So I've been doing it wrong?

I have been having issues doing Judy's Magic Cast On since the first time I tried.  I thought it was because I was looking at Cat Bhordi's YouTube video and she used the two circular method, which means she knits into the top needle with the working yarn coming from the bottom.  Since I was on my computer tonight, I decided to look for a tutorial for JMCO for Magic Loop, only to find out everyone seems to knit into the top needle with the yarn coming from the bottom.  I have always been knitting into the bottom needle, with my working yarn coming from the top.  All the tutorials I'm seeing online are the opposite of me, which means I don't know how to do the cast on without the seem massively showing.  I am ready to hit my head against my desk.

I generally started learning how to knit in the round via DPNs which seem to be just like how I knit with magic loop.  I guess when knitting socks from the top down, it doesn't matter but when working for the toe-up, it seems odd.  I don't know if I'm ready to make modifications to the way I knit in the round just yet since in my opinion it looks like people are knitting inside out.  Maybe one day, I'll figure out a toe up cast on that fully works for me.

Books and yarns and dyes

I had said previously how I was going to purchase the Tree of Life pattern once I had the money...$6.50 for the pattern, according to Ravelry. I pressed the button to pay for it, only to find out it is not for sale (someone needs to update that pattern page). The good news is, it took me to the designer's website where she had the BOOK with the pattern (yes the book that I have hunted high and low for) for sale. I didn't even hesitate and purchased the book. It is now on its way to my house and I am grinning like a loon. Now I'll have a lot more options for colour work socks :D

I had also said that I was going to dye the skeins for this project but I kind of changed my mind. I had made an earlier order from Springtree Road for a skein of Muscadine sock yarn in Late Dusk (a deep blue, almost navy) and Kohl (an almost black colour that I have been eyeing since the first purchase I made from Springtree last year). The idea of a dark blue background and a red-orange-yellow for the foreground is very appealing. Th only problem is that Springtree doesn't have gradient yarns. I contacted the owner who was willing to send me an undyed skein so I could attempt to dye it myself. I hope I do it justice.

Another sock to add to the list for 2013

I have loved The Tree of Life sock pattern since the first time I saw a picture of them. I went on a mad hunt to find the book the pattern was from since Ravelry didn't have the pattern available for purchase. The book wasn't available at Amazon.com when I was looking. Amazon.ca didn't even hear of the book. Same with Chapters-Indigo. KnitPicks.com had it and I had it in my cart. There was a 40% off book sale and when I was ready to purchase it, the book was nowhere to be found on the site. This was a lot of work for one sock pattern.

Don't ask me what made me start looking for the pattern tonight, but I looked on Ravelry again and lo and behold, the sock pattern is available for individual purchase :)

So the new plan, buy the pattern when there's money in my account. Buy a nice undyed skein or 2 of yarn. Dye the yarn myself, hopefully in a gradient. Enjoy knitting this pair of socks over the course of 2013 (pending the world survives past this week). I am excited.

No longer like the other

These two skeins were both two skeins of Patons Kroy in white that I had purchased from one of the ladies at my knitting circle. I had no idea what I was going to do with them, other than maybe some colour work. But now that I've learned how to colour with Kool-aid, I was quite happy to have these skeins. I like the way they have turned out and I wish I had enough to make a pair of socks out of them but I guess they'll have to go to making some other kind accessories, I'm thinking some kind of hat or such.

Way to Dye: Part 2

I didn't like the way my dye project turned out originally so I have to re-dye it. The ended up being a lot of white spots and color bleeding. I kept the colors the same and I tried again. I really like these these finished results it's a lot more vibrant almost wine colour. I hope the colour stays after the yarn has dried.

A) the first dye while the yarn was still damp.

B) after the yarn has dried. What you can't see is the white spots where the yarn was tied. I even tied the yarn loosely

C) this is the re-dye. No white spots but there are lighter and darker areas which are fine with me.

Way to dye

I found one more ball of Patons Kroy in white and as things seem for me, it can't just stay white. I debated between red or purple while looking through the past Successes in the What A Kool Way To Dye group on Ravelry.

I was aiming for a rich, jewel like purple, with a hint of red. I ended up with a jewel like burgundy. It wasn't until I had already hung up the skein to dry and made it back to my room that I noticed that I didn't use Icey Blue Lemonade like I thought, but a packet of Tropical Punch.

I like how it turned out regardless. And for reference if I ever want to try this again: Tropical Punch and Grape mixed together. Add Cherry in separately afterwards. 50g of sock yarn.

I love it when things like this happen

After placing my order at Paradise Fibers, I went to the KnitPicks website, deciding to see what kind of undyed yarn I could get and still debating if I was even going to make a purchase )I am one of those online shoppers that is always putting things in the cart but doesn't buy too often). I emptied out the contents of the cart but left in the acrylic yarn. I threw in a sock blank, a couple of undyed skeins of stroll and made it to about $47. Still not quite the $50 mark to get the cheaper shipping. I looked through the $2-$10 section to bump the total and I added a Euclean wool wash. I looked at my total and made it to exactly $50! It's nothing all that big but it's cool when you get a perfect total.

When I checked to see my full total with shipping and duty and such, I realized that KnitPicks now uses PayPal in addition to credit cards. As a person who tries to avoid credit cards as much as possible, this is wonderful news.

I haven't decided if I'm actually put this order through. It depends on my account tomorrow.

Good timing

I had made a post about a month ago about buying yarn for my shapely boyfriend sweater from Webs. I was going to make the purchase from there I really was but I got an email from Paradise Fibers having a 15% off sale on the Cascade Yarn I wanted. I was hemming and hawing as to when I was going to make my purchase But decided to make my purchase this morning as I couldn't wait any longer.

