Crafts

UFO’s? What UFO’s?

Sarah Knitting

So, with a shop full of yarn at my disposal, how long did you think it would take me to start something new? Or, maybe, several somethings?

Let’s see. First I started the Omega Wrap, a möbius style wrap made with several different weights and textures of yarn. A good way to sample several different yarns I hadn’t worked with before!

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And then…well…Carrie has pretty much outgrown the orange cabled hoodie from last fall. So I started her a green cabled jacket which may or may not have a hood – I haven’t decided yet. It’s the Duffle Coat from Zoe Mellor’s Double Knits book.

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Finally, we had a couple of balls of this clearance yarn left, and I whipped up a scarf in a couple of hours and will turn the second ball into a hat. For Carrie of course!

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Hopefully I’ll manage to finish these before something else tempts me! (Please let’s not discuss the other projects sitting around unfinished in my craft room…)

Sockapalooza Socks!

Sarah SockapalOOOza

My Sockapalooza pal, Jan from Indiana, sent me some absolutely fabulous socks and goodies! Check it out:

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The socks are made from Tofutsies yarn, and are soft and cabled and just the most lovely shades of blue. I can’t wait for the current heat wave to break so I can wear them! In the meantime, I have a teeny sock on a sock blocker keychain to make up for not being able to wear my socks. Plus a cute handmade sheep and a small bottle of wool wash.

What a lovely treat it was to come home to this the other night! Thanks, Jan!

Sockapalooza Socks Done

Sarah SockapalOOOza

Well, I didn’t quite finish my pal’s socks by August 1st, but I think the mailing deadline is the 7th so it’s all good. I really like how these came out, and I am fervently hoping they fit my pal. She has smaller feet than I do, and they look incredibly small to me! Then again, they fit my sock blockers with no problem, so perhaps they’ll be just fine.

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The yarn is Trekking XXL, color #167, and the pattern once again is Lombard Street from MagKnits. I’d like to do this pattern again in a solid yarn I think, it’s a fun, simple little lace and cable pattern.

A Very Crafty Update

Sarah Knitting, Mystery Stole 3, SockapalOOOza, Spinning

Apparently, a shawl I knit four years ago has generated some interest at Knitting Daily. How exciting! But when I clicked the link to my own page, I realized that all of my actual current projects weren’t even mentioned on my current projects list. So, without further ado, here are my current projects:

Clue #1 and the first 20 rows of Clue #2 of the Mystery Stole #3:

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It’s really hard to take a nice picture of unblocked lace, so excuse the lumpiness. Maybe next time I’ll at least pin it out!

The Tango baby sweater:

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This poor sweater gave up its needles for the sake of the mystery stole, but I’m happy to report that I got another set in the mail today, so there’s hope for it yet! Now if only there were knitting elves that would knit that ever-so-exciting second sleeve for me so it could actually get done before the baby outgrows it, that would be great!

Carrie’s “summer” sweater, Reid:

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Ahem. Yes, I’m aware that summer is a good portion of the way done, and that Carrie is growing quickly, and that I made this a size that would fit her this year and most likely not next. No, I don’t know what I was thinking. I’m going to knit on in denial and trust that I can block it bigger if need be.

Never fear, sockpal, lombard street sock #2 is ready for the heel turn:

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I’m working steadily past my second sock syndrome symptoms. I have to admit, I still get a thrill out of each cable row, so it’s something of an encouragement to knit the other seven slightly-less-exciting rows in each repeat.

And finally, here’s the tiny 20-yard skein of my smooshy pink yarn, all balled up and ready to be swatched:

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Carrie was quite enchanted by my nostepinne, I think because it’s such a fun word to say!

Whew! See, I really can blog about things that are not related to potty training! ;)

Busy, Busy Week

Sarah General, Mystery Stole 3, Reading

I have absolutely no idea where the week has gone. None. All I know is that it’s already Thursday. Tomorrow, Clue #4 of the Mystery Stole comes out…and I’m not even halfway through Clue #1. Tomorrow, Denis’ parents are coming for the weekend. But tomorrow is also very important for one other reason…

The book – you know, The Book! – is going to be available!

I’m toying with the idea of going to the release party tomorrow night, so I can get the book as soon as possible. Would that be crazy?

Pink Smooshy Yarn

Sarah Spinning

Check out the pink smooshy yarn I made!

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It’s pretty darn bulky all plied up – around 9 or 10 wpi depending on where you measure, as I’m not the most consistent spinner yet. I wound up with 188 yards split into two skeins about 84 yards apiece and a tiny skein of 20 yards – one bobbin was more full than the other, so I had to split the remainder in half and ply that together. So, I could probably manage a hat and scarf for Carrie at, what, 3 or 4 stitches per inch? That should be quick, and warm!

The yarn is currently drying out from its bath, after which I’ll use that 20 yard skein for some swatching. I’ve never knit anything from my own hand spun yarn. This is very exciting!

Oh, and I treated my completely unfinished wheel to a coat of walnut oil today with my dad’s help. It looks absolutely gorgeous now – the oil really brought out the grain of the wood!

Mystery Stole 3 Swatch

Sarah Mystery Stole 3

Here’s my swatch for the Mystery Stole:

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The bottom half is on US4/3.5mm needles, the top half (with the beads) is on US2/3mm needles. I think I’d ideally like to use the size in between…but all of my size 3 needles are currently in projects! (I apparently gravitate towards projects that are all the same gauge at the same time.)

Anyway. So I don’t know what to do. I prefer the looser look on the bottom, but I think it’s just a smidge too loose. Maybe I’ll finish up a baby sweater sleeve that’s currently on 3’s and swatch again today. I could always order another pair of needles, I suppose. I’ll try not to stress that I’m already 10 days behind everyone else. I’m a fast knitter, I can probably catch up!

The beading technique is pretty cool, though. You use a crochet hook to put them on as needed instead of stringing them all on before starting to knit. It’s a bit fiddly, especially considering how teeny-tiny (1.05mm!) the crochet hook is, but it’s also a bit addictive.

I’m Such A Joiner.

Sarah Mystery Stole 3

Partly because of the Yarn Harlot, and partly because I remember Julia doing it last year, I joined the Mystery Stole 3 knit-along.

Please don’t ask me why. I can’t for the life of me think of any place I might wear a lace-weight stole. But for some reason, the temptation of lace knitting, beads, and a project that I won’t know how it looks until it’s finished…I couldn’t resist.

Of course, I had neither the required lace weight yarn nor the required beads in my stash. So I visited a not-so-local local yarn shop in my area and swung by a bead shop on my way home. The color suggestions were black or white, but I wound up with a lovely green shade of Jaggerspun Zephyr. Off to swatch!

One Down, One To Go

Sarah SockapalOOOza

The first sockapalooza sock is done! I have to say, I love cables in socks, even if the colors are a little too busy to see them well.

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I did the picot cuff for the second sock at Sit & Knit tonight, so now it’s just a matter of doing the same thing I did for the first sock. I’ll easily be able to make the deadline if I don’t get distracted by too much! Now I have to start thinking of what other little goodies to send my pal.