Big Lace

* I love patterns! My old knitting friends know this about me.  Its half the fun of the knitting project, finding a pattern to go with that YARN.  So I want to start talking more about knitting and patterns here.  Even if its not a complete Knitting blog, knitting is a huge part of my life.

From my first lace project waaaaay way back in the day.  Which was "Branching Out" published in Knitty from 2005.  I had only been knitting a short time back then, Ravelry wasn't even a thing yet.  It was a nice safe way to start knitting lace.  Much like the first time I shifted from first to second gear, I was hooked.  I really like lace knitting.  In particular I really like Estonian Lace.  Estonian lace has lovely repeats, easy to memorize patterns and they have a logic to them that makes the knitting easy to read.  More than just lace knitting, I live knitting lace in fingering weight yarn rather than lace weight yarn.  I prefer the better stitch definition and the warm wear.  As anyone who knows me, knows I love shawls as scarves.  Maybe its my inner hipster, maybe I don't like to be cold.

 

Just a few "Claire is knit shawls" pictures.  BTW they are Summerfly, TurnTable, Raindrops, Shallow tail and Glitz at the Ritz.  Luckily the rest of the knitting word is starting to see how awesome it is to wear shawls as scarves.

In 2012 I cast on for Juneberry, the epic worsted Lace triangle from that "hurt so good" designer we all love but never wear Jared Flood. Don't get me wrong the man takes amazing pictures, knows how to sell a brand and does create gorgeous patterns.  He also doesn't have hips or boobs nor has the slightest clue how to design a flattering pattern for anyone one who has either.  So I stick to his slightly overly complicated shawl and scarf patterns.  Shockingly Juneberry doesn't have a provisional cast on but its makes up for that with lace knitting on both the knit and purl sides.  If you make this pattern remember, the 3 knit boarder stitches are knot listed anywhere but in the notes and put a stitch marker between each pattern repeat.  DO IT! It took me years to knit this thing because I'd put it away and put it away and put it away.  Finally I just did it, and knocked the damn thing out this year.  Its also so squishy I might die.  Now that its extremely cold I've found I really like the extra added warmth of worst weight knitting.  There are some great knits out there to show off your lace skills and use a warmer yarn.  Juneberry of course.  There is Conifer, by Kate Gagnon Osborn, she has more than one worsted weight shawl but Conifer is the best of her lace.  The Lonely Tree Shawl and From Afar from two of the coolest kids on Ravelry.  The Skye Boat Shawl which looks so squishy. There's also Hojas and Farid from Sneezerville.

There aren't a lot of lace-worsted patterns available which is a little disappointing. But when you want to a change up from those oh so cozy but not so exciting garter stitch shawls which are popping up everywhere, take a peak at these patterns.

Back Log

Hey hey hey!

I've got lots of pictures to show you, of lots of stuff.

Fall arrived, and was lovely.  My Mom came for a visit for Halloween and we ran amuck around Kansas City.  We visited all the hot spots, like Crown Plaza and saw the new Hall's.  We had sooooo many tricker treaters that we had to turn off the light.  Next year, more candy!

I became an accidental hipster.  The warehouse is a shitshow of dirt and things that what to ruin my clothes so I got an old flannel at Goodwill, which has a handy pocket for pens (which lady jeans do not make space for) and keeps me looking clean afterward.  I wear my blue knit beret to keep my hair out of my face.  Add in my hipster bearded (its f'ing cold here and its a seasonal thing not completely a fashion statement) warehouse manager and BOOOM we're the coolest warehouse in town.  Maybe I can convince him to grow his hair out and go for the man-bun! HAHAHA, or not.  

I finished my Pendulum shawl which I modified because I didn't have enough yarn.  This was a quick mindless knit which burned up two balls of old yarn.  I'm almost through my stash.  I'm very proud of myself.  I have two sweaters worth left and they have patterns.  I have a handful of sock balls, which might be given away.  Two pair mittens to knit, a few shawls worth and I'll be at a level which makes me feel I can buy some yarn again.  

