Sunday, March 02, 2008
Saturday, February 23, 2008
Wow - it's been a long time!
I haven't posted in forever, but I'm just SO busy!
First, the knitting update: I started and finished a few projects before and over Christmas. Sadly I don't have pics of the gifts, I was pretty rushed, but I made a hat and some mittens with a fold-over top for my mom. I also made a little bathroom set for my brother and sister-in-law. They live in Hawaii, so it was hard to think of something I could knit for them in such a warm climate, so I created a hand-knit washcloth and a little soap sac. They turned out pretty nice, considering I just created them on the fly, without a pattern. I wrapped both up with some satin ribbons, and bought some really nice soap chunks from Lush to complete the gift.
I took a few days off over Christmas, so ended up with 10 days off; so I knit myself the "Groovy Sweater (Dress)" from Twinkle's Big City Knits. I used the Twinkle Soft Chunky yarn, and I'm really pleased with how it turned out. Photos included :)
That's been it for the knitting, I've just been too busy. I'm rehearsing five hours per week with my musical theater group, plus voice lessons, french course, therapy with my daughter, and am still working full-time+. I'm pooped. I ended up really sick at the end of January with a sinus/ear/throat infection and was stuck in bed for four days.
In one week I'll be on vacation; my daughter and I will be spending the week in New York City! I can't wait, it's going to be so fun. We'll be going down by train and the trip takes about ten hours so there should be plenty of time to read and knit. :)
Friday, October 26, 2007
The very cool purse.
I've tried a couple different patterns for purses, but have found that they only look nice until you put stuff in them, at which point they stretch out of shape and look sloppy. Many patterns call for felting to stiffen the fabric so it holds it's shape, but I'm not really a big fan of the felted look. Those who love to felt will likely be put off by my opinion, but I don't want to spend all that time knitting something just to make it look like it wasn't knitted at all. Why not just buy some fabric and stitch something up? I'm sure one day I may fall in love with felting and change my opinion, but for now, I wanted a purse that looks hand knit.
Enter Twiggy Tweed, found on Knitty.com...I actually purchased the yarn that was used in the pattern, colour and all, which was a first for me.
I am thrilled with the finished product. I used a zipper close instead of the suggested snap, and found a cute charm to hang from the zipper that coordinates perfectly.
Voila!
really overdue update
I can't believe it's been months since my last post!
Plenty to update on - first off, I've been busy. I'm singing with the Montreal West Operatic Society this season, so there's that, plus the usual voice lessons. Work's a little nuts, taking up lots of time, and then I hurt my back :( Herniated disc in my lower back, so I'm really limited in what and how much I can do these days.
I have finished some projects though, and have some pictures to prove it!
First, I finally finished the Twisted Rib Pullover I started back in the Spring! Just in time, as the weather is cooling now, and the summer tops have been put away to make room for the warmer options. A little story on this one, the sizing was perfect, except for the length. I didn't like the crop-top look, so I made a little modification. I added length with a lace pattern, basically just added a bunch of yarnovers at regualr intervals, which created a really nice ruffled look. I duplicated this on the sleeves to finish it off. Unfortunately these aren't the best pics, as the clear one cuts off the bottom, and the full-size is blurry. But you get the idea :)
Friday, August 17, 2007
cleaning up
I just came off two weeks of vacation, which was wonderful, although too short as always.
Not much knitting on vacation, the majority of time was spent relaxing on the boat, swimming, reading, and other lazy pursuits.
I'm feeling a little rejuvenated (not much), so I've decided to clean up some old projects that have been hanging around before starting anything new. I did do some yarn shopping, so there's lots in the queue.
So, I finally finished the rib/cable socks. Pics will follow soon. I'm working on the twisted rib pullover again - have just 1/2 sleeve plus finishing until it's done. The lace shawl is coming along nicely, but I'm not going back to it until the pullover is done.
The lace nightie has gotten a bit of use, and sadly one of the straps unravelled somehow, so I'll need to do a little repair. Pretty sad when something breaks before you even get a pic done! Funny thing is that it wasn't even a spot that I had stitched on, it broke at the point where the i cord was attached with live stitches...bizarre.
