Awfulness.
The death toll in Asia is rising secondary to the Tsunami, and we have many friends from that part of the country, not to mention friends who travel. My family and I are so sad for the losses of the people in Asia. We gave some money to the Red Cross, but of course it's feels like it's not enough.
But if we all give a little something, even if you have $5, if we all do, I believe it can make a difference to staving off disease and fighting injuries. Don't wait for our government to help, is all I'm saying.
Also, the Red Cross has these COOL KNITTING KITS! I'm ordering one for sure.
BUT!
On a lighter and happier note, Rock Chick is back. I'm verklempt.
In other knitting news...
Here's the scarf I made recently with Lion Brand Landscapes - a yarn that was inexpensive but fun to use.
Like it? Here's the pattern:
| "Jenny's Seed-Stitch-with-dropped-rows-Scarf" |
| Requires: Three balls Lion Brand Landscapes. Gauge: Pretty much optional (I know, I can't believe I said it either.) I used US 11. In seed stitch pattern, my stitch gauge was 9st=4"(10cm) Finished size: approx 6.5" wide by 72" long. Pattern: row 1: *k1, p1**, repeat *-** to last stitch, k1. row 9: *k1, yo, p1, yo**, repeat *-** to last stitch, k1. Repeat rows 9 - 16 until the length is what you want (or you run out of yarn), then cast off. Weave in ends. |
FO!
And I did finally finish the Retro Ribbed Socks for my friend Leonie, but I promptly sent them before taking a pic. OOPS.
Happy New Year to everyone!
In other words, Merry Christmas!
We are stuffed here. What a meal we had today. I don't cook, so I was on KP, which is best for everyone! My parents, sister, and mother-in-law are here and it's been really fun!
At least FIVE SETS of pajamas were exchanged. It was too funny, and unplanned.
Make with the gifts, lady.
I got some good knitting stuff for Xmas - here are the books from the hubbie, sister, and father-in-law:
ALSO: My dear friend Brandi sent me beautiful yarn from New York. THANKS! Even with my photographing-savvy father, it was still hard to capture the color. But here's our effort.
While we're here, let's have an update!
Ok. 1) The bunnies were completed and given to the respective chillens. Good pattern.
2) I started Vimmerby from Cornelia Tuttle Hamilton, II. Here's a progress picture:
The specs: Noro Cash Iroha and Noro Kochoran. US 8.
The changes: I am knitting it in the round, because I think back-and-forth fair isle is just plain mean to ask of anyone. ;-)
OK. Technically I started right before we moved, and in true Jenny fashion, knitted the first 40 rows in the dark. The next day, the day of packing, my husband and I took one look and, needless to say, no picture was taken. It was that bad. So I ripped it.
This newer color I got was MUCH BETTER.
Too much!
As usual there is too much to tell for one blog. I have some scarves for me and my mom, some quilting I've done, and Leonie's socks are so close... But there is just not enough room or time. So, I'll just have to keep on postin'!
With apologies to Dylan...
So, the ho-hum of my knitting remains. BUT! Here is the list of how I am spicing up my knitting life:
1) Knit with awesome peeps.
Met tonight with awesome knitters Carrie, Mary Jessica, Jenna, Jenny (who has a blog but hasn't told me the URL yet - she's clandestine like that), Leslie (who really always does take good pictures), and Anne Marie (who had to go early - sniff).
SO MUCH FUN. Hope they all had as much fun as I did. I had everybody over to the new house - it's so nice to have enough room for people. I hope soon to paint the living room, get a new sofa, but at least there was SPACE. Such a fun group of gals. Thanks, you guys!
Here's Carrie showing off her new socks.
Finish something, for God's sake, finish something!
2) I finished the poncho for my niece, Damia:
I hope she will like it. She's 8, so all bet's are off.
Notes: Knit on US 11. I used three yarns (Trendsetter "Spruce", Lana Gatto "Caribù", and Artful Yarns "Circus"). I should never knit with yarn with little flags on it (yeah, "spruce" I'm talkin' to you) - I HATE knitting with yarn like that. But oh well. Now it's done.
Here, for your compare-and-contrast pleasure, is a pic of the three yarns.
The edge is a "picot bind-off." Made fun bobbles, which I thought were better than fringe for this particular poncho.
3) Randomly knit something new. Or three of 'em.
I decided to make toys for my other niece and the children next door. What better and TIMELY than Ms. Kate's awesome bunny pattern! I couldn't love it more. What fun! And only 5 US bucks!
The yarn is Berroco "Softy" and it is incredibly soft. I wish there was a virtual way for you all to touch it. Find it at a local store and fondle it. Mmmmm.
Here's the bigger bunny I made for my cousin's kid, and a smaller one for Olivia, who is 4 and lives next door.
And just for fun, here's a bunny before it's sewn up:
One last thing!
I am glad to report that since Saturday I have run twice and mountain biked with my husband. I am needing to get back on track with running, before I lose all I gained. I need encouragement, so if you have any send it! That's all I want for Christmas ;-) I just don't want to put the weight back on and lose all my fitness milestones, like my resting heart rate, etc..
So, I think some of the gals are going to train for a 1/2 marathon and I'm so into it. Also, for a marathon in the summer... I'll keep everyone posted!
Happy Holidays to all who celebrate. I wish everybody out there the very best!
