It only took 4 years.....

....for me to finish a piece of needlework.

Here it is:



A close up of the top:



the middle:



and the bottom:



This is the Mystery sample, which concluded after 15 parts, in December 2006 in the Embroiderers Guild of America publication Needle Arts. And it is done. Finally. I started it in 2005. I guess I had a 7 year itch to get 'er done.

At some point I'll write about why I gave up needle work for 4 years. Tonight isn't the night.

Thanks for stopping by.

New Project - Lettuce Vanda

It's been a while since I used Knitter's Magazine for anything other than "oo, pretty" moments. However, when my Eat.Sleep.Knit Malabrigo club shipment arrived last month, I went in search of a pattern I liked. (The one they sent would not complement my figure, if you know what I mean.)

I found a pattern in the Summer '08 issue called Vanda. The model was shown in what appeared to be a kettle dyed yarn, and I thought the Malabrigo would be prefect. I brought it with me to cast on while we were gone for our trip, but the sock took all the time. I finally cast on tonight, and I am loving it.

I am working on the sleeves first, both at once.



I had such a headache when I started this earlier tonight, but now it's almost gone. I became so engrossed in my progress, I forgot that my head hurt! Isn't knitting wonderful.

Going to bed now - nite!

And then there was needlework

I took a break from knitting. I know - shock - she can resist the pointy sticks.



It's been a while since I posted an update on one of my needlework projects, because I haven't picked one up in a looong time. But if I want to have something to compete with at State Fair this year, I better start being less monogamous. ;-)

The pattern for this part is in the picture, so you can appreciate scale. The pattern is 8.5 x 11 - that should give you an idea. And I'm working it in hand - no hoop, no stretcher bars. I'm doing it old school - like I did when I was a teenager. I was pretty proud of myself when I finished the Love Grows section. It's like riding a bicycle, almost.

The Big Zipper in progress

I've hinted at the fact that I do needlework. These elusive creatures come out of hiding every once in a while and taunt me. Making clucking noises and whispering "chicken", I smack them down and show them who's boss.

And if you don't use a skill, you lose it. Nature vs. nurture. Woman vs. fiber.



Doesn't look like much, does it? This is called the Big Zipper, in seven parts, by Bent Creek. The finished dimensions are 21" x 21". I'm stitching in hand, and if you couldn't tell, the whole piece is gridded to match the chart. That took way too long. The finished piece can be found here.

What's On The Needles

I finished another snuggle over the weekend, but Kevin reminded me that I owed him something.

He doesn't sleep well in the mornings on the weekends because the sun is up. He's a little light sensitive. I, on the other hand, can sleep anywhere, anytime, bright sun or pitch black. It's a gift I inherited from my father. Anyway, he wants an eye mask, a sleeping mask.

I started with prototype G1 last weekend. I'm using short rows to structure for the nose. Most eye masks have a notch for the nose, but I wanted to try something different. I am going to make them in a DK weight and Fingering weight. And since money is a little tight right now, I am going to try my hand at designing. So, in essence, I am creating my first published pattern. I already have an idea for socks that I have been wanting to make and a scarf. We'll see how my career goes as a designer.

Wish me luck!

What's On The Needles

I started a new bag. I'm calling it the Jewel Bag.



Lamb's Pride and Trendsetter Yarns Pepita.



Not too bad, so far. I hope it will felt nicely. I'm using US 6 needles. The design is basic, but I plan on adding embellishments and a leather handles.

I probably won't be blogging finished items this week, since the 4th of July is Friday.

What's On The Needles

Back to socks and hats this week. This weekend, I put some real effort into my Sock Madness Round 3 socks, Slippin Stripin is the name of the pattern.



You use two lace weights. In this case, Jojoland Melody and JaggerSpun Zephyr Wool Silk. The Jojoland had long variegations, and the Jaggerspun is a solid. The stipes are based on a AA, AB, BB, AB, AA color combination. The Jojoland is very thin, and I was almost tempted to triple up on it, but it's working out ok anyway. After finishing the first socks, and burying alllll the ends, I moved on to an old WIP that has been languishing since last July.



This pattern is called Wild Kat and is by Deby Lake. I don't know why I was so apprehensive about this pattern. Once I got through the first patter repeat, it was smooth sailing. These are knitting up very quickly. I really only started working on this Tuesday night, having completed the ribbed cuff and stuffed it in a bag almost a year ago, and I have the first sock done today. Not bad.

