tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-286666552024-03-07T01:05:07.401-05:00Yarn over ManhattanA knitaddicted girl in NYCVioliknithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04004942641018435912noreply@blogger.comBlogger105125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28666655.post-2952103864195434662009-12-18T21:06:00.000-05:002009-12-18T21:06:38.007-05:00What's With all this Technology?So after being a techno-hermit for the past few years, steadfastly refusing to join things like Facebook, I completely flipped, not only joining but creating a<a href="http://www.facebook.com/doremiknits"> Facebook Fan Page</a> (which has hit 100 fans, woohoo!), joining <a href="https://twitter.com/doremiknits">Twitter</a> (which, incidentally can be linked to Facebook), and of course tweaking my <a href="http://www.doremiknits.etsy.com/">Etsy store</a> by setting it up for Google Analytics. I don't think I'd ever done so much computer stuff ever!<br />
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Knitting and Crocheting are less often illiciting that raised eyebrow and "my grandmother used to do that" comment by mystified onlookers - It's definitely to do with the surge of young girls and boys who are proudly brandishing their knitting needles on the subway, on airplanes, in restaurants, and... hey, is that a glimpse of a yarn-and-needles tattoo I see? And those grandmothers who knit? They are all super-cool and trendy and many are jumping onto the techological bandwagon with as much verve as their younger counterparts. Buying any yarn you want anywhere in any color online is so amazing (and so addictive it's killing my wallet and taking over precious apartment space). And the thousands upon thousands of patterns out there! My computer is bursting with all the patterns I've stored over the past few years. Thank goodness for backups, because if I ever lost that stuff I would be royally p----d.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">Here's a Steampunk Version of my <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/swirls-cap">Swirls Cap</a><br />
<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/badges/redirect?p=swirls-cap"><img src="http://api.ravelry.com/badges/projects?p=swirls-cap&t=.gif" style="border: medium none;" /></a><br />
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Have a great weekend everyone!<br />
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</div>Violiknithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04004942641018435912noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28666655.post-61511972318105585582009-12-10T13:12:00.001-05:002009-12-10T13:12:52.679-05:00of Turkeys and XOXO Boyfriend HatsStill trying to get back into the swing of blogging, but in the meantime, some stuff I've been working on:<br />
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I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving! I brought this as part of a gift for the people who hosted Thanksgiving dinner this year:<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/%3Ca%20href=%22http://www.ravelry.com/badges/redirect?p=knitted-turkey-cloth%22%3E%3Cimg%20src=%22http://api.ravelry.com/badges/projects?p=knitted-turkey-cloth&t=.gif%22%20style=%22border:%20none;%22%20/%3E%3C/a%3E">Gary the Turkey Cloth</a><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBT3of6P_1v9xPkDT8Jk00njDaSFEaCE08aVb5WFvCtddpHfdWPzNewjMEUdAhoPpBSAW1FjOWDzUUMzcgd_I1znOhxzWKON_B5VKAGc3SVpZ8YKpetby-O1d-8xtHfdLpWI0hbQ/s1600-h/IMG_3262.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBT3of6P_1v9xPkDT8Jk00njDaSFEaCE08aVb5WFvCtddpHfdWPzNewjMEUdAhoPpBSAW1FjOWDzUUMzcgd_I1znOhxzWKON_B5VKAGc3SVpZ8YKpetby-O1d-8xtHfdLpWI0hbQ/s320/IMG_3262.jpg" /></a><br />
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It was a pretty fast knit, although I did have to add some single crochet edges and it needed a bit of blocking. It might be fun to make a few of these in matching colors and join to make a tablecloth or runner, or even a kitchen towel.<br />
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I also can't believe there are almost 600 projects for my Swirls Cap! I'm totally flabbergasted that it ever got this much interest!<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><b>Swirls Cap</b><br />
<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/badges/redirect?p=swirls-cap"><img src="http://api.ravelry.com/badges/projects?p=swirls-cap&t=.gif" style="border: medium none;" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3odP721fxAazmrh1zj-fU_TPMXoCUpfEYRMsXBszq8TfnZZVP9IIH8X8KpU7e6C1iHcL2O12QUBxduuk_F3nITOjB4MVTyX-Enb6-iknWKSsYQzp5tNEuZ6-VKRqMHXDUuz5PKg/s1600-h/EinatSwirls+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3odP721fxAazmrh1zj-fU_TPMXoCUpfEYRMsXBszq8TfnZZVP9IIH8X8KpU7e6C1iHcL2O12QUBxduuk_F3nITOjB4MVTyX-Enb6-iknWKSsYQzp5tNEuZ6-VKRqMHXDUuz5PKg/s320/EinatSwirls+copy.jpg" /></a><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I've also finally made my boyfriend a new hat for this year (seriously, he gets 1-2 new hats every year)<a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/DoReMiKnits"></a>:<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>XOXO Boyfriend Hat</b><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoevspyFzQVCb-zay58u78jBlXQV16XsUWBjpPM97n-MoTlyvQtP_vuKqDyhTW8NWYz4AoQD-SP0b2up34QRRjQ4Pa_TASP43_0t7YPICAYLzIaNij7Tugd0YMXs11o5X0kMCnPQ/s1600-h/1xoblue+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoevspyFzQVCb-zay58u78jBlXQV16XsUWBjpPM97n-MoTlyvQtP_vuKqDyhTW8NWYz4AoQD-SP0b2up34QRRjQ4Pa_TASP43_0t7YPICAYLzIaNij7Tugd0YMXs11o5X0kMCnPQ/s320/1xoblue+copy.jpg" /></a><br />
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I made the first variation of this hat when I started knitting in 2001 (pre-Ravelry, pre-Blogging, Prehistoric, totally!) I believe this was my 3rd or 4th project ever, after I had mastered the cabled hat in "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Complete-Idiots-Knitting-Crocheting-Illustrated/dp/1592570895">Idiot's Guide to Knitting</a>", which was my first ever knitting book. I had also made a pair of matching fingerless mitts. They've been totally stretched and worn out of shape, almost to the point of felted, but here's a couple pics:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnz_OyK30TR7WLGvkZUOHGGfNnj7SPIaYWeQopxSil5RkQo1B2en9c5LjYZwxNpyvvyxzt0Iy8cIQOrzJiwiIC7UlN07ZlrsytbL6gEBNXuhXGaiF80PSgcYRdQ9PFmsUiz7HRQw/s1600-h/IMG_3421.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnz_OyK30TR7WLGvkZUOHGGfNnj7SPIaYWeQopxSil5RkQo1B2en9c5LjYZwxNpyvvyxzt0Iy8cIQOrzJiwiIC7UlN07ZlrsytbL6gEBNXuhXGaiF80PSgcYRdQ9PFmsUiz7HRQw/s320/IMG_3421.jpg" /></a><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNODXIhaiR56AkupOk1CTSfq0r_MCwKqLrgnuZkga1-OYlgWgbkfxEJ37ebYPAqv7fxHLvySSfEBvSiUp4qD8QOT5uIO2wyQ7vNgXfTpXTpjSRYs2rAWiCPrxSt91uyI8-oBlW0A/s1600-h/IMG_3422.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNODXIhaiR56AkupOk1CTSfq0r_MCwKqLrgnuZkga1-OYlgWgbkfxEJ37ebYPAqv7fxHLvySSfEBvSiUp4qD8QOT5uIO2wyQ7vNgXfTpXTpjSRYs2rAWiCPrxSt91uyI8-oBlW0A/s320/IMG_3422.jpg" /></a><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;">I had used some bulky Cherry Tree Hill wool from an annual sale they had... I think they sold through ebay back then, but am not sure if they still do... Anyway, as you can see, the elasticity did not hold up well over the years...which is why the newer version of the hat has more ribbing. It's funny looking at my earlier knits, as I'm a lot more picky now about finishing techniques and the different types of increases/decreases I'll choose for a particular project.<br />
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<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/badges/redirect?p=knitted-turkey-cloth"><br />
</a>Violiknithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04004942641018435912noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28666655.post-55158834538308946832009-11-07T18:20:00.000-05:002009-11-07T18:20:50.100-05:00Back from HibernationI'm really quite embarrassed that it has been over a year since I last blogged! I don't really know how to explain my falling off the planet; I was starting to get burnt out on knitblogging, I was totally stressed out because the place where I work was threatening to not exist anymore (it's still sort of a cross-your-fingers-and-see sort of situation), then mix in the fact that <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/">Ravelry</a> (wonderful though it is) became a surrogate blog-substitute, and well, poof!<br />
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Many apologies to those who wondered what became of me, and I will try to slowly get back into blog reading and posting once in a while...<br />
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<div style="text-align: left;">What got me interested in coming back was a combination of knit/crochet designing and opening my own <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/DoReMiKnits">Etsy store (doremiknits.etsy.com).</a> The knitwear store was in response to the many requests I'd get from people asking me to make things for them. Since I obviously can't sell stuff from other peoples' patterns, I had to come up with some designs of my own. Then, a curious thing happened: I started getting messages from knitters and crocheters wanting to buy my patterns. <br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1257632476337"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;">Swirls Cap</span></span></a><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1257632476337"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">available on Ravelry</span></span></span></a><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">(and soon at my Etsy store) </span> </span></span><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/swirls-cap" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH9ijDhaV6YMAKonuGfHaUiEi5MnLPYU2aMB4xXI27KdVA_7LUq_7AuHCKMyfB02MU98Q0PObbEXRaHs5LiDu6PkCKZX8QNK20viT6-lHHc-Ia-7pUvKS6tgJRDWJ8QZDGz7z94Q/s320/swirls+copy.jpg" /></a><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;">Now, the other reason I wanted to blog again, unfortunately, is a vent: I had some unpleasant experiences with this whole designing thing. This cap was originally a free pattern. Then some people decided to ignore my copyright and terms of usage and sold hats made from my patterns. Although I was able to work things out with these people, I must say it's not a fun experience and I don't wish it on anyone! I spent many hours on my patterns so people would enjoy making them for their own personal enjoyment. I assumed people realized copyright laws prohibit things like people using your patterns to make things for sale, or that changing one or two things in a pattern does not give you the right to call it yours. Most people do understand these things, but I was really surprised that there were people who didn't... So... those of you who are excited about sharing your patterns with the world - be prepared for the occasional headache ;)<br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;">Nevertheless, I won't give up on designing so easily! This is a sneak peek of a pattern I still have to write up (I don't use charts but feel other knitters might like to use them?) Once I figure out how to do that this puppy should be up on my <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/designers/sophia-kessinger">Ravelry store</a>:<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8WG8FHIhQHzG3erGHJ9ZdWwIYyKz7LGNr2JA4qTGF6X40QRu2SZVKshc6mO5eZ9pSFw7MHfmBBIEtY7HQzaxK3sw8W1fggcH3wIx7AQsoVqIbE5rvPq6Luf9XFHkUZ1OSOB9Kxg/s1600-h/IMG_2955_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8WG8FHIhQHzG3erGHJ9ZdWwIYyKz7LGNr2JA4qTGF6X40QRu2SZVKshc6mO5eZ9pSFw7MHfmBBIEtY7HQzaxK3sw8W1fggcH3wIx7AQsoVqIbE5rvPq6Luf9XFHkUZ1OSOB9Kxg/s200/IMG_2955_2.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsUlu1RpRYHJYWBiDUqq6tE2FH_lUrPIVkAv1FkkpihzBm49n8JYTNgW2nrKdh10_WmJqXMYYrrG18qdCz7IzYCPnOGxZVPiHnFdR7MDnutxl2QxFricYL18oaUy3BX5XOwL9sWw/s1600-h/IMG_2958_3+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsUlu1RpRYHJYWBiDUqq6tE2FH_lUrPIVkAv1FkkpihzBm49n8JYTNgW2nrKdh10_WmJqXMYYrrG18qdCz7IzYCPnOGxZVPiHnFdR7MDnutxl2QxFricYL18oaUy3BX5XOwL9sWw/s200/IMG_2958_3+copy.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><div style="background-color: #6aa84f; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Climbing Leaves</b></span><br />
</div><div style="background-color: #6aa84f; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Hat</b></span><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">(shown on left in Dream in Color Classy, and on the right in Karabella Aurora 8)</span><b><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;">Well, I'm off to play an opera, so I must go and dig out some black clothes... and bring candy for intermission!<br />
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</div>Violiknithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04004942641018435912noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28666655.post-68338804889621338702008-09-18T15:30:00.008-04:002008-09-18T16:30:31.993-04:00Bon Voyage Hats!<div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSUjIVyhIbMTUo_0RA4BptbwmPJRKGgyz94ELnGY9OPWAqdJmXNvQaI38WuepWfcV3i0mIbR3hUUPmrUPv-GcClCY6dVC1SCABbk4MEUGNIbvf8izSY28VESLrIerMJLSE6Sj-rQ/s1600-h/IMG_1152hatspileCopying.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSUjIVyhIbMTUo_0RA4BptbwmPJRKGgyz94ELnGY9OPWAqdJmXNvQaI38WuepWfcV3i0mIbR3hUUPmrUPv-GcClCY6dVC1SCABbk4MEUGNIbvf8izSY28VESLrIerMJLSE6Sj-rQ/s400/IMG_1152hatspileCopying.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247447792146445874" border="0" /></a>It was recently suggested to me that I join <a href="http://okwhatnext.blogspot.com/">Kristy's Quest</a>, where as many hats as possible were to be knitted and crochetted so that Kristy could take them to orphanages in the Ukraine, where it's extremely cold and the indoor heating is pretty unreliable. The deadline was Sept. 5th, so I've been busy churning out hats like a maniac the last few weeks. I made 9 total.<br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0JBZ_WSrKRCumG4dlxe6Qw-Kox-t1Tek6IGfP4aGyPAlR4eSMutR6dBlCV47i_W1o0nXGu9J8BTCn6dfJm-9eQem4bhFvoaSAQiRRTfd1RF26WGVmqQnqueFKcK-mglwfzhADeQ/s1600-h/IMG_1153hatsbigCopying.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0JBZ_WSrKRCumG4dlxe6Qw-Kox-t1Tek6IGfP4aGyPAlR4eSMutR6dBlCV47i_W1o0nXGu9J8BTCn6dfJm-9eQem4bhFvoaSAQiRRTfd1RF26WGVmqQnqueFKcK-mglwfzhADeQ/s400/IMG_1153hatsbigCopying.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247447572099873378" border="0" /></a>4 basic crochetted hats (improvised pattern)<br /><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFRpXfr0sPnRYA9bC9T-jXSU_0VM_jXWuCgbfzI9tosIFT4tJGIqA-kNpWwC7QjKjuEDixRQjByfMfNanoDwy8w7Mgm2XmmIa-FT_pKVTa4xU2_iB2uEavltkt6QLXL7QRzF8bOg/s1600-h/IMG_1157hatssmallCopying.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFRpXfr0sPnRYA9bC9T-jXSU_0VM_jXWuCgbfzI9tosIFT4tJGIqA-kNpWwC7QjKjuEDixRQjByfMfNanoDwy8w7Mgm2XmmIa-FT_pKVTa4xU2_iB2uEavltkt6QLXL7QRzF8bOg/s400/IMG_1157hatssmallCopying.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247447581745095010" border="0" /></a>3 smaller crochetted hats (bottom center has a lining),<br />an improvised cable hat and an Elizabeth Zimmerman Maltese Hat.<br /><br /></div>...and then this one came about, but it was too small to send (baby size). So, I wrote out the pattern, and here it is:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Mini Muffin Hat</span></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_xGVGg6Qw8v8tjhTUN_RNSrNTCzNBf3MOY139ac2hnOSoFkspl_B5GDoJmVwCfbHxLez0mYTJdzaG08ryM5yEgjlFckru1gr3h2BrwmfYEWT_xtJ8kprBlkZtWnmKbsHHMcpnzw/s1600-h/M1167trimCopying.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_xGVGg6Qw8v8tjhTUN_RNSrNTCzNBf3MOY139ac2hnOSoFkspl_B5GDoJmVwCfbHxLez0mYTJdzaG08ryM5yEgjlFckru1gr3h2BrwmfYEWT_xtJ8kprBlkZtWnmKbsHHMcpnzw/s400/M1167trimCopying.