Profaknitty

sHaring the Love

2010-05-21T18:06:00.003-04:00

We sketched an untitled Keith Haring painting onto a large palette of plywood.

The sketch was divided into 8” squares and oddball shapes which Fiber Cafe members checked out to knit.

Each shape was then sewn together and applied to the palette which will be displayed with other palettes on Queen St. in Martinsburg, W.Va. during the month of June 2010.

sHaring the Love

2010-03-25T09:26:00.002-04:00

Fiber Night

2010-01-07T15:24:00.000-05:00

Fiber Night, we'll knit a version with Martinsburg landmarks.

Out!, Damn Socks!

2009-12-27T16:43:00.003-05:00

Okay, okay, okay. I hate socks.

I was knitting some toe-up socks for a Christmas gift for Cat.

I'm completely convinced that toe-up is the way to knit socks. There's none of the sloppy picking up of stitches. The hard part is getting started but after multiple attempts, I finally understand and appreciate Judy's Magic Cast-on.

I was knitting some lacy sock pattern from a toe-up book, Knitting More Circles . . . I think it's near-called.

After trying and failing and trying and failing and trying and succeeding, I got the toe-up cast on. I understand it. It makes sense.

I knit for a bit, not closely following the pattern, adjusting for gauge, got past the heel . . . HATED it. Frogged it.

Cast on again, this time following a pattern, the lacy one. I discovered in the first repeat (four lines) that you lose two stitches. In all the other lines, there's a K2T and a YO that cancel each other out, but in one line there's two K2T and only one YO in the repeat. So you lose a stitch.

I discovered it and decided that when I get to row 5, I'll just do a knit row and increase two before starting the repeat again.

This worked fine, but it was frustrating. I was already VERY upset with these socks and Christmas was looming. I decided to just stockinette the rest of the way. I turned the heel (loved it) p2k2 up the leg and cast off.

It was too tight. So I UNcast off, picked up those maddeningly tiny stitches and cast off again, using a much larger needle.

Then I cast on the toe of the second sock. Got into the lacy repeats, got mad at the pattern again and decided SCREW IT. (I even wrote in my journal "I'm beginning to despise socks.")

I wrapped the sock in a lovely Girl Scouts tin with a note . . . "If it fits, I'll finish it. If not, then at least you have a lovely box."

Christmas afternoon, we're opening presents. Cat opens hers and reads the note and immediately decides to try it on. IT DOESN'T FIT!!!!

As Cat is getting MY present, I'm LOUDLY forsaking socks. "Alright, I'm done! I am no longer knitting socks!~ I HATE SOCKS!"

Then I turned to open Cat's present to me. It's "2-at-a-time Socks" by Melissa Morgan-Oakes, 40" size 2 circular needles and a lovely skein of sock yarn.

Okay . . . I'll try again.

Elizabeth Zimmermann was BRILLIANT !

2009-12-09T17:28:00.003-05:00

Oh that woman was a spatial genius !

I did this little number in just a couple days. It's only 100 lines of knitting (and the original pattern is garter stitch - I now know why).

All you need to know how to do is knit, M1 and K2Tog. WOW. Oh, you also need to trust that the pattern will work, because when you're done knitting, or near the end, you think to yourself "How on EARTH is this going to be a sweater?"

I tell you, she was BRILLIANT!

My First Sweater for Someone Else

2009-07-02T11:16:00.001-04:00

I love cables and my husband, so hopefully together it'll be a perfect fit!

One sleeve done, now I must decide which part to do next.

Wrap It Up

2009-06-16T10:02:00.001-04:00

Yo, here's my latest - I'm still here going full tilt into Summer Solstice ! ! !

Woohooooooooo!

The pattern for this is on Ravelry under my projects (Profaknitty)

School's Out and I'm Knitting

2009-05-26T11:45:00.005-04:00

Here is the Old Man Sweater I finished over Spring Break. It's large, shapeless, and still in need of buttons, but it's exactly what I imagined. Knitted in three pieces (Sleeve, sleeve, body/collar) out of double strands of rough spun silk on size 10 needles.

This is an extreme modification of a pattern because I couldn't find a pattern for the picture in my head. It is roughly based on the Kyle sweater patter at knittinghelp.com which I can't find anymore. That pattern was a pullover in 5 pieces. I wanted a cardigan and knitted the shawl collar as I progressed.

