http://www.woolgathering.net/ en Copyright 2008 Tue, 01 Jan 2008 23:05:33 -0500 http://www.sixapart.com/movabletype/ http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss May your 2008 be full of craftiness and fun! Mine started out well. For Christmas, I received an Ashford Traveller spinning wheel (single drive) from my parents. It's lovely! No name yet, but I plan on breaking out a map of New Zealand and finding an appropriate name. Unfortunately, one of the parts was defective and I was unable to use it. When Mike got back from seeing his family for Christmas, he took a look at it and fiddled around and managed to "fix" the defective part. I started spinning on the 29th and I had my first ball of yarn (and a small knitted wristlet) by the 30th! I've been spinning every evening ever since. Right now, I've got some semi-laceweight BFL from Blue Moon in an autumnal colorway spun up. I'm almost done with my first bobbin. I plan on filling another (I have enough for three full bobbins, I think) and then plying them to see the weight and check the yardage. I plan on knitting up a lacy autumnal-themed thing. Perhaps a scarf. I need to find an appropriate pattern (suggestions are welcome)! Anyway, I plan on being better this year with my craft journaling. I have completed many projects and I don't have records of them and I really should start. Hopefully, I'll find my camera soon and can start taking pictures. Hee hee! 2008 has started well in the crafting department and I'm looking forward to seeing where this next year takes me. http://www.woolgathering.net/archives/2008_01_01.html#002194 http://www.woolgathering.net/archives/2008_01_01.html#002194 Tue, 01 Jan 2008 23:05:33 -0500 Socks I thought the yellow and green ribbon would go well with the wine colored Colinette Jitterbug that I picked out for my Sockapalooza pal. She said that she primarily liked greens and blues and I tried finding a colorway that really spoke to me that had both, but nothing really turned me on. I initially purchased some Lorna's Shepherd Sock in Watercolor and knit a full sock using "Merino Lace Socks" from Favorite Socks: 25 Timeless Designs from Interweave, but I decided that the pink/mauve in the colorway just jumped out too much. So, I poked around some more and I spotted the Colinette. I pondered getting either the forest green semi-solid Jitterbug or the jewely-blue Jitterbug but my sock pal said she was getting into "wines", so wine it was! Over the summer, I've came to accept my love of violets/purples and I thought I'd pass on some of that love. Hee hee. It is gorgeous. Colinette is so sprongy, it's amazing. I've got left-over yarn, so I plan on making some footsies for me with the remainder. I used the cover pattern, "Waving Lace Socks" by Evelyn A. Clark, from Favorite Socks. Sooooo pretty! The pattern is easy to memorize for a 8 stitch, 20 row repeat. I need to make myself a pair. Stitch Markers I also thought I'd put in a few stitch markers for my pal. These I made with peridot and chinese nephrite and pearly seed beads. These were made with some silvery-metal (no idea what metal it is), freshwater pearls, and blue seed beads. I can't wait to get my socks from my sock pal. I enjoyed this so much that I joined another sock swap last week. I wonder what I will knit next! *rubs hands together like a mad scientist/knitter*]]> http://www.woolgathering.net/archives/2007_08_01.html#002126 http://www.woolgathering.net/archives/2007_08_01.html#002126 Sock Swaps sockapalooza 4 Wed, 01 Aug 2007 14:45:55 -0500 What Hogwarts house have you been sorted into? This time, I'm in Slytherin. I don't know why, but I tend to get sorted into Ravenclaw, Slythernin, and Gryffindor about equally. I'm not nice enough to get placed into Hufflepuff. Hee hee. Shoe size 6 US. Foot Length Foot length: 22cm Foot circumference Foot circumference: 21.5cm And just in case you'd like it -- widest part of the foot: 8.3cm List your three favorite double-pointed needle brands, including size and length Hmm. This is a tricky question, because I utilize the magic loop method to knit my socks, not double pointed needles. I typically used double pointed needles like a crochet hook, when I need to fix my yarn or like a cable needle to hold it while doing something else. The dpns I use are: * Crystal palace bamboo 6", typically US1 * Lantern Moon 7", typically US1 * Brittany Birch 5" knitting needles, typically US1 My knitting needle of choice for sock knitting (especially since I prefer to do lacework with my socks) are Addi Turbo Lace, 32" US1. Would you like to try a brand new needle? If so, which brand? Size? Length? Sure! I'd love to try Skacel's steel dpns (US1) or any 4" dpns, like Suzanne's (wood and a bit on the pricey side... and they are for "gloves" so they are larger) or HiyaHiya's 4" dpns (US1, I think they are stainless steel). If you'd like to get me a circular needle, then addi lace in any size 47" lengths (which I don't have yet) would be absolutely brilliant too. US1s are my needle size of choice and I typically have multiple projects, so I know that any needles I receive will be used and loved. Allergies? Do you have any? Will your knitting be exposed to smoke or animals? I have no allergies. My home is a smoke and pet-free zone, although I do have a LOT of wool yarn and fiber (I spin to) lying about, so I'd be concerned if my sock partner is allergic to wool. Are you an international participant (outside US)? Are you willing to have an international Hogwarts Sock Pal? I am from the US, so I'm not an international participant. I would love to have an international partner!]]