Chaotica

Wow...I don't even remember how to blog anymore...it took a little while to get to the right spot (and a LONG while to get revved up to post :))!!!  My life has been somewhat chaotic recently -- not really the reason for the latest knitting design but seemed to be an appropriate name for the project!  I have had this great cotton / rayon blend worsted weight ivory-colored yarn in my stash for quite some time and it has wanted to become some kind of cable-y, swingy kind of cardigan...I searched through every one of a gazillion free and otherwise patterns on Ravelry and absolutely none of them inspired me -- either too constructed, too cable-y or not at all cable-y sooooo, even though I really didn't want to design another sweater ... here I go again! 

This is a top-down, raglan-sleeve VERY randomly cabled cardigan-jacket.  I don't know yet whether it will be cropped or a-line, with or without ribbing but it is F-U-N!  I hope that I will be able to build a pattern around the creativity!  Sizing the pattern, which is my nemesis with a capital "N", should be straight-forward because it can be made-to-fit...yay!!!

More news..no longer at the grind ...needed to have the time and presence of mind to find a real job so am now fervently looking for my second career - wish me luck!

Also I am placing a link to MFS's spinning blog www.spinningsarah.com - congratulations Sarah!

Muses...

The knitting muses are strong as ever but the writing muses are alas...wimpy ... (at best)... WOrking on a white cropped cotton cardi for DDK - top-down raglan in Provence cotton...yummy!  Also (just so I don't feel as if I am out of the group-knit groove, I decided to join the knit-along of Hemlock Ring Blanket at OE...I have been teasing MFD (who is graciously leading the knit-along) that intentionally creating heat is not really that smart :)  We had a heat index of 99 degrees here yesterday (actually only 96 or so) and here we are knitting with 100% wool, heavy worsted no less...we will see how far we get :) before a little timeout for the project!

Almost done with the patterns but time got away from me last week...I will keep on plugging away on them...I just want to make sure that the sizing is acurate...

Have an awesome day ... talk to you soon...

Interesting...

Take a look at this :)  I have been listening to some podcasts while working (knitting :)) recently and came across graffitti knitting - much better than traditional graffitti I think :) who would have thunk?  Maybe a new use for no longer used items ???  I have been trying to come up with where long term extended care for knitwear will be... maybe donated to the guild for raffles ... I have given to a knitting group before just for their own personal use and people seemed pleased with that... anyway the house is getting overrun so...

Here's the latest - "Solstice Shell"

Technology ...hmmmmmm

My technical muse aka Elyse is inspiring me to get with it and start tweeting and facebooking more regularly...I have no idea how long this will take me but inch by inch it's a cinch so just need to start looking into it...I did some self training on inkscape (the free technical graphics tool I will be using) the other day and while I learned quite a bit, I will be publishing a couple of sweater patterns without the schematics (but WITH good measurement info so I don't get hung up any longer) ... "Bella Color-Yoke Tee", "Swinglet Cabled Cardi", and "Flock"  will be finished and up on Ravelry by the end of the week (as long as I can put the needles down long enough to type :))

Blocking and Rocking...

Dragonfly "Wings" is blocking...it's always a little scary when you are working with a fiber that grows when wet...but happy when you get to make up the pattern such that it takes that into consideration :)  It blocked to measurements perfectly!  (My math skills are rusty but in working order :)) I have totally enjoyed working on this and it will be so light and soft when complete.  Next step will be to knit edgings and decide just how many wings a Dragonfly should have :)

"Magical" is progressing nicely...I finally decided on the colorwork pattern and partially completed the pattern around the lower hem - a little tricky when knitting the body flat in one piece AND decreasing for an a-line shape at the same time but I chose the colorwork band taking that into consideration so the decreases will be hard to spot - yay...pictures soon :)

Of course, the project count briefly dropped so I am swatching for a little vest / shell out of Cotton Supreme - think cables and seed stitch - great yarn - carried at Only Ewe and Cotton Too...

Hope Your Holiday was Memorable...

I have to be quick because I just had a schedule change at the grind but I wanted to make sure to post since it's been a few days...

Finished "Flock" but gotta block the "Flock" before getting a final pattern picture :)  - no calculations for sizing required so I will get the pattern up on Ravelry in a few days...  just so you know this will be prettier on a body and the color is great (not through my camera's eyes...)

I also finished the second sleeve of "Dragonfly Wings"  ...  I LOVE this and can't wait to get it blocked and assembled...  this probably won't get published for a couple months as I don't think people will mind waiting for an, although lightweight, wool sweater :)

A few more calculations for "Swinglet Cable Cardi" (remember that one?) and the pattern will be available and I can bring the sample to Only Ewe!!!

Next on the pattern finishing agenda will be "Bella Color-Yoke Tee" - it shouldn't take as long as "Swinglet"  not too many crazy calculations...

That's it for now folks...see you soon!

The Flock is in Flight...

Flock (pre-ruffle) is complete - these are pictures of the piece dry-blocked...because of my shaping, this will take some heavy blocking but I like how the seed stitch arches...hopefully you can see in the pictures...

