tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-123670022024-03-07T13:15:32.260-08:00Knuts4KnittingAbbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12620275139861942674noreply@blogger.comBlogger52125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12367002.post-11873446389169373932008-05-08T19:29:00.000-07:002008-05-25T15:15:57.456-07:00Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes<span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-family: lucida grande;font-size:180%;" >Please come to my newer blog: <a href="http://abbyknitz.blogspot.com/">http://abbyknitz.blogspot.com/</a><br />Thanks!<br /></span>Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12620275139861942674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12367002.post-38559926004793968142007-01-19T19:15:00.000-08:002008-12-09T22:43:07.193-08:00Show some GlassI haven't photographed my latest knitting escapades yet, but here are some recent beads....<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBL8nrQyUSVWvdLr3FjGbPBr2lKhfM_9kON0SmJ3P7YQy0EbtsE3e6iDm42XjEPhE6DiYTROCYFFjhTnj74GIkBwq4vNm-OS9tvTHNpbwGMFUXgy5c1k5N26nNdGJJQmn3R9esYQ/s1600-h/DecemberBead0012bx.gif"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBL8nrQyUSVWvdLr3FjGbPBr2lKhfM_9kON0SmJ3P7YQy0EbtsE3e6iDm42XjEPhE6DiYTROCYFFjhTnj74GIkBwq4vNm-OS9tvTHNpbwGMFUXgy5c1k5N26nNdGJJQmn3R9esYQ/s320/DecemberBead0012bx.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5021946312477329458" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0QVUoOV_3OwoiHSetEVErgdu2TgeNS0IaJVQ7Dh8k5RQGjfgpNLJ7uIB8WJ4Q1D0Hj9Liyuj2bBnXoEUKu6Xm-zz4GQ574yWYH4ROcsS-IUCF1V1cFAFEGlN9lYQw6WcN9Dzmew/s1600-h/DecemberBead0011dx.gif"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0QVUoOV_3OwoiHSetEVErgdu2TgeNS0IaJVQ7Dh8k5RQGjfgpNLJ7uIB8WJ4Q1D0Hj9Liyuj2bBnXoEUKu6Xm-zz4GQ574yWYH4ROcsS-IUCF1V1cFAFEGlN9lYQw6WcN9Dzmew/s320/DecemberBead0011dx.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5021946488570988610" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixnQf9O1JzDdhn73ih9GzNTPT_Vj5LkCjN_hWiINm356ecgsJZb2B2QR9um9FFa82kHvTvxbBNEP3RkT2XArQFcbXhziD9aHOKXqzclpQWbNTj4V_uwMWdiCISQPDU_BFIIgposQ/s1600-h/DecemberBead0005ax.gif"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixnQf9O1JzDdhn73ih9GzNTPT_Vj5LkCjN_hWiINm356ecgsJZb2B2QR9um9FFa82kHvTvxbBNEP3RkT2XArQFcbXhziD9aHOKXqzclpQWbNTj4V_uwMWdiCISQPDU_BFIIgposQ/s320/DecemberBead0005ax.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5021946879413012578" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnYIQ6Lx8zwhRaNwh2MirAvxDLxZE83q_eLVqMDKPN9fVugFPbPxNu-knXoR3vNh_oxSQFTpQVfoKk7CGFdEPuMr5daK6x4ELlEQRwbjEBEIFXoY6CAK8u43uTbbg9j3zwHK7QxA/s1600-h/DecemberBead0006cx.gif"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnYIQ6Lx8zwhRaNwh2MirAvxDLxZE83q_eLVqMDKPN9fVugFPbPxNu-knXoR3vNh_oxSQFTpQVfoKk7CGFdEPuMr5daK6x4ELlEQRwbjEBEIFXoY6CAK8u43uTbbg9j3zwHK7QxA/s320/DecemberBead0006cx.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5021946733384124498" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJwhenfRXj1WOyGHhD1KxPHMjr0VOpWigFvWA93YP_hpck7KA4B9uvZpzKnSGTfjV_6-e156ybXk_7iVzqO2alEaoxCnFmA_LX7LnACdVzj9SdwSoVqg8FB0Jt2qsjja5ZJRu2pQ/s1600-h/DecemberBead0002ax.gif"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJwhenfRXj1WOyGHhD1KxPHMjr0VOpWigFvWA93YP_hpck7KA4B9uvZpzKnSGTfjV_6-e156ybXk_7iVzqO2alEaoxCnFmA_LX7LnACdVzj9SdwSoVqg8FB0Jt2qsjja5ZJRu2pQ/s320/DecemberBead0002ax.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5021947021146933362" border="0" /></a>Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12620275139861942674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12367002.post-64383836915634462532007-01-15T17:27:00.000-08:002007-01-15T17:31:19.724-08:00Just KnutsSo I'd like to change the name of this blog to simply "knuts" since I feel just about insane. Life h as gotten hard and complicated, but I am still knitting and still making beads. Photos to follow, I hope.<br /><br />I finished the lace leaf sock (the first one). Might start the second tomorrow.<br /><br />I knitted a nice lap blanket from the Mountain Colors yarn I bought in Montana last summer. If you get a chance to visit the Mountain Colors Studio, do so! You will spend too much money but the yarns are just yummy in color and texture. You can see the dye studio in action and it is all located in the gorgeous Bitterroot Valley which, as far as I can tell, is near nothing.<br /><br />I'm knitting a "thrummed" mobius from a kit I bought last year. Kind of mindless knitting but the colors are bright and cheery. I might photo it, who knows?<br /><br />I lost the pattern for my son's "Misfits" hoodie so I will have to recreate it before I start knitting it again. I promised I'd finish it for him before he graduates high school, which is in May.<br /><br />It's too cold to work in my bead studio....<br /><br />I'm depressed.Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12620275139861942674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12367002.post-1157089342228681222006-08-31T22:34:00.000-07:002006-08-31T22:42:22.240-07:00Long Time, No BlogI think I have gone through at least four different hair colors since I last posted. Not sure what that says about me, but, hey, I finished some knitting! This is a pair if baby blue jeans; the pattern is fron Knitty.com and they were knit for my kids' new half brother. His name is Yonatan, which is Hebrew, and the "label" on the back of the jeans says "Yoni" in Hebrew. They are the cutest things in the world. They are knit in Rowan Denim Yarn, which I purchased from Karen of TwoSwansYarn.com. Well, here they are!<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1141/1045/1600/Yonineansfront.png"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1141/1045/320/Yonineansfront.png" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1141/1045/1600/Yonijeansback.png"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1141/1045/320/Yonijeansback.png" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />On the needles: teal alpaca gauntlets, also from knitty.com; bamboo tank top from cover of Interweave knits summer issue, lace socks. <br />I had an orgy at Mountain Colors in Montana last month and bought a small fortune's worth of yarn. Stay tuned for some gorgeous colors.....Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12620275139861942674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12367002.post-1143662362968603392006-03-29T11:55:00.000-08:002008-05-03T11:05:38.122-07:00I really am knittingI started the cute baby "blue Jeans" from the current knitty.com; the name of the pattern is "blu". They are so cute! For my kids' new half-brother. I also met with Karen this week and got the new Nicky Epstein bags book. I'll be starting the frog bag for my daughter shortly.Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12620275139861942674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12367002.post-1141333940621178712006-03-02T13:09:00.000-08:002006-03-02T13:12:20.646-08:00the Beads<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1141/1045/1600/Beads3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1141/1045/320/Beads3.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1141/1045/1600/Beads01.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1141/1045/320/Beads01.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1141/1045/1600/Beads2.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1141/1045/320/Beads2.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />No, I haven't given up knitting, but the beads have seduced me. Here's what I made the first three sessions at the torch. Yes, they suck, but it's a steep learning curve, so I'm told. <br /><br />I have also gone through quite a bit of oxygen! So much so that we are now shopping for an oxygen concentrator. Going to the welding store three times a week is less than thrilling. <br /><br />Wonder if anyone has yet tried knitting with glass......Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12620275139861942674noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12367002.post-1140634557282070452006-02-22T10:39:00.000-08:002008-05-03T11:07:34.668-07:00One Month Down...Whew! It's been over a month since I posted. Not all my fault, somehow I forgot my password or username or something and couldn't get into blogger for a few weeks. Well, I'm baaaaaaack. What with wedding planning and trips to Tucson and all, I still managed to get some knitting done. Here's the lastest:<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1141/1045/1600/EntrelaconNeedles.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1141/1045/320/EntrelaconNeedles.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />This is my first attempt at entrelac. I thought it would be very challenging, but I was wrong. It took about 2 minutes for me to teach myself to knit back backwards and the rest was just simple as could be. Here's the backpack on the needles. This was a kit from Knitability and I love that they included all the necessary hardware, grommets, etc. to finish the bag. It also came in a nice clear plastic messenger bag which I will reuse for other knitting projects. I bought this kit at "A Major Knitwork" down in California; they are somewhere in the San Fernando Valley. I can't remember exactly where, but they are a lovely family owned knitting shop which has been there for years. Long before the current knitting "craze" so I love to give them business when I am in California.<br /><br />So, here's the finished bag!<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1141/1045/1600/FeltedEntrelacBag.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1141/1045/320/FeltedEntrelacBag.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />In the past month that I've been unblogging, I was also a redhead for about a week. It was fun, but didn't feel like me. I guess I have developed an "inner blonde" over the last five years..... Here's the capelet from "Wrap Style".<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1141/1045/1600/Lace-Capelet.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1141/1045/320/Lace-Capelet.