Okay... So am I the only person on the face of the planet who can't seem to knit with DPNs?!!! Holy "insert colourful metaphor here"!
My son, after watching me knit my armwarmers, has asked me to knit him some. He thought "they are so cool!" he wanted a pair. Sure, buddy! But I'll do them different. Your arms aren't as big as mine. The circs I'm doing mine on wouldn't be a good size to do yours on". Thinking in the back of my not so logical mind I'll do his on DPNs instead. Its a tube thing. I find it fun to knit tubes. Socks for everyone, maybe. I think its all stems of my instant gratification issue.
So anyway last week he picked out this "yarn" from the dollar store. That alone was a mistake. Then, this Saturday, before we head out to his ball tourney he tells me, "Don't watch me play, just knit my armwarmers." OK! My son is an alien. The original 9yr. old showman is letting me, nay, ordering me to do something instead of watching him during his "time"! I can't argue, I grab the knitting go.
So, his first time up to bat and he hits it! First base.... My husband pokes me in the ribs and says, I think he wants you to knit. Here's our son, standing there, doing the hand motions. Up and down, up and down. Go on, he mouths... OK! I giggle and say, well guess that's all the ball I'm watching today!
I cast on to one needle. Start doing a x2 ribbing. Do three rows and then divide onto three needles. 9 Stitches a needle. When I start kintting, I put my spare needle in and give'er. When I got to the end of the third needle I, for whatever reason, was lost... OK! How do I join them now. I know I'm jsut supposed to knit them together, but if I do I'll end up with only three needles instead of four! I fought and fought with how the heck I was supposed to get this blasted thing together for the rest game. I suck, but they won the game.
After we came home and I said I needed to consult "the experts" to my hubby. Got on the computer and surfed till my fingers hurt from clicking and my eyes from not blinking. I thought I had it.
The rest of the day was pretty much the same. Two more games and I was still fighting good and evil. For some odd reason, the left side of my brain is fighting the right side and there doesn't seem to be a definite winner! His last game was at 6:00 and we got home by 9:00. I was a spent penny. There was nothing in the tank anymore. I said screw it! Tomorrows another day.
Today...I washed and detailed my car.
Sunday, May 28, 2006
Sunday, May 21, 2006
Finally!!! Some Photo Updates!
I've finally taken some photos off my camera to update my blog.
Here's my Girlie Scarf. Its lovely and very, very long. Almost too long actually. I have to wrap it around my neck twice to get it to hang just below my waist. But, I still love it...
Also, off the needles is my mid-month KAL from my Dishcloth Group. Its a lovely red-dress, embelished with a heart. A Reminder of how common heart disease is in women and a how important it is to have proper diet and excercise... Something I know I've been neglecting.
I'm also working on a pair of full length armwarmers. Our office is cold in the mornings, but too warm for a jacket... I were alot of short sleeved shirts because by mid-afternoon, our office feels like a bakery.. Very, very toasty. Its amazing how 5 computers can pump out the heat. This way I have something small that'll warm up my chilly parts without alot of bulk. Besides, I love the way the arm length armwarmers look and it gave me an excuse to knit them. (Like I need an excuse...)
When my hubby was having surgery to remove screws from his leg, (he broke his tibia nd fibia almost two years ago,) I was able to get alot done on my first one. All I need to finish now is the ribbing.
Here's my Girlie Scarf. Its lovely and very, very long. Almost too long actually. I have to wrap it around my neck twice to get it to hang just below my waist. But, I still love it...
Also, off the needles is my mid-month KAL from my Dishcloth Group. Its a lovely red-dress, embelished with a heart. A Reminder of how common heart disease is in women and a how important it is to have proper diet and excercise... Something I know I've been neglecting.
I'm also working on a pair of full length armwarmers. Our office is cold in the mornings, but too warm for a jacket... I were alot of short sleeved shirts because by mid-afternoon, our office feels like a bakery.. Very, very toasty. Its amazing how 5 computers can pump out the heat. This way I have something small that'll warm up my chilly parts without alot of bulk. Besides, I love the way the arm length armwarmers look and it gave me an excuse to knit them. (Like I need an excuse...)
When my hubby was having surgery to remove screws from his leg, (he broke his tibia nd fibia almost two years ago,) I was able to get alot done on my first one. All I need to finish now is the ribbing.
