Knitting Blues

Hello and Welcome Everyone,
Let's see week in review, on Tuesday I went and met my friend at the local yarn shop to hang out for a little bit, she moved further away so I don't see her often. The rest of the week I just worked and moved to a different desk. It is official that I will be flying to Arizona on December 22nd and return December 30th and I am very excited about that. Also, last night me and my fiance watched 21st Jumpstreet and I give that movie 5 stars. If you enjoy action comedies or movies like Superbad, you should check it out.

Finished Objects - FO's
Nothing :(

Works in Progress - Wip's
I didn't really feel like knitting on my Harvest Dew Socks much this week. I did finish the heel flap, heel turn, and picked up the gusset. I still have a lot of gusset decreasing to do.

Next up is the reason I didn't really feel like knitting at all this past week. I frogged the Evenstar and re-started. Why? Because it didn't look right, when it was right. I switched from my DPN's to magic loop and enjoy knitting it a little bit better. However, I tried to tell myself to only knit on this at home and nothing else, so what did I do? I avoided knitting all together.

 

Since I lost my knitting mojo this week and in order to get it back I just had to cast on something new. I casted on the Social Climber Cowl on size US 10 (6.0 mm) needles using Noro Silk Garden from my stash. A lot of people have complained about this yarn, I like it. I think it looks like handspun and now I am inspired to use my handspun for Noro intended patterns.

This is all I have for this week. I didn't get any spinning done at all, I haven't even started a new project. I did receive something in the mail, but I can't show that. Hopefully next week I will have more to show and my knitting mojo returns.

Happy Knitting,
Courtney

Here we go...

Hello Everyone and welcome to my blog,
remember how I mentioned last week that I had a bad day at work on Friday? Well the reason for that was that the person who did my old job no longer works there and I had to cover her job. This week they were going to hire someone for the position, however I volunteered to take over the position. I have trained two people in that position and both got fired, I really didn't feel like doing it a third time. Plus my current position is easier to train, then the one I took over. It is not to bad and I proposed some changes, which were granted. Other than that I just went to work and came home to some much needed knitting time. Also I wanted to address some changes I made to the blog. One obvious one is I changed the font, please feel free to let me know if it's difficult to read or you hate the color, etc. Second, I added a knit meter for my knitting and spinning, it's more for my own curiosity how much I knit and spin through the year. Third, I added a Fiber Diary to keep track of which fibers I have spun. Last but not least, starting this week I will start out with my FO's instead of WIP's, that just makes more sense to me.

Finished Objects - FO's
Yay, I am so excited about this finished object. It's for the last Camp Loopy project, I can't believe I was able to complete all 3 over the last 3 months. I finished Elfe with 2 weeks to spare using madelinetosh tosh merino light in the Cobalt and Maple Leaf colorway, I can't recommend this yarn enough. Also, I really enjoyed knitting the pattern, it's well written and very easy to follow. I can definitely see myself knit another one. My photographer aka my fiance, took about a 20 pictures, that's why I am not really smiling.

Works in Progress - WIP's
I just looked back on my blog, when i last showed this wip and wow really?! One month ago I showed you my HO (half finished object), well I finally made some progress on the 2nd sock. Yes, I still have not finished the Harvest Dew socks. I have a good excuse with all those KAL's that I joined. I will change their name to the Totally German Socks, since I had to use the twisted german cast on and I was gifted the yarn from my aunt who lives in Germany. I have to knit 1 more inch on the leg and then I can start the heel.

Remember I said last week once Elfe is off the needles I will cast on my very special project? Well I started my wedding shawl the Evenstar shawl, I am knitting it on size US 3 needles (3.25mm) and am using Unique Sheep Ling in the custom dyed teal colorway (the colorway was dyed to match my bridesmaid dresses). So far I have run into many dropped stitches and I think I casted on over 20 times, but it's slowly coming along. It is very difficult to take a picture of it, since it just looks like a tangles mess.

Soon to be on the Needles
Nothing at the moment.

Spinning
I finished ...into the whirled English Shetland Combed Top in the Abercrombie colorway. I absolutely loved spinning the fiber and am very happy that I joined their fiber club. I spun this fractely, which means I split the fiber in half lenght wise and then spun the first half normally. However, the second half I split again 3 more times lenght wise and then spun each half back to back from the same end. I ended up with a heavy fingering to a light sport weight and 232 yards (most yardage so far). I also practiced chain plying with the leftovers. I think I got the technique, but it is way over spun. I have not soaked it or thwacked (that takes some of the over spun parts out) yet.The first picture is of the unspun fiber.

