Knitting, sewing, cross stitching, my life in general.





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Today I'm swatching for DH's sweater, Stornoway. She knit it on US 3 and 2, so I imagine I will be using 2 and 1. If I can't get gauge there, I'm just going to have to make a smaller size. I'm not knitting and entire XL sweater on 1s. Nooooooo.
posted by Stephanie at 2:16 PM

 
Nothing exiting to talk about today either. I've been just doing a little bit of this and a little bit of that--no real progress on anything. It's kind of warm in our apartment (no a/c) so I've been working on a little cross stitch that will be made into a Christmas ornament for an exchange.

I was planning to go to a knit together today, but as usual my stomach is bothering me so I will stay home and drink Hansen's diet ginger ale.
posted by Stephanie at 3:02 PM

 
Blech. I'm bored. I think I've been cooped up in this apartment for too long. DH & I need to get out and do something this weekend. I'm bored with all of my knitting & cross stitch projects. Yesterday I spent some time designing, which is unusual for me. I keep feeling like I want to start a new lace project, like a stole, but I'm sure I will get bored with that right away too. Maybe I should stick to a washcloth.
posted by Stephanie at 10:06 AM

 
Yesterday I put the snap on my mom's purse and made myself a pair of shorts (since I don't have any that fit). They are very basic with an elastic waist and I used some really cute cotton fabric that I got a JoAnns. It's sort of a floral patchwork pattern in white, yellow, and orange.

I also got some fun things in the mail: my favorite UK cross stitch magazine, some pale yellow pearls I bought off eBay, and the yarn to make DH's sweater (I love it). And the coolest of all?? Karen sent me the pattern and yarn to make a knitted hedgehog!!! So cool. I have so many great things to work on, I don't even know what to do next. Who needs a job?
posted by Stephanie at 12:49 PM

 
Pic day! Here is the after pic of my felted tote. I forgot to take a before pic, but believe me--it was huge. It's still drying so I haven't started on handles or anything. Here are my non-matching fixation socks (I'm such a rebel). Here are my washcloths. The orange one is crystal palace cotton chenille and it is so soft. Notice I am covering up the other one where I made a mistake. LOL. Here is my valentine sock-in-progress, although you can't really see the lace pattern very well.

Sewing. I spent most of yesterday sewing this purse for my mom. Isn't it the cutest?? The adorable golf print was a remnant I got at Walmart or something for a dollar or two. Yes, my mom is an avid golfer and I think she will love it. It's lined and everything; I just have to put the snap on.

posted by Stephanie at 10:52 AM

 
Yay! I finished knitting the wool tote, sewed it up, and it's in the washing machine right now (hopefully felting nicely). Now I just have to decide if I want to line it, what fabric to use, and how exactly I want to do the straps. But the knitting is done so I crossed it off my wip/ufo list. LOL. I'm at 18 right now. I hope to post some pics later today.
posted by Stephanie at 9:15 AM

 
Yesterday I dug out my Feb socks (from the sock calendar) and decided to work on them for a while. Well, they have a lace pattern and I couldn't concentrate and I kept making mistake after mistake. I finally put them away in disgust. I picked them up again this morning (after 2 cups of coffee) and did some tinking, found out where my mistake was, and fixed it. I am so proud of myself. Seriously.

Today I went to JoAnns to get sewing machine oil and ended up with a lot more than that. I got some really cute cotton print fabric to make myself a few pairs of shorts. I don't seem to have any left that fit me.
posted by Stephanie at 2:03 PM

 
I don't have much to talk about today so I figured I would post a pic of some of the jewelry I made the other day. The necklace on the left is freshwater pearls and amethyst beads and is a Christmas gift for my MIL. She loves amethyst because it's her birthstone. The earrings on the bottom are made from my favorite vintage beads that I bought when I went to the bead store in Palo Alto with Karen.

I pulled out my sewing machine today and started on some pants that I cut out several months ago. They are just basic pull-on pants made from some organic cotton flannel. I think I really should clean and oil my machine, though. I will have to dig out my manual and go to JoAnns for some oil.
posted by Stephanie at 4:03 PM

 
This morning I finally finished those black & white Fixation socks. whew! I'm also almost done with the knitting of this wool tote that will be felted. I made a few more jewelry pieces and also finished a cross stitch magnet for an exchange (it had an apple on it--quite cute). I guess I am getting some stuff done after all! I will have to post some pictures sometime this week, after everything goes through the wash.
posted by Stephanie at 4:17 PM