Thursday, May 18, 2006
Lace Filet Pattern
I'm going to have to try this one, too. Also from woolworks.org (which just might be my new favorite website of the day.)
A couple of days ago I mentioned a stitch which I apparently invented,
one which resembles filet crochet--which is to say that even though it's
worked with yarn-overs, the holes are perfectly square. Sally Pecor
mentioned something similar in one of the Mary Thomas books, but it's not
constructed the way mine is. So I guess maybe I really, actually and truly
invented something. And now, of course, I will share it with you. Do try
it; it looks really nice and is probably the most open lace you'll ever
see.
Before I can give you the pattern I have to explain the technique that
makes it work. I call it "knit-through". To work this, insert the RH needle
into the first stitch on the LH needle _purlwise_; then knit the second
stitch on the needle as you normally would, pull the newly knit stitch
through the first stitch, and let both stitches fall off the LH needle. As
you can see, this is very similar to a slip one-knit one-pass slipped
stitch over decrease, but with an important difference; since you didn't
slip the stitch but instead worked inside it, there's no float in back of
the "slipped" stitch. This permits the rows to stretch open without being
bound up by the floats. It's also much faster to work than a sl1-k1-psso
decrease.
Okay. The filet pattern is as follows:
Over an odd number of stitches;
Row 1 (RS): K2, *yarn over, knit-through*; work between *s to last st, K1.
Row 2 (WS): Purl.
That's the whole thing. Remember that it opens up enormously, so you
must either cast on _very_ loosely or cast on twice as many stitches as you
need and then P2tog loosely across the row before you begin working the
pattern; otherwise, the cast-on edge will bind unattractively. Block this
very big and don't work it on over-large needles or the columns of knit
stitches will look gappy. It would make a very good summer pullover made in
two large rectangles with garter-stitch welts at the waist and armholes,
and it's so open that you could make it in a few days. Summer's not over
yet.
as posted by Robert Matthews (1995)
jimbob@itchy.mi.net
from www.woolworks.org
A couple of days ago I mentioned a stitch which I apparently invented,
one which resembles filet crochet--which is to say that even though it's
worked with yarn-overs, the holes are perfectly square. Sally Pecor
mentioned something similar in one of the Mary Thomas books, but it's not
constructed the way mine is. So I guess maybe I really, actually and truly
invented something. And now, of course, I will share it with you. Do try
it; it looks really nice and is probably the most open lace you'll ever
see.
Before I can give you the pattern I have to explain the technique that
makes it work. I call it "knit-through". To work this, insert the RH needle
into the first stitch on the LH needle _purlwise_; then knit the second
stitch on the needle as you normally would, pull the newly knit stitch
through the first stitch, and let both stitches fall off the LH needle. As
you can see, this is very similar to a slip one-knit one-pass slipped
stitch over decrease, but with an important difference; since you didn't
slip the stitch but instead worked inside it, there's no float in back of
the "slipped" stitch. This permits the rows to stretch open without being
bound up by the floats. It's also much faster to work than a sl1-k1-psso
decrease.
Okay. The filet pattern is as follows:
Over an odd number of stitches;
Row 1 (RS): K2, *yarn over, knit-through*; work between *s to last st, K1.
Row 2 (WS): Purl.
That's the whole thing. Remember that it opens up enormously, so you
must either cast on _very_ loosely or cast on twice as many stitches as you
need and then P2tog loosely across the row before you begin working the
pattern; otherwise, the cast-on edge will bind unattractively. Block this
very big and don't work it on over-large needles or the columns of knit
stitches will look gappy. It would make a very good summer pullover made in
two large rectangles with garter-stitch welts at the waist and armholes,
and it's so open that you could make it in a few days. Summer's not over
yet.
as posted by Robert Matthews (1995)
jimbob@itchy.mi.net
from www.woolworks.org
Dishcloth Patterns - 5 Sep 06
There are so many great free patterns out there in cyberspace. Maybe some day I'll knit them all..........
Here's some I came across for cloths from www.woolworks.org. When I get them done, I'll upload photos.
STAGGERED STRIPES CLOTH (...TRIED IT-DIDN'T ENJOY IT... COULDN'T SEE THE PATTERN CLEARLY )
Materials needed
1 ball Cotton Yarn, any color (varigated looks kind of neat)
#10 knitting needles
Cast on 44 stitches.
Row 1: k4, p4, k4, p4 across.
Row 2: p4, k4, p4, k4 across.
