BaxterKnits

Well I've been playing with the Misti

2012-02-15T13:47:00.006-06:00

I decided that I could use a scarf more than another shawl. I swatched a few patterns that didn't really please me. I love the colors of this yarn, but they do fight with a lot of stitch patterns. They remind me (in a good way) of tree bark and lichens. So I finally settled on this (you can click the picture to make it big).

To me, the pattern definition shows up a little better in the picture than in real life. I should note that this is not a cable pattern. It's formed with yarn overs and decreases. On slightly larger needles, in a solid color and blocked hard it might look sort of lacy. As is, I'm going with subtle texture.

This is the chart I came up with. I repeated Rows 1-10 three times, then 11-20 three times, then 1-10 3x, then 11-20 3x, and so on.

(can also click to make bigger)

I'm actually working on 67 stitches, repeating the sections between the vertical red lines. Also, it's a bit fiddly to reposition markers between Rows 10 & 11, but worth it.

So....

2012-02-02T10:07:00.002-06:00

I've got a little over 800 yds of lace weight Misti Baby Alpaca (and very pretty it is). The question now is what to do with it? "Lace Shawl" seems like the obvious answer, but I'm not sure I need one. Any other ideas, anyone? In the meantime I guess I'll swatch a little and see if the yarn talks to me.

Note to self: stop and think a little before your next impulse purchase.

In the meantime, I am 3/4 of the way through the edging on the jazzy blanket. Plain garter stitch in black Knit Picks "Stroll".

I ordered twice what it's turning out to need. In my defense, I had initially though I might do a wider border, but once I got going I liked the look of a narrower one.

From the Anglo-Norman"Dormeus" Which Means "Sleepy One"

2012-01-26T19:35:00.002-06:00

http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/sideshow/video-dormouse-snores-while-sleeping-zookeeper-hand-222847067.html

What shall I call
My dear little dormouse?
His eyes are small,
But his tail is e-nor-mouse.

from "The Christening" by A.A. Milne

Another Extremely Colorful Project

2012-01-26T12:52:00.003-06:00

Since winter finally did arrive in Wisconsin, I needed another pair of thick socks. The pattern is absolutely plain Jane; but the yarn choice (1 strand of solid Opal and 1 strand of hand painted Trekking), well, the colors might help keep my feet warm all by themselves.

Of course, much of this brightness will be hidden under 1) legwarmers, 2) long johns and 3) jeans, in that order from the skin out.

BTW - a wave, a smile and a "Thank You" to all who have commented recently. After such a long time away from the blog it's nice for me to hear from you.

Feeling the Kauni Love

2012-01-22T15:19:00.002-06:00

A few weeks ago I was in The Sow's Ear, and totally on impulse picked up a ball of Kauni in the bright rainbow colorway. I'd admired this yarn from afar, but never used it before.

Being the impatient type that I am, I grabbed a likely sized circular needle, figured that I would have enough yarn for a shawlette/capelette and cast on for a top down something that would either be a wearable object or a very large swatch.

I used a tab start (first time for me) and sort of winged it for the shaping, which I wanted to be semi-circular, only more than a half circle so it would fit over the shoulders better. After an initial stockinette-with-a-couple-of-garter-rows section I switched to some modifications of pattern stitches from Waterman's Traditional Knitted Lace Shawls.

I got lucky. Things worked out well.

(I only wish I could claim to have knit the Aran sweater under my wearable swatch, but that was made in Ireland.)

You Know That Thing Where You Make a Project to Use up Stash

2012-01-16T12:59:00.002-06:00

and then have to buy yarn to complete it? I may be there.

I finished off the body of the jazzy blanket, but it needs a border. And I think a solid color would be best, probably black or dark gray (since black can be a pain to work with).

Don't think I have enough of either color on hand in the right weight - or of any solid, for that matter. Hmmmm.

Slowly Growing

2011-07-25T20:31:00.003-05:00

The jazz blanket, that is

Not a lot to say about it really, but thought I should mention that I used that book up in the top right corner for the basic technique. It's New Patchwork Knitting: Fashion for Children by Horst Schultz.

I'm starting to wonder what I will do for a border. But I won't be getting to that point for a while, so I have time to ponder.

Would like to help

2011-06-21T11:11:00.003-05:00

This is for Anonymous, who commented on the last post. If you still would like me to try to help with the pattern, could you email me? Click on the "View My Complete Profile" link at the top right of this page. When the profile page comes up, there will be an "email" link on the left side.

The Odd Patchwork Object is Slowly Growing

2011-06-20T15:36:00.003-05:00

It's slow for a couple of reasons. I stop and ponder for each new unit: where do I want it, what shape should it be, what colors? This is, for the most part, enjoyable; occasionally it's frustrating. Also, I'm trying to weave in ends as I go, which slows me down, but is better than having a zillion ends to deal with at the end (whenever that may come).

The Object is way too busy in design for me to consider wearing it as a garment, so it may end up as a blanket/afghan. (Or a baby blanket if I poop out).

My Modular Knitting Experiment

2011-06-09T19:21:00.003-05:00

I have no idea where this is going, or how big it will eventually be, or whether it will result in any sort of useful object. For now, this is "process knitting" at it's purest - just having fun working on the technique and picking which shape/color should come next.

Like Salted In the Shell Peanuts

2011-05-20T10:52:00.004-05:00

You know, as in you just can't stop with them, already.

The Multidirectional Diagonal Scarf a/k/a Karen's Scarf, is one of those projects I've been meaning to get around to for, oh, forever. Recently, a couple of the gals in my Thursday evening knitting group took it up, and I decided to go for it.

This has been hard to put down. It's easy to memorize the directions. It doesn't take so much concentration that it gets in the way of conversation; but takes just enough to avoid boredom. And the question of "how will the colors line up next?" is compelling. Fun project!

Back up and running

2011-05-05T08:29:00.010-05:00

The car is working. On Monday morning, I stopped by the local repair shop and asked if someone could come by and take a look at it. The guys said just leave the key on the seat and they would get over when they had a chance.

About mid-afternoon, I was upstairs at the computer when I thought I heard the car door close. I went down to see what was what, but got there just in time to see the back end of the car heading down the street towards the center of town. So I went back upstairs. About 15-20 minutes later, I heard another sound in the driveway. Rushed downstairs in time to see the guy get in his truck and head back towards the shop. The car was in the driveway, with the key on the seat.

I kind of think that's where things would have stood. The guys can be kind of laconic. I asked them to see if they could get it started. They got it started. Not a lot of need to waste further words. But I was curious as to what the problem had been, so I called the shop.

Loose battery cable. It's nice when what feels at first like a major problem turns out to be not so major after all.

Well, At Least It Died in the Driveway

2011-05-01T16:21:00.003-05:00

The car, that is.

I got home from work about 12:15 yesterday. At about 1:15 I picked up my knitting bag, intending to head for Last Saturday Knitting; got in the car, turned the key, and Nada, Nothing, Not a Sound. Not grinding or whirring or evidence of any effort to start - just silence.

