Trippin' wit yarn

I've been researching the various "rules" about knitting on airplanes, particularly on flights through the UK, since we're flying through Manchester, England. The airport's security website specifically lists knitting needles on the banned items list.

I debated knitting on the way to Manchester, then dumping my knitting needles while transferring to our flight to Paris, but I just couldn't bear the thought of throwing away perfectly good needles. So, I've resigned to crocheting instead, since there is no mention of crochet hooks as a banned item.

I generally don't like crocheting that much, and I think knitted goods look better, but I kinda liked this pattern in the latest Interweave Crochet (Spring 2007), called the Boteh Scarf. It has a nice wavy flow about it, contrary to the usual stiff look that I see in crochet.

 

I would prefer a solid color, as in the pattern, but my LYS only had variegated colors of the Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock. I went with this one, Red Rover, because it has the most similarly colored colors in it. And I like red. I hope the security personnel at the Manchester airport also approve. ;)

And of course, I have to have some good knitting on hand for when we're not on a plane. I just got this pack of Jaeger Trinity in Water on sale on eBay, and I'm a fan of this yarn. I wasn't sure if I'd like it, but I do!

 

I was thinking of trying a second attempt at knitting Cherry. I knit almost all of this sweater last year using Frog Tree pima silk, but it was too small so I ripped it out. I still love this pattern, and I also love knitting things that have an all-over pattern on them (keeps things interesting). I'm going to swatch this tonight to see if I want to proceed.

Lastly, if you're still paying attention, I have to say that I'm so excited to visit the Phildar stores in Paris! I plan on coming back with a fair amount of yarn, but if you check out their website, you'll see that they also carry really cute clothes. What more could a girl ask for?!

Calm down

With the BIG Europe trip coming up, it's been a very stressful time around here. Nothing better to soothe the soul than Rowan Calmer. I've been working on Elspeth from Magazine #37. The knitting was very fast, and thankfully I didn't run into much confusion over the lace pattern because I read up on the problems others had. Do a little research first, and you'll be fine.

The part that's taking me forever is the crochet edging. I really am not having a good time with this, but I like that it is helping the edges from curling. In order to speed up the process, I'm doing the picots with 2 sc (dc in UK-speak) in between. Since it's not done yet, I'm only offering a partial picture of it.

Now that I'm totally addicted to knitting with Calmer, I ordered more of it in the same color, Laurel, which I love. This is on sale at eBay, though I think it's running out fast. I went to my LYS to pick up the Calmer Collection book, and I also got Lace Style for kicks.

Oh, and we had a nice time in Vegas last week, but our pics are so incredibly dark and generally bad that it's not worth sharing. Suffice it to say, the Four Seasons ROCKS and the staff is so amazingly wonderful. Also notable - our 7 course meal with wine pairing at Aureole was excellent!

Knittin' for Eli

Our friends back in California are expecting a baby any minute now, so I whipped up Buster and Docker from the Rowan Babies book by Kim Hargreaves. Actually, I had planned on making this for Eli for quite some time, but I thought he was coming in May, not March. Thankfully, babies are small and wear tiny clothes you can knit up fast!

I used the yarn called for in the patterns, and actually had enough to make the booties from the leftover yarn from the sweater (in case any of you out there are thinking of making both for the smallest size).

Patterns: Buster and Docker from Rowan Babies by Kim Hargreaves
Yarn: Rowan Wool Cotton, (2) Misty #903 and (1) Inky #908
Size: 0-6 months
Buttons: 1/2" genuine shell by JHB from Jo-Ann Fabrics
Modifications: I didn't like the look of a 5th button at the very bottom edge of the sweater, so although I did make a buttonhole (barely noticeable), I did not sew the button on the buttonband. I reversed the color scheme for the booties, since I had more of the gray color leftover than the black.

That's it! A very easy and enjoyable small project.

Too...much...information...

For our 5 year anniversary, we are going to Europe for 2 weeks in April. After months and months trying to figure out where on the planet we want to go, we ended up choosing some classic destinations that neither of us had been before.

