The Home Stretch!

My blocking extravaganza begins.

Here is a little secret...... this is my first time wet-blocking. The outcome.... I LOVE how the Fabric feels. My last Central Park Hoodie, I hastily steam blocked it. Also, I was able to pull the fabric to make the hoodie a little longer than the instructions specified. Aruacania Naturewool leaves a lot of room for manipulation.

Since I have this almost lavender colored sweater, I figured that it would only be fitting to use lavender scented Euculan Woolwash. I did see a little bit of lavendar dye coming out of the garment once it was soaked, but it wasn't anything too crazy.

Here is a pre-blocked picture.

Here is a close-up

Here is the blocking in action

My main question is.... what took me so long to get to this point?

Once this dries, I will be blocking my Ishbel scarf. (I ran out of pins) I also have to add that I absolutely love A.C. Moore for providing the children's alphabet mat squares. They make wonderful blocking tools.

Central Park Hoodie Update!

There are a little less than 3 weeks left until Rhinebeck. I have been working on my Central Park Hoodie monotonously. I have managed to knit while watching the entire Season 1 and Season 2 of LOST on Netflix. And lo and behold, through all of the drama, killing, trickery, and mysticism....... I managed to create 2 sleeves that fit, without any mistakes. IT'S ABOUT TIME!

So, I have attached some pictures to help tell this story.

In my last post, I left off with sleeves that were too tight, and a hood with an ugly seam going down the middle of it. I say it's ugly because I know that I am supposed to kitchener it to make it invisible. I guess I will get to that later today. So, here are those pics.

Also, I have some sleeves-in-progress shots.

Last, but not least, here is the final product.

Now, I am off to fix the hood and the buttonband, and maybe block these sleeves today. The FO will come soon, I promise.

I am still here!

Whoa! Has it really been a whole 3 months since I have posted on this blog? I am so sorry. However, it doesn't mean that the knitting stopped. I have been working on some projects, and I am really trying to kick myself in the booty to get some stuff completed for Rhinebeck in 5 weeks.

Completion #1 - Basic Knee High Socks. I bought this yarn during my last trip to Rhinebeck from the infamous Socks that Rock booth that everyone pounces on, and ends up staying at least 30 minutes on the payment line. Through the corner of my eye I saw this beautiful Pink/Gray/Black skein of yarn, and while standing on the line, I just reached out and grabbed it. It was a Mill End, so the colorway is unknown. Any ideas for a name? Because I love this color so much, I decided to try to use every inch of the yarn. I split it in half and started knitting 2 at a time. from the toe-up. I did a basic short-row heel, and a 2x2 ribbed cuff. I did a stretchy bindoff, so it could stretch around my calf. I am ready to wear these with my snow boots. You can never be too prepared.

Completion #2 - Ishbel - Made with Malabrigo Sock in Solis

I bought this yarn from my friend Vanessa at The Fiber Fix. So, this isn't fully complete because it has to be blocked. I will get to that today. But, here is a pre-blocking picture.
Now, Rhinebeck is coming up soon, and if you remember from last year, I was trying to complete my Central Park Hoodie #2 in time for the festivities. Well, since last year I haven't really touched it. I have gotten startitis with other projects, and my CPH#2 had a few problems that I had put on the back burner. However, they still need some attention, so there is no time like the present.

Here are my issues.

1. In my haste to finish it last year, I didn't kitchener the hood. Instead, I created a seam at the top center of the hood. I proceeded to start the button band. Now that I look at it, I HATE it. So, I am goin to rip out the 300+ stitches on the buttonband, and do it all over.

2. I made the size 36 sleeves, and they just barely fit. I know I haven't been in the gym, but I am still the same size I was when I made my last Central Park Hoodie, so what's the problem? Who knows? So, I will rip them out and make the size 40 sleeves. Many people who have made this popular pattern feel as though the sleeves are tight. My previous CPH sleeves are a little tight too. I have decided that I want to make this a sweater that I can wear with a long-sleeved shirt underneath. So, I will definately rip this out and try it again.

So, aside from that project, here are my most recent works in progress.

The Every Way Wrap - Malabrigo Silky Merino in Dill

Springtime Bandit - Malabrigo Worsted in Stonechat

Kai-Mei - Aruacania Ranco Multy - Pink

Blue, Blue and more Blue

I am making progress on my Textured Circle Shrug. This thing is flying by so fast. I am alternating skeins of MadelineTosh worsted every 2 rows for the yoke. On the sleeves, I alternate every other row.

