March 4, 2008
Nantucket Progress
So, I tend to forget to blog about knitting... as I have become more and more obsessed with the wonder that is Ravelry.
In the spirit of sharing, I have just finished the back of my Nantucket Jacket and am thrilled to finally be moving onto the front pieces. :)
I'm trying reeeeally hard not to give into temptation.
I will not start another knitting project.
I will not start another knitting project.
I will not start another knitting project.
Posted by Sarah at 7:43 PM | Comments (0)
February 6, 2008
It's All Fun & Games 'Til Somebody Loses an Eyelet
So, this took me way longer than it should have... But, with 6 weeks of intermittent knit sessions and one night of dedicated seaming, the Blue Sky Eyelet Cardigan is done. :)
It was also completed over 6 months ago... and I am only just now photographing it and blogging about it... but that's neither here nor there, people!
Pattern: Blue Sky Alpacas Eyelet Cardigan, Medium
Yarn: Blue Sky Organic Handspun Cotton, 7 skeins
Needles: US7, Addi Turbo circulars
Notions: 4 neato wooden buttons I picked up at A Stitch in Time in Bethel.
Notes: This yarn is really fantastic... so soft and cushy! mmmmm! It was definitely a lighter gauge than the pattern called for, but I really like the way the eyelet pattern turned out in this. The pattern was easy peasy and really should have been pumped out in only a couple of weeks. I blame SteveKam for distracting me from my knitting. (Not that I am complaining.)
Posted by Sarah at 7:50 PM | Comments (4)
August 21, 2007
Up and Coming
Since the snippy little photo shoot for my finished sweaters has been delayed a day or two due to craptastic weather, let me fill you in on what's on the needles and what is on it's way....
Selma's Yarn in Southbury recently went out of business (after 15 years!!) and being the opportunistic little yarn horder I am, stopped by to say So Long and to clean them out of as much yarn as I could....
I grabbed 6 skeins of Rowan All Season Cotton in a nice dark rust color. That is currently on some size 8 needles on it's way to becoming a Pia Tank from Rowan 35.
I also snagged a bunch of Classic Elite Bamboo print in a springy mix of violets and greens. I am eyeing the Drop Stitch Lace Tank from Fitted Knits for this chunk of my stash... think I can pump out two tank tops before it gets cold out? Cheer me on, people! I need some encouragement, damn it! Must. Stay. Focused.
I also have a baby sized project on the needles. It will be a gifty for possibly the cutest baby ever to giggle and spit up on her mama... Baby Penelope. You get no details because Jessica reads this blog (well, at least I hope she still does!) and I want it to be a surprise. :)
I also have socks that I started for Mary and a Dad with a birthday coming up... Lord. I need to quit my job and knit full time. I'll live under a bridge with my stash. Kyra will guard me from vicious vagabonds. I'm sure it would be okay, right?
Hmm.
Posted by Sarah at 12:30 PM | Comments (1)
May 13, 2007
Sarah's Sahara
Oh boy. Nice weather soooo distracts me from blogging. My apologies for an elongated absence. Let's make it up with an actual knitting project. :)
I finished Sahara! Man - I love that Wendy Bernard. I want to knit just about everything she designs! Talent, talent, talent. Kudos to you, Ms. B., on producing yet another must have!
Thanks to Mary and a sunny day, we had a loverly photo shoot Sunday at nearby Fairfield Hills. FH was a huuuuuge psychiatric facility which closed some years back. It's gigantic campus remains - full of creepy old buildings with their windows smashed and exteriors disrobing their paint.... Not to mention the underground tunnels connecting all the buildings... For real. It is, however, full of nice big sidewalks which provide a fantastic dog walking spot. You just shiver every now and then when you think about where you actually are....
Oh - and did you ever see the movie Sleepers? Yep - all those flashback scenes were filmed right here, in my backyard. Creeeeeepy.
On to the show! I found it difficult to give a normal smile given the loony bin backdrop, so Mary coaxed me into trying to look like I belonged there. I went back and forth between Marcy Rosedale, a quiet, homocidal maniac who keeps to herself (don't they all?) to Koo Koo LaRue, a loveable loon who likes to sneak up behind you while in line for lunch at the cafetorium.
Probably the best photo of the actual sweater...
Such cool buildings....
Mary's personal fave.
My fave...
Oh Koo Koo LaRue, will you ever learn?
Pattern: Sahara, short sleeve version, by Wendy Bernard
Yarn: Tilli Tomas Pure & Simple (2 skeins) and Tilli Tomas Disco Lights (1 skein) in Dusty Purple acquired from Dream Weaver Yarns
Needles: US 6 and US4 Addi Turbos. Zoom Zoom!
Comments: Phew! This sucka went fast! I knit this up in about 3 weeks. Given my current 60 hour work weeks, this was quite the feat. I loved the pattern - no problems whatsoever. I knit the Small size and it fits like a glove. I see another in my future... And I see one in yours, too!
Posted by Sarah at 7:55 PM | Comments (9)
March 11, 2007
Ye Old Warshrag
After hearing so much praise for dishrags as of late from fellow Scissor Suadder Jessica (who should have a blog because she is fantastically witty and would surely provide us all with an entertaining read... but, I digress..), I decided to grab some Sugar n Cream (on sale at Joann - score!) and give them a whirl...
Here they are sitting innocently on the kitchen table, completely unaware that they were soon to be plunged into hot water and forced to scrub my dishes...
And here's little Limey Bluey at work on my bunny mug. Poor Limey Bluey!
Okay, the verdict? This is going to take some getting used to. While they work just fine, I love sponges. I have one for each task around the house... There's the bathroom sponge, the kitchen sink sponge, the clean the counters sponge... I like them because when they are gross - I throw them in the garbage. No bacteria farms sitting in my kitchen staring at me with all their wee little eyes.... I might have a problem, I know. No money for therapy, that's why I knit. I'll continue working toward a healthy attitude toward germs and dirt in my kitchen - the dishrags are a good first step.