Since we got screwed on our honeymoon (we had to cancel our Bali trip when life changed that fateful day back in Sept of 2001), we decided to make up for it on our 5 year anniversary. We thought about Bali again, as well as other equally exotic destinations, but in the end we thought it would be nice to glam up a really "normal" trip. So, we're going to Paris, London, and Monte Carlo.

 

Of course, I will be visiting some yarn shops while there. I have already figured out where the Phildar stores are in Paris (there are many), and unfortunately Rowan does not have their own shop in the UK (I wrote them), but I might drive out to Holmfirth anyway because we will be departing through Manchester. I know, kinda dorky that I would want to make a pilgrimage to Rowan even though they will deny me at the door.

Who's Jen?

For my birthday, we went back home to California and spent one night in San Francisco. We stayed at the Four Seasons, which is sooo incredible! They sent a cupcake (with sprinkles!) to our room shortly after checking in. Nice.

Of course, it was a beautiful, blue-skied day. This is the view looking up toward Union Square. The next day, we had cake at my parents' house. Apparently, my name is "Jen"

More birthday yarn for me!!!!

It's not even my birthday yet, and I'm already being spoiled. And I love it!!

Yesterday, we took a little road trip out to the wine country, to a little town called Carlton. There is a great yarn shop out there called Woodland Woolworks. They are a little overpriced (especially for being way out in BFE), but they always have a huge stock and the best is their warehouse full of sale yarn. I couldn't help myself. Actually, that isn't true. I did help myself!

Not only did I get all those goodies, but the day before, I happened to be in the area of Lint. I had to stop in and pick up 6 rolls of Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece, because they are the only people I know this side of Portland who carry it. This is color number 930, Candy Apple. What's it for? I dunno. I just wanted it because I've never knit with it before, and it seems quite popular. I'm sure I'll find something in the latest Interweave Knits.

Happy (early) Birthday to me!!!

Every year my LYS, The Knitting Bee, has a Super Bowl Sunday yarn sale. Perfect timing, since my birthday is February 17! In my opinion, this is the best sale they have all year - many great yarns at 40% off, and everything else in the store is 10% off. I, along with about 20 other people, crowd around the store front waiting for them to open. Then, it's a mad rush to grab all the good stuff before they run out!
 
I really could have dropped a lot more in my shopping bag, but I was trying to be good. So, here's what I came home with: 13 balls of Tahki Kerry in wine red #5014, 2 skeins of Cascade 220 in Charcoal, 3 skeins of Elsebeth Lavold Silky Tweed (2 in red, 1 in straw), and 1 skein of Lavold's Silky Wool in pink.

As I was taking this picture, I had an intruder. 


Also, check out this cool switchplate! Of course, it's in my craft room. :) 

Ariann

Ha! After a very long blogging hiatus, I'm back with an FO, no less. This one was a fun knit, since I had never done a sweater all in one piece (mostly). Oh, the joy in not having to sew up seams!

I would say that this sweater was easy and hard at the same time. The pattern is so deceptively simple, that I kept messing up on the lace pattern. You know how it is - you're watching TV and knitting, and you think you're in a groove so you stop paying attention. Next thing you know, your lace pattern and raglan decreases are off kilter, and you realize you're not as hot as you think you are.

  
But alas, I was able to successfully complete Ariann. And I'm pleased with the results! Here are the specs:

Pattern: Ariann by ChicKnits, 3/4-length sleeve version
Alterations: Added 1" length to body prior to decreasing for waist shaping
Yarn: Cascade 220 The Heathers, color number 9459 Yakima
Needles: US 6 and 7, mix of Clover bamboo and Denise
Buttons: 3/4" (pattern calls for 1 1/8", but it was too big for my holes) yikes!!??!!

I'm also in the process of crocheting the waist ties. I did one, and decided I wanted to do maybe 1 or 2 more to give it more strength. But for now, I'm calling this project done!

Blankies and Christmas

 
This year, I decided to finish up some UFOs I had sitting around from last winter. One of the successful completions is the Blizzard shawl from Scarf Style. It is a crocheted shawl, but I think it's more of a blankie because it's quite dense.

