Scarfs – Page 3 – Ms Lindz – My little corner of the internet

Cold Weather Knitting

Posted on September 25, 2010 by mslindz

Lately I feel like I’ve been doing a lot of cold weather knitting.

I’ve been working on Cottage Garden as much as possible since Rhinebeck is only three weeks away, but it’s at the point where it’s no longer portable because of the colorwork, chart reading, and size. I’m about a 1/3 of the way through the chart right now. I found two errors on rows 14 and 21. The decreases can’t be done on this row because the stitch count by my math wouldn’t accommodate it as written (not enough stitches to knit as written AND decrease), so I moved them to the row above. Seemed like the best thing to do since that’s where they are for the other 4 rows of decreases. I was surprised that even with the projects in Ravelry, there was no mention of this issue at all and there was no errata on the Twist Collective website. Sent a message to the designer about the possible error since I couldn’t find anything about it elsewhere. Anyhow… it’s progressing!

Cottage Garden – Full Sweater Progress

Cottage Garden – Yoke Progress

I think I’ll be able to get it done within the next week or so, but we’ll see. I’ve had some extra knitting time this week since we didn’t go to the gym because of the sinus infection I’ve been fighting. I figure breathing is pretty important when you’re working out and if you can’t do it properly, you might be in some trouble! Best to let myself get over that before getting back into our after work gym routine.

Shortly after my last post (on Sept. 9th? Where has September gone?!), I started Xeriscape. A very lovely scalloped scarf with a unique construction of the scallops. I think I’ve been a little burned out on sock knitting since I’ve had no desire to work on Maelstrom, so I started Xeriscape to work on when I needed a break from Cottage Garden. I’ve been hanging on to this lovely skein of MCN (Merino, Nylon, Cashmere) sport weight from Squoosh Fiberarts, unsure what to do with it, until I saw this pattern.

Xeriscape

I’m a few more scallops along then the picture shows. I haven’t been working on it too much since I keep getting distracted with other projects!

After Cottage Garden became not-so-portable, I started Iced from the current issue of Knitty (First Fall 2010). When I first saw this cardigan, I wasn’t sold on it. It looked too oversized and I’m not really into oversized garments. It wasn’t until the designer (Carol) posted pictures of a more fitted version that it caught my eye. Carol posted on Ravelry about the smaller size here, stating the green version was knit with 1″ of negative ease. I found the perfect “this will go with everything I wear” yarn in a chocolate brown and cast on for it on September 15th. Since there was a size that was spot on my bust measurement, I decided to go with the 42.5″ size. I’m up to the waist decrease rows. It seems to be going pretty quickly considering I really only work on it on my lunch breaks.

Iced Cardigan

So, let’s see… that’s two sweaters and a scarf. What other cold weather knitwear do I need? Mittens? The ones from last year are still perfectly wearable, but Rhinebeck is only a few weeks away and I wore those mittens LAST year, so I can’t wear them again this year, can I? Hahahaha, I’m sure I could and I still might, but it occurred to me that I’d like a secondary pair of mittens for winter since I only have that one pair and winters here in Ohio can be pretty darn cold. I looked at a lot of patterns and nothing really called me until I remembered the mittens Jesh knit earlier this year: Skeuomorph. I looked through my stash and found enough yarn in Knit Picks Wool of the Andes “Iris Heather” colorway for them. Took a few times of starting, frogging and restarting before I made much progress. My stitch gauge was off and I ended up going down a size from small to extra small. It doesn’t look like much right now, but I’m a few rows in to the first mitten.

I think the few cold days we had here got me thinking about fall and wanting to start fall and winter clothing, which lead me to starting new projects. As a knitter, fall and winter are my favorite knitwear seasons! 🙂

One More 2009 FO, Two 2010 FO’s, and Current Projects

Posted on January 20, 2010 by mslindz

I realized about a week ago that I still have one FO from 2009 that I never properly photographed or blogged! Whoops. I thought Liesl was the last FO of 2009 that I hadn’t blogged, but I guess I thought I’d blogged about it and never actually did.

