tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7120193462847629292024-03-14T03:35:26.585-04:00This Little Lamb Knitsand sews, and cooks, and reads, and forgets to blog...L.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11918968432536154870noreply@blogger.comBlogger41125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-712019346284762929.post-45341492524361282772008-06-07T12:21:00.003-04:002008-06-07T12:39:08.497-04:00To sewSo, it's been a while, I know. I suppose I'm posting about once a month now - not quite enough to be able to rope in the readers. =]<br /><br />I've been in a transitional period (is all life now transitional periods?) and I'm finally starting what will most likely be my new schedule for a few months, at the least. I haven't been crafting as much. I haven't sewn anything of note since I finished my new blue purse and my evangeline apron. (Or was it Emiline? Either way...) The Big Blue Purse is a tricky purse; some of the details are very 'professional', and I love how I was able to do some of the things (like the external pocket), but, because of the problems with how I sewed in the lining, the bag is not useable on an every day basis yet: the lining currently makes it difficult to fully zip the bag. Also somewhat problematic is that the ends of the straps weren't properly turned under before they were sewn. They've started to fray, which makes the bag look sloppier. The lining issues are my top priority now, but I think once I get that all settled, I might take off the straps and try and rework them. Luckily, because of the metal rings that the straps are attached to, that's not as difficult as it could be.<br /><br />So, my goals for the big blue purse:<br />1. remove lining<br />2. re-add lining, preferably by hand sewing. Sew the following lines: sew lining to zipper end, sew the line between the top and sides of the bag, sew four bullets from the lining to the bottom of the bag, to help keep lining in place.<br />3. remove straps.<br />4. Fix straps.<br /> *re-sew the end of the straps - if fabric needs to be cut to make this practical, do that. If interfacing needs to be removed, do that.<br />* sew an additional line below the metal ring on the fabric connecting the ring to the bag; that loop does not need to be as 'loopy' as it is now, and an additional line of stitching could help hide the interfacing that's peaking out. <br /><br />Also in the to-sew pile, of course, is the rest of my Weekender bag. I've become a bit disenchanted with that pattern now that I'm at the step where I'm sewing approximately eleventy thousand layers of interfacing together. Once I get past that, I'm sure I'll like the bag again. It *is* a nice finished product, it's just somewhat shittily designed.<br /><br />I want to sew myself a version of the clutch from In Stitches. Technically, I have a little black clutch already - which I need to remember to use when appropriate, like, say, last night. It'll really save shoulder pain! I'd like something a little more 'funky,' but my color preferences make that difficult. I could do something in a fun black and white damask print; that'd be au courant as well as matching with stuff. I could probably also do a brown and white print, or maybe something from the current Joel Dewberry collection, he has some nice patterns. I'm so picky with patterns, though! Since I'm not naturally a pattern person, I have a tough time justifying adding a patterned accessory to my collection - it needs to be a perfect fit with at least one thing I own, and a pretty good fit with at least a few others. I figure something brown based would be nice, because it could match my new sandals if nothing else. Oh I love my new sandals! They make me feel far more "grown up" than I think I actually am.<br /><br />I suppose that's all the writing for now. I need to go get ready for my callbacks. Yay directing again!L.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11918968432536154870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-712019346284762929.post-45518677522687119832008-05-27T17:59:00.002-04:002008-05-27T18:09:36.304-04:00Ultimate Workout Playlists: collectedSo, since my new job (yay!) will mean that I won't have the leisure to arrange my workouts around available spin classes, I figure some new workout mixes are called for. There are a couple of blogs that have featured some, so I figured I'd collect them here.<br />Women's Health Magazine <a href="http://www.womenshealthmag.com/fitness/strength-training-playlist">Strength Training Playlist</a>:<br />1. Let's Get Loud - Jennifer Lopez<br />2. Jump - Van Halen<br />3. You've Got Another Thing Coming - Judas Priest<br />4. Jump Around - House of Pain<br />5. Set me Free - Velvet Revolver<br />6. Kick out the Jams - MC5<br />7. The Rising - Bruce Springsteen<br />8. Beautiful Day - U2<br />9. Let's Go - Trick Daddy<br />10. Something More - Sugarland<br />11. Ray of Light - Madonna<br />12. Get Up Stand Up - Bob Marley<br /><br />From Fitness, via <a href="http://www.thatsfit.com/2008/04/30/perfect-workout-playlist/">That's Fit</a>:<br />1. Good Day - Tally Hall<br />2. Mercy - Duffy<br />3. Elevator - Flo Rida<br />4. 4 Minutes to Save the World - Madonna<br />5. Touch My Body - Mariah Carey<br /><br />There are a whole lot of user-recommended ones <a href="http://www.divinecaroline.com/article/22176/41887-favorite-workout-music">here</a>, also.<br /><br />Songs that've been big on my recent playlists:<br />*Sticks and Stones - The Pierces<br />I have no idea how I worked out without the Pierces. Most of their songs are bouncy with the right amount of edge.<br />*I'll Make a Man Out of You - Mulan<br />Don't laugh. It's inspiring! I usually use this, when I use it, as the first song. It's got a good beat, and it has a nice rise in intensity for the begining of a run.<br />*See You Again - Milie Cyrus<br />I'm embarrassed I like this song as much as I do, but it really is catchy. I like to stick this somewhere where I might want to slowdown because the beat keeps me going.L.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11918968432536154870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-712019346284762929.post-15461316606418547772008-05-08T11:46:00.004-04:002008-05-08T12:18:27.854-04:00MD Sheep and Wool: Ain't No Party Like a Ravelry PartySo, by the end of my festival time on Saturday, I was pretty tired and maybe just a little sunburned. As I was pulling out of my car, Casey and MaryHeather (and probably Jess, though I didn't see her) were walking by, and I shouted out the window "you guys are awesome." Hopefully they didn't think that was too weird. I went home, drank a good four glasses of water (something I'd foolishly avoided at the festival except at the end, so I could avoid the restrooms) and immediately started playing around with my drop spindle. Before too long though, it was time for the highlight of my weekend: the Ravelry party!<br /><br />I was able to get to the hotel just fine, but I (along with the rest of the knitting world) was a little confused as to where exactly I was supposed to go. Happily, I found a group of equally confused Ravelers, and we asked someone at the front desk who helped us find a way around the weddings that were going on. The first thing I notticed once I got to the party were the awesome decals! My favorite was the bob decal:<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/littlelambknits/2472042786/" title="Bob loves Ravelry by lamboyle, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3131/2472042786_14659db990_m.jpg" width="180" height="240" alt="Bob loves Ravelry" /></a><br />It was totally awesome. I got all 'checked in' (which really meant picking up my drink tickets and raffle ticket) and walked around taking in the sights. So many people with such gorgeous knitted garments! One of my first stops ended up by the Rav Merchandise area: there was (the birthday girl - look up tag later) with a stack of Ravelry tote bags! I'll be honest, when I looked at the RavStore online, the tote bag was maybe the only thing that did *not* capture my attention. I've never been much of a tote bag person in general, and the neon green didn't really do much for me. Of course, once I saw it in person, I could hardly resist it. I kept trying on the sample bag, and petting it, and thanks to the wonderful TeamRav members, I was convinced I had to own the bag. Purchasing it, of course, took up my very very last cash at all, and the end of my budget, but it was money well spent. The tote is incredibly sturdy, it has a large capacity, it has a nicely flattened bottom, and it has a great pocket between the straps on the front. Add to that the fact that the straps magically happen to be my favorite strap height ever, and you can see why I was sold. Plus, I'll admit it, I felt kind of cool walking around in my (albeit heavily modified) beta shirt with this awesome tote. <br /><br />Walking around the party, I ran into SpaceKitty. SpaceKitty went (technically goes) to my old high school, and though I didn't know her when I was there, she was friends with one of my best friends from high school. (Hi, M!) She had already found a table and made friends, so my Gimlet and I (my standard mixed drink) walked over to the table. I met a bunch of wonderful people, most of whose RavIDs I forgot, but notably I met Julsey and Pamster73. While we were sitting around a lot of people were knitting, so I pulled out my Embossed Leaves and started knitting away. Clearly, I had found my people! People were very nice and complemented my most recent sock-in-progress bag I'd sewn (which you haven't seen yet...they'll be a post about that soon. =] ) and we all admired how really, Risata was a much nicer yarn than you'd necessarily expect from knitpicks. Pamster and I discussed our trials with lace, and I admired socks all around. We took a picture later in the evening, but I'll post it here:<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/littlelambknits/2471220829/" title="Ravelry party! by lamboyle, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2361/2471220829_f56822a957_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="Ravelry party!" /></a><br /><br />Somewhere around here, I saw someone wander by with strawberries and I decided to go search them out. I found some and then I met Ikumi, a fellow MD Raveler. She's in school for medical illustration - maybe the coolest thing ever. We chatted for a bit, but then it was time for the RavGods (as I call them) to give their adorable speeches and hand out the billion door prizes.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/littlelambknits/2471220613/" title="Rav gods by lamboyle, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3151/2471220613_6ffa20a535_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="Rav gods" /></a><br />Jess and Casey seemed amazed that Ravelery has come as far as it has, and I'll admit, I'm still amazed that they're as great as they are. I use Ravelry proportionally more than any other web products than Google products, but you don't see the GoogleReader designer throwing a party for his users, and drinking and chatting with them.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/littlelambknits/2471220701/" title="The Gods by lamboyle, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2070/2471220701_39d4ea835f_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="The Gods" /></a><br />Then, the raffle. Sadly, I did not win anything in the raffle, but SpaceKitty and ChezAristotle, the two people I have some connection with 'in real life' did, so that's good enough for me. The raffle and the festival convinced me though - I need to get some buffalo and yak fiber, and I need it bad! Thank you thank you thank you to the sponsors of the RavParty: it was a great party, and I'm grateful you helped make it possible. I'll list them here so any readers who haven't yet can go check them out:<br /><br />After the raffle was over, ChezAristotle came over to chat with me. Now, much like I was four years above SpaceKitty in highschool, ChezAristotle was three years above me in college. I knew of her my freshman year (her senior year) because she was someone whose name was known, but I'd never spoken to her. It was thanks to Ravelry that we 'met.' Plus, she has one of the best blog posts about Hegel ever. (Her site's down temporarily, but I'll link you later.) We chatted about philosophy and about some of the trials and tribulations of having graduated from our mutal Alma Mater. Mary said it best - back when we were in school, we both thought it was kind of silly the way alums would talk about the importance of getting to know other alums, but now that we find ourselves graduated, we're seeing what they were talking about.<br /><br />At the end of the evening, I caught Jess and Casey (Mary Heather I just spoke with in passing - she complemented my beta shirt mods. =] ) and was able to chat briefly with them. Were I less shy and worried about being an imposition, I would've gotten a photo with them, but there's always next year!