Poof!

All that work. Up in smoke. I spent the entire day yesterday working on the second half of the baby blanket. ALL day! I was about 3/4 finished with the grafting when I realized I couldn't finish. Somehow, I am missing about 20 stitches. Where did they go? I've spent the morning trying to find them. They are just gone. I counted the bottom of each side: fine. I counted the edges: fine. I counted the middle: wrong. The half I worked on yesterday has less stitches than the one I finished weeks ago, even though I started with the same number of stitches. How do you lose 20 stitches? I can't find anywhere where I've decreased. I looked at every row. I can't fix my mistake if I don't know what the problem is. So. What do I do? I guess I'll let the blanket sit for a week or so, then frog it and make it something else.

In better news, I finished a hat for a friend of a friend's preemie (he weighs less than three pounds). I included a hand-wound ball of yarn for scale. I used Classic Elite Premier and two size 6 circulars. I think I may make a red one out of Cascade Pima Tencel (which is pretty much the same as the Premier) as a soothing, relaxing, easy project that I can't get wrong. Knock on wood.

Next, I'm going to make an entrelac washcloth. I've wanted to try entrelac for a while and this seems like an easy way to learn the basics. The pattern is here (via 1870 Pearl).

Click

I know. I need a real camera. Here are a few (bad) pictures of the last two FOs. The first is the baby kimono I designed. I didn't mean for it to be so puckered along the edges, but I rather like the look. I may revise the pattern for next time.

The second is an in-between project. I had one skein of Debbie Bliss Pure Silk that I made into a neck warmer (or gaiter) and wrist warmers. I couldn't believe how far the yarn went. Though it seems like an expensive yarn at around $14 per skein, it went a long way. I will complain a bit about winding it. I didn't get it wound in New York, where I bought it, because I figured the slippery-ness would cause it to unwind during the trip home. It was such a pain to wind by hand. There were a ton of tangles throughout. I made this set for myself because I wanted to feel the silk next to my skin, especially on my sensitive neck. Sorry about the bad pictures. Oh, and the diamond pattern is the one I had to rewrite from Knitting on the Edge (though I'm less cranky about it now).

Please read the next post. I wrote two tonight. The following is a loooong tirade that has been on my mind. I'd like to hear other thoughts on this issue.

Burn, Baby, Burn!

I have something on my mind. Seems like I've seen a lot of writing about knitters liking acrylic yarns for baby items (including a recent review from Knitter's Review). This scares me tremendously. Now, I'm not getting on my fiber-snob high horse here, I'm trying to educate.

Washability for babies and children is very important. In today's knitting world, there are many, many natural fibers that are washable and soft (cotton, linen with washing, hemp with washing) and many more that are treated to be washable (any superwash wool). Sure, some are expensive, but with the internet, anyone can find a deal. Let's compare: Acrylic Yarn at Joann's and Superwash Wool at Elann.com. There may not be as great a selection, but some further searching will yield this from Webs. In fact, if you will notice, some of the acrylic yarns are downright expensive. $7.99 for 33 yards of a bulky acrylic is not that great of a deal.

Again, I'm not being snobbish. There's a larger issue than whether or not I like acrylic yarns. The issue is flammability. Or, rather, meltability.

Acrylic yarn, if ignited, will melt. It is not fire-retardant by any means, though it may take longer to actually ignite. Baby clothes and other baby items that are not fire-retardant are treated to be so or they come with a warning. I'm not saying that we should put a warning on all acrylic yarn, but I do want people to think about it. I will note that cotton and linen both ignite easily. Melted acrylic can cause severe burns and might drip onto other surfaces.

I don't expect knitters to know that wool is self-extinguishing and therefore a great material for babies (try Lorna's Laces Shepherd yarns), but I do think that we should learn a little more about the fibers we use. We choose a particular yarn for so many reasons. Shouldn't the safety of our little ones be an important factor. If it isn't a factor, or if knitters aren't as worried about fire as I am,* then I say stay away from acrylic because it is sticky and shiny in a bad way, or choose it because you have a good reason (like it was given to you as a gift and you must use it). I'm all for a little microfiber** to add resiliency and bounce (to adult garments), but I won't use any 100% microfiber.

