What to Knit, What to Knit....

It all started with the F-ING SWEATER
First there was the "F-ing Sweater." Which you can tell by the name is not a fun project. Michelle tried making the sweater, after swearing and ripping it out several times, shipped the materials home with me with a nice note that said, "Have fun Sweetie." It sounds like a nice note, but really she was saying "good luck because you are going to need it." I felt the love and took on the challenge. I thought how hard can it be? The pattern is relatively simple. The problem with the whole project is that it is cursed. I don't know who cursed it, someone at Bernat, who "gave" the pattern (and the curse) away free. Knitting pattern makers don't have to go postal to get out their frustration. Instead they make what appears to be easy patterns that are really meant to drive the knitters who attempt to make the patterns go crazy. The materials are Matrix and Boa. After you get over the whole, how the heck can a sweater be made with Matrix -which is basically a ladder open weave yarn (Hello - open weave does not a good sweater make unless you are into peep shows. Todd mentioned that it is definitely is a sweater that is mandatory to wear a bra with. Good advice for any sweater, I say :-), you have to actually work with the Matrix which is tricky because of all the openness you have to make sure you put your needles into the correct areas because it's easy to spear the middle of the yarn. The trim of the sweater is made with the boa - which also isn't the easiest to knit with due to all the fur which tends to hide the actual stitch. Now I've worked with both before and thought, no problem. I also tried to change it from working back and forth to work in a round. Who wouldn't? I love to knit, hate to sew. so there was a mere 186 stitches on the needle. Note these are painstakingly difficult to count 186 stitches. After you get the correct number with the boa, then you have to increase with the Matrix several places with smaller needles.

So here's what happened to me:
1st Attempt: My needles came apart. I have a set of interchangeable needles and they came unscrewed at I lost a bunch of stitches. Don't ask me how many because remember this stuff is hard to count!! I was upset - but hadn't gotten that far after all.

2nd Attempt: I didn't count right on the increases and when I went to go back and fix it, I lost a bunch of stitches. Damn Matrix - should be outlawed!!

3rd Attempt: I got it. I locked myself in my bedroom for 2 hours and I counted, and counted, and counted!! I thought that I had won. But no, I hadn't checked my gauge and instead of being a mere 53 inches at the bottom it was over 63"!!! What the F!!!!!!! So I wasn't going through all that again and was just going to decrease and the bottom would have just had a little flare in it - I thought it would be kind of pretty to have the bottom be loose around the bottom (Yah, I know it was a cop out, but after I'd been through with the sweater...)

Saving Grace: Michelle called and I told that she had lost weight and that wasn't the right size anymore and she wanted to give the sweater another try, if I didn't mind. If I didn't mind?!!! Hallelujah!! I'd been saved.

But on the other hand, it kind of left me without a project. Which if you've ever been in this position is kind of nerve racking. "What should I knit next" is a very difficult question when there are so many options out there. So I'm at a cross roads in my knitting, where I've finished the one project that I was doing and can't quite decide what I'm going to knit next. So I thought that I would share with you, what I'm thinking (which is the point of the blog, right? Right!). Here's the list that I have going on in my head and on my needles:

Canadian Toque

So I found this pattern at Three Kittens in the Twin Cities the last time I was there. I like the pattern - but thought that it would look cuter in Canadian Maple Leaf Red and cream. So I've started. It's going to be a difficult project because it's knit in a round, but is double layered so that you knit the outside and inside at the same time. Every other stitch on the needle is red, then cream, then red, (you get the idea). You make the pattern by twisting the yarn, so on the red side you put the cream or on the cream side you put the red. It's hard to explain - hopefully it would be as hard to knit. I had it up to the point where I was doing the pattern - but stopped when I figured out that I had twisted the yarn on needles and so I had to start over. I just restarted - but haven't gotten too far as you can see... Plus winter is so far away. I'm not excited about this project yet. I may have to stop due to nice weather.

