On the Table

Six months later, and a full month into 2011, I feel the need to be accountable to my intentions of actually documenting my creative projects. With that in mind, I'm slightly altering this blog to include more than just knitting, since my creative projects have grown to sewing and mixed media in recent months. I'm going to make a few posts in the next day or two to play catch up, and in the future, plan to make fairly frequent postings to document progress on larger projects, show off smaller bits and bobs, and discuss planned adventures in creativity.

June Update - Dishcloths Galore!

That's mostly what I'm working on now, though there are some other projects in the works. The reason behind the dishcloth .. well .. washcloth glut is that I'm knitting up all this Eco-spun I have into cloths to send to the Gulf oil spill cleanup effort.



There's the first three, on top of a pile of cloths made from repurposed t-shirts. Jason finally cleared out his closet and dresser of things he just can't wear anymore, and I claimed the t-shirts for this project. It's better than throwing them away!

I also have made some other dishcloths - I'm turning all my lovely Lily Sugar & Cream into garterlac and plain garter dishcloths, since I have an insane amount of the stuff. Of course, every store I've ever known to carry it is starting to get rid of it, so I'm a bit perturbed. Hobby Lobby seems to be switching to their own brand of cotton that's not as good for this purpose. I might have to stock up again - or just switch to Peaches & Cream, which I can get from the mill.

I finished my first ever Entrelac project too .. a scarf knitted of some stash Tahki I had, though I had to buy something to match it because I wouldn't have had enough to finish it otherwise. It's long, and thick, and warm, and I don't know what I'm doing with it yet. I need to find a Gamecock fan I like.

In addition, I'm still working on those socks. I've turned the heel, it's just a matter of working on them now. Then there's the Birches scarf I keep pulling out to work on a little along,

I'm also still working on Mykael's scarf and I swatched for Jeanette's shawl, and will get to starting it soon.

I've started the other shawl that's a gift, and the one that was gifted to me.

Stash Update

According to Ravelry, I have over 48 miles of yarn.

Farrow Rib Keyhole Scarf

Malabrigo is such a yummy yarn, I wanted to knit something that I could get some good wear out of, that I could wear close to my neck but not end up as bulky. Hubby recently used this stitch to make a cowl for his father-in-law and I loved it, so I took the pattern and worked up a quick and easy pattern for a keyhole scarf that fits snug around the neck and is warm without being bulky. And the best thing is it takes just one skein of Malabrigo Worsted!

Needles: I used US8 and it made a nice fabric.
Yarn: Malabrigo Worsted in color Emerald, though any worsted would work just as well.
Gauge: Not terribly important.

Cast on 30 stitches. You can use whatever cast on you prefer. I just used long-tail, though I think casting on in K2P1 rib would make for a cleaner edge in retrospect.

K2 P1 every row. (This is a very easy to remember stitch, because it's the same on both the right and wrong side!) Continue until you have about 4-5 inches of fabric.

To make keyhole, K2 P1 twice, then bind off the next 18 stitches, then K2 P1 the last 6 stitches. On the next row, K2 P1 twice, then cast on 18 stitches (I just used backwards loop, but I'm sure there are other methods), then K2 P1 to end.

Now just continue K2 P1 across every row until scarf is as long as you want or you run out of yarn. I used less than a full skein but you could use a full one and it'd just be a little longer.

Voila! A quick, easy, yummy-warm scarf to get you through the rest of the winter months!

Still more progress!

Not any progress on the Sea Urchin actually, though I plan to work on it tonight .. maybe. The decreases are daunting to me, but after I finish them, really I don't have a lot to do so it's in my best interests to get them done.

I started a pair of socks though. Only one of a pair .. I wasn't wanting to do the whole two socks at a time thing while driving .. but it's a sock. And I'm mostly finished with the foot. It's my first toe-up sock, so I get to learn how to either work a short-row heel, or figure out how to do one with a heel flap. I have destructions for both, so we'll see.

Jason also started a pair of socks at the same time. I'm unsure how happy he is with it, or if he'll keep working on it, but I'm proud! It took him a while to get the toe right, and he's not pleased with how it's looking at the moment because he didn't mirror the increases, but he's also not willing to undo it and start over -again-, and I don't blame him.

I'm glad I got bit by the sock bug finally though. I have bunches of sock yarn. And if I use up what I have, that means I can get more!

I'm also rearranging my queue on Ravelry, to include only things I actually have the yarn for and intend to knit. I can use favorites for everything else.

