Knitting Day To Day

Finished the Shawl

2008-09-04T09:44:00.000-07:00

I finished my first shawl and can't wait to use it. Who knows what I am going to wear it with, I'm a jeans and tee shirt kind of person. Yet, I did some research and it seems that shawls are most appropriate with a black dress -- a reason to go shopping!

I started a pair of Elizabeth Zimmerman Mitered Mittens. It is an easy pattern, they are just a bit too big -- I did a gauge swatch though. They are Penn State mittens (blue & white). I'm using a yarn that has acyrlic, so not the warmest, will need to be used with glove liners.

Going to start back with the local knitting guild, I have missed getting together with these ladies, they are so inspirational.

Current Knitting

2008-08-19T04:08:00.000-07:00

Finished Mom's "Scalloped Shells" scarf in July. Now working on a shawl from the book "Folk Shawls" and a pair of socks. As soon as I finish the shawl I am going to start mittens. It has been a challenge for me to not start swatching for the mittens project -- I am committed to keeping my working projects to a minimum (one large and one small). Would like to make a pair for both Bill and Zachary. Am looking for ways to get more knitting done during the day. I have taking my knitting with me everywhere -- even to the Little League World Series game this past weekend -- to the dismay of my boys. Lots of eye rolling, for sure.

babylambknits

2008-04-17T05:06:00.000-07:00

My sister, Laura, and I are in the process of starting a web knitting business called babylambknits. We know we won't make tons of money, that is not why we are doing it. We both want to be able to express our creativity and talent through the things we make and then make these beautiful items available to others. Additionally, we are hoping that the business will encourage both our mother and baby sister to participate. We all are very creative and if we pool our resources (abilities) we are likely to have success in the business. I have my first baby sweater started and want to give it to a friend who is expecting. Both Laura and I feel that word of mouth will be a start to the business. Giving things away initially is comfortable to both of us.

2008-04-15T05:08:00.000-07:00

I am half-way finished with Mom's scarf. Had no idea that this project would take so long, it is fun and I love doing it. I am using size 4 needles and it is my first lace project, so probably going a bit slower than an experienced lace knitter. I am hoping to give the scarf to Mom for Mother's Day.

Guitar practice has been sporadic due to other things taking priority.

My knitting group is making a baby blanket for a fellow knitter who is expecting in June. We are making the Circle of Friends Blanket from Last Minute Gifts. It is a fun community project. I have yet to start the baby sweater.

My Gift-a-Long Goals

2008-01-28T05:36:00.000-08:00

I'm thrilled to part of this knit-a-long. What a great idea to keep the gift knitting under control. Here are my current gift goals:
1. Socks for Julie (a dear friend) to be finished by Jan. 31
2. Scarf for Mom, due March 10
3. Baby sweater (EZ Baby Surprise) for a knitting group friend (due June)
4. Santa Cruz Hoodie for my husband (due October)

Joined the Gift-a-long

2008-01-28T05:23:00.000-08:00

TO PARTICIPATE...

(a) Post a Gift List each month including Gift Item / Recipient / Occasion/ DeadlineFirst Gift List deadline is January 31st; ex. Lace Shawl/Mom/Mother's Day/May 1

(b) Post regular updates here by the last weekday of each monthUpdates = Work In Progress (WIP), DONE, Rollover (see housekeeping)

(c) Contribute to the Gift Ideas ListThe gift ideas list will be for pattern sharing when you find something great. Provide links to items that are easily "gifted" - easily adjusted for different sizes and body types, easy to pack and ship, easy to obtain the pattern (free, inexpensive, or a kit), and easy to complete in one month's time.