 
I didn't go to the sock knitting get together this morning cuz I wasn't feeling well. I did start my sister's Christmas present, though--the Lion Brand fisherman's wool sweater (from their web site). Today I also started a small cross stitch project for an exchange and I'm making a beaded necklace right now. Can you tell I'm getting antsy from sitting home all the time? LOL

Oh, I did do some online yarn shopping last night as well. I've decided to make DH the Alice Starmore sweater he wants for a suprise Christmas gift for this year. I have lots of time to work on it since I'm home all day while he is at work. I'm making Stornoway from Fisherman's Sweaters and I wanted to find a decent quality wool that wasn't too expensive. I got a great deal on some grey 5-ply guernsey wool (from the UK) so I can look forward to that arriving in the mail.
posted by Stephanie at 5:05 PM

 
Well, this morning I wrote an entry about what a crappy knitting day I had yesterday, but blogger ate it. It's probably just as well--you don't have to hear my complaining. Let's just say that the lace shrug has been frogged back to the end of the wrist ribbing and the cotton dishcloth is done.

So far today I have been doing mindless knittting since I appear to be having problems concetrating on an actual pattern. Wool tote & Manos garter stitch shawl. I'm thinking about starting my sister's aran sweater, but I guess maybe I should put that on hold.

Tomorrow there is going to be a get-together in Balboa park for international sock knitting day, or whatever it's called. If the weather is nice I think I will go and bring my poor fixation socks that need to be finished.
posted by Stephanie at 2:20 PM

 
Yesterday I had fun working on the lace shrug. I finished the ribbing for the wrist and now I am working on the 22 increase rows. It's fun!! I also did a few rows on the braids cardigan last night and this morning I cast on a new cotton washcloth. Who said any housework would get done with all this free time that I have? LOL

OT--Last night we went to a Hawaiian restaurant for DH's birthday. It's one of his favorites. He was really looking forward to having a big piece of their guava creme cake, but they were all out! How disappointing. So we went out for gelato, which he also loves, and I stuck a candle in his mocha rum crunch/espresso gelato. :D
posted by Stephanie at 10:42 AM

 
Well, I did organize all of my beading supplies and it was actually sort of fun. I also made myself a pair of earrings and a bracelet for a friend.

Yesterday I worked some on the wool tote and then I started the Meg Swansen shrug. I really like it. I know, I said I wasn't going to start anything new, but hey--I'm unemployed so I have lots of knitting time, and the yarn was free!!

Today is DH's bday so Happy Birthday DH!
posted by Stephanie at 1:52 PM

 
Look whatt I decided to make with my charcoal yarn. Wheeee!
posted by Stephanie at 10:03 PM

 
I finished up the washcloth and threw it in the hamper to get washed. I just pulled out a wool tote in Galway that will eventually get felted. It's brown, but I didn't have enough brown yarn, so I'm making some stripes in orange and natural. A good mindless project. I am still itching to start that shawl and I also want to organize all of my beading supplies. hmmm.....
posted by Stephanie at 10:11 AM

 
I'm working on my braids cardigan again. I like it, but I seem to get bored with it easily as each row is about one million stiches. I really have the urge to start something new. I'm thinking about EZ's pi shawl (thanks Lori) using my new charcoal cashmere blend. In the meantime I decided to whip up a cotton chenille facecloth for a friend.
posted by Stephanie at 9:24 PM

 
Nothing new to report today. I have been continuing with my cross stitch and fixation sock. I spent a lot of time this morning searching for my braids cardigan pattern and I finally found it. I'm going to work on that for a while. I really like it, so it would be nice to get it done so I can wear it!
posted by Stephanie at 5:56 PM

 
Yay, I'm down to 18 wips/ufos. I went to the bead shop yesterday and got a copper toggle clasp to finish a copper wire & beads knitted bracelet that I started at TKGA. It will probably go to my sister for her bday or xmas.

I'm continuing to work on the fixation sock--I'm about halfway through the foot so it shouldn't be much longer now!

Oh, and a very kind person sent me a huge cone of free laceweight cashmere/lambswool in charcoal grey. Now to decide what to do with it!
posted by Stephanie at 11:39 AM

 
I spent most of yesterday doing cross stitch, but I did start a sock last night. I have this orphan sock that I did about 2 years ago in Cascade fixation. It was black and white stripes on the leg and then all black for the rest of it. For some reason, I didn't like knitting it and I didn't want to do another one like it. So last night I decided I would do a matching sock using black and white, but a completely different color pattern. Am I cuckoo or what? Such a knitting rebel. LOL I like the idea of knitting cotton socks when it's summer time.
posted by Stephanie at 9:57 AM

 
Yesterday I made trekking baby sock number 2 so now I have a pair (sooo cute)!

