Sunday, October 28, 2007

Reboot and Restart

Reboot

Reboot. I made the pattern up as I went and it changed from my original plan as I kept working. The way the contrasting color popped out almost like it was trying to take over reminded me of the falling colors/numbers in the opening sequences of Ghost in the Shell and The Matrix (See?) so, Reboot. It's not uber long but it's long enough to wrap around my neck and still cover up my chest. Tres toasty. I'm really pleased with how it turned out.

And then there's the wedding shrug.

I Do

See that pile of yarn next to the ball? Yeah, that's all the yarn I'd used (one whole ball) in the decrease rounds, only to finish them, count stitches and realize I screwed up the decreases. *headdesk* I misread the instructions and didn't decrease on the rows worked even. So, I ripped the whole thing apart and recast on. Tinking back 45 rows of lace to put in the decreases would've fried my brain. The only good thing is that I've got a handle on the lace pattern now so working can go faster. So if you need me, you'll find me under the yarn pile.

Sunday, October 21, 2007

yarn explosion imminent; you have been warned

Knit Picks has launched their autumn clearance sale. *falls over* Someone stop me from bankrupting myself.

Saturday, October 20, 2007

autumn snuggles

I've always loved autumn. The crisp, cool air, the changing leaves, snuggling up with blankets and hot cups of tea. I've really missed these true autumns living in California (where it doesn't really chill itself out til November if you're lucky), so I'm really enjoying them here in England. It's also reinforcing how much I miss living in New York where seasons actually happen too.

After frogging Mr Greenjeans (which was coming along), I decided to use the yarn in a cable modified version of Hug (pattern modification can be found here).
Cabled Hug Back view, Hug

It's nice and toasty and will come in quite handy when I go down to Chawton again for some Jane research in the Chawton House Library in a couple of weeks. I'm now trying to get this scarf idea out of my head to go with it. It was quite chilly in Hants last month so I can only imagine it'll be nippier now. I want color blocks of some sort and was trying to find a cooler stitch than just plain stockinette but I think I'm going to have to stick with the plain stuff. I tried out brioche stitch last night (love it!) but it wasn't really adaptable to what I envision for the blocks. So it looks like I'll just make up my own pattern as I've got to keep in mind that I don't have that much of the lemongrass yarn left over to match with the nearly full skein of the deep olive I used on Sesame.

I plan on going back to Greenjeans but in a different yarn and color for my mom. In the meantime, I finally cast on I Do earlier this week. I'm sooo glad I didn't put this off til next month! The lace pattern took a little bit to get into but I think I've got the hang of it now. I've probably only got the equivalent of a sleeve cuff and a little more done which I don't consider much for the time I've spent on it. Hopefully it'll start to go faster now.

That's all for now! Off for some lovely tea!

Thursday, October 4, 2007

FOs

Well, after all the doubts, hoorays, and aggravation, Sesame is finally DONE. Sesame, all finished As I said, it knit up as a size S so will now be a pressie for one of my cousins. Although, since I'm chatting with her right now, I may send it on home as a "cheer-up" present since it seems like she's having a bit of a rough time, rather than wait for the holidays. I ended up choosing toggle buttons after all and I really like the color contrast they make with the deep green wool.

Toggle closeup


Buttoned up it has a bit of an Asian/military feel which is down to the buttons I think. I didn't think of that when I chose the toggles--I just like toggle buttons, lol. In all honesty they make me think of A Knight's Tale with Heath Ledger and Paul Bettany and the toggles Roland uses off the tent for Will's ball tunic. *is slightly shallow*


Two-tone LegwarmersI also whipped together the legwarmers this weekend. Oh man, I am so glad I did! My legs are so uber toasty. I used Rowan Spray in Sunset and Calm. I don't care what anyone says, legwarmers are a fantastic item to have in your wardrobe. I wear them under jeans, with lounge-type pants, with shorts, you name it, if I think my legs may be a bit chilled, legwarmers baby. Especially if they're snazzy looking. *wink*

Wednesday, October 3, 2007

@$%#! gauge

I hate knitting. That is all.

Sesame's gauge was obviously off and the M knit up as a S. Shipping off to the cousin so I don't have to see it lying around.

Mr. Greenjeans will now be for me. And the good thing is I don't have to recast on as I'd thought as I'd already cast on for a size that'd fit both me and cousin, and my migraine prone brain had forgotten. Yay. Gauge better not be off on this one. Of course, if I obsesses over it, of course it will. *sigh*

I really hate knitting.