Good thing I did too considering I went to the ravelry group and found that the sale was ending today! I get to keep my Paradise points and I get my yarn for 15% off.

I'm still debating as to when I'm going to start this sweater. I still have a ways to go on Anisette Cardigan but as soon as I finish that I will start this one.

Well this is a benefit of doing toe-up socks

As I've been working on my toe-up socks, the Stitch Surfer, I am starting to see the benefits of doing toe-up socks.

I've been trying it on as I go and I didn't even measure before I started the heel flap. It just looked like it was long enough. I made it past the heel flap and as I started on the leg, I realized that the sock is looser at my ankle than I'd like so I'm going to go from a large to a medium. The large size was fine for my foot though on a 1US needle, since my foot is wide.

I've never tried those type of sizing customization on cuff down socks. I like learning new things :)

I feel like I'm in a "Secret Society"

Today was the last class of my creative writing class. (You can read the finisher story here). During the break, I was talking to the teacher and found out she is a fellow knitter. Of course I ran back to my backpack and pulled out my Stitch Surfer socks to show her. Apparently she's has never attempted socks and was in awe of them. We started to talk about the cost of yarn and people over paying for a Coach acrylic scarf (seriously it was $100 for the thing on clearance and they wanted me to pay that much money for acrylic?)

She liked the idea of the cost of knitting vs paying for other forms of entertainment. We came to the conclusion that knitting is worth it. That whole conversation made showing up for the last class worth it.

Another one bites the dust...dun dun dun...

I have made it through the week with still no desktop access. I'm still surviving with just my net book and iPhone...however will I survive? LOL! I also haven't been able to finish the other hand o my Juniper Mitts since it was left in Hamilton and I wasn't there this week...sigh...

So this week, I worked on the Bex socks. I don't think I have that much further to go for the first sock. I still hope to be finished these socks by the end of the year.

I got my order from ACME Fibres last week and while I was attacking the box to get to my new stuff, I noticed my ball of Felici Yarn from Knitpicks in the colourway of Afternoon and then I remembered my skeins of Stroll fingering of the Midnight Heather. This was after I was looking online for yarn to buy to make the Stitch Surfer socks. I immediately cast them on, after I finally got the ACME box open (which contained 3 Hiya Hiya circular needles and an undyed skein of sock yarn). Keep in mind have only done cuff down socks and attempted toe up one time. I've got issue with doing this cast on and I think it's due to watching Cat Bhordi's YouTube video. While it is quite informative, I forgot to take into account that she was knitting with two circulars while I was doing magic loop, so where she had her stitches ready to knit after casting on and having it look like was a cuff down sock looks like after the Kitchener stitch, the toe of mine is inside out and I got an odd toe. Meh! I like the progress I've made so far so I will leave it as is.

I didn't really work much on any other knitting this week however when I was supposed to be updating the blog yesterday, I ended up dying yarn.  The final product turned out quite nice considering this was my first time.

I've been dye-ing to do this!

Oh the dilemmas! I have decided I don't want to wait a moment longer to dye my yarn. I went looking for a Kool-Aid based colour combinations because of course I couldn't look for anything simple. The first site I went to had packets of colours I don't have yet. So I went looking again and found this site about mixing solid packets and then a new problem arose as I saw each all of the different colours. And I wanted to dye them all!. I think I've settled for either ice blue or lemon-lime but of course I can attempt to be daring and try to mix colours together with absolutely no previous experience.

Right now I've for my yarn soaking for 30 mins before I add the colour. My cuz said I looked like I was wearing spaghetti when I had the skein around my neck as I transported the bucket and Kool-aid up to the kitchen.

So the yarn is now done soaking and I asked my grandfather's opinion I. Colour and he really liked the Icey Blue.

So the yarn has been zapped in the microwave 3 times so far for 2 minutes a piece, with about 5 minutes of resting in between. At last check, the outer parts if the yarn were a very nice shade of blue but there was quite a bit more white than I wanted in the middle so stir stir stir and zapped it back in the microwave. Lets see it's progress now.

The colour from the water is almost all gone and there is still quite a bit of white. I wish I had stirred it after the first 2 mins. Ah well! Such is life I cannot wait to see how these will turn out for a pair of socks

.
I squeezed out as much water as possible from my newly dyed skein after it was rinsed.  No colour came off during the rinsing so I assume that is good.  I took it down to the basement and hung it out to dry on the clothes lines hanging over the sink...of course checking on it every 5 minutes wondering to myself "Is it done yet?"

I love the finished skein and I really want to go through this whole process again.  I've even managed to talk my mother to look out for the more "exotic" (aka anything other than orange, grape, cherry) varieties of Kool-aid.  Wouldn't this make a pretty gift?

I am positively giddy today

And I don't even fully know why. Sure it's been a decent week but nothing to be really giddy about.

Where should I start with the recounting...

Last week in my Creative Writing class, the teacher said to have a copy of our stories printed out so we can edit each other's work. I had previously lost my usb key with just about everything I've ever written and actually wanted to keep. So when I was supposed to be listening to the teacher as she went on and on about the unworthiness of the Giller Prize winner's wor, I began writing out my woes called "17 Years Missing".  I ended up turning that into my story. I still wasn't finished by the point of printing but I didn't have access to a printer other than on Tuesday. So I printed it out.and hoped for the best. I refused to look at it because I get very judgemental of my work and somehow it turns from black and white to black, white and red, well before anyone got a chance to look at it. Mo, my reading buddy, read over the story and I loved the fact that she read into the subtle hints that I wrote into it.