Multnomah

Pattern: Multnomah (My Ravelry project page.)
Started: November 4, 2009
Completed: November 26, 2009
Yarn: 1 skein Cupcake Sock from Little Red Bicycle in “Princess Whatever”
Needles: US 4 Addi Lace circular
Notes: I had a little less yardage then the pattern requirements, so I decided ahead of time that I’d just do however many feather and fan repeats I could before binding off. I ended up being able to work a total of 8 feather and fan repeats before doing the bind off. I think I could have done a 9th repeat, but decided against it because I didn’t want to run out of yarn. I absolutely love this yarn! It feels so soft to work with. Pattern was easy enough to modify to less repeats (or more if you wanted) and was a pretty quick knit.

Multnomah – Front

Multnomah – Top Edge (points)

Multnomah – Bottom Edge (center)

There’s also another FO for 2009 I didn’t post because of the swap I did and now that package is lost in the mail. I won’t be re-knitting the same pattern or using the same yarn, but I’m undecided on if I should go ahead and post about it now (while I’m working on a replacement package and item) or wait. Thoughts anyone?

Since the beginning of the year, I’ve finished three projects. The shawl for my grandma has a LOT of notes. I had a fair amount of trouble with it, plus changes and other thoughts. I’ve been putting off writing about it because it seems like a huge task and definitely needs it’s own blog post. So, while you wait for that post to come, I’ll share the other two projects I’ve finished this month.

Porom

Pattern: Porom (My Ravelry project page.)
Started: December 24, 2009
Completed: January 9, 2010
Yarn: Elsebeth Lavold Silky Wool, color 63, just under one skein
Needles: US 4 bamboo circular and US 6 bamboo circular and DPN’s
Notes: This was a pretty easy knit until the decreases. You really had to pay attention because you have to move the marker a lot at the end. I like how it turned out and the pattern was a fairly quick knit. I think it would have been done a lot sooner, but I had to put it down to work on my grandma’s shawl. I love this yarn and the pattern.

Porom – Front

Porom – Side

Porom – Back

After I finished Porom, I started this little scarf and finished it with a quickness!

Criss-Cross Lace Scarf

Pattern: Criss-Cross Lace Scarf (My Ravelry project page.)
Started: January 9, 2010
Completed: January 10, 2010
Yarn: Berroco Lustra, just under one skein
Needles: US 7 metal straights
Notes: Very quick and easy knit. The yarn was really soft, nice to work with, and has a lovely sheen and drape to it. I’d definitely buy it again. Added a few extra feather and fan repeats to the ends to use up more yarn. (Did a total of 10 feather and fan repeats.)

Criss-Cross Lace Scarf (open)

I’ve been working on Matt’s socks, but not without a lot of bumps along the way! First sock I knit was too big. It was just a little too long and the ribbing around the ankle was far too loose.

Matt’s Sock, Attempt #1

The first one was knit toe-up with a slip stitch heel. I should have just gone with a short-row heel, but I thought this might fit better. Turns out I’m not so great at estimating when to start it! Plus, I think the gauge overall was a bit too loose. So, back to the drawing board I went. Started a new sock, cuff-down this time, on smaller needles, with more ribbing around the ankle and a short-row heel. I finished that one up last night, but don’t have pictures yet. It does fit a lot better, but I think it needs more ribbing. When I asked Matt for feedback on it, he said he did like it more and it fit better overall, but he did say that he liked the toe better on the toe-up sock (which you just can’t replicate top down) and it needed more ribbing on the ankle. I think part of the problem is the yarn. I’m using Berroco Comfort DK, which is a nice yarn, but really isn’t great for socks. It’s a 50/50 acrylic/nylon blend, so it doesn’t stretch well. It makes the foot fine, but the ribbing just doesn’t stay tight. For now, Matt will just have to live with one sock that’s a little too big and one that fits well, but doesn’t have enough ribbing while I make another pair out of wool!

After I finished the first sock, I took a break and cast on Haruni with Wollmeise 80/20 in Campari Piccolo. So far I like how it’s turning out and can’t wait to get to the edging, which is probably my favorite part of the pattern. I just love how the edging looks!

Haruni

At the end of December, I realized that I didn’t have any socks on the needles, so I cast on a toe-up sock (with a slip stitch heel – changing it up!) with a Vesper sock club colorway, Summer Breeze. I’m loving this colorway. It seems so cheery since it’s been rather dreary out lately.

