Major Knitter

UFO Weekend Warrior

After last week's review of my WIPs and UFOs, I realized that I need to come up with a strategy to finish some of those standing UFOs.  Suddenly I could hear Cynthia from Knitting Central in my head saying "If you just knit 45 minutes a day, you'll eventually finish your project"  My only problem with this theory is that I always get distracted by Bright Shiny Objects.  I like the distractions.  I like mixing up my WIPs so I have several things going at the same time.  I find there's a need for that.  Sometimes I have a gift that needs work (but I'm not really good at knitting gifts); I always want a pair of socks on the needles for portable knitting; I have my year long Sampler Blanket class going which demands my attention for a few days each month; and finally, that brings me to the long forgotten UFOs (and now I can suddenly see why there's no time to knit on the UFOs).  My solution???  Knit on the UFOs exclusively on the weekends.  Then during the week I can go back to my gifts, socks, blanket homework or other BSO.  It's a win-win situation for me.

So this weekend, I finished up the sleeves of my Faery Ring - to the point where I will pick up and knit the cuff perpendicular to the sleeve.  I've sort of forgotten how my knitting friends had suggested I do this... but I'll ask them again.  That will be a project for another weekend.  

I like this plan of attack.  I think it will work well for me.  Please keep your fingers crossed.

Not What I Remember

Yesterday, I found a brand new package of shredded coconut in the pantry from a dessert I didn't make.  I think it was going to be a coconut frosted cake or something.  But for some reason that coconut kept calling my name all day long.  I was also craving chocolate, so naturally, cookies came to mind.  That's when I remembered a cookie I made in my college days called "A Delicious Cookie" - so I pulled out my cookbook this morning and decided to give it a try.

I should have known when I saw a cup of butter AND a cup of oil.  That's just wrong.  But yet I forged ahead.

Needless to say, these cookies were much better in my memory than in reality (and yet, somehow, they did turn out how I remembered them?!).  So I've saved myself the bother of having to eat these cookies as they are not tempting me at all.  I should have stuck with a cake... perhaps even a German chocolate cake.  Yummmm.

It Was This or the 15-Passenger Van

My wonderful blue Mini Cooper was due to be replaced.  This decision was not made lightly.  You'll remember how much I loved this car.  In fact, I can hardly believe it's been six years since I first showed you my Mini in THIS POST.  BF and I both love the Mini.  It handles beautifully; has great personality; oozes charm; has many luxury vehicle characteristics; and can squeeze into almost any parking spot.

Wasn't she a cutie?

But with all my duties as Scoutmaster, carting boys high and low, I really dreamt of owning something a bit more practical.  In fact, last summer at the National Boy Scout Jamboree I got to drive my dream vehicle.

That's me driving a Chevy 15-pax van.  Think of all the campouts we could do!  How cool is that?  Apparently not cool enough for BF and the boys.  They told me in no uncertain terms "NGH" (translation = "Not Gonna Happen").  Oh well.  

So yesterday, BF and I traded in our loyal blue Mini for a newer model.  Secundogeniture saw it and dubbed it the Oreo.  I gotta admit - he might have something there.  It does have the coloring of a Double Stuf Oreo.  While I was a little sad to say good-bye to Loyal Blue, I'm very excited about motoring around in my new Oreo Mini.

There's a Ravelry Group for Knitters with Minis - so I'll probably have to become a bit more active again.  Can you feel the love?  

Freakonomics Meets Ravelry

Did you see the New York Times today?  It had a great article on the Freakonomics blog submitted by an 18-year-old knitter.  While I don't agree with everything she says, she did give me reason to pause and wonder if I rate all patterns fairly.  I try to rate them according to what I see in other knitting forums (like Vogue or Knitty).  

You can read the whole article by clicking HERE.  

While you're doing that, I'm going to take a look at my Ravelry projects and see how I've rated the patterns.  Oh, BTW, I rarely, if ever tackle very challenging projects.  Most of mine fall into the 3-4 range because I like quick and easy gratification (basic socks, scarves, hats, etc).  But that's just me.

Kudos to BF who spotted this article minutes after it came out.  Gotta love Google Reader.

I Simply Refuse to Hibernate

Apparently I have commitment issues -- big commitment issues.  Oddly enough, I also have abandonment issues.  So my Ravelry queue has a handful of quick knits for immediate gratification and some long term slightly forgotten objects that I'm unwilling to officially put into hibernation.  In the middle are the two sampler blankets that get attention once a month at my LYS year-long class.  That about sums up my knitting life.