Enabling
I received my first fiber club shipment from ...into the whirled. Like I just mentioned I am very happy that I joined. One reason is that I really enjoyed spinning the Shetland and the second reason is it is just the first shipment and my absolute favorite color, turquoise, is in it. It is 60s Polwarth Wool Top (if someone know what the 60s stands for, please let me know) in the Pamukkale colorway. For three months the colors are inspired by some kind of theme, this time around it is Nature and this month was the first installment. The first picture is the inspiration picture and the second is the fiber.

Again no plans for next week, just keep on knitting on my wedding shawl and stay sane at work.

Happy Knitting,
Courtney

One Down, One More to Go

Welcome Everyone,
last week I had a cold and a stomach flu and didn't work Wednesday and Thursday. During those two days I barely got any knitting done, since I pretty much just slept, but I feel much better now. Friday I had a tough day at work, since Friday kinda sucked me and my fiance treated ourselves after work to a nice dinner and later on I relaxed with my knitting and a beer. Last night we had company over, I made a delicious dinner and we just hung out played games and I drank my favorite wine.

Works in Progress - WIP's
I am almost done with my 3rd and last Camp Loopy project, Elfe. I am hoping to finish it today, but today is just flying by.

Finished Objects - FO's
I finished my 2nd Ravellenics challenge, Terence the Tap Dancing T-Rex. I almost ran out of yarn and had to take some of the yarn from an unfinished granny square. In the 2nd picture he is hanging out with his new friend Basil the Boogie Woggie Brontosaurus, I knitted him back in May.

Soon to be on the Needles
Well as mentioned before, once I finish Elfe I will cast on my wedding shawl, Evenstar.

For in between and portable projects I will knit on my Harvest Dew socks and maybe make Wellington Mitts, for the mitts I would use the leftover yarn from Elfe.

Spinning
Nothing really, I spun a little bit more on my ...into the whirled, but not enough to be worth showing. I just really been focused on finishing T-Rex, since he had to be done by tomorrow and now I am focusing on Elfe just to get it done (it has to be done by the 27th, so I have plenty of time.)

Enabling
I just can't go without buying yarn. My local yarn store, Knit 2 Unwind, is having a give away and in order to get a raffle ticket you have to purchase something for $10.00. I bought Plymouth Stiletto, pretty sparkly yarn, most likely it will become a pair of socks.

No plans for next week, just trying to get through the work week alive. Thank goodness I have my knitting, I don't know how people relieve stress without it.

Happy Knitting,
Courtney

Déjà vu

Welcome Everyone,

this week nothing exciting happened, just went to work and came home. I know me and my fiance live pretty boring lives. Yesterday, my fiance had to get blood drawn and that was pretty interesting to say the least. When he arrived 2 cars were in the parking lot. He got out to start a line, once he got out the two people in the cars got out as well. They were waiting for about 20 minutes for the lab to open it's doors, when they opened the two people accused my fiance of cutting in front off them and he should not be seen first. Wait what? Since when does waiting in your car count as waiting in line? Anyway, the lab tech saw them first to avoid confrontation, since they started to cause a scene. I thought that was interesting, since being lazy and sitting in your comfortable car instead of waiting in front of the door should never count as waiting in line. Sorry for that little rant, I just don't tolerate stupidity easily. I went and hung out at my local yarn store for most of the late morning till early afternoon. Next weekend we are having friends over, so that should be fun. 

Works in Progress - WIP's

Same as last week, hence the title Déjà vu. My Elfe is coming along nicely. I finished the sleeves and started the waist shaping. I absolutely love how my colors are working out and the pattern is very easy to follow. 

Next up is Terence the Tap-Dancing T-Rex, I finished the biggest piece, which is the body and head. I will pick up the stitches and knit his tail today, then I still have to make the tummy flap, 2 arms, and 2 legs. 

Finished Objects - FO's

Nothing :(

Soon to be on the Needles

The day is inching closer. As soon as Elfe and Terence are done, I will cast on the Evenstar Shawl by Susan Pandorf that I am making for my wedding. I am going to focus all my knitting time on that and once that is finished I will start my bouquet. 