Warshrags
Pattern: Ballband Dishcloth from Mason-Dixon Knitting
Yarn: Sugar n Cream, 1/2 a ball in each color (gave the leftovers to little sis, so I don't have the color numbers!)
Needles: US7
Comments: So pretty! So hard to use them without feeling like I am flushing all that hard work down the toilet! Well, not really hard work... they were quite easy. What am I bitching about?
Posted by Sarah at 8:48 PM | Comments (4)
February 18, 2007
Monkey Monkey Monkey
Socks! Socks everywhere!
I just pumped these suckers out... Someone stop me. I just started another pair. Remember when I knit sweaters? It's some distant memory... This realization, of course, made me pull out the fuzzy alpaca pullover I was working on a couple months ago before being distracted by my chilly toes........
But, in the meantime...
Pattern: Monkey by Cookie A., Knitty Winter 2006
Yarn: Lorna's Laces Shepard Sock in Georgetown, about 1 and a half skeins
Needles: US2 bamboo circ's
Notes: These were so quick! The lace pattern was super easy to memorize - they were a breeze, very fun to knit.
Now, let's see if I can finish off that sweater before picking up those socks I just started...
Must. Stay. On. Task.
Posted by Sarah at 7:40 PM | Comments (3)
January 22, 2007
Irish Hiking Scarf
Remember that scarf I finished for the Squad's favorite barkeep?
Well, here it is.
Ah. My mis-adventures in self portraitography continue....
And a close up peek.
Irish Hiking Scarf
Pattern: Of Hello Yarn fame. It can be found here.
Yarn: Berrocco Ulta Alpaca in Heathered Green, about 1 and a half skeins.
Needles: US8 metal circulars
Recipient: Alan, the kind gent who slings the booze we heart so dear.
Of course, I failed to get a pic of Alan wearing it. He was swamped at the bar, so I didn't want to burden him. 'Tis a shame, really - for he's a dashing silver haired fellow whom we all adore. I'm glad to say the gift went over well! We've been promising that guy a scarf for months. It was about time we delivered. :)
In other news, the Squad has new online digs! I'm still working on setting up a gallery and the bio page, but feel free to take a peek! We can now be found at www.scissorsquad.com. How hot is that? Very.
Oh! And I updated zee shop with some new rovings. The silk is almost gone (oh, how I wanted to keep it all to myself. drool.....) but there are some other lovelies still available. I love it when stuff sells right away! I needed the encouragement after being so laaaaaaazy about poor Fiberfly the last two months!
Posted by Sarah at 8:59 PM | Comments (4)
October 16, 2006
Cl-apple-tis
Ripe for the picking, here's Clapotis during her recent trip to the orchard...
Pattern: Clapotis by Kate Gilbert, Knitty Fall 2004
Yarn: Fiberfly Handpainted, Handspun 2-ply Tussah Silk, Worsted Weight, in Hubba Hubba
Needles: US8 32" circulars, Addi Turbos
Notes: My very first project where I dyed the roving, spun the yarn and knit it all up. You could call me the proud mama. I'm, like, the LAST blogger to knit this pattern, so I'll spare you the ooh's and aah's of how neat it is to drop stitches and what-not. There's a reason that this is such a popular pattern! If you haven't made one, I suggest you get a move on.
Alternate shot, if you'd like to see her spread out a bit:
We in New England were downright blessed with beautiful Autumn weather this weekend. The McNally and Barney clans decided to take full advantage of a glorious Saturday and headed to Averill Farms in Washington, CT.
Sisters MH and Heather Anne and I drove up to the orchard with Michelle, her baby boy Julian, and her family. I guess it's the whole "first baby" thing... but everything this kid does totally AMAZES me. He was ridiculously cute.
Why, here he is picking his first apple:
I mean, wtf? It really doesn't get much better than this - at least not until I get to have my own... In the meantime, I am enjoying watching the first kid in my group of friends grow up. :)
Some more pics from our appley adventure...
Zee Farm.....
Zee apples....
Zee baby in a cart....
Best part 'bout apple pickin' is all the apple eatin'....
Look at that face.... He could ask me for the keys to my car and I'd probably hand 'em right over...
Posted by Sarah at 8:50 PM | Comments (7)
September 25, 2006
Warm Legs Cold Feet
So I have a finished object to show everyone, but no good pics yet... Time to harass little sis and get my glam on for a little photo shoot...
Having finished something so quickly (or maybe it just seemed to be finished quickly), I quickly rummaged through zee stash to find a new project.
Editor's note: We interrupt your regularly scheduled programming to alert you that Sarah has enough sock yarn to choke a camel. Why is she not knitting some gd socks? Inquiring minds want to know.
I bust out some Hot Pink Acrylic yarn that I received from a buddy *promising* her that they would be made into a kickass pair of legwarmers. I fiddled, I played, I even bullied a bit by the end.... that yarn does not want to be the legwarmers that I want to knit right now. That yarn wants to go back to the cool, dry place where it was sleeping and continue to nap while I dream nightly about what type of fabulous legwarmers they will one day be.
And could my mind let go of the legwarmers that I had been trying to force Hot Pink Acyrlic to be? Whose blog have you been reading? Well, probably not mine because it sucks pretty hard lately... MY POINT IS that my big stubborn head won't often let things go.... legwarmers, apparently, are no exception.
Editor's Note: Sarah does not need legwarmers. When Sarah's legs are cold, Sarah wears pants. When her feet are cold, she wears socks. Sarah does not have many socks.
So, I realized I wanted Hot Pink Acrylic to be a little stretchier, a little warmer, a little more toned down in color... Basically, I wanted HPA to be less Hot, less Pink, and not Acrylic.
So out came the Red Variegated Manos del Uruguay. And suddenly, the fiddling and playing is no longer leading to bullying. A swatch has been completed! My eyes can focus on the earthier (yet still fiery!) tones I see before me.... the little cables are popping and the fabric is stretching.... Sigh.