When Mr. S. got home from a meeting about an hour later, he tried, too. Same result. He's pretty sure it's a problem with the starter. The car is parked just in front of the garage door, and we can't get it into neutral to push it back. Mr. S's. motorcycle is in the garage, and looks as though it will be blocked in for awhile. Aaargh!

Fortunately: 1) the car didn't die on either of the trips I took out of town this past week, 2) Mr. S's car isn't trapped in the garage, 3) Mom was willing to lend me her car which we picked up today. So things could be worse.

Tomorrow I'll have to call our (limited service) local garage and see if one of the guys can come take a look. If, as is very possible, repairs would be beyond their scope, we'll have to figure out what next. But at least for now we both have wheels.

It Pays to Be Dairy Queen

2011-04-28T11:04:00.002-05:00

Well, I had the "mock job interviews" with three high school students today, and they went quite well. They were well prepared with resumes and cover letters, and overall were poised and articulate. The teacher also gave me good resources in terms of suggested questions and a very useful evaluation sheet. It was rather a fun exercise, and I think I was able to give them helpful feedback in a positive way.

I was struck that the most poised young woman, and the one who was able to give the fullest, most specific answers to my questions, has participated in the Green County Ag Chest Dairy Queen program. Yes, we have them in this area, not the fast food places, but crowned queens. This is not a beauty contest, but a leadership program for young women involved with/interested in the dairy industry. Competition for the title involves essays and interviews rather than pageant walking, and the winner spends a year in visiting local events with cheese samples in hand, riding in parades, writing articles for the local papers, doing interviews with the local radio stations. It really is a crash course in organization, time management, public speaking and social skills. I wish more young women had the opportunity get this kind of leadership training.

Should be interesting, and hopefully fun

2011-04-26T10:45:00.003-05:00

One of the high school teachers just called to see if I would participate in a "mock job interview" session that the English teacher is running. I would role play the part of an interviewer with 2-3 students, then give feedback on how they did.

I think this is an excellent project to help the students develop some real world skills, so of course I said "yes", especially as the teacher has already prepared sample questions and an evaluation sheet - so really all I have to do is show up and take part.

Of course, this probably means I had better wear "business attire" myself. Yikes! Guess I will aim for "business casual". I should be able to manage that.

Harbingers

2011-04-07T12:19:00.003-05:00

So welcome.

If, perhaps, you want to help the recall effort in Wisconsin

2011-04-06T09:31:00.002-05:00

And if you are unable to collect petitions or staff phone banks, it may still be possible that you would like to make a financial contribution, even a small one.

If so, the blog "This is What Democracy Looks Like in Wisconsin" has some reasoned suggestions about where that contribution might best be put to use.

One Day Longer

2011-04-06T08:29:00.002-05:00

The state Supreme Court race is still too close to call at this point, and there's a strong possiblility it will be headed to a recount.

On the good news side, Scotty Walker's clone was resoundingly defeated in the race for Milwaukee County Executive.

Election Today

2011-04-05T10:55:00.002-05:00

Vote JoAnne Kloppenburg for Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice.

Turn out will be vital. Polls are open until 8:00, and if you are in line by 8:00 you can vote.

If you don't know where to vote, you can find out here (just plug in your residence address).

If you are not already registered to vote you can do it at the polls - bring proof of residence.

You do not need photo ID to vote

Fifty Degrees Feels Glorious

2011-04-02T13:05:00.001-05:00

It's been a long winter, but today the sun is out, the snow is gone. The flower beds are cluttered with last year's stems and leaves, but the crocus have pushed through it all and are in bloom. Heart-lifting.

Paul Krugman Explains Why It's About More Than The Unions

2011-02-21T11:53:00.001-06:00

A must read.

Oil and Water

2011-02-21T11:39:00.002-06:00

I'm not sure that knitting and politics mix any better. So for the time being, I will mostly be blogging at Like A Tree That's Standing By the Water. If I have knitting updates, they will stay here.

Need. To. Knit.

2011-02-20T09:33:00.004-06:00

Need to lower blood pressure. I want to be in Madison. But freezing rain is falling and I don't trust the road conditions. Also, Mr. S. is sick -was up all night with gastrointestinal unpleasantness I won't detail here.

So I'll cast on for the second sock to go with this one. Haven't decided yet what kind of heel I want to use.

An article that gets the facts straight

2011-02-20T07:00:00.001-06:00

From AlterNet

****

If anyone still has any doubt about the true motivation for Gov. Walker's "budget reform" bill, I refer you to that radical left-wing publication, Forbes.

****

Let's be perfectly clear, this is not about balancing the budget. That could be done with the concessions that WEAC and AFSCME have already offered to the Governor in exchange for retaining collective bargaining rights. He has refused to even consider this.

Also keep in mind that this discussion is not around the Governor's proposed budget package. He has not proposed one yet. This is just an attempt to clear the way for whatever it is that he does intend to propose. Not details have been released. In fact when "The Bill" did not pass last week, he pushed back the date for presenting his budget. It's all been quite secretive, though the figure of a $500 per child reduction in funding for local schools has been thrown out as in the mix.

If his plan at this point is to (among other things) force significant staff layoffs in larger districts and push smaller districts into bankruptcy, he looks to be right on track for achieving his goals.

On Wisconsin

2011-02-19T16:53:00.003-06:00

I wouldn't normally link to an article from "Time", but, yeah, the video embedded in this one is worth it. It really is like that.

If The Weather Reports are Right

2011-02-19T15:00:00.005-06:00

we won't be seeing this for a while after tonight.

Snow and (ugh!) freezing rain on their way.

Quiet day for me today: work at the library in the morning and spent the afternoon pretty much following the action in Madison online. (Jealous of Mr. S., he left early this morning and is only now on his way home).

From all I can gather, the counter protest by the Tea Party was relatively small (left before their stated ending time of 3:00), and while there were a few verbal disputes between the two groups, nothing serious. The national television news folks (especially FOX) will probably try to spin this as some major clash of equal opposing forces. It was not.*

Apparently one pro-Walker sign said "I'm here on the weekend because I went to work on Friday." Of course, the same thing is true of my teacher spouse. And I wanted to tell him "I was there on Friday because I went to work today. Same thing for the firefighter standing next to me." I honestly don't think these people know who fought to get them a weekend. It sure wasn't the corporations.

*At around 3:30 a reporter from News3 in Madison tweeted that official estimates say at the height of the event there were around 3.500 pro-Walker (Tea Party) folks were there, and 55,000-60,000 protesters. Which means that definitely more protesters were involved in total, because I know from my two experiences so far people come and go during the day and evening if they cannot be there the whole time.

And Speaking of the Department of Health Services

2011-02-19T09:30:00.002-06:00

Seems like they just gave Deloitte Consulting a new eight year contract with a jump in the hourly rate from $92 to $104. Bottom line: $30 million a year (in taxpayer dollars) for work outsourced to India. Really good for Wisconsin jobs-not. If they can do this kind of thing even before "The Bill" passes, imagine what they could do with it.

Full story at The Wisconsin State Journal. Hat tip to Uppity Wisconsin.

"The Bill" is bad for a lot of things

2011-02-19T08:30:00.005-06:00

Despite the focus in the protests and the press, it's not just about employee relations.

