A Christmas Gift That My Friend Almost Didn't Get Because I Fell In Love With It

Pattern: "Mine!"
(The pattern can be purchased in the right sidebar.)

I thought things were going to get ugly when I finally had to hand it over. Knitting this scarf in my favorite color-in one of the softest yarns on the face of the earth-was bound to make me not want to give it away. But I was a good girl, and my friend received a well-deserved Christmas gift.

I LOVE when a man wears anything in charcoal gray. Especially when it's cable-knit. It just seems so...MANLY.

If I were President of these United States, I'd make it a law that all boys have at least one item of cable-knit, charcoal gray clothing at birth. In fact, as soon as they are born I would give them a "life kit" that includes some of the most important things that they will need in life:

Cable-knit, charcoal gray baby hat and/or sweater
Aluminum foil
Duct tape
Swiss Army knife

It seems that I want the kid to "MacGyver"* his way through life.

I made this hat for a friend's brother. It's the one that I designed for my youngest brother, Dontae, for Christmas that one year. The pattern can be found over there in the side bar and is called, um, "The Dontae" (Because I'm very creative when it comes to naming my designs.). The yarn I used is Cascade 220 and it's darker and "charcoal-ier" than shown. But since it's very difficult to take a picture to show detail in such a dark color, I had to make a deal with the sun to shine mightily on this hat so you guys can see the cables. As a result, the color seems lighter.


*For the younguns out there who know NOTHING about the show, MacGyver was a character in a television show who used unorthodox items to get out of binds. For example, he may use a gum wrapper and a toenail to make a bomb to escape from some bad guys.

The Power of the Bootie

I know that many of you just ovulated simply by looking at this picture.

Even the men.

Many of you will even conceive today, initiated by the cuteness exuded from the booties.  Don't they make you want some babies?  You can thank me by naming the children after me ("Nicolas" if it's a boy).

Here, let me help you.



You're welcome.

(The booties are crocheted and the pattern is here.)

Trickery

The other day, I read that children have found a new way to get drunk. They soak gummy bears in vodka, effectively tricking adults into thinking that they're just enjoying a tasty treat.

I must say that it's freaking genius. (Now, if only they'd use their powers for good instead of evil.)

Because it's so genius, I feel sort of like I'm betraying the little delinquents by spreading the word about their trickery. I mean, if you can figure out how to get your underage drinking fix without anyone knowing, then, I think you deserve it*. If I see a teenager downing a bag of gummy bears, I'll simply smile and wink. I'll keep your secret. For your level of "sneakery" is to be revered.

Reading about sneaky ways to get drunk isn't all I've been up to these days. No sir. I've been knitting a shawl. Yep. I'm still in my shawl phase.

Some friends and I went to Charlotte Yarn late last year. Both my BFF and I locked eyes on a shawl sample that was strategically placed by the door to trick us into spending more money than we wanted.

Daybreak Golds
(Picture courtesy of Knitter's Magazine)

We found out that it was knit using a free pattern and all we needed to do was buy the yarn. The next thing I knew everything went black, and when I came to I was walking out of the store with two balls of lace weight.

*Please know that I am joking. That's what I do.

Copycat Shawl Knitting, Part Deux (All Pics Enlarge)

The second shawl in the copycat shawl knitting series is Citron. I'm a sucker for ruffles, but you already knew that. 

I don't think I'll ever stop being amazed at the difference blocking makes, especially when it comes to shawls.  They look somewhat pitiful when they're fresh off the needles...the fabric's all shriveled up...stitches are uneven and crowded, fighting each other for space.  But stretch and pin that sucker down and give it some steam and you've got yourself one little happy shawl. 

The transformation that this shawl makes after blocking is not as dramatic as others I've seen.  I've seen those that are about 2 inches wide when they come off the needles, but after a good blocking, they end up covering a queen-sized bed. I kid, of course. The change in size is often so dramatic, though, that it feels that way.

This is yet another shawl that makes me feel girlie. If you pretend that my head is stuck on the mannequin, then you can imagine that it is just as cute on me as it is on her. I need to get myself a proper shawl pin.

The yarn is from Knit Picks and is Bare Gloss Fingering sock yarn (Merino/Silk) .  I purchased and dyed it back in 2009.  I used Jacquard Dye but I can't remember the color I used.  It may even be a mixture of a couple of colors because I remember being a bit of an experimenter as a beginning dyer.  I modified the pattern because I didn't have enough yarn to finish all the suggested rows.  I ended up having enough to make the edge ruffle longer than called for.

Riata

I have a new creation that just went live in the Twist Collective 2011 Fall Issue. Its name is "Riata" (All photos courtesy of Twist Collective. Jamie Dixon, photographer.).

When I first saw this rope cable in one of my stitch dictionaries, I knew I wanted to design a sweater with it. In fact, one of the reasons I purchased the dictionary was for THIS stitch, cable junkie that I am. I originally thought that I could only design a simple scarf because it looks complicated.

BUT I WANTED A SWEATER!

