Something about cotton

In California, summer weather doesn't actually end in September, more like the end of October and then maybe here & there in November. Maybe that's why it seems like I have a lot of cotton yarn on my needles, whether I actually like it or not.


(No cute mug shot of Monkey2 as she's got steri-tape covering a boo-boo on her chin)

Barefoot Knits tank top in size 6 for Monkey2
Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece in Carribean Sea - I swear I made a dent in this stash.
size 7 KP circs

Mods:
- Converted the pattern into the round 'til the armhole split. While I understand the authors' reasons for knitting flat, knitting cotton yarn in the round is so much more fun than seaming cotton pieces together.
- knitted the 2 straps from one side only and did a 3-needle bind off to attach them to the other side
- currently basted lavender hemming tape to the straps to prevent them from stretching. Will do a more permanent sewing job when I buy ribbon/bias tape/hemming tape in a matching turquoise color.


Kiddie Cadet - still unblocked
child size
size 7 KP circs
mod: extended body 1" before doing crown decreases

This is actually the second kiddie cadet hat I've made. The first one I made was in blue for Monkey2's classmate who's been fighting stage 4 neuroblastoma since his diagnosis 4 months ago. His chemotherapy & surgery haven't been successful, so we all continue to pray.


In the "it can feel like cotton" department, I've finally finished my first Digitessa sock in the corresponding Wollmeise colorway that came in Yarnissima's kit.


I'm pretty sure my first sock is full of errors even with a bunch of tinking back. Because my row gauge is more compressed than the pattern spec despite using larger needles, I ended up in a different spot on the top of foot pattern when it came time to do the transition to all k1tbl/p1 ribbing. While not as elegant looking as the original pattern, it at least works.

It's one of the drawbacks of putting this sock down and only knitting it while I'm at the cabin. I've actually re-done the bind off at the top of the sock since I took these pics up at the cabin. My first 2 attempts with my usual EZ sewn bind off method came out unusually tight. So I changed the bind off to Yarnissima's which is to bind off in pattern but w/the yarn doubled. Worked like a charm. Now if I can knit the second sock without having to wait 'til our next cabin trip...


Speaking of taking so long, but I finally re-cast on my Marilyn Not So Shrunken Cardigan. I had forgotten how quick this was as I managed to knit 7.5" worth in raglan length over the long Labor Day weekend. It's the last 3" before the sleeve separation that seems to take forever.

In Season

I like having short-cuffed socks for the summer. The San Francisco fog makes for toe-chilling mornings, but the afternoon sun requires shorter cuffs.


Rockin' Sock Club July kit
pattern: In Season by Melissa Morgan-Oakes
pattern size: small, modified to 60 sts on the foot instead of 58.
yarn: STR lightweight in Garden Daze
needles: size 2.50 mm KP circs


Per Marcy's suggestion, I used MomofTwins' modification of slipping the primary cable on the In Season pattern in the cuff.


And remember these from last summer's alternate RSC pattern, the Sweet Tart socks? Now all felted & shrunk. Waah!


Monkey1 had lost them somewhere but couldn't remember where exactly. All she knew was that she didn't lose them at school. Well, our neighbor found them in her home and as is our habit in finding errant kids clothes, she washed and dried them in her machines before sending it back. The one time when having a good neighbor has its drawbacks.

Of course the replacement pair just has to be the exact same colorway and I don't have enough leftover yarn to make Monkey1 a new pair. Thankfully Hot Flash is still up on the BMFA website so I'll be ordering a new skein. Sigh.

Summertime & the living is easy?

Not necessarily, but stockinette stitch surely is.


Tiered Skirt from Barefoot Knits book
Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece in:
Cotton Ball, Carribean Sea & Emperor's Robe
size 7 KP circs

Converted the pattern to top down & in the round. Also upsized the circumference to size 12/14. As with Monkey2's Twirly Skirt, I knit the waistband closed 'cept for a 1-2" gap to insert the elastic as I knit along. Did not porportionally increase the length 'cause I figured the Cotton Fleece already would be heavy. I've already adjusted the elastic band 3 times to keep the skirt from slipping. I'll have to adjust it one more time based on Monkey1's feedback after she wore it to her summer program before I washed/blocked it.

And when I did wash/block it, despite the white vinegar the dark blue bled like the dickens unlike Monkey2's pink/red Tiered Skirt. I found that totally ironic. Maybe I didn't add enough vinegar as Monkey1's skirt is much bigger.

