I have stopped myself from updating my iPhone 4S for quite some time. I finally updated my iTunes and said "why not?" and updated my phone as well. Suffice it to say it's been over 18 hours and I still stuck in recovery mode. I've already determined that I'm going to loose everything on my phone but I would actually like to use it!
I've had to resort to using my mom's iPod Classic. Now my iTunes is not downloading audio podcast episodes. What the heck am I supposed to listen to?
I know...First World Problems! But it's annoying!
Tuesday 24 March 2015
My Knitting Week
So close to 2 FO's but I haven't finished them yet.
I currently have my Plain ol' Stripy socks on the needles that just need a heel in the second sock. I'm pretty sure it's been 3 weeks since I did the 1st sock. I pretty sure that as of now I just don't like doing afterthought heels. I feel like I really have to finish these because having tbem on the needle for any longer is going to drive me up the wall.
The other pair of almost FO's are the Smokestack socks by Tanis Lavallé. I'm on the foot right now and from past experience with the first foot, it shouldn't take me too long.
Casted On
So with all the other things I need to finish, please explain to me how I casted on another pair of socks? These are not the April socks. Those are still on top of my book shelf waiting for me to finish the Smokestack Socks. No, this is from my stash that is supposed to be for next year. I just wanted a pretty simple pair of socks to knit so I hemmed and hawed and pulled out my Desert Vista Dye Works sock yarn that I JUST got, paired it with some leftovers I have from Springtree Road (so sad that I don't have anymore skeins) and voila! Mona has a new pair of mindless knitting socks to travel with. I am loving the colour combinations, although right now it looks like Christimas but by knitting with this skein of DVD just makes me want to get more! I finally understand what the Apple Blossom and Ewe Podcasters were talking about.
New goal: buy more skeins! And I don't care if I have to wait for them!
I currently have my Plain ol' Stripy socks on the needles that just need a heel in the second sock. I'm pretty sure it's been 3 weeks since I did the 1st sock. I pretty sure that as of now I just don't like doing afterthought heels. I feel like I really have to finish these because having tbem on the needle for any longer is going to drive me up the wall.
The other pair of almost FO's are the Smokestack socks by Tanis Lavallé. I'm on the foot right now and from past experience with the first foot, it shouldn't take me too long.
Casted On
So with all the other things I need to finish, please explain to me how I casted on another pair of socks? These are not the April socks. Those are still on top of my book shelf waiting for me to finish the Smokestack Socks. No, this is from my stash that is supposed to be for next year. I just wanted a pretty simple pair of socks to knit so I hemmed and hawed and pulled out my Desert Vista Dye Works sock yarn that I JUST got, paired it with some leftovers I have from Springtree Road (so sad that I don't have anymore skeins) and voila! Mona has a new pair of mindless knitting socks to travel with. I am loving the colour combinations, although right now it looks like Christimas but by knitting with this skein of DVD just makes me want to get more! I finally understand what the Apple Blossom and Ewe Podcasters were talking about.
New goal: buy more skeins! And I don't care if I have to wait for them!
Monday 23 March 2015
Wonderful...somewhat sarcastic and definitely not sarcastic
Sarcastic "Wonderful"
Tuesday evening I started mixing out my dye for the dark rich purple I was looking for (for future referrence, I used 2 tsps of sapphire blue and 1 tsp of vermillion red I think). Somehow I didn't realize that this mix was to be used for stock and not for straight dyeing until about 30 minutes after I put in the yarn but "oh well, let's see how this turns out". I checked this morning and I started the rinse out. The yarn looked black.
Me: Okay, cool. First try and all that. Definitely need to water it down by alot next time.
Continued rinsing out and my fingers are turning purple as well as my nails which are much harder to clean.
Me: I really should have followed the directions that said to use rubber gloves. Ooh! This is looking like a really nice, dark navy blue. Let's rinse some more.
Suffice it to say at last check at around 5pm, I am still rinsing out dye. The yarn still doesn't look purple but I do like it if it stays at this navy-ish colour and I still have 75 g left to get the right colour. If this colour is repeatable, I would definitely call it "Might as well be black" since that is exactly what I was thinking when I first started rinsing it out.
