April 2004 Archives

April 29, 2004

Infatuation

Yesterday was a good yarn day. First of all my wonderful secret pal sent me an Elann gift certificate. Thank you so much. I'm currently trying to decide betwwen yarn or patterns. Secondly, I received some new yarn and couldn't resist playing with it last night. Here's some Gedifra Byzanz.

The yarn and I are still trying to decide what it wants to be knit up as, so no definite project yet.
The other yarn I brought home is Sirdar Fizz. It was sitting on my desk next to some OnLine Linie 64, and I decided to combine the two. The result is a scarf that I'm just infatuated with. This is the best picture I could get of it.

And here's a closer look.

I'm not a huge novelty yarn fan, but I absolutely love this scarf. The Fizz has little ribbon bits mixed with feathery yarn slubs to give the scarf most of it's personality, while the Linie 64 adds a touch of sparkle. The scarf is all single crochet. I used a Q hook and just did rows of 6 stitches each. The whole project took less than two hours.

Posted by crsattic at 11:04 PM | 3 Comments

April 28, 2004

Project Progress

I feel like the stubborn people who go on What Not to Wear armed with their own set of silly fashion rules that they've used all of their life. Maybe my show could be called What Not to Knit. Thank you to all of the people who took the time to reply about the cotton angora. I now realize that it doesn't matter if Charlotte already has a sweater in this yarn. By the end of May, she'll have a matching tank as well.
There is knitting going on here -I promise. As proof, here are some pictures of my current WIPs.
First up is 6 inches of Charlotte's tank.

I'm using up one 250 yd skein of Classic Elite Provence on this project and making up the pattern as I go. I'll continue knitting in the round until I get to the armholes, where I'll bind off the back. I plan on knitting a front bib and straps to criss-cross in the back. And the whole thing will be finished off with a single crochet border -probably in a contrasting yarn. I've only got about an inch and a half before I hit the armholes, so this project can still be finished this week.
Next are the pieces of Charlotte's Blue DB sweater.

I've knit the collar and just have to sew the sleeves on, sew up the sides, and sew these duck buttons on.

The sweater is cotton so it's nice for the slightly chilly spring days we're still having and it fits Charlotte perfectly now -both reasons I need to hurry up and finish it. One night of good TV or a movie should change this project into a FO.
Next up is 5 inches of my tank back.

I based my completion estimate on the story that went with the pattern. The customer bought the yarn on Friday, knit the tank over the weekend, and wore it to work on Monday. Apparently when I decided I could finish it this week I was under the delusion that a) I was single with no kids and b) this was the only project I'd work on this week. I might be able to finish the back this week.
The last project is the change purse, which I now have more yarn for. (Sorry, no picture.) I only have 5 or 6 more rows left, so I can finish this one in about an hour.
That's it for now. Tune in tomorrow for yarn store samples.

Posted by crsattic at 10:51 PM | 2 Comments

April 27, 2004

Opinions Needed

I have almost two balls of Debbie Bliss Cotton Angora left over from Charlotte's shrug that I'm trying to decide what to do with. The yarn is the same gauge as the Mission Falls Cotton so I'm considering Kerrie's tank for Charlotte. The tank would be all one color. The only problem is I'm not sure if I should use the yarn for another solid colored Charlotte sweater. Is it wrong to have two articles of clothing made up of the exact same yarn?

Posted by crsattic at 4:16 AM | 5 Comments

April 26, 2004

Future Projects

I got my KnitPicks catalog today and I love the cover pattern. It's the Spring Coat and Pillbox Hat from Minnow Knits, too. I have looked through this book at Knit Happens and also love the Brittany Jumper.
Erica provided links to the new Interweave Knits, and there are lots of projects I'd like to make for me in this issue.
I'm going to MSWF on Sunday, so no new projects before then -I want to have some spending money!

Posted by crsattic at 10:03 PM | 1 Comment

April 24, 2004

Project Status

The Good Stuff-
The shoes are finished.

I made the larger size this time and I still only needed 3 balls of the Handknit DK. (The pattern calls for 4.) The color I used was #303. The shoes work up really quickly; I made these in one day.
The scarf is blocking.

Tomorrow morning when it's dry, I'll add the fringe. I made this with two balls of Mission Falls 1824 Wool.

The Bad-
I've given up on the Lana Grossa sweater. For the life of me, I could not get the gauge. I went up 3 needle sizes, and by then I didn't like the way the fabric looked. I think I'm going to use the yarn to make the Summer in the City Tank from The Yarn Girls' Guide to Knitting instead.
Charlotte's blue sweater just needs the collar knitted on and the sides seamed. I bought size 2 circulars for the collar and was ready to finish when I discovered something disturbing. The #2 straights I'd used on the rest of the sweater were 2.75mm. The circular I bought, also size US 2 was 3.0mm. Isn't this stuff supposed to be standardized! I've been so disgusted with the project since that I've just left it in the workbasket.

Posted by crsattic at 11:29 PM | 1 Comment

April 22, 2004

Charlotte Sighting

If you're feeling Charlotte withdrawal- I realize I haven't posted any pictures this week- check out the store site.

Posted by crsattic at 12:25 AM | 1 Comment

April 21, 2004

Progress Update

Thanks for all of the kind purse comments. The flower purse has now joined the change purse at the shop for display. Here's what is going on now:

1. Change Purse

There are a few more rows to go on the change purse, but it's on hold until I get some more yarn.

2. Class Scarf

I've started the scarf for Sunday's class, but it's not the fastest project. One of the things we're working on this week is changing yarn and weaving in ends, so they'll be making a striped scarf. They have to change yarn at the end of every row, but by the time they've finished this project, they'll be yarn changing pros. I have a few more rows to go before it will really line up, behave, and look like a scarf.