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />And finally, I'm working on a pair of lovely socks. The pattern is "lace leaf" by Evenly Clark for Fiber Trends. I'm using some Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock yarn that I bought about a year ago. I'm making these slowly (not typical for me!) enjoying the pattern and the yarn.<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1141/1045/1600/LeafLaceSock.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1141/1045/320/LeafLaceSock.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The glass studio is supposed to be up and running by tomorrow. I don't believe it. I've been waiting to make lampworked beads for about 15 years, so what's another few days????!!!!! Expect to see some photos of really BAD beginner beads here shortly.Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12620275139861942674noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12367002.post-1137691479780426152006-01-19T08:59:00.000-08:002006-01-19T09:24:39.846-08:00Malaise?After reading Karen's latest blog entry (http://ideaphoria.prettyposies.com/) I realized that I have become....a slacker! I only have two projects on the needles right now and I am not very committed to one of them. Uh oh! Time for some new yarn, I think. Hey Karen! (www.twoswansyarns.com). I am craving Kid Silk Haze and a new lace project. <br /><br />I also plan to do some charity knitting for New Orleans (see link on right). KnitPicks just published a nice free pattern for the "11th hour Hat". It has a nice sideways garter border on an otherwise plain cap. You could do a lot of different things with this pattern and I hope to get one or two going today.<br /><br />My daughter Dalya received two knitted gifts from me for Chanukah. Here they are:<br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1141/1045/1600/DSCN2197.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1141/1045/320/DSCN2197.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />These slippers were in Stitch n Bitch Nation and they were HUGE (like 18 inches long) prior to felting. Dalya wears size 5 1/2 shoe, so you can imagine how strong and thick the felt is. She loves them.<br /><br />Next, from the same book, I knitted Dalya one of her favorite musicians. Can you guess who it is? The photo is blurry because it was taken by my son and I cropped out all the mess in Dalya's room -- well, most of the mess.<br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1141/1045/1600/DSCN0046.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1141/1045/320/DSCN0046.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />Got it? No? Here's a hint:<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1141/1045/1600/ramones.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1141/1045/320/ramones.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a></p><br /><br />Aha, you're now saying to yourself. Of course, it's Joey Ramone! I may have to change out those red buttons for something more sunglasses-like.<br /><br />Excuse me while I "Beat on the Brat".Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12620275139861942674noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12367002.post-1137546398297962302006-01-17T16:53:00.000-08:002008-05-03T11:09:58.021-07:00Just Because You Can Doesn't Mean You ShouldI am still knitting! I do wonder, however, where my brain has gone. I've made some real "winners" lately and I've chosen to share them just in case you think I always make nice stuff :)<br /><br />Take this lovely monstrosity. It was my first attempt at modular knitting. I was going to make the Ojo de Dios vest from "Dazzling Knits". Well, this color combo would "dazzle" even the blind! Please note, ladies and gentlemen, that I have been to ART SCHOOL! These colors somehow looked cool in the store (no I won't mention your name). At home, however, we seem to have been visited by the ghost of 70's afghans past. Yikes!<br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1141/1045/1600/DSCN2198.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1141/1045/320/DSCN2198.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Now, if you think that is hideous, and I hope you do, please see the next not so hideous but utterly useless creation:<br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1141/1045/1600/DSCN2196.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1141/1045/320/DSCN2196.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />This yarn was at Ben Franklin. Nice New Zealand wool, with a big sign under it that said "I Felt". Well, I guess I don't know exactly WHAT the yarn was "feeling" but it sure didn't felt. Oh, yeah, I didn't notice the small words on the label that said "machine washable". Oh Well.<br /><br />I redid the cell phone case with Noro and I really do love the results:<br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1141/1045/1600/DSCN2195.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1141/1045/320/DSCN2195.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />This clunky cell phone never had it so good.