Ooo! Pretty!

Well! Initially I was concerned about the stitch definition of this project, but as it grows the problem all but disappears, and it's already super warm, dense, and soft as can be.

I was thinking about giving it to Sempei Todd when he earns his third dan and gets his own dojo (I'm gonna miss that guy), but I think I'll have to pry it from my own fingers first! He can get by with just some socks, right?

For this project I decided to give cabling without a cable needle a shot, and while I'm not sure it saves a ton of time it definitely is less cumbersome than having to grab a plastic hook every couple of stitches. For this scarf I've only been using a cable needle for the eight stitch ribbed cables bordering the braided ones every six rows. Sometimes a twisted stitch appears from when it was transferred from one needle to another, but that's easy to fix and I'm sure this method will be used again, especially in the car when I drop my cable needle down the crack between the seat and the door for the tenth f#%*ing time.

Partial Luck and Substitution

Alright, so after some debate I finally decided to knit my year-three-and-up Harry Potter scarf from Lion Brand Wool-Ease, in Gryffindor colors for now and maybe another house once I recover from the ribbing coma. But my paycheck has a week or so to show up, so I've been knitting this scarf only in my daydreams. I thought about it all the time--the stripes, the rib, the fringe, how it would wash. Then the other day when I was antiquing with my Grandma Helen and my sister, I was thinking extra hard. Wishing and hoping for Wool-Ease. How much would I need for the main color? Four skeins? Certainly the contrasting color would only need one. Wool-Ease...Wool-Ease...Wool-Ease...I paused in one of the little booths to peek in an old trunk. Rug kit, embroidery...oh my gosh NO WAY! What did I find?

Four skeins of Wool-Ease, for $7.20. That's only $1.80 a skein, folks! Granted, it's not the right color for any kind of Hogwarts house scarf, but I think I've found something to divert me for a good long time while I wait. After a search on Ravelry, I pulled up the Gwynedd pattern from Knitty winter 2008. It's a gorgeous reversible cable scarf, super thick to hold up against winter winds. It's sure to take quite a while, but I figure it'll be the perfect landscape to try out this new technique on, and get an awesome result at the end of it!

Two Gifts Done!

I handed over the completed Tridactyl gloves to Bonnie last night for her 15th birthday. She had been asking for fingerless mitts, but I couldn't have her know what her present was! There had to be SOME surprise! But she loved them, and they'll serve her well on the bench.

I thought this pattern was pretty original, and the wave pattern kept it mildly interesting, although it was still kind of a zone-out meditation project in some parts, so it was cool for watching movies.

The twisted rib cuff is extra tight, and should keep snow out. I think I'm going to try it out on my next pair of mittens for me-in fact, I'm kind of surprised I didn't try it before :P

I also finished Kelley O's bday hat, but I don't have any pics yet. I'll post one once I give it to her-I think the off white is going to contrast fabulously with her reddish-auburn hair :)

Alpaca

I officially love the stuff. My scarf is finished, and I couldn't be happier. My dad is extremely proud of his yarn choice. Kudos!

The end result is fuzzy (hence the blur in the picture), light, and warm. Will be great for fall, maybe a bit light for our hardcore winters, but that problem can be easily solved with yet another scarf. Or I could just wear all of my past creations, but a Gryffindor scarf would be really cool...and maybe a Ravenclaw one after that?

Nanoo, nanoo!

Quick check in-the first Tridactyl glove (or, er, mitten?) is finished, and the second on the needles. When I showed it off yesterday, an unexpected perk was discovered by my aunt...

...while wearing them, you can hold your wine glass oh-so-elegantly, like so. Although why you'd drink wine outside in that kind of cold I'm not entirely positive. To each his own, I suppose.

Another Hermione Hat Finished!

