Damn Memory

I'm an idiot. i took all these great pictures for a post today and left the camera at k's in Philly. so of course i have nothing visual to offer. and i was so excited to put up more hat pictures. we'll have to wait a little while. my apologies.

well, thanks for all the comments on my hats! my site has had the highest traffic in its history because of some name dropping over at more hi-profile blogs like diana and caitlyn! thanks for the publicity!

my lace weight silk wool came from blackberry ridge on friday so i'm all set to start ene's scarf. it calls for a 36" circ US 6 and i only have a 29". i'm going to try improvising with what i have... but this may prove insanely frustrating. any ene veterans have advice? i already love this project: it only calls for two skeins, both of which are under $10 and have 650 yards each!! now THATS what i call value. my poor ass offers its appreciation.

again sorry for no pictures! we have model shots of a few of the hats on the way. and of course more after christmas when i will harrass my family members for photos of them wearing their new head adornments. may your bleeding fingers be minimal as you finish up all your holiday knits!

Knitting for pleasure again!

Well... its always pleasurable, but lets be honest, when you've made what seems like a hundred hats for christmas gifts... you're reeeeaally ready to get back into the world of "real projects" slash "things for yourself" (or at least that you really can't wait to work on, even if they are gifts. at least there's no holiday pressure). so yes, i'm finishing off the last two hat gifts for the fam and its on to bigger and better things.


The next big thing:

ene's scarf from scarf style

I'm excited to work on a big lace project. i really want to make this one. i already purchased the yarn - Blackberry Ridge Laceweight Silk Blend in the color shown ("willow"). Since it is my first "official" (major) foray into the lace world, i decided to stick with the materials called for by the pattern. Plus i think it looks just great as it is! didnt want to fuss with yarn substitution etc. etc.

I also plan on immediately finishing my 95% completed sweater that has been on hold since the holiday knitting began. its a shame that i didn't finish it before, because i could really use another sweater in the ASS COLD weather we've been having in nyc.

next sweater project will probably be a variation on this sweater:

I think i'm going to edit out the cabling and do a more simple, slim-fitting body. I'll probably play up the shawl collar a little more, which is the major draw to this pattern (not to mention that it was free). i'm thinking debbie bliss cashmerino aran. does anyone have any tips or comments (or WARNINGS?) about this yarn that i should know before taking the plunge and buying 10 balls?

exciting!

Some objects of the finished variety

Thought i'd post a couple of photos. i finished these a while ago but haven't done the photo-documentation thing.

* VOO-DOO *
here are the old stand-by wrist warmers that most of us knitty fans have lying around somewhere. i wear them often, so they're already quite pilly... the look of love, right?




pattern : knitty.com
materials: tahki 'donegal tweed.' color: dijon
needles: US 6 dpn's

* Manos Scarf *

This is a scarf I made for my girlfriend last winter. i finally took some pics of it. its made with manos in a GREAT color. its very long for multiple neck wraps. one of my more favorite scarves i have done




pattern : my own. knit in 1x1 ribbing so it is reversible and nice and thick. the thick-and-thin quality of the wool adds a great subtle texture. i'm really into this scarf. i might make one for myself in a different color.
materials: manos del uruguay. 2 skeins
needles: US 10.5

* Malabrigo BULKY cap *

this IS a finished object ... just not in the photo. just thought i'd toss it in for good measure. the bulky malabrigo takes softness to another level! i'm obsessed with this brand if you can't tell.

pattern: my own

materials: malabrigo bulky merino. color: pearl

needles: US9 29" circulars using the magic loop method

good ol' liz

i've been spending much of my commute/general subway time with elizabeth zimmerman. i've been researching her methods and practical but inventive patterns. her outlook on our craft is wonderful and she has some great insight. while i wouldn't wear many of her designs, i still enjoy reading about their construction and of course all of her words about the joys of PROCESS.

i've recently picked up knitter's almanac. i love her three hat patterns for the month of july. (maxine at stitch therapy in park slope (my LYS) has the maltese fisherman's hat knit up in her shop and it is AWESOME - i'm planning on making one for the winter at some point) zimmemann's sweater chapters are wonderful too. i'm knitting up the "ganomy hat" to break up the monotony of the standard hat pattern i've been working over and over for christmas gifts. its a simple and practical pattern with a very interesting design (and a wonderfully creative approach to earflaps.... a personal obsession). so we'll see how i like it when it becomes fully realized...

the only real problem with her books is that there aren't very many good photo references for the projects [this is especially true in 'almanac']. to get an idea of how something really looks, fits, and feels, you really have to just knit it yourself (this was probably her secret agenda!) either way, i have no problem doing that since really .... the reason most of us are doing this is because we enjoy the process more than the result.

Finished Objects!

Two of my favorite hats that i've recently completed: my prospect park inspired striped hat and Shedir from knitty.com
Shedir Cap

• materials: rowan calmer in "coffee bean"
• knit using US 3 16" Circular Needle and dpn's
• pattern: knitty.com

Prospect Park Striped Hat

• materials :: karabella aurora 8 in "rust" (color 16) and "brown" (color 6)
• knit using US 6 16" Circular Needle and dpn's
• pattern: my own

laying dormant on the window sill.....

and IN ACTION!!!

and look how great the tops look (especially shedir... how great is that?!)

there is a whole host of hats in my living room waiting to be photographed, but these two were the pioneers. i wanted to show them off first. also... many of the others are gifts, so i may not post them all until after christmas. these two, however...... all mine.

Photos..... Finally....

I finally got around to taking some photos of my stuff this week. i'll post them periodically throughout the next couple of days so as not to overwhelm you all.

here is the progress on the Shedir Cabled Cap from knitty.com. As you can imagine its a little slow-going and very mentally engaging.... not always my preference when i'm wanting a little zen time with my needles. but i have been working on and off and the finish line is in sight. i think i'll try to complete it this week. its made with Rowan Calmer and is soft and streeeetchy.





i also finally purchased some karaoke to experiment with. two skeins - so not enough for a scarf but i may purchase more. the color is Rust and it was my first purchase from knitpixie



i knitted up a test swatch trying out various stitches and guages to get a feel for the yarn and see what looked good. The photo is a bad representation of the subtle color shifts.... which is too bad for you! because they're great!


[click the photo to go to my flickr account. hit "all sizes" above the photo to view the full-size pic - the details of the stitches are better viewed that way]