I Knit So I Don't Kill

Liesl: In progress

2011-08-07T13:01:00.000-07:00

The summer flies by fast when you're trying to finish a summer tunic. I'm currently working on Liesl, a tunic tank by Coco Knits.
I couldn't exactly afford to spend the amount on Louet linen yarn that the pattern called for in my size. When I saw a sample garment of Liesl on one of the the Coco Knits ladies at Stitches West, I knew it wasn't a 100% linen yarn that was used. She said it was made from Berocco Origami. I immediately went to the Webs booth and hunted that yarn down! I knew with the amount I'd need that the yarn would be discountable at 20% for purchases over $60. Berocco yarn is somewhat in my price range too, so yay me...I'm making a tank top for just under $100. =/ It's insane. I would never purchase a tunic tank top at that price. EVER. Only snobby yarn knitters would understand the psychological explanation for that one.

I like this yarn, but I wish that Origami came in solid colors. Variegated tops aren't usually my thing but I like the colors. Although it's a crazy amount of stockinette, it does keep my interest with the decreases and the construction of the pockets.

I want to be done with this before the unofficial last day of Summer...Labor Day. This gives me less than a month to go. After that i have to get a move on with Jolyne's birthday project. What that will be, I don't know but I'll only have 2 or so weeks to complete it. Fortunately it'll be a scarf or cowl. I can spit those out pretty quickly if it's an easy pattern. Even faster if it's lacey. It can be done. That's what I keep telling myself. I'm not of a fan of deadline knitting. It takes all the fun out of it.

Saroyan: The increases

2011-04-19T16:12:00.001-07:00

Saroyan increases, originally uploaded by Filipina Sakura.

I'm keeping this project at the office. I'd be further along if I didn't get distracted so easily by work, Ravelry, other internet black holes, etc.

I think I'm at the point where I'm ready to start the straight section. I'll get to that right now.

Traveling Sweater: Wanderlust

2011-03-21T21:16:00.001-07:00

Traveling Sweater: The take-off!, originally uploaded by Filipina Sakura.

Wanderlust: Very strong or irresistible impulse to travel.

That's exactly how I'm feeling these days. I'm so sick of rain and cold. I'm ready for a little bit of camping. Maybe even a road trip. I may even splurge and get on a plane! Where? I don't care as long as it's some place I've never been to that I can explore. So yes, it seems appropriate that I'm working on this sweater. I'm so excited about it! This is 1/4 of the first wedge. 31 more of this quarter wedge to go and I've got myself a collar/body. Baby steps.

Too much on my plate?

2011-03-20T11:51:00.001-07:00

In the past couple days I've casted on for two different projects, both of which I bought yarns specifically for at last month's Stitches West extravaganza:

Saroyan

A leafy scarf sorta thing. I'm using Sanguine Gryphon Codex in Secret Garden. This murky shiny blue/greenish/black color is GORGEOUS! I've decided this will be the project to keep at work. The following project will be too much to carry in my bag everyday.

Traveling Sweater (TS)

A comfy open cardigan sweater. I'm using Blue Moon Fiber Arts Woobu in Deep Unrelenting Gray. It's perfectly gray. Not dark, but not light. No variegation whatsoever. This wasn't my first choice of colorways.

Unfortunately for me the Woobu selection was picked over and it was only Friday at 1pm at Stitches!! There were 2.5 days to go and they were cleaned out by the time I left. I'm sure I'll love this cardi when I'm done but it's ANOTHER GRAY SWEATER. =/ I say this because I just finished (but not yet blocked) Goodale, made from madelinetosh Pashmina in Composition Book Gray.

I'm being lazy with Goodale's finishing. It needs blocking, then sewing, then re-blocking to set the pockets. When the weather gets better and I have reason to wear a short sleeved OPEN cardigan I'll have it completely done in no time.

Oh, I forgot one more project I'll be casting on soon...my first mystery KAL. It's feministy's (AKA Liz Abinante) Roxanne Mystery Shawl KAL starting April 15. I'm using sock yarn stash. I'm trying real hard to not purchase the suggested yarn because the color is absolutely beautiful. I'll wait to see how my choice of yarn turns out first.

I suppose my gray phase is fitting for this awful weather we're having. Last night as I was making my gauge swatch for the TS it sounded like my house was going to get blown down by the strong wind and pounding rain. It seemed to never end. At times I love this weather, but after 2+ days of gloom I need a shot of sunshine. I don't know how you northwest folks do it! I'm especially bummed this weekend because we cancelled our trip to Safari West. I was looking forward to staying in a fancy schmancy tent cabin. If you didn't know this is a full moon weekend as well. Our photo opportunities have been duped by Mother Nature. I was looking forward to playing with my new cameras.

California needs the rain before the dry season begins but when it interrupts my plans that bitch needs to calm down. Space it out a little bit, lady! If her intention was to blow off the final bits of blossoms off my plum tree, she succeeded.

Annual Yarn Bender: Stitches West 2011 Haul

2011-02-22T12:27:00.001-08:00

Friday's damage:
5 skeins Blue Moon Fibers Woobu in Deep Unrelenting Gray
2 skeins Miss Babs Tierno in A Day in Mansfield Park
2 Coco Knits patterns - Leisl and Ruby (which are practically the same but one has pockets)
2 skeins Valley Yarns Superwash merino in #200 Gray - to add to what I already have for the Solstice cardigan
1 ring from Hartstring Jewelry that I could not resist.

Saturday's Damage:
3 skeins Miss Babs Yowza-Whatta Skein! in Blackwatch
2 skeins Sanguine Gryphon Codex in The Secret Garden + Soap bar called Tangerine Dream
13 skeins Berroco Origami in Cucumber Water
1 skein Sunshine Yarns Luxury Sport in Cliffdiving
3 Lo-Lo Bars (1 travel tin, 2 regular tin)

I went way over budget. This is the most I've ever spent at Stitches West EVER. I went in only wanting to blow most of my budget on Woobu for the Traveling Sweater. ..then I lost focus. This is what happens when you go two days in a row. The ring, Lo-Lo bars, Miss Babs Tierno, and the skein of Sunshine Yarns were definitely impulse buys. Yikes.

From this point on I CANNOT buy anymore yarn till I finish:

Saroyan
Traveling Cardigan
Leisl
Tea Leaves Cardigan

I can do it! This is when I wish I was a size 2. I'd be able to squeeze in so many more tops/sweaters. Sadly, knitting up my size takes more time and yarn.

Somewhere in there I'll squeeze in a shawl for my mom's birthday gift in April. I'm thinking of making Traveling Woman by Liz Abinante. I missed her at Miss Babs booth on Saturday. However, the only knit rockstar I spotted were Cookie A at the Habu booth on Friday. If I was a fanatical sock knitter I would've been more excited. It was cool to see her in person though. As I was leaving Saturday (or was it Friday?) Jess and Casey of Ravelry fame were in the lobby of Stitches West walking into the Market Place.

Ishbel...in public!

2011-02-10T10:56:00.001-08:00

Ishbel...in public!, originally uploaded by Filipina Sakura.

Another one of those projects where I'm so happy to be a knitter. I love this shawl. When I had this project in mind it was always meant to be worn as a scarf.

This has me amped up for Stitches West next week!

Have I mentioned I don't like knitting lace?

2011-02-09T19:38:00.000-08:00

Ishbel + A Verb for Keeping Warm's Annapurna = New found LOVE for lace.

Let me clarify about not liking knitting lace. I prefer lace that's not knitted from fingering or lace weight yarn. Annapurna's sport gauge and drape is a wonderful choice for this project. I like how weighty it feels. Unfortunately, Verb is discontinuing this yarn. At Stitches they'll be selling whatever is left at a discount. *sad face* As soon as I hit Blue Moon to get my Woobu fix, I'll be heading to the Verb booth soon after. (Note to self: Print out Stitches booth layout and come up with a game plan.)

As you can see, the edging is a different color. I ran out of Silk Velvet and shortly after I got the news about Annapurna getting discontinued. Naturally, I freaked out. What to do with an unfinished Ishbel and no available yarn? I asked the Verb board on Ravelry if anyone had some in their stash they're willing to part with and sell to me. No luck. Instead I got an idea from a member to use a different color to finish.

Idea #1 - Rip back to the stockinette part and use a new color for the lace.

Idea #2 - Rip back to the beginning of the edging section and use color for edging.

As you can see, you can tell what option I took. Frogging all the lace work is equal to stabbing my chest with a knife and twisting it. I couldn't do it. Going back two rows and starting the edging over was less painful.

The 2nd color is Thai Iced Tea. It was the only color on Verb's shelves that looked like it could work. What do you think?

I was worried that I wouldn't get the finished dimensions so I blocked the crap out of this shawl. I'm able to wrap my neck so it worked. The only thing I shouldn't have done is made the points so pointy. I got overly excited using my blocking wires for the first time while watching The Bachelor. My mind clearly wasn't all there.

I'm so stoked I finished 2 shawlettes within a week! Citron is off the needles too.

I apologize for the shitty iPhone pic I took in my dark cave cubicle. Next time I wear it I'll take better photos with a real camera.

What's on the needles now? Goodale made with madelinetosh Pashmina. OMG. So luxurious. At about $30 a skein it better last me through my old age. My freakin' great granddaughter better be able to wear it or re-purpose the yarn into something else. I can't wait to get it done by the time the weather warms up! It's a lot of boring endless stockinette. Kill me. On the other hand, it's great for mindless knitting at work during down time.

New found love: Annapurna by A Verb for Keeping Warm

2011-01-18T08:33:00.000-08:00

This gorgeous skein of Annapurna has been in my stash since Dec. 2009. This purchase was an impulse buy during one of my first visits to Verb. On my last visit to Verb last November I was inspired to make this into Ishbel, a triangular shawl by Isolda Teague. I've seen many an Ishbel made with fingering or lace yarn. Note that I don't care much for dainty lace shawls. It's not my thing. The store's knit sample of Ishbel out of Annapurna (i don't recall the color) is absolutely beautiful. It was a small version that you can wrap around your neck. I tried it on to see if it suited me. I fell in love with it as soon as I put it on. I loved the drape and weight of the yarn. It felt like the perfect match and I had to make my own. I liked it so much I could probably make one in another color but I held back. It's another excuse to plan another visit to Verb. I have a feeling I'll be seeing the crew at Stitches West at the end of February first.

I tried really hard to not buy any yarn this year until Stitches but I failed miserably over this past weekend. This is what happens when I'm wasting time and find myself at a yarn store. Bubs had plans so I was left to make myself busy by dropping in to Yarn Boutique in Lafayette for a few minutes. I specifically went into buy 1 skein of Malabrigo worsted that I need to finish a project but YB didn't have it. I ended up leaving with a Namaste circular needle keeper (that looks like a mini accordian file), Addi clicks 10.5 needles (because it doesn't come with the set), and a big bottle of Eucalan wash (can you believe I ran out of wool wash?!). The next day I was in the City, again wasting time. I took advantage of going to Imagiknit. Their supply of Malabrigo is amazing so I hoped to find that skein I needed. There was nada. =/ Did I walk away empty handed? Of course not. If I had an endless pit of money I would've bought everything Madelinetosh on their shelves. I held back and walked away with 3 (very pricy!) skeins of the Pashmina to knit up the Goodale cardigan. If things work out I should have it done by spring and I can't wait! I mean, have you seen the pocket construction on that thing? It's a perfect layering garment.

