Year of Projects: Week 31

It was another wonder knitting week for me. I had a finished object and started 2 more.

The Flying Angels cowl is completed. I'm still not find of the colour but it turned out well.

It's a nice pattern but I'm thinking it would be a nice pattern for a head band.

I got another request for another test knit for Econnerd (she's really churning these out!). It's called ZigZag Ripple socks. I am absolutely loving this pattern!

There has been no extra progress on the Warm Woolen Mittens and I guess based on what gets done this week, with work happening and all.

I decided that I needed a "simple" knitting project for bus rides and breaks at work and I started a shawl... The Barndom by Stephen West. 

Don't the colours go together nicely? There is an option to add a third colour but I can't find one in my stash that will go with it nicely. I may need to add to my stash.

I still have quite a bit of additional rows before the next colour gets added but that's a worry for this up coming week once I cake the contrasting colour.

Wanting to try something new

Keep in mind that I was planning to write up this entry yesterday...

This week has been an alright knitting week. I finished the test cowl and started a test sock, using one of my oldest skeins in my stash (it's only 3 years old at most but it's the thought that counts).

While working on this Test Sock pattern by Econnerd from Ravelry, I got a flash of an idea of a variation. I want to try it out and I'm pretty sure I could write out a pattern but the question now is can I publish it for myself or would it be a form of plagiarism? I'm sure I can still make more changes to make it unique. I'm gonna work on it some more and see what happens.

I've started looking the my copy of The Knitter's Almenac" by Elizabeth Zimmerman. I purchased it because I was hearing about the Pi Shawl that she came up with. I will admit that when I first for the book and started skimming it, I was left with a "What the heck?" feeling. It made no sense to me. Come back again in a couple of months and start looking at it and it slowly starts making sense, to the point that I really want to start one almost immediately.  I even pulled out yarn for it too.

You can clearly tell that I don't have enough of one colour to make it to the 1000+ requires yards but I do think I like the colour transition. What is stopping me from proceeding is the fact that I don't have any DPNs in the size required and none of the variations seem to be with 3US or smaller needles.

I printed out a few of the Pi Shawl patterns to help me decide. I currently have Pi Shawl: Camping and Vortex Shawl in front of me but I'm still perusing my options on Ravelry.

I tracked down another pattern that I'd like to do; this time it's another pair of mittens by SpillyJane. It's the Peacock Mittens. I don't have any yarn set aside as of yet. And this rate, I'm going to have a bunch of colour work mittens ready for next winter; especially since there are at least an additional 2 mitten patterns that I want to do as well.

One more thing! I got another knitting student. The non crafty cousin, B2, asked me to teach her how to knit. It could also be the influence of her best friend who does all things crafty. She's actually doing quite well considering I don't have any straight needles to teach her with. I only had a set of 6US circular needles and she was more than happy to work with those instead. I hope she really does stick with it. It would be nice to have another knitter in the house.

Okay, another "One thing". I realized I needed another mindless knitting project for the bus and work since I am going to be there all of next week. 

Springtree Road Muscadine in colourway Kohl and Anzula Squishy in colourway Maple

So yeah, I'm starting the Barndom Shawl for myself (and I swear I am keeping it for myself this time). It's gonna look like a subtle bumblebee but that's okay with me.

Year of Projects: Week 30

Week 30 is here! Doesn't seem like I've been doing this endevour that long :)

I have had a good knitting related week. I worked on 2 projects, received an item I ordered and ordered something new.  Let start with the "just received" order.

I have had a love for containers for as long as I can remember (the only thing that really precedes it is my love of stationary). I like jars and vases and boxes and bags. When I started knitting, I started looking for bags to put them in. I bought a few that I liked. While I was looking around on Etsy (my place to online shop for unique things), I discovered a shop called "Knitterbag". I wanted to buy immediately but that was around the time that I had lost my job and I decided I should at the very least try to be reasonable with my money.

A couple of weeks ago, I went on the Etsy app and looked through all the stuff I had sitting in shopping carts (just waiting for me to click purchase). I found one of the style of bags I had liked from way back when was on sale. I had some money so I purchased it and promptly forgot all about it.

Friday night, Canada Post shows up at my house asking for me to sign for a package. As soon as I saw where it was from, I knew what it was. So after that long history lesson, let me introduce you to my new knitting bag.

Ain't it pretty? It's sewn by Jurgita, owner of KnitterBag on Etsy. It's a sturdy linen that I hope I can keep clean. The coolest thing about it to me is the inside.

It comes with 4 compartments. Right now I've got 2 balls of yarn and my stitch marker container in the pockets, the project and the pattern. I'm already planning on buying 2 more of this size for my sock sized projects.

Onto the projects now...

Remember the Warm Woolen Mittens I was talking about from last week? I had to frog it and start again after I tried the cuff, which was only half way done, on. It was too big so I sized down the needles and started again. I am very pleased with my progress.

The only reason I stopped working on this project was because I was finally able to print out the test pattern. First of all, this yarn is deliciously soft! I want more of it in my stash for a multitude of possible projects, like this one:

So I can have it match with my "soon-to-be-done" mittens...which reminds me, I need to find out the yardage so I can get the amount of yarn I need.  Only changes I suggest for anyone doing the Warm Woolen Mittens is to go for a smaller needle size for the cuff.

Question: Does fingering weight held double, make it to worsted?  If not, what does?

Next project! The test project for Econnerd.

