Well, I've started another blog. I wanted a bit more freedom to write about other things (though knitting will still be at the new blog).
Here is the link:
http://butterbaconhamster.blogspot.com/
Everything is explained in the new blog, I'm just too lazy to rewrite it here.
-Rachel
Monday, March 1, 2010
Friday, October 23, 2009
Big Mini-update
Lots to update...
First, I have tons of finished knit pieces, but no pictures. Part of this is the fact that many of these pieces are gifts and were given away without pictures or the pictures are in the hands of others. These include a knit lobsters that I gave to Ryan, the finished stacked ribbed cardigan that I gave to Leah, and a slouchy beret that I gave to Emma. All of these things need to be posted still. I've also finished my February Lady Sweater, buttons and all. And, my cropped jacket out of Vogue (minus buttons). I'm going to try and get pictures of everything this weekend because, frankly, all of these loose ends are driving me nuts! And even though the knitting is done, the entire process feels unfinished without posting the finished pieces either here or on my Ravelry account. Somehow it is not nearly as satisfying. Not to mention, even though I have been doing quite a bit of knitting, I have little to blog about. So, this weekend I'm going to try to rein all of my stupid, nagging, loose ends in.
Second, I'm done with the multi-project attitude. I don't think I handle it well. In the last few months I have taken on far too many things, and don't feel nearly as accomplished because nothing gets done with any speed. Now, I need focus, and thus am back to working (or attempting) to work on one (2 at the most) projects at a time. This is a great time to start over with the new simplistic attitude as most of my current projects are coming to a close. Currently I'm working on a pair of Froot Loop Socks. And planning to start the Jasper Diamond Hoodie from Vintage Baby Knits for my boss' (bosses', boss's ???) baby. She is set to have the baby in December, and seeing that I'm hoping to leave my current job around that time, I figure it makes a good parting gift for my favorite boss. The potential baby sweater is below. Plus, I need some downtime from big people sweaters, and baby sweaters go so darn quick, it will be a nice break.
Now, all I need is some snap closures, new yarn, and buttons. Hopefully I'll be done with wrapping up all my loose ends and have a big picture post on Sunday afternoon.
Lastly, I really would like to get my sewing machine repaired so I improve my sewing, and possibly start quilting. The other day I went to a really cute quilting shop in Ballard to look for fabric for buttons (which turned out really wonderful, and you will hopefully see on Sunday...). The place was so bright and cheery it really made me want to learn to quilt. Not to mention many of the blogs I read are from crafty people in general, and these wonderful women make modern, colorful quilts. In particular, this blog by Pikku-Kettu Knits just makes me want to quilt everytime I see it. The woman at the quilting shop suggested that I take a class...but I wasn't convinced. Most of my knitting skill sets, and all of my crochet skills have come from books, so why would quilting be any different? I think I'm going to look around, invest in a few books, and work on getting my machine repaired.
First, I have tons of finished knit pieces, but no pictures. Part of this is the fact that many of these pieces are gifts and were given away without pictures or the pictures are in the hands of others. These include a knit lobsters that I gave to Ryan, the finished stacked ribbed cardigan that I gave to Leah, and a slouchy beret that I gave to Emma. All of these things need to be posted still. I've also finished my February Lady Sweater, buttons and all. And, my cropped jacket out of Vogue (minus buttons). I'm going to try and get pictures of everything this weekend because, frankly, all of these loose ends are driving me nuts! And even though the knitting is done, the entire process feels unfinished without posting the finished pieces either here or on my Ravelry account. Somehow it is not nearly as satisfying. Not to mention, even though I have been doing quite a bit of knitting, I have little to blog about. So, this weekend I'm going to try to rein all of my stupid, nagging, loose ends in.
Second, I'm done with the multi-project attitude. I don't think I handle it well. In the last few months I have taken on far too many things, and don't feel nearly as accomplished because nothing gets done with any speed. Now, I need focus, and thus am back to working (or attempting) to work on one (2 at the most) projects at a time. This is a great time to start over with the new simplistic attitude as most of my current projects are coming to a close. Currently I'm working on a pair of Froot Loop Socks. And planning to start the Jasper Diamond Hoodie from Vintage Baby Knits for my boss' (bosses', boss's ???) baby. She is set to have the baby in December, and seeing that I'm hoping to leave my current job around that time, I figure it makes a good parting gift for my favorite boss. The potential baby sweater is below. Plus, I need some downtime from big people sweaters, and baby sweaters go so darn quick, it will be a nice break.
