Major Knitter

Market Squares Bag

Today was the last class of the Market Squares Bag at my LYS - Knitting Central.  Kathy and Sally brought their finished felted bags.  Sally showed us methods for sewing on handles.  Kathy brought some fabulous fabric to line her bag.  She's also 3/4 done with her next bag!  Enough chatting.  Let me show you what I'm talking about

Clockwise from the top - Sally's felted bag; Kathy's finished pink & green felted bag; middle - Sally's second bag just started; Kathy's second bag in gold and blue; Jackie's pink/red/gray bag; and my barely started blue, turquoise and multi-colored purple/blue/teal bag

Look at how dazzling Kathy's pink & green bag looks.  Don't you just love the green handles?  It's gorgeous!

Here's Sally's heather and Noru pink/red/coral bag.  I love these long handles.  They're the perfect.  I bought the same ones in violet.  I better get caught up on my knitting!

Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day

Now that I've found this book, will I give up knitting entirely?  Marcia swears by it.  My copy just arrived in the mail and I'm going to give it a try.  I'll tell you how it goes.

Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day by Jeff Hertzberg and Zoe Francois.  Apparently you make a batch of dough and store it in your refrigerator for up to 2 weeks - taking only the amount of dough you need to make that meal's bread, rolls or pizza crust.  Quick and easy.  That sounds like my kind of baking.  If you want to be truly convinced - check out this video.  You can almost smell the bread baking on your computer screen.

Peachy Poncho for an 18" Doll

Here's the finished striped poncho for my American Girl Doll

• Collared Striped Poncho for the American Girl Doll - My original pattern found HERE
• US Size 3 dpns (I used 8" long dpns and therefore did not need a circular needle)
• 1 skein Jaeger Baby Merino in peach
• 1 skein Jaeger Baby Merino (I think - it was unlabeled) in the peach/pink mix

Knitting While Earning Citizenship in the Nation

I took the Boy Scouts to Philadelphia yesterday as part of their Citizenship in the Nation merit badge.  I decided to make another poncho for my American Girl Doll on this trip.

Here I am in the visitor's center with a period player posing with my knitting.

Our Boy Scout Troop in front of the Liberty Bell. 

Here's one of Benjamin Franklin's quotes that fits me to a "T" - I've always been this way as long as I can remember.  I think it's one of the reaons I enjoy knitting so much:

"Be always ashamed to catch thyself idle"

The liberty bell was one of the stops on our visit.  Betsy Ross's house was another.  I was fabulously impressed by Betsy Ross and her industrious entrepreneurial spirit over 200 years ago.  She was truly a woman ahead of her time.  She sewed our nation's first flag at a time when to do so was a crime of treason.  I like to think of myself as an empowered woman, but I doubt that in 1775 I would have had the courage or gumption to do something this amazing.  If you are in Philadelphia, I highly encourage you to visit Betsy Ross's home.   

Of course, on every Boy Scout adventure there is always some Scoutmaster Knitting.  For this outing, I cast on for this Striped Poncho for my American Girl Doll when we boarded the train in Stamford.  I knit all day as we walked around Philly (about 6 miles).  Shortly after we got on the train to head home I had finished knitting the poncho.  Now I just need a little bit of time to weave in the loose ends and add the fringe.  It was a great trip and a wonderful learning experience.

It's a True Blue Miracle

I have a few WIPs that I didn't even put on the list.  In fact, they're on my UFO (unfinished objects) and FUFO (forgotten unfinished objects) list.  Some of them should probably be frogged, but I just haven't had the courage to do so.  Here's one great reason that I'm glad I didn't frog this project.

Remember BF Sweater? 

I ran out of yarn so long ago and didn't really know what to do about it.  I finally decided to test the powers of Ravelry.  I did a search for Adrienne Vittadini yarn and found a few people who had some yarn in their stash.  I wrote to them and Neurochic responded that not only did she have the right color, but she also had the exact dye lot that I needed.  WOW!  The yarn gods really must be watching over me.  We made a swap - she sent me her 5 skeins of yarn and I sent her a gift certificate to WEBS. 

