Works in progress
Duo long sleeve kid's sweater,
Spring 03 Knitty, Frosty blue Lion Brand Cotton-Ease - 60% done
V-Neck sweater, Yarn Girls (Wool-Ease Thick & Quick in Pewter) - 90% done
(need to rip out upper sleeve and reknit)
Spring green sweater tank (Katia Idea Jean, size 9 circular) - 80% done
Need to start
Something for my Secret Santee (due by Friday- eek!)
Hat for Harry
Finished projects Fall 2003
Green basket weave hat for me (Lion Brand Kool Wool in Grass, 3.25 sts=1", size 8 bamboo needle, cast on 64 sts)
Meghan's 12th Birthday hat(Lion Brand Wool-Ease in Rose Heather, double strand, 4 st=1", size 3 bamboo needle,
cast on 70 sts)
Rachel's 12th Birthday hat (Wool-Ease Chunky in Walnut, 3 sts=1", cast on 54 sts)
Jayla's blue hat - 8 months, head=18" (pre-felted yarn, blue-white varigated, 4.5 sts=1", size 3 needle, cast on 64 sts)
Kerin's Hannukah 2003 Hhat (Manos purple varigated, 3.5 sts=1", size 8 bamboo needle, cast on 66.5 stitches)
Baby hat w/ leftover Manos, head=13" (3.5 sts=1", size 8 bamboo needle, cast on 38 sts)
Baby hat w/ leftover felted yarn (4.5 sts=1", size 3 needle, cast on 50 sts)
Josh's Third Times' a Charm Hat (Noro silk/wool, double strand I think, 2.5-3 sts=1", cast on 46 sts)
Justin's Hannukah 03 Hat (Lamb's Pride Bulky in charcoal, 3-4 sts=1", cast on 57-76 sts, I forgot)
Julie's Christmas 03 Hat using FCEK Seed Stitch Cap (Cleckheaton Gusto 10 in black, cast on 44 st)
Sophie's blue striped hat (Debbie Bliss Cashmerino aran, held double, 3 sts=1", cast on 56 sts, 39 rows)
Matching American Girl Doll Hat, head=13" (Debbie Bliss Cashmerino aran, held double, 3 sts=1", cast on 32 sts, 22 rows)
Eric's Hannukah 03 Hat (Rowan Plaid in Storm, 3 sts=1", 4 rows, size 3 bamboo needle, cast on 60 sts)
Lisa's Hannukah 03 Ski Hat (Reynolds Lopi in baby blue, 4 sts=1", cats on 80 sts)
Lisa J.'s baby hat (Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece in Prosperous Plum, 3.5 sts=1", size 3 needle)
4 American Girl doll scarves for 4 cousins Spring 2003
White/baby blue/yellow/green cotton hat for Jayla
Pink/green hat for Jayla
Pink/green striped washcloth/burp cloth for Jayla
Baby blue and white Polarfleece hat for Rachel
"Skully" hat for Sandy
Hat for Lily (Plymouth Indecita Alpaca, size 8 bamboo circular needles, held double strand, cast on 60 sts)
Hat for Zach
Cel phone case
Birthday skully for Kerin
Pink merino hat for Skylar (Debbie Bliss merino dk, size 3 & 6 circular)
Hat for Tracy's baby (lavendar merino Zara, held double strand, size 10 circular)
Purple soft hat for me (GGH Aspen 50/50 Merino Wool/Acrylic, size 11 Addi Turbo, cast on 62 sts, 2.85 sts=1")
Green and blue tweed hat for Dad (Donegal Tweed, size 11 Addi Turbo, cast on 48 sts, 2.82 sts=1")
Yellow cotton washcloth
Red puffy hat for me (Puffy merino wool, size 15 cast on wood dps, cast on 39 sts, 2 sts=1")
2 American Girl Doll scarves (Red Heart variegated)
Green merino scarf (Rowan big wool 100% merino wool, size 19 Addi Turbo circular & 19 straights)
D Knitty
Danielle's Knitting Blog
Friday, December 19, 2003
I met with Nici last night for our knitting lesson. She showed me the increases and decreases that I wanted to learn. The time just flew and she didn't even realized that two hours had passed. I could see myself hanging out with her in a non-tutorial capacity. I will probably schedule another lesson when I need to sew my pieces together. She told me that she and her boyfriend are producing instructional knitting CDs which I can't wait to see.
She said I had a good mind for knitting which Josh found funny because I watch mindless tv shows when I knit.
12/19/2003 08:15:00 PM
My knitting books
-Stitch 'N Bitch: The Knitter's Handbook by Debbie Stoller
Best book for beginners. Kind of like a dummies guide in its attempt to make knitting easy to understand. Written with a real sense of humour. Everyone likes the names of the patterns (like the "Ribbed For Her Pleasure Scarf") but I love the sometimes punny chapter subheadings like "Purl, Interupted" and "If you can stand the head" (the kitchener stitch) and "Sewing behind bars" (joining a top to a side edge). The illustrations are really good- reminding me of the how-to books of the 60's.
I want to knit: Cowl and Howl Set, designed by my first knitting teacher Diana Rupp. The cowl sweater will be for me and the howl sweater will be for my boss Sheril's dog Chloe.
-The Yarn Girls' Guide to Simple Knits by Jordana Jacobs & Julie Carles
Easy patterns using chunky yarns. I like how they include regular directions plus a step by step guide for shaping. This book has more patterns that I want (and can) knit than any other so far. Written by the proprietors of my favorite LYS, the Yarn Company, on New York's upper west side.
1 Criticism: They only refer to the yarn by name but not manufacturer. Like "Polar" and not "Rowan Polar."
I have knit: Stars are Stripes p.94-96. Not yet pieced together. Pretty easy to follow.
