February Lady in September

When I initially started knitting my February Lady sweater, it was (cringes) November 1 last year.  I assumed that I would have it finished by Christmas (see what I mean by procrastination?).

I even planned (ha ha . . .planned...lol) to complete the jacket for the Ravellenic games!  I pulled it out of its basket, reviewed what needed to be done (everything) and added the appropriate tags of EventWIPS & TeamKPLovers.

I completed 2 pairs of socks for the Ravellenic Games.

Now, it's getting cool here in NYC and I could really use my February Lady Jacket.  To compensate, I did order some jackets from Land's End, but it's not the same as a nice, custom made jacket.

So, let's review what I currently have.

What's worse, I know I need to frog some, because I attempted to add short rows (to raise the back) and I didn't like how they looked.  So, I think the September 2012 game plan is to finish the Rubus Suberectus Socks, & finish Magrathea.  I think that's enough to be going on with.

Holiday Knitting? Already???

As much as I hate to acknowledge it, now is the time to start thinking about Holiday Knitting. Yeah, Christmas is only 3 months away, so in the true fashion of a procrastinator, I'll start planning now, ignore the plan, then knit like mad starting 3 days before Christmas.

And not finish.

So, once I finish 2 more pairs of socks, I will have officially completed the Sock Knitters "unofficial" 12 socks in '12 KAL". I signed up to knit 30 pairs of socks on May 28 and I'll probably reach my goal by mid-October 2012. 4 months to knit 30 socks (smh) . . . gotta stop sniffing the wool fumes. Anyway, I'm also thinking I'll cut back to two socks a month on the sock knitting to make room for the holiday knitting.

I'm looking forward to the possibility of a project that's just a bit bigger. I had a queue of 2012 projects that I've wanted to complete all year and I'm just now acknowledging that the majority of those projects will never see the needles, but some of them will. I'm determined.

I'm back in the groove

Yeah, I know.

Shocked, aren't you?

I'm actually blogging again.  I'm actually sitting down and putting my thoughts to....well, not paper, but on something.

Anyway, here's a status update:

Planned Insanity

So, I know it's been a while.  There's a reason: I can't stop knitting socks.  In nearly 5 months I've knit 16 pairs of socks....well, perhaps 18, depending on how long it takes me to finish Maeva and knit the second sock of Skew (Nevermind.  Finished sock two while writing this installment).  I've learned that my limit (for sanity's sake) is 3 pairs of socks a month.  That's all I can really handle.  Besides, at the moment, I haven't been able to cast on anything else.

Which is why, for the month of June, I signed up on Sock Knitter's Anonymous to knit 4 socks. Actually 5, but I removed one because it didn't qualify for the time limit.

Yes, 4.

And I volunteered to test knit a pattern.  Thankfully, she only needs one sock complete (here's looking at you, Skew2!)

Six socks in one month.  And I won't be home until mid-month.

No, I'm not losing my mind.

It's already vacated the premises.

Frustration and Accomplishment

**This is a photo heavy post**

I'm getting really desperate to cast on Semele.  The yarn has been ready for months now and my fingers are itching for a pattern that doesn't involve turning a heel (more on that after the jump).  This is what's on my project page in Ravelry:


Originally queued: July 25, 2011
Project created: January 28, 2012
Hibernating: May 14, 2012

See, this has been waiting a very long time.  I was hoping to get started this month, but it might not happen.  Damn.

More Knitting

I made a commitment to blog more this year and I'm determined to do so.

My ongoing commitment to Sock Knitters Anonymous continues to lead me down the primrose path of sock knitting foolishness.

For the month of February, I planned to knit 4 socks (yes, 4...I know, insane me....).  More interestingly, I finished them, some in March, but I started in February and that's what counts! (more after the jump!)

I want to stop now....

 I am not a fan of Cat Bordhi's sweet tomato heel.

