Kim Knits

Don't fall asleep!

2012-01-31T07:33:00.001-08:00

IMG_4160, a photo by kbshee on Flickr.

Look, a sweater. Well, at least the body of a sweater, up to the armpits, and a sleeve, up to the elbow. Pretty gosh darn exciting, no?

This is my take on the Tangled Yoke Cardigan--knit in LB Fisherman's Wool. This yarn is a great value--all you see here knit with one big old skein (and a bunch is still left).

This week hasn't started off quite as horribly as last week but hey, it's only Tuesday.

Welts and All

2012-01-29T13:04:00.001-08:00

IMG_4159, a photo by kbshee on Flickr.

Here is my favorite WIP--an infinity scarf in Kidsilk Haze Stripe, in the colorway Circus.

It is really, really bright--one thing I truly love about these types of yarn is the way that they take the dye. So vibrant! This scarf has colors that I'd never wear in real life--bright orange, greens and chartreuse (is that the bright pink color? neer quite sure). However, I love the look of the colors so much that I'm going for it.

Infinity scarves are quite the trend...basically, you cast on a bunch of stitches, join in the round, and knit. This one has 160 stitches and can be worn long or doubled up like a cowl. The interesting feature is that it has welts...basically, you knit ten rounds, turn it inside out, knit ten more rounds, turn it inside out, etc. Then on the 'right' side you have what looks like ten knit rounds and ten purl rounds. And the same thing on the inside.

We had a great day yesterday. We had a Hike of Celebration on a sunny, 50 degree January day a bit more than a year after Juneau's diagnosis of leukemia. A year ago, she could hardly make it down the driveway (but she wanted to go for a walk every day). Yesterday, we went on a two mile hike up Spencer's Butte. It's only a bit more than a mile one way, but the elevation gain is 750 feet and the last 1/8th mile or so are over boulders to reach the top. Juneau was out in front the whole way, and did a great job on the boulders (better than Tim and I did, but probably not as great s Pilot). The only downside was that half of Eugene decided to make the hike yesterday as well, and the trail was somewhat crowded (too many off leash dogs as well). But little could dampen our day with our Juneau!

Still life scarf with long dog

2012-01-26T15:50:00.001-08:00

IMG_4158, a photo by kbshee on Flickr.

i finished the heartbreak scarf--love it! I'm so thrilled with this scarf (although I haven't worn it yet...it is too precious).

(ha ha).

Anyway, I'm having a little bout of startitis and am about to have too many things OTN. I have an infinity scarf in Kidsilk Haze Stripe going. I have the Crazy Avas. I have the twisted yoke cardigan. I want to cast on for another heartbreak (using lots of kidsilk haze) as well as for a tipped pullover that I just discovered the perfect yarn for in the stash. Someone stop me!

And yeah, that dog is pretty cute.

Crazy Avas

2012-01-22T15:38:00.001-08:00

IMG_4157, a photo by kbshee on Flickr.

I finished the first Crazy Ava, and now I'm on the second. Today is a pretty major knitting day as the second to last football day is happening. I'll start working on these at the second half of the SF/NY game.

Today so far I've finished the Heartbreak scarf (it looks great) and I'm working on the Tangled York cardigan for the first half of the SF/NY game.

I've made a big bowl of chili and it's raining out here (as well as in SF) so it's a fine day to snuggle down and enjoy hopefully a good football game. See you tomorrow!

I've come to the hearbreaking conclusion

2012-01-21T16:49:00.001-08:00

IMG_4156, a photo by kbshee on Flickr.

that I won't have enough dark grey yarn to finish the Heartbreak. I'm knitting the last section (you can see in the picture I'm in the middle of a row) and there isn't going to be enough yarn. I'm just going to suck it up and put black in to finish it off. I will still like how it looks and you (I) are meant to wear it sort of jauntily draped so that might take some of the oddness out of it. Yet who knows?

We've been having rain rain rain--to the degree that I wore my polka dot rainboots twice to school as part of my outfit. Luckily that's considered haute couture in my neck of the woods. That's why they call us ducks.

Knitting Revelation

2012-01-18T11:38:00.001-08:00

IMG_4141, a photo by kbshee on Flickr.

This is a new project called Heartbreak. I was wandering around Ravelry looking for something to make and this jumped out at me and I started on it pretty fast with yarn in the stash.

Because, and here comes the revelation--as much as I knit with all kinds of colors, I really only wear black and gray. Oh socks don't count (although in the past few months I've been suggesting to myself that some black and gray socks would be a nice idea) but if you would now step into my closet, you would see black black black black heather gray black black black black light gray black black black dark gray.

It explains a bit why I don't wear my handknits that much--I always feel like a BEACON OF COLOR when I don't wear one of my safe choices.

So this scarf was absolutely me--and while knitting it, I can see how it could use other yarns that would integrate other colors and even self striping but I don't think I'll actually do that because it is NOT GRAY or BLACK.

I think I am very happy in my little dark comfort zone and that will drive my knitting choices, at least for a while.

Although I did wrap a red scarf around my (gray) sweater this morning.

2012-01-16T18:36:00.001-08:00

My Twinnie is going to knit a sock! Please send her good wishes!

So here is what the scarf looks like all stretched out

2012-01-16T07:55:00.001-08:00

IMG_4138, a photo by kbshee on Flickr.

Today is technically a holiday but I have a 90 minute date with the dentist as well as a lot of class planning to catch up on, so all it is really is a work day without having to be at work.

I love this scarf (I wore it yesterday) and discovered it matches the lining of my parka (the pinky purply color) and the gloves I wear with that park (the bright blue). So score all around.

OH LOOKIE! Real knitting content

2012-01-15T10:47:00.001-08:00

IMG_4135, a photo by kbshee on Flickr.

As I mentioned, I've been a bit single minded in my pursuit of working on the Kidsilk Haze Stripe scarf. I finished it yesterday (finished in terms of running out of yarn) and wound it up so you could see all the colors.

The scarf was really simple--a 2x2 rib with 48 stitches knit on #8 needles. There's a lot of halo in this yarn so it doesn't look hole-y at all. And the way the colors ebb and flow is really, really beautiful. I loved knitting this just to see what would come off the skein.

This is theoretically a limited edition yarn, and so if you find some out there you might want to grab it. I know I want to do more with this. And I have pictures of it looking like a scarf too.

I'm pretty sure I got tagged!

2012-01-14T09:14:00.000-08:00

Rules: • Post these rules. • You must post 11 random things about yourself. • Answer the questions the tagger set for you in their post. • Create 11 new questions for the people you tag to answer. • Go to their blog and tell them that you have tagged them. • No stuff in the tagging section about ‘you are tagged if you are reading this.’ blah blah blah, you legitimately have to tag 11 people! (whatever, tag as you like, fun remember?)

Random Facts:

1. I bit my nails until a year ago.
2. From the time I was 25 until I was 37, I did not own a car.
3. I own two alpacas (although I did not own them when I did not own a car).
4. My favorite US city is Boston.
5. My favorite International city is London.
6. Not crazy about cell phones.
7. I'd rather email than talk on the phone.
8. There are about four meals I can cook well.
9. I have ugly toes.
10. People always want to add 'berly' to the end of my first name, but my 'legal' name is Kim.
11. In the vast majority of cases, I find dogs > people

My questions: 1. What made you smile today? A: dogs. 2. If you had to perform at the circus, what trick would you do? A: clown...I'm thinking about going to a clown workshop. 3. Zombie, werewolf, or vampire? A: Werewolf probably. 4. What’s the coolest dream you ever had??? OUt of body experience, assuming it was a dream. 5. Rock, paper or scissors? Oh paper. Wait no scissors. OK Scissors. No paper. 6. If you could go on a road trip with any person, dead or alive, who would it be and where would you go? Person: Tim, Place: National Parks in a van. 7. If you could have 1 superpower, What would you choose? Flight. 8. If a unicorn and a squirrel had a baby what would it be called? Petey. 9. If you could instantly become fluent in another language, which language would you pick? Italian.10. What is your favorite movie quote? "Suck my love pump". 11. What TV show do you wish was still on the air? Hmmm. I remember a game show from when I was a kid which was like full size candyline or something like that. That one.