I want to knit: Even Daniele did it p.56-58, Don't be a football widow p.68-71, Weekend Warrior p.72-74, Trick or Treat p.75-77, The problem solver p.80-82, Winter poncho p.146-147 (now that I am comfortable with decreasing!)
-Knitting Pretty by Kris Percival
Good basic beginner's book but no info about gauge. They say it's because with most of these projects it doesn't matter but I like to know. This was the first knitting book I bought and I was very confused about what yarn I could use for each project. Knowing gauge would have helped. Barring that, the patterns are very simple and I like how she tells you what skills you need for each pattern and what the difficulty level is. A pretty book. I would recommend this to other brand new knitters.
I have knit: Bookmark p. 44-45, Dishcloth p.48-49, Cell phone cozy p.80-81, Warmest mittens p.58-61
-Vogue Knitting: The Ultimate Knitting Book by Vogue Knitting Magazine Editors
Like the bible- not light reading but enlightening. An investment that every knitter should make.
-The Knitters Book of Finishing Techniques by Nancie M. Wiseman
I love this book even though I don't know how to do half of the things. I LOVE how the section about each stitch or technique gives you a Benefits/Drawbacks comparison. Great closeup photos and illustrations. Sprial bound which is so practical for a crafts book. Wish more had it (see also, 50 Baby Bootees to Knit.)
-50 Baby Bootees to Knit by Zoe Mellor
Bootees (or Booties as I like to call them) are great because they're fast, relatively simple and use up scrap yarn. Ths book has variations on about 6 basic bootie and sock designs, all of which are very cute. I think these patterns will be great for me to practice my new increasing and decreasing skills.
Criticisms: No photos or illustrations on how to assemble bootees. I knit one pair but never sewed it together because I was so confused about how to do it. Plus many have loose items like beads, buttons, bells fabric roses, which my friend Beth in Legal told me are a huge no no for babies.
I have knit: Slip-ons p.116-117
I want to knit: Simple T-Bar Shoes p.16-19 (I had a pair like these when I was a baby), Gingham shoes p.26-7, Pirate Boots p.30-31, Herringbone bootees p.36-37, Knot shoes p.40-41, Bee shoes p.46-49 (I love the fat hands clutching the fat feet on p.49), Denim shoes p.56-57, Textured Cuff Bootees p.60-61, Duck feet p.64-65, Simple shoes p.70-73, Chunky ankle strap shoes p.92-93, Contrast edge slippers p.96-97, Stripy bootees p.98-101 (these look like Converse hi-tops!)
-The Baby Knits Book: The Ultimate Collection of Knitwear Designs for Newborns to 3-Year-Olds by Debbie Bliss
Debbie Bliss is my favorite designer. Her patterns appeal to the Gap/Banana Republic minded which is up my alley. The children in this book gorgeous. I want to adopt the little girl on page 81, 82 and 118.
I want to knit: Garter Stitch Jacket and hat p.26-29, Raglan sweater p.36-37, Classic cardigan p.39-41.
-Quick Baby Knits : Over 25 Quick and Easy Designs for 0-3 year olds by Debbie Bliss
Beautiful designs.
I want to knit: Stocking stitch sweater p.32-33 (the model for this design reminds me of my brother-in-law's nephew Gabe), Garter Stitch Jacket and bootees p.46-49
-Hollywood Knits: Thirty Original Suss Designs by Suss Cousins
A "coffee table" knitting book. I love the Men's Dressy Sweater on p.98-99, which is the sweater worn by Keanu in Matrix II but my husband would never wear it.
I want to knit: Leather tie cardigan p.86-89, Fitted ribbed turtleneck p.90-93 and cover, Single button serendipitous cardigan p.110-113
-Debbie Bliss Knitting Workbook by Debbie Bliss
Not for beginners.
12/19/2003 07:22:00 PM
Thursday, December 18, 2003
I found a knitting tutor and tonight is our first session. I've been stuck in a rut because I don't know how to do various castings on, increases, decreases and bindings off. I feel limited. I am real good at k2tog so that just limits me to hats or relatively shapeless items like scarves. I've wanted to make a poncho from the Yarn Girls Guide but one needs to increase for that.
12/18/2003 09:06:00 AM
Wednesday, December 10, 2003
The other day my friend Tracy asked me to show her to "stitch together" a baby blanket. There was a pattern in a Parenting magazine she had and she had decided she wanted to make it for her 9 month old daughter. I took a look at the pattern- it was a made up of granny squares. I said, "you just sew the granny squares together with the yarn you are using." Then she said, "And I need you to show me how to make the squares too."
I said, "this blanket is crocheted, I only know how to knit."
She looked at my confused, "Isn't it the same thing?"
"Not really," I told her.
As it was a very simple pattern, I told her I could modify it so it could be knit and then show her how, but warned that it was going to take a while- that she wouldn't have it ready for Christmas. She was fine with that and I gave her a list of exactly what she needed: some DK yarn, size 6 straight needles and a tapestry needle.
She went over the list and said something about getting two needles. I said, "No, just the one." She looked at me really confused and mimed knitting- "Don't you need two?" I had to explain that knitting needles are sold like shoes, in pairs.
The next day she comes in and tells me she went to the yarn store and the woman there told her the blanket would go much faster if it was crocheted. She said, "Well, my friend only knows how to knit." The woman insisted that "it would be so much easier and faster to crochet it." By this time, I was starting to get impatient, until Tracy whipped out two crocheted squares. The woman had taught Tracy to crochet- right then and there.
So now Tracy keeps trying to teach me how to crochet!
12/10/2003 10:09:00 PM
