Feral Knits

ac moore

2006-09-20T17:16:00.000-04:00

BTW, A.C. Moore has all yarn 20% off starting today ending next Tuesday. They usually have some good stuff. Araucania. Sugar and Cream cotton for dishcloths. Patons Classic Merino for felting.

It's looking like a sweater

2006-09-20T17:01:00.000-04:00

Over last weekend, I worked on my SKB until I was able to join the v in front. I have since worked the front down, but am having a decision whether to switch to the smaller needles for the stockinette that I replaced the purl ridges with or not. I didn't yet, so deciding to do so would mean ripping out 5 rounds, which certainly doesn't seem appealing. So far, it seems like my sweater may be a hair big in the back. It is hard to tell given the curling. It's a big pain to try it on again after only knitting another 2 inches, but I should before starting the lace on the waist. So basically, I'm scared of proceeding. I do LOVE my yarn color though. Yay!

I also dyed some Bartlett's yarn that was natural/oatmeal to a nice superhero blue. I was figuring that the blue would be darker, given the beige-y tint to the yarn. Nope. You can't tell that there ever was another color.

Scarf: done; Quilt: started; SKB: on the needles

2006-09-13T18:05:00.000-04:00

Over the weekend I finished my Irish hiking scarf. Final length: 56 inches. Perfect. So I used up all of that Red Heart Soft Yarn. The only problem that I have with it is that when all is done, the scarf is kind of heavy. I'm assuming with a wool, it would have not been as heavy. I have some alpaca that I will probably make a similar scarf with soon.

I also started a quilt whose design is not entirely worked out. But now I know is there, lingering, waiting for me to finish. I love the color combo of brown and blue and thought a splash of red would make it a bit more visually interesting.

In the mean time, I have cast on SKB and am now on the the 4th repeat of the total of 6 repeats. Not too bad. I should be done with this section during the weekend and then join the the body for the lace. I have certainly decided not to do the purl rows, which seems to be the trend on the KAL site.

BTW, anybody buy the new (old) Star Wars? We obviously had lot's of goodies to eat and drink during the show... my question: why did he change it?

Irish hiking scarf

2006-09-07T13:11:00.000-04:00

Over the last weekend, I went through my yarn to organize my stash. I have almost no acrylic, only the red heart soft that I made the bunny from my first post. I was looking for some yarn to make the irish hiking scarf, inspired by a post on almostfelted and decided to eat this yarn up and get it out of my stash for good. Here are the 32" of the scarf I have so far. I actually am enjoying the yarn; it really is soft. In the meantime, my pea yarn is the correct gauge for SKB and will get cast on when I finish the scarf. I will definitely make the scarf again. I normally detest scarves, because they take f o r e v e r , but this one has remained interesting for the 32" so far. I am going to continue it until I run out of yarn.

Gratuitous cat shot to show the face from of the above tail. Yes, she is part squirrel.

A FO---What?

2006-09-06T18:30:00.000-04:00

Ok, it is a small one. A dishrag. But it was my first Mason Dixon ballband, so that counts. To prove it worth making dishrags, I have included a pic of my kitchen cloth drawer. Here is also a picture of the yarn I dyed for the simple knitted bodice. I was going for variegated olive tones, but got more like pea tones. I actually still think it is really pretty and have since been noticing a lot of pea colored yarn out there on the web. I pretty much love all green though. I swatched the yarn, so maybe I will start the sweater soon. I am a bit hesitant because I started two tops this summer and got stuck in stockinette hell on both. Ugh. I have heard this is a problem for his pattern. But lot's of the good words otherwise on crafter.

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My secret sock pal kit

2006-09-06T18:08:00.000-04:00

Just wanted to put up picks of some sock yarn that I dyed for my secret sock pal. I really love the way it turned out and wanted to share. I dyed it with acid dye and the handy seran wrap in the microwave method. I also included a bag that I knit and felted and made some cute/easy stick markers.