And all was well.
Editor's Note: Sarah's feet are getting cold. Why can't she be more like her friend Sandra?
Posted by Sarah at 8:00 PM | Comments (6)
September 4, 2006
Did you know I have a blog?
So, now that Summer is coming to a close, it seems time that I get back to the ol' routine... ya know? The one where I actually post to the blog I pay for every month? Yeah.
I have been a major slacker in the blog area... (reading, writing, umm... everything!) but I swear the slacking isn't universal. I have been spinning, knitting, dyeing, quilting and W-O-R-K-I-N-G. Ugh-o-rama.
But rather than moan about long hours and the high stress level 'round here, I think I'll stick to the crafts... ;)
First up - A finished pair of Broad Street Mittens - the Fig and Plum Glittens version!
Patterns: Broad Street Mittens (Knitty ) / Glittens modifications by Fig and Plum
Yarn: Socks that Rock in Scottish Highlands (from Christine - thanks, lady!)
Needles: Crystal Palace, US2, Bamboo circulars
Notes: Thank goodness Jess did all the work on the mods before I tried these suckers! They would have been super huge gigantic on my little manos. With the modifications, they came out perfect - it's the first pair of mittens/gloves I've actually knit for myself. :) It gives me something to look forward to this Winter. Not to mention, the colors in this yarn are kickin!
Next... Some lovely silk I dyed and have been spinning up to a worsted weight 2 ply yarn...
Colourway is a new one for Fiberfly - I call her Hubba Hubba and she's just one big blush.
And where is she off to in such a hurry? Why, she's being knotted up into last year's hot project - Clapotis! Better late than never, that's what I always say!
Here's our status so far... a little over halfway there...
And we've got a couple of new bundles of fluff posted over at Fiberfly showing off two new colourways that MH and I scribbled up: Fat Cat (Mary's homage to Tito le cat) and Science Fiction 101 (my ode to 1960's sci fi comics). A couple more coming later this week, too. And we just completed our first custom order!
I'll leave you all with a cute little update on the cute little creatures that live in my apartment...
By the way... after all of that toil over his name, the little fella is official.
Here we see Dave snuggled up with his very best friend, Tito. If you don't find this adorable, I'm sorry - there's just nothing I can do to help you. You are clearly hopeless.
Posted by Sarah at 9:34 PM | Comments (5)
April 24, 2006
Happy Day
What a great weekend. Okay, so it rained so hard for so long that my ceiling started to get jealous so it started raining too.... Aside from a wet apartment, a lovely weekend was had!
Heather and her boyfriend Brendan/Brandon (and I really don't mean to offend here... I can NEVER get the guy's name right) popped down to CT Friday evening and came out to dinner with me, Mary and Scott. We went to Sake in Southbury and it was INCREDIBLE! By far the best meal I've had in a long time. I had red snapper in a thai chile sauce with brown rice.....drool. Very nicely decorated - quite a chic little spot. I'd like to eat there every Friday night. Do you ever wish that you were rich? I do. Every day. Damn it. sigh.
After dinner, we headed home and drank a bottle and a half of sake to keep in theme. Woooooo! That was fun.
Saturday morning, we dragged ourselves out of bed to our cups of java and headed out to the grocery store to shop for some ingredients to make a yummy hors d'ouerves. H and I decided on mini quiches in teeeeeeeeeeeny fillo crusts! We made half with spinach and feta and half with gruyere, topped with a slice of teeeeeeeny cherry tomato! No, I don't have any photographic evidence. Yes, they were that good.
We picked up Mary and Scott and boarded a ferry in Bridgeport. The ferry might have been out on a bender the night before, too, as it seemed a bit distracted when it came to staying in the water.
The seas were choppy that day, friends. I saw a round lady waddle ever so quickly to the ladies room. She was never heard from again.
Disclaimer: I really don't know if the round lady was never heard from again - she might have come right out. As I tend to become bored with things I watch once I've decided how I'd rather see things play out, you never can tell.
After an hour and 15 minutes of up, down, and all around with the ferry, we were happy to disembark and find our teeeeeeeny Aunt Nancy arriving in cousin Connie's giganto Suburban to pick us up! It was a sight to see. She explained that Connie was busy and her hubby Paul wasn't feeling too great, so she was sent to grab us. She then conjectured that Paul must really not feel well if he let her drive. Hee. Agreed.
As she always seems to do, Aunt Nancy immediately did something that made me feel just wonderful. She called Heather's boyfriend Brendan, then Brandon, then couldn't remember which was right. Maybe it's genetic?
We arrived to be greeted by the gaggle of children. Riley was a bit shy at first, but Finn, Shane and Bridget made up for that with immediate giggles and hugs. Oy. Just when I think I'm over that whole "maybe I should think about having babies someday" nonsense, I see these kids. They make you want to have a dozen.
Here we have the gang! From the left: Shane, Finn, RIley and Bridget.
Here they are trying to teach Heather how to gamble.
The occasion was Aunt Nan's 65th birthday! She looks amazing! (Hoping that's genetic too....) Con made an amazing meal of fresh crab cakes and veggie orzo salad with feta. DROOL. And topped it off with a cake decorated so beautifully, it made me want to take one of those crazy cake decor classes! (Okay, so she bought the cake - but you need to give credit for having impeccable taste to pick out a cake like this!)
So pretty! Aunt Nan loves shells and anything to do with the ocean and beach. It runs in the family....
Connie doing the honors.
All together now!
And I can finally unveil the finished Flower Basket Shawl! It looked great on her - as I so modestly predicted. ;) I'll update the gallery with all the details.
From the front.... Aunt Nan always feels a need to hold something in front of her when posing for a picture. Hee.
And the back. Click the pic for a larger view.
