Jammies are Done!

Finally finished my first pair of jammies for my Mom. I know she thinks the pattern of the fabric is a tad wild, but she's so desperate for jammies, she doesn't care. The fabric is Moda one that I think was called Italian Renaissance. Simple pattern taken from taking apart her old, well loved jammies. I had to follow a shirt pattern instructions to get the top done in the correct order. It's also my first more complicated project using my new-to-me serger. I have to make her 3 more pairs, 2 with full sleeves and then I will make some for myself as well as making flannel bottoms for the top I have already completed.


Shortsleeve jammies with pocket in both pants and shirt.

Knitting, yes KNITTING!! Ok.. well, this is the cat bed now that the knitting is completed. Alice is my model (she is the blanket cat - loves being under blankets and fighting under blankets). This is pictured before the felting. I plan to felt tomorrow and hopefully, it will be all dried by Saturday or Sunday. I've done a little bit of knitting and still having a bit of trouble with the tennis elbow (yes, 10 MONTHS later!), but I'm going to try some sock knitting soon to see how that goes.


I'm looking at buying a Bernina 440. This model is being discontinued and replaced with a model that is over $4000. I have to clarify the financing issue. If it really is zero percent interest for 12 months, I will be a Bernina owner this month. If not, well, we'll see what's in store. I hate, hate, hate quilting on my current machine. It sews fine, but the quilting, well, I think you have an idea that I am not that happy with the results. If I do buy the Bernina, I will have to very seriously stop buying fabric for a year because my budget will go for the payments.

Cutting, Cutting, Cutting

My hand is starting to get a tad sore from cutting for 2-3 hours every day. The big moment finally arrived and I have started cutting into my can't-cut-it Halloween fabric! I'm cutting for 3 quilts - 2 Wedding Rings and 1 Lucky Stars. I need 96 inner rings and have cut about 72. Most also have 4 matching melons to complete the circle, but I know I'll have to use some random fill-in for that. Katier825 over at the Quilting Board provided me the cutting dimensions for Lucky Stars after I misplaced my pattern. It's here somewhere, but at least I can cut.

I had a lot of advance on the crochet project last week due to chauffeuring my Dad to the ER and then his subsequent appointments. Several appointments next week as well, so this project is going along pretty fast. I do want to gift it before the end of the year, so that works for me.

My sock knitting for the annual Sock Scarefest came to a sudden stop, alas. I'm having a little trouble with hand control. Temporary problem, but sometimes it's just best to set stuff down and ignore it for a couple of weeks and then pick it up again. I won't win any prizes, but I have the patterns and the finished sock will be a prize. Speaking of socks, while I am so-so on the LOOK of these socks, they are OH so comfortable and warm. I speak of Baba's Bed Socks made with Woolease. I have large feet (10W), and with my somewhat loose knitting, the size is perfect. They stay on. They don't wrinkle. They fit snugly. Try them! I finished these last April so only wore them a couple of times, but I really appreciate them now that it's getting cold. I plan to make another pair using more leftovers from a completed afghan. The only disadvantage is that two of my cats love the Woolease afghan and love these socks. I often find them in the hallway at night. Cat toys. Who would have thought?

Couldn't Help Myself - Another Swap!

Joined another swap, mostly because I had the fabric and the final quilt will be fabulous. It consists of 12.5 inch star in a star with alternating HSTs in lights and darks. Here's the blocks I've done for the swap, although I will be making more to finish off the fabrics. If QATW doesn't do a second round, I will finish this over the winter using other FQs. My only limitation is that I don't have a lot of lights to choose from, but there is always a FQ sale around New Years. In fact, I attended a FQ sale at my LQS and was so proud of myself to limit my choices to things I needed for projects already in progress. Yes, I bought some spiders for the Halloween quilts - you understand that collections must be fed, which is why I'm trying to finish all the Halloween quilts so that the collection can go away.