I started this great sweater.  Its coming along fantastically.  I'm almost to the sleeves now.  Andi is a fantastic pattern writer.  She understands shape so well and I also made some bold sizing decisions myself.  I have a 17inch back but a 40 inch bust line.  This means when I knit 40 inch sizes I have HUGE arm holes and saggy sweaters.  I plan to only ever knit 34" sweater sizes from now on and add some stitches to the bust if I need them.  I'm a cardigan knitter so I'm mostly good.  

I met this fellow on a walk and I though he was too cute pass up.  He even mugged for this picture.  Turning and looking the whole time I shot photos of him.  

Then Christmas came! I got a Lego Advent Calendar this year.  While I'm not an advent person its the perfect birthday count down clock.  And LEGOS! A whole box of little lego fun.  It was fantastic too, Luke and little cannons that fire legos bricks, a speeder and a xmas droid.  

My favorite holiday wreath I got years ago at Target.  

Ornament 1, from Target with a little bird.

Ornament 2, a porcialan feather from KC's own Hammermill Press.  Can you see the bird theme we've got.  

My Felt Advent Calendar

Finally our tree.  Which was dry and sad but we made it pretty.  I miss you great northwest and your lovely xmas trees so full of live and beauty.  Here its just 1 kind of tree and they kinda suck.  But we power trough.  

So I've got more pics of more stuff.  Stay tuned for Beer making, Cheese! and the hard freeze.  

Love ya all!

Stupid Sweater

This is the second time around for this yarn.  It was a failed sweater from a few years back, no matter who tried the thing on it look bad on them.  It was like the opposite of the Traveling Pants, nothing but fug! I found a better pattern, I made sure it look good on other people and got started.  I'm not sure where it went wrong.  There are a few things I know about myself.  For starters I can't wear Raglan ANYTHING.  Sweaters, shirts, nope not a one.  I told myself this pattern was different, not a true raglan, it'll be fine.  My gauge is right, in fact it should be SMALLER than written.  Instead this thing is a huge sweater mess.  HUGE.  JUST HUGE in all the wrong places.  Under the arms, in the back, in the arms.  WHO THE FUCK TEST KNIT THIS SHIT! Sizing people, alway make the pattern in the size that is in the picture, because other wise its gonna look like a sack on you. Also just ignore your boobs.  Seriously, from now on I'm just knitting to ignore my boobs.

See HUGE raglan underarms HUGE! What do I have that much underarm flab. 

Look at that extra back fabric!!!

That about sums it up.

This yarn also doesn't have enough twist to give body.  The alpaca gives it too much drape and its a bitch.  So this will get pulled out AGAIN, and maybe one day it will become a blanket, a nice soft cozy blanket, not a terrible sweater.  

Some Knitting

I do knit (this started out as a knitting blog) as well as other craft things.  Summer time isn't always the best time to knit, but it doesn't stop me.  As of late I've been working on a few things, nothing much...

The Lazy Girl Shawl

New York Cardigan

Lace Detail

I do still Knit

But you don't get to see it much.  Or at least the finished products.  So thing about getting from camera to computer is a chore and then on to the blog.  I'm trying to make it work on that but I'm just running on auto until I have more time.  Hub's job is a super time suck and I'm trying to workout twice a day, which leaves about 0 time to knit or post.  A while back I finished this project......



Project: Willow Cowl
Yarn: Hazel Knits, sock
Colorway: Hometown Team (?)



I ment to wear this to ALLLLLL those chilly M's games
 that I would go to this year.  I went to one,
 before I finished it. 
 So sad we went to like 20 last year. 





Hidding from how bad the M's have been



Stash Break Down

Its time to tackle the stash. Yes, that place that yarn hides. Where bits of fiber lurk and wait. Its there behind the door of my studio closet, stressing me out. IT HAS TO GO!!! All of it, well most of it. For starters all the yarn needs to be assigned a project, projects and yarn are going into bags. Extra yarn that is project-less or that I just don't ever what to see again will be sold, traded or gifted. The only yarn I will purchase from now until when ever all that stash goes away is sweater amounts. You heard me right, I only have 2 sweaters waiting in the wings. Also I have never purchased a "sweater amount" without a project. This sounds really strange, but its true. My "stash" is mainly bits of sock yarn (I don't wear socks) lace, and some random heavier weights. I'm posting this because I want you to keep me on task. I'll update soon, like after I wade through the crap. Check back.

