tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-64566903961757207042024-02-08T03:44:41.711-08:00fayaway knitsEmilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15028972454874280838noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6456690396175720704.post-2366250592902179542010-12-20T11:51:00.000-08:002010-12-20T12:31:48.573-08:00Unintentional Failure<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:officedocumentsettings> <o:allowpng/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:trackmoves/> <w:trackformatting/> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:donotpromoteqf/> <w:lidthemeother>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:lidthemeasian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:lidthemecomplexscript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> 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0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0in; mso-para-margin-right:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0in; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><b><i><span style=";font-family:";" >o·ver·sight [oh-ver-sahyt] – noun</span></i></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><i><span style=";font-family:";" >1. An unintentional failure to notice or do something.</span></i></span></p><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/emilyhuckabay/5277688569/" title="Stocking by everydayfantasia, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5003/5277688569_58287ec110_m.jpg" alt="Stocking" height="240" width="175" /></a><br /></div><br /><br />That pretty much sums up this project. I just finished blocking a Christmas stocking for my mother in law, and I was feeling pretty smug that I was almost done with it. But, I really should have given more thought to the whole "knit stocking" thing. Given how popular knit stockings are, it never once occurred to me that <span style="font-style: italic;">knitting is stretchy.</span><br /><br />I just tested it out by filling it with her stocking stuffers, and it sagged. A LOT. All of the gifts slid into the foot of the stocking and bulged out every which way. Surprise!<br /><br />Why I didn't think of this before, I'll never know. It really needs a lining, something I didn't anticipate in my timeline. Between travel and holiday commitments, I'm not sure if it's going to get done in time to celebrate Christmas Eve. Oops.<span style="font-style: italic;"></span>Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15028972454874280838noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6456690396175720704.post-26176501545374050102010-12-15T06:56:00.000-08:002010-12-15T09:57:35.758-08:00Estate Sale BountyOne early Saturday morning in November, I got a call from my mom asking if I wanted her to purchase a bunch of knitting supplies she had just found at an estate sale. There were some of those "joined needles," a case of "regular needles," and a bunch of pattern booklets all for $20.00.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/emilyhuckabay/5238770311/" title="Thanksgiving by everydayfantasia, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5087/5238770311_0a97f3905d_m.jpg" alt="Thanksgiving" width="160" height="240" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I was half-asleep at the time, but, of course, I said "sure!" I'm sure glad I didn't pass it up because I found a few interesting treasures.<br /></div></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/emilyhuckabay/5239373316/" title="Thanksgiving by everydayfantasia, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5244/5239373316_6e9dca7488_m.jpg" alt="Thanksgiving" width="240" height="160" /></a><br /></div><br />One of my favorite things is a handwritten pattern for a "Man's Knit Shoe" that I found tucked down in the needle case. It really excited me because I have dozens of similar slips of paper with sock and hat patterns on them. Anyone have any idea what kind of slipper this is?<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/emilyhuckabay/5239376130/" title="Thanksgiving by everydayfantasia, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5090/5239376130_f64919e850_m.jpg" alt="Thanksgiving" width="160" height="240" /></a></div><br />My other favorite thing is this groovy crocheted dress pattern. I'm sort of afraid I'm going to "have to" make it at some point.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/emilyhuckabay/5238785383/" title="Thanksgiving by everydayfantasia, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5081/5238785383_fa40f01ef3_m.jpg" alt="Thanksgiving" width="240" height="160" /></a></div><br />Though, I think I'll have to pass on the Tiger-Tiger sweater.Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15028972454874280838noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6456690396175720704.post-44553794846351576892010-12-12T09:55:00.000-08:002010-12-12T10:15:57.600-08:00I'm not dead, really!Sorry for the prolonged silence around here. There's a really good reason for it: I didn't knit a stitch for months. I just fell into a uninspired funk and <span style="font-style: italic;">stopped knitting</span>. Seriously, I didn't even buy any yarn! It was that bad, folks. But, the weather started to change, and well, I've got a little blog fodder again...