These characters have been in my head for the past couple of years, coming from different sources; some off the top of my head, some yanked over from my Sims 2 neighbourhood like Dingo and Sedar who's names along made me love them. They have developed personality traits and quirks that are ingrained in them and when I write about them, it comes through, sometimes without me even realizing it until later.

Mo said the anti-social behaviour of the main character was evident despite the fact that she spends majority of the story surrounded by people. Mo even stopped at the end of a paragraph, turned to me and said "Is her best friend gay?" I had a huge grin on my face that she got that even though I never explicitly said so. She even gave me a great way to end the story. It started in a journal entry and it will end in a journal entry. I really like the points that she gave although I'm almost afraid that it will be longer than the 2500 word limit the teacher gave. That alone tells me that short stories are just not my thing.  I already feel like I have to leave out a lot as it is...for a story about a missing usb key. So that's giddy point #1.

I have also been bouncing in my chair since last night since I got an email earlier in the afternoon regarding my package from ACME Fibres (looking at the package suspiciously beside me and hoping there isn't a bomb of some sort attached a la Wylie Coyote) with the Canada Post tracking number. I have been refreshing the update in the app on my phone to see if it was getting any closer. It got sent out of delivery at 11:45ish this morning and it was litterally at my doorstep when I checked for the mail 15 minutes ago. I know it's got my new Hiya Hiya Needles and my skein of undyed Merino/Nylon yarn. I promised myself that I wouldn't open it until I finished this entry since that is what I started doing first. Now I have something to look. Giddy point #2!

Now the non-giddy issue. My education is going to have to be put on hold again! I went to a seminar about the Second Career Program at my mother's Alma Matter (is that even the proper spelling for that) and as I listened to the information provided for me, I knew there was no way I could get into the Winter term like I wanted it. The program at the first school I wanted to get into which is almost around the corner from my house, is already full and there's a waiting list. There was nothing that I could do to do anything earlier as there was another limit as to what I could do before I was even eligible for the program to begin with. At my mother's AM, there is still space available but even after going through the necessary testing and such to get into the program and then waiting for the SCP to provide the tuition costs, it would be well past the time. So, here is to still doing everything I can from my side to get everything in so I can get into the Computer Networking program for the fall, with a good chance of changing the school I had originally wanted to go to. Seems to me that schooling on the verge of downtown is immensely cooler than schooling in the West end. No interesting places to visit.

The a'fore mentioned non-giddy part also means I really need to get a part time job or else there will be no income come March and that will be immensely sad.

15 mins later...
I finished writing this entry and skipped to my room to open the package. I really had to fight to open the box. I think that took the most time. While attacking the stubborn box, I noticed that I have a heathered black yarn from Knitpicks and 2 balls of Felici and a stroll hand painted skein of yarn that has barely been used. I can use them for the Surfer's Sock! No need to tempt myself with by looking at more sock yarn online :)

I finally got the box opened and this was its final state. I WON THE BATTLE!

These were the goodies that I were hidden inside! I can't wait to go a-dyeing :D

So the yarn hiatus is over!

I promised I wouldn't buy anymore yarn until the end of November. The official cut off was Cyber Monday.

This morning I made my first purchase! This time I made the purchase from ACME Fibers. I ordered 2 sets of Hiya Hiya circular needles in sizes 0 and 1 US, and an undyed skein of Superwash Merino/Nylon wool. I still got my packets of Kool-Aid ready to try it out :)

Another week's progress

Not much has happened this week. I did a few rows on the Bex socks and I started a quickie project.

I have wanted to knit fingerless gloves for as long as I've seen someone make it. I found a simple pattern on Ravelry and went about it. I was shocked with how quickly I finished I finished one hand. I showed it off with pride at church on Saturday and was immediately asked by people when they can get one.

I started on the second hand on Saturday night and only did a couple of pattern repeats. I thought I had packed it up in my things before I came back home only to realize this morning that I forgot either at my bestfriend's house, the trunk of her car or in the coat room at my church, which is not exactly local. Sigh...I guess it won't be finished as quickly as I liked. I was thinking of making matching sets of hats and scarves though.

On another note, at 2:48am, ridiculously early on Monday morning (or really late on Sunday night depending on your perspective), I finally got the opportunity to sign up for Cookie's Sock Club 2013. I can't wait until I get my first package in February next year!

I have been getting all of these amazing emails of wonderful Cyber Monday sales.  I even have a cart sitting at Webs waiting to be my first transaction.  Unfortunately, it's going to have to wait.  My desktop computer has been out of commission for the past 3 weeks.  I have one of my friends looking it over and I was informed that my motherboard has gone kaput! So my Cyber Monday sales won't be so Cyber when I have the money again.  The good news is that the stuff I wanted to purchase are for future projects so I can wait for them and try to finish my remaining project before the end of January.

Annisette Cardi - The Bex - wait a minute, that's it for on the needle projects not including the Blankie? Yes!

Casting on again

I have been wanting to do fingerless gloves for as long as I started knitting again in January 2011. I don't know if it was the niggling of reading the Yarn Harlot's blog and her showing off the fingerless gloves or if it was feeling the weather getting nippy, but I was searching through the Ravelry database for a simple pair of fingerless gloves in worsted weight. Up popped the Juniper Mitts. I don't have the buttons yet for decorating but I think that can wait until after I finish the gloves.

I'm almost half way through the left glove and these are a surprisingly quick knit. I just started it in the afternoon and left it for hours as I did have my class to go to. I think I may be able to get this hand done by tomorrow :)

4 in 2012

As I was perusing the Ravelry forums, I came across a group that I joined but sadly did not keep up with; 12 in 2012. I was supposed to knit 12 pairs of socks for the year of 2012.

I only finished 4 pairs so far for this year; Anklet in a Day, BFF, Wanida and Lissajous. I'm still knitting the Bex and I may be able to finish them before the end of the year.

