May 31st 2005
Filed under Sweaters
On Saturday, we went to Amy’s birthday bash – and I didn’t wear one of my creations. Sunday, was my sister’s birthday bash and yesterday we went out for a little shop and meal in Covent Garden, so all in all very little knitting was done this weekend.
I cast on, one of the sleeves for Spring Fling as a quick weekend project – and I managed to finish it pretty quickly.
I am knitting the main body of the cardigan all in one -on straight needles too, I really must investing in some Denise Inter-changables. The body is 200 stitches (for the small), leaving off the 2 stitches from the back and one from each of the front – that should be there for the seaming.
This close-up shows the pattern – the wool is Patons DK Cotton in Sky (2702).
May 24th 2005
Filed under Sweaters
Whilst looking at Florence today, I realised, I had no idea why I was knitting it I would never wear it – as nice as it is in the magazine – it is not me. So I began the awful task of frogging it – it took ages to do the Fair Isle border and I was left with small lengths of different coloured wool.
No sooner had Florence been frogged than Spring Fling had been cast on.
May 24th 2005
Filed under General, Travels
Well it looks like I might be going to America next week (hopefully leaving on the 4th), because flights are so expensive to Chicago we are going to have to go via New York, which of course means a trip to Purl Soho 
Last night I couldn’t sleep and I was mentally planning my shopping list.
So far I have
- Denise Inter-changeable.
- Clover Chibi Jumbo Darning Needles.
- Clover Knitting Counter Kacha-Kacha.
I am planning a felted bag for my knitting bits and bobs, so I want to get some Cascade 220.
I have been hunting around online today, and there’s Jo-ann near where we are staying in Chicago so hopefully, I can get some bargain in there – and of course, I have to plan a trip to Arcadia.
Jason should be booking the tickets tomorrow and then I can really plan the whole trip.
May 23rd 2005
Filed under Swaps
1. Are you a yarn snob (do you prefer higher quality and/or natural fibers)? Do you avoid Red Heart and Lion Brand? Or is it all the same to you?
No – we don’t get Red Heart or Lion Brand in the UK, so I can’t really comment on them – but “it is all the same to me.”
2. Do you spin? Crochet?
Crochet, a bit – recently mainly flowers and hats.
3. Do you have any allergies? (smoke, pets, fibers, perfume, etc.)
No.
4. How long have you been knitting?
I started when I was a kid (about 9), did a little during High School and College to relax – but started up again last year.
5. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
Yes.
6. What’s your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products etc.)
Anything berry-like, I love Bath and Body Works Sweet Pea.
7. Do you have a sweet tooth?
Yes, I only like British Chocolate – but I love Jelly Belly and Twizzlers.
8. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do?
Card-Making, stamping, and I have been doing a little cross-stitching.
9. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (If your buddy wants to make you a CD)
Mainly alternative, old school Britpop (Blur, Stone Roses, Verve).
Current tunes on my iPod, are Green Day, Weezer, Jimmy Eat World, The Killers and Razorlight.
Yes – I can play MP3s.
10. What’s your favorite color? Or–do you have a color family/season/palette you prefer? Any colors you just can’t stand?
I love Blue (esp. Tiffany’s Blue), I’m not really keen on Oranges and Yellows.
11. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?
Been with my b/f for 6 years – no children or pets.
12. What are your life dreams? (Really stretching it here, I know)
I guess to be a success at my business and hopefully to get married in the next few years.
13. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with?
Currently cotton – either 4-ply or DK.
14. What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
None.
15. What is/are your current knitting obsession/s?
I guess summer knits – 4-ply cotton cardigans or DK sweaters.
16. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
I mainly knit cardigans and scarves – I love scarves as they are quick.
17. What are you knitting right now?
Spring Fling (Knitty Spr05) and planning Alice from Rowan 35.
18. What do you think about ponchos?
Hate them.
19. Do you prefer straight or circular needles?
I am moving towards circular needles – as I hate seaming.
20. Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
Aluminum, I find plastic needles too light and have never tried knitting with bamboo.
21. Are you a sock knitter?
I have never tried knitting with DPN’s, but this is on my list of things to learn.
22. How did you learn to knit?
My mum taught me when I was a kid, then I have picked up tips from books and recently online.
23. How old is your oldest UFO?
I am pretty good at finishing projects now – I tend to only do two projects at a time.
24. What is your favorite animated character or a favorite animal/bird?
Marvin the Marshin, Batman oh and I love the Disney/Pixar films.
25. What is your favorite holiday?
I love summer, but also Halloween as it’s my birthday.
