Friday, June 18, 2010

Yarn with a face!



I see yarn people!

Thursday, June 17, 2010

Soapy!

I've been making Soap Sacks! Over the last couple of days I have been working on a gift. My dad seems to like to use soap from The Soap Works (I like the Emu Oil soap myself), so I have made him a little sack for his soap. I've been really happy with the little soap sack I use at home, it has really helped preserve the soap! 

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Knit Market Bag





















We finished the Knit Market Bag in the Sublime Organic Cotton DK. The pattern we used, from lionbrand, was not good and we don't recommend it.  The yarn was great (still is), and we still recommend making a bag for yourself. Here are some free patterns that look better and have been properly vetted:

Friday, June 11, 2010

Cotton Cardie Wrap

















I started work this week on a most basic of Cardie Wraps. So far the pattern and the knitting are both easy and it is flying along!  Do you like the Grover blue yarn? ;-)

Kiddie Surprise!

I finished my 'Baby' Surprise, or should I say, I got around to taking pics & posting it. It is more of a kiddie surprise, it is much larger than Zimmerman intended. If you want to make one baby size, it's probably best to use a fingering wright yarn, like the Noro Silk Garden Sock.  My arms are a little short, i could have picked them up and added some length, but I'm sorta done with this baby.

arms from underarm: 9"
arm circumference: 12"
body length from shoulder: 20"
chest circumference (closed):  24" 

tension:  14 sts & 24 rows = 4" in garter stitch

As for the experience, I grade it a C.  It was a nebish; not exciting, not entertaining, kinda boring, but not the hardest or the worst thing I've ever made. It wasn't my kind of thing, but maybe it will be yours.  I'd raise the grade to a B- if the aesthetic was more exciting.

The Noro was definitely the yarn to use, it looks great!

Thursday, June 03, 2010

Baby Surprise Progress

I'm making progress on my Baby Surprise Jacket.  I'm working with 5.5mm needles, so I think it will actually be a toddler surprise jacket.  Currently, it looks like the pelt of an animal (if Noro yarn was an animal i think it would be the size of racoon, so I'm personalizing this project as a flayed 'Noro'). 

The Noro Furin is lovely! I can't say enough good things about it. The pattern is OK. It is written in Elizabeth Zimmerman's casual vernacular, so I have been making notes in my little book, trying to keep track of what I am supposed to be doing. That aside, I'm a little bored with this pattern. Maybe it's the garter stitch or maybe it is all the 'easiness'. I can probably attribute it to the aesthetic, which isn't really me (too close to macrame). That said, thus far I am really happy with the way the Noro is working with the pattern. The Furin's texture is fantastic with the garter and hopefully the striping will be attractive.  

Wednesday, June 02, 2010

FYI: World Record Attempt - Most Knitters!




The weekend of June 12th & 13th is World Wide Knit in Public Day and Toronto needs your help to secure it's place in the Guinness Book or World Records for the most people knitting in one place at the same time!

When:  Saturday June 12th, 1 to 4pm

Where:  Junction Square, 2945 Dundas St West (2 blocks West of Keele, see a 
MAP)


Who:  Anyone! Everyone! Bring your yarn & needles!

Event Organizers:  
That's Women's WorkWise Daughters, & Street Knit

Other: Facebook Event PageNational Post Article

Novices and experts alike are invited to bring a lawn chair, some needles and yarn, and to be part of history!  There will be live entertainment, refreshments and prizes, as well as beginner knitting classes on the spot (1 to 3pm). The count for the world record will take place at 3 pm sharp. Participants are encouraged to donate what they knit. 
 



Addenda: you must be knitting on 2 needles to make it legal! check out this thread on ravelry.