Spinning

Also, the same as last week. I am still spinning my ...into the whirled English Shetland Combed Top braid in the Ambercrombie colorway. I am so happy I joined their fiber club, because so far I love spinning their fiber. I am spinning this fractal, which is a new to me technique. I split the braid lenght wise, like normally. I then spun the first half like I normally would, however the second half I split lenght wise again 4 more times so that I would have 4 smaller strips. I am spinning each strip from the same end as I did the first 2 ounces. The first picture is of the first half, the second of the first strip I am ready to attach the second strip, and the third shows all my little strips (I had 4 but spun 1 already)

Enabling

I received my Hiya Hiya Sharp for the Evenstar Shawl, since it is my first time knitting with lace yarn (my other lace projects used fingering weight) I wanted to make it easier on me and use better needles. My needles are not really meant to knit with lace and I would have to fuss with them. So far as what I can tell, these will be a joy to work with. They are made out of stainless steel and are extremely light. The join seems to be very smooth and the cable is not kinked up. After I knit with them I will give a final review. The circular needles also came with a free pattern and a cable needle.

Well for purchasing the needles I completed the requirements of becoming a Loopie Groopie. The gift I received from the Loopie Ewe is amazing. I received Tootsie Rolls, Romney Ridge Farm Calendar, Rubus sock pattern, Loopie Ewe Project Tote, and best of all I received Loopy Legends yarn dyed by Lorna's Laces in the Linda's Antique Treasures colorway. It was so funny when I got the package, I was like wait I know I only ordered needles. It was a very pleasant surprise and I absolutely love every goodie and the Loopie Ewe. If you couldn't tell, since I pretty much only buy yarn there and am doing the Camp Loopie. 

Hopefully next week, I will have 2 FO's and a brand new WIP. I hope everyone has a great week.

Happy Knitting,
Coutney

I bammed it up a notch!

Welcome Everyone,

this past week me and my fiance both quit drinking sodas and only drink water now. We also started working out every other day. It has been a difficult transition and I am glad that I have my very best friend doing it with me. We both want to be in the best shape we can be in for our wedding. Other than that we just been going to work and nothing spectacular going on.

Works in Progress - WIP's

Friday was the start date of the 3rd and last camp loopy project. The requirements are that the project has to be 500+ yards, use two colors, and a pattern I have never done before. As I mentioned before I am knitting Elfe by Astrid Schramm in madelinetosh tosh merino light in the cobalt and maple leaf colorway on size 4, 3.5 mm needles. So far I love the pattern, it's top down, but you don't separate the sleeves you knit them with the top body and then bind them off and bam finished sleeves. I absolutely love the yarn, even that it's a single ply. The colors are very vibrant and the yarn feels very soft. I heard that madelinetosh washes up nicely, so I guess I have to wait for my final say on the yarn till I am done.

Also on Friday the Olympics started and with that the Ravellenics began. Yesterday, I casted on Terence the Tap Dancing T-Rex by Rebecca Danger. I am using some Red Heart Soft that I had in my stash and for his belly I will use left over I have from Basil the Boogie Woggie Brontosaurus. I like the pattern so far, since Rebecca Danger is an awesome designer. The yarn well I bought it for a granny square blanket, since it was cheap and so far one granny square is done. The pink yarn is the scrap yarn for the after thought tail.

Finished Objects - FO's

Well, I had to kill time and the wait till Friday was kinda difficult for me, so I started and finished a couple little things. Yes, I could of worked on my socks, but what can I say?! In order to prevent my yarn balls from collapsing I knitted a ball sack *giggle* There have been a lot of ball and ball sack jokes in my house, because of this. I had some random Knit Picks Comfy Fingering in Marlin colorway. I will add a string to the top to tie it.

Next, I was going to knit a cable beanie for my fiance. I used the Vicki Howell pattern in Knit Simple Fall 2012 issue (no link on ravelry yet). Well, I knitted it in the Large/X-Large size and it won't even touch his upper ear. It barely even fits me, I definitely recommend making the slouchy version unless you are knitting it for a child. I used Cascade Pacific that I had won from somewhere (I think it was craftsy.com)

Lastly, you might remember that I said for the Ravellenic games I would try to knit as many Monster Chunks as possible. Well, I knitted one and said that's to easy, so I decided to cast on the T-Rex for a bigger challenge and Basil is lonely. I used left overs to knit the only chunk. I will gift him to the puppy, Charlie, at my local yarn shop.

Spinning:

For some odd reason I finished the second half of my Three Waters Farm braid much quicker then the first half. I got 210 yards, not a specific weight since I am still all over the place. I still have to wash and thwack it. I used the left overs on my bobbin, to practice chain plying I got the hand motion down and just have to work on getting better at it.