HOUSEKEEPING...- Monthly Gift Lists should be 5 items or less(In reality your list size is up to you - 1 item or 10, but keep the spirit of this KAL in mind - Stress Free Giving!)- Sets and pairs of things count as 1 item (bath set, a dozen discloths for one person, a pair of socks, etc.)- You can rollover an item to a new month, but you should maintain your list limit of 5; this might mean bumping an item that was planned for the upcoming month (remember, minimize the stress!)- You can change out items at any time, but you must post about it here so we can all help keep you honest and on track - full disclosure is key!- Post Work in Progress photos and Finished photos if you have them - Cheer others on - Keep your pom poms nearby and use them often; offer help with a pattern or suggestions for keeping up with goals. This goodness will come back to you!- Stay in touch...regular posting here (at least once per month) will pay off in the end.

Back to the Sweater

2008-01-28T05:14:00.000-08:00

Finished Julie's socks. Had the chance to work on my sweater again. I am working on the first sleeve. I really want to wear this sweater before winter is over this year. I think another goal I'll have this year is to keep the number of projects in progress to a maximum of two. Any more is too overwhelming. I love making sweaters and socks. I wore my cardigan this past weekend and it was a nice feeling wearing something I made and it actually looks great!

Julie's Socks

2008-01-22T10:16:00.000-08:00

I will finish Julie's second sock this week! This is a record for me, a pair of socks in a month -- and they turned out beautifully.

Went to Tuesday morning knitting group. Always fun to hear the girls talk. We are doing a group project for the Jared Boxes -- miniature pillows with pockets for inspirational messages. Now I can legitimately start a new project with the beautiful needles I got for Christmas.

Will get back to my sweater as soon as the socks are in the mail!

Guitar Lessons

2008-01-11T10:51:00.000-08:00

My husband got me a guitar for Christmas, I have wanted to learn to play since a child. I started lessons yesterday. This new venture is clearly going to take away knitting time! I wonder how many passions I can have at once?

Sweater on the Back Burner

2008-01-11T10:48:00.000-08:00

Well, the holidays swamped me and I am still recovering. I have not knit on my sweater for several weeks. But, I am still knitting! I am making a pair of socks for a very dear friend. I have one finished and the other started. I am using Socks that Rock, Silkie. Wow, the yarn is a dream to work with. This is my 6th pair of socks and I think I finally have the technique figured out. No holes at the heel! Hope to have the second sock done by January 21st.

2008 Knitting Goals

2007-12-22T11:25:00.000-08:00

In light of receiving my 6th skein of "Socks that Rock" and not having knit one pair of socks with this beautiful yarn, I thought it a good idea to have some set goals for 2008. Setting goals has always worked for me.

So, here we go:
1. Knit 6 pair of socks in 2008
2. Knit 3 sweaters
3. Knit 3 scarves
4. Have Christmas knitting done by October 31, 2008

Let's see how I do with the above! Happy New Year!

Sweater Update

2007-12-22T11:23:00.000-08:00

I started the sleeves yesterday -- they are fun. Doing the "fitted sleeve", decreasing every inch by two. I hope to have the full sweater done by mid-January so I can wear it this winter.

Sweater Update

2007-12-11T15:51:00.000-08:00

I had the chance to work on my sweater today while at my Tuesday morning knitting group. Holiday knitting has curtailed my sweater! I put my sweater (now at 9") on waste canvas to make sure it is the right size. Yeah, it is! I have 7 more inches to knit before I get to the arms. Should be able to work consistently on this project after this weekend. I have one more knitted gift to finish.

My sister started a blog recently, so a reminder to keep mine up-to-date.

A Sweater in the Making

2007-10-16T14:20:00.001-07:00

I thought it would be insightful to write about my progress on knitting my first pullover sweater. I have been knitting for two years and have done 1 cardigan and many small projects. My first pullover is using Elizabeth Zimmerman's method.

Yarn: Noro KureyonGauge: 4.75 stitch/inch
size 7 needles
4.75x37 (width of sweater)=176 stitches (key number)

Ribbing: I used garter ridge and cast on 158 stitches (which is 10% less than my key number of 176).I was rapidly knitting in the round and knit too far, I flew by the 3" check-point and forgot to do the short row shaping to lengthen the back of the sweater. I Had to rip out 2 inches of knitting. Hope to get to the short rows tonight.