Row 3: repeat row 1.
Row 4: repeat row 2.
Row 5: k2, p4, k4, p4, k4 across, end k2.
Row 6: p2, k4, p4, k4, p4 across, end p2.
Row 7: repeat row 5.
Row 8: repeat row 6.
Row 9: p4, k4, p4, k4 across.
Row 10: k4, p4, k4, p4 across.
Row 11: repeat row 9.
Row 12: repeat row 10.
Row 13: p2, k4, p4, k4, p4 across, end p2.
Row 14: k2, p4, k4, p4, k4 across, end k2
Row 15: repeat row 13.
Row 16: repeat row 14.
Repeat rows 1 - 16 until piece is square or as long as you want it.
(Once the pattern starts taking shape, you'll be able to figure it
out!)
*********************
ZIGZAG LACE FACECLOTH (I HAVE DONE THIS ONE AND ITS QUITE NICE-NEED TO POST THE PIC)
This delicate cloth is a great gift. The lace is
easy to do and you'll have the pattern memorized
very quickly. The garter stitch border helps keep
the pattern from stretching out too much.
Note: For a neater garter stitch edging, always slip
the first stitch of every row and knit through the back
loop of the last stitch of every row. If you find you're
having problems with the left facing lace (rows 8, 10,
and 12), it is probably because you're forgetting to
do the last yarn over before the garter stitch edging.
Materials: Size 5 (US) needles, one skein cotton
Cast on 44 stitches. Knit two rows.
Row 1 and all uneven numbered rows: K2, Purl
all stitches, end K2. (wrong side)
Rows 2, 4, and 6: K2, *YO, K2tog*, repeat between
*s, end K2 (right side, right facing lace)
Rows 8,10, and 12: K2, *Slip 1, K1, Pass Slipped
Stitch Over, YO*, end K2 (right side, left facing lace)
Continue until desired length. Knit two rows and bind off.
*********************
TINY CABLES DISHCLOTH
Also used a dpn variation of this pattern for socks.
It uses a method of doing the cables
while still on the needle.
Size 8 needles in Sugar 'n Cream for the washcloth
Cast on a multiple of 5 stitches
Row 1 - *K1, P1, K2, P1* repeat from * (Right Side)
Row 2 - *K1, P2, K1, P1* repeat from *
Row 3 - *K1, P1, Knit in back of 2nd stitch on
left hand needle, knit the first stitch on needle,
take off both stitches, P1, repeat from *
Row 4 - Same as row 2
Repeat this 4 row pattern until washcloth is desired
length.
*********************
BASKET WEAVE STITCH
Cast 30 st.
Multiple of 10 sts
Row 1: Knit
Rows 2, 4 & 6: K6, P4
Rows 3 & 5: K4, P6
Row 7: Knit
Rows 8, 10 & 12: P4, K6
Rows 9 & 11: P6, K4
Repeat rows 1-12 for pattern. Repeat these two Rows till 7" long.
****************
BOX STITCH
Cast 32 st.
Row 1: k2 p2 repeat across
Row 2: k2 p2 repeat across.
Row 3: p2 k2 repeat across.
Row 4: p2 k2 repeat across.
Repeat until 7' long.
***************
MOSS STITCH
Cast 32 stitches
Row 1 & 2: k1 p1 repeat across.
Row 3 & 4: p1 k1 repeat across.
Work until 7; long.
*********************
RICE STITCH
Cast 32 stitches
Row 1: k1 p1 repeat across.
Row 2: Knit across.
Repeat until 7' long.
***************
DOUBLE SEED STITCH
Cast 32
Row 1; k2 p2 repeat across.
Row 2; p2 k2 repeat across.
Work until 7' long.
*********************
SCATTERED OATS
Worsted Weight Yarn, Size 6 needles
Cast on 33 sts.
Row 1 (right side): - K2, *(keeping yarn to back of work) sl 1 as to purl, K3; repeat from * 7 times more, ending last rep by working K2 instead of K3.
Row 2 : - P2, *(keeping yarn to front of work) sl 1 as to purl, P3; repeat from * 7 times more, ending last rep by working P2 instead of P3.
Row 3: - *Sl next 2 stitches onto cable needle and hold at Back of work; knit next st (sl st), then K2 from cable needle, K1; repeat from * 7 times more, ending last rep by working K2 instead of K1.