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247447583443366754" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:100%;">1. <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/mini-muffin-hat">Free Ravelry Download</a></span><br /><a href="http://yarnovermanhattan-free-patterns.blogspot.com/2008/09/mini-muffin-hat-for-this-pattern-you.html"><span style="font-size:100%;">2. On my Free Patterns Page</span></a><br /></span></div><br />...and then I wanted an adult sized one, but a little different, and for self-striping yarn and I came up with:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Rook Hat<span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></span><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvQbTGiSV8G7ynvQQTQXjlqyA4nJk1Gmg7_ia0aBS82fX3X_rYJKfziGXe7fBuc6rdwfWp3G2ejxozZvxOr6w4_Gb3E8-wXaXszR5pYzxD4duyLXAFkEPZxxcxL-jofhjIN-W0Rw/s1600-h/Rook+Hats.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvQbTGiSV8G7ynvQQTQXjlqyA4nJk1Gmg7_ia0aBS82fX3X_rYJKfziGXe7fBuc6rdwfWp3G2ejxozZvxOr6w4_Gb3E8-wXaXszR5pYzxD4duyLXAFkEPZxxcxL-jofhjIN-W0Rw/s400/Rook+Hats.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247447589080004786" border="0" /></a>pictured hats made with Noro Kureyon (left) and SWTC Karaoke (right)<br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/rook-hat">1. Free Ravelry Download</a></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /><a href="http://yarnovermanhattan-free-patterns.blogspot.com/2008/09/rook-hat-for-this-hat-you-will-need.html">2. On my Free Patterns Page</a></span><br /></span></span></span></div><br />...and finally, of course, I ended up wanting a matching, reversible scarf...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Rook Scarf</span></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi8bkxV2QJrYWwv39PkdeFtNFTTfk3F14W-_6FrXmdwgUM8pWumgy9og9qJErhyphenhyphenGBh1YVrQVKgXaWgphHuhFrekHayKaQhhkWf87AGTTejOB0LMGUFx6yg_S5lPRHf7vdgojZh3A/s1600-h/Rook+Scarf2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi8bkxV2QJrYWwv39PkdeFtNFTTfk3F14W-_6FrXmdwgUM8pWumgy9og9qJErhyphenhyphenGBh1YVrQVKgXaWgphHuhFrekHayKaQhhkWf87AGTTejOB0LMGUFx6yg_S5lPRHf7vdgojZh3A/s400/Rook+Scarf2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247453174441729746" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/rook-scarf">1. Free Ravelry Download</a><br /><a href="http://yarnovermanhattan-free-patterns.blogspot.com/2008/09/rook-scarf-reversible-scarf-to-match.html">2. On my Free Patterns Page</a><br /></span></div><br />There is more knitting and crochetting going on that I can't blog about yet, and one more free pattern coming soon (crochetted newsboy cap)!Violiknithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04004942641018435912noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28666655.post-17790450765700928512008-08-03T16:56:00.003-04:002008-08-03T17:37:50.812-04:00The winners are...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3rG0Ipl0r8QIMnMmsjb3sAsPXFDJDpHdXhLg3_G1-XBK5WEzZbFMuK8bOaSYAidPoZEhdhk5Q55TGlpX3ahj521W81kamR2s2t9iCgBWo7RZ_Inbj6ypzjIyOMbDilfpfmjxSfg/s1600-h/IMG_1138Copying.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3rG0Ipl0r8QIMnMmsjb3sAsPXFDJDpHdXhLg3_G1-XBK5WEzZbFMuK8bOaSYAidPoZEhdhk5Q55TGlpX3ahj521W81kamR2s2t9iCgBWo7RZ_Inbj6ypzjIyOMbDilfpfmjxSfg/s400/IMG_1138Copying.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5230398449916543810" border="0" /></a><br /><br />First of all, a big <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">THANK YOU</span> to everyone for participating in this little drawing. I loved reading all your comments about your favorite Mozart compositions; there were such varied and interesting responses!!! It made me hunt through my recordings to go listen to all of them! <br /><br />FYI: When tallying up everyone's choices, Eine Kleine Nachtmusik was the most popular (hard to beat that piece), followed very closely by the Clarinet Concerto and Requiem. As for me, I do have multiple Mozart faves, but my current ones are Don Giovanni and Symphony #25 (which I get to play next week!)<br /><br />Here is my oh-so-scientific selection approach... having the BF pull out 3 folded up pieces of paper stuffed in one of the first hats I ever knit. It happens to be the only hat the BF actually wears, despite the many other hats I've knit him since...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZqVx3yBTq3wQXWmzXiiz6-sDHWea07tEXU6422CHTIfmuzpdQxTYu-QY-QlrOjrWbcNOeVZRCvQfWDsKgq9tV7r9-Pdvc7U9w-FLhisijTFuR7M3lAnWwtcFSj3t4hbBhIthYgQ/s1600-h/IMG_1144Copying.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZqVx3yBTq3wQXWmzXiiz6-sDHWea07tEXU6422CHTIfmuzpdQxTYu-QY-QlrOjrWbcNOeVZRCvQfWDsKgq9tV7r9-Pdvc7U9w-FLhisijTFuR7M3lAnWwtcFSj3t4hbBhIthYgQ/s400/IMG_1144Copying.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5230398454613749554" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">The names he pulled out were:<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">#1:</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;">EJ</span> (for the Kaalund Lace)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">#2:</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;">Miss Ewe</span> from <a href="http://missewe.blogspot.com/">miss ewe knits</a> (for the Regia 4-ply)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">#3:</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;">Teri E.</span> (for the Opal 6-ply)<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Will the three of you lucky winners please email me your snail mail address to:<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">violiknit@yahoo.com</span><br /><br /></div></div>Thanks again everyone for playing along!Violiknithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04004942641018435912noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28666655.post-10787030027080554522008-07-26T14:30:00.006-04:002008-07-26T15:50:24.817-04:00I was......<span style="font-weight: bold;">burnt out</span>, to put it simply...<br /><br />I must admit, knitting and blogging just slipped away from me for a while. I feel bad that I let it get there, but with all the work and the auditions and the fact that I was crazy enough to take a Japanese class on top of everything else, I just needed a break.<br /><br />...so...<br /><br />I went on a vacation to Puerto Rico for a week:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigqNBuVZjToUJiqgu7uKn7HO7Sbo7IuNCXAG1EWQC8MWkhqAGm-VKSzRlPkTHpX8A_WjxViVQvo2R-IyAh30EMqWvIYxhLsg4tr3Uj-GkT2BpktORY1CG_1Z3l1fXWot8CSHci3A/s1600-h/PR.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigqNBuVZjToUJiqgu7uKn7HO7Sbo7IuNCXAG1EWQC8MWkhqAGm-VKSzRlPkTHpX8A_WjxViVQvo2R-IyAh30EMqWvIYxhLsg4tr3Uj-GkT2BpktORY1CG_1Z3l1fXWot8CSHci3A/s400/PR.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5227393933907606450" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">"Aaaaaaahhhhh...."</span><br /></div><br />Much revived and refreshed, the knitting mojo started flowing again:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2RSKOw12bkx5JVf3MlMl6NBe3B31YEB17WAt4eChN6teEDm88wvGRDqOU05o0EtnaUFTgyo7jwF68YsG9DnBgSCFDpueIc2_KAEbjhFZ3iWVCGDecIPDtKGKfPBc7qMcVIvUBIg/s1600-h/IMG_1071Copying.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2RSKOw12bkx5JVf3MlMl6NBe3B31YEB17WAt4eChN6teEDm88wvGRDqOU05o0EtnaUFTgyo7jwF68YsG9DnBgSCFDpueIc2_KAEbjhFZ3iWVCGDecIPDtKGKfPBc7qMcVIvUBIg/s400/IMG_1071Copying.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5227393963260773650" border="0" /><span style="display: block;" id="formatbar_Buttons"></span></a><br /><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.knitspot.com/knitting_pattern/vine-flower-dress-p-16.html">Vine Flower Dress</a><br />by Anne Hanson of Knitspot<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAfnzBKCrz9hqm9h6xAePEuhJgKy3myqkS_F4iaFiA7XMbP4NbyjcpspBDrWUowyZBp4BuLJg1m_V8DkE6K4M1xYMEI_HbvfdsWAD7s5Y1sFOy0MefVUoKrrZ10OFTtGDpzU2W4w/s1600-h/IMG_1062Copying.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAfnzBKCrz9hqm9h6xAePEuhJgKy3myqkS_F4iaFiA7XMbP4NbyjcpspBDrWUowyZBp4BuLJg1m_V8DkE6K4M1xYMEI_HbvfdsWAD7s5Y1sFOy0MefVUoKrrZ10OFTtGDpzU2W4w/s400/IMG_1062Copying.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5227393968723469618" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Yarn: Knitpicks <a href="http://www.knitpicks.com/CotLin+Yarn_YD5420162.html">Cotlin</a> in "Moroccan Red" <br />Very soft yarn, except for little pokey wiry bits sticking out of the yarn. They softened with washing, but gave me a scare initially.<br /><br /></div></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZZMTcW1GGRGl6n575uWPdkpMa7WtMzzTszb6pWarzIa3qHjL-Y7Af2QC5-z2DZ1-rgM8Mrk6NYNyAJqvxLf-EZAYXLW1iOcMwerEvf_Bz4oskTFsU9gm2W3VfYiS5iGURuaJ1TQ/s1600-h/IMG_1096Copying.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZZMTcW1GGRGl6n575uWPdkpMa7WtMzzTszb6pWarzIa3qHjL-Y7Af2QC5-z2DZ1-rgM8Mrk6NYNyAJqvxLf-EZAYXLW1iOcMwerEvf_Bz4oskTFsU9gm2W3VfYiS5iGURuaJ1TQ/s400/IMG_1096Copying.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5227393560825942802" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/circle-socks">Circle Socks</a><br />by Anne Campbell<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">One of the few WIP's I've got going. I'm using yarn from <a href="http://www.twistedfiberart.com/">Twisted</a>. It stripes, but at different intervals, so no matching (took me a while to get over that). I like the yarn very much, but ever since Twisted started its own site, buying yarn from them has become a bit more challenging. They do a pre-order thing (which I'm not into), and an occasional "instant gratification" thing. Honestly, I have better luck scoring fabled Wollmeise.<br /></div></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzIm05rDr9XfUtBIHYRqqVipNO7_5GbXdfNqOeNzV-qNPk4wqTguFt4Ic78bhq07RJ6Q9I7BwMCOpCEhMHst-dQNYrdcH72AWLekixfnkiXxjg2CFGMpgUyX0pLgoyPbiTDTYm7g/s1600-h/IMG_1099aCopying.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzIm05rDr9XfUtBIHYRqqVipNO7_5GbXdfNqOeNzV-qNPk4wqTguFt4Ic78bhq07RJ6Q9I7BwMCOpCEhMHst-dQNYrdcH72AWLekixfnkiXxjg2CFGMpgUyX0pLgoyPbiTDTYm7g/s400/IMG_1099aCopying.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5227393562897847698" border="0" /></a><br /><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.theloopyewe.com/browse/patterns/dream-in-color/dc-p-dream-in-color-shrug/">Dream in Color Shrug</a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I'm using the colorway "Giant Peach" for this (like in the pattern pic), because I happened to have some in my stash. It's very soft, squishy, bouncy yarn that smells really nice. I'm knitting this shrug because the air conditioner keeps things at arctic temperatures where I work.<br /><br /></div></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-1xyKKTQ8DOt42Ghy6Gm-QB0kNbnq-dAhYbI845tIDfZ7_mZdZfp25kG7yvpFCMNew6I3FBFp8AuK7Na-sH3zJNplICPtj4OuhtVJEKXgCwDy_56MgF2QE6pzgyGfm6aikW4xsw/s1600-h/IMG_1105.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-1xyKKTQ8DOt42Ghy6Gm-QB0kNbnq-dAhYbI845tIDfZ7_mZdZfp25kG7yvpFCMNew6I3FBFp8AuK7Na-sH3zJNplICPtj4OuhtVJEKXgCwDy_56MgF2QE6pzgyGfm6aikW4xsw/s400/IMG_1105.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5227393569223306898" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Lawrence of Arabia?/Fun with Earflaps</span><br /><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.amazon.com/Elizabeth-Zimmermanns-Knitters-Almanac-Zimmermann/dp/0486241785/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1217099261&sr=8-1">Maltese Fisheraman's Hat</a><br />by Elizabeth Zimmerman<br /></div><br />I am obsessed with this hat. There is lots of potential for variation, it's ergonomic, and weird enough that I keep wanting to tweak the design. Yarn is a combo of some colorful <a href="http://www.insubordiknit.com/yarn/">Insubordiknit</a> and <a href="http://www.morehousefarm.com/KnittingEssentials/Yarn/Bulky/">Morehouse Bulky</a> in colorway "Oatmeal". <br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Mods</span>: I switched to the contrast color when you start the shaping for the earflaps, and switched back after knitting the "one full row". When you start the row that ends with CO 14 sts for the forehead, that should be back in the main color. I added more rounds of garter ridges for symmetry and hat depth, and slip stitched along the head for that "ridge". Also crocheted one row around the hat opening. I also decreased at a faster rate for a rounder top: when it should be K2tog (or P2tog), K10 around, I changed to K2tog, K4 around.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5NIel_FPqrYsBcJPj-nmlJ9GwglJkOVc7I6Qdrjh5VAqzh5KYlmXlFrqfZJMNr0Rzy_0UaT5p-x32ldgCwU287eexjJCWisBsdeC3lvf8bASmEVbZ-KdBIpp0dDiDvhP7A0MchA/s1600-h/IMG_1101Copying.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5NIel_FPqrYsBcJPj-nmlJ9GwglJkOVc7I6Qdrjh5VAqzh5KYlmXlFrqfZJMNr0Rzy_0UaT5p-x32ldgCwU287eexjJCWisBsdeC3lvf8bASmEVbZ-KdBIpp0dDiDvhP7A0MchA/s400/IMG_1101Copying.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5227393574201330194" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Chullo inspired Maltese</span><br /></div><br />Here's another one, but this time I tried for some patterning at the top. It was improvised from some Peruvian wave designs I've seen. Earflaps were knit with some bulky hand dyed that I lost the label to, and the top was Misti Alpaca worsted that I used quadrupled. If I ever visit Minnesota, I'm taking this hat - it's that thick and warm.<br /><br />Some kitchenalia knitting mojo kicked in as well. Here are some variations on the:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://myboringblog.wordpress.com/2008/01/23/crochet-potholder-pattern/">Crocheted Folded Potholder</a><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCRt7O9iFbLg10-4-lKExqWBbxws1zsANpaLcDaUxOGq9IpuTvn-6NETrEIwVT1_YwhednhBDWz_CK9NCxhGuK7dwWziY8tdatl_fGPr4ck7ihVl09ekZ8yfPF17JCVjHZvazPlQ/s1600-h/IMG_1107Copying.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCRt7O9iFbLg10-4-lKExqWBbxws1zsANpaLcDaUxOGq9IpuTvn-6NETrEIwVT1_YwhednhBDWz_CK9NCxhGuK7dwWziY8tdatl_fGPr4ck7ihVl09ekZ8yfPF17JCVjHZvazPlQ/s400/IMG_1107Copying.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5227393577719575826" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3_ZXy26YEMujJYrcSiYL36DGaId3rgEbdij5So25_4FdDKEAEjos3bs0hcZ9ljyuabza4n3C7qBtophyphenhyphenSo5H2B9-2SKf2Jxv1wRBHDbDOU5_GAUdL_iA7bia3fWVh-4pi-VPNcQ/s1600-h/IMG_1094aCopying.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3_ZXy26YEMujJYrcSiYL36DGaId3rgEbdij5So25_4FdDKEAEjos3bs0hcZ9ljyuabza4n3C7qBtophyphenhyphenSo5H2B9-2SKf2Jxv1wRBHDbDOU5_GAUdL_iA7bia3fWVh-4pi-VPNcQ/s400/IMG_1094aCopying.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5227392557835098194" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM-8SXkojBkd_b-xkdzziTpAfr9VoCLKPtJk8-zls8cEiuzIsRENMfStHhZz7E7zprxxNQvtvkAB6GDErDnVukjUzHngClZRfFbsCZbb_IZyqpbW4TjJVABZXOVcoyZGHeFR4nbA/s1600-h/IMG_1108Copying.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM-8SXkojBkd_b-xkdzziTpAfr9VoCLKPtJk8-zls8cEiuzIsRENMfStHhZz7E7zprxxNQvtvkAB6GDErDnVukjUzHngClZRfFbsCZbb_IZyqpbW4TjJVABZXOVcoyZGHeFR4nbA/s400/IMG_1108Copying.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5227392354933734210" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Mods</span>: I cast on 41sts for a larger potholder, and lined them with felt for more heat protection.<br /><br />These were pretty cute too, and super fast to crochet:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.freecraftunlimited.com/flower-hot-pad.html">Crochet Flower Hot Pad</a><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpbdsU09VZD3Qla9_AyRk2MJ4cCz5hnagUTIaELi6SxE6wSlObFtWdrZy8ThrIp4b2BreMKmoho_Z8gGbwSdvJ56bjg95akc1Du4mVfucrI220kqlkpMW3t4sn2iap5v0E4vX_7Q/s1600-h/IMG_1113Copying.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpbdsU09VZD3Qla9_AyRk2MJ4cCz5hnagUTIaELi6SxE6wSlObFtWdrZy8ThrIp4b2BreMKmoho_Z8gGbwSdvJ56bjg95akc1Du4mVfucrI220kqlkpMW3t4sn2iap5v0E4vX_7Q/s400/IMG_1113Copying.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5227392358238262754" border="0" /></a><br />Yeah, I know, this is a totally photo-heavy post. But if you've made it this far, here's the...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">CONTEST!!!