make a decision-it’s not life or death but it’s bothering me. I have 20 skeins of Berroco Ultra Alpaca in a chocolate brown color and I need to decide what to do with it. So here’s a question for (the two of [LuAnne and Danielle]) you. What should I make with it?

Alpaca Twill?:

or

Annikki

Decisions… decisions…

They both require TONS of yarn. I would end up shortening either but I still need to choose either one or the other.

Look what I got!… September 20, 2007

…from Ravelry

It’s a Ravelry beta t-shirt.

Well-I ordered it anyway. It’ll be here in 6 weeks or so.

As for knitting-I don’t have much news. Work have been stressful recently for more reasons than one and the past two nights I’ve been hospital duty.

Here’s the finished the back of my Nantucket Jacket and I’m about 1/3 done with the right front.