So, I think I've decided that I'm not going to post a new blog entry until I have an FO. Reason being that my blog is really boring when read as a whole (I've done it). If I'm not updating all of the time, there's more time to knit...right? We'll see how long it takes me to post again!
Until then, see ya!
24.3.07
22.3.07
Nights
I just had a pretty fun night. It was very casual hang-out time in the city, at a cute little coffee shop called Blend. It was nice. Then I came home and found a package waiting for me. IT'S MY YARN!! That came very quickly. Now, I can get rolling again on the wrap jacket.
I didn't knit a single stitch today and I probably won't (since it's already 10:45 and we're supposed to try and get tickets for the Ninja Turtles movie tonight...how excited am I?? Pretty excited, actually). I work tomorrow afternoon...so maybe I'll knit before that...after I finish the dress.
Speaking of the dress...I think it will either a)fit me or b) be too big, not too small at all. We'll see. I have to finish the shoulders, seam up the back...then tackle that zipper. That's it...jet set...tomorrow I'm looking at a finished dress (as long as it fits and I don't have to rip and trim)!
No pictures, my lovelies...not enough time...and a bit of a headache.
I didn't knit a single stitch today and I probably won't (since it's already 10:45 and we're supposed to try and get tickets for the Ninja Turtles movie tonight...how excited am I?? Pretty excited, actually). I work tomorrow afternoon...so maybe I'll knit before that...after I finish the dress.
Speaking of the dress...I think it will either a)fit me or b) be too big, not too small at all. We'll see. I have to finish the shoulders, seam up the back...then tackle that zipper. That's it...jet set...tomorrow I'm looking at a finished dress (as long as it fits and I don't have to rip and trim)!
No pictures, my lovelies...not enough time...and a bit of a headache.
20.3.07
Sewing!
I've found the cutest linen fabric for the dress pattern. I've already cut out the pieces. I'm just taking a break now before all of that sewing. Really, the washing, blocking, and cutting is the hard stuff. It wears a person out. From here on out, it should be smooth sailing...up until I need to tailor it to actually fit me.
Ok, about that. It says that the smallest size (the size I cut out) is a size 6. I'm normally a size 0-2, depending on the garment/brand/what-have-you. I think it might be a European size 6...if that's the case, it will be smaller and I may not have to fix anything. What would really suck is if it ended up too small. I really wouldn't know how to fix that whopper, but I have a yucky feeling about the whole thing. BUT I'M MAKING IT ANYWAY. The pieces are cut...there's no turning back.
Here's a picture of my cut out pieces:
Here's a close-up of the fabric (adorable):
I've finished the cables section on the back of the cabled cardigan and am working my way through the armholes now. But damn...it's small. I am knitting the smallest size, but I think I should have knit the next size up. I am NOT starting over. Those cables were tedious. I don't want to work backwards on this thing. Here's my plan. When I block it, I'm going to block it to the specifications of the next size up. Hopefully, it will work...and stay that way through wear and tear. I don't want to have to block it every time I wear it, you know? Here's the glamour shot:
I haven't knit on the other thing because I'm too lazy to sew in the new tape yarn. It seriously only takes a few minutes, but I'm not interested. Maybe when I get the yarn to finish it, I'll be more excited.
The weather has been gorgeous lately. I hope it stays this way.
Ok, about that. It says that the smallest size (the size I cut out) is a size 6. I'm normally a size 0-2, depending on the garment/brand/what-have-you. I think it might be a European size 6...if that's the case, it will be smaller and I may not have to fix anything. What would really suck is if it ended up too small. I really wouldn't know how to fix that whopper, but I have a yucky feeling about the whole thing. BUT I'M MAKING IT ANYWAY. The pieces are cut...there's no turning back.
Here's a picture of my cut out pieces:
Here's a close-up of the fabric (adorable):
I've finished the cables section on the back of the cabled cardigan and am working my way through the armholes now. But damn...it's small. I am knitting the smallest size, but I think I should have knit the next size up. I am NOT starting over. Those cables were tedious. I don't want to work backwards on this thing. Here's my plan. When I block it, I'm going to block it to the specifications of the next size up. Hopefully, it will work...and stay that way through wear and tear. I don't want to have to block it every time I wear it, you know? Here's the glamour shot:
I haven't knit on the other thing because I'm too lazy to sew in the new tape yarn. It seriously only takes a few minutes, but I'm not interested. Maybe when I get the yarn to finish it, I'll be more excited.