Felted Slippers

I found the pattern in this book - that has been recommended by George, who just had to get into the picture. He's such a publicity cat (I would say hound, but George has a complex from telling him that he acts like a dog!) - as soon as he sees the camera, there he is. Who does he think he is, Vanna? Ha-ha. Anyway, I found some really nice wool to make them in (see a picture of the materials I'm going to use below) - but am going to try to put some fun furr too. Who doesn't like furry slippers? Plus I thought that it worked with the little purple purse - so should work for slippers too. I think this might be a fun, fast, and fabulous project.

Paulina Tank:


Now, I don't know who the heck Paulina is, or why she has a tank top named after her...but it is cute!! I found it on the internet and don't know if I'll make it or not, but it's cute. And I think the lines would be very good for slimming look. But it does say experienced. Hmmmm.... I just don't know. I'll think about this one for a while. The pattern is free at: http://www.berroco.com/182/182_paulina.html

More Socks?

I just don't know if I'm ready for socks again. I started them, but they've been like this for a while.

Bikini!!

By George, I think I've got it! I'll knit a bikini!!! That would be fun and new and different. Which are all things that I look for in something to knit. This pattern was on Knitty Gritty just last week - well sometime, I just watched it off my DVR the other day. The free pattern is on that site (use the link on the side of my blog and do a search for bikini and you should find it) - but if you want to check out others, go to www.knitwhits.com. The only problem is that the yarn is a cotton- elastic blend, which I haven't been able to find at the big box stores and I haven't had time to check the knitting shops near by so I will probably buy them on line and that means waiting for the yarn to get here.

What do you think about the bikini idea? They say you can use it in water, but I'm thinking that it may need to be lined (at least the top?). I have some cups from other suits that I've pretty much warn out - I thought maybe I'd steal parts and knit or sew them into place. I wonder how elastic the yarn is going to be. This could be a fun project.

Well, what do you think? Anybody have any good ideas of stuff to knit for summer?

No Pictures Please!

I just wanted to put a quick note that two great things happened today with this blog. I now have over 400 hits! And I got into the Midwest Knitters Guild!! Ok, so I checked and my name isn't technically on the Ring yet - but should soon and I have a password to make it official and everything. So I can't wait to watch that Hit Count go through the roof! I have been having a great time writing this blog and rush home to see who has commented and what they have to say. I can't wait to hear from you and find out what you are knitting too. Now I almost feel like I can't knit fast enough to have something interesting to say!! Gotta go knit so I can tell you about it....

I'm Tanked!! Are you?

I've made two tank tops in my history of a knitter and I just finished this little striped pink number last night at around midnight. You know when you get on a roll and don't want to stop knitting?!! When you are so close to finishing a project that you can't stand it?!! That's exactly as it happened. I found the pattern on MagKnits - here's the path because I can't seem to get the link function to work properly and it's driving me nuts (it's free so go for it! I think that I may actually make some more in other colors.): "http://magknits.com/July06/ballet.htm"

Side Note: Don't you hate it when computer directions are supposed to be so "easy" and you follow them exactly and they don't work? This seems to happen to me all the time. It simply can't be me, or is it? Hmmmmmmmmm........

So here is a picture of my new tank. It was a self striping yarn, which I have to say striped beautifully in the correct areas without me even trying (so maybe I have no luck with computers but better luck with knitting. I would rather have it that way anyway).


It also has a nice shape in just the right places.


George says that it smells good too!


I actually got the size right. This is the first project where I took my measurements, did the gauge swatch as you are supposed to do and adjusted the actual stitches per inch to the pattern and it actually fits. I was very nervous and almost took it apart a couple of times because I sure that it was too small. But I think it actually fits quite well. By the way, it was interesting to take the picture of my back without looking, but wanted to show you that the back turned out good too!

Good thing I cleaned my bathroom this morning. That's my toothbrush in the bottom of the picture!

Here's a couple of pictures of the other tank that I made. It was a really fun pattern with a series of changing knits and purls to make the pattern across the front. I wasn't made in the round so I had to sew it together (which I hate by the way). It went much slower due to having to check the pattern every other stitch to know where the knits and purls were. But it was actually kind of fun to do. It has a much straighter shape and is actually a bit short on me. I don't like the new styles where all the clothes are cut off in order to show off my beer gut. I say if you are over 21 years old and/or don't have abs of steel - cover up your stomach. No one needs or wants to see that! Even "I dream of Jeanie" covered her belly button!" But then she went on to a divorcee in Harper Valley PTA!! Oh well, back to realty away from TV Land!