Questions for the people I tagged:
1. What was the best thing that happened yesterday? 2. What book could you read once a year and never get bored? 3. What was the last good idea you had in the shower? 4. Mac or PC? 5. What is your first thought when you hear that snow is in the forecast? 6. Favorite beach? 7. If you could do one sport very well, with no fear of injury, which would it be? 8. What is your favorite piece of jewelry and why? 9. Do you get excited when the mail arrives? 10. If you have a superpower where anything you knit would be finished, flawlessly, in a week, what would you knit? 11. DPNs or circs?

Friday the 13th

2012-01-13T10:05:00.001-08:00

I'm not superstitious--are you?
I've just been knitting on the scarf--it has been a busy week so I hope to finish that up this weekend. IT's very cold and frosty here--and snow is in the forecast! OK just snow showers but I'll take whatever I can get.

Beautiful

2012-01-10T13:33:00.001-08:00

IMG_4132, a photo by kbshee on Flickr.

It's hard to take a picture of this scarf, but I have to say I can't stop knitting on it. The color changes are absolutely amazing. I love watching how each row makes it prettier and prettier and prettier.

Rowan Kidsilk Haze Stripe, in the 'Cool' colorway.

Sweater

2012-01-09T15:55:00.001-08:00

IMG_4125, a photo by kbshee on Flickr.

I've had four hunks of Lion Brand Fisherman's Wool in the stash for a long time, and over the break I wondered what I could make with it. I got it in my head that I wanted to do another Tangled Yoke Cardigan--an easy to wear, relatively easy to knit cardigan that would be nice and toasty.

I found the pattern and of course, the Fisherman's Wool is way too thick. But I'm holding my breath, doing the math and hoping that I can revise the pattern to a thicker gauge yarn without too many problems.

For starters, I case on about 2/3 of the stitches needed in the original pattern. I'll knit this straight up to the armpits, knit the sleeves, and then the tricky bit will be the yoke. However, I think I can do the math part and figure out how many pattern repeats I need to make the sweater look good. Mathiness is a bit of a strength of mine.

I love the color, I love knitting with it, and I think it will be a great cardigan.

First day of class went fine, met our new President which went fine, my head is down and I'll plow through.

St. Distaff's Day

2012-01-07T09:13:00.001-08:00

IMG_4128, a photo by kbshee on Flickr.

Today is St. Distaff's Day, the first day after epiphany. A distaff is used in spinning--it is what you wind the unspun wool around--but St. Distaff's day is 'traditionally' the day women go back to work after taking time off for the holidays.

Interesting, yes?

So I'm putting my head in 'back to work' mode. Ready to take on the next (busy) ten weeks and then the ten weeks after that leading to the summer. I'm in a 'head down, get stuff done, get out' frame of mind, which is not the BEST but not the absolute worst either.

The socks are by Miss Babs, bought at last summer's Sock Summit. Colorway: Crazy Ava. Love.

Startitis

2012-01-06T13:30:00.001-08:00

IMG_4126, a photo by kbshee on Flickr.

Like every other knitter on the planet, I'm experiencing a bad case of startitis. This past week or so I've cast on for three new projects (and I still have one Midwinter Eve mitt to finish) (and the fair isle hoodie) but whatever.

This is a scarf done in Kidsilk Haze stripe. The colors are really pretty--I used a flash which makes it look like there's a little hole in it but there isn't. Anyway, the scarf is just a 2x2 rib and the colors really come through. This is really a lovely yarn.

I've also started my own version of the tangled cable cardigan (using a much thicker yarn) as well as a pair of socks using Miss Babs. Stay tuned!

As Tim Gunn would say...

2012-01-04T10:52:00.001-08:00

IMG_4123, a photo by kbshee on Flickr.

...'that's a lot of look.'

So this is what I knit yesterday--this ruffly scarf that looks a bit like a boa and weighs absolutely nothing. It's Rowan Kidsilk Creation, which is pretty amazing. Basically, you get several yards of a Kidsilk Tube, and you knit the tube in such a way that you form ruffles. There's videos out there that explain it, and it is simple and literally takes an hour and a half to make this scarf.

It's not a scarf that will keep you terribly warm, and it is a bit fancy for me, but it is pretty fun. If I'm every dressed up then I would wear this. Also, if you know someone who would like this, it would make a great gift. Kind of ingenious!

Today is my 'just do it' day. School starts Monday and while I'm fine for classes, I've a list of things to do around the house and to get going for next week. We were up early today (Tim's Corvallis day) and I did one thing I've been wanting to do for a while: cleaned out my jewelry drawer.

Here's a question: what do you do with all your old fashion (costume) jewelry? I have a bunch of stuff from the late 80s that I love but looks very outdated now. I hate to throw it away. Any thoughts?

I also had the dogs out for a long walk (I kept thinking about cutting it short but said to myself 'just do it', mostly because it is a beautiful winter day--cold and clear). Now I'm going to read some Comp Exam answers and start on a new sweater.

Rose Bowl Halftime

2012-01-02T15:45:00.001-08:00

IMG_4116, a photo by kbshee on Flickr.

Well, it is tied 28 all at halftime at the Rose Bowl--great game although I'd feel a wee bit better if we had 14 more points. GO DUCKS!

For your visual enjoyment is the first of the Winter's Eve socks, a pattern by the fabulous Sivia Harding and adapted (by me) to mittens because there are way too beautiful to wear as socks.

The yarn: Wollmeise. Just as beautiful in person as on your screen.

Happy New Year!

2012-01-01T17:15:00.001-08:00

IMG_4108, a photo by kbshee on Flickr.

Wow, the last ten days have gone by so fast. Although, oddly, it seems like Christmas was forever ago.

We did make it til midnight, enjoyed watching Downton Abbey again, and Tim's dinner was scrumptious. The morning brought coffee and crosswords and a long dog walk, followed by the annual tradition of taking down the tree and putting the decorations away--the house always looks so big without all the trimmings!

I also put a pot of chili on the slow cooker and now we're settling in for football and relaxation. And tomorrow---ROSE BOWL! Go Ducks!

Oh I forgot. I finished the Sunrise Circle Jacket, which I tweaked to add the ribbing around the whole sweater. I'm sure I'll make another one---with more ribbing, I really like how the ribbing looks. I love that sweater!

What are you doing New Year's Eve?

2011-12-31T14:50:00.001-08:00

IMG_4102, a photo by kbshee on Flickr.

If you're anything like our family, you're curling up with a knitting magazine and taking a wee winter's nap.

It's always a marathon at our house--will we make it til midnight? At what time can we start getting ready for bed? How crummy will we feel tomorrow? Etcetera etcetera.

Tim is making dim sum tonight...I'm sure there will be pot stickers and spring rolls. Probably some Shwetty Ball ice cream or perhaps some vanilla with Fermat Branca sauce. And cookies cookies cookies, so that sugar buzz should keep us going til about 10:30 or so.

We'll be having a "Downton Abbey" marathon--we have four episodes left on Netflix and we also have a bunch of 'The Wire" so we'll be entertained.

It's been a tough year, but as Tim was mentioning on our walk this morning, it all ended up well. We're all alive and relatively happy, healthy and sane, and we're looking forward to the next chapter of our lives unfolding in 2012.

Resolutions? I'll steal from this morning's "Mutts" comic and say to "Be Here Now"--to spend more time in the present and less time wallowing about the past and worrying about the future. We'll see how that works out.

Happy New Year to you and yours!

Vogue Knitting Winter 11/2

2011-12-29T10:31:00.001-08:00

I'm confused. Wasn't I just mocking the VK with Martha Stewart on the cover? Well, apparently VK took all the crappy patterns laying around the VK Design Studio and plopped them all in this issue, entitled "Knits You'll Live In". OK...it's not 100% crappy. There's actually...

The Good: 37 patterns for $6.99, plus pictures of a lot of free glove patterns downloadable at VK.com . Probably my favorite part, these free patterns. I like a long cable cardigan (#9)and a relaxed pullover (#11).Some pretty accessories in purple (ok, a pair of mittens).