It was great to hang out with everyone. I got to be green with envy over hearing about Paul's trip to the Master's tournament (yep, I'm one of those strange people that likes to watch golf!), got to catch up with the kids and hear about all their daring do in sports and ballet, got to gab with Connie about everything under the sun and got to hug my Aunt Nan about a gazillion times which was the highlight of my weekend.
Present time!
We had rough seas on the way back, but we all seemed to snooze it away.... ah, what good food and neverending wine bottles can do for your mood!
Here we see Ferry Mary, bogged down with booze and choc-o-lates. See those perty baskets? They are our Easter baskets from Aunt Nan! HEEE!
Heather and Bra/endo/an headed back Sunday morning and I spent a mostly dry day indoors working on various projects that have been long neglected.
Spectacular! Don't you love when a weekend filled with terrible weather ends up being so gosh darned great?
PS: Here are more pics if you are interested. :)
Posted by Sarah at 7:43 PM | Comments (2)
March 19, 2006
Flower Baskets and Little Sisters
Despite the fact that I haven't had much time to knit recently, I have managed to have just enough time to get tired of 1x1 ribbing. So, I started up a Flower Basket Shawl as a birthday gift for a very special relative - who may or may not read this blog :) It needs to be finished a month from now, so I figured why not start now to have a little break from the ribbed turtleneck? I'm just that clever.
Here I am after the first lace repeat.
I'm using some Rowan Kidsilk Night in silvery white and Lang Jawoll in a springy green because the combination reminds me very much of that special relative and I am loving it so far! My brain needed a bit of lacework... that ribbed turtleneck will be great, but MAN, it is slowly putting me to sleep every time I pick the sucker up. It's time to get two projects going around here! Then there's that sewing project I still have to get to.... sigh.
In non-knitting excitement, the littlest McNally will be flying up here this weekend for a few days of sisterly fun. That's right! Caitlin's coming to visit! WOOOOO! Heather's coming down from Boston as well so it's going to be all sisters all the time for a few days. I. Can't. Wait. We have a lot of fun being stupid together. All 4 of us combined... we are a force to be reckoned with. No one else will get a word in edgewise. Guaranteed.
Posted by Sarah at 11:23 PM | Comments (4)
March 13, 2006
Ribbed For My Pleasure
I have been such a lazy knitter lately. Scratch that... I've been a knitter who is too busy with other things to find time for knitting lately. I have managed to slowly make some progress on my ribbed turtleneck though.
Gertie is a big fan of the top down raglan. Who am I to say no? I'm using that stash of Blue Sky Dyed Cotton that's been sitting around here STARING at me for months. Just past the boobs, about to start some good ol' waist shapin! Time to put the pedal to the metal - it's warming up outside, not to mention I have about a gazillion other projects I want/need to get going on! Time for the knitting goddesses to have a chat with the work gods and come to some sort of agreement which results in me having more goddamned time.
Chop chop!
Posted by Sarah at 6:18 PM | Comments (2)
February 26, 2006
And Now For Something Completely Different
Knitting content.
She's finished! Actually, she's been finished for over 2 weeks! Shame on me! Work is crazy, home is crazy... I can't believe it took this long to get to it! Last night, Mary agreed to take a couple of photos for the ol' blog. Well, a couple turned out to be a couple dozen. Between her being a delicate artist and me being terrible in front of cameras... well, it took a while.
But here's a shot that I think should do....
Red Hot Somewhat Cowl
pattern by Wendy at Knit and Tonic
size: 36" bust
yarn: Blue Sky Alpacas Alpaca Silk in tomato, almost 6 skeins (one and a quarter skeins less than what was called for!)
needles: addi turbo circ's, sizes US4 & 5
comments: Well, golly - I really kinda wish I had added some waist shaping a la Madame Gleek, but I'm pretty happy with the outcome overall. It is a little on the big side, but fits at the bust just perfectly. I think if I were to make another, I'd join the body a bit earlier to keep the sleeves a bit closer to the 'pits and see how much that would effect the bust area - and add some waist shaping so it would be a little more sex kitten-ish. :) But it's still red hot, damnit! And it's gotten a lot of wear recently.
Curious to see what photos I had to sift through to find one suitable for this post? You know you are. Lucky for you, I've captured them all right here on this smart little slideshow. Go ahead - please. Have a good laugh at my expense. I encourage it.
Last night was a fun filled evening of debauchery. Mary, Michelle and I intoxicated ourselves in various ways, ate a pudding pie and played Karoke Revolution for far too long. Damn, we think we're funny.
Here's a pic to sum up our feelings toward any problems life throws our way.
This is what happens when you give Sarah a bottle of Pinot, a sharpie pen and muse that you'd like a tattoo at the base of your spine.
Posted by Sarah at 4:54 PM | Comments (12)
February 3, 2006
Somewhat Pleased
About halfway through the first sleeve of my Red Hot Somewhat Cowl and I'm pretty happy with how she's turning out! While I hit gauge, I do have to say it is coming out a bit on the big side. Kaitlyn mentioned that Steph was adding waist shaping since she has an hourglass figure - I now see the wisdom in her decision... I think the chest size is right on, but it does just hang there when it comes to the waist.... But, c'est la vie! I think it will still be smashing, just not as snug as I would have thought. We'll see how she turns out after being blocked. :)
Here we see my doppelganger Gertrude modelling the RHSC. Gertrude, you sexy little bitch!
And the back.... Gertrude's got some booty goin' on! Yowza!
I just brought good ol' Gertie out off of a long vacaction. Back to work, doppelganger!
*sarah cracks her whip*
Posted by Sarah at 6:15 PM | Comments (9)
January 16, 2006
Somewhat Productive
So I ran out on Saturday to use a gift certicate to a yarn shop in nearby Bethel to discover that they were having a giganto sale! Between the gift certificate (Mary's boyfriend Scott's family gave it to me! They are soooo nice!!!) and the sale, I walked outta there with the Blue Sky Alpaca Silk I've been drooling over and immediately cast on for Wendy's Somewhat Cowl.