Catching Up

Lots of my projects are finished with little fan fair. Seldom do they get photographed or posted to Ravelry. So I got a movin' and got my projects page up to date!. Monday is my Sunday which means I get a whole un-bothered day to play with my yarn!

These are the socks that are keeping my busy at work. The Yarn contains "seafood". It seem quite a few folks buy it and then discover that the intended recipient of said socks are highly allergic to said seafood. I have inherited 3 balls of the stuff.

A few weeks back I attended a cousins baby shower with very short notice but was able to whip this little number up. It was all stash yarn too! Once I get my etsy shop up and running I plan on selling some of these cuties.

In my former state a lovely little (no so little anymore) LYS opened too bad I moved about 5 months latter. They carry a great, I mean great selection of yarn. Since I'm not a huge sock wearer I turned a lovely ball of Mountain Colors into this great beret. It wears well and knits fantastically.

What can I say about the Chevron Scarf. I bought the yarn years ago, started it years ago and pushed to finish it. The only saving grace about this thing was the constant color changes. The two socks yarns, all the colors, it was really fun.

While the knit was great and the scarf so wearable, the yarn over takes the pattern a little too much. However I do wear it often, and love it. I might make another.

Plans for my future crafting include some sewing from my Christmas gift (I kinda ordered it for myself and wrapped it) Stitch by Stitch. Almost all of my sewing knowledge is self instructed and I love these types of books, I can build on the things I learn from each project. Stay tuned.

Short Notice

When I went to Georgia for my multiple chicken workshops last year, I spent some quality time online scoping out restaurants, grocery stores and shopping. Before I even hit the ground everything was in order. The time Hub and I drove cross country (before google) I sat in the sun with a calculator, pen and paper tracking miles driven and small cities with a roadmap. Planing is somehow programed into my DNA. In my little knitting world its the same. I want notice and lots of it. Say if you have a good nine month lead on me, please let me know. Sigh, this brings me to my cousin, and how she's about to have a baby. Really I'd like more time to properly knit for this little one.


Also I'd like as much time as possible to work on this. My lace scarf.

A Year ago

This was taken a year ago. Before I began Crossfit, and before I moved back. That shrug is no more. I've frogged it and its going to become a more wearable item. I hope to share some photos with you and then take some after shots. Pictures like this and others. We'll see, I'm not so good with the timer on the camera.
Our lab was audited yesterday, which was a little stressful. But its over now and we can stop looking over our shoulder all the time. When the auditors arrived, they wanted to know who had been at the lab in Kentucky, which was me. The fact that checked up on me and the old life was a little strange.
Day two has been going smoothly. Hub is having some trouble with snacks. He loves crispy salty things, but no CHIPS. I think so far I've felt less change then him. Normally snacks are small and healthy so it seems that I've gotta leg up on him. Friday we have to attend an event so lets see what going out to dinner is like.

Sweet Time

The Great Sweater Remakes of 2010 are on their way. First step is total sweater destruction. I don't plan on frogging all the bad projects, a few are just going to get a partial rip, and other are getting the sewing machine. Really it wasn't painful at all, it really felt great!

The remains of a dead sweater.

Another thing that is taking its freakin' time, my orchid. All covered in HUGE fat buds just waiting to bloom. Good crap if this doesn't pop soon it might have to move with blooms. Wait, I see whats going on here. In the last move the two orchids (this one and the sickie one) the two African Violets and my peace lily got stuffed into a box and moved across country in a stupid hot truck. If the orchid blooms, I'll treat it all nice and stuff. Darn plant.