The Bad: The "Knit Living" section has many, many pillow patterns AND a pattern for a knit ottoman (ain't happening here). I'm not a fan of knit skirts, so hoorah, 5 knit skirt patterns! And two pairs of purple socks are ruined (for me) with drop stitch techniques. Honey, if I see a drop stitch in a sock, I've screwed up.

The Ugly: Oh, the ugliness. There's a section called Urban Rednewal (not a typo, RED newal) which are capes and ponchos knit in red yarn. I'm sorry, VK, but a pretty color does not make up for ugly cape poncho things. Then, there's an "eye catching split sleeve effect" cape that makes no sense at all.

But wait. There's more.

Two, count 'em, two turbans. Turbans. Tur. Bans. True, they are positioned as "vintage chic" but who who who would wear these?

Enjoy??

Sheepish

2011-12-28T16:04:00.001-08:00

IMG_4101, a photo by kbshee on Flickr.

We have a tradition where Tim and I make at least one gift for one another for Christmas. This year it was quite the festival of homemadeness, as Tim made some lovely jewelry for me (pics to come) and I made him two knitted gifts.

You may recognize Shaun the Sheep, who is quite the popular one in our house. This came from a kit with lovely chenille yarn from England. Shaun came along with a Shaun the Sheep Christmas DVD. Ho Ho Ho!

Well then.

2011-12-27T06:52:00.000-08:00

Christmas came and went, a good few days: a lovely dinner Christmas Eve night followed by "White Christmas", presents in the morning and an afternoon of phone calls, dog walks and cooking (Tim) on Christmas day and then Boxing Day with our friends Steve and Jen and their two kids.

The only knitting type gift was sheep salt and pepper shakers (which will turn up on the blog header, thanks C and B!) and Tim made some beautiful celtic inspired jewelry for me. That was a wonderful surprise. Also, ZUMBA! And finger paints. Because I am six.

Tim goes back to work today and I'll just sort of hang. I started REAMDE last night and it's pretty good--it's also a gazillion pages long but it moves pretty fast. Knitting too--not a lot has been done but I promise to post pictures this week.

Enjoy the last few days of the year!

Winter's Eve

2011-12-24T11:33:00.001-08:00

IMG_4099, a photo by kbshee on Flickr.

I love on Christmas Eve how the world seems to screech on its brakes and everything slows to a stop until around noon tomorrow.

I've been working on these socks for a few weeks--they take a while as I'm adding the beads one at a time as I knit. It's Sivia Harding's Winter's Eve pattern from the STR sock club from a gazillion years ago. The yarn is Wollmeise. I had put together the pattern, the yarn and the beads in a project bag and then, um, sort of misplaced it. But I found it again and am loving these socks. The beads are a bit big but I can deal.

Have a beautiful Christmas!

Did I post this?

2011-12-22T07:47:00.001-08:00

IMG_4094, a photo by kbshee on Flickr.

I can't remember.

Candy cane socks, completed.

Anyway--knitting continues, although I don't have the patience to finish the fair isle hood. Maybe I'll work on it during football next week. We'll see. I've been finishing up my syllabi for next term (new class! new graduate class! ARGH!) and now that the syllabus is done I better start on the reading, which is pretty heavy. Double argh!

GRYFFINDORRRRRRR

2011-12-21T13:21:00.001-08:00

IMG_4096, a photo by kbshee on Flickr.

You need to roar it like the Sorting Hat.

Anyway, it is Christmas so I'm reading a Harry Potter book (#4, my all-time favorite...what's yours?) and knitting on Harry Potter inspired socks. These are Gryffindor socks from Sunshine yarn's Harry Potter sock club in, um, 2007.

Yep.

The yarn has been around for a while.

Basic sock pattern, good repeats, quick knit, bound for Tim.

Knits Accessories Review

2011-12-19T14:19:00.000-08:00

As much as I disliked "Jane Austen Knits", it's all good after several perusals of "Knits Accessories", also published by IK. Here are my thoughts:

1. 42 patterns for $14.99. That's something like 40 cents a pattern. Given that accessories patterns bought on Rav are $4-5, even if I knit only 10% of the stuff in this issue then I'll be ahead.

2. And I'm going to knit a lot more than 4. The issue has 4 shawls, 6 socks, 8 women's hats, 11 scarves/cowls, 5 guy's hats, and 4 mitten and glove patterns. And there's good stuff.

3. Even though I don't like lace, I may knit the Trousseau wrap because I have the perfect purple laceweight Wollmeise in the stash.

4.I'm probably going to cast on the Meridian socks this week, and want to do the thrummed slipped called "Highland Slippers".

5. I love the Copenhagen Hat.

6. Readers of my blog know I'm not crazy about cowls. But likely, there are only a few (and even one I like--the Tilt Cowl) along with the Two Ribs Infinity scarf which I think is great.

7. It's too bad there are only four glove/mitten patterns, because I'm going to knit them all.

8. One thing I really like about this magazine is that the designers use yarns that aren't break-the-bank expensive. Sure there are some high end yarnchoices, but there's also stuff made with Brown Sheep Bulky, Cascade 128, Lion Brand, Paton's and Plymouth. I really appreciate that--it makes it easy to mix and match from the stash when many projects use 'workhorse' yarns.

So there you have it. I like this magazine a lot. Could you tell?

Review: Jane Austen Knits

2011-12-18T12:17:00.000-08:00

I love Jane Austen. I love knitting. So you'd think I'd love Jane Austen Knits, right?

Well, you would be wrong. It is a beautiful magazine but not just for me. Here's a few thoughts:

1. The cover price is $14.99--a bit pricier than many other publications. You get 36 pattens so I guess that's a pretty good deal. Unfortunately, there are a lot of patterns that I have no interest in knitting. Tea Cozies. Reticules (twee little purses). Capelets, shawl and lacy neckwear. If you like any of these things, this magazine may be for you.

2. Many of the sweaters are either shrugs or spencers. A spencer is a sweater that ends right under the bust, which is pretty typical in Austen's era. I don't think this is a flattering look on many people, and when I read a spencer described as 'flattering' (next to a not flattering picture) I got a little annoyed.

3. There are lots of articles speculating on whether Jane Austen knit and if she did, what she might knit and what she knit those things out of. If you are interested in this type of things, there's a great book called "What Jane Austen ate and Charles Dickens knew" whihc is much more interesting.

4. A few things I did like: "An Aran for Frederick" in a great cable pattern and the "Marianne Dashwood Stockings" are pretty neat looking. But that's about it for me.

Tomorrow I'll share my review of "Knits Accessories" which is much cheerier.

Holiday Hexipuff

2011-12-15T18:12:00.001-08:00

IMG_4092, a photo by kbshee on Flickr.

Here's #25, knit in the candycane sock yarn that I've been working on (finished the socks, yes I did).

Candy Cane Sock

2011-12-11T11:55:00.001-08:00

IMG_4086, a photo by kbshee on Flickr.

Not much to say: a basic sock made with a 'second' of Socks that Rock. Very festive!

No excuses

2011-12-09T14:41:00.001-08:00

IMG_4084, a photo by kbshee on Flickr.

Sorry for the blog silence...I have no good reason other than, to be perfectly honest, I just didn't feel like blogging.

It's been a weird end of the term. The University's President was unceremoniously fired at the end of November. I'm on the committee that meets with him weekly to 'advise' him, although he's taught me more than I had advice for him. So it has been a very hard struggle for me to deal with this, to run the committee and to try to help the University stay focused and upbeat and committed given the loss. On top of that was the end of the term and the panic to get stuff done that always comes with that. And so here I am, back again!

I have been knitting. This was my therapy: the anemone hat by Cat Bordhi. Boy, I wish I had this one while I was still in my ten mile mode---it eats up lots and lots of yarn with the little tendrils. It's a couple hundred yards in Malabrigo Merino, any soft worsted will work. There's also an option for a mobius brim, if you are a fan of Cat's mobius.

And now the run til Christmas. Our presents are pretty much on their way to where they need to be, and we have decorating and cookies to accomplish. And cards. But all will be done in good time.

Sorry for the Silence

2011-12-01T12:54:00.000-08:00

It's been a bit stressful, with the end of the term and the President of the UO getting fired this week. But knitting pretties to come. I have to say I love that I don't have to worry about yard counts!

