Friday, April 28, 2006

Preemie hats count

So far, only six.
I have been busy with Sophie, my 5 month old Chihuahua: training her to overcome her separation anxiety. So far it has not been so successful, and I must practice every day. She's so compact, that I'm used to take her with me everywhere it's acceptable (no, not doing the Paris Hilton thing, Celtic Knitter :P. She gives Chihuahua owners a bad name). Also, she's just so excited to discover the world, that I can't help but wanting to expose her to as many different environment as possible (apparently good for socialisation). My vet says she's well socialized, and doesn't display any of the yappy little dog's more stereotypically unpleasant behaviours (shaking, whining, yapping, etc.), but I'd like her to be a bit more independent and learn to stay by herself. Maybe she needs a hobby. Hmmmmm.....knitting?

Tuesday, April 25, 2006

What are you knitting for the Brangelina baby?


This image from Salon reminded me that I better start knitting something for the baby before it's arrival in this celebrity crazed world. One question though: What is appropriate? What is considered too much, or too little?
I know! Here's my plan: from now until the birth of the Brangelino I will be knitting preemies hats. After the birth, I will take them to a local hospital. If I knew how to start a knit-along, I would, based on this idea, but I don't. Feel free to use this idea!

Monday, April 24, 2006

Basil's socks are finished!


Nathalie is trying on her husband's socks. Yup, they're way too big for her, so they'll fit. Actually, I have casually coaxed a few people to let me draw the outline of their foot, just so I can have a proper size when I knit them socks. I still have a few missing, but I know they wear similar, or same size as others.
I have started another pair of socks, this time in Parade (Checkers is the color). Even though this yarn makes me feel like I'm lazy, I really like not having to change the colors myself, and mostly, not having a bunch of yarn ends to take care of once the socks are completed. Oh well, life doesn't have to be complicated...

Saturday, April 22, 2006

More yarn!

Yesterday, I got received a package from Knit Picks. This time, I ordered: two balls of Parade in Plum, four balls of Simple Stripes (two in Vinyard, and two in Storm), and two balls of Dancing in Jig. The Jig is a bit brighter than I expected, but I'm sure it's not too bright for the person I'm planning to knit socks for.
I better stop buying sock yarn, otherwise I'll be knitting nothing but socks for the next few months. Not that there's anything wrong with socks!

Thursday, April 20, 2006

Poem from a friend

If you are feeling kinda blue
I have a special tip for you
Don't get in a special snit
Just grab a needle and knit, knit, knit

If you should knit a special gift
And it's returned and starts a tift
Don't hesitate to send it here
Where it will be cherished, my dear.

My friend Mary sent this to cheer me up after the beautiful shrug I knitted for my mother-in-law's birthday was returned. Apparently, she's too old to wear something like that. The funny thing is that Mary is actually 77 and loved the shrug when she saw it in an e-mail I sent. I really like the shrug but just the sight of it gets me mad, and quite frankly, Mary will appreciate it much more. I'll even leave the brooch that's currently on!

Wednesday, April 19, 2006

Basil's socks


Basil's socks are coming along great. They will not be needed next week, as the surgery has been rescheduled. Nevertheless, I'm still working on them. As you can see, Sophie and I enjoyed a walk in the park, looking at the blooms.

Tuesday, April 18, 2006

Technical problems resolved (well, almost)



I finally figured out that the problem is caused by my USB connection on my PC. Not sure how to permanently fix it (I could only download to PC by using a different USB port), but one thing for sure is I need more USB ports on this PC.
Anyway, to make a long story short, here's a pic of my completed Dancing socks (I borrowed a patch of my sister's garden). They hang a little uneven on the grass, thanks to Sophie who had ti stick her head in the picture. Two people already hinted that they would not be upset if they would appear under their Christmas tree this year. Who knows, maybe I'll order more of that yarn next time.
During our afternoon walk, Sophie and I discovered a wonderful patch of blue flowers in the park. This would make for a great setting to display the progress on Basil's socks (providing Sophie behaves long enough for me to take pictures).

Monday, April 17, 2006

Parade socks started

I'm starting to experience technical difficulties with my digital camera. At first, I thought it was the battery, but after it got charged I am now unable to download the images. I'm wondering if it's the cable, but honestly, I just don't feel like playing around with it tonight. Kinda sucks though not being able to attach images with the text. Oh well...
I started a pair of socks with Knit Picks' Parade yarn. The color is called Blues. I must admit that knitting with this yarn makes me feel kinda lazy, as the colors change by themselves and create perfectly proportionate stripes (or at least give the illusion of), but I want these socks to be finished quickly. I will be giving them to my friend Basil when he comes out of his scheduled surgery sometime next week (minor surgery, but still surgery) . Nat, if you're reading this shhhhhhhh!