I do want to continue with this idea if having a goal for next year, but maybe I'll be a bit more realistic with my goal. Instead of 12 pairs of socks, maybe I can revamp it to 12 individual socks. With the Cookie sock club for 2013, I'll have the patterns and sock yarn to do it. I also have a growing list of other socks that I do want to try plus at least one sweater.

One week's progress

I said last week that this was going to be a Bex./Blankie week.  I did finish the heel flap in record time  I tried it on the intended recipient and she loves it so far..

By the time I went to my knitting circle on Tuesday, my ears were cold and I decided I needed a hat.  That worked out well for the day since on of the ladies from my circle finally finished her 4x4 rib scarf that she had been working on for months and was looking for a simple hat to do.  She found a 1x1 ribbed hat pattern.  I wrote down the basic information and as soon as I got home, I pulled out my needles, pulled out a skein of Brava Acrylic yarn and casted on (you can now read about my love affair with Brava yarn).  By Saturday night, I had myself a simple hat that covered my ears.  I just wished I made it a little bit longer but it's okay for fall.

Once I finished the hat, I pulled out my Blankie and set to work.  I added on 5 squares from Saturday to Sunday,  I hesitantly added a square of Chroma.  I don't know if it will felt when this blanket will eventually gets washed but I do like the very long colour transition.  The colour only changed from a medium purple to a very slightly darker purple.  It's hard to tell the difference.  I just wish this yarn came in superwash.  I don't even mind that it's single ply, at least not for the Blankie.  I tried using 3 different colours in a single square and I like the finished result, however, I  need to start re-evaluating my colour choices and get some more pastels and lighter tone colours.  You can't see the full Blankie in the picture but it's only a bit longer on either side.  I am really loving my Blankie.  I'm also looking forward to the Cookie Sock Club 2013, especially because of the practically guaranteed left over sock yarn that will go into this Blankie.

On another note, I have been listening to "Fall of Giants" by Ken Follett and read by John Lee as I have been knitting.  Number one, the story is great.  Number two, time really flies that you don't even realize how much progress you've made as you listen to it. I think I'm going to try to listen to more books this way.  I really do like to read but reading a book, knitting projects and writing are all time consuming activities for me.  By doing the knitting and listening to a book, I can get more done.

On another-nother note, I saw a sweater that I want to make.  If anyone has any suggestions as to how to deal with the lace designed front panels, please let me know!

Casting On

As per the previous post, I finally started using a skein of Brava Worsted by Knitpicks. I'm just making a simple 1x1 rib hat and its turning out well. I'm using a 7US needle and since my ChiaoGoo 7US are being used for my Annisette Cardi, I pulled out my Knitpicks Options with the nickel tips. At least this set doesn't bend in my hand however the needles unscrew as I knit, unlike the ChiaoGoo Twist Interchangeable. I do want to try the Knitpicks Harmony Options though. I like the DPNs and haven't heard anything negative regarding interchangeable ones.

And now it is late and time to go to bed.

But before I go to bed, fundage is now set aside for Cookie A's 2013 Sock Club and I plan to be ready to go for next Friday, November 26th to make my purchase :)

OMG! I love this yarn!

Knitpicks Brava is awesome (mind you I'm still just casting). Ever since I tried wool, I never wanted to go back to Acrylic again. This Brava is totally different from the acrylic yarn available at my local Walmart. It's squishy soft, softer than the Bernat Satin that I've had sitting around in a bin for ages. I'm going to make a basic knitted ribbed winter hat. If I still have the "this is awesome" feeling by the time I'm finished then it will be in the next Knitpicks order

This apparently a day of self reflection

Or re-evaluation. Woke up this morning with a call from my mom to check her laundry. I was not ready to get up bit I was surprised with how late it was. I then proceeded to do what I do first thing every other Tuesday; check my account for money. I was confused at first as to why there was no increase only to remember that Remembrance Day, which was on Sunday which also meant the next business day was a bank holiday. Delays...so that set all my financial to-dos back by a day.

I watched The View (there's really not much to watch at 11a during the wee). They had Rachel Ray who's perkiness I find almost disturbing but I want to get her book. Her and her husband did this cookbook with a different meal for everyday of the year. Kinda reminded me of the movie Julie & Julia. Let it be known, I really don't cook much in my house. You'd be lucky if I make a family meal once a month. It's not that I don't know how but I am lazy about some things (my family would probably say most things). Also my house is kinda weird in the fact that everyone buys their own food. I'm generally unsure as to what works for communal food and what is not. Anywho, I want to start cooking more; at least once week. We'll see how well the follow through goes. Wednesdays will eventually be the cooking day.

On another note, I was watching E!Talk again and they showed this Banana Republic Sweater with a lace design, absolutely gorgeous. I wish I could buy it. Unfortunately, I am not making Banana Republic money and I saw the cost of $110. So of course my mind starts asking 'Is it possible to knit a similar cardigan?' It definitely contains colour work and lace work but I haven't quite figure out how and I don't want it to be a double layer cardigan. I definitely want to try it out.

One Week's Progress

I only worked on one project this week, the Annisette Cardi.  I finally finished the the left panel and I started on the right (or vice versa, I really can never keep them straight).  I couldn't even wait for all the pieces to be put together before I started seaming the back to the newly finished right/left panel.  I think it shouldn't make a difference as to what order the sweater gets seamed in so I'm hoping for the best.  I already messed up on the neckline, in addition to my other errors.

My wonderful seaming work

All the pieces together so far.

I still have to do the sleeves, collar and button panels.  I am actually really looking forward to it.