10 Miles!

2011-11-26T14:20:00.001-08:00

IMG_4081, a photo by kbshee on Flickr.

I finished Tim's Silk Road DK socks last night, and all that stood between me and my ten mile goal were two hexipuffs. I was delighted to find that the blue one was halfway done, and so I finished it, knit the rainbow one, and ta da. 10 miles. 10 MILES!

Very proud of myself, and proud of Tim to figure out how to present the achievement visually, which included Tim saying "do you have a stitch marker?"

OK now what?? And don't say 20 miles. Too. Much. Pressure.

Two Hexipuffs short of Ten miles

2011-11-26T08:41:00.001-08:00

So guess what I'm doing today?

TG Recap

2011-11-25T08:42:00.001-08:00

IMG_4075, a photo by kbshee on Flickr.

Our Thanksgivings tend to be a bit, um, eclectic. Neither of us is a big turkey lover (one meal yes, ten meals no) and I could be fine with a dinner made completely of mashed potatoes. So Tim often uses Thanksgiving as a day to experiment with different cuisines that take a bit longer to make than, say, grilled salmon and a salad.

To add to the fun, one of Tim's birthday present was (as you can see in the picture) one of those fancy schmancy torches that the chefs on "Top Chef" use. It is a bit disconcerting when he points it from one side of the kitchen to the other and I stand far, far away from him. That baby sounds like a jet engine when he turns it on.

So the menu yesterday was skirt steak with a delicious rub, potatoes in mole, fresh corn salsa, and a garlic and lime steamed green bean salad. The torch was used to get the skin off the many peppers in the dishes. Then Tim made chocolate pot de creme brulee and torched the tops of those as well.

We watched the dog show (favorite tradition) and then last night watched Harry Potter 7.2, and you can't get much better than that.

How about you?

OH and I finished a sweater.
OH and I am almost at 10 miles!

My Life in Stockinette

2011-11-22T07:29:00.001-08:00

IMG_4072, a photo by kbshee on Flickr.

Everything in the active knitting pile is stockinette, which makes sense given the time of the year and the busy-ness that comes with the end of the term. I do have the fair isle hood to finish, but maybe in a few weeks when school is over (next week is week 10, the week after is finals week and then I get several weeks off). So anyway, I finished the first sleeve and got started on the second last night.

Sunday was Tim's birthday (neglected to mention that) so we had non stop celebrating between thesis and birthday.

We're gearing up for a quiet and mellow Thanksgiving, which we're both looking forward to.

Sunrise Circle again

2011-11-20T11:46:00.001-08:00

IMG_4073, a photo by kbshee on Flickr.

I'm getting toward the end of the first part of the Sunrise Circle Jacket...half of the front and a full sleeve. I love the construction of this. The yarn is lightweight and I think will make a perfect little sweater. No major errors as of yet, at least that I can see!

It has been a busy weekend here--Tim's master's defense was Friday morning, followed by a reception at school for him in the afternoon and then a dinner with his advisers. Yesterday we mainly hung out and watched an exciting but disappointing Duck game. Today we've had cards and presents, and we're going out for dinner tonight. And as Tim says, we will not be eating between TG and Christmas!

Vogue Knitting Holiday 2011 Review

2011-11-17T12:00:00.000-08:00

OK, so if you ever had any question as to whether Vogue Knitting was related to Vogue, this should be the final answer. Cover felon Martha Stewart shares her love of knitting in this issue of VK. She has a new line of yarn produced by Lion Brand. Enough about that? Let's move on.

The Good: The theme of this issue is "Knitting A to Z" and I, for one, dearly miss VK's whackadoodle themes and goofball accessories. However, some of the A to Z things are quite nice. 35 patterns in all (and they don't even do the whole alphabet) and a free pull-out pattern for something odd. Anyway, some pretty cabled sweaters (A for Aran, C for Cables (two sweaters!)and an interesting 'u' (undyed) with a great pattern. Two mitts that are cute (g is for gauntlets, q is for quick). A beautiful jacket. A cute hat. Really, well done, VK! Nothing I'm running to knit rightnowrightaway, but lots of nice inspiration.

The Bad: Check out the "Xtra Bulky" offering: here . Who is wearing an extra bulky skirt this holiday, hands up right now! Oh, that's what I thought.

The Ugly: while you're checking out the link, take a gander at the styling of the pink sweater under vintage. It's like the whackadoodle stylist escaped from her cage and threw all the crazy on one outfit: a green pailette and feather skirt, a Mad Tea Party hat, and polka dot platforms. What exactly is the vintage part there?

Overall: can't really complain that much. Nice pieces and enough crazy to keep me laughing.*-------

Sock

2011-11-15T08:59:00.001-08:00

IMG_4070, a photo by kbshee on Flickr.

This sock knit up in about three evenings of knitting, even though it is for Tim with his large-ish feet. Why? It's Jo Sharpe Silk Road DK Tweed and I can do 48 stitches for the foot and leg and it fits him perfectly. And I just keep knitting til the ball runs out (toe up) and that's the leg length. Very satisfying.

Purple Tweedy Sweater

2011-11-13T17:16:00.001-08:00

IMG_4071, a photo by kbshee on Flickr.

So here is what I accomplished last night during the Ducks-Stanford game...about 25 rounds of sleeve.

That is all.

But quite the games, my friends, quite the game. Go Ducks!

Sunrise Circle Jacket, my toes, and a cat bowl

2011-11-11T14:57:00.001-08:00

IMG_4069, a photo by kbshee on Flickr.

Here is the current status of the Sunrise Circle Jacket, which should get a bit bigger after this weekend's football knitting time allocation.

Another busy week--Tim's masters' thesis is due today and his defense is a week from today. Yee!

And yes, the dry eyes are back. I'm trying a new drop called Azasite which is to correct something with my eyelid. We'll see how that goes.

New Sock

2011-11-09T10:14:00.001-08:00

IMG_4068, a photo by kbshee on Flickr.

I've started on a pair of socks for Tim that should go fairly quickly.

Sadly, a pair made of this same yarn--discontinued Jo Sharp Silk Road Tweed DK--felt a bit in the wash and then ripped. So I found some that people are destashing and will knit him another pair as well as try to fix the existing pair (the color on the existing pair is this great, rich purple that makes me sad is discontinued).

Busy week so far...a long day on Monday with meetings here and then a drive up to PDX for several meetings followed by a drive home. Grading all day yesterday and student meetings today. Good times!

OccupyRowan: Save Calmer!

2011-11-07T08:10:00.000-08:00

Did you hear that Rowan Calmer is being discontinued?

This is a wonderful springy cottony yarn that is a delight to knit with. I have a bit in my stash, and am very sad to think it will live on only in destashes.

If you want to help try to save calmer, Knitty.com has started a petition:
Online Petition to Save Calmer . It is worth a try!

Oh Manolo!

2011-11-06T12:07:00.001-08:00

IMG_4066, a photo by kbshee on Flickr.

I finished the Manolo socks...it is hard to get both the color and the pattern in the socks in a photograph. So this is definitely the color, and if you want to see the details more clearly let me know and I have another photo that does the pattern justice.

Another quiet week as Tim pushes forward toward his thesis defense. I'm getting a lot of knitting done, needless to say--did you see my mileage total? I'm very close to my ten mile goal, yay!

Back of Manolo

2011-11-03T09:37:00.001-07:00

IMG_4065, a photo by kbshee on Flickr.

Well,between baseball and football I got to the final part of Manolo! The safetypin holds four stitches that then turn in to an icord little bow that, as my twinster points out, no one will see but. I. Will. Know. It. Is. There.

So cute!

But these are put aside for a few days. I have chronic dry eyes and I'm having an episode...it feels like I have sand in my eyes so I'm using drops and cold compresses to try to ease them. Good times!

Sunrise circle jacket

2011-11-02T11:53:00.001-07:00

IMG_4064, a photo by kbshee on Flickr.

As I mentioned, I decided to make another Sunrise Circle Jacket after deciding I love the one I have already. I had a dream of making it in a grey tweed, and lo and behold I went to the stash and found ten balls of Rowan Felted Tweed in this light grey with white and black nubs. OVER THE MOON!