Friday, April 14, 2006

Dancing socks completed

I have finished the Dancing socks, and this time they look similar (sorry, no picture available, my camera battery is on the charger). It is quite incredible that a few stitches can make such a big difference in the pattern. I will probably knit with that yarn again, or at least make a few preamie hats with whatever is left.
I'm trying to decide what my next project will be. With both yarn shipments, and books I received this month, and a possibly large donation from my sister's stash (she's downsizing hers), the choices are not exactly limited. I also want to go to Lettuce knit to pick up some of the Blue Moon before it's all gone.
Oh well, I'll sleep on this one and see what tomorrow brings in terms of inspiration...

Wednesday, April 12, 2006

Different socks?


Okay, granted, I've been having the headache from hell for the past few days, and knitting in semi darkness, but these two socks are totally different! I've noticed that I was off by one stitch on the decreasing, but still... Could one stitch (each side) make that much of a difference? I mean, look at the difference in the pattern on both sides of the socks! I don't get it!
Needless to say, I've unravelled the sock with the extra stitch, and I'll be knitting it back, hopefully without too much of a difference in the pattern this time. Wish me luck!

Tuesday, April 11, 2006

New socks started

I've started a new pair of socks with a yarn I got quite excited about. It's from Knit Picks, and it's called Dancing. The color I'm using is called Ballet. It has a nice stretch to it, and I just love the colors (a shade lighter than on the picture).

Since the weather is much better outside, it would probably make for more accurate colors outdoors. Unfortunately, I don't have a nice garden, or any patch of green to display my knittings in (besides, a nasty headache makes my eyes painfully sensitive to light today). I really admire the amout of effort some people put in displaying their knitting creatively in their blog. Truly inspiring...

Friday, April 07, 2006

Happy day!


Yay! Look at all the goodies I got in the mail today. From Knit Picks, four balls of Parade (two in Checkers, and two in Blues), three of Palette in Hyacinth, and three of Merino Style in Moss. When Sophie woke up from her nap, she was covered in yarn, but didn't seem to mind.
I also got a sock book from Indigo called Folk Socks -the history & techniques of handknitted footwear (written by Nancy Bush). It really seems rich in history, which is fantastic!

Wednesday, April 05, 2006

Forget about that pattern!


Last night I gave up on Sophie's red SoHo Cabled coat. That pattern doesn't know it's head from its tail. It tells you to K1, P1, cont rib, but when you look at the picture, it's clearly K2, P2. Also, when it comes time to increase and make space for the legs, it doesn't even indicate clearly that you have to put the legs on stitch holders. Anywho, to make a long story short, I improvised for the rest of the coat, but, when it came time for Sophie's approval, the coat was rejected. Putting it on was a bit of a struggle, as it was a bit snug, but taking it off caused a growl (and not a pretty one either). I've unravelled the coat ( I know I should have taken a picture), and will look for a better pattern.

The recent cooling of the air got me in the mood for knitting scarves. I started this very-easy-can-knit-with-your-eyes-closed scarf. It's a very nice bouclé by Bernat called Galaxy. The color I'm using is called Mercury (color on pic really doesn't do it justice, so please feel free to see for yourself at http://www.bernat.com/product.php?LGC=galaxy).

Monday, April 03, 2006

Spruce socks completed!

The Spruce cabled socks are done! It's a men's size, and they look better than the previous pair when stretched. Not sure who will get them for Christmas, but obviously, I don't have to make that decision yet.

The cabled blanket for Sophie is still on hold for lack of interest. I can't seem to get in the mood to complete the last quarter left, for some reason.

Little Sophie has kept me busy, but I have started her little red coat. The pattern ( SoHo Cables by Style Hounds handknit-kits http://www.stylehoundshandknits.com/soho.htm) is a bit confusing when it comes to identifying whether you are knitting the neck or tail-end. Oh well, at least when it will be done, Sophie will look cute and be warm ( I can't believe we're expecting flurries tomorrow!). Eventhough she likes going to the park, she still gets cold within within fifteen to twenty minutes.