Cute Pattern across the front.


Here's that mustard colored couch again...which means it was made in North Carolina. Now there is a place where tank tops need to be worn pretty much 24 - 7!!

Gail's Northern Knitting at the Toad!

Gail sent me some photos of her knitting and wrote a blog entry of her own. Gail is a wonderful knitter, even though if you ask her she is "just a beginner." You will love her knitting! She uses beautiful high quality yarns made of gorgeous colors and textures to make scarves that are to die for and hats and mitts to match! You can have one of your very own if you can find your way to Flin Flon, Manitoba and find a little coffee shop known as the "Orange Toad" where Gail sells her wares.
So if you are ready, here we go in Gail's own words:

I started knitting in 2003 when I found out I was going to be a first time "Gramma." I probably picked the most confusing pattern ever as a first project! It was a 36 by 48 " Baby Chevron Afghan knit out of Bernat Softee Baby on tiny needles with 217 stitches!!! Lots of YO's and PSSO's and I had to concentrate the whole time or I'd lose where I was. That afghan was ripped out 100 times I'm sure but I was determined to finish it. I would go running to town, yarn flying, to my friend, Darlene's house, with it begging for help! And you arn't the only one that was knitting backwards! I did too with this afghan. I had been working on it for a couple of months when I learned that there wasn't going to be just one baby----but TWO!!! I started knitting overtime and well into the night to finish the first one. My friend, Sue, kindly offered to knit the second one for me and even she, as a seasoned knitter, had trouble. Anyway, they were both finished in time for the arrival of the twins and I must say they were well used. I told the parents that I wanted them framed and hung on the wall. I don't have a picture either as I didn't have a digital at that time.

Knitting is really addictive----like totally addictive. I couldn't stop after finishing that afghan. I knit sweaters, hats, mitts, you name it, all with Dar's help of course to get started on anything new. Then last April I was at my sisters in L.A. and her friend, Eileen, had knit tons of fashion scarves of every type and was selling them. Away we went to check out yarn shops there and I came back with enough of every different type to fill my little suitcase. I've been hooked on scarves since and love putting different colors, fibres, metallics etc. together. My friends here own a coffee shop called the "Orange Toad" and I started selling them there. I have become a "yarn junkie" as I have yarn in every part of my "loft!" I had to laugh one day as I came upstairs and here was Brian trying to watch T.V. and all he was was a speck amidst all of the wool. However, I did buy bins and have "kind of" sorted it. I used to love shopping for clothes but now I just can hardly wait to get looking at what's new in the wool shops.

These are some of the first scarves that Gail Made!

















"Newfie" mitts---they're fun to do.
(Angela says that they are cute too! I bet if anyone wants the pattern that Gail would be happy to share...hint, hint).

















I learned not to make such huge pom-poms or the baby's head is tilted sideways!! :)
(Angela says that explains a lot about Todd - just kidding!)



















I love it when you see your finished project being used and enjoyed! I can tell she likes the hat - can't you?!!

















And more scarves! I wish I had taken pictures of all of them but I somoehow forgot. I think I made about 45 in all--- I have a closet full of scarves.
Gail is the reason why I found my love of knitting and without her this blog would not be possible or even necessary. Who could ask for a better gift than that? So I would like to thank Gail for teaching me to knit and to wish her a very HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! Hopefully, Gail will keep sharing her knitting and keep us all up to date on what she is knitting next.

Hey Baby!

I found that making baby clothes is fun and quick! You get to practice making sweaters and other items without a lot of time invested. I can make baby clothes as fast as Michelle can knit a regular sweater. I know, I know...Michelle says that she's not a fast knitter - she's just diligent. But when a person can make a 5 day sweater or a 3 day tank - that's still crazy fast!! Plus with baby stuff you get to work with super soft yarn, fuzzy - fluffy yarn, pastel colors, cute little buttons, and ribbon - now who wouldn't like that?!