Also done are:


Kai Mei from Cookie A's Sock Innovation
Pigeonroof Studios Siren Two sock in Midnight Haze
size 2.50 mm KP circs


I had major Second Sock Screw Up Syndrome with the left sock. For some reason I couldn't keep track of either my gusset decreases nor the paired increase/decrease stitches to make the lace panel travel. Even using tally marks on a piece of paper didn't help. While I re-did the gusset at least once, buy the time I got to the end of the foot, I lost patience & kinda winged the fix.

In any case, with the super soft merino/cashmere/nylon blend, I'll most likely wear this pair around the house rather than out & about in a pair of shoes.

Oh, and speaking of Cookie A, check out the website for her second book! Tapmouse picked up a copy of the flyer at Sock Summit and showed it to me. My sample sock isn't in any of the pics, but it is a variation so to speak of one of them. Totally looking forward to next spring ('cause someone in the know told me Feb 2010 is a little to early).

Once upon a time...

I could sew. Not so much anymore. Then again I had way more time and patience in jr high for the fiddly parts than I do now. Ironic since I love to knit and crochet.



Drawstring bag:
I looked at a bunch of free online tutorials & and cobbled elements of all of them to use up 2 entire fat quarters just to see how big a bag I'd get and to check my m-i-l's sewing machine after we had it serviced. I figure it would be a good way to re-start my sewing since it involved only straight lines. I still need to take final measurements but it's large enough for Monkey1 to fit one skein of Red Heart super saver skein for her crochet project (she wants to make a throw blanket!), her lanyard project, and a pair of shorts. So far, the seams are holding, but I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

Knitted Babe Flower Power Mini pattern:
Since it was a long time since I sewed a garment, even a little doll one, I just blindly followed the pattern without checking online if there were errata or construction issues. I only realized after I cut the pieces that the size given for the skirt portion was too small to give the fuller gathered skirt look. I could either cut an additional piece to add on or re-cut another piece more to the correct size. Since Monkey1 was fine with the less-than-full skirt look, I just finished off the skirt. I had issues with the order for sewing the lining of the bodice 'cause it left me w/doing the armhole last w/bias tape. PITA so it looks really sloppy/crappy at the underarm seam. But the rest of the dress is okay. Next time I sew a dress/outfit from the book though, I'll need to do a full-on pattern review before I start cutting & sewing.


Knitted Babe Net Tutu:
Knit Picks Palette in Blush, I think
size 3 KP circs
scrap netting/tulle sewn in by hand - I've been keeping an eye out at the local Joann's & finally snagged a remnant in pink recently


And I'm finally making significant progress on my first Digitessa sock. I messed up the beginning of the gusset because I got confused w/the charts and waffled on which side my M1P right and M1P left were supposed to go. I'm now on chart 5B for the leg and upsized my needle to a size 2 (2.75 mm) to account for the snuggest portion of the leg.

Next up: If I remember, I'll flash my custom buy stash that tapmouse got me from Sock Summit 2009 since I couldn't go.

Feeling caught up...

...even though not much knitting has been done due to soccer practice starting up and helping my sister move into her new place. But her moving meant I had a clear bed to block my second Ulmus finally.


yarn: Socks that Rock lightweight in Potomac & Falcon's Eye
needles: size 5 KP nickel-plated circs as opposed to the Harmony circs used on Ulmus I
pattern size: large


And since I won't be going to Sock Summit, just living vicariously through all my knitting friends that are, I don't have homework to do and can casually work on my WIP's. So far I've got one Kai Mei sock done. Have I mentioned how much I love the squishiness of Pigeonroof Studio's Siren Two sock yarn? Lurve it.

Feeling a little behind

All my knitting friends and non-knitting friends (but they're all still really crafty!) are scoffing right now at that title. Maybe it's just cause RL is busy with visits from old college friends and general summer activities with the Monkeys. Or maybe it's when the summer fog comes in and hovers around that makes me feel all emo and not very zen. Who knows.


But see, I am behind on blocking my second Ulmus! One bed is unavailable since my sister is staying with me 'til she gets settled in after her move up here. And I just need to find the time to clear off the other bed to have the space to do it. So very briefly:

yarn: Socks That Rock lightweight in Potomac & Falcon's Eye (love this combo too!)
pattern size: "large"
needles size: US 5 KP circs


As Tapmouse says, you can't just have one (pair) when it comes to the Cottys. Lovely written pattern & definitely a quick knit.


pattern: Cotty by the every lovely Irishgirlieknits
yarn: Socks that Rock lightweight in Plankton Ooze
needle size: 2.50 mm KP nickel-plated dpns
mods: none 'cept less pointy toe


Also moving along, though much more slowly as I'm on the traveling lace panel portion, is my first Kai Mei sock. The Pigeonroof Studios Siren Two sock yarn (superwash merino/cashmere/nylon) is so scrumptious.