This is the Koolhaas hat pattern from Jarred Flood of BrooklynTweed.blogspot.com.

As soon as I saw it, I knew I wanted to knit it. After I started knitting, I thought it would certainly look better in a solid color (as all of Flood's examples are) and decided that all the little cables may be more trouble than they're worth. It's made from Swoon brand, I think it's silk and cotton, size 6 and 8 needles, switching to size 7 dpns in mid-decrease. (I thought I was buying size 8 dpns, realized when I went to use them they were 8 inch size 10 dpns and pulled out the 7s.)

My friend Paddy had knitted this one and gave me the heads up of how to do it without a cable needle, which certainly helped reduce the tediousness.

Both projects look better in person, because I'm NOT a photographer. I'll bring the hat to the stitch and bitch Wednesday to show it off.

Now I'm still avoiding Sarah's socks, drooling over a Meg Swansen book of knitting patterns, and struggling through my first attempt at intarsia.

In progress or to get to:

A fringed nut bag because Steve killed the most bunnies.
Sarah's Socks
Tammy's Pick Pocket (birthday present)
A Tumbling Blocks intarsia Kaffe sweater
An easy Vogue sweater project with Cat.

Whassup?

2009-04-01T09:42:00.003-04:00

Currently working on Queen Anne's Lace circular shawl. (About 50 lines to go.)

Tammy's Pick Pocket

Sarah's Socks

Finished the Old Man Sweater except for buttons (and may add pockets)

Spring has Sprung

2009-03-27T09:56:00.002-04:00

I finished my 'Old Man Sweater.'

I'll post a picture sometime, I promise. No buttons on it yet, and maybe I'll add pockets in the future.

Right now, I'm working on the circular shawl 'Queen Anne's Lace.' I'm on row 97 of 160. And because the circumfrance keeps growing, it takes longer and longer to complete a row the closer I get to the end. Ugh.

I have lots of knit projects in my head to start next, but I'm feeling REALLY GUILTY about not finishing Sarah's socks. So, I think, if I were to act responsibly, I'll finish those next.

Anyhoo, I'm still here.

OH! I dropped by the local stitch and bitch at Martin's the last two Thursday evenings. These ladies are very nice. I love being able to peruse their work and the books they bring and chat with other knitters.

I'm still looking for some guy knitters in the area - and the opportunity to sit and knit with the boys.

Okay, off to class. Ciao!

Old ManSweater

2009-02-09T11:26:00.002-05:00

I'm working on an Old Man Sweater right now and second sleeve is mocking me.

Just as I did last year, I started a sweater during Winter break from school. Then school started up for Spring and my knitting takes a back seat to schoolbooks. Grrrr.

I'd finished up the first sleeve, started the second sleeve still connected to the spools, and started the body on a big ball.

The big ball ran out, and I can't continue the body until I finish the sleeve that's on the spools.

I take my knitting with me to school or work or the H&R Block thinking I'll have a few minutes somewhere to knit a row, but NOOoooo. I feel guilty and start to read something, or the bar is too busy, or the tax office didn't have the expected interminable wait. (Yay?)

So the sleeve sits in the knitting bag, watching, and waiting, and taunting.

If I get a chance I'll take a picture for the blog.

The original pattern is for a shawl collar pullover in five pieces. What I'm attempting is a shawl collar cardigan in three pieces.

K2TOG!

Holiday Knitting Complete

2008-12-25T08:53:00.003-05:00

OKAY! My holiday knitting is DONE! All that's left on my started-not-finished list of knitting is Sarah's socks and my doubleknit thingy.

Hurray ! ! ! The gloves are done. It took a lot longer to do the fleece lining than I thought it would. Of course, I was making it up as I went along. Next time would be faster I guess.

72 stitches, sport weight, #4 circular needles ( I think ) barely allows my fat hands to fit, so the dainty lady hands for whom they were made should work fine.

The white, purple and lavender virgin wool came from Paula's stash thinning.

This one got a WONDERFUL reaction from the recipient. You can't tell from the photo, but the drape of this scarf is FABULOUS. It's all rayon and came from the stash gift box from the generous knitter ladies.

