Finished Objects

This page is for photos of finished objects, a common sort of thing among bloggers. First up: Back to School washcloths - free pattern available on knitty.



In the next picture you'll find some banded cuffs, inspired from Mason Dixon Knitting Ballband washcloths. The free pattern for these cuffs is available here.



It's starting to look like I knit in cotton a lot. It's a summer thing, really.

Check out this striped camera bag. I knit it in the round and closed the bottom with a three-needle bind-off. It may be an obvious way to do it but I felt pretty clever for thinking of it! The tie is an I-cord drawstring through eyelets made by working a row of K2tog, YO, rep.



Cabled long sleeved shrug. Based on a few patterns and just "winging it"



The black armwarmers. These are made from a free pattern found here. Their full story can be found here.



The armwarmers and the socks here were both knit while working on location, and knitting at work is a rare pleasure indeed. To read more about the socks, go here.



Of course I also had to make some knucks. I haven't done up the knuckles with the tattoo yet.



Remember the Interweave mitre square rug? Free pattern here. (to see my mom's version, look here)



Here is a really quick project... a rapunzel scarf made with commercial yarn, homespun yarn, hand-dyed yarn, and fake flowers. Original post is here. "Pattern" is here.



The Perdita from knitty. This was fun to knit - embroidery floss on size 0 needles. I don't have action shots since this went off in a swap and I never heard about it ever again.



The panta. I wasn't going to knit one of these but it seemed for a while there if you knit on Craftster, you had to make one. It was the law. This one is Noro Silk Garden Lite.



Okay, here is my first attempt at amigurumi. In my defense, I did make it up from scratch.



Of course I must share the inspiration to a lot of my knitting: the humble dishcloth from Mason-Dixon!



It occurs to me I have more to show off. I now understand why knit blogs often have a whole page of knitting. I better take more pictures!

Fiber Friday 9/29/06

As promised, the exploding box of Hawaiian merino.

I have a lot to do this weekend.

New toy alert

THE DRUM CARDER IS HERE!

Here's the latest news, but first a question... Is reading about something acceptable when one is used to photographs? Let's hope so.

In my apartment right now you would see:

1. Brand new Strauch Petit drum carder

2. Giant box of raw Hawaiian merino

3. Nobody home. I nearly called in sick today to stay home and play with wool. NEARLY. I probably should have.

Merino is here!

I'll post photos as soon as possible, really.

Early observations:

The bag of fiber is over twice the size of the box it came in! (Way to go mom and dad, the queen and emperor of volume)

The fiber is VERY greasy. I can't really tell if the wool is soft because it is damp with lanolin.

The fiber has a, um, scent of wild animal.

I love it, love it, love it!

Everybody's working for the weekend...

Or in some cases, working ON the weekend. It's Sunday night, so reflect with me, won't you, my to-do list for the last 2 days.

Needed to:
Finish writing winter knitty submission (oh this again)
Write up new patterns I'm toying with in my head
Photograph some finished knitted objects
Dye about a pound of roving for specific projects
Get caught up on emails
Get a new dresser

Accomplished:
None of the above

Needed to do:
Put together ELEVEN felt bead kits for swaps

Accomplished:
Put together three

Managed to:
Spin the craziest yarn yet, seriously
Tedium like going to the bank, laundry, writing this post, etc.
Put away summer blanket, take out warm blanket
Attend Abbott Kinney Fest and San Gennaro Fest
Get bills ready to mail, but could not manage to put them in the mailbox

Anticipate this week:
Waves of ennui while working at the desk job!
Dying fiber!
The arrival of a drum carder!
The arrival of the Hawaiian Merino!

I hope you all had a great weekend. Anything you wanted to do but didn't? Anything you did of note?

Fiber Friday 9/22/06

My first beaded yarn!

Can you see the little seed beads? I strung them onto a strong thread and then plied it with yarn I already spun, so technically it's a three-ply.

The whole process was very time consuming and managing the thread with the beads was a challenge. But of course, I plan on doing it again!

I didn't know how to space the beads so there are a lot at one end and kind of sparse at the other. This might make it interesting when knit, I hope. At least, that's the attitude I'm taking regarding this mistake.

Merino is coming, merino is coming!

See the big wooly pile on the ground? That's the merino fleece my parents scored in Kauai. You can see an arm in there for size reference.