State Representative Sandy Pasch explains in an article on the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel website. Here's an excerpt. The link will take you to the whole article.

"...there is a relatively little-known proposal in the same bill that could have severe consequences for our state's medical assistance programs.

This provision would give the Walker administration carte blanche authority to make far-reaching changes within vital health programs - including the spectrum of BadgerCare plans, Family Care and SeniorCare - with only minimal review by the Republican-controlled budget committee.

Among other things, the secretary of the Department of Health Services - under the direction of Walker - would have unilateral authority to modify benefit levels, reduce income levels for purposes of determining eligibility and authorize providers to deny care or services if a program benefit recipient is unable to share costs.

DHS would be authorized to sidestep current law requirements for the promulgation of emergency rules, which require a showing that the rule is immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health, safety or welfare to implement these changes. Emergency rules do not require notice, hearing and publication requirements applicable to ordinary rules. In addition, DHS would be authorized to extend these changes indefinitely. Under current law, emergency rules can only be in effect for 150 days. Extensions of emergency rules under current law cannot exceed an additional 120 days."

In other words, if you live in Wisconsin and have a child with autism*, a parent in a nursing home, a sister or brother with a disability who is now able to live independently but could not do so without the support of a home care worker...well, if this bill passes it's likely that their lives, and probably your life, are going to get more difficult, much more difficult, soon.

*For more specifics on how this bill could affect therapy options for children with autism, please read the posts at Elvis Sightings.

Some More Information on Walker's Agenda

2011-02-18T18:04:00.001-06:00

From Think Progress

They still aren't answering the phones

2011-02-18T15:50:00.002-06:00

at my state Senator's office, so I decided to drive on up to Madison to see it I could deliver my message in person. He's a Republican, so presumably he's still in the state.

It was pretty crowded inside the capitol when I arrived, but good spirits, very positive. It was loud in the rotunda, in a good way. Despite anything you may have seen about the crowds being unruly, this isn't the case. People made way for one another, parents had kids there. It was all very positive. The police had certain areas closed off and nobody challenged them about it.

I decided not to try to find Senator Shultz's office, so just joined in a couple of chants. If he was actually in his office he should have been able to hear them from there.

Went outside and walked around the capitol square a few times and enjoyed the growing company of folks. It was a beautiful sunny day, though the breeze was a bit brisk on the lake side. Stood next to some good firefighters during the noon rally, then headed on home.

If anyone wants more background on what's happening here, Talking Points Memo has had some decent coverage. (I linked to just one of their stories. There are others as well.)

Apparently the Tea Party folks are sending in a group to "counter protest" tomorrow. I just hope that they aren't able to provoke the kind of unpleasant confrontation they are undoubtedly looking for. I'll say this again from my own experience, so far the protesters have been determined but entirely peaceful.

Where in the World is My State Senator?

2011-02-17T08:12:00.002-06:00

Wisconsin is going through a challenging time, and I wanted to phone my State Senator to let him know where I stand on some of the current issues. After several (more than 10, more than 20) attempts it became clear that he had shut down his office phones, or rather, let the voicemail fill up and had his staff stop answering. So not only could you not speak to anyone in the office, you could not even leave a message. Pretty sneaky. He'll be able to claim, if he likes, that his constituents weren't that concerned - that he didn't really hear from that many of them. Nice example of representative government, huh?

The last email I tried to send bounced back. So last night I typed up a letter and this morning I'll put it in the snail mail. Though at this point I wouldn't be surprised if his staff is just tossing constituent letters into the trash unopened.

Wisconsin Senator Dale Schultz: I think this is a pretty shabby way to treat the people you are supposed to serve.

I haven't really dropped off the face of the Earth

2011-02-13T14:53:00.002-06:00

I just spent several days in Illinois, helping out while my brother was in the hospital. He's had a very nasty infection, will be on antibiotics for quite a while, but is doing much better. I'm back home getting ready to charge into a busy week here.

Done and Drying

2011-02-06T21:40:00.004-06:00

I had been putting off working the second thumb, because staying in pattern was rather fiddly.
But today I took the bit in my teeth, finished the thumb, wove in ends, washed and laid out to dry. I'll be mailing these north to our good daughter, who is back in school up at Steven's Point.

The other project I've been working on is also fairly small scale. I won't show it yet as it's a Valentine's gift for my sweetie (and I'd better get cracking - not that much time left).

The Perfect Wave

2011-02-02T13:54:00.005-06:00

It was really a shame to destroy this; but, alas, I had to get to work.

Behind the car there was a drift up to the top of the back bumper, but it was just plain, nothing to regret moving.

And where Mr S. is standing, there were two ridges (thrown up by the snowplows) that were as high as the top of his hips. Fortunately it was all pretty dry powdery stuff, not heavy and wet. Between the two of us we had the driveway cleared in about 40 minutes.

A Nice Saturday

2011-01-30T11:54:00.006-06:00

Well, to honest, the morning was a bit challenging. This past week the library system migrated to a new platform, and while the basics seem easy to pick up I'm still not entirely fluent with the new one (and there appear to be a few kinks to be worked out). So I was a bit frazzled by the end of my shift.

But it was the Last Saturday of the month, and after work I headed to Madison to join up with the regulars at Victor Allen's. I hadn't been able to make it in months, and it felt really good to get together again. On the way home I stopped off at the Sow's Ear. I had a credit on my loyalty card and it was burning a hole in my pocket/knitting bag. I thought maybe some Kauni, because both Jen and Elizabeth had been using it for entrelac projects that were so pretty. But when I got to the store they had some new Opal colors I couldn't resist.

I don't need more sock yarn, but these were too attractive to pass up. And all my recent projects have been from the stash. Plus that credit paid for half. And I was good and passed over a couple more colors that were almost as appealing to me.

For knitting with the group I brought a simple project (good thing, because for some reason I kept dropping needles and yarn balls and diving under the table to retrieve them. Trying to follow a chart or keep much track of my place in a pattern would have been too much). At home, though, I have started in on, what else?, another pair of mittens.

This is again an Estonian pattern (cat's paw). Since I'm working in heavier yarn (Cascade 220), it has fewer repeats than the sample in the book.

Sorry, another cat picture

2011-01-29T17:26:00.001-06:00

I just have a sick thing for cats in handknits

All Done But the Weaving In

2011-01-25T14:23:00.002-06:00

The flower mittens have their flaws, tension issues mostly, and they are a little loose: but they are cheerful and bright, and should be warm enough. If they were all wool, I might try to shrink them a bit. Alas, they are Wool-Ease, mostly acrylic. Still, I like them, flaws and all. I'll wear them and think about Spring while shovelling snow.

I'm Honestly Not Sure What to Make of This

2011-01-25T10:53:00.003-06:00

For Real? Not For Real? Why does the cat stay in the tree? Why doesn't the man take the cat out of the tree?

If it is for real, there is something goofily endearing about his whole enterprise.

ETA: after a bit more research, it appears to be very real indeed. From the Wisconsin State Journal.

Awwwwww!