I chose this sexy little shade o' red. I am hoping to make an appointment with my friend Lauren soon to get a haircut so I can get rid of what's left of the blonde in my tresses and return to my sultry natural chestnut (I've been missing Ms. Brunette lately - I think it's time!). Once a true brunette again, with no dead ends to boot!, I think this red will be rockin... Everyone needs to knit themselves a hot little sweater every now and then, no?
Posted by Sarah at 8:46 PM | Comments (7)
January 9, 2006
RIP J. Crew Slippers
Well, my feet are certainly getting lots of attention these days.
Today, I bid farewell to my little grey wooly slippers purchased at J. Crew an eon ago.... It's time they be allowed to rest - I've worked them to death. :(
And I say hello to my new saucy purple slippers! (They'll take some getting used to!)
I applied some rug glue to the bottoms to prevent any hysterical, but deadly, accidents.
Am I on a roll, or what?
Felted Clog Slippers - Pattern from Fiber Trends
Yarn: A big hank of purple mystery wool gifted upon me far too long ago!
Needles: US13, Clover bamboo circulars
Comments: A big fat breeze these were. They were done for almost a week before I got down to Mary's washer for a felting party. And then they had to dry. And then I applied rug glue to the bottoms. And that had to dry. Then it needed a second coat - which... come on, guess! - had to dry. This took a lot of patience from me and my tired old slippers who just want to be put out to pasture already! The sole is composed of two soles which make these sinfully smooshy and comfortable.
Posted by Sarah at 6:04 PM | Comments (5)
January 8, 2006
Leafy Feet are a Treat
A word about socks.
It's funny that I have come to love knitting socks - as well as come to love wearing them. Through high school my Mom would chase after me begging and pleading for me to put a pair on when it was cold. I just hated them! I wore all my winter shoes sans socks and half the time had a pair of birkenstocks on with bare tootsies. Can't explain it... Something about socks just really irritated me. Eventually after a few years of refusing foot covers, I put a pair on one day and VA VA VOOM! I fell in love. :) So comfy! So warm! What the hell had I been thinking?!?!
Learning to knit them has rekindled the sock love all over again. I give you the Embossed Leaves Socks official photo shoot....
Full frontal. (I'm sure to get some good Google searches off of that phrase, no?)
"Ain't we some sexy bitches?" - Embossed Leaves Socks, The Scissor Kitchen, January '06
And what's a photo shoot without my little cronies? Here's one butting in now...
And a nice shot of my entire audience. Gotta love that whenever you move, at least two thirds of the household follows at your nicely dressed heels. (Incidentally, this pic shows the colors of the yarn to their truest.)
Embossed Leaves by Mona Schmidt, IWK Winter 2005
Yarn: Trekking XXL in Autumn Stripes
Needles: US2, Crystal Palace circulars
Comments: Well, I knit these suckers fast! 8 days - I think that's a record for me with socks. No second sock syndrome this time, folks! I really liked this pattern - the lace pattern wasn't too hard but still kept my interest. (Well, duh. If I knit them in a week flat, I guess I never got bored.) The only modification I made was one less lace repeat on the foot to keep them from being humongous.
Posted by Sarah at 10:07 PM | Comments (8)
December 31, 2005
So Long 2005....
...don't let the door hit you in the ass on your way out.
Okay, so it's no secret. I'm just not a fan of this year. Especially the last 4 months of it. I am, however, hopeful that 2006 won't turn out to as much of a bitch as her little sister.
Here to do the honors of kicking 2005's fat ass out of my house, are my feet in some finished Cable Rib Socks!
"I love me some good ass kickin'" -Cabled Rib Socks, The Scissor Kitchen, 31 December, 2005
And a shot from above:
Cable Rib Socks
Pattern: IWK Spring 2005
Yarn: Lorna's Laces Shepard Sock in Iris (obtained at the swap in August - woo!)
Needles: US2, Crystal Palace Bamboo circs
Comments: Love love love 'em. The cable kept me interested and the yarn kept me coming back for more. Must. Get. More. Lorna's. Laces. I couldn't wait for the Eckmas craft-a-thon to be over so I could get back to these puppies. They were worth the wait....
Posted by Sarah at 4:21 PM | Comments (8)
November 16, 2005
Glourhass
It's doooooone!
Hourglass Sweater from Last Minute Knitted Gifts by Joelle Hoverson
Size: Medium, 37" Chest Circumference
Yarn: Hemp/Cotton blend, worsted weight, about 5 and a half balls
Needles: Zippy Zippy Addi Turbos, US7
Modifications: I used the technique Alison outlined in her Nothin But a T-Shirt pattern to work the hems and it saved a lot of time and made the edges look very smooth.
Comments: Ok. This is by far my favorite sweater to date... It is bunky and comfy as all get out and took me about a month to knit up. I LOVE the neckline and the sleeves are the perfect length for my tastes. The subtle shaping makes this sweater. Simply fab-you-luss!
Mary snapped some silly pics of me - you can check out me giving my dog a big fat raspberry here. If you're into that sort of thing....
Posted by Sarah at 10:49 PM | Comments (8)
November 7, 2005
OWrglass Sweater
Ah. The Hourglass Sweater. Was it so long ago that I was bragging about how easily she was going? How quickly she was being spit out? Nay. Has she proven difficult since? Nay. Did I finish the body and both sleeves in what felt like record time? Indeed.
Did I get to the end of the second sleeve and realize I was one. stitch. short? Mmhmm.
And was that stitch lost just a few rows back? You know it wasn't.... Oh yes, friends. All the way back to the cuff. Now, given my recent speech on the need for nerves of steel, I wasn't about to turn into a hypocrite and throw this fair maiden into the "I'll deal with you later" bucket. Nope. I rippedrippedripped and knitknitknit and after a weekend of knitting what surely felt like a USELESS third sleeve (because I counted and I've only got two arms, folks) I finally joined that sleeve to the body and I'm working on the yoke!