Time to give my cat some attention and power through Ishbel. Maybe actually eat some breakfast too.

Getting reacquainted with Malabrigo

2011-01-03T22:28:00.000-08:00

I recently got my Aidez off the needles. Everything has been blocked and dried except for the sleeves which are now currently being blocked and drying. Ten skeins were the perfect amount to complete the knitting but not the seaming. I didn't want to spend too much on another skein and didn't want to have to order online (because NO ONE LOCAL has Berocco Peruvia Quick!) and wait another week for it. I went to Michael's to find a similar yarn to use for seaming. It also helped that I've been holding on to a Michael's gift card I received 2 birthdays ago. Because of the holidays there wasn't much selection of what I needed on the shelves. Lion Wool-ease Thick and Quick in Oat was the closest I could find. It's lighter in color to what I need but I'll cross my fingers and hope it works. Seaming yarn isn't supposed to show anyway. Did I say I hope this works?

While I wait the sleeves to dry I immediately put The Last Hour Hat on the needles. It HAD to be. I mean, did you see how cute and simple and Anthropologiesque it looks? I'm not much of a hat wearer but maybe after I finish Last Hour I will be. I think the pattern author has been published in Vogue Knitting numerous times and definitely want to knit her Eternity Scarf pattern as well. So many projects and so little time.

I originally wanted to make the hat for my sister-in-law as a Christmas gift but time got away from me. I had bought a couple balls of Jo Sharp Silkroad Aran to make it with but changed my mind the moment I found Malabrigo Worsted at Imagiknit. To my knowledge, they have the largest stock of Malabrigo in the area. They always have a ton whenever I go there. I haven't been to Article Pract as much but I have a feeling they have a huge stock of it too. I think what turns me off from going is the sometimes sketchy location and not easily finding free and close parking.

So back to Malabrigo...I forgot how much I love it! I know I just made an earflap hat with the much chunkier version of Malabrigo, but worsted is so soft on the skin that I wish I could sleep on a pile of skeins. I can imagine it would feel like sleeping on a cloud. I'm sure I'll finish up the hat by next week at the lastest because I'm determined to get Ishbel on my needles ASAP. With what yarn? A Verb for Keeping Warm's Annapurna. I purchased it over a year ago and haven't known what to do with it until now. There was a store sample at Verb's new store opening and it was beautiful. I'm also not much of a triangular shawl wearer but it could easily be wrapped around my neck instead to show off the lace pattern.

I think 2011 will be a great year of knitting projects. Let's get knitting!

Aidez

2010-12-09T20:32:00.001-08:00

Aidez, originally uploaded by Filipina Sakura.

I have no business putting another sweater project on the needles when I should be frogging my Napoleon vest and starting over. But I did. Aidez uses super chunky yarn, Berocco's Peruvia Quick. I got a great deal on it, otherwise I would've never bought the yarn. I swore I would never make a sweater with chunky yarn because the fat girl wardrobe rules state that chunky yarn and chunky gals don't mix. Screw the rules. If I look like the Michelin Man so be it. I want a comfy sweater for winter dammit.

My gauge is off so I am crossing my fingers it will work out in the end with (or without) blocking. I'm using smaller needles than it calls for so I can't tell if it'll come out bigger than the schematics show. All I ask for is that it doesn't come out gigantic like my tilted duster, another sweater I need to frog. =/

How about some quick Malabrigo lovin'?

2010-11-29T14:41:00.000-08:00

At the Verb for Keeping Warm re-opening at their new Oakland location I came across this lovely skein of Malabrigo goodness...

Kristine created it into an earflap hat to show off at her new space and I immediately had to make one of my own. Because of how chunky the yarn is I knew it would be a quick knit so I could use it on the Thanksgiving Tahoe trip.

I knew the work load at the office would be super slow during Thanksgiving week so I knit it up in a few hours. Knitting helped me keep me awake! I ripped it out when I got home because I felt it was coming out too snug and the length was a bit short for my taste.

I knitted 2 extra rows before the 1st decrease row. Then before the next decrese row I added an extra row. I used 3 strands for each cord and braided it. I may (or may not) re-do the cords and make them into i-cords instead.

It was perfect for the Tahoe trip! It kept my noggin nice and toasty. =)

Fail. Started Over.

2010-11-06T12:09:00.000-07:00

I had to rip out this sucker last week because it wasn't coming out the same as the first one. My previous notes failed me. I don't know what happened but the second sock was coming out a wee bit smaller and more snug. I didn't do enough increases so I increased until it matched up with the first sock.

At least I'm not ripping out a sweater, which I might have to do after I finish this sock. I'm not completely happy with my Napoleon vest. After seaming everything together, there is so much fabric under the arms that it gapes open. I had a feeling that I should've gone down a size. Berroco patterns that I have knit seem to run big. I thought that because this is a garment that needs to be layered, I could use the positive ease.

I may go back and re-knit the lower back or front (or both?! ack!) in the smaller size. I'm trying not to be lazy and crochet in some tucks there instead. I don't think it'll look good at all. Eh, all I know is that I can't move on to a new project until this vest gets done to my liking.

One sock down...

2010-10-26T12:09:00.000-07:00

...one more to go (see it on the needles in the upper right corner?).

I'm finally going to finish this pair. This has been on the backburner for close to 2 years. I forgot how sturdy the material feels once it's knitted up. I thought about doing twisted stitches on the ball and heel of the foot but I'm sure it'll be around for years before I wear them out.

Its like knitting floss but I'm looking forward to putting these babies on my feet when the cold weather hits.

So many knits to finish, so little time!

2010-10-22T16:10:00.000-07:00

I finished all the pieces for my Napoleon 2 days ago and I can't start seaming them together until I steam block. Everything I've read about seaming says I must steam block or else. I won't take the chance on what that "or else" could turn out like. I've been there. I don't want to go there again. Needless to say I've been putting it off so I've been going through my queue of unfinished projects. Oh boy, do I have a lot of those.

I dug through the stash jumble that I keep in some bins in the closet. I was specifically looking for my Olympic socks. They were nowhere to be found. Where could they be? Then I went to my other closet where I keep all my bags/purses/clothes/shoes. Of course, it was in one of my many bags that I haven't used in awhile...along with that damn ball of green yarn I needed to finish up the Backyard Leaves scarf. I wasted my time going through the trouble of hunting down a ball and buying it. DAMMIT! Now I don't know what to do with that ball. I put it up for sale in Ravelry. Hopefully someone needs it. Or maybe I'll come up with some fabulous project that uses up all my yarn odds and ends. Everytime I look through alllllll my knitting stuff I can't believe how much it accumulates. Then I remind myself for the 20398204892039 time that I can't buy anymore yarn until I use what I have. How many knitters out there say that to themselves?

But back to my Olympic socks. Good news is I finished one. Bad news is that I need to cast on for the second one and I'm hoping that I have good notes from the first sock so that the second one doesn't come out completely different. That Hazel Knits sock yarn is impressively sturdy! I still love the color too. I actually can't wait to get started...but first I need to figure out this steam blocking business.

1st FO in 2010!!!

2010-09-22T17:08:00.001-07:00

Backyard leaves scarf, originally uploaded by Filipina Sakura.

2010 has over 3 months to go and sadly I've only completed one project so far. It's not the best pic but eh...good enough. I am finished with my Coprispalle cape EXCEPT for the button loop and sewing on a button but it can wait until I feel like wearing it in the cooler weather to come this season. On to more WIPs! I need to dig out my Olympic Rainforest Socks and finish the other pair. BAM! 3 projects done if I can find those socks.

Currently on the needles is my Napoleon Vest. Swatching was a bitch! I've never had so much trouble before. I'm normally spot on when swatching but I think because this yarn is somewhat fragile due to how wonderfully soft it is, I knit a bit too loose getting gauge. I ended up with a size 7, 6, and 5 swatch (in that order). It was super frustrating. 7 was too loose. 6 was a hair off from getting the right gauge, and 5 was about the same. I stuck with 6. If I go apeshit realizing that it's too big when I'm almost done, then so be it! It's just knitting (says the girl who has failed miserably knitting up 2 sweaters that came out gross).

Cape of Drab

2010-08-19T10:16:00.000-07:00

My 3G iPhone camera doesn't do the colors justice. The florescent lighting at my desk makes it so drab. I started the decrease repeats a few days ago which means I'm halfway through finishing this cape.

I've got to be honest, I'm not really loving this garment. Not sure why. Maybe because this isn't a color I usually work with? Maybe working with sock yarn that makes this project so painstakingly long to knit is boring me? Once I'm done knitting, blocking, and sewing on the perfect button I'm sure I'll be more excited about wearing it through the fall weather.

Here's my problem...I can't think of an outfit to wear this with. From what I recall at Stitches West the Malabrigo rep wore their sample garment with a black A-line type skirt, probably a fitted black shirt underneath, and knee high black leather boots. It was a cute ensemble on her. Put that outfit on me and it's not something I can pull off with my body type. I might not even be able to pull off this cape.

We'll see what happens. I'll look through some Bergdorf Goodman outfits online to get some ideas. They're proclaiming knits are all the rage this season.

I was looking at my projects on Ravelry and I'm so sad that I haven't finished any projects this year. It's not that I haven't tried. In January I had every intention of finishing my green Backyard Leaves scarf. The pattern is beautiful and I wanted to wear it the remainder of the winter season...then I ran out yarn. I thought I had one other ball somewhere in my stash or I stupidly didn't calculate the right yardage for the scarf. The unfortunate problem is this yarn was bought as a closeout yarn from Tuesday Morning which means I CAN'T FIND THIS YARN ANYWHERE!!! I could find a substitute but finding the right shade to match is going to be a bitch. I tried looking on Ravelry hoping to find someone that has extra or willing to sell but this color doesn't seem to exist for anyone but me.

I started an improvised shawl sweater but that went down the tubes. I realized halfway through that it was going to be too small and the ribbing pattern wouldn't suit me. I need to find a ribbing pattern that comes out flat and not bumpy. After I finish the cape I'm going to frog it and start over. I'll finish a pair of socks that's been on the backburner as well.

I'm crossing my fingers I'll have at least 3 projects in the bag by the end of the year. Maybe even 4.

Progress!

2010-06-04T09:53:00.000-07:00

It took me a month just to get this far and this is only 3 repeats of the herringbone pattern! At this rate I can only hope to be done by Thanksgiving. As the days get warmer, the less I want to pick up any knitting, especially the bigger projects. Maybe I should finish the other Olympic Rainforest sock? The other poor pair has been lonely for over a year now. It's about time I give her a mate. Love wearing handknit socks, but hate making them.

I became a Kiva loan member today and joined the Ravelry team to specifically support craft/knitting/fiber businesses. Kiva.org has been around for awhile now but never got a chance to finally give a loan to help entrepreneurs of small businesses in places like Peru, Vietnam, and the Philippines. Once these businesses make their money back they will repay the loan and then you can recycle the money back to another business of your choice. Check out my side bar of the Peruvian business I'm helping and maybe you can give too if the loan hasn't been fulfilled. =) >>>>>>>>>>>

Knitting Inspiration

2010-04-29T10:11:00.001-07:00

Malabrigo Sock Yarn in Arbol, originally uploaded by Filipina Sakura.