The weather has been gorgeous lately. I hope it stays this way.
19.3.07
Yarning
Well...the time has come. I'm on to my last ball for the wrap jacket thingy. Today, I have ordered some online. I've (thanks Kara) found a place online that is selling three balls. I wonder if three will be enough. I really don't think so. I think I need four...but I can't find any more. I guess I can shorten the sleeves a little bit, but I'd rather not have to do that. I like the look of the long sleeves with the bell shaping. It will look stupid if I make them short. I don't know.
I guess you'd like to see the progress on the wrap jacket? Here you go:
A completed front, all pinned-out there for ya.
The beginning of front no. 2.
I really want to finish this thing. I think I'll really like it...if only I could get it done.
I finally got around to buying that needle I needed. So, tonight...or tomorrow (probably tomorrow) I will get back to work on the cable cardigan. This is another one that I just really want to finish because I know that I will like it once it's done. I know that all the pain involved in making those cables will end up being worth it.
Speaking of cables....
I love this. It is in the latest issue of Knit.1 magazine. It calls for nine balls of Lion wool (which is an affordable option, btw. Thanks Knit.1). I want to make it in this color. It's called "lemongrass." Won't it look cool with all those cables and bobbles?? I think so...definitely.
Let's see, what else? Here's a hint at what my scarf is like:
Like? Can't tell? Good. It's sort of like a secret. :) I'll show it when it's finished!! (mainly because I don't know how it will turn out and I don't want to look like a Bozo when I decide it's garbage. This way it can just drift softly away without anyone noticing...if it comes to that)
I got the new Vogue Knitting for spring/summer. I love the lace stuff. While I was at Wal-mart buying a new needle, I also picked up a huge skein of this:
Baby soft acrylic yarn. I usually don't get the acrylic stuff, but this was just too soft to resist.
Oh, and why is it that yarn companies feel only babies would enjoy a yarn so soft and insist that they only make it in pastels?? Huh?? Why?? While I like the minty green color...and will wear pastels without hesitation...I am still more of an earth tone kind of girl when it comes right down to it...more of a neutral. (I'm reminded of the classic Futurama episode. "Tell my wife I said...hello." dies...so funny) But, what are you going to do? As long as babies keep liking pastels (and I'm not so sure they do), yarn companies will make their softest yarns in those appealing Easter egg colors (I like Easter eggs, too). Whatever.
Anyway...with that yarn I am thinking that I will try my hand at this:
Sorry about the "sideways-ness" of the image. I don't know how to rotate it...kind of bothering me, actually. I'm not sure if acrylic yarn will work in a lace pattern simply because of the blocking needs, but I'm going to try. Seriously, the yarn was $2.97! How could I pass it up? If it works, I will have one INCREDIBLY cheap shirt! Wish me luck!
Oh gawd...as if this post were not long enough already! I was at Joann's for the purpose of looking through sewing pattern books and the Butterick patterns were on sale for $1.97! So, I bought 4!!!! Look, look!:
((The dress, not the other stuff))
((The one with the HUGE bow, of COURSE))
I'm going to make them...in the order shown above. When I pick up my tip money tonight, I'm going to run and buy the fabric for that first dress. It's the easiest of all of them. I wonder what fabric I will choose. It calls for a lightweight linen, I think...I just hope they have some in a nice pattern or color. I don't want to make it in that classic linen khaki color, but I will if I have to. I'll let you know how that goes tomorrow (by tomorrow, I mean whenever I get around to posting again).
I guess you'd like to see the progress on the wrap jacket? Here you go:
A completed front, all pinned-out there for ya.
The beginning of front no. 2.
I really want to finish this thing. I think I'll really like it...if only I could get it done.
I finally got around to buying that needle I needed. So, tonight...or tomorrow (probably tomorrow) I will get back to work on the cable cardigan. This is another one that I just really want to finish because I know that I will like it once it's done. I know that all the pain involved in making those cables will end up being worth it.
Speaking of cables....
