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
Tuesday, October 12, 2004 Back in the spring, I bought, "Knit a Square/Make a Toy" and set out to make at least one toy. Don't ask why I decided the camel was the toy to try. In retrospect, I realize I should have started with an animal that did not need to stand up.
I bought some camel-colored yarn and knit a dozen squares or so. Then I sewed most of the squares into tubes, stuffed them and sewed them together. This project took 10 months but most of that time, the squares sat lonely in my knitting closet, either waiting for me to buy the stuffing or do the stuffing. Finally, this weekend, I decided to put the thing together.
I was disappointed about how fat it turned out. I couldn't overstuff the tubes in order to make them firmer because they just stretched out more. The white stuffing sort of shows through but by not overstuffing, I avoided that. It didn't seem right that the legs and neck should be the same length. "Cammy," as I have dubbed him, is quite cute but so goofy looking. My husband was impressed because I have not completed any knit projects except for a ton of hats. And the recipient of Cammy will probably not notice that he doesn't stand up on his own. She's only a year and a half.
I think I may make one more toy from this book but opt for one that doesn't need to stand on its legs. It was extremely easy knitting up this project because it was literally all garter stitch squares (or rectangles)- the hard part (if you could even call it that) was sewing them all together. All of the toys require the same number of squares more or less so I will make the next toy smaller by making the squares smaller.
This is a great project book for children, but an adult will definitely have to sew the pieces together for them. Also, it's a good project for a number of children to work on together.
10/12/2004 07:27:00 AM
Wednesday, March 03, 2004
A side note:
I visited my gynecologist last Friday for my annual check-up. After the niceties, he asked, "Everything ok down there?"
3/03/2004 12:51:00 PM
Thursday, February 26, 2004 It's scarf time
I got the new spring Patternworks catalog and couldn't resist the S. Charles Collezione Rondo ribbon yarn in Carribbean. I was in the mood to make and knit a non-winter scarf for myself and lo and behold, Patternworks is offering this pattern with purchase of the yarn.
Then I decided to make a scarf for Kerin's birthday with the Berrocco Suede ribbon yarn with the Calamity Jane (purple) and Dale Evans (off-white) shades. I will probably work the two colors together because 4 stitches per inch is too small a gauge for me.
2/26/2004 09:56:00 PM
Hat stylesWith a turned up brimNo brimCables - next style to tackle 2/26/2004 09:49:00 PM
Wednesday, February 25, 2004 Humorous photo of the day
From my summer vacation in Hawaii. A coffee roasting/chocolate nut selling place.
2/25/2004 09:45:00 PM
Friday, February 20, 2004
My friend Fatty Davies made this AIM icon for me. You can use it too.
2/20/2004 10:37:00 PM
Tuesday, February 17, 2004 Top 10 Knitting Disses
10. You crochet? That's nice.
9. I've been knitting since I'm 6.
8. Oh- you're still using straights?
7. I lost count! You made me lose count!
6. I only knit for babies.
5. I only knit for people who've stopped growing.
4. I won't waste my time with acrylic yarn. Correlary: Yo mama knits with acrylic.
3. For me, it's bamboo/rosewood/Addi Turbos or it's nothing.
2. Shhh- I'm counting stitches!
1. Can we delay this conversation until I finish binding off?
2/17/2004 07:57:00 AM
Tuesday, February 10, 2004
Although I have not previously even mentioned that I was planning to start it, I have knit the front and back of the Jayla sweater which comes from Debbie Bliss' Quick Baby Knits. It's the roll-neck stocking stitch sweater on p.32-33. Since I am using size 2 needles and knitting 5 stitches per inch, it was really slow starting. At first, I was so frustrated with how long it was taking me, I swore never to knit at this gauge again. However, I learned that a Saturday spent on the couch watching TIVOed Law and Order: SVU episodes helps to add inches. Two weekends give me two sides of a 2T size sweater sweater. Otherwise, yes, 5 sts per inch is too slow for me.