I have just started on the sleeve (this jacket is in three pieces...one sleeve/side piece, another sleeve/side piece, and the back) and so don't have a lot to show but thought I had enough for a post.

The electricity went off here last night around 8:45 and stayed off til about 11 (GASP!). It was DARK. DARK DARK DARK. And cold too. We kept the gas stove on for the bird (and in case the elec stayed off and we would need a warm place!) and huddled down under multiple blankets after having to turn the bbq on to light candles (we were woefully unprepared...can you tell?).

Spooky Hexipuffs!

2011-10-31T09:47:00.001-07:00

IMG_4057, a photo by kbshee on Flickr.

And it now looks like a sweater

2011-10-30T15:13:00.001-07:00

IMG_4063, a photo by kbshee on Flickr.

The purple top down sweater has reached a point where voila, it looks like a sweater!

I've also turned the heel on Manolo, and cast on for another Sunrise Circle Jacket, which is quite 'on trend' for this fall (not that it will be done, but..).

So life is good in Knit Land.

Well, hello, Manolo

2011-10-29T11:10:00.001-07:00

IMG_4060, a photo by kbshee on Flickr.

If you've been reading my blog for the last millenium, you might have been asking yourself "what happened to those gorgeous pink cabled socks Kim was working on? I hope she finishes them because the first one was just stunning."

So welcome back to Manolo, a sock pattern from the Twist Collective. I just checked... I think it was Fall 2010 TC which means they haven't been sitting idle for too long. Anyway, I did the toe on the second one and then put it away.

But with the Cardinals in the World Series, and lots of sports to watch, I plucked these out again and have now almost finished the foot. With the Ducks game today I bet I'll get the heel turned.

The yarn is (I think) Crystal Palace Panda Silk and it feels great.

Tweedy Top Down

2011-10-26T07:55:00.001-07:00

IMG_4052, a photo by kbshee on Flickr.

This is my mindless knitting: a top down raglan sweater knit in a very stiff and sticky purple tweed--it's Rowan something. I like it. The sticky yarn means that even if I make a mistake (which happens with mindless knitting!) that noting unravels that much, and the stitches stay nice and even.

This is week 5--halfway through the fall term and things are manageable. I have selected books for my class next term--it is a 'new' class in history and theory of new media, which should be interesting (for me as well as the grad students) and I have a pile of reading to get going as well as keeping up with classes this term. We're about to start a search process...yay.

And it suddenly turned wintery, which is fine but a bit of transition would have been nice.

Tiny (but not impossibly so) little booties

2011-10-24T10:11:00.001-07:00

IMG_4055, a photo by kbshee on Flickr.

So I thought this would be the final piece to my baby gift, but realized--how will these stay on?

So I'll get a pink ribbon to tighten them up.

And then of course I'll need a pink ribbon in a white hat as well. And there's just the hat in (I think) Last Minute Knitted Gifts.

Fair Isle Sweater

2011-10-23T10:41:00.001-07:00

IMG_4050, a photo by kbshee on Flickr.

So you probably don't remember that I'm making a sweater with a fair isle hood...this sweater is slightly cursed due to two different dye lots (sound familiar?) and I put it aside because fair isle requires a bit more concentration that I generally have when school is in session.

But generally NOT the amount of concentration needed during a 45-2 blowout (go Ducks!) and so the first cuff is done.

IMG_4051, a photo by kbshee on Flickr.

The first picture (above) shows the 'real' color of the sweater, but this picture lets you see the detail in the fair isle. I made this color combination up myself, and the yellow probably needs to be more vibrant, but I'm using stash yarn to do it so I'll be happy with what I have.

I still need to finish the ribbed cuff on this and do the OTHER sleeve (the sleeve is done up til this point, though) before tackling the hood. But I feel more confident in my fair isle skills (although concentration is still required!).

Impossibly tiny little sweater

2011-10-19T09:48:00.001-07:00

IMG_4049, a photo by kbshee on Flickr.

It needs blocking and finishing, but the sweater that matches the impossibly tiny little pants is just about done.

It's so tiny!

There's a tiny little fair isle snowflake on the front, plus two more on the back.

And I've started on impossibly tiny little booties as well (booties. They are awesome. I can do one bootie in about an hour and a half. Now I want to do booties and give them out to any impossibly tiny little people I see)

And did you notice the destash total? How about that?

Awkward moment of panic

2011-10-16T14:02:00.001-07:00

IMG_4048, a photo by kbshee on Flickr.

I had one of those times when I didn't have anything mindless to knit, which sent me scurrying into the yarn room, finding ten balls of Rowan Scottish Tweed DK, finding a pattern for a top down sweater, and having the moment pass.

I've started on it, and it goes, and it is truly mindless, which I've needed as I'm a bit under the weather. The sinus pain has cleared up but the stuffiness is here...good times!

I will make a pot of chili and hope to clean out that stuffiness. How are you/

Ramblings

2011-10-15T18:06:00.001-07:00

IMG_4039, a photo by kbshee on Flickr.

1. I think I have a sinus infection. Ouch.

2. Here's another hexipuff. I am not producing these as quickly as i thought.

3. I'm about halfway done with an impossibly small sweater to match the pants.

4. But because of #1, I will not be working on that today.

5. Note to self: do not go out to lunch when kickoff is at 7pm.

6. I decided to knit another Sunrise Circle Jacket, went to Rav, found the IK that held it, dug out the magazine, and then found that the pattern was available at the website. For free. But no longer. Which kind of sucks.

Impossibly tiny little pants

2011-10-14T14:32:00.001-07:00

IMG_4041, a photo by kbshee on Flickr.

As I mentioned a while back, I'm knitting an outfit for my friend and former student Kati's baby (she doesn't read this, as far as I know, so I"m kind of safe. I found a pattern and I knit the pants in white (cotton ease). I started on the matching sweater and I'll also knit booties.

These pants are so tiny. You can see the heart...that's a tape measure, so you can see how tiny these are. But so cute!

I'm particularly brain dead today

2011-10-13T10:24:00.002-07:00

And I apologize.
I only have one two hour meeting to be coherent for, and then I'm allowed to continue my brain deadness.

Just thought you should know.

Weekend Knitting Update

2011-10-10T08:10:00.001-07:00

IMG_4032, a photo by kbshee on Flickr.

1. Three hexipuffs. I love this yarn until Pilot got hold of it, and now it is an unrecognizable mess.

2. While hexipuff mania seems to have subsided a bit (at least in my house), it is gratifying to see hexipuffs still get their claws into some people (and yes, I mean you, my twinner).

3. Entrelac wrap is done. I need to block and weave in a few ends but this was a very self contained project!

4. The side to side sweater seems to make sense...the sleeves did fit. It needs a huge blocking to stretch it out but i think it will end up fitting. Right now I'm working on the band.

5. Baby knitting: finished these teeny tiny pants for Baby Berg. Cannot believe they would even fit a real person.

6. I feel very positive about the ten mile goal.

Apparently, the sofa had a little chill

2011-10-09T09:34:00.001-07:00

IMG_4036, a photo by kbshee on Flickr.

So I've been working on this entrelac wrap (from the Debbie Bliss book, but pretty much the same as Lady Eleanor). It's about 6 feet long and I'm on my fourth ball of Moods something or other, which will probably be the final ball.

But look at the right hand side. The last ball I used was almost all a purple/black mix...no pure purple, no pure black. ODD! I noticed it about halfway through the ball...I thought about frogging but thought...nah. And when I went to get the fourth ball from the stash, I noticed that all but one remaining had this lack of solid colors.

I bought the yarn a while ago, and it was on a huge sale, so I can't complain, but it is ODD. But I like it anyway.

I'm thinking about my next project (I still have the fair isle hoodie to finish, though). I found a picture of an icelandic sweater with sheep on it and I'm thinking about doing something like that. I'm sure Lopi has some instructions somewhere.

Side to side

2011-10-08T13:42:00.001-07:00

IMG_4037, a photo by kbshee on Flickr.

Well, the sleeves didn't take me too long, and now this is ready to be put together. It shouldn't be that bad...block, sew the shoulders together, then put in the sleeves, and then take care of the gazillion ends.