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/emilyhuckabay/5239389748/" title="Thanksgiving by everydayfantasia, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5204/5239389748_30d1a9159b_m.jpg" alt="Thanksgiving" height="160" width="240" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Over the Thanksgiving break, I started a Skinny Empire t-shirt from the incredibly awesome <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Custom-Knits-Designer-Improvisational-Techniques/dp/1584797134/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1292177412&sr=8-1"><span style="font-style: italic;">Custom Knits</span></a>. It's not seasonally appropriate in any way, but I'm pretty excited about it.<br /><br />I recently set it down, however, when I heard that a family friend had her baby boy. Since they didn't find out the gender, I've been waiting and waiting to knit something for this baby. I received word that the baby was born on a Tuesday morning and by the afternoon I was casting on for a Baby Sophisticate sweater:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/emilyhuckabay/5254948898/" title="Baby Sophisticate by everydayfantasia, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5286/5254948898_10c30d5294_m.jpg" alt="Baby Sophisticate" height="180" width="240" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I've got a few more projects on the needles, so I promise it won't be <span style="font-style: italic;">three more months</span> before my next post. Really.<br /></div></div><br /></div></div>Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15028972454874280838noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6456690396175720704.post-23570716995888827722010-08-06T14:00:00.000-07:002010-08-06T14:00:01.679-07:00DIY Stitch MarkersI've been coveting a set of pretty beaded stitch markers for at least a year now, and last weekend I finally decided to do something about it. Being a do-it-yourself-er (and exceedingly cheap), I consulted some rudimentary instructions I found via Google, picked up some beads on sale at Michael's, and fashioned a handful of my own stitch markers.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/emilyhuckabay/4858243760/" title="Stitch Markers by fayawayknits, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4122/4858243760_315317aeee_m.jpg" alt="Stitch Markers" width="240" height="160" /></a><br /></div><br />Despite not knowing the first thing about beading, I think they turned out alright. I especially <span style="font-style: italic;">love </span>the gray opalescent ones. (How pretty will those be on a lace project?) I haven't had a chance to test them out to see if they snag and hold up to use, but I can't see any major problems looming.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/emilyhuckabay/4858244606/" title="Stitch Markers by fayawayknits, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4139/4858244606_92bc569c87_m.jpg" alt="Stitch Markers" width="240" height="160" /></a></div><br />Plus, for a less than $20, I ended up with a ton of them, easily enough for a couple of sweaters or a big project. I'm tempted to cast on <span style="font-style: italic;">another </span>project just to try them out.Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15028972454874280838noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6456690396175720704.post-47122373058087945932010-08-03T13:57:00.000-07:002010-08-03T14:18:30.303-07:00Back at ItSo, I've holding out on ya'll. I've been over my knitting funk for about a week now, and I've started plugging away on Swish Steeples again.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/emilyhuckabay/4858249580/" title="Swish Steeples by fayawayknits, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4140/4858249580_33c2fc7d1d_m.jpg" alt="Swish Steeples" width="240" height="160" /></a><br /></div><br />While it's not a very popular pattern on Ravelry, the pattern is very well written, and it's been smooth sailing so far. I've always knit raglan sweaters, and this marks my first bottom-up sweater. I'm a little anxious to see how the sleeves will fit into the armhole shaping, but so far it's going very well.<br /><br />I only wish that I'd picked a more subtle color as it's a little--okay, <span style="font-style: italic;">very!--</span>loud. I always get a little carried away when picking out yarn for a new project.Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15028972454874280838noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6456690396175720704.post-29805499553732161202010-07-15T13:00:00.000-07:002010-07-15T13:28:31.563-07:00Sale YarnToday is one of my favorite days of the summer: downtown Lawrence's sidewalk sale. For the first time ever, I made it downtown first thing in the morning and was at the <a href="http://www.yarnbarn-ks.com/">Yarn Barn </a>shortly after they opened. (Nice to see you <a href="http://pairofducksknitting.wordpress.com/">Dee Anna</a>!)<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/emilyhuckabay/4797342468/" title="Sale Yarn by fayawayknits, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4115/4797342468_1ca37ffaef_m.jpg" alt="Sale Yarn" width="240" height="160" /></a><br /></div><br />I tried to remain sensible in the face of so much discounted yarn, and I only ended up with three cones of Harrisville Shetland, which seems to be popular among the Knit Lawrence crew. While it's meant for weaving, I've heard that it blooms up nicely after washing, and I think it will make a sturdy, woolly sweater.