> http://www.woolgathering.net/archives/2007_07_25.html#002121 http://www.woolgathering.net/archives/2007_07_25.html#002121 Sock Swaps Wed, 25 Jul 2007 08:15:24 -0500 I spotted the booth where my mother bought quivit at Maryland Sheep and Wool festival. There, I purchased a cashmere lacy scarf kit. I'm not sure who will get the finished scarf, perhaps my mother-in-law, but I thought it was very pretty. Next festival, I'm going to plan on a project so that I can get enough from this particular vendor; I'm impressed with the prices and quality of their yarn. There were a number of vendors selling beautiful buttons. One was selling these gorgeous glass buttons and I decided to splurge for my nearly-completed everyday purse with flap. Even though it wasn't my single-most expensive purchase of the day, I think of it is as my splurge. The button is perfect for my bag. One of the women running the booth helped me pick out. I wanted a button that wasn't too large, since I didn't want it to overwhelm the piece. It needed to be beautiful, understated, yet something that people can focus on in the bag. I love how it is flecks of purple, gold, and blue against a field of green. It reminds me of a meadow. So gorgeous! The glass is slightly tinted yellow in some spots and it looks like a summer in a globe. I generally don't like purple, but I think I'm slowly turning to a purple fan. I tried to look for things that were interesting or unique at the fair. One of the most unique things I saw was this beautiful hand-dyed silk for a scarf. However, I noticed that it was unspun silk, which I wouldn't be able to spin since I didn't know how . I made a comment to the woman running the booth, adding that I would love to get one for when I do learn to use a spindle. She informed me that I didn't need to use a spindle and can work the material by hand! She then demonstrated how to peel off a layer from the silk block, pull it, and twist it to make the yarn. After I make the yarn, I would be able to knit it up to a scarf, the pattern also included in the package. I selected a color that I liked and purchased the silk block. It would take a long time to put it all together, but I like the idea of being a part of every stage in the creation process. I wonder if I could use the same technique she demonstrated to spin silk yarn from silk tops. Hmmmmmm. I also purchased a yarn keeper bracelet from the same stall. I'm always looking for tools that would enable me to "knit anywhere". I've used it a number of times since I purchased it and it's fairly useful. I like how it keeps the yarn neat within my purse instead of rolling around like mad. Walking around the fair, I was impressed with the different types of ponchos that were out there, both being worn by customers and on display at the various booths. For the last half hour of the market, I checked out the booths again, thinking that if something really catches my eye, I will make that poncho for myself. Earlier in the afternoon, I stopped by the Shadyside Farm booth and their lovely natural and hand-dyed yarn with a gorgeous poncho in front. I was so impressed that I came in and took a closer look at the yarn and spoke the owner of the booth, however I didn't purchase anything the first time. The second time, I decided I loved the drape of the poncho and the texture of the yarn and I would make a poncho out of it. I can't wait to start it! They directed me to Amy Singer's blog, where the basic shape for the poncho that was on display was taken. I've got some ideas and I can't wait to try to execute them.]]> http://www.woolgathering.net/archives/2004_10_13.html#000467 http://www.woolgathering.net/archives/2004_10_13.html#000467 2004 Wed, 13 Oct 2004 16:43:21 -0500 I can't believe how much of the pattern I could work with only two skeins. I believe I worked up to row 130 with just two skeins. I gave it to Rakshinda last weekend when we saw each other for dinner and a catch-up chat. It was a very belated birthday present, but I think she really liked it. However, the managed-to-get-to-row-130 concerns me about my own Charlotte. It doesn't seem as long or as large as I would want it... although it looks pretty large on other people's websites. Perhaps those last 24 rows will make a difference in size that I don't yet understand. Perhaps I'll just work on the Pansy Charlotte straight: make is exactly to directions, then later decide how I want to alter it for the next time. The idea of a poncho Charlotte is outrageously tempting too. So many decisions to make without enough information!]]> http://www.woolgathering.net/archives/2004_09_03.html#000336 http://www.woolgathering.net/archives/2004_09_03.html#000336 2004 Fri, 03 Sep 2004 08:47:35 -0500 Gorgeous! Mike doesn't like them, but I do. It's patchwork, kind of Doctor Who-ish. For my scarf, I asked for natural fibers only and any stitch that lies flat. I love all the passalongers that followed the requirement!