<br /><br />I went home happy and excited: I'd made new friends, met some of my internet idols, and had a great time. It was the best party I'd gone to in a long while. As someone who's not usually the most social, it was great to know that I could go somewhere where I knew almost nobody and still make friends. It also rekindled my desires to join a knitting group; knitters are such a cool bunch. The next day it was off to the festival again, this time with my mother. That will get one final post a little later.L.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11918968432536154870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-712019346284762929.post-53946509480127547462008-05-04T11:00:00.008-04:002008-05-07T12:56:50.002-04:00MD Sheep and Wool: Saturday at the festivalThis past weekend was the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival. I've known about it only for two years now, despite being a Marylander all my life, but because it tends to fall during the same weekend as Reality, this is the first time I've been able to go. Luckily for me, this year also had a very strong Ravelry presence, and we all know how much I LOVE Ravelry!<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/littlelambknits/2471220055/" title="Cute sheep! by lamboyle, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2169/2471220055_4cecea139f_m.jpg" width="180" height="240" alt="Cute sheep!" /></a><br /><br />I didn't have any worries about getting there 'too late', since I didn't have a particular game plan. I knew I wanted to get a drop spindle and some fiber, and I wanted to try and get some yarn for one of the sweaters of vests I'm planning, but I didn't know anything about the specifics of any of these. Getting there 'late' (at 11:30am) meant I was parked at the opposite end of the massive parking field, but a spot's a spot!<br /><br />I stopped by the Ravelry meetup and was informed by the lovely Ravelry helpers that Jess and Casey were running late. I was obviously there for Ravelry, because I was wearing my nifty little 'hello my name is' button that I'd purchased way back when they did their beta shirt sales. Since I knew I was going to go to the party that night, and since I'm not one of the more 'popular' forum posters, there wasn't anyone who I'd been dying to meet other than Jess and Casey, so I decided I'd come back later.<br /><br />As I was walking around I was stopped by a number of people asking me where I got my Ravelry button or where the meetup was, and I felt special being able to help them out. I like being 'in the know,' <br /><br />My first purchase was at the first stall I really looked at, the Hunt Country Yarns stall. I saw their knitted up sample of the Jojoland Swirl Shawl, and I decided I <i>had</i> to own the pattern. I bought the pattern ($5.30) with the plan to return later if I wanted to get the yarn that was recommended. The woman I spoke to at the stall was very nice; she told me they were offering the pattern free with purchase of the yarn, so if I ended up coming back to get the yarn, I should tell her and she'd take the pattern purchase price off the yarn price. I also liked her because as I was walking up, she was explaining how awesome Ravelry was to one of the customers. I love anyone who loves Ravelry!<br /><br />My second stop was the Journey Wheel booth in the main exhibition stall. Purchasing a spindle was my main goal of the day, and thanks to Diane2knit who had started a thread about purchasing ones first spindle at the festival, I knew just where I wanted to go first. The two most recommended spindle types were the Goldings and the Bosworths, and having looked at both of them online, I thought I'd want to start with a Bosworth. My decision was made when ShielaSpins offered a quick spinning lesson for those who stopped by her booth and asked. As for why a Bosworth over a Golding, for now? The Goldings are beautiful, but they feel more modern and fancy to me. Part of the appeal in spinning, especially on a drop spindle, is that it's a connecting with the past and experiencing an additional step in the fiber process. The Bosworths simply looked like how I wanted my first spindle to look.<br /><br />When I showed up at Journey Wheel's booth, coincidentally, I was there at the same time as Diane2knit who had started the thread that made up my mind! There was another Raveler there at the same time as us, but I didn't catch her name. She mentioned she mostly did the 'park and draft' style of spinning, but I forgot her Ravelry handle. Sheila gave all three of us a quick walkthrough on how she'd recommend we choose our spindles and how to do the actual spinning. I ended up selecting a beautiful Paduak spindle in the Midi range, 25gm /.88 oz. There was another spindle I was thinking about that was a little heavier, which would probably have been good since I'm still a beginner, but my spindle called my name. The wood was singing to me - she glows!<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/littlelambknits/2471221299/" title="bosworth by lamboyle, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2267/2471221299_d0814fe09f_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="bosworth" /></a><br /><br />Drop spindle in hand, I went to get some fiber. Sheila so kindly had a handout of some of the fiber places that she recommended, and she'd even starred places she knew were at the festival! The first fiber I got was at Misty Mountain Fiber. I saw one bunch of merino top that was in my favorite color mixture. It was labeled as 100% merino top, 4oz, $8.95. It's a beautiful blue purple green yellow mix that was carded together. <br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/littlelambknits/2472043944/" title="Yarn to be by lamboyle, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2380/2472043944_97e49c69d1_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="Yarn to be" /></a><br />At the same stall, I bought a bunch of Colonial Wool Top, 4oz for $6.88. This looks more 'natural' colored, but there are beautiful flecks of brown and blue throughout the gray haze. Very beautiful.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/littlelambknits/2471221833/" title="Yarn to be by lamboyle, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3196/2471221833_4ceca9bb6a_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="Yarn to be" /></a><br /><br />My next purchase, also fiber (as opposed to yarn) was from Spinner's Hill. I picked a wool from their wall and told them I wanted 4oz. They claim the huge bag they gave me was only 4oz, but I suspect I got the better end of the deal. =] The fiber is wool from Corriedale Finn Rambouillet Cross Sheep in a beautiful teal with magenta stripes. It is labeled as hand dyed and carded into Batts on their farm. I didn't get a receipt for that purchase, but it was $2.13 per oz, so I have to assume I paid around $9.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/littlelambknits/2471222151/" title="Yarn to be by lamboyle, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2110/2471222151_ca8a3ddd19_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="Yarn to be" /></a><br /><br />Next up was the Interweave Knits booth. I decided it was high time for me to subscribe, so subscribe I did. They had a deal where you could get one free issue of the magazine they had lying around, so I got the Spring 08. I'd been regretting not having bought that once it vanished from my local bookstore, so I'm glad I caught it. Also as a 'thank you gift', I got a pair of mini travel scissors, that the nice person at the booth (whose name, I believe, was stefanie) told me was airplane safe. Even better!<br /><br />Around here, I decided it was time to find my way back to Hunt County Yarns to pick up the Melody yarn for the shawl. I got 5 skeins @ 8.50 each, but I was refunded the cost of the pattern. I later ended up seeing Melody for $6 a ball somewhere else, but it was thanks to Hunt County Yarn's knitted sample of the shawl I knew I had to buy the pattern/yarn in the first place. I was excited to learn, after I'd already decided I'd buy it, that melody was a superwash yarn. <br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/littlelambknits/2471221153/" title="Swirl Shawl 'kit' by lamboyle, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3066/2471221153_c9b62cc1fb_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="Swirl Shawl 'kit'" /></a><br /><br />Then came my final fiber purchase of Saturday. I went to the Stormy Mountain Fibers stall and got about 3oz of their 'loose' wool in a nice green color (moss, I believe), and a 3.9oz braid of Colonial Wool Top in Northern Lights for $6.44. Northern lights is a beautiful mix of brown, dark blue, and a little bit a of green. Very vibrant, but very fun. <br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/littlelambknits/2472044196/" title="Yarn to be by lamboyle, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2375/2472044196_a8a7672a4d_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="Yarn to be" /></a><br />The green was what I started spinning with the second I got home, so I only have a picture of that on my spindle.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/littlelambknits/2472043580/" title="My first yarn by lamboyle, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3074/2472043580_438f7c6179_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="My first yarn" /></a><br /><br />By this time, I was hungry! I got a lamb gyro at a booth, and a 'snack pack' size of the cinnamon almonds. Very tasty!<br /><br />Finally, my final yarn purchase. I went to the Woolstock Knits booth and sorted through their sale bin. Everything in the bin was %50 off! I've looked at the bin at their store before but never found anything.(They're one of my favorite local yarn stores, and people there have only ever been completely awesome to me, even back before I had any clue what I was doing.) I found a few different bags of Rowan Summer Tweed, a yarn I'd previously drooled over, and ended up getting a bag of a bunch of skeins of light green. Though it's not a perfect fiber match, I'm thinking of trying to knit the gathered neck pullover in this. Of course, to do this, I have to find my blasted copy of the magazine! I don't want to buy an additional PDF pattern when I know I have the magazine lying around! For those, I paid $5.98 per skein. $5.98! Down from $11.25!<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/littlelambknits/2471220955/" title="Rowan Summer Tweed by lamboyle, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2222/2471220955_a099e26fd9_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="Rowan Summer Tweed" /></a><br /><br />My budget more than depleted, and my two goals achieved, I decided it was almost time to call it a day. On my way out, I stopped by the Landleth Seeds plant booth which had organic heirloom and vintage plants, and I got my mom some seedlings. Then it was a root beer (or, a sasparilla sharp shooter, to be exact) and off to find my car. <br /><br />Next post, you'll get my writeup of the awesome awesome Ravelry party, and my writeup of Sunday at the festival with my mom.L.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11918968432536154870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-712019346284762929.post-28835042896014291412008-04-01T12:32:00.004-04:002008-04-01T12:37:33.580-04:002-at-a-time review! part 1As an extra bloggy present, I'll post a review I wrote a while back of the new sock book that's sweeping the nation, 2-at-a-time Socks by Melissa Morgan-Oakes. If you're on ravelry, I'd encourage you to go over to the rav group for the book. Melissa herself is live and in person there quite frequently, and as much as I liked her in the book, the real live her is even more awesome. <br /><br />I'm going to preface my review by saying that, though I don't like every pattern in this book, I am very glad I bought it, and it has a higher ratio of patterns I like to patterns I don't than any other knitting book I've bought yet. I'll start by reviewing each of the patterns individually, and in a later post I'll review some of the things that make this an awesome book, format wise. I'll preface that later post by saying this has my favorite format of any knitting book I've ever seen. I'll explain why later. =]<br /><br />On to the pattern reviews!<br />So, first, for a little knitting history. The first socks I ever knitted were knitted this past summer. Not because I had some deep desire to knit socks – knitting socks seemed quite silly to me – but because I’d gone to the lovely ‘local’ yarn store (local to where I was this summer, at least) asking for a nice small project. “Have you tried socks?” “They seem to hard.” “Nonsense!”<br />With that exchange, I got started. My first sock took probably over 3 months to complete, and my second was finished up in (I think) less than a month. My second (completed) pair of socks was a pair of no purl monkeys, and those I managed to get through in about two weeks. <br /><br /><br />The patterns: (in the order they are in the book)<br />Sample Socks<br /> I decided not to knit the sample socks for one simple reason. There is no toddler in my life, and it is likely it will be many years before there is one. That said, I love the write up of the sample sock, and in working on the other socks (or thinking through the other socks) I keep referring back to this. That strikes me as a Good Thing.