Thursday, September 29, 2005
SP6 Pal Strikes
I was not able to make it to Stitches East. But my secret pal was lucky enough to attend. And she was nice enough to picked up some goodies to send to me.
An autographed copy of 'At Knits End' (Woo hoo), a pouch of buttons with a baby chick motif (cute), a set of self striping sock yarn (love the blue tones) and an elegant note card.
I'm carrying the book with me so I can read it on my spare time. My little one almost ran off with the buttons and kept insisting the book was hers. And I quoted her "No way".
Thanks for thinking of me secret pal.
BGK
Thursday, September 22, 2005
Pics of Socks
Here is a picture of those wonderful socks from my sock pal. The Trekking XXL yarn is beautiful.
Thanks again sock pal. My first pair of wool socks!
BGK
Tuesday, September 20, 2005
Thanks Sock Pal!
I received my Pal Socks in the mail. They are wonderful. And they fit perfectly. I love the little cables running along the socks.
I'll post a picture in a few days or so. My digital camera met with a wine spill over the weekend and is drying out.
BGK
Friday, September 16, 2005
MK Peach Sweater Progress
The weather is getting wet and somewhat cooler. I've been playing with my knitting machine and making a plain sweater for my little one. I was hoping to use it tomorrow. But a bunch of other things have popped up for me to do. I don't think it will come to fruit tomorrow.
And look at the funny puckering on the cast on row ribbing. I'm told it's a common phenomenon. Almost like a tiny picot edging. Just wish it didn't ripple so much.
BGK
Thursday, September 15, 2005
Surprise Yarn
I thought I would try out an on-line shop that was running a sale on mystery cone yarn. Although listed as Free yarn (20 pound minimum). I pay the shipping ($25 on 20 lbs). http://www.newtons.com/
Here's what I got.
Only about half have their content marked. They look like they've been on a shelf for a while, little dust on them. But no musty smell. A mix of yarn weights and content. Thank goodness no chenille. I have enough of that.
I'll sort through them and let you know what I got but I'll probably have to try the flame test on a few of them to verify content.
(Yikes. I just found out Newton's is going to Stitches East. Must....not....go....)
(No affiliation with the company... Yada yada)
BGK
Here's what I got.
Only about half have their content marked. They look like they've been on a shelf for a while, little dust on them. But no musty smell. A mix of yarn weights and content. Thank goodness no chenille. I have enough of that.
I'll sort through them and let you know what I got but I'll probably have to try the flame test on a few of them to verify content.
(Yikes. I just found out Newton's is going to Stitches East. Must....not....go....)
(No affiliation with the company... Yada yada)
BGK
Wednesday, September 14, 2005
SP6 Questions
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?
Yes. A yarn snob.
2. Do you spin? Crochet?
No.
3. Do you have any allergies? (smoke, pets, fibers, perfume, etc.)
Yes. To dust.
4. How long have you been knitting?
Learned at an early age but did not stick with it. Just picked it up again a few years ago.
5. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
Yes. BGK_wishlist
6. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products etc.)
Fresh not too overpowering. Gardenia scent is nice. I don't like strong vanilla.
7. Do you have a sweet tooth?
Milk Chocholate truffles. But my sweet tooth is very small.
8. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do?
Home improvement. Crafts with kids.
9. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)
Not really into music. Just the radio for background noise.
10. What's your favorite color? Or--do you have a color family/season/palette you prefer? Any colors you just can't stand?
Royal blue, burgundy. Most other medium to deep colors. Not light green.
11. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?
Just kids and fish.
12. What are your life dreams? (really stretching it here, I know)
World peace.
13. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with?
Soft natural fibers. I've accumulated a bunch of superwash merino for kid knitting.14. What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
Rough acrylic. I tried and hated silk Noro. I have a tough time with cottons.
15. What is/are your current knitting obsession/s?
Baby and kids knitting.
16. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
I aim to knit full baby/toddler sets but time only permits me to knit a sweater and pants.
17. What are you knitting right now?
A toddler cardigan that will be embroidered.
18. What do you think about ponchos?
Not interested in ponchos.
19. Do you prefer straight or circular needles?
Circulars. I have mid stream needle sets (Boyd, Denise) but would like to try Addi Turbos one day.
20. Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
I travel with my knitting. I stick with aluminum since they are more durable.
21. Are you a sock knitter?
Just finish three pairs.
22. How did you learn to knit?
On my own and advise from a knitting forum when I got stuck.
23. How old is your oldest UFO?
Over 20 years.
24. What is your favorite animated character or a favorite animal/bird?
Hello Kitty. Cute japanese characters.
25. What is your favorite holiday?
Christmas. Love the human spirit and generosity of self at that time.
26. Is there anything that you collect?
Yarn and knitting books!!
27. What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?
Vogue Knitting, KnitNet, Interweave Knits.