I'm already planning my next sweater, the Shapely Boyfriend.  I already already selected the yarn I wanted for the project.  It's sitting in the Webs cart, waiting for me to just hit the checkout (which will be done after the US Thanksgiving passes; seriously hoping that there's some kind of cyber monday sale going on).

This is the main colour that I wanted, Cascades 220 Superwash in Grey.

I wanted to add in a bit more colour, with a colour transition yarn.  I was hoping for something closer to Knitpicks Worsted Chroma but it doesn't come in superwash and it's single ply.  I don't think I'd like it for the sweater.  Instead, I picked Lorna's Laces Shephard Worsted in Black Purl.

I also want to add a skein of black to perhaps frame to second skein.  I'll see how everything will work once I do a swatch.

The other thing I'm planning on doing (I really like to plan, can't you tell?) is joining Cookie A's Sock Club 2013.  I am looking forward to it as well.

Other current projects still on the needles, The Bex socks (which hasn't been touched in a week), the Monkey Socks (which will probably not be touched for quite sometime) and the on-going Sock Blankie (this is like a 2 to 3 year project)

It's only half as wide as I want it to be so I've got a long way to go.  I think this week will be a Bex and Blankie week so hopefully a great amount of progress will be posted for these projects next week :D

Seventeen Years Missing

Seventeen years of writing is missing.  Seventeen years of written backstories, family drama and saga.  Seventeen years of sitting at any computer I could get to just to type out a small portion of what was in my head has gone missing.  Seventeen years of mediocre at best stories about a family I loved to write about, my friends liked to read and the precedent of one of my major writing loves has all but disappeared.

How does one recouperate that kind of work?  Some could take it as a sign that this would be an excellent time to rewrite everything in your new style of writing, showing off you much improved writing skills.  However, nostalgia is hard to beat.  Reading of badly written stories brings back the memory of the joy of writing.

It'll be hard to say good-bye but when there isn't any choice, you can either take the loss with dignity or wallow at the loss.  Either way, it's not coming back.  Good-bye to seventeen years and hello to whatever comes next.

This seems so coincidental to me

I'm sitting in my room watching E!Talk while I knit a cardigan. I actually started paying attention when they were talking about President Obama and Michelle's daughters just to see how much they've changed in the past 4 years. Of course the show goes off in some stupid tangent as to who should be the first date of the oldest daughter and I started to tune out again. My attention was recaptured when they started talking about a book series for teens about a boarding school in Washington of politician children and other children of influential people.

Funny thing, I have a setup just like that in a story; a private boarding school with well-off/gifted children. This actually makes me want to really work on this story again, which in my mind would be a series of books anyways. I just don't know how to deal with the cast I characters. There are so many of them and none that I want to get rid of. Some have been set back to secondary or tertiary characters at least. Maybe I will jump in Nanowrimo this year, late though.

Design Element!

I've determined that this week is the week of the Anisette Cardi. The back of the sweater went so well, almost no errors, or at least nothing noticeable unless you know where to look. So why am I making so many mistakes on the front panel? I for got to cable 2 times. I also managed to knit when I was supposed to purl and I didn't notice until I was working the right side. Guess what? I'm going to repeat these errors on the other panel and call it a design element.

They'll have a new home

As previously established, the Bex socks don't fit the way I want them to. I let my best friend try on the WIP's. They actually fit her well. I took down the rest of her foot measurements an she'll be the proud owner of a pair of Bex socks in pistachio green. That also means I'll have to buy myself a supplemental skein of yarn to make up for my loss, and perhaps dry my tears.

I'm also making some progress on my Anisette Cardi, while watching Fiddler on the Roof. The back of the cardigan has been done for months now and I'm working on the front left panel. I'm excited to see this project done so I can wear it!

On another knitting topic, I purchased 2 skeins of Knitpicks Gloss fingering weight in Coast Grey. The intention was to knit a pair of socks, specifically, Cookie's Cubist Socks. And since I have looking into yarn to dye and was wanting to dye the same gloss yarn. Unfortunately, it doesn't work well for for socks. I had to come up with another project for it. In thinking of making a shawlette with it but I still have to decide what pattern to do.

WIP Wednesday, Thursday and probably Friday?

I finally washed the Lissajous stockings. I was worried how the yarn would turn out, especially after reading non-fan commentary regarding the Wollmeise yarn I had used. I was pleased that the yarn became much softer after washing. I did have to stitch up the seam in 2 places due to not weaving the ends in properly. But they do look pur-tee!

On to the Bex - I tried a sock on as I always do and it doesn't fit the way I want it to. The bottom of my calf seems to be to wide (darn stumpy legs). So the plan so far is to gift them to my best friend. Hopefully they can fit her better. Unfortunately, I'm going to have to try it on her first so no surprise for her.

I decided tonight to pick up the Anisette Cardi last night. I'm starting to enjoy the process again. Especially since the needles are not unscrewing :) I was so excited when I found the buttons. I got them off of Etsy from Shop4Craft in Singapore. I knew from the time I saw the pattern that I wanted wooden buttons with some kind of design on it and I'm pleased with my choice.

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The new stuff you learn

It's always nice to learn something new about people you've known you entire life.

Take last Saturday for example. I saw the mother of one of my oldest friends. I don't see her as often as I used to since she recently got remarried and I splitting the time she has with nursing job and her husband who lives in the US. When she saw me today, she quickly went to her bag and pulled out a set of metallic pink Boye straight needles and a ball of fashion yarn to show me the scarf she was knitting. This woman has known my parents since before I was born. I have seen her do the embroidery kits that Avon will sell every once in awhile but I have never seen her knit or crochet. She told me she used to knit from back in England but she can't do the fancy things like I do.