Now I am spinning an ...into the whirled English Shetland Combed Top braid in the Ambercrombie colorway, I bought at the Maryland Sheep and Wool festival. I am spinning this fractal, which means I split the braid in half lengthwise and spin the first half normal, then the second half I will split again either once or twice and spin those all from the same end. I just started the first half today. I absolutely love the colors and it's pretty easy to spin.

Enabling:

I found a cute pencil case at Walmart today for just $4. I am using it for my DPN's (double pointed needles). I made a case myself a while ago, but I mistakenly bought some knit picks dpn's that are really long (meant to buy the shorter ones). Well those don't fit in my self made case. Now I can use that case for some other notions.

Magazine Review:

I bought the new issue of Knit Scene Fall 2012. I just want to point out the patterns that I liked. Again the magazine is set up in categories: Zipped, Forever Knits, and Ethereal. I just noticed that all the patterns I like are from the Forever Knits section.

First pattern I can see myself knit is the Rhonda Cap by Brenda K. B. Anderson.

Next I really like the Agnes pullover by Ruth Garcia-Alcantud. The only reason I am hesitating to knit this is you knit it in pieces and seam it all together.

I also like Amherst Kerchief by Marjorie Dussaud. I like the colorwork and even the tassels, normally I am not a fringe or tassel kinda girl, however they work for this.

Last but not least, I like the Frances Cardigan by Amy Polcyn. However, again it is knit in pieces. I absolutely don't like the colors they chose for it, I think the red gets lost in the orange. There is no picture on Ravelry yet.

I also received my subscription for Knit Simple Fall 2012. I am not going to review it, since the only pattern I liked was the cable beanie I already knit.

Next week I am going to the Spinning and Weavers guild meeting and besides that just my usual working and knitting.

Thanks for reading and Happy Knitting,

Courtney

Finished Objects Paluza

Welcome Everyone,

An update on my exam results, sadly I failed by 1 question. I will have to wait 30 days to re-take the medical coding and billing exam. Other than that I just went to work and came home to knit or spin. Today I have the whole house pretty much to myself besides the cats, which it's the first time that my fiance will be gone all day. He went to Maryland with some friends to meet another friend to go and watch Batman at the Imax. 

Works in Progress - WIP's: 

Something that hasn't been touched in a little over a month has made a comeback. I have a HO (half finished object). Yes, I worked on my Harvest Dew Socks and finished one of them. I am knitting those out of Uschi Universal that was graciously gifted to me from my aunt, who lives in Germany. I have not casted on the 2nd sock, since I am working on a gauge swatch. However, once I finish swatching I will cast that on. So far I am very happy with the sock and it fits great.

 

That's the only WIP. 

Finished Objects - FO's:

Like the title says this week was FO Paluza. I finished 3 things this week, that might be a new record. First I finished my Westwood Blouse for Camp Loopy Project #2. I had a minor panic attack when I went to try it on my head didn't fit through the opening. The opening was as big as the pattern told me too, anyway I had to rip the shoulder seams an inch on each side. It turned out a little bit shorter than I expected even that I had gauge (I did block the swatch). 

Second, I finished the TGV for the Knitabulls July KAL. This morning I received a message from the Designer, Susan Ashcroft, asking if she could feature my picture. *Squeel* She is featuring the picture with boogie. I took the picture with him, since the Knit Girllls Stash Dash 2012 checkpoint 4 price is for featuring your pet in the picture, even if I don't win that price my picture is featured on the pattern site.

The second picture shows how much yarn I had left.

I am more a handkerchief person, here is a picture of how I wear mine.

Then lastly I finished the TTL Mystery Shawl 2012 by Kirsten Kapur. When the last clue came out the beginning of July, I thought it said I had to knit 46 more rows. So I decided to work on Camp Loopy and Knitabulls KAL first. However, when I picked it back up Friday night, I realized that there is a shorter version, which is only 6 rows. Well, I ended up knitting the shorter version and if I would of known about that this shawl would of been done 3 weeks ago. The first picture is of the whole shawl and the other 2 of the detail.

Soon to be on the needles:

Friday July 27th is the cast on date for the last Camp Loopy project. I will cast on Elfe and actually that's what I am gauge swatching for right now. 

Also on Friday the Ravellenics Games start, I am joining Knitabulls in the Toy Toss category and I will be casting on Monster Chunks on Saturday. My goal is to try and finish as many as possible. 

