Project Spectrum: March Project 3

Here is a pink hat for the charity knit bag. All yarn was from my stash.

Lambs' Pride in 'Orchid Thistle' and Lion Wool Prints in 'Autumn Sunset' done on #13 Addi circs. Pattern (created by me on the fly): cast on 90 stitches, join yarn and knit 2x2 ribbing for 1.75 inches. Switch to MC and continue to knit SS in round for 5 more inches. Decrease one stitch (I did a SSK) every 10 inches and continue to decrease at the same points for 2.5 more inches (your decreases will be slanted). Don't cast off, just cut a long tail, thread through a tapestry needle and draw through needle stitches. Draw all stitches together, crisscross over opening a few times with the threaded tapestry needle, then weave in end. The decreases will give a nice little star pattern when all drawn up together. The hat is a bit big, but I'm going to felt it slightly to tighten it up and create a nice warm woolie.

See? She is pink!

Here's is the lower half of one Jessica sleeve. Instead of the tricolor alternating stripe, I'm going with a more random pattern using 2 colors. The cuff end is at the stitch holder, pending finishing to the correct length which won't be determined until I finish the upper half of the sleeve.

Something Pink

Continuing in the Project Spectrum vein, here's a glimpse into my knitting bag - this is my knit kit. The cool, circly zipper bag is actually a Jelly rubber pencil kit picked up at a big box store for $1.29. Inside are two little compartment cases (a whopping $1.69 for 2!): the green one houses all my stitch markers by size, the pink one holds safety pins, point protectors which I never use, and my tape measure.

Also in the kit is a funky star nail file for the pesky rough edge (and emergency sander for my bamboo and wood needles), a thimble, a Nemukko Nyago mechanical pencil/pen, scissors, and a packet of tapestry needles I've had for 20+ years. The packet was originally 6 needles. I'm down to 4. I hereby apologize to anyone who may have inadvertently found a needle stuck in a sofa cushion.

Project Spectrum: March Project 1A

aka The KoolAid Incident. Last night, while the CatMan and I were watching a movie, Pip (Doodles/Dudes) explored the effects of knocking over a glass of KoolAid. Besides the lovely dye aspects (this would be "Tropical Punch"), did you know it travels extremely quickly on carpet?

So this is a Project Spectrum project not listed on the sidebar. I'll be creatively figuring out a way to remove this PINK from our rug.

Project Spectrum: March Project 1

The first five inches of Jessica. I know what you are thinking. "Catty? March is supposed to be about pink and red, honey." Well just hold on to your needles, kids...pink is the accent color for this sweater. I have to knit all the black stuff first.

I swatched the alpaca on #3 (yeah, I know. Craziness!) and #6 needles. While it looked better on the 3s, I knew if I wanted ANY chance of finishing sometime this spring, I had to go with the larger size. It may require a camisole under it - we'll see.

Lenten thoughts

I did not grow up in a home that celebrated Lent. The denomination I'm affiliated with does not celebrate Lent. Yet I'm intrigued by the concept and the surrounding ritual. Take this statement posted by Sara at Going Jesus:

Wednesday, February 15, 2006:
Whatever useless things these hands have done
It's early yet, but I realized today that I'm really looking forward to Lent. I love the depth of the liturgy in Lent, the way it tries to get us to flip over the rocks and see all the squirmy sightless things that live under there. The challenge is to see them with an understanding of grace, which is what holds the despair at bay. There's a little thrill in facing something squarely and realizing that the opportunity for transformation exists. Watching an old pattern or habit peel away and lose its power is a tiny bite-size Easter, an unexpected place for life to break out. I see it all the time, if I remember to look.

Exactly Sara! Spring nudges cold, hard, frostheaved soil - the Lenten season nudges us past that pretty little Christmas baby tableau (which here in Vermit is still frozen to the ground where it was planted 3 months ago), through some soul tundra, to a time of spiritual thawing and blooming. So this year, I'm celebrating Lent. I'm going to flip over some rocks, hopefully squish some squirmy things, and take my bite-size Easters as grace and joy instead of chocolate.