This is the finished Yoke Portion


I had to try it on to make sure the sleeves fit. I am following the pattern for 2 sizes up, since I have more stitches per inch than the pattern called for. It fits. Yay!!! Oh, by the way, do you like my curls..... thats what it looks like as soon as I get up. LOL!!! Brush teeth, make breakfast, then knit.

Here is the progress later on that night on the sleeve. Still got a few inches to go.

Aside from knitting, I like to dabble in some Makeup Artistry. I am a self-professed MAC junkie. Usually my neighbor's teenage granddaughter always happens to drop by as I am getting dolled up to go somewhere. So, she has been begging me to do her prom makeup. So, how could I resist on the night of her prom? She has been telling me for months that she is wearing blue and silver, and she wants to look "HOT". So, I decided to give her something bold. I went for the Red Carpet-glam look that made her stand out from the crowd. I mean, you only get dressed up for your prom once right???

So here are my tools.... I told you I was a MAC junkie. This is just the "small" kit for the blue makeup. LOL!!!

Here is Alexis before

And Miss Alexis After

Smokin' Hott!!!

So, what was the report at the prom? Her makeup stayed on till 5 AM, when she got home. All of the boys wanted to dance with her. She danced until her feet hurt. And the makeup still lasted through the afterparty. Hey, sometimes going to the prom purposely without a date is a good thing, when you look "HOT".

Shoes... Ahem.. Yarn Under

I decided to take on the task of doing some spring cleaning. Of course, this meant organizing all of the yarn first. My past purchases from WEBS and The Fiber Fix were still in the bag that they came in, hidden in the closet somewhere. This was getting ridiculous. I needed to do something, and I needed to do it fast.

So, my mom was clearing out old things from her closet as well, and she bought something called "Shoes Under". So then I thought hmmmmm...I could put my yarn in that. Lo and behold, it worked.

BEFORE

AFTER - Holding 42 skeins of yarn, with room to spare

Here is a secret..... they are selling this thing at Duane Reade and CVS for 9.99. I am sure other major Drug Store chains have it as well. Just check the As Seen on TV section.

My friend Raphael came to my house during by ball-winding shenanigans. He is an architect, and was impressed with the design of the swift. He was even more impressed when he saw it in action, and thought it was an ingenious idea. He said that I was part of an "Underground Knitting Club". Kind of like a fight club, but just for knitting. LOL!!! Call it what you want, but he had to try his hands at ballwinding. Do I see a smile on his face?

So, after balling up that pretty blue MadelineTosh Worsted, I had to swatch and cast on for Stephanie Japel's Textured Circle Shrug. Lion Brand is doing a KAL and although I am a few weeks behind, I am sure that I will catch up without a problem.

Here are the details so far.....

My swatch gave me 5.5 sts/inch instead of the 4.5 stitches the pattern called for. Based on how the fabric looked, I liked my size 6 swatch better than the size 7, which gave me 5 sts/inch. (Whoa Nelly..... I actually did a swatch!!! Yes, It's true) Above the gauge counter is my size 6 fabric, and below it is my size 7. You can't really tell a difference in the picture, but trust me the size 6 fabric feels a lot nicer than the 7. The 7 looks a little "holey" to me.

So, I casted on for the Large size, even though I am a Small. The raglan construction of this pattern makes that very easy. For the S,M,and L sizes, you cast-on the same amount of stitches and just do the raglan increases to fit the specific size. Ever since I made Wicked, I have loved Raglan sweaters, so I think this will be a good one. Also, I am very happy that this pattern goes up to a 2X size. I have a lot of friends and family who are not as small as me, and I think this pattern is gorgeous, and I am happy that the designer didn't forget about them too. Every woman needs gorgeous clothes, regardles of their size.

I am also alternating skeins every 2 rows. I think this is working out very lovely for me. I am just a little worried about what I will do when I get to the sleeves. Any ideas??? I will kindly take any advice.

As for the Spring Cleaning..... I have managed to try on every pair of pants that I have and I realize that 17 don't fit. I put those in a "just in case I lose 10 lbs" bin. I haven't gotten to the shirts yet, because I got sidetracked making shrugs. LOL!!! Wish me luck!

Mystery Sock Madness

I am officially out of the Sock Madness competition, and I must say that is was an eye-opening experience. I learned many valueable lessons.

On Sock #1, I leared how to do an afterthought heel.

On Sock #2, I learned how to do Fair Isle colorwork.

On Sock #3, I learned how to cable without a cable needle on 2.25mm needles.

On sock #4, I learned the importance of loving the yarn that you use for a project.

