Cherish

Look! I'ts not gray yarn! Taking as long as I did working on the Traveling Sweater I don't want to use any more gray in my garments for awhile. I have plenty of stash that has a ton of color. For instance, for this cute vesty project I'm finally using Dream in Color Classy in Gothic Rose...a very dark red wine sort of shade. I hope to finish up before month's end. Cherish should be a nice layering piece to wear at work even through the summer months.

So much gray!

Goodale, originally uploaded by Filipina Sakura.

This is Goodale, another gray project. I say that because the last 3 FO's have all been different shades of gray. I'm in desperate need to have a pop of color somewhere! I apologize this is not a good picture of it. One of these days I'll get a decent full length mirror at home so I don't take these pictures in the office restroom.

I finished the knitting over a year ago. From what I remember, Madelinetosh's Pashmina was a dream to knit up and I love how drapey the garment turned out. Overall, I'm a teenie weenie bit underwhelmed with the final product. Yes, the little details are very cute, but not on me. Wearing it for the first time today I found the pocket flaps (the fronts that are folded) a bit flimsy. They don't stay folded back and it looks awful. They'll have to be sewn down to lay flat. Eventually I'll warm up to it the more I wear it.

The rest of my knitting agenda is finishing all the WIPs I've put on hold. I have high hopes to have Saroyan done....soon?

Traveling Sweater: A year in the making

Traveling Sweater, originally uploaded by Filipina Sakura.


I'm so freaking elated that this sweater is off the needles, ends weaved in, and all the wonky parts are steam blocked. The amount of yarn the pattern called for the larger size I knitted was 5 skeins of Woobu and I only used 4 skeins. I probably have about 1/4 of the 4th skein left. I'm kind of ticked that I have an entire skein left untouched. Woobu is wonderful to knit and the draping is lovely but this stuff ain't cheap!

Knitting it was a piece of cake compared to seaming all the parts together. When I seamed the right sleeve, I ran out of material on one side leaving the other side open and unseamed to nothing. I had to undo and reseam it to make it work. Looking at it you'd never know there was a problem. I never said I was a great knitter. :) So glad I can enjoy wearing this sweater before the weather gets warm again. I look forward to the rainy weather coming up in a few days!

Next is the Goodale cardigan. The knitting was done over a year ago. Life seems to get in the way of all my knitting projects. I got some sewing of the pockets done and weaved in all the ends. I still need to find the perfect 7/8" buttons to sew on, seam down the i-cord edging of the pocket flaps, and knitting the neckline edging. Getting 2 cardigans done in a week and ready to wear is enough encouragement to get Goodale finished! I need to find a cute top or spring dress to wear it for work.

I started a summer tank top but it's slightly complicated getting it started. It's more lacey than I expected. Lace and I dont' exactly get along. I might move on to another summer tank tunic with the Habu yarn I splurged on at this year's Stitches West. The past 2 months have been so busy I almost forgot that I bought it.

Liesl: In progress

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

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

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?

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. I wanted my TS to be a darker shade of gray with some bit of dark blue mixed in, like colorways Corbie or Thraven.

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

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. =) >>>>>>>>>>>