I love this. It is in the latest issue of Knit.1 magazine. It calls for nine balls of Lion wool (which is an affordable option, btw. Thanks Knit.1). I want to make it in this color. It's called "lemongrass." Won't it look cool with all those cables and bobbles?? I think so...definitely.
Let's see, what else? Here's a hint at what my scarf is like:
Like? Can't tell? Good. It's sort of like a secret. :) I'll show it when it's finished!! (mainly because I don't know how it will turn out and I don't want to look like a Bozo when I decide it's garbage. This way it can just drift softly away without anyone noticing...if it comes to that)
I got the new Vogue Knitting for spring/summer. I love the lace stuff. While I was at Wal-mart buying a new needle, I also picked up a huge skein of this:
Baby soft acrylic yarn. I usually don't get the acrylic stuff, but this was just too soft to resist.
Oh, and why is it that yarn companies feel only babies would enjoy a yarn so soft and insist that they only make it in pastels?? Huh?? Why?? While I like the minty green color...and will wear pastels without hesitation...I am still more of an earth tone kind of girl when it comes right down to it...more of a neutral. (I'm reminded of the classic Futurama episode. "Tell my wife I said...hello." dies...so funny) But, what are you going to do? As long as babies keep liking pastels (and I'm not so sure they do), yarn companies will make their softest yarns in those appealing Easter egg colors (I like Easter eggs, too). Whatever.
Anyway...with that yarn I am thinking that I will try my hand at this:
Sorry about the "sideways-ness" of the image. I don't know how to rotate it...kind of bothering me, actually. I'm not sure if acrylic yarn will work in a lace pattern simply because of the blocking needs, but I'm going to try. Seriously, the yarn was $2.97! How could I pass it up? If it works, I will have one INCREDIBLY cheap shirt! Wish me luck!
Oh gawd...as if this post were not long enough already! I was at Joann's for the purpose of looking through sewing pattern books and the Butterick patterns were on sale for $1.97! So, I bought 4!!!! Look, look!:
((The dress, not the other stuff))
((The one with the HUGE bow, of COURSE))
I'm going to make them...in the order shown above. When I pick up my tip money tonight, I'm going to run and buy the fabric for that first dress. It's the easiest of all of them. I wonder what fabric I will choose. It calls for a lightweight linen, I think...I just hope they have some in a nice pattern or color. I don't want to make it in that classic linen khaki color, but I will if I have to. I'll let you know how that goes tomorrow (by tomorrow, I mean whenever I get around to posting again).
15.3.07
I wonder if I'll post twice today...
...because this post will probably suck. I finished one of the fronts for the hole-y wrap jacket thingy. I'm worried that the armholes are going to be a bit too small...but they should be fine, I think, as I am quite thin in the arm area. I finished it two days ago, but I haven't taken a picture yet. I just don't feel like it right now. Maybe later.
I've started a scarf (sewing, not knitting). I have less than half of the pieces done and once they are all done, I'm going to piece the pieces together and put some kind of lining on it. It's looking cute so far, but again, it's not worth taking pictures of yet. So, I haven't.
I'm not sure if I will knit at all today. I am pretty sure that I will have enough yarn to finish the second front. It didn't require as much as I expected. Still, I will need more to finish the sleeves. Lately, I feel like I must either not knit at all or knit myself into exhaustion. I can't apply myself to that "in-between" area. I'm like this in every aspect of my life, too...not just knitting. I wonder why I'm "that way."
I still haven't found a job. I wrote a pretty good cover letter and spent a lot of time on it. Then, I went to apply for that position and it was gone. There is a night position available, but they seem to be more picky with that one in who they will hire. EXPERIENCE, EXPERIENCE, EXPERIENCE. Who the fuck came up with this? I don't want to work a night shift anyway. I'm all bummed out about it because it would have actually been a direct use of my psychology degree...not some cop-out filler job because I'm basically broke. But it looks like I'm going back to looking for one of those jobs...I hate this. I hate everything about it. Especially the fact that I have to PAY money to apply for these jobs because half of them don't have email or online applications...damn Kinko's faxes.
Lord help me.
Maybe I'll post pictures later, but don't get your hopes up.