<br /><br />I'm planning on using it to make an Elizabeth Zimmerman inspired fair isle yoke cardigan. Right now, I'm envisioning blue snowflakes or flowers around the yoke and contrasting button bands. But, that's very likely to change by the time I actually get around to knitting it up.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/emilyhuckabay/4797345042/" title="Sale Yarn by fayawayknits, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4081/4797345042_bd00f1d30c_m.jpg" alt="Sale Yarn" width="240" height="160" /></a><br /></div><br />I probably went a bit overboard quantity-wise. I brought home <span style="font-style: italic;">a pound and a half</span> of the stuff, which works out to about 1350 yards. At least I don't have to worry about running out!Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15028972454874280838noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6456690396175720704.post-39478296450221365712010-06-28T13:44:00.001-07:002010-06-28T14:56:59.690-07:00Knitting FunkFor the first time in years, I just don't feel like knitting. I don't know if it's the heat or the fact that I'm in a terrible knitting rut (another turquoise sweater anyone?), but I just don't feel like picking up my knitting needles these days.<br /><br />Despite the lack of knitting, I have been busy crafting up a storm. A couple of weeks ago I was bitten by the origami bug and suddenly had the crazy urge to make <span style="font-style: italic;">a lot</span> of paper cranes. I ended up stringing dozens and dozens of paper cranes into a giant mobile.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/emilyhuckabay/4743119953/" title="Cranes by fayawayknits, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4082/4743119953_5e4d73b097_m.jpg" alt="Cranes" width="160" height="240" /></a><br /></div><br />Besides lending some whimsy to our apartment, the cats find it highly entertaining.<br /><br />I've also been busy making dozens and dozens of <a href="http://www.marthastewartweddings.com/article/pom-poms-and-luminarias">tissue paper flowers and luminarias</a> over the past few weeks. My grandmother's 85th birthday party is late next month, and we're planning on decorating my parents' home with copious amounts of these in one of my grandma's favorite colors: pink. They're cheap, cheerful, and perhaps most importantly, easy to make.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/emilyhuckabay/4743759188/" title="Paper Flowers by fayawayknits, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4081/4743759188_07f33a7cac_m.jpg" alt="Paper Flowers" width="160" height="240" /></a><br /></div><br />I've actually lost count of how many of these I've folded now, and I've still got a good deal of tissue paper to use up. Since the party is back in Texas, I'm planning on shipping them folded up and fluffing them out once I arrive. I've got my fingers crossed that this plan will work out alright.<br /><br />I've also been doing a lot of sewing this summer, mostly to prepare for the <a href="http://www.kcrenfest.com/">Kansas City Renaissance Festival</a>. After attending various Renaissance festivals for most of my life, this is the year that I'm finally embracing ye olde inner nerd and dressing in costume. While not it's not historically accurate, I'm making <a href="http://www.simplicity.com/p-2022-costumes.aspx">Simplicity 3809</a>. I'm actually planning on combining both costumes, making the skirt and bodice on the left and the short-sleeved blouse/chemise on the right.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/emilyhuckabay/4743127093/" title="Ren Fest Costume Beginnings by fayawayknits, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4101/4743127093_ba93d0fdbf_m.jpg" /></a><br /></div><br />So far, I've got the skirt and the blouse completed and plan to start piecing the bodice together later this week. Not surprisingly, H. isn't entirely on board with dressing up (yet!), so I'm not sure what I'm sewing for him, if anything.Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15028972454874280838noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6456690396175720704.post-82717549502098375942010-06-04T09:35:00.000-07:002010-06-04T11:38:55.194-07:00Time FliesSorry for the unexplained silence around here, folks. I spent last week visiting family in Texas and have finally recovered from the drive back to Kansas. On the up side, the twenty-two hour round-trip drive gave me the opportunity to finish Liesl.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/emilyhuckabay/4654329077/" title="Finished Liesl by fayawayknits, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4048/4654329077_c490e147f9_m.jpg" alt="Finished Liesl" width="160" height="240"></a><br /></div><br />About time, eh? Honestly, I was done with the actual knitting not long after my last update, but finishing it took me <span style="font-style: italic;">forever.