The more I research, the more I'll hesitate before using cotton or other plant fiber for baby items. For adults, or for babies that are not born to smokers, I'll use cotton and the like along with superwash wool.

Of course, if there is a fire, there's more than just melting baby blankets to think of (as a friend pointed out to me today), and I may just be overreacting.

*Until recently I could not sleep with the bedroom door open, even just a little. I really took that firefighter demonstration in fourth grade seriously.

**I just read on Wikipedia that microfiber does not come from a renewable source, so I will not try to avoid it as much as possible. See what a little research will bring?

Whoops

I should have been a copy editor. I have this knack for catching errors in publications. My eye just darts right to the misspelled word or misplaced apostrophe. Sometimes, it can be irritating. I've stopped reading books that weren't properly edited. Please, please, please let me know if I ever misspell a word or use improper grammar. I would die of embarrassment if it went unchecked.

Now I am thinking that perhaps I should be a copy editor/pattern reader for knitting patterns. I was trying to use the 1x1 woven diamond rib pattern from Epstein's Knitting on the Edge. Well. The even-numbered rows are written backwards, which actually helps since I was going to rewrite the pattern to work in the round. I tried checking for corrections, but there are none for that pattern. So I searched for Epstein and the name of the stitch pattern. Seems that the pattern is also in Epstein's Knitted Embellishments. The backwards rows don't seem to be a problem in that version, but at least I know what happens after the fourth row. It's also charted.

I've mentioned before that it bugs me when designers use the same patterns in different publications. I understand that there are so many stitch patterns and that two books of stitch patterns will probably share some patterns. But come ON! If you are writing a book of only stitch patterns, and stitch patterns that are used as edgings or embellishments (which can be the same thing), please try to avoid using the same pattern twice.

Maybe I should write stitch pattern books.

Update: The even-numbered rows are written backwards in Knitted Embellishments. My guess is that Epstein made the chart, and then wrote the pattern row by row. She must have read the pattern right to left on each row, rather than left to right on the even number rows and right to left only on the odd numbered rows.

One Strand of Yarn

I don't have much progress to report. I have all the pieces of the baby kimono done tonight. I like the Cashcotton DK, but it has all these stray hairs (the angora?) that get all over my clothes. I'll tell more about it when the sweater is all seamed up.

In the meanwhile, I want to proclaim that I LOVE to teach knitting. I had a great student last night; she's taking private lessons with me at The Needleshop. She was serious, but she was excited and I could tell that she will stick with it. I have gotten to know a few people that I've taught over the last year and a half. I was going to say it makes me proud, but it isn't really that. I feel like, at least with the three or four I've spent time with post-class, that we have an instant connection. Sure, there are people I've taught that I don't want to spend time with, but the ones I like, and who are becoming friends, are special. It's really amazing to teach someone something that you love. It's creating a lineage. Like one long strand of yarn connecting you with the person who taught you and with the people you've taught. I should start a family tree of sorts.

I forgot to take pictures of the washcloths I made as housewarming gifts for a friend. I also flaked out on the party (there was ice cream and everything!), so I spent all of last weekend feeling guilty. But the washcloths are nice. The hemp wrecked my hands after furiously knitting with it for four hours or so--I wanted to finish so I could take them to the party. Of course, I didn't stop knitting that day. I worked on the second half of the baby blanket, found a mistake, and ripped out about three inches. I haven't gotten back to it. It's been a bit too humid to work with a wool blend.

I've started the baby kimono. This is my first self-designed garment.

Jen had her baby, and I spoke with her (Jen, not the baby) today. She sounded great and happy, and it sounds like Renée Allison is doing well. She is sleeping and eating and Jen says she has lots of hair, just like Joseph did.