I've started a scarf (sewing, not knitting). I have less than half of the pieces done and once they are all done, I'm going to piece the pieces together and put some kind of lining on it. It's looking cute so far, but again, it's not worth taking pictures of yet. So, I haven't.
I'm not sure if I will knit at all today. I am pretty sure that I will have enough yarn to finish the second front. It didn't require as much as I expected. Still, I will need more to finish the sleeves. Lately, I feel like I must either not knit at all or knit myself into exhaustion. I can't apply myself to that "in-between" area. I'm like this in every aspect of my life, too...not just knitting. I wonder why I'm "that way."
I still haven't found a job. I wrote a pretty good cover letter and spent a lot of time on it. Then, I went to apply for that position and it was gone. There is a night position available, but they seem to be more picky with that one in who they will hire. EXPERIENCE, EXPERIENCE, EXPERIENCE. Who the fuck came up with this? I don't want to work a night shift anyway. I'm all bummed out about it because it would have actually been a direct use of my psychology degree...not some cop-out filler job because I'm basically broke. But it looks like I'm going back to looking for one of those jobs...I hate this. I hate everything about it. Especially the fact that I have to PAY money to apply for these jobs because half of them don't have email or online applications...damn Kinko's faxes.
Lord help me.
Maybe I'll post pictures later, but don't get your hopes up.
13.3.07
Yarn problems
Yeah...I truly won't have enough yarn to finish the wrap jacket/sweater thing...but I'm working on it anyway because I haven't gotten a replacement needle for the cable cardigan yet. The yarn I'm going to run out of is discontinued (Katia Idea no. 16), but I may be able to find it online. I am continuing this wrap sweater with just that hope in mind. Come friday (payday), I will start the real search online and hopefully order a few more balls. Seriously, the pattern says 5 balls and I will need more like 8-9. and I am pretty sure I checked my guage on this one because I was not using the recommended yarn in the pattern...but I CHECKED...or at least I THOUGHT I did. Whatever. The good thing is, since the yarn is discontinued, if I DO find it the yarn will be very cheap. I'm using that fact to console me in these bitter days.
Here's the sweater:
I have to say...I'm not too thrilled with the way the ladders are looking. Maybe that's the difference between a cotton/linen blend and 100% silk. I simply couldn't afford the silk...I'm still knitting it, though...maybe when it's all put together it won't look so....I don't know...."French whore's tattered stocking" seems the right description to me.
******edited to add: upon looking at the close up shot above, I realized that when I was picking up ladder stitches, I was twisting them. The ladders near the bottom are correct and are bigger at the top, whereas the ones near the top of the photo are weird. I'm too irritated to frog it. so, I'll just do it correctly from here on out. It's only less than half of ONE front and it will most likely be obscured when the whole number is tied up anyway.
Here's the sweater:
I have to say...I'm not too thrilled with the way the ladders are looking. Maybe that's the difference between a cotton/linen blend and 100% silk. I simply couldn't afford the silk...I'm still knitting it, though...maybe when it's all put together it won't look so....I don't know...."French whore's tattered stocking" seems the right description to me.
******edited to add: upon looking at the close up shot above, I realized that when I was picking up ladder stitches, I was twisting them. The ladders near the bottom are correct and are bigger at the top, whereas the ones near the top of the photo are weird. I'm too irritated to frog it. so, I'll just do it correctly from here on out. It's only less than half of ONE front and it will most likely be obscured when the whole number is tied up anyway.
12.3.07
Excitement
The new Knitty is full of kids clothes and socks...and maybe one very cute tank and a kind of strange-looking cardigan (thing) that I'd wear. What the fuck is up with that? I'm really disappointed in Knitty and may do something harsh and irrational...like remove it from my bookmarks for all eternity!!
On another rant...I feel so sick of knitting lately. I get to the armholes of the breezy jacket thing I'm working on and I notice that I'm almost out of yarn...AGAIN. So, I'm going to have to start a new ball (that's ball #3) on the back. I only bought 5 one-and-three-fourths-ounce balls (as the pattern told me to do) and if I use three of them on the back, that leaves only two for BOTH fronts AND THE SLEEVES! I bought this yarn ON SALE, at a store that CLOSED down, and I took the last of what they had anyway. It was on the sale rack which probably means that it is discontinued and I will be shit out of luck. I HATE KNITTING RIGHT NOW.