More updates will follow soon :)
Not much knitting on vacation, the majority of time was spent relaxing on the boat, swimming, reading, and other lazy pursuits.
I'm feeling a little rejuvenated (not much), so I've decided to clean up some old projects that have been hanging around before starting anything new. I did do some yarn shopping, so there's lots in the queue.
So, I finally finished the rib/cable socks. Pics will follow soon. I'm working on the twisted rib pullover again - have just 1/2 sleeve plus finishing until it's done. The lace shawl is coming along nicely, but I'm not going back to it until the pullover is done.
The lace nightie has gotten a bit of use, and sadly one of the straps unravelled somehow, so I'll need to do a little repair. Pretty sad when something breaks before you even get a pic done! Funny thing is that it wasn't even a spot that I had stitched on, it broke at the point where the i cord was attached with live stitches...bizarre.
More updates will follow soon :)
Friday, July 20, 2007
project update
Just a quick update:
The lace nightie is finished and it's really nice. I will get a picture posted soon. It's shorter than I expected, of the butt-skinning variety, but it's so pretty I may wear it as a long top over some skinny pants. I love bamboo yarn :)
The socks are still coming along, I've finally finished one, and am about a quarter way through the second sock.
That crazy pullover I started months ago is still unfinished! I'm not motivated to knit a longsleeved sweater right now, so I barely work on it. I've got only one sleeve to finish before sewing it all together, but instead of finishing, I start more stuff!
I started a cotton bath mat. I should work more on that one, as my present bathmat is pretty much finished and should go to the trash, but it's really boring. It's a single pattern throughout (KK,PP) and is just a big rectangle, so you could do this one with your eyes closed. It will be nice though as the colors are really pretty and vibrant. It's worked double-stranded throughout which gives the resulting fabric a decent weight, cushiony to stand on and it should be pretty absorbent.
The newest project is a lace shawl, the Victoria shawl from Victorian Lace today. I'm making it in Kidsilk Haze, in a smoky black, it's going to be beautiful. I'm really enjoying the lacework as it's challenging.
I've got more yarn on order, so hopefully I can force myself to finish at least one project before starting another!
The lace nightie is finished and it's really nice. I will get a picture posted soon. It's shorter than I expected, of the butt-skinning variety, but it's so pretty I may wear it as a long top over some skinny pants. I love bamboo yarn :)
The socks are still coming along, I've finally finished one, and am about a quarter way through the second sock.
That crazy pullover I started months ago is still unfinished! I'm not motivated to knit a longsleeved sweater right now, so I barely work on it. I've got only one sleeve to finish before sewing it all together, but instead of finishing, I start more stuff!
I started a cotton bath mat. I should work more on that one, as my present bathmat is pretty much finished and should go to the trash, but it's really boring. It's a single pattern throughout (KK,PP) and is just a big rectangle, so you could do this one with your eyes closed. It will be nice though as the colors are really pretty and vibrant. It's worked double-stranded throughout which gives the resulting fabric a decent weight, cushiony to stand on and it should be pretty absorbent.
The newest project is a lace shawl, the Victoria shawl from Victorian Lace today. I'm making it in Kidsilk Haze, in a smoky black, it's going to be beautiful. I'm really enjoying the lacework as it's challenging.
I've got more yarn on order, so hopefully I can force myself to finish at least one project before starting another!
Thursday, June 28, 2007
wow!
Is it ever hard to keep the blog updated...it's not even the time factor, just that it's so hard to get into writing.
When I was young, I wrote ALL the time. I had notebooks, poem books, I even wrote an entire story about the life of my dog after he passed away. I actually entertained the idea of writing for a living when I grew up. Now I sit down to write, and...nothing!
Why is it that creative thought comes so easily to children, and becomes so difficult when we're adults? Is the sheer doldrum of our daily lives in direct opposition to creative thought? Is it predestined that we will lose the ability to daydream and fantasize once we are locked into a 9-5 will the associated bills and responsibilities of adulthood?
It seems that for some, creative thought remains through adulthood - what's the secret? Can anyone share this with me?