A good Thursday

I finished my May RSC sock pair just in time. Don't scroll down too far if you don't want to be spoiled with the July RSC kit.


My back is much better, but not 100% so I'm not chancing the contortions needed to take a pic of the pair on my feet.


yarn: STR lightweight in Pepe Le Plume
pattern: Fraggle Squiggle
pattern size: medium
needle size: 2.25 mm KP dpns
mods suggested by pattern designer:
- Squiggled the gusset decreases
- Patterned toe


After an aborted attempt at the Dippers pattern (cool pattern, non-pleasing-to-me fat striping of the colorway), I cast on for another pair of Cottys, this time in STR lightweight in Plankton Ooze. Much better color patterning. I will definitely re-cast on for the Dippers, just in a more semi-solid colorway.


But while at the doctor's last week, I cast on for another Cookie A sock, Kai-Mei, since I wanted something more portable than my other WIP's and much, much easier, at least for the leg. The yarn is Pigeonroof Studio's Siren Two sock yarn in Midnight Haze.


What can I say about the July RSC kit that hasn't already been said. Bright fun colorway, interesting pattern, and kick-@ss bumper sticker.

End of Vacation

Monkey1 took this on the way to the little lake where we've been hanging out most of the week:


I have no idea where Monkey1 took this pic, so I'll say it's in the cabin neighborhood:


Love all these pansies popping up in the drainage ditches around the neighborhood:


With a little pop of yellow as well:


Lots of these to blow on:


All my vacation WIP's minus my Digitessa which is only halfway through the gusset:


Left to right: Around the pansies our friend picked, my second Ulmus (Potomac/Falcon's Eye) almost to the small size count, Fraggle Squiggle almost to the heel, and Monkey1's tiered skirt almost to the the next tier.

We're so pooped out, we may need to catch up on our rest at work. ;)

Happy 4th of July and Happy Birthday Wei!

Vacation count

Halfway through our vacation and we've got:
- one pre-trip orthodontic emergency
- one major knee abrasion
- one horse fly bite (Ow! Foolish me wearing capris & not jeans)
- multiple mosquito bites

- and two pairs of socks done:


Cotty socks by lovely Irishgirlieknits
Pigeonroof Studios SIREN TWO sport (superwash merino/cashmere/nylon) in Orchida
size 3.00 & 3.25 mm KP dpns

Love this quick easy pattern which is available in fingering & sport weight yarn. Love the feel of the yarn, but surprised that the the spreckled colorway was way too busy even for the Cotty pattern. Maybe the lace portion will look better after the socks are blocked.


I'll probably knit this pattern again in STR since we're having a Cotty and Dippers KAL on the Socks that Rawk Rav group.


Cat Bordhi's new sock architecture
Socks that Rock lightweight Rare Gems - a My Blue Heaven off-shoot over-dyed with black
size 2.25 & 2.50 mm KP circs

Leg pattern is Crest of the Wave using the chart from Charlene Schurch's More Sensational Knitted Socks. Since the Rare Gem colorway reminded me of the tonal & shade changes of the Pacific Ocean from the shoreline to the horizon, I thought the Crest of the Wave pattern fitting.

I think that'll be it for the vacation FO's. The rest of my WIP's (Ulmus II, Monkey1's tiered skirt, Digitessa sock 1 (still!), and Fraggle Squiggle) aren't far enough along that I'll get any completed by the end of the week. That and I'm boucing between all of them so no one project is getting my focused attention.

Ulmus & Twirly

My first Ulmus is done!


pattern: Ulmus - large size
yarns: STR lightweight in Dutch Canyon (~74 g) & Mossay (at least ~141 g)
needle: size 5 KP circs

unblocked base x height = 40" x 20"
blocked base x height = 63" x 25"


I love how it can be considered a large scarf or a small shawlette. I love it so much that I'll probably make the second Ulmus in the large size too.

Also done is Monkey2's Twirly Skirt/Poncho. But because I upsized 1 too many, it's a little too big. So Monkey1 borrowed it for the chilly slightly foggy morning and struck this pose because "that's how all the models do it." (Uh-oh, no ANTM please!)