I think that once I'm done with these, I'll still be taking a break from the lace weight socks. The pattern is easy, but those needles are very stabby.

What's On The Needles

This week, it is yet another sock...



Noro Kureyon Sock in a basic rib. I wonder if I will be able to match up these "stripes". A bit more of a challenge.

I finished two pairs of socks over the weekend. Woohoo!

I am participating in the Mystic Light KAL and the first piece of the pattern was released today. Very cool. I'm looking forward to starting that one.

See you back here on Friday!

What's On The Needles

This is the new thing I can show you. I joined the Sock Knitters Pentathlon. This is a group that will be knitting 5 specific patterns leading up to the Summer Olympics. The yarn is from J. Knits in the colorway Los Angeles - the place I was born. The first Summer Olympics that I felt connected to was the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles. So this colorway seems somehow fitting.

I'm still working on the socks I'm calling Ribby Goodness. I am also test knitting a pair of socks, which I can't really speak of or obviously show off. I am using Cherry Tree Hill Sockittome, which is awesome. I think I may have enough left over for a pair of fingerless gloves.

Nagini remains unfinished, as do a number of other projects. I think that there will be nothing ready for Friday. Oh well. One week with no FO's won't kill me.

What's on the Needles

Here is the progress report - first off, Nagini:



I wanted to cast on a pair of Gigi Silva socks, and this was one of three patterns that she released for the last Harry Potter Book. I am hoping I don't run out of yarn. She warned that they used a lot of yarn due to the cables. I weighed 50 grams remaining when I was done with the first sock. It would really suck to get that close and run out. I could do the toes in a another yarn, though. The yarn is from Mackintosh Yarns in the colorway Voldemort.



I got the idea to make a preemie blanket, and here it is in progress. I am using Patons Cotton Club and doing this in Moss Stitch.




Nagini, since it employs cables, is not a good commuting socks, so I started these. A basic stockinette sock using Cosmic Fibers Gryffindor Second Year colorway. These are becoming a quick knit.

Check back on Friday to see what, if anything, I get done. Friday also is the first day of Stitches West!

What's On My Needles Wednesday

Ok - I still have the socks from last week, which will probably be included in the FO Friday post this week.

I did a bunch of baby hats over the weekend.

Then there is this....



It's a big person hat. I'm using TLC's Wiggles, and the only way I am satisfied with the appearance is if it's in plain stockinette. The yarn is ok to work with (for acrylic - yes, I'm a yarn snob). The "wiggles" will need to be coached when the hat is done. Many are going to the inside, which defeats the purpose of using the yarn. I have ripped it back twice. I tried a couple of different stitch patterns, and it just looked wrong. Oh well.

That's all for today. Check back on Friday for my finished Child's First Sock #2 - in Yarn Pirate!

What's On My Needles Wednesday

This week, it's one big Clapotis. I made a pretty good run at it last week, and by Saturday realized that I would not have enough yarn to finish. Frogged the whole thing and started over. I've made some adjustments to the pattern, and am tracking the usage very carefully.

I don't know why I am so obsessed with this. The yarn is from stash I found in storage that I know was purchased before my move to No Cal in 1991. I think I started something else with this, frogged it and put it in a bag. I am making some great progress, obviously.

This has been pretty much all I have worked on this week. I started another hat, worked on some swap socks (NOT a commuter project) and put a couple of rows on my chevron scarf.

I guess that's it for this week. Maybe I'll have this done by Friday. Maybe.

What's On My Needles Wednesday

I thought I would have time to take a picture of my new project, but that didn't happen. Hopefully it won't be finished by next week so I have something fun to show off. I am making another Clapotis. I made one a year ago with fingering weight. This time I am trying a sport weight cotton. We'll see how it goes.

I cast on a Chevron Scarf (Last Minute Knitted Gifts) last November and when it got too long to work on when I'm on the train, it was vanquished to the pile next to the couch. I pulled it out when we were traveling to So Cal over the holidays and made some major progress. I picked it up again a couple of days ago.



It may not look like it, but it's 55" long at this point. I have about 20" to go! Woot! I am using Koigu KPM and KPPPM. For some reason, I didn't think it would be so pink. I'm not a "pink" girl, but it looks pretty.

That's it for today. I have no idea what I'm going to post tomorrow. This 365 commitment is going to be a bit of a challenge. Quite simply, my life isn't that interesting.

What's On My Needles

I cast on a new project last night....