I finished this hat while stitching and bitching at a emmydee's for a sleepover:

I had been worried that my overly large head would tug open gaps around the cables and make it a little less warm, but I think my fears were unfounded. I'm sure I'll find out for real when the mercury dips below 32 degrees, but for now I am a happy camper! The cabling is as addicting as the pattern description said, and very impressive yet tasteful, bobbles and all. Even one of my Flogging-Molly-loving fire-fighting friends agreed that it was "badass" (or was at least able to convince me that was his opinion), and informed me that I am to wear it when we go sledding this winter :) Can't wait!

And of course, the now discontinued Patons Classic Wool Merino (I still can't get over that...) performed beautifully. I have just started a pair of Tridactyl gloves from Knitty using the replacement line, Patons Classic Wool, and it definitely seems coarser and more dense. At least the color is nice. "Aquarium" to pair with the wave pattern on the back. Will probably be a present for one of two people for Christmas...can't say who yet, of course.

Hermione's Cable and Bobble Hat

Based on the hat Hermione wears to Hogsmeade in the Prisoner of Azkaban movie, and another pattern found in Charmed Knits (love that book), this cap was started around 9:00 last night and is still going strong.


For yarn, I grabbed more Patons Classic Wool "Merino" out of my basket is the brightest red I think I could ever find. I was concerned it wouldn't be as dense of a fabric as I wanted, because I usually go down a needle size or two for winter hats. This pattern and gauge required I use the size 7 US as is recommended on the yarn label, but the cables have kept it cozy. It'll be the perfect addition to my school football game garb, as red is one of the school colors :)

Hermione's Half-Blood Prince Hat Completed!

I love love love love love love love this hat!!!

(As modeled by my sister).

I found the pattern on Ravelry, and am so glad I did! I had been planning on starting it for a while now, and even bothered to buy the specific yarn suggested (a rare occurrence on my part). I had carefully pondered...do I stay true to the movie with a sewn crown? Or knit the highly attractive decreases written into the pattern? I finally figured I prefer knitting to sewing, and I'm also better at knitting, so the decreases were my best bet. Besides, as a steek virgin I'm not yet ready to stitch and cut my knitting! (Excuse the blurriness of the next picture...it was taken on the fly).

The alternate cable cast on used to start this project was quite the ordeal, and I must confess I spent some of the time wondering how much I really needed this supposedly more attractive edge. My ribbing would look fine with a long tail cast on, wouldn't it? It's stretchy enough for socks, it'll be fine for a hat. How much better can it be, really? In the end though, I loved the result. The ribbing is plump and present from the very beginning, instead of being restricted by a fine line. I'll probably end up using it again if I ever get the to the 3-4 Year Hogwarts Scarf, as if I plan to bind off in pattern, I may as well begin the same way right?

I can't wait to start Hermione's Cable and Bobble Hat from Charmed Knits to continue adding to my wizard-style wear! As the Hogwarts climate dictates, Harry Potter knitwear is always super warm, and thanks to the fact that it was in, ya know, a movie, super stylish! I'm just unsure of whether to go up a needle size or two to fit my large noggin, and if I do, whether or not to use a slightly chunkier yarn than the Patons Merino Wool I was planning on. I may have to even track down the suggested yarn! Yikes! That would be twice in a row now!

Hanshi Camp

For the last three days, I've been training along with other schools in my area, under the tutelage of Hanshi Steve Arneil. He learned our style of karate (kyokoshun) under it's founder while it was still being developed, and has a plethora of knowledge on fighting and self defense. The camp has always been extremely hard work, and on the third day the adults would have not just one session but two, and I decided to take a little non-"om" meditation with me. My scarf! Little did I know what it would become a memento of later that day.

After lunch, I hopped into the locker room to grab my garter stitch and on the way out found my sensei. Uh, oh, smart remark sure to follow! Sure enough, after a quick double take, he sighed "Are you serious?"

I simply answered "Yes," and continued to stitch without looking.

"Does that, like, soothe you or something?"

"Osu," (some sign of agreement in Japanese, but can kind of cover anything in the dojo).