So I've made two baby outfits in my history as a knitter. The first was in North Carolina where I got my first real knitting bug. My boss was having a baby (ok, his wife had the baby - but he still had something to do with at. Proof being seen in the photos of the baby!). I knit the outfit in a round. It was the first project that I had done in the round and I love it. No purling necessary!! I'm a much faster knitter than I am purler. It turned out really cute. Now the only problem is that the baby lives in North Carolina = that sweater was never used. Or it would give a new name to the term " Sweat her." But it got me some brownie points and gave me something to do. Side note - everytime I look at this picture I think that the outfit is laying across the donated mustard colored couch that we were given by Ting (an engineer that Todd worked with at Carolina Turkeys). Take a gander at the finished product:

The whole ensemble. Now that baby is styling!

Look at the cute baby booties (You must be talking baby talk to get the full effect).


Notice the fuzzy pastel lines which will take your eye away from any baby fat that may be hanging around the midsection of any tot!

The bonnet - the perfect topper to the perfect ensemble. Also something that most kids rip off their head the moment that their mom's aren't looking!

Again, baby was in North Carolina - so it probably never got used. What a shame. So I made another set exactly like the first for Todd's cousin James and Karen for their baby Nora - who live in Canada where sweaters were first developed (if they weren't, they should be because it gets darn cold there). Note: these first pictures were taken before I discovered George's modeling ability. Don't worry you will see him in the very near future - like in the next pictures down the page.

The next baby sweater outfit I made was for Todd's cousin Frankie and Sally's baby Emily who live in California. Again another warm state to be receiving a sweater outfit! But truth be told, it does get cool at night in California (Side Note: Todd told me that before we went to visit Todd's aunt in California one summer. He told me to bring a sweater or a bunny hug - that's a hooded sweat shirt for you non-Canadians. I love that term it's so cute and it's so much nicer than "hooded sweat shirt" which sounds like "I'm down with my homies on the North side waiting for a rumble" or something like that. So anyway I didn't bring anything to keep me warm in California so I was "forced" to buy a bunny-hug from Walt Disney Land - it was a hardship but I did it!) . Anyway, this was the first project that I made using a chart to make the bunnies. They are so cute and made of this really fuzzy, cottony yarn that is almost unwoven. Also the buttons are in the shape of bunnies which is also so cute you want to hug them (you can't see them because the pictures are too small so I wanted you to at least hear about them). I was told that Emily loved this outfit and wore it daily. I love to hear that something I made was used. That's so cool. So with no further a-do, here is the finished product.


See I told you that George would be back. Here he is with the sweater and matching hat. Notice the bunnies on both panels as well as one on the hat!


Sweater stretched it out all to see. Look at the cute striping on the sleeves - again changing colors is a pain - but turns out really cute!


George is snuggling up to the hat. After all, who wouldn't?

New Links

I put some knitting links to the side. My mother-in-law gave me the idea when she talked about Ram Wools in her comments. If you have some favorite sites, let me know and I'll add them to the link that way the best sites will be at our finger tips. Comments please...

It was an Itsy Bitsy, Tiny Weenie, Purple Felted Furry Purse that Even George Could Love!!

I received a "Pursenalities 20 Great Knitted and Felted Bags" book for Christmas from my brother and sister-in-law. I love this book. It has the cutest purses ever inside and not hard at all (well at least this one wasn't - I may be jumping the gun). After knitting the felted bag with all the color changes, I needed something quick and cute. And I found it! I used purple wool and fun fur of about the same color. It knits up in about a day and felts really fast. Even George appreciated the bag. Take a look:


George standing behind the bag trying to look cool.


Oops - he can't stand it anymore and takes a quick sniff. Remember - felted items are George's favorite knitted items!!


It's even fun to lay by and it doesn't hurt that it is in a sun beam too!


AAAhhhhhhhhhhhhh................


It seems like a good thing to nap by.


Yup....it's nice.


OK - time to get up!