Blah blah blah.
I'm completely SICK of everything I'm knitting. This is a new one for me. I felt I should complain publicly, then you'll be sick of it too. And I'll feel better. You think?
Er, no.
Oh well. So first, maybe let's talk about my poncho. Here's the thing: I started out with this bright idea to knit this poncho. Here's what I had so far. Silky wool, doubled.
But here's the important bit. I HATE CABLING. Oh yeah, kids, I said it. I wanted to stab myself with my cable needle - oh, but I wasn't using one! Didn't make any damn difference.
Oh, come now, you say, you can't really hate cabling. Are you ill? Well, OK, I don't hate all cabling. But there was no way I was doing that much cabling with yarn doubled. No way. I'd be working on it two years from now.
Stop whining!
So I quit whining about it, ripped it, and started making the Yarn Harlot poncho.
Here's the only problem - Silky wool is fairly thin, and it is taking FOREVER. Here's a gauge picture. 15 rows to 2 inches. This does not bode well, I've done the math.
But at least I like knitting it. I knit on it like crazy during The Bourne Supremacy, which I liked, and Ocean's 12. Regarding the latter, I'm sorry to say 12 was NOT the new 11. But it was okay. I'm going to watch 24 on DVD, which I have never seen, and I expect to get much knitting done. It's about 3/4 done, I think. Hard to tell on the needles.
The cutest dog I ever saw...
This was taken while we were on the drive cross country. So sleepy dog. So tired.
Hope everyone's getting ready for the holidays. My niece's poncho is almost done, and turning out pretty good. Progress pics this weekend.
And here's an update on the "Retro Ribbed Socks":
[Clap clap]
Well, we have a lot to be happy about around here. We are on WIFI. Apple airport, we love thee. This means we can blog on the sofa. Or in bed. The two best places, really.
And when we read blogs, we find out things that make us VERY HAPPY...
(The suspense is killing me. I hope it'll last.*)
The Yarn Harlot has written a book. Oh, joy of joys! And she even came by our little place to leave a comment - I was actually speechless. We high energy peeps are not worthy.
If you don't show us some knitting, we're going to revolt.
Alright, alright! Put your tray tables and seat backs to their full and upright positions, 'cause here we go:
1) My dear friend Jess, who I miss so much, got her socks as a gift before I left. These are the Conwy socks from Knitting on the Road by Nancy Bush.
Knit in Trekking XXL on US 1. The pattern, as all the patterns in this book, is excellent and well written, and it was fun. The socks are very sturdy in the trekking. The toe was NOT GRAFTED (hear that, Alex???)
2) The Phil Ruban tank.
Well, this was a sneaky one, cause I didn't post much about it. It was so quick.
Here's a pic of it done:
For the quiz, this is Phil Ruban I bought from the fluffinator. It is cool. Be careful not to split it, I used Addi Turbos and they worked pretty well.
And, lo and behold, it fit it's wearer! I made it for Julia, because she sent me a cool handknit SWIRT she made. Go look at the pic of her wearing it, go now - the Dec. 2 entry! Then come back! OK!
It's been so fun to get to know all you bloggers out there. Everyone is so fun, and nice. I appreciate the communications with each and everyone of you.
LEONIE rocks.
3) The next knitting is for my dear friend Leonie, who will soon be a PROFESSOR at Indiana University [Indiana, Indiana, Indiana we're all for you. IU!**] We are so proud of her (and her man too, who will also be a prof there.) Anyhoo, socks for Leonie were worked on cross country:
These are the "Retro Rib Socks" from the latest IK. Knit in Trekking XXL on size US 0. I made some changes to the pattern:
a) I knit each row tbl instead of every other as called for. [This is all I can say without giving away the pattern, but if you knit it, you will see what I mean.] The twisted stitches look better this way, trust me.
b) Leonie happens to be about 5'8-5'9 (and we hates her for it, precious...) so I had to make the legs looooong to fit her. Took forever. But she's worth it.
You got anyting else?
There is much more new knitting to show, and travel picks, but next time. Otherwise your eyes will glaze over, if they haven't already done so. Hello? Hel-lo! Hey, wake up out there!
*Willy Wonka. One of the best movies ever.
**Featured in Breaking Away, one of my husband's favorite movies. I, genetically, have to think they are inferior, as my father went to Purdue. This means we hate Notre Dame as well. And genetically***, because of my mother, we love the Steelers, and we hate the Cowboys. We don't watch football, mind you, but this is how we feel.
***My genetics professor husband will be appalled at this discussion.
I just can't wait to get on the web again...
THANKS to everyone for saying hello. I am online at the house FINALLY but our wi-fi still needs to be set up (stay in one place online - like sit at a modem - what??).
And I found the camera cable. Sweet. So should have news and pics tomorrow. Unless I get motivated today ;-)
IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT #1
I have been told (and now have seen) my comments window takes a while to load on dial-up. This is a bit perplexing, as it is quite simple. I am really sorry to those who have to wait, and I will try to troubleshoot it. Any thoughts?
See you all soon! I can finally look at your blogs, I'm so behind!!!!! Ooh, wonder what I've missed! (rubs hands together in glee).
IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT #2
Thanks to Carrie and Anne Marie for inviting me to knitting. I wasn't yet in town, but you can bet I'll join you when you next meet. What a great town I've moved to!!!