Summer Breeze Sock

I think that brings all my knitting up to date (finally – I’ve been such a slacker!) aside from the shawl that needs it’s own blog post. Happy Wednesday! Tonight is knit night and after the crazy, thrown off week I’ve been having, I’m really looking forward to it. 🙂

Cooking, Current Projects

Food, Knitting, and the Holiday Season

Posted on November 30, 2009 by mslindz

Wow! It’s been two weeks since I last blogged? I’d say I’ve been busy, but I haven’t felt very busy. I think I’ve just been go-go-go for a while with so many things going on, that when I finally had some down time, I just went with it and took some time off from keeping up with things online. Last week, I was pretty pre-occupied with Thanksgiving plans. I did a bunch of cooking and baking the weekend before Thanksgiving and even the day of. I was recently reminded of how much I love to be working in the kitchen when I spent most of the day baking a cake, making bread (rolls actually, but the process was about the same), and making lasagna.

Yellow Cake with Chocolate Frosting
Recipe from America’s Test Kitchen

Rustic Rolls
Recipe from America’s Test Kitchen

Lasagna with Meat Sauce
Recipe from America’s Test Kitchen

All three recipes turned out fantastic! The rolls were really hearty and not quite what I was looking for, so Monday I tried out a yeast roll recipe I found. Maybe the Best Yeast Rolls.

Yeast Rolls

They were exactly what I wanted! SO GOOD. I highly recommend this recipe. I think the potato flakes really make it. I also made Apple Cake in a Cast Iron Skillet for Thanksgiving. It came out pretty decent. I ended up having to sub 1/3 cup whole wheat flour because I ran out of white flour. I’ll probably try it again, but cook the apples in the butter/sugar longer, possibly bake it a little longer, and use all white flour.

Apple Cake in a Cast Iron Skillet
(Photo from before flipping it over and out of the pan)

I’ve been knitting, too! I started Liesl. I need an updated picture because I’m just past where you separate the sleeves off, but here it is with the first one I made.

Liesl, Take Two (Long sleeve version)

I finished Multnomah. I’m hoping the sun will peek out again soon so I can get some FO photos to share.

Multnomah, blocking.

I started a scarf for Matt. He liked my striped Noro one and wanted one in “guy colors” for himself, so I picked out these two sock yarns. When I first attempted the scarf, I found that I needed to work it on size US 2 needles! That was not about to happen (scarf on 2’s? NO WAY). I finally got around to winding the yarn doubled up and started it on US 5’s. It’s moving right along and holding the yarn double hasn’t created any issues other then the occasional missing one of the yarns when knitting. So far, he likes it. 🙂

Matt’s Scarf

There’s a few other projects I’ve been working on (only one that I can’t blog about), but I’ll save those to share next time. I also have a pattern I’m going to share and a few in the works! Stay tuned. 🙂

Hope your holiday season is off to a good start! I worked last Friday, so there were no Black Friday sales that I went to. I wouldn’t have gone even if I did have the day off. It was quite at work with so many people taking the day off, so it wasn’t too bad to be working anyhow. So far we have a few holiday parties in the works, but only traveling within the area we live and most of the gifts I’m giving are knit. What about you? Any plans for this Holiday season? Traveling? Knitting/making gifts?

Completed Projects

Starlight Progress, Midsummer Socks, and Scarf FO

Posted on September 29, 2009 by mslindz

This weekend, we went to Cedar Point with some of Matt’s friends. It was a lot of fun, but man was I sore the next day from all the walking! We went up Friday afternoon after picking up Matt’s brother. Stayed in a hotel Friday and Saturday night, then came home Sunday. The drive wasn’t too bad and I got a lot of knitting done. I uploaded pictures to Flickr from the day spent at the park. You can see them here.

On the car ride, I stuck to knitting on Starlight. I’ve now reknit past the point I had to rip out from the weekend before last.

Starlight Sleeve

While at the park, I knit while waiting in line and when I sat out a few of the coasters. I’m a few rows away from finishing the first Midsummer Night’s Dream sock!

Midsummer Night’s Dream

Oh! I actually finished something last week. I started a garter stitch scarf the day I had back surgery. I put it aside for a while, but would knit a row here or there. After moving, I didn’t work on it much. I decided a few weeks ago it was time to get it back out and get it finished. I knit just a few rows every day until I ran out of yarn. This is the first garter stitch scarf I’ve made! I really like it. I have 2 more skeins of this yarn and I think I’ll make a hat and gloves to go with it.