So here are my WIPs and nearly forgotten UFOs in order of Bright Shiny Object-status

1 - Jaywalker Socks

2.  Palindrome Scarf

3.  Sampler Blanket - Green

4.  Sampler Blanket - Red

5.  Faery Ring

6.  Ribby Cardi

7. Floral Jacket

Those last few have been ignored for more than a year, but I am afraid that if I hit that "Hibernate" button, they will never, ever come out of hibernation.  Yes, it's irrational, but there it is.  The Faery Ring is giving me a pretty big guilt trip right now.  I had every intention of finishing it this winter.  As cold as it has been, this was definitely the winter to have a warm coat sweater.  But the BSOs distracted me, as they always do.  

Sigh.  So many knitting projects.  So little focus.  

Jaywalking in the City

It's winter break in Connecticut and the kids are off from school.  Primogeniture is off on an adventure of his own design and Secundogeniture is hanging out at home.  I always like to try to bring some adventure into a staycation so we made a trek into the City to visit our good friend Ms. Judy at the Central Park Zoo.

Judy snapped this picture of the two of us at the red panda exhibit.

Isn't this red panda a cutie?

And there are three new animals - two named in honor of Ms. Judy - Lobo and Wolfie - that were fun to see.  While I remember their pet names, I do not know the name of this animal.  It's racoon-like with an adorable pointed nose, perfect for getting grub out of decaying logs.

Secundogeniture snapped this picture of this colorful water fowl.  I just love the distinctive coloring on this bird.

We then trekked over to the Tisch Children's Zoo where we made a pit-stop.  I'm sure taking a picture in a bathroom is a no-no, but I was alone and couldn't resist the Goldilocks and the Three Bears sized sinks.  Decisions.  Decisions.

I snapped a picture of Ms. Judy and Secundogeniture standing on the lily pads.  Aren't they adorable?

And I just love the lily pad bridge.  It's a joy to jaunter across.

Judy snapped a picture of my Jaywalker socks made from Vintage Purls Sock Yarn in Gothic Rose color which was a gift from James of J.O.Y.  I can't believe I've never made Jaywalkers before.  I've had the pattern since it came out in 2005... and I'm finally getting on the bandwagon six years later.  Oh well, better late than never.  The pattern is delightful and I'm glad I'm finally getting my act together.

 

We call this one a goat in sheep's clothing - aka my WIP - at the Children's Zoo.  The best part of this, is Judy got to see the three new goats born last month.

Here's a close-up of my socks.  I can already tell that I'll be making another pair of these some days.  But next time I go to the zoo, I should probably be knitting my first Monkeys.

Thanks Judy for a great day!  BF, Secundogeniture and I had a blast.  Central Park Zoo is always a treat.  You can get away from the hustle and bustle of the city, see Central Park and enjoy the wonderful animals all in the heart of Manhattan.  What could be better?  Don't you have wonderful memories of CPZ, too?

Stash - U.S. Style or Private Knitting Lessons in CT

My friend Michelle has been back in Westport for over a year.  She lived in London for several years and had a knitting store called Stash Yarns in Putney which she opened with her friend Nathalie.  For years they were living the dream - good friends spreading the joy of knitting to others.  Now that she's back in the US, she wants to start something similar, without the storefront... and the yarn.  She wants to do what she loved most - spread the joy of creating with others.

In case you don't remember, let me tell you what a talented fiber artist Michelle is.  She knits, sews, crochets, spins, dyes and more.  Remember our dyeing class last fall?  Go look at the wonderful things Michelle taught us.

Joanne and Michelle are hand-dyeing my yarn in the non-striping method Michelle taught us.  This may well be one of my all-time favorite fiber classes ever!  Michelle is a fun and gifted teacher.

If you are interested in learning more about Michelle's private or semi-private knitting lessons check out her blog - KnitAround.  She'll also be teaching Beginning Knitting at Westport Continuing Ed this summer.  Hire Michelle to help you take your knitting up a notch.  You'll be so glad you .  

 

Wild Wool in the City

Yesterday we went into Manhattan with our friend and her 5-year-old son.  His deepest desire was to visit Mecca - aka the new Lego Store at Rockefeller Center.  

I showed the Little Guy the Zamboni machine on the Rockefeller ice rink.  What did he notice?  The Lego Store located right above the rink.  

Look at this interesting store logo.  It's not your normal Lego creation.  What could it mean?

A closer look doesn't really tell me what's going on.

But now it all makes sense.  The Lego logo is made up entirely of little Lego people.  How cool is that?

Inside the store there were floor to ceiling bins of colorful Lego pieces.

This looks like a photo shoot of the Rockefeller Center rink from above... but it's really a miniature replica made entirely of Legos.

There was even a happy, colorful serpent winding its way along the ceiling of the store.  