<br /><br />Berry Season<br /> I’m not sure if I’ll ever knit berry season. The socks are made out of a thick yarn, but they’re ankle socks – for me, if I want the warmth the thick yarn would give, I’d prefer a little more leg power. I’m also not a big fan of the roll at the top of the brim. That said, I’ll probably use the stitch pattern in some future Franken-sock of my own. These socks are very pretty, and maybe potential GiftSocks, but not for me.<br /><br />Spice<br /> These socks are also not for me. Or, at least, not for me as written. I’ll admit the colors here are not my personal favorites, and I have a hard time trying to think out the pattern in different color combinations. Also, right now, socks don’t warrant the time and effort of color work to me. I like the contrasting toe and heel, and I might like these socks with just a plain stripe where there is now the color worked section, but as written, I’m unlikely to knit the socks. Of course, many other knitters probably enjoy color work, and these socks are for them. <br /><br />Be Mine<br /> These are the socks that sold me the book, plain and simple, and they’re the first socks from the book I’ve started. The cable pattern is beautiful. I love the way the hearts are somewhat subtle (because they’re cabled hearts, not color work), but the socks themselves look oh so deliciously girly and fun. I have a pair of dansko mary janes that I believe will show off the pattern quite well. That said, it’s slow moving for me on these socks. As many times as I’ve tried to learn to cable without a cable needle, I haven’t managed, so that keeps me having to have an extra needle in hand. The pattern itself (for my size foot) is a 32 row repeat, and not one that I could memorize. This makes these nice audiobook socks, but pretty bad tv socks. Of course, I still think they’re the prettiest things ever, so don’t let my warning scare you off.<br /><br />Varsity<br /> I’m not sure if I’ll ever knit these socks or not. I suspect I might someday, but not necessarily soon. I like the striping sequence, and I think this could be a good ‘guy sock’, but I don’t have any guys to make socks for. Personally, if I knit these I suspect I’ll combine the orange and green stripes into one larger stripe for added symmetry and because I like the look better. I also might prefer to have the heel in that orange/green color, instead of in the white the way it currently is. That, or try and have the first rows before the heel in white, and the heel in the burgundy. (If you have the book, that’ll make sense. If not, buy it already!)<br /><br />Belle Epoque<br /> If Be Mine sold me the book, Belle Epoque is what convinced me my money was well spent. Like Be Mine, these are girly to the extreme. Dainty lace and a delicate cable, combined with an adorable picot edge, make these too cute for words, but they’re definitely ‘serious’ enough that they could be office footwear. I want to do these in black. I suspect a dark color would best set off the lace surrounding the cable, but they look delicious in the green they are shown in. Though I haven’t started knitting these yet, the chart looks much less intimidating and much more intuitive than Be Mine, so I suspect these would be a faster knit. It’s almost all made up of K, P, K2Tog, and Yo! I can do those with my eyes closed! I can’t wait to cast on for these.<br /><br />Frolic<br /> These socks, like the sample socks, I will probably not knit until a toddler comes into my life. They look cute and a little complicated, so I can see how they’d get good gift knitting mileage. <br /><br />Coquette<br /> Coquette, like Berry Season, is an ankle sock. It reminds me of socks I wore as a child, and it’s honestly difficult for me to imagine an adult wearing these, though I think that’s partly because of the color they were knitted in. They were knitted in a very busy multicolor that, honestly, makes the socks look a little like The Kind of Socks Knitters Who Give Knitting A Bad Image wear. Yes, that’s horribly judgmental of me, and yes, I know there are plenty of cool knitters (Melissa included) who apparently like this kind of yarn. I wish there’d been a secondary picture of these in a solid color. I suspect I might like them more then, and I’ll keep my eye out on Ravelry for a good pair to prove my dislike wrong.<br /><br />Socks for Aidan<br /> See above (Frolic) re: no kids in my life and see above (Spice) re: not loving color work in socks. Again though, IF I had kids that warranted knitting, and IF I wanted to knit color work, these are cute. Not for me, but cute. I like how the color work is on the folded over cuff. Sock cuffs were very important to me as a kid, and this makes the cuff itself part of the design.<br /><br />Twilight<br /> I can’t tell if I like these socks because I like the pattern, because I’m in love with the yarn, or both. Melissa says this pattern works best on hand painted yarns, and I believe her. It gives the socks a little texture to add some visual interest, but I suspect these would be perfect TV socks, train socks, or socializing socks. I look forward to knitting these sometime.<br /><br />Sugar Maple<br /> With these socks too, my love is part pattern love and part yarn love – coincidentally, this is the same yarn as before…maybe I should get myself rich so I can buy a skein or three. =] These socks scream fall to me, in a very good way. I like the pattern and it’s versatility. Though this looks great in a hand painted yarn, I suspect it’d look equally brilliant in a solid color. It looks a twinge more thought-involved than Twilight, but I’d say these can still qualify as TV socks….just, maybe not House or Lost socks.<br /><br />H Sock<br /> I might like these socks, but I can’t tell. I have to say, as much as I love Lorna’s Laces, this colorway (or maybe this yarn) did not show off the pattern to its best. The colors are so busy that I have difficulty making out the pattern even in the close up section, and the on-feet picture isn’t much better. I want to see this pattern with different yarn before I fully judge, but right now, I’m not positive I want to make these.<br /><br />Athena<br /> Damnit MMO, why must you make so many beautiful things with cables?! If the name of this pattern hadn’t sold me, the picture would have. I love the way these look. Of course, that said, I’m a little curious what it would be like to wear them – the cables look on the bulkier side, and I don’t usually want thick and bulky socks with shoes that show off how pretty the socks are. I don’t know if I’ll ever knit these, but I’ll sure as hell drool over them.<br /><br />Emily’s Socks<br /> What with how these are also kiddy socks, you might think you know exactly what I’m going to say – but! Hah hah! These are *also* the socks on the cover. (Well, mostly…) I actually like these much better in the cover shot than in the kiddie version because I think the yarn is better suited to them. In the kiddie version, the yarn’s got some mohair, and that kind of ruins the stitch definition. In fact, when I look at the close-up photo of the stitch pattern, it looks to me like ribbing, not like anything fancy. The cover however is much nicer. On the cover, I can see that this is a fun texture, but not a super busy pattern. I can definitely picture myself knitting these, both with or without the super cute picot edging.<br /><br />Sailor’s Delight<br /> These just look awesome to me. I love the color, and though these socks have a bit of mohair too, the yarn doesn’t detract from the stitch pattern at all. Of course, that said, I wish that the closeup picture had been on white sock blockers or some other way to make it easier to see exactly how lacey this looks. I definitely plan on making these. These, too, look like potential good TV socks, and they seem like they’ve got a lot of buck for the bite, or whatever the expression is.<br /><br />Pitter Patter<br /> Nice simple kids sock I don’t think I’ll knit forever. <br /><br />The Classic Sock<br /> This is basically the two-at-a-time version of my first socks, and I love them. Mine were in Trekking Pro Natura, not XXL, but same difference. I have a special place in my heart for k3p1 ribbing in socks – it looks much nicer to me than k1p1 or k2p2 – it’s a design choice, not just a way to keep the socks on the feet! I like that MMO included a mens large size for these, though I think if I’m ever going to knit something for a guy with large feet, a hat would probably be faster than the massive pair of socks.<br /><br />Ragg Hiker<br /> If I wanted to make worsted socks, these’d be the socks I’d want to make. They look perfect for going under boots – nice and thick and cozy. I also love love love the yarn choice here. A good pattern to end the book, though not really a pattern exactly. Either way, very nice.L.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11918968432536154870noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-712019346284762929.post-31809777517911864712008-04-01T11:24:00.002-04:002008-04-01T11:47:16.442-04:00Long time no seeSo...um...hi! ::waves::<br /><br />It's been quite a while, I know. Largely I haven't been updating since I haven't been crafting, but that's not completely true. Since my last post, I finished my monkey socks and my fire fetchings, and I started sewing an apron. Oh, and I finished the first heart on my Be Mine socks. Partly I've been going slowly because I've never really gotten momentum on my Be Mines, but since they were my project spectrum feb/march socks, I didn't feel comfortable starting a new project until they were done. Now, though, now it's april. This means "earth" is officially in swing, and I can start my next pair of socks, which I've admitedly been getting more and more excited about. Even better, I can sew the project bag whose fabric has been sitting stacked next to my computer!<br /><br />For my earth one-person-KAL with already purchased yarn, I'm going to be knitting the Embossed Leaves socks from the Interweave Favorite Socks book, in Knit Picks Risata in Grass. I think the 'leaves' aspect of Embossed Leaves makes this a good thematic choice, as well as the fact I think I'm just in love with the pattern. I can usually recognize it right away if done in most solid colored yarns, but there are some times when I'll see a pair on flickr or something and think "wow, those socks look awesome! I want to knit those!" Another thing I'm liking about this pattern is that it's all friendly stitches: mostly knits with a few purls, k2togs, ssks and yos thrown in there. As much as I think the Be Mines are maybe the cutest socks in the world, their pattern is too thought intensive for me. These should, hopefully, be a little easier. <br /><br />If I end up finishing these, or if I end up devoting a lot more time to knitting these months than I previously have, I might work on finishing up my Branching Out, in it's beautiful and thematically appropriate yarn choice. The trouble with the Branching Out is that I don't like the needles it's currently on. It's on some of my grandmother's old aluminum straight needles. They're too long, overly heavy, and they make a sound when knitting that reminds me of nails on a chalkboard. After the major crush I've developed on the Knit Picks long circular sock needles I bought, I've been heavily debating getting a set of their Options, once I've saved up the money. I know there have been some complaints about the cables breaking or the needles coming undone from the cables, but I think I'm willing to risk it. For things like the branching out that I'm currently doing on old-but-annoying straights, I suspect options would be prefereable. As it is, I think I prefer circular to straight simply for the portability factor, and the nice smooth cables of the Options add to that.<br /><br />As far as my sewing goes, I've been working on a skirt from Sew What Skirts, but it's been frustrating me. I'm looking forward to a nice break with my pattern bag. Though I have a decent amount of fat quarters to choose from (I stocked up when JoAnn's was having a 1 for $1 sale) I ended up chosing two that aren't my favorite pattern or color, but which go very well together. Both are from a fat quarter package I purchased at PurlSoho back in NYC. The outside is an asian inspired brown fabric with orange, pink, yellow, and green flowers and leaves. The lining will be a lime green that matches the green on the outside pretty well. Unfortunately, the only zipper I have that'd work size wise for the project is dark green, and I'm not much in the mood to go out and buy a new one. I'm trying to convince myself it'll look kicky, not tacky. <br /><br />Oh well, off to work! I'll try and post more pictures once I've started knitting/sewing.L.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11918968432536154870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-712019346284762929.post-70278746539601310302008-02-28T11:22:00.004-05:002008-02-28T11:39:14.239-05:00The front of a weekendHello!<br />Since we last met our hero, she has been crafting up a storm!