Missing a lung but otherwise fine

Sorry!  I've had a lot of family visiting, and between that (which is awesome, not complaining) and having a boyfriend who lives in another city (just one skytrain and a bus but still), I was feeling pretty worn out.  I remember one weekend thinking, gosh, I should probably take it easy this weekend, so I cancelled half of my commitments and still ended up going out five times over the weekend, and hence I got sick.  Really sick.  Now I'm mostly better, still sound like I smoke two packs a day, and I'm really tired of being in my living room.  The cats have loved it.  When I curl up for a nap in the middle of the day Spike purrs so much it scares Lala.  I have relatively little knitting to show for it but I did watch the first three seasons of Parks and Rec.  Time well spent we can all agree.

Knittings!  I'm started a top secret project that I can't show you but it's GORGEOUS.  Just imagine the prettiest thing ever and there you go.  I also finally started another top!  Finally.  I started Acer with my PEI yarn (not purchased in PEI, just what it is a called by Rachel and I).  It's coming along nicely only it's the second project I'm working on that requires keeping track of rows so that can be annoying but well worth it. 

And that's it!  I have one pair of mitts at the boyfriend's place for when I forget my knitting so those don't count but even if they did that's only THREE projects on the needles!  I usually average around six projects or more.  Woo me.

I can't believe I don't have any photos of my Rock Island shawl to show you.  It's the  most beautiful thing I've ever knit.  I'd highly recommend the pattern to anyone.

And also, finally, here are the fingerless mitts I knit Julia way back in December.  They are my Purl Soho knockoffs since I started them away from any pattern and only a memory of what they were suppose to look like.  The button band is fake and I sewed the dragonfly buttons on like they were taking flight.  Super cute.  Julia got a lot of wear out them in the cooler weather and they are totally her colours.  

I'll get some good shots of my shawl and I'll also write a post later about the awesome boardgame Boyfriend got me for our six month.  Smallworld Underground.  Freaking amazing people.

Achievements

I'm down to three work in progress knits.  My medal is in the mail right?  I hope it's super shiny.  Technically you could say four but I'm going to frog the sock.  Just not feeling the yarn.  Oh wait, dammit, I'm working on two pairs of socks.  Okay, revision.  I'm down to four WIPs.  My medal is going to get taken away isn't it?  Damn. 

I don't have any really nice photos of my latest finished project.  I looked super cute today so I tried taking a photo of me in the shawl but AUGH.  And I'm not being super self absorbed or self depreciating here.  I was super cute today, really.  A lot of people told me.  My  hair is finally long enough I can style it so it was all curly and smooth.  One of my students grabbed a curl and pulled saying 'spring has sprung!' which was cute and painful all at the same time.  But yes, I was cute, and the photos were awful.  Not just 'I'm not as cute as I'd like me to be' but like... like there was something really wrong with me.  Like I'd just seen something really confusing and I wasn't able to process it at all.  Regardless, just shawl on bookshelf photos today.  Overexposed because I had to take the photo inside due to the relentless rain. 

 Blocking in all it's billion pins (small shawl so not quite a billion)

The pattern is Elk Tooth by Caitlin French.  I modified it a lot due to being away from the pattern while completing things.  Simple double increase on the edges until I had 99 stitches than I followed her pattern but ran out of yarn from the full moss stitch border.  The yarn is holding the blocking to a scary degree so I'm hoping it'll loosen up with more wear.  I'd recommend the pattern totally, only I would say don't make the same mistake I did and hold two strands of yarn at once.  There's a slipped stitch over knit stitches and the slipped stitch kept on snagging one of the strands and making for a mess of the purl row. 

And this completes the first project of Knitmas 2012!  I'm determined to knit things for my cousins this year so this is destined for my cousin Jess (who doesn't read this blog) (oh gawd I hope she doesn't read this blog)(if you are reading this Jess this is not really for you- this is all a rouse for someone who does read the blog, thanks for helping out). 

Now here's a question, I want to make my own shawl pins out of sticks.  Is sanding and waxing enough to make a decent shawl pin or would that be just plain ugly?  I don't want to stain them, but I don't want them to just be sticks.  You know?  I'm hoping the wax will make them smooth and prevent any splinters.  Does anyone have any advice?