Project Spectrum

You've most likely seen the Project Spectrum button on the sidebar. I love this knitalong for several reasons. There's focus (every month a different color), but no imposed deadlines or types of projects. I'm excited to be using this 6-month event as a 'stash-buster/start knitting the stuff I bought months ago' opportunity.

My big March project is Jessica, using the Peruvian Alpaca from my stash. I'm also creating a pair of red earrings and my charity knit will be a pink hat using stash yarn.

I'm spending the next few days in preparation for the March 1 start date. This includes winding the alpaca, making necessary pattern adjustments for my body type, and sorting through my hat patterns.

And I just saw this 'Finishing Workshop - Picking up stitches' posted at KYarns. I'll be signing up since I really really really need to learn the RIGHT way to pick up stitches!

Koigu has left the needles

Cinco gives me a hand modeling the Koigu Identity Crisis, which actually turned out to be a longgggg scarf and glovelets.

Yarn: Koigu KPPPM, dye code P106, dye lot 139. The picture above is a true representation of the colors.

The scarf pattern: 30 stitches on #3 needles (I used my Addi circs).
Row 1: Knit
Row 2: Purl
Row 3: YO K2tog across row
Row 4: Purl
There is a 3 stitch garter edge on all 4 edges of the scarf. Remember to double check your stitches before and after your (YO,K2tog) rows for the first few inches to make sure you aren't adding an extra stitch.

The glovelets are the tried and true 2x2 ribbing. Since my hands are broad across the knuckles, I cast on 60 stitches on #2 Brittany DPNs. I added a 6-stitch buttonhole at the 4.5" mark for the thumb, then continued in pattern until the glovelets measured 7" long.

And get this! I've got yarn left over!

On your mark...

Not much to show on the knitting front - the Koigu is coming along nicely; I think there's probably another 8" or so to go. I'm just hoping I have enough for the glovelets. If not, I may just go wild with remnant Koigu bits - it could be fun. Randomness. Me. Rightttt.

I'm eagerly planning for Project Spectrum. In my brain right now, I'm contemplating 1) knitting project for me, 1) beading project, and 1) charity knit in the monthly color scheme. I'll post more solidified ideas later. But let me just say, I'm preparing even as we speak (er..type).

And finally, here's Jack-a-Blope lurking behind the computer monitor. I'm pretty sure his "friend" Cinco was nearby and Jack was triangulating a surprise attack.

My, what big slippers you have.

Sasquatch slippers?

Just right!

Felted ballerina slippers from Beverly Galeskas' Felted Knits. Yarns used: Lambs Pride Worsted in Orchid Thistle and Jade, as well as Lang 'Tosca' in Red Orange, and Lion Wool Prints in Autumn Sunset on #13 Addis.

Mmmm..fleece

Miles to go before I slept

I know I missed the silent poetry reading of Feb. 2, but bear with me as I look at this FO and paraphrase Robert Frost. It was worth the challenge and effort, but from now on? "Just say no" to cables.
The Imagiknits scarf turned out quite well, too. I like the stripey effect of the yarn - it plays well with the herringbone stitch.

Don't make me break out the chocolate

I've taken to plying the Koigu with wine in hopes it will loosen up her identity crisis. C'mon baby, you know you want to be a scarf...you'll look gooood...

Objects are larger than they appear

Meepus and Jack examine a current WIP - one (pre) Felted Ballerina Slipper.

Moving along

The CatMan Aran is almost dry, the Koigu Identity Crisis is settling in nicely, and I started AND finished one ballet slipper last night during "24". Wow. I'm feeling like a knitter again! Hopefully there will be some pics tomorrow.

Found!

Happy day here in the Catty house. The CatMan found my 'cat-placed' peridot earring. A while back (a year or more?), I set out my peridot earrings. In a hurry to get out the door, I forgot them at which point they became cat toys. That night, I found one in the laundry hamper - the other? MIA. Yesterday, the CatMan was vacuuming behind the dresser (Evidently, you are supposed to pull out the dresser and vacuum behind it on a regular basis. I usually use the excuse of moving out of the apartment to do that sort of cleaning.) The earring had wedged itself between the edge of the carpet and the wall. A little swish in soapy water - good as new.