</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/emilyhuckabay/4654953210/" title="Finished Liesl by fayawayknits, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4059/4654953210_4568dc5ca9_m.jpg" alt="Finished Liesl" width="160" height="240"></a><br /></div><br />Since it's knit at such a loosey-goosey gauge, I was worried that the button holes would gap and pull unattractively. (You can kind of see it in the pattern photos.) In an effort to avoid unsightliness at my bustline, I decided to try my hand at sewing in snaps instead.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/emilyhuckabay/4654342469/" title="Liesl Snaps by fayawayknits, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4057/4654342469_38f3b8c257_m.jpg" width="160" height="240" alt="Liesl Snaps" /></a></div><br />While the final product looks just fine, I have mixed feelings about the snaps. There's no way these puppies will ever gap unattractively, but they were a far bigger commitment than I ever anticipated. Each snap took me roughly one hour to sew into place, a large part of why this project dragged on and on. The snaps are still a little stiff and hard to separate, but I think they'll "break in" with use. If I had it to do over, I'd probably explore better button holes and different methods of snap installation instead.<br /><br />Also, don't worry: it doesn't escape me that this sweater remarkably similar to <a href="http://fayawayknits.blogspot.com/2010/04/april-lady-sweater.html">the last sweater</a> I knit. No more blue, three-quarter length sleeve, three-white-button sweaters for awhile. I have it out of my system now. Promise.Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15028972454874280838noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6456690396175720704.post-38043623037746117952010-05-14T13:14:00.000-07:002010-05-14T14:08:06.868-07:00Lessons (Re)LearnedTwo weeks after casting on, I'm still <span style="text-decoration: line-through;">ripping</span> knitting away at Liesl. Given how much time I've spent on it, I should have finished it a week or more ago, but I broke a couple of cardinal knitting rules (read: made stupid mistakes) along the way and have had to do the penance.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/emilyhuckabay/4602760522/" title="(Still) Knitting Liesl by fayawayknits, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3594/4602760522_6011db5afc_m.jpg" alt="(Still) Knitting Liesl" width="240" height="160" /></a></div><br />First, I fancied myself better than the humble gauge swatch. Now I <span style="font-style: italic;">know </span>just how important swatching is, but I figured that the lace pattern would be stretchy and forgiving. So why bother? Well, nine or so inches in, I realized that there was no way that it ever would button in the front. So, I ripped out what turned out to be the biggest swatch of my knitting career. (That's exactly <span style="font-style: italic;">why bother</span>.)<br /><br />Not to be disheartened, I went up a needle size, started again, and was feeling rather smug about the whole thing. The gauge was spot on, and it was flying off the needles. Then, halfway down the body, I reached end of a row and had <span style="font-style: italic;">three stitches left over.</span><br /><br />When I went back and read the lace, I realized that I had royally messed up two repeats (eight rows) back. Because I was too smug or too lazy, I didn't bother to place markers after each repeat. I had a heck of a time running a lifeline above the mistake, and long story short, it was ultimately easier (and probably faster) to rip the whole darn thing out and start fresh.<br /><br />So, I started once again with the correct needles and placed stitch markers between each and every repeat. I will finish this sweater yet! I'm finally halfway through the first sleeve and am optimistic that the third time's going to be the charm. With any luck, I'll have a finished sweater to share soon.Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15028972454874280838noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6456690396175720704.post-88069597639574007552010-04-30T12:53:00.000-07:002010-04-30T15:09:44.077-07:00Cheap and Cheerful CrochetI've been seeing a lot of cute and kitschy crochet potholders on <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Ravelry</span> and throughout the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">blogosphere</span> lately and have been itching join in on the fun. But, there's just one little problem: I can't do anything other than chain and single crochet. So when I ran across <a href="http://theboringknitter.com/?page_id=30">these </a>crochet potholders on <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Ravelry</span>, I knew I <span style="text-decoration: line-through;">had to</span> could make them.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/emilyhuckabay/4566413434/" title="Lazy Daisy Potholder by fayawayknits, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3605/4566413434_acf85ba0ca_m.jpg" alt="Lazy Daisy Potholder" width="160" height="240" /></a><br /></div><br />These potholders are <span style="font-style: italic;">nothing</span> but single crochet. Once you've done your foundational chain, you basically single crochet around and around until the sides match up. It's perfect for a complete crochet novice such as myself.