</span></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></span></span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />It's Mozart season again! To enter, leave a comment telling me what your favorite piece by <span style="font-size:130%;">Mozart </span>is! It can be an opera, symphony, chamber piece, concerto, whatever! <br /><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHX9OT2hduVCywhYtjCNsV7HXTLj8pqVW700Fa9QCUVjziAl7zq-lQd9hC0LHqmdpIvg3blDATZ8JaEGZG90NRYcS79dP8WcLZiYrSOsVsH2G2cUTNWUcX0OFQF5ozGirC7zTx7w/s1600-h/IMG_1116Copying.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHX9OT2hduVCywhYtjCNsV7HXTLj8pqVW700Fa9QCUVjziAl7zq-lQd9hC0LHqmdpIvg3blDATZ8JaEGZG90NRYcS79dP8WcLZiYrSOsVsH2G2cUTNWUcX0OFQF5ozGirC7zTx7w/s400/IMG_1116Copying.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5227392364107213378" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Prize#1</span>: Kaalund Lace yarn hand dyed in Australia<br />100% kid mohair 460m colorway "Pawpaw"<br /><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV8zcPyfqY4HaYs5Msko_EUwXJNku3bgXvp7-tR2vtbpNhs2BqVHnwJHGDbbsTuS4Od1_qNap_OWubtvO40xp4PciBY9lGtC9rBYu0xcU4NMw1NYc3GezcEPovTa-mMKQAOQ-nCg/s1600-h/IMG_1117Copying.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV8zcPyfqY4HaYs5Msko_EUwXJNku3bgXvp7-tR2vtbpNhs2BqVHnwJHGDbbsTuS4Od1_qNap_OWubtvO40xp4PciBY9lGtC9rBYu0xcU4NMw1NYc3GezcEPovTa-mMKQAOQ-nCg/s400/IMG_1117Copying.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5227392361284187922" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Prize#2</span>: Regia 4ply Crazy Color in colorway #5402<br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwVmhZd8hRTLeMVPMHslTsRPVG2WXXWjZSUnygWeqhWwn0gL5V0_fRcFGyC7feMbbcPGV_fNNohQeUqbLFxa3ENRSMgYSviP1RZTm9HaKpKDQ2UgU3rJboJ-7Bnx9RyD5-uJaoLw/s1600-h/IMG_1118Copying.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwVmhZd8hRTLeMVPMHslTsRPVG2WXXWjZSUnygWeqhWwn0gL5V0_fRcFGyC7feMbbcPGV_fNNohQeUqbLFxa3ENRSMgYSviP1RZTm9HaKpKDQ2UgU3rJboJ-7Bnx9RyD5-uJaoLw/s400/IMG_1118Copying.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5227392367482864162" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Prize#3</span>: a huge skein of Opal 6ply in color #1714<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Contest ends on Midnight, August 2nd, and the winners' names will be posted the next day. Good Luck!!!</span><br /></div></div>Violiknithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04004942641018435912noreply@blogger.com42tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28666655.post-71228309624031201152008-06-21T19:54:00.004-04:002008-06-21T21:02:00.227-04:00Still Playing Catch-upSince my return to NYC, I've been scrambling to find the time to catch my breath. First I took yet another audition (this was for a neighboring opera house to where I currently work): I did better this time, making it to the finals. There were 4 finalists in all, and between 250-300 people who took the audition from around the world, so I'm not feeling too bad about losing.<br /><br />Taking auditions is definitely a marathon ordeal! Once you get there, there is a lot of sitting, waiting to be assigned a practice room, finishing your snacks and getting hungry, trying to stay focused while being surrounded by other auditioners, waiting for results between rounds... It's really exhausting, and it can take hours (the last day, I got out at 8pm. I had been there since 2pm, and was there the day before as well.)<br /><br />After that was over, I thought, great, I'll have some free time now... and then I caught a nasty cold. I've finally gotten over the cold, and have been practicing like a madwoman for an upcoming chamber music concert. <br /><br />The knitting has been sparse, but here is a pair of socks I knit for my mother as her get-well present after her knee replacement surgery. Thank you everyone for your kind words for my mom's recovery:<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSV-Z38M4Ss8wwQV3MJ319BS6ckrJf9CpwsY2VeaEu-_ZlxctDxwrEpqxo0H3DsNSw2Gqpj3SoN5uI7YZvmcksF0JtJL8Ee5KyQUNaqLUFdsovQyMl7-AmUBD3P18ddsshfC8Sdw/s1600-h/lotus2Copying.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSV-Z38M4Ss8wwQV3MJ319BS6ckrJf9CpwsY2VeaEu-_ZlxctDxwrEpqxo0H3DsNSw2Gqpj3SoN5uI7YZvmcksF0JtJL8Ee5KyQUNaqLUFdsovQyMl7-AmUBD3P18ddsshfC8Sdw/s400/lotus2Copying.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5214492423141099266" border="0" /></a><br /><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.knittingzone.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=9053">"Lotus"</a><span style="font-weight: bold;"> by Robyn Gallimore</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">yarn</span>: 2 skeins Lorna's Laces in "Periwinkle"<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">mods</span>: didn't like how the original cuff curled, so picked up stitches and added ribbing,<br />finishing with a tubular bind off.<br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEW9SDyZ5DqizAeMqoRdnz57VHAik0PGHJEdIMxRY8Ns1GRELIjvreb79IXH_NLJf0NWzvOnnlDjCrgog4cqtslqlyjLQiAsBoIa-5DBQZiggHj_t1KWZ-Yz4UJ4oMVi6Gk5pkuQ/s1600-h/lotuspttn_2.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEW9SDyZ5DqizAeMqoRdnz57VHAik0PGHJEdIMxRY8Ns1GRELIjvreb79IXH_NLJf0NWzvOnnlDjCrgog4cqtslqlyjLQiAsBoIa-5DBQZiggHj_t1KWZ-Yz4UJ4oMVi6Gk5pkuQ/s400/lotuspttn_2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5214492428280049730" border="0" /></a><br />closeup of the "lotus" stitch pattern<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Well, otherwise, <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">I missed my blogiversary</span> (argh!), so I will be putting together a contest soon!<br /><br />Not to be an enabler but <a href="http://www.knitpicks.com/">Knitpicks is having their 40% off all books sale again!</a><br /><br />Off to catch up on blog reading!<br /></div></div>Violiknithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04004942641018435912noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28666655.post-44229707921755134712008-05-26T00:39:00.006-04:002008-05-26T02:10:14.747-04:00Quick BlurbMy apologies for suddenly having disappeared from blog-land; my mother recently had knee replacement surgery and so I've been in California the last few weeks helping her with her recovery. There has been<span style="font-style: italic;"> </span>a lot<span style="font-style: italic;"> </span>for me to do around the house, and very little free time as a result. I miss reading everyone's blogs-! Luckily my mother has started feeling better the last few days, so I'm looking forward to finally catching up on some reading :) Woohoo!<br /><br />Before leaving for California, I managed to churn out a couple of knits:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE7GS2mMUp3yadUseUUjqE69d30abrAfz9f4Kh9_WxFr0F0cdr8NxaeG8B__U6sLe_Giu7S7GMrLoPipPzwWfQSaFdI_dMyxZhwfErjjPPD-r2KrxpqccLw9OnGjQhuuiSOGSSOQ/s1600-h/IMG_0978aCopying.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE7GS2mMUp3yadUseUUjqE69d30abrAfz9f4Kh9_WxFr0F0cdr8NxaeG8B__U6sLe_Giu7S7GMrLoPipPzwWfQSaFdI_dMyxZhwfErjjPPD-r2KrxpqccLw9OnGjQhuuiSOGSSOQ/s400/IMG_0978aCopying.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5204556040171014434" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Lacy Flower Sweater</span><br />yarn: Rowan Handknit Cotton in "Mango Fool" (great name, huh?)<br /><br />...for some reason I'm having trouble linking to the free pattern:<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="a">www.knit<b>rowan</b>.com/images/<wbr>freepattern/<b>lacy</b>_<b>sweater</b>_feb_04.pdf<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="a">There are <span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">errata</span> in the edging: it's supposed to be 14 (16:18:19). The instructions are a bit confusing because there are several different ways they ask for a Yarn Over. If you ever knit this, just do a regular YO every time. I modified the shape into a bit of an A-Line with some flair by decreasing under the arms to a 20" chest circumference. <br /><br /><br /></span><span class="a"></span></div><span class="a"></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHP2D5pwkG-XatBrrJAS0mT3ApQaHWec2x6ISOzTlfHFgZsm1_TR8t-j1GZXFEv22DmejXFw1xlf9OvzMjVysu4d2xBdw17pyl2Tr7dk4AThLw_JP9EspnX_bdIruygnn5ACO3IQ/s1600-h/IMG_0982aCopying.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHP2D5pwkG-XatBrrJAS0mT3ApQaHWec2x6ISOzTlfHFgZsm1_TR8t-j1GZXFEv22DmejXFw1xlf9OvzMjVysu4d2xBdw17pyl2Tr7dk4AThLw_JP9EspnX_bdIruygnn5ACO3IQ/s400/IMG_0982aCopying.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5204545066529573106" border="0" /></a><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.knitspot.com/knitting_pattern/child%C3%82%E2%80%99s-cabled-dress-p-27.html">Child's Cable Jumper<br /></a>yarn: Katia Diana in a seafoam green<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Pretty sure there's an <span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);">errata</span> in this one too, for the 18mo size; the cast on number of stitches is correct, but the subsequent rows have one too many stitches on the second half of the jumper (there is a P4 that should be a P3.) Both halves of the round should be symmetrical, in other words.<br /><span style="text-decoration: underline;"></span></div></div><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDhY2ZDmNz2MDyoeeEzBK7Tc6ihujwyMTzpRalpS4G-rczpzYzTPPV_yuwGmZIMuka9oX5Yq6ObgBOy89n6tTUVMz3gBy3yQ7m-m1Gs0iBKfm3ElxohGafyMit6PxrO8mupQlXEw/s1600-h/IMG_0846Copying.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDhY2ZDmNz2MDyoeeEzBK7Tc6ihujwyMTzpRalpS4G-rczpzYzTPPV_yuwGmZIMuka9oX5Yq6ObgBOy89n6tTUVMz3gBy3yQ7m-m1Gs0iBKfm3ElxohGafyMit6PxrO8mupQlXEw/s400/IMG_0846Copying.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5204545070824540418" border="0" /></a><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://knitty.com/ISSUEwinter04/PATTwinecozy.html">Wine Cozy</a><br /></div><br />Used for a 60 year old bottle of Madeira which was a B-day gift for a 60 year old friend. I used the bobble and leaf patterns included in the instructions, but assembled them into one big grape cluster. Modified to knit in the round. I had to go up a couple of needle sizes for the base; it kept turning out way too small. :(Violiknithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04004942641018435912noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28666655.post-43317715453997578632008-04-21T22:10:00.003-04:002008-04-21T22:27:51.252-04:00...and the Winner is...<span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 102);">A HUGE THANK YOU</span> to all of you who participated in this little contest and for sharing all of your fantastic ideas and suggestions for warm weather knitting!!! I've definitely got enough inspiration from all of you to keep me knitting through the summer without the threat of bad mojo! Thanks again!<br /><br />...so now here is my lovely assistant, sporting a recent F.O.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsYRrN_-mRy1PuxMGYNY2q9aOIVm1Cwg6cJXQFgpK1zM2_jo6O7NMPBrLT-ANh1y3uIvryo9QCbwN_ZAcrPClJK2eeCbQImmi10Sgr7dRwd-JUdE6rMkLq_TOLi0YWeUt1iqnQGA/s1600-h/IMG_0827aCopying.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsYRrN_-mRy1PuxMGYNY2q9aOIVm1Cwg6cJXQFgpK1zM2_jo6O7NMPBrLT-ANh1y3uIvryo9QCbwN_ZAcrPClJK2eeCbQImmi10Sgr7dRwd-JUdE6rMkLq_TOLi0YWeUt1iqnQGA/s400/IMG_0827aCopying.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5191886770421410050" border="0" /></a><br />A pair of seriously decadent <a href="http://knitty.com/ISSUEspring07/PATTdashing.html">"Dashing"</a><br />1+ skeins of Artyarns Cashmere 5<br />(modified to a shorter length)<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);"><span style="font-size:130%;">...and the winner is...</span></span><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibj1S2RHnIKvtfi_2WdiLsvpiBSWUcQiKcu7Z-nZG9goD6KWmSxcrdz-4-0Q9B9ri5-JnhItzxDudz8qb8ox5-bREgEH58QLUkkdCSKfIfY3hPMzpC5JD0OZimGP2s3C9Za-EDwA/s1600-h/IMG_0833Copying.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibj1S2RHnIKvtfi_2WdiLsvpiBSWUcQiKcu7Z-nZG9goD6KWmSxcrdz-4-0Q9B9ri5-JnhItzxDudz8qb8ox5-bREgEH58QLUkkdCSKfIfY3hPMzpC5JD0OZimGP2s3C9Za-EDwA/s400/IMG_0833Copying.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5191886774716377362" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://vocabularious.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);">HeyCarrieAnn!!!</span></span></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Congratulations! Please email me (violiknit@yahoo.com) your snail mail address, and your Trekking XXL will be on it's way to you :)<br /><br />I'm off to do some serious catching up on my blog reading, and to F.O. some U.F.O.'s! <br /></div></div>Violiknithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04004942641018435912noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28666655.post-534524983035645482008-04-11T12:35:00.004-04:002008-04-11T13:11:18.074-04:00My pattern got published!!!...and a little contest<span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" >Woohoo!!! I'm so excited!!!</span><br /><br />...So a while back, I made up <a href="http://yarnovermanhattan-free-patterns.blogspot.com/">this diagonal scarf pattern</a> to go with some funky <a href="http://www.insubordiknit.com/yarn/">Insubordiknit</a> handspun yarn...<br /><br />Turns out, another talented spinner, <a href="http://www.pluckyfluff.com/yarn.html">Lexi Boeger (of Pluckyfluff Yarns)</a>, was in the process of coming out with her second book...<br /><br />My "Go Diagonal" scarf pattern was knitted and submitted by Cindy Cafaro, and it ended up here:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhupinaPEi5MM7TEZ4iyN2derTF7yYrO95lKoxsewJJzUTUntSYrISJReOQP-NcGYrh-u0VB0UP5RLSWrct2pnBwTYyE1nYjcfbdTxf-ezvI5XQrLggjjHQ4tVPwvd8JWpBcCFY8w/s1600-h/IntertwinedCopying.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhupinaPEi5MM7TEZ4iyN2derTF7yYrO95lKoxsewJJzUTUntSYrISJReOQP-NcGYrh-u0VB0UP5RLSWrct2pnBwTYyE1nYjcfbdTxf-ezvI5XQrLggjjHQ4tVPwvd8JWpBcCFY8w/s400/IntertwinedCopying.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5188027866714481506" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Intertwined-Handspun-Patterns-Creative-Revolution/dp/1592533744/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1207932478&sr=1-1">"Intertwined" by Lexi Boeger</a><br />"The Art of Handspun Yarn, Modern Patterns, and Creative Spinning"<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl1UtBpXEN8_I5faOuPU-A3zlkFbAIYAshWtx8-XHz9_qLXQ1n6Gde88GT1SWh5IRuNc408twh0-ldbhiFzQDwXpM89qQgZMlVXsNIjV-wkEJj4-fEijdBlZ0Yv6KyX8Fdtt3iEg/s1600-h/intertwined+insideCopying.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl1UtBpXEN8_I5faOuPU-A3zlkFbAIYAshWtx8-XHz9_qLXQ1n6Gde88GT1SWh5IRuNc408twh0-ldbhiFzQDwXpM89qQgZMlVXsNIjV-wkEJj4-fEijdBlZ0Yv6KyX8Fdtt3iEg/s400/intertwined+insideCopying.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5188027871009448818" border="0" /></a>...and here it is on page 178!<br />(on Ravelry, it's <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/go-diagonal-scarf">here</a>)<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Not much knitting to show... lots of WIP's, but that's about it. The place where I work is having some major concert scheduling issues for next year, and I'm part of a group that has to deal with this headache... Needless to say, it has been sucking up almost all of my free time ("free" also goes for the fact that this is unpaid volunteer work...)<br /><br />Anyhow, let's get onto the little <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 204, 0);">contest</span>:<br /></div></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPMdYcZNhuZfX1ANDWXpnebBIqCMavJQKeZPjbsBMcfFt2jEa9gcEEH6pEDPrmZ_KKHA2DNbziHtznPMcZxXqsP-oBikN3nwdOgzYPbLS3YSZmJvRDTwAJ6hv80zZiifMOZFtE7Q/s1600-h/trekking.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPMdYcZNhuZfX1ANDWXpnebBIqCMavJQKeZPjbsBMcfFt2jEa9gcEEH6pEDPrmZ_KKHA2DNbziHtznPMcZxXqsP-oBikN3nwdOgzYPbLS3YSZmJvRDTwAJ6hv80zZiifMOZFtE7Q/s400/trekking.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5188027879599383426" border="0" /></a>Up for grabs is a lovely skein of Trekking XXL in color #06<br /></div><br />Here's the thing; it's getting warmer outside, and with this sort of weather, <span style="font-style: italic;">my knitting mojo starts to</span> <span style="font-style: italic;">sag</span>...