EDITED TO ADD: nope, not that easy to do. Length is good, armholes too big, sleeves too small. I think I have to knit a panel instead of just a side seam on the sleeves. So. It continues.

Past the halfway point

2011-10-03T18:04:00.001-07:00

IMG_4030, a photo by kbshee on Flickr.

This is going pretty well--no major snafus on the entrelac quite yet (when I did the Lady Eleanor, I didn't quite have the hang of pick up and purl, and it shows).

Fall is here with a vengeance, with lots of rain for the past few days. Usually this is mid-October weather, so the weather and being back at work (yet having no office) are kind of messing with me.

How are you?

Week 1 done

2011-10-02T13:26:00.000-07:00

Sorry this is upside down, but that is what the sweater body looks like. Yay, it is done! The sleeves are also knit side to side which is kind of an adventure, but I think it will all work out well. I have half of the first sleeve done and it looks cool.

Although apparently what I thought was the RS is the WS, so that's going to take some getting used to. Just a bit.

Had a good first week of classes, but due to renovations at my building I don't have an office, so I have to time arrivals better than I used to. I held office hours at a coffee shop on campus which was also kind of interesting. It is not fun to tote a bunch of stuff around all the time but I'll get used to it.

It is fall here, now, with the rain starting Friday night. Still warm which is a bonus. And the tree frogs outside the window are terrific to hear!

A Good Feeling

2011-09-28T08:58:00.000-07:00

Do you ever have the feeling that there is something out there, something that you really need to knit, but you don't know exactly what it is?

My good friend and former doctoral student, Kati, and her husband Trent are having their first baby in February. It's a girl, and she's so excited. I want to make them something, of course, from stash, of course, but can't figure out what.

And then yesterday, I discovered this outfit, and I'll make it in white with pink snowflakes.

Yes, I know white is completely impractical for a baby, but the baby will be perfect and the yarn is washable.

The Wrap

2011-09-27T16:06:00.001-07:00

IMG_4028, a photo by kbshee on Flickr.

School started yesterday, along with my first meeting as chair of a University committee. I was a little stressed but all went fine. Today was knocking things off my to-do list: 15 letters of recommendation, two journal reviews, some corrections to a workbook instructor's guide, some agenda setting for future meetings,

The entrelac wrap is the result of knitting during the Oregon game this past weekend. It is moving along pretty well...Maybe 1/6 of the way done or so. I love the way this grows and how fun the color changes are.

Sideways Sweater with Cat Bowl

2011-09-25T12:40:00.001-07:00

IMG_4029, a photo by kbshee on Flickr.

Sorry I got Stella's food bowl in on this picture, didn't mean to.

This is the sideways sweater in three different colors of Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece. Still not sure what to do about all those ends once I finish, I'm hoping I can work them in to an attached icord around the bottom and neck. If you have any ideas, let me know.

The problem with the stripe pattern is that there is no way to carry yarns over...the colors always begin at once end and end at the other, although the starting place differs for each color.

I think this will end up pretty nice, but you never know!

Here is that purple sweater

2011-09-24T11:05:00.001-07:00

IMG_4025, a photo by kbshee on Flickr.

In this light the off color part doesn't look so bad. I'm working on the second sleeve and then I'll tackle the fair isle on the sleeves and the hood.

I've posted some pattern notes about the shark socks on Ravelry if you want to know more about them:

http://www.ravelry.com/projects/kiminoregon/shark-socks

Shark Socks

2011-09-21T16:29:00.001-07:00

IMG_4027, a photo by kbshee on Flickr.

So they're not perfect...not even close to perfect...and they're not symmetrical...not even CLOSE to symmetrical...but they're pretty cool!

No pattern. Just winged it the whole time.

I like them. So does Tim, which is the important thing.

15 and 14

2011-09-18T16:02:00.001-07:00

IMG_4024, a photo by kbshee on Flickr.

I am scooting along (technical knitting term there) on the arm of my fair isle sweater...almost up to the place where I START THE FAIR ISLE CUFF! About time! I was going to show it to you but Tim asked me to go play frisbee instead so that is what we did.

#14 is in some cashmere yarn and #15 is in silvery yarn with teeny sparklies.

More Entrelac

2011-09-17T15:52:00.001-07:00

IMG_4023, a photo by kbshee on Flickr.

If you follow my ten mile yarn countdown (and I know you do, because it is oh.so.fascinating) then you may have noticed that the total has not changed significantly for a while.

This is because of that darned startitis. When you rotate among a lot of projects, you never get finished with a skein or ball of yarn. And when two of those projects use multiple balls of yarn (the shark socks and the side by side sweater), the count slows down.

I am doing my best to not let this upset me. Que sera, sera my friends.

But I did finish a big ball of yarn today while watching the Ducks game...almost 200 yards of the entrelac wrap. One ball knits quite a bit of wrap...the wrap here is posed on my coffee table.

I still continue to be enchanted by entrelac which is good as I've got quite a ways to go.

Hope your team wins this weekend!

12 and 13

2011-09-15T13:35:00.001-07:00

IMG_4022, a photo by kbshee on Flickr.

Yes, I skipped 11. It was a blue one just like ten.

Truly loving the Hexipuffs.

More Startitis

2011-09-14T11:00:00.001-07:00

IMG_4021, a photo by kbshee on Flickr.

Here's another piece I began last week. I've had a variety of Cotton Fleece is neutral colors in the stash forever, and I've been wondering what to do with them. I also wanted to do something with vertical rather than horizontal stripes.

So the design I'm doing is based on a side-to-side pattern from DROPS that I've reinvented to match the gauge of the Cotton Fleece. There's a 12 row pattern that does not allow yarn to be 'carried over'...so hence it looks like there's a lot of fringe. I'll have lots of weaving in to do!

This is my last week of freedom but now clearly people are back at school working and I'm trying to get some of my projects cleared up before classes start. I submitted a conference paper today and I've also finished up the proposal and budget for an Honors Program. I feel somewhat in control. For at least a few days.

How are you doing?

Startitis and a Fladdle

2011-09-12T08:28:00.001-07:00

IMG_4020, a photo by kbshee on Flickr.

I've had a bad case of startitis lately..the knitting ailment that makes knitters cast on for new projects when other projects are not yet done.

Before I had finished the purple fair isle or the shark socks, I cast on for two other projects. However, I figured that I was so good...so FOCUSED...on finishing WIPS during the summer that I deserve it.

First is the Entrelac Wrap from the new Debbie Bliss magazine. i've been planning an Entrelac wrap with this yarn for a while. The yarn is Universal Yarns moods which is 50% wool/50% acrylic. I got it at a sale for nothing. basically. Anyway, if the Debbie Bliss wrap looks familiar it is because it is basically Lady Eleanor with thicker yarn on bigger needles and fewer triangles. There's also squares at the bottom instead of rectangles. Anyway. I really love entrelac and so far I love doing this project.

The Fladdle! Yesterday Tim and I went out with our friend Steve for a little river adventure. Tim and Steve went in Steve's raft, and I took my kayak down the McKenzie river. Now this might now sound like anything, but our kayaks are flatwater kayaks which means they are meant to be paddled on water that is, well, flat. Like lakes. But this stretch of the McKenzie was relatively calm with a good current (maybe 3-4 miles per hour) and some Class I rapids sprinkled in here and there. I did pretty well, considering I've never paddled in any type of rapid before...I knew where to position the kayak but I forgot to paddle through the waves at one point which led to me getting completely soaked. But it was fun.

Oh. Float + Paddle = Fladdle

Review of Debbie Bliss magazine Fall/Winter 2011

2011-09-10T12:05:00.001-07:00

OK I admit it...I love Debbie Bliss. I love her yarns, and I love her magazines, and I love her books. Not surprisingly, this new issue does not disappoint (at least me).

The Good: 32 patterns in fair isle, cable, intarsia, and plain old knitting (and for $8, that's like what? Twenty five cents a pattern?). She has sweaters, scarves, baby clothes, pillows, and more.