More progress

I've been on a roll since I finished that shawl .. which Mardelle adored, by the way, which made me feel good. It's the first thing I've knitted for anyone really, besides the stuff for Brandon last Christmas. I picked up that Sea Urchin sweater I'd started almost a year ago, and have managed to get to the beginning of the sleeve decreases now. I'm pretty damned proud of myself, actually. I've made a lot of progress on it, not to mention already deciding I want to make another one. It'd be real pretty in a fingering-weight cotton, I think.

Finished Object!!

I get to be excited about this one, because it's not only an actual finished object that's not a dishcloth, or a quick 1-hour phone case, but it's a gift for a dear family friend -and- a bit of stash-busting as well! Oh, and it was supposed to be my project for Project Spectrum, too! It was done before May .. just not finished!


The color is more green than these pictures show, but I think the green bedspread eats all that green up. I ran out of yarn .. 500 yards of it too! .. so I ended up trimming it with some Araucania Azapa, which is a yummy Merino/Silk/Alpaca blend.


It came out pretty good, if I do say so myself. And I'm so pleased with the result, I think I might take the pink I have of the Brooks Farm Duet and make another, maybe for my niece, or maybe even me! I haven't decided yet. I am becoming a bit more fond of softer and warmer pinks, though.

Project Spectrum 2009

I think I'm going to try harder to do more with this this year. I really like it when I manage to keep with a project that I start. it just seems like something always gets in the way. Now that I have better control of my camera than point-and-shoot, I'm going to commit to posting something for this at least once.

There, I've said it. Now there's no way out.

Project Spectrum

March 2009 marks the beginning of the 4th cycle of Project Spectrum! This year’s theme is the compass rose and the four cardinal directions. In many cultures, each of the cardinal directions - North, East, South, and West - are associated with a certain color. Using this traditional model of four distinct colors representing the directions on the compass rose, we will explore the ways that these four colors can be mixed, blended and combined with others through our projects, as well as taking notice of these colors around us day to day.

Just as the cardinal directions are linked to a color, each direction is also linked to a season, an element, and a natural material in many cultures. This quartet of features (color, material, season, and element) are a part of this cardinal direction. As a participant in Project Spectrum, you can choose to simply explore the colors associated, or even the textures of the natural material. If you choose, you can interpret the directions through the lens of the associated season or of the element. Your interpretations can be literal or esoteric. You can explore the science or the philosophy. Like the Project Spectrums of years past, it is totally up to you!

NORTH (March/April)
Color: Green
Material: Stones/Gems/Rocks
Season: Winter
Element: Earth

EAST (May/June)
Color: Yellow
Material: Wood
Season: Spring
Element: Air

SOUTH (July/August)
Color: Red
Material: Metal
Season: Summer
Element: Fire

WEST (September/October)
Color: Blue
Material: Glass
Season: Autumn
Element: Water


Think of the liberty of having four colors - you can blend the colors and explore the different hues, or you can combine the colors with others in the rainbow, comparing and contrasting. You can play with hues of color where green meets yellow, or before red shades into blue.

What is a knitter?

What is a knitter? She – or he, as we have learned that there are many men who enjoy the craft as well – is someone who appreciates the value of a handmade garment, something that will last years longer than anything bought in a department store. A knitter knows – sometimes instinctively and sometimes through years of practice, trial and error, or observation – the magic that comes from looping strands of twisted fibers continuously to create fabric. A knitter can touch a skein of yarn, looped and twisted upon itself in ways that would make a contortionist blink, and see its potential as a lacy shawl, able to be pulled through a wedding ring, or a warm, textured sweater, worn to ward off the chill of a winter’s day. A knitter might maintain a stash which makes her (again I am saying ‘her’ where I might just as easily say him) the envy of her knitting circle, or she might only purchase yarn for the projects she is currently working on. In short, a knitter is someone who values the craft of knitting and all that goes into it.

Open Letter to my Knitting

Dear WIPs

Please don’t think that I’m neglecting you when I cast on yet another project. I’m not, I promise. You have known all along I have PADD (Project Attention Deficit Disorder), so it shouldn’t come as a surprise that I am lusting after yet another yummy thing to put on needles. Owl? Oh yes, don’t worry, I’ll come back to you. Sea Urchin sweater? I haven’t forgotten you. I’m just a little tired of dealing with your neckline. Wrapigan? Think about it, you’re miles of stockinette. Would you stay constant? Serenity cable scarf? You’re complicated enough to not be easy right now .. and I’m a bit concerned about your color at the moment. I’ve already had to start you twice. Give me a break. The two chevron scarves I started .. one of you is a gift, true. But the recipient doesn’t expect you any time soon, and the other is just for me. I can wait. Baby blocks? Yes, you’re for a baby shower in a month. I know I need at least three times six squares, more if possible. But I simply must cast on for my Jayne hat!

Love, Me, the knitter with PADD.