<br /><br />Please leave a comment telling me about what kind of knitting project keeps you most motivated during warmer weather!<br /><br />The contest ends on midnight, Monday April 21, and the winner's name will be posted here later that day.<br /><br />Best of Luck!Violiknithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04004942641018435912noreply@blogger.com28tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28666655.post-30056846584113397172008-03-17T21:43:00.009-04:002008-03-17T22:37:04.752-04:00Oh, Phooey!I did not win the audition. :( Darn! Oh well, next time, perhaps...<br /><br />Meanwhile, I just wanted to say:<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 102);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Thank you everyone, for your supportive and kind comments!!! They always mean a lot to me, but I really appreciated them during this crazy stressful time!!! </span><br /><br />...as a small token of appreciation, I will organize a little contest for my next post... I will try to get it all together this week... stay tuned...<span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">I actually did manage to do a little knitting here and there:</span></span></span></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjChgInFkKwKBBeXkxbsVOgWEBeLTjqSTer37HFMybO_DISNkXwyYIybCdp0hfAT6176jsL3Z1DWC4XTT29iOcP7uun8TO-TIZj-iM66bI-2RhLZl4aLkHNVT8o3QTlN0MqlJQHxA/s1600-h/IMG_0566Copying.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjChgInFkKwKBBeXkxbsVOgWEBeLTjqSTer37HFMybO_DISNkXwyYIybCdp0hfAT6176jsL3Z1DWC4XTT29iOcP7uun8TO-TIZj-iM66bI-2RhLZl4aLkHNVT8o3QTlN0MqlJQHxA/s400/IMG_0566Copying.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5178892446130783570" border="0" /></a>This is the sweater from Kate Gilbert's <a href="http://www.knittingdaily.com/freepatterns/babies_children/Peapod_Baby_Set_Free_Knitting_Pattern18-1.html">Peapod Baby Set</a>. (The pattern is free, but you have to register with the Knitting Daily Site. It's possible to unsubscribe later.) The yarn is Louet Worsted weight (which was more like DK weight), and the wooden ducky buttons are from <a href="http://www.mjtrim.com/">M&J Trimming</a> here in NYC. It was a bit of a juggling act keeping track of the pattern, the edging and the button holes all at once, but I think it was worth it.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQQVolLAweZRo-zYN63LcCwaBwwFSF_dfjb1yEyMFs4TvDMsAH59xMx2Y3OPwFocCXDAbOTJhcqAT-kHMzG4W2DDq_5fE94XaOvXLvbn12iAPeH8R4ogGQBeLmfT7DOuxhnZMjlA/s1600-h/IMG_0562Copying.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQQVolLAweZRo-zYN63LcCwaBwwFSF_dfjb1yEyMFs4TvDMsAH59xMx2Y3OPwFocCXDAbOTJhcqAT-kHMzG4W2DDq_5fE94XaOvXLvbn12iAPeH8R4ogGQBeLmfT7DOuxhnZMjlA/s400/IMG_0562Copying.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5178892450425750882" border="0" /></a>And this <a href="http://www.dreamincoloryarn.com/pages/patterns.html">Tulip Cardigan</a>... yes, it's the one that was so crazily popular about a year ago... I got completely caught up in the frenzy of it all and managed to buy a kit, but after seeing soooo many people knitting it and blogging about it, I sort of lost interest and just never got around to knitting it until now...<br />I must say I totally love this sweater. The yarn is beautiful, and it passed the <span style="font-weight: bold;">"Mommy Gaga"</span> test with flying colors. (The "Mommy Gaga" test: I show a knitted item or its picture to several of my friends who are Mommies. If they totally flip out and ask me to knit one for their kids, it passes the test.)<br /><br />I'm slowly working on <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Learn-Knit-Afghan-Book-Barbara-Walker/dp/0942018133/ref=sr_1_11?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1205807012&sr=1-11">this Afghan</a> by Barbara Walker (I'm using Cascade 220 superwash):<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRheE0TTk1Au9I0d80meM8p0FgDJZnzjZl68tPDubHP-k09Vhmha2NaW6jvOZ-msbsLxJG9KxYF7iXgAGZYhNb-X3Sd2Sb0sRKn14VGsKn2allNQSOlWWyMVT7Uk1BNT9r98fT0Q/s1600-h/IMG_0569Copying.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRheE0TTk1Au9I0d80meM8p0FgDJZnzjZl68tPDubHP-k09Vhmha2NaW6jvOZ-msbsLxJG9KxYF7iXgAGZYhNb-X3Sd2Sb0sRKn14VGsKn2allNQSOlWWyMVT7Uk1BNT9r98fT0Q/s400/IMG_0569Copying.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5178892175547843858" border="0" /></a> Squares #1 and #2<br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgicMUQQe6q7KyM8e9MbGVnSOyHlHr7pHxIBecjbbSd4ezY_0vOd23OGkLsPCWLkU8fxaW1J_H13xl7NogwouIRb-lEfLrl97a37KjKNFV6j82ozD2Pa_4IdubI-rnWHXsZEGn76A/s1600-h/IMG_0570Copying.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgicMUQQe6q7KyM8e9MbGVnSOyHlHr7pHxIBecjbbSd4ezY_0vOd23OGkLsPCWLkU8fxaW1J_H13xl7NogwouIRb-lEfLrl97a37KjKNFV6j82ozD2Pa_4IdubI-rnWHXsZEGn76A/s400/IMG_0570Copying.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5178892184137778466" border="0" /></a>Squares #3 and #4<br /><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij7Kw5vKVXsBmQhb9hKjn_bfVxsRm07saV56YiFYMaDksj_rWYVPh86_T_adKIDP7LX3YbBBQQW8UZhjYUjzCXfVLknshgpNsdZXeKixKEHN-ZklttCde4ptTsLVoiM89tBRz3qg/s1600-h/IMG_0572Copying.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij7Kw5vKVXsBmQhb9hKjn_bfVxsRm07saV56YiFYMaDksj_rWYVPh86_T_adKIDP7LX3YbBBQQW8UZhjYUjzCXfVLknshgpNsdZXeKixKEHN-ZklttCde4ptTsLVoiM89tBRz3qg/s400/IMG_0572Copying.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5178892184137778482" border="0" /></a>Squares #5 and #6<br /></div><br /><br />And here's another <span style="font-style: italic;">Knit in Action:<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3gm-utjyR8Td4ux8CT5TDw5UoOOap2j4HnzOb1gqpCehwfdoLoB3Zyzl9jDU4Ks74ct6rJNNHHQHBWQAfD8lfSJ5NQg9m1Cvjdu9rupRC4N0NDJtjqtdB9akPXnNU8wkQuMMqRg/s1600-h/CIMG1720.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3gm-utjyR8Td4ux8CT5TDw5UoOOap2j4HnzOb1gqpCehwfdoLoB3Zyzl9jDU4Ks74ct6rJNNHHQHBWQAfD8lfSJ5NQg9m1Cvjdu9rupRC4N0NDJtjqtdB9akPXnNU8wkQuMMqRg/s400/CIMG1720.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5178892197022680386" border="0" /></a>Modeled by the supremely cute Miss "A", this is the February Baby Sweater from E.Z.'s <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Elizabeth-Zimmermanns-Knitters-Almanac-Zimmermann/dp/0486241785/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1205807311&sr=1-1">Knitter's Almanac</a> that I knitted about a year ago.Violiknithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04004942641018435912noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28666655.post-86738487888971290592008-01-22T17:54:00.000-05:002008-01-22T18:49:09.428-05:00Audition Woes and Knits in ActionI have been knitting, really.... but only a little, because my hands feel totally shot. <br />You see, stupid me decided about a month ago that for the fun and challenge of it, I would try another audition. I figured practicing for this thing would keep me in good playing shape during my current off-season. The last audition I took was 2 years ago, and during that time, I must've gotten hit on the head or something, because I clearly forgot the craziness of it all.<br /><br />For those of you who have not experienced an orchestral audition, <span style="font-style: italic;">it goes something like this</span>:<br />A position is announced, and depending on the orchestra, there can be 250+ applicants sending their resumes for that one job. Of those, less than half are invited to a live audition. You are then given a list of excerpts of pieces which you practice to the point of insanity (I've been clocking about 5-6 hours of practice a day). <br /><br />At some point, it is common to get "burnt out" on playing these same little excerpts over and over, but it's also frustrating because there are some beastly little passages in there that require all your attention and finger acrobatics to land safely. (Imagine knitting in stockinette stitch for miles and miles, and suddenly you have to negotiate an incredibly complicated cable stitch within a few seconds, and you're not allowed to frog it if you mess up.)<br /><br />I think the worst part of these auditions is that after so many hours of preparation, you have about 5 minutes, behind a screen, to play it all perfectly. Anything can go wrong from nerves making you shake to your instrument acting up; and there's always something. You just have to ignore it and do your best anyway.<br /><br />Perhaps I will come to my senses and just not take this audition; I have 2 jobs already, and I'm quite happy with them. But more likely, I will take the bull-headed approach and just do it.<br /><br />...sigh...<br /><br />Well, the fun thing is that my friends have sent me pictures of their daughters wearing the things I knit for them; it's great seeing knits in action, and reminds me why I enjoy knitting so much:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPbkGzwcMqy6_Ngsb7KDrFaMY86YfEVUWeP-DVzBVoVfnGlLrJOOa0dBhQJJGLEX4OglVttLigTur3DINoHF3VvcN1XKMvsBOmwNqXp1GVi-akXjGGs9p6y0EtPhjef_HRBZaEsw/s1600-h/CIMG1554.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPbkGzwcMqy6_Ngsb7KDrFaMY86YfEVUWeP-DVzBVoVfnGlLrJOOa0dBhQJJGLEX4OglVttLigTur3DINoHF3VvcN1XKMvsBOmwNqXp1GVi-akXjGGs9p6y0EtPhjef_HRBZaEsw/s400/CIMG1554.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5158438640391514770" border="0" /></a>"A" wearing the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Elizabeth-Zimmermanns-Knitting-Workshop-Zimmermann/dp/0942018001/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1201044706&sr=8-1">BSJ</a> that I modified (longer body and sleeve length, and added hood). She was stopped by a knitter in a NYC subway station who knew this was a BSJ.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8vy3TiN6YWwqMYoAXNikla-Wya4J9hT5uoXi7N6eWoL_6tKhBusLOuv1Rd09sBTl_G-Te1CnHuI1ZvUvnRut1rUGRv9cf6IxEHZKff69cDrZ5DLTJhS-iYxwLbpHy3zczp6ydQw/s1600-h/DSCN3312.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8vy3TiN6YWwqMYoAXNikla-Wya4J9hT5uoXi7N6eWoL_6tKhBusLOuv1Rd09sBTl_G-Te1CnHuI1ZvUvnRut1rUGRv9cf6IxEHZKff69cDrZ5DLTJhS-iYxwLbpHy3zczp6ydQw/s400/DSCN3312.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5158438644686482082" border="0" /></a>"M" wearing the original <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Elizabeth-Zimmermanns-Knitting-Workshop-Zimmermann/dp/0942018001/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1201044706&sr=8-1">BSJ.</a> Also stopped in a T-station in Boston by a knitter who recognized Elizabeth Zimmerman's BSJ. <br /><br />Both "M" and "A"s mothers are not knitters, and so were extremely impressed by these people who could recognize the "brand" or "designer" of the knitwear their kids were wearing from across the station.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjfH-5jTm4BIxrEurWhh5BzQtfeIp1e5yXjfbrR-OjFnTA7yQ_t61OoXyJFU4x4EZ3Tg6K1xauSCGiHpsdtJgKinf8FmB6xgo3f7g0J0b2rma2sKvQvhL204OC2sx3Tk9CQP7nhQ/s1600-h/b_155158.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjfH-5jTm4BIxrEurWhh5BzQtfeIp1e5yXjfbrR-OjFnTA7yQ_t61OoXyJFU4x4EZ3Tg6K1xauSCGiHpsdtJgKinf8FmB6xgo3f7g0J0b2rma2sKvQvhL204OC2sx3Tk9CQP7nhQ/s400/b_155158.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5158438648981449394" border="0" /></a>"S" wearing a <a href="http://www.amazon.com/One-Skein-Quick-Projects-Crochet/dp/1931499748/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1201044775&sr=1-1">Bolero</a>, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Morehouse-Farm-Merino-Knits-Farm-Fresh/dp/1400097444/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1201044809&sr=1-1">booties</a> and posing next to a baby-sized version of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Learn-Knit-Afghan-Book-Barbara-Walker/dp/0942018133/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1201044849&sr=1-1">this afghan</a> (I'm working on a full size one right now; pics of squares soon)Violiknithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04004942641018435912noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28666655.post-82740176457375340262007-11-24T20:18:00.001-05:002007-11-24T20:44:51.405-05:00I'm Addicted to RavelryI remember reading in someone's blog about how Ravelry would possibly make blogging obsolete. I didn't believe it at first, but now I understand better after all the time I've been spending there lately...<br /><br />But, I just can't give up my little blog, no matter how infrequently I post. It's still fun for me!<br /><br />Here are some knits I've been cranking out:<br /><br />This is the <a href="http://www.morehousefarm.com/KnittingKits/Scarves/Dragon/">Puff the Merino Dragon Scarf from Morehouse Merino</a>. This was for a little boy, so I omitted the tassles, and modified the pattern to make a smaller dragon (about 36" long). It took one ball exactly of Morehouse's 3-ply. I also added some neon nostrils to match the neon eyes.<span style="display: block;" id="formatbar_Buttons"></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhSOo6db8jX7821GA1eo0zOHSran9l9MhXuO1WKIYFihA2GLrpdKfHMOnZO3L2xZu4cgtxHy8KrsI9AfMbDkdLoqF6xBRjc9h2NaCoJawNFUWjRAKWLy1JpuPEIrrAmEr9vCi6-Q/s1600-h/IMG_0432Copying.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhSOo6db8jX7821GA1eo0zOHSran9l9MhXuO1WKIYFihA2GLrpdKfHMOnZO3L2xZu4cgtxHy8KrsI9AfMbDkdLoqF6xBRjc9h2NaCoJawNFUWjRAKWLy1JpuPEIrrAmEr9vCi6-Q/s400/IMG_0432Copying.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5136581564782677714" border="0" /></a><br />When my b.f. saw this scarf, he mentioned that if he ever wore such a thing to school when he was a kid, the likelihood of it getting stolen would be very high. So, I sewed on a tongue with the initials of the recipient hidden inside.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1OvALXz2-HN8Cpe19K4F3CCfSP3-1LArRT9u7cOuEHSWdZE4nU1-Px1UatpLddK9O-vZx-KzD5gjDz8VN8DR4emVzDw8KJVhWsWpn87VWFJxWt8xKhspgJUpKXvEhzETzBXLjuw/s1600-h/IMG_0436Copying.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1OvALXz2-HN8Cpe19K4F3CCfSP3-1LArRT9u7cOuEHSWdZE4nU1-Px1UatpLddK9O-vZx-KzD5gjDz8VN8DR4emVzDw8KJVhWsWpn87VWFJxWt8xKhspgJUpKXvEhzETzBXLjuw/s400/IMG_0436Copying.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5136581569077645026" border="0" /></a><br />My favorite hat book ever is <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Hats-Charlene-Schurch/dp/0892724358/ref=pd_bbs_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1195954277&sr=1-1">"Hats On" by Charlene Schurch</a>. It's also one of my first knitting books, and I've knitted more things from it than anything else in my knitting library.<br /><br />This is the "Tassled Fez" hat. If I went skiing regularly, I would love to wear this hat knit up in screamingly loud colors. However, the reality is that for practical reasons, I want to be able to wear something that I won't get tired looking at.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWb1iquVHlmKXa7jdupFtIMDHGqZwcctZYDoX6oHru5xpFIWaVJcf7MY7sv9-Nq8VIyD6E9Qd-d118hdyGdwp7yYBR1ZLZhyOt1CTif3XGKiaVWAqf94_tmfRHmwHK5ByyJ3AnBA/s1600-h/IMG_0439Copying.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWb1iquVHlmKXa7jdupFtIMDHGqZwcctZYDoX6oHru5xpFIWaVJcf7MY7sv9-Nq8VIyD6E9Qd-d118hdyGdwp7yYBR1ZLZhyOt1CTif3XGKiaVWAqf94_tmfRHmwHK5ByyJ3AnBA/s400/IMG_0439Copying.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5136581569077645042" border="0" /></a>Side view:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZRE3j3d2DJZ-qTb4yHIkbfCNfdNhc70H7HINJGP8wfVIZYviQUJnvmMTJwKMDltQpSHuyAeIwFcDW7tLENTVR7jUaZjdNUPT9H0EDKKi_W6ffwncfL2bG8Rzn4nog_99qD7cgGA/s1600-h/IMG_0440Copying.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZRE3j3d2DJZ-qTb4yHIkbfCNfdNhc70H7HINJGP8wfVIZYviQUJnvmMTJwKMDltQpSHuyAeIwFcDW7tLENTVR7jUaZjdNUPT9H0EDKKi_W6ffwncfL2bG8Rzn4nog_99qD7cgGA/s400/IMG_0440Copying.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5136581573372612354" border="0" /></a>The Twined Herringbone edge (at base of hat) was a little too loose for me, so I slip stitched a row below it to make it firmer.<br />I used Rowan Cashsoft Aran yarn, and I don't know if it's because the yarn is a little stretchy, but this was one of the most even looking two-stranded projects I've ever done. I didn't even bother to block it.