Back to the kimono. I've gone with the Cashcotton, since it is simply the softest. I'm beginning with the front. I spent last night decreasing for the overlapping side. Then I realized that I had too many stitches for that side. I planned on making it a bit thinner than the underlapping side. So I ripped back. I then did the math for both fronts. I even got up and created a grid to highlight the decreases and to check my work. By the time I was finished, it was after midnight.

This isn't the first time I've stayed up knitting past the point of too-tired. But it is the first time I've stayed up to do math. Just goes to show how important Jen is to me.

Rules were Made to be Broken

Oh, have they been broken. It started with a last-minute gift for a housewarming present. I ran into Nina for some All Hemp 6 to make some quick handtowels or washcloths (washcloths it is-- I'm a busy girl). I bought three colors. Then I found out about a sale at Loopy that is offering 40% on some of their summer stock. Who can resist a sale? I bought too much, of course: Hempathy in sage, Cashcotton DK (which I just realized was not on sale. Shoot) in hessian, and a Euroflax Originals in charcoal (which I knew wasn't on sale, but I wanted to be sure I have enough for the nightie).

It was a toss up between the Hempathy and Cashcotton for a kimono sweater I want to make for the new baby (arriving on Monday!), so I got both of course. I figured they were both on sale so no problem. My decision would have been easier had I known the Cashcotton wasn't on sale. Shoot. Again. I guess I could take it back. But, really, I'd have only saved $8.75. Wait, that's the price of one ball. Shoot. I'd been eyeing the color for a while, so it's justified right?

Back to the All Hemp. I've only got one and a half washcloths done and I'd like to have three. There's only 18 more hours to the party. I'll have an incredibly long bus ride to finish the third, though, so I think I'll make it. It's just like me to be weaving in ends during the party.

Sunday I'll be back on the baby blanket, which will fulfill my rules. I've just had a couple exceptions, that's all. Oh, and I gave away the rest of my red Lamb's Pride at a knitting party I was teaching, so that part of the rule has been foiled anyway.

Fickle

Not to worry: I'm still following the rules. I have started on the baby blanket. I love the subtle colors in this yarn (it's more yellow than in the picture). The yarn is nice, (Brooks Farm Four Play from the Widows and Orphans section), but not as luxurious as Lorna's Laces Lion and Lamb. The Four Play is somewhat wooly feeling. The combination is the same at 50% wool 50% silk, but I think the Lion and Lamb has a silkier feel. This is cushier, though. It is definitely a spongier yarn, which I like. My favorite yarns all have a spongy feel when they are knit up.

I've settled on a pattern, too. I'm going to use the Hearts pattern in Knitting on the Edge as a border along the bottom, top, and sides. The heart is done in stockinette on reverse stockinette, so I think I'll do a plain stockinette square in the center. I was going to do an eyelet pattern, but it seemed too busy once I started knitting. I am planning on knitting the blanket in two parts so the hearts face down from the middle. I will graft the two halves together when I'm done. I have two full skeins of the yarn and another 80 yards to boot. I'm simply going to knit one half with one ball and the other half with the second ball. I'll use the remaining ball to graft it together and maybe make a small pillow to go with the blanket.

Before I started on this project, I made a Burp Cloth from Mason Dixon Knitting. The yarn is Twisted, by Suss Yarns, in Chocolate and Nude (pink). It was really cute in the skein, but knitted up, just okay. It's two cotton yarns "twisted" together. My plies did not stay twisted, so it was like knitting with two yarns from the same ball.

I don't know why I keep avoiding the projects on my list. I could have made the burp cloth longer, but I had that Eureka! moment for the blanket and wanted to get started. I'd been avoiding it so long, I figured if I didn't start then, I wouldn't start at all. Especially now that I want to make this hat.

Changing the Rules

The beauty of making rules for yourself is that you have the power to alter them at will. I have cast on and ripped--after only one or two rows--for the tank in Adorable Knits three, count 'em, three times. So forget it. I'm not making it. I felt like I had to knit something for Joseph since I'd made so much for the new baby. I am not enamoured with the tank anyway. I just wanted something simple. I guess it's more difficult than I thought. 3x2 rib is not for me.