I know I have funny stories, witty tales to share. Friends have told me I should write a book about my life simply based on the interesting stories I've shared over drinks. But where to start? Blah!
So, for all those great bloggers out there, how do you do it? Is the simple act of forcing oneself to write regularly enough to open up those floodgates? I want your secrets, techniques, advice...comments are not only welcomed, but desperately requested! :)
PS. for Samantha - I replied in the comments under the best friend cardigan...I wasn't able to reply directly to you as Blogger couldn't find your profile!
When I was young, I wrote ALL the time. I had notebooks, poem books, I even wrote an entire story about the life of my dog after he passed away. I actually entertained the idea of writing for a living when I grew up. Now I sit down to write, and...nothing!
Why is it that creative thought comes so easily to children, and becomes so difficult when we're adults? Is the sheer doldrum of our daily lives in direct opposition to creative thought? Is it predestined that we will lose the ability to daydream and fantasize once we are locked into a 9-5 will the associated bills and responsibilities of adulthood?
It seems that for some, creative thought remains through adulthood - what's the secret? Can anyone share this with me?
I know I have funny stories, witty tales to share. Friends have told me I should write a book about my life simply based on the interesting stories I've shared over drinks. But where to start? Blah!
So, for all those great bloggers out there, how do you do it? Is the simple act of forcing oneself to write regularly enough to open up those floodgates? I want your secrets, techniques, advice...comments are not only welcomed, but desperately requested! :)
PS. for Samantha - I replied in the comments under the best friend cardigan...I wasn't able to reply directly to you as Blogger couldn't find your profile!
Monday, June 11, 2007
quick update
It seems I always have these big lags between posts, where I just can't think of anything to write...so here's a quick update on the work in progress:
- Twisted rib pullover from Vogue Knitting: feels like I've been working on this forever! I'm even less motivated now that the weather is so warm, but the biggest obstacle to this project is that it's soooo boring. It's the same stitch throughout, with only some simple shaping. Now, I love simple garments, I've never been much for patterns, ruffles and the likes, but it is just not exciting at all to knit. I've got the front and back done, and half of a sleeve.
- Rib and cable socks from a back issue of Interweave Knits: very adorable, they have these tiny cables that run the length of the socks, and will be great when finished, but are taking a while. They use tiny #1 needles, which makes for a bunch of stitches, and I've been using a toothpick as the cable needle! I've got one sock about 3/4 finished.
- Lace Nightie from the Interweave website: http://www.interweaveknits.com/freepatterns/pdf/spr_07/Lace_nightie.pdf
I picked up some really nice bamboo wool in a soft beige color, and it was so tempting I has to start this one right away. Just begun, but it's knitting up super nice already. Bamboo is quick becoming a new favorite of mine, it has that whole summery thing going one but without the weight that many cotton yarns have. It is a little tricky to work with though, as the strands don't hold together well, extra attention is required to be sure you don't split the stitches.
- Twisted rib pullover from Vogue Knitting: feels like I've been working on this forever! I'm even less motivated now that the weather is so warm, but the biggest obstacle to this project is that it's soooo boring. It's the same stitch throughout, with only some simple shaping. Now, I love simple garments, I've never been much for patterns, ruffles and the likes, but it is just not exciting at all to knit. I've got the front and back done, and half of a sleeve.
- Rib and cable socks from a back issue of Interweave Knits: very adorable, they have these tiny cables that run the length of the socks, and will be great when finished, but are taking a while. They use tiny #1 needles, which makes for a bunch of stitches, and I've been using a toothpick as the cable needle! I've got one sock about 3/4 finished.
- Lace Nightie from the Interweave website: http://www.interweaveknits.com/freepatterns/pdf/spr_07/Lace_nightie.pdf
I picked up some really nice bamboo wool in a soft beige color, and it was so tempting I has to start this one right away. Just begun, but it's knitting up super nice already. Bamboo is quick becoming a new favorite of mine, it has that whole summery thing going one but without the weight that many cotton yarns have. It is a little tricky to work with though, as the strands don't hold together well, extra attention is required to be sure you don't split the stitches.
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