<br /><br />I made a checkerboard patterened scarf last year, and had yarn leftover, so I made a hat and mitts to match. It's Jade Cashmere 8-ply. I had about 2 inches of yarn left at the end. Couldn't bear to waste any of this yarn...! It's soooo soft!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLTQZZUzMhRFAJXRJd081ldfjOdnwtzUSc7_yB2FK-vWkR9q9izUPBKH6FcqV9Gu7iNX7LoA-KgJRmcIvNAvWvgeUsIv477G3Be13W3ahKC7EXXRDNh1Hya3kW90XmC7TmI8WRdg/s1600-h/IMG_0445Copying.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLTQZZUzMhRFAJXRJd081ldfjOdnwtzUSc7_yB2FK-vWkR9q9izUPBKH6FcqV9Gu7iNX7LoA-KgJRmcIvNAvWvgeUsIv477G3Be13W3ahKC7EXXRDNh1Hya3kW90XmC7TmI8WRdg/s400/IMG_0445Copying.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5136581581962546962" border="0" /></a>I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving!!!Violiknithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04004942641018435912noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28666655.post-81087432201895254732007-11-02T20:50:00.001-04:002007-11-02T22:11:52.501-04:00Longest Project EverFinally!!! I'm finished with these <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Knitting-Vintage-Socks-Classic-Patterns/dp/1931499659/ref=sr_1_1/104-3050432-5199142?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1194051420&sr=1-1">Gentleman's Lozenge Socks</a>!!!!!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoBth8vdED-7u1F9xU3uvnzIVya3f-lF40w7utAIagSSHTOfiFYu9fVBL_orZurh5Gioz5MAp332t6RteK_izMKZ8b1uO7plZInnMwHrpj9Hh1sHz95YaoGilmrzE37YYjFxN7dg/s1600-h/lozenge0001.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoBth8vdED-7u1F9xU3uvnzIVya3f-lF40w7utAIagSSHTOfiFYu9fVBL_orZurh5Gioz5MAp332t6RteK_izMKZ8b1uO7plZInnMwHrpj9Hh1sHz95YaoGilmrzE37YYjFxN7dg/s400/lozenge0001.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5128411055334849938" border="0" /></a>These sat around in various stages of unfinished-ness for over a year and a half. (I'm so embarrassed to admit that...) The fact that my parents visited last week gave me the much needed momentum to finally finish these for my father. They fit, they looked great and he loved them!<br /><br />Just to repeat some specs:<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">needles</span>: size 0 (never again! took forever and cramped my hands!) addi 47". Knit 2-at-once, top down.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">yarn</span>: 3 skeins of Lorna's Laces Sock in "Cedar". I started the 3rd skein halfway through the toes, so there is a lot of yarn leftover. Men's size 11.5 and everything. The frugal yarn scrooge in me is crying.<br /><br />I went on a mini-tour with an orchestra. 2 days of conforming my posterior to the shape of a bus seat. I finished this <a href="http://www.magknits.com/feb06/patterns/odessa.htm">Odessa</a> the first day (apologies for cell phone pic here):<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5e7zdgpQz6W5p-1DDebX8XAmjysiTNnApRhd4e1MjRx2gK0JSuTRZ7A8Ebm8FnU3TNdD6CU6fQr6vSo8fpwlPjVkWbnE6BfDqi2RXpB9drF2-vbqldY5pB3tKNatEkpWBR7PBQg/s1600-h/1019071359a.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5e7zdgpQz6W5p-1DDebX8XAmjysiTNnApRhd4e1MjRx2gK0JSuTRZ7A8Ebm8FnU3TNdD6CU6fQr6vSo8fpwlPjVkWbnE6BfDqi2RXpB9drF2-vbqldY5pB3tKNatEkpWBR7PBQg/s400/1019071359a.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5128411059629817250" border="0" /></a>Turned out a bit smaller than my other Odessas, but this was for a young girl who happens to detest anything remotely "scratchy", so Rowan Calmer yarn was a good choice for her.<br /><br /><br />The next day, I started to knit the "slouchy" version of Ysolda Teague's <a href="http://ysolda.com/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=3">Gretel</a>. I guess I was going through a Rowan phase; I used some Kid Classic for this hat.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE6MbCpNQglV6d8-kqopg_SyHytRvw7ynKWtuvKjpHw592vVB21gsNPKIc1abdPVLITwSZyywJwTc4F7qtQ9WjkxDh94V4bHz9k6vKq3k2_zQQ0CAI8PJrVnWsypd2xAlP_qjyOg/s1600-h/Gretel0001.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE6MbCpNQglV6d8-kqopg_SyHytRvw7ynKWtuvKjpHw592vVB21gsNPKIc1abdPVLITwSZyywJwTc4F7qtQ9WjkxDh94V4bHz9k6vKq3k2_zQQ0CAI8PJrVnWsypd2xAlP_qjyOg/s400/Gretel0001.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5128411063924784562" border="0" /></a>I learned a great technique from this pattern: <a href="http://ysolda.com/wordpress/pictorial-guides/double-rib-tubular-cast-on/">stocking stitch tubular cast-on</a>. I had done tubular cast-ons before, but they required knitting and slipping alternating stitches for 4 rows. This was was so much easier, and it looks the same!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJkJuBydHto0uHN_gggAeRG59QCVx9SFC2KLLnVjL3N5OGsw1a0_gwW5LuC8w5N7i7SWJsZbldyfvSFEpbprUsQGLXo9T5Fnj9kcnp-UTAbjlxIhOdxrVk9Db0pwoOGAR1j7AKUQ/s1600-h/Gretel0001_2.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJkJuBydHto0uHN_gggAeRG59QCVx9SFC2KLLnVjL3N5OGsw1a0_gwW5LuC8w5N7i7SWJsZbldyfvSFEpbprUsQGLXo9T5Fnj9kcnp-UTAbjlxIhOdxrVk9Db0pwoOGAR1j7AKUQ/s400/Gretel0001_2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5128411076809686466" border="0" /></a>A little story about this hat: I happened to have this project with me at the reception of the orchestra's Carnegie Hall concert, and I ran into the famous knitwear designer and cable specialist, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Cables-Untangled-Exploration-Cable-Knitting/dp/1400097452/ref=sr_1_2/104-3050432-5199142?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1194053723&sr=1-2">Melissa Leapman</a>! (never leave home without your knitting!) I was having some trouble with a wonky cable stitch and she was generous enough to help me out. I must've looked ridiculous standing there in my black formal concert gown, balancing a glass of champagne while struggling to pull out a half-knit hat from the dark recesses of my purse. I'm sure people thought I was crazy, but it was worth it!Violiknithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04004942641018435912noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28666655.post-57306203073583952292007-10-31T11:41:00.001-04:002007-10-31T12:44:15.224-04:00Rhinebeck!I got to go to Rhinebeck! It was my first ever fiber fest. There was SO MUCH YARN. I got really dizzy from trying to look at it all, and I don't think I got through half of it. If I go next year, I'll definitely go both days and start early.<br /><br />From the alpaca/llama tents:<br /><br />This guy had such a charming smile, I just wanted to take him home with me!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTxz6MQ5NNoJPu8gidHK0OCrKKmxebIbdquLYQPJ-JgP3sQOB-DxMxL-wpv_5mcCRchPC12MERx4mw2B2872ZKZM3dGWM8i3rpzWsqGM2whTOTCL52AXjV41Njx3Tevzj4XUn_IA/s1600-h/Rhinebeck0004.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTxz6MQ5NNoJPu8gidHK0OCrKKmxebIbdquLYQPJ-JgP3sQOB-DxMxL-wpv_5mcCRchPC12MERx4mw2B2872ZKZM3dGWM8i3rpzWsqGM2whTOTCL52AXjV41Njx3Tevzj4XUn_IA/s400/Rhinebeck0004.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5127533262803795282" border="0" /></a><br />Loved this guy's color and big eyes!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ6fA3OyNXXtwaqYShO_7tC47-19iY8lx_ZVYkKzVpSss1wKCvXbF0mQJMjnKRARpWNcEha0uQumT_ZIq-NWziMPLSMLtnhPjF6r1QyISBchp54liUNsQUi5cOUAzSGHiwfmfTrw/s1600-h/Rhinebeck0003.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ6fA3OyNXXtwaqYShO_7tC47-19iY8lx_ZVYkKzVpSss1wKCvXbF0mQJMjnKRARpWNcEha0uQumT_ZIq-NWziMPLSMLtnhPjF6r1QyISBchp54liUNsQUi5cOUAzSGHiwfmfTrw/s400/Rhinebeck0003.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5127532614263733538" border="0" /></a><br />This bunny has both his front feet in the food dish...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiunMjR8S2W0KvIrGRJ60ryTw-cBgzWbziSIR2ZRX2IiPzyIJCQIYOXJZ4KPRKS5xAvwSOUX8vrIVGSkTX3T_hKdH3hGpRcw9-5uU4d2pMJoL1Iy8cHSuQ9DPFiQ5MCtmJAGF8qtQ/s1600-h/Rhinebeck0001.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiunMjR8S2W0KvIrGRJ60ryTw-cBgzWbziSIR2ZRX2IiPzyIJCQIYOXJZ4KPRKS5xAvwSOUX8vrIVGSkTX3T_hKdH3hGpRcw9-5uU4d2pMJoL1Iy8cHSuQ9DPFiQ5MCtmJAGF8qtQ/s400/Rhinebeck0001.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5127533374472944994" border="0" /></a><br />In the sheep area, this guy had the most intense look...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7NWmWpAI82t13tl4L4CwSnSoSBmyRFvvlRjZL7Jg4rIOmzsKmNLfSDuyhUjOjncdnyyklCnCgCT6V2wcqThSLu3jfedzF3Al2VXf0tqyfdkCe8sUgvADIiAultKBfH6Dl6Q7-Gw/s1600-h/Rhinebeck0005.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7NWmWpAI82t13tl4L4CwSnSoSBmyRFvvlRjZL7Jg4rIOmzsKmNLfSDuyhUjOjncdnyyklCnCgCT6V2wcqThSLu3jfedzF3Al2VXf0tqyfdkCe8sUgvADIiAultKBfH6Dl6Q7-Gw/s400/Rhinebeck0005.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5127531557701778642" border="0" /></a><br />This was a "judge my rump" contest. There was a judge explaining what she did and didn't like about all these sheeps' backsides...hmm...do you have a favorite?<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGTmHRyayFrAZRiKWdzM90f3uTON3wxfFKNNavbNPFzlt_272mUQ74OebGJL2MEvWH9MFwF8RMco-rp60EATfXTVkhuFOgIMwgpAAYH1QgCgd8SmZinSqrD-Cqn-l8ZjGJO9l5IA/s1600-h/Rhinebeck0006.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGTmHRyayFrAZRiKWdzM90f3uTON3wxfFKNNavbNPFzlt_272mUQ74OebGJL2MEvWH9MFwF8RMco-rp60EATfXTVkhuFOgIMwgpAAYH1QgCgd8SmZinSqrD-Cqn-l8ZjGJO9l5IA/s400/Rhinebeck0006.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5127531561996745954" border="0" /></a><br />This has got to be the biggest spinning wheel ever. You could sell tickets and ride that thing.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTMogsy2SYibUhXm9FbH2Too3cfuPi1Ha0lvFy5lvPAJha6PHzz-D6JYmyZbehwgexd0r_tJRybyWYDAkRqP_faJvTZmH4jKByFlXLfMQ7jcbQyzyjmc4k4vUfmrEU8sVfhqZUtw/s1600-h/Rhinebeck0007.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTMogsy2SYibUhXm9FbH2Too3cfuPi1Ha0lvFy5lvPAJha6PHzz-D6JYmyZbehwgexd0r_tJRybyWYDAkRqP_faJvTZmH4jKByFlXLfMQ7jcbQyzyjmc4k4vUfmrEU8sVfhqZUtw/s400/Rhinebeck0007.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5127530209082047666" border="0" /></a><br />Rhinebeck was a really beautiful place with all the foliage turning. I highly recommend going if you ever have a chance.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMikp0rnVGx9Ao9xUMXFbTSNyxv17X1WMZ8Mn1i7KCRcg1V_b9HfLC3Xw5X2IVCtB1KUq6sQn0Vub3kQ9lcvFkv8HETzHQyhPyH5xOQl9Ljo9qIEaaJ503krBPphyFx_iaZ7Am4w/s1600-h/Rhinebeck0008.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMikp0rnVGx9Ao9xUMXFbTSNyxv17X1WMZ8Mn1i7KCRcg1V_b9HfLC3Xw5X2IVCtB1KUq6sQn0Vub3kQ9lcvFkv8HETzHQyhPyH5xOQl9Ljo9qIEaaJ503krBPphyFx_iaZ7Am4w/s400/Rhinebeck0008.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5127530230556884162" border="0" /><span class="on" style="display: block;" id="formatbar_CreateLink" title="Link" onmouseover="ButtonHoverOn(this);" onmouseout="ButtonHoverOff(this);" onmouseup="" onmousedown="CheckFormatting(event);FormatbarButton('richeditorframe', this, 8);ButtonMouseDown(this);"></span></a><br />Alright, on to the important stuff...<br /><span style="font-style: italic;">...drumroll...</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">The haul:<br /><br /></span></span>A couple of skeins of <a href="http://www.glimmerglassalpacas.com/page/SiteMap-9.htm">Glimmerglass Alpaca</a> yarn made from a blend of 3 different alpacas.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXwKM2U6ljfcJEQE6P84dbWCccSpU3VXaKs1dlJcdisg_AuSXTgUBXxkMQv0NA5JJLA8JyWvHn-CllB1XYSoWB9ZU8blOAbGIAue-gSfYZdwUYgs_ZymOzJqbPJGAzoPi1BBdcjA/s1600-h/Rhinebeck0009.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXwKM2U6ljfcJEQE6P84dbWCccSpU3VXaKs1dlJcdisg_AuSXTgUBXxkMQv0NA5JJLA8JyWvHn-CllB1XYSoWB9ZU8blOAbGIAue-gSfYZdwUYgs_ZymOzJqbPJGAzoPi1BBdcjA/s400/Rhinebeck0009.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5127529186879831154" border="0" /></a><br />Some very pretty roving from <a href="http://www.steamvalleyfiber.com/">Steam Valley Fiber</a>.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQsM7z14VMhQUAe4uf0yKJASzDsoW0Io1BKfWBhmjTgqNYJcXMvCBBIG5S9UgwHgXa22wlvMqGT2jZ7n0vkwRspBJwfQ0Qfs8DzStSihqYg6xcpxqR3XcjWzWJIZy_bVkBmUD44A/s1600-h/Rhinebeck0010.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQsM7z14VMhQUAe4uf0yKJASzDsoW0Io1BKfWBhmjTgqNYJcXMvCBBIG5S9UgwHgXa22wlvMqGT2jZ7n0vkwRspBJwfQ0Qfs8DzStSihqYg6xcpxqR3XcjWzWJIZy_bVkBmUD44A/s400/Rhinebeck0010.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5127529058030812258" border="0" /></a><br /><br />From <a href="http://www.thefoldatmc.net/">the Fold</a>: STR, Gypsy Girl Creations (can't wait to try this stuff) and a Brioche sock pattern.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzjSXs65BKUl_gJ6SL_uhiyVdsHlzmEkwKLlM5gj3YNi5aN1ePTKyBhsjOznz9KHWOkWmnFFQgl2VnhKUowNCNE2mdMyVCAzuFOJubat1pHha2fMa26Dc8qk0aAtjc5b3P6F42pA/s1600-h/Rhinebeck0012.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzjSXs65BKUl_gJ6SL_uhiyVdsHlzmEkwKLlM5gj3YNi5aN1ePTKyBhsjOznz9KHWOkWmnFFQgl2VnhKUowNCNE2mdMyVCAzuFOJubat1pHha2fMa26Dc8qk0aAtjc5b3P6F42pA/s400/Rhinebeck0012.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5127528426670619714" border="0" /></a><br />2 skeins of Flock Sock from <a href="http://www.nysfarm.com/flocksock.htm">VanCalCar Acres</a>. These were on sale because they weren't skeined "prettily" enough. Clearly, that didn't bother me.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvW0T8fn6izmRJzE4lmbvYixwiO_wdrW6YabGWxvP5asawnMTns81HeQBLBzNEtJA64YVEumja2SQdaGYzVUOY9QsrxypSz86yv5nVPrm2SAJe6obAB28vho5wbVV6o4YQKPf87Q/s1600-h/Rhinebeck0011.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvW0T8fn6izmRJzE4lmbvYixwiO_wdrW6YabGWxvP5asawnMTns81HeQBLBzNEtJA64YVEumja2SQdaGYzVUOY9QsrxypSz86yv5nVPrm2SAJe6obAB28vho5wbVV6o4YQKPf87Q/s400/Rhinebeck0011.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5127534010128104834" border="0" /></a><br />Finally a couple of scarf kits from <a href="http://www.morehousefarm.com/">Morehouse Farms</a>: Rat Race and Baby Alligator.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3rv2zEhN0JWlvepIKnlZfaaAS58BPsCuPz8TQ1ExF7WEm90ykAAymlpZ47shJkhIDZ0UlCT7Sp_LlJFNQsNQaY2qm1BwSWPz_GB5rUI1gMPHenKh8To6kLSMXAwz2W0OUy1MsKA/s1600-h/Rhinebeck0013.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3rv2zEhN0JWlvepIKnlZfaaAS58BPsCuPz8TQ1ExF7WEm90ykAAymlpZ47shJkhIDZ0UlCT7Sp_LlJFNQsNQaY2qm1BwSWPz_GB5rUI1gMPHenKh8To6kLSMXAwz2W0OUy1MsKA/s400/Rhinebeck0013.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5127527662166440946" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 153, 0);"><span style="font-size:180%;">Happy Halloween Everyone!<span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></span></span>Violiknithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04004942641018435912noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28666655.post-50968585991744207572007-10-14T14:36:00.001-04:002007-10-14T15:23:11.636-04:00Finally, a day off...Sorry to have disappeared again... I'm playing in 2 orchestras right now, and my life has gotten a bit busy as I sandwich rehearsals for orchestra #2 in between performances of orchestra #1. My biggest concerns are to remember what days I need to be wearing concert clothes and to show up at the right building for the right rehearsals. Playing the music is the easy part. I can't tell you the number of times musicians have shown up to concerts having forgotten part of their concert apparel. "Does anyone have an extra jacket? Bowtie?" Once, a colleague of mine showed up to a concert with a mismatched pair of black shoes...and no, the heels were not even the same height.<br /><br />I knit a pair of socks for a friend's B-day. These are the Crosshatch Lace Socks from <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Sensational-Knitted-Socks-Charlene-Schurch/dp/1564777170/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/104-3050432-5199142?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1192388524&sr=1-1">More Sensational Socks</a>, knit toe-up with Fleece Artist Merino sock yarn in the colorway Mermaid. The most exciting thing for me was that I conquered my fear of the short row heel!!! I still think double wraps are finicky, but it was much less of a strain on the needles for 2 at once Magic Loop. <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/catbordhi">Cat Bordhi's YouTube Video</a> on Wrapping and Turning was a great help.