Now, all I need is some snap closures, new yarn, and buttons. Hopefully I'll be done with wrapping up all my loose ends and have a big picture post on Sunday afternoon.Lastly, I really would like to get my sewing machine repaired so I improve my sewing, and possibly start quilting. The other day I went to a really cute quilting shop in Ballard to look for fabric for buttons (which turned out really wonderful, and you will hopefully see on Sunday...). The place was so bright and cheery it really made me want to learn to quilt. Not to mention many of the blogs I read are from crafty people in general, and these wonderful women make modern, colorful quilts. In particular, this blog by Pikku-Kettu Knits just makes me want to quilt everytime I see it. The woman at the quilting shop suggested that I take a class...but I wasn't convinced. Most of my knitting skill sets, and all of my crochet skills have come from books, so why would quilting be any different? I think I'm going to look around, invest in a few books, and work on getting my machine repaired.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Fallin' for Sweaters
Now that school is almost over, and my sweaters are almost done, I finally have time for some fresh pattern ideas. Last weekend I treated myself and picked up the fall issues of Knitscene, Vogue Knitting, and Interweave Knits. (Sidenote: McKey, winner of ANTM is on the cover of Vogue Knitting for fall, random) And being one of the those people that can't commit to starting new projects without ending some of the current ones, it just makes me want to plow on through even more.
Surprisingly, it was Knitscene, who I am not the biggest fan of, that yielded the most patterns. There are 4 or 5 sweaters that I just can't wait to knit. Here are some of the them:
I love the earth tones that they chose for these knits, and can see myself doing a few in rich, jewel tones as well (like plum or burgundy). Perfect for fall. Most of these appear like relaxing, mindless knitting, which seems appealing right about now. I'm also all about little details in simple garments, I think they really make a piece special. These patterns do a really good job of that here with things like an off set collar, buttoned and cropped sleeve, or really interesting cables. They all seem really wearable and easy to construct.
But the first thing that I want to make (and hopefully can get yarn for in the next day or two) is from Vogue Knitting. I really love the cropped gold jacket (second in from the left), but will probably look to make it in a warm brown color. It seems like it has sturdy construction, and I love the double breasted look (usually VERY flattering). Plus it gives me the opportunity to find some cute hand made buttons off of etsy (like these).
Sadly, there is almost nothing that I want to make out of Interweave Knits this fall. The problem is (and this is not just this fall or this magazine) is the majority of the fall patterns are meant to be warm, and thus, look really bulky. While they may look good on a model that is 5'9 and 110lbs, the same pattern would make me look just fat. So, I usually look for patterns that have some fit to them, especially under the bust/along the rib cage, otherwise I'm just asking to be mistaken for a pregnant woman. The exception is, and this is where something like the cropped jacket above would fall, is if the piece has structure or a stiffness to it. Floppy, bulky knitted things just won't due. And so, even if I like the pattern or look, like this following picture, I know I could never wear it.
The other issue is, and this is a problem for MANY patterns, the sweater ends at an awkward length for my torso. I naturally have a short waist, and I'm pretty short statured too, so I need the bottom seam to fall at my hips or past my natural waist. Interweave tend to have a lot of cute sweaters that fall right at the waist though, and I can't bring myself to spend time knitting them only to be disappointed about how they look on me. Like this:
So cute...but not on me.
Anyway, it is apparent by now that I have a lot of motivation to finish my current projects and move on to some wonderful fall sweaters.
Surprisingly, it was Knitscene, who I am not the biggest fan of, that yielded the most patterns. There are 4 or 5 sweaters that I just can't wait to knit. Here are some of the them:
I love the earth tones that they chose for these knits, and can see myself doing a few in rich, jewel tones as well (like plum or burgundy). Perfect for fall. Most of these appear like relaxing, mindless knitting, which seems appealing right about now. I'm also all about little details in simple garments, I think they really make a piece special. These patterns do a really good job of that here with things like an off set collar, buttoned and cropped sleeve, or really interesting cables. They all seem really wearable and easy to construct.But the first thing that I want to make (and hopefully can get yarn for in the next day or two) is from Vogue Knitting. I really love the cropped gold jacket (second in from the left), but will probably look to make it in a warm brown color. It seems like it has sturdy construction, and I love the double breasted look (usually VERY flattering). Plus it gives me the opportunity to find some cute hand made buttons off of etsy (like these).
