Oops. I Haven't Posted in Two Years...

Hello, faithful followers!

You may have noticed that my last post was from August 2011. I assure you, I have been knitting (and crocheting) despite my lack of Internet presence. I mean, lack of presence here anyway. You should see my Instagram!

Anyhoo, I'm currently working on a fitted sweater! You can check out all the project details and the original pattern here. Also, a bunch of my friends are making babies so I'm trying to crochet some blankies using variations of granny squares! I'll keep you posted. No really, I mean it!!

Despite working on projects already, I'm still open to doing commission pieces, so if that sort of thing itnerests you, inquire here.

So far on this goth sweater, I've only frogged once! I'm the worst at getting circular needles turned around, I admit it. I used smaller needles and thicker yarn (because it's all I had) but it doesn't appear to be an issue... yet. It may end up a size too small for me, and the pattern calls for 19" before even starting the sleeves which makes me nervous.

Off to knit until the piece reaches 19"!!

This One is For Me!

Still working on the Britcom Throw, but it's more of a yarn waster than anything. Not that it's not looking amazing, it's just something to use all the pastel yarn I've been gifted, and will no doubt gift the finished throw. It's a really good project to work on a bus, or during a car ride, but it's not something I'm super excited about.

That being said, I've started to plan out my next project details! This is one I'm going to keep, which hardly ever happens, and hopefully I will actually finish before the end of the season! It's going to be a Union Jack sweater, made of wool! The pattern ("London Calling" from Stitch N' Bitch Nation) calls for mohair which is super fine and super expensive, and I'm not really feeling like spending $12.50 plus tax for a skein and needing over ten skeins. My favorite yarn to knit sweaters with, Cascade 220, will do just fine and it's on sale online, PLUS I'll be using larger needles, and the skein has more yards of yarn than the suggested mohair, which means less yarn required! Hooray! Now I'm excited!

The Startings of the Britcom Throw

Finally getting around to using up the stashed yarn I got for Christmas years ago. Caron Soft in pastel colors. Not really my cup of tea. I'm more of a black/purple/pink/blue type of girl, but it seems silly not to use this stuff up. I've got two skeins of each color! They yarn is an absolute dream to work with. Very soft and simple, I just wish the colors were more my style. Regardless, this throw is coming along very well. I'm about 1/3 done so far! Very simple pattern, three panels of 3 squares 20" long in alternating sequences. Finished the first panel.

I've called this the Britcom Throw for the obvious reason that I've knitted most of it while watching Britcoms. I started with Coupling and am currently on the fourth series of Peep Show (though I did watch a few episodes of Spaced in between).

Cake Tissue Cozy

Look what I made! New project I crocheted in just a day! Unfortunately, I didn't make enough cherries as I had intially hoped, but I'm pretty stoked on how it turned out. I'm excited to make various sorts of "cakes" as tissue box cozies for gifts this Christmas! /spoilers

Plastic Quilting Sheets

Starting a new project today. I felt inspired after watching Totoro. More details when I actually have some progress to show you.

You know those plastic sheets with holes for stitching that you see all the time at big chain craft stores? Do NOT take them for granted! It took me an hour to find them online. I had no idea they're considered quilting templates. Fuck, I didn't even know you had to template to quilt! But after some consideration, it makes complete sense.

I apologize for my lack of updates. I'm starting to finally feel like I have a life in the city. Hopefully I can balance that, my full time job and my need for a creative outlet. I miss knitting. Trust me.

Oh! By the way, cancel on that last project I was working on it. It was a pain in the ass for something I wasn't that excited about anyway.

Lost in Translation

Anytime you create a custom pattern, it is necessary for a series of trial and errors. I forget this and just assume the translated design will be knitted flawlessly and all will be well in the world. First off, the Apple logo I have designed is completely and mathematically accurate. Hooray! Secondly, knitting with silks and bamboos on a size 4 needle AND trying replicate the ideal logo is apparently harder than I had previously assumed. Oh, and bonus! I think I knitted an extra row in the purple section meaning my first trial is most likely fucked. Super bonus, it's also being knitted for a guy and there is this old wive's tale, a myth if you will, that once you knit something for a guy things will inevitably unravel. I knitted for one guy prior, but he's my best friend in NY and there is nothing either of us can do that could possibly damage our friendship. Believe me, we've tried. SO there ya go. Stressed over this stupid Apple and I'm three colors in and so far, not impressed with my knitwork. I am impressed with my design though.

Edit: (10:55pm) After some brief thought, I think I'm going to try to do a swatch of the pattern using Cascade 220 superwash, which I'm more used to knitting intarsia pieces with. This bamboo and silk, while very soft and nice, just isn't keep the stitches secure. It looks flimsy and fucks with the edges of the Apple. I'll report back tomorrow. Or later tonight. Demands how motivated I feel.

The End of the Owl Sweater

I would like to apologize for two things: The shitty quality of these pictures and the horrendous denim couch that my parents have. I'm staying here for a night as I'm heading north at the end of this week. My dad and his wife turned in at around 10, so I decided to spend this downtime of not packing to get some of my knitting stuff squared away. Anyway, the terrible pictures of the awesome owl sweater I made for Megan:





I would've taken better pictures if I hadn't packed my camera. Fail. Megan's pretty good at sending me pictures of things I've knitted for her, so as soon as she sends me a picture of her wearing it, I'll post it here.

I'm sure you're dying to know my next project. I'm currently juggling two and now graphing a new pattern to start sometime in the next week. I'll keep you posted.