3. Bedroom Shoes

I also picked up the yarn for the bedroom shoes.

Posted by crsattic at 8:41 PM | 1 Comment

April 19, 2004

Purses

The change purse is complete. (I forgot to take a picture at home before I dropped it off.) This purse was made with Noro Daria and an E hook. The resulting fabric is very sturdy, so you don't need to line it. Plus, the whole thing is worked in the round, so the only sewing needed is for putting in the zipper. The purse was such a big hit that I'm making a second one for Liz and Kristine has added it to her list of projects.
The flower purse is also complete!

This pattern was crocheted with an H hook and the following yarns:
Online Linie 64
Skacel Spectraia
Classic Elite Imagine
Collinette Mohair
Skye
Isis
There were a couple of other yarns used, but I'm afraid I don't have the names at my fingertips. I needed 2 balls of the Online Linie and less than 1 ball of everyone else. You can use stash yarn for most of the project and just get yarn for the handles and borders. This is also a fun project to use for trying out a new yarn.
Speaking of new yarn I picked up this on Saturday.

The ribbon is Lanna Grossa Viale Print in color 308 and the fuzzy yarn is Lana Grossa Estivo in color 204. I plan on making the May 2003 sweater of the month found here, but I'm still working on changing the sizing to fit me.
I've completely strayed from my list on the sidebar. I'd hoped that having a monthly to do list would limit my projects, but since I started working at a yarn shop I need more flexibility. I'm following Uli's lead and changing to a weekly list instead. Most of the stuff on this week's list is gift or store related.

Posted by crsattic at 10:58 PM | 7 Comments

April 13, 2004

Charlotte's Easter Pic

Sorry this is a day late but it didn't even cross my mind to post Charlotte's Easter picture until Kristine mentioned it yesterday.

There are a couple more pictures here.
My store samples are progressing well. I've finished crocheting a change purse out of Noro Daria and am finishing up the handles on the flowered purse. I plan on going out tomorrow to get a zipper for the change purse and a lining for the flower purse. I'm waiting to post pictures until everything is sewn up.
If you haven't seen it yet, check out the new ChicKnits pattern.

Posted by crsattic at 8:37 PM | 2 Comments

April 12, 2004

All New Words Are Not Good Words

Charlotte added "stop" to her vocabulary this weekend. Between that and "no" she doesn't have any trouble letting me know what she doesn't like. Her and I both have pretty bad colds and had to take medicine this morning. Nothing gets you excited about your child's development like chasing her around the house with a medicine dropper while she runs away screaming "STOP" and "NO, MAMA".
One thing Charlotte does like are accessories. Hats, necklaces, scarves, whatever she finds, she puts it on. Last week, we bought her a summer hat of her own and since then, it's rarely left her head.

As for knitting content, I've made it through the first pattern repeat on the VK sweater.

Charlotte wants me off the computer NOW, so that's all for today.

Posted by crsattic at 1:38 PM | 3 Comments

April 11, 2004

Happy Easter!

-Jacinta took this photo at the store's grand opening.

Posted by crsattic at 7:48 AM | 4 Comments

April 9, 2004

Spring is in Bloom

The flowers outside haven't made their big appearance yet, but inside I've got 19 flowers that have completely bloomed.

Here's the flower purse, very close to completion. As far as crocheting goes, I have a border around the top and then straps. After that is the less exciting stuff, like weaving in ends and sewing in a liner. More pictures to come next week when it's finished.
Charlotte got to wear another of my flowered creations today.

The jacket is still a little big on her, so even if it's too warm to wear it soon, I think she'll still fit into it next fall.

Posted by crsattic at 9:21 PM | 4 Comments

April 8, 2004

Critter Knitting

Here are the Critter Knitter blankets I've finished so far.

All of the blankets have two strands of yarn held together. This makes the blanket thicker and helps me to work in yarn that I have one ball or less of. I've got plenty more yarn, so expect to see several more tweed blankets coming off the hook at my place.
I haven't forgotten about my other projects either. I've worked out a placement chart for the flower bag and now only have four flowers left to attach. Look for a picture tomorrow.

Posted by crsattic at 10:49 PM | 1 Comment

April 5, 2004

Warning... Crochet Talk Ahead!

Thank you for all of the nice comments on Poppy. My favorite thing about the project is- as Jody pointed out-it was finished more than a week ahead of time. It really helped that I got to start and work full speed on the sweater as soon as I bought the yarn. Normally, new projects go to the bottom of the to do list and by the time I get to them, some of the momentum has worn off.
As of last Sunday, I'm officially teaching crochet classes again. The first class is always the toughest because the students are trying to get a feel for holding the hook and yarn. It'll be fun to see their progress at the next class.
I was able to finish my second Critter Knitter blanket during last night's basketball game. Between making Mason-Dixon Afghan squares and Critter Knitter blankets, I'm really hoping to minimize my stash between now and August.
Charlotte also crocheted during the game.

She's really getting good at making a loop with the yarn and putting the hook through it.

Posted by crsattic at 11:22 PM | 5 Comments

April 1, 2004

Poppy

Poppy is now finished.

And since we need more Charlotte pictures on this site, here she is modeling her Easter dress with the sweater.

There are even more Charlotte pictures here.
Only one new project is on the list for this month- the April UFO, Haiku. The body is finished; all that's left are the sleeves. I'm trying to get my knit along projects completed and off the list.
My email has been messed up lately, so if you've tried to send me anything in the last week, I probably haven't received it. Thank you Darcie for letting me know there was a problem. Everything should be working fine now.

Posted by crsattic at 8:31 PM | 9 Comments

« March 2004 | Main Index | Archives | May 2004 »