The First Section, "The Bold Standard", has a bunch of knits in black, white and grey fair isle. MY PALETTE! I'm sure I"ll knit the handwarmers, and the next time I buy yarn I'll buy it for the white fair isle cardigan. There's a slouchy hat I'll make, and basically I can see myself making any of these sweaters. I have a small, tiny, wee bone to pick: several sweaters have those annoying bracelet sleeves, but honestly it wouldn't be hard to lengthen them.

The second section has scarves, which normally bore me, but I've been itching to do another entrelac scarf (I have the yarn) and voila, Debbie has one for me. There's also a beautiful scarf in her new yarn, Riva, which is gorgeous (it's on the cover. And I love the styling. I want black hair and bangs. Now).

If you like animal prints, there are some fun pillows, desk accessories, and boot socks in animal prints. These aren't me, but they might be good for gift knitting. OH and a cute little dog sweater too. SO CUTE.

Finally, there are adorable bunny slippers which I'm definitely making for my friend Kati's baby (check out the image here .

The Bad: There's an odd one armed cable wrap and an odd giant poncho thingee in mustard, but those are the only things that I can point out.

Did I mention I love this magazine?

Ten

2011-09-09T14:38:00.001-07:00

IMG_4018, a photo by kbshee on Flickr.

More blingy hexipuff magic.

Almost a Shark Sock

2011-09-08T16:48:00.000-07:00

>All I need to do is:
-add a fin
-add gills
-add eyes
-add lines for the teeth
-weave in ends
-make the mouth not flop over and
-make a second one.
But hey. Shark Socks!

Festival of Hexipuffs

2011-09-06T14:28:00.001-07:00

IMG_4010, a photo by kbshee on Flickr.

Five and six.

IMG_4011, a photo by kbshee on Flickr.

Number 7. With blingy beads.

IMG_4012, a photo by kbshee on Flickr.

And eight and nine...completed during day trip.
I have a hexipuff will travel bag now.

Daytripping

2011-09-04T17:53:00.001-07:00

IMG_4008, a photo by kbshee on Flickr.

First the knitting content: this is the cardi with the fair isle hood that I"m working on. I've finished the decreases to the waist and now I have some increases and some ribbing and the body will be done. Then come sleeves with little bits of fair isle and then the major work: the fair isle hood. It makes my head spin to look at the instructions.

ETA: oh no! It looks like there's a weird stripey thing happening there! I'm 100% sure this was all in the same dye lot, so have no idea what is going on with that.

ETA2: yep, dye lot change that I didn't notice. Now officially a design element.

Tim and I, and the pups of course, took a day trip today and had a wonderful time. We drove up the McKenzie river to Sisters...around 120 or so miles one way. We took the Old McKenzie Highway up to Sisters (an old highway, duh, that closes down once the snow comes) and stopped to hike Proxy Falls and to visit the Dee Wright Observatory at the peak...it's in the middle of a lava bed and made out of lava rock. We saw smoke from a forest fire that was pretty wild to watch.

After pizza in Sisters, we took the 'regular' way back to Eugene and stopped to see the forest fire from the 'other' side (the first road went south of the fire, the road back went north). Then we stopped at Sahalie Falls on the way back.

Juneau did great...she was more than ready to hike the trail (it's only about a mile and a half at Proxy, but there was a lot of uphill and it was a warm day). Pilot of course was friend to all.

We haven't been up in the mountains for a long time and it was great to be out with the dogs enjoying a beautiful day.

Dum dum dum dum dum dum

2011-09-03T09:14:00.001-07:00

IMG_4009, a photo by kbshee on Flickr.

That's Jaws music.

The shark socks are coming along. They won't be much to look at til the end, but then they will be something! Given there's a football game today ( GO DUCKS!) there's a chance I'll get to the fun part.

2011-09-02T10:36:00.001-07:00

IMG_4007, a photo by kbshee on Flickr.

Yes, I love me some hexipuffs!

I can do one in about 40 minutes, so this is a great travel project and faculty meeting project. And I love revisiting all the remnants of sock yarn that hides around the house!

I notice that people are skeining their leftovers and selling them on etsy as mini skeins. This is cracking me up but I might have to do that as well.

Are you hexipuffing!

Number 2

2011-08-31T08:20:00.001-07:00

IMG_3993, a photo by kbshee on Flickr.

Still loving the hexipuffs.

So, it is the last day of August. Summer is winding down, and I"m happy that I finished those three sweaters that I wanted to finish (oh, I still need to do the icord for the bright pink one but I'll knock that out sooner or later).

Also, I did a great job knitting stash this month...I'm already about 1/4 of the way into the next mile, and since knitting will slow down this month I'll need that little bump.

I still have a few weeks before classes start and I'm pretty much ready. In denial but ready.

Hot off the Needles

2011-08-30T10:13:00.001-07:00

IMG_4002, a photo by kbshee on Flickr.

So I finished this last night...including the weaving in of the ends. I haven't blocked it yet, though, but I really like how it turned out so I wanted to share. And I finished it by my self imposed deadline, which is tomorrow! Awesome!

The pattern calls for a zipper, but I can't decide whether I want a zipper or not. I'll probably wear it for a while and see.

And can I remind you? TWELVE SEAMS.

IMG_3996, a photo by kbshee on Flickr.

And here is the back. It looks a little tweaked, doesn't it? I think it is because I'm twisting a bit to take the picture, but hopefully blocking will straighten that out too.

It is actually cool enough this morning to wear this sweater, which I am doing as I type this. It makes me happy!

Hexipuff #1

2011-08-28T09:18:00.001-07:00

IMG_3951, a photo by kbshee on Flickr.

Yes, I'm a sheep. I'm launching into making hexipuffs for the beekeeper quilt. And as a bonus, for every hexipuff I finish I get to add 14 yards to the yarn total.

They're fun. Really.

because I'm busy sewing seams

2011-08-27T16:08:00.001-07:00

IMG_3945, a photo by kbshee on Flickr.

I"m finishing up the Celtic Icon sweater (for that is its name) which has involved ten seams. TEN SEAMS! As Tim mentioned, that is unseemly.

I'm working on the hood, which has TWO MORE SEAMS.

So a little Pilot eye candy instead.

Almost there

2011-08-26T11:28:00.001-07:00

IMG_3949, a photo by kbshee on Flickr.

I finished the second sleeve (sorry you can't see the pattern). I also finished one of the inserts (yes, this pattern has seven pieces: one back, two sides, two inserts connecting back to side, two sleeves). If I hustle, I can finish the second insert today. Leading us to PUTTING THIS TOGETHER and doing the hood. And then, amigos, I"m done!

Another surprise

2011-08-25T16:46:00.001-07:00

IMG_3946, a photo by kbshee on Flickr.

I spent some time finishing the second surprise knitting thingee today.

Here are the pieces. I'll post the final project on Ravelry if you want to see it!

Review of Fall 2011 VK

2011-08-23T14:05:00.001-07:00

It's Fall! It's that time when all us knitters get so excited about beautiful new patterns in the magazines we love! The new VK is "In the Mood for Romance" and hey, I'm all for that! Let's take a peek.

The GOOD: 37 patterns PLUS a bunch of free sock patterns in a special advertising section (well, you have to download them at vk.com, but that's not bad. These free patterns are good, especially the ones from Alpaca with a Twist and Mountain colors. Nice job! The Masterpiece Classics are black, grey and white knits that should make an anglophile's heart go ba bump. I like the gloves, the cute shawl collar sweater, the hat, and I see things I like in all of them. Cute mittens and scarves in the "What You Want NOW" section, and the braided cowl looks intriguing.

The BAD: Nothingin the Stripe It Right section speaks to me: bulky striped short sleeve knits? Really? Many of the sweaters are just so BIG with no sleeves..what is up with that...in the Lace section and the All About Ease section.

The Ugly: why why why? Why take nice sweaters and knit them up in ugly green colors? Green is a hard color, and my friends, the greens might not look that awful on your computer screen but in the magazine they are much, much brighter.

And VK does not disappoint on styling.

Apparently someone at VK has been watching The Rocky Horror Picture Show.

On the balance, though, I'm happy with the issue. Plus, many of the ads feature great patterns that are for free on websites. Yep. Happy. What did you think?