	My Section NORO Lily (70% cotton, 30% mulberry silk) US7 Seed Stitch
	Erin's Section Maskin Vaskbar Alfa (85% wool, 15% mohair) US7 Ridge and Diamond Stripes She included a postcard for me from Cape Cod. Gorgeous! She also is a long-time knitter. 30+ years. Wow!
	Kika's Section Sugar'n Cream (100% cotton) Garter stitch with random dropped stitch rows She's also a fairly new knitter and is into a lot of things I'm into (roleplaying, Sandman). So cool!
	Jenn's Section Colourworks (100% NZ wool) US7 Garter stitch Another comic reader! Hellboy! Fantastic! She's a fairly new knitter as well (less than a year).
	Libbet's Section Endless Summer - Sonata (100% cotton) US6 with yarn doubled in doubled seed stitch She's a recent practical knitter (although she learned a long time ago) and plays video games, which I think is pretty fabulous.
	Shannon's Section Local Yarn Store brand (100% wool) US8 Seed stitch She's a long-time knitter/spinner/weaver (wow). She does, get this, traditional Irish ballroom dancing! Woah.

Now, I have to weave in the ends and I need to decide if I am going to cap it with the same yarn I started with. I love it! The colors make me want to pick up my similarly-colored Charlotte.]]> http://www.woolgathering.net/archives/2004_08_07.html#000330 http://www.woolgathering.net/archives/2004_08_07.html#000330 2004 Sat, 07 Aug 2004 10:29:38 -0500 I've held on to it for so long that I made her some stitch markers. Black hematite with red and white beads. Oh, and one that is made from mother of pearl chips. Pretty pretty! I need to start taking standardized photographs of all the stitch markers, so I can make a gallery of them.]]> http://www.woolgathering.net/archives/2004_08_06.html#000329 http://www.woolgathering.net/archives/2004_08_06.html#000329 2004 Fri, 06 Aug 2004 10:06:49 -0500 Beautiful! I'm finding the pattern really easy, actually. I think my brain was made for lace. Not for socks (cry cry cry). Let's lookie close. I'm not sure how much knitting I'll get done next week (two interviews and lots of organizing of my study), but I hope to finish this mini-Charlotte in two weeks or so.]]> http://www.woolgathering.net/archives/2004_08_05.html#000328 http://www.woolgathering.net/archives/2004_08_05.html#000328 2004 Thu, 05 Aug 2004 09:58:38 -0500 I got the idea from a different cousin who uses one of these to keep her soft items, like mittens and scarves and socks. It is hanging in the corner of my study by the door that separates my study from Mike's. I'm in love. I adjusted it by collapsing the bottom-most container, so that it wouldn't hit the radiator underneath. The bottom of the stack holds all my Kureyon and other "small project" items. The second is all my Koigu. (Drooooool.) The middle container holds all my project yarn. Projects lined up, current projects, stuff like that. Then I've got bulk yarn (Lana D'Oro and other stash exchange stuff). The top-most is yarn I don't need or use very frequently: acrylic, remainder balls, etc. I still have my little stash cupboard, but now I'm using it to store other projects, like my beads/jewelry materials, ribbons, dye, etc. I also managed to clean my room to a fairly manageable state. This weekend, my relatives are coming over to demolish my kitchen (whee! New kitchen coming!) and I need to prepare the apartment for it.