Fat needles, thin rayon, in the round gives it a meshy pliability and double thickness. I don't know how many stitches because I allowed the color pattern to repeat before joining the circle so that the colors would pool as they did.

Wow, Christmas Eve Already?

2008-12-24T02:04:00.005-05:00

I am knitting like a mad man. I have one blocked to wrap and give later today.
And another with thirty lines to go, bind off, line and wrap for tomorrow.

Below is a teddy bear and a string of scarves that were recent projects.

I'm getting a lot of mileage out of the Road Scarf's Mesh Stitch and the basket weave is great for men.

This Bear's Name is Wawo Butterface.

(Wawo = With arms wide open. Butterface = Nice body, but 'er face!)

Mandy's color is pink. And I happened to inherit some PINK!!!!! from Paula thinning out one of her closets of stash. Totally not my color, (Ruby Frost) but the pattern is half of the stitches from the road scarf.

The Bribe
This is done from some brown left over from a sweater and it IS the entire road scarf pattern.

Paul's is a simple basket weave done in a color that matches his fleet of cars. It's kind of thin, but can fit under his jacket and be doubled. The wool came from some lovely ladies (posted about a while ago) who banded together to help a stashless, penniless knitter boy.

Rick's CHUNKY rust colored basket weave scarf is a reward for killing the most bunnies. The chunky stuff was also inherited from that same wonderful band of girly girls donating to my non-existant stash.

On the Needles

2008-12-15T10:16:00.002-05:00

Bobbie Jo's Scarf
Mandy's Scarf
Cat's Thing
Sarah's Socks
Doubleknit thing

I want to finish them all ! ! ! But I don't think I can do it by Christmas.

The first two scarves must be done by Christmas Eve.
The thing for Cat . . . it would be nice to finish by Christmas day.
Sarah's socks . . . maybe I could show her one finished one on Christmas day as a sign of good faith? "Look, look, I really am knitting your socks . . . .

(They are not as addictive as folks have been telling me.)

Then I want to do something for me. Me. ME. ME! ! !

I have a moment of calm

2008-10-17T08:41:00.003-04:00

I have a moment of calm, and I'm embracing it.

Projects on needles:

Basket weave scarf for Paul
Double knit Celtic bag for self
Socks for Sarah
Scarf for Bobbie Jo

Projects in my head:

Old man sweater for sitting on the porch (for me!)
Felted lap top bag
Puppet for Tammy
Killer Bunnies Scarf

I haven't had much quality knitting time - and I'm mostly okay with that. Aside from work, school, finances and the general cares of existance . . . I mostly only have free time to daydream.

My latest daydream is

sitting on the porch of the cottage
in the early morning chill,
sipping coffee and
knitting,
wrapped up in my old man sweater
with thick wooly socks
propped up on a rainbarrel
enjoying the quiet company
of my dear, wonderful husband.

The Road Scarf

2008-10-07T20:03:00.003-04:00

The Road Scarf pattern at Lion Brand Yarn.

This bit of bribery can be seen on Shepherdstown University Campus.

Cascade Wool, Size Seven Needles.

Putting the needles down?

2008-08-17T18:35:00.002-04:00

Rick's Rust-colored scarf is done. It's a reward for killing the most bunnies.

Lisa's shawl-width scarf is done. It's a thank you and birthday present for something nice they did, I don't remember what.

To do....
Scarf for Paul T.
Socks for S.
Bunny Reward for T. (She wants a puppet...but I don't know)

Then knit for me?

School starts TOMORROW!

Biddy

2008-07-23T11:45:00.003-04:00

Introducing an original Profaknitty creation, Biddy.

Biddy's hobbies are playing BINGO and making children cry.

I was playing Killer Bunnies a couple weeks ago and promised a knitted item to the one who killed the most bunnies.

The killer's request was a sock puppet. I think I went a little farther.

I didn't really have a plan in mind when I started, but knew that I wanted her to have a little more than the standard sock-tucked-in for a mouth. I thought it couldn't be much harder than a mitten, which I have learned yet, and created the thumb/mouth on the fly.

Projects . . .

2008-07-19T09:34:00.005-04:00

This is what I have in the works and might complete before I have to put down the needles and pick up the books again for Fall semester.