<br /><br />I just finished the top down capelet from "Wrap Style". I will block it and photo it in the next day or so.<br /><br />Carry on knitting...Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12620275139861942674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12367002.post-1136230853319325262006-01-02T11:32:00.000-08:002006-01-02T11:40:53.380-08:00A New OneWell, it has become 2006 while I wasn't looking. Well, I was looking, but I wasn't looking too closely. Lots of finished knitting! The kids have been here all week and yesterday we had a "craft day". Dalya knitted much of a monkey backpack she's been wanting to make since the summer, and, on a similar theme, Ben made a sock monkey for his girlfriend Rachel. Ben has never sewn before and I turned him loose (after a lesson) on my Bernina Artista.......he took to it like a pro. Check out this scene of domesticity.<br /><br /><c><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1141/1045/1600/KidsKnit01.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1141/1045/320/KidsKnit01.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a></c><br /><br />It's been rainy all week, so we have really had a stay-in vacation together. I don't feel too bad about that since the kids live in LA where it is ALWAYS sunny (except for now!). Ben has gotten me hooked on the TV show "Veronica Mars" and we have 2 more episodes to finish out season 1, during which time I plan to finish a cell phone case for my new, cool but bulky new cell phone. It will be a felted color fest. Photo to follow.<br /><br />Wishing you all a very happy and productive year full of creativity, joy and fabulous ideas!Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12620275139861942674noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12367002.post-1134779675465742232005-12-16T16:14:00.000-08:002008-05-03T11:12:06.730-07:00Warm Hands, Warm.....<p>Well, the Fair Isle Gloves have been finished for over a week now. Today I finally blocked them and here they are drying. Considering they are my first Fair Isle knitting, I am fairly pleased, but I can see that they are WAY far from perfect. Still, I love the colors and I hope the recipient loves them too! I will report back after Christmas.<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1141/1045/1600/DSCN8413.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1141/1045/320/DSCN8413.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a></p><br /><br /><p>Here is a pair of Arm Warmers I made from the "Stitch and Bitch Nation" book. We are conserving fuel by keeping the house at 66 degrees, and I need these toasty things to stay somewhat warm here. This is the first time I've used Kureyon, and I can't even pronounce it but I just love the colors. I'm planning to start a modular vest using Kureyon and Cascade 220 on my next road trip.</p><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1141/1045/1600/DSCN8412.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1141/1045/320/DSCN8412.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><p>And finally, here is the Misfits logo sweatshirt on the needles. I hope Ben likes it because I do not LOVE intarsia, but, even worse, when the intarsia is finished all I have to look "forward" to is black stockinette stitch. And the kid has gotten much taller lately, so it will be a loooooooooooong knit. No more comments on Mother's love needed. Second photo is the original logo.</p><br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1141/1045/1600/DSCN8410.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1141/1045/320/DSCN8410.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1141/1045/1600/Misfitslogo.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1141/1045/320/Misfitslogo.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12620275139861942674noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12367002.post-1133988078820435652005-12-07T12:31:00.000-08:002008-05-03T11:12:53.029-07:00Seasonal Humor<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1141/1045/1600/Knitting%20Cartoon001.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1141/1045/320/Knitting%20Cartoon001.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I couldn't resist this cartoon from The New Yorker about a month back. I hope I'm not going to be sued for putting it on my blog!<br /><br />I finished the Fair Isle Gloves!!!! I even sewed in all the loose ends. All I need to do now is block them, after which I will post a photo here.<br /><br />On the needles now: Teva Dunham's gorgeous "woven" scarf for future SIL Chris, and the infamous, dreaded Misfits logo sweatshirt for Ben. A mother's love knows no bounds. I twisted my brain around a bit making the chart for the sweater. It's the first time I have charted anything this big. In the process, I created knitting graph paper with eight stitches across and 16 stitches down, with red lines at each "inch". The paper is quite nice, a full 8.5 x 11 inch page, and if anyone wants a copy, please email me and I'll send it to you. Here is the logo I worked with:<br /><br />Well, blogspot is not doing what it is supposed to, so the photo will have to wait. Sorry!