Leyburn Socks with Sweet Tomato Heel

Perhaps it's just me, perhaps I've done something wrong, perhaps I simply chose too complicated a pattern to try this out on, but I have finally turned the heel of one of my Leyburn socks and the sock is so tight around the instep as to need me to tug it into place when I attempt to wear it.  I'm also not a fan of the bunching look created by executing the third set of short rows. Sigh.

Maybe I'm pushing myself too hard, but I'm just now binding off the first sock in this pair, which has put me behind in knitting the 4 socks I had planned this month.  I would like to get the Solid Socks Group Mystery Sock knit before the last clue come out.  I also need to get Ivy knit before the end of the month.  I reestablished my cast on day for the sock (tomorrow) and if I can get a decent amount of work done on the Mystery sock tonight, then I will get started on it tomorrow.

Productive

I think February is the month for me to be productive.


At work, I managed to wrap up a project that was continually delayed last year (not due to me....there was always a competing priority).  It only took a month, mostly due to the developer needing to fine-tune code.  Otherwise, I'm waiting on feedback from the end user.  Meanwhile, I'm up in Maine finishing another project, helping a school automate some of their processes.


On the knitting front, I have already finished one of the Sock Knitters' Anonymous socks.

Clover Socks in Cherry Tree Hill, Loden colorway

The Clover socks were a lot of fun to knit and they took no time! One week for the pair, which is probably the fastest I've ever finished a pair of socks.  Even better, I bound them off and immediately put them on my feet (since it was 18 degrees here in Portland, ME today),  I have a load of handknit socks to wash when I get home tomorrow and for some reason I'm not looking forward to it.

Solid Socks Mystery KAL

Meanwhile, while watching the Superbowl (Yay Giants!), I cast on for and finished the first clue of the Solid Socks Mystery KAL sock.  I was smugly reveling in this fact when I realized that I was using Jojoland Melody from my stash.

Leyburn Socks in Jojoland Melody

CRAP!!! I need to learn how to read the instructions better, because Jojoland Melody is definitely not a solid or semi-solid sock yarn.  So, after admiring the beauty of that bit of knitting, I frogged the cuffs and searched through the Ravelry queue for something else I could knit.  I happened on the Leyburn Socks.  These have been in my queue forever, so I cast on.  So far, I've finished one full repeat of the instep pattern and I can see that I'm going to need to break out the stitch counter for this pattern because it's so easy to miss those rounds of plain knitting.


So far, in 2012, I've finished 3 pairs of socks....I'm thinking that I just might challenge myself to finished the full dozen for the year, especially since I'm already making good progress (2 socks completed, 2 on the needles, 1 waiting to start).  I'm not counting the Escalator socks because they were begun last year.

A Skewed Reality

Tuesday, I started a second pair of Skew socks.

This has to be one of my favorite patterns, mostly because of the unique construction.  I love the ergonomic toes, the origami heel, the candy cane feeling when knitting the legs...there is so much about the sock to love.

So, I'm thinking I'll probably finish the first sock sometime this morning and go ahead and cast on for the second sock.  Or I can go ahead and get started on one of my SKA socks.

(Right now, I REALLY don't like the fact that the iPad takes such horrible pictures.  I guess now is the time to try out Photoshop Express.)

That's the other thing I love about this sock; because of the uniqueness of the construction, SSS is virtually negligible.

2012! A Milestone Year!

Wow, how time flies!The last time I updated my blog it was January 2011.....now, it's January 2012 and I'm back again. I would recap the year, but there isn't much there to get excited over...

• Started working for a new client in January 2011
• Left project October 2011
• Placed back on the project (in a off-site consultant capacity) from October 2011-present
• Picked up new client in November 2011
• Gained entirely too much weight
• Knit entirely too little
• Bought Entirely too much yarn
• Had new flooring put into house (Yay!)
• Bought iPad, cracked screen horribly, bought new iPad...refuse to allow this iPad to know anything but the luxury of its case.
• New cell phone....same crap coverage inside my house.
• Ran up Credit Cards...Then manage to almost completely eliminiate CC debt
• Paid off my car (Woo Hoo!!!)