I am totally doing this without permission but here is the email I got from my mom. I just loved reading it. Thanks mom and dad!

"Okay....we "sheep'd" the sheep today by FedEx and you should get it "in 2 days." You will laugh at the packaging as 2 of us practically sat on the box. Let me know when you get it and if it's worth getting more. It will probably expand quite a bit upon opening so consider yourself warned. Baa, miss ewe! Love, Maaaa"

Another crazy sock knitter

I cast on for pomatomus. It's the only thing I could think of to balance a hard day that includes a new head cold and some uninteresting-to-you challenges at work.

Yarn: Katia Mississippi
Color: 778 (it's olive green)
Needles: Vintage Phildar size 2 double points

I didn't check the gauge! I just started knitting! Ha ha ha! Take that!

SIDENOTE - Where did September go? Have you seen the calendar lately?

Tuesday Tink 9/19/06

In this week's rewind, I wanted to answer curiosities about the eye surgery I had during the time I was also writing the Back to School washcloth pattern for knitty. It was elective surgery, Lasik. I try to keep this blog centered on knitting and spinning, but I think if you dare read this monster-length post, you'll see that it does. Let's tink it out together, shall we?

Tuesday, June 13, 2006
8 Days until Lasik
I get to have Lasik eye surgery in one week from tomorrow. I'm both excited and terrified!

What's shocking to me is the fact that I can knit and spin up until the appointment (which is at the end of the day) and then again when I wake up the next morning (theoretically). Barring unforeseen mishaps like blindness, this shouldn't be a problem. What's a good knitting or crochet project for eye surgery? Something bulky? Something without a pattern? Hmm....

Tuesday, June 20, 2006
1 day until Lasik
I am pretending I'm not scared but I am terrified. They made me watch a video about the procedure and sign a waiver and I can hardly believe I am going through with it. I'm focused on writing a pattern I want to submit to the fall knitty. I have only now just started. The deadline is in 10 days. And I have eye surgery tomorrow.

Wednesday, June 21, 2006
My glasses, R.I.P.
I never thought I'd say this but I think I might miss wearing glasses a little. I've had them since I was 16. Well not these very glasses. But still. Goodbye contacts. Goodbye glasses. I'm going to get Lasik today. Maybe I can convince Alex we have time to swing by Joann's to pick up more yarn on the way? Eye surgery or not, I'm still under deadline.

Thursday, June 22, 2006
Lasik was a success! But looking at the computer screen feels like staring into the sun.

Monday, June 26, 2006
Astonishing eating and buying MORE yarn
I'm healing nicely. The doctor says I have 20/20 vision. I'm pretending to be normal, doing things without my glasses. Yesterday I got to eat brunch at the Sagebrush Cantina in Calabasas. We sort of had a contest who could put together the strangest plate of food and then eat it. I had pizza, enchiladas and chocolate covered strawberries at the same time. Others were far worse. There was the waffles-oysters-orange juice and the bacon-crablegs-watermelon vodka combos. There was a hotdog in there somewhere too. How unfortunate!

It was quite hot out there and we sat outside in the thick of it. At some point these misters came on which turned out to make everything much, much worse. There was intense humidity all around and leaky drippy bits that would drop a pint-sized stream onto your head randomly. There was condensation on my purse. All our faces were glistening with sweat and my hair was two stories high. This enhanced the astonishing eating contest significantly. That plus me putting eye drops in my post-Lasik healing eyes every 15 minutes.

The best part of yesterday by far was asking 2 non-knitting guys to swing by the LYS (local yarn store) on the way home so I can get more yarn to finish the knitting project.

SIDENOTE: There should be a word for something you think is going to be fantastic which turns out to be a disaster. (Misters on a hot day)

Thursday, June 29, 2006
I haven't been spinning much this week because I am paranoid about getting little wisps of fiber in my post-surgery eyes. I know that sounds crazy. Perhaps we haven't met.

Monday, July 10, 2006
Post-Lasik debriefing
If you are considering Lasik eye surgery I will share with you some of my experience. I am not a doctor and I have no idea why you might think that I am one, but I feel compelled to make that disclaimer. The one thing I heard over and over is that everyone's experience is a little different. This is mine. It may not be yours.