Row 4 ; - Purl
Row 5 : - Rep Row 1
Row 6: - Rep Row 2
Row 7: - K1, *K1, sl next st (sl st) onto cable needle and hold at FRONT of work; knit next 2 sts, then K1 from cable needle; rep from * 7 times more.
Row 8 : - Purl
Repeat Rows 1 through 8 for pattern.
**********************
SHELL PATTERN
4.5 (7 needles ) Worsted Wt
Cast on 32 .
K 3 Rows
4th Row; K3.* yfwd.k8.yfwd.k1. Rep from* to last 2 sts. k2
5th Row; k4 *p8.k3.Rep from* to last st k1
6th Row; K4.*yfwd k8.yfwd k3. Rep from* to last st. k1
7th Row; K5 *P8.K5. Rep from* to last 5sts. K5
8th Row; K5. *yfwd k8. yfwd k5. Rep from* to last 5sts. K5
9th Row; K6 **p8. k7. Rep from* to last 6sts. K6
10th Row; K6; * k4togtbl. k4tog. k7. Rep from* to last 6sts. k6
11thRow ; K
Rep Rows 4-11 ,5 times more .
Do 2 Rows garter st . Cast off.
**************************************
Here's some I came across for cloths from www.woolworks.org. When I get them done, I'll upload photos.
STAGGERED STRIPES CLOTH (...TRIED IT-DIDN'T ENJOY IT... COULDN'T SEE THE PATTERN CLEARLY )
Materials needed
1 ball Cotton Yarn, any color (varigated looks kind of neat)
#10 knitting needles
Cast on 44 stitches.
Row 1: k4, p4, k4, p4 across.
Row 2: p4, k4, p4, k4 across.
Row 3: repeat row 1.
Row 4: repeat row 2.
Row 5: k2, p4, k4, p4, k4 across, end k2.
Row 6: p2, k4, p4, k4, p4 across, end p2.
Row 7: repeat row 5.
Row 8: repeat row 6.
Row 9: p4, k4, p4, k4 across.
Row 10: k4, p4, k4, p4 across.
Row 11: repeat row 9.
Row 12: repeat row 10.
Row 13: p2, k4, p4, k4, p4 across, end p2.
Row 14: k2, p4, k4, p4, k4 across, end k2
Row 15: repeat row 13.
Row 16: repeat row 14.
Repeat rows 1 - 16 until piece is square or as long as you want it.
(Once the pattern starts taking shape, you'll be able to figure it
out!)
*********************
ZIGZAG LACE FACECLOTH (I HAVE DONE THIS ONE AND ITS QUITE NICE-NEED TO POST THE PIC)
This delicate cloth is a great gift. The lace is
easy to do and you'll have the pattern memorized
very quickly. The garter stitch border helps keep
the pattern from stretching out too much.
Note: For a neater garter stitch edging, always slip
the first stitch of every row and knit through the back
loop of the last stitch of every row. If you find you're
having problems with the left facing lace (rows 8, 10,
and 12), it is probably because you're forgetting to
do the last yarn over before the garter stitch edging.
Materials: Size 5 (US) needles, one skein cotton
Cast on 44 stitches. Knit two rows.
Row 1 and all uneven numbered rows: K2, Purl
all stitches, end K2. (wrong side)
Rows 2, 4, and 6: K2, *YO, K2tog*, repeat between
*s, end K2 (right side, right facing lace)
Rows 8,10, and 12: K2, *Slip 1, K1, Pass Slipped
Stitch Over, YO*, end K2 (right side, left facing lace)
Continue until desired length. Knit two rows and bind off.
*********************
TINY CABLES DISHCLOTH
Also used a dpn variation of this pattern for socks.
It uses a method of doing the cables
while still on the needle.
Size 8 needles in Sugar 'n Cream for the washcloth
Cast on a multiple of 5 stitches
Row 1 - *K1, P1, K2, P1* repeat from * (Right Side)
Row 2 - *K1, P2, K1, P1* repeat from *
Row 3 - *K1, P1, Knit in back of 2nd stitch on
left hand needle, knit the first stitch on needle,
take off both stitches, P1, repeat from *
Row 4 - Same as row 2
Repeat this 4 row pattern until washcloth is desired
length.
*********************
BASKET WEAVE STITCH
Cast 30 st.