It's a cowl scarf and I am liking it so far.  I was hesitant with choosing which yarn to use because I didn't want the pattern of the lace to disappear in the yarn  So I went with Knitpicks Stroll in the colourway Butternut.  I'm pretty certain it's not the best choice of colour for me to wear it.  But it'll do for a test.

And before I forget!  I made my first Wollmeise order!  Direct from the website and not from someone else's destash.  I'm hoping to get it within a couple weeks.  I haven't decided what I'm going to do with it just yet.  I've already got enough projects to worry about without worrying about a skein of yarn I don't have in my hands yet.

Year of Projects / 26 Pair Plunge

I am loving it!

I casted on for the Warm Woolen Mittens last week...or maybe it was Saturday night. I was liking what I was knitting until I tried the almost finished cuff...much too big. I had to frog it and find a smaller set of DPNs.

I was fine with starting again since the yarn (Road to China) feels so nice. I want to add this to my "I must always have this in my stash" yarn. I think it would make some lovely accessories for winter; namely, this cowl I saw on Ravelry:

It's called Pine Bough Cowl by Dianna Walla. And on top of that, it's free! So it's now been added to the list I need to make for colourwork projects :)

I'm going to stay away from making lists for this year and just make things as I feel to. Less disappointment.

Year of Projects: Week 29

This has been an eventful week!  I worked my last week at my seasonal retail job.  I'm sad to have to leave but the store isn't keeping any of the seasonal workers and from what I've seen, there isn't enough business to support the workers as it is.  I got another job, for the same company in a different location.  Colour me happy and I hope I enjoy it just as much as I did at the first location (and for still being employed).  I start at the end of the month so that's like have just over 2 weeks vacation :)

I am suitably happy with the work that I've done in regards to knitting this week.  I've finished a project, cast on another and I'm about to cast on for another.

It's now 4 out of 26! Woefully behind but who cares?  I've finished the Circe Socks.  The ends have to be woven in and socks have to be washed but I am classifying them as being done!

 

 Yarn: Anzula Squishy in the colourway Ducky

I need a proper picture needs to be shown to show the details of the socks.  They are beautiful and a fun and easy knit.  I'd definitely do it again.  Also, if you can get to an LYS and squish this yarn, DO IT!  It feels so nice!

I started the mittens for the SpillyJane KAL from my LYS, Handknit Yarn Studios, late Friday night.  I'm knitting the Warm Woolen Mittens.  I haven't even finished the cuff yet so I don't quite think there's a point to taking a picture as of yet but there will definitely be one next week. I got to be ready for the cast on party at the shop.  We were actually given permission to start early if we wanted to.

The other project that I'm about to start is another test pattern for Econnerd on Ravelry.  It's a fingering weight cowl.  Only problem is that I don't think I have a circular needle in a size 2.5 US and neither do I have it in interchangeable tips.  I may just go up a needle size and be done with it.

On another note, if you want to try a Stephen West pattern, they are 25% off until the end of today (meaning Sunday January 12, 2014).  I purchased 3 of them; Clockwork, Barndom and Rockerfella.  I got the yarn picked out for one of them (if it gets found) and I'll probably keep the other 2 in mind when I go out and buy more yarn for the stash.

YEAR OF PROJECTS / 26 PAIR PLUNGE

What do I want to do right now?

I am at a stalemate in my head, trying to figure out what project I want to start or continue. I just finished the Circe socks which I am liking. The ends just need to be woven in and the socks need to be washed but they're pretty much done.

I have the Mint Arrow socks I could be working on. I also have the Hitchhiker scarf and the Daybreak shawl to finish. Still hemming and hawing and it's pretty stupid to continue doing so when I only have a few more rows of the Daybreak to do before it's done (not including weaving in ends and washing).

I also have 2 projects to cast on which are time sensitive. One is a KAL I mentioned last Sunday and the other is another test knit for Econnerd which in reality, I can't start until I get home to the rest of my stash. That one is for earlier than the end of the month.

I think I've decided to save the Daybreak until Sunday or so, so I can load up a movie or tv series to watch while I knit.

And when I think about it, I do have to "swatch" for the KAL anyways so I might as well charge up my phone and listen to something good while I get on that.

Note: it's Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire in audiobook.

Year of Projects: Week 27 & 28

I really have not been knitting as much as I should be and the lack of a post last week reflects that. It's not due to not having time, or being tired. It's because I didn't knit a single stitch. Or buy any yarn. Or even look at any knitting related websites.

This week however, while I didn't knit a lot, I actually did stuff knitting related. I got the "I want a fresh pair of socks on my feet" bug and picked up the Circe socks. I'm working my way down the gusset. I still think the yarn is so deliciously soft! When I get the chance, I'm definitely adding more to my stash.

I've got a KAL that's going to start in a couple of weeks. The requirements? It has to be colour work mittens, by SpillyJane, and the yarn must be purchased from my LYS (yes, I have claimed it for my own). 

The pattern I selected is called Warm Woolen Mittens.

The yarn chosen is from The Fibre Co., colourway Tanzanite (Acadia) and Topaz (Road to China)

I question the colour reference for the yellow-ish colour called Topaz, since I have always believed the colour to fall in the blue-green section of the colour wheel.

Back to my LYS visit...

I went for opening on Friday when there was a snowstorm threatening which shows how determined I can be when it comes to yarn. I met the other owner for the first time. I bought the yarn and another set of 1US DPNs (I think I have an addiction), got the yarn wound, talked with other customers...you know, the social part of knitting. The owner asked for my name for the KAL, and told me she remembers me. I had never met this woman before that day, but she heard about me from the other owner. It's nice when the people who's shop you visit frequently remember you :)