What I learned:

-If, while you are in the waiting room trying to relax and seeing if you can feel the Valium kicking in, do not be alarmed if someone runs out of the operating room screaming "MY EYES ARE LIKE TWO BURNING POOLS OF FIRE." When this happened to me, unfortunately I panicked, and Alex had to talk me out of sprinting out of the medical center directly into traffic. I tried really hard not to cry at all.

-Crying with numbing drops in your eyes burns a little but it's not unbearable. Not like burning pools of fire or anything.

-You get to sleep in goggles for a week. Subsequently, you might not sleep very well for a week.

-I developed cat-like night vision for the first few days. In the darkest of rooms, with sunglasses on, I could see everything. The light from a cell phone was a piercing brightness from which I had to turn away. I don't know if my eyes reflected like a cat because I didn't think to check.

-I'm not sure how I didn't know this before, but I learned that I like to sleep on my side with my face smushed up in the pillow. The goggles prevented me from doing this even a little bit. Thus I had to sleep on my back like a corpse. Thus I had corpse-like stiffness in my neck that lasted all week.

-Do you have any idea how many times in the course of a day you touch your eyes? It's about 1000 times more than you think it is. Just see how often you catch yourself doing this when it's forbidden.

-You will get very good at putting in eye drops. This is because you will put different drops into each eye every fifteen minutes the day of your surgery. The next week it's much easier and you only have to put two different kinds of drops in every four hours and a third kind of drop every hour. Simple. You too will get good at it though I doubt you will ever enjoy doing it.

-No sudoku for a week. I am now admitting that I do sudoku at night to help me fall asleep. Instead, I listened to the Cast-on podcast and it was very special. It was like someone reading me a bedtime story. And I could close my eyes and dream about rubbing them endlessly.

-You have to learn to let yourself look at the clock first thing in the morning without putting on glasses. I am still struggling with this.

-I know this is a long list. Honestly I could keep going. I'll spare you the minutiae of my life for the rest of the evening. See what happens on the rest days of the Tour de France? I go nuts and get wordy!

Tuesday, September 19, 2006
I hardly ever use eye drops anymore. I can see great. I can now wear cute sunglasses! Why did I wait so long?

Mom knitting part 3

Actually it's part 4 now - way to go mom!

Look at the adorable animals knit by my mom! A cat, a monkey and a pig. Best friends forever.

The big fiber news from my mom is nearly unbelievable. Check this out:

But first, the backstory is that my folks live in Hawaii. (see the sheets?) There are a few people on "da islandz" with unusual animals. I asked my mom if she would consider finding out if any fiber animals live there and well, what happens to their fleece?

Not only did she track down some animals, she called the owner of a farm with some sheep. The owner is a local council man and my mom called him while he was in a council meeting! No worries. After some conversation, they agreed he would call when they were shearing. But, he never called and it was sad indeed.

Until, that is, this Saturday. He called to say they were shearing and could she come over? Of course. Then he told her they were merino sheep and there were a couple of kids in there too. Young merino, people. And from what I hear, long locks. And for free. (I'll give you a second to catch your breath.)

My folks crammed what they could into a 30-gallon trash bag and left the rest behind. They say it's about 20 pounds worth. We are now trying to think of an appropriate gift to give the kind sheep people. They were pretty baffled we wanted the fleece, and are curious what we plan to do with it. I'm thinking a knitted sheep? Someone in this family is obviously good at (see picture)

Now, how are we going to get thirty gallons (twenty pounds) of dirty, raw fleece to Los Angeles?

LA County Fair

I love a good fair and the LA County Fair is One Fine Fair indeed. It's funny but it's technically not in Los Angeles County.

Anyway... First stop: Deep fried artichoke hearts. Oh yes, you read that right.

I love taking pictures of signs. Sadly, my camera ran out of batteries before I could snap a picture of the Krispy Kreme donut chicken sandwich sign. Oh well.

After the first course, we saw a hypnotist captivate a large crowd. I don't know how to comment on this except to say if you've even seen this sort of thing, it can be amusing.



I was trying to play it cool but I really wanted to see if the three skeins of homespun yarn I submitted for judgment were on display anywhere. When I got to the right place, imagine my amazement when I saw ribbons on attached to all three! YES!

I was simply hoping to possibly see them on display. I did NOT expect to get a ribbon, much less three! So cool!