Yup, that's pretty much a recap of 2011.  So, what am I hoping for for 2012?  Well, this is one of those milestone birthday years....and I don't really have anything planned, which is depressing me.  So, I guess the big goals are:

• Remain employed (Always important)
• Out of debt by my birthday
• Stash away more Emergency Fund money
• Come up with decent milestone holiday spot
• Lose Weight (always a goal, even if it isn't obtained)
• Buy less yarn (already off to a bad start there.....33 skeins since January 2)
• Blog more....Already up one post for the year.

Speak of which, I finally figured out how to get more blogging done this year.  I purchased Blogsy for my iPad and this is the first post I'm using it on.  I love it.  It combines all the application I use most in blogging in one app and if it weren't for the fact that I'm hunting and pecking with one finger (although rather quickly).  so let's see if this was a decent purchase.

I decided to get involved with Sock Knitters Anonymous's Monthly Sockdown Challenge.  I started back in October and managed to finish that sock. I didn't finish November's sock in time and, to add insult to injury, I've managed to lose one sock!  However, I did complete January challenge and not only did I complete it, I finished TWO socks in one month!!!  Ha!!!

Sock one: Early Spring by Janice Kang.  Knit with SWTC TOFUtsies in color way 923.  I enjoyed knitting these, but I worried the entire time because the yarn is ~48% cotton and soy (meaning elasticity might be an issue).  I was proven horribly right, but they're still a great pair of socks.

Sock two was the ever popular Hermione's Everyday socks.  Talk about a fun pair of socks to knit!  The only reason I didn't finish this in three days is because occasionally I have to put the knitting down to work.  Umm, yeah I've been wearing the socks around the house, on my new (and dusty) floor.  Why do you ask?

I'm literally chomping at the bit to start February.  February's sock challenge In Sock Knitters Anonymous is:

• Moderator Madness Month – we’re bombarding you with all the things you SHOULD have voted for just because we can :) 
• Technique: Knitting for a Cause or Mosaic/ Slipped Stitches or Self-Striping or Illusion Knitting 
• Designer: Kerin Dimeler-Laurence, Lykkefanten, Kate Blackburn

So, for February, I'm going to knit Clover and Ivy by Kate Blackburn For Sock Knitters Anonymous.

For The Solid Socks group, the challenge is Spring or a mystery sock designed by LauraJ.  Since I'm not big on mystery socks, I'm knitting one of LauraJ's old patterns, BDY February 2011 KAL, in a suitably "Springy" color way.


I'm actually excited about knitting again and returning to my blog.  I look forward to the new year now.

2011 Knitting Plans

Toward the end of 2010, I cast on so many projects I surprised myself.  Even more shocking is that I managed to finish 3 of the 5.  So that got me thinking, I need to Plan this year's knitting for maximum efficiency.  I had planned on going to Stitches South, but I realized that I would rather spend that money on more yarn and actually make some sweaters...you know, improve my skills, before I go to Stitches South...

So here are 2011's knitting plans:

1. Finish the following projects:
1. Bedroom Blanket:  I cast on for that on April 3, 2010!  Time to finish up.  Besides, it is currently longer than I am tall.  Then I need to determine if I'm going to keep it or gift it to someone.
2. Henley Perfected:  I really wanted to knit this.  I was perfect for my sensibilities and I knit it in a linen/cotton blend perfect for South Florida.  Now I'm worried if it will turn out OK because I'm pretty sure I goofed up the armholes.
3. Convertible Mittens:  I'm finishing these before I fly into Wisconsin next week.  I'm rather fond of my fingers.
4. Felt Beret for Mom:  This is actually a never ending project, since she wants one in every color under the sun.
5. Print O' the Wave Stole:  I wanted to knit this so much.  It's a beautiful project.  But I despise the yarn.  Cobweight and I will never be friends but the colorway is so pretty I'm determined to finish.
2. Begin (and End) the following socks (Ravelry Links):
1. Firestarter in Inca Sportlace Hand-Painted
2. Baroque in Cherry Tree Hills Supersock Blossom
3. Rhombus in KnitPicks Stroll Tonal in Blue Violet (although this may change)
4. Sunrise Chevron Socks but the yarn is undecided
5. Bifrost in Noro Kureyon Sock Mt. Fuji Paths
6. Bex in Cherry Tree Hills Supersock Loden
7. Naive Socks but the Yarn is undecided
8. Mermaidia in Cherry Tree Hills Supersock
9. Twinkleberry
10. Oak Leaf Socks
11. Spring Forward
12. Elfine's Socks
13. Farfalle Sock (This is the backup Pattern)
3. Knit three Sweaters
1. Sweater Girl Pullover:  The Yarn has been wound, the pattern copied and sizing notes made, everything is ready to go.
2. Hey Teach!:  Again, the yarn has already been purchased and the pattern has been printed.  Just waiting to get started.
3. Deep V Sweater:  Yup, the yarn has already been purchased and the pattern has been printed.  Just waiting to get started.
4. The February Lady Sweater:  This was supposed to be the backup pattern, but I get the feeling I might make this first because I'll get more use out of this.

I also made the obligatory promise not to buy more yarn.   Then I completed my $100 order from KnitPicks, thereby breaking my New Years promise on New Year's Day.  :)  I like to start as I mean to go.

You deserve better

For all my readers, I want to issue a sincere apology.

I'm sorry.  You deserve much better.  I haven't been blogging as I've meant to, to the extent that I thought about changing the entire format over to Tumblr . . .as much as I tweet, you would get more frequent updates.  But I'm loathe to move from Blogger.  I just have to try harder.  For me, blogging takes effort, because I really hate releasing a blog without a picture to go with it.  So, I'm going to start taking my camera with me more often so I can blog my mobile life and update you more.  Yes, I'm still knitting (more on that below) and sewing, so maybe I can get more info released.

Vacation Crafting

I spent all of last week chained to the desk in my spare room doing work, so I wouldn't have to do any work this week (that plan failed.  I've checked the email everyday this week, even if I didn't act on it).

However I do have some knitting related items to share with you.
The Cambridge Jacket is 99% finished!

I still need to modify the zipper (the instruction called for a 26in zipper, I bought a 24in zipper, and it's still too big) but do you remember what I said about the size issue?

Yeah . . .It fits me.  This will definitely swamp my dad.  I'm a little worried about this.
(momentary pause to acknowledge that it is currently 89 degrees outside and I'm standing here in a wool sweater)

I have a few things I need to finish on the jacket (weaving in ends mostly), but the jacket is largely done.  I feel pretty good about it because it is my first completed sweater, it looks pretty decent and I learned a lot.  The Rubicon has been crossed.

I've also done some sewing this week.  I finished this in two hours last night.

The back of the DPN Case

DPN Case Interior

When it comes to sewing, I don't have a case of Startitis.  I can sit and look at the pattern and the fabric all day long and won't cut the fabric.  However, I have to admit that once I get started, I'm always pleased with the results.  I still sew decently well.

I've been working on this hat all week

M'Gonigle Hat

I loved the pattern when I saw it on Ravelry and I thought it would be a breeze, since the cable pattern has the look of the Bayerische socks I knit two years ago (wow, has it been that long?).

I've had to rework this hat 4 or five times.  Every day I end up tinking something because I either forgot to do a second repeat of the cables, or I messed up the pattern or I put the pattern where it wasn't supposed to be.  Either way, I goofed something.  But now I'm almost at the end of one skein of Stroll Sport Mink Heather and ready to finish this off.

In sad news, Needles and Knobs in St. Petersburg is the newest victim of the economy.  I got her email yesterday saying she was going out of business.  I know I should run up there to see what is on clearance, but since I just spent $151 at A Good Yarn Monday, I'm holding off.  I'll probably go on Friday.

The Cambridge Jacket

I am trying not to say "I HATE SEAMS", but I'm really feeling that way.