<br /><br /><br />I have a real Jones to learn spinning. Somewhere I have the name and number of a woman willing to teach me. Wonder if I'll ever find it....If you are a spinner in the Pacific Northwest (Tacoma area in particular) and are willing to be "plied" (pun intended) feel free to step up and volunteer!Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12620275139861942674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12367002.post-1133374176339195442005-11-30T09:47:00.000-08:002008-05-03T11:15:43.232-07:00The Knit Hits the Fan<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1141/1045/1600/DSCN2154.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1141/1045/320/DSCN2154.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />With less than a month to go before "December madness", I am knitting like a madwoman. I finished a scarf for my son's friend Abby (sorry, no photo). No, I do NOT have time to vacuum :) The scarf was not exactly planned, but, having knit the Alien Illusion scarf for Ben, in lime green and black, his friend Abby was really taken with it. Well, who can resist a compliment to her knitting? I had to make her one. It is a surprise, so please don't tell anyone!<br /><br />Oh, and these socks from Louet Gems, a really nice yarn to work with!!!! For Ben (shhhh).<br /><br /><br />I am now on the THIRD Fair Isle glove, and, being a new Fair Isle knitter, it is different from, and nicer than, the other two.<br /><br />I promised Ben a zipped hoodie with the Misfits logo on the back. I have the yarn, I have the pattern, but I haven't started it. Being sixteen (next Monday) Ben will only wear BLACK. My (not)favorite color to knit. No mercy for this middle aged mother with incipient cataracts. Oh, and I still have to start and knit my daughter's two surprises, which I will not describe here since I'm sure she will read this. Oy vay!!!Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12620275139861942674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12367002.post-1131074565183254612005-11-03T19:02:00.000-08:002008-05-03T11:18:49.501-07:00Back from the Big AppleWell, it's been two trips since my last post, actually. After LA, it was a week in Sun Valley. While there I finished the second Fair Isle glove and started the third -yes, I'm learning as I go and three will match two better than one- and who's on first?<br /><br />In Sun Valley I visited Isabel's, the only yarn shop in town. I had planned on starting Teva Dunham's Lace Leaf Pullover with some yarn I'd scored from Knitpiks. I felt like a real idiot when I discovered that the yarn I'd bought was so far from the right gauge as to be unusable. Isabel had some lovely Rowan Big Wool Fusion. The sweater is knitting up quickly. I have the top and bottom of the body done (they get grafted together) and tonight I will start the first sleeve. I haven't knit a sweater in a LONG time, but it seems already to be exceptionally cold here this winter. Maybe it's because we're keeping the thermostat at 66 degrees. Yikes! and we ran out of fire wood today. Karen, don't say I didn't warn you....<br /><br />In New York much had changed since I was last there in 1999, but much is the same. I got right into the routine of walking aggressively and quickly. Visited many museums: Natural History, including the new Planetarium, Metropolitan Museum of Art - twice, and MoMa (my personal favorite). Here's a photo of two chairs in their design collection:<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1141/1045/1600/yarnchairs.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1141/1045/320/yarnchairs.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Ground Zero. What can I say? It brought me to tears. I saw it and I still can't believe it. I remember taking an elevator once in the World Trade Center to about the 140th floor or something. It was fast and noisy and scared the crap out of me. It was like being in an airplane going straight up. It was the only time I was up in the towers, although I've been in the Plaza a bunch of times. I have now seen the hole in the ground with my own eyes and it is still unreal. Everywhere in lower Manhattan there are signs and reminders of what happened and the lives lost. I was moved and angered and, finally, baffled. I suppose I should mention here that I have lived most of my life in New York City; it was MY town those sickos bombed.<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1141/1045/1600/groundzero.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1141/1045/320/groundzero.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /> I met my dearest high school friend, Robin, for lunch and espresso in Greenwich Village. This had to have been the highlight of my trip!