26. Is there anything that you collect?
Batgirl and Birds of Prey Comics.
27. What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?
None – I tend to just buy magazines when I am in the store browsing.
28. Any books out there you are dying to get your hands on?
1000 Sweaters.
Easy Knitted Accessories.
Last minute Gifts.
New Knits: 20 Knitting Projects with a Contemporary Twist.
May 20th 2005
Filed under Finished Projects 2005, Sweaters
Yarn: Paton’s Cotton DK in Cream.
Pattern: Adapted from Bolero in Vintage Knits by Sarah Dallas.
Needles: 2 ¾ mm, 3mm and 3mm circular.
Notes: I knitted the body all in one – mainly as I hate seaming.
I started out with 184 stitches, and increased the fronts as the pattern called for but only increased the sides for the back, (the extra 5 stitches for the fronts were added one at the beginning).
The beads are 5 stitches apart – every sixth row – alternating to form the diamond (first bead was on the fourth stitch and the next beaded row it was on the second stitch).
Rather than make a tie for this (or leave it as the pattern suggests), my sister brought this lovely brooch from Gap.
May 18th 2005
Filed under General
I haven’t done much knitting today… I have been busy updating my journal (boring technical stuff), I have upgraded WordPress to version 1.5.1 – and it all seems to be working well – including the comments and problems I was having about lost passwords.
I also have finally, installed CG-Amazon and What Tunes, so my sidebar is now nicely updated with my current music of choice and also for what book I am reading…
I have started my Secret Pal Questionaire, I was going to try and get my amazon wish-list displayed in the sidebar – but I don’t think the code works too well for Amazon UK, as it can’t find my list 
May 17th 2005
Filed under Sweaters
I was planning on swatching Florence last night, I had to practice the Fair Isle border first and then the actual lace pattern. Normally, I use tubular cast-on with K1, P1 rib, but as this pattern needs to cast on in one colour and then do the rib in the next, I thought I would experiment a little. I cast on half the number of stitches in an odd colour – then did the first two rows on the tubular in the dark blue and then finished the tubular in the lighter blue and finished off the rib light blue. Instead of swatching, I ended up knitting the whole sleeve.
The lace pattern is pretty easy – however, the pattern is just a graph – no written instructions – so I had to write them out myself… I’m not very good at following graphs other than for colour-work.
May 16th 2005
Filed under Sweaters
All of a sudden I have loads of Summer Knit Projects.
After finishing my sisters Beaded Bolero, I have been asked by my Mum and Dad to knit them both something in Cotton – it’s a good job I love this wool.
My summer list is now…
- Florence from Rowan Magazine 35.
- Cotton Jumper for Dad, I’m thinking Marco also from Rowan Magazine 35 – but I’m not sure about the strips.
- Cotton Cardigan for Mum – I think this will be a simple crew neck – she just needs to pick a colour.
- I still would really love to make Alice, but I think it will be Christmas by the time I have finished all them.
I finally signed up for Secret Pal 5 – I guess I should keep updating my journal so my pal can find out what I like.
May 15th 2005
Filed under Finished Projects 2005
Yarn: Rowan Cotton Braid in Picasso.
Pattern: A simple drop stitch pattern in the end (one row k1, yo and one row k1, sl1).
Needles: 6 mm.
Notes:I took Metro’s advice and knotted the ends before weaving – as it was already starting to unravel.
I am really pleased with this mini project, it looks amazing in this wool – I was trying to think what else (apart from scarves) would look good in the cotton braid – and I couldn’t really think of anything.
However, there is a whole book full of patterns Cotton Braid Collection, I am still not completely convinced.
The Malibu Bag is nice, and I guess some over the cover-ups will be great on the beach – but not here in London
May 9th 2005
Filed under General
Jason is back working nights this week, which means I more or less have my evening to myself to eat, watch what I want on TV and of course knit. Last time he was on this shift, I managed to get the majority of Lucky complete, and I am hoping I will be able to finish the beaded bolero, as I have already started planning my next project.
Whilst watching Kill Bill Vol. One this weekend, I did manage to knit the cotton braid scarf that will be part of my sister’s birthday present, The scarf is currently in a secret hidden place from my sister, I will post some photos later, hopefully of my sister wearing the scarf.
I invested in yet more Cotton DK over the weekend, in the most amazing shades of blue which will become either Alice or Florence from Rowan Magazine 35. With a little luck and no sleep, it will be ready by the 28th May so I can wear it to the welcome to the world/naming day thing I have to go to.