2011-01-24T08:38:00.000-06:00

see more Lolcats and funny pictures

Some Thumb Thoughts from Tracy

2011-01-19T08:31:00.002-06:00

TracyKM left a comment that I thought was worth repeating

"I used to knit the thumbs first, but found that they were always too short since it was too easy to fiddle with the mitt to make the thumb 'fit' when trying it on, LOL.

I always make gusset style thumbs, it just seems more logical to me. Lately, I've started adding more length between the cuff and starting the increases, and also adding short rows IN the gusset to give more length to it. The mitts are feeling great, no riding up of the cuff when I use my thumbs, no sliding up of the mitts, they seem more anchored on my hands."

I think the short row idea is rather brilliant. Thanks Tracy!

More Mitten Knittin'

2011-01-18T19:54:00.006-06:00

I've started another pair, in worsted weight this time, using another motif from Estonian Mittens Around the World. The sample in the book has a red background, with the pattern stitches all in white, and very handsome it is. But since the motif looks like a little flower, I thought I would try green for the foliage and blues for the blossoms.

The book sample has one more vertical repeat, though no more horizontal repeats. They must be knit at a tighter gauge and also somewhat more closely fitted around the hand. The notes only mention that they are made of "rather thick" yarn and are 56 stitches around.

I was proud of myself for managing to get the pattern centered, because it is has seven horizontal repeats of the motif. Harder to center an odd number than an even one. At the top I used mitered double decreases (sl 2 tog kwise, k1, pssso), which give a similar effect to the genuine Estonian type, but are easier for me to do.

Now to knit the second one. And then the thumbs, which this time I will attempt in pattern.

RE: Thumb Placement

2011-01-16T15:41:00.014-06:00

Yarn Thrower (aka Laura) asked if I had any wisdom on helping with the fit of a peasant thumb; that is, a thumb worked without a gusset and placed on the palm of the hand.

I'm not sure I have wisdom, but here is what I did. I worked the thumb on 1/6 of the total number of stitches. If my total didn't divide equally by 6, I probably would have rounded up, rather than down. Since this is a 60 st mitten I set aside 10 stitches, placing the opening two stitches in from the side of the hand. This placement seemed to work, as I'm not getting any noticeable torquing of the mitten on my hand. I'm not sure if it would be wise to place it three stitches in with a finer yarn and only one with a thicker yarn. Haven't quite thought that through.

When I went to pick up stitches for the back of the thumb, I picked up one extra at each end, so I worked the thumb on a total of 22 stitches. One thumb fits fairly snugly. The other feels a bit loose. I obviously didn't maintain a consistent gauge : - (
But overall, both are comfortable enough.

One thing that will drive me crazy is wearing a mitten with a thumb that is too short (or glove fingers, too, for that matter). So I kind of overcompensate. If anything, the thumbs on these mittens are about two rounds too long. I just guesstimated by trying on as I worked the first thumb and making a note of how many rounds I had before starting the decreases.

The "gauntlet" style cuff happened because the grey yarn is thicker than the mottled red, and because I didn't work the ribbed part on fewer stitches or a smaller needle. I meant to do that... yeah... that's the ticket.

The Second Book

2011-01-16T11:11:00.008-06:00

about Estonian mittens that I ordered is Estonian Mittens Around the World, by Aino Praakli.

This one is in both Estonian and English, and contains over 150 mittens knit from historic examples. For each mitten there is a photo and graph of the pattern used on the hand, along with notes about the provenance of the original. Some include working notes (how many stitches to cast on, how many increases between cuff and hand.) There are a few charts for some of the cuffs (lacy chevron, diagonal rib) as well as directions for "woven" (entrelac) cuff.

Again, this is a wonderfully rich design resource. I started marking pages of patterns I wanted to try, and finally gave up because I was marking almost every page. So I just cast on.

The mitten in progress uses one of the more simple hand patterns (not the page shown open in the book), with a "fishbone" cuff pattern taken from a different mitten altogether.

You may wonder why I worked the thumb before finishing the hand. Well, as I got toward the top of the hand, I realized that I was knitting more tightly than I had on my gauge swatch. I was afraid that the thumb opening would be too tight, so I knit the thumb to be able to try it on before proceeding. I also knit it in only one yarn, so that it would have a bit more stretch and wouldn't require quite as much ease as it would have if it had been done in stranded knitting. (Fortunately, it fits.)

I also used the thumb to practice the top decreases. I found the directions in this book hard to understand, so I used Nancy Bush's instructions for a "one wick decrease." I think this is the same as Praakli's "one stitch decrease", or at least very, very similar.

More Beauty

2011-01-16T09:23:00.002-06:00

From NPR via Andrew Sullivan

The Water Sculptures of Shinichi Maruyama

The artist's web page is here.

Water Sculpture from Shinichi Maruyama on Vimeo.

As I Mentioned Last Time

2011-01-12T09:18:00.015-06:00

The Estonian Mitten books arrived, and I'm thrilled with them. The one that first caught my eye and sent me searching was this: The Glove and Mitten Patterns of Kihnu Roosi.

The bulk of the book consists of very clear photographs and charts, and it would be worth having for these alone. But Nancy Bush has published a translation of the text, and included it as a supplement to the book. The translation certainly adds to the richness of the experience as the text has background on the author, Roosi from Kinhu, who collected and charted the patterns; her (sometimes brief) comments on the individual mittens/gloves and on the specific motifs used in each; as well as some technical information on the actual knitting. This is definitely not a "learn to knit a mitten" book, and Nancy's own Folk Knitting in Estonia will be a very helpful resource.

All of the mittens and gloves in this book come from one specific area and conform to a certain type: hand in black and white (or dark blue and white), with a white cuff that has touches of other colors on the mittens - sometimes just a narrow band of stranded colorwork, sometimes including braids or what appears to be very narrow corrugated ribbing. Some of the white areas include fancy ribbing, openwork or knit/purl textures. Gloves have colorful entrelac cuffs. The author says very little about the cuffs beyond the fact that they are worked in finer yarn on smaller needles - but the photos are clear enough to work out much of what is going on.

I think that one of the things that initially grabbed my attention about these patterns is an affinity of some of the hand motifs with some of the earlier Selbu mittens I have seen pictured in other books. I think this is a matter of the fine gauge, the use of natural black and white, and the frequent appearance of the motif we often call the "Selbu Star", Norwegians call a "Rose" and in this book is called a "Poppy". There are very definite differences: Selbu mittens have a thumb gusset and the Estonian ones do not, Selbu mittens use different patterns on the palm and the back of the hand with a dividing line between them while on the Kihnu mittens the pattern motifs are carried all the way around the hand.

It is unlikely that I will ever try to knit an exact duplicate of any of the mittens or gloves in the book, but it is a wonderful design resource as well as providing fascinating background on this segment of Estonia's very rich knitting tradition.

The Vest is as Done as it is Going to Be

2011-01-11T15:32:00.002-06:00

I finished off the neckline with applied I-Cord. This was another "new to me" technique, and it came out a bit lumpy. But so be it. The wool softened up with a good wash in fairly warm water (lots of spinning oil came out). It's still Shetland, not Merino, and I wouldn't want to wear it next to my skin. But over a turtleneck it will do just fine and be both lightweight and warm.