I was cleaning out a bag I had brought to Stitches West in February and found this free pattern Malabrigo handed out called Coprispalle. I remember how beautiful it was on the the person wearing it. In Italian, Coprispalle translates to "shrug" (via google translator). I think it's more of a cape than a shrug though. Whatever it is, it's beautiful.

I needed some inspiration to kick my knitting rut and this was it. I've been really bummed by my past sweater projects not working out and decided I need to not make any for awhile. So, this one size fits all cape will do for now. I hope I get some use out of it if and when I finish. At the rate I'm knitting I'll be done by the Fall months which will fit this colorway. This is Malabrigo's yarn sock in Arbol...a bit of olive green and chocolate brown. Personally, I'm not a fan of wearing garments that have a lot of variegated color but I think I can pull this one off.

I casted on twice (269 stitches!!!) the wrong way until Erin pointed out to me that the instructions to the double needle cast on was at the end of the pattern. Goes to show that you should always read the directions first before casting on. =/ After looking through youtube videos and slowly reading the instructions step by step, I finally cast on succesfully yesterday. Sheesh.

What I should've spent my budget on at Stitches West last weekend

2010-03-05T19:30:00.000-08:00

Flipping finally! It's bee-yooo-tee-full!! At Stitches last weekend I was reminded that Alpaca Direct's pricing for these Addi Clicks couldn't be beat by any other retailer/website. I ended up spending too much on yarn and didn't have enough for the needles. As soon as I got more funds (payday!!!) I ordered it from AD's website (free shipping). The brick and mortar location is practically in my backyard (but a tiny bit out of the way) so getting it sent to me was a nice option. I'm so glad I waited awhile to get this set because the first version didn't come with a small travel organizer. Now I can get my knitting mojo on and get some activity going on this blog.

Fall Projects (and missed Summer FOs too)

2009-11-16T11:47:00.000-08:00

I'm back! I didn't fall off the face of the knitting world. I lost my blogging mojo over the summer but I've finished a couple of knitting projects since my Pucker top. Pucker served me well over the warm months. It's a wonderful linen silk blend that kept me cool and comfy. Definitely one of my favorite knits.

Some stash I've acquired over the past year or two were used up. First was the Dream in Color Baby for the Whisper Cardigan. I like it but the fit of it is a little odd for me. I always feel like I have to keep pulling on the sides to cover my exposed underarms. Other than that it's a light cardi that keeps the chill off my back and shoulders.

Next is the Wabisabi shawl made from Noro Kochoran. I haven't used it yet, but will be during the winter. I'll be using it at work in my lap to keep my lower half warm while I sit at my desk. Only problem I'll have is the angora sticking to my clothing. Will need to have a lint roller on hand so I don't look like a fuzzy rabbit roaming the office.

My next project was made for Bubba's aunt...a Shetland Shawl made from Fiberphile Sock Yarn. The vibrant blue/brown yarn was much too nice to be made into a sock. It was also my first full fledged lace project. I'm not a fan of lace for myself, but I'll do it for others. In this case it was for her birthday. Bub's aunt always asks me to make something for her, I don't think she was expecting anything lacy though. I was trying to tell her that it's not something you don't have to wear just on your shoulders like a little old lady (which is exactly what she said she felt like)...but to wear it around her neck like a light scarf. Oh well, I tried (reminds me why I don't make stuff for people anymore). I didn't get a chance to take a picture of the finished product. Next time I'm at her house I'll make her dig it out of the bottom of her drawer and take a picture of her wearing it. Old lady or not.

On the search for that perfect fall project, I listened to one of the Stash and Burn podcasts and re-discovered Ysolda Teague's Vine Yoke Cardigan. I originally saw it in Twist's (twist.com) fall pattern catalog but it didn't catch my eye until I went through a list of sweater suggestions in the Stash and Burn site. I totally fell for the pattern because the yoke is beautiful! I started to knit it up with a stash of Cascade 220 I received 2 Christmases ago...a deep burgandy shade. Then I screwed up by missing some row repeats in the right arm and side. It was just as well since the yarn was awful! It kept breaking. I could only spit splice yarn so many times!!! As soon as I decided to start over I immediately went to the yarn store and purchased Cascade's Eco+. It's a really good reasonably priced yarn. The gauge is much thicker, about aran weight.

I'm now 3/4 of the way done and have 1 skein (of 3) left to use.

I really hope I don't need more than 3 skeins. I'm cursing myself for running out of the 2nd skein of yarn at work without bringing the 3rd skien with me! It's been slow at work and the co-worker that I usually stare at all day isn't here today. I thought I'd be able to secretly knit in private. What a waste of prime knitting time! I'd like to finish this to wear for Thanksgiving. I think it's a decent goal. I've got just over a week. Wish me luck.

Pucker of Sunshine

2009-05-26T23:25:00.000-07:00

Ta daa! It's finally done!!!!!!!!!!
I may add a few more rows of reverse stockinette to the bottom to give it a little bit of length. I prefer tops to be a bit longer than hit right at my hip. I haven't had a chance to wear it and can't wait to!

Never say never

2009-05-01T14:34:00.000-07:00

I love the colors and textures of Noro yarn. When I first learned to knit the Silk Garden sucked me in and it resulted in knitting up a shawl sized clapotis. It was beautiful. However, I hated the way how itchy and rough it felt against my skin. I only worn it a couple times and it's been sitting in my closet. In yarn project purgatory. I vowed to never use Noro again. Then I came across the Wabi-sabi shawl made out of Noro Kochoran. =/

After working on 2 clothing projects I needed a simple project to work on and had the urge to make the Wabi-sabi pattern. I know it's practically summer but it's still chilly enough to need a shawl. I figure I could keep this at my desk so when the AC gets jacked up I'll have this to put around my shoulders. I'll look like a granny but who'll be laughing when the other employees are complaining they're freezing.

I tried to find a substitute non-Noro yarn that would give the same effect but I was unsuccessful. I gave in and headed to my LYS to find some Kochoran. There weren't too many color choices that they carried but I ended up with colorway #16. I decided to make the shawl size. After going through a few runs I kinda love it. I love how the angora has a halo effect. It's looks comforting.

When I'm done I'm going to use a tip about soaking it in water with some hair conditioner to help soften up the yarn. If that works I will love this shawl even more.

Pucker: Home Stretch? Think again.

2009-04-26T11:27:00.000-07:00

Yikes this photo hurts my eyes! I was experimenting with a new app on my iPhone that is supposed to fix low light photos I've taken with it. The yarn does have a lot of sheen but not that much.

I'm on my last skein of yarn and of course on the last bit of the instructions to finish off the neck and sleeve shaping I have to join in a new ball of yarn. I thought of just creating 2 balls out of the one last one I have but realized that I will need another new skein so I'll have enough for seaming the edges of the front and back together. Bah! Now I need to call up a few not so close LYS' to find one of the most unpopular colors of Berroco Seduce or suck it up and order it online. I would've had enough if I did as Andra from the WEBS booth at Stitches West instructed me to but I like my garments a little longer than she had imagined for me. She was also taking into account my vertically challenged body. This is why I went home with 2 less skeins of Seduce than I should have.

Oh well. I suppose I don't have any excuse now to not get off my ass and get some cleaning done. Although, I do have that vest I've been needing to get seamed up and finished. I can get that done and off my list of WIPs instead.

The other side of me is wondering why the hell I'm indoors when I should be outdoors enjoying the sunny weather. I could do the finishing outside in the backyard. That's a fantastic idea!

I heart this =)

2009-04-19T11:32:00.000-07:00

At the weaving pattern class I took at A Verb for Keeping Warm earlier this month, one of the students was Michael of Yknit podcasting fame in the knitting world (WonderMike in Ravelry). He took pics of everyone's progress and my little weaving sample made it into his blog. =)

I'm sad to hear (from the last Yknit podcast) that Michael is moving on from podcasting. He is teaching beginning drop spindling at Verb and Article Pract though. If he's still teaching it by the time I get bitten by the spinning bug, I'll sign up for his class. For now I've still got weaving in my system . I'm taking things one fiber addiction at a time.

Pucker Up!

2009-04-02T11:43:00.000-07:00

I'm 95% done with the Simply Squared vest. All that's left is joining the shoulder and adding the buttons. I wet blocked it last Thursday night and left for the weekend. By Sunday night it was still damp. I should have it completely done by this weekend. I'll get a chance to wear it before it warms up, granted it fits well. I have 2 concerns though. The first are the arm holes. They seem big. I even measured it up to a favorite vest I've been wearing all winter and the arms holes seem the right size but I won't know until I try it on completed. Second concern is that angora might make me look like a muppet. It's a brown vest so maybe Snuffalapagus from Sesame Street even. *sigh*

Vests aren't too taxing on me so I wasted no time getting Norah Gaughan's Pucker on the needles with Berocco's Seduce. I started it on the long ass drive to Tahoe last Friday. I've never knitted with a yarn like this before....it's slippery and linen-ish. It's a little like knitting with rope. Regardless, this is going to be a great warm weather top. It's very cool to the touch and the drape is very slinky. I'm still not sold on the color though. Maybe once I get a nice tan the yellow won't look too bad against my skin.

The Start of Simply Squared

2009-03-21T12:03:00.001-07:00

Simply Squared start, originally uploaded by Filipina Sakura.

Last year I found a pretty nice stash of discontinued Elsebeth Lavold Angora at my local Tuesday Morning. I could only find about 10 skeins of this brown color called "Earthy". For my body type, this is not a lot of yardage in each compared to a Cascade 220 or a Malabrigo Worsted to make a sweater. BUT it can make a vest! An issue or two ago of Interweave Knits came across an ad for a vest called Simply Squared and thought it was perfect for the yarn. It's more of a cardigan, but it is vest-ish since it's sleeveless and great for layering. I started it over a week ago hoping that I can get some use out of it before it gets warmer.

I'm close to halfway finished but worried that I won't have enough yarn. Like I mentioned, it is a discontinued yarn. If I run out then I will have to rip it out and jab the needles in my heart. I'll cross my fingers that it won't come to that.

Lookie! I'm weaving!

2009-03-16T20:27:00.000-07:00

I've been interested in weaving for the past year but didn't know how to go about getting my feet wet. There haven't been many weaving classes offered in these parts for a reasonable fee. I've seen beginning classes that were over $500. WTF? At Urban Fauna there was a weaving class offered BUT you have to purchase a beginners loom that's over $150 for the class. I didn't want to invest in a loom until I tried it.

A couple of weeks ago I was listening to the Y knit Podcast and the subject was about Berkeley's own A Verb for Keeping Warm. They're starting rigid heddle loom weaving classes for beginners! I signed up ASAP. The first 2 hour class was yesterday and it was great. It went by fast. The majority of the class was learning how to set up the loom. Man, it takes a long time! After that it goes fast and you can get a scarf done in a day. Plus use up a bunch of stash! We were sent home with the small cricket loom to finish our scarves. I'm so glad it's not a loom we had to purchase. Instead it's to re-use for future classes.

It looks like I'll be feeding another addiction. After I finish the current knitting projects and have a little more money saved up I'll definitely be looking for a rigid heddle loom of my own.