Pattern: Garter Stitch Scarf (My Ravelry project page.)
Started: April 2, 2009
Completed: September 24, 2009
Yarn: Malabrigo Worsted in Sunrise, 1 skein
Needles: US 7 bamboo circular
Notes: I cast on 25 stitches (I think) and knit until I ran out of yarn. The FO picture makes the yarn seem more orange then it is. The second picture below is a little more accurate in color.

Finished Scarf

Scarf in Progress

This week is looking like it’ll be another busy one. At least the end of the fiscal year is almost over, so work should slow down a little (at least not be so super crazy). We’re having our housewarming/birthday party (for Matt and I since both our birthdays are this month) this Saturday and all this week we’re doing preparations for that – getting food, cleaning things up, planning everything out and so on. I think things will calm down at home after this weekend. The last two months we’ve been busy almost every weekend, so I’m looking forward to the slow down. We’ll have one three day weekend to hang out and do nothing, then the on the 15th I’ll be heading out to DC for Rhinebeck on the 17th. I’ll be staying with Laura in DC, then heading up to stay with her friends in NYC Friday, Rhinebeck on Saturday, back to DC Sunday, then back home Monday. I’m really looking forward to it!! This will be my first time going to Rhinebeck. Maybe I’ll see you there! 🙂 Now I just need to get Starlight finished so I can stop stressing about having it done on time.

Completed Projects, Cooking, Life

Bellona Cowl, New Camera, and New Sock

Posted on September 14, 2009 by mslindz

It’s the month of crazy at work (aka fiscal year end). I haven’t been blogging nearly as much as I’ve wanted to lately, but I’ll get back there once all the crazy ends and I can go back to “normal” work days without quite so much crazy in them! I fully intended to blog about this FO last week, but you know how that goes when things are crazy. So, today I bring you the Bellona Cowl!

Pattern: Bellona Cowl by Didi (My Ravelry project page.)
Started: September 4, 2009
Completed: September 7, 2009
Yarn: Knit Picks City Tweed in Morning Glory (1.5 skeins)
Needles: US 4 bamboo circular
Notes: I did 7.5 chart repeats. I probably could have done more, but I’m really happy with the results. Hoping to get a pair of fingerless mitts out of the leftovers. The yarn is really nice to work with and the cowl ended up soft and drapey. I definitely want to make more things with this yarn at some point. The pattern was great and I love the way it turned out. Simple and interesting enough that I didn’t want to put it down! 🙂

Here it is laid out flat.

Wearing it!

Little more detail of the cables.

This weekend ended up being pretty busy, but the highlight for me was inheriting Matt’s old camera when he purchased a new one. I’m now the proud owner of a Canon Rebel XT. He also gave me the kit lens he got with his new Canon XTi since he already had some better lenses and his old camera bag (same as his new one, just smaller).

Mine!

This weekend, my friends Karen and Lani had a booth full of bags they made at Oktoberfest. I stopped by Saturday and Sunday to help out and support them for a while. Alita had some of her HairWare and Stuff there, too. Matt got better pictures of all of that, but hasn’t uploaded them, so here’s the one I took of their booth.

I managed to cast on a new sock this weekend. I wasn’t going to, but I needed something different. I had a plain sock on the needles and a colorwork sock on the needles. I was bored of the plain sock and the colorwork one really isn’t transportable since I’m also designing it, so I cast on Midsummer Night’s Dream from the new Knitty.

Midsummer Night’s Dream in Wollmeise Twin, Campari Piccolo.

I was going to make myself wait until I was done with Starlight to start anything new, but I’ve decided that’s silly. I’m a process knitter and my knitting usually goes on my whims. If it’s not interesting, I don’t want to knit it. I needed something portable that was also going to capture my interest RIGHT NOW, so new sock it is!

Sadly, I have to report that I lost one of my DPNs under the driver’s seat in Matt’s car. There’s no way it’s coming out unless they remove the seat and I really don’t want to go through all that hassle when I can get another set of Knit Picks nickel plated DPNs for $5. Still, this means that my colorwork socks are stalled because I had to borrow one of the needles. I suppose I could move the 5th needle between these socks and the colorwork ones, but knowing me that would either cause me to loose it or never have it when I need it! More DPNs are on order already. 🙂

Another busy week and weekend ahead, but this weekend is A Wool Gathering!! I’m pretty excited about that this year since I have a great group of knitters to go with. I’ll be there probably wearing my Ravelry shirt (“Daily dose of fiber”) and button with my username (mslindz, of course), so if you see me be sure to say hi! 😀

Completed Projects, Current Projects

Shedir Hat, Cigar Gloves, Lakeside Socks, New Pattern, & a Lost Mitten

Posted on February 4, 2009 by mslindz

I have two finished projects to share today!