Thanks Neurochic!  I appreciate your kindness, speediness and willingness to help out a fellow knitter in need.  Now I'll have to add BF Sweater back to my WIP list (instead of the UFO list) and find some time to refocus my attention on it. 

I believe in Miracles.  Thanks Ravelry.  You saved this sweater from a fate worse then death.

Basic Prayer Shawl

I did it.  I really did it.  I managed to finish the Basic Prayer Shawl in time for Finishing Friday.  That's 9 FOs for the month of April.    I haven't finished a prayer shawl for my Church's ministry in a very long time.  They're so quick and easy.  I wonder what took me so long?

• US Size 13 needles
• 2-3 skeins of Homespun yarn
• Dimensions - approx 2ft by 5 ft (minimum 20 inches by 50 inches!)
• CO 60 sts
• BOTTOM EDGE - K across for 10 rows to form the garter stitch edge
• MAIN BODY -
• 1st Row and All Odd Rows - Knit across
• 2nd Row and All Even Rows - Knit 6, Purl across to last 6 sts, Knit 6
• Repeat rows 1 and 2 until piece measures approximately 55 inches.
• TOP EDGE - repeat BOTTOM EDGE
• Bind off.  Weave in loose ends.

 

The gauge is not terribly relevant for a prayer shawl.  The important thing to know is that your prayer shawl should be somewhere between 20x50 inches to 24x60 inches.  This one actually ended up being a bit on the small side

Here's the prayer shawl hugging the back of my chair in the Knit Nook.  Sock Monkey and Little Lamb seem happy to get a bit of comfort from this handknit bit of love.

Status Check

It's been 6 weeks since I did my Knitaholics Anonymous 4th Step - and did a searching and fearless moral inventory of my projects.  On March 30th I had thirteen WIPs on my plate.   I've finished several and started several more.  Let's see where things stand today.

1. BF's Wedding Gift – brown Supercashmere Blanket
2. Skip Along Socks for the Knitting Central Sock Club
3. Oh So Soft Baby Blanket in Navy Blue
4. Warm Up America blanket for Jackson Recovery Center– purple & reds
5. Pixie Jacket baby gift (Has Sidney already outgrown this gift?)
6. Spring Lace Socks – Danni Knits pattern – pink & lilac yarn from James of Fibre Alive
7. Prayer Shawl Ministry blue toned striped seed stitch blanket
8. Purple Mistake Rib scarf for Jackson Recovery Center
9. Prayer Shawl – Homespun blues
10. Argyle Baby Vest
11. Purple Newfoundland Mittens Revisited
12. Regia blue striped socks with Lorna’s Laces blue jeans heels and toes
13. Almost Argyle – red socks

Plus, I've cast on and actually finished four more projects and one WIP

1. Gracie's Girlie Socks
2. Mets Mini Sock
3. Knitting Central Sock Club Socks for April - Rainbow Swirl Socks By TravelingAnn
4. Christine's Stay-On Booties
5. Entrelac class - Market Square Bag - WIP

That's 8 finished objects so far this month.  I wonder if I can manage to finish another WIP by Friday.  Yikes.  I have a lot of things on my plate today and tomorrow. 

Can She Do It?  Yes, I believe she can.

Shake Your Baby Booties

The yarn I bought in Italy was for something small and portable that I could knit quickly and easily.  I mostly buy sock yarn while traveling and turn my purchase into a handknit souvenir of my trip.  But now my sock yarn stash is getting unruly, so I decided to turn my attention to even smaller projects.  I went on Ravelry and found Christine's Stay-On Baby Booties by Christine Bourquin.

Here are the WIP booties acting as Evian bottle cozies on the airplane ride home.

 

I finished everything but the crocheted laces on the ride home.  As soon as I was home, I pulled out my crochet hook and whipped up some chain stitch laces for these adorable booties.

Aren't they just too cute?  I seem to have a lot of friends with new babies these days, so I think you might be seeing more and more little projects on my blog.  I've never been much of a baby bootie knitter.  In fact, these are only my 3rd pair.  But I can see myself getting into the groove. 

What's your favorite baby bootie pattern?