Stitches West '09

2009-03-07T15:04:00.000-08:00

I've been seriously lagging on my blogs lately but here it goes...

I attended Stitches West the weekend before. It was exhausting. On Friday I woke up butt crack early for my 6 hour class. It was my first time taking a class at Stitches. I was so excited! I signed up for the Understanding Japanese Knitting Patterns class. It's not something that the average local yarn store has available to the general knitting public. (Of course, just a week before listening to the Stash and Burn podcast Jenny and Nicole took the same type of class in their neighborhood yarn store in SF. I wish I knew about it beforehand!)

6 hours was not enough time to cram all the information you should know to feel comfortable on your own to understand japanese patterns. From what I concluded you just have to go with your gut and look for clues for what you need to know such as gauge. It was more of a lecture type of class than a hands-on knitting class. The last hour of class we were able to try a japanese chart on our own. I did ok. I think I may have to do more research. I think if I were given a simple scarf pattern I would be able to figure it out. Anything more difficult I'd probably have to pay someone to translate it for me.

I didn't splurge too much at the expo since I spent a good portion on the class. However, at the WEBS booth there was a cute top that caught my eye. The pattern is called Pucker by Norah Gaughan. It's the cutest warm weather top made out of Berroco's Seduce (as seen below). It has a beautiful sheen.

They were out of the green I wanted like they had used for the sample and you know how much I LOVE green. I was bummed. Andra (the wonderful WEBS saleslady) convinced me to get this golden yellow shade. It kind of reminds me of Goldilocks' hair. I wasn't completely sold until she asked a panel of ladies (all waiting for her help) vote between the yellow and a purple color that I liked. The yellow won hands down. I've already swatched it but have yet to cast on. It's very airy/lacy so I hope it doesn't take me too long to work on it.

And here's the annual Stitches postcard of me and Erin.

Till next year!

Olympic Rainforest sock

2009-02-13T13:59:00.001-08:00

Olympic Rainforest sock, originally uploaded by Filipina Sakura.

I'm taking forever finishing just one sock. My goal is to finish the pair before Stitches West (EEEEE can't wait!). Stockinette gets boring after awhile but the colors make up for it. Did I mention I LOVE this colorway?! This crap cell phone pic doesn't do the colors justice.

Got Sock Yarn?

2009-01-28T13:56:00.000-08:00

I'm sitting at work bored out of my mind and itching to break out my current sock project to secretly (shhh!) knit at my desk. It's just a generic toe-up pattern to learn a better way to knit socks toe up but the color of the yarn I'm using is beautiful.

It's Hazel Knits yarn in a colorway called Olympic Rainforest...as in Washington State's Olympic Rainforest. It reminds me of the description of the little town of Forks, WA that the Twilight book series is set in. I think Hazel Knits did an excellent job with the colors representing the name of the yarn. It makes me want to pack my bags and head to Seattle or Portland.

I have another skein of yarn that I bought from an indie sock dyer who made Twilight themed sock yarn called Forks, WA.

To me the colors don't really remind me of the the Pacific Northwest...too yellow-green for me I guess. The colors are very muted compared to the Hazel Knits yarn but I can't wait to knit this up. It's a silk merino blend and feels very cushy.

My final sock yarn purchase for awhile (at least until Stitches West) is this yarn from indie dyer, Fiberphiles who sells her yarns on etsy.com.

I got it in the mail last week and it the vibrant colors in this picture are just as gorgeous in person! The wonderful turquoise color is what caught my eye and made me have to have it.

With all this yarn buying I finished my Charade socks the other day. Yay!

It was simple and mindless with enough detail...a great pattern. Mana (kitty) wouldn't leave me alone and get out of the shot. (So glad the stubble on my legs didn't show up though!)

I was listening to the Stash and Burn podcast this morning and Nicole (or Jenny?) mentioned the Vestuary group in Ravelry. Vestuary? Well, it's a group for those who want to fight off the February blahs by knitting up a vest of your choosing. I have a vest cardi pattern that I purchased last month called Simply Squared. It's perfect for this group! I need the motivation to knit something bigger than socks or a cowl. After last year's Tilted Duster disaster I didn't want to go through the heart break of screwing up another sweater project. The pattern is a nice baby step back into the sweater knitting world.

Baby Dress: It's all about the buttons

2008-12-10T10:30:00.000-08:00

I made this cute baby dress for a fellow knitter's baby shower. It looked easy enough to whip up in less than a week (a week right before the shower!). Due to being unusually busy I didn't get it done in time.

I had a little problem with the pattern when I was finishing off the the neckline/sleeve but I figured out how to make it work.

I needed to use a yarn that is machine washable yet super soft for baby skin. I couldn't find any superwash wool that was soft enough so Caron's Spa bamboo acrylic blend seemed to fit the bill. For those of you who have not knit with bamboo yarn before...beware! It is extremely splitty. Overall, I was very happy how this yarn knit up. It came out extremely soft.

I had a difficult time deciding on just the right buttons to use to close up the neckline. After looking through all the buttons at 2 different Jo-Ann locations, I found these cutie patootie bunny buttons. Love love love the bunny buttons.

I mailed it off to the recipient today and I hope she likes it.

Tangy Socks

2008-12-08T21:51:00.000-08:00

I finally finished these obnoxiously bright beautiful orange socks right before Thanksgiving. The picture doesn't show the lace pattern that runs up the middle, but I swear it's purty.

Happy 3rd Birthday, Daps!

2008-11-30T13:24:00.000-08:00

I knitted up Stitch 'n Bitch's Kittyville Hat a few months ago for my niece Daphne and waited to give it on her birthday. I had hoped that I made it small enough for a 3 year old's head but as you can see it's made more for a 5+ year old. You can't even see the kitty ears on top because they've flopped to the back of her head. Oh well. Hopefully it will hold up for a long time and the hat will get a lot of wear in the years to come.

Toe up success!!!

2008-10-30T13:21:00.001-07:00

Toe up success!!!, originally uploaded by Filipina Sakura.

I got it. I got it!!!

With the explanation and suggestions made from a couple Ravelry ladies in the Magic Loop group, I finally have knit myself the toe section of the sock.

I'm a little nervous about the heel turn coming up.

Maybe I'm not meant to knit socks?

2008-10-29T12:52:00.000-07:00

It's the last week of Socktober and thought I'd churn out some socks this month. I even bought a couple new skeins of sock yarn to get myself motivated. I taught myself how to make 2 socks on 2 circular needles cuff down. I would have a finished pair now but I decided to get fancy. I got to the heel and decided to use Cat Bordhi's method. I failed so miserably I needed to frog the whole thing. Back to the sock drawing board. =(

I picked myself up and bought this lovely orange skein from Hazel Knits. This was meant to be made into a cushy pair of fall weather socks. It will go perfect with my black clog Danskos. I originally wanted to use the Firestarter pattern because I wanted to do a toe up sock this time and I just learned how to do Judy's Magic Cast-On. Then I read feedback from people who have worked on theirs and I wasn't enthusiastic anymore because of all the trouble some people were having. I'm a newbie sock knitter so any pattern that has a ton of errata or mistakes I wouldn't catch on my own won't work for me. I did attempt it but didn't get far so I frogged the little bit I knit.

So I found a pattern called Express Lane. It's a toe up pattern also. I used the magic cast-on
instead of the provisional cast-on it called for. I get to Row 1 and I'm stuck....I don't get the instructions. I'm pretty sure that the instructions the pattern gives and the magic cast-on don't mesh and I got lost. I tried to figure it out on my own for HOURS. It shouldn't be this difficult! It's just knitting!!! I gave up and turned to the people of Ravelry to help me out. I posted my dilemma last night and went to bed. By this morning I had 3 different responses! Hallelujah! Ravelry is awesome. Can't wait to get home and finally make myself some freakin' socks. I may not be able to finish a pair but I should at least get one sock started correctly.

boring. boring. boring.

2008-10-02T13:47:00.000-07:00

i'm working on a practice pair of socks with a new knitting method. 2 socks at the same time on 2 circular needles. woo. great. i get it. but all in stockinette?! but i'm already bored. it's great to work on while i visit my mom at the hospital but sheesh! i should rip it out and find a more challenging pattern. i feel like i'm wasting 2 lovely skeins of shibui yarn (in Wasabi) on a boring pair of socks. not the best project to get me excited by sock knitting.

Falling for this yarn

2008-09-28T10:22:00.000-07:00

I haven't been a big sock knitter, but after taking Cat Bordhi's workshop yesterday I've been inspired. I think the class was a bit over my head since I've made a whopping 2 pairs of socks over the past year - ever. There were some major brainiac sock knitters there so I was a bit intimidated. My head wasn't partly in it because my mom has been in the hospital for a couple days now but it was a nice distraction from worrying.

It was interesting to see how excited people were over knitting socks and Cat Bordhi. There were a lot of tips and advice to keep in mind. I have to say that Cat is awesome though. The way she thinks outside of the box about new ways to knit is amazing. At the end of class I was able to have her autograph my New Pathways for Sock Knitters book.

We practiced making our heel turns making a small bowl using Cat's methods and instructions. Here is my effort.

Then we got to dive into making toe up baby socks by the second half of the class. I kept forgetting how many rounds I was making so it's wonky. I only got to the heel turn of one sock by the end of class and finished the "wings" at home. Here's my half baby sock (can't figure out why blogger is uploading this picture vertical instead of horizontal).
With some help at Yarn Boutique, I found this gorgeous colorway for a sock pattern I admired from the Bobbin's Nest last weekend. There's no name for the colorway but it's Anne by Schaefer Yarns. I am absolutely in love with the autumn colors. And for once the yarn isn't green.
I hope I can get these on the needles soon so I can wear them for this fall instead of next fall.

Hello Fall!

2008-09-22T19:56:00.000-07:00

Fall? Autumn? Whatever you prefer to call this season, it's my FAVORITE time of the year. Why? It's the season that my birthday falls under (I get bday knitting gifts and $ to spend on yarn!). I don't have to use the a/c because of the cooler weather so PG&E isn't sucking my checking account dry (more $$ for yarn!). I love the colors of Autumn that Mother Nature has given (lots of yarn color ideas!!). Last but not least, IT'S GREAT KNITTING WEATHER!!

I thought the Backyard Leaves scarf from the book Scarf Style was a perfect way to start the season.
I haven't had much experience with chart knitting but quickly figured it out (after royally screwing up once). It looks intimidating, but once you figure out all the symbols it's a cinch. I'm using a merino/cashmere blend. Super soft.

This year's LYS Shop Hop snuck up on me. It was this past weekend. It's basically a yarn shop crawl...an excuse to check out different shops. 19 yarn shops participated between San Mateo and Carmel. We got a late start but Erin, her mom and me got to check out 6 of them on Saturday. I'm sure with more time we could've visited all of them. Next year...better planning. Each shop had a single skein project pattern free with the yarn you purchase for the project. My crocheting skills are rusty but I LOVED the crocheted fingerless glove pattern from Creative Hands in Belmont. What was even better is that the sock yarn for the pattern was only a whopping $7!! It was the only yarn purchase I made. Can you believe it? Most of my spending budget was spent on accessories and patterns. I was so happy to finally find inexpensive sock blockers at Bobbin's Nest in San Jose. It was a great end to an exhausting birthday week. Lots of gifts, family, friends, and everything knitting.