The first sock of the last pair of socks for Sarah . . . she's told me numerous times that there's no rush, but if I don't finish them before school, they may never get done. The socks are now no-brainer, can knit and chat and watch tv and chew gum. I take it to the bar when I know it's going to be a slow night.

This is a SUPER THINKER piece. I can't watch TV while doing this or anything. This one is from a Celtic Eye Dance pattern in enchanted knitting. I wasn't too thrilled with stranding, so I learned (am learning) to doubleknit. Eventually this will be an I-cord, drawstring bag that I'll probably never use, but could be good for, say, tarot cards? All cotton, so it'll probably run when I wash it. I really need to work on my contrasting color combinations. This still seems too safe, and doesn't POP out, you know?

This one is a partial thinker, can watch tv and knit during the commercials. 10 row repeat, four repeats in a row. Can finish a couple rows during the commercial break, but must have the chart in front of me. This is the shawl-width scarf for my neighbor and boss, Lisa. She likes blues and greens and I got some blue and green in the donated stash. Unfortunately, after I started knitting it, I realized that when I come to the end of my blue and green, it will be too short for a shawl or a scarf - but the wool label said "A Jo-Ann's Exclusive" - so guess where I'm going next week?

Sarahsocka

2008-07-09T10:48:00.002-04:00

Sarah's first pair of socks are done! (As of this morning.)

I fear she may find them a little short, but it is the height specified at the fitting. The next pair may be higher if she likes. THEN I'm done with socks for a little bit. (I take that back, I have a second sock for another pair to start - toe up.) It's not as addicting as many folks have told me. But, then again, I am just doing no frills socks.

I think it's the sock weight wool that's a downer for me.

The Enchanted Knitting book is a real draw for me right now. I didn't like the way the stranded side looked, so I learned how to doubleknit. It takes SOOOOOO much longer, but it appeals to my neat side.

Burp 'N' Socks, DONE!

2008-06-27T12:32:00.002-04:00

The Burp 'N' Socks are done. I call them that because they'd go perfectly with some chunky sandals of a similar name.

They're HUGE! Worsted weight wool - Darren sized.

I was down to the last few balls of stuff in my stash and started them. Darren saw a finished one, tried it on, and voila, we knew for whom they were intended.

So, Darren, your Burp 'n' socks are ready for pick up.

They really are the same size, the photo makes it seem as if one is smaller than the other.

Projects in progress: Sarah's first pair of socks (just turned the heel on the first) and my experimental socks of the same weight - must start the second one.

Projects in queue: Sarah's second pair of socks, Paul and Lisa's scarves, frog the intarsia project and chunky cardigan for ME!

I got it! I got it!

2008-06-24T11:13:00.002-04:00

Truly fabulous and wonderful friends gave me the gift of "Enchanted Knitting" for Midsummer Solstice!

It is even more amazing than I imagined. The gridded patterns in there are AWESOME ! I'm looking at my newly acquired stash with a different, sparkling gleam in my eye.

I've already started the Green Man pattern (as part of a scarf for the neighbor - pale green on pale blue) and it is truly a learning experience.

1) It's much smaller than I imagined it (even on size 10 needles)
2) My stranding - though the tension's fairly consistent on the back - is uglier than sin dipped in misery.
3) You really have to have some heavy contrast for these patterns to stand out.

NOW - I'm looking for a small pattern to knit into the heel of some socks to give them a little reinforcement.

Too Much Time on my Hands?

2008-06-17T08:43:00.002-04:00

I've got to stop, seriously. I just created new accounts on Men Who Knit and Ravelry and joined another yahoo group of local knitters. Now I spend copious amounts of time looking around on the Internet. I'm finding GREAT works by lots of knitters and my head is swimming with books and ideas that I want to get and start.

BUT . . . I need to be realistic and remember that school starts again in just a short while so I should finish my socks for Darren, finish my socks for me, and start the socks for Sarah, then the scarves for Paul and Lisa.

However, all the while, I will be searching for THE sweater pattern - the one that my chunky brown wool will become. Shawl Collar, buttonned, maybe some pockets, who knows? It's the one I picture myself wearing while sitting on the porch in the cool Spring and Autumn mornings while I sit and sip coffee and knit before my nightowl husband rises at the crack of noon and lumbers to the coffee pot.