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More on Gaia

2006-09-01T16:07:00.000-04:00

I am afraid to edit my last post, since blogger is annoying me right now. I wanted to comment more on Gaia though. It is super soft. I don't remember if it is Merino or not, but it is next to the skin soft. And did I mention organic. This means nicey nicey to the pretty sheepies, no hacking off neccessary (attached) skin. I am otherwise off merino, unless I know for sure it is not from Australia. I digress. I highly recommend Gaia. It is 610 yds/lb, so on the bulky side of worsted. Great for quick Xmas knits, famous last words.

Henry's attic--Simple Knitted Bodice

2006-09-01T15:50:00.000-04:00

Ok, I think part of the reason why it is so unenjoyable to blog is because blogger sucks. I have attempted to write this post 4 times and it keeps clearing. Agh!

Back to my thoughts...
I have been scouring the internet for an affordable yarn to make the hottest pattern on the web, the Simple knitted bodice. As I am now on a yarn diet (about as successful as my butt diet), I have decided to raid my undyed stash. Last night I dyed 2 lbs of Henry's attic Texas bighorn in a slightly variegated olive, hoping to match the lovely effect in the pattern picture.

This 8lbs of NEW Henry's attic came in the mail TODAY, making my 2 lb depletion less noticeable. In the mix are Gaia, the new organic wool in worsted weight, organic cotton Inca, and 2 lbs of fingering Kona (despite the fact that I have yet to make a single sock). Here they are:

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Sock Kit Exchange: I got it!!

2006-08-02T08:58:00.000-04:00

I received my exchange bag and all of its goodies, and I just love it all. My pal was so considerate. The bag was an ADORABLE sewn mini messenger, with lots of pockets for knitting gadgetry. It was so exciting finding the tiny pockets filled with a sewing kit, stitch markers, a crochet hook, cool knitting girl mints (where did you find those?), and much more. In the bag there were lots of goodies including beautiful hand dyed worsted weight yarn and a sock pattern to match. I think this is a very good move, because I can't seem to get very far on my fingering weight socks. There were also some yummy choclates and hazelnut wafers (which I opened up immediately) and a cute matching notebook. Thank you soooo much secret pal. I really love it all. I will definitely use the bag for more than knitting. You did such a great job on it! I wish I could sew like that...

Here are some pics:

For sale-K1C2 Temptations $3.00/skein

2006-06-20T09:54:00.000-04:00

Hi all,
I have two bags of 10 50g balls of K1C2 Temptations. One in color 175 Buttercream and one in color 719 lavender. This is a next to your skin soft, bulky weight yarn. Perfect for a baby blanket, a scarf, sweater, etc. I have an additional 2 buttercream balls, if you need them for yardage.

Yarn Data:

* Length (Yards): 55.0
* Weight (Grams): 50.0
* US Needle Size: 10.5
* Stiches/4 in: 13.0"
* Content: 50 Alpaca 50 Merino
* Care: Hand Wash Dry Flat

I'm asking $30.oo for each bag (+$3.00/skein for extra buttercream, if wanted). This is upwards of $7/skein on the internet.

I will take Paypal or MO.

Sock Kit Exchange Questionare

2006-06-18T09:20:00.000-04:00

Hey--I am being a super horrible blogger, because I am in between cameras. Agh. Too many b-days and Mother and Father's Day, etc. So for my sock kit exchange pal, here is a non-pictoral questionnaire to read...

The Questionnaire:
What are your favorite colors? Greens and blues, though I appreciate unique color combos of any sort.

Are you a new sock knitter? How long have you been knitting socks? I am a newbie. I have frogged 3 socks!

Do you prefer solid or multicolored yarn? I love multicolored.

What fibers do you prefer in sock yarn? No preference yet.

Where do you usually knit socks? I knit at home and any time I am sitting around (I always carry a project)

How do you usually carry/store small projects? Totes that I have knit/sewn.

What are your favorite sock knitting patterns? I haven't yet gotten that far.

What are your favorite sock knitting techniques? I'm pretty new, so I am learning toe up on dpns.