Clearly Monkey2 was less than pleased that her skirt/poncho was absconded by Monkey1, so no modelled pic of the FO as a skirt could be taken for the moment.


yarn: Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece in Cotton Ball, Pink-a-Boo, Tea Rose, and Candy Apple
pattern size: 8 (at least there's lots of growing room)
size 7 KP circs

Mods:
- Converted to in the round
- Knitted the waistband closed 'cept for a 1" gap for elastic insertion
- Faked the drawstring look by running a shortish i-cord through the 2 drawstring holes in the front

Summer knitting

If it ever gets here. While the moisture the drizzle has brought is welcome, it's a strange sight in Northern California in June.


pattern nickname: Nori (for a mermaid in Barbie Fairtopia Mermaidia, not the dried seaweed sushi wrap)
yarn: Tahki Palma & Caribbean (4 balls) & Fuchsia (1 ball)
size: somewhere in a girls 12-14 range
overall design by: Monkey1


My contribution was to add bias tape to the neckline because I purposely made it wider than the few patterns out there for conservative coverage reasons. Not sure how well the bias tape will keep the neckline from drooping over the course of a day of wearing. There's the distinct possibility that it would make the neckline too stiff and gape open. If it happens, there's going to be some ripping and re-knitting of the neckline.


Monkey1 wanted the tank top to be more close-fitting and less A-line. I wanted a little growing room, but also wanted to take cotton's droop/growth factor into account. I hope I balanced that right. I'm sure I broke a lot of cotton knitting rules however.


The spaghetti straps were Monkey1's idea which makes me nervous. I almost knit the i-cord around a piece of elastic or cord for stability, but I took a chance and decided not to. The cute decorative buttons placement were her idea since she decided against thicker straps with adjustable buttonholes.

While it was fun knitting without a pattern (not that there was one - or two if I also upsized - to deviate from), it was a little stressful for me. I didn't mind the frogging back some here and there to adjust the decreases to work for Monkey1 (cotton is so forgiving that way), but I can see how I wouldn't be cut out to be a fledging knitwear designer that needs to adjust the pattern for the whole depth & breathe of sizes per some industry standard.


Now that one of Monkey1's summer knit items is done, I'm working on Monkey2's Twirly Skirt in some Cotton Fleece I bought on sale when a lys owner closed her San Leandro location and re-opened in Alameda. I went up one size too many since I was going off finished pattern measurements noted in the INKnitter's version (now defunct) with no garment sizes noted and my inaccurate measurements of a squirmy Monkey2. I didn't double-check the Barefoot Knits site which also gave garment sizes along with the finished measurements, otherwise I would've gone for the correct size. With a little help from some elastic tape, at least she'll have lots of growing room. And worse comes to worse, the Twirly Skirt is also billed as a poncho.

Swatching around

In between whittling down my sock WIP list, tapmouse & I were having a little bit of fun combining various STR skeins for the STR Ulmus KAL on Ravelry.

My first choice based on a stash pic I took a few months back is Dutch Canyon & Mossay:


My original second choice was Potomac and Petrified Wood. I discovered this while rooting around my stash and talking to tapmouse about her potential Potomac combinations.


She then suggested Potomac & Mossay, while perfectly fine, didn't give me the aha! or instant love reaction for me.


So then I started seeing knitters starting their Ulmus,' especially tapmouse's Footzey Foo & Harlotty combo and someone's Petrified Wood & Lucky combo and was inspired to try Potomac and Falcon's Eye. Now this was interesting.


So the swatching began with Dutch Canyon/Mossay first:


I then started the Potomac/Falcon's Eye swatch with the intention of also swatching Potomac & Petrified Wood, but because my Dutch Canyon/Mossay was already coming out deeper & darker than I had anticipated, I decided to stop with just the 2 swatches.


In fact, I've already decided that both swatches will eventually become full-blown Ulmus shawl/shawlettes (depending how far I get with the lightweight yardage). What'll be fun & interesting is when I get further along to take a pic of the "back" side of the shawl. Sometimes, the color combo on the reverse side is just as interesting, if not more so.


While up at the cabin for the long holiday weekend, we stopped in downtown Sonora to do some business. Usually we drive through downtown on the way to one of our family adventures, so I took the opportunity to drag the family into By Hand Yarn which I've only managed to get to once before. It's a really nice roomy lys in the Sierra foothills.


I went in with the intention of just browsing & checking out stuff for inspiration when I momentarily fell off the yarn diet wagon. I will say however, that I forgot that my Monkeys can be quite the yarn enablers. Monkey1 directed my attention away from their Shibui stock (no Wasabi!) to a cute little baby sundress store sample done in the Caribbean & Fuchsia colors in Tahki Palma yarn. It's their new organic cotton yarn (I assume the base only as I'm doubtful of the dyes are) and the store sample felt quite lovely.


I grabbed what was left of the Caribbean & a few Fuchsias in hopes that I have enough for a tank top for Monkey1. I'm sorta winging it based on a couple free online patterns & my gauge since Monkey1 is in that dreaded tween size range where there are barely any free or pay patterns around.