ETA: it's been over 4 days, and I'm still washing dye out of it
Not Sarcastic Wonderful
Also on Tuesday at my knitting circle, one of my friends brought a collection of...let's just call it Crafting Books (she really does everything except for spinning yarn - I checked - and flower arranging - since her thumb is really not green according to her). I saw a book about Knitting Stitch patterns. I flipped through the pages and I wanted to put the book in my bag and run away with it. The books were not for sale. They were for viewing only. This only made me determined to finally purchase the Stitch dictionary I have had on my wish list for Chapters since I started knitting. And then she surprised me by offering a trade. I can keep the book and in return, I knit her a pair of socks, in purple of course. I asked her if she didn't mind waiting for it. She doesn't care, as long as I knit her a pair of socks. I can do that! I just need to actually get purple yarn. I still have a skeing from the 2013 Cookie Sock club but it has no nylon so I still don't want to knit socks from it. One of these days I'll figure out what I'm going to do with it. Maybe trade it away.
Tuesday evening I started mixing out my dye for the dark rich purple I was looking for (for future referrence, I used 2 tsps of sapphire blue and 1 tsp of vermillion red I think). Somehow I didn't realize that this mix was to be used for stock and not for straight dyeing until about 30 minutes after I put in the yarn but "oh well, let's see how this turns out". I checked this morning and I started the rinse out. The yarn looked black.
Me: Okay, cool. First try and all that. Definitely need to water it down by alot next time.
Continued rinsing out and my fingers are turning purple as well as my nails which are much harder to clean.
Me: I really should have followed the directions that said to use rubber gloves. Ooh! This is looking like a really nice, dark navy blue. Let's rinse some more.
Suffice it to say at last check at around 5pm, I am still rinsing out dye. The yarn still doesn't look purple but I do like it if it stays at this navy-ish colour and I still have 75 g left to get the right colour. If this colour is repeatable, I would definitely call it "Might as well be black" since that is exactly what I was thinking when I first started rinsing it out.
ETA: it's been over 4 days, and I'm still washing dye out of it
Not Sarcastic Wonderful
Also on Tuesday at my knitting circle, one of my friends brought a collection of...let's just call it Crafting Books (she really does everything except for spinning yarn - I checked - and flower arranging - since her thumb is really not green according to her). I saw a book about Knitting Stitch patterns. I flipped through the pages and I wanted to put the book in my bag and run away with it. The books were not for sale. They were for viewing only. This only made me determined to finally purchase the Stitch dictionary I have had on my wish list for Chapters since I started knitting. And then she surprised me by offering a trade. I can keep the book and in return, I knit her a pair of socks, in purple of course. I asked her if she didn't mind waiting for it. She doesn't care, as long as I knit her a pair of socks. I can do that! I just need to actually get purple yarn. I still have a skeing from the 2013 Cookie Sock club but it has no nylon so I still don't want to knit socks from it. One of these days I'll figure out what I'm going to do with it. Maybe trade it away.
Thursday 19 March 2015
Well that didn't exactly work out as planned
I was excited when I got home to wind the yarn on my home made warping mat. It was a fun try but I have to find a much betterway. The mat was bending as I wrapped the yarn around the push pins. The push pins were trying to pull out of the mat. The yarn was trying to escape it's restraints. When I had about 50% of it done, I said "Forget it!" I tied acrylic yarn where I had marked for colour change, carefully removed what I had wound around the bending mat, went up to the kitchen with scizors and the remaining acrylic yarn. With the help of my cousin, I stretched everything between 2 chairs and paced back and forth wrapping the yarn around the chairs.
Next part is to figure out how to make the right kind of purple. I wanted to test out the mixing process for making a colour so I took out another skein and divided up into 25g skeins. I'll try tonight with the mixing and see how it turns out for tomorrow. I can't wait to see the results. If it works, I'll try it on the big skein afterwards hope.
Next part is to figure out how to make the right kind of purple. I wanted to test out the mixing process for making a colour so I took out another skein and divided up into 25g skeins. I'll try tonight with the mixing and see how it turns out for tomorrow. I can't wait to see the results. If it works, I'll try it on the big skein afterwards hope.