It gave me pause. I do fancy things? I never really considered my knitting fancy. I've always been a creative individual. I used to draw and I enjoyed it while I did it. I even envisioned myself going to school for fashion design but I dropped out. And since I don't have a reason to draw anymore, the skill has fallen into disuse. I have kind of morphed into design. I like to say that I like to make things look pretty. I love to look at architecture, the way an interior designer can change a space to make a room so much more inviting. I love mixing and matching colours together and see how they go together. I wish I knew how to do some kind of house building. I've always thought the idea of buying a rundown house, renovating it and selling it back would be cool to do but without the money to buy a house to begin with, that idea has fallen flat. Maybe one day.

I personally don't think I'm fancy at all, not even in regards to knitting. I've seen my knitting as more of a progression of skill learning. I learned how to cast on and knit. I'm not sure what happened but I stopped. I don't even remember if I learned to purl yet. The concept always confused me, especially when I was told that it was knitting backwards. Not helpful.

I picked up knitting again when my best friend's mother decided the young ladies from my church needed to learn some domestic skills. There was cooking and embroidery and liked. I didn't have much use for embroidery and was quite a bit more excited when she said we'd try crochet and knitting.I stopped at a Walmart on the way home and picked up a set of bamboo 8US straight needles and a big ball of green acrylic yarn (which I still have some of to this day). I casted on and started knitting a very wide scarf. I finished the row and then ran into a problem. I had no idea how to purl. So I turned my needles and started to knit again. Imagine the grin on my face when I discovered the popcorn stitch. That is not the proper name but its what I called it. I continued to knit away and the green scarf grew.

I started to get sick of the green scarf. That meant I had to figure out how to finish the thing. I went to the public library (first visit since I moved to the city) and found a book about knitting, convinced that if it showed how to start knitting then it should show how to finish it. At the check out, met my biggest sock knitting inspiration who told me about the knitting circle at that library every Thursday. I didn't go that first week, thinking "why would I want to hang out with a bunch of old people" completely disregarding that the woman who told me about the group seemed as if she's the same age as me. I went the next week and I never looked back.

I learned the long tail cast on (which is now my go to cast on), I knew how to knit already. I finally learned how to purl (yay!) and the proper name of the "popcorn" stitch is the garter stitch.

And then the challenge came. We had a group knit along of Delores Park Cowl. It was my first foray into circular needles. That meant another trip to the craft area of Walmart. This time I got a chocolate swirly looking cotton yarn. It was either that or acrylic, especially since I didn't want to spend a lot of money on yarn. I was still a beginner. This time I learned how 'make one', 'knit 2 together' and how to use circular needles. See? My skill set was expanding!

The next project was a Felicity hat. I had to buy another set of circular needles. I used the same chocolate swirl yarn. I was so proud of the progress of the hat. The problem came when I compared my hat to everyone else's. Mine looked like it was meant for a Rastafarian with dreads down his back. It took awhile to realize that I had a 7mm, not a 7US. I learned to double check the needle sizes carefully before knitting.

My inspiration for sock knitting, encouraged me to try a pair of socks. That was intimidation. I had used straight and circular needles the idea of knitting with little toothpicks scared the crap out of me. Walmart couldn't help me this time. They didn't sell any needles smaller then a 3US. I made my first visit to one of the biggest yarn stores in Toronto, Romni Wools at Bathurst and Queen St W. I bought my first ball of sock yarn by Regia and a set of metal DPNs.

I couldn't cast on. I never understood why the yarn didn't just fall off the other side. One of the ladies in my knitting circle took the needle and yarn home with her, casted it on and did the cuff and 1 pattern repeat of the Monkey's by Cookie A. It was a slow process since in was new to me but I learned how to do yarn overs; the holes if design elements. The needles kept slipping out and it annoyed me to no end. I have never been good with picking up stitches. I never had this problem with my bigger bamboo needles. I got a set of bamboo needles. I didn't occur to me that bamboo that thin could break more easily. I was informed about the KnitPicks Harmony Wood Needles. I put in my first order. With this entire project I learned patience, why metal needles don't work for me as DPNs, why I don't like bamboo needles and Harmony Wood DPNS are great! And of course the basics of sock making.

I enjoyed making the socks so much, and I only had the one pattern, that I decided to make another pair. I food another...craft shop close to my house, The Enchanted Needle. I got 2 skeins of Pace yarn and plugged away at it. Then my hands started to itch. I quickly realized that if it was scratching the palms of my hands as I worked on the socks, then there was no way I could wear them myself on my feet. I put out a plea on Facebook for who had a foot my size. The only person I could think of way my friend in Atlanta and she came through. I was willing to suffer itchy hands to make a pair of socks for my friend. She loved them . I learned I really don't like doing the same socks twice in a row and Pace sock yarn is not for me.

I had purchased my first sock book, Knit. Sock. Love. by Cookie A. I found a pattern in the book called Mona. That has been my nickname for as long as I can remember that I had to make them. I had purchased a skein of Springtime Stroll Tonal from Knit Picks. I was originally stumped when I saw the skein. How in the world was I supposed to take this swirly thing and turn it into a usable ball of yarn? Enter someone with a skein winder and a skein holder umbrella thingy. It was so cool to see the finished yarn cake. I made sure to add the skein winder to my next order from Knitpicks. I also wanted to try magic loop so I went researching on Ravelry and decided on ChiaoGoo Red Lace Needles. It came just as I was working on the leg of my second sock. I switched over and never looked back. I learned how to 'predict' a pattern based on the previous row and how to magic loop.

The next project I worked on was for my 12 socks in 2012, the Ricks by Cookie the pattern was working well until I made it to the foot. It started doing this twisty thing and I couldn't figure out why for the life of me. I frogged it 3 weeks into the project. I didn't realize until months later when I was flipping through the book that I realized there was a page I hadn't noticed before; there was a separate pattern for the foot. I felt so stupid but I haven't attempted then again yet. I learned about travelling stitches and making sure I photocopy all the pages of the pattern.