If you are going to the Fair - go see them! Here are my observations of the display:

First of all, they hung two skeins together and put the third further down the case, which is odd.

Also, they untied the skeins to judge them, but didn't exactly tie them back up again to display them.

Finally, all the people who entered got third place ribbons. So don't ask me who got first. And don't ask me to explain the judging process because I don't understand it either. Honestly, I don't care. I am happy with my pretty ribbons.

Side note: never eat fried artichokes and then allow someone to take your picture. Trust me, you will not like the way you look. Also, wear sunscreen everyday, okay?

I bought 400 yards of fingering weight olive green baby alpaca yarn in the fiber animal den from some nice people at Mill Canyon Wool Processing. They had the wool processing equipment on display and it was a lovely exhibit. I'm thinking socks? Soft, soft, baby soft socks... sweet!

Next stop? Funnel cakes. Um, I mean merchandise exhibits. This is the "as seen on tv" contingent and I love to see what people buy there. I am also repulsed by it. That's the nature of consuming. It's satisfying until the point of overindulgence. And then it's revolting.

I caught myself considering the giant pipe cleaner thing that cleans under the refrigerator, but managed to walk away. I find myself even now getting excited about the idea of that space being clean. Help me.

We were there at night, which meant a lot of the animals were sleeping, including these pigs. It seems like many of them liked to sleep this way. Are we like them or are they like us?

Fiber Friday 9/15/06

I'm feeling a bit confused today since it's the first Fiber Friday in about 4 months where I didn't have a new homespun yarn to show off. (Gasp!)

Why? I blame the desk job. It's hard being normal.

Here are some new photos of yarns from the past. That counts for something.

At least, I'm going to pretend so.

Dirty Laundry

I feel like getting some stuff off my chest.

I like the tv show Murder She Wrote and I watch it sometimes on the Biography Channel. Also, when I work as an extra, I've lied about my dress size. This has gotten me into big trouble though. I get my news more often from the Daily Show than I do from newspapers or proper news programs. I only knit continental and I get confused when I try to knit English method. Okay, I can't really throw at all, even though I've tried many times.

There, I did it. The first few things that popped into my mind. I'm terribly embarrassed.

Your turn.

My life has changed in two days

First, thank you to everyone who said something kind about my pattern. If you are new to this blog you may not understand the depths of my anxiety regarding "putting it out there." Reading the comments has been amazing and overwhelming and lovely.

In the last two days since my knitty pattern has gone live:

hits: 2474

comments: 36


visits from every state and many countries all over the world.

There was some nervousness over the "headshot" and I went with a picture that gives one the impression I am an outdoorsperson. I admit today that was the only time I ever kayaked!

I also want to give a shout out to the photographer of the kayak picture, Mr. 12. I didn't give him credit in the knitty article because he likes to be anonymous. So now he is slightly less anonymous. At least I didn't tell everyone that he fell into the river when getting out of the kayak and lost his shoes and had to wear women's shoes on the drive home. Your secret is safe with me!

Adventures in pattern writing, part 2

I am overwhelmed by the fact that for about 24 hours now, I actually have a published pattern in knitty! I can't believe it, so I thought I'd re-visit the journey of the pattern today. I present The Story of the "Back to School" Washcloth Pattern on knitty:

From 6/20/06:
I'm writing some new patterns today and I feel compelled to share the dirty truth about what has happened thus far.

1. This morning I came up with a "brilliant" idea, and needed specific yarn for it. I thought I would be clever and go to a different store than I usually go to. There I was met with terrible choices and funny colors in the ONE kind of yarn I needed. There wasn't enough to finish this project. I bought it anyway.

2. Cast on! This is going to be great. I'll start with a different cast on method than what I usually use so the finished piece with have more stretch.

3. After knitting a while, I see the cast on edge is lumpy and scrappy. I hate it and pull the whole thing out to start over. No biggie. This is part of designing.

4. I go back to the trusty long-tail cast on and knit one row. Now I'm getting there. I do the first two edge stitches in garter and start the lace pattern. I get to the end of the row and I am two stitches short. I realize I have cast on two extra stitches for the garter border instead of two extra stitches on BOTH sides. I pull it out and start over.