Meanwhile, over on the progress bar. CatMan is done and soaking for its block party. I pulled out the Leaves and Flowers Shawl and *sigh* frogged it. The Koigu was not happy. I've read different knitters contemplate "the yarn telling me what it wants to be". Well, this big-a**'d ball of Koigu has an identity crisis. I'm not willing to wait out the personality confusion: I love the colors and I want something to coordinate with my deep green winter coat. So I'm trying a wide scarf in a simple eyelet and stockinette pattern with (hopefully) enought left over for matching glovelets.

And lastly, I'm interested in this!

Check it out if you haven't already.

Planning ahead

See that progress bar over there >>>? Yeppers, one pattern repeat of the CatMan Aran to go. One, people, count 'em! It's a party here at the Catty household. In celebration, I've picked out my next project - the Ballerina Slippers from Beverly Galeskas' Felted Knits. I'm using some stash yarn (Lambs Pride Worsted, plus some Lang 'Tosca'). But to tie it all together, I had to find something with all the colors (orange, teal, orchid thistle). Enter Lion Wool Prints in Autumn Sunset. It has them ALL! And my inner yarn snob aside - it looks great!

And to add insult to the snob, I picked up a skein of this: Lion Brand Magic Strips in 'Bright Spring'. Oddly enough, it appears to be the same colors, albeit brighter (and with the addition of white), as the Autumn Sunset. Hmmm... The recommended gauge for socks is given for #3 needles, but I'm gonna see if I can get away with my #2s.

I've also been bead shopping in Bristol (at Piperia). Unfortunately, Blogger is not cooperating by loading the pic. We'll save it for the next time.

Reason 101 not to do laundry

Cause you might throw the cat in by mistake.

And that would be bad!

Another one bites the snow!

Imagiknits scarf is done. I really like how the Dorchester Yarns striped out in the pattern. I'll post a pic this weekend (Or maybe tonight when I get home. If I get home before 9 pm. Love you, Overtime!) So next up is the CatMan Aran. My goal is to finish it this month. Really. Uh-huh.

I have a question. Does anyone out there know of a charity knitalong/program for the Pakistani earthquake victims? I saw a Lehrer report last week and it's haunted me ever since. I've already done a pair of mittens and a neck gaiter from the stash (and I think the Imagiknits scarf is going to be part of it too) in anticipation that I could send them somewhere. If you know of something, please post the link in the Comments. Thanks!

Finally, some FOs!

Somehow I don't think the Really Big Shew enjoys being a footstool for the Java Socks. Note her Evil White Whisker. The socks are Janis's Koigu Sock Pattern knit with Cherry Tree Hill in Java on #2 Brittanys.

And the Bubbies 3 waiting to make their way to Fan in Ohio. All were done in Berroco Chinchilla on #4 Brittanys; the end Bubbies are Chocolat, the middle Bubbie is Fawn.

All this #2 and #4 knitting is causing some pain at the base of my thumbs. The CatMan's suggestion: Stop knitting for a while. And he was serious! Wha...?? The man is clearly not right in the head. I think I'll try some bigger needle projects before such a drastic measure.

Getting closer

To having some FO to show this weekend! Bubbies are dangerously close, as are the Java socks. And here's a surprise - the CatMan Aran continues to languish.

Progress is just a word

Not really an action in the Gathering Wool world. I've made incremental (read: 1-2 percentage points) on various and sundry WIP. The Bubbies, the Imagiknits scarf, the CatMan Aran were all picked up and knit on a bit this week. But did I finish any of them? Do any of the progress bars affirmatively answer that question?

So I'm digging in to the final Bubby tonight. It's my plan to have the body/legs finished by the end of the "24" premiere so all I will have to do is add the arms and embroider the faces this week.

It's my mission and I choose to accept it.

Dear TPTB*?