After a failed attempt to knit a vest with some Knit Picks' Sierra, I decided to turn it into Blizzard because I realized that the color I chose, Fog, was just too flat and boring for a vest. It needed texture, and what better way than to crochet!
 
I can't remember excactly, but I think I used 4 skeins to make this. Oh, and don't mind the little Ugly dolls... they tend to gravitate toward warm blankies and they love having their picture taken!
 
If you have a TV or have been anywhere outside your house lately, you know that Christmas is almost upon us. I have been knitting mini sweaters and a stocking based on the pattern from Last Minute Knitted Gifts by Joelle Hoverson. Once I make enough, I am either going to turn them into ornaments for the tree, or I'm going to make a holiday mobile to hang in some random spot.

I like coming up with variations for the sweater, but as you notice, I only made one stocking so far. Why? Because you knit them on size 0 needles! Listen, size 0 is waaaay too small for a person, and it's also waaaay too small to knit. As with a size 0 person, these needles are like toothpicks and I feel like I'm going to break them! I know, I know, the end result looks pretty darn cute though. So, I will make more stockings until my teeeny weeeny needles break. Quick! Someone get a burger for my size 0 needles! 

Sizzlin' Electra

Ever since I saw this vest on the cover of Rowan 38, I have wanted to make it. I've had the yarn for a while, but I put off knitting it because I wasn't sure I could handle the Fair Isle.

To my surprise, it actually was easy and I was able to knit faster than usual. I think it's because I get bored easily, so I tend to take a long time to complete a large section of St st or rib st. There's never a dull moment with Fair Isle!

 

Pattern: Electra by Louisa Harding for Rowan
Yarns used: Main color - Rowan Yorkshire Tweed DK #343, Cheer; Yorkshire Tweed DK #350, Frolic; Rowan Felted Tweed #142, Melody; Felted Tweed #139, Crush
Needles: Clover Bamboo circs, US 5 & 6; Addi Turbo circs, US 3

Note: This was knit using smaller needles than called for in the pattern, in order to get gauge. I knit the size XL and had plenty of yarn leftover in all colors.
  

Peeps Cocoa Cats

Peeps Cocoa Cats, originally uploaded by knitterj.

What a wonderful surprise to stumble across these at the grocery store while waiting for my prescription to be filled.

Yes, I know. I am supposed to be in Hawaii right now. Why am I still home, blogging about chocolate flavored, cat-shaped marshmallows? Because my back decided to tweak out on me 2 days before our trip, and I had to see the doctor (who wrote me a prescription for muscle relaxers and told me not to travel for 2 weeks). Who knew vacuuming could ruin a vacation?

Now I know why, at the last concert I went to, some college kids referred to me and my husband as the "old people". I'm 33 and he's 32. Sigh....

Something's fishy...

 Can you believe it... another FO!! This is the original sweater I started knitting for Kai, and I love it so much more that I think I'll send this one (even though he can't wear it for a while).

This is the Ship Ahoy! sweater from Adorable Knits for Tots by Zoe Mellor. There have been many complaints about errata throughout this book, but if you are a careful knitter you should be able to spot them easily before you run into trouble. At least, that was my experience from this pattern. I think the weirdest thing was increasing for the sleeve on every 3rd row, which means you have to increase on the WS sometimes. I'd never done M1s on the purl row, so I guess I learned something new!

I used Rowan Cotton Glace throughout, and substituted the green sail for a white sail. Other than that, I followed the pattern for the smallest size (6-12 mo.) and voila!

 In other fishy news, check out this chicken breast we grilled up last night. Does it remind you of something? I heard my husband on the back patio (where the grill is) exclaiming, "It's a fish!" I was in the kitchen thinking he needed new contacts or possibly some medication, because I gave him chicken to grill up. He proudly came in the house, like a new papa, showing off his chicken breast that actually did look like a fish. A smiling one at that. 

Surprise FO!!

 I've been sorta MIA lately because I was busy watching the US Open tennis for the past two weeks. I'm one of those hardcore peeps that watches from the First round all the way to the end. Day and night, 8 hours a day. Hardcore.

I needed stuff to knit while watching all this tennis. I finished knitting the Aran baby sweater, but I wasn't in the mood to sew it all together. I decided to finish up the Ahoy! sweater and I'll have pics of that when I'm done sewing it up.