That's all for today - gotta ruffle before shopping with DDK :)

One Can Never Have Too Many Projects?

I officially have cast-onitis :)  Of course, I did finish Botanica Medallion Cardi (pictures on Ravelry) and Raglan Leaf Tee to satisfy my need to not think ... :) But anyway...these are the new kids on the block...thanks to MFG and MFL and some Malabrigo Lace in my stash, I had to cast on Citron

A fun and easy knit ... only that there's a LOT of purling...I don't really mind purling but in the ruched (sp?) areas, there are a lot of stitches and my Citron hasn't even gotten very big yet!  I know someone who may not want to attempt this one (you know who you are :)) because of the massive amount of purling...

Next on the roll we have "Flock", a shawlette with a simple lace ruffle planned...my Madeleinetosh "Pashmina has been calling to me ever since Stitches South!  I didn't even plan the shadow puppet!

This yarn is amazing once I got past the spat we had during the winding process...I am dreading winding the second skein but I will let you know how that goes - maybe the first was a fluke!  The yarn has cashmere and silk - very soft and nice to knit with!







And then, of course, "Magical Swing" is out of the gates.  I am very excited about this one, a high hip-length A-line jacket using DK Superwash Merino from The Knit Witch.  I am planning some textured colorwork on a backdrop of stockinette stitch and am knitting from the bottom, the entire body at the same time until the underarms.  I love this because, even though the rows are long in the beginning, by the time you get to the underarms, you are really close (and of course less finishing!)

Well...I also have started the second sleeve of "Dragonfly Wings"  ... getting close!

So can one have too many projects?  Cause as you guys (y'all) know, there's probably at least 10 that I am not telling you about (but they are kind of sleeping now so ... they DON'T count! :))

Hi Ho the Derry-o...

Here's a few pictures of our farm...

So much for K.I.S.S.  :)  We have 2 varieties of cucumbers, zucchini, tomatoes, banana peppers and strawberries and plans are underway for a salad lover's and salsa garden!  I will keep you posted as our crops come in. 







Now here is a real farm!  Dad of Knitwitch invited a group of outdoorswomen from Only Ewe for a "Paca Party" on Saturday.  We had a great time!

Jake and Bella (big (as the miniature horses),white, fluffy Great Pyrenees) were almost as big a hit as the Alpacas, Pot-bellied Pigs, Goats, Mini and Big Horses, Donkeys, Chickens, Peacock and other creatures living right in the heart of Alpharetta!  (technically Milton now :))

Here's a few more pictures to give you the flavor of our wonderful day!

This is my favorite ... makes me think of spinning :)
Of course Sambuca is pretty cute too...

Hee Haw!

Time Has The Habit of Getting Away...

Wow - this week has flown by ... I worked a lot at the grind and was fighting off a bad back all week but the blessing is that when one must be laying down a lot, the knitting flies on the needles :)  I have finished the leaf raglan t and am nearly done with Botanica Medallion Cardi :)

DHJ and I went to the brand new Farmer's Market at Brookwood - yay ... a Farmer's Market in Suwanee ... well ... a little disappointing ... not too much produce and not a single piece of fruit but am seriously hoping that if people keep going, more and more vendors will come and it will get better.  The market is on Fridays through labor day 4 - 8 pm at the Brookwood Elementary School off of Brookwood road at the new light near 141...

And ... we have a vegetable garden!  (I keep hearing the mantra "Keep it Simple" but have also heard herbs, zuccini, tomatoes, strawberries and other things mentioned in the same breath :)) Everybody needs a hobby but honey...my hobby time is rather full :)

The Zen of Knitting (or...let someone else think for you :))

Now, mind you, I get a great deal of pleasure from designing something new for others to knit (and for me to knit too) but sometimes you just gotta let someone else tell you what to do and knit for the sake of knitting...so I did a little stash diving yesterday and actually got 2 new projects on the needles!  :)


But... let me back up for a minute... I was doing some serious number crunching for "Swinglet" and am stuck at the schematic ... I really wish that I could overcome the "wish-someone-would-just-show-me-how-to-do-it-and-then-I-could-move-on-syndrome" ... I am facing the challenge of a free software package (Inkscape) which supposedly is easy to learn but not being a twenty-something or just someone who likes to play with software and figure it out, I am stuck.  The blessing is that I know that I will figure it out and that it will be no big deal so get on with it already!!! :)

Anyway, between "Swinglet" and knitting a plain part of "Dragonfly Wings" (but thinking about final embellishments and sleeve shaping), I was not setting out for a joyful knitting day so... happy happy joy joy I started on The Botanical Medallion Cardigan (from Vogue Knitting) and Raglan Leaf Tee (hee hee)

Back to work a little bit today before going to the grind :)

Carefree Cowl and Cuffs Submitted to Skacel :)

Completed the quick turnaround submission to Skacel for "Carefree Cowl and Cuffs" with these pictures

I hope they like it :)

A Weekmiddle!!! :)

I have a couple of days off in the middle of the week this week - what a treat :)  Of course I have way too many things planned to actually accomplish in a couple of days but I will just plug away and see how I do...  I had actually forgotten about wednesday morning group because I haven't been for a few weeks so as long as I get one of the More Than Knotz tasks completed, I will be heading over for some time with friends that I haven't seen in a while! 