5. I finally cast on the right number of stitches. I knit the two repeat sections of lace (18 rows). Knit the center panel (24 rows). I take a good look at my progress. Hmmm, there's something off here. It's the gauge. It's not going to be tight enough for the duplicate stitches. What size needles am I using anyway? 8? That's weird. I'm supposed to be using 7's.

6. Pull the whole thing out. Do I have it in me to start over again? Did I mention I'm trying to get it done in time to submit it for consideration for the fall knitty? The deadline is in 10 days. And I have eye surgery tomorrow.

The next day, 6/21/06, pre-surgery:

I got through the first part late last night! So far so good. I cast on for the second part and knit a while before going to bed and guess what? I MADE THE SAME MISTAKE. I forgot to cast on extra stitches for the border again. You think the making that mistake once was terrible enough I would never do it again, much less immediately again.

Also, I have a new pain in the area just below the thumb. That's not going to be a problem is it? I'm not going to tell anyone about it; I have a lot of knitting to do... I'm going to get Lasik today. Maybe I can convince Alex we have time to swing by Joann's to pick up more yarn on the way? Eye surgery or not, I'm still under deadline.

Thursday, 6/29/06, One day before submission deadline:

Today is really the last day to finish up the secret knitting project and I have been making all kinds of glorious errors knitting this stuff. The project involves lettering, which I keep doing upside down. I have made this mistake three times now. THREE times. I should be able to spend part of the afternoon taking pictures of all this knitting in the sun. The hot, humid, miserable sun.



Friday, 6/30/06. D-Day (deadline day):

I did it! I submitted my first pattern to knitty! I feel proud of myself and at the same time embarrassed that I am publicly admitting that I actually think I could actually have a pattern published there. I'm not good enough. O mine ego, you are a complicated beast.

Here is another peek at one of the MANY mistakes I made while writing the pattern. Please note that the completed project is not simply a cute washcloth, okay? That said, I thought a cabled washcloth would be cute. I am talking about a washcloth that needs to be blocked. I ask you, what use is a washcloth that needs to be blocked? Nevermind the unpleasantness of working cables into cotton yarn. I'm not even going to mention that.

Obviously, It didn't make the cut. Anyone want THAT pattern!?

Sunday, 7/16/06:

Jumping up and down. About to faint. Hyperventilating. Freaking out.

Remember the secret pattern I was writing about at the end of June? Since then, I'm not exactly waiting for a rejection letter, but assuming it will come in the next month or two. And then today I get an email from Knitty so I KNOW it's going to be that rejection letter but it's not.

What? They liked my pattern? I'm going to have a pattern in the fall issue! Please don't change your mind. Please.

Yelling. Crying. Happy. Skipping the length of my apartment. Shock. Doubt. Re-read email. It's real.

Today, 9/12/06:

I better start on that pattern I want to submit for the winter issue!

Fall Knitty is ON!

THE NEW KNITTY IS LIVE!

Check out my Back To School washcloth patterns, won't you?

My first published pattern!

Can't.... contain.... myself..... calm down. OK.

Now I have to sit at my desk job all day and pretend this isn't a big deal.

Co-worker: why are you smiling?
Me: My first pattern was published on knitty.
Co-worker: what?
Me: Um, It's bagel day.
Co-worker: yeah.

State of the Union

Ladies and gentlemen, I know it's been relatively quiet around here lately but it doesn't mean I haven't been busy. In fact, I have some updates on what's up in the 'Free World.

Let's all start planning for the future. We need to be prepared. I expect a little more activity around here soon when the new knitty goes live.

Word on the street is that this will happen Monday the 11th. (that's tomorrow people!) Many of you already know this but I will have a pattern in this issue and I am VERY nervous and excited. I have toddler-like eager anticipation mixed with intensely insecure dread. Whatta cocktail!

I'm announcing today that I'll have a new feature I'll be running every Tuesday. It's a re-run of a previous post with an update added at the end. For example, a project I wrote about when I started that has since been finished. I might need a name for this feature, but I am drawing a blank. Any suggestions from our kind nation of knitting and spinning aficionados?

I'm doing this to welcome any new readers that might happen along as well as satisfy any curiosity lingering. Mostly it's to help me plan out my week while I've got a regular job again. That's all.

Photo credit? Author is anonymous but I found it here.

Fiber Friday 9/8/06

Merino, targhee, rambouillet, cotsword, mohair, recycled sari silk.