Believe it or not, we even found something fiber related at the Lego Store - Wild Wool (or Shave a Sheep).  Yes - I bought this game for myself.  Little Guy and I played it for several hours.  

C'mon - I know you want to order Wild Wool for yourself and the little Lego lover in your life.

After our big adventure to the Lego Store, we went for lunch.  Camera shy Little Guy posed for this picture with his joyous acquisition.  It was definitely the day dreams are made of for this five-year-old boy.

How about you?  Did you have a great Presidents Day weekend?

A Super-Duper-Very-VERY-Warm Hat

Yeah!  I finished my Super-Duper-Very-VERY-Warm Hat.  Let me tell you - this baby's HOT!

Let's take a look at the engineering of this hat step-by-step.  My hat is part A Very Warm Hat - part Dubbelmossa.  It's neither pattern - but based on the concept of both.

I started by knitting the outer hat in a 100% cashmere by Trish of Tanglewood Fiber Creations in the gorgeous "Northwest Winter" colorway.

• I used the Magic Loop method and cast on 4 sts on a 40" length US Size 5 Turbo Addi circular needle .  I placed half the sts on the front needle and half the sts on the back needle
• Knit into front and back (KFB) of each st (= 8 sts)
• KFB of each st (= 16 sts)
• *(KFB, K1) repeat from * to end of round (= 24 sts) 
• *(KFB, K2) repeat from * to end of round (=32 sts)
• Knit around.
• *(KFB, K3) repeat from * to end of round (=40 sts)
• Knit around.
• *(KFB, K4) repeat from * to end of round (=48 sts)
• Knit around.
• *(KFB, K5) repeat from * to end of round (=56 sts)
• Knit around.
• *(KFB, K6) repeat from * to end of round (=64 sts)
• Knit around.
• *(KFB, K7) repeat from * to end of round (=72 sts)
• Knit around.
• *(KFB, K8) repeat from * to end of round (=80 sts)
• Knit around.
• *(KFB, K9) repeat from * to end of round (=88 sts)
• Knit around for until hat measures approx 7 inches from cast on edge.  If desired, begin striping pattern here.  Alternate 1" stripes (approx 5 or 6 rows of each color).  Carefully carry alternating yarn behind the row without cutting).  Continue knitting in the round (with striping if desired) until hat measures approx 19" from cast on edge.  NOTE:  At this time, turn hat inside out and weave in any loose ends.  You will not be able to do so once you finish the hat as the hat closes in upon itself.
• Begin decrease rounds for inner cap crown as follows
• *(K2tog, K9) repeat from * to end of round (=80 sts)
• Knit around.
• *(K2tog, K8) repeat from * to end of round (=72 sts)
• Knit around.
• *(K2tog, K7) repeat from * to end of round (=64 sts)
• Knit around.  
• *(K2tog, K6) repeat from * to end of round (=56 sts)
• Knit around.  
• *(K2tog, K5) repeat from * to end of round (=48 sts)
• Knit around.
• *(K2tog, K4) repeat from * to end of round (=40 sts)
• Knit around.
• *(K2tog, K3) repeat from * to end of round (=32 sts)
• Knit around.
• *(K2tog, K2) repeat from * to end of round (=24 sts)
• *(K2tog, K1) repeat from * to end of round (=16 sts)
• *(K2tog) repeat from * to end of round (=8 sts)
• *(K2tog) repeat from * to end of round (=4 sts)
• Break off yarn, weave through remaining 4 live sts.  Pull tight.  Weave in loose end.

Finished dimensions:
Length = approx 21"
Circumference = approx 19" 
Gauge = 4.5 sts per inch 

Fold hat in half and place one end inside the other so the hat is double thick.

Notice the striped pattern at the bottom of the Super-Duper-Very-VERY-Warm Hat.

Fold cuff of hat about 3" and try on.  You simply won't believe how warm this hat can be!

Maybe I'll pitch my tent in the backyard and test this hat's winter worthiness this week.

Thank you to Cynthia of Knitting Central for bringing Trish to Westport several years ago.  I met her and fell in love with her handspun.  I purchased some yarn during each of her visits.  This is actually the first FO I made with Trish's lovely yarn.  I wonder what took me so long.

Friday's Floppy Hat

OK - My Very Warm Hat is not quite ready for its debut, so I give you a Friday fashion show of the WIP.  Now presenting a very silly, very fun, unfinished object self-portrait photo shoot:

I'm nearing the finish line - just in time for today's 68 degree temperatures.  Well, at least I'll be prepared for next year's winter camping.  Stay tuned for pictures of my completed Super Duper Very Warm Hat.