Sadly, there is almost nothing that I want to make out of Interweave Knits this fall. The problem is (and this is not just this fall or this magazine) is the majority of the fall patterns are meant to be warm, and thus, look really bulky. While they may look good on a model that is 5'9 and 110lbs, the same pattern would make me look just fat. So, I usually look for patterns that have some fit to them, especially under the bust/along the rib cage, otherwise I'm just asking to be mistaken for a pregnant woman. The exception is, and this is where something like the cropped jacket above would fall, is if the piece has structure or a stiffness to it. Floppy, bulky knitted things just won't due. And so, even if I like the pattern or look, like this following picture, I know I could never wear it.
The other issue is, and this is a problem for MANY patterns, the sweater ends at an awkward length for my torso. I naturally have a short waist, and I'm pretty short statured too, so I need the bottom seam to fall at my hips or past my natural waist. Interweave tend to have a lot of cute sweaters that fall right at the waist though, and I can't bring myself to spend time knitting them only to be disappointed about how they look on me. Like this:
So cute...but not on me.Anyway, it is apparent by now that I have a lot of motivation to finish my current projects and move on to some wonderful fall sweaters.
Sunday, August 9, 2009
On the brink
After being "almost done" with 3 different sweaters for about a month and a half, I'm really actually almost done.
My February Lady sweater needs only a few buttons sewn on to be called done. I'm feel pretty motivated, so this shouldn't be a problem to get done tonight.
I also have a little baby sweater in progress, but no rush on that. It still needs a hood and a crocheted edge, but again, I'll wait on this piece a little longer.
Lastly, the Checkered Rib sweater that I started for my sister is almost complete...well, the knitting portion is almost done. I have to finish about an inch or two on the second sleeve, plus the button band and the neck line. None of that really worries me, and I'm fully ready to plow right through. However, I didn't listen to my gut on this piece when I first started and pretty much followed the pattern verbatim. I should have made the piece in the round and saved myself a bunch of tedious hand sewing, but I didn't. So, even though the knitting is almost done, I still a little while left on the thing. The seam on the underside of the sleeve has to be done, and then the sleeves have to be sewn to the body. Ugh, hate hand sewing.
Back to work now.
My February Lady sweater needs only a few buttons sewn on to be called done. I'm feel pretty motivated, so this shouldn't be a problem to get done tonight.
I also have a little baby sweater in progress, but no rush on that. It still needs a hood and a crocheted edge, but again, I'll wait on this piece a little longer.
Lastly, the Checkered Rib sweater that I started for my sister is almost complete...well, the knitting portion is almost done. I have to finish about an inch or two on the second sleeve, plus the button band and the neck line. None of that really worries me, and I'm fully ready to plow right through. However, I didn't listen to my gut on this piece when I first started and pretty much followed the pattern verbatim. I should have made the piece in the round and saved myself a bunch of tedious hand sewing, but I didn't. So, even though the knitting is almost done, I still a little while left on the thing. The seam on the underside of the sleeve has to be done, and then the sleeves have to be sewn to the body. Ugh, hate hand sewing.
Back to work now.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
CG Method, from a knitter
As a curly haired gal, who really never had another tangible hair role model (if only I knew Carrie Bradshaw) to tell me what to do, I've been lost for a long time. In the last few weeks I finally got fed up with my rats-nest-esque hair, and started to do some research. And I found this wonderful website: naturallycurly.com and also the book "Curly Girl" by Lorraine Massey. After a little reading I've come to the conclusion that I don't know anything about curly hair.
The book in particular (though the website has lots of helpful hints and products I want to try!), focuses on one strategy: The Curly Girl Method (CG for short). Basically it means:
-Don't brush your hair, ever
-Don't towel dry (use paper towels or a cotton t-shirt)
-Stop using products with silicone, and sulfate
-Pretty much stop shampooing
-Use Conditioner to wash hair instead, and even then, not everyday
-Put down the blow dry/flat iron forever
Now, this may seem shocking. Give up shampoo??? Uh, gross!! But tons of curly haired girls do it, or they do a modified version and use a sulfate free shampoo when they need it (low-poo, if you will). I'm planning on doing a low-poo version, I'm still too wary to give it up all together. It really clicked though when they described it in terms that a knitter could appreciate. Hair on your head is basically an animal fiber, like wool. And the sulfates in shampoo are basically the same thing as dish soap, which I would never use on wool. Curly hair is even more dry and porous than straight hair, so should be treated more gently. I wouldn't agitate wool all the time when it's wet, and don't wring it out, so why do it to my hair?