<br /><br />Saw two shows: The first show was Blue Man Group. It was silly and funny and totally meant for tourists. Not that there's anything wrong with that :)<br /><br />The second show, which dazzled me, was a revival of Sweeney Todd starring the amazing Patti Lupone and the mesmerizing Michael Cerveris. This new production was still in previews last Saturday night, but wow, what a production. It is a far cry from Hal Prince's original staging. This is a stark, cool and unusual rendition where the actors are also the orchestra. If you can get to see this, run, don't walk, to the Eugene O'Neil theatre! This is a demanding show, for, dare I say it, sophisticated theatre goers.<br /><br />All for now, I need to knit.Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12620275139861942674noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12367002.post-1129141986851512382005-10-12T11:22:00.000-07:002008-05-08T19:59:41.585-07:00Some Finishes<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1141/1045/1600/DSCN1898.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1141/1045/320/DSCN1898.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />I am back from my trip to LA. I finished the beaded fringe on More Than Circular and it was a great hit at Rosh Hashanah services. Thanks, Roxi, for your compliments!<br /><br />Here's a dumb felted purse that I worked on while sailing a bit on Puget Sound. I do love purple, but this was idiot knitting. Still, I now have yet another purse which will not fit my wallet, Filofax or make up case. This knitting stuff sure is fun!<br /><br />I also finished the long-on-needles Toe Socks. They are being modelled here by my daughter Dalya who had to be wrenched away from her latest obsessionk, Sudoku. Warning: Do NOT start playing this game. As I found out much to my chagrin, it can take up loads of time otherwise reserved for knitting. If you are unaware of this game craze, please do NOT investigate. You have been warned. (If, on the other hand, you want to work out your logic skills, go for it, just don't say I didn't warn you).<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1141/1045/1600/ToeSocksSmall01.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1141/1045/320/ToeSocksSmall01.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1141/1045/1600/ToeSocksSmall02.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1141/1045/320/ToeSocksSmall02.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />Anyway, these socks had been mouldering in a bag for way too long. I am so glad I finished them, I might even wear them! I adore flip flops, which is why I fit in so well in LA, but my feet often get cold. Now I can have my flip flops and warm feet too. Life is good.Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12620275139861942674noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12367002.post-1127921814629507922005-09-28T08:33:00.000-07:002005-09-28T08:36:54.636-07:00On the Fringe<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1141/1045/1600/ShawlFringe.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1141/1045/320/ShawlFringe.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />Yesterday Karen and I visited Blue Iris Beads in Kent. There I purchased beads to add to the points on the shawl. Here's a sample. It took me about two hours to do half of the shawl. I will finish today, while watching some fabulous TV, I hope! <br />I am flying to LA tomorrow morning, so I must dash. I have one more FO to post, and I'll try to get it up here later today.<br />Knit on.....Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12620275139861942674noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12367002.post-1127587515959567382005-09-24T11:36:00.000-07:002005-09-24T11:45:15.970-07:00Handpaint HellI guess it's Murphy's Law. Last year I bought some amazing Colinette Giotto. It is luxurious with a rich, deep, palate of purples, greens and blues. At least, it is SUPPOSED to be! I scoured yarn shops to find the Giotto book and selected a really nifty cardigan with a ruffle on the bottom, not fussy, just gorgeous. I knitted the back, dutifully following the mandate "use two skeins; alternate skeins every two rows". The back was lovely. I knit the left front, dutifully following the mandate "use two skeins; alternate skeins every two rows". Again, a lovely luscious left front. I knit the right front, dutifully following the mandate "use two skeins; alternate skeins every two rows." <br /><br />NOW...these lovely skeins were all from ONE dye lot. They are the same color. I followed the directions. So WHY, WHY, WHY does the right front look like crap? Or, more specifically, why is there NO GREEN!!!!! and what do I do about it? Sure I can frog and use another skein and reknit; that would take about five minutes. Well, an hour anyway. But when I get to the sleeves, I will STILL have to use that *&#@@*&% ball of yarn with NO GREEN. Yes, I can distribute it all over the sleeves and have yucky ribbon ends to weave in, but I am NOT A HAPPY CAMPER!!! I think this is a "Curse of Colinette", of something.<br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1141/1045/1600/Giottocompare.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1141/1045/320/Giottocompare.