Knitting My Way Through Italy

I took my April installment of the Knitting Central Sock Club socks with me to Italy.  I managed to cast on the socks en route to the airport and finish them before flying home.  Let me show you the fun these Rainbow Swirl Socks had while touring Italy. 

Yes - I set up shop in the bathroom in our hotel in Venice because I was suffering from some terrible jetlag - so I put the chair in the bathroom at 0200 in the morning and knit for several hours.  I was able to knit and not disturb BF.  Knitting really is the solution to jetlag.  That's what I think.

Knitting at the coffee shop in the afternoon.  Lots of dark delicious Italian cappuccino is another remedy for jet lag. 

My sock is taking a romantic gondola ride through the canals of Venice.  Lucky sock.

Talk about lucky sock... now it's being held by our gondolier. 

My 2nd sock is in Florence enjoying the sights and a yummy calzone.  It's a wonder I didn't gain any weight on this trip!

My sock with Michaelangelo's David (this is where the original David stood before being moved inside the Galeria Accademica.  This is a replica that stands outside.  I guess what we have here are 2 near masterpieces!

Both socks - now with heel flaps on the Trenitalia to Rome.

Major Knitter and the sock on the Spanish Steps near our hotel in Rome.

My sock touring the Roman Colosseum

Look!  Live footage of a Roman Gladiator knitting a Rainbow Swirl Sock!

Sock Two gets a coffee break in Rome's Piazza Navona

Nearly done.  More zero-dark-thirty knitting in the hotel.

1st sock finished and showing off at St. Peter's Square in the Vatican City.

Finished Rainbow Swirl Socks at the airport hotel in Ostia Lido.  Eight days and one pair of finished socks!

PS - This pattern is by Traveling Ann - and is a Knitting Central Sock Club sock pattern exclusive to club members for the first three months.  Then it will be available for sale either at Knitting Central or at The Adventures of Traveling Ann.

 

Knitaly

Of course, you know I couldn't travel, even on my honeymoon, without acquiring a bit of yarn.  With the help of the ever-observant BF, I discovered a yarn shop in every town we went.

LellaBella in Venice.  It was a lovely knitting shop and I'm so glad we went.

BF spotted this knitting shop in Florence as we headed toward the Ponte Vecchio.  We went in and I purchased 3 skeins of yarn.  The woman was very rude and said "Please to not touch the yarn" (in Italian).  I was ready to walk out then.  It's a good thing I got this happy picture first.

In Rome I wandered into this teeny tiny knitting store - but there were 2 other customers in line in front of me and aside from some nice cashmere, there was nothing that caught my eye (considering I had limited luggage space) except this door handle.  It's a ceramic skein of yarn!  How creative.  This alone was worth the stop.

In Ostia Lido (the airport hotel's location) I didn't find a knitting store, but I did purchase three knitting magazines in Italian.  Here's a picture of the sum of my knitting purchases in Italy. 

H is for Honeymoon

BF and I just spent a dreamy ten days in Italy for our honeymoon.  It was everything a honeymoon ought to be.  I can't limit my ABC-along to one picture - so here are a handful of honeymoon images.

A gondola docked for the night on Venice's Grand Canal

Colorful houses on Burano Island - without a doubt this fishing and lace-making island was one of the highlights of the trip

A young boy feeding the pigeons at San Marco's square in Venice

Gondolas parking for the night after romancing tourists all day long

The Duomo in Florence.  Yup - we thought it would be a good idea to climb the 450+ stairs up the dome.

Ponte Vecchio in Florence. 

The food market in Florence.  The fresh food markets with all the sights, sounds and smells are always one of my favorite places to visit when I travel.

Rome's Trevi Fountain - If you throw a coin over your left shoulder into the fountain, it's guaranteed that you'll return to Rome.

Words can't explain what it is like to visit Rome's Colliseum.  I think I'll have to watch Russell Crowe in the Gladiator again.

   

The Forum.  It's amazing to see these thousand-year ruins standing right next to homes, busy streets and hot dog vendors all in the heart of Rome.

The opening at the top of the Pantheon - when it rains, it pours.  Fortunately for us, this was the one day of our honeymoon that it didn't rain.