Monday 16 March 2015
Ideas can hit at the oddest times
I have been wanting to dye a self stripping skein of sock yarn for awhile. I played around with variegated and tonal and they are easy enough to do but of course it's much harder if you're actually aiming for a specific colour. Self-striping takes a lot more planning, or at least they do with me.
I finally determined how much yarn I knit with for 1 row. (33.5") and then I sat on the information for like 3 weeks before starting to do calculations to find out the yardage for 1 colour repeat that I want to do....I don't have anything big enough the yarn on.
With some late night ingenuity while trying to go to sleep, I pulled my blocking mat (aka: the puzzle piece foam mats people put down for kids to play on), pulled out some pushpins from my cork board and my measuring tape and went to work. I didn't get to far before I realized that I didn't have enough space. I took out piece of paper and drew a diagram of what I had on my blocking mat, added some dots for the missing push pins, through in some numbered lines to make things even more confusing and came up with a good solution. I still have a couple of things still left to purchase (like more pushpins) and something else to find (like the permanent marker I know for sure I own that I cannot find at the moment). I hope to have my first skein wound and sectioned off by the end of the week.
The first colour I really want to try is a self-striping I have called The Evil Queen, based on Regina from Once Upon A Time. I also discussed it with one of my friends Cathy who is a major fan of the show aswell and she said it sounds perfect in colour (she also thought my idea for Archie was perfect as well). The colours for The Evil Queen are going to be Black -> Purple -> Black -> White. Only problem is that I don't believe I have any purple dye which means I have to mix and I have never tried mixing colours. Do you mix the powdered dye or do you mix the liquid dye? Or maybe I should try both on link 5 grams of yarn to see if I can create the perfect purple to use...time to pull out another test ball of yarn and chopping it up so I can test out colours that I have mix together to get the colour that I need.
Also, it is pretty fun to come up with different colourways names and what colours are a part of it.
I finally determined how much yarn I knit with for 1 row. (33.5") and then I sat on the information for like 3 weeks before starting to do calculations to find out the yardage for 1 colour repeat that I want to do....I don't have anything big enough the yarn on.
With some late night ingenuity while trying to go to sleep, I pulled my blocking mat (aka: the puzzle piece foam mats people put down for kids to play on), pulled out some pushpins from my cork board and my measuring tape and went to work. I didn't get to far before I realized that I didn't have enough space. I took out piece of paper and drew a diagram of what I had on my blocking mat, added some dots for the missing push pins, through in some numbered lines to make things even more confusing and came up with a good solution. I still have a couple of things still left to purchase (like more pushpins) and something else to find (like the permanent marker I know for sure I own that I cannot find at the moment). I hope to have my first skein wound and sectioned off by the end of the week.
The first colour I really want to try is a self-striping I have called The Evil Queen, based on Regina from Once Upon A Time. I also discussed it with one of my friends Cathy who is a major fan of the show aswell and she said it sounds perfect in colour (she also thought my idea for Archie was perfect as well). The colours for The Evil Queen are going to be Black -> Purple -> Black -> White. Only problem is that I don't believe I have any purple dye which means I have to mix and I have never tried mixing colours. Do you mix the powdered dye or do you mix the liquid dye? Or maybe I should try both on link 5 grams of yarn to see if I can create the perfect purple to use...time to pull out another test ball of yarn and chopping it up so I can test out colours that I have mix together to get the colour that I need.
Also, it is pretty fun to come up with different colourways names and what colours are a part of it.
Friday 13 March 2015
My Knitting Life for the past 2 weeks
FO
I had a quick FO in the past week and a half. I started it on Thursday on the bus on the way to work, finished it the next Monday and weaved in the ends on Tuesday morning. I made the Bankhead Hat by Susie Gourlay. I saw the a WIP and FO by Sarah of the Canadian Knitter Podcast and decided on Thursday that I needed to make a hat so I did. I did a good amount of that work on Saturday night at a housewarming with people I've known my whole life staring at me in awe that I can knit and that I do in fact actually knit.