Spinning:

I am still working on the Three Waters Farm BFL. I finished the first 2 oz yesterday and will start the second half today. I am getting more consistent and thinner, it definitely is a learning process. 

Enabling:
I bought 2 skeins of Madeline Tosh Merino Light the blue is cobalt colorway and the greenish color is maple leaf. Those are for my Camp Loopy project. I also bought from The Loopy Ewe the Camp Loopy bag, they include the camp loopy measuring tape. 

The second package I received this week was a very special one. I received my custom order from Unique Sheep. Laura was very very helpful and patient with me, to come up with the perfect color for my wedding shawl and bouquet. I must of driven her crazy, first I wanted off white, then I changed to burgundy, well now it is teal. I don't have a David's Bridal close by, so she was so generous to drive to her local one to pick up a color swatch and she matched the yarn perfectly. Left is Ling lace (70% merino and 30% silk) for my shawl, middle is the David's Bridal color swatch (Bridesmaids dresses), right is Wild Thing (Merino/Tussah Silk) for some of the flowers in my bouquet.

I will still have to order some Hiya Hiya Sharps for the shawl, but other than that enabling will only consist of my into the whirled club fiber.

Next week will once again be consisting of working, knitting and spinning. 

Happy Knitting!

Camp Loopy Knitting Frenzy

Welcome Everyone,
this week was pretty uneventful. Go to work come home, knit/spin, repeat. Saturday, my fiance was so gracious and volunteered to drive me to Richmond for my big medical billing and coding test. I will find out the results on Tuesday, I think I did ok, but I don't want to get my hopes up.

WIP's:
Last week I got a minor panic attack regarding my Westwood Blouse for Camp Loopy #2. I thought that there was no way I was going to finish and I might as well give up. Well, once again I underestimated my skills of being relatively fast. Yep, I am pretty much finished. I finished the back and the front. It's is now blocking and once it is dry I can seam up the shoulders. Right now all the knitting I have left to do is the I-cord belt, which will be done today. I took the picture before I soaked it and pinned it out to dry. I love the pattern, it was really easy to understand. The only complaint I have is the lace requires to do a Purl 3 together every other stitch and with it being cotton (cotton has no give) it really hurt my wrists after a while. I had to take frequent breaks, which I would either study or spin. The yarn is really nice too, it is pretty soft for being cotton and supposedly it gets softer the more you wash it. It had one knot in one skein, but that's no big deal. 

This was the only knitting I did this week. Not bad considering that I work full time and had to study for the test.


FO's
Again nothing, but that will change next week.

Spinning:
I finished spinning the Romney fiber. I love the way it turned out, much better than my first. It is between a heavy worsted and chunky, but also has some spots that are more a dk.

Now I am spinning BFL (blue faced leicester) that I bought at the Maryland Sheep and Wool festival. It is from Three Waters Farm in the Santa Fe colorway. This is taking me way longer then the other two I have spun, since I got much thinner.

Soon to be on the Needles:
July 27th is when the 3rd and last Camp Loopy project starts. The requirements are to knit 500+ yards, use more than one color, and it has to be a pattern we never have knit before. I will be knitting Elfe in Madeline Tosh Merino Light. I have never used that yarn (I own two skeins, just haven't knit them) so I am excited to use it. I picked two colors that are bold and not my usual colors.

Enabling:
I finally received my Ho Bag. If you watch the Stockinette Zombies Podcast, you will know what I am talking about. Amy came up with the term HO for a Half finished object, for example if you finished just 1 sock or 1 mitten. You can't really call it a FO, since you need two so she called it HO. Then it went so far they had HO bags made and how could I resist. They also were so gracious to include a "I'm a zombie" button and a sticker.

 

I also received a 4 oz merino braid I ordered from Spun Right Around on etsy in the Playtime colorway. Sorry I couldn't take it out of the package, since my cat was ready to attack the fiber.

The last thing I ordered was a Wraps per inch tool from Tangerine Designs on etsy. It is in the shape of the Tardis in Doctor Who, which is my absolute favorite TV show, if you couldn't tell from my tardis bag I got a couple weeks ago. She also included a button, which is already on one of my project bags. 

 Next week I will have some enabling again. I am waiting on the yarn I bought for Camp Loopy #3 and on the yarn for my Wedding Shawl and Bouquet. After that, my only enabling will be my once a month club shipment from ...into the Whirled, since we have to save for our wedding. 

Next week will be very uneventful, since there are no plans of any kind. That means lots of knitting and spinning time just the way I like it.