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEina0vcDeqUA1euFf1tflhzQzmKEd_MQnDVqmxt4XBoZpApqqghMoknR9qs5NcxEmk8P10PUdzf0CsscJ-0i6rxfu5qDn2iiAGfn1i7kGlqkcmkdSl026mbOz4Iook-G66LqxBuGw/s1600-h/1Socks0001.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEina0vcDeqUA1euFf1tflhzQzmKEd_MQnDVqmxt4XBoZpApqqghMoknR9qs5NcxEmk8P10PUdzf0CsscJ-0i6rxfu5qDn2iiAGfn1i7kGlqkcmkdSl026mbOz4Iook-G66LqxBuGw/s400/1Socks0001.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5121263459894414482" border="0" /></a><br />Stitch Pattern closeup:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEishTLG1YAfS33yWqe-2i_K92isss3Xmsvvum0WUtfSuS1pbL71_Mla_F_jx59e4ysepgStquZjy2WbeRTBXJzsxTI9-njbB-1d4tdohF3Vmww2S2VDPHivHcfpwgCDSVfDubO4Jw/s1600-h/1Sockscu0001.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEishTLG1YAfS33yWqe-2i_K92isss3Xmsvvum0WUtfSuS1pbL71_Mla_F_jx59e4ysepgStquZjy2WbeRTBXJzsxTI9-njbB-1d4tdohF3Vmww2S2VDPHivHcfpwgCDSVfDubO4Jw/s400/1Sockscu0001.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5121263481369250978" border="0" /></a><br />I also built a Lazy Kate following the instructions in <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Spin-Knit-Knitters-Guide-Making/dp/1596680075/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/104-3050432-5199142?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1192388875&sr=1-1">Spin to Knit</a>. The BFL Roving was from <a href="http://www.spunkyhats.com/accyarn.htm">Spunky Eclectic</a>, and the spindle is one of my new Avi Wassermans.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1sP76IWn-xr_e3Xlc15Z9iymqrXJRMUfbeA4FxqEXpbolR_EEaW_3Yz923JFPMt6lWzi1ZAHfc_4C20cVJRUxGI8OBmYXWLqSM0lQLlK5-hnvtNfOLKJhGxjYzCFSqRVk0buFQw/s1600-h/1spin0001.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1sP76IWn-xr_e3Xlc15Z9iymqrXJRMUfbeA4FxqEXpbolR_EEaW_3Yz923JFPMt6lWzi1ZAHfc_4C20cVJRUxGI8OBmYXWLqSM0lQLlK5-hnvtNfOLKJhGxjYzCFSqRVk0buFQw/s400/1spin0001.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5121263498549120178" border="0" /></a><br />You slide the cop onto a straw,<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitVnqUz7pgWwVO3ky81tFxUnE975Cgdkyw_gUWQR54RRo9zlHxOu-y7VZ83sr9OcaPLshecOQ73hXFYYTbqDgQ7hfA2NQLk9vJlyhr-6HxKlz8ZFgGrlVWUW-DZBPSYJpyNk_RHQ/s1600-h/2spin0001.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitVnqUz7pgWwVO3ky81tFxUnE975Cgdkyw_gUWQR54RRo9zlHxOu-y7VZ83sr9OcaPLshecOQ73hXFYYTbqDgQ7hfA2NQLk9vJlyhr-6HxKlz8ZFgGrlVWUW-DZBPSYJpyNk_RHQ/s400/2spin0001.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5121263507139054786" border="0" /></a><br />Slide the straw onto a metal rod (regular nails were called for, but I didn't have any long enough...so I used some odd dpns)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikzpTmvJh_KxREieGUQzdlBfN7juFPXiHGl5gYMmJkwALGRKNLBzLifnzjUVAA-xPM4GYCTQr2So7uztB08kBhHt3HIBfT6U46VszL2RfFEOYyIIwb7hzt0T7yRwKhpm5-9LWPvg/s1600-h/3spin0001.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikzpTmvJh_KxREieGUQzdlBfN7juFPXiHGl5gYMmJkwALGRKNLBzLifnzjUVAA-xPM4GYCTQr2So7uztB08kBhHt3HIBfT6U46VszL2RfFEOYyIIwb7hzt0T7yRwKhpm5-9LWPvg/s400/3spin0001.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5121263515728989394" border="0" /></a><br />Pull the singles through the little hook, and ply. (Plying spindle is a Cascabeles)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWGhoAQa9iWeLZkbeie5vd-_28DNFbBo3TM5xcKXOaohJwWkJte-2TLBto2kssFMh7zWzkLLSQdeMsX9odp9HHw0chLK3Luppbn4lCLGogUb2vqpDZdCvxJS6rx8_K-DEtuh09nA/s1600-h/4spin0001.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWGhoAQa9iWeLZkbeie5vd-_28DNFbBo3TM5xcKXOaohJwWkJte-2TLBto2kssFMh7zWzkLLSQdeMsX9odp9HHw0chLK3Luppbn4lCLGogUb2vqpDZdCvxJS6rx8_K-DEtuh09nA/s400/4spin0001.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5121263885096176866" border="0" /></a><br />The spindle got REALLY heavy. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhNGetc2Cc_NwyK9WEMgM_PIyQBDUh7VBNNuGFj6n9uI__pwb5myjxQidOce5NIFu4YmK_SGLl09IansdM7VfTJ23-Rz9ILPMT5raDIeQr_s8L1KNNvFzbZAhnEyAr5zDJ7EPocA/s1600-h/5spin0001.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhNGetc2Cc_NwyK9WEMgM_PIyQBDUh7VBNNuGFj6n9uI__pwb5myjxQidOce5NIFu4YmK_SGLl09IansdM7VfTJ23-Rz9ILPMT5raDIeQr_s8L1KNNvFzbZAhnEyAr5zDJ7EPocA/s400/5spin0001.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5121263893686111474" border="0" /></a>The Lazy Kate worked okay, but it did get stuck often, so I had to gently untangle (yank violently) the singles to fix things.<br /><br />My B.F. went to Virginia, and brought me back some beautiful Cria Alpaca yarn from a local farm.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkDkoiDCEpSb3uptsR-sUH6jFHtlQAiI66Kgy-JZrFVjFYYRF-LmEhjcBC2xO1mD2D88W4J1NQkLhDoJXSTTMjYyG4-hkMPflqSZmkd_dAYSm29uQ1_dzyTXpYM_3HRKrPHXiuLQ/s1600-h/alpaca0001.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkDkoiDCEpSb3uptsR-sUH6jFHtlQAiI66Kgy-JZrFVjFYYRF-LmEhjcBC2xO1mD2D88W4J1NQkLhDoJXSTTMjYyG4-hkMPflqSZmkd_dAYSm29uQ1_dzyTXpYM_3HRKrPHXiuLQ/s400/alpaca0001.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5121263897981078786" border="0" /></a><br />They even give you a pic of the Baby Alpaca and it's name: Snow White. How cute!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHK6Vi230kdeARbiDrX8R-OtnzLbaYt5H5fCURoGgZvOkO1GWB18gWS_p9CTqytpHye0uFgmFuIeKpu5zCSAPSTBwFJPLZbQvm4MSfXukgg7BuF_gYTk897M56dBA0G3-dlG-SoQ/s1600-h/alpaca20001.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHK6Vi230kdeARbiDrX8R-OtnzLbaYt5H5fCURoGgZvOkO1GWB18gWS_p9CTqytpHye0uFgmFuIeKpu5zCSAPSTBwFJPLZbQvm4MSfXukgg7BuF_gYTk897M56dBA0G3-dlG-SoQ/s400/alpaca20001.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5121265276665580818" border="0" /></a><br />p.s. I'm in Ravelry! Yeay! <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/account/login">Those who haven't signed up yet, go do it!</a> You have to wait a little while, but it's worth it!Violiknithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04004942641018435912noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28666655.post-17806812746831395832007-09-22T13:55:00.001-04:002007-09-23T00:28:56.659-04:00BSJ hybrid<span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);">BSJ with Mods complete!</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1HPXVrt22-_8mKkrHqifGH4FrBtxpgCV76-CF7Sf2aAx0AQE-sFCm0pkD7FMl-F8XHhCfLA6ssMiCfWQe3TDSRZLg3sUXm_sT1997SjQ9Wzv_MTCdsjsBjiEFspoBTYqczznlwA/s1600-h/1bsjfr0001.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1HPXVrt22-_8mKkrHqifGH4FrBtxpgCV76-CF7Sf2aAx0AQE-sFCm0pkD7FMl-F8XHhCfLA6ssMiCfWQe3TDSRZLg3sUXm_sT1997SjQ9Wzv_MTCdsjsBjiEFspoBTYqczznlwA/s400/1bsjfr0001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5113089072847240018" border="0" /></a><br />Back View:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRtNEPS-yMULp6GDG0HbUXxdQSK0vWd0rbepXyaQ9f7CVTCsHfxEgfh6zHWunMrhA6QIVQCEfIL5Nk9I3gcjgaw3wkf_d1hyphenhyphen0QxZBrBrSdCeZHCXYFbrzZBo0fO_zIBNMMPteBJA/s1600-h/1bsjbk0001.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRtNEPS-yMULp6GDG0HbUXxdQSK0vWd0rbepXyaQ9f7CVTCsHfxEgfh6zHWunMrhA6QIVQCEfIL5Nk9I3gcjgaw3wkf_d1hyphenhyphen0QxZBrBrSdCeZHCXYFbrzZBo0fO_zIBNMMPteBJA/s400/1bsjbk0001.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5113089085732141922" border="0" /></a>The story is: I had 2 skeins of L.L.'s Worsted that looked completey different despite being from the same dye lot. I made one "standard" BSJ with one of the skeins a few weeks ago for my B.F.'s niece. I showed it to my friend "L" who has a daughter the same age, just to double check with her that it looked the right size. She loved it so much, she asked me to knit her daughter one too. I hate knitting the same thing twice; I get really bored, so we decided to tweak it a bit.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">This BSJ has:</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">1.</span> The Tomten Hood, a BSJ addition recommended by Meg Swansen in <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Opinionated-Knitter-Elizabeth-Zimmermann/dp/0942018265/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/104-3050432-5199142?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1190484465&sr=1-1">The Opinionated Knitter</a> (both the BSJ and Tomten patterns are in this book) The hood opening was finished with a sc edge.<br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">2. </span>Longer sleeves following the instructions at <a href="http://www.knitting-and.com/wiki/Baby_Surprise_Jacket">this website</a> <span style="font-style: italic;">except</span><span style="font-weight: bold;">, </span>I still used a crochetted chain provisional cast on, and I knit extra garter rows onto the sleeves at the end.<br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">3.</span> Longer body: where it says to work on the middle section only for 10 garter ridges, I knit until there were 19 (would've done 20 if the yarn didn't run out)<br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">4. <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">No button at the bottom; it's longer after all, and the baby is starting to walk.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Measurements: </span><br />Cuff to cuff: 23"<br />Arm length (neck to cuff): 9.5"<br />Shoulder to bottom: 13.5"<br />Underarm to bottom: 9"<br />Across chest: 9"<br />Across bottom: 10"<br />(I wanted it to fit loose so she can wear it through the winter)<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Materials used:<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> Addi turbo #6 24" (my gauge was about 5sts=1"), 1 skein Lorna's Laces "Embers", 4 skeins doubled Dale Baby Ull (burgundy), 1 skein Jaeger Matchmaker Merino DK (grey). All Machine Washable.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);">The Mittens:</span><br />Those super-cute mittens are the result of leftover yarn. The pattern is from Robin Hansen's book, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Favorite-Mittens-Robin-Hansen/dp/089272627X/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/104-3050432-5199142?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1190485897&sr=1-1">Favorite Mittens</a>. I'm loving this book; it has great mitten patterns based on traditional mittens found in Maine (not as fancy as the lovely mitts in <a href="http://www.knitpicks.com/Selbuvotter_BD30938.html">Selbuvotter</a>, but still nice). It also includes a pattern for beautiful gloves, thrummed mittens, shrunken mittens, some baby/children's mittens and several matching hats.<br /></span></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);">I got some presents...</span><br />My B.F. recently returned from a trip abroad, and look what he brought me: 2 Avi Wasserman Spindles! The one on the left is made of Carob wood, and the one on the right is Olive wood with turquoise inlay. What's really cool is that my B.F. went to Mr. Wasserman's home/studio to pick these beautiful spindles for me! Of course I had to go get some yummy Fleece Artist BFL roving to spin with for these special spindles.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig1RMFSoHUQYAbnwjBojTegKB-EZgwHu8_rbXpmIhKLTP7s70UrwMn0999U3jmvFT60nQF8UuXrbQrMt-DKFHLDYKWWWSHpoZ3fy30RnlYBbOzBQo5rX9CNnNwvRtnqMRcXT9kGw/s1600-h/1spindle0001.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig1RMFSoHUQYAbnwjBojTegKB-EZgwHu8_rbXpmIhKLTP7s70UrwMn0999U3jmvFT60nQF8UuXrbQrMt-DKFHLDYKWWWSHpoZ3fy30RnlYBbOzBQo5rX9CNnNwvRtnqMRcXT9kGw/s400/1spindle0001.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5113089090027109234" border="0" /></a>Violiknithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04004942641018435912noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28666655.post-5659647354821546322007-09-11T15:15:00.001-04:002007-09-11T16:25:14.569-04:00Fifi Fi Fo Fum!It's pouring rain out, so sorry about the picture quality here...but this is what I've been working on the last few days:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHuyRrv_ckekh81J4Atvx6mJcDptWtI6uq2rCnZ-Wd7Z9BYN4a8yjREQKTSd2Gj0OMeljWeMcRAgPqFTJ6yliAx3Yvjt8QUV7WSxKcmM6uwek7pp3ZRHhAkxIvDUbF4L6XUjAG9A/s1600-h/fififull.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHuyRrv_ckekh81J4Atvx6mJcDptWtI6uq2rCnZ-Wd7Z9BYN4a8yjREQKTSd2Gj0OMeljWeMcRAgPqFTJ6yliAx3Yvjt8QUV7WSxKcmM6uwek7pp3ZRHhAkxIvDUbF4L6XUjAG9A/s400/fififull.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5109027619745465314" border="0" /></a>Pattern: <a href="http://www.jimmybeanswool.com/secure-html/onlinegen/currgen/FrenchGirl/FrenchGirlKnitandCrochetPatterns.asp?showLarge=true&specPCVID=8095">Fifi</a><br />Yarn: 5 balls Rowan Calmer in Tinkerbell (which I finally used after "aging" it in my stash for a year)<br />Needles: <a href="http://www.knitpicks.com/needles/knitting_needles.aspx">Knitpicks Options</a> sz 7<br />(btw...have you seen their new <a href="http://www.knitpicks.com/wood+knitting+needles_NL300306.html">wooden options</a>? I'm waiting for mine to arrive in the mail!)<br /><br />I realize it's a bit late in the season to start knitting such a thing, but I figure if I can finish it soon, I can wear it through October or so. (fingers crossed). Rowan Calmer is very stretchy, and it almost reminds me of Cascade Fixation, so it took me a while to get used to the feel of the yarn (translation: man, it was annoying at first!) This is my first top-down wearable, and it's pretty cool that I get to try it on as I go. It's meant to be cropped length, but I'm going to hope I can make it a bit longer before the yarn runs out. (so far, I'm on ball #2 of 5)<br /><br />In other news, that <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Elizabeth-Zimmermanns-Knitting-Workshop-Zimmermann/dp/0942018001/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/104-3050432-5199142?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1189539044&sr=8-1">BSJ</a> made it to its recipient. She just turned 1 year old, so the 5sts=1" formula worked well! I've been requested by a friend to make another one for her daughter, but this one will have some mods...you'll see...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4p0d2TFv1DgyO4gxDJGYcAeSZ3zP5e_58lhZV0l8AmNi6WNesyyAmfs0fNoTXSerMOEyYGJ-vpNlMV_cW87czYliGaNkijabdmde6uftLrbxrkcbq5_UgJ6GxzMI7Bg9TDTNCVw/s1600-h/0708mia_03.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4p0d2TFv1DgyO4gxDJGYcAeSZ3zP5e_58lhZV0l8AmNi6WNesyyAmfs0fNoTXSerMOEyYGJ-vpNlMV_cW87czYliGaNkijabdmde6uftLrbxrkcbq5_UgJ6GxzMI7Bg9TDTNCVw/s400/0708mia_03.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5109027624040432626" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 204, 0);">Answer for JUDE:</span><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> With the button placement, the last 12 rows of the BSJ become the band where the buttons go, so what I did here was change to a contrasting color (red), and knit 6 rows. </span></span><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"></span></span><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">The <span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">end of Row #7 (RS)</span> is where the <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">girl's</span> button holes go. In this example I left 4 sts between the neck edge and the top button hole, and spaced the other button holes 7 sts apart. (Since the girl's button holes start at the "bottom" of the jacket, I counted the number of sts along where the button band is, did a "yo" where I wanted my bottom button hole and continued: *K6, K2tog, yo* 4 more times, and ended with K4. Had this been a <span style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255); font-weight: bold;">boy's</span> jacket, the holes would be on the other side, so you'd <span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 102, 255);">start Row #7</span> with K4, *yo, K2tog, K6*, etc.) As you can see from the pics in the last post, I chose to leave a few extra stitches between the last button and the bottom of the BSJ (for room when the baby sits). Finally, I cast of in purl, so there was no visible "edge". If you need more info, you can email me at violiknit@yahoo.com</span></span>Violiknithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04004942641018435912noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28666655.post-15964130665985310052007-09-03T18:25:00.001-04:002007-09-03T19:23:22.141-04:00Back to my regularly scheduled life......or so I'm hoping!