And, for something new, to keep me from going bonkers, (you know Gemini's need to be doing something new all the time) I'll be doing my second sock toe up. I want to learn toe up, because after turning the heel, I can go as high as I like, or as high as I can, without worrying that I'm going to run out of that one skein of whatever before I get done with the toe going the other way, you know?

Anyone have a good scarf pattern that involves two parts one color and one part another color? My scarf for Lisa will be two parts green and one part blue, (from recently received stash box) but I haven't found the perfect pattern yet . . . any suggestions?

Squeal Like a Girl

2008-06-03T16:05:00.002-04:00

I just received a box in the mail. A big box.

EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE! It's full of skeins of stuff from Coleen, Jolene, Jody and Sarah.

Coleen must've shared the pitiful plight of my next to nothing stash. I've been working with what's left in my basket and making REALLY UGLY SOCKS out of buyer's remorse worsted weight wool.

Now I'm ironically squealing like a girl after the post for testosterone knitters.

Perhaps I should start with the burning maple colors that I love so well, or the chunky stuff or or or or or . . . .

Now I don't know what to do with myself.

THANKS GIRLS! NICE BOX!

Testosterone Knitters?

2008-05-26T10:58:00.003-04:00

I found this online while looking for a local stitch and bitch.

Fiber Cafe' - Today's Women of the Eastern Panhandle
Time 6:00pm
Contact Today's Women of the Eastern Panhandle
twepwv@yahoo.com
Description Join us at the Daily Grind, Foxcroft Avenue, every Thursday to knit or crochet. Share your tips, learn from others. Make blankets for City Hospital Labor and Delivery unit.

Fortunately I'm not one of "Today's Women" (I can't tell you how many times I've spontaneously burst into song because I was fortunate to be born with a tallywhacker - no makeup/heels/corsets/shaving/ and can pee anywhere, etc.) but unfortunately, the group title seems a little daunting for male knitters.

Okay, I haven't actually e-mailed them to ask if men are welcome - and I'm positive they would graciously say 'of course' and I would be a novelty for a couple weeks, but I'd just feel so ODD joining the Today's Women of the Eastern Panhandle.

Anyone know of knitting groups in Martinsburg with some testosterone in it?

Oh and by the by...

I gave up on the navy sweater. The wool is too random, can't see see the ribbing, and it's just so thin that I'll hate it hate it hate it before I even knit to the navel.

So, a second pair of woolly socks is what I'm working now and I've already promised them to Darren.

Socks DONE!

2008-05-15T12:45:00.003-04:00

My first pair of socks ever. It's 65% wool 35% silk. And they feeeeeeel gooood.

It took me a while to figure out the gusset and the decrease from the heel, but after the third try and looking between two Web sites and Knitting with Balls I figured it out.

I finished the first, knitting down to 16 stitches and kitchener stitched off. The directions said to knit down to four stitches but I thought that would end kind of pointy.

On the second sock I did knit down to four and it did end kind of pointy.

Based on the stitches per inch, my magic number was 10 so my first sock started out 70 stitches in the round (stockinette) - but after I turned the heel it was looking HUGE, so I frogged it and went down to 60 stitches and did a knit perl rib on the cuff. It fits wonderfully.

My interim project is another pair of socks - thicker - 100% wool. I'm sticking with the 60 stitches and doing a K4P2 rib. We'll see where it goes.

I say interim because I have my eye on a ribbed, zip up hoodie project in Knitting With Balls.

I'm going to do it in a DARK blue tweed-like wool that has little furballs of a royal blue in it.

Right now I'm looking over the directions and groaning over the time it'll take me to get any length out of my size 5 needles. (My last sweater was size 7 needles and I swore my next would be CHUNKY.) Oh well. I don't have the dough for any more yarn so I'll work with what I have in stash. (Which, bittersweetly, is quite low.)

Sweater DONE

2008-03-17T21:48:00.003-04:00

Okay from now on it's chunky weight and big needles. This size 7 stuff really detracts from that whole instant gratification thing.

Here's my first attempt at the Cobblestone sweater from Brooklyn Tweed. I really enjoy his stuff. Male knitter, making things that males like. None of that froo froo shtuff you find in the girly knit for boyfriend magazines.