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />One of these things is not like the others....You can clearly see, can you not, that the middle piece is DIFFERENT!!!!Geez....if anyone out there can help me, please, please, please suggest a cure. I really wanted to wear this sweater in two weeks. <br /><br />OK, back to those LOVELY Fair Isle Gloves, which are giving me NO grief!!!Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12620275139861942674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12367002.post-1127586189634072472005-09-24T11:15:00.000-07:002008-05-03T11:20:36.533-07:00Lace I Love<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1141/1045/1600/DSCN1901.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1141/1045/320/DSCN1901.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />I FINALLY, FINALLY finished "More Than Circular". I don't know why I waited so long. Actually, I do. I had a mistake in the last row and I just set it aside one day when I didn't want to deal with it. I got caught up with the Fair Isle gloves and never looked back. Until Thursday. I just tackled the thing and finished it. Now it is sitting on my floor while I block all those little points out.<br />Now this thing is a bear to block, because, as the title says, it has more than 360 degrees. It is impossible to stretch it all out flat, but the wonder is, it really does stay on my shoulders and won't fall off no matter what!<br /><br /> I do plan to add some beads, to the edge, I just haven't decided what yet.<br /><br />So, of course, I am ready to make another lace shawl. I have a skein of Lorna's Laces "Helen's Lace" in Purple Iris and I found a lovely pattern that requires just the right amount of yarn. I hope to have it on the needles by this evening.<br /><br />There is no knitting quite so thrilling to me as when I work on lace and it looks like a bag of messy yarn, and I can't really see it, and finally it is off the needles and I spread it out and, voila, it is a thing of beauty and magic.<br /><br />Must knit more lace....Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12620275139861942674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12367002.post-1127154353288132962005-09-19T11:23:00.000-07:002005-09-19T11:25:53.303-07:00Fair Isle First<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1141/1045/1600/FairIsleFront01small.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1141/1045/320/FairIsleFront01small.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1141/1045/1600/FairIslebksmall01.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1141/1045/320/FairIslebksmall01.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />I finished the first of the Fair Isle gloves. I've never knitted a glove before. What a pain working with the dpns! I'm so much fonder of two circulars. Bear iin mind that this glove is unblocked. I expect it will look lots better after blocking. It was really fun to do the Fair Isle part. Can't wait to do the second, which is not typical of me!Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12620275139861942674noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12367002.post-1126564449161065602005-09-12T15:26:00.000-07:002005-09-12T15:34:09.166-07:00Finished! Object and Level<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1141/1045/1600/DSCN1893.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1141/1045/320/DSCN1893.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />Wow! I passed Level I of TKGA Master Handknitter Course! I'm so excited that I've already sent in my payment for Level II. Why wait? The best thing, I think, after achieving a goal is to set another. I can bask in my success until the next set of requirments arrives in the mail. I learned so much from having to re-submit ten (yes, ten!) swatches. My knitting has improved more than I thought it could in such a short time. After knitting for more than a "few" decades, it improved markedly in just a few weeks. It gives me a good model for success in other areas. Effort can, in fact, be rewarded, something we parents don't always realize.<br /><br />And onto a mixed success. The Flower Basket Bag. It's finally completely finished! I still don't like it. It's so big and heavy, I can't imagine actually carrying anything in it. Maybe I'll try it as a carry on on my next plane trip; that would be kinda cute. Even so, I am going to make this bag again. A glutton for punishment? No, I want to make it the way I imagine it SHOULD be. It will be smaller, the colors will be more to my liking, and it will be lighter and more user-friendly. I am going to knit it in the round. I still haven't decided whether to make it a backpack or a shoulder bag so I won't start until I have that detail worked out. Watch this space for my progress on "redesigning" a pattern.Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12620275139861942674noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12367002.post-1126235529360184582005-09-08T20:05:00.000-07:002005-09-08T20:12:09.360-07:00Two Swans and some ferals<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1141/1045/1600/DSCN1882.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1141/1045/400/DSCN1882.