Our morning in the Vatican City - which ended here in Saint Peter's Square - was the highlight of our trip.  It was everything I always thought it would be and so much more.  I think we were very fortunate that Pope Benedict was in the US while we were in Italy - as it meant about 1/3 less tourists.

Finally, Alitalia canceled our flight home without informing us - so we were stuck in Ostia Lido (if you're a New Yorker - think Queens).  Rather than go back to Rome and get our hotel back, we decided to explore Ostia.  We ended up having a relaxing 24 hours touring the town and meeting some locals.  We even got a recommendation for this great seafood restaurant - Rucula.  We ended our honeymoon with nothing but more great Italian food.   

We've Got Inspiration Pretty Much Covered

I've been working on the Warm Up America 5x7 squares.  I'm trying to get as many blankets sewn together.  My problem is that I'm a perfectionist.  I don't want the blankets to be completely haphazard.  So I have decided to mix the myriad swatches with a few that carry a theme.  That's what I am trying to achieve with this purple and red heart blanket.

I carried the heart theme throughout the blanket by making 6 heart red & purple swatches.  I also made some textured hearts (hard to see here) but trust me that I also knit about 4 of these.  Then I tried to tie the purple and red theme together by making some multi-colored red and purple striped swatches (5 swatches).  I finally made 5 swatches with red, purple and lilac in a four-quadrant theme.  I think these unifying pieces tie the entire blanket together quite nicely. 

I decided that I needed more inspiration so I ordered this book - 200 Knitted Blocks by Jan Eaton

It's got quite a selection of beautiful blocks.  I will try to work on using some of these samples to finish some of the rest of the Warm Up America blankets throughout the year.  I find them to be enjoyable to knit, especially in the summer when I don't necessarily want to knit big heavy warm pieces.

Finishing Friday - Oh So Soft Baby Blanket in DK Weight

My commitment to finish WIPs from my To Do list is really paying off. 

I managed to finish this variation to my Original Oh So Soft Baby Blanket. This time I’m knitting it with only one strand of DK weight yarn and on much smaller needles (US Size 7). It’s basically the same pattern except I cast on double the number of stitches and doubled the size of the seed stitch border. I also increased the size of the stockinette panels (I eyeballed it - each stockinette panel is about 5.5 inches (and the half stockinette panel is 2.75 inches). I am using 6 skeins of Sirdar Snuggly = total of 1158.0 yards (1058.9m). 

I'll work on the exact pattern soon as I know some people prefer to have a finer knit baby blanket and the original pattern is knit on US Size 15 needles for a quick knit up.  This one took me several months of somewhat regular attention.  It took too long for my liking - but I'm happy now that's it's finished.

Oh Daffy Day

Spring is here.  I know this because a patch of daffodils have sprouted.

Of course, this is in the front of the house.  The hundreds and hundreds of daffodils I planted several years back for my birthday only came up one year.  This patch has been here since the previous owners and it comes up bright and beautiful every year without fail. 

Swanny River

This is a shot from the Saugatuck River near my house.  A group of swans decided for a spring time bath.

I only wish I had a more powerful camera with a better zoom lens.  They were so beautiful to watch.  It is one of the sights that makes me fall in love with my town day after day.  It really is an idyllic place to live.

Another Book for My Library

I bought this book in January and donated it to the Jackson Recovery Center as part of the knitting/crocheting program I'm trying to implement there.  Crocheting School is such a fantastic reference book that I had to buy another one for my own library.  I'm not a crocheter - and I found this one was very easy to read and understand even for a minor crocheter like me.

What's your favorite crocheting reference book? 

Yet Another Italian Restaurant in Westport

BF and I went to another Italian restaurant in Westport.  It's been awhile since we've tried a new hometown eatery.  This was Seminara's Restaurant and we had a nice meal.   BF had the margarita pizza and I had the seafood pasta. 

Westport has an inordinate amount of Italian restaurants for its population. It's very hard to pick a favorite.  BF and I are already devout fans of our favorite a) family style, b) high end, c) low-end, and d) quick & easy local Italian restaurant.  It's really hard to put another one on our list.    I'm sure glad we went to try this one out, but we'll probably stick to our personal favorites.