Cheers all, thanks for reading.

The Plan Needs Modification

I think I need to up it a little.  I do not have enough time!  I know that's a little sad.  But I think upping it to 45 minutes is going to be okay.  15 minutes in the morning and half an hour at night.  That being said I have two minutes left to write this post with the new 45 minutes limit.

So I spent most of today at Jamie's playing SmallWorld with friends.  And yes, we bought it because of Tabletop, and yes, it is just as awesome as it sounds.   We also had blueberry pancakes because last week I went out for breakfast and had very disappointing blueberry pancakes so I instantly texted Jamie and told him he needed to make me some as soon as possible.  I may be a little bit spoiled.  A bit. 

Right but yes, when I did get home instead of going online I knit, cleaned, talked to people through texting, and made myself three days worth of lunches (was going to be dinner and two lunches but I just ate the leftover blueberry pancakes I was sent home with as I was cooking), and played with Lala.  So far the experiment is proving very productive. 

Holy crap I cannot work the photos on this!  So... below are pictures of the Rock Island shawl.  I managed to get through the knitted lace part with nary a dropped stitch or mistake but managed to drop two stitches and decrease on the wrong side twice during the garter stitch section.  If I was a perfectionist I'd be concerned but I'm not. 

 

These are some darling flowers I saw on my walk with Hazel.  And yes, they are darling.  Have you ever seen more darling flowers?  No, no you have not.  Why is this text centered? Wait, why did it just move to the side? Augh!

I started a new shawl, Elk Tooth by Caitlin French.  Caitlin works at Baaad Annas and is just stellar nice and very talented.  I'd highly recommend going in to say hi to her. 

And now I'm ten minutes over the 45 minute rule.  This may need more tweeking.  Cheers all!

Winding Down

I know I've posted about my vintage magazines before but I've been entering them all into Ravelry so I wanted to do another short one. (Side note- about twenty or so aren't in Ravelry, I want to put them in but I don't have a scanner, will Ravelry accept photographs of patterns? Anyone know?)

Right, so back to this magazine that unfortunately isn't in Ravelry yet.
Still amazed at how some pictures could have been taken today (but maybe a different colour scheme yes).
Sorry for the poor photos. Moving along.

I am really drawn to the sleeves on this one. I don't know if they'd be cute or have way too much excess fabric under the arm.
I want this one to be for my Grandpa this year. The fact that he is smoking is just bonus.
Okay but here is the thing! I really want to cast on this project.
It's bulky weight wool- this was knit with a discontinued Lopi yarn- very straight forward, and super fun looking. I think I'd do more shaping on the arms and around the waist and probably shorten it a tad but yes. I want this. It's not knit in the round but I think that will help it hold it's structure better. I want to cast this on NOW!

Yeah, don't have the right yarn. I'm not allowed to buy yarn right now. I figure if I use up two of my sweaters worth of yarn stash than I can go buy the yarn for this. So cute. Colour ideas anyone?

In actual knitting news, I am done the garter and halfway done the second lace section. Rock Island is knitted lace which is a little more intensive than lace knitting but completely worth it. This project is currently at a standstill, however, till I blow up the chart. I worked on it like crazy Tuesday and Thursday night, and interestingly enough, had killer headaches Tuesday and Thursday night. So yes, until the chart becomes embiggened this is going to have to wait.
It's so scrumptious though. Don't you want to love it? You do.

I finally finished my bil's Christmas present. I was having a hard time with the stitch pattern but when I picked it up two days ago it just clicked and I quickly finished it. I used Tanis Fibre Arts aran weight and boy did it bloom. I figured it would so I stopped at 30 inches and was hoping for another 4-8 inches but easily got 40 inches in the end. Very happy with it. The pattern is The Dudester by HipKnitizer.
I wanted to finish Jason's scarf so I could work on my boyfriend's scarf without feeling guilty. I took him to Baaad Anna's and told him to pick out whatever he wanted! Go wild! As many colours as you want! Blue wool? Okay, sure. That's fine. We got home and I said pick any pattern! Cables! Traveling stitches! Complicated stitch patterns! Double moss stitch? Right. Check. Sigh.
I could knit this in my sleep I think. Oh well. Finished 30% the first evening and should have it done in time for him to get some good wear out of it yet before the summer.