This jacket is turning out really well.  I can see myself doing another sweater from my queue, but I need to find a better way to manage shoulder seams.  I have the side and sleeve seams down pat, but seaming in set-in shoulders is getting the best of me.

I am worried about the size, though.  I'm probably twice the size of my dad and I made this jacket in the 39" size.  Soo.....

Why do I fit in this jacket?  With room to spare?  This is very scary.  It will SWAMP my father.

The Final Stretch

I'm headed into the final stretch with the Cambridge Jacket cardigan.  All the pieces have been blocked.

Cambridge Jacket--Left and Right Fronts

Cambridge Jacket--Sleeve

Now for the sewing up part. . .

Progress

Isn't it a great feeling when you attempt something that serves to illustrate how much experience you've gained since you first learned to do it?  I remember the first time I made a sock. . .well, a sock-like object. That sock would only fit a person with extra-wide feet and cankles.  The important part, however, was that I followed a sock pattern and ended up understanding how socks were created, how gussets work, and why those weird instructions actually worked to create something that would cup the feet.

Since then, I've made plenty of socks and hats, but I still had my own personal Rubicon to cross:  Sweaters.  That's right, there are absolutely no sweaters in my repertoire.  Why?  Well, let me see:

1. I'm a plus-sized woman, which means:
1. There's a shortage of patterns to work with (Big Girls Knits, notwithstanding)
2. I don't like most plus-sized patterns
3. All those patterns require a great deal of yarn
4. I really didn't have the money to buy the yarn required
2. I tried making a sweater once before but it was a disaster, because
1. Instead of trying to follow a pattern and learn the basics, I tried to modify the pattern from the beginning.
2. The sweater in question wasn't even for me; It was for my dad
3. I was a really slow knitter, so I was easily distracted and bored

All the items above meant that sweater knitting, for me, was more of a hassle than a joy.  However, I started reorganizing my yarns last month and realized that it was a shame (and really ridiculous) that I had so many cardigans and pullovers in my Ravelry Queue, but I never knit them.

Hello Rubicon.

I had the yarn in question, I had the time necessary, I just needed the right project.  I started the Cambridge Jacket 2 weeks ago thinking that it would take me at least a month.  I am proud to report that at 5:20 this morning, I bound off the second sleeve and threw everything into the washing machine for a quick bath before blocking.

Now I wish I hadn't drunk so many cups of tea.  I need to sleep.

No Willpower

I don't have a lot of weaknesses but I readily admit that I lack willpower; That's why I'm overweight and have too much yarn.  However, I believe one of the keys to life is knowing which battles to fight and which battles to leave be.  Below are two personal battles I've learned to leave be:

Useless battle #1:  Yarn Diets

Something New

I'm determined to start blogging again, so I'm learning ways to get faster and more interesting blog posts out to you. That does mean that you may occasionally get a stinker, but I thought that, as much as I "tweet", I should be able to update on the fly.

Anyway, last night I finally blocked the Lakehouse socks. Yes, it's true; the sock have been complete for 2 weeks, but I didn't bother to block them until last night. Anyway, I pulled them out of the washing machine and put them on my feet and blocked them to my feet exactly.

Swatching

I'm doing something I rarely do: I'm swatching for a project.


I'm a process knitter. I enjoy the calm progress of a project. If it fits at the end, great. If not, oh well it will fit someone. This attitude is also why I mostly stick to sock knitting. But the yarn that I'm using, Elann Mercurio, is discontinued and that means that there is no room for mistakes.

90% Done

I am 90% done with the Lordana Boucle Jacket, but I have a problem.

I keep looking at this jacket and thinking to myself, "I want to frog this..."

I was rereading "Knitting in Plain English" and I realized that this is one of those sweaters that needs seams. The sides need seams. The shoulders need a better bind off. I need to finish both sleeves...

And looking at this pictures depressess me because I realize that this item has been a UFO for almost 2 years now....that's pathetic.