It is bigger than I thought it would be but it's good to cover hair that is not actually styled the way I want it to be soon. I'm going to make another one with a smaller set of needles and casting on 10 less stitches. I think that should be enough. The only problem is that I barely have any worsted weight stash that is not acrylic. I have to do something about that. It's quite appealing to have a project started, finished and able to be work so quickly.
WIP
It's almost a HO thought! I working my way through the Smokestack Socks by Tanis Lavallee. It is a beautiful pattern and it makes this sock yarn look much better than I thought it would when I got it in the skein. I'm further behind than I wanted to be but with good reason. I put the socks aside to work on my sister's cowl and to make the Bankhead hat but excellent progress was made since, especially considering my prime time of knitting at my knitting circle was barely used since I left early due to not feeling well.
Stash Enhancement
With a lot of hemming and hawing, I joined a 3-month yarn club. It's by Penguin Soup (aka: Ginny). I have been wanting to buy a skein of yarn from her since I started watching her podcast just under a year ago. She got me this time. It's Firefly themed and she said there's going to be a skein that matches Jayne's hat. How could I say no to that? And I might as well take advantage of it while I still have money to get some sock yarn.
I recently added my first skein of Desert Vista Dye Works. The colourway is Zombody Loves Ewe. I felt like I should have bought just for the name alone. I love it and I plan to purchase more at a later date (job pending of course).
I had the intention of going to the Purple Purl today (as in Friday) before I went to class. It is clear on the otherside of Toronto but the store opens at 10 on a Friday right? Wrong. It opens at 11. Much to my disappointment I couldn't get there, come back for lunch at school and then class afterwards. Since I knew exactly what I was looking for (Turtle Purl Stripped toes sock yarn), I looked online and found only 1 other location in Toronto sells it, The Knit Café. There weren't too many options for colours but I left with the Snow White colourway which is perfect since I'm going through a Once Upon A Time phase (the show is awesome and Pan is a grade A jerk).
And what will I be doing with all of the skeins of yarn? Stash 'em of course. I'm in the midst of going through my Red Paper Bags of socks still (I've finished 2 and I'm working on the 3rd out of 11). They'll be added to my sock stash that shrinking for after I finish my challenge.
I've been doing good otherwise. No new patterns either paid or free...no wait, I downloaded a free pattern. It was Speargrass by Susie Gourle, the same designer of the Bankhead hat. And I got the official pattern for a test knit for a pair of socks. It is absolutely gorgeous however it won't be available for purchase until March 2016 as it is a part of a sock club
I had a quick FO in the past week and a half. I started it on Thursday on the bus on the way to work, finished it the next Monday and weaved in the ends on Tuesday morning. I made the Bankhead Hat by Susie Gourlay. I saw the a WIP and FO by Sarah of the Canadian Knitter Podcast and decided on Thursday that I needed to make a hat so I did. I did a good amount of that work on Saturday night at a housewarming with people I've known my whole life staring at me in awe that I can knit and that I do in fact actually knit.
Yarn: Lorna's Laces Shepherd Worsted Multi
Colourway: Black Purl
It is bigger than I thought it would be but it's good to cover hair that is not actually styled the way I want it to be soon. I'm going to make another one with a smaller set of needles and casting on 10 less stitches. I think that should be enough. The only problem is that I barely have any worsted weight stash that is not acrylic. I have to do something about that. It's quite appealing to have a project started, finished and able to be work so quickly.
WIP
It's almost a HO thought! I working my way through the Smokestack Socks by Tanis Lavallee. It is a beautiful pattern and it makes this sock yarn look much better than I thought it would when I got it in the skein. I'm further behind than I wanted to be but with good reason. I put the socks aside to work on my sister's cowl and to make the Bankhead hat but excellent progress was made since, especially considering my prime time of knitting at my knitting circle was barely used since I left early due to not feeling well.
Yarn: Knitpicks Stroll Tonal
Colourway: Folliage
Stash Enhancement
With a lot of hemming and hawing, I joined a 3-month yarn club. It's by Penguin Soup (aka: Ginny). I have been wanting to buy a skein of yarn from her since I started watching her podcast just under a year ago. She got me this time. It's Firefly themed and she said there's going to be a skein that matches Jayne's hat. How could I say no to that? And I might as well take advantage of it while I still have money to get some sock yarn.