I had one complete freak out when I bound off the collar. I couldn't get my head through it! So I frogged that part, then pulled out a size 12 needle and bound off with that instead. Yay! My fat head fit no problem.

It changes color at the 'add the sleeve' step.

My next attempt will be socks. Can any of you point me in the direction of beginner socks for men, size 10? (Ladies size 12 if you must know.)

Just So I Don't Forget

2008-03-10T17:36:00.004-04:00

This is the string around my finger....

I logged in to check out spinningginny.blogspot.com then started checking out other knitting links and came (literally) across this...

I MUST HAVE THIS BOOK ! ! ! Enchanted Knitting

And while I'm here, I should tell you....I have three inches left before my Cobblestone Sweater is done. I hope to finish it by the Vernal Equinox, which is fitting, because I started it on Winter Solstice.

I took me next to no time to get to the shoulder, then I had to stop because SCHOOL GETS IN THE WAY OF EVERYTHING!

Okay, three more inches and I'm done. Vernal Equinox is next week. Look forward to some pictures.

Next, I'm starting on some socks. My first ever. To use up a skein of really pretty green stuff I got for Christmas. (I mean really, Who gives ONE skein of yarn for a gift? HMMMM? Ok. Non-knitters do that. And close friends who are non-knitters. Love you P and S! Really!)

I just logged in to make a reminder. Now I'm off to Shakespeare class. Yay.

No More IHS, Let's Start a Sweater.

2007-12-25T13:17:00.000-05:00

I'm nearly done with one sleeve of the Cobblestone Sweater from Brooklyn Tweed.

I good knitter friend, ICon, who taught me my first knit stitch gave me (A WHILE AGO) some gorgeous heathered wool that looks grey at first glance, but up close has some highlights of blue and red.

Not enough for the Cobblestone Sweater, but enough to get me started.

She (much later) also sent me the link to the Cobblestone - which I really like. That Brooklyn Tweed guy certainly knows what male knitters like.

So, this entire project is ICon's fault, or inspiration.

I also heard about a knit shop in Hedgesville, W.V. so as soon as I found use for all the pre-existing crappy acryllic, I zipped out there and bought four skeins of another heathered wool, same gauge as the grey.

So the yoke of the Cobblestone will be a purplish (but not PURPLE!) with the same kind of red highlights as the grey.

I don't know if I'll be up to the yoke before school starts again, but it's the perfect time to start it.

Chat soon!

Irish Hiking Scarf, yet again

2007-12-18T11:51:00.001-05:00

Okay, Now I can do this pattern in my sleep.

It's acryllic and rayon tweed for a gift exchange at the American Legion for another bartender.

I've also figured out what to do with the rest of my yarn!
So soon and very soon I can start buying the good stuff!

I'm getting antsy to do a sweater, and there's a knitting place that opened recently in Hedgesville, W.V. Maybe I'll go out there today? Hmmmm.

IHS Again

2007-11-06T09:47:00.003-05:00

Only this time, it's in baby alpaca, Atlantic Blue.

Carl saw me knitting the pink one and wanted one for himself.

Happy Birthday, Carl!

More Crappy Acryllic

2007-10-09T10:33:00.001-04:00

School has been kicking my butt and taking up all my time...(So I really shouldn't be here today either!)

Anyhoo...I asked a student in one of my classes to be a sign language interpreter for me in another class presentation.

I told her I was grateful and asked if there was anything I could for her in return. She said no, it was her pleasure. So, I asked her favorite color . . . pink.

Fortunately I had some baby pink acryllic stuff and launched into an Irish Hiking Scarf. I finished it and gave it to her two days after she interpreted for me.

Well, as it happens, someone saw me knitting that and asked for one for himself in blue. And, as it was his birthday coming up, I ordered some baby alpaca and set to it for him.

Ooo dah lolly, what a pleasure it is to work with alpaca after having all that acrylic stuff running through my fingers for the last few months.

Same pattern, only 54 stitches (four cabled columns)instead of 42 stitches (three cabled columns).

Blue (the cat) steps in to knit while I'm doing homework.

Who knew knitting could be so exciting...

2007-07-27T12:48:00.000-04:00

Who knew that teaching someone to knit could be so provocative?

Take some furry fantasy acryllic yarn,
two #10 aluminum needles,
a knitter and a newbie knitter.