This Post is for Jane

Dear Jane,

I don't want you to think that I'm totally a knitting flake.  (But it's OK if you do).  When we met in April 2006 I was already making my first pair of Almost Argyles.  I gave Angel the original Almost Argyle Socks.  They were too big for me and she just thought they were the perfect fit. But I decided I wanted to make a pair for myself.  So in August 2006 I cast on for a second pair of Almost Argyles using some Lorna's Laces shepherd sock yarn in a brilliant red.  In fact the two times I saw you in October 2006 (once in London and then back in Connecticut) I was diligently working on my Almost Argyle.  That was about the end of their active knitting phase.  They were quickly relinquished to the UFO pile.  I was bored with them.  I picked them up again briefly in June 2007.  But my attraction for them was short-lived.  They were quickly forgotten once again.

When I posted my list of WIPs you were surprised to find them on the list.  Rightly so.  You offered me some great suggestions about making them for someone with a smaller foot just to get them done once and for all.  You even offered to finish the darned things for me.  I almost took you up on that offer.  But instead, I decided I would take the plunge and just finish these UFOs, er, WIPs once and for all.  I also took your advice.  I'll be giving these to my niece.  I think she'll be pleased.  Plus she has a very small foot - as she's only 7. 

Thanks for your encouragement.  I can come through in the end.

Happy knitting,

Jennifer

Knitting Central's Sock Club

My April package arrived right on time for the Knitting Central Sock Club.  I'm really excited about this pattern by Traveling Ann.

Here's a close-up of my Lucy Neatby yarn

I'm currently in the process of knitting my swatch in the round.  I want my Rainbow Swirl Socks to be a perfect fit. 

Inspirational Books to Knit More Socks!

I ordered a few books and they arrived today.

Vogue Knitting on the Go - Socks

Vogue Knitting on the Go - Socks Two

Inside the first book is the most adorable pattern for baby argyle socks which I'd like to try for future baby gifts to have on hand.  It looks like a fun pattern that will knit up nicely (not to mention quickly) and will be a well-received gift for someone's little bundle of joy.

Finishing Friday - Gracie's Girly Socks

I managed to finish my niece's socks.  Now I can ship a pair to Gracie and to Pierce.  I've already made 2 pairs of socks for their older brother Conor.  This time the younger siblings get their chance to shine.

1 skein Sockotta Yarn Bold Stripes color 5612

US Size 1 turbo addis - Magic Loop method

Basic Sock (Knit from the cuff down with heel flap)

Cast on 48 sts

I hope you like them Gracie!

love,

Aunt Jennifer

Entrelac is Intriguing!

I am getting a good start on my entrelac bag.  It's the Wednesday knitting class I'm taking with Sally and the Gals at Knitting Central. 

I'm using Cascade 220 for the blue and the teal.  The variegated yarn is Boku by Plymouth Yarns in Color #1.  Here's my swatch after felting it

The variegated yarn is 5% silk so it doesn't felt as tightly as the Cascade.  I love the way both felt - but it will make a difference in the final look and feel of my Market Squares Bag... and I'm OK with that.

Four and Feeling Fabulous!

Opening Day at Shea

BF and I went with our friends Bethany and Damian to Opening Day at Shea.  We had great fun.  I knit on the train into the city.  I brought along some Mets colored yarn and knit during the game.  Here's a picture of my finished sock watching the Mets lose to the Phillies

Yes.  You would be correct in guessing that we sat with the REAL fans in the nosebleed section.  In fact, we sat in the second-to-last row.  It was above home plate and we had a great view (my fear of heights not withstanding).  We had a great time.  You can see the new ball park under construction in the background.  The construction workers all took a break to watch the game.  Yeah.  True Mets Fans!

In the end, I did a RAOK with this little sock.  I saw another woman in the Upper Deck with a hand-crocheted METS blanket (it was pretty cold in the upper atmosphere).  As I passed her on the way up to my seat I commented on what a lovely blanket it was.  On the way down, I passed her the finished Mets sock.  She said she'd put it on her Christmas tree. 