One of the ladies from the knitting circle was making the BFF socks. I wanted to make them too. There was only one problem. I couldn't understand how cables worked. I made my first trip to the Purple Purl at Jones and Queen St E and signed up for a class on cables. It was much simpler than it seems. I started on my BFF socks, using yarn from an Indie Dyer for the first time (shout out to Springtree Road!). I learned how to cable and that I love Springtree Road yarn.

My aunt looked at my knitting progress and demanded that I knit her a pair of socks. I gave her my 2 Cookie A. books and told her to pick one. She picked out the yarn out of my stash (luckily it was yarn that I had purchased but was not happy with-I hate sparkles). She picked the Wanida's and I came to loathe the socks. Not because I was knitting 2 socks at 1 time, but because of my Aunt constantly asking "are you done yet? Why haven't you finished it yet?" I seriously put down the socks for a month and a half and didn't touch it. The only reason I managed to finish it was because I told myself I wasn't allowed to knit myself anymore socks until I finished her socks. I learned how to do 2aat (which I enjoyed), and that I don't like it when I have to make anything for anyone.

Next project with the Lissajous. First time doing knee high socks. I had actually come to a problem. Even though I had 150g of yarn it was not going to be enough so I tried to purchase another skein of Nazar Boncugu. It wasn't until I had both skeins in my possession and looked at them, I realized they were 2 different shades of blue. One skein was not going to be enough so I alternated the colours every 4 rows which have me a nice stripped effect. I learned how to do a heel flap with a design and converting a pattern in the round to flat.

So I said all that to say that I've just been building on what I've previously learned. Nothing fancy. I guess it just comes off as fancy to someone who never learned beyond the straight knitting of a plain scarf.

The real update on the Lissajous

As you can clearly see, the stockings are done.  This is my model shot of them (thank you B1 for remembering to take the picture of them for me).  I only have 1 issue with them and I only realized the problem when I wore the socks for an extended period of time...they fall and don't stay up on me.  Maybe my calf is smaller than I thought?  I dunno...Please ignore the other socks and slippers in the picture.

One completed project

The Lissajous stockings are finished. They are comfortably ensconcing my feet as I type. They still need to go through the wash.

I'm happy with the socks. Only a few changes I would want to make but they are quite minor and in no way will impede on my Lissajous love:

1) I wish I was able to use a solid colour but the stripping was an interesting addition. It's the discarding of the extra yarn that was annoying

2) Instead of switching colours every 4 rows, switching it every 8 instead would have been more ideal

3) Having the heel and toe match on the socks. Somehow going I managed to not get them the same and I didn't realize until I was half way down the foot

1 out of (how many WIPs) almost done

I have turned the heel and finished the gusset of sock 2 of 2 of the Lissajous Stockings. The heel flap did not take nearly as long as it did on the first sock. I am excited to get these done; not because I'm not enjoying working on them but because I want to wear them so badly. When they are done ill move onto the Bex socks and Annisette Cardi as my main projects.

I networked!

Last Friday, I was on the bus, heading to Hamilton as per usual, when I met this woman on the bus. It ended up being one of the most interesting and positive experiences I have ever had on the bus.

1) we both have iPhones
2) she's a crafter
3) we both like gerbils, hamsters and those kind of pets
4) she just finished the program I am about to enter

So by the end of the trip, she gave me her phone number and I got a new fount of info!

She even gave me the idea of selling some of my knits on Etsy. Maybe I can attempt things like baby items and see where it leaves me.

She had also asked me what career I wanted to get into. I joked and told her one to support my yarn habit.

And before I forget, I bought more Kool-aid packets. I am now the proud owner of Orange, Grape, Cherry, Lemon-Lime and Ice Blue. I cannot wait until I actually have yarn to dye. It will definitely be on my next Knitpicks order at the end of November.

Blankie Progress

The Blankie is coming along slowly. I counted about 40 squares in total and it looks about the width of the top of a single bed. I on the other hand want it wide enough to fit on a Queen sized bed and hang over the edges.

On a somewhat different note, I met this woman on the bus tonight. She had just recently been through the same program I'm about to enter which was quite helpful. We exchanged contact info so I have someone to talk to about changing careers. She is also a crafter. I pulled out Blankie since that was the only project I travelled with. She actually tried to tell me to sell some of my stuff on Etsy. Maybe I could try making baby blankets or something and see what I decide after that.

Well included in this post is a Blankie progress picture...or maybe an "artistic" picture anyways.

So I wrote...

So I sat in the office and wrote for just over an hour. Played with my phone for about half an hour. It was now past the appointment time so went to find out what was going on.

Apparently there was no appointment. The person I wanted to talk to, makes his own appointments. If the person who answered had told me that I would called the proper person and made a proper appointment. Luckily, saw me anyways and we had a less than 10 minute discussion. Send him an email and we sign up for a seminar to show me what's next.

I really can't judge time

I have an appointment at noon. I left my house at 10, waited for the bus, fought off a wasp on said bus, stopped for a bagel and French Vanilla from Tim Hortons, waited for another bus and reached to my destination at 10:45. What am I supposed to do with my extra hour and 15 minutes?
Didn't travel with any knitting. I left my DS at home. All I have is my phone and a notepad. So writing it is...