I've mostly been cutting through scraps in the last week or two, but am working on quilting the Pine Grove quilt. Today I have both a doggie and a kitty pad to finish off. The doggie pad is a gift to my mom's coworker in celebration of her new dog and already planned, but her husband had a stroke last night, so I'll just get it made so my Mom can give it to whenever she next sees her.

On the knitting side, they finally had both yarns in that I needed to finish off the Kitty Pi Bed! They arrived the other day and I hope to finish that project this month. Yes, yes, I did buy a single skein of sock yarn for socks. Not sure why, but I just loved this tonal green. I'm not a bright green sort of gal, but we'll give it a shot.

Tonal Stroll Sock yarn by Knit Picks

This weekend involves some marathon recording, which is great because I will get a lot of crocheting done on that granny afghan. I record favorite shows and take the commercials out to save for my Mom to watch later. Naked Science has a new episode tonight. Being Human season 2 starts Saturday and I can do some catch up episodes for Dr. Who before the season's grand finale this weekend. Of course, I can't miss Eureka on Friday night. Have you noticed the sort of geek format of my favorite shows? It is not a coincidence.

Finished the On Hold Socks

Yes, ironic that the name of these socks should be "On Hold". They've been on hold since July, but done they are. I used size 0 (2.0 mm) circulars to make these in Knit Picks Stroll Sock yarn (Lantana). Pattern is On Hold Socks from Socks from the Toe Up by Wendy Johnson. The pattern is not all that complicated, but I found that I couldn't do these while away from home or watching TV. I'd just get messed up and have to rip back (over and over). I did learn that I need to adapt her patterns just a bit by cutting them about 3/4 inch in length to get the right fit. Then I don't have to adjust the heel - save a step. So, one sock is a little longer than the other, but I'll live with it. I also chose to do a regular K2P2 cuff with a sewn bind off.



I'm not too happy with the photo. The color is totally wrong, why I don't know. Here's the correct color.

House Socks

House Socks
Originally uploaded by Tarana5

Finished these quick to do socks last night. They are shortie socks with ribbing all the way down the instep. Fit really nice and cushy.

Made from Woolease Denim (left over from afghan) on size 8 double pointed needles from the top down. Used the pattern "Baba's Bed Socks". Love the socks, hate the double pointeds. Will do again, but using 2 circs. Pattern does fit my size 10 wide feet, but I would add an additional inch to the width and knit to 1 inch length required before starting toe. Reductions are just too fast to to accommodate the 2 inches mentioned in the pattern.

Baba's Bed Socks pattern

Projects and Near Dones

Lots of things I have been working on when I should be doing other things. Just finished attached the binding to the front of the Waterfall quilt, so that is an almost finish. I expect that I will finish it in a few days. For the first time, I finally used the instructions for making continuous bias binding from a rectangle. Went very smooth. I learned from the last time - just make more than you need and save the leftover for some scrap quilt or potholders.

Started a pair of Baba's Bed Socks finally using leftover blue Woolease. The instructions say to cast on using 2 strands of yarn. Ok... remind me to never again try to do this using 2 ends of the same skein. It works, but it was just a dumb thing to do. My only excuse was that I was rushed. I couldn't find my knitting bag and I needed a take-along and it was the only thing where I could quickly nab yarn, needles and instructions and zoom off. I foolishly only grabbed ONE skein of yarn. Anyway, this is a top down on double pointed needles pattern. I finished the cuff and since it goes right to the heel, I expect, it won't take too long to do.

My goal has been to finish the ladybug afghan by April 15, so I really have to get a move on that one. I'm at a point where everything needs to be done at home, so I have my large clipboard to hold the background piece while I attach. Periodically, I have to stop and make more spots for wings. They are tougher than they seem to make because of the black, but the stitches themselves aren't particularly complicated.

Shorty Socks Done!

Finished my sister's shorty version of my Fur Cuffed Socks. I did hers using ONE skein of Vanna's Choice yarn plus some eyelash yarn from the yarn store.