A Quiet Weekend Means Girly Socks for Grace

This weekend the boys were with their father and BF was on his annual baseball trip with the guys.  I had the perfect opportunity to just crash.  I caught up on my sleep Friday and Sunday.  I also watched 2 mini-series from my Netflix subscription.  I did some adult leader training with the Boy Scouts all day on Saturday. 

Here's a picture of me with one of our instructors, Eric holding my Sockotta Sock.  Thanks Eric!

When I got home, I watched the Jane Eyre Masterpiece Theatre Mini-Series and managed to finish the first sock.  Not bad for a day's work.

• 1 skein Sockotta Yarn
• US Size 1 turbo addis - Magic Loop method
• Basic Sock (Knit from the cuff down with heel flap)
• Cast on 48 sts

These cute striped socks will be going to my niece Grace.  I think she'll like having her own pair of handknit socks since both her brothers are getting them, too.

Sioux City's LYS - Susan's Yarn Garden

I'd like to share a little bit about Susan's Yarn Garden with you.  It's an oasis for knitters in my hometown.  I forgot to share these great pictures with you.  If you ever find yourself in Sioux City, Iowa, please stop in and say hello to Susan.  You'll be glad you did.

Here's Susan at the cash register ringing up my purchases.

When I was in Sioux City in February for the wedding, I purchased this great handmade knitting bag by local artist Foolish Pleasures.  It's currently only for sale at Susan's Yarn Garden.

This time I bought my clear clogs - aka - Sluggers and 2 skeins of Sockotta yarn.  I also got an airport emergency knitting kit that Susan put together and hopes to sell in airports across the country.  I also got some great stitchmarkers by another Midwest artist.  Susan threw in the Knit 'n Style magazine as a gift.

See these great stitch markers.  Aren't they cute?

 

Here's the emergency airport knitting kit -While-A-Way.  It comes with a pair of bamboo needles, a pattern and enough yarn to make 4 dishrags with varying patterns of difficulties.

I had so much fun at my hometown LYS that I can hardly wait to go back.  Thanks for such a wonderful shop Susan.  You've given me another reason to go home from time to time. 

Spring Craft Fair at a Local School

Several of my friends will be selling things in Saturday's craft fair at one of the local elementary schools.  If you're in Westport this Saturday, won't you please stop by and support them?

• Saturday, April 5th, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
• Spring Market
• Greens Farms Elementary School Auditorium
• 17 Morningside Drive South, Westport, CT 06880

Get a head start on your spring shopping!

There will be great vendors selling jewelry, gifts for the home, handbags, clothing for kids, women, even for dolls.  Some of the crafters include:

• Charlie & Grace – Ladies’ belts & cover-ups, children’s belts & baby gifts
• Smirking Goddess - Suzanne Urban - Paintings and one of a kind felted ornaments
• PonyMom Designs – Handmade, one-of-a-kind belt buckles & interchangeable straps
• For Good Music - Suzanne Propp - Music CDs
• Tiki – Fun girls, women’s & American Girl doll clothing
• PJ Beau – Children & adult belts, headbands & key-chains
• TuTuBella – Tutus, tiaras, hair accessories, girl’s jewelry
• All Tied Up – Fun tie-dyed & heat pressed clothing for girls & young women
• Laura Madrigano – One-of-a-kind fabric handbags & accessories
• Calligraphy Concepts – Fabric Button hair accessories
• Dawn Alice Rogers – Children’s embellished art wear, wooden & cloth dolls
• Gioiella – Fashionable, fun jewelry
• Jewels of Eden – Beaded jewelry
• Millie Rae’s – Vintage & new items for the home & garden
• Minnie Prince – Handbags & cashmere sweaters
• The Brown Bumblebee – Vintage accessories

Finishing Friday - Pierce's Plain Socks

My nephew Pierce doesn't like handknit items because they itch.  His older brother adores all things handknit.  But recently Pierce asked when he was going to get some handknit socks.  So I took the rest of the Regia Stretch self-striping sock yarn to make a semi-matching pair to older brother's socks.  I hope Pierce likes these.  If not, I'll make him some out of Sockotta yarn.  I think it's a little softer for the no-wool types.