<br /><br />When I finished the first one, I realized that they would make a fantastic canvas for some simple embroidery. The single crochet makes a very clear grid, and because they're seamed up the back, all of the mess is hidden inside. To stitch the lazy daises onto the potholders, I used this very helpful <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r6XhaW3yh_0&feature=fvw">YouTube tutorial.</a> I followed the instructions pretty closely but did find that sewing through the stitches (i.e., the knots instead of the holes) made a more secure flower.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/emilyhuckabay/4566428526/" title="Lazy Daisy Potholder by fayawayknits, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3057/4566428526_eb71e4eccb_m.jpg" alt="Lazy Daisy Potholder" width="240" height="160" /></a><br /><br /></div>Because I like seeing the "guts" of other folks' projects, here's what the "lazy <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">daises</span>" look like on the inside. I simply tied the ends in square knots behind the flowers and ran the yarn tails under a few loops.<br /><br />For me, this project was reminiscent of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">EZ's</span> Baby Surprise Jacket. You make an amorphous blob, fold it, and <span style="font-style: italic;">voila </span>it's something! When you're done crocheting rounds, you have a little pocket like this:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/emilyhuckabay/4566421840/" title="Lazy Daisy Potholder by fayawayknits, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3259/4566421840_ceaefbee42_m.jpg" alt="Lazy Daisy Potholder" width="240" height="160" /></a><br /></div><br />You just fold it on the bias and end up with a pocket like this. I think it's delightfully clever.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/emilyhuckabay/4566416618/" title="Lazy Daisy Potholder by fayawayknits, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4025/4566416618_e394f96ba7_m.jpg" alt="Lazy Daisy Potholder" width="240" height="160" /></a><br /></div><br />Using an H hook, I was actually able to eek a set out of two out of one ball of Lily Sugar 'n Creme. (Only one is pictured here. The other one is waiting for its daisies.) I liked the pattern so much that I cast on for another set in purple.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/emilyhuckabay/4565805403/" title="Purple Potholder by fayawayknits, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3015/4565805403_2b0ec423ca_m.jpg" alt="Purple Potholder" width="160" height="240" /></a><br /></div><br />Don't worry: I won't be crocheting toilet paper covers next. These were just a fun little diversion and a nice pick me up. I'm also working on a <a href="http://ysolda.com/2008/06/25/liesl-pattern/"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Liesl</span> sweater</a>, but it's still an unimpressive blob right now. And, I'm starting to swatch for <a href="http://www.knitpicks.com/patterns/Swish_Steeples_Pattern__D10029220.html">the next</a> project.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/emilyhuckabay/4565810381/" title="Swish Steeples Swatch by fayawayknits, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3409/4565810381_6c65abe5b8_m.jpg" alt="Swish Steeples Swatch" width="240" height="160" /></a></div>Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15028972454874280838noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6456690396175720704.post-65537942402337094292010-04-22T10:00:00.000-07:002010-04-22T11:36:38.376-07:00April Lady Sweater<div>As I was pulling out yarn for the next project I'm planning, I spied a nearly finished sweater in the back of the linen closet and felt compelled to <em>do something about it already</em>. And, so I did.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a title="February Lady Sweater by fayawayknits, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/emilyhuckabay/4541484025/"><img alt="February Lady Sweater" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4024/4541484025_4b64843dc4_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" /></a><br /></div><div><br />There's so much to say about this sweater that it's kind of hard to know where to begin. The yarn is Cascade 220 that was reclaimed from my very first sweater, which left a lot to be desired.<br /></div><br /><div>My first sweater was knit using Barbara Walker's guidelines in <em>Knitting from the Top</em>. While it's an amazing book (and I should have known better), I ignorantly followed every general sizing recommendation she made instead of customizing it to fit my body. Needless to say, I ended up with a man-sized tunic with very dramatic waist shaping. Thankfully, there isn't any photographic evidence of this catastrophe to share here.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a title="February Lady Sweater by fayawayknits, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/emilyhuckabay/4541482051/"><img alt="February Lady Sweater" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4060/4541482051_c0d7831a25_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" /></a><br /></div><br /><div>I'm pleased as punch that I was able to give that unfortunate sweater a new life as a, if I do say so myself, much better sweater. The new sweater is, of course, the ubiquitous <a href="http://www.flintknits.com/blog/?p=151">February Lady Sweater</a>. I cast on back in December but just finished last weekend. The actual knitting only took about a month, but the sweater had to sit in "time out" for awhile. (Surely I'm not the only one who does this?)