A friend reminded me that Stitches West registration is now open. I bit the bullet and signed up for a class on Understanding Japanese Knitting patterns. Of course I realized after I paid that it's an Advanced knitting class! I'm scared!!! But how bad can it be? It's just deciphering symbols and figuring out how to read the charts, right? But...it's a 6 hour class. I'm guessing it's more involved than that. I'll find out next year in February.

I also happened to be lucky enough to find out that my favorite LYS has a guest instructor coming this weekend. The one and only knitting celebrity, Cat Bordhi!!! I'm taking her sock workshop. Well, I'm one of the first on the waiting list but there is a great chance that the shop owner will rent out a small conference room to accommodate a bigger class. Again, I hope I'm not in over my head. I've only made 2 pairs of socks ever. It's also a 6 hour class. I'm looking forward to it.

Overwhelmed

2008-09-13T10:30:00.000-07:00

Stressed, overwhelmed, frantic, worried...ugh. That was my week in a nutshell. I treated myself with some retail yarn therapy. I needed it badly. Needless to say, I went overboard. I should know not to shop when I'm in need of comfort. I had heard that a store had a bunch of premium yarn on sale for 50% off retail. As soon as I was able to break away from work one day I went on a yarn hunt. I hit a goldmine full of good stuff...angora, cashmere/silk blends, and merino wool/cashmere blends. I wanted to buy EVERYTHING. I think I almost did.

I got home and looked at my bags of purchases, I thought..."What have I done?!" I got over it because I love all of what I bought. I normally dump my bags with the rest of the other stash I have stored in a giant basket. This time I set out everything in front of me to see the stash I have. I felt a sudden need to organize and focus on something else besides work and get my mind off things that happened the past few days. I took photos of all my yarn stash and uploaded it on Ravelry. I have way too much yarn. Talk about overhwelming. Yikes. I also need to find a better way to store the yarn...must keep yarn away from cat that likes to sleep in the yarn basket.

I have to start knitting my ass off and get my yarn under control. So glad the weather has been cooling down and it makes me want to knit lots of sweaters and cool weather accessories.

New Fiber Arts Shop in SF

2008-08-31T22:32:00.000-07:00

I was able to check out Urban Fauna Studio's grand opening in San Francisco. I didn't think I'd get a chance to but since Bubba and I couldn't get hold of his family to figure out where to meet them at a street fair, I decided to take a detour to the new shop while we waited for them to get hold of us.

We finally got there right before 3pm after fighting holiday traffic, Cal Bears football game attendees, and 19th Ave. traffic and looking for parking near the shop. We were greeted by the owner's husband, Blas, and told us that an hour before there was a line out the door to get into their tiny but really cute shop. I was glad we got there when we did because I was in no mood to stand in a line after going through what I did to get there.

The front part of the store has a bunch of different artsy and crafty stuff and the very back has most of their yarn. They sell yarn dye and jewelry too. I snapped some pics of the back area:

I knew they were at the Renegade Craft Fair and even grabbed one of their business cards then but could not remember which vendor they were...UNTIL I saw their handmade dyed yarns. I remember wanting to buy some of their yarn at the fair but I had already spent too much. I had to put down the yarn and made myself walk away. This time I was able to purchase a couple skeins in 2 different colors. I also scored a free goodie bag with my purchase.
No more yarn buying until I use up most of what I have already. Maybe.

Kitty Stuffie

2008-08-26T13:19:00.000-07:00

One more stash busting project down. Using chunky yarn resulted in a huge stuffed toy for my nephew.

Using Up Stash

2008-08-19T14:22:00.000-07:00

Bubba keeps asking me why I keep unraveling stuff I've knit in the past because he's been helping me through hours of untangling the mess. My answer is why not? If a finished project is sitting there unused for years because I hated the results then the yarn is going to be re-purposed. I bought the stuff so I'm going to use it for something good.

Which leads me to my stash. I have a giant basket full which includes 2 sweater's worth of yarn and approximately 20 skeins of other miscellaneous yarns for future knits and amigurumi projects that I plan to do someday. Then there's the yarn I shouldn't have purchased. Like the 5 balls of Classic Elite Bazic Wool...3 different pastel-ish colors to make a vertical knit scarf for myself. Eh. Pastel. What was I thinking?

I'm seeing a bunch of my family this weekend in Tahoe and decided that I wanted to make something for my little niece and nephew (my God son). Two balls of the pink bazic wool is the perfect amount to use for the Kittyville hat from Stitch n' Bitch. I had to modify it a bit to fit a 2.5 yr old girl.

Here it is in progress:

Here it is finished (sans ear flaps and i-cord ties):

I'll come up with completed hat pics later. I stole an idea from a fellow Raveler and attached little crocheted flowers at the end of the i-cord instead pom poms.

For my 1.5 yr old nephew I'll be making a Bunny/Cat Stuffie (pattern by Ysolda Teague) out of some Lion Brand Thick N' Quick, an early knitting purchase. It's quite a thicker gauge yarn than called for. Stuffie might end up being as big as my nephew. I have yet to start it and don't even know if I'll have time to work on it before the weekend. I have so many other things I need to do before the trip. Ugh.

Ready for Cooler Weather

2008-08-09T15:20:00.000-07:00

Yarn: Artfibers Ming
Pattern: Stacked Eyelet Cowl

This was a simple knit. Maybe not the best yarn suited for this pattern but it came out alright. I know it'll keep me warm in a pinch when I don't want dangly scarf ends in my way. I don't have a clue what to do with half a skein I have still left over. It goes back AGAIN to the stash for now.

Bye-Bye Slouchy Hat

2008-08-04T12:03:00.000-07:00

Hello cowl.

Unraveling the slouchy hat was a pain in the ass, as you can see from my frustration. It took FOREVER to ball that dang tangly yarn up. I threw it across the room once, but it's done. I'm determined to get that ArtFibers Ming goodness around my neck before Autumn comes knocking on Summer's door.

Unravel and Re-use

2008-07-24T11:42:00.000-07:00

So I'm unraveling my slouchy hat that I made out of Artfibers Ming. Love how drapey the yarn is. Didn't like how the hat turned out. I don't have a whole lot of luck knitting hats. I'm not a big hat wearing person anyway BUT I love scarves and cowls. Below is my attempt at making the Ilean cowl. Love the pattern, but by my 8th row I didn't think Ming suited it. So I took it off the needles. Unraveled again.

I'm going to try a different pattern. I want to reeeeeaaallllly love this cowl because this yarn is wonderful and soooo soft around my neck. I want it to be my Linus blanket of cowls.

Knitting and Cupcakes

2008-07-18T12:20:00.000-07:00

Two of my favorite things! I was scoping out recipes for vegan cupcakes and came across this site. I think my eyes bugged out when I saw those pictures. OMG. The detail blew me away. Pretty cool.

I'm a little stuck on my sweater project right now. I realize I made a mistake somewhere and I'm trying to figure out a way out of not frogging what I have done already. I really don't like frogging.

Sweaters and Sushi

2008-07-05T11:42:00.000-07:00

I sucked it up and started a sweater in the middle of summer. I'm being a good little knitter and using stash instead of buying more yarn. I'd like to be done by fall but who knows what other projects may catch my eye. Until then...Flair sweater it is.

The real reason I started a sweater is so I could use my sushi stitch markers.

I *heart* my sushi stitch markers. =)

Stuck in a Rut or Indecision?

2008-06-26T22:46:00.000-07:00

My creative juices have dried up. I have a good sized stash of yarn and many patterns to try in my Ravelry queue yet I can't figure out what my next project will be. I've been so indecisive that I ended up braiding the fringe of my Montego Bay scarf to buy more time. Nothing has been inspiring nor exciting. I take that back, I really love the new Leisl and February Lady Sweater patterns that were recently released. It's just been too warm to want to work on a sweater. My problem is I'm putting too much pressure on myself to make the perfect knit. After finishing Montego Bay I thought I'd continue with the swirl shawl. After knitting 4 pieces of the shawl that seemed to take me forever to knit I have no interest in making 80+ more swirly pieces. It's insane! I don't want to waste the beautiful green lace yarn for something I'll hate. Back to the drawing board for that yarn.

Send me to Jamaica

2008-06-23T15:10:00.001-07:00

montego bay scarf
Originally uploaded by Filipina Sakura.

I kept this Montego Bay scarf in my purse and knit it up whenever I had some down time at work or when I had time to kill waiting...for whatever. I brought it to my nephew's graduation party last Saturday and finished it off while chit chatting with the fam.

I still have to add fringe. There will be no braiding of fringe. I've been working on it for so long. I'm ready to move on to the next project. Whatever that will be.

*yes, it is a dark sucky pic but i'm so done and there's no need to show it off. see the hundreds of other montego bays on ravelry.*

Alpaca & Silk Neckwarmer

2008-06-09T21:32:00.001-07:00

OHHH! Just what I need in 98 degree weather!
Whatever.

I'm ecstatic that I finally used this ball of Debbie Bliss Alpaca Silk DK that's been sitting in my stash forever. It's snug, but it'll be useful when it gets chilly outside again.

I will never get used to this early summer heat. September isn't coming fast enough.

Compulsive Yarn Shopping

2008-05-28T18:41:00.001-07:00

Dream in Color Baby Lace Weight (wound)
Originally uploaded by Filipina Sakura.

I had no intention of buying yarn when I walked into my LYS today. I ONLY wanted a couple of size 1 needles. I want to teach myself to knit a pair of socks at the same time on 2 needles and I needed this size to get gauge for my Shibui sock yarn. I did get the needles, then I got sucked in. All the pretty skeins were calling for me.

If you wandered into a yarn shop and saw this yarn, you'd buy it too. It's Dream in Color Baby lace weight yarn. Happy Forest is the colorway and happy it is. It's so bright and cheery I couldn't help not putting it back on the shelf. I thought, "I'll just buy one skein."

I headed to the register to pay and then the swirl shawl I had a pattern of at home caught my eye. This lace yarn would be soooo pretty in this pattern. I asked the shop employee if the yarn I'm purchasing would work for this pattern. YES. How much yardage do I need? You'll need 2 skeins. Oh crap. Back to the shelf I went. I bought 2 skeins. There's another color called "Blue Lagoon" that is gorgeous. I had to hold back from buying it until I can come up with a project I'll use it for.

I need a little happy today. All this yardage is worth every penny.

Sweet Bunny

2008-05-19T23:34:00.000-07:00

This is by far my most favorite amigurumi I've crocheted to date. Crocheting it was easy. Sewing the appendages was not. I moved and re-sewed his legs 3 times before I was satisfied with the way he looked!

He's made out of cotton/acrylic yarn. Cotton isn't my favorite to work with. It looks great but so rough on my hands. He has a cushy scarf made out of extra merino wool I had from my left over stash. I would've finished yesterday had it not been for the crappy neighborhood Michael's. They had a million googly eyes with adhesive backing. Not one pair of safety eyes was found. I went to Jo-ann's at lunch today and found safety eyes in many different sizes.

I need to take a break from amigurumi before my house is covered in them.

Bubba loved his Invincibility Star that I made for him. I'm renaming the little guy "Biscuit" though. The dog thought it was a Scooby snack. Biscuit is OK. Just a little drooled on.