My greatest help for adapting the Fur Cuffed Socks pattern at Lion Brand yarns was the generic toe up pattern at www.knotanotherhat.typepad.com. In addition, I needed to stop the foot about 3 1/2 inches shy of the heel AND take out 4 stitches in the heel on the first purl. Otherwise, the heel was just too dumpy.

First, I will say that I really don't like acrylic socks. They feel kindof plasticky to me. However, my sis can't wear wool, so went with the flow. Bernat and others have put out some non-wool yarns at low cost. They also feel nice, so I bought some to give it a whirl. My sis has had a LOT of problems getting socks that don't cut her in the ankle, so more sockmaking is likely in my future for her.

Toying With A Finish

Robot
Originally uploaded by Tarana5

Finally made the robot and finished just before the Closing Ceremonies started. Cute, cute, cute. Primarily made with Vanna's Choice yarn on size 7 needles, my robot is about 10 inches tall without the antennae.

Made using Jess Hutchison's out-of-print pattern. I do need to improve my sewing together skills, but hey, still cute.

Here's Polly trying to help me take the photo.

Another Olympic Finish!

Sexy Red Socks
Originally uploaded by Tarana5

Finished my Sexy Blood Red Socks for Team Trueblood in the Sock Hockey event this morning. They fit nicely, although I probably should have stopped an inch earlier with the red.

I made these with Woolease and an unknown eyelash yarn bought at the yarn shop. They are done toe up with size 4 needles.

I adapted the pattern from Cuffed Fur Socks from Lion Band Yarns. I am grateful to the gal at Not Another Knit Hat for her formula for toe up socks, which made adapting this pattern a breeze!

http://knotanotherhat.typepad.com/toe_up.pdff

I am now off to do some cleaning and then to start my Buffy Potholder this afternoon. I found it impossible to knit this thing in a recliner. I need to just lay the chart on a table and knit from there. Not so comfortable, but it will get done. Chances on doing the robot are small, but not out. Depends on the Buffy Potholder.

True Blood Red Socks in progress

Blood Red Socks in progress
Originally uploaded by Tarana5

Here's my progress photo on the True Blood Red socks. As you can see, the feet are done and I'm attempting to do a heel. I'm having trouble remembering how to do M1 purlwise and need to sit in front of the computer with a video to do it. Otherwise, I end up with all these holes and that isn't acceptable!

The socks are done in Woolease on size 4 circs. Obviously, toe up. If I can get the heel figured out, I think I can get these completed tomorrow as I have a long appointment where I can just knit.

First Finish for Ravelympics!!

OlympicHatDone
Originally uploaded by Tarana5

Finished the Team USA Olympic hat knock-off at noon today! This is an adaptation of the hats worn by Team USA members at the Opening Ceremonies.

I used size 5 needles and Vanna's Choice acrylic yarn with a stitch size of 5.5 per inch. This resulted in a hat just over 22 inches around. The pattern is Olympic Reindeer Hat by Helena Bristow and is a free pattern at Ravelry.

The hat is a little on the tall side. I plan to make an adaptation to use up the remaining yarn and to take the height down.

More Progress on Games Projects

I've managed to finish all the squares for the Homespun Granny Afghan. Still to do is the weaving in of the ends, sewing or crocheting together and adding a final border. I expect to be done Tuesday or Wednesday. This Homespun stuff is SO soft.



Here's the progress on the Team USA hat. I am about 2 rows shy of the antlers. I hope to finish most of the knitting today. Already managed to find little flag appliques for those blank spots. I plan to make this hat again but with some changes. This hat is being made from Vanna's Choice yarn. It does knit nicely - was a good choice for an acrylic.

Stargate 1

Stargate 1
Originally uploaded by Tarana5

Here's a washcloth I finished in early February. Any Stargate fan would recognize this symbol as the one for Earth. Wash dishes and find your way home, all with the same washcloth! On size 5 needles, it comes out 7 x 5.75 inches knitted in Sugar and Creme cotton yarn. I plan to rewrite the pattern to get a square closer to 9 inches. Original pattern by Megan Murray. The pattern is a free Ravelry download.