Multiple of 10 sts
Row 1: Knit
Rows 2, 4 & 6: K6, P4
Rows 3 & 5: K4, P6
Row 7: Knit
Rows 8, 10 & 12: P4, K6
Rows 9 & 11: P6, K4
Repeat rows 1-12 for pattern. Repeat these two Rows till 7" long.
****************
BOX STITCH
Cast 32 st.
Row 1: k2 p2 repeat across
Row 2: k2 p2 repeat across.
Row 3: p2 k2 repeat across.
Row 4: p2 k2 repeat across.
Repeat until 7' long.
***************
MOSS STITCH
Cast 32 stitches
Row 1 & 2: k1 p1 repeat across.
Row 3 & 4: p1 k1 repeat across.
Work until 7; long.
*********************
RICE STITCH
Cast 32 stitches
Row 1: k1 p1 repeat across.
Row 2: Knit across.
Repeat until 7' long.
***************
DOUBLE SEED STITCH
Cast 32
Row 1; k2 p2 repeat across.
Row 2; p2 k2 repeat across.
Work until 7' long.
*********************
SCATTERED OATS
Worsted Weight Yarn, Size 6 needles
Cast on 33 sts.
Row 1 (right side): - K2, *(keeping yarn to back of work) sl 1 as to purl, K3; repeat from * 7 times more, ending last rep by working K2 instead of K3.
Row 2 : - P2, *(keeping yarn to front of work) sl 1 as to purl, P3; repeat from * 7 times more, ending last rep by working P2 instead of P3.
Row 3: - *Sl next 2 stitches onto cable needle and hold at Back of work; knit next st (sl st), then K2 from cable needle, K1; repeat from * 7 times more, ending last rep by working K2 instead of K1.
Row 4 ; - Purl
Row 5 : - Rep Row 1
Row 6: - Rep Row 2
Row 7: - K1, *K1, sl next st (sl st) onto cable needle and hold at FRONT of work; knit next 2 sts, then K1 from cable needle; rep from * 7 times more.
Row 8 : - Purl
Repeat Rows 1 through 8 for pattern.
**********************
SHELL PATTERN
4.5 (7 needles ) Worsted Wt
Cast on 32 .
K 3 Rows
4th Row; K3.* yfwd.k8.yfwd.k1. Rep from* to last 2 sts. k2
5th Row; k4 *p8.k3.Rep from* to last st k1
6th Row; K4.*yfwd k8.yfwd k3. Rep from* to last st. k1
7th Row; K5 *P8.K5. Rep from* to last 5sts. K5
8th Row; K5. *yfwd k8. yfwd k5. Rep from* to last 5sts. K5
9th Row; K6 **p8. k7. Rep from* to last 6sts. K6
10th Row; K6; * k4togtbl. k4tog. k7. Rep from* to last 6sts. k6
11thRow ; K
Rep Rows 4-11 ,5 times more .
Do 2 Rows garter st . Cast off.
**************************************
Friday, May 05, 2006
The Long (S)Hawl
So its like day 102 (or so it feels) of my knit-along-shawl. I'm still waiting for my miracle AddiTurbos that I ordered in from my LYS. I'm sure they are in I just haven't had a chance to run by there and check. I'm sure they will call me though when the do come in. I'll pop in there Saturday when I take the boy to baseball practice.
My shawl in the beginning on needles. I promised myself to post a photo or two so here they are....
This was the progress I made on straight needles before feeling crowded and moving it to my "Thrift Store Circs"....
Those circs were surprisingly long and they straightened out pretty easy. At the time, they were a great deal.
And this is it, just after I discovered I'm not a circ-virgin anymore... Now I wait for my new AddiTurbos to come in before I pick it up again.
I miss working on it... Hopefully soon, I'll be able to finish this bloody thing and get on with my life. I love knitting. I love hating that somethings not done yet. Is that wierd? I actually will be sad when it is done, I know that.
My shawl in the beginning on needles. I promised myself to post a photo or two so here they are....
This was the progress I made on straight needles before feeling crowded and moving it to my "Thrift Store Circs"....
Those circs were surprisingly long and they straightened out pretty easy. At the time, they were a great deal.
And this is it, just after I discovered I'm not a circ-virgin anymore... Now I wait for my new AddiTurbos to come in before I pick it up again.
I miss working on it... Hopefully soon, I'll be able to finish this bloody thing and get on with my life. I love knitting. I love hating that somethings not done yet. Is that wierd? I actually will be sad when it is done, I know that.