The first one is a hat I was commissioned to make for a friend. I had kept it rather hush-hush here on the blog because she said I could use whatever pattern and yarn I wanted, so I wanted it to be a surprise. Well, she received it in the mail yesterday and took a fantastically fun picture for me today! (The picture and the hat totally suit her!)

Pattern: Shedir from Knitty’s Fall 2004 Surprise
Started: January 16, 2009
Completed: January 28, 2009
Yarn: Cascade Heritage in red
Needles: US 3 bamboo circular and DPN’s
Notes: I did one more repeat of the main cable portion then I typically do and I think it worked out well. Other than that, no changes! I really do love how this hat comes out and no matter how many times I’ve knit it (this would be the 4th if you’re counting), it’s still enjoyable.

Also, in this photo, she’s wearing a scarf she knit! She just started knitting not too long ago and she’s already addicted. Another knitter added to the fold! :o)

Pattern: Cigar, modified to have full fingers/thumbs
Started: January 18, 2009
Completed: February 3, 2009
Yarn: Berroco Comfort DK in black
Needles: US 3 bamboo DPN’s
Notes: The only big change that I made is to make the thumb and fingers closed instead of open (full fingers/thumbs). On the second glove, I decided to pick up more stitches on the cast on edges of the fingers/thumb and then decrease them the very next round. This helped close up the gaps much better and if I ever do gloves again, I will do it this way. Doing it like that made for less holes I needed to close up when weaving in the ends. This was my first time making gloves. I have to say it was a bit fiddly to do all the fingers and thumbs, but wasn’t too bad (and went quickly!). There were a lot of ends to weave in!

One thing I did learn in making these is how to weave in ends “properly.” I’m sure however I’ve been doing it works just as well, too, but I never really did know how to weave in ends “the right way” or the best way, so I did the “fake it til you make it” method up until this point. Being curious about it when face with so many ends to weave in, I Googled it and found this very helpful Knitty article. I guess I had just never really put that much thought into it before now. I think it looks a lot neater this way and I’m glad I bothered to look it up.

Since I finished up the gloves last night, I cast on the pair of Lakeside socks I’ve promised to the same friend pictured above with the hat!

Today, I was checking my Google Reader and saw a post by Grumperina showing a beautiful scarf. As soon as I saw it, I wanted to knit it. As I read more, I saw that this is a new pattern from her. The pattern is Mother of Pearl and it’s a free pattern from Crystal Palace Yarns. Very pretty! I have just the yarn for it already sitting in my stash.

This morning, as I was leaving the house, I realized one of my mittens were missing. I searched around the kitchen table where I would have left it and couldn’t find it. Searched a few other places in the house and I still couldn’t find it. I didn’t think much of it, just figured I’d left it in the car, but when I got to the car, it wasn’t there either! I’ll look again when I get home tonight. I’m pretty sure I’ve somehow lost it between getting out of my car and going into the house last night. Thankfully I was already planning on making myself new mittens and have the yarn for them. I just wasn’t planning on having to make them so soon. I was more planning on making them by next winter, but I may need to move that date up if we keep getting snow like we have been!

Completed Projects, Current Projects

Harry Potter Scarf, Yarn, and Gloves

Posted on February 3, 2009 by mslindz

I was finally able to give my sister her scarf about a week ago now. Forgot to blog about it! Here she is modeling it:

I think it ended up a good length for her. I also think it will keep her quite warm! Especially with all the icy death from the sky we’ve had lately.

Yesterday was Happy Mail Day for me! I got Zombie yarn from The Yarn Bearer (Sock Club), Sweet Water from Vesper, and Happy Housewife Cupcake Club goodies.

The Zombie yarn is on the left (under the top yarn), Vesper on the right (top yarn), and Cupcake Club goodies are at the middle bottom.

I’ve been busily working on gloves for Matt. I’m hoping to finish the second glove today! I’m half done with the pinky finger and then just have the thumb to go.