The sweater is for my best friend's daughter Jayla who really is the most beautiful child. She's very bad about sleeping through the night, but she gets high marks in the cuteness department. So she deserves all this hard work.
While we are in Tahoe this weekend, I plan to knit the sleeves. I would start now but I am waiting for the straight needles I ordered to arrive. One of the frustrating things about knitting this sweater is the 29" circular needles that are too long and curly and drove me crazy throughout the knitting of the first piece. By the second piece, it sort of straightened itself out and I guess I got used to it. But for the sleeves, I should make my life easier.
2/10/2004 08:31:00 PM
Friday, January 16, 2004
I found out that my cousin Lynne was throwing her husband Dave a surprise 40th birthday party and, having decided that I would REALLY try to make all of my gifts from now on, I endeavored to knit his gift. I thought, "what can I knit the man who has everything? What does my cousin like?" I've known Dave my whole life but I really don't know that much about him. "OK," I thought. "Dave is management at a roofing company, likes to do his own home enhancements (he built his deck, I think), refuses to eat leftovers, and golfs so much he got carpal tunnel from it." Well, I wasn't going to knit him a hat so I found a pattern for one of those golf club sock covers that I've mocked in the past.
It was quite easy- knit flat, you rib for a while, then you increase, work even, then decrease until you bind off. Stitch up the edges and voila. The two patterns I found included vague instructions for knitting some duplicate stitch numbers. I had no idea what those numbers stood for so I asked my golf-loving boss who told me but then I totally forgot what he said. I called Lynne and asked her to sneak a look at his golf bag to see if he had any covers with numbers. As he didn't, and as I had never done a duplicate stitch before, I chose the numero uno.
I used a skein of black Lopi yarn which I had originally bought to make a hat for my sister-in-law but it was too damn scratchy to be next to naked skin. In the future, I won't bother using 100% wool for something that doesn't need to be kept warm. A skein of $2 acrylic will do just fine. For a few rows, I added some leftover grey worsted weight yarn to the Lopi (rather than do a true stripe because it was too skinny compared to the Lopi).
Here is the pattern I used and here is another pattern that I didn't. Neither had photos but at least the former was easier to understand. The latter was written out too confusingly. You'll see when you read the pattern.
Dave really liked it.
1/16/2004 10:23:00 PM
I am taking a break from knitting clothes and other wearables to knit a camel. Actually, a toy camel. I saw this book on Amazon called Knit a Square/Make a Toy. There are patterns for a cat, penguin, monkey, rabbit, duck, polar bear, kangaroo, several dogs, snake, mermaid, and some other things.
I decided to make the camel because I found a really nice tan worsted yarn at Michael's. Normally, I stay away from acrylic yarns but for a toy, I figured it was fine. I'm really impressed with this yarn- Caron Simply Soft. It really is very soft and un-acrylic-feeling.
I'm not making this camel for any particular baby. Perhaps Jayla will end up with it. I know I certainly don't need any stuffed animals but I could always save it for when we have a baby.
The patterns are fairly straight-forward- you literally knit a bunch of garter stitch squares and sometimes rectangles, then sew them together and stuff it. The camel pattern calls for 8 squares and a few rectangles. It's a little boring just doing garter stitch but it's quick. So far, I've done 3 1/2 squares.
I saw this in an Amazon review and I have to agree.
...in "translation" from the Australian version, some terms become unclear. The patterns refer to "8-ply" yarn, which I know is DK weight (intermediate between worsted and sport). But the needle size suggested is "5" - that can mean different things to knitters in Europe, the US, and the UK. Beginner knitters might be a bit frustrated by this.
Well, I didn't know that 8-ply is DK but I figured I would be safe using worsted. Also, no gauge guide so I was pretty clueless. Fortunately, as long as you knit the squares with the same type of yarn and same needle size, the toy will be in proportion. Of course, if you use extra chunky yarn like Takhi Baby, you're going to end up with one of those ridiculous "Look what my boyfriend won for me in the Midway!"-size stuffed animals. I just hope my gauge is tight enough that the stuffing doesn't pop out. I'm using a size 6 Addi Turbo needle which seems to be fine but perhaps next time I'll use smaller needles, like I do when I make hats. I could also try stockinette and other stitch patterns, just to mix it up a bit.