Victory is mine! I spit at you lost stitch! I strike thee down with MIGHTY vengeance! (Can you tell that I knit all weekend while watching the Lord of the Rings trilogy? I think it helped.)
And here we are. Back on track! HAZAH!
Posted by Sarah at 9:44 PM | Comments (4)
November 3, 2005
Moi Moi
OOOOOOOH! I gots tagged by Steph! And awaaaaay we go!
what is your all time favorite yarn to knit with?
An entirely impossible question to answer! I'm quite the yarn floozie, people. QUITE. I like it ALL. Okay.. not all. I do despise most anything I can buy in the fabric store.... so, I'm a yarn snob/floozie. But, I can list a few favorites.... Rowan All Seasons Cotton, Schaeffer Laurel, Manos del Uruguay, and anything from Blue Sky Alpacas.... *drool*
your favorite needles?
Circulars! I choose the type of needle (addi, bamboo, etc) according to what fiber I'm knitting, so that changes all the time. But I lerv circular needles to bits. I still have a stash of straight needles... but we all know that they're really just there to fill up that lovely needle case Mary made me.
the worst thing you've ever knit/crocheted?
Oh. Dear. So, I am grateful I don't have a photo of the monstrosity, but I attempted to knit the 2 year old niece a zip up cardigan for her birthday.... BIG mistake. (Joseph to be specific - even found the lovely Colinette yarn and all....) It was early on in my knitting career and while I could technically "knit" I was as yet unable to tell when something in the pattern had gone awry.... This thing was the most uneven, mis-shapen sad little lump of fluff you ever did see. The front was long - too long. The back? You guessed it. Too short! After the knitting was done, I did all my little experienced hands could do to seam it into some kind of garment. It *sort* of looked like a sweater....
Think I'm too critical on my own work? I've never seen the kid wear it.... The proof is in the pudding, friends.
your most favorite knit pattern? (maybe you don't like wearing it...but it was the most fun to knit)
Pia by Kim Hargreaves for Rowan... I originally knit it for me, but decided to give it to littlest sis since she has year round tank top weather..... Such a fun pattern! Cool neck shaping - funky straps - BUCKLES! What more could a girl ask for? Didn't get bored once while knitting her up - always a good sign!
most valuable knitting technique?
Nerves of STEEL.
You must be able to overcome even the most heartbreaking mistake in even the most inconvenient spot! You must be able to rip back that sleeve all the way back to the cap without batting an eye! Icewater must run through your veins in the most disheartening moments!
Wrists of steel also help.
best knit book or magazine?
Let's name one of each!
*Interweave Knits is hands down the best knitting mag out there. There is always something in each issue I want to knit. They have a great mix of different styles and designers and their photography is great. They also keep the fun fur to a minimum and that is ALWAYS a plus.
*Reader's Digest Knitting Handbook. I use this puppy at least once during almost all of my projects. No patterns, but this thing's as close as I'm gonna get to a bible.
your favorite knit-a-long?
Well, I've only taken part in one so far! The French Market Bag knitalong at the Knitty coffeeshop forever ago... 'Twas fun! Here's my I came out with!
your favorite knitblogs?
Tough one. You can see the complete listing on my links page, but lately I've been thoroughly enjoying Knit and Tonic, Fig and Plum, YaRRRn! and all of the lovely Spiders' blogs. What makes a favorite a favorite? I love reading the blogs of folks with wicked senses of humor and some good photography skills....
your favorite knitwear designer?
I'd have to say it's a toss up between Joelle Hoverson, Kim Hargreaves and Teva Durham.... What catches my eye in design tends to be a new take on a classic... simple but edgy.
the knit item you wear the most? (how about a picture of it!)
I think I wear my ribby cardi more than anything else! It's just so damn comfy! But being the photographer in the family, I think I have a total of 6 pictures of myself that weren't taken for the gallery...so there's no phtographic evidence of this fact!
Let's tag some of the Scissorinas! Jennie, Christine, and Mary.... YOU'RE UP!
Posted by Sarah at 7:28 PM | Comments (2)
October 20, 2005
Cabled Shrug
Here she is. Fitting a little bigger than when I first made her! (Why is it that when you lose weight, your boobs have to shrink along with everything else? Why can't I pick what parts to shrink? I swear, there had better be some hot shot fancy pants doctor out there dedicating his/her life to this. They'd better have the goods and soon!)
Boobtacular Cabley Shrug
Pattern: Cabled Shrug, by Mary Jane Mucklestone, Interweave Knits Summer 2005
Yarn: Blue Sky Dyed Cotton in Thistle
Needles: US7 and8
Modifications: None, really! Adjusted needle size and that was it!
Comments: Another surprisingly quick and easy project... It's knit in two pices and you use kitchener stitch to seam this puppy up in the back and then just sew up the sleeves. The hardest part for me was finding a pin to act as the front closure!
Posted by Sarah at 12:00 PM | Comments (9)
October 8, 2005
Meet the new man in my life...
His name is Mr. T and he pities the fool who won't give him snacks.
Yes, I am a sucker and apparently the animal kingdom is well aware. This little fella was living in my sideyard when I moved in, dumped by the asshole previous tenant who lived here. It took a couple of weeks to get an appointment at the vet to make sure he was healthy and get him his shots before he could come inside and mingle with Kyra and Flane, but now he's inside and very, very talkative.
And bold.
Here we see him in Kyra's bed. The vet insists he is neutered, but I tell you this cat has balls.
So far, so good though. Kyra loooooves kitties. Luckily, she's not a territorial dog unless someone is trying to deliver my mail or take away my garbage.... then she'll let you hear it. Flane on the other hand.... is none too happy. Hopefully, it will subside and we'll have a happy little fam.
And as promised for weeks, here are some knitting pics to prove that I am still a somewhat productive human being these days!
I finished a whole sock! And am speeding along on number 2.... These are the Cable Rib Socks from IWK Spring '05 in some fantastic Lorna's Laces sock yarn I picked up at the Great De-stash.