My new Estonian mitten books arrived, and I'm off to pore over them. Lots of eye candy. More on those later.

Jeff de Boer's Astonishingly Beautiful

2011-01-09T14:38:00.001-06:00

armor for cats and mice

That Buttonhole Band was Really Bugging Me,

2011-01-07T11:08:00.009-06:00

almost as much because I couldn't figure out why my placement calculations were off as because of the looks of it. Then the light bulb went on. In the two row buttonholes I've used in the past, you knit and bind off stitches of the row you are on when you start the button hole. But for the one row version, you slip and bind off - in other words, you are actually binding off stitches of the row below the working row. D'oh! So I am unknitting one more time.

Meanwhile, I did a sort of cheat fix on something else that was bothering me.

I was not happy with the way I started the motif on the back. The travelling stitches did not come together in a nice point. Now, I was not going to rip out the whole upper back and re-knit that. But it occurred to me that the travelling stitches bear a strong resemblance to an embroidered chain stitch. So that's what I tried.

I think it's an improvement.

Getting back on the Horse that Threw You

2011-01-06T09:52:00.007-06:00

The reason I needed to rip back that buttonhole band is that between the binding off and the casting on and the slipping and the wrapping and the passing stitches over; I ending up with the wrong stitch count (and the placement of one hole a stitch off, to boot). I thought that I could fudge it with some decreases/increases on the return row. If I had been working in garter I probably could have gotten away with it. But seed stitch is deceptively simple. Disturb it's perfect regularity and it screams "mistake".

So today I took a deep breath, slowly picked back, and re-did the button band. I'm thinking I should have done those holes one row later. Sigh! I'm going to have to think about this.

Sometimes You Have to Walk Away From the Knitting

2011-01-05T20:36:00.003-06:00

One row buttonholes worked on a seed stitch ground with hairy, splitty, stick-to-itself yarn with poor stitch definition are a son of a freaking female dog to pick back. That is all.

Vestward Ho!

2011-01-03T20:00:00.003-06:00

I've finished one armband and started the other. Now I'm pondering what to do for the button bands. Maybe seed stitch with applied I-cord around the edge and continuing around the neckline. That should be a challenge. Guess I had better try to find some buttons, too.

Yesterday was very bright, but with the sun still low in the sky. It made wonderful branch shadows on the wall.

OMG! OMG! OMG!

2011-01-03T12:32:00.003-06:00

So I was scrolling down Andrew Sullivan's "Daily Dish" blog checking out the post headings, and came to the "view from your window" feature. Just about scrolled on by when something clicked. "That view looks awfully familiar.... ?...!...OMG! That's my picture!"

This was actually taken back around Thanksgiving, when the weather was warm enough to have the window open. Today, it looks much the same, but there are a few lingering snow piles between the sidewalk and the street.

No personal glory involved- pictures are identified only by place and time - but I feel like I just won the lottery.

ETA: "View from My Window" pics are submitted by readers. This was about my third try.

Yippee!

2011-01-03T11:09:00.002-06:00

I found the book I was looking for at Nancy Bush's The Wooly West.

I already own Nancy's wonderful Folk Knitting in Estonia, which is what really sparked my interest. It has lots of good patterns, so I don't really need another mitten book. But my acquisitive little soul just wants More Charts!, More Authentic Patterns! - not necessarily to use, mind you, just to have them. So I'm ordering the book, plus a second one that she carries.

By happy coincidence, the Rick Steve's show last night featured Tallinn, Estonia. The medieval city is absolutely charming.

OK, have to hurry up and finish the vest so I can start in on mittens.

The New Year has come in with Bright Sunshine-

2011-01-02T11:41:00.005-06:00

a good thing. It is cold again, after a few warmer, foggy days that took away most of the snow, and more importantly, most of the ice dams from the roof. Though hardly perceptible, the days are growing longer and I hold on to that knowledge with hope.

The presents have been sorted out and put away. The tree is down. New calendars are up. Here comes the new year.

Some Vest Progress

2010-12-31T13:03:00.002-06:00

The right front is done, now I'm working my way up the left.

The armholes look huge, but the ribbing will fill them in a little. I think I'll use the same motif that is bordering the front openings. Still haven't decided on neckline treatment.

I Want the Book This Picture Comes From

2010-12-30T19:26:00.002-06:00

I don't care if it's in Estonian.

A chart is a chart, right? Now I just have to track down a copy. Found a source, but no online ordering, so now I have to wait until morning to call. Fingers crossed that the last copy is not gone. Serious book lust here......

Back to the Vest

2010-12-28T11:55:00.004-06:00

With the mittens and mystery Christmas gift done, I've gone back to work on the grey vest. Just a couple more inches to do on the back, and then I can start the fronts.

The back motif is looking a little blobby. Oh well, I'll be wearing this under a shirt most of the time.

Super Fun Present

2010-12-27T11:00:00.003-06:00

From my great sister, of course. I love office supplies/paper goods; and I love knitting. So what could be better?

A pencil case, pencils, note cards, magnetic memo pad and notebook - all with knitting motifs! (There's a roll of wrapping paper, too, it just didn't fit well in the picture.)

Close up of pencils - too cute!

Thanks Annie-Pazoo! I'm off to sharpen me some pencils.....

Winter

2010-12-26T14:13:00.006-06:00

WHEN icicles hang by the wall
And Dick the shepherd blows his nail,
And Tom bears logs into the hall,
And milk comes frozen home in pail;
When blood is nipt, and ways be foul,
Then nightly sings the staring owl
Tu-whoo!
Tu-whit! tu-whoo! A merry note!
While greasy Joan doth keel the pot.

When all around the wind doth blow,
And coughing drowns the parson's saw,
And birds sit brooding in the snow,
And Marian's nose looks red and raw;
When roasted crabs hiss in the bowl—
Then nightly sings the staring owl
Tu-whoo!
Tu-whit! tu-whoo! A merry note!
While greasy Joan doth keel the pot.

William Shakespeare
From Love's Labours Lost, Act V. Sc. II

****************************
ETA rather nice commentary on the poem here.

A Christmas Card/ A Christmas Carol

2010-12-21T18:36:00.002-06:00

We Had a Little Help Putting Decorations Up This Morning

2010-12-19T13:53:00.002-06:00

The Bright Mittens are Done

2010-12-18T14:04:00.003-06:00

I've washed them now. They should be dry in a day or two, then off in the mail to my niece.

Toys for Tots

2010-12-17T14:50:00.002-06:00

The economy has been rough, and lots of kids are facing a kind of bleak Christmas. The U.S. Marine Corps Reserve "Toys for Tots" program is a wonderful way to help, not just "tots", but schoolchildren and teens, too.

If shopping time is getting a little short, it's possible to donate to the program online (with either a credit card or via Paypal). Even a few dollars will make a difference, and over 96% goes directly to providing gifts - one of the best ratios of any nonprofit.

So here's the link: Toys for Tots. Send a salute to the Marines for all they do.