<br />We'll start with my weekender-in-progress:<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/littlelambknits/2295905349/" title="Weekender in Progress by lamboyle, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3177/2295905349_9075d17574_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="Weekender in Progress" /></a><br />There's a picture of the front and back 'main panels'. As you can see, I attempted to match up the pattern on the pocket and, for my first time, I think I did pretty well!<br />Here's a closer photo:<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/littlelambknits/2295905437/" title="Weekender in progress by lamboyle, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3205/2295905437_b76cf67ece_m.jpg" width="180" height="240" alt="Weekender in progress" /></a><br />So far, I'm very pleased with my bag. I think my first attempt at piping went well, as did my first attempt at using heavy duty interfacing for anything but the bottom of the bag. I'm happy to report that so far, I've had no needle breakages or other major sewing disasters. Sewing a consistent distance from the piping is difficult and my seams aren't perfect, but I'm okay with that. In the end, my goal is to make a pretty bag that I'll be able to use, and I think I'm well on my way toward doing that. <br /><br />One modification I've made already: Instead of sewing the handles onto the bag just by horizontal stitching, I made two little "x"s between two horizontal lines on each handle. I think they are quite stable, so I'm hoping I won't have the handle-falling-off problem some bloggers have reported.<br /><br><br />Also in the sewing world, I finally have pictures of the 'project bag' I made for project spectrum 08, fire. <br />The open bag:<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/littlelambknits/2296700278/" title="Project Bag for Project Spectrum by lamboyle, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3181/2296700278_d15a2538c8_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="Project Bag for Project Spectrum" /></a><br />A side view:<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/littlelambknits/2296700304/" title="Empty Project Bag by lamboyle, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3098/2296700304_6675e1c399_m.jpg" width="180" height="240" alt="Empty Project Bag" /></a><br />The filled bag:<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/littlelambknits/2295906153/" title="Project bag with WIP by lamboyle, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3166/2295906153_ae2e1f5921_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="Project bag with WIP" /></a><br />I made that losely based on the Drago[knit]fly <a href="http://dragoknit.blogspot.com/2007/02/box-bag-tutorial.html">box bag tutorial</a>, but I'm planning on writing up a tutorial of my own that will explain how you can start with the size of finished bag you want, and work your way backwards to figure out how to cut your fabric.<br />My bag was made from two fat quarters from JoAnn Fabrics, a 12" red zipper, and some flannel lining. The bag itself has two layers of flannel, and the handle has four, so the handle is more sturdy than the bag, but as you can see, the bag is capable of maintaining its shape while empty.<br /><br />Tune in again to hear the story of what you see IN the bag, my new favorite sock knitting book, and the story of the fastest sock I've knit yet!L.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11918968432536154870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-712019346284762929.post-67165188479675227732008-02-18T12:07:00.006-05:002008-02-19T00:02:36.636-05:00Just checking in...Sorry it's been so long since I last blogged. I was hoping to get a nice post in once I got my knitpicks order, but sadly it has yet to arrive. I have to say, the tracking portion of their website is incredibly confusing: it suggests my package arrived already, when I know for a fact it did not!<br /><br />Although I have yet to start my official project spectrum socks, I do have one knitting FO and one sewing FO to take pictures of and post about, but those will have to wait.<br /><br />For now, I'm going to write about my most scary exciting sewing project ever: tackling Amy Butler's Weekend Travel Bag! I've admired this pattern ever since I saw it, and when I was in New York at the end of January, I bought the pattern from Purl. A few weeks ago I bought fabric (well, my first round...I'll explain THAT in a bit) from JoAnn's and I've just been waiting for some inspiration to start cutting. Last night I found the inspiration! I was looking through the Flickr group for UHandbag blog's Amy Butler patterns and I found some *beautiful* weekenders I'd like to share with you:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/littlelambknits/2275814093/" title="Weekender bag Mosaic by lamboyle, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2040/2275814093_a9510417c8.jpg" width="376" height="500" alt="Weekender bag Mosaic" /></a><br /><br>1. <a href="http://flickr.com/photos/claire_howson/472218525/">Weekender</a>, 2. <a href="http://flickr.com/photos/notquitevintage/423261902/">Weekender Bag</a>, 3. <a href="http://flickr.com/photos/90635988@N00/2085952765/">Weekender Bag</a>, 4. <a href="http://flickr.com/photos/klausvonmersault/2210637796/">Melissa's Weekender Bag</a>, 5. <a href="http://flickr.com/photos/23971769@N00/2120247623/">sew11</a>, 6. <a href="http://flickr.com/photos/lydigann/441111524/">Weekender Bag front view</a>, 7. <a href="http://flickr.com/photos/8305796@N04/498700526/">weekender1</a>, 8. <a href="http://flickr.com/photos/dognamedbanjo/772305159/">Amy Butler Weekender Bag</a>, 9. <a href="http://flickr.com/photos/fairbanksfancygoods/780751086/">Amy Butler Weekender Bag</a>, 10. <a href="http://flickr.com/photos/14510865@N04/1477452429/">amy butler weekender bag</a>, 11. <a href="http://flickr.com/photos/delightfuldesign/1553712390/">DSC_0302a</a>, 12. <a href="http://flickr.com/photos/stitchingpink/1834531300/">Amy Butler Weekender bag.</a><br /><br />Simply beautiful!<br />So, last night I started cutting my fabric. I decided I was going to approach this project slowly so I wouldn't get too frustrated or intimidated by it, so my goal for last night was just to cut out the exterior fabric. All went well, and I even managed to (somewhat) match up the patterns for my front pockets! I tried matching the side pockets, but that didn't go quite as well. Oh well!<br /><br />This morning I started cutting out the lining fabric. The way the pattern is written, you're supposed to be able to cut out both the handles and the main panels on the same side of the fabric. (If you have the pattern you'll know what I mean.) Like the instructions said, I started by cutting out the handles, but once it came time to cut out the main panel, there simply wasn't enough fabric left. I'm usually overly conservative when cutting fabric, but this just turned into more and more of a disaster. I've cut out all the pattern pieces for the actual lining, but I need to go out and buy more fabric for the piping. I'm sure this is my fault, but I'm not pleased.<br /><br />The other thing I'm frustrated about has nothing to do with the pattern exactly, but has to do with the help at my local JoAnn's. (Yes, I know large chain stores aren't as nice as smaller local stores, and if I *knew* of any small local stores I'd be there in a heartbeat, but we work with what we've got!) I'd brought the pattern with me when I was buying all the fabric in hopes of getting some help with the Timtex and the interfacing. The woman at the cutting counter very nicely helped me select something for each of them, but somehow I didn't notice until today what she gave me for the interfacing was actually tear away stabilizer. Argh! Maybe I am a little bit frustrated at the pattern for this...so far as I can tell, Timtex is out of business. The replacement is, inevitably, Pellon, however I haven't found information *anywhere* about how to know *which* Pellon I want to replace Timtex, or what I should buy when a pattern just says "heavy weight sew in interfacing." That's my rant number two.<br /><br />My rant number three is completely the pattern's fault. In the materials list it telsl you you need 1 sheet of Dritz 12"x18 heavy duty template plastic, which I happily found and purchased. However, once you cut the plastic, you are supposed to be able to cut *two* pieces of 7"x16.5". I realize I wasn't a math major, but I'm pretty good at basic arithmetic, and there's no way you can cut two pieces that size out of the sheet of plastic I bought. 7+7 is not <= 12! I'm going to make do by just using one piece of plastic for the bottom, but I'm a little frustrated about that problem with the pattern. Though my other issues with the pattern are at least partly my fault, that one is not. (And yes, I did read through the entire pattern before purchasing materials, but I hadn't caught that because when the pattern said "cut two pieces of this size from that plastic" I trusted I could do it. So much for trust!)<br /><br />Well, enough writing about the problems - I'm going to go to the fabric store and get all the extra stuff I need. I hope they have the fabric I want in stock still! I'll try and have some photos of my own stuff in the next post. Later!L.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11918968432536154870noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-712019346284762929.post-34118429111255065752008-02-09T00:44:00.000-05:002008-02-09T00:54:03.964-05:00Project Spectrum "Knitting club"For at least the past year, if not the past two years (it's so hard to keep track of these things) I've been reading and loving Lolly's blog. Last year I admired all the Project Spectrum posts and I realized that sort of a project is exactly why I wanted my own blog.<br /><br />Well, now I have a blog, so I can join Project Spectrum!<br />If I was as wonderful a blogger as Lolly or some other people I could mention, I'd bring my camera with me everywhere and have pictures of everything in every color. Unfortunately, I have yet to get into that habit, and even when I've remembered to take my camera with me, I've forgotten to take pictures! I decided that for my own personal way of celebrating/experiencing project spectrum, I was going to make up a knitting club.<br /><br />When I say knitting club I don't mean a "lets get together and knit" stitch and bitch type club, I mean like the Rockin' Socks club. I'm going to assign myself to knit (or at least start) at least one project spectrum project for each of the four elements. I purchased yarn for the first three on Knitpicks: red sock yarn for fire, green sock yarn for earth, and grey lace weight for air. I'm going to pack up the earth and air yarn and force myself to wait until the appropriate months before taking it out and knitting.<br /><br />My goals for creativity for project spectrum are as follows:<br />1. Knit (or at least start to knit) one theme project per element.<br />2. Sew one theme project per element.<br />3. Try and join all the ATC swaps.<br /><br />When it comes to what I'm knitting and sewing, I'm giving myself some leeway as to how I interpret the theme: at the very least, the color must be one of the accepted colors. Ideally, the pattern will meaningfully relate to the theme as well, but especially as far as the sewing goes, I'm giving myself some options there.<br /><br />I've already started my fire sewing project. I'm making a box bag (the likes of Dragon[knit]fly) for my fire knitting project. I've wanted a project bag, and this pattern keeps popping up on all the cool blogs, so I figure I'll start here. All I have left to do is make the handle and the lining, but it's too late now. I'll post more later. (And update this with links!)L.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11918968432536154870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-712019346284762929.post-55579866617564090272008-02-07T11:15:00.000-05:002008-02-07T11:32:50.444-05:00The Year of the Hat?<div style="text-align: left;">Another finished object, can you believe it? So far, two of the things I've finished this year are hats! I therefor dub this the year of the hat. Or at least the few months of the hat. (I have a pair of fetchings I have to write up too, but they didn't take as long as the hats. Maybe it'll turn into "the year of the extremities"?)