What to do about my rules, then? I said I wasn't going to buy new yarn until I finished all the things for the baby. I was including the tank in that, since it's going to the same family. I'm simply going to change the rules. Again. I have enough yarn for three more planned projects: the nightie, a blanket, and Cherry. I am going to try to use all of it before I buy more, but my rule is going to be that I have to make at least one more and another felted bowl (since I told Jen I'd send it to her). If I'm diligent I'll use the rest, too. If not, well, at least I'll have followed the rules.

Bowling

I worked on the felted bowl last night. I finished the knitting and felted it some. I decided to add some towels and such (two birds with one stone and all), but I think there was too much in the machine. The bowl didn't agitate enough, is my guess. So I've got it in the washing machine alone as I type. I also used a smaller needle than the pattern suggested (15. I used 10.5, which is the recommended size for the Lamb's Pride Bulky--I don't own any circulars or dpns in 15), so I think it may already be too tight for felting. We'll see in 12 minutes. I'll take pictures tomorrow in the sunlight.

Basically, this pattern is the same as for making a hat, only you felt it and use it crown-side down. Maybe I'll send it to Jen, since she suggested I make it next. I hope she's got room for a red, felted bowl.

Jacko

On Sunday, Sarah (my sis) and I went up to visit Jen and family. I delivered a number of knitted items: baby bolero, petal bib, hat, booties, Anouk, and the cat. Joseph seemed to like the cat, and took to calling it Jacko, which is what I often call my cat, Jack. As I've said before, Joseph knows the word for yarn (he's so smart!). When Joseph woke from his nap, and could finally speak past the grogginess, one of the first things he said was "yarn" because I was fixing some ends I forgot to weave in--oops. All things were well received, and Sarah took some pictures of the booties and Anouk. I'll post them once she sends them to me.

So what's next? I have a few things planned:
Felted bowl from One Skein
Nightie from Mason-Dixon Knitting possibly for me
Baby blanket (for a different pregnant friend) out of Brooks Farm Four Play
Tank top for Joseph from Adorable Knits for Tots
Bag for Jen, who I just found out loves bags
Cherry for me

I'm just not sure which to do first. I took the yarn for the felted bowl on my trip, but I didn't find time to cast on. I think I'm either going to start the baby blanket or the nightie. Or the felted bowl. I'm sticking to plan to restrain from buying yarn until all the new baby projects are complete. They are, but I was including Joseph's tank in that. I'm altering the rules to say two more planned projects. After I complete two more of the above projects, I can buy yarn. If the other projects aren't calling. My goal will be to complete all of those before I buy yarn. Yeah. Right.

Teaser

This is done. Actually, it's been done for a while. I made it with the leftover Classic Elite Premier from the petal bib. I ran out just before the decreases, so I used some stuff from my stash. (I'm sneaking this post in before a meeting at work, so I don't know the yarn off hand.) I hope the mohair isn't itchy for the new baby. The yarn is mostly nylon, so I think it's pretty soft. I can't tell, since mohair is always itchy to me.

I'm still working on Anouk. I've had some major gauge issues that I'll go into later. That, and I've knit a bunch without paying attention to the pattern then having to rip back inches. I still have to sew on the buttons and do the embroidery on the booties. Better get to it. I'm visiting Jen on Sunday.

It is very important to me to blog regularly. I get frustrated when the blogs I read don't have new posts in four days or less. I am sorry that I have not been able to live up to my own standard. Somehow, June has been an incredibly busy month. I haven't been home on the weekends and weeknights are full, too. Last night I taught a booties class to someone I really like and am glad to get to know better, so busy-ness is good. I just can't seem to find time to blog. I'm headed to Michigan this weekend for two graduation parties (at the same time in different places) and to visit with my sister. She and I are going to visit Jen and family on Sunday. I'll finally be able to give Joseph his cat. I hope he likes it. Anyway, it means I'm going to be a bad blogger for another week. Then I promise to write more regularly. I promise.