And with a reluctant "Alright..." I was off the hook! Huzzah! But the best was yet to come! Outside I plopped down on one of the picnic tables, enduring the usual questions. "Are you knitting or crocheting?" "What are you making?" etc. Sempei noticed, and soon all the black belts were chuckling at my expense. I'm used to it. Suddenly, an English accent cut through the little crowd around the tent.

"Are you knitting?" Hanshi was asking about my scarf! Oh wow!

"Osu!"

He answered with something along the lines of "That's good, you don't see many people knitting anymore." Hanshi approved of me knitting! Haha see sensei?

"Oh she's good!' Erica cut in. "She makes, socks and little animals, and all sorts of stuff."

"Oh! Do you think next time I come you'll have a nice pair of socks for me?" Hanshi wanted socks? Oh wow! And my witty self replied...

"haha...maybe..." Oh wow. Must work on my social skills.

An Alteration of Fates

Well, it does seem that my scarf wish came true! Digging through the stash, praying for some red wool, (though I knew from the get-go I only had one skein of red wool and it was being utilized for the black belts' Christmas presents, but hey, dare to dream), I stumbled upon an unexpected alternative.


100% pure spun alpaca, in a sport weight. Two hanks my dad had picked up for me a little while back. It's softness matched the many descriptions I have read, as well as it's lightweight feel. I had planned to save it for just the right project. Every time I saw it I would smile and wonder what it would become! A cabled hat? Mittens or gloves light enough for fall? A lacy little shawlette? I would hold out until I found the project worthy of it! And I do believe I have!

(Picture wouldn't load, sorry :P)

The scarf I was craving, knit on size 5US straight needles. (Can you believe it? Straights! I haven't used straights in such a long time! I found them sitting in the attic, pouting and collecting dust). This scarf, or swatch as it stands right now, is light yet warm, with a slight soft halo of fuzz and many different shades of grey. It will go with anything I decide to throw on, which is always helpful considering just how many mismatched cold-weather items a knitter accumulates. It is just thin enough to be tucked inside my pea coat, yet thick enough to stand on its own on top of a sweatshirt in the fall. This scarf will be absolutely, utterly perfect!


And to think. Just a little while ago, I would have never pictured this yarn or this project crossing paths.

Too Much of a Good Thing

I love seamless knits. I love knits for the extremities. Put those together, and you get lots and lots and LOTS of socks, mittens, gloves, and hats. All circular, of course. Hence the seamless part. (Insulting to point out, I know).

But now I'm suddenly tired of it! I've been utilizing circulars and dpns for months now. Not one back-and-forth project in what feels like forever. I'm craving garter stitch, pure wool, and beautiful, fabulous, STRAIGHT needles! Something mindless I can knit while watching TV, without having to miss all the action scenes, or at least the knitwear on the characters. Something long enough where I don't have to worry about it running out partway through a South Park marathon. Instead of small-scale noggin toppers, I want...scarves! No stripes, no color work, no multis or ombres. One plain, solid color. Red! A long, red, garter stitch scarf knit in warm, delicious wool!

All this, I want in August. And it WILL happen!

I'm sure of it!

Pomatomus FO!

Finally, these socks are conquered, over, and done with! I was working on the gusset and foot of the second sock at Shannon's birthday, and despite the snapping of a bamboo dpn (the second snapped stick from what was a set of five) I scrounged a metal size 2US from my bag (huzzah!) and finished the pair in time to wear to bed.

Of course it got rather humid all of a sudden and I had to take them off, but it was enjoyable while it lasted.

Most of the girls had at some point during the night inquired after the sock-in-progress, and by the time the last end was sewn in I had an audience to witness their maiden voyage. The birthday girl's mom knits, though only garter stitch scarves, so when she showed interest in the repeated pattern, the chart, and where to procure instructions for other projects, I directed her to Knitty. There are more awesome patterns to be had there. The only downside to this happily worn pair of socks was that I was left with just that-a pair of socks...and nothing else to knit the whooooooole night long :(