Similar to the one last week, but not the same. I suppose I am exploring a theme.

Amigurumi part 2

I'm taking a quick break from icing my wrist to further explore the world of cute crochet. The Japanese can usually kick our behinds something fierce when it comes to Things Cute.

(I'm fine, just used stupid form when typing earlier, I've learned my lesson)

I have to add that I love how no one called me out for naming "unicorn" a fiber animal yesterday. This must mean we are in agreement about their locks.

I found this picture here and on the subject of amigurumi, if you were standing in front of this table and you were told you can have one or two of these, which would you take?

Amigurumi Cherry

Amigurumi
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia:

"Amigurumi (Japanese: from amu (??, to knit) and nuigurumi (????, stuffed toy), but referring specifically to crocheted dolls) is a Japanese art of crocheting small stuffed animals for home decoration or toys. Amigurumi are typically animals (such as bears, rabbits, cats, dogs etc), but can include other items.

Amigurumi are usually crocheted out of yarn. The simplest designs are worked in spirals (the type of crocheting where the rounds are joined is not technically amigurumi). True amigurumi consist of oversized spherical heads on cylindrical bodies with undersized extremities, although the term is now loosely used to describe any crocheted stuffed toy."

Speaking loosely, I'm starting to get interested amigurumi (I know, years after you cool people) and I do crochet, but I have yet to try this. I'm thinking spinning-related animals like sheep, alpaca, and unicorn.

This cherry came to me from a swap, of course. If crocheted fruit doesn't get your heart going, this certainly will.

My so-called journal

I cannot fathom the amount of effort, planning, thoughtfulness and execution that went into creating this perfect mixed paper journal from Sweetie Pie Press

Actually, there are no journals on their website, so don't look for them there. I got this in another swap (yes, I am a madwoman) and frankly, it's too nice to use.

It's loaded with ledger paper, rice paper, vellum, cardstock, graph paper, etc. On and on. I keep picking it up and looking through it and putting it back down again.

It's like being precious with homespun that is "too nice" to knit with. An object has artistic value even if it doesn't fulfill it's original purpose. But there's something to be said for colliding with destiny. Just take a sharpie and write all over it. Go on, I dare you.

Just kidding. Don't touch it. Seriously. Don't even look at it for too long, it's that precious.

More swap swag

Do you ever get a pair of shoes or a jacket or a purse that you end up using/wearing everyday and you can't remember life before said item?

Behold the simple headband. The plain one on the top left. That's the one I wear everyday. And the elastic keeps it snug on my head. I got these in another swap from a Craftster named roxybadoxy and I love them.

They go in the heavy rotation category alongside my Camper mary janes, my olive green sweatshirt from Hawaii, my brick red tee, and my tan corduroy skirt. People in the office look at you funny if you wear the same clothes all the time though. It's really unfair.

What's in your heavy rotation?

stash enhancement

The lovely Sopranospinner is back in town and gifted quite a lot to me this weekend! See the alpaca? See the big bag?

Actually, she gave me two bags, but the first one has pretty small cuts, too small to spin. BUT not too small too felt I'm thinking, and I'm going to experiment with that soon.

I have been making felted beads lately and I'm curious if alpaca will "go there." Time to research alpaca washing. I hear they have no lanolin. No grease.

Also, I got a big tin of unwanted Wilton's dyes... Score! But which ones to try first?

In closing, Alex and I are meant to go to brunch today and I'm already wondering how I can avoid overeating. I have some fantastic problems to sort out today, no?

Fiber Friday 9/1/06

Novelty yarn!

Here it is, a blend of merino, targhee, rambouillet, mohair, cotswold, and recycled sari silk. There may be some other wools in there too, I was on a spinning frenzy.

I'm trying to challenge myself spinning different kinds of yarns. I ordered the Pluckyfluff book ages ago and if it ever arrives I will put it to good use!

I am really considering going to Camp Pluckyfluff in Newport Beach at the end of October. It's a two-day spinning camp where you get to learn lots of novelty yarn techniques. I really enjoyed saying "camp pluckyfluff," by the way. The name has really grown on me. Here's my office fantasy for next month:

Co-worker: "What are you doing this weekend?"
Me: "I'm going to camp pluckyfluff." (immediately walk away without explanation)