I don’t know if I mentioned it previously, but I’m doing a modified version of the Cigar Gloves from Knitty. I was going to make the first finger and thumb on the right glove as written in the pattern then maybe make little caps for the finger/thumb, but Matt decided last night that doing them as full fingers would be fine.

Soon as these are done, I’ll be casting on a pair of socks for a friend. I’m looking forward to knitting socks again. Feels like it’s been a while since I had a pair on the needles!

Completed Projects, Current Projects

Sleepover, FO, New President, and Sock Club

Posted on January 20, 2009 by mslindz

I’ve been meaning to blog for a few days now, but I’ve been distracted by other things or just plain busy!

This weekend we had a knitter’s sleepover. It was so much fun!! I can’t remember the last time I stayed up so late, but it was a blast and totally worth it. I’m so glad one of the ladies in the knitting group opened her home to us! I got a lot of knitting done, watched movies, chatted, and ate good food. I intended to take pictures, but I got wrapped up in all the fun and forgot! A lot of fun, though!!

I was able to finish the Hogwarts scarf while I was there, though. Well, the knitting and the weaving in of ends. I did the fringe when I got home. I’m so glad to be done with this project. It was a bit boring, but at least I could work on it while doing almost anything else since it didn’t require I pay a whole lot of attention to it. It’s just knit around and around and around and… well you get the idea! So, here’s the third finished project of the year:

Pattern: Hogwarts Scarf in Gryffindor colors
Started: January 5, 2009
Completed: January 18, 2009
Yarn: Lion Brand Vanna’s Choice in Mustard and Brick
Needles: US 8 bamboo circular
Notes: I cast on 80 stitches instead of 70 because it fit around the 16″ circular better for me. Kept the same 22 rows before changing colors, though. Easy knit. It’s for my sister, who will probably get it this coming weekend.

Recently came across this Polaroid program. Fun to play with! I did this photo of the scarf with it.

~~~~~

Since the scarf is now DONE, I can work on something else! Matt asked me to make him a scarf and some gloves that would work well with outdoor photography. Took me a while to find yarn, but I finally decided on Berroco Comfort DK. It’s quite soft and I’m hoping it will be warm, too. I’m loosely basing the pattern on Cigar, but one hand will be totally gloved (all fingers covered) and the other hand will have finger flaps for the thumb and forefinger. Haven’t decided on how I’ll work the “flaps” yet, so we’ll see how that works out! After working on the gloves for two days, I’m about to the fingers on the first one.

~~~~~

Yesterday I went for a second opinion consult on surgery. I’m having a test done next month and then I go back for a continuation of the consult. This pushes things back further than I wanted or expected, but I know that it’s the right thing to do. I’m just getting a bit impatient about it all. I want to be done already, but making the decision that is best for me is more important than making a decision just because I’m impatient.

Today is inauguration day. I was able to watch it on CNN on IPTV at my computer at work. This is my first time watching an inauguration and it was really great to be able to see it. I thought President Obama’s speech was moving and I teared up a little. He’s quite charismatic!

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Last week, I saw that sign ups were open for the Loopy Ewe Sock Club. I hadn’t tried for a spot before and was thinking I should pass. It is a bit pricey and it’s a year commitment. I told myself I couldn’t really afford it, but I’d also been feeling a bit like a deprived child who says “But you NEVER let me get ANYTHING!!” Which, of course, is usually not true at all. I figured even if I did try, I wouldn’t get in. So what did I do? Entered the lottery for a spot, then promptly forgot all about it, figuring I wouldn’t get a spot anyhow. Then, today when I was looking around on the Ravelry message boards and happened upon a thread in the Loopy Ewe group about the Sock Club. Apparently people were getting their emails TODAY about if they got a spot or not! I quickly checked my email and…

I GOT A SPOT!

Um… I wasn’t expecting this at all!! I feel a bit guilty for spending money on me, which is a problem I have had for a long time, especially since I’ve been working hard on getting rid of debt. But… I’ve heard such great things about this club and I’m quite excited about it!