<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a title="February Lady Sweater by fayawayknits, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/emilyhuckabay/4542122410/"><img alt="February Lady Sweater" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4004/4542122410_4b45518110_m.jpg" width="160" height="240" /></a><br /></div><br />To be completely honest, I made a somewhat monumental mistake early on in this project: In the increase round, I accidentally added too many stitches in the sleeves. So when I went to go knit the first sleeve, I had the horrifying realization that I could fit <em>my entire head </em>into the sleeve.<br /><br />I was too mad at myself to rip it all out, so I threw the whole mess into the back of the linen closet. After stewing about it for a couple months, I realized that I could just omit the extra underarm stitches and incorporate a few strategically placed decreases, and viola! Sleeves I can't fit my head into.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a title="February Lady Sweater by fayawayknits, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/emilyhuckabay/4541486015/"><img alt="February Lady Sweater" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2683/4541486015_32d3c06fe0_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" /></a> </div><br />Unfortunately, my knitting progress is about to slow way, way down for awhile. As I was pouring a cup of tea Monday morning, boiling water splashed out of the cup onto my left hand. I have a sizable second degree burn on the top of my hand that requires near hand-mummification to keep protected, making knitting slow and awkward.<br /><br />It's going to be a long couple of weeks.Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15028972454874280838noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6456690396175720704.post-68302143772120899402010-04-16T15:44:00.000-07:002010-04-16T19:49:52.364-07:00Cuckoo for CowlsBack when cowls were all the rage in the knitting blogosphere (2007? 2008?), I have to admit that I just didn't get it. I was more than a little skeptical of all of the short, stumpy tubes folks were knitting.<br /><br />If you're on <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/account/login">Ravelry</a>, you know that there's <span style="font-style: italic;">always </span>a discussion titled something like "Why knit dishcloths?" or "Why bother knitting socks?" Well, that's sort of how I felt about cowls.<br /><br />Then, last week, I knit one. And, when I finished, I immediately cast on for another.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/emilyhuckabay/4526848906/" title="Zigzag Cowl by fayawayknits, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4063/4526848906_54f474e6fa_m.jpg" alt="Zigzag Cowl" width="240" height="160" /></a><br /></div><br />I totally get it now.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/emilyhuckabay/4526214355/" title="Zigzag Cowl by fayawayknits, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4060/4526214355_0438f2a28e_m.jpg" alt="Zigzag Cowl" width="240" height="160" /></a><br /></div><br />This little number is a <a href="http://www.myzigzagstitch.com/patterns/zigzag-cowl/">Zigzag Cowl</a> from the <a href="http://www.myzigzagstitch.com/">zigzagstitch</a>. It knit up lightening fast in one skein of nearly-impossible-to-photograph vermilion Malabrigo Merino Worsted. I'm completely smitten with the traveling stitches and picot hems. (So much for gifting it, eh?)<br /><br />The pattern keeps its promise: it was a super-fun, relaxing knit. It's a very straight forward pattern, but every row is just <span style="font-style: italic;">a little bit</span> different. As the <a href="http://www.yarnharlot.ca/blog/">Yarn Harlot</a> would say, it's just enough to keep a knitter interested.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/emilyhuckabay/4526212559/" title="Zigzag Cowl by fayawayknits, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4060/4526212559_8c530103a4_m.jpg" alt="Zigzag Cowl" width="240" height="160" /></a><br /></div><br />Plus, it was the perfect antidote to my busy week. I've been struggling to finish up a couple of projects for a class that I'm taking, and knitting around-and-around-and-around has been a welcome reprieve.<br /><br />Up next, I'm planning on starting a project that I've been eying for over a year. Here's a sneak peek:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/emilyhuckabay/4515977615/" title="Future Liesl by fayawayknits, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4069/4515977615_60196a2953_m.jpg" alt="Future Liesl" width="160" height="240" /></a></div>Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15028972454874280838noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6456690396175720704.post-35922668941857255962010-04-11T17:13:00.000-07:002010-04-11T19:35:25.224-07:00Finished ObjectsI finally have a couple of knitted finished objects to share here. First up is a Shiny Cowl by Dee Anna at <a href="http://pairofducksknitting.wordpress.com/">Pair of Ducks Knitting</a>. Since I'm trying to knit up the yarn I already have, my rendition is fuzzy rather than shiny.