Failures and Successes...

While it may seem that I (among many other bloggers) sail through projects without any problems, need for lifelines, and never have to frog, I'm here to tell you, it ain't true.

Case in point: This January. Fail, fail, fail, fail and fail (with one or two successes along the way).

I already documented some of the fails (the ill fated slippers, which I even sent through the laundry and they still came out THE SAME SIZE), however, I've got a few more here.

1. Zipper insertion on sweaters. FAIL. I tried to do it myself. Failed miserably. Sent it off (with lots of trepidation) to our local tailors, who did an amazing job, but... used my beautiful attached i-cord as a folded under selvage and kinda sorta ruined the lines of the sweater. It's still wearable, and it looks totally fine, as long as you're not a knitter.

However, there is a silver lining here, as the attached i-cord looks really amazing around the top of the collar. And honestly, this is some of the best work that I've ever done. I'll have to get Bruce to model at some point.

2. Two major failures on Georgia's sweater. The first is the pattern. It sucked. Honestly. The second is my decision to put attached i-cord around the neck of the sweater. I thought that it worked out so well on Bruce's, that I'd put it on Georgia's. Not so much. (there is a third failure, but that was basically due to incompetence on my part, i.e. a really craptacular button band. Embarrassing.)

However, as I said on the above sweater, there were some high points. The steeking went really well. REALLY well. Totally not scary at all. Just make sure that you use grippy yarn. Here's a picture of the inside of the steeks (please ignore the embarrassingly bad button band):

3. I was completely felled by Ene's Scarf (by Nancy Bush). Totally. Yes, I can read charts. I absofruitly HATE them, however, because 99% are way too small and my eyes can't track across them very well. Even when I enlarge charts (or miraculously, they come REALLY big, thank you Jared Flood), I still have to mark them up pretty obsessively in order to be able to read them. I highlight every other row, I count all of the incredibly annoying little boxes and put the number of stitches in them so I don't have to put down my knitting and count 16 times just to make sure I'm knitting the proper number of stitches.

I knitted and ripped the first 15 rows of Ene's Scarf FIVE TIMES before I finally got the stupid stitch count right. It's supposedly a simple pattern, but it just didn't gel with my brain. Anyway, on try six, I finally got the stupid pattern right, and you know what? It still looked like crap. So I ripped the whole thing out and picked a new pattern. Which, by the way, I'm completely pleased with. It's the Vermont Shawl and I love it, and I'm already trying to figure out which yarn I should make my next one with.

Here it is:

Sunny and happy and just right for January (madelinetosh prairie in chamomile). The color also attracts the eye and I've had more people talk to me about my knitting since I've been working with this yarn than any other project I've worked on while riding the subway.

My next post will be with on January playlist, which I've been listening to all month while knitting. It's kept me out of the total emotional doldrums whilst being sick all month.

Hap Blanket and a Felting Fail

My husband commissioned me to make a Hap Blanket (my rav link) for our (well, more his, but I know them, and they're great) friends that are having a baby in February. I grabbed some Berroco Comfort from Knitty City and cast on, ending up with a lovely little (machine washable) gift.

Pattern: Hap Blanket by Ysolda Teague
Yarn: Berroco Comfort in Breezeway and Tidepool
Needle: US 11 (8mm)

I also attempted to make some of the Children's Felt Clogs for my daughter, which was a total fail. As you can see in this next picture, they felted with one foot opening far larger than the other, and one foot far larger than the other:

We also attempted to felt this by hand, having no washing machine handy in our apartment. FAIL. It took hours just to get a little felt going, despite adding boiling water, felting it with rubber gloves, abrading it, putting it in cold baths, etc. And yes, this is a very feltable yarn. I checked ahead of time.

So I sent it off with our laundry to be done, hoping that it would felt more there. NOPE.

Here they are on Georgia's feet. Far too large and oddly misshapen.

Maybe I should not do felty things from now on, given the washing machine/control issue I've got at home.

And I started a Cria by Ysolda, from her new book, Little Red in the City. The sweater is simple, but has amazingly cool construction, and I'm definitely learning a lot from it (like how to knit set-in sleeves in the round). I've also had to rip back a few times because I simply wasn't paying attention to the pattern. Oops. Might also be a function of having been sick for a while and attempting to knit things that actually require my attention.

I'm using Classic Elite Fresco for this sweater, and it feels really lovely. Unfortunately, the sweater knits up on size 4 needles and it feels like it's taking forever.

Additionally, the steeking on Georgia's sweater was quite successful, however, one of the button bands really wasn't. I think I'm going to have to rip it out and do it again (which will now make either the third or fourth time I've had to rip out that SAME BUTTON BAND), and I decided not to put a zipper in, due to the disaster of Bruce's Brigade sweater, which I suppose I should write about as well.

Next post, I suppose, will be the two failed sweaters of this winter. Sigh.

Juneberry Tricolor

Now that I have returned (more or less) to the land of the living, I figure it's time to post again. I've got a few posts lined up in my head, due to some new experiences (felting and steeking on two totally different projects).

However, first, the Juneberry Tricolor.