So in this past week

I have quite a few WIPs going on. I started working again on my Annisette Cardi. I only managed to do 5 or 6 rows while at my knitting circle. There are 2 other ladies in the group who are making the sweater and they're still on the back piece. They're both excellent crocheters, whether the instructions are written out or charted. They even do well with written out patterns. But give them the charts and it's like they forget how to knit. I spent over an hour and a half writing out the pattern for them and explaining how the back panel goes together. One of the ladies had her 'Ah-a!' moment when she realized she could see what she was supposed to do by reading the previous row. This was also a major discovery for me as well when I was doing the back piece too. I never noticed it before because I usually knit in the round so there's no wrong side to worry about.

Before knitting circle, I was working on my Lissajous socks. I'm almost at the heel flap. I know when I make it there, it'll be done quick-quick! Then I'll be be working on the Bex, which I haven't touched in a week. I'll get there when I get there.

I picked up my Sock Blankie last night, which surprise. I haven't touched it in a month. I ended up adding 8 squares from last night until now. BTW, I like Wollmeise's colorway Masala. It's the on furthest on top to the left. So I need to hunt down a full skein of it. But not until next year.

I'm compiling a list of yarns I want to purchase as my birthday gift to myself. I guess that will be my next Paypal savings. And once April 6th hits (that's my birthday), I'll be shopping :)

So much to catch up on!

I guess I can start with today, sitting at the kitchen table, trying to figure out why the US and Canadian post was being so slow! It reached 1:30 and I went back to the mailbox.

And there it was! My ChiaoGoo Twist interchangeable needle set arrived! I cannot wait in resume my Annisette Cardi! One of the ladies at my knitting circle has almost finished hers! She just had the neckline and button panels to do. I hope mine turns out as nicely as hers did. I also found my missing copy of the pattern that had all my notes on it. No more excuses!

On to the past week. I went to New Jersey and got to meet a lot of new family. I was surprised to find out that they are all craft loving people. Especially crocheting and knitting. I really need to start on on learning how to crochet next year.

I had planned to finish my Lissajous right sock while on vacation. Somehow, that idea didn't seem to make its way to my packing. I didn't pack enough yarn for it. So I generally put it aside and picked up my Pistachio green sock yarn from Sweet Georgia and casted on for the Bex. It is turning out so nicely. I just have to finish this second repeat and then another half and then the oh-so-boring heel flap. I'm pretty sure I should finish it well before the end of November.

Opinion of the Sweet Georgia Tough Love Sock Yarn: this yarn is excellent to knit with. Of course I'll have to reserve full judgement for after these socks are washed and worn. But so far, this will definitely a yarn I want to keep on hand for more socks. And they're Canadian too!

I have been requested to some family members to make some hats and scarves for the winter. Apparently, they don't mind acrylic yarn so off to Walmart I go again. I'm thinking of going with a charcoal grey for the guys and I'll have to see what's available for her.

I have an idea for her scarf but I'm still workings on it. I even checked out a stitch pattern book from the library. I need to get one of those books for myself.

Also...confession time. I just ordered a set of mini skeins...this is more money I have to save for for Cookie 2013.

I really should be in bed but...

I was under some crazy idea that I could actually finish my Lissajous stockings by Sunday. I don't know what kind of speed knitter I thought I was but I did manage to make decent progress on my right stocking. I'm almost finished the front diamond decal, which seemed to be a lot easier the second time around. Once that is done, then I worry about the calf shaping and I am almost half way through that as it is.

Lissajous: Sock #1-DONE!!! Round 2-Row 5,Chart A; Row 34, Chart D; Row 24, Chart H

What kept me going tonight was the KnitPicks' podcast I was listening to (episodes 189-196). I now want to stash palette yarn for cardigans and that might be what I purchase for my Cyber Monday purchase. I only worry about that fact that the page says 'Hand wash' and 'feltable'. I don't like hand washing. I don't mind the delicate cycle and hanging out to dry though. I'm going to have to do a bit more research I guess.

Bex Preparation

In prep for my trip and the Bex sock, I started to cake my yarn. First of all, I found out why my skeins of Wollmeise wasn't caking properly. When I got the Wollmeise, I mounted my ball winder on my bookshelf for the first time. Previously, I had held the winder in hand. Didn't swing the arm properly (the part that's sort of like the eye of a needle). Once I did that, I probably could have caked the entire 100g skein, instead of the max 30g I was getting before.

It was going so well. And somehow, I'm about 3/4 of the way through, I have a tangled mess. It's not a knot yet but I had to put it down before it got worse. The caked half looks beautiful. It's enough to do a swatch and start the sock.

Now that I have to go on a plane, I have to concern myself with how safe it would be to carry knitting needles. I have a strong preference for my ChiaoGoo Red Lace Stainless Steel needles. I have no idea how well those travel with airport security and carry on luggage. I think just in case I'll put them in the suitcase, where they can't cause problems.

Back track 3 posts ago

So back to the whole dyeing yarn thing. I actually went to my local grocery store and bought 4 packs of Kool-Aid. I hate Kool-Aid, ever since u was a child. I'm glad I finally found a use for it. Now for the yarn.

It's coming!

Excitement is brewing! I finally got the email telling that I can finally order the ChiaoGoo Interchangeables. I am SO EXCITED! I can finally put my Anisette Cardigan back as WIP instead of a hibernate (bad story of bad KnitPicks Interchangeable that would bend as I knit).

As for the Annisette Cardigan, one of the ladies in my knitting circle is almost finished. Just needs to finish up the neckline and add buttons. Yeah, I feel jealous but I know I will love mine as well when it's done.

I gotta pack a kit

I just found out that I'm going to New Jersey for a week, just when I'm supposed to finish up the Lissajous stockings and start either the Kai-Mei's or the Bex's.

But let's be honest now. I've already decided to do the Bex with my Sweet Georgia Tough Love in Pistachio. I'm gonna have to work quickly to cake the yarn and work out the gauge.