All in all, I think this is a great project book for the beginner or young knitter.
1/16/2004 10:04:00 PM
Sunday, January 11, 2004
My boss Sheril was jealous that my other boss was featured in my blog, if only as the butt of a joke. I tried to explain that my blog is primarily a knitting site but she still wanted in. After deciding that I wanted to try to make the Cowl half of the "Cowl and Howl Sweater" from the Stitch 'N Bitch book, I showed Sheril the picture and realized that I could make the Howl part for her beloved Shih Tzu Chloe. She requested hot pink yarn.
I used 2 balls of Rowan Polar and knit it up over Christmas. I enjoyed this yarn but the mohair in it shed all over so maybe it will not be a great choice for the human sweater. I will not divulge the pattern here out of respect for copyrights, but I will say that the pattern is quite easy. You measure the dog, knit two rectangles, sew em together and them pick up stitches to create the cowl neck.
Chloe loved the sweater and didn't want to take it off. Now, you may say to yourself, how does a dog let you know this. I guess it's because she didn't fight it when they put it on her and didn't try to chew it off when it was on her. Sheril did have to remove it so I could make some alterations. I didn't leave enough distance for the front leg holes so the cowl neck does not sit high enough around her neck.
1/11/2004 09:58:00 AM
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
Wednesday, October 08, 2003 Things my boss has left places
Bag of vitamins - recovered by kind samaritan who dropped it off
His laptop - had to be overnighted to his home for Saturday delivery
His glasses - had to be overnighted to his home for Saturday delivery
His credit card - had to be cancelled
10/08/2003 08:18:00 PM
After a many month hiatus, I started knitting again. I never finished that damn $80 tank but I did finally finish the pieces for a chunky v-neck from the Yarn Girls book. Of course, since I knit the sleeves separately, one is shorter than the other. Guess I'll have to rip part of it out and fix it. The question is- which do I fix? The longer or the shorter?
10/08/2003 07:22:00 PM
Wednesday, May 07, 2003
I've been knitting- I really have. It's just that working on sweaters takes longer than hats and I haven't completed anything to boast about.
I'm still working on the $80 tank- I picked it up again the other day and remembered why I put it down in the first place. There's a lot of tension in the piece and I guess there sort of needs to be. It's heavy and the weight of the stitches has me holding the piece in a different way.
The Yarn Girls v-neck is half done. I am using Wool-Ease Thick & Quick in Pewter. It knits up mightily fast. Now- this is going to sound stupid to the seasoned knitter but I have so far knit the back and one sleeve. The women in my knitting circle at work were shocked that I knit a sleeve by itself (maybe not shocked, how about bewildered?)- they said- always knit two sleeves at once. I had read this somewhere but the logic escaped me. Plus I don't remember seeing this in the Yarn Girls book so I just knit the one. I'll know next time.
I do a lot of cosmetics swapping through this site called Makeup Alley. I've been doing this for years off and on and I love it. I typically only swap for new makeup or body lotions because there is nothing grodier than used eyeshadow or mascara. Anyway, my latest swap was for two knitting books. One is Debbie Bliss' Knitting Workbook. The other is a Vogue Knitting American Collection. The patterns in the Vogue book are way 80's so I think I'll end up selling it on Half.com.
5/07/2003 08:16:00 AM
Sunday, April 20, 2003
I have been a knitting blog slacker and a knitting slacker. But I've been so stressed out about work. I was offered a new position at my company about 2-3 weeks ago and I still don't know when I will start. The HR people told me they talked to my boss about my start date and then she denied that such a conversation took place. But it looks like the change will probably happen in 2-3 weeks because the HR person asked me for my boss' availability to interview people next week.