From the Annals of Weird Knitting

2010-12-17T11:18:00.002-06:00

H/T to Roger Ebert

I Really Go For the Lunch

2010-12-15T15:44:00.002-06:00

I got up this morning and made up a pan of brownies for the Blood Drive. In the early afternoon I carried them up to the High School, and of course stayed to give blood. Since I got there right when they opened up, the lines went pretty quickly, and it didn't take long to get to the good part.

Once you have given blood, you must have something to eat and drink, because they don't want anyone fainting on the way out. The same group of women have been staffing the canteen for years. They always have two kinds of sandwiches (egg salad and ham salad) and trays and trays of home baked cookies and bars. The ham salad is my favorite. The peanut butter rice crispy bars with chocolate on top are my favorites. Needless to say, I had both.

Here It Comes

2010-12-11T14:53:00.004-06:00

There have been reports of a big storm headed our way. When I got up this morning it was clear (by the ice that needed to be chipped from the car windows) that we had freezing rain in the wee hours. By the time I left work at noon the temperature was above freezing and the snow was rapidly melting. That held for a couple of hours, but just now I looked out the window to see this.

Big, fat, thick, wet flakes of snow. I'm lucky. If need be I can stay in for the rest of the weekend. Should be a good time to get some more work done on the niece's mittens.

Simple Gift

2010-12-08T12:11:00.003-06:00

I'm afraid that the grey vest has been hibernating - no progress to show there. I did just finish off a smallish Christmas gift.

No, I won't say what it is - though I will say it is more functional than fashionable, and it is not a mitten cuff.

Now I should cast on for a pair of mittens requested by my niece. These won't be for Christmas, so I can mention them without qualm.

Winter is Here

2010-12-05T08:42:00.002-06:00

The first snowfall of the year was a big one.

We had set out early in the morning to pick up my Mom for a trip to Illinois to see my niece dance in her ballet school's production of The Nutcracker. Very snowy roads with more still falling, and alas by the time we got to the city we realized it was unlikely we could make the performance in time, as the storm would be barely ahead of us all the way. With reluctance, we cancelled. We made the best of a disappointing situation by going to breakfast at The Original Pancake House on University Ave.

Back home again, I amused myself with paper and scissors.

This little bird comes from the Christmas page at thetoymaker.com, a fun and free website for children of any age.

Front Row Seat

2010-12-02T09:08:00.003-06:00

I woke up yesterday to the sound of hammers against wood. A young couple have been renovating the house next door, so I assumed that was the source. But a look out the window showed no one there. Curious, I went into the study and discovered the work was all at the house behind us, and that sitting in the chair for the computer desk gave me a nearly eye level view of the action.

At first I couldn't figure out why they were laying down that grid of two by fours.

Then I realized they weren't just putting on new shingles. The boards are the foundation for a steel roof. It's been fun watching the action, and that roof is going to be really nice.

You Know You're a Knitter When

2010-11-30T18:39:00.002-06:00

Your first reaction is, "Wait, is that the Five Hour Baby Sweater?"

see more Lolcats and funny pictures

We Had a Lovely Thanksgiving

2010-11-25T18:30:00.002-06:00

Sixteen people at the table, and I'm grateful for every one of them. Don't know how we all squeezed in, but we did. "Where there's heart room, there's house room."

Not Bad, For the Price

2010-11-15T21:00:00.003-06:00

The replacement needles that it turns out I didn't really need have arrived. For $2.99 per set, they aren't bad. The finish isn't glassy, but it's smooth enough. The points are a little blunt for my taste, but workable. In other words, they aren't Crystal Palace, but they will do. Why so many? Well I (thought) I needed to replace 2 sets of #2s, and decided it would be nice to have some 6" size 5's, because my current ones are 7". And by that time I was within spitting range of free shipping, so decided I might as well order a couple more sets as pay the postage. Hey, I might run into someone who needs them.

The grey vest has progressed past the division for the armholes and I'm working on the back. I'm doing a motif thingy in the middle that right now looks pretty much like a blob. I think it will look better when more of it is done, or when it's all done and blocked. Hope springs eternal.

Of Course

2010-11-09T10:25:00.003-06:00

My size 2 double points showed up the day after I ordered replacements. There they were, staring at me from a spot I thought I had looked in, but obviously hadn't. It's enough to make you believe in pixies. I don't mind too much. The replacements were very inexpensive, from an online dealer I had been wanting to try (because the price seemed to good to be true). I expect they will arrive in about a week. It will be interesting to see what the quality is like.

*********
In the meantime, the grey vest progresses.

I'm within a couple of inches of the point where I will divide for the armholes.

Totally Missing

2010-11-07T16:12:00.005-06:00

I know that I have (or had) at least two sets of 6" size 2 double pointed needles. I cannot find them anywhere. Anywhere! So I have given in and ordered replacements. I am sure that the originals will turn up the day that the package arrives.

A while back, I spent some time swatching and charting and re-swatching and came up with a cable combination I liked. At the time, I thought it would be cute on the bodice of a little girl's dress. But the swatch sat and sat and I did nothing with it beyond that.

I finally realized I really wasn't interested in knitting enough stockinette for the skirt, just to get to the fun part at the top.

So I'm putting the cable chart here, just in case anyone wants to use it for anything else. Of course, it's too teeny to really read on this page, but if you right click and open in a new tab it will be somewhat larger. If you then right click on the larger chart and choose "copy", open a new document in Word and hit "paste" you can save it. (At least, all of that has worked for me in Preview).

Note: The swatch only has two vertical repeats instead of three, and I ended with garter instead of the ribbing shown on the chart.

A Little Progress

2010-10-27T13:37:00.003-05:00

I'm moving along slowly, but moving all the same, on the grey vest. It's cardigan style, but I'm working in one piece to the armholes. Why sew more seams than you absolutely have to?

I've added a little detail to the front opening edges, just to add some interest to all the plain Jane stockinette.

I have a vague notion of adding some sort of pattern stitch to the upper back. Still have plenty of time to ponder that. There are at least 9 inches to go before I even get to the armholes.

It was a wet weekend

2010-10-25T11:34:00.003-05:00

which was good, as we needed the rain. The first part of the month was gloriously sunny, but dry. It gave the farmers time to harvest a bumper crop of corn (so large they are running out of storage space in this area). Now the earth was ready for a good slow soaking.

I finished off a hat that had been sitting half done through all the sunny weather.

The picture color is actually prettier than the real thing, which is more plum. It's the Burning Love hat, with some slight changes to the top decrease section. The pattern is written and has been tested, now it's off to the tech editor.

Amazing Lace, but not fiber

2010-10-24T11:59:00.003-05:00

I love this woman's work. Check out Cal Lane and her works.

Hat tip to Steve at What do I Know?

Updated to add my favorite headline of the week: UK Lawmaker's Wife Accused of Kitten Theft

From the Depths

2010-10-18T12:37:00.005-05:00

This yarn has been sitting in the stash a loooooong time. Like pushing 20 years long.