*The Powers That Be*

Seriously? I'm so ready for this overtime sitch to be over. done. final. gone. hasta la vista, baby. I've barely picked up any of the current WIP. And this is bad. sad. horrendous. awful. sucks. So could we dice up some slack and give the remnants to me? My knitting is suffering. My blogging is suffering. My home is suffering. Jonny Q, Bandit, Race and crew wait patiently next to the DVD for quality time with me. And don't even mention the KYarns gift card that frowns at me every time I open my wallet.

So - slack time. Pronto. Or I'm gonna bring my dirty undies to work and YOU can wash 'em.

One week

And all I have to show for it is 45 hours of work for what should have been a 32-hour work week. I did accomplish typing out the next 35 rows of the Leaves & Flowers Shawl (I'm not a chart girl), 20 rows of knitting on the Imagiknits scarf, and some Bubby work (hi Lori!) I really meant to have some pictures for today's post, but the daylight is gone. So I will leave you with some photos, courtesy of Stitchy:

Owen is the baby hippo, Mzee is the 100-year old tortoise. How freakin' cute is this?

toodles off singing "People, let me tell ya 'bout my besssssst friend"

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly (not to mention, the Out-of-Control)

Happy New Year, my pretties!

First the Good(s):
This yarn is for the Top-Down Coat Pattern I purchased from KYarns a few months back. It's a blend of merino, microfiber, and cashmere in a soft, celery green color.

These cute little sunny beads are an impulse buy for me. Cinco's being sly by trying to snag the larger bead (which I've already designated for a book thong).

My parents gave me a Barnes and Noble Gift Card (thank you!) This little guide is gonna save me a patch o'work when I'm looking for conversion tables, baby head circumferences, and other knitting miscellania.

This is the CatMan and our friend, D. at the top of their New Year's Eve Day hike. They are very very happy. A few hours from this photo? They will be very very sore.

The Bad:
Unpacking. Need I say more?


The Ugly:

The Logs of Meat. These are not raw, though they look it (here and in person). They are homecured beef and pork products, tasting remarkably like beef summer sausage. They were part of the sustenance for the boys' hike. They are also very very good. If you can get past the ugly.

The Out of Control:
CatMan Aran - (20 more inches, if I go to the length the CatMan has requested) Did I mention this will rot off his neck because he will not be allowed to remove it?
Java Socks - (1 down, the other at the point of heel gusset)
Leaves and Flowers Shawl - Knitted through row 30-something. Starting this in the car on the way to Albany yesterday just about drove me guano loco. Once I got some markers placed and altered the edge stitches to YO, K2 it was smoother sailing. It's on hold until I can enlarge the chart and make some notations for myself.
Bubbies - Have to be finished this month. I'm 1/2 way there.
Imagiknits Scarf - Relegated to car project

So that makes 5!?! projects on the needles to start the new year. Sounds like my resolution is to get the WIP list to a manageable number by the end of the month.

Merry Christmas!

Making lists, checking twice

But not the kind of lists you're thinking for this time of year. It's the "time to pack up for vacation" list-making extravaganza, such as -
"Don't forget to take" list (digital camera, batteries, hotel itineraries)
"Errands to run on the way out of town" list (pick up hemmed skirt, bank, drugstore)
"Personal" list (trim bangs, manicure)
"Clothes to pack" list (cause if I don't make a list, I won't remember this skirt needs this slip or these shoes)
"House stuff to do before we leave" list (empty trash, take out recycling, leave contact numbers for Judy!)
And then of course, the Misc. list - the catchall for the other things that don't fit the above lists.

But in the midst of lists, I am doing a little knitting. This is the Imagiknits Scarf in the Dorchester Farms yarn I picked up in October. The pattern is easy, but I'm finding I have to pay attention during the knit row, or I forget a step and end up short a stitch. Rassinfrassinmumblemumble.

And one list (Christmas Trip Projects) was done weeks ago (I know my priorities!)

To all my virtual knitting friends and acquaintances, have a most blessed Christmas and party-filled New Year. I'll catch you on the flip side!

Elves!

Here's a pair of Koigu handwarmers for a coworker who's always cold. These were so fast and fun to knit: #2 Brittany DPNs, cast on of 44 stitches, knit in 2 x 2 ribbing with a 6-st buttonhole for the thumb. Hmmm...looks like I need a little hand lotion.