And just last night I couldn't resist the temptation to start up a sweater, so here's my meager progress on the Hourglass Sweater from Last Minute Knitted Gifts. I'm knitting this sucka up in a hemp/cotton blend. Crunchy granola all the way, baby. I'm using the technique from the Aint Nothin But a T-Shirt pattern to knit the hem to save myself from the extra seaming at the end....
That's it for now. I'm off to break up some catfights! ME-OW!
Posted by Sarah at 5:29 PM | Comments (6)
July 14, 2005
Le Lelah
Here's my saucy French Lelah! Ooooh I heart Phildar.
Pattern: Lelah by the Lovely Christine
Yarn: Phildar Onde in Volcan (you discontinued Onde! you bastards!)
Needles: US8 &US9 circulars
Modifications: Added a couple of lace repeats to lengthen the ol' gal a bit. Sewed in small pieces of hem tape onto the wrong side of the fabric at the bind off edge and attached ribbon straps to them.
Comments: J'aime Le Lelah! Long live Christine! This pattern rocks everyone's world! Keep up the good work, lady. I will surely be knitting some of these booby toobies for gifts! Brava!
Posted by Sarah at 8:12 PM | Comments (7) | TrackBack
July 12, 2005
O.F.O.
Old Finished Object
While I was in Maine, I had a chance to take a pic of those socks I knit for my Dad for Dad Day!
Dad's big comfy socks
Pattern: Wiseneedle's Firefighter Socks
Yarn: Classic Elite Inca Alpaca (2 skeins)
Needles: US8 Babmoo circ's
Comments: I lerv alpaca. I mean seriously. I think if I could marry one, I would. Okay... maybe not. But, I'd like some for children at least. Fuzzy beatle haircut children...... I upped the needle size for this pattern in order to make my Dad some bunky house socks. He lives in Florida, so I knew these would be more for kicking around on slightly chilly evenings... Of course, he has told me they've already come in quite handy for battling the icy chill of the A.C.
I'm off to see the Scissor Squad! Later, gator.
Posted by Sarah at 6:34 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
June 20, 2005
5. Commit to Some Knitting Projects.
Done.
I broke out some of le stash to work on Lelah! I'm knitting her up in Phildar Onde* in Volcan.... Only one lace repeat to go!
Here she is in all her hot pink to orange glory - photos just don't do this yarn justice... I hate that it's discontinued!
Oh - and it doesn't stop there. Mary and I stopped by A Stitch in Time in Bethel on Saturday. They've just changed locations and their new shop looks FAB! Already a bigger yarn selection - hazah! Blue Sky Alpaca! Manos! Yummers, indeed. So... even though we were there to look for Mary's next project... I just happened to pick something up for moi.
Some Cotton Glace for Orangina! Oh baby.
And what's this? A pattern and some hand dyed yarn for a pair of me socks!
And oh yeah! Dad's super Dad Day surprise? Done! A pair of soft and cozy Broken Rib socks in Classic Elite Inca Alpaca! And (drum roll please, Animal) they fit like a dream! Oooh. When yer good, yer good. Of course, I was not good enough to remember to take a picture, so we must wait for the opportunity to arise....
And it doesn't even stop there folks! Because now, with Lelah, Orangina and the Gypsy Mesh Pullover..... that's 3 - count 'em! - 3 lace projects going at once.
When did this happen? How did this happen? I guess I am really digging the lace, eh?
*props to karen for trading this to me waaay back when! I knew I would find the perfect project for it eventually!
Posted by Sarah at 1:24 PM | Comments (4) | TrackBack
April 14, 2005
Be Fly.
Buttah-fly, that is.
I finished my Butterflies are Free scarf from Stitch 'n Bitch Nation!
Pattern: Butterflies are Free from Stitch 'n Bitch Nation
Yarn: Crystal Palace Cotton Chenille (YUM!), 1 skein each of Mango, Rosewood, and Cypress
Needles: US6 (and a crochet hook! who's a big girl? I am!!)
Notes: Quick and easy. I like me an instant gratification project, I do. Pattern was very easy to follow until you get to the flutterby wings. They include the directions for one side, but you need to reverse those directions to create the other set of wings. No biggie - just a little confusing at first!
I leave you with an action shot of me gabbin it up with my pal Simon, the guardian of our front stoop...
Posted by Sarah at 7:50 PM | Comments (2)
April 9, 2005
Stately Shrug
So, I've been staring at this beautiful hank of Colinette Giotto that Karen sent me a while back and decided that I must make inot something! I decided to turn it into a little design challenge for myself and I'm pretty happy with the result - a cap sleeved shrug!
I decided I wanted a little shrug to go over some of my fitted tanks and cap sleeved tees. I wanted to knit it in all one piece, so there'd be minimal finishing. I even recorded the pattern for posterity! I added it in my little pattern album on the right if anyone is interested! I think it makes great use of a small amount of such a luxurious yarn, especially since the colors in Colinette yarns are so fantastic. This Bud's for you, Karen! Thanks again! :)
Posted by Sarah at 8:44 PM | Comments (10) | TrackBack
April 6, 2005
She's Dooooo-ooone!
Okay, so she's been done for a while and I am just now getting around to taking her pretty picture and sharing. Such a motivated knitter... and such a lazy photographer. Go fig.
And a detail of the beadwork...
Pattern: Charlotte's Web by Koigu
Yarn: About 5 and a half skeins of Koigu KPPM in colourways: P200, P206, P205, and P445.
Alterations: Added Swavorski crystal beads to the crochet edge cuz I like sparkles!
Notes: Man, I love me some Koigu! Now I understand what everyone raves about. This yarn is striking in color and I love the spring it has as it knits up! Now, I did knit a gauge swatch and was right on... but despite 2 blockings, mine seems to have come out a bit on the small side. But, I love her nonetheless! Mad props to Karen for helping me with my blocking fiasco! After the
first blocking, I ripped out the bind off edge and bound off again with
a larger needles and it did help quite a bit! This was my first time knitting lace, and I dig it, bay-bee! I was quite intimidated by the chart at first, but by the end it was second nature as people had told me before.