The whole thing has been so exhausting. Josh and I come home from work and just park our butts on the couch.
Today we took a little trip to the Brooklyn Botanic Gardens. It was a pretty nice day but once the sun started going down, it got cold and uncomfortable quickly. The Japanese Garden smelled amazing. It was amazing how many Chasidic Jews we saw. I don't think I've ever seen as many in one place.
4/20/2003 08:07:00 PM
Tuesday, April 15, 2003
On Friday I received my Lion Brand order. I bought materials for two projects- a v-neck sweater from the Yarn Girls Guide to Simple Knits and the Dynamic Duo kid's sweater from Knitty. I haven't picked up the $80 tank is at least a week but I needed a break from it. I had been making good progress but I wanted a different project.
By Saturday, I had knit most of the back piece of the V-neck sweater. I am using Wool-Ease Chunky so it knits up super fast. There are only 42 stitches per row and 2 stitches per inch. I am using size 13 circular Addi Turbos so that makes it even faster. Still, I am concerned that the weave is too loose and that the yarn will be totally fuzzy and sheddy. Also, the length of the back is 22"- 3 inches away from the final size and it looks so damn long. Well, for my first sleeved sweater, that will be ok. I can always wear it around the house and it will have only cost me $30 in yarn as opposed to $150 if I had used the yarn the book recommended.
I haven't started the Dynamic Duo sweater yet. It's for my soon to be 6 years old niece Sophie's birthday, which is in June, so I have a little time. I am using the recommended yarn, Cotton-Ease in icy blue with skinny white stripes. I'll probably do a gauge swatch this week just so I can return the needles I don't need (I had ordered a range of sizes).
OK, time to get dressed. I'm feeling so slow and sleepy and would rather crawl back in bed but this will probably be a very busy day. I may have to go to the Social Security Office to apply for my married name card and my soon-to-be-old boss and soon-to-be-new bosses have lots of work for me this morning.
4/15/2003 07:49:00 AM
Thursday, April 10, 2003
Diagnosis:
I have rotator cuff tendinitis and trochanteric bursitis. That explains my shoulder and hip pain. The doctor prescribed Vioxx which is a hardcore anti-inflammatory. It really helps during the day but it fades by the evening. I just downed three generic Advil to try to temper the pain. I can't sit in my favorite position at the computer (indian or tailor style) because my hip hurts so damn much. Then again, it hurts when I'm not sitting that way. Really, it is time to get back to the gym. After this pain fades of course.
I need to get a referral for a rheumatologist because it is just not natural for a 27 year old woman who is not an athlete or even remotely active to have this kind of problem.
4/10/2003 08:49:00 PM
I knit my first baby bootee. It's unsewn and it's only one but it's a bootee. Later I will start the other bootee.
I bought 50 Baby Bootees to Knit and have found a wealth of small projects. I showed Beth the book and she ooed and aahed at a lot of the bootees but said that you simply cannot use buttons, sewn bobbles, tassels, bells and other small round things that babies can swallow on bootees or any other clothing item. Almost every bootee in the book has some illicit attachment. What was going through this designer's mind?
4/10/2003 08:44:00 PM
Thursday, April 03, 2003
Check out these Bizarro passover stickers. We found them at our neighborhood Genevese (local drug store chain), along with a bunch of other strange and funny Passover paraphanalia. We told Josh's dad about them and he asked us to buy one of each for him. So we got him a Matzo balloon, a Matzo beach ball, a Passover dart board and a "Ten Plagues" Game that included replicas of the plagues, just like the stickers. All are from this Shulsinger Judaica Ltd company. I guess the Chosen People are not exempt from cheesy holiday commercialism.