What new techniques would you like to try? I am currently learning Wendy Knits toe-up method, but would love to learn the two socks two-circulars method.

Do you prefer circulars or dpns for sock knitting? I have so far only tried dpns, but would love to learn 2 circs to avoid the 1 sock syndrome...

What are some of your favorite yarns? In general, I work with cottons a lot (I am obsessed with dishcloths), but Patons Merino Classic for felting. When I splurge, it is typically alpaca.

What yarn do you totally covet? Really? The alpaca yarn that I bought from a local alpaca farmer-sooooo soft.

Any pattern you would love to make if money and time were no object? I have my eye on Rogue (for me a time issue), I have the Bartlett's yarn all ready...

Favorite kind of needles (brand, materials, straights or circs, etc)? I’ve love bamboo dpns for socks and HATE aluminum (almost turned me off sock knitting. I'm not nearly as picky for straight needles, but bamboo is nice.

If you were a specific kind of yarn, which brand and kind of yarn would you be? Noro Kochoran: incredibly soft and visually interesting

Do you have a favorite candy or mail-able snack? I have a major sweet tooth, so any candy/chocolate is great (without gelatin--vegetarian).

What’s your favorite animal? cats-yes, I am a cat lady (but fortunately found a cat man)

Do you have pets? 4 cats: Dottie, Applehead, Nino, Milo

If you were a color what color would you be? Green

Describe your favorite shirt (yours or someone else’s). I am a tshirt kind of girl. Anything that is not too tight and worse not too loose.

What is your most inspiring image, flower, or object in nature? Standard mountains, rainforests...

Tell me the best quote you’ve ever heard or read. A lady on a yahoo group that I am a member has in her signature "Life's too short to knit with ugly yarn'

Do you have a wishlist? I would someday like to get a spinning wheel and start spinning my own yarn.

Anything else you’d like to share with the group today? Glad to be a part of this exchange!

Knitting Nature

2006-05-19T16:18:00.000-04:00

My DH MADE ME spend a bunch of $$ at LYS, to make sure I help the local economy. I chose the new book Knitting Nature by Norah Gaughan and Thayer Allyson Gowdy . It is worth the money for the pictures alone. Most of the projects are clothing, which I am very scared of, so I have been starting a spiral scarf. It's been a bit chilly and I have wished that I didn't pack up all of my scarves so soon. This will be a sprialling cascade of decreasing sized six sided (name escaping me...) shapes. I am using some pretty Cascade 220 that I also got from the LYS, color 9461, which is heathered blue and yellow to look green. REMINDER: buy some 220 on sale at www.yarn.com soon! Picture soon...

FUNK-washed off

2006-05-10T16:56:00.000-04:00

So I was right that knitting the Nautie inspired me to finish several projects that have been on the needles for a while (plus finish a couple unscheduled projects). First of all, I have been working on a felted bag from SnB Nation for some time. It is finished and 90% felted. It only needs to be hand felted/shaped where the zipper will go (which may actually take some grand inspiration to put it). I also finished a dishcloth that had been hogging my size 7's. Yes, it is a bit ridiculous to not finish a dishcloth, but I was not very happy with the pattern. So with my free 7's I worked on the dishcloth that I will send in the spring dishcloth exchange, from the monthly dishcloth KAL yahoo group. Here is the pic:

I had another person with tan as a kitchen color, which seems a bit unusual to me, but I tried to pick a pattern with lots of texture.

In the meantime, I received some BEAUTIFUL yarn from Wool Peddler. It is made from Banana fiber (with more tan) and rayon/cotton fiber called VEGAN (red-looks like typical recycled silk). I am trying not to buy animal based fibers when at all possible. Though I obiously love wool, especially for felting. Click on the picture to see the amazing fibers.

Nautie!

2006-04-24T16:55:00.000-04:00

I have been in a finishing project FUNK! I have at least 6 things on needles (let's see: 2 bags, legwarmers, a dishcloth, a tank top, a hat, a rug...). So I came across the Nautie KAL. It is a cute nautaloid stuffed animal from the latest issue of knitty. Here are some images of my first Nautie. Inspired by some horrible weather, ~thanks Nautie for getting me out of my funk~ Though Dottie doesn't seem to be amused.