This week is doing pretty good so far! Tomorrow I’ll be having lunch with a friend and I’m quite excited about it! New restaurant and good company mid-week :o)

Completed Projects, Current Projects

A year goes by so quickly…

Posted on January 13, 2009 by mslindz

Yesterday, Matt and I celebrated our one year anniversary! A year ago yesterday, we decided that we didn’t want to see other people and we decided on the official “couple” status. It feels like it’s been longer and shorter at the same time. I feel like I’ve known him much, much longer than a year, but it seems like it’s not possible a year has passed so quickly. A year ago, I wouldn’t have though my life could be as good as it is, but life IS good! It’s been a great year and I’m looking forward to another great one!

~~~~~

Since getting yarn in the mail, I’ve been dying to start the Rainy Day gloves, but I told myself I would get this scarf done first. I just know if I were to start another project, it would be months before I wanted to go back to this scarf and I don’t want my sister to have to wait until summer for her scarf! So here is it’s current state:

Okay, well, mostly it’s current state. There are actually 5 stripes of each color now and I’ve started strip number 6 of the burgundy. Just over half way. I’m thinking it might not be long enough, though. We’ll see how long it is when I’m done with the 10 burgundy and 9 gold stripes.

Yesterday, I spent time catching up on episodes of Ugly Betty and watched a few of the Knitting Daily TV show. While watching TV, I worked on the scarf while waiting for the Gable sweater to be washed and dried. Yes, I took a big leap and threw it in the washer and dryer!! Yes, I was scared! It turned out fine, though, and I added the pretty wooden buttons to it. I have to say that it’s MUCH softer after being washed. I will also say not to was it with towels. No idea what I was thinking other than having something else in the washer with it since I can’t control the water level (coin operated washer/dryer in our apartment). I had to pick off a lot of fuzz and I’m still picking off bits of towel from it. Ah well, lesson learned, right? I don’t have the best picture of it with buttons, but here’s a decent photo of what the sweater looks like with buttons:

(Just ignore the weird look on my face…)

Not much else going on with the knitting besides that scarf now. Maybe I can finish it this week so I have more interesting things to show you… like some Rainy Day gloves!

Current Projects

Three S’s: Spinning, Scarf, and Stash

Posted on January 7, 2009 by mslindz

Last night at knitting, I was talking to one of the group members about spinning. I think there’s 2 people in the whole group that spin! I mentioned that this year, I’d really like to get a wheel, so we talked a little about wheels and said that I should come over when the weather gets warmer and we can spin outside. I have wanted to get a wheel for a long time now… I think since 2005! I got a drop spindle in 2005 and there are a few posts here that I talked about it. I did spin up the first roving I had. Then in 2007, I went to Knitter’s Connection and took a class on spinning. I learned more about drafting and my second go round looked a lot better that my super bulky first try, but I never did finish it. I started having a lot of pain in my right shoulder and it made it really difficult to spin, so I put it aside for “some other time.” Every so often, I’d get it out and look at the spindle with the little bit of yarn I’ve made on it and just dream about having a wheel. This year is THE year. I want to have a wheel by the end of the year.

Anyway, last night I was talking to her about spinning and I mentioned how it hurt my shoulder. She asked if I pull it up or to the side when I’m drafting. Up. Then it hit me – duh! No wonder it’s bothering my shoulder so much. I’m pulling UP instead of to the side, which would be much easier on my shoulder. She said I should try it sometime. No better some time than now!

I haven’t actually tried it yet, but I plan to this weekend.

On Monday I started my sisters Hogwarts scarf in Gryffindor colors. After knitting on it last night and today, it’s looking pretty good:

I’m hoping this will end up being a pretty quick knit. It’s great for knitting in front of the TV, while on the phone, having conversations with people, or while reading a book (as long as you have something to hold the book open!). I was wondering, though, what the height should be on the stripes. It doesn’t say in the pattern and looking at it I almost feel they should be taller. Right now the are 3.75″. It does say the scarf should be 7 to 8 inches wide and mine is about 9 inches wide. I added 10 extra stitches to make it easier to knit in the round (70 was just a tad on the tight side).

Monday I had to go to Michael’s to get the yarn for the scarf (it’s Vanna’s Choice yarn, my sister requested something not itchy and this definitely isn’t). After I got home, I decided that I needed to get all the yarn I’ve acquired photographed and entered into my stash on Ravelry. All of it was either given to me or acrylic that I bought a skein of here and there.

I thought I’d have some fun and create a little picture with all the yarn I took pictures of and uploaded to my stash:

Might be a little boring here on the blog while I knit this scarf. I’m hoping it won’t take the eternity it feels like it will. Then again, I’m sure I’ll come up with something to talk about!

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