So, now I'm on the CG method. I'm only on day 2, but it's already looking a little better. Instead of using shampoo, I wash my hair with sulfate free conditioner (which also has some cleanser in it, as most conditioners do). The action of rubbing the scalp and rinsing is what cleans the hair. I'm a little nervous, but willing to give it a try after looking at all the before and after pictures on the site.
In other news, I finished my February Lady Sweater, finally! I'll put pictures up later this week.
Oh, and I got the best hair cut ever today. I guess that is what I get for going to someone that actually has and specializes in curly hair. Sorry that this post is all about hair, I've got CG method on the brain.
The book in particular (though the website has lots of helpful hints and products I want to try!), focuses on one strategy: The Curly Girl Method (CG for short). Basically it means:
-Don't brush your hair, ever
-Don't towel dry (use paper towels or a cotton t-shirt)
-Stop using products with silicone, and sulfate
-Pretty much stop shampooing
-Use Conditioner to wash hair instead, and even then, not everyday
-Put down the blow dry/flat iron forever
Now, this may seem shocking. Give up shampoo??? Uh, gross!! But tons of curly haired girls do it, or they do a modified version and use a sulfate free shampoo when they need it (low-poo, if you will). I'm planning on doing a low-poo version, I'm still too wary to give it up all together. It really clicked though when they described it in terms that a knitter could appreciate. Hair on your head is basically an animal fiber, like wool. And the sulfates in shampoo are basically the same thing as dish soap, which I would never use on wool. Curly hair is even more dry and porous than straight hair, so should be treated more gently. I wouldn't agitate wool all the time when it's wet, and don't wring it out, so why do it to my hair?
So, now I'm on the CG method. I'm only on day 2, but it's already looking a little better. Instead of using shampoo, I wash my hair with sulfate free conditioner (which also has some cleanser in it, as most conditioners do). The action of rubbing the scalp and rinsing is what cleans the hair. I'm a little nervous, but willing to give it a try after looking at all the before and after pictures on the site.
In other news, I finished my February Lady Sweater, finally! I'll put pictures up later this week.
Oh, and I got the best hair cut ever today. I guess that is what I get for going to someone that actually has and specializes in curly hair. Sorry that this post is all about hair, I've got CG method on the brain.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Done, and done.
Finally that quarter is over and I have time to knit as much as I want. However, I'm sort of in a knitting funk. I mentioned previously that I bought some Koigu sock yarn that I was very excited about, and an equally fabulous book of sock patterns to use. As I was making the sock though, it seemed a little snug on my foot, which I just attributed to the type of needles I was using that were making it difficult to try on. When I finished though, the sock was small. MUCH too small. And if I knew someone who could enjoy a small knitted sock I would gladly make its partner and keep on truckin'. But I was making the sock for my own feet, which are a pretty dainty size six, so it's difficult to find anyone who can squeeze into something drastically smaller. Now I'm at the annoying point where I'm forced to unravel the entire thing to preserve the great yarn, and start all over. Ick. The task is really unappetizing, and its forced me into a knitting funk.
I'm also working on my whisper cardigan, which is almost done. It should be light and perfect for hot weather. Overall though, I'm just not knitting much. My trip down to Vancouver will be a good opportunity for me to do some knitting, and work on all my partially complete projects.
I also did something totally impractical, and bought a big book of vintage baby knits. I saw it while I was shopping for GRE books (somehow I got lost in a knitting section, who knows), and was too tempted to stop myself. The book is so nice looking, all hard bound with cute babies laughing I couldn't resist. I've had the thing for about a month, and haven't made anything yet, but that might soon change. My boss told me a few days ago that she just found out she is having a baby, and I was invited to a baby shower (for someone I don't even know, but oh well) this weekend. So, to get me out of the groove, I ran to the craft store, bought some super pink cheapo baby yarn, and am going to crank out something cute for this strange girl's baby. I don't know the girl, so if the yarn isn't the best, she won't know, and how can she deny a hopefully cute knit from a total stranger.
Lastly, I bought a new computer. It's so fast, and doesn't shut down randomly, so I can't complain.
I'm also working on my whisper cardigan, which is almost done. It should be light and perfect for hot weather. Overall though, I'm just not knitting much. My trip down to Vancouver will be a good opportunity for me to do some knitting, and work on all my partially complete projects.