I love this thing so much. I even bought a shawl pin for it, which is a first. I've been wearing it around and getting tons of compliments.

It wasn't too difficult to knit, however, I did have to plan extensively, take tons of notes and mark up the pattern a bunch in order to get through it. I spent probably two or three hours reading the pattern, taking notes, etc. Amazing how much of a difference that makes. (sarcasm).

Prior to doing this, I could TELL how much of a difference it would make, but somehow, never did it? Go figure. I feel like an idiot for not doing this before, but of course, I've totally neglected this step on subsequent projects, and have either failed (or frogged) as a result. DUH.

I used three 230-yard skeins for this project. The lightest color and the medium color both used about half a skein. The edging used a full skein.

Charts A, B and C of the pattern were done in the lightest color. Chart D in the medium color and the Edging chart in the darkest.

After having declared numerous times that I am a bobble hater (I really do hate them), I actually found myself loving them on this shawl. I like the way Flood set them up, although I wish he had said (or I had knew) that the bobbles would stand up better if you pull the slipped stitch all the way over the entire bobble (kind of like a tiny little bobble bra), rather than just passing it over the last stitch knitted.

When I make this shawl again, and I very likely will, I will not make the mistake of using superwash wool, as I'd like the blocking around the edging to be more dramatic. As it stands though, I love it! It is still not the most complicated thing I've ever knitted, although I guess it kind of looks like it. (most complicated honors go to the Cherry Fizz scarf, which forced me to leap forward in my knitting skills in order to complete successfully.)

Pattern: Juneberry Triangle by Jared Flood
Yarn: Periwinkle Sheep Merino Worsted in Suede, Truffle and Oxblood Lily
Needle: US9 (5.5mm)

Made from yarn purchased at Rhinebeck! I've been very good at using up my purchases this year.

Been sick.

Hence the lack of blogging. I have, however, been productive. Finished two projects and started a sweater.

When I re-emerge into the land of the living, I'll post something substantial.

Year End Round Up!

Time for my once-annual FO roundup! This has been a pretty productive year. In actuality, I think I have something like 80 FOs, but as 52 of these were the flowers for Ella's wedding, I'm just counting them as one. So my total on the year is 31, broken down as follows:

• 8 cowls
• 3 hats
• 5 scarves
• 5 shawls/shawlettes
• 3 sweaters
• 4 pairs of socks
• 1 blanket
• 1 pair of mittens
• and the damned flowers

I also have one sweater for Georgia that is nearly done, the lamb for Georgia, also nearly done, and the Snapdragon Flip Tops, nearly done. 

I've learned a few new skills this year, such as cabling without a cable needle, turning a heel on a sock, making socks, and making bobbles. Which isn't something that I'd ever thought I'd do, as personally, I HATE bobbles, but they look nice on my one bobbly project.

I've also learned that I love knitting lace, pretty much more than anything else, socks are fun, but knitting the second one sucks, and I absolutely LOATHE knitting mittens. Go figure.

This  marks my third year as a knitter, which is pretty amazing to me. The craft has seen me through a lot of stuff personally, and it is definitely a form a meditation. Especially lace knitting. I've grown as a knitter, and have seen definite improvements in my skills, which is hugely encouraging. Additionally, I've seen improvements in my own attitudes, both towards knitting and towards the rest of life. While I still occasionally swear, scream and get frustrated with myself (or with the pattern, let's be totally honest here), my reaction to mistakes or whatever has definitely gotten calmer, and I'm now vastly more likely to tink or rip back to where the mistake was, rather than make a huge production of it and set the knitting aside for three weeks and mentally grumble at it whenever I see the offending project. With the exception of the Snapdragon Flip Tops, which I'm still swearing at.

Here's the round up, from the beginning of the year. (all links are Rav links to my projects):

January

Cynthia's Cowl, Mittens and Shroom:

These were commissions. Quick knits, fortunately, as I discovered that I hate commissions.

Meretith's Eternity Scarf and Propello Hat:

Also commissions. I loved working with the wool, and I found it's a lot easier to do commissions for people that I know pretty well.

Ella's Second September Circle:

To replace the one she lost. Sigh.

February

Clapotis:

This one I made with really horrendous Noro yarn, that I later overdyed with Black Cherry Kool Aid. Here's the after. LOVE this scarf. Love love love. It's warm and I wear it all the time.

Lace Flower Pins (also in March, April, May and June):

Feh. Still tired of these things:

March

Idlewood:

I wear this one fairly frequently, and the Cascade Eco + has really worn well. No pilling so far. Also, I love the giant cowl, which keeps me from having to wear a scarf.

Monkey Socks (my first socks!):

Turning a sock heel? Not as bad as I thought it was going to be. Actually quite easy, to be honest. Still not sure what all the fuss is about.

Vine Loop Cowl:

Hated the original color, overdyed it with acid dye, REALLY hated the second color. Fail. Gave this one to Ella who wears it all the time.

Madeline Shawl:

Love the color, love the pattern, love the wool, wear this all the time. Awesome scarf. And yes, despite the wool's softness, this has worn quite well. However, I probably wouldn't use it for a sweater.

April

Bruce's Socks:

Really thick and warm. Enjoyed making these. Bruce seems to enjoy wearing them. Win-win.