<br /><br />Many apologies for being such a lax blogger lately; my exhausting summer gig is finally finished, so now I finally have time to go catch up on my fave blogs!<br /><br />(btw: "exhausting summer gig" = 10 services per week, which means a combo of rehearsals (3 hours each) and concerts (about 2.5 hours). Not including NYC subway commutes, changing into concert clothes, and painting makeup on my face (I gave this up towards the end because humidity makes things melt, and I didn't want to look like Munch's "The Scream").<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRuspBWJsMK4gOuUs4sjeEgw8Bu-9EDGWh7OFgB02iwcv43suKakgh0MVgrHQJyUKs0hKxutSLpEd6dXkrYkaLUHdJljG1NNfTuycDxH3TymRIKqe9nAMhB2jmEoBpqFUvpllPwg/s1600-h/1miabsj0001.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRuspBWJsMK4gOuUs4sjeEgw8Bu-9EDGWh7OFgB02iwcv43suKakgh0MVgrHQJyUKs0hKxutSLpEd6dXkrYkaLUHdJljG1NNfTuycDxH3TymRIKqe9nAMhB2jmEoBpqFUvpllPwg/s400/1miabsj0001.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5106108656891888498" border="0" /></a>Here are some pics of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Elizabeth-Zimmermanns-Knitting-Workshop-Zimmermann/dp/0942018001">E.Z.'s famous Baby Surprise Jacket</a> that I knitted for my b.f.'s niece. After showing this to a friend of mine at work, I promptly got a request to make one for her daughter, and then another co-worker announced she was pregnant and asked if she could have one too. Lesson learned: the BSJ is mighty popular with the Mommies!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-zUaK23BY-rPB_nJjmEI-ycj_49zX_R2O0BYlcxemKz8GGT7hLiFm9J5tNcp69iWBOEeK6FbHtrmEMnUsvrm1A6plDUh6b6Lpt34pCROa5casFU5Layqyq6ubLmr0by23s4fpDA/s1600-h/1miabsj20001.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-zUaK23BY-rPB_nJjmEI-ycj_49zX_R2O0BYlcxemKz8GGT7hLiFm9J5tNcp69iWBOEeK6FbHtrmEMnUsvrm1A6plDUh6b6Lpt34pCROa5casFU5Layqyq6ubLmr0by23s4fpDA/s400/1miabsj20001.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5106108661186855810" border="0" /></a>Yarn used: Lorna's Laces Worsted "Embers" 1 skein and leftover bits of grey and red Dale Baby Ull (doubled)<br />Gauge: 5 sts=1" on Addi turbo size 6. To fit a 1 year old.<br />Grey Kitty Buttons from <a href="http://www.mjtrim.com/?gclid=CKmjsIO3qI4CFRyOFQodaSHCYg">M&J Trimming</a><br /><a href="http://www.mjtrim.com/Catalog/Category/423.aspx"></a><br /><br />I have a couple more friends who just had babies, so it looks like I will be making quite a few of these BSJs in a row. Perhaps I'll finally be able to make a dent in my mammoth sock yarn stash!!! (I swear the yarn is multiplying when I'm not looking...)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx-cKRnDHjsZnznf3uHxf7Xna8kDWUPi3b-KTbQ0IBmkl5OwFNXPblgBLnS4s7Jz_qZwpb5EhOhlJ-mOGEVN4D3jzPvWEk7lV1dgoQDEoBq1zckKT84vXzGGG9aFgoNgBf489K0g/s1600-h/1knute0001.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx-cKRnDHjsZnznf3uHxf7Xna8kDWUPi3b-KTbQ0IBmkl5OwFNXPblgBLnS4s7Jz_qZwpb5EhOhlJ-mOGEVN4D3jzPvWEk7lV1dgoQDEoBq1zckKT84vXzGGG9aFgoNgBf489K0g/s400/1knute0001.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5106108682661692322" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0); font-weight: bold;">For Halloween:</span> I made the b.f. some socks in <a href="http://www.aswellyarnshop.com/cart/home.php">Duet Sock Yarn</a> (colorway "Eye of Knute"). Toe up, afterthought heel in garter rib. Size 3 needles (woohoo!) Talk about a fast knit. Although there is only supposed to be enough yardage in the skeins up to Lady's Size 10, I had a good bit leftover after knitting these Men's Size 10.<br /><br />Also, re: my last post, I would like to thank Weaver for letting me know that aromatherapy yarn does actually exist! I might just have to get some so I have a skein in my stash to sniff whenever I need the courage to frog :)Violiknithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04004942641018435912noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28666655.post-69795874940458612412007-08-11T12:10:00.000-04:002007-08-11T13:13:43.342-04:00Living in a cave (a.k.a concert hall)This is the busiest month of the year for me. I feel I should change my legal residence to the concert hall I've been working at because I spend more time there than at home. The upside is that I make some money which I then use to buy yarn...<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">...but sometimes, yarn magically appears...</span><br /><br />A while back, I gifted <a href="http://www.yarnloopie.blogspot.com/">Monika</a> a bit of Vesper Roving, and to my surprise she spun it into some gorgeous yarn and gifted it back to me! What a beautiful gesture! I hope I can do it justice and knit it into something lovely. Definitely a modern Rumplestiltskin story! Thank you Monika!!!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBm-RNiYyMy5yCoMudSe4fbevgvoi8eIOHskXnEo4BcBNy5TM36LfWbX62mKB5wKVxzf7Tgo_0ovVSn5duSQx4Ehl4mYst5a0tyciYeP8bcZqNKVJleShveAX1bc9pvpd6GuKS3Q/s1600-h/IMG_0218.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBm-RNiYyMy5yCoMudSe4fbevgvoi8eIOHskXnEo4BcBNy5TM36LfWbX62mKB5wKVxzf7Tgo_0ovVSn5duSQx4Ehl4mYst5a0tyciYeP8bcZqNKVJleShveAX1bc9pvpd6GuKS3Q/s400/IMG_0218.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5097477121865549986" border="0" /></a>She also included a wonderful lavender sachet; I love how it smells and the poochie pattern is so cute!<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj03tzKvbnLKk0oHbkgLAVsC657tmmovZTv3OnW5PxMH1q7BQMqFdFpogCl4hIw03h1fouLmQs1xTUjGu6G_QjxQVDSst9RMs1K3tOW9iprODdcQSrGeyXVrCfUWSmuVF-l5XhvEA/s1600-h/IMG_0208.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj03tzKvbnLKk0oHbkgLAVsC657tmmovZTv3OnW5PxMH1q7BQMqFdFpogCl4hIw03h1fouLmQs1xTUjGu6G_QjxQVDSst9RMs1K3tOW9iprODdcQSrGeyXVrCfUWSmuVF-l5XhvEA/s400/IMG_0208.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5097477134750451890" border="0" /></a>(Maybe I should just let the violin keep the yarn as its new scarf!)<br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigQHVdrjdDr0xoRdivX20GSo5-E_U6-09qhfAgGMwwWvSlSMxAnPOmkPKLPAlhMAaNJehPh6030_Pb6bR8e0NH1OpX3f5lUopHaNy2PvuzSO3IIYFN8dcV8NwL8DBsMTUE2ct37w/s1600-h/IMG_0192.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigQHVdrjdDr0xoRdivX20GSo5-E_U6-09qhfAgGMwwWvSlSMxAnPOmkPKLPAlhMAaNJehPh6030_Pb6bR8e0NH1OpX3f5lUopHaNy2PvuzSO3IIYFN8dcV8NwL8DBsMTUE2ct37w/s400/IMG_0192.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5097477143340386498" border="0" /></a>I still have leftover yarn from that baby blanket, so I knit up some booties and a hat. The booties are a <span style="font-style: italic;">very</span> modified pattern from the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Morehouse-Farm-Merino-Knits-Farm-Fresh/dp/1400097444/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/104-3050432-5199142?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1186849851&sr=1-1">Morehouse Farms Book</a>. The only original bit I kept from the pattern was the number of cast on stitches and some rows... The pattern calls for knitting these booties flat on 2 needles with worsted yarn, but I didn't want bulky seams so I knitted them in the round using the magic loop method, starting at the base of the sole with <a href="http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEspring06/FEATmagiccaston.html">Judy's magic cast on</a>. I switched to dpns when I reached the top of the foot.<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUYdWPs662xF16UrsQCVlDUAeEFiCEy64Fg6_EuXJKqOZTkIuQzuTOqkk9kEs3ow1JX4sDpMBbcRcKLLIBxA0kY0UhnzdZYlA0JiS5v37XwVNEkYA_FVvtTLJ14VCWJe9Fjw_c7Q/s1600-h/IMG_0205.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUYdWPs662xF16UrsQCVlDUAeEFiCEy64Fg6_EuXJKqOZTkIuQzuTOqkk9kEs3ow1JX4sDpMBbcRcKLLIBxA0kY0UhnzdZYlA0JiS5v37XwVNEkYA_FVvtTLJ14VCWJe9Fjw_c7Q/s400/IMG_0205.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5097477147635353810" border="0" /></a>The hat is <a href="http://www.kategilbert.com/h_startop.html">Kate Gilbert's Shining Star</a>. The pattern comes with instructions for sizes baby through adult. It's knit top down, so the beginning was a bit fidgety...I ended up starting the hat by picking up loops through the back of a provisional crochet chain. This gave me a neat top with no gaping hole. I modified the pattern by ribbing the last inch or so, and cast of with the crochet method found in my 2 <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Basic-Knit-Full-Color-Illustrated/dp/0870407457/ref=pd_bbs_sr_2/104-3050432-5199142?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1186850621&sr=1-2">favorite</a> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Basic-Crochet-Knit-Ondori-Staff/dp/0870403893/ref=sr_1_4/104-3050432-5199142?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1186850621&sr=1-4">books</a> on basic techniques.<br /><br />Oh, and because I've been living and working in a freezing air conditioned cave, I knit up the Retro Redux shrug from <a href="http://www.knitpicks.com/Lace+Style_BD30897.html">Lace Style</a>. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYlI-4eoemJ_GOpfNLy672-3x7hlIO_8FgQyOTIeLtScTvUvh2nRA-8Hh86WGiSLjSF2QFkDPAVSYDWmvK2D3lEIpwzhw0Ikoj1osclF-5u0A-5PA7sGAiUsKhPbZDTs7XjpH77A/s1600-h/IMG_0202.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYlI-4eoemJ_GOpfNLy672-3x7hlIO_8FgQyOTIeLtScTvUvh2nRA-8Hh86WGiSLjSF2QFkDPAVSYDWmvK2D3lEIpwzhw0Ikoj1osclF-5u0A-5PA7sGAiUsKhPbZDTs7XjpH77A/s400/IMG_0202.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5097477160520255714" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzQ2pTMWEgeauyI1cKSOmE4JXrEs5Obwsbpv9ADBKlNoIpkUz42KjRP3JdbsVF4skMG1IDTXloquODxliK-ZGDue_dzEEA549iwt0c0GmaMxWQVZBa0DOqnMs1PDi9L9Fl2EEJ3A/s1600-h/IMG_0203.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzQ2pTMWEgeauyI1cKSOmE4JXrEs5Obwsbpv9ADBKlNoIpkUz42KjRP3JdbsVF4skMG1IDTXloquODxliK-ZGDue_dzEEA549iwt0c0GmaMxWQVZBa0DOqnMs1PDi9L9Fl2EEJ3A/s400/IMG_0203.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5097477345203849458" border="0" /></a>Really fast and easy knit. I used 3 balls of Misti Alpaca Worsted for the yarn, and I must share a warning with all of you...<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">When you receive yarn you buy over the internet, remember to CHECK THE DYELOTS!!!</span><br /><br />Don't assume the store will do it for you. Anyway, long story short, ball #3 was a different dyelot, so I contacted the store with fingers crossed, because this order was from months ago. Luckily they had more yarn in the lot I needed, and the owner got on the phone to apologize to me personally. They also gave me a free ball of yarn to take the edge off of this frustrating experience. People need to make "aromatherapy" yarns so I can sniff the yarn and chill out when this kind of sh*t happens.Violiknithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04004942641018435912noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28666655.post-51821855508761966892007-07-18T15:13:00.000-04:002007-07-18T16:08:43.263-04:00I'm such a delinquent......delinquent blogger, that is... I'm so sorry I've been bad about posting and commenting; the bf was working out of town, and coupling that with my own crazy workload had me taking much longer at getting things done around here (I had come the realization that my coffee does not, in actuallity, "magically appear" before me every morning. There is no such thing as the Coffee Genie. Repeat to self.)<br /><br />So, I finished the baby blanket I was working on. I had originally planned for 12 squares excerpted from <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Learn-Knit-Afghan-Book-Barbara-Walker/dp/0942018133/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/104-3050432-5199142?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1184787061&sr=1-1">Barbara Walker's Learn-to-Knit Afghan Book</a>, but had to settle for 9, because the blanket would've been huge.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjt360aikYAifHTY-aHthAZcU1mKvETTitBsqB3SYjrx4X4tLw5cKUOEt-ZITPbsxRIY9NfVswNqKz451zSp4Gk5GnPZ8hWotQW_pDEnE_r9aZkes6amijuNKy4PNfdV1_igLu-Q/s1600-h/babyblanket0001.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjt360aikYAifHTY-aHthAZcU1mKvETTitBsqB3SYjrx4X4tLw5cKUOEt-ZITPbsxRIY9NfVswNqKz451zSp4Gk5GnPZ8hWotQW_pDEnE_r9aZkes6amijuNKy4PNfdV1_igLu-Q/s400/babyblanket0001.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5088617888327360946" border="0" /></a>Yarn used: Blue Sky Alpaca Organic Cotton (no dyes, bleaches, etc.) in colors Sand (5 skeins MC), Bone (2 skeins CC1) and Nut (1 skein CC2).<br />Needles: size #9 & Crochet Hook: size "J"<br /><span class="on" style="display: block;" id="formatbar_CreateLink" title="Link" onmouseover="ButtonHoverOn(this);" onmouseout="ButtonHoverOff(this);" onmouseup="" onmousedown="CheckFormatting(event);FormatbarButton('richeditorframe', this, 8);ButtonMouseDown(this);"></span><br />I went with this yarn because it's eco-friendly and also because my expectant friend wanted something gender neutral (and, she's from California, so the organic yarn thing was too cool to pass up). In the book, it calls for crochetting 20 sts per side of each square, but I increased it to 26; however, it still looks a bit "pinched" in places. I'm hoping washing and blocking will fix that.<br /><br />With the leftover yarn, I made the Baby Bolero from <a href="http://www.amazon.com/One-Skein-Quick-Projects-Crochet/dp/1931499748/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/104-3050432-5199142?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1184787612&sr=1-1">One Skein</a>, which happens to call for one skein of this yarn. HOWEVER, it took me <span style="font-weight: bold;">a little more than one skein</span> to make this sweater. Also, there are <a href="http://www.leighradford.com/alterknit_projects/errata.html">errata</a> in the pattern.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifMXZsq1LGr0Co9s3RYuaJcRELSXKf_SUK3e4W7kevAxDwrbtz4bVmYyR_gBzH6W1-ZMIwP4M5Xewn5IqmQZsx4ibWePzlbSOFuWudlRRz2X84LHbz-kSh7MWX_Pn-c1EndFZdKw/s1600-h/babyfront0001.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifMXZsq1LGr0Co9s3RYuaJcRELSXKf_SUK3e4W7kevAxDwrbtz4bVmYyR_gBzH6W1-ZMIwP4M5Xewn5IqmQZsx4ibWePzlbSOFuWudlRRz2X84LHbz-kSh7MWX_Pn-c1EndFZdKw/s400/babyfront0001.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5088617871147491746" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghRE907ruJD6mgp6iICDzgN8JGFG4s7iCvIToyD1FiDcaFMLQdV7kPM15Q89eeFD85HgVMWTs52koeT4K1pLDQNuG698fR32a92rAGqQk16f4GwVZh9QO38FN2dYxAFjS40jWbNg/s1600-h/babyback0001.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghRE907ruJD6mgp6iICDzgN8JGFG4s7iCvIToyD1FiDcaFMLQdV7kPM15Q89eeFD85HgVMWTs52koeT4K1pLDQNuG698fR32a92rAGqQk16f4GwVZh9QO38FN2dYxAFjS40jWbNg/s400/babyback0001.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5088617862557557138" border="0" /></a>Here is the back view with the optional eyelet pattern. The way it's written is not symmetrical; I had to change the second set of K2togs in to SSKs in each line of the pattern. Finally, because I must have OCD or something, I refused to do the K3tog at the top, and opted for: slip 2sts at once, knit 1, pass the 2 slipped sts over the knit st. This way, the center of those 3 sts is in the middle. (Oh, and I increased a stitch in the ribbing up top so it would be symmetrical over the center of the eyelet motif. I need help. Seriously. But in my defense, you who have this book, go look at the pictures and you'll see how un-centered it'll look if you don't fix it.)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5cryXpAfV_vY4aVdYf67b9ZuJB-Lvkg7BEaMOV_fDajNkUeh7sSXC7ZTdp26ye6ZqdVRYg5osIgWTDJo0RY2YdYPnFhPAMrrzbX9eoU2XlrXENVdznjdQKlgXyYkbGi4nDqFlGQ/s1600-h/spindle0001.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5cryXpAfV_vY4aVdYf67b9ZuJB-Lvkg7BEaMOV_fDajNkUeh7sSXC7ZTdp26ye6ZqdVRYg5osIgWTDJo0RY2YdYPnFhPAMrrzbX9eoU2XlrXENVdznjdQKlgXyYkbGi4nDqFlGQ/s400/spindle0001.