I stared at the picture of the stitch for a long time, then thought, "Hell, just work a swatch to get a feel for the mechanics of it to figure out how to design a sweater around it." (This swatching idea is profound.)

So, I did. And discovered that it is much simpler than it looks.

I truly thank Twist Collective for this opportunity.

Tutorial for Weaving in Ends

I love that The Purl Bee wrote this tutorial to show us, both beginners and experienced knitters, the different ways there are to weave in ends.  I've used a few of these already.  The one I use depends on the fabric (whether it's stockinette or garter stitch, for example) whether or not both sides will be visible (as in a shawl or scarf), or how quickly I want to get something done (i.e., how lazy/frustrated I am).

Follow the link above and get some new techniques under your belt.   

Mara-Complete

All Pictures Enlarge

I'd just finished a submission for a sweater pattern that was a little challenging and wanted a bit of easy knitting after that.  Usually when I finish a large project, I don't want to look at knitting for a few days. This time, my fingers wanted to continue moving but my brain didn't want to do too much thinking.





Simplicity was the reason I chose to knit Mara. Well, that and the fact that I really loved how cute it is.  Oh, and the fact that I was being a copycat since my BFF knit one too. I've worn her at work now for a couple of days and I'm totally smitten.  I've worn her simply thrown over my shoulders as on the mannequin. I need Mara at work because Frosty is at the helm of the air conditioning system. 

My favorite part of the shawl is the ruffled edge because it makes my 38-year-old arse feel like a girl. Or a proper lady. Because ladies wear stuff like shawls.

My next project will be the Acanthus Shawlette.  I'm using this yarn that I dyed over two years ago.

Knitty First Fall 2011 Is Up!

...and I have a feeling that "Creekbed" is going to be the next Clapotis.  EVERYBODY and their mamas are going to be knitting it.  Including me.

Picture from Knitty.com

Here's a link to the pattern.

Want!

Picture From PaperSheep Press

Seriously, how awesome is this note card? Buy it here.

I Can Stop When I Want To...

I started cooking more to keep me out of fast food restaurants and decided that I needed more dishes like this in which to store leftovers:

(All Pictures Enlarge)

It's a vintage pyrex dish in the Snowflake pattern, probably made in the late 50s. I bought it for $2 from the Salvation Army years ago because I thought it was cute and is the perfect size for me. If I'm going to do this cooking thing, I want to do it with pretty dishes. My search for more has led me to an obsession that is probably equal to my obsession for yarn.  I found a couple more vintage pyrex dishes from a vendor at a local flea market:

The one at the very top isn't pyrex

My GOSH, how pretty! I did more research on vintage pyrex and saw that there were even more patterns to love. I decided that those dishes needed some company:

This is from weeks and weeks of stalking thrift and antique stores. I like buying from these places instead of etsy and ebay because prices can be super expensive.

My search for coveted pieces has resulted in knowing the location of all the Goodwill stores within a 30 mile radius of my home. The thrill of the hunt is what keeps me searching. I love any pink piece and anything with the red and orange friendship pattern.

Honey, I have even more than what's shown in the pictures. I'm too ashamed to show you more, lest you think I have a bit of a problem. I've toned it down a bit, though. I think I'm going to complete the bowl sets that I have then stop collecting. Unless, of course, you all want to send me more. How could I say "No"?

"Thrifting" for pyrex has also allowed me to find treasures to feed my yarn obsession. Why, the other day I came across 10 skeins of cascade 220 for a mere 8 dollars.

A couple of days before that, I found 15 skeins of Creme Brulee (merino wool, originally $6.10/skein) for $4 TOTAL.

I found out when I got the yarn home that the Creme Brulee is discontinued. Who cares? Discontinued yarn can still become a sweater.

Shawl Envy

She keeps knitting them and I keep wanting them.  I also want her to knit them for me but she's not budging.  I've never been much of a shawl knitter, but lately I've wanted every shawl that my BFF has knit.  And she won't give them to me.  Said something about knitting them "your-damn-self".

No amount of begging will make that girl hand them over, so I've decided that I might as well start knittin'.  I've decided to start with Mara.

Mara's simple but beautiful.  Garter stitch, a couple yarn overs, the cutest little ribbed border and you've got yourself one of the cutest shawls this side of creation.  I'm using a Patons heathered yarn. I love heathered yarn like a fat kid loves cake.

Since I carry a gene that makes me susceptible to looking like an old lady when wearing shawls, I must make sure to drape them fashionably.  I tried to steal on my BFF's and it was cute in some of the draping styles I tried.  However, some ways stimulated a strange urge to look for a cane and eat prunes.  I must avoid those.

I think the true test would be for me to drape the shawl and stand at a busy intersection in a neighborhood where there's a large population of boy scouts.  If 15 little boys rush to my aid and try to help me to cross the street, I'll know I need to re-drape.  On the other hand, if their daddies approach me with generous offers of making me a "kept woman", I'll know I'm looking rather chic.

I'm almost done with Mara.  All I need to do is complete the ruffled, ribbed edging.  I didn't make the shawl as wide as the pattern suggests because I didn't want it that wide. 