19 wips/ufos!
posted by Stephanie at 8:09 AM

 
The good news is--I finally finished my green regia stretch socks. The bad news is--I found another UFO so my count is still at 20. LOL. I'm going to wash the socks and put them away for my sister's bday in July. They will go great with the brown birkenstock boots I bought her. I think I will go cross stitch for a while and then decide which UFO to tackle next.
posted by Stephanie at 1:42 PM

 
Well, I went through and counted up all my knitting UFOs/WIPS. I have 21, if you count orphan socks that need a mate. I think since I have all this time on my hands I should focus on trying to finish some of these. Then I can start something new. I think for my sister's Christmas present I am going to do the aran pullover in Lion Brand fisherman's wool (from their website).
posted by Stephanie at 11:40 AM

 
Pic day! Here is a pic of the completed Opal baby sweater. Here is a cross stitch towel I did for an exchange. Here is the progress I have made on my 'water pump' cross stitch (this is what it will look like when it's finished).
posted by Stephanie at 10:17 AM

 
I'm thinking about starting a sweater for my sister for Christmas. Something with cables. I will have to think about it some more. It will have to be from yarn that I already have in my stash (that shouldn't be too much of a heartache)!
posted by Stephanie at 1:45 PM

 
I started a new pair of socks yesterday and I'm having fun making them. My sister prefers dk or worsted weight wool socks that are machine washable. I've been bored with my knitting lately so I wanted to use a pattern that's got some interest. So I decided on some Lorna's Laces worsted in mineshaft (greys) and the cabled sock pattern (from the knitlist, I think) that I used when making her Christmas socks. I found that LL worsted is just barely enough for a pair of size 8 or 9 socks with a 5" leg, so I figured I would use a contrast yarn so I wouldn't have to worry about it. So I'm using some Bernat Muskoka black superwash wool for the top ribbing, heel, and toe. I'm doing the gusset decreases on sock #1--I had forgotten how fast worsted weight socks go!
posted by Stephanie at 1:41 PM

 
The Opal baby sweater is finished! It's cute, but boy is it tiny! Well, I did make the smallest size. I will take a picture as soon as I wash it and block it a bit.

I'm not sure what I'm going to work on next. Nothing that I have on the needles sounds appealing at the moment.

It's sort of drizzling right now so I guess I won't be going to the knit together in Balboa park. Gee, I thought I was actually going to get out of the house. LOL
posted by Stephanie at 9:10 AM

 
I'm trying to get used to the idea of being unemployed. You'd think I would be relieved, but now I have the stress of how to pay the bills and find another job. I've decided to try and relax for a few days and then on Monday I will start job hunting.

I finished the sleeves on the Opal baby sweater and now I'm working on the finishing. It should be cute! I'm also continuing on my water pump cross stitch. I'm thinking maybe I should work on some sewing projects since that's practical and I actually need some new clothes.
posted by Stephanie at 8:34 AM

 
Well, the good news is that after today I am going to have lots and lots of knitting time. The bad news is, I'm going to be really broke cuz I just quit my job. Good thing I have enough stash to last a long time. sigh.
posted by Stephanie at 2:06 PM

 
Whew, I'm back. I had a great time at Karen's. The knit-together was lots of fun and I got quite a bit of knitting done as well. I finished the Regia stretch sock I started ages ago and started on the second one. I also made a fair amount of progress on the back of the crazy cotton sweater. Oh yeah, and Karen gave me 3 skeins of free yellow yarn. wheeee!!!!

Yesterday Karen took me to the Braid Box (the LYS where she works) and I bought lots of Dale Baby wool to make a super-cute romper in the newest book. It's the one with hearts all over it (I tried to find a pic of it on the web but was unsucessful). I picked totally different colors than what they used, so we'll see how it all comes together (7 different colors)!

Today I had jury duty. I actually wanted to get on a trial cuz work sucks right now, but no such luck. I did work on that Regia stretch sock while waiting, though. I am doing the decreases on the gusset.
posted by Stephanie at 5:09 PM

 
Here I am blogging from Karen's place in Northern California. I'm having a great time and Karen is a fabulous hostess. Yesterday we visited a bead shop, a yarn shop (Uncommon Threads), and a Vietnamese vegetarian restaurant. Awesome.

Karen gave me my Regia crazy cotton (in pastel colors) and whipped up a pattern for me on the sweater wizard. It's just a simple short-sleeved sweater and I started on it last night. It's a lot of stitches on US 3 needles so it's going to take a while!

Today Karen is hosting a knit together--it should be tons o' fun!!
posted by Stephanie at 9:11 AM