<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Jak's Jaques Cousteau[<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/lamb/marsan-watchcap">R</a><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/lamb/marsan-watchcap">]</a>:</span><br /></div> <span style="font-weight: bold;">Pattern: </span><a href="http://www.redlipstick.net/knit/martext.html"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Marsan Watchcap</span></a>[<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/marsan-watchcap">R</a>] by Stacey Joy Elkin<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Materials:</span> Cascade 220 Wool[<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/yarns/library/cascade-220-wool">R</a>]; 220y/100g; 100% Peruvian highland wool; color: 8339 marine; dyelot: 9733<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Purchased at</span>: Natural Stitches in Pittsburgh, PA<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Amount:</span> less than 1 skein<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Needles:</span> size 7 clover DPNs, followed by 16" #7 Addi Turbo (swoon)<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Gauge:</span> what's that? (aka, never checked)<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Size</span>: L<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Cost:</span> $5.61 yarn, + $16.00 addis = $21.61<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Started:</span> 1/27/08<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Finished:</span> 2/03/08<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Total time:</span> 1 week<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/littlelambknits/2248862230/" title="Marsan Watchcap by lamboyle, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2019/2248862230_aeef170110_m.jpg" width="180" height="240" alt="Marsan Watchcap" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/littlelambknits/2248862748/" title="Marsan Watchcap by lamboyle, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2243/2248862748_69a3f397d8_m.jpg" width="180" height="240" alt="Marsan Watchcap" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pattern notes:</span><br />When I first learned to knit, I thought you knit into the back of a knit stitch, so all my stitches were twisted. This made knitting the twisted rib in this pattern very easy. I have to admit, I'm still not a big k1p1 rib fan when it comes to the knitting enjoyment, but nothing else works quite like it. I suspect I'd gotten this hat confused with the actual jaques cousteau hat somewhere along the line, but I'd described it to Jak as a jaques cousteau hat, so that's what he knows it as. I think this is a nice mens hat pattern, and I'd probably knit it again. I don't yet know what the recipient (a 21 yr. old male) thinks of it, but we'll see. It was a nice chance I could use the yarn I'd gotten on sale (with no plan for what to do) to make this belated holiday gift. The color's beautiful, and I'm sure I'll get it again.<br /></div>L.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11918968432536154870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-712019346284762929.post-29053210331738682832008-02-06T13:58:00.000-05:002008-02-07T11:15:17.645-05:00A Fun Little Meme and some more Fos!<a href="http://www.the-n.com/games/quiz/3321"><img src="http://www.the-n.com/media/quiz/badges/timeofday_quiz/1002.gif" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />" You are breakfasty, like a pile of pancakes on a Sunday morning that have just the right amount of syrup, so every bite is sweet perfection and not a soppy mess. You are a glass of orange juice that's cool, refreshing, and not overly pulpy. You are the time of day that's just right for turning the pages of a newspaper, flipping through channels, or clicking around online to get a sense of how the world changed during the night. You don't want to stumble sleepily through life, so you make a real effort to wake your brain up and get it thinking. You feel inspired to accomplish things (whether it's checking something off your to-do list or changing the world), but there's plenty of time for making things happen later in the day. First, pancakes."<br /><br /><br />That just might be my favorite quiz I've ever taken! Breakfast, especially a breakfast at 10am, (which, to me, means a leisurely breakfast) is my favorite meal of the day, and reading the paper every morning has become an important part of my daily ritual. That time of morning always holds so much promise for things to be accomplished in the day!<br /><br /><br />I really haven't been doing a spectacular job at updating the blog. I blame this on the fact that I'm still not in the habit of unloading my camera each time I use it, and who wants a pictureless blog post?<br /><br /><br />Since finishing my Urchin, I have two more recent FOs, neither of which I've had a chance to photograph. A pair of Fetchings for me, and a watchcap for my stepbrother. Though I'm not officially trying to only knit from my stash in any real way, I *am* trying to keep it from getting much bigger, and both of these projects were good stash projects. The Cashmerino for the fetchings I bought back in December when I was making a pair for my friend, and the Cascade 220 was bought in Pittsburgh at the beginning of the year because it was on sale. Happily, its shade of blue works well for my stepbrother!<br /><br /><br />The other finished objects I'll have to share with you are two sewing projects I made - two purses which were belated Christmas presents for friends of mine. Those I can show you now! (The astute might've noticed the green tweed purse as having appeared on my giftmas wrap up page a while back.)<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Erika's Tweed Pleated Beauty:</span><br /></div> <span style="font-weight: bold;">Pattern: Pleated Beauty Bag from Bend the Rules Sewing</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Materials:</span> Sparkly tweed "holiday" fabric, green "spring suiting" fabric, interfacing, flannel, magnetic snap<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Purchased at</span>: All materials are from JoAnn's Fabric.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Cost:</span> I should pay more attention to this...<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Started:</span> 1/6<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Finished:</span> 1/12<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Total time:</span> 3+ hours, over a number of days<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/littlelambknits/2188401560/" title="Pleated Beauty II by lamboyle, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2043/2188401560_b6733530f9_m.jpg" width="180" height="240" alt="Pleated Beauty II" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/littlelambknits/2187615111/" title="Pleated Beauty II - detail shot by lamboyle, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2320/2187615111_281cd43808_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="Pleated Beauty II - detail shot" /></a><br /><br />I like the way the green fabric sets off the gold sparkles in the tweed. Though this is definitely more of a fall/winter bag, hopefully the green can help it transition through spring.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Hannah's Clutch:</span><br /></div> <span style="font-weight: bold;">Pattern: Pleated Beauty Bag from InStitches</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Materials:</span> Brown cotton, Alexander Henry Loteria fabric, cotton batting, magnetic closure.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Purchased at</span>: All materials are from JoAnn's Fabrics.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Cost:</span> I should pay more attention to this...<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Started:</span> 1/12<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Finished:</span> 1/20<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Total time:</span> 4+ hours, over a number of days<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Modifications:</span> Due to a mistake on my part with the magnetic snap, I had to remake the closure tab, and make it longer than the one in the pattern. I also chose to line the tab with the lining fabric instead of with the exterior fabric.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/littlelambknits/2246365151/" title="Hannah's Clutch by lamboyle, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2106/2246365151_671d9a0ede_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="Hannah's Clutch" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/littlelambknits/2246365527/" title="Hannah's Clutch: opening by lamboyle, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2376/2246365527_c90f59aa96_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="Hannah's Clutch: opening" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/littlelambknits/2247160348/" title="Hannah's Clutch: The Inside by lamboyle, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2130/2247160348_140a2da0c9_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="Hannah's Clutch: The Inside" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pattern notes</span>: This was the first Amy Butler pattern I'd sewn, and the book was from the library, so there was a bit of a time crunch. Though the pattern was not as simple and easy to understand as the patterns in Bend the Rules Sewing, it was more precise. Steps like basting all layers together, though a pain to do, helped to make the finished purse look professional. I definitely plan on purchasing the book for myself so I can make more of these, and so I can make some other patterns in the book. The pattern was quite frustrating at times, but this was also the first "real" pattern I've sewn anything from, so I'm pleased with the result.<br /><br />As far as the fabrics go, I love the loteria fabric, and it reminds me of the style of jewelry my friend Hannah, the recipient, wears. I liked how I was able to center the magnetic closure on the center of the devil, and if I had enough of this fabric to work a pattern like this again, next time I'll pay more attention to matching up the pattern. Though the brown wasn't an obvious choice to match with the fabric, I think it works, and Hannah enjoys brown.<br /><br />There, that's enough for now I think!L.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11918968432536154870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-712019346284762929.post-43701942033955404202008-01-30T19:08:00.000-05:002008-01-30T19:12:10.649-05:00Thank you, Google Reader!This will be a quick post, and it will not be of interest to anyone who doesn't use google reader.<br /><br />My biggest gripe with google reader (well, my biggest gripe since they've installed the search bar) is that the "mark all read" button is so close to the "refresh" button, and that there was no way to disable the button or undo a "mark all read." Many many many a time I've been sleepy and trying to refresh, when instead I've clicked mark all read and hundreds (in one case thousands) of posts I'd had marked as "unread" for one reason or another were gone.<br /><br />As of today, a few minutes ago, when I accidentally clicked "mark all read" a popup window came up: "are you SURE you want to mark all 115 posts as read?" I told it nope, and went along my merry way.<br /><br />Googlereader is the one webap I use more than any other, and it's become an important part of my day. This one little minor change by google has made the product infiniately more enjoyable for me, and much less stressful - never again will I be too afraid to use Reader at night! Or when I'm tired! Or when i'm forgetful! Thank you, google!L.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11918968432536154870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-712019346284762929.post-11964615441422671742008-01-25T12:01:00.000-05:002008-01-25T12:39:04.103-05:00New Year, New Hat!All right, so it's been a little longer than I anticipated...the good news is, I have even more to share with you! I'll start with my first FO of the year.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/littlelambknits/2188401196/" title="Urchin by lamboyle, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2373/2188401196_b92b20e2c7_m.jpg" alt="Urchin" height="240" width="180" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">New Year's Urchin[<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/lamb/urchin">R</a>]:</span><br /></div><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pattern: </span><a href="http://knitty.com/ISSUEfall07/PATTurchin.html"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Urchin</span></a>[<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/urchin">R</a>] by <span class="byline"><span class="byline">Cheryl Niamath</span></span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Materials:</span> Del Sur by Aslan Trends [<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/yarns/library/aslan-trends-del-sur">R</a>]; 80m/100g; 100% Merino wool; color: 2979 (Scarlet) dyelot: 1200<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Purchased at</span>: Natural Stitches in Pittsburgh, PA<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Amount:</span> a little over 1 skein<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Needles:</span> 7mm (NOT US 7s, this is not a US needle size) Addi Turbos<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Gauge:</span> what's that? (aka, never checked)<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Size:</span> L<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Cost:</span> $16.80 but I still have a bunch leftover<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Started:</span> 1.02.08<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Finished:</span> 1.03.08<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Total time:</span> 1 day!