(and about 30 lace flower pins. Sigh)

May

Embassy Scarf:

I REALLY  hated the colors on this thing, but my sister-in-law Jen loved them, so I gave her the scarf when it was done.

Lumina Scarf - Green:

Quickie scarves for my mom. Just flashy enough for her, and they took about 15 minutes to make.

Lumina Scarf - Blue:

June

September Circle the Fourth:

This one was for me. I still haven't blocked it, (heh, lazy!) but have worn it constantly. LOVE this one. And the silk garden sock definitely softens up with wear. 

Mom's Monkey Socks:

She really liked my Monkey socks, and had to have a pair for herself. She picked the yarn, as she didn't have any yellow socks in her wardrobe. Georgia modeled, as her feet were the only ones in the house small enough to fit in them.

July

Seduce Shawlette:

Another quickie for my mom. Georgia is modeling. This month was light on the FOs as I was working on the Breezy, which took forever (next project).

August

Breezy Cardigan:

This took forever. Also, the Knit Picks Shadow Lace? Not so good for sweaters. This sweater pills like heck. I'm a little unhappy, as I absolutely adore the sweater, and it's really flattering. And I REALLY don't want to make another one, as this one was like three miles of stockinette.

Northampton Neckerchief:

Quick, fun, easy. Loved it. Got to wear it approximately once as my friend Cara accidentally tore another scarf that I made for her, and she needed another scarf. This one looks awesome on her. Speaking of, I need to darn that other scarf. Sigh.

September

Jorie's Baby Blanket:

This pattern gets quicker the third time around. Jorie loved it. Hoping her baby boy does too.

October

Bruce's Brigade:

I should really get a better photo of this sweater, as I finished it, and Bruce has been wearing it. I finally gave up and took it to a tailor to have the zipper inserted, as my efforts were... horrible. No more zippered sweaters. URGH. Anyway, the tailor kinda (ok, really) screwed up the insertion of the zipper, however the sweater is functional, and looks great on my husband, if I do say so myself.

My Eternity Scarf:

Loved Meredith's (see above, in January) so much that I had to make one for myself. This scarf matches my Shroom perfectly, so I've been wearing them as a set.

November

Herbivore:

Took me a while, but I finally mastered this pattern. I tried to make it a year and a half ago and failed. Don't know why I failed so spectacularly, but I'm glad I finished it this time around. Gave this one to my sister-in-law Susan, who looks great in it. I hope she actually wears it.

Tide Pooling Socks:

Loved the yarn, was a little annoyed at how the pooling didn't match up. However, they're thick, warm and cozy, and I love wearing handknitted socks. Must make more.

December!

Jordan's Cowl:

Jordan fell in love with some sparkly novelty yarn, despite my best efforts to dissuade her. So I made her this cowl as a surprise. Looks great on her. She wears it every day, which I can check on, as she is my coworker...

Peaks Island Hood:

Jordan modeling a commission that I made for my friend Katie's mom for Christmas. Really quick project, despite all the seed stitch. Will probably make at least two more (as Katie seemed to really like this one, and I kinda want one too). Also, yet another Ysolda project. I may make all of her patterns yet. I really liked this pattern, as it was quite cleverly put together.

Norie:

Great hat. I think I've worn it nearly every day since. However, not warm AT ALL.

Mohair Cowl:

I wanted to use up the extra mohair from the wedding flowers (see above), and decided to pair the yellow and gray. Here is Jen, my sister-in-law (one of them, anyway) modeling. I ended up giving it to her, as it looked fantastic on her. LOVE the yellow and gray color combination, although it's proved to be quite controversial. Bruce hates it. Susan (another SIL) hated it, though was too polite to say so, Ella (SIL), Jen and I all loved it.

Juneberry Tricolor:

This one will rate its own blog post. I finished and blocked it yesterday. LOVE this thing. Adore. Love love love. Can't wait to wear it.

And my UFOs:

Grow Like a Weed:

I've bound this one off, I just need to steek and add a zipper. I REALLY don't want to add a zipper, after the Brigade debacle. Steeking is not as scary as the zipper adding. Sigh.

Snapdragon Fliptops:

I tried and failed three times to knit the fliptops. Razzle frazzle frigger frag. Still swearing about this one.

I'd REALLY love to wear them. But you know what? Still ticked. Ticked to the point where I just went and BOUGHT handknit mittens from the Union Square Christmas Fair. $20 well spent, my friends.

And that's all folks. See you next year!

Fluffy cowl and juneberry progress

After finishing a few projects and realizing that we were travelling to Connecticut for the holiday weekend, I decided I needed a mindless knitting project so that I could actually be social with the family. While the juneberry isn't that difficult it does require concentration and counting so I can't really talk and work on it at the same time.

Apparently my family actually wanted me to engage with them this weekend.  Go figure.
Anyway I grabbed some of the leftover mohair from the wedding flowers earlier this year and started knitting up a garter stitch stripey cowl in yellow and gray. On 10(us) needles, it went fast.



I've also made progress on the juneberry despite actually talking to people. I'm now on the border chart and it is moving fast.