The pattern is My So Called Scarf. It's a lovely, easy pattern and I am nearly half way done with it. It's knitting up very quickly. The yarn is Baruffa Merinos Otto Shadow. The picture does not do the yarn justice. It is so squishy too!

I purchased the yarn when we were in Las Vegas last November, so this is souvenir. When we go to LV later this year, maybe it will be cold enough to wear this latest creation.

Summertime, and the living is easy.....

I love that song - great blues song. Find it on iTunes. You won't regret it

Summer has struck, all the signs are there. The temperature is rising. Racks of congratulatory cakes are out at Sam's Club. My allergies are still annoying. Plums not grown in South America are in the produce section. I'm not the only one wearing flip-flops. Children have that happy, "summer-break" look on their face. Parents have that "the kids are home for summer" look on their face. The surrounding hillsides are brown and looking ready to spontaneously combust. Oh, and we broke out the box fans.

As the end of the this month I celebrate yet another birthday, and the anniversary of something very special. I got my iPod last year for my birthday. Yes - my husband is amazing, and no - he has no brothers. What has changed in my life since this momentous occasion? Well, for one, I'm reading fewer books. I used to finish a book, on average, every 10 days. I think I have read 3-4 since last summer. Bad, very bad. Pod casts have replaced reading. Something else that has changed - I have been possessed by knitting and I have the stash to show for it. Who do I blame for this particular phenomenon? The sock yarn is the fault of Lime N Violet, aka, my crack dealers. These sirens of socky goodness turned me on to Liza Souza, The Loopy Ewe and Etsy to name just a few. There is the patron saint of knitting, Ms. Brenda Danye, that reestablished my faith is the rightness of knitting. Then there are the other pod casters out there that feed my knitting hunger. Thank you all. But, there is a dark side to this. My needlework has languished, hidden away and ignored like a red-headed step child. My scrap booking has had more attention, and that's not saying much.

In all things, a balance must be struck. I'll work on that. Soon.

So, this week wasn't a blow out. I didn't get that much done. I still am working on two pairs of socks, and I have another snuggle blanket in the works. I did finish three things though.

No. 1 - a seed stitch pillow cover which I have to sew up and stuff and no I don't have a picture of that yet since it really isn't done. (Now that is a bad sentence.) I used Lion Wool Ease in the color Wood. With the leftover's, I did No. 2.

No. 2 - a watchman's cap for the Ship's Project.



The pattern used was "Ellen's Knit Hat", which is a free pattern from Lion's website.

No. 3 - a square for Warm Up America



I am using Paton's Canadian for squares and snuggle blankets. I have way too much of this yarn, and figured this would be a good use for it. I am half way through another snuggle blanket and another square.

Last, but not least...

No. 4 - snuggle blanket for ARF.



Made with one skein Red Heart Baby Soft in the color Key West. The finished size was 19.5" x 19.5" and was knit on size 6US needles ( I was nuts - it took for-ev-er). My charity basket is overflowing, and I need to ship stuff out this month.

I joined another blog this week - Save Cash! Use Your Stash! It's pretty cool. You calculate how much money you save by using your own stash to make something, instead of going out and buying more. The yarn I used for my completed projects this week came to $9.19. Not much, but it's a start.

I gave some attention to my Chevron scarf, which will need major blocking when it's done. I was 3/4ths of the way finished when I ripped it ALL out and started over with size 8US needles, instead of the recommended 5US. But, that's a story for when I am done. I am hoping this week.

I guess that's all for now. I'll talk with you soon!

New Sock WIP, Felting Update & your friendly neighborhood Spider-man

I started these on Tuesday. I've gotten to the point that I have to have a pair of socks "on the needles". This is Meilenwiet Mega Boots Stretch, and I am knitting a basic crew sock. IT IS TAKING FOREVER!!!!! I don't have it in front of me, but I think I'm knitting these on 2mm needles, and the gauge is fine. I cast on 68 stitches, and I turned the heel on the second sock last night, but that was after knitting on it for h-o-u-r-s. Suddenly, I have no patience.

I neglected to mention that the felting of the messenger bag turned out better than expected. It shrank - a lot - and it is about the size I would like. I think I might line it and add a rigid base to it. We'll see. I'm not happy with the strap, it is a little wide. Oh well. Live and learn. I'll take a picture of it when it is ready to be used.