Because Everyone Needs Invincibility

2008-05-16T10:36:00.000-07:00

I was browsing through one of flickr's amigurumi photo pools and came across this Super Mario Invincibility Star. I thought "this is perfect for Bubba!". He's very much a gamer and even dressed as Mario of Super Mario Bros. for Halloween a couple years go. I also had yellow yarn I've had in stash forever that I didn't know what to do with. I had a lot of down time at work and whipped this little guy up in a day. Easy peasy.

Amigurumi Mushroom

2008-05-12T20:32:00.001-07:00

Amigurumi Mushroom
Originally uploaded by Filipina Sakura.

I'm churning out these toys like a factory! Well, not really but they're really quick to make in a few hours. It's the best kind of instant gratification.

Mannn it's really hard photographing red and white together. I tried my best to soften up the colors.

*edit*

I finished the baby snail from the kit. Here's the whole family!

Cutie Hootie

2008-05-10T12:51:00.000-07:00

I finished up my second Amigurumi project...Hoot Hoot. What should've taken me less than 2 days took almost a week to finish. Sheesh. I thought I got my stitch count all wrong by the time I was almost done with the body. I had to put Hootie down for a couple days and breathe before I sent him flying across the room. I ripped it all out and started over.

I didn't have brown embroidery floss so I just took what brown yarn I had left from the kit and stripped it down to 2 strands. Stitching in the ears and wings in the correct place was a challenge but it turned out ok. I was trying my best to not make it look like a blue bald headed alien and more like an adorable owl.

Happy Snails?

2008-04-29T20:56:00.000-07:00

At least mine is. Ain't he cute? I still have to make the baby snail and the mushroom that comes with the kit. I'm sure it would take another night or two to make both but I'm ready to go back to a knitting project. Yippee...I can crochet!

Hooking Can Be Fun

2008-04-24T19:20:00.000-07:00

I bought Stitch 'n Bitch's Happy Hooker last year and I've been dragging my feet cracking it open to teach myself. I've been wanting to learn so I can make some cutie cute cute cute amigurumi and Interweave Crochet's Babette Blanket. I finally put down the needles, pried myself away from the next knitting project and picked up a crochet hook. I'm still learning the basics (yuck...learning new terminology) and this is my beginner swatch. I keep losing stitches. I think I figured out what I'm doing wrong. It's frustrating when I keep thinking that it shouldn't be this hard! This is supposed to be easy, right?

Dexter "Ice Truck Killer" Socks

2008-04-21T23:00:00.000-07:00

Yay! Socks for me. It only took a month, but I'm finally done.

Zigzaggy Goodness

2008-03-30T13:53:00.000-07:00

It fits really well. It's a shame I couldn't figure out how to knit two socks on one circular needle. I didn't have 40" length needle anyway. Just working on one sock on a 32" kinda screwed up the cable of my Addis.

One more sock to knit and I'll be done with the pair. I need a break from this project so I'm thinking about breaking open my Happy Hooker book to figure out crocheting. I'd really like to finally make the amigurumi kit I ordered through etsy.com last year.

I'm a knitting fiend!

2008-03-19T21:46:00.000-07:00

The mojo is back baby! I've been knitting up a storm.

I'm working on Dahlia from the Knitty Winter 07 collection. It's a knitted top down raglan but the first part is not knitted in the round. I'm still trying to figure out how this will eventually be done in the round. I don't get it yet. I'm using Cascade 200 wool in a cranberry color.
I got bored by all the stockinette in Dahlia and decided that I needed a side project. I knew I wanted to use my ITK sock yarn and teach myself how to knit 2 socks at the same time with two circular needles. One problem. I couldn't find the book I bought to teach myself. I realized I left it at my brother's place when I dog sat for him a few weeks ago. CRAP!

I was eager to start the Jaywalker socks so I settled on figuring out magic loop. I looked up the video on knittinghelp.com and casted on. The zigzag pattern is easy to memorize. Magic loop goes so much faster than knitting on dpns. It's fairly easy so far until I turn the heel...that will probably be a challenge. It's a shame I can't seem to figure out how to do 2 socks at once. I'm already feeling second sock syndrome.
I'm using a basic superwash sock yarn that's been hand dyed from Cosmic Fibers. It's zig zagging along quite nicely but it's like knitting up dental floss. This is the finest gauge yarn I've ever used.

I've lost my knitting mojo

2008-03-11T13:55:00.001-07:00

Picture 035clap
Originally uploaded by Filipina Sakura.

I should be done with clapotis by now but since catching this ass-kicking cold over a week ago, I haven't been able to finish. Believe me, I've tried. I'd get as far as getting it in my lap and holding the needles getting ready to knit...then I get sidetracked. Most of the time I'd have it in my hands, knit a couple of stitches and then...zzzzz. I pass out on the couch. Argh. On the brightside, I am finally satisfied with the length of the straight rows and now I'm in the decrease section. Yippee! I'm in the home stretch then I can finally move on to making some socks.

STITCHES West 2008!!

2008-02-25T13:22:00.000-08:00

I joined Erin and her mom at the knitting/yarn vendor show over the weekend. Was it just me or did it seem more overwhelming than it did last year? I'm sure it's because we went on a Saturday this year when the majority of attendees go. We did go late Sunday and it was pretty mellow, although I felt ill and was in no mood to shop.

I made a list of what I wanted and stuck to it. This is what I found:

2 more skeins of the Malabrigo Silky Merino I need to finish up my Clapotis.
I bought enough Malabrigo Merino Worsted in Burgandy to make a jacket.
Addi circular needles (Sizes 1 to 3, two diferent lengths each) to make socks.

I couldn't find yarn for 2 other projects I want to do and didn't feel like finding substitutes. When I get to them I'll know where to find it at the LYS or online. I talked myself out of buying a different color of silky merino since I didn't have a project in mind. I always know where to find it at LYS's that don't mark it up higher. Most of my budget went towards the Addis. *pout* I needed them so I can make more socks without dpns and other lace items on my To Do list.

Oh wait, let me geek out for a sec. I have to share my knitting celebrity sightings! Yes, I'm a dork. First stop at Stitches was the Ravelry booth and saw Jess and Casey! They were crazy busy of course with all the Ravelers swarming about them. We picked up a Ravelry Passport and played the stamp scavenger hunt. For those of you who are familiar with Knitty Gritty on the DIY network, I saw Vickie Howell!!! We were waiting to get a stamp on our passport at a vendor. I hear a familiar voice...I turned around and there she was standing next to me talking to the vendor. She's petite up close as I imagined. There were other Ravelry regulars I recognized on boards I frequent. It was kinda cool actually seeing them in person. Anyway...

It was pretty fun looking and shopping but soooo exhausting. Can't wait till it's in town again next year!

Do you like it raw? Silk...that is.

2008-02-19T21:51:00.000-08:00

I forgot to mention that I'm done with the Filigree Scarf. It's gorgeous!

It's made with Artfibers Golden Chai. It's a very nice light scarf. I like the idea of wearing raw silk but it's very "sticky". I probably won't seek out any 100% silk yarn any time soon but I'm finally happy with this finished knit. =)

I attended the local knit group down the street from my house for the first time tonight. Why the hell did I wait so long?! I truly enjoyed meeting the people I met...everyone is so friendly. Knitters generally are really nice people. =) I hope to attend regularly from now on.

Silk + Merino = Luscious

2008-02-15T12:49:00.000-08:00

I finally found Malabrigo Silky Merino at Imagiknit earlier this week. YAY! This stuff is dreamy soft. They had just got in 3 colors, 4 skeins each. I took all the Nocturnal. I just LOVE purple. I had decided that if I ever found a good deal on Lorna's Laces Lion and Lamb or found something similar to it I would make another Clapotis. I hate the first one I made using Noro Silk Garden. It's pretty but so scratchy on my skin. I've barely used it. Silky merino is very similar to Lion and Lamb but a smidge lighter in weight.

I couldn't wait so I casted on Clapotis. It's beautiful :) I'm probably going to buy every color of Silky Merino I can find at Stitches West!

I should be fixing (or frogging) TD but I don't wanna. Not ready yet.

Last week I went to Daiso (Japanese dollar store) in Union City. Lookie what I got:

- stitch holders

- bamboo crochet needles

- buttons

- foamy mats to use for blocking

All $1.50 for each item. Daiso is awesome.

I love it. I can't have it.

2008-02-06T21:54:00.000-08:00

*sigh*

This lovely pea coat pattern that calls for a bulky wool is so cute. Problem is bulky wool and my bulky Jean-sized body don't mix. As much as I want to make this I can't. I'll end up with a sweater that will make me look like a linebacker. Not the look I'm aiming for.

I'd knit it up if I could figure out the math/stitch count using a different weight yarn for this pattern. I'd rather not think that hard. On with my quest for another pea coat.

Another lesson learned after knitting a sweater

2008-02-04T22:39:00.000-08:00

I'm done with the Tilted Duster with the exception of button placement. It's blocked and the sleeves were a bit damp but I tried it on anyway with the anticipation of loving everything about it.

Before blocking, the ribbing was ridiculously tight and I was concerned. There was a lot of "butt hugging" going on. Last thing I need is attention in that area of my body. Fortunately I found other Ravelry TD knitters who gave tips to assure others that the hugging will become drapey after blocking and they were right. The back turned out great. It's the front and sides of the skirt that came out too big. *pout*

The sides of the skirt. Oh man. Where do I begin? They look like wings. OK, I'm being way to critical but it's just not how I expected this sweater to turn out. I wasn't expecting so much positive ease when I thought I was going to have too much negative ease. There must be a way to re-plump the wool without fucking it up. I swear there's an article somewhere...

So my hard lesson learned this time? Wet block swatches before casting on and be patient. No matter what. I read this tip all the time regarding swatching but I never do. Now I know why. I could've gone down a needle size or gone down one sweater size.

Once I move my buttons to a better spot on the collar I'll take some pics. For now, I need some time to grow to like my TD because I'm not sure if I want to take her out in public.

One more TD sleeve to go and an addition to my stash

2008-01-31T16:14:00.000-08:00

Seaming sleeves = NO fun

It's not difficult but it took me HOURS to figure it out on my own. I researched online, asked around in Ravelry, and looked for tutorials in my knitting books. Jeezus! If I drove over to my favorite yarn store and asked for help I would've had it down in minutes. Unfortunately any yarn store is out of the way for me around here. It sucks. The Antioch/Brentwood area needs a yarn store BAD. It would do very well out here considering this area has grown quite rapidly and there are crafty people out here. There's no competition except Michael's and Walmart but us snobby yarn enthusiasts prefer premium yarn stores with great customer service. Know what I mean?

What was I was talking about before my rant? Oh yes, my finishing. So yeah, I need to sign up for a finishing class (too late now to sign up for anything at Stitches West). My shotty job is ok for now but with future projects I would like to make my finishing much nicer. I still need to block and re-do the placement of the buttons. This isn't a great pic, but here it is:

On Ravelry I'm part of a fan group for Showtime's series, Dexter. I LOVE that show and have seen every episode. Carrie, of Socks in the City created Dexter themed colorways available for purchase that are sooo cool. Some of the colorway names are Dexter, Dexter's Canvas, "103", Lila, Hawaiian Shirts, Ice Truck Killer, Dark Defender, Bay Harbor Butcher, Beneath the Bay, and Hooker's Fingernails. If you watch the show then you can only the imagine the colorways. Carrie is so right on with the dyes. The one I had to have is Ice Truck Killer, pictured below. It's a basic superwash sock yarn. I can't wait to knit myself up a pair of socks! I found a little red splatter on the skein. I find it kinda funny, like a little blood splatter that the ITK missed. Not that blood splatter is funny, but if you watch the show...OH nevermind.