<br /><br />I wanted to knit this hat in the first place because Anna J's mother knit her an Urchin and I fell in love with it and ended up wearing it all New Year's Eve. I know trying to recreate someone else's finished product is a bad idea, but I loved the hat so much that as I was leaving Pittsburgh, I picked up some yarn to make myself a hat. I got the Del Sur after much deliberation. Anna J's hat was (I found out later) knit in Lamb's Pride bulky with size 11 needles. (Yeah, I got her to check with her mom.) AnnaJ is also a fellow knitter, and we both thought the hat might look nice in a thick/thin yarn, which is what led me to chose the Del Sur.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">A few notes on the hat:</span> I was a little disappointed in how small my final hat was. AnnaJ's hat was nice and floppy, a proper beret. My hat ended up much more tightly knit, and while it fits on my head, it's a pretty tight fit. I've been debating taking out the seam and adding another wedge (which makes sense if you've done the pattern) but the yarn would not be easy to undo, and I'm not eager to go back to working on this hat.<br /><br />I've worn my hat quite regularly and it is warm, and it's received complements, but I'm still not thrilled. Hopefully one of these days I can bring myself to go back (I still haven't woven in the ends) and add another wedge or half wedge.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">A few notes on the pattern:</span> Before knitting, I checked Ravelry (of course) and saw most people considered this an easy fun knit. My first attempt at a wedge left me utterly perplexed. This is partly because, instead of knitting in relation to the last wrapped stitch, I attempted to do the math to count how many stitches I should leave. This did not work. I asked for help on the Rav boards, and people pointed out the directions were in relation to the last wrapped stitch. On my second attempt, I places a stitch marker every time I wrapped a stitch (yeah, you end up with TONS of them; I used the removable markers so I could reuse them) and just worked in relation to the marker. This made the knitting much more pleasant and much easier. Though it took me longer than few hours, it was still a quick knit.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/littlelambknits/2187614265/" title="Urchin back by lamboyle, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2302/2187614265_ddc802f44a_m.jpg" alt="Urchin back" height="240" width="180" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/littlelambknits/2187613915/" title="Urchin side by lamboyle, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2386/2187613915_3722122d3b_m.jpg" alt="Urchin side" height="240" width="180" /></a><br /><br /><br />And, here's a picture of the yarn, all wound up.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/littlelambknits/2187613331/" title="Del Sur by lamboyle, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2244/2187613331_336ac2e79f_m.jpg" alt="Del Sur" height="180" width="240" /></a><br /><br /><br />I do have more knits-in-progress, more sewing projects, and a 101 in 1001 post I owe you, so keep reading. =]L.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11918968432536154870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-712019346284762929.post-87298859427232451752007-12-30T18:03:00.001-05:002007-12-30T18:04:02.008-05:00HelloHello my dear readers, I'm going to Pittsburgh for the end of '07, so I'll see you next year! (Aka, on the second or third. =P)L.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11918968432536154870noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-712019346284762929.post-58703305847531442092007-12-28T12:42:00.000-05:002008-01-25T12:31:09.260-05:00Past CraftingSo, in the rush that was trying to get things done in time, I've neglected to post about a few finished objects. Here's my catchup post!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Anna's Fetchings[<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/lamb/fetching">R</a>]:</span><br /></div><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pattern: </span><a href="http://knitty.com/ISSUEsummer06/PATTfetching.html">Fetching</a>[<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/fetching">R</a>] by <span class="byline"><span class="byline">Cheryl Niamath</span></span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Materials:</span> Debbie Bliss cashmerino aran [<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/yarns/library/debbie-bliss-cashmerino-aran">R</a>]; 90m/50g; 55% Merino wool, 33% Microfibre, 12% Cashmere; color: 300008 (brown) dyelot: 44<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Purchased at</span>: Woolworks<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Amount:</span> 1 skein, just barely<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Needles:</span> size 6 clover DPNs<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Gauge:</span> what's that? (aka, never checked)<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Cost:</span> $8.28<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Started:</span> First glove started:12/19 -12/20; Secong glove: 12/20-12/21<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Finished:</span> 12/21<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Total time:</span> 3 days<br /><br />Finished gloves:<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/littlelambknits/2143591681/" title="Fetching by lamboyle, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2055/2143591681_e0977a3b36_m.jpg" alt="Fetching" height="180" width="240" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/littlelambknits/2144384816/" title="Finished Fetching by lamboyle, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2332/2144384816_8ce65889dd_m.jpg" alt="Finished Fetching" height="180" width="240" /></a><br /><br />Gloves with care sleeve:<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/littlelambknits/2144385186/" title="Fetching with Care Sleeve by lamboyle, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2390/2144385186_c0723b6cd8_m.jpg" alt="Fetching with Care Sleeve" height="240" width="180" /></a><br /><br />Gloves with Artsy Clutch:<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/littlelambknits/2143591763/" title="Fetching with Artsy Clutch by lamboyle, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2412/2143591763_7df33176d3_m.jpg" alt="Fetching with Artsy Clutch" height="180" width="240" /></a><br /><br />These were enjoyable to knit. I wish I'd read all the reviews on Cashmerino Aran before choosing to knit with it. It's a very soft yarn, and the resulting fabric is extremely soft, but everyone who says it pills is right. I will probably use this yarn again, but maybe not for such a high use object as gloves.<br /><br />The pattern was exactly what I hoped for. It was interesting enough to keep me going and fast enough I was able to finish it in a few days. If I'd knitted more on a given day, I could probably even finish this sooner. The one thing I didn't love about the pattern was the picot bind off, and if I do these again, I will probably change the bind off. To me, it makes the bound off edge looser than I'd want it, though it does look pretty. Also, as you can tell if you look closely, I forgot to reverse the cables on the second glove. I hadn't realized it until I was in the main body ribbing part, and I decided I didn't want to frog it back. Next time I knit this, I plan on reversing the cables. All in all, a satisfying knit. Hopefully, the recipient will like it too! As you can see in the bottom picture, this will also be given with an Artsy Clutch. That's my second FO of this post....<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Anna's Artsy Clutch:</span><br /></div> <span style="font-weight: bold;">Pattern: Artsy Clutch from Bend the Rules Sewing</span><span class="byline"><span class="byline"></span></span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Materials:</span> 3 fat quarters; could be made with two<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Purchased at</span>: Dragon fabric and lining butterfly fabric were purchased at an open market in Hilo, Hawaii years ago. The black fabric for the front and the black button are from JoAnn's Fabric.<span style="font-weight: bold;"></span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Cost:</span> $3 for black fat quarter (still have a lot left); $2 for button (still have one left) other fabric (both prints as well as lining flannel) from stash; 3$ for elastic (still have a lot left) total: $8<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Started:</span> 12/23<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Finished:</span> 12/23<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Total time:</span> 2 hours, maybe less<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/littlelambknits/2143592051/" title="Artsy Clutch by lamboyle, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2340/2143592051_a5a573efdd_m.jpg" alt="Artsy Clutch" height="180" width="240" /></a><br />A closer look:<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/littlelambknits/2143591815/" title="Artsy Clutch by lamboyle, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2330/2143591815_2276a43b39_m.jpg" alt="Artsy Clutch" height="180" width="240" /></a><br />A look at the lining (with a glove inside):<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/littlelambknits/2143591869/" title="A Better Look at the Lining by lamboyle, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2368/2143591869_8b21519999_m.jpg" alt="A Better Look at the Lining" height="180" width="240" /></a><br /><br />I loved this project. Loved it. I see why it's as popular as it is! When I finished sewing, I was amazed and incredibly pleased by how polished it looked. I made my pouch slightly smaller than the pattern in the book, partly because of the size of some of my scrapps. It's just big enough to be a pencil or pen case, or as a small purse. I decided to have a 'cuff' of the dragon fabric instead of having the entire bag in that fabric for a few reasons. First off, I thought the pattern would be overwhelming if it was the entire bag. The way it is now, you have the two dragons looking down on the 'front' (aka, folded over) piece, and the rest of the black sets them off. One thing I did do, thanks to the suggestion of someone on the blogosphere (though I forget who) is reverse the pattern of the dragon on the folded over flap so that it looks right side up when it's upside down. Other than that and the size adjustment, I followed the pattern. I will make many more of these, I'm sure.L.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11918968432536154870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-712019346284762929.post-6059649512112078802007-12-27T00:54:00.000-05:002007-12-27T01:16:43.912-05:00Branching Out into LaceOkay, so all you knitterly people know the title's a pun. But, it's true!<br />Yesterday I started my first 'real' lace project, <a href="http://www.knitty.com/issuespring05/PATTbranchingout.html">Branching Out</a>[<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/branching-out">R</a>] from Knitty, Spring 05. I'm using my Fibre Company Organik which I'd bought for just this project.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/littlelambknits/2126529583/" title="Organik yarn cakes 2 by lamboyle, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2133/2126529583_59e2030f91_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="Organik yarn cakes 2" /></a><br />The color of the yarn is hard to see fully in the picture - it's a duo tone with a base of green and an overlay of brown. The colorway is 'Jungle' and it reminds me of forsythia shoots in the spring. It's a single ply, and it's amazingly soft and pleasant to work with. I'm very glad I got this yarn for this project - it's perfect, to me. It's a thick enough yarn that I suspect it makes the pattern easier than if I Douceur et Soie. but it has just enough life and variation to make it more interesting than the Silky Wool versions I've seen and not loved. The stitch definition is is nice, but not overdone.<br /><br />As of right now, I have five pattern repeats done. The pattern is harder than I hoped it would be, but, easier than I feared it would be after reading some horror story forum posts on Ravelry. I had to frog my first row and a half and start over. After that, I put in a lifeline. In theory I wanted to move the lifeline every pattern repeat, but I haven't been doing that lately. I have been undoing all mistakes, which is somewhat new for me. I think that the final product will be much nicer this way, plus it's a useful talent to be able to unknit as well as knit! Other than the first time when I frogged everything, all of my mistakes have been fixable by unknitting a row or two. For some reason I keep having a problem leaving out one of the yarn overs in the first row, but I've lately been overly cautious, and that helps.