Maybe by some strange miracle two balls will be enough to complete the fronts and sleeves...maybe...maybe...
Maybe I'll be able to find more yarn online if two balls ISN'T enough...maybe...maybe...
So, should I just keep working on it anyway?? AHHHH!!
I want to start sewing more...because knitting is basically giving me a heart attack right now, but I have to start with stupid little things that i don't want to make before doing things that I DO want to make. I want to make this...NOW. Too bad I can't afford a four dollar pattern and fabric right now.
I need to replace the needle I'm using for the cable cardigan (the one that broke). I'll probably do that tonight...maybe I'll get excited about knitting again.
I'm not really excited about anything anymore, to be honest.
OH, and the best part of all is that I can feel a fresh pimple popping painfully out from under my nose. FUCK YOU, face, seriously
On another rant...I feel so sick of knitting lately. I get to the armholes of the breezy jacket thing I'm working on and I notice that I'm almost out of yarn...AGAIN. So, I'm going to have to start a new ball (that's ball #3) on the back. I only bought 5 one-and-three-fourths-ounce balls (as the pattern told me to do) and if I use three of them on the back, that leaves only two for BOTH fronts AND THE SLEEVES! I bought this yarn ON SALE, at a store that CLOSED down, and I took the last of what they had anyway. It was on the sale rack which probably means that it is discontinued and I will be shit out of luck. I HATE KNITTING RIGHT NOW.
Maybe by some strange miracle two balls will be enough to complete the fronts and sleeves...maybe...maybe...
Maybe I'll be able to find more yarn online if two balls ISN'T enough...maybe...maybe...
So, should I just keep working on it anyway?? AHHHH!!
I want to start sewing more...because knitting is basically giving me a heart attack right now, but I have to start with stupid little things that i don't want to make before doing things that I DO want to make. I want to make this...NOW. Too bad I can't afford a four dollar pattern and fabric right now.
I need to replace the needle I'm using for the cable cardigan (the one that broke). I'll probably do that tonight...maybe I'll get excited about knitting again.
I'm not really excited about anything anymore, to be honest.
OH, and the best part of all is that I can feel a fresh pimple popping painfully out from under my nose. FUCK YOU, face, seriously
8.3.07
Long time, no blog
I haven't blogged in a while...of course, I have been thinking about blogging. I just haven't gotten around to it. The truth is, lately, I have been more than a little bit cynical and that cynicism has found its way into my knitting as well. I haven't really blogged about knitting because there hasn't really been anything to blog about.
While I haven't been knitting I've been looking for jobs. I've decided that I don't actually want to be a receptionist. I think I'm way overqualified for that and working such a job would only make me feel like I was wasting my time for the sake of a buck. So, the job thing has sort of moved backward in time a bit...negative progress...starting all over, in fact. I've found a position at a local hospital that I am going to apply for...just as soon as I get my cover letter and resume figured out. I hate cover letters...I never know what to say and I hate to brag about myself. I know that I have a good personality and I also know that my heart is in it, but I just don't think I'm very good at writing those things down...I'm better at SHOWING it, you know? But I won't get a chance to show it if they aren't impressed by my resume...it's so vicious, this cycle. Well, anyway...I haven't been wasting my time. I'm a little bit slow to make progress; I always have been...but I WILL eventually make the progress I have been promising. I just don't want to do things the wrong way...I want to do it all right the first time.
Today, I went with some Starbucks friends to go knitting. It was fun...I don't know...I've really started to like "girl time." And, boy, are we GIRLY when we get together!! :) Anyway, here's my progress on my side project:
This "side project" has become my ACTUAL project now because the needle I am using for the cable cardigan BROKE!! I don't have the money to buy a new one right now, so it has been put on hold. I don't know if I will ever finish it. I don't think I like cables. I like the end result, but I think it's too tedious for me...lace, I can do; cables, maybe not. Isn't that funny? lace is more tedious, probably, but I find it more enjoyable.
Oh, and not only did the needle fall apart in my hands...but I saw that I had made a mistake and had to rip out an entire repeat...here's what THAT looked like:
See all that crinkly and angry yarn? Yeah...cables and I are definitely having a fight.