Bits and Pieces

When does an activity become an obsession? This weekend is Alumni Weekend at my alma mater. I'm headed to Ohio, yee haw! I've got a ton to do before I go: laundry, cat care, kitchen cleaning. The very first thing I thought when I walked in the front door was "oh, I could do the entire front of Anouk tonight." NO! Must do laundry.

I did do laundry (though I have yet to fold it), and I did a little work (OT, that is). I did not knit the entire front of Anouk tonight. Only 22 rows so far, which is about 5 inches. I am finished with the back, though. Chances are I'll finish it before I pack tomorrow night. Then I'll have the pockets and tabs for the trip. Is intarsia suitable for plane rides? Hmm. That means I'll need an entirely new project for the plane ride back from Ohio. I always take so much yarn.

I also finished the booties during the WWKIP day gathering at Millenium Park. I went with Abby, who I know from Nina. We've been hanging together a lot lately. I've gotten to know Lynn and supertoki, too. It's interesting having friends who I know first from knitting. It is the obsession, right, so they know the most important thing about me. Our conversations have morphed from talk about knitting and topical things to deeply personal things. I know that any regular activity like this would have the same effect, but it feels so great that I have friendships formed around my favorite activity.

As a bonus, a picture of Oscar in the monster hat I knit for his birthday a couple months ago. I hung out with him and his mom and Aimee yesterday. Fun.

Apologies

I've had some computer freak-out. I'll post soon. I haven't finished anything, so there isn't really anything to show just yet anyway. I'm two buttons and an X or so away from a pair of booties. I'm also working on Anouk. So far, so cute. More soon.

Promises, Promises

So what, so I have a problem. I have ordered yarn everyday since my last post. BUT. All of the yarn I purchased has intended projects. I ordered Rowan Glace for the baby booties that Jen wants (okay, so I bought three different colors to try). I ordered Classic Elite Premiere for Joseph's tank top, and Cascade Pima Tencel for Anouk. I also odered some wool silk for a baby blanket for the new girl. In order to get the discount from WEBS, I added a Lamb's Pride Bulky to make a felted bowl from One Skein.

Speaking of One Skein, I whipped up a petal bib last night. I used one of the Classic Elite Premiere skeins that I bought in Kentucky. It's cute. Obviously, it is for the new baby. I didn't have anything to work on while I waited for all the yarn I ordered. Oh, I mean anything for the baby. I've put a couple things for myself on the back burner for now.

On Sunday I finished the prototype for a class I hope to teach at The Needleshop. Next time around, I think I'll make the stockinette base a bit shorter, and widen the entire bag.






My new rule is that I cannot--will not--purchase any more yarn until I've made all of the baby things (for which I already have purchased yarn) as follows:
Anouk
Baby Blanket (which is actually for another friend, if I can break my obsession with knitting for Jen's baby).
Booties
Tank for Joseph
Now if only the yarn would get here! I don't have a project for tonight. Whatever will I do?

One More Thing

I forgot to mention. My friend Jen is having a girl! I currently know 5 children under 2.5 years and they are ALL boys. I'm so excited. I've been waiting forever to knit Anouk. Hurrah! I'm also going to make the Baby Slippers from Adorable Knits for Tots at Jen's request. I think I may try to design a kimono sweater, too.

I made a rule for myself. I wasn't going to buy any more yarn until I used 1/3 of the yarn I've purchased in the last two months. But she's having a GIRL!!!!!

Too Hot

I sent these Cabled Footies off to my Babci (grandmother) tonight. She doesn't know they are coming. I could have given them to her in person in a few weeks*, but getting mail is so fun. Babci is living with my aunt now, so I'm sure she doesn't get as much mail as before. So these are especially for her.
The yarn is Lorna's Laces Shepherd Worsted in a daffodil yellow, I think they call it Sunshine. The color in the picture is too light, but the yarn is very pastel. I like the yarn very much, and the pattern was fun, easy and quick. If I knit these again, though, I'm going to seam the toe sooner. These are just a little to pointy for my tastes. They fit nice; the point disappears when they are on the feet.