<br /><br />This scarf does not yet have a place in my imagination. Some projects, like La Vie de La Boheme, I have an image in my mind of either the kind of person wearing it could make me or an outfit I could wear it with or some other vision of the object in use. Branching out has no such associations - all I imagine is the finished scarf, hovering magically in mid air. I'm not too worried about the wearability; once it's done I'm sure I'll think of some excuse. Until then I just have to keep knitting! I think getting better at lace is going to be one of my knitterly resolutions for 2008. That, along with the standard of knitting from ones stash. (Don't worry, this isn't my resolutions post quite yet...that'll have a little more thought put into it. =] ) My stash hasn't grown out of control by any means, but there are enough planned projects that have yet to be actualized that I could afford to fix some of them before starting ALL that many more. Of course, I'll have to knit the hats for my step brothers, but, the story of that gift to to them will come later. For now, it's approaching past my bedtime. I just wanted to express my excitement over my new branching out. =]L.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11918968432536154870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-712019346284762929.post-56794017413262394662007-12-25T23:15:00.000-05:002007-12-26T00:22:09.356-05:00Christmas Wishes with a recipeWell, it's Christmas! Merry Christmas, and secular happiness to all! I have more making things excitement for you, but, in honor of the holiday season, that will wait a bit.<br /><br />My big 'family' celebration was last night. My older stepbrother had returned home from a multi-month-long trip around South America early (as in, 1am), so our happily blended family was all present for, I believe, our first Christmas together. Since my stepfather is ethnically Jewish and my mother and I aren't really all that Christian, our Christmas celebration was much more about family than Jesus. Personally, that's just fine with me. We had a very large, wonderful meal, a wonderful desert, and opened presents. I made half of the desert, and as a holiday treat, I'm going to include my (mostly made up, partly adapted from a bajillian sources) recipe for you.<br /><br />Our menu:<br />Wilted spinach salad with canadian bacon, shallots, and a reduced balsamic vinaigrette<br />Roast beef tenderloin<br />Tomato Maidera Coulis<br />Roasted fingerling potatoes<br />Broiled tomatoes stuffed with breadcrumbs and herbs<br /><br />And, for desert:<br />Chocolate soufflé and chai poached pairs with cream sauce<br /><br />Now, for the recipe!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Chai Poached Pears with Cream Sauce</span><br />serves 6 (or as many as you please)<br /></div>For the pears:<br /><ul><li>6 pears, preferably Bosc</li><li>either 1 teabag or 1.5 tsp looseleaf Chai per pear (so, in this case, 6 teabags, or 3Tbsps chai)</li><li>1/4 cup sugar or less per pear (so, in this case, 1 1/2 cups sugar)</li><li>1 cup water per pear (so, in this case, 6 cups water)</li></ul>The pears are very easy to make.<br /><ol><li>Peel the pears. You may core them if you really want, but the desert is most attractive when you do not core them and when you leave the stem in.<br /></li><li>Bring water to a boil.</li><li>Once water is boiling, steep teabags for 5 minutes. If using looseleaf tea, use a paper tea filter or some other contraption to allow you to remove the leaves once done steeping. After 5 minutes, remove tea.<br /></li><li>Add sugar and bring to a low boil.<br /></li><li>Once mixture is boiling, add pears. Reduce temperature to 'low' or such that pears can simmer.</li><li>Let pears cook at least 20 minutes. Check occasionally to make sure liquid does not completely boil down, and when checking, roll pears over on their sides.</li><li>Remove 2 cups of poaching liquid, and, in a separate saucepan, reduce. You may use this, reduced, as a sauce if you do not want to make the cream sauce. It will still be delicious.<br /></li></ol><br />For the cream sauce:<br /><ul><li>1/2 cup heavy (whipping) cream</li><li>1 or 2 oranges worth of zest, reserve some<br /></li><li>5 slices of candied ginger</li><li>1/4 cup honey</li><li>2 cups reserved poaching liquid</li></ul><ol><li>Mince candied ginger.</li><li>Combine ginger, honey, first portion of zest, and cream. Heat on the stove until honey is melted. Do not let cream boil.</li><li>Simultaneously, cook poaching liquid to a boil and let it reduce.</li><li>Once poaching liquid is reduced enough for your taste, lower the heat, and pour the poaching liquid into the cream mixture, stirring constantly.</li></ol>To plate: In a bowl, place 1 pear per person. Pour cream sauce into dish. Finish with a pinch of the reserved orange zest, and, if you'd like, a drizzle of honey and a sprig of mint.<br /><br />That's it! The pears are a very delicious and simple desert by themselves, but the cream sauce makes them a little more fancy for special occasions. As a big chai drinker I tend to have many different kinds lying around, and if you are able to choose, I'd recommend a chai with a hearty dose of cardamom and pepper. (If your family is adventurous, or loves heat the way mine does, the pears also are delicious with a grinding of black pepper.) Enjoy!L.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11918968432536154870noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-712019346284762929.post-91941316756632340232007-12-23T14:01:00.000-05:002008-02-07T10:58:29.053-05:00GiftmasUnlike many other bloggers out there, I have no fear in blogging my holiday gifts. It's much easier when the intended recipients don't know about the blog. =]<br /><br />I'm glad I've learned to sew, because there are some projects that are much easier to complete, time wise, sewing than knitting. Purses, for example. I wish I knew good gifts for guys! It's so much easier for me to figure out good personalized (hand made) gifts for the females in my life.<br /><br /><br />Here's a list of gifts, by friend name, with photos attached when the item is complete. Family gifts are different and will come later:<br /><br />Anna J:<br />icecream pint cozy<br />beer bottle cozy<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/littlelambknits/2121306936/" title="Cozy family by lamboyle, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2192/2121306936_5f59578bc3_m.jpg" alt="Cozy family" height="180" width="240" /></a><br /><br />Anna B:<br />1 set fetching; artsy clutch<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/littlelambknits/2143591763/" title="Fetching with Artsy Clutch by lamboyle, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2412/2143591763_7df33176d3_m.jpg" alt="Fetching with Artsy Clutch" height="180" width="240" /></a><br /><br />Emma:<br />pink polka no cash wallet<br /><br />Erika:<br />pleated beauty in green fabric & sparkly tweed<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/littlelambknits/2188401560/" title="Pleated Beauty II by lamboyle, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2043/2188401560_b6733530f9_m.jpg" alt="Pleated Beauty II" height="240" width="180" /></a><br /><br /><br />Hannah:<br />InStitches clutch.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/littlelambknits/2246365151/" title="Hannah's Clutch by lamboyle, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2106/2246365151_671d9a0ede_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="Hannah's Clutch" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/littlelambknits/2247160348/" title="Hannah's Clutch: The Inside by lamboyle, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2130/2247160348_140a2da0c9_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="Hannah's Clutch: The Inside" /></a><br /><br />Maeve:<br />actually reads this blog, but knows one of her gifts is going to be a mini sweater ornament. If only I had size 5 dpns!<br /><br />Rachel:<br />teacozy with removable flower pin<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/littlelambknits/2120530317/" title="Teacozy with Flower by lamboyle, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2394/2120530317_8eb05ea2ae_m.jpg" alt="Teacozy with Flower" height="180" width="240" /></a>L.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11918968432536154870noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-712019346284762929.post-70330718031073911422007-12-21T13:19:00.001-05:002007-12-21T13:24:52.626-05:00Knitting Needle Case InspirationsAs I'd said before, there are <a href="http://www.elliphantom.com/2006/03/finished_toothy_dpn_case_1.html">so</a> <a href="http://outofhandcrafts.com/blog/?p=201">many</a> <a href="http://doggedknits.com/?page_id=193">great</a> <a href="http://www.grumperina.com/knitblog/archives/2006/05/sore_subject_1.htm">knitting</a> <a href="http://moontea.typepad.com/photos/finished_objects_2006/julias_008_1.html">needle</a> <a href="http://vickiehowell.com/2006/12/gift-wrap-free-project.html">cases</a> <a href="http://multicrafty.blogspot.com/2007/09/knitting-needle-case-tutorial.html">all</a> <a href="http://kathrynivy.com/patterns/extras/needle-pouches/">around</a> <a href="http://cnp71203.blogspot.com/2006/08/knitting-needle-case.html">the</a> blogosphere.<br /><br />It was only after looking at all of these awesome tutorials and examples that I promptly forgot them and made my own case. =] I wanted to make sure to give credit where credit was due!L.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11918968432536154870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-712019346284762929.post-52048560368051561012007-12-21T12:05:00.000-05:002007-12-21T12:12:41.551-05:00Knitting is a Gateway craftOkay, so, between last post and this one...<br /><br />I made a pleated beauty bag!<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/littlelambknits/2127304884/" title="My Beautiful pleated beaty! by lamboyle, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2179/2127304884_ba1d9d977a_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="My Beautiful pleated beaty!" /></a><br /><br />I am very proud of this. When I look at it, it looks more polished than anything else I've sewn, and I love the colors. I was originally planning on making this with the same brown and paisley as my needle case, but I was worried about messing it up, so I figured I'd do a 'test bag' in this blue (which lined my dpn case) and the brown, which was a fat quarter I got at JoAnn's. Well, technically, if I include the inner pocket I made, it was two fat quarters, but out of one I was able to make the pleats and the straps.<br /><br />If I were making this again, which I plan on, I'd add a magnetic snap closure. I'd actually purchased some for this very bag, but by the end of the bag I was so tired of sewing and so anxious to have a finished project I forgot all about it. I think I'd like to make another one of these in the brown/paisley, but maybe do some embroidery on that one. I've been wanting an excuse to get Sublime Stitching patterns for a while, and the Craftopia set has some nice knitting images that could look good on the front of what would be my knitting bag.<br /><br />One more picture...<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/littlelambknits/2126529309/" title="Pleated Beauty by lamboyle, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2183/2126529309_6a24387c72_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="Pleated Beauty" /></a><br /><br />I know the images aren't great. Sometime after I've *actually* finished it (I still have to sew the lining hole closed) I'll take better pictures. My photo set up is really only the right size for yarn. =]L.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11918968432536154870noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-712019346284762929.post-83228138020518970482007-12-18T16:37:00.000-05:002007-12-21T12:06:42.775-05:00More about that sewing...So, here is a picture of the outside of my DPN case:<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/littlelambknits/2121306502/" title="DPN case! by lamboyle, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2343/2121306502_a6c1dcea22_m.jpg" alt="DPN case!" height="180" width="240" /></a><br /><br /><br />I love the combination of brown and blue, and I like the blue paisley with both the other lgither blue and the brown. I *love* the blue stitching on brown fabric. True, it's much easier to see my mistakes that way, but I like to think it adds to the handmade quality. =]<br /><br />Here is a view of the inside:<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/littlelambknits/2121306458/" title="DPN case inside shots by lamboyle, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2143/2121306458_b242fbef09_m.jpg" alt="DPN case inside shots" height="180" width="240" /></a><br /><br />You can see four of my five sets of DPNs in there. (My 7s are currently stuck in the still-in-progress not-touched-for-a-month second garter mug cozy.) I know I don't really have enough DPNs to warrant a case, but I somehow still manage to lose whichever one I need.<br /><br />The case is almost but not quite done. I have two more seams to sew to connect the back paisley bit to the blue and brown pocket bit, and I have some iron ons to iron on. I hate wasting something as expensive as iron on material, so when I made my iron ons for my circular case, I made a bunch to use for these. For a while I debated not putting them on this case so I wouldn't feel bad if I end up with, say, two size seven needles, or the like, but I think I'd like the case better with them. I'll probably iron them on horizontally on the blue fabric.