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.

Buttons! Buttons! Who's got the buttons?!

Today I indulged myself in buttons. Lots of wonderful, goth-tastic buttons. A wise man once wrote in a book about how buttons are the hardest to find when you're looking for them and to always be aware of them. That man was Mark Montano and you can buy that awesome book here. So I bought buttons. And I'm already inspired by them! I am now juggling two projects at once again! One being a simple wintertime scarf (two tones and striping of course!) and the other being a very particular purse. I don't want to spoil the surprise, but it's going to be pretty magical!

I finished Megan's owl sweater and will be sending it off to her shortly! Kind of pissed that I threw out a perfectly awesome box to send it in. It's now in my recycling bin. Booooo.

Somehow A Vital Connection Is Made

Pardon my wreck of a workspace (ie: my bed), but I kind of just get consumed by my project that I don't notice the mess I make until I'm ready to call it a night. Today I finished the second sleeve and connected it to the two yokes (the pieces of the body). Now I'll start on the owl cable pattern of the collar. I expect to be done in less than a week.

I'm On A Plane

One good thing about sitting on a plane for six hours is that you have a lot of time to knit. I managed to start the second sleeve of the owl sweater and finish about 9 inches in 3 hours. I intend to finish more this evening while watching The State. That show seriously ended too soon.

Guppy Sweater Complete!

Finished! I started it in August of 2009, and before you think I'm ridiculously lazy, I'd like to state in my defense it's been one of those back-up projects that I tend to when I'm burnt out on another task. It's made to measure a xs-s man, as I thought I was going to gift it, but now I kinda want to keep it. It's not fitted though, so it makes me look kinda boxy. It's made from Cascade 220 wool in Black and Grape Jelly.

Sweaters Done Both Ways

Working hard on Megan's cute owl sweater! I'm using Cascade 180 Superwash in Wisteria. Apparently it's washable wool. No felting! Just wash it cold, with your hands. I think? I can't really read the all the symbols the label has. What does the triangle mean again? This page might help. Anyway, the following is a picture of the progress so far.

I really dig knitting a sweater on circular needles. The Guppy Sweater took forever because I was knitting on straight needles, and making four different pieces. I apparently started that sweater in August of 2009 and STILL haven't finished it. It's just so tedious. Picture!:



I still have to sew all four pieces together and then block it for shape and size. Boring. But I love that grape jelly color and the fact it looks like a jersey with the raglan sleeves. Or will, when it's finally finished.

Making A Game Plan

Hi, friends! I wish I had pictures to post, but right now I have consumed myself with the most boring and tedious part of knitting: research. I'd show you some of the designs I've sketched, but we don't want to let the monkey out of the bag now do we?

I'm not-so patiently awaiting some supplies in the mail before I start another commission piece! This time a sweater with owls! Fancy, right? I'll be sure to show you progress. In the meantime, I'm working on the last sleeve of the Guppy Sweater (still) and working out the game plan for my upcoming site. The site will not only be a portfolio of past projects, but a gallery of my new designs that I will be making based on custom commission orders. I will obviously keep you posted on that as well.

I'm very excited about these new knitting endeavors! Thank you all for your interest and support. <3

Checking In.

Still knitting, I promise! Currently finishing the Guppy sweater, which I predict to be completed by the end of April. I'm just finishing up the last sleeve, and then on to seaming and the collar! Pictures soon! But not right now because I'm getting a bit of a headache and really should be working on that sleeve.

Megan in Her Hat!

Megan in the hat I made her. She is so gorgeous, isn't she? Megan, not the hat! Though the hat is pretty great if I do say so myself. ;)

Nothing feels better than to know that the person you knit for genuinely loves what you made them. It's the best feeling ever. I'm really happy! Also, I wish more people would send me pictures of things I knitted them!

Megan's Hat

I just finished making Megan's hat! It was a challenge, but it came out FANTASTIC! Well, at least I think so. I'll be sending out to Little Miss Moe on Monday. I had never knitted a brimmed hat before. It's very similar to knitting a regular beanie, except longer and then you have to cut a brim out of plastic and sew it in there. Anyway, this is my last commissioned piece I will be working on until after the Holidays, or until my Christmas gift Guppy Sweater is done.

I've been knitting while listening to a lot of my last.fm. I'm xtinesuicide on there, btw. Right now, Killing Joke! Awesome.

White Scarf Sent and Delivered!

Finished and folded white scarf!


Scarf all tied and ready for delivery!

Sorry it's been a bit since an update. I'm sure those wondering if I started your project are a bit worried, but I assure you, I have started work on every knit I said I would do. I just finished the cable skinny scarf and sent it out to Peter, who said he got it and will send me pictures of it in use very soon! Yay! I'm sure I've mentioned this, and will do so again: If you have something I knitted you, I would really appreciate some good quality photos of it for my portfolio. Granted, I do have some already taken from when I worked on it, but I really like the idea of seeing what became of it, where it went.

I'm currently knitting a brimmed hat for my good friend, Megan. A little nervous as I've never made one with a brim before, but so far so good! I expect it to be done in about a week or a week and a half.

Soft White

I am currently working on two knitting projects at once! Hence the lack of numerous updates. The picture above is of a scarf I'm knitting which is part of that special fall deal I have going on in a nice off-white. The yarn is ridiculously soft and I look forward to working with more of it. I also learned a trick (it's pretty old school, but when you teach yourself, it sometimes takes longer to learn nifty tricks) that helps keep the messy edges of scarfs in line! Apparently if you slip the first stitch of every row, it keeps it all nice and tight! Woot!

I've also decided to make an actual portfolio of my work, so if I've made you something, please send me pictures of you in it! I want an online gallery or album and an actual hard copy book.

Winding Balls

Knitting nicely along the Guppy Sweater, as you can see. The back piece is entirely finished, and this is the start of the front. I posted the pictures of the balls of yarn because I had to hand wind those myself, and that is tiring and obnoxious work. I really should get a yarn winder one of these days. I've been saying that for years. I tried to spin a center pull ball, which is when you pull a string that starts at the middle of the ball and well, when I pulled it, it was stuck. So I pulled it hard enough to break the yarn. So apparently, I didn't spin it right, and will try again next time. Maybe. I don't think it's really necessary either way, as long as the yarn isn't knotted.

I'm still taking orders for the scarfs I'll be knitting this fall season, which I talked about in my last blog. Email me if you're interested! (drxgirlfriend@gmail.com)

Xtine's Commission Deal

This one if for the ladies, or a guy who wouldn't mind wearing a skinny scarf. Hell, if boys can wear girl jeans, I'm sure they'd be into skinny scarfs. So, for the Fall/Winter I will be making scarfs approximately 4"x60", made of cotton and silk blended yarn in assorted colors for $45 each. This includes the cost for supplies, shipping and making it. I will only be making them as commissioned work, meaning you need to email me (drxgirlfriend@gmail.com) with the color you would like and I'll provide the email address for payment to my paypal address. I won't start working on the scarf until payment has been processed and I will give you an ETA for it to be done. These will be hand knitted, obviously, so please understand that takes time. I'm also knitting more than one project at a time, hence the early start on this deal.

It will look like Heather's gothy scarf, which I wish wasn't black for the sake of this blog. It's hard to see the cables (the twists that make a pretty design).

A special thanks goes out to J'aime for showing interest in my talent, picking out this scarf for her choice, and overall inspiring me to do this.