Hexipuff

2011-08-21T14:20:00.001-07:00

Have you seen this designer?
Tiny Owl Knits?
And if you have, why haven't you told me about her?
I'm so doing the beekeepers quilt with my leftover sock yarn (sock yarn blanket be damned! Or maybe it will be the edging. I don't really have that much done).
HEXIPUFFS!

Sleeve it to Me

2011-08-20T10:00:00.001-07:00

IMG_3943, a photo by kbshee on Flickr.

For some reason, sleeves make me want to do puns on my blog.

So this is the second sleeve for the monk sweater thingee from that book, you know? It's almost...almost...time to start the raglan decreases and that means that the sleeve is almost done.

I also have two side pieces for this sweater to knit AND a hood, but I got half of a side piece done in a 90 minute faculty meeting yesterday so I feel like I'll be able to start putting this together someday soon. The goal is to finish it by the end of August, which probably won't happen, but I think I'll be kind of close.

Caught Up

2011-08-16T16:56:00.000-07:00

Well, I have reknit the sweater...the top down cardigan with the fair isle hood...and I've completed past the part where Pilot destroyed it, so I guess I feel sort of caught up.

The yarn is a lovely Jaeger Matchmaker Merino DK in the second best purple color that they make (I don't have enough of the first best purple color, sadly). Lovely yarn to work with, but apparently very attractive to pups.

But honestly, you tell me, how angry can you be with this?

Can I do this?

2011-08-15T09:55:00.000-07:00

So I've done almost no intarsia, and definitely not intarsia in the round, but Tim found these socks online (they're commercially produced, not hand knit) and they sort of call out to be knitted. Don't they?

I've printed out the graph paper and am about to dive in the stash to see if I have yarn. I know I have grey sock yarn, and I know I don't have white sock yarn, but I'm hoping I have a light grey that could be a contrast.

Even though I could buy the darn things for $9, I really want to give these a try.

Doghouse

2011-08-14T10:26:00.001-07:00

IMG_3938, a photo by kbshee on Flickr.

After working on this top down sweater for about six hours (it was double the size in this picture), I left it out on the coffee table.

Where Pilot grabbed it, gnawed the cable in two, and chewed up one end.

And so we begin again.

One pink sweater

2011-08-12T15:18:00.001-07:00

IMG_3936, a photo by kbshee on Flickr.

So it isn't yet done...it needs ends woven in and there are these funky little ties that add some interest to the right bottom side and to one of the sleeves. These mean I have to do some icords--so I'll get to those eventually.

Wednesday evening we toted the kayaks over to the Canoe Canal for a little pre dinner paddle that was gorgeous. We had done a longer paddle on Sunday so I was still feeling it a bit but it was a great break for the middle of the week.

And secret project #2 is underway!

Haiku

2011-08-11T14:48:00.001-07:00

IMG_3933, a photo by kbshee on Flickr.

These socks are complete,
Red and black cherry colored
Destined for Tim's feet.

Hey lookie! Haiku AND a rhyme!

Focus focus focus

2011-08-09T14:57:00.001-07:00

IMG_3934, a photo by kbshee on Flickr.

I took some time yesterday to finish this sweater, that is to finish the second sleeve...there's still the putting-it-together and knitting of the neck to occur.

I've done two of 14 rows for the neck, so I'll finish that up tonight and will have this together by the end of the week.

I'm SO EXCITED to cast on something new...I'm going to find a needle for that fair isle hood sweater and also going to start another entrelac shawl, plus a second secret project plus a dog sweater for Juneau. SO EXCITED!

I feel like this sock

2011-08-07T16:33:00.001-07:00

IMG_3932, a photo by kbshee on Flickr.

Sort of .....limp.

Today we got up sort of early and drove up to Blue Ridge Reservoir, about 60 miles away
'up the McKenzie' as they say here. We got the boats in the water and did quite a paddle...Tim looked at the map afterward and thought that maybe we had paddled six miles! It certainly feels like it right now as I lie on the couch with thismuchenergy left to type on the keyboard.

This sock's partner is almost done too. So I'm almost done with these socks and with one of the pink sweaters. It's time now to think about new things to cast on. One will be that sweater with the fair isle hood (could be a mindless project) and I've also found some super bulky yarn in the stash that will knit up quickly into a bit thick sweater. So those are the two plans.

The first mystery project is done and I have a second one to do too.

I can't believe it is the end of the first week in August and summer seems to be ending. Yikes!

Still life with knitting and toes

2011-08-05T11:07:00.001-07:00

IMG_3931, a photo by kbshee on Flickr.

I finished the first sleeve for the bright pink sweater. My plan was to go back to the dark pink sweater and work on THAT sleeve but I'm just going to barrel ahead and get this sweater finished. I do feel I can finish both by the end of August and then I'll call summer successful.

I'm tired. I've spent this week, from 10-3, with a dozen 17 year olds at a program run by the UO called the Summer Academy to Inspire Learning. I've taught storytelling to these kids, and we've focused on college essays. Man, they are exhausting! They are exhausting on many different levels but from a teaching perspective, just the idea of being 'on' for five hours a day, four days in a row, without a break, is a lot. So I'm going to relax and knit and read today to recover.

Blogaversery

2011-08-02T08:48:00.001-07:00

IMG_3928, a photo by kbshee on Flickr.

Today is the anniversary of when I started blogging--I think it has been seven years! Maybe six...I can't see the archive dates from the flickr site where I write this. But anyway, yes, happy blogaversary to me!

I really like writing my blog, keeping up with knitting, and hearing from other knitters, so thanks for being part of my blogging adventure.

This weekend as I mentioned my SIL Candace and I zipped through the Sock Summit marketplace. I had three rules for shopping:
-no purple yarn (I have too much)
-no yarn like other yarn in the stash (I have too much)
-$50 budget.

On the left is Miss Babs in the "Crazy Ava" colorway, which will work up into nice fall socks. On the right is Three Irish Girls cotton/bamboo yarn in pinks that will match my new pink sweaters! And in the middle is a gifty from said SIL...a Herdy mug! I absolutely loves this company and love this mug. Thank you again Candace!

Busy week

2011-07-31T17:42:00.000-07:00

I'm smack dab in the middle of a busy week.
Friday we left early in the morning to drive up to Portland.
I spend the morning with my SIL Candace at the Sock Summit Marketplace.
Lunch with our DHs and my friend Al at Kell's.
Drove over to the coast to Garibaldi.
Saturday we kayaked in the morning.
Went to Garibaldi Days festival in the afternoon.
Watched Fireworks over Garibaldi Bay at night.
Today we drove down to Pacific City to visit our property there.
And just got home.
I'm doing the SAIL camp this week but there will be knitting content, I promise.

S.I.P.

2011-07-28T08:34:00.001-07:00

IMG_3927, a photo by kbshee on Flickr.

Or Sock in Progress

Here is my mindless knitting: a sock for Tim using the beautiful Wollmeise sock yarn in Mon Cheri.

I took Juneau to the vet yesterday...she's having some minor issues that we wanted to check out. We have started to ween her off prednisone (a steroid she's been on for six months) and apparently her body is not catching up with the weening, and that's leading to a few problems, including the slight heat stroke. We're going to ride it out for a few days to see if her body starts producing the steroids we need her to produce. Hopefully all this is manageable!

Stella and Sleeve

2011-07-27T10:36:00.001-07:00

IMG_3925, a photo by kbshee on Flickr.

Our little cat Stella came out to watch while I was taking a picture of this recently finished sleeve, and then decided that the needle was a chew toy, so that photoshoot ended quickly.

So yeah, I have one sleeve done. I'm working now on the first sleeve for the OTHER sweater and then will do the second sleeve for this one when that one is done. Make sense? I think I can get both of these sweaters finished in August: that is my goal.

It's done

2011-07-26T08:47:00.001-07:00

IMG_3912, a photo by kbshee on Flickr.

Seams and all.
Not the weaving in, but seams and all.
Hooray!
And the surprise gift is done except for the finishing.
And look at that July mileage! Double yay!
And finally, interested in looking at nice pictures of cute guys for a few weeks? Come take part in the Knitter's Hunk Contest sponsored by my friend and twin Kim. It's fun!

I strongly recommend voting for Alexander Skarsgard.