<br /><br />Speaking of my circular case...here are two pictures of that!<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/littlelambknits/2120529693/" title="Circular needle case by lamboyle, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2333/2120529693_24f7a2a006_m.jpg" alt="Circular needle case" height="240" width="180" /></a><br />And a close up...<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/littlelambknits/2120529615/" title="Circular Needle Case by lamboyle, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2201/2120529615_951f8d1f91_m.jpg" alt="Circular Needle Case" height="240" width="180" /></a><br />I am so proud of myself for both of them.<br /><br />Though the circular case was almost exactly based off of the one in the back of Stitch n Bitch, the DNP case is my own design.<br /><br />I couldn't find any measurements for pocket width of dpn cases, so I'll share what I did for mine!<br /><br />I'm assuming that I'm going to store needles sizes 0-10, and then there are three larger pockets, either for more large needles or for other accessories. The largest pocket holds my metal gauge ruler.<br /><br />To make the DPN case:<br /><ol><li>I cut two pieces of the light blue fabric 22" long (as long as half the width) and 9" wide (because the tallest dpns I saw were 8.") I did the whole sew right sides together / turn inside out / iron thing. </li><li>For the pockets, I cut four diagonal pieces of brown fabric. The diagonal goes from 2.5" on the short side to 4" on the taller side. I did the whole sew right sides together / turn inside out / iron thing for both of those, and I added a decorative zigzag stitch on the edge. Because I can.</li><li>I sewed the brown pocket on the light blue fabric with the following pocket divisions:</li><ol><li>1 small edge pocket, <1"><li>5 pockets 1" wide (for needle sizes 1-5)</li><li>4 pockets 1.5" wide (for needle sizes 6-9)</li><li>3 pockets 2" wide (for needle sizes 10+)</li><li>1 pocket ~2.5" wide (for accessories)</li></ol><li>After sewing the brown pocket to the blue fabric, I sewed the brown top flap to the blue fabric. Since I was going to attatch all the brown/blue stuff to the blue paisley, I didn't worry about the 'back' of the blue looking neat. The flap was cut on the same diagonal as the pocket, and it was sewn in with the longer part of the flap covering the needles with the shortest pockets.</li><li>I cut out two pieces of blue paisley fabric and did the whole rs tog/stitch/flip/iron thing again. If I trusted my hemming abilities, I could've just cut this piece large and hemmed the sides. (Is that the right word?)</li><li>I cut out 1 piece of brown fabric 4" wide and 44" long (aka, 4" wide on the 22" bolt, not cutting at the fold). I pressed this piece so that both sides of the long part were folded under, and I sewed (with a decorative zig zag stitch) the sides of the brown fabric down. This means I now had one piece of 44" long ~2" wide 'belt'.<br /></li><li>I sewed the belt to the back of the blue paisley. If I was a better sewer, I could've combined steps 6 & 7 to make the stitching nicer. As it is, I've decided it adds 'charm'.</li><li>Last but not least, sew the blue paisley bit to the blue/brown pocket bit. Poof, you're done!</li></ol>I know that wasn't much of a tutorial, what with no pictures or technical information, but since this is the second thing I've ever sewn, I'm pretty okay with the fact. Next up is sewing a tote (or two or three...) from the back of S 'n B.<br /><br />As an early christmas present to myself (or, more accurately, an 'I have a 25% off B&N coupon to use up today' purchase) I bought Bend the Rules Sewing. Though most people tend to gravitate toward the bag on the cover, I have a MAJOR crush on the 'pleated beauty bag', and I happen to think I might have just enough brown and paisley to make one. I hope so! I know it's kind of silly to be all matchy matchy about my fabrics, but I love this fabric and color combination so much I see no reason not to...for now at least. Besides, this way if the bag turns out not-fit-for-pursedom, it can be a knitting bag, and it can match my other knitting accessories!<br /><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /><br /></span>Allright, that's enough for now. If you're still bored, I updated my <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/">Ravelry</a> projects page, so if you're on Ravelry, you can poke around there. Tata!L.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11918968432536154870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-712019346284762929.post-68563241262279065562007-12-17T23:04:00.001-05:002007-12-17T23:15:02.257-05:00New craft excitement!Now, I'm sure you're all wondering why I haven't posted anything about my knitting lately. Although I've added new untouched yarn to my stash and a new set of DPNS, and even some point protectors (since my rubber bands kept breaking) I haven't been knitting. I don't know if I knit a stitch this weekend. This is because I've been.....sewing!<br /><br />I've never really sewn (with a sewing machine) before. I think this is for two reasons: I've never owned one, and I've never had things I wanted to sew. Being at home for a while solves problem one; I can use my mom's sewing machine. Problem two was solved the other day when I tripped over the circular needles that were living on my floor for the fifth time in one day. I needed a way to hold them, and soon. I was looking around the blogosphere and I found some beautiful cases for sale and some very nice hand made ones. Ultimately, I decided to follow the pattern in the back of Stitch 'n Bitch and make myself a nice hanging holder. I headed out to JoAnn's and got three different kinds of fabric: one that was a dark brown, one that was a periwinkle blue, and one that was a blue and white paisley. I only needed two (the brown and the paisley) for my circular case, but the back of SnB also had patterns for a totebag and a straight needle case, so I thought extra fabric would be a good idea.<br /><br />Last night I finished my circular needle case. It's far from perfect, but it does the job well, and I like it. When I was debating what my next project should be, I decided on a DPN case. I only have five sets of DPNs but I somehow always manage to have lost whichever set I need. I modified the SnB pattern for straight needles to accommodate my needs. I'm almost done - all I need to do now is sew the patterned bit to the pocket bit. I suspect hand sewing is the way to go here, for various reasons. I also need to hand sew over the velcro for my circular case. Once both are done, expect to see pictures.<br /><br />I'll get back to my regularly scheduled knitting soon. I'll have to if I want to finish all my holiday gifts!L.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11918968432536154870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-712019346284762929.post-63956752810542450192007-12-14T12:32:00.000-05:002007-12-14T12:34:20.098-05:00Socks, p.1In my search for the perfect sock pattern, I came across<a href="http://akaijen.typepad.com/jen_knits/no-pool-for-you-a-list-of.html"> this wonderful article</a>. It's a list of patterns that either don't pool or pool less than traditional patterns. Given my uncanny love for Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock Multi, I think this list will be good to keep around. =]L.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11918968432536154870noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-712019346284762929.post-78231036414149178982007-12-11T18:08:00.000-05:002007-12-11T18:16:02.832-05:00Two changesHello all. I say all, but I don't know if I actually have many readers out there. =]<br /><br />I changed my blog title. When I'd originally chosen 'liberally educated' I was still in college, and back then my course of study defined me much more than it does now.<br /><br />When I signed up for Ravelry I was able to get the username "lamb." The name Lamb has special meaning to me because - it's actually my initials! I thought that it was particularly appropriate to have the word 'lamb' as part of the name for a knitting site, for obvious reasons. I'll do a longer post about the blog name later, but now I get to the main point of the post....<br /><br />I have Ravelry progress bars up! WHEEE! These bars will update themselves as I update things on ravelry, meaning they're much more likely to actually be up to date than the other bars I'd had. I'm still keeping those non-automated bars for now so I can keep track of my 2007 FOs. It's nice to see all those 100%s. =]<br /><br />So, I was only able to get my ravelry progress bars working thanks to help in the forums. In my desperate plea for assistance, I promised a super cool graphic to whomever helped me. The winner was...jhankie! Jhankie is the proud owner of a new <a href="http://jhankie.blogspot.com/">blog</a>, so I thought I'd give her a thank you graphic she could put on her blog, should she so desire. (And if she doesn't desire? I won't be at all offended. It's kinda a dorky graphic, and I stole the sheep pic from the internets.)<br /><br />Tada!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_HecvJl759lY/R18Z6-PMx9I/AAAAAAAAAAo/cPTHk3xja7Y/s1600-h/thanksjhankie.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_HecvJl759lY/R18Z6-PMx9I/AAAAAAAAAAo/cPTHk3xja7Y/s320/thanksjhankie.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5142857800410253266" border="0" /></a><br /><br />That's all for now. I've spent far too long on Ravelry today...I'm now the proud 'parent' (aka, volunteer editor) for three books!L.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11918968432536154870noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-712019346284762929.post-80100291666763300012007-12-11T12:37:00.000-05:002007-12-11T12:53:40.178-05:00Winding Time! (and a bonus yarn review)So, after all my difficulties the other day trying to decide whether or not to wait until my winder came to wind the second skein for socks I wanted to make...the winder and swift came!<br /><br />The swift is gorgeous. It's much larger than I expected somehow, but I think that's just because I hadn't been thinking properly. It's only as large as it needs to be to do its job, after all. Well, I put the swift together without even looking at the directions, it's that intuitive and beautiful. (Once it was together I did look at the directions just to make sure I got it right. =] ) The yarn winder was somewhat less intuitive, and I was panicking it was broken until I read the bit about how the yarn feeder (or whatever the metal doohickey is called) needs to be snapped into place. Ohhhhh...suddenly it all made sense.<br /><br />To test my swift and winder combo, the first skien I wound was a red skein of Cascade 220 I've been using for the flower pins I've been making. I'd been knitting 'delicately' from the skein and re looping after I was done each flower...as you can imagine, it was a bit of a mess. But, with swift and winder to the rescue, I now have a lovely beautiful yarn cake! After winding that skein, I promptly wound all the windable yarn in the house....except for that second skien of sock yarn I'd been really really really wanting to knit. Why? Because I can't find it! Argh! It's not that my stash is that big, it's just horribly unorganized. I remember this had been in *a* bag, but I couldn't for the life of me remember what kind of bag or where. Not a good thing. On the upside, this gives me motivation to work on cleaning up a little more!<br /><br />One interesting discovery in winding was the nature of my Organik yarn from The Fibre Company I bought at Purl earlier this fall. I had chosen three skeins all in the same colorway and they all looked the same. Unfortunately, each has a very different character when it comes to how it was spun. The first skein had a lot of little things that at first I thought were knots, but that were really just over twisted bits. Once I untwisted those, this was a very even skein. The second skein had some bits that seemed not to have been spun at all followed by places where the yarn was almost threadlike. The third skein was much like the second skein, but the unspun bits were even fatter and the thread bits were even thinner. I'm a little dissapointed. This yarn I bought for the lovely dye job. I've looked at the yarn on the company's website and I can't find the colorway I have; all the colorways Purl has of this yarn that drew me to it seem to be Purl exclusives. It also seems like (and I could be mistaken here) these Purl exclusive color ways are different sized skeins. Ravelry tells me this is a bulky yarn that gets 85 yards to the skein, where as my yarn says it's worsted and gets 100 yards...odd. Either way, 100 yards for almost $13 is a bit much to have these large variations in ply. I'd bought the yarn originally planning on knitting a Branching Out, and I'll probably still do that, but this probably isn't the best yarn for lace. If only it wasn't so beautiful!L.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11918968432536154870noreply@blogger.com0