Good night all. Sweet dreams hm?

Have Knit, Am Knitting, What to Knit Next

Have Knit

I forgot my first finished project on my chair at school so no photos but it's a luscious baby alpaca infinity scarf that I loop into a big awesome cowl around me. Gray and orange. So yummy.

Technically I finished this in 2011 but I just sewed on the buttons (with Moms help- thanks Mom!) and sent it off to Dad. Hopefully get a photo of him in it to show you soon.

And after three evenings to complete the sewn cast-off, my New York Larch is done.

It's as yummy as it looks.

Am Knitting

Just cast on a pair of socks yesterday that are straight forward and plain. Photos when the heel is turned and it all gets exciting. Got to say I love those 9 inch hiya hiyas. Knitting in the round has never gone so fast and with no jogs!

I went to the sale at 3BF and came out relatively unscathed. I bought enough yarn to finish my bil's scarf (no photos- still boring), some lovely sweet georgia that I'm pretty sure is shawl bound, and...
Tanis Fibre Arts, Aran weight, in deep sea.

Gawd I love this yarn. This is Koolhas bound.


What to Knit Next

So if anyone still reads this since I've only blogged (haha- wrote blooged) three times in the past forever, if you could weigh in on this that'd be great. I have 5 yarn options for tops and cannot decide where to start. Maybe I'll cast on all five and lose my mind, who knows. Let me know which ones are your favorites (and any ideas about what to do with them as well would be great!) in the comments and I'll be very grateful.

1. 4 Skeins of Araucania Ruca
This would be something for spring time, light and airy, a tank of sorts or something along those lines. Very drapey. Beautiful pastel colours. 1052 yards in DK.

2. Paper Doll in Socks that Rock Bleeding Hearts
For this Paper Dolls I want to do an anatomical heart design around the yoke. Awesome right? Right.

3. Four skeins of Kauni
I want to do a cardigan with steeks ala the Ruth Sorensen pattern but with a different design. Nothing super fancy, just not... squares.

4. 1320 yards of West Coast Colour BFL DK in 'Washed Out Old Beach House on PEI with a Rose Trellis'
Beautiful. But no idea what to do with it. Possibly this. Who knows.

5. Four skeins of Merino Silk in Raspberry Truffle 1748 yards Fingering/4 ply
Besides stroking this yarn and sighing in a most content way I really don't know what to do with it either.

Thoughts? Questions? Opinions? Warnings?

After all that...

I went through my queue and added hoardes of patterns to my '2011' folder and went through my entire stash and made a '2011' bag. After all that, what did I cast on at 12:25am on January 1st?
Crosswalkers (not in my queue) in my MSF colourway STR lightweight, which was in my 'unassigned but good' yarn bag. Already a good way done on the leg~ about just another two inches till I start the heel. I already know I'm going to have second sock syndrome on this particular pairing so I want to rush through them and get them on the done pile!

That being said I also cast on for my Laminaria in the Sweet Georgia Orchid (the hot pink seen in the post below) and am considering casting on a blanket before bed. This whole competition has given me the worst case of startitis! Which is okay because I finished a project tonight as well. Photos when I have natural light in this apartment again.

All in all, a lovely start to the new year. Cast on some fun projects, had tea with Hilary with my new beautiful hand crafted tea set from Mom, and went for a walk in this cold crisp goodness that is Vancouver right now.

Hope you also had a pleasant start to the new year. Cheers.

Good Ol' Days of Knitting Magazines

I was doing laundry today and rescuing socks from behind my dresser when I realized at one point I had knocked over some magazine behind my coffee table without realizing. That was an unnecessarily detailed sentence to introduce today's post: Vintage Knitting Pictures! Woo!

