Annual Yarn Bender: Stitches West 2011 Haul

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!

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?

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

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

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

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'?

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.

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...

...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!

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!!!

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

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!

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

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

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)

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

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

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.

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 =)

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.