Dishcloth exchange-1st quarter

2006-03-02T23:26:00.000-05:00

DISHCLOTH

I got my dishcloth from the monthlydishcloth exchange. Andi, the list mom, VERY generously sent me a BIG package that contained so much more than just the dishcloth, as a result of a mix up. Thank you so much for it all. It was all very thoughtful. The dishcloth alone is to die for! I am so inspired by it--it's so cute and colorful...

New Bartlett yarn!

2006-03-02T19:50:00.000-05:00

New Bartlett yarn! I purchased this through the yahoo yarnswap group. I have been eyeing this yarn for a while. I'm thinking it might inspire me to try another sweater. (the last one was 2X too wide with REALLY long arms-err, it's still waiting for the sad day of frogging) It's glen tweed lovat.

Cotton chenille-handdye job

2006-03-02T19:36:00.000-05:00

Ok, finally the results.
Here is how the dyed cotton chenille came out. I liked the ones that I made into pull balls, but not so much with the other colorway of blue/orange/yellow. I am thinking of overdyeing the latter with either blue or green.

Cotton chenille-handdye job pt.1

2006-02-19T09:28:00.000-05:00

Dyeing cotton Chenille
Yesterday morning I dyed some cotton chenille with MX fiber reactive dyes. This process started by soaking the yarn in warm water and Synthrapol. As this is a bulky gauge, I let it sit for over an hour.

Then I let it soak again in salt and soda ash fixer which allows for painting the yarn.

Here it is fixed and ready to dye laid out on trash bags and plastic wrap:

Peace Fleece

2006-02-05T19:10:00.000-05:00

This week I am expecting some Peace Fleece and merino from handpainted yarn on ebay. I hoping that I get the merino in time for the Knitting Olympics, starting Friday. I am going to make Clapotis from knitty.com. I had plans to make a tote with the Peace Fleece, but who knows...

Dishcloth monotony

2006-02-05T19:01:00.000-05:00

I've been knitting a lot of dishcloths lately. I love using them in the kitchen, makes wiping the counters ~cool~. I am participating in a dishcloth exchange with the yahoo group. I ambitiously decided to knit my exchange cloth using some cool boucle-y type cotton. Provides good texture for scrubbing. I still need to weave the loose ends--my favorite!

My first spindle!

2006-02-05T18:50:00.000-05:00

Yay! I received my spindle and wool on Friday. I finally sat down and tried it out today. While my results are pretty variable (thick/thin), I was overall happy with my first try. I am still trying to figure out where/how to hold the unspun yarn so that it pulls off easy, but I've only just begun... I received 2 oz of wool. I'm hoping to make some mittens. They might have to wait until next winter at this rate!

Silk vs. Wool

2006-02-02T08:43:00.000-05:00

Last Sunday I dyed some two wool skeins and a recycled silk skein. I used the same colorways/dyes on both. Notice a difference? I think that the silk was not properly scoured. I read several insights into how this should be done, but conflicting perspectives that using ash would dull the sheen. Pastel it is.

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Bunny for Erika

2006-01-16T14:04:00.000-05:00

Second post. Almost to the present...
After all my Christmas knitting was completed, I was inspired by Jess Hutchinson's cute toys to knit up a stuffed animal for my friend Erika who is expecting her first baby. I chose a pattern from Last-Minute Knitted Gifts by Joelle Hoverson of a bunny. I was happy with the way it turned out, and I am pretty sure she liked it too (as seen in the photo).

Zissou hat + mittens

2006-01-16T13:43:00.000-05:00

First post YAY!...
I completed my Christmas knitting (after Christmas-oops) with a Steve Zissou (From the movie Life Aquatic...) stocking cap (K1 P1) for my friend Brian. I also gave Mary, Brian's wife, a pair of mittens that I had knit. Here is a photo of them showing them off. So cute!