Posted by Sarah at 10:56 PM | Comments (8) | TrackBack
March 18, 2005
I Got Goodies!!!
OOOOOOOOOOOOH!
I must have been a really good knitter in my past life to deserve what has just been bestowed upon me!!! Look at this!
Here is a lovely parcel, packed to the brim, all the way from Sicily! Zibbibo sent me a lovely thank you for being her Secret Pal in the Knitty Coffeshop's Secret Pal 2 swap! Here you see some bee-yoo-tea-full cotton tape (which is sure to be something faboo for summer!!!), some deelish Italian olives, TWO bags of the most amazingly delicious smelling coffee, a beautiful deck of cards and a postcard of Zib's town! Thanks Wendy for these lovelies! What a thoughtful and generous gift! :)
Here you see two sets of grandiose knitting needles that Michelle made! She brought a whole pile to Tuesday's Scissor Squad meeting for all of us to partake in! This girl simply rocks! And rumor has it that she's working on a new website where she'll be selling these.... Oh, don't worry, I will keep you all informed! :)
And here's a present to myself.... some progress on my Silkroad Cardigan! Back's all done... I'm starting the journey down the front now! I love the way this cardi is constructed. You knit the back and then when you get up to the neck, you bind off the center third and then keep knitting the sides all the way down the front. You then knit another piece for the front which has the ties - and then sew it to the body! Cle-vah!
Posted by Sarah at 7:40 PM | Comments (3)
March 11, 2005
J'aime Vendredi
Have I ever mentioned that I love Fridays?
Look at the happy super surprise I found in my mailbox! Maura sent me a Random Act of Kindness all the way from Sendai, Japan!
This is the equivalent of crack for a Hello Kitty addict such as myself. I was so giddy opening this parcel that I think I giggled all of my words out rather than speaking them. Truly awesome. Thank you Maura!!!!
I've made some progress on my shrug design! However, what you see is not what you'll get as I will be ripping back into the cap sleeves to soften them a bit.....
Now, unexpected ripping causes a bit more.... stress. :) I've decided to rip out my bind-off edge on Charlotte and try to bind off a bit looser to allow some more stretch for blocking. After all that work, it just doesn't do the ol' gal justice to have her miniaturized due to laziness on my part! I think that's my weekend project right there.... But I'm sure to feel triumphant once she's blocked all prim and proper!
Posted by Sarah at 9:36 PM | Comments (2)
March 9, 2005
On the horizon....
Okay, so as I am nearing completion of Charlotte (slowly mind you! a second blocking is in order... and let's hope that's all!), my mind is already racing with ideas for what's next on those darn needles!
Yes, yes, that Silkroad cardigan is progressing nicely.... and I do have a Butterflies are Free scarf from SnB Nation in the works... and those socks keep getting thrown back into the knitting busket... but is this enough to satiate a hungry knitter? Please.
Sooo.... last night I cast on for a little cap sleeved shrug I've decided that I need. It's my own design, and I am hoping that I am pleased enough with the outcome to post the pattern when I'm finished... (Unlike that horrible tease I was guilty of with those cabled mitts... You know, folks, they just never seemed quite right. They'll need a serious re-vamping before I subject you to those bad boys....) Anyhoo, the shrug is being knit with a hank of some loverly Giotto that Karen sent me a while back. I am LOVING the way this stuff knits up! To die for. For real. If this yarn walked out in front of a speeding bus, I would risk my life by pushing it out of the way.
And what sits there lurking in the back of the room, just waiting for it's turn in the spotlight???? Why, it's a fuzzy mohair-look tube top designed by Kristin, one of the talented knitting goddesses of Craftster. And would you look at that.. I just happen to have 2 skeins of HOT PINK Jiffy yarn just dying to be made into a sex-ay little somethin.... It's fate.
Hey! What's that sound?
(cue crashes and giggles)
Well, if it isn't Lelah.
Full of Spunk! Moxie! Gin! She's tellin' me what's what, dontchaknow... "Knit me! Knit me!", she giddily screams while running in circles around my living room. Patience, my dear - perhaps you're next in line! Surely I have some stash yarn that fits the bill..... That gal's got "it" - Men wanna get near her and Women wanna knit her! Mama Christine, be proud!
So it's a full house here. I feel cabin fever rapidly taking control of every molecule of my body.....
so. antsy.
can't. take. much. more.
must. go. out. side.
Posted by Sarah at 2:09 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
May 25, 2004
Aycheewamma!
Okay so I have been a BAD blogger. :( My apologies!!
But today is the first day of the rest of my blog!
I will hopefully be able to upload a good deal of my Finished Object pics into albums this week and get some pics of my WIP's on here!
I am currently working on a couple of things....
Firstly, I am lovingly knitting up the Honeymoon Cami from the latest issue of Knitty in Tahki Cotton Classic - red and turquoise stripes! Yay for love! and stripes! About 40% through that baby....
Secondly, I am working away on a cotton Bottoms Up Bucket Hat (pattern by the fantastic Bonne Marie @ ChicKits!). This one is for my little sis - you can see her artsyness over at Scribble Monster. We collaborated on the design (LOL) the brim shall be green for grass and the crown blue for sky - once the knitting is compleeeet, she'll applique teeny tiny bugs on it! Yeeeee!
sooooooo tiiiiiiiinyyyyyyyyy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
And thirdly - let's be honest this one has been set aside for a little while - is my first ever sock project. I am using a pattern from Knits 'n Bytes for Basic Socks - knitting up in Opal Inspiration sock yarn. Aaaaaaalmost done with my first sock. But it got hot hot hot! I just needed a break from wool. And DPN's. :)
I'll try to pop on later tonight to upload some pics!
Posted by Sarah at 4:09 PM