It's a tweedy grey, fairly fine gauge Shetland wool, pretty colors but a bit scratchy. If I recall correctly, it came to me as part of a mixed lot of coned Shetland mill ends. At some point in the past I wound it into balls, holding two strands together.

I finally got around to swatching it. It softened a little with washing, but not much. Still, I think it might make a good vest, nothing fancy, just something to give an extra layer of warmth.

Auction

2010-10-17T14:10:00.006-05:00

There was an auction in the park today, a benefit for our pool, which needs some pretty extensive and expensive renovations to come up to new state and federal codes. It's a beautiful fall day, so I strolled on down.

There was a nice turn out,

and lots of stuff to buy

I don't really need more stuff, but I enjoyed walking around, and visiting with neighbors. To support the cause, I had a brat (and tossed a little something in the donation can.)

On my way home, I took pictures of the kind of things I like taking pictures of.

My Favorite Headine of the Week

2010-10-15T21:51:00.001-05:00

In Heated Debate, McDonald's Insists Happy Meals Can Grow Mold.

That's all.

All But the Loose Ends

2010-10-14T12:44:00.003-05:00

The thick knee socks are essentially done, and I can finish those ends off tonight at knit group. So what to start in on next? I'm kind of at a loss. Maybe it's time to go stash diving.

Procrastination

2010-10-13T09:45:00.002-05:00

I had a group of folks from the Free Pattern Testers group on Ravelry testing out my directions for the Burning Love Hat. I got lots of helpful feedback: a few errors caught, some suggestions for improvement in the format, information on sizing/fit. So that's all good. But now I have to sit down and make the actual revisions.......and I've been having a hard time forcing myself to do that.

Coming up with design ideas is fun. Working the initial sample is fun. Actually writing it all down as clearly and accurately as possible, not so much.

Walking With Merlin Takes Patience

2010-10-07T11:48:00.005-05:00

Because it involves a great deal of sniffing,

and some tunneling,

several dust rolls,

and time for contemplation.

These are some of the other things I saw while waiting for him to move along.

Because I Have a Weakness for Pictures of Cats Forced to Wear Hand Knits

2010-10-06T18:46:00.001-05:00

Thanks, Y'all

2010-10-03T11:40:00.001-05:00

for the empathy. I'm feeling much better. Christine, I hope you feel better soon, too.

La Grippe, la grippe,

2010-10-01T11:06:00.005-05:00

la post nasal drip....

It started Wednesday, with the scratchy sore throat and dry eyes.

Yesterday progressed to the feverish "head wrapped in cotton while laboriously trying to wade through waist deep molasses" phase. Didn't dress, in and out of bed all day, did get through about six chapters of Battle Cry of Freedom (a history of the Civil War).

Today have reached the nose running, sneezing, but "at least Thank God the congestion is breaking up" stage.

So I have my fingers crossed that I will be feeling halfway normal by the time I have to get up for work tomorrow.

I've rounded the bend on the thick socks with short row heels. As you can see, I decided to make them long thick socks. If I'm going for warmth, it makes sense.

I'd better keep plugging.. The forecast predicts temperatures in the 30's this weekend (though admittedly at night - the days should be a bit warmer than that).

Just Some More Pictures

2010-09-28T09:12:00.001-05:00

A Good Weekend

2010-09-27T12:12:00.008-05:00

Some friends from California rolled in late Friday afternoon. We haven't seen them in years, so there was a lot of catching up to do over dinner.

After dinner, we all headed to the park for the Homecoming pep rally and fireworks show (another good one). On Saturday we went to the parade (well, Mr S. was actually in the parade, marching with his 5th graders - but they were toward the front, so he joined us on the sidelines once they had rounded the final corner). The rest of the day turned cold, gray and wet, to we headed to Monroe for dinner at a good Mexican restaurant there.

The weather on Sunday was glorious, cool but bright - a perfect day. So we set out towards Gays Mills in search of Honey Crisp apples.

We found the apples (and fritters and pie and doughnuts) as well as plenty of

and

Then we headed West toward the river. Since Mike is an outdoorsman, we made a stop at

Then on to Pike's Peak State Park in Iowa

where we could look down on the confluence of the Wisconsin and Mississippi Rivers.

Even for a gal who doesn't like heights, it was a wonderful place to be.

Simple Gift

2010-09-22T12:59:00.003-05:00

Sometimes the most simple gifts turn out to be the most wonderful.

Last spring, at the end of the school year, one of Mr S's students gave him a seedling, planted in a paper cup. He put it into the ground, out by his bean patch, not sure if it would survive the rabbits and the rainstorms. But it did.

Now it makes my heart happy every time I walk by or glance out the window. Cheerful, cheerful, cheerful. It's a good as hearing a cardinal sing.

Back to the Dark Side

2010-09-20T13:12:00.003-05:00

Laura noticed that the current socks are being worked from the top down. Well, yes, yes they are. That's because while in theory I understand the many reasons for working toe up, and affirm them; in practice, when I want a sock I don't have to think about at all, I revert to the comfortable, the familiar, the top down.

However, I do intend to push my limits (and try to get new ways to become familiar ones) by making short row heels. When I went to Knitting Camp this summer, one of my joys was learning and comprehending the yarn over method of working short rows. It's not that I can't "wrap and turn"; I just dislike it. I dislike it a lot.

Unfortunately, after only a couple of months, I couldn't quite remember how this really simple operation works. And my notes were sketchy. So I was very glad to find Mandie's photo tutorial. Yay! The light bulb came back on. Now I just have to finish the legs so I can go to town (or kick up my heels, or whatever).

Now that the weather is getting nippy

2010-09-16T11:12:00.003-05:00

I've decided that I need some nice thick, long socks. Nothing fancy, just warm.

Two strands of sock yarn held together, a couple of inches of ribbing at the top, then stockinette all the way.

The Naming of Hats is a Difficult Matter

2010-09-13T14:04:00.003-05:00

One would like to have something catchy, or intriguing - perhaps with a hint of romance. Something exciting, something that resonates, something that sounds as though it had a good story behind it; and certainly something that hasn't already been used. Not so darned easy to come up with.

For that hat I just gave the rough and ready directions for, I've gone through and rejected any number of possibilities and finally decided on "Tamarisk". It doesn't really need a name right now, but I might actually sit down and write a proper pattern for it, and in that case it would. So I've tagged all the posts pertaining to it "Tamarisk Hat".

And On to the Finish

2010-09-13T12:50:00.014-05:00

After completing the round with the crossed stitches, knit one more round with Red.

Drop the Red and pick up the Orange (O) yarn.

With O, purl 1 round, then knit 1 round.

Drop the O, and pick up the White (W) yarn.

At this point, you may break off O, leaving a tail long enough to weave in.

With W, knit 2 more rounds.

At this point, you may break off W, leaving a tail long enough to weave in.

With R: k1 *sl 2, k2; rep from *, end with sl 2, k 1

Work another round in the same way.

It will look like this, with the red stitches being the ones that were just knit, and the white stitches being the ones that were slipped.

Next round: *RC, LC; rep from *

The RC (Right Cross) will be worked exactly as in the previous post (although in this case it will be a White stitch crossing over a Red one.