I also did something totally impractical, and bought a big book of vintage baby knits. I saw it while I was shopping for GRE books (somehow I got lost in a knitting section, who knows), and was too tempted to stop myself. The book is so nice looking, all hard bound with cute babies laughing I couldn't resist. I've had the thing for about a month, and haven't made anything yet, but that might soon change. My boss told me a few days ago that she just found out she is having a baby, and I was invited to a baby shower (for someone I don't even know, but oh well) this weekend. So, to get me out of the groove, I ran to the craft store, bought some super pink cheapo baby yarn, and am going to crank out something cute for this strange girl's baby. I don't know the girl, so if the yarn isn't the best, she won't know, and how can she deny a hopefully cute knit from a total stranger.
Lastly, I bought a new computer. It's so fast, and doesn't shut down randomly, so I can't complain.
Sunday, May 17, 2009
FO: Baudelaire and Sunshine
Finally I have some time to update! And luckily it was such a nice day for pictures.
First, the Baudelaire socks.
Name: Baudelaire (Knitty Pattern)
Needles: US #2
Yarn: Cherry Tree Hill Sock Yarn in Pesto
Time: A few weeks off and on
Notes: These socks are sort of a mixed bag for me. I really like how that turned out in the end, and they were enjoyable while I was making them, but from the pattern I had higher expectations. I thought that the final result would be better looking somehow. Possibly it's the yarn choice, the yarn was soft, but got fuzzy as I worked with it. This pattern was super easy to memorize though, which was really nice and great for bus knitting. These socks were also my first attempt at a toe-up sock, and I think that I'm a real fan now. I think that the finished toe is nicer then with a top-down sock, more rounded and soft. (Ravelry)
Next...Sunshine!
Name: Sunshine (Pattern from Sock Innovation by Cookie A.)
Needles: US #1 1/2
Yarn: Lorna's Laces in Navy
Time: A few days all together
Notes: Love these socks! The pattern is lovely, but really the yarn is what makes it great. This is my favorite yarn so far. It has great stitch definition , makes a really nice knit fabric, and doesn't fuzz up at all. It's a little on the thin side, which I really don't mind, I tend to lean towards the finer yarns. One big plus of the pattern though, is that it was a super simple repeat that has the added advantage of looking complex and difficult.
And I have a couple new projects in the works as well, plus new yarn. Once the quarter is over I can start some bigger stuff.
The gray yarn on the top, Knit Picks Gloss Lace in Sterling, is for the Whisper Cardigan in the spring Interweave Knits magazine. The yarn on bottom I'm really excited to use. It's Koigu sock yarn, which I haven't used before, but is knitting up really nice. After hearing so much about it, I'm not disappointed at all. I'm making the Lace and Cable Socks from Socks From the Toe Up by Wendy Johnson. Hopefully I will be posting some finished projects soon.
First, the Baudelaire socks.
Name: Baudelaire (Knitty Pattern)
Needles: US #2
Yarn: Cherry Tree Hill Sock Yarn in Pesto
Time: A few weeks off and on
Notes: These socks are sort of a mixed bag for me. I really like how that turned out in the end, and they were enjoyable while I was making them, but from the pattern I had higher expectations. I thought that the final result would be better looking somehow. Possibly it's the yarn choice, the yarn was soft, but got fuzzy as I worked with it. This pattern was super easy to memorize though, which was really nice and great for bus knitting. These socks were also my first attempt at a toe-up sock, and I think that I'm a real fan now. I think that the finished toe is nicer then with a top-down sock, more rounded and soft. (Ravelry)
Next...Sunshine!
Name: Sunshine (Pattern from Sock Innovation by Cookie A.)
Needles: US #1 1/2
Yarn: Lorna's Laces in Navy
Time: A few days all together
Notes: Love these socks! The pattern is lovely, but really the yarn is what makes it great. This is my favorite yarn so far. It has great stitch definition , makes a really nice knit fabric, and doesn't fuzz up at all. It's a little on the thin side, which I really don't mind, I tend to lean towards the finer yarns. One big plus of the pattern though, is that it was a super simple repeat that has the added advantage of looking complex and difficult.
And I have a couple new projects in the works as well, plus new yarn. Once the quarter is over I can start some bigger stuff.
The gray yarn on the top, Knit Picks Gloss Lace in Sterling, is for the Whisper Cardigan in the spring Interweave Knits magazine. The yarn on bottom I'm really excited to use. It's Koigu sock yarn, which I haven't used before, but is knitting up really nice. After hearing so much about it, I'm not disappointed at all. I'm making the Lace and Cable Socks from Socks From the Toe Up by Wendy Johnson. Hopefully I will be posting some finished projects soon.
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