]]> http://www.woolgathering.net/archives/2004_08_04.html#000326 http://www.woolgathering.net/archives/2004_08_04.html#000326 2004 Wed, 04 Aug 2004 11:10:39 -0500 any pair of socks, and I was feeling down and defeated. I can't handle the four US1 dpns. I get pissed off and I curse it after two rounds. I'm supposed to love this, aren't I? I've frogged my two attempts (first to make Broadripple, the second to make the Cloverleaf socks I was supposed to start in June for the knitalong) and now they are sitting in a corner of my shelf, waiting for me to buy two long US1 circulars to try my hand one last time, using the double loop method. If that doesn't work, I'm going to give up doing anything like socks. So, to cheer myself up, I started my tam again. Get back to feeling the love for my circular needles. I followed the pattern to the letter, instead of trying to adjust it in the wonky way I did before. I was a bit worried about the size of the band as I knit it up, but it turned out okay! Too bad it's so hot and sticky that I can't wear it. It will be nice to wear in the fall, with my long chocolate cordurouy jacket. Here's the top: And for full disclosure, my fair isle. Not too bad! I'd like to work on the pretty fair isle bag in Interweave Knits, but adjust the pattern so I can knit it in the round. I have enough yarn to knit another one, probably, this time either removing the red or the dark brown. I haven't decided if I will go monochromatic or colorful. I used US8s to get gauge. I think the larger needles make the knitting with dpns okay. I just can't knit well with US1 dpns.]]> http://www.woolgathering.net/archives/2004_08_01.html#000322 http://www.woolgathering.net/archives/2004_08_01.html#000322 2004 Sun, 01 Aug 2004 22:44:38 -0500 Thank you Amber and Megan! I can't wait for the next shirt. ]]> http://www.woolgathering.net/archives/2004_07_29.html#000321 http://www.woolgathering.net/archives/2004_07_29.html#000321 2004 Thu, 29 Jul 2004 22:28:02 -0500 Red white and blue yumminess! But... can you see how I would be frustrated with it?

It's color-symmetrical! Very nicely color symmetrical! The white in the middle bordered by blues and reds. I'm torn about adding another color to the end. Adding another section to the end would make it look asymmetrical and wrong. Since it is Erin's scarf (she's the one I mail the scarves to), I'm thinking of selecting a color and knitting a segment but not technically attaching it to the scarf. I'll utilize a provisional cast-on, which will allow her to decide to attach my piece to the work or not. Perhaps I'll pick a cream yarn and do something unassuming that doesn't draw attention to itself. Not sure. I'll probably ask her if she has an opinion. Looking at it makes me feel like I should say "pass me". It's just feels too perfect to make changes to it.]]> http://www.woolgathering.net/archives/2004_07_21.html#000313 http://www.woolgathering.net/archives/2004_07_21.html#000313 2004 Wed, 21 Jul 2004 18:06:04 -0500 Folk Shawls and modified it for this short shawl. So far it looks pretty good. Check out the feather and fan detail, along with the lovely center increases. The yarn is so soft and sweet. I can't wait to finish it, so I can take it off the needle, block it, and fully appreciate the scalloped lace. My tank yarn is drying on the line outside and I think I'll pick it back up after I'm done with this. The summer is nice and hot and it's the right time to finish it so I can wear it. Oh, and thumb appears to be almost back to normal. The tip's tissue is still sensitive, but the skin is now unbroken and no longer red.]]> http://www.woolgathering.net/archives/2004_07_20.html#000312 http://www.woolgathering.net/archives/2004_07_20.html#000312 2004 Tue, 20 Jul 2004 17:58:46 -0500 I bought some back issues of Interweave Knits and they arrived today. One is a copy of an issue I already had (oops!), but the others are pretty gorgeous. I was especially looking forward to the Fall 2003 issue and its article on seamless intarsia knitting in the round. Tt's all in prep for continuing my work on Ron's Animal Cracker hat. I was disappointed with how holey my swatch was, so I hope the article will offer something useful. I want to collect, say, the last four years of IK. There's so many useful stuff in there!]]> http://www.woolgathering.net/archives/2004_07_19.html#000311 http://www.woolgathering.net/archives/2004_07_19.html#000311 2004 Ron's Animal Crackers Hat Mon, 19 Jul 2004 17:45:52 -0500 Today, I drove Mike to a gaming convention, which he was attending from 10am to around 7pm. I didn't want to drive back (about 45 minutes) home, so I decided to just hang around the newby Princeton area. I looked up some local stores in the area. I went to Glenmarle Woolworks and spent the time trying very hard not to drool over the yards and yards of Rowan yarn. I love Rowan yarn. I love the designs. I just wish they were made for women with my bust size! Someday, I'll probably join the knitting circle. I didn't plan on getting anything until I saw a very pretty shawl on one of the table's stores. I asked the woman at the store and she pointed me to some lovely "Anne" Schaefer yarn. I think the colorway is Isadora Duncan. Something red to contrast against the purple/green/yellow of my Charlotte. So, I've got a new project on my needles. I think it will take me a week, maybe two, to use up the yarn. Something short and fun.]]> http://www.woolgathering.net/archives/2004_07_16.html#000309 http://www.woolgathering.net/archives/2004_07_16.html#000309 2004 Fri, 16 Jul 2004 17:18:10 -0500