So, while knitting my Ishbel Shawl as therapy, I decided to peruse Ravelry and came across The Mystery Sock from The Knitter's Brewing Company. Mystery Sock KAL details can be found HERE! I couldn't resist. I casted on on May 5th. The second portion of the pattern was released on the 5th, so I figured I wasn't too far behind, and with all that Sock Madness bootcamp training, it would be a piece of cake. Yeah, right!!!

Problems have arised, but I am determined to work through it.

First of all, the sock has 99 beads attached on each foot. So, I sorted through my bead collection to find some beads that were supposed to be part of the "Secret of the Stole" KAL from eons ago. So, I got the pretty beads, and matched it up with some stash yarn. Lo and behold, I find some Socks that Rock mediumweight in Cobalt Bloom. Yippee!! It is a harmonious blend of tans, purples, and pinks. The beads are pinkish and have a pearlescent tan shimmer, so it is perfect. Or, so I thought.

I rush to cast on, and grab a needle that I thought was a size 0. It turns out that it was a size 1. However the pattern calls for a size 1 needle....I keep reading.. the sock is 66 stitches. Well, I used a 0 on my sock madness #1 sock, and it worked out fine with my Socks that Rock. OK... cast on. (At this point, I still don't realize that I am using a size 1 needle).

26 rows later, a row away from the end of clue #1, I decide to try on the sock. It is way too big and I am astonished. So, I check my needle stash again. Duh!!! I finally find the size 0 for real this time. RIIIIPPPPP!!!! Cast on again.

So, I am happily on to Clue #2 today, and I figure that since I have a longer length of the sock, that it is worth giving it a try. Here are my results.

Not quite the fit I wanted, and the yarn feels very stiff. I double check the gauge. I get 9 sts per inch. The pattern calls for 36 sts/4 inches. Ummmm.. last time I checked 36 divided by 4 is 9. What is going on? So, I feel like I am about to cry, and wonder if I have any MMMMMMalabrigo sock yarn that will do the trick, since it is really soft, and thinner than the STR Mediumweight. Then I remember.... tadaa!!!.... I have some Archangel that has been sitting in my stash.

I hold the beads up to it, and look at how lovely it glistens.
So, I am about to embark on another casting on journey. Since the pattern calls for 66 stitches, and there are holes and lace, I have decided to use my size 0 AGAIN!!! Three times better be the charm. The 3rd clue comes out on Saturday. Eek!!

On a better note, I recently received a yarn order from WEBS. When I went to the actual store a few weeks ago, I took a pair of shoes with me to match up to any worsted weight I could find. I got the exact color in Madelinetosh's Worsted. The colorway is called Norway Spruce. I am thinking that this will be a Francis Revisited, and the leftover yarn will make a shawl. Possibly, a Springtime Bandit, unless I fall in love with another pattern. I need to have two options to wear my pretty shoes. Sadly, the store didn't have 8 skeins in the showroom, so they made a special order for me. I am so happy. My sock blues are a thing of the past.

On to some more fun news.......Yesterday I attended the Veet Spray On Sioree Summer Kick-Off event. I decided to enjoy a little facepaint since Veet's slogan is "What beauty feels like". Here is a picture. Of course, you know they had to decorate the place pink to match my personality. I loved it!!

I'm Not Feelin' It!!

Sock Madness had the kickoff of Round 4 last Thursday. I was so excited to get started. The pattern called for a variegated yarn, as well as a solid color. The original designer used MMMMmalabrigo. However, I had other plans for my Mmmmmmalabrigo, so I just used something I had in stash. One day in the past, on a yarn binge, I bought Paton's Kroy Socks 4 -Ply and Stripes. Why? Why ? Why?

So, I used the Paton's yarn, and this is about as far as I have reached.

Front

Back - red line is for the afterthought heel.

I like the pattern, but the yarn feels so rough to me, and I have lost all mojo on this sock. I think I want to turn the yarn into a bird's nest. When did I become such a yarn snob? Geez!

So, the magic number for the people that get through to the next round is 8. As of last night, there were 7 people done. I decided to end the torture and work on this. I don't feel like I really forfeited the competition. I feel like I just decided to make something that was more enjoyable.

Last night I started to work on the lace section of my Ishbel Shawl made put of Mmmmalabrigo Sock yarn in Solis.

So, I checked the Sock Madness blog this morning and saw that position #8 is taken. I don't feel bad at all. I am loving my Ishbel Shawl. It is so soft and Squishy.

The golden rule of life - Do what makes you happy!!!