I recently added my first skein of Desert Vista Dye Works. The colourway is Zombody Loves Ewe. I felt like I should have bought just for the name alone. I love it and I plan to purchase more at a later date (job pending of course).
Yarn: Dessert Vista Dye Works Viso (self-stripping)
Colourway: Zombodie Loves Ewe
I had the intention of going to the Purple Purl today (as in Friday) before I went to class. It is clear on the otherside of Toronto but the store opens at 10 on a Friday right? Wrong. It opens at 11. Much to my disappointment I couldn't get there, come back for lunch at school and then class afterwards. Since I knew exactly what I was looking for (Turtle Purl Stripped toes sock yarn), I looked online and found only 1 other location in Toronto sells it, The Knit Café. There weren't too many options for colours but I left with the Snow White colourway which is perfect since I'm going through a Once Upon A Time phase (the show is awesome and Pan is a grade A jerk).
Yarn: Turtlepurl Yarns Striped Turtle Toes
Colourway: Snow White
And what will I be doing with all of the skeins of yarn? Stash 'em of course. I'm in the midst of going through my Red Paper Bags of socks still (I've finished 2 and I'm working on the 3rd out of 11). They'll be added to my sock stash that shrinking for after I finish my challenge.
I've been doing good otherwise. No new patterns either paid or free...no wait, I downloaded a free pattern. It was Speargrass by Susie Gourle, the same designer of the Bankhead hat. And I got the official pattern for a test knit for a pair of socks. It is absolutely gorgeous however it won't be available for purchase until March 2016 as it is a part of a sock club
Tuesday 10 March 2015
They Loved It!
I was finally able to give the gifts I had prepared for my siblings last Saturday. It was actually pretty funny since I tried to catch all 4 of them before church service started. Of course with my 2 youngest brothers, they couldn't just come alone....they had an entourage asking why they hadn't gotten a gift. I told them to wait until they became my sibling...tweens...
Silly me didn't think of even taking pictures, especially of the mini-Pinebough cowl I made for my sister. She willingly came up to me and gave me a hug. If you knew my sister, you'd understand that is hard pressed to do unless you are her parents or you're offering her some kind of sweet.
My brothers were very happy with their gift certificates to the book store. My oldest brother told me how he was trying to stay out of the bookstore since there was a book he really wanted and didn't have the money to get it. I guess he'll be making a trip quite soon.
My step-mother was telling me about the reading my youngest brother is doing. He devours books more than I ever did as at his age. It could be in French or English, fiction or non-fiction, he will read it and ask for more.He definitely beat me in the regards to French. I only read those books under duress and was much more likely to find a copy of it in English. He apparently was wanting to read a book about Canadian Law and something else or another...the kid is 12. I am in awe and I can't wait to see what his future will entail.
My middle brother was just happy to get a gift. I don't think he has any outstanding plans just yet for his gift certificate but he did ask if I could make him a hat. I told him I'd think about it.
Silly me didn't think of even taking pictures, especially of the mini-Pinebough cowl I made for my sister. She willingly came up to me and gave me a hug. If you knew my sister, you'd understand that is hard pressed to do unless you are her parents or you're offering her some kind of sweet.
My brothers were very happy with their gift certificates to the book store. My oldest brother told me how he was trying to stay out of the bookstore since there was a book he really wanted and didn't have the money to get it. I guess he'll be making a trip quite soon.
My step-mother was telling me about the reading my youngest brother is doing. He devours books more than I ever did as at his age. It could be in French or English, fiction or non-fiction, he will read it and ask for more.He definitely beat me in the regards to French. I only read those books under duress and was much more likely to find a copy of it in English. He apparently was wanting to read a book about Canadian Law and something else or another...the kid is 12. I am in awe and I can't wait to see what his future will entail.
My middle brother was just happy to get a gift. I don't think he has any outstanding plans just yet for his gift certificate but he did ask if I could make him a hat. I told him I'd think about it.
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