Thursday, August 31, 2006

Out of Knowwear


Greeting from Out of Knowwear! My mother-in-law is the artisan who handcrafts these delightful little guys, or in the case of the one above, not so little.
"Taking a Break" is sitting in a regular-sized chair. She usually makes 36" tall Elves, Santas, Bird Ladies, and Witches, but often her creativity makes her break out of that mold. She uses recycled fabric and handpaints all the soft-sculpture faces. They have so much personality! She's been doing the craft show circuit and has a few more this year, but now she is busy getting the barn ready to open up shop in November.

I took pictures of my current project from the top of Clark Mountain (Cornish, ME) with beautiful views of the Maine countryside in the background, but after looking at them on the computer I realized that most of the picture is of a dirt pile (some lucky person is building a home up there). Perhaps I'll get better pictures tomorrow. All I can say is I'm enjoying the deliciously cooler weather, stuffing myself with blueberries, knitting, and enjoying the company and countryside.

Wednesday, August 23, 2006

Absorba the Great


I could not wait to sink my needles into this project! It is not as difficult to work the five strands of worsted cotton as I thought it would be. This is how much I got out of one set of balls (2 oz. each). It is about 13 inches square, and half-way through the fifth strip. It seems my binding-off is just a touch on the tight side, but that should block out pretty well. I wanted to buy the 1 lb. cones for my next one, but I like the way the five strands of the varigated are dancing through the strips. I guess it will depend on the look I'm trying to achieve, as well as if the colors I want are available during the next $0.99 or $1.00 sale.

Bitten by the Warshrag Bug

I am beginning to think no one is safe. Hide your size 7 needles and avoid all stores that sell Peaches & Cream and Sugar & Cream.

These are some of many. The first few I made I did right off the PnC ball band, but I confess I finally broke down and bought Mason-Dixon Knitting. I also joined a Monthly Dishrag KAL, and have found a few free patterns around the internet. All are done in either PnC or SnC with size 7s. The two done in the purple, green, tan, and white varigated show just how far one 2-ounce skein will go. I had to add a little to the garterlac cloth to complete it. I think that is my favorite other than just the ball band in general.

I was disappointed in the bright rainbow ball band because the white in the orange and yellow varigated pooled right in the middle and blew the effect I was trying to achieve. Next time, just two stripes of each of the six solid colors. Next time? Hmmm, have lots to knit & many new ideas. I may not get back to that particular one...

First Finished Footwear


Here are my first socks, somewhat blocked and drying. I can definitely see the purpose of having sock blockers after just trying to smooth these out by hand. Of course, they are just going to have feet in them, then be put inside Birks or shoes, so it probably isn't that big of a deal.

The pattern is Classic Socks by Melinda Goodfellow (Yankee Knitter Designs). The yarn is Sockotta, color #502. The needles are Inox DPNs, size 2. I did the K1P1 top rib, then changed to a K3P1 rib. I misread the pattern on my first one at the beginning of the heel flap, which resulted in the first 1/4 inch being too tight and it causes a little puckering on the top of the foot. This is where I used just enough extra yarn to make the toe blue and not match it's mate. I also kitchenered earlier than the pattern said to, with 14 stitches on each needle rather than 8. I had made the first just a touch too long, so I had to frog part of it, then I just made the second one match it. I am going to Magic Loop my next pair and start both at the same time. I had partial sock syndrome then one sock syndrome with this pair. I think I originally started back in December, but started working on them in earnest in June.

Monday, August 21, 2006

I'm Melting

Trying to work with this blog has been a real



Between the triple digit heat and trying to figure out how to make the page look the way I want it to look, my brain is turning into tofu. I really wish I was back in Alaska catching salmon with this brown bear. Either my camera or the new memory card I purchased for the trip is to blame for the funky picture, not the blog.

Sunday, August 20, 2006

It's Only the Beginning

"Chicking" out how this whole blogging thing works. In other words, this is a test, this is only a test.