I also don't want to do cables because I'm eagerly waiting for spring and summer. Cables are so...I don't know...WINTER. I want to knit a tank or something light and airy to wear downtown on a beach day, you know? I think most people are starting to feel that way about now...and todays GORGEOUS weather only made it worse for me.
Whatever.
While I haven't been knitting I've been looking for jobs. I've decided that I don't actually want to be a receptionist. I think I'm way overqualified for that and working such a job would only make me feel like I was wasting my time for the sake of a buck. So, the job thing has sort of moved backward in time a bit...negative progress...starting all over, in fact. I've found a position at a local hospital that I am going to apply for...just as soon as I get my cover letter and resume figured out. I hate cover letters...I never know what to say and I hate to brag about myself. I know that I have a good personality and I also know that my heart is in it, but I just don't think I'm very good at writing those things down...I'm better at SHOWING it, you know? But I won't get a chance to show it if they aren't impressed by my resume...it's so vicious, this cycle. Well, anyway...I haven't been wasting my time. I'm a little bit slow to make progress; I always have been...but I WILL eventually make the progress I have been promising. I just don't want to do things the wrong way...I want to do it all right the first time.
Today, I went with some Starbucks friends to go knitting. It was fun...I don't know...I've really started to like "girl time." And, boy, are we GIRLY when we get together!! :) Anyway, here's my progress on my side project:
This "side project" has become my ACTUAL project now because the needle I am using for the cable cardigan BROKE!! I don't have the money to buy a new one right now, so it has been put on hold. I don't know if I will ever finish it. I don't think I like cables. I like the end result, but I think it's too tedious for me...lace, I can do; cables, maybe not. Isn't that funny? lace is more tedious, probably, but I find it more enjoyable.
Oh, and not only did the needle fall apart in my hands...but I saw that I had made a mistake and had to rip out an entire repeat...here's what THAT looked like:
See all that crinkly and angry yarn? Yeah...cables and I are definitely having a fight.
I also don't want to do cables because I'm eagerly waiting for spring and summer. Cables are so...I don't know...WINTER. I want to knit a tank or something light and airy to wear downtown on a beach day, you know? I think most people are starting to feel that way about now...and todays GORGEOUS weather only made it worse for me.
Whatever.
1.3.07
A confession
I broke my rule of working on one project at a time. I know, I know!! It didn't last very long. I have an excuse. If I were to work on only one project right now, I would not be knitting very often...and that's that. While I think the cables are cool and all, it kills my hands and neck to work on it for more than one repeat (actually, one repeat take a lot out of me, but I force myself to complete it). So, I started the next project in my line-up. I showed you this picture before:
Here's what I have so far:
That's the start of the back. It's just plain old stockinette. So, it doesn't kill my hands like the cables.
DON'T WORRY. I have not given up on the cables. I HAVE NOT GIVEN UP. It's just a slow moving, ongoing kind of thing. Although, I hope I can finish it before it turns too warm to wear it. It's VERY bulky because of the yarn I chose. I probably should have gone for a cotton yarn instead. WHATEVER.
In fact, once I finish the final cable repeat for the back of the Cable Cardigan, I will put down my second project...it's just plain stockinette after the 8 1/2 th repeat. I don't know why I'm making excuses. I'm allowed to knit whatever the hell I want, right?
I'm on my second cup of coffee with zero food intake. I'm going to go take care of that now.
Here's what I have so far:
That's the start of the back. It's just plain old stockinette. So, it doesn't kill my hands like the cables.
DON'T WORRY. I have not given up on the cables. I HAVE NOT GIVEN UP. It's just a slow moving, ongoing kind of thing. Although, I hope I can finish it before it turns too warm to wear it. It's VERY bulky because of the yarn I chose. I probably should have gone for a cotton yarn instead. WHATEVER.
In fact, once I finish the final cable repeat for the back of the Cable Cardigan, I will put down my second project...it's just plain stockinette after the 8 1/2 th repeat. I don't know why I'm making excuses. I'm allowed to knit whatever the hell I want, right?
I'm on my second cup of coffee with zero food intake. I'm going to go take care of that now.
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