MFZ shared some wedding pictures from her daughter's special day - it looks like a beautiful event!  Thanks Z!  The wedding was last Saturday and while all the forecasts were for doom and gloom (weatherwise) they were all treated to a beautiful cool day! 

I finished the cowl and cuffs for Skacel Yarns...gotta get good pictures to send this morning (I will post them here as well) - please wish me luck ... this could be another step to being famous - ha ha!!!

A 7 and a 5

I should have posted over the weekend but was not thinking ahead and now I am under a tremendous amount of pressure to get a quick post in for "you guys" (that's the northern equivalent of y'all :)) before a quick shower and an early shift today (a really early shift tomorrow so might not get one in tomorrow)  I trust all mother's had a great day yesterday!  I was treated to a yummy homemade omelet brunch and manipedi gift certificate and movie pass :)  but the real gifts were simpler ... MSJ remembered to wish me a happy day amidst a 12 hour shift at work :) and... on Saturday I was out with MDK and she initiated a great conversation about teenage pressures that warmed my heart and eased my mind...I think we may have done okay ... these kids are growing up and have good heads on their shoulders :)  Well...gotta go...almost done with swinglet for the shop (and the pattern for those of you who are waiting and my submission to the Skacel contest.   p.s. the mobius didn't quite work out so I had to go to plan b...

Sckniting Away...

Conjunction of scatterbrained knitting :)  Working feverishly on the shop sample of "Swinglet" (thanks for the beautiful pink Terra, Elyse!), "Dragonfly Wings", and new Knit Witch design so really not enough projects going ... so ...decided to go forward with Skacel contest with Schoppel Wolle Ambiente (with lovely Knit Witch Yarn Bowl in the background :))...

It was this --

then got twisted into "Meshbius Wrap", not looking like so much yet as this: 

 because a simple cowl didn't really seem contest-worthy (but will be a pattern because I think it will be pretty darn cute :)  The only thing about Mobius knitting is that you need to have faith that all your calculations were correct because you really can't tell if the whole thing is going to work until the very end...  we'll see :) btw, I didn't frog the boring old cowl just in case...  The contest submissions have to be in by the 14th!!!

Here's a couple of "DFW" - the back is now complete (but needs a little fiddling) and the smaller piece is the left front.

Back:

Front:

And the Knit Witch swatches (have been a little neglected but I promise to get going on this soon B)  This is incredibly yummy yarn :) ...

Sorry for missing a couple days, guys, had an unexpected open at ye old coffeehouse...


There could be a missed day later in the week too...


Have a great day - talk to you soon!

Progressing Nicely

Working on the back for Dragonfly Wings (not "wisp-y" enough :)) and this is just about ready for armhole bind-off...

I am also working on Swinglet with SWTC Terra (Bamboo / Cotton) - awesome yarn - as a sample for the shop in powder pink.  It has a little sheen to it and is very drapy - perfect for Swinglet!

Spellbound class starts next Saturday! 

The Hard Part...

This past weekend was really great...learned a lot and now... it's time to apply what I learned to real life...that's the hard part!!!  The projects that are underway in the pattern-writing stage are "Risotto - Made to Order", "Swinglet Cabled Cardi" and "Bella Color-Yoke Tee".  These all need to be drafted, charted, have a schematic created and graded (technical term for sized)...the schematics are what's making me nervous right now.  I have gotten a technical drawing package off the web but don't know how to use it yet - not being one of those twenty-somethings that can just play with new software and figure it out - yikes!  I still need a test knitter for "Bella Color-Yoke Tee" if anyone wants to volunteer - bottom-up, in the round, simple shaping and colorwork...

Two projects are in the design / swatch stage:  "Dragonfly Wisp Cardigan" and "Elemental Jacket" ...pictures coming soon:)  These will be the first of designs completed in actually the "right" and most efficient way - NOT on the needles...this is really tough to not just take a few measurements, make a few calculations and cast on ... much self-discipline required!!! :)

Have a great day - wish me luck!

A Glimpse at the Goodies :)

Here are some pictures from the Goodies I picked up at SS but first from our garden (these are self-sustaining luckily for them and a little past their prime but still beautiful!

This is DK weight from the Knit Witch for a Cardi with colorwork (haven't worked out the details yet)














Kate from Dragonfly Fibers is also supporting my obsession with 2 great big skeins of laceweight which will be combined for a wispy cardi (also to be determined)

I picked up some MadeleineTosh for a sweater and a shawl (cause it's the IT fiber right now)

Here's enough Kauni for (you guessed it) a sweater!  












And finally,  superwash DK from Valley Yarns (Webs)

As usual, I wish you were here because my phone (even though magical) does not do any of these colors justice!