~M~ said...
Hey, thanks again for the lesson on the train this morning. I'll be sure to work the hole so that it is not so tight the next time. Who knew how difficult poking that little hole would have been!?
12:16 PM

Just-Chuck said...
You know, M, most people don't start with such a hairy hole either.
12:31 PM

~M~ said...
SWL!! That's my text short-cut for SCREEEEEEEEEEAMING WITH LAUGHTER!! The next time, I will make sure it's waxed or shaven instead. It was my first time -- EVER -- what did I know? I am looking forward to our hole expansion technique in the AM!
2:03 PM

~M~ said...
Hi Baby!!

I wanted to thank you for all the excitement you gave me this morning. WHO KNEW?!?! If the laughter on my face is not indicative of that, then I don’t know what is! The invite to my house -- anytime -- is always open. You showed me this morning that you know how to handle business so I am convinced that I may convert you after all!!! (yeah. right.) SWL!!

OH! Did I tell you? I got the wooden kind as you told me to do and practiced! You are so right! It went in and out so smoothly, with just the perfect amount of resistance, which, of course, gave me the confidence to work with more than just the tip. 13 inches is a bit much for me though. The thickness was perfect but do they come in shorter lengths? :o}

Love ya!
~M~
12:34 PM

Chuck's Scat

2007-07-23T21:29:00.001-04:00

It's a hat!
It's a scarf!

No! It's a Scat!

If you look closely, you'll see the scarf is attached to the decrease portion of the hat. It comes down the back and wraps around the neck to dangle in front.

I did it on the fly without a pattern, but now I'm smarter. I know how I SHOULD have done it. If anyone expresses interest I'll post a 'shoulda' recipe.

That hat cable pattern is a modified "Ice Storm." The top portion of the scarf is the Irish Hiking Scarf pattern and the bottom of the scarf is garter stitch with fringe.

The 'shoulda' recipe will be the modified Ice Storm throughout.

What the heck, got rid of that Dusty Rose crappy acryllic stuff. (Yet another reason to call it Scat.)

Irish Hiking Scarf

2007-07-15T20:55:00.000-04:00

Okay, it's done at last.

A triumph in crappy acryllic.

However you wear it, it's thick and very warm, like wearing a carpet on my neck.
Perhaps it's because it's the middle of July, or, bleh, perhaps I've become a wool snob.

Knitting in July

2007-07-14T12:46:00.000-04:00

I just finished Mister and Mistress Slave's baby blanket.

They are expecting a little litigator in December. Since I had just inherited from ICON a bag of Sugar and Cream cotton in a whole bunch of colors, and I'm trying desparately to diminish my stash of string, I decided to knit up the multicolor baby blanket. It's all cotton, so they don't have to worry about keeping it pristine. In fact, I am giving them instructions to trash the thing. It's not an heirloom piece. It's for baby slobber, puke and other. Get it dirty and toss it in the wash. Both for sopping up and for keeping warm, but not in that order.

Plus, perhaps it will make up for some of my cutting remarks on the train about Mistress Slave's wardrobe.

Garter stitch 150 Stiches across until I ran out of the color and then (shame on me) I knotted a new color on and kept going. I'm satisfied with how it came out.

Then I washed it. Crap, some of the orange bled into a lighter color. Oh well. Like I said, it's NOT an heirloom piece.

The Irish Hiking Scarf is getting picked up again. I put it aside to finish the beer hats and the baby blanket.

Since I'm using crappy acryllic to finish up my stash - before buying that FABULOUS ultra soft baby alpaca in the burning maple colors I love - I ran out of the turquoise and continued with yellow.

Silly me. I thought I'd be creative and meld one color into another along the cabled pattern. I won't do that again. And guess what? The yellow is a little bit thicker than the blue.

I have no doubt that someone will say IT'S BEAUTIFUL, MAKE ME ONE. I'll simply say FU and maybe give them this one.

In other news, I just got turned on to Elizabeth Zimmerman (dead, you know). I love her writing style and the way she explains knitting is simply wonderful. Now I'm eager to start a seamless sweater.

And ICON just sent me a link saying

"You might be interested in his Elizabeth Zimmerman "Tomten" jacket--this guy is a fantastic--and analytical--knitter with a great interest in adapting patterns, problem solving...and worships at the Altar of Zimmerman.
Plus, I can totally see you with a jacket like this."