Let the Needlework Games Begin!

I'm in all 3 - Ravelympics2010, Ancient Crochet Games and UFOlympics.

My starting project tonight will be the granny afghan. It's mindless and doesn't require me to watch it much so that I can watch the Opening Ceremonies, followed by recording Caprica and then on to my Buffy marathon. The afghan is such a large project that I have it in both the Ravelympics and Crochet Games.



The Lacy Sock is my entry for the UFOlympics. It was my first toe up sock and I'd like to finish it first. It was after this sock that I tried and loved knitting with just 2 circs. I also am far less intimidated by the lace pattern. Even with my experience, it's hard to believe that I'm still intimidated doing what really are truly easy things. Rather than risk a change of gauge, I will continue to knit this on double pointed needles.


On the quilting front, in order to maintain my 1 hour of sewing or cutting without my machine, I cut up scraps yesterday and today. I have enough to do so again tomorrow. Gotta keep taming the scrapmonster.

Hey, I was excited to find out that KnitPicks has already shipped my order! Maybe I'll be able to start it next week!

Jan Mid-month mystery washcloth

Jan Mid-month mystery washcloth
Originally uploaded by Tarana5

Can you tell that I got the camera back!? Here is my completed 'loopy' washcloth. I love this pattern! It looks great with variegated yarn! I used Sugar and Creme in Oriental. My washcloth was coming out rectangular (I have no idea why), so I added an additional section of pattern to square it up. My Mom is keeping this one. She actually likes using these thick washcloths for hotpads to take things out of the oven by folding them in half.

Here's a link to the pattern which is known as "I'm Loopy".
http://gimpykatkpatterns.blogspot.com/2010/01/im-loopy.html

Oak Leaf Wash Cloth

Leaf Wash Cloth
Originally uploaded by Tarana5

Yes, these things are just addictive. Here's a Oak leaf washcloth in Lion kitchen cotton. It's a wonky 6.5x8.5 using 5 circs. The original pattern indicates a square, so I don't know why I have a rectangle. Sis is getting this one too (she said she needed washcloths).

Originally, I listed this as a Maple Leaf washcloth. My mistake. Here's the pattern.

Ode to Crew Member Number 6

Crew Member Number 6
Originally uploaded by Tarana5

Yes, I've seen Galaxy Quest too often. I saw this little washcloth and said, yes, my sister would want that. I plan to make this again for myself - maybe out of a premium cotton along with a hand towel.

This particular washcloth was made using Lion brand kitchen cotton in red using size 5 circs and is about 8 inches square - a good washcloth size. I am a loose knitter, so keep that in mind when estimating size.

Pattern can be found here.
http://milotis.wordpress.com/2006/05/08/baby-trekkie-washcloth/

Ravelympics Preparations

If you knit or crochet, you probably know that the Ravelympics 2010 is soon to begin. I am a member of two teams: Team Minnesota and Team Buffy Staked Edward. See the cool logo? Team MN doesn't have one yet. You Twilight fans - don't get too upset. I am also thinking of joining Team TrueBlood. Buffy will likely stake Eric and Bill as well.

I have only seen a smattering of Buffy shows, so purchased, used, the entire Buffy and Angel series. I plan to marathon watch during the Olympics as they only cover my favorite skiing events at odd times. I really like watching the skiing and fancy skating.

I plan to do multiple SMALL projects this time around. I don't have to buy any yarn and I have all the tools. Nothing to buy. The only project I'm concerned about is the kitty Pi bed. I want to use Wendy Johnson's NEW pi bed pattern. I copied it from a book at the library and now can't find the pattern and the book has been checked out by someone else!! I made the old pattern (Huff and Spitty, my sister's cats, are featured on her gallery pages). If I can't find the pattern instructions, I'll just have to pass on this project until I can get the book again.