Today we went and saw Spider-Man. Loved it! I know some critics weren't crazy about, but coming from a fan-girl married to someone who has loved Spidey since he was old enough to pick up and read a comic book, it was worth the wait. Though not completely true to the comic book, they haven't gone off on enough tangents to give true Spidey fans a nervous tick, unlike X-Men. I couldn't stop sputtering for days after each of those - oh, what they did to my beloved X-Men. We'll see if they make a mess of Silver Surfer. Hope springs eternal.

Be back with you in a day or two when I finish this WIP!

Norway Day 2007

This was the 15th year that Norway Day has celebrated Norwegian Heritage and Culture in San Francisco. Held the first weekend in May, I have attended quite a few. This year, all in all, was ok.

It was a beautiful day, clear and warm. The State Secretary of Norway, Liv Monica Stubholt, opened the festival.



The Board President, Arne Morkemo, can be seen in the background.

Held at Herbst Pavillion at Fort Mason, it's pretty much decorated the same year after year.



Unfortunately, the venue doesn't have the best acoustics or staging for showing films. However, they do try very hard to bring variety. There were food demonstrations...



I didn't write down this gentleman's name, but he was a representative from Norwill, a company that is providing traditional food from Norway. He gave a presentation on cured meat. Mmmm, tasty.

Also, there were several musical presentations, but the National Anthems of Norway and the United States are always performed by the Normanna Chorus.



Also performing this year was Annette Munkeby, an accomplished saxophonist, that performed a number of pieces, including a few by Edvard Grieg. This year is the Centennial anniversary of his death. His pieces were never written to accommodate Saxophone, but Ms. Munkeby's arrangements were quite enjoyable.

There was also a first time presentation of Terje Vigen, a musical based on the poem by Henrik Ibsen. It is a one-man performance, performed by London West End Artist Andrew Bain. This is a minimalist stage production, as there is a film that runs through the performance. Mr. Bain "recites" the poem with the film as the backdrop. The music and arrangement of the poem was quite innovative, but the venue, as stated, is ill prepared for such things. The sun shining through the windows was so bright (yes, I know, rare in SF), it "overexposed" the screen, making the film virtually impossible to see.

The Daughters of Norway, a heritage and culturally society for women of Norwegian descent, had a few booths, and I was able to pick up something we haven't had for 7 years....



This is called Kranse Kake. Made from almonds, it is a "cake" made for festive occasions. It was a big hit when we had it at our wedding. This is a tiny one, but they are so rare to see, I had to have one. Kevin and I "toasted" on anniversary a month early Saturday night. It brought back a lot of good memories.

Just as a side note, I like beer. I like to have Norwegian beer when I attend Norway Day. There are several that are available. I heard they ship it in glass bottles even. However this year we had this:



German beer. Yes, I bought some. Had to have it with my Norwegian hot dog. However, when I bought it, there was a old-timer next to me who "voiced concern" that they were serving beer from "there". He was about the right age to remember what it was like during WWII, and a lot of those folks remember the German occupation only too well. There is some irony that German beer was the only beer available at Norway Day. Maybe I'll send the organizers a brief note reminding them that other options are available, including several micro-brews from San Francisco. I have nothing against German beer, but there are still a large number of attendees that incurred heavy losses during WWII. There is no reason to bring up such painful memories on such a festive occasion.

We also visited Fort Point before we headed home. The view was beautiful...



It's hard to see in this picture, but if you go to the Flickr page, you can blow it up. In the foreground, to the left of the sail boat, is a man in a teak row boat. It was quite a site - a row boat, a sail boat and a cargo ship. The rower didn't go as far as the anchorage, but he was still a site to see.

A post without knitting wouldn't be a post. I started a sock while at Norway Day. I had plenty of opportunities to sit and knit. During the food demonstrations and general musical performances - in other words, not during Terje Vigen - I worked on my Simple Trekking Sock. I was able to get this much finished during the day:



Not too bad. I finished it this morning. Now to cast on the second sock.

Last but not least, what no California commuter ever wants to see:



As seen from the overpass going from Emeryville to the the 24 west. This is the "melted" freeway that collapsed on 4/29/07. Kevin has to deal with it everyday, but luckily he works in Emeryville, so his impact is on the way home, which has been minimal. The bridge construction and repair history in the Bay Area has been dismal. However, it appears they are following the formula of Northridge Quake reconstruction, and the overpass may be repaired in as little as two months. That will be something to see.

That's all for now. Thanks for dropping by!