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1141/1045/1600/DSCN1886.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1141/1045/400/DSCN1886.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1141/1045/1600/DSCN1891.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1141/1045/400/DSCN1891.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />I had the pleasure of meeting up with Karen C, proprietress of Two Swans Yarn (www.twoswansyarns.com). I have been tempted by Fair Isle knitting for a while and the web pattern from Interweave Knits for Fair Isle gloves pushed me over the edge. I have done stranded knitting and color work before, but not since I've become as self-critical about my knitting as I am currently. Here are some photos of Karen with some of her "goodles" and with the yarns I chose. <br /><br />And here is also a photo of the gloves on the needles. I made myself finish the darn Flower Basket before I let myself start these. They are to be a Christmas gift for my future mother-in-law whom I adore. I'm using the two circulars technique. I do not love dp needles but I know they are going to be needed for the fingers. Fingerless gloves anyone?Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12620275139861942674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12367002.post-1126235100102859242005-09-08T20:03:00.000-07:002005-09-08T20:05:00.103-07:00More felting photos<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1141/1045/1600/DSCN1889.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1141/1045/320/DSCN1889.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />Here is a photo of the laptop case (from the current Interweave Knits). I love this thing but I'm thinking of adding a leather shoulder strap. It fits my little ibook perfectly.Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12620275139861942674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12367002.post-1126234937379987192005-09-08T19:59:00.000-07:002005-09-08T20:02:17.386-07:00<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1141/1045/1600/DSCN1888.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/1141/1045/320/DSCN1888.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />I love/hate felting! I've recently felted a laptop case, a purple purse, and the "infamous" Nicky Epstein Flower Basket Bag. I am not crazy about how this bag came out! I haven't sewn the flowers on it yet and I might like it better when I do, but the thing is HUGE and must weigh five pounds. I made it with Lambs Pride Bulky on size 19 needles. Well, here is what it looks like after being run through the "super" hot cycle five times.<br /><br />I plan to stitch the flowers on tonight. Also, crazy that I am, I do like this bag so much that I am going to make it AGAIN! Yes, you heard me right. But I am going to improvise. I bougt some Cascade 220 in colors that I love and I'm going to knit it in the round, make it smaller, redo the design seriously. Progress reports to follow.Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12620275139861942674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12367002.post-1124819905681431522005-08-23T10:49:00.000-07:002008-05-03T11:22:37.996-07:00Finished Objects and othersI have yet to find out how to put photos up from a Mac, but I did finish Ben's "Alien Illusion" scarf and a felted laptop holder from the latest IK. I am on the LAST ROUND (finally!) of "More Thank Circular". I think I will set it down for a while before beginning the sideways edging.<br /><br />I have a serious case of "Startitis". I want to start about three projects. I haven't decided yet between a gorgeous coral colored sweater with lacy hood, the ubiquitous Nikki Epstein Rose Bag from last winter's Vogue Knitting, another bag to knit and felt with some yummy Manos and novelty yarn, Fair Isle gloves for my future MIL or an ipod case for my son with the Misfits logo on it. Decisions, decisions.<br /><br />OK, I need to get to work! Photos to follow.Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12620275139861942674noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12367002.post-1124548346126750302005-08-20T07:26:00.000-07:002005-08-20T07:32:26.130-07:00Long Time No PostWell, it has been quite an eventful summer! I recently returned from a long trip with my two kids. We went to Oregon, Montana, Minnesota, Wisconsin. My daughter learned to fish, which really thrilled her vegetarian brother :)<br />Our home was burglarized. I lost my computers, all my digital photos, all my music CDs, all my software. I'm now the proud owner of a new Mac but I have a lot of work to do before I'm completely comfortable with the PC to Mac switch.<br /><br />Knitting! Oh yes, I've been knitting. I finished a laptop case from the new issue of Interweave knits. I am ALMOST done with "More Than Circular", and almost done with the Giotto cardigan. I'm kind of off knitting socks at the moment.<br /><br />I have yet to learn how to post photos with the Mac, so that's it for now!Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12620275139861942674noreply@blogger.com0