28. Any books out there you are dying to get your hands on?
Yes. EZ's latest book
29. Any patterns you have been coveting, but haven't bought for one reason or another??
All over lace shawl. Haven't planned to start it yet so did not buy the pattern. http://www.heartstringsfiberarts.com/a16.shtm
ETA: 30. What are your foot measurements, and what kind of socks do you like?
I'll get back to you on this.
BGK
Monday, September 12, 2005
Pal Sox - Finished
Thought it was time to post the finished sock pics today. Since my secret sock pal can open my package and try them out.
The progress photos are below.
Enjoy.
(Close-up shot)
(Traveling socks)
(Starting again)
(The 1st attempt)
BGK
Sunday, September 11, 2005
Secret Pal!
My secret pal is awesome. She knit up a lovely purse in my favorite blue color. I'm going to debue it at a wedding this weekend. As you know I love all kinds of children patterns. She included another wonderful children knit book by Lucinda Guy, a Knitter's keychain, special post-its and a really cute bug magnet. I'd better find a high place on the frig for this before my little one runs away with it. ;-)
Thanks so much for all the special treats Angela.
BGK
Thursday, September 08, 2005
Jumped the Gun
Oops. I jumped the gun and had sent out the pal socks two weeks early. Deadline isn't for another week (not Sept. 1st).
I sent off an e-mail to my sock pal to hold off on opening the package until then. I hope she can wait it out.
I had fun knitting my first adult socks. The second time around (post-frogging) was more pleasant since I got to practice on baby socks.
I didn't get a chance to throw them in the wash before sending them out. And to see if the stitches even out or if the yarn would fluff up a tiny bit.
The finished pic will be posted after September 15th just in case my pal drops by this site. Sorry sock pal...
BGK
Wednesday, September 07, 2005
Eliminate the Holes
A common occurrence are instep holes when sock knitting. (One I came across while knitting my first baby bootie. )
There are lots of online info on how to prevent the hole. Just google 'sock knitting prevent hole' for more references.
Here are a few.
Knitty's: 'Pick up and knit st from the row below the first instep st to prevent a hole.'
(See Heel Gusset) http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEspring03/PATTcrusoe.html
(see 'HINT: When I pick up the gusset stitches") http://www.az.com/~andrade/knit/socks.html
What I used on my sock pal knitting was a M1 (Make One - Pick up the yarn between the stitches on each needle, knit through the back of this new "stitch" to make an increase. Results in a twisted stitch.)
Tuesday, September 06, 2005
KBS Progress
Last night I worked on KBS. Mostly correcting mistakes. I frogged back a 4" wide section, down about 8 rows. And finished two additional rows. An achievement with kids calling "mommy mommy" every few minutes.
I hate how after I reknit a partial row, the yarn ends up either too long or too short. I think I'll even it off during lunchtime today. It bothers me to look at the 4x normal size yarn overs.
BGK
Slow Delivery
How frustrating. I ordered something for my secret pal. I was told it was on back order...two months ago. Turns out the customer service rep messed up a few of orders badly. I guess one of them was mine.
I had to e-mail my secret pal and let her know. I've been told it's now on its way to me. I hope she won't be disappointed when the package eventually arrives.
BGK
SockaPal
I finished the Socks for my secret pal and sent them off with one of the yarn labels. I had decided to try knitting the heel and toes in a different color. I think the colors work well together.
The finished socks look big. But when I measured them they should fit. I hope my sock pal likes them. She requested for a lot of color.
I'll post a finished pic when I get the chance. But here is the pre-frogged sock I started on DPNs and frogged after I completed the heels. The yarn has a nice plum color on one of the stripes.
Name: SockaPaltwoza socksDesigner: unlisted
Pattern Source: http://www.theknitter.com/regiapattern.html
Yarn: Marks & Kattens 'Clown' self patterning yarn. Cotton/Superwash wool/polymide
Yarn Source: Purchased from local retail yarn store. Paton's 'Kroy' 85% superwashwool/15%nylon
Needle Size: 2.5 mm
Completed: Sept. 1, 2005
...............................Notes:....................................
I really like the self patterning. I had to make sure the colors
started off the same for both skeins. Knitting both socks at
once avoided different tensions on the second sock. Adding
a twist stitch to the gusset removed the 'hole'. I did not wash
the swatch. So I don't know if the sock would full and bloom a
bit and get softer. The yarn feels like cotton but not very soft.
..........................................................................
BGK
Monday, September 05, 2005
It fits!
Looks like Baby Girl sweater is a good fit. Parents say it will come in handy since the weather is changing and getting cool.
BGK
Saturday, September 03, 2005
Frugal Tip: Free yarn bras.
I save the wrappers that are made of the same material as yarn bras. Like packaged garlic heads or toys. The garlic wrappers are long enough to cut in half for two yarn bras.
BGK
Thursday, September 01, 2005
Amble is born
I started the Amble socks today. Since I'm using fingering yarn, I reduced the number of cast on stitches to fit a small adult foot. I did about 1.5" of k2p2 ribbing. Using 1 circular for both socks at a time. My swatch with 2.5mm needles came out to 30st/4".
BGK