I gotta get back to seaming now.

The knitting plan in 2008

2008-01-17T17:23:00.000-08:00

This is the beginning of my third year of knitting. I'm pretty proud of what I've accomplished so far (such as learning how to knit continental and knitting socks) but I have so much more to learn and many more things to knit. I decided to make a very short underwhelming list of what I'd like to do this year:

Knit a Fair Isle pattern...something small, like mittens.
Learn how to knit a pair of socks on a circular needle. I have no problem with dpns but the less needles to use the better.
Learn how to knit using magic loop methods...which is probably similar to #2.
Learn better finishing methods for knitted garments.
Figure out how to read Japanese knitting patterns.

Told ya it was short. I'd like to avoid disappointing myself whenever possible. =) I'm sure I'll get sidetracked somehow but we'll see how it goes.

**edit** I need to add one more thing to my list: LEARN TO CROCHET!

Swiftless no more

2008-01-11T16:37:00.000-08:00

Bubba will be very happy when I tell him that I don't need him to help me wind up my yarn anymore. My most anticipated knitting toy arrived today. My swift!!! I can now wind skeins independently! I found it on etsy.com (my other addiction) by theknitstore.

It's so inexpensive compared to other swifts I've found online and at yarnstores. I love a good bargain. Plus it's handmade. It's a simple wood swift and you don't have to clamp it on to anything like most swifts. You don't need a winder but it helps to cut down on tons of winding time. TONS.

Here's my set up on the coffee table:

And here's the resulting pretty ball of yarn:

Yippee!

TD update and the "happy" gift recipients

2008-01-06T16:05:00.000-08:00

I haven't worked on the tilted duster as much as I wanted to this past week. I thought I was going to knit the entire time I was dog sitting for my brother because I'd be bored out of my mind but that didn't happen. When I finally got a chance to take a breather I figured out how to seam the shoulders of the TD (as seen here)
and seam the sides of of the front and back portions using the mattress stitch seen here:
I love learning new stuff about knitting! I still have so much to learn. Here is the upper body finished:
I'm a bit further along since I took this photo. I knitted one sleeve, skipped the other and went for the skirt next. I'm about 5 inches into the skirt. Picking up stitches for the skirt was a complete bitch. I kept losing count of how many I needed to pick up and for some reason I was having a really difficult time picking up and knitting the stitches because they were really tight. Was anyone else out there having this problem? But anyway, I'm in skirt rib hell right now. It's taking forever. Peruvia is extremely rough on my hands while knitting but after blocking the front and back pieces they were surprisingly soft. I have about 5 more skirt repeats to go, still need to knit up the other sleeve, and then do the ribbed collar. Yup. That's all.

Here's my niece and cousin with their knitted gifts I made them:Marhiel has a purl scarf with some floofy yarn I found at Jo-ann's. Yes, it's acrylic but whatever...it can be thrown in the washing machine. There's no way in hell her busy mom would remember to handwash it. If I used wool it would be a felted mess by now and my efforts would've been wasted and I'd be upset.

Leila got the fingerless gloves and foliage hat made out of Malabrigo worsted. (She wouldn't put the hat on because she didn't want to mess up her hair. Whatever. *rolling eyes*)

If they didn't like them they definitely humored me and flashed a big smile for these photos.

Happy New Year to everyone and more fearless knitting in 2008!

No more gift knitting till next year

2007-12-20T17:00:00.000-08:00

The Red Sox Socks I'm giving to my friend are finito.I'm over my sock anxiety. This is a good thing since I have some sock stash yarn waiting for me. But that will have to wait. I'm off and running on the Tilted Duster from IK's Fall 07 issue. I'm using Berroco Peruvia in Sea Turtle. I swatched it up last night and got the correct gauge on the first try on Size 10 needles.
I casted on this morning and mid-way through finishing the upper back. A pretty quick knit so far and it's looking good.
If I didn't knit up my last cardigan in gray I probably would've chosen a gray shade for this one. I love green, but not sure about this green. There's a bit of gold in it that I didn't catch before and not sure if this will suit me. On the other hand, how can I go wrong with Oakland Athletics colors?

Second time around

2007-12-14T17:50:00.000-08:00

Back in August or September I started one sock. It's twin never saw the light of day. It came out wonky and huge. I felt defeated, gave up, and moved on to other projects. Since this is a Christmas gift I'm on a knitting deadline now. I frogged the unfortunate sock last weekend and made myself knit it over. I am halfway done with the second sock. I notice myself slowing down with the 2nd sock and dragging it out. I would love to learn how to knit 2 socks on circular needles at the same time. It wouldn't take me 5 months to finish a pair of socks.

I HAVE to stay away from yarn shops

2007-12-04T23:38:00.000-08:00

Purchase overload!!!I walked into the Yarn Boutique in Lafayette intending to only buy 2 skeins of Shibui sock yarn and check out the Berocco Peruvia colors for Interweave Knits' Tilted Duster. That's all. I couldn't help myself. They had just got in a huge stock of Peruvia in every color. I fell for the Sea Turtle colorway and purchased it...and the sock yarn...and more sock yarn. Wow. I guess I'm making socks.

The blue Handmaiden Sea Silk yarn on the bottom I received via UPS today also. It's for the Montego Bay scarf from the IK Summer 2007 issue.

Gosh I love green. I can't seem to steer myself away from it.

Anyone have a clue on how I can sprout 2 more sets of arms and hands so I can start all these projects at the same time?! I can't decide on what to start next! These are all selfish purchases BTW. It's all for me me me! Well, except one pair of socks if all goes well.

I thought it was done

2007-11-30T23:07:00.000-08:00

Juliet has become a work in progress again.

It's been sitting in my closet for over a month, unworn because I wasn't happy with the results. The armholes were ginormous. I seamed them up and it looks much better now. It finally has the cap sleeve effect that I've seen in other Juliets.

I'm not loving the buttons either. When I find buttons I like better I'll change them out.

Foliage Version 2.0

2007-11-11T12:38:00.000-08:00

I made a few modifications inspired by a cute slouchy hat I found at Old Navy the other day. It was chunky with a soft brim. I think it was crocheted, but I had to figure out how to make a knit version.

Modifications:

Knitted double stranded for chunky Foliage version.
Added brim. After looking at knitted hat patterns with a brim I settled on using knitty.com's Topi brim.
Repeated leaf pattern 2.5 times (instead of 2 for chunky version) to make a bit slouchy.

I'd like it to be a bit slouchier and maybe blocking it will do the trick. The brim is a bit thick and should have knit it single stranded. It's not exactly how I wanted it to turn out but close enough. As much as I love Malabrigo, this colorway isn't the best for the lace pattern.

I suppose I have no excuse now to not work on gift knitting. Back to working the socks. Maybe after I make more fingerless mitts with the extra Malabrigo left over.

Selfish Knitteritis

2007-11-08T13:45:00.000-08:00

I couldn't resist. I have to make one for my own noggin before I start Christmas gift knitting. I've been thinking about not knitting as many gifts this year because I had a flash back of this time last year. I was literally knitting during every free minute I had and my head was spinning. To my knowledge I know that everyone I made gifts for loved what I made them but mannnn...it became too much. I know it's poor planning on my part knitting last minute but that's just how I work, dammit. I don't think about knitting for other people until the end of the year because I'm too busy making stuff for myself. =)

Alrighty...gonna get a move on and work on my Foliage. I'd like to make one modification to it. I don't want to mention what it is to avoiding jinxing and botching my idea.

Quick Mitts

2007-10-28T22:03:00.000-07:00

I can't believe I got a pair of fingerless mittens out of 92 yards of Malabrigo left over from Foliage and there's still a yard or two left. It fits snug on my hands because I should've used size 7 needles instead of size 6, but I think for the recipient it should fit perfectly.

One Christmas gift done...more to go.

Like a Plum Tree

2007-10-25T12:25:00.000-07:00

Except on my head!I can't say enough good things about Knitty's Foliage hat pattern and mmmmMalabrigo yarn. The combination makes me happy.=) It reminds me of my big plum tree in my backyard. Unfortunately I have to part with this. I decided I'd get some Xmas knitting out of the way early. The lucky recipient better love Foliage as much as I do.

Loops and Buttons

2007-10-21T13:59:00.000-07:00

Woo. Finished.

Love love love Artfibers

2007-10-19T12:50:00.000-07:00

Last weekend I took a continental style knitting class at Artfibers in San Francisco. Their 3-hr workshops are very reasonably priced. Amy was the instructor for the 4 person class and she was super patient and very helpful with any questions we could come up with. She kept encouraging us to ask more. The 3 hours went by so fast! I got the hang of continental knitting but still a bit slow at it. Getting the right tension will take some practice. I'll eventually get my rhythm.

Of course I bought some yarn to practice what I learned. No way I was leaving Artfibers empty handed. I purchased a cone of Ming (half silk/half merino wool) in a bright teal color and a ball of Bambusa (97% bamboo/3% silk) in a mossy green. Bambusa is soooooo soft that I'm considering making another Juliet Cardigan out of it. They were out of the color I wanted so I'm waiting for them to notify me when their next shipment comes in.

I'm do plan on taking some more classes at Artfibers again and learning more techniques.

Juliet is almost finished

2007-10-12T14:47:00.000-07:00

Sorry for the crap photo...gray on gray blue doesn't work well.

All it needs are buttons. I'm headed to SF this weekend for a knitting class at Artfibers and afterwards I want to go to Imagiknit to find buttons. Last I saw they had a cute collection of them. Can't wait to start wearing this by next week. I'll have better photos to post by then.

In the meantime, I'm going to get going on the next project.

Juliet: 2nd time around

2007-10-08T19:11:00.000-07:00

Sheesh. I don't have very much luck with picking out the correct size. Not sure if it's the patterns, the raglan style, or me. Probably all three...the latter more than anything.

I didn't think starting the lace pattern right after binding off the sleeves would've looked flattering for my chest size. Instead, I started the lace pattern right under my chest. I'm hoping I made the correct choice.

I'm 3 lace repeats in. I'll decide what to do after 3 more repeats...stop or move on. We'll see how it goes. I'm so anxioius to get done. I'm taking longer than I wanted to work on this. I have some other little projects I want to get my hands on. I'm really tired of the feel of cotton fleece.

Sizing raglans are a bitch!

2007-10-01T22:33:00.000-07:00

Juliet was coming along nicely until I tried it on 10 minutes ago. Hmmm....I'm seriously thinking about ripping it back. The sleeves are gigantic and I feel that it's knitting up too big for me. You think after knitting 2 raglan patterns from the same designer that I'd know this already. So frustrating. I'm scared that it may come out smaller than I want if I do go one size down and I'll have a fit (knitting and PMS...not a good combo). I'll sleep on this. I'll decide tomorrow.