Bad Film Re-Makes

It seams that every time I turn around Hollywood is remaking a bad movie from the '70 and making them into equally bad movie from the 2000's or turning really good movies into blah films staring some big names. I've been inspired by the great big film guys on the left coast to remake something bad, something very, very bad. Ages ago I made a "Something Red" sweater from the lovely Knit and Tonic. Like lots of people, I love her patterns but like lots of people my body is um not any where near hers. I think we're about the same height but shes a weee wisp of a thing and in the "twin" department not the same. These days I've been trying to knit more user friendly sweaters, thing that I'll really wear and won't make people ask "did youuuuuuu make that". Of all the sweaters I've made I wear ONE. Since I'm 5' 2" but a 41 inch bust things don't always fit. When I make a sweater that fits the "twins" the arms are all hanging and the shoulders fall off. Out of shear grumpy-ness I just shove the ill fitting messes into the back of my closet. After lots of "What Not To Wear" and lots of reading of great sewing books, I'm on a campaign to re-make or fix all my craptastic creations and after that help myself make better sweaters and anyone who needs my help.

Oh did I show you this.....

A Pint is A Pound, The World Around

I'm always trying to think stuff up in my head to blog about, sometimes I even write them down in little books I tote around. Trying to sketch out ideas and adventures I've had. Problem is now-a-days I just don't do much of interest. Don't get me wrong I'm "always up to something" but I don't think any one cares to read about my adventures in laundry-land or the time I did dishes. Granted I do still do "stuff" other than house work. To keep my skills sharp and to avoid have conversations with the house plants I've been volunteering everyday at the post hospital in the lab. OOOOOOO-E, thats a strange world. Lots of people running around like chickens with their heads cut off who have forgotten how to multi-task and run more than one machine at once. Any-way, basically all hospitals have blood banks and blood banks need blood. So today was like TARP for the blood bank and guess who found herself having a pint drained.........
Giving blood is also my excuse to take a nap and eat cookies!!! Plus it's an effective and guilt free way to get out of a hard CrossFit work out.

For more squeamish member of the reading world, my lace knitting........

Oh I'm so Sorry

It always seems like once I find a new Blog to read that Blogger goes on some extended vacation from the rest of humanity, and I'm sorry to any new readers. Lately I've just been try to recover from the mad gift making and shipping, the slew of x-mas parties and the cookies that go with them. What have I been up to? Well one I can't show you because its a secret, but some others I can.
First I made my own surface of the sun.....My good friend Evan of Evan Baines Photography out of Nashville uses this method for his amazing photography and for about $20 you can too can take better pictures any time of the day. Check out this link for instructions, Strobist.

Yes that is my Red Swingline Stapler!

When I moved out here from TN and away from the great people in my lab, they threw me a little going away party. The also gave me a little gift card to one of my favorite yarn shops. Little Knits in Seattle. Well the idea was that when I couldn't stand living in a yarnless town any longer I could break out the gift card and get some much needed fiber therapy.
BEHOLD! Enough Silky Merino Malabrigo to make the Hour Glass sweater in this great tone on tone blue. Really? Blue? Claire? I needed a change. It's more glacier than blue.

Next week I'll share more, including my gifts from the BVC folks and snippets from the secret project. After Christmas the Etsy Shop will be updated, and a second shop will be rolled out after in the start of the new year (oooooooo).

Until we meet again, a little surprise from my African Violet that seems to forget its winter.

Monday-Monday

Mondays are well mondays, even when you don't have a real job. It still stinks. The only cool thing about Mondays is that its our Lawton area Knit-together-get-together. We go to the Atalanta Bread Company. Nice and tasty. Knitting in Public (KIP) draws a lot of stares, which makes me laugh. Lots of "they're sewing" and other mis-interpretations from parents to children (NO KIDDING, once in the airport a mom told her daughter I was SEWING!!!! I always carry my Brother sewing machine on the plane, and on what planet do you not know what sewing looks like that you mistake it for knitting. Personally just ask, its good for kids) .
I took some pictures today since we had a wee bit of sun.

Lady Feb.

ID Badge Holder (Christmas Present for someone!)

Earrings for Myself

Earrings for sale on Etsy

I risked my fingers to make a light box. I'll show some more pictures on Wednesday. Stay tuned because all this week is GIVE-AWAY week, and I have a give away.