In other news, my friend Aimee, who made the log, is selling some books at the Printer's Row Book Fair tomorrow. Check it out. She's also performing this weekend. I hope she will post the details in the comments, because I can't remember them.

Last night, my friend Tatiana surprised me with this lamp. She knows I love to decorate in red and saw it at Target on clearance. She's so thoughtful. It looks great on this table. Someday, I'll paint the wall and then it will look even better.





*Family reading this should not assume I am definitely coming home in a few weeks.

Beautiful!

Another log from Aimee (pictures from Aimee, too). Now I can keep track of all my knitting again! Oh, that's what the blog is for? I'm more detailed in logs I can write in. What you can't see is that each page is a pocket, too, so I can put a little bit of yarn and a photo (if I ever take them--that's what the blog is for). The cover is made from a favorite dress of mine that was torn and worn beyond repair. Now I can use it always. Thank you, Aimee.

Vacation = Yarn

Last week I went to Kentucky for work. On my way to the Louisville airport, I stopped at Carma Creative Needlecraft. The yarn selection was okay--a bit too much novelty yarn for me, but a few nice things, too. They had a couple of cashmere yarns and a huge selection of pattern booklets. I went away three skeins of Classic Elite Premier richer.


After my brief trip to Kentucky, I headed to Brooklyn, New York to visit Dan over the holiday. What does one do in New York? Well, shop of course. On Friday we visited Purl in Soho. Very small store with a lot of great yarn and a lot of workers. I think the ratio was one worker per customer. I picked up some Euroflax Originals. The grey may be for the Mason-Dixon After Dark Nightie (or any number of patterns in that book. They seem to love that linen). The green was just calling to me. I'm not sure what it will be yet.


On Saturday, I visited Brooklyn General Store, which is just a few blocks from Dan's place. The store was nice, if not a bit dark. They had great yarns. They also had fabric, notions, and such, but I couldn't stop looking at and touching the yarn. If I lived in Brooklyn, I'm sure I'd become a regular. I picked up some Rowan Summer Tweed (maybe for a bag or a tank),


and a ball each of Rowan Cotton Glace, Debbie Bliss Pure Silk, and GGH Tajmahal. YUMMY!! The Tajmahal is so touchable. I plan on swatching them to decide whether or not to buy more. The silk may be destined to become a lacy shawl.


Finally, I finished a hand towel wash cloth thingy from some Elsebeth Lavold Hempathy I picked up from Loopy Yarns. I didn't have a plane project so I ran over there on Tuesday during lunch. I'm so last minute. I'd never been to Loopy Yarns before. The woman who rang up my yarn (I also bought some Suss Twisted in brown and pink) seemed to have knit a tank from everything.


Dan ended up being the recipient of the hand towel. He needed one in his bathroom. He liked his socks, by the way. They were too big, but he says they are perfect as house socks. Fine by me.

Finally, a picture of a jellyfish from the Aquarium at Coney Island. These jellyfish were my favorite part of one exhibit.


This is the view from the Wonder Wheel (we chose a swinging car). Thanks to Dan for all the pictures.

In Praise of the Dishcloth

I finished the cat on Friday night. Looks just like Jack.
Because I'm in this knitting funk (though no longer an emotional funk), I don't have any projects in line. I just can't settle on anything. I've been fondling yarn, searching through books, browsing online patters. I have even started a few swatches, just to become bored three rows in. Besides a few things that are on hold, there is nothing on the needles right now. What's a girl to do?

Knit some dishcloths, of course.I finished this today. I have some Sugar 'n Cream that I bought ages ago on an impulse. Those Mason-Dixon knitters got it right. Knitting dischloths and washcloths are great projects. Especially when there's nothing interesting in the queue, or when there's nothing in the queue, I should say. Perfect.

Here's a picture of the other--the one I finished while my sister was visiting.

Back to browsing for patterns now. I hope something jumps out at me. I guess a girl can never have too many dishcloths, right?