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5088617849672655234" border="0" /></a>This is my new Golding Spindle<a href="http://www.dropspindle.info/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=28&Itemid=131"></a>. I love it, love it, love it! I haven't been tempted to buy any more spindles because I like this one far more than anything I've ever seen.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBjEd28c_3Y6JUvzb5bjEPPBS_LsG79Xji5mLSfjo_S3NB4SQ50F96UR2PSdJJoEZISlr56NBDX6N4aWB6H8j25in4naVjZG5xG0pkknknmGcgoh23d64pcioxE5nVwYoCzbihhw/s1600-h/spindles0001.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBjEd28c_3Y6JUvzb5bjEPPBS_LsG79Xji5mLSfjo_S3NB4SQ50F96UR2PSdJJoEZISlr56NBDX6N4aWB6H8j25in4naVjZG5xG0pkknknmGcgoh23d64pcioxE5nVwYoCzbihhw/s400/spindles0001.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5088617845377687922" border="0" /></a>I finally got around to plying that <a href="http://www.spunkyhats.com/accyarnroving.htm">Spunky corriedale wool</a> I was spinning. It's only 77 yds because I threw away some earlier botched attempts. I spun with the Spindlewood (left) and the Bosworth (right), and plied with my huge Cascabeles <span style="text-decoration: underline;"></span>(center).<br /><br /><a href="http://renknits.wordpress.com/">Ren</a> tagged me for a meme, so I hope I'll be able to get to that soon.Violiknithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04004942641018435912noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28666655.post-82658487899028416262007-07-05T20:40:00.000-04:002007-07-05T20:47:47.822-04:00knitting book sale at knitpicks!Quick heads up-- <a href="http://www.knitpicks.com/knitting+book+sale_BL300408.html">Knitpicks</a> is having a 40% off sale on all their books. It's cheaper than Amazon now. I just stocked up on some things I've been coveting like <a href="http://www.knitpicks.com/Selbuvotter_BD30938.html">this</a> and <a href="http://www.knitpicks.com/The+Natural+Knitter_BD30876.html">this</a> and <a href="https://www.knitpicks.com/Picture+Knits_BD30697.html">this</a>!Violiknithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04004942641018435912noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28666655.post-23427503414331757522007-07-01T14:09:00.001-04:002007-07-01T15:21:52.481-04:00...When it's time to dump a pattern......but first,<br /><br />I just found out that <a href="http://hakucho.blogspot.com/">Hakucho</a> has nominated me as a Rockin' Girl Blogger! I'm so excited and honored! Thank you, Hakucho!!!<br /><br />Hakucho has a really fun and informative blog; she always comes up with the most ingenious and creative ways to improve patterns - sometimes even taking them to another level and using the stitch pattern to create a whole new knitted object (you should see what she's done with the famous "Ballband Dishcloth"!) Anyway, she's currently working on a fantastic piece-by-piece fish afghan - <a href="http://hakucho.blogspot.com/">please go take a look</a>!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVPbXnakND0KinEmjCNu37LTp4Vp7VvvnVIzipZpCEmi6MiQjnj3-JnPUgS8AHY8qhPWw7YSenmS9uGmJbmYZe7Sad0jui6s33jZzqF45i2oowR_jKmpbaxHCHpPB8b1olqN5hDw/s1600-h/imarockingirlblogger.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVPbXnakND0KinEmjCNu37LTp4Vp7VvvnVIzipZpCEmi6MiQjnj3-JnPUgS8AHY8qhPWw7YSenmS9uGmJbmYZe7Sad0jui6s33jZzqF45i2oowR_jKmpbaxHCHpPB8b1olqN5hDw/s400/imarockingirlblogger.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5082292641707368322" border="0" /></a>Well apparently, it's now my job to nominate another 5 Rockin' Girl Bloggers:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.yarnloopie.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Monika, at Smokin' Hot Needles</span></a>- This girl is a Rockin' master knitter. Period. And she knits super-fast! She's got a great flair for design and colors, and her projects and her own patterns always inspire me to challenge myself. She also shares the antics of her two gorgeous white german shepherds: Sam and Biko.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.millharrow.com/weblog/front_content.php"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Dipsy, at Dipsy Doodle</span></a>- Blogging all the way from Austria, Dipsy gives me a glimpse into her picturesque home town of Innsbruck while churning out beautiful sock patterns and other wildly beautiful knits. I especially love seeing her knit from patterns that aren't available here in the U.S.; I appreciate being able to see the different knits out there!<br /><br /><a href="http://missewe.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Kate, at Miss Ewe Knits</span></a>- A fellow violinist, Kate always shares hilarious knit-related pictures on her blog (running sheep with stuffed sheep animals tied on their backs being the most recent pic). She's always in the know about the great new yarns out there, and I like hearing her reviews and seeing her gorgeous knits!<br /><br /><a href="http://yarntootin.typepad.com/"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Courtney, at Yarn Tootin'</span></a>- Another fellow musician (violist) who's up on the best sock yarns available; especially indie! The only blogger I've ever met in real life (went to school together, played quartets with, and went to Tanglewood with), I never knew she was into knitting until I happened upon her blog one day. She always knows what the hot projects are, and knits them up beautifully; she's a real inspiration!<br /><br /><a href="http://renknits.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Ren, at Ren Knits</span></a>- A grad student (accounting major!), Ren somehow manages to find the time to knit really cute socks, house projects, and she SEWS! Makes her own needle cases and everything!<br /><br />Okay, on to the griping....<br />I present to you this innocent looking, cute, clearly easy and fast knit (size 11's)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8oRnW_xCkhtrjCjHqqWLfR4mtu3_i5pryFKMMPa1MSV10dPSWOCmA_zgc7efrLLXm0wEaToV-wC_pTNXRtjY26RGjgtz04SegpbrDRyJeuForouyBtC_blzHvLuqp99qxQr5EhA/s1600-h/IMG_0158.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8oRnW_xCkhtrjCjHqqWLfR4mtu3_i5pryFKMMPa1MSV10dPSWOCmA_zgc7efrLLXm0wEaToV-wC_pTNXRtjY26RGjgtz04SegpbrDRyJeuForouyBtC_blzHvLuqp99qxQr5EhA/s400/IMG_0158.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5082292641707368338" border="0" /></a>I knit and frogged a good chunk of this blanket 3 times because I couldn't figure out why it looked so weird. The blanket has two rows of staggered eyelets separated by some stockinette rows. I really wanted to believe in this pattern, you know...I mean, it looked so professionally printed, <span style="font-weight: bold;">and I paid money for it</span> and everything...<br /><br />Here is my low-tech charting of the pattern. See the problems?<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzIzN84vtjxvW9wBrMozomKBrQuijU0UYW7WjVarT4yKqTHCPshF4UtB16b4HAxYtpBDkYWCecl7HLoERJPVtb8N9cOteW6G_PMVhp9xlIRsb-GxK-hPKgUHZnxY5GyVQA3ddu7w/s1600-h/IMG_0160.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzIzN84vtjxvW9wBrMozomKBrQuijU0UYW7WjVarT4yKqTHCPshF4UtB16b4HAxYtpBDkYWCecl7HLoERJPVtb8N9cOteW6G_PMVhp9xlIRsb-GxK-hPKgUHZnxY5GyVQA3ddu7w/s400/IMG_0160.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5082292646002335650" border="0" /></a>Not only are the eyelets totally not centered on the blanket body, but they don't even line up symmetrically when staggered!!! WTF??? Oh, and there was an <a href="http://www.blueskyalpacas.com/pattern_update.php?patterns_ID=12">errata page on Blue Sky Alpaca's website.</a> However, it only mentions some major boo-boos about the ruffle (which I hadn't even got to), and nothing about the messed up asymmetrical body. Oh yeah, by the way, the errata page did mention it takes 7 skeins of yarn, not 6. Nothing major, right? (grits teeth). <br />Anyone doing this pattern out there - unless you're willing to rewrite the main pattern and deal with the errata and lacking skein of yarn - I highly suggest you <span style="font-weight: bold;">dump it</span>. It is soooooo not worth the trouble!!! Shame on you, Blue Sky Alpaca! I will always love your yarn, but I'll never buy one of your patterns again!<br /><br />Anyhoo, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Learn-Knit-Afghan-Book-Barbara-Walker/dp/0942018133/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/104-3050432-5199142?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1183317210&sr=1-1">Barbara Walker to the rescue</a>:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpJNzt5B8Xhg_hzaoyequHEYqPnMoQNaTWpcyOrJBfCTWBf8K2CPeiKlW7wM21GInVsMjrHuI8LqJvuL5vwDvZhyTkuPIO2gLPECa-SudqLgEcHDI9NCkMpjYXiLSI4WV8pyw3nA/s1600-h/IMG_0168.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpJNzt5B8Xhg_hzaoyequHEYqPnMoQNaTWpcyOrJBfCTWBf8K2CPeiKlW7wM21GInVsMjrHuI8LqJvuL5vwDvZhyTkuPIO2gLPECa-SudqLgEcHDI9NCkMpjYXiLSI4WV8pyw3nA/s400/IMG_0168.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5082292650297302962" border="0" /></a>This is a great book! I've learned to do some things I never knew how to do like LT, RT and purling through the back loop. I'm planning on knitting 12 squares from the book to make a baby-sized afghan.<br /><br />Squares #7: Garter and Rib Pattern and #25: Wave<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHoREKc8S2nTkJK1yFELZiBVSpzlQvqDYsPEthDq4psxHEVQcEp7ufLCtxahCAk9sEWFaFyrpbhROM4I2lRmqjfINdrhd90g-TUsmR6hWCu-H0ZCgTR2n3i066EMtYT3mjcr_VHg/s1600-h/IMG_0170.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHoREKc8S2nTkJK1yFELZiBVSpzlQvqDYsPEthDq4psxHEVQcEp7ufLCtxahCAk9sEWFaFyrpbhROM4I2lRmqjfINdrhd90g-TUsmR6hWCu-H0ZCgTR2n3i066EMtYT3mjcr_VHg/s400/IMG_0170.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5082292946650046402" border="0" /></a><br />Squares #3: Basketweave and #48: Vine Leaf Panel (my fave)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTNp9Xjf8eXxp0OaJLbdasCMrXmTeURAqSHEo_T-5h_JdYFrEyiq86lPKU_lnkAjrvhK-4l82FqcPwCEY3alqQx8JaMHEg0toblRI0aur9laQFvZSbeoKh_yDeoNp2q5LwZHaQ5g/s1600-h/IMG_0172.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTNp9Xjf8eXxp0OaJLbdasCMrXmTeURAqSHEo_T-5h_JdYFrEyiq86lPKU_lnkAjrvhK-4l82FqcPwCEY3alqQx8JaMHEg0toblRI0aur9laQFvZSbeoKh_yDeoNp2q5LwZHaQ5g/s400/IMG_0172.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5082292950945013714" border="0" /></a><br />Finally, I leave you with the debut haul of my market bag. Eat your greens!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2ySH1LtbGWKGFKRfhhlu4jtzIE3-j811LvE9GqCgqOlBs8A3Usy23JMa4YvjHC8MNZ_oozvjqhQPTSinLb4Eyx0mnv15bAW7u4UN2w9Pn4uGz8idVtGHdjSbbS3ZklqumkWibgQ/s1600-h/IMG_0155.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2ySH1LtbGWKGFKRfhhlu4jtzIE3-j811LvE9GqCgqOlBs8A3Usy23JMa4YvjHC8MNZ_oozvjqhQPTSinLb4Eyx0mnv15bAW7u4UN2w9Pn4uGz8idVtGHdjSbbS3ZklqumkWibgQ/s400/IMG_0155.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5082292955239981026" border="0" /></a>Violiknithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04004942641018435912noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28666655.post-84551645472252241802007-06-23T16:00:00.001-04:002007-06-23T16:46:38.910-04:00A Little Bit of EverythingNot giving up on the spinning yet! Even with my really amateurish lumpy-yarn producing skills, I can see/feel the difference between the spindles. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqplPzNjWRzBl8VCXOZL-JZKa6oCHkj0wwFHcpCSCdlcyijRsirPr0vs8bJ9dEWkfLKCW8Fqsx-CnWMJna9HhBMW_cvHIACOvw4gsSxagxZaKgFNIt4gkQ9oFU2n4k4XvNsp3YAg/s1600-h/aspindle0001.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqplPzNjWRzBl8VCXOZL-JZKa6oCHkj0wwFHcpCSCdlcyijRsirPr0vs8bJ9dEWkfLKCW8Fqsx-CnWMJna9HhBMW_cvHIACOvw4gsSxagxZaKgFNIt4gkQ9oFU2n4k4XvNsp3YAg/s400/aspindle0001.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5079352441226917410" border="0" /></a><br />Clockwise from the left, my heavy-duty Cascabeles had me spinning a really chunky yarn which I crochetted into a baby hat. The Forrester, a little lighter, got me producing something more worsted. The tulipwood Bosworth Midi, the latest addition to my spindle collection, is my favorite so far. I can spin thinner and more even yarn. Sheila Bosworth test-spun the spindle before sending it to me, and when it arrived, I dissected and studied the small sample of fiber and spun yarn she left on it. (Hey, I'm desperate; there are no spinning classes around here!)<br /><br />...and if I'm spinning, I will eventually need to use this Niddy-Noddy. (As if I need more things to collect...)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSQyRuRt4ABijVPaWxktojXPh7EgXnvNu8StVYmJNh9-aWF1pgyL3TZRwj51cXgtwut1uM21UyINJPFq_fkMMKn_qIg40SyXt8e8u0fF-r_j1OyWYeWyFFPA45_XXi50pUFtdv6A/s1600-h/aniddy0001.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSQyRuRt4ABijVPaWxktojXPh7EgXnvNu8StVYmJNh9-aWF1pgyL3TZRwj51cXgtwut1uM21UyINJPFq_fkMMKn_qIg40SyXt8e8u0fF-r_j1OyWYeWyFFPA45_XXi50pUFtdv6A/s400/aniddy0001.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5079352445521884722" border="0" /></a><br />I'm knitting too; an organic cotton baby blanket (pic soon), and a thin scarf made by alternating every couple rows between some Koigu and STR.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLUsvxoVt1IrvCN-iFJAzGql1915RFXAH9ddWSTK_a-5Q3hHICsfqHYmyX5I73xVJYXjmm5gkqFtZSoTEOCGbr-wp7ZSAKsugadnMHt1QcVLzp5g2dLjs-p6I_VsSZf4P-Xvdysg/s1600-h/aknit0001.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLUsvxoVt1IrvCN-iFJAzGql1915RFXAH9ddWSTK_a-5Q3hHICsfqHYmyX5I73xVJYXjmm5gkqFtZSoTEOCGbr-wp7ZSAKsugadnMHt1QcVLzp5g2dLjs-p6I_VsSZf4P-Xvdysg/s400/aknit0001.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5079352449816852034" border="0" /></a><br />Here is a close-up of the 2-Colour Star Stitch Pattern found in <a href="http://www.amazon.com/More-Knitting-Stitches-Harmony-Guides/dp/1855856301/ref=sr_1_2/104-3050432-5199142?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1182631296&sr=1-2">Harmony Guide's "44o More Knitting Stitches"</a>. Using 2 contrasting solids would make the "stars" pop out more, but I'm liking this Impressionistic look.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMRnVvLYIyjLXPfdiPLJ1M4klM7iMYUpbZQI9umJ5e_FzEM2a-r2yYRYu-oGCPbNADnV6NMr8v-hURaHF0-6_-zawSGJAQ2TvrddeLGwGZaJCTz9Mnaq6opUnBmAI4Cnih1LCxJA/s1600-h/acloseup0001.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMRnVvLYIyjLXPfdiPLJ1M4klM7iMYUpbZQI9umJ5e_FzEM2a-r2yYRYu-oGCPbNADnV6NMr8v-hURaHF0-6_-zawSGJAQ2TvrddeLGwGZaJCTz9Mnaq6opUnBmAI4Cnih1LCxJA/s400/acloseup0001.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5079352454111819346" border="0" /></a><br />Continuing with the stash-busting, I used the leftovers from the Flore hat combined with some Reynolds Saucy Sport to crochet a market bag. I'll take it for a test run soon.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtlR6_qJGuZ89SnegxVu9g9xaRN7nJhKsZIqMX2RrccfhZMCTz5F8LPvoSFpEPSimsz_c7D0o49TE1Qw9epBkCXMSLR_zsAGW3MK_4neHi9-saeDuJbdUIp8vE-AmebyamZluiSw/s1600-h/amktbag0001.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtlR6_qJGuZ89SnegxVu9g9xaRN7nJhKsZIqMX2RrccfhZMCTz5F8LPvoSFpEPSimsz_c7D0o49TE1Qw9epBkCXMSLR_zsAGW3MK_4neHi9-saeDuJbdUIp8vE-AmebyamZluiSw/s400/amktbag0001.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5079352462701753954" border="0" /></a>Violiknithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04004942641018435912noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28666655.post-49972298402212850062007-06-19T01:38:00.001-04:002007-06-19T19:27:17.015-04:00D'OH!!!There are reasons why one should never, ever, attempt to do fancy stuff with one's Blogger template late at night after drinks. I erased all my stuff. I'm sooooo stupid! It will take me a while to get all my links back up... At least my posts survived! ARGH!!! Anyway, it's a good excuse to try out a new look, I figure. I'm going to go kick myself some more now.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Several Hours (and many cups of coffee) Later</span>: Okay, most of my links are back, and I'm still having fun tweaking the look. Thanks to blogger-saavy <a href="http://alohaknitter.blogspot.com/">Rachel</a> - when I followed your instructions, my links did reappear! I erased too much to get back all the little buttons, etc., but I'm still quite happy! Thanks again!Violiknithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04004942641018435912noreply@blogger.com8