These are my Bernat Boa scarves for my landlady and her sister. I'm a yarn snob - stems from the days of huge skeins of acrylic. But the Boa is kissing cousin to my favorite Splash, and these colors were absolutely delicious. The yellow (Tweety Bird, according to the label) was more like Citrus Punch to me; it was a mix of lemon yellow, soft orange, and a pink grapefruit. Perfectly suited to my landlady's sunny personality. The purple (Parrot [?!?!] says the label) is a blend of wine colors: merlot, cabernet, shiraz. It made me thirsty just knitting it up!

Judy, the sunny scarf is 2 skeins long - fun and extravagant. Rita, the purple scarf is one skein with a button to wear closer to the neck. Here's a pic of Rita with button:

Both scarves are garter stitch done on 1) #9 and 1) #13 Brittany needle. This elf thinks she got the yarn/pattern/personality match just right.

Knitting Festivus

2 gifties down, winding the Koigu for the 3rd. Thanks Kaity for reminding me that although I don't have mini-skeins of Koigu, I can still enjoy the hand-dyed goodness!

I'll post some pics this weekend. C'mon Friday!!

Happy Nappies

Witness Jack. Since he's black, it's kinda hard to see his little face, especially since it's buried in the fleece throw he pulled down off the back of the chair. He's face-first in the blanket - I'm not sure how he keeps from suffocating himself.

In other news: trip plans are finalized, gifts are wrapped, knitting bag is packed.

Knitting for fun and relaxation

Yeah, it sounds good. Wish it was happening in the Catty house. Actually, I've been knitting as decompression before bed. Usually I read, but since life has been a bit chaotic the past few weeks, I'm finding the knitting is allowing thoughts to unravel and empty before sleep. I've finished the KYarns Charity projects and am 1/3rd through some quick holiday knitting.

I've decided in addition to the CatMan Aran, I'll be taking along the Java Socks and the Leaves Shawl pattern for the Christmas trip projects. I was seriously debating the shawl since it's lace, but I'm thinking focus might do me well. What's particularly funny is the yarn I'm using is the Koigu from the ill-attempted Oli-vest from last Christmas. Freaky, huh?

High Anxiety

I love Christmas Eve. I love my family. I love Pennsylvania. I do not love the whirlwind tour that happens every time we go home for the holidays. In the words of some dear friends, I celebrate the holidays with St. Xanax and Zoloft, the Advent Angel.

When I was in counseling a few years ago to deal with some depression issues and panic attacks, my therapist suggested I create some coping techniques. Since the panic attacks occur at points when I'm relaxed (panic attack = unprocessed excess adrenaline), I needed to create a structure to work through it. Knitting has been that Godsend (Thank you, God!) I can be perfectly at rest in a group of people, needles clicking away, focused on the task at hand but still part of the group...whooosh...can you hear that adrenaline being processed?

So, here we are. A little over 2 weeks away from the Christmas "vacation". I could either look at it as 9 days of anxiety or 9 full days of knitting! Which would you pick? I've decided the CatMan Aran is best suited to being a car project (I'm thinking with a 16 hour round trip to PA and back, I should be able to accomplish completion!) I need to sit down and look through the stash for other potential projects. Nothing too complicated (since there will no doubt be lots of picking up and putting down), or bulky (do I want to heft a sweater all over the place?). The Java Socks will definitely be one project. Maybe this scarf in the Dorchester Farms yarn I picked up at the Vermont Wool and Sheep Fest in October. I'm open for suggestions! Got any?

All good things...

must end. And so, the weekend comes to a close. Everything on the list was accomplished (+ some!), except for... c'mon you know you wanna guess... first two don't count... that's right... CatMan Aran never saw the light of day. But I did get one Bubby knit, and the second is at the point of needing the arms sewn on and the face embroidered.

Here's the first Bubby (or Bubbette, since it's going to a little girl baby)

I bet if I had another 4 days off, I'd get to the CatMan Aran. Uh-huh, ayep I would.