But I needed something to get me through the final weekend, so I knit up Fetching. I used exactly 1 ball of Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran in color 602. Since I have small hands, I knit 2 less rounds in the rib which is good because I probably wouldn't have had enough yarn to knit them anyway.

Gibson said I had to give him a tum-tum rub because I disturbed his slumber. 

Noro sale

Noro yarn goodies
Originally uploaded by knitterj.

Ok, now that I've received my share of the sale Noro yarn at Webs, I can tell you that there is a sale of Noro yarn at Webs.

I got 3 balls of Kureyon in color number 157 to make (yet another) Booga Bag, this time for myself. This will be my travel project during our trip to Hawaii. We leave on Monday... I can't wait!!!

I couldn't resist picking up 2 skeins of Cash Iroha, also on sale. This is color number 86, indigo. If you've never knit with this yarn before, let me tell you that it is one of those that you have to try at least once. It's, for lack of a better word, fabulous. Go get some!

Sweet Stumble

coaster 001
Originally uploaded by knitterj.

Sometimes you'll be taking care of errands, going grocery shopping and what not, when suddenly, a chore becomes a pleasure. I stumbled across these two coasters (there were more I wanted) at New Seasons yesterday while getting dinner.

At first, I saw the chicken one and squealed. We collect anything that has a cute chicken on it, so this was perfect. Then I went down the line and saw one with an owl, a squirrel, flowers, and then.... a girl knitting!!!

Even though New Seasons has really crappy produce (but they make it look like nice), they make up for it with great gifty things.

weird asian drinks

weird asian drinks
Originally uploaded by knitterj.

Hurrah! I just added flickr to my blog, and this is my first photo entry. Over the weekend, we went to the new Asian mall/grocery store Fubonn. We immediately noticed these two strange beverages - artichoke and pennywort?! There were other weird ones too, but these topped the list.

When I got home, I had to Google it to find out why anyone would want to drink these. Apparently, artichokes are good for your liver, and pennywort (aka gotu kola) helps with arthritis, brain function, and skin diseases. Yeah... I'm Asian and I still think this is weird.

Baby Aran Pullover progress

 
I finished the back of the sweater, and I'm moving on to a sleeve (just to do something different). I'm really liking this new yarn (Knit Picks Swish). For a superwash, it's surprisingly soft and doesn't have that weird shiny-slick thing going on.

My only minor gripe is that there were a few spots where the yarn was really loosely spun (causing it to get splitty), but just for a few stitches here and there. Overall, it is really soft and easy to work with. I hope Kai likes it! 

Bunnies 'n Babies

I like collecting little toys, especially ones that are wind-up or moveable. My latest addition is this Energizer bunny, which in addition to being wind-up (he does spins), doubles as a sticker dispenser!!

 
I have to give credit to my husband, who had the choice between a regular package of batteries, and one that included this free toy. He said he knew I'd like the toy, so he got that one. He chose wisely.



 


Here he is, amongst the other "windowsill kids". Of course, the fez monkey takes front and center.


 

I got the new Rowan magazine in the mail the other day. I actually like quite a few of the designs, but I'm not making any plans yet - I have waaay too many things in the pipeline already.
 

I was really surprised to find my Knit Picks order in the mail yesterday. I wanted to try out some new yarns, so I got two skeins of Wool of the Andes Bulky; Swish superwash in Baby Blue to make the Aran Pullover from Knitting for Baby; Elegance in Grass to make the Pea Pod Baby Set; and a Swish color card.

I already started on the Aran Pullover last night, while watching the season premiere of Prison Break. Oh yeah, I missed my Monday night dates with Wentworth. 

Thanks trek!

 

Last night I received my "reveal" package from my secret pal, who I now know is trek! I did indeed enjoy the goodies as much as all the others. I think I drooled when I saw the yarn, a fabulous thick/thin twist in a dark smoke (almost black) color. Pretty blue stitch markers, more HK bath product, and yummy chewy taffy were also included.

Thank you, thank you, thank you, trek for being such a great spoiler!