Here are the potential events I will be participating in. Obviously, I will ultimately only participate in 3 or 4, but it gives me a basis to figure out where I have the patterns, yarn and tools. For instance, my search for Homespun yarn last night produced only 3 skeins. I'm thinking that I may have sold that stuff in last year's garage sale. Hmm.. I'll have to check the pictures to see if it was on the tables (photos taken for scrapbook included the crafts table). The items in BOLD I've already decided to do and have everything in the Olympics bag (from the Atlanta Games).

Aerial Unwind - reclaim the yarn from an unloved project.
Bag Jump - tote bag
Bobsled - Pet projects - Wendy's Pi bed
Felting Freestyle - crocheted & felted bear
Free Dance - anything that doesn't fit other categories
Giant Slalom-ghan - afghan - Crocheted granny square lapsized afghan in Homespun yarn
Hat Halfpipe - hats - I have kit I bought last year. I could maybe finish it while there is still snow?
Platter Lift - home decor. I wonder if this includes washcloths?
Single Skein Speed Skate - uses one skein. I have a pillow to make! Or a washcloth.
Skelegurumi - toys - my robot fits here.
Sock Hockey - socks - a simple sock from Wendy's sock book
Stash Compulsory Dance - use of long neglected stash. I'll have to check. Most of these skeins are more complicated projects.
WIPs-Dancing - any WIPs/UFOs I will have socks in this category. I have several second socks I can make.

Continuing Quilting Projects

Some new purchases and continued slow work on projects.

I am on No Buy for a year at Stashbusters and this includes books. I can buy B's - backing, background and Batting. I'm also on No Buy for books, but for every 2 quilting books I part with, I can get one. I traded off 2 quilting books at PaperbackSwap this week, so I was able to include a new quilting book in my Amazon order. Honestly, I SHOULD get rid of half my quilting books, but that is too painful of a process. I'll go in bits and pieces.

Butterfly Album: Monarchs & More by Bea Oglesby is the only book I've seen that focuses on appliqueing monarchs. Lots of details to add extra pizzaz to even a plain butterfly block, which is what I was looking for. I'm really taking to applique. I just need to spend more time doing it.

For fabric buys, I got some gold background for doing Bonnie's current mystery. I have plenty of Christmas fabrics in red and green, some solids in tan, but I had no gold background. So, now that I have that, I will be able to start cutting by Monday. If you want to participate, here's the link: http://quiltville.com/carolinachristmas1.shtml. Just go at your own pace, she will keep the instructions up until June. To keep the mystery, just don't click on the next step until you are done with the current one.

Mill End still has the 60% coupon thing going on, so my gold background wasn't very expensive at all. My Mom wants me to make her some cotton jammies, so I have to go back next week and select something for her. Of course, since I get the scraps that will likely bias me as to which fabric I will select. :) Hmm...pink, blue, jungle animals? We shall see. Someone emailed me about Mill End Textiles. No, this is not quilt shop fabric. It compares very favorably with the better quality cottons at both Joann's and Hancock's and I don't hesitate to use it, but I wouldn't use it with primarily quilt shop fabrics just because the feel is different.

I'm still working on socks. I hope to get ONE pair done by the end of the year and that will be the pair I just started last week! There is no design to follow. Just straight sock knitting reusing yarn from an earlier project start. Then I will stop trying to participate in the sock KAL and finish all the ones I have started. After all, I really want to wear them while it is cold! I'm beginning to understand why some people now ONLY do the two-at-a-time method! I'm in!

More Socks

I have finally finished one of my On Hold Socks. I dropped a stitch on the heel and could NOT figure out how to eliminate the hole (it was a wrap stitch), so am ripping back.



For the Socks From the Toe Up KAL, I started these Trilobite socks yesterday. Have finished the toe and a first run through the chart. Really does lovely things with this yarn. I'm using Tuscany Multi in Knit Picks Essentials sock yarn. I am using a small size 1 (2.25 mm) circular to knit this. I have one mistake (left in), but find the only problem I have is a tendency to have laddering on the side that I am beginning the pattern. Seems to fix itself though.