The LC (Left Cross) is worked as follows.

Place the tip of the right needle behind the first stitch on the left needle and insert it purlwise into the second stitch.

Slip that second stitch off the left needle onto the right one. As you do this, the first stitch on the left needle will drop off to the front.

With the tip of the left needle, pick up the dropped stitch.

Then slip the first stitch from the right needle back onto the left needle. The two unworked stitches are now on the left needle with their position reversed.

Knit these two stitches - LC completed.

Complete the round by working a RC, then a LC, then a RC, then a LC and so on to the end.

From here on, it is smooth sailing.

Knit one more round in R.

Break off R and join B.

Next round: k1, *p2, k2; rep from *, end p2, k1

Next round: knit

Next round: purl

Next round: knit

Work 6 rounds of: k1, *p2, k2; rep from*, end p2, k1

Bind off in pattern. Weave in loose ends.

Carrying On

2010-09-13T10:50:00.006-05:00

When I left off on the hat directions, I had just completed knitting one round in red, then, with white, working two rounds of *k3, sl 1; rep from *

This is what the stitches on the needle looked like.

I could have just knit the next round in red, for a windowpane effect, but I decided to get a bit fancy and throw in a little right cross (RC).

So this is how the directions for the next round would read: With R, * k2, RC;, rep from *

And this is how it is done:

With Red, knit two stitches. Then slip the next white stitch to the right needle and drop the red stitch off the left needle so that it falls toward the front.

Slip the white stitch back onto the left needle. With the tip of the right needle pick up the dropped (red) stitch and place it back onto the left needle.

The unworked white and red stitches are now both back on the left needle, but they have changed positions, with the red one crossing in front of the white one.

Now (with the R working yarn), knit both.

RC completed. Now k2, RC, k2 RC, etc. to the end of the round.

Let's See, Where Was I?

2010-09-10T13:13:00.013-05:00

Before the commercial interruption, I was giving some directions for the multi-colored hat.

You might have noticed that at one point I said that I worked until I had 16 sts less than my desired final number of stitches. And, you might have wondered "Yes, but what the heck was that desired final number????"

Well on the first hat, based on a presumed gauge of 5 sts/inch, I was shooting for 96 sts to yield a finished circumference of 19.2 inches. BUT in real life the circumference came out at 20 inches, which means I was actually getting 4.8 sts/inch.

This was a little larger than I wanted.

So, for the second go around, I worked on the crown until I had a total of 88 stitches. And in the end it gave me a more satisfactory (to me) finished circumference of about 18 1/2 inches.

At any rate, once the crown was completed, I just worked even in my color pattern to the end - no more shaping. Here's how it went:

Join B (brown), but don't break off W (white), just carry it up inside the hat.

With B, knit 1 Rnd, purl 1 Rnd, knit 1 Rnd.

Drop B and pick up W.

With W, knit 2 Rnds.

Drop W and pick up B.

With B, knit 1 Rnd, purl 1 Rnd.

Now you can break off B, as it won't be used again for awhile.

Join R (red) and knit 1 Rnd.

Join O (orange), and with it *k1, sl 1; rep from * (Slip purwise wyib)

With O, knit 1 Rnd.

With R, purl 1 Rnd, knit 1 Rnd.

With W, *k3, sl 1; rep from*

Do the same thing again. That is, with W, *k3, sl 1: rep from *

At this point, you have some elongated (slipped) red stitches stretching over two rounds of white ones.

To be continued (after the weekend, because we're headed out of town)

And Speaking of Hats

2010-09-09T19:34:00.005-05:00

I'm happy to announce that my "Slightly Slanted" hat pattern is now available through KnitPicks.

(and will be added to my Ravelry store soon)

Now back to your regularly scheduled programming.

On a Hat Roll

2010-09-09T13:15:00.002-05:00

I had one ball of Wool-Ease sitting around, so I made another hat.

I like it, though it is a bit too small for me.

***********

Due to popular demand (well one person suggested it), I decided to revisit the improvised hat and see if I could write directions for what I did. As I didn't take notes the first time around, I decided to re-knit it while the memory is still somewhat fresh.

As I mentioned before, I worked from the top down, which meant using a center start. There are more sophisticated ways of doing this than what I chose (Emily Ocker's Cast On), Judy's Magic Cast On); but this is what I did.

I used worsted weight yarn and a size needle that generally gives me 5 sts per inch in stockinette. I used bits of several colors which I will call W (white), B (brown), R (red) and O (orange). The white isn't exactly white in either hat, and in the first version the red is more of a deep rust, but these names will do.

Using the plain old long tail method, I cast on four stitches on one needle. Then I turned the work (as if I were working in rows). With one dpn I knit into the front and the back of the first stitch; with a second dpn I knit into the front and the back of the second stitch; with a third dpn I knit into the front and the back of the third stitch; with a fourth needle knit front and back of fourth st. Then I arranged the needles in a square so that I could proceed in rounds from there.

The last stitch is hiding under the needle on the left. I really have a total of eight stitches.

From here, I worked in rounds. The very first round I knit into the front and back of every stitch for a total of 16.

Then I started alternating 1 round even in knit with one increase round. The increase rounds went like this:

*k2, M1*; rep from *

*k3, M1*; rep from *

*k4, M1*; rep from*

and so on.

After a few rounds I hung a safety pin on the first stitch to mark the beginning. When I had enough stitches to fit, I changed to a 16" circular needle.

I kept going until I had 16 stitches less than my desired final number. Then I worked an increase round followed by two plain rounds, two times.

With that, the crown of the hat was done. This post is more than long enough. I'll continue it later.

This Is A Serious Question

2010-09-08T18:07:00.003-05:00

Well, not serious as in "What is the Meaning of Life?" But serious in the sense that I'm not joking.

What the heck is Toner? I'm talking skin care products here, not copier supplies.

I understand what a "Cleanser" is: something that takes dirt off.
I understand what a "Moisturizer"is: something that puts moisture in.

When it comes to dealing with my face, those two things sound sufficient to me. And yet, every skin care line I can think of insists that it is (at the very minimum) essential to do the "Cleanse, Tone, Moisturize" three step, with a regular "Exfoliate" thrown in for good measure. But there again, with "exfoliate" at least I understand the concept - even if it could be more clearly stated as "a really good scrub".

Despite the possibly Andy Rooneyishness of my query, I really want to know: 1) What is it that Toner is supposed to be doing? 2) Does it really do this?

Thank You, You Tube

2010-09-07T21:01:00.003-05:00

Cat Parkour

(Seriously hope the lyrics aren't NSFW in French)

Getting Goofy

2010-09-06T12:25:00.003-05:00

I was at loose ends for a fairly simple project to work on. And I was feeling experimental. And I had some loose ends of worsted weight yarn, bits and pieces that didn't add up to enough to make anything large.

The situation obviously called for a "start at the top and make it up as you go along" hat.

This is the result of my playtime with color and texture. (As always, you can click on the picture to make it bigger). There are actually two different oranges and two different browns involved. There are some slipped stitches that have been crossed right and left. There is some purling. Kept my mind occupied without having to think more than a round or two ahead.