Brooklyn Tweed

Click on the link...I can see me in that too. I WANT ONE.

Gotta get the books one day - I want that Tomten pattern.

A Couple More Photos

2007-06-15T10:35:00.000-04:00

Here's a hat that I did on the fly - no pattern, just knit.

And here's a ski mask I did on the fly - K1 P1 forever then bind off a while, come back around and cast on the same amount - then K1 P1 forever.

Or was it K2 P2? I dunno.

Irish Hiking Scarf Knitalong

2007-06-04T14:39:00.000-04:00

Okay, I SWEAR I'm not buying any new wool. Or yarn, or string or ANYTHING ! So how on EARTH has my yarn stash grown into three baskets of CRAP?

It's either my yarn is doing the nasty when the lights go out OR "I've got this yarn I'm not using, let's give it to Chuck - He knits."

I'm grateful. I really am. But if I can't buy anything new until I get rid of the old (it's a decluttering, self-imposed limitation) then how will I EVER get that ultra soft baby alpaca in the burning maple colors that I love?

That's IT! My (non-knitting) friends are all getting Irish Hiking Scarves in crappy acrylic for Christmas (I'd never do that to my knitting friends).

It's a simple cabled pattern. Easy to memorize - looks wonderful - mindless chattering while knitting possible.

For this Irish Hiking Scarf knitalong - click on the link above for the free pattern, grab some needles and go! Send your Irish Hiking Scarf pics to poizniv@gmail.com - I'll post them and your notes here - unless you know how to do both in COMMENTS.

Latest knitting projects

2007-06-02T15:17:00.000-04:00

Cell phone cover, just some peaches and cream denim cotton and number 4 needles. Pretty simple, knit a long rectangle and seam up the sides. Now I can carry phone AND keys in the same pocket.

The beer hat failure. It's a brimmed hat pattern from a hat book. I was going for beer color with a frothy head. Ended up with a big, floppy, oversized mess, which I may never get around to finishing off, 'cause I hate it. I know, check your gauge.

The first attempt at a beer hat, done in scrap yarn just to see how it would look. It turned out looking like an iced red velvet cupcake - so I had to put a cherry on top.

Alright already.....

2007-06-01T14:30:00.000-04:00

Okay, I'm still knitting, but not blogging on my knit blog.

Current knitting projects....

Cell phone cover.

Beer drinking hat.

Brimmed beer drinking hat.

Hideous sweater.

I promise....photos soon !

With a Chip on my Shoulder.

2007-02-23T09:25:00.000-05:00

It could be harder to say than "I'm Gay."

I knit on the commuter train in the morning. And I sit near up to five other knitters. Yuri, Tara, Pitty Pat, Paula Pat and the Stranger Lady. It's almost a knitting circle. (It's the same folks I drink with on the evening train.)

I sit near the door through which other commuters enter, very near the conductor, so it's a high traffic, high visibility area.

I get LOTS of comments from complete strangers about my wool, color choice, even stitches, etc. "Thank you." "Uh huh." "Thank you." I say, but inside I'm thinking "Keep moving, nothing to see here." I liken it to strangers putting their hands, unbidden, on pregnant tummies.

Anyhoo, Tara came up with a GREAT suggestion this morning. Next time Madam Stranger Blue Hair smiles condescendingly at me knitting and asks in the almost baby voice "What are YOU knitting?" I'm going to respond "Assless Chaps."

You KNOW they're expecting you to say "A scarf."

I may be misinterpretting the looks I get from the women in the knit shops - but I get them all the time - and it reads to me like they're thinking "you'll never knit beyond a potholder - maybe you should crochet."

Knitters vs. Hookers

2007-02-23T09:08:00.000-05:00

Check out this tongue-in-cheek YouTube video--A fascinating representation of the animosity between Knitters and Crocheters.

My Hat and Bret's Hat

2007-02-17T12:58:00.000-05:00

This is my hat.

This is Brett's hat.

Marcia's Cast Cozy

2007-02-17T12:57:00.000-05:00

Becky's Hat

2007-02-17T12:56:00.000-05:00

Pronounced 'Profanity'

2007-02-16T11:50:00.000-05:00

Welcome to the Profa-knitty blog.