I Couldn't Wait

2007-09-23T11:32:00.000-07:00

This is the first few rows of my Juliet cardigan. I had to start it last night. I now have 3 WIPs on the needles. I'm usually not this bad. I like to finish a project before I start another. I'm still working on the Filigree scarf and I need to partially rip out the Red Sox Sock and figure out what went wrong at the heel. I got bored with the scarf. I haven't made a scarf since the beginning of the year. I did get the hang of the lace pattern after repeating it tons of times. It's very pretty but it was killing me. It's one of those projects I can keep in my purse and pull it out to work on every once in awhile when I have nothing else to do.

I waited a week before I casted on Juliet. That's as long as I could handle. I received the pattern for my birthday from Bubba's aunt last weekend. I squealed inside so as not to let his other family members feel bad since I didn't want to be overly excited about showing how much I LOOOOVED the knitting stuff she gave me (not that I didn't like what others gave me because I did and I'm very appreciative...but ya know..it's knitting stuff!!). =)

I REALLY want to love this cardigan when I'm done. I'm way too excited about making it and I don't want to be disappointed. The only thing that concerns me is the size I chose. I've done 2 other Zephyr Style top patterns and I've always had to go down a size or two. I did the same with Juliet and *crossing my fingers* I hope it comes out fine. Fortunately I'll be able to try this on as I knit it. This will be an incredibly fast knit since it's a chunky yarn pattern. If I like it I may have time to make a second in a different yarn and color.

How Dashing!

2007-09-17T22:17:00.000-07:00

I forgot to mention I finished Bubba's Dashing fingerless gloves last week.

They are much longer and snug than the Fetching gloves I made for myself. I don't know if the snugness is due to the yarn not being as stretchy or the small gauge. I'd like to make another one of these gloves for myself but I have too many future projects in mind that I'd like to start. I'll get another Dashing on the needles eventually. OHHHH but wait, I wanted to make the Mermaid Fingerless gloves too. SEE? Too many projects. Moving on...

It's Official

2007-09-10T21:59:00.000-07:00

I fucking hate knitting lace patterns. Absolutely hate it with the fire of a thousand suns. For real.

I'm working on my filigree scarf with the yarn I purchased from Artfibers in SF. I was doing just fine until I lost concentration about 3 inches in. Bah! I'm the only one who'll care or notice the mistakes but it's still annoys me to no end trying to figure out how I screwed up. I know I'm not that far into the scarf but I'm not the kind of knitter that will frog and start over unless I've really messed things up.

I got a surprise thank you gift from my brother and his girlfriend for dog sitting for them back in July. =) A tote bag from knitty.com!!!

It was very thoughtful of them. Do they know me or what?!

I also found myself at Imagiknit yesterday. Fortunately I found parking a block away uphill. I can never walk away empty handed! I purchased enough yarn to make the Juliet cardigan. I chose Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece in Slate Charcoal.

I nearly had a heart attack getting back to my car but this store is worth it. I totally forgot to look at the button section there before I left. Then again, it'll be an excuse to go back to pick out yarn for the Trapeze cardi. I'm always thinking ahead when it comes to the next project. =)

New monthNew seasonNew knitwear!

2007-09-01T21:58:00.000-07:00

Happy September! I don't know what it is but I keep finding new patterns that I love. The gals at Zephyrstyle.com sent me an email about their new Juliet cardigan pattern. I think I'm in love with it. It's tooooo cute. I must knit it. NOW!
Well, not now but it moved up to the top of my knitting queue. It doesn't look like a difficult pattern and it can be modified to your liking - long or short.
As soon as I finish my mermaid gloves (after knitting Bubba's Dashing gloves) I'm going to knit this baby up so I can get good use out of it in the fall. They suggest using Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece and knit it double stranded. I may substitute different bulky yarn so I don't have to knit it double stranded. I'm not very good at substituting yarn though.

*Progress Report*

Fingerless gloves for Bubba:I used Knitty's "Dashing" pattern for the large size. It looks like a blue tree trunk. Looks better worn because it shows off the cable pattern.

Red Socks for a friend:

Only got through my first ever sock. I don't like the heel. There seems to be too much material there and I don't know what happened. The foot seems gigantic too. Hmph. I'll have to figure it out with the second sock and make some modifications if I can.

Erin and I left today's A's game early and she took me to an amazing yarn store in the SF financial district of all places. It's called Artfibers. There's a lot of yarn in that small shop, but you couldn't tell by how well organized the place is. The yarn is beautiful and high quality. The pricing is quite reasonable too. I walked away with only one cone of lovely 100% tussah silk and will transform it into a Kira K (store manager at Artfibers) lace scarf design.

That's all for now. After I get all my instant gratification projects out of the way I'll get started on Juliet. I keep forgetting I want to learn to crochet though. I'll fit that in sometime.

Start of Something Red

2007-08-16T19:50:00.001-07:00

My first sock...

...and hopefully I will make it to the second sock.

LotW: Finished

2007-08-15T15:39:00.000-07:00

This is the most exquisite thing I've made to date. I kinda love it. Here's the finished product unblocked: I decided on some shell buttons over plastic. It works.
It's a simple feather and fan pattern but it turned out wonderful.

Yummy Bowl of Yarn

2007-08-15T15:17:00.000-07:00

I've got some work to do!

Lake of the Woods: So close!

2007-08-14T13:14:00.000-07:00

It's slow at work (finally!). I whipped out my LotW capelet to secretly knit the last few rows. Turns out I can't knit the last 6 rows until I get home because it calls for a smaller needle size. ARGH!

I also need to find pretty buttons to sew on. I'm so picky it will probably take me forever to decide on something I like.

1/2way there?

2007-08-08T19:17:00.000-07:00

I just got my second batch of yarn from kpixie.com in the mail today...

...and I totally lucked out! The skeins are from the same lot number as my first two skeins!!

I was so worried that the there would be a big color difference with skeins from a different lot. This would result in me not liking the finished product and never wearing it. I prefer to knit things that I'd get a lot of wear out of.

Lake of the Woods Progress

2007-08-03T18:16:00.000-07:00

It's coming along nicely. I'm not sure if I got gauge but it seems to be working fine.
Closer look:
Problem: I have to purchase 2 more skeins to finish. I only need 1/4 of one of those skeins. You know how much each skein of Lorna's Laces Lion and Lamb costs?! This is my most pricey project yet. =/ Holy crap.

Is gauge really THAT important?

2007-07-27T10:13:00.000-07:00

I'm dragging my feet starting my next project...this capelet:Yes, a capelet. Not a poncho. You tell me otherwise or I'll...I'll cry? I refused to buy, wear, or knit myself a poncho when they were the "in" thing a year or two ago. Why? I don't know...it got to be too trendy that I started to not like them.

But anyway...I'm using beautiful yarn, Lorna's Laces Lion and Lamb in Mineshaft.

It has been in my stash since I bought it at Stitches West earlier in the year. It was intended for a 2nd Clapotis but decided I'll never knit another one again. My problem is that it's a slightly different weight than what the pattern calls for. I'm not getting the correct gauge or anywhere close to it. BAH! It's so frustrating. So here I go...off to make my 3rd swatch.

Stitch N' Pitch: IN OAKLAND!!!

2007-07-26T16:20:00.000-07:00

Oakland A's finally got a clue that knitters love baseball too. It just got added to the promotion schedule! I found out about it through Ravelry (best site ever!!!). What's even more awesome is that Stitch N' Pitch in Oakland will be on my birthday! YAY! You don't have to guess where I'll be that day.

Save the Planet Market Tote

2007-07-24T23:45:00.000-07:00

I found this pattern through Ravelry.com which led me to The Purl Bee website. It's was a great way of using up an almost full skein of Cotton Fleece that was used for Rusted Root. This is my first bag. It was also my first time making an i-cord in a project.The pattern introduced me to the kitchener's stitch which is used to seam the i-cord together to make the handles of the tote. I royally screwed up the seaming. I looked up tutorials but didn't have the patience to figure it out correctly. I just wanted to finish knitting. As you can see, it stretches a lot so you can fit a good amount of groceries (or whatever) in there. The only problem I see using this is that I can only fit things that are as wide as the top of the tote. In other words, I don't think I'd be able to squeeze a full sized box of cereal through the top. I rushed through attaching the i-cord to the top of the bag and didn't space each stitch enough (does that even make sense?). Ugh. I'll know what not to do next time.

Rusted Root Completed

2007-07-14T15:04:00.000-07:00

Started Re-knitting: April 28, 2007
Finished: July 14, 2007
Materials: A little over 4 skeins of Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece, Size 6 ciruclars for body, Size 4 circulars for finishing

I actually finished it weeks ago in June, but didn't weave in the ends until today. It's a bit fitted for my "curvy" body. When I block it I hope I can stretch out some parts where I need it. I've never worked with cotton before so I'm not sure if it will work.

I'm trying to figure out what to make to use up that last skein. I looked up some projects in Ravelry.com and I think I'm going to make a grocery tote bag...doing my part to help the environment.

Speaking of Ravelry.com, check it out. I was invited to the community a month ago and you can see other knitter's projects and get ideas on one site. Pretty neat.

Knitting Hiatus

2007-06-10T16:32:00.000-07:00

I really don't have a good excuse for not updating lately but I do have a lot of excuses. :) The weather has been getting warm and last thing I want to do is knit. I lost the knitting bug when I left for Vegas last month. I've been working on my Rusted Root sweater on and off. More off than on though. I try to bring it wherever I go in case I have some time to work on it. It didn't really work. Last week I spent so much time on BART going to the ballgames and I brought it to 3 of the 4 games. I didn't touch it at all except when I pulled it out of my bag and threw it in the back seat of my car when I realized I was carrying too much in my bag. 2/3 of a sweater and a skein of yarn takes up a lot of room! My goal is to finish before July. That's not too bad, right?

I f*cked up!

2007-04-28T10:43:00.001-07:00

I f*cked up!
Originally uploaded by Filipina Sakura.

This morning I woke up thinking about the progress I'm making and that this sweater hasn't given me any trouble. I wanted to do some more rounds before I have to get ready to go out.

A few minutes ago I came to the sad realization 45 rounds into the pattern that I missed the M1 stitch before the lace pattern. I frickin' effing f*cking messed up sooooooo bad. It's not so bad just looking at it but knowing me it'll bug me forever if I keep going.

I'm trying to not go running through the house screaming. Instead I want to cry.

Back to the start...

*Update*

I DID go run through the house screaming. Then I flopped on my bed and had a temper tantrum like a teenaged girl who had her cell phone taken away. The cotton fleece is all ripped out. Bah.

*Update No. 2*

After reading the SKC blog, I found out I was wrong about where that M1 stitch is supposed to go. It actually goes somewhere else. I'm such a knitting rookie and so thankful for the tips I've found in KALs.

Rusted Root Beginnings

2007-04-26T17:30:00.000-07:00

Knitting with cotton takes a little getting used to. Don't get me wrong, it is soft and it helps that there's a bit of merino wool blended in. Still, it's a bit rope-ish. Other than that I'm not screwing this sweater up too much. The lace in the pattern can be a little challenging. Last time I tried knitting a lace scarf was months ago and I gave up. It's my only UFO waiting to be finished.

I had one mistake so far, but I'm hoping my quick fix worked or it may haunt me later. So far so good. The color is growing on me.