And the world shines for meeee today...*
Hello, and welcome to 2006 here at HEK. Looks pretty much like 2005, truth be told, but be assured, there will be all new knitting screw-ups. Just you wait!
I sold all that stash, thanks to everyone who helped out. I'd love to see pictures if you make something with it, so send me an email!
I am very happy with this de-stashing, because I feel now my projects are all mostly things I am excited about, and have diversity and wearability and all that. I am really trying to knit on only a few projects at a time, so I can finish things in a more timely fashion.
To that end.
Remember "Baltic"? Of course you don't. I hardly did either. But it has been given new life and I am knitting away. Here's an update:
This is Jo Sharp Silkroad DK Tweed (with Lambs Pride Superwash in the fair isle). I put it on metal needles last night and it is really flying now. It's funny how the right TYPE of needle can make a difference. If you are struggling fighting with yarn, try a different type of needle. Some yarns respond better to plastic, or wood, or metal. It took a long time for me to learn that. Please believe it. I just want to make your knitting easier. ;-)
Tell us about this so-called "Stripes Go Round"...
Also, although there really has been no photographic evidence, my sister's Stripes Go Round is underway. Let me explain what happened:
1) I couldn't get gauge in the Allhemp3. At all. Even though it's the yarn called for in the pattern. So after many attempts I finally scrapped it and am just re-working the pattern to fit.
2) I then cast on and worked EIGHT INCHES and then decided I didn't like the faux side stitches. The crossed stitches called for looked like SHIT. Click here to see how much like shit.
3) So I decided to start over. Did I mention I had EIGHT inches done??? This time I am doing a simple two stitch seed-stitch for the sides and it's much better. See for yourself:
It needs to be done by the 29th of this month. Funny how, coincidentally, in a wacky twist of fate, that's my sister's birthday. Need we all be reminded it is on US 1 (2.25 mm) needles. At a gauge of like 48 stitches per inch.** LORD HAVE MERCY. Knitknitknitknitknitknit.
My sister must never doubt my love for her. ;-)
Quit Whining. You know you love it.
That's probably true.
I also love this hat:
And here's a picture of the versions I made for my new nephew-type and his sister:
This is the ever awesome Kate's pattern called "Shining Star." Go buy the pattern here. Go NOW. I made mine less deep than the pattern calls for, cause I wanted it to hug the head and just go over the ears.
I used Artyarns Ultramerino 8 and Oh. My. Lord. that is gorgeous gorgeous fabulous yarn. SO soft. So smooth. Beautiful colors. We shall not talk of its cost. Did I mention it's soft?!
SO many more to show. I know I should blog more frequently with shorter entries, but I should do a lot of things, huh? Another resolution for 2006!
Corn chips are no place for a mighty warrior.
Lastly for today, Allison (who changed her blog name and look - check her out) made me proud by knowing my trivia quote from last week was INDEED from a very funny Teen Girl Squad from Homestar Runner. She wins, well, my admiration.
Yah, she got gypped. ;-)
*Xanadu. What a classic. Who's with me?!
** Some statements in this blog are larger than they appear.
And bored beyond belief.
Do you ever just want to go to bed, and stay there? Like for the next three or four days, give or take? That's how I feel today. I was absolutely exhausted at work. So tired. Couldn't think right, couldn't chart right, slow as molasses. Weird, eh? Don't really even want to knit.
What?
I know.
I have been knitting, though, and before my blog becomes so outstandingly boring that you all are snoring, here's some pics:
BALTIC
I intended to do Baltic first in Orange and Blue, till my husband convinced me otherwise. He was right. A giant prison-jumper-orange aran sweater is so NOT a good idea. No officer, I'm not here to pick up trash with the other inmates.
So here is the fair isle bit of the sweater. It's the best fair isle I have ever done, in terms of how flat the stitches lay and how smooth it has turned out. I'm really really proud of it.
Click for the gratituitous wrong side shot. Go on, make a girl happy.
And for giggles...
Here's a bunch of crappy stuff I made as a kid, found on my trip. I was a very crafty kid. (I was always making something.)
Except I didn't make the Chewbacca doll.
I DID dress him in that girlie outfit, though.*
OK, my Mom probably put together the wizard.
But I did most of the Latch Hook.
Remember latch hook? How lame was that?**
*A wookie in drag. Star Wars fans are rending their clothes in agony.
**Now I'll probably get spam from the Latchhook Guild.