4/03/2003 02:32:00 PM
Tuesday, April 01, 2003 Sidebar
I went to a focus group last night for a Campari tasting. It was sort of strange. I can't figure out if it was a true focus group or if it served the same purpose as a free movie screening- spread the word. n this case, I was paid $75 to sip 4 different Campari cocktails and give my opinion. I had never tasted the stuff before, but was intrigued. We tasted Campari with club soda- yuck, Campari with OJ- good, Campari with Grapefruit juice- yum, and Campari with tonic water- yum. I really liked the Campari with grapefruit juice and tonic water. The next time I'm out, I'll definitely order a Campari cocktail. Mission accomplished.
Need to take a break from knitting because my right shoulder is totally killing me! It must be knitting related because I have been doing a lot of knitting. Probably also due to stress because I still haven't heard back from the job interview I had two weeks ago. If I'm going to get it, I want to start telling people and not keep it bottled up inside. I've been taking Advil for my shoulder and doing a little heating pad action. It's got to be tendon or ligament related.
4/01/2003 07:43:00 AM
Back in the spring, I bought, "
I got the new spring 
Then I decided to make a scarf for Kerin's birthday with the 
No brim
Cables - next style to tackle
It was quite easy- knit flat, you rib for a while, then you increase, work even, then decrease until you bind off. Stitch up the edges and voila. The two patterns I found included vague instructions for knitting some duplicate stitch numbers. I had no idea what those numbers stood for so I asked my golf-loving boss who told me but then I totally forgot what he said. I called Lynne and asked her to sneak a look at his golf bag to see if he had any covers with numbers. As he didn't, and as I had never done a duplicate stitch before, I chose the numero uno.
I used a skein of black Lopi yarn which I had originally bought to make a hat for my sister-in-law but it was too damn scratchy to be next to naked skin. In the future, I won't bother using 100% wool for something that doesn't need to be kept warm. A skein of $2 acrylic will do just fine. For a few rows, I added some leftover grey worsted weight yarn to the Lopi (rather than do a true stripe because it was too skinny compared to the Lopi).
I'm not making this camel for any particular baby. Perhaps Jayla will end up with it. I know I certainly don't need any stuffed animals but I could always save it for when we have a baby.
The patterns are fairly straight-forward- you literally knit a bunch of garter stitch squares and sometimes rectangles, then sew them together and stuff it. The camel pattern calls for 8 squares and a few rectangles. It's a little boring just doing garter stitch but it's quick. So far, I've done 3 1/2 squares.
I saw this in an Amazon review and I have to agree.
...in "translation" from the Australian version, some terms become unclear. The patterns refer to "8-ply" yarn, which I know is DK weight (intermediate between worsted and sport). But the needle size suggested is "5" - that can mean different things to knitters in Europe, the US, and the UK. Beginner knitters might be a bit frustrated by this.
Well, I didn't know that 8-ply is DK but I figured I would be safe using worsted. Also, no gauge guide so I was pretty clueless. Fortunately, as long as you knit the squares with the same type of yarn and same needle size, the toy will be in proportion. Of course, if you use extra chunky yarn like Takhi Baby, you're going to end up with one of those ridiculous "Look what my boyfriend won for me in the Midway!"-size stuffed animals. I just hope my gauge is tight enough that the stuffing doesn't pop out. I'm using a size 6 Addi Turbo needle which seems to be fine but perhaps next time I'll use smaller needles, like I do when I make hats. I could also try stockinette and other stitch patterns, just to mix it up a bit.
All in all, I think this is a great project book for the beginner or young knitter.
I used 2 balls of Rowan Polar and knit it up over Christmas. I enjoyed this yarn but the mohair in it shed all over so maybe it will not be a great choice for the human sweater. I will not divulge the pattern here out of respect for copyrights, but I will say that the pattern is quite easy. You measure the dog, knit two rectangles, sew em together and them pick up stitches to create the cowl neck.
Chloe loved the sweater and didn't want to take it off. Now, you may say to yourself, how does a dog let you know this. I guess it's because she didn't fight it when they put it on her and didn't try to chew it off when it was on her. Sheril did have to remove it so I could make some alterations. I didn't leave enough distance for the front leg holes so the cowl neck does not sit high enough around her neck.