 

TWITTER

Follow me on twitter.  I'm "niksknits" there. 

A Hat for Barbara

I received an e-mail from a friend in Chicago asking me to make her a hat.  Actually, she wanted me to make her a hat, scarf, and a sweater.  I believe there might have been a request for gloves, too.  She offered to pay, of course.

Whew.  That's a hell of an order.

With all the knitting already on my plate, I decided that I'd just make her a hat for free.  I went online searching for a hat pattern that I liked.  I found one and knit it, but it turned out waaaaay too small.  So small, that it's going to have to go to her granddaughter (who will be the recipient of the baby "ear hat" I wrote about below.).  I realized that the hat wasn't going to fit an adult before I was done with it, but decided to keep knitting anyway.  I'd just give it to either an adult with a toddler-sized head...or a toddler.  I got both stitch and row gauge, so that wasn't the problem.  The pattern even shows an actual adult wearing the hat, so I thought it would be fine.   

I kept searching for a hat pattern then I realized that, um, I'd designed a couple of hats in my day, and that I'd just make her one of them. 

Duh.  My brilliance is astounding, I tell you.   (To be fair to myself, I originally just wanted to see if there were hats from other designers that I'd like to knit.  But I just ended up coming back to my own stuff.)  

She's getting the Irish Hiking Hat (the pattern is free in the sidebar.).  I didn't make the fold-up brim because I thought she might think this version was more stylish.  I used the Paton's Classic Wool that I had left over from my DNA scarf.

The Wall

We (me and the ladies of my knitting group) refer to it as "hitting the wall".

It usually happens when you're working on a project that constantly presents challenges and one more minor mistake happens.  This "breaks the camel's back" and sends you to a realm of being pissed that you didn't even know existed.  Or, you might just be irritated for other reasons and a minor mistake will make you want to have fist fights with your knitting.  Whatever the case, you can no longer mentally handle even the simple demands of stockinette stitch.  As a result of hitting the wall, your knitting goes into "time-out" until you can bear to look at its stupid face again.

Everyone hits the wall with a different force, and not everyone knows that they're going to even hit the wall until they suddenly find their faces meeting brick. Sometimes it takes something as simple as ONE. DROPPED. STITCH. to send you over the edge. Your knitting confidence can even get smashed to bits and you forget about the fact that you were once a super bad-ass knitter. ("I've knit 10 of those steeked, cable-knit, intarsia, turtleneck sweaters with the kangaroo pocket...I KNOW I can do this.  Maybe this is the end for me.")

My face met brick the other day when I was having difficulty putting ears on a mere baby hat.

I tried to sew the ears on but they didn't look right because my sewing job looked sloppy.  I ripped and tried again.  4 more times.  I finally got one of the ears attached in a way that I was moderately pleased with, but then I had a problem with the position of the ear.  Was it too far to the front?  Should it be more toward the side?

I could feel that I was getting irritated, but I was SO close to having the hat completed that I kept going.  I started to have an inner dialogue with myself.  Ok, it wasn't so inner.  There was no one else there, so I was talking out loud. 

"Hell, I don't know where to put these ears. I need a baby head for proper placement. I need to steal a baby...I just need it for 5 minutes. I swear, I'll put it back."

I then proceeded to make a mental list of all my friends with babies. I have many who are currently incubating babies, but few who have babies in their final form. And one of those completely formed babies doesn't even like me (We used to date. But he started crying whenever he saw me, so I figured that meant "I quit you" in baby speak. Baby Jacob, call me! (On your toy phone. I'll pick up, I swear.))

Void of a real baby head, I removed the ear again to try putting it in a different position.  Then its bound off edge unravelled. 

That did it. 

"Oh,  you want to unravel huh?  I'll give you something to unravel about."  So, I helped it along and pulled out all the stitching since it clearly didn't want to be an ear anymore.  That's why you only see one ear in the pictures.  

I continued to descend into a sea of irrationality until I put that bitch in time-out.  It will get ears one day.

R.I.P. second ear.  You brought that on yourself.

I FINALLY Have My Very Own DNA Scarf!

Yarn: Patons Classic Wool, less than 2 skeins
Needles: Size US 8
Note: Since I used worsted weight yarn (instead of the suggested sport weight), I was able to get the final length by completing only 4 repeats of the DNA pattern (instead of the suggested 5).



Ah, DNA. It's the stuff that makes us who we are. And it's one bad-ass molecule.

If you've committed a crime and the police have a sample of it from the scene, you can just forget about saying that you weren't there. Because someone will go all CSI on your ass, and make your DNA rat you out.

It'll make a man tell the truth if his is found on a dress that doesn't belong to his wife. ("I did NOT have sexual relations with...wait, they found my DNA on one of her dresses...she didn't clean the damn dress after all this time?!!...DAMN...OK...Maybe I did.")

And I get to wear it around my neck.

June Oshiro is my hero. Thanks for taking the time to design this awesome scarf. Because SOMEBODY had to do it.