I have a lot of vogue magazines and booklets and the such from the 80s and 90s but I don't want to get into those too much. Not only are they not really 'vintage' but they are not nearly as interesting as the 60s. I mean, sure they have some good patterns....
and wonderfully hilarious photos of men.... (does anyone else think this photo is, um, you know, or is it just me?)
and I love finding layouts that could have been shot today...
and I mean, they are worth it just for the cigarette ads sure but... (I know! If smoking isn't pleasurable just quit! Surely there is nothing else keeping you smoking)
I just can't be okay with the 80s. AUGH!
The blue eyeshadow!
The feathered hair!
The creepsters!
The child abuse!
Yes, those are knit cabled pants. You can deny it all you want. There they are.

Other parts of my collection include a lot of authentic images put onto the most unflattering generic sweater patterns ever.
I've got a lot of Christmas knitting planned and I'm thinking this would be appropriate. Along with the scrunchie.
The disney stuff is the best by far. They have some lovely little sweaters...

but then they go so wrong. And so far into the wrong. They just can't come back from these things.

See this is what started the sweater curse! It's not 'when you knit your boyfriend a sweater he'll leave you' it's 'when you knit your partner a mickey mouse sweater that you expect her to wear with you at the same time they will leave you'.
And I love the edge-y 'I'm wearing Baloo' look. Nothing quite says bad ass like oversized disney sweaters.
And see! More child abuse!
Um, all that being said I do want this Cruella De'Ville sweater.
Regardless of the good though, and regardless of all the great badness, it's the 60s that I love. Sure, sure, yes of course, they had their bad.

The kicker with their bad is that these are all knit at 8 or 9 stitches per inch on tiny needles.

Nothing like an all knit outfit for that awkward first day of high school!

Or, you know, for the first day at work. In a knit chanel suit. Cause, you know, yeah.

The 60s had better men. They weren't creepsters. They did things like hang out with pipes.

These two were just a drop in the hat.

They were real men, or boys, and you could tell by the guns...
the awesome vest with threatening rolled up newspaper...
the corset...?
And unlike the 80s, these men had good hair. I mean, look at this 80s man!

It's all over the place!
Show some respect man!

I also wanted to put these patterns up because I know my friend Rachel is looking for a knit dress pattern. Look no further! The 60s were full of excellent dresses.
And you can knit the belt to match! Also, no bad hair! These hair styles DEMAND respect!
They also knew how to accessorize back then.
Lots of people say stockinette stitch helps them relax. This is the dress for all of you then.
High fashion indeed. Good job ladies.

As well, the patterns from the 60s seemed more diverse. Tonnes of great sock patterns, though yeah, could have gone without the dismembered feet, but hey.
Threw this one in to disprove that whole 'chunky knitting is new'. This 1961 number is three stitches an inch! Quite a few of these gauges throughout the magazines.
Again with the ability of people back then to accessorize! Interweave should take some pointers. The hats! The gloves! The brooch! The belt! The obviously very interesting thing just off of the set!

'Is that man wearing a corset?'

Some of the patterns were tricky with very unique construction.
And some I want to knit just because I want to enter the names into Ravelry. This one is called Gay and Charming. You'll queue it. Oh yes you will.
It's funny how these patterns are coming back in style. There are a lot of raglans, capped sleeves, and deep ribbing. I've earmarked (not literally, I hate that) quite a few that I want to knit. This one was a great neckline...
the boat neck seed stitch in this one is lovely...
capped sleeves and stripes! Why if she's that happy I know I will be too!
Classic!
Lovely!
Structured and detailed.
It's actually between two that I want to cast on. The first one is called 'Rhumba' and was published in the 196os by Patons & Baldwin in Toronto.
I would knit it with a longer rib but otherwise not change much!

My other pattern is the one that started my vintage buying frenzy. It's called 'With Sea Horses and Peacocks' (awesome) and was published by Patons & Baldwin around the same time as 'Rhumba'.
See? The 60s, while completely comical and fun, didn't have the cringe worthy painfulness of the 70s and 80s (and 90s). We can laugh at them and come away not feeling like never talking to our parents again. And they have trends that either never left or that are coming back! And unlike leggings, I welcome these trends.

And after this long post I think I need a glass of wine. Cheers!