<br /><br /><br /><p align="center"><a title="Shiny Cowl by fayawayknits, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/emilyhuckabay/4509356034/"><img alt="Shiny Cowl" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2128/4509356034_7a83be4a6e_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" /></a></p><br /><p>It was a great one-skein project, using up almost an entire ball of Frog Tree Alpaca sport weight. (I estimate that I used 120 yards of the 130 yard ball.) In addition to using very little yarn, it was a near instant-gratification project. I cast on Thursday evening, and I started casting off at <a href="http://www.knitlawrence.org/">Knit Lawrence</a> Saturday afternoon.<br /><br /><a href="http://ibrakeforyarnhooksandbooks.blogspot.com/">Fiber Star</a> was kind enough to teach me <a href="http://info-junction.net/wp/cat-bordhi-personal-footprints-jenys-surprisingly-stretchy-bind-off/">Jeny's Surprisingly Stretchy Bindoff</a>, which turned out to be just perfect for this project (and is every bit as stretchy as you would expect). Not only does it give me plenty of room to pull the cowl over my head, but it matched the long-tail cast on I used nicely. </p><p></p><p align="center"><a title="Shiny Cowl by fayawayknits, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/emilyhuckabay/4509353206/"><img alt="Shiny Cowl" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4011/4509353206_a7880c93b9_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" /></a><br /></p><p>I also recently finished a pair of plain top-down socks. While they're not an exciting piece of knitting, the yarn is very special to me.</p><p align="center"><a title="Socks by fayawayknits, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/emilyhuckabay/4512297779/"><img alt="Socks" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2692/4512297779_d238f31416_m.jpg" width="160" height="240" /></a></p><p align="left">They are knit in some gray, Regia tweed that I purchased in Wurzburg, Germany in 2005, while I was on the study-abroad trip where I met my husband. I was a brand new knitter in those days, and I don't think I had even knit my first sock when purchased this yarn. I only recently decided that I could knit socks competently enough to use it up!<br /></p><p align="center"><a title="Socks by fayawayknits, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/emilyhuckabay/4512942778/"><img alt="Socks" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2101/4512942778_3d141ee3a8_m.jpg" width="160" height="240" /></a><br /></p><p align="left">I still actually have one skein of precious sock yarn left from that trip, and I'm thinking that the chemist deserves a pair too. I just can't decide if a nice herringbone pattern or cables will suit the tweed better.</p>Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15028972454874280838noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6456690396175720704.post-36692062136180017402010-04-07T15:00:00.000-07:002010-04-07T13:56:15.587-07:00Untimely DemiseI was hoping to tell you about all of the great progress I was making on my Wasabi Pumpkin socks in another couple of posts, but after writing about them last week, I was distracted by other shiny, new projects and put them down.<br /><br />I picked them up again last night, and as I was diligently reading through the pattern I thought, "Hm. That's odd." You probably realize that this is ever a good sign while knitting. Turns out I had misplaced the increases in the fourth round of the trinity stitch pattern. So over lunch today, I prepared to do <span style="font-style: italic;">the </span><span style="font-style: italic;">right thing</span>: I inserted some smaller needles two pattern repeats back, I ripped back to the cuff, and then disaster struck.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/emilyhuckabay/4500961372/" title="Untimely Demise by fayawayknits, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4003/4500961372_656c60a18e_m.jpg" alt="Untimely Demise " width="240" height="160" /></a><br /></div><br />Did I ever mention that I have a very, very naughty cat?<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/emilyhuckabay/4485536994/" title="Spock by fayawayknits, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4031/4485536994_0509c8a4a1_m.jpg" alt="Spock" width="160" height="240" /></a></div><br />I was hoping this wouldn't become one of those cat-filled knitting blogs, but it turns out that I do have a very naughty cat. Oh yes, I do. As I was ripping back, he started chewing on the yarn and rolling around in it.<br /><br />When I went to shoo him away, the yarn wrapped around his tail, and he took off RUNNING FOR HIS LIFE! He made three full laps around our apartment before finally hiding under the bed, the sock flying behind him the whole way. I couldn't have caught him if I had tried.<br /><br />It was sort of like that scene in the <span style="font-style: italic;">The Ugly Dachshund</span> on speed:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><object width="408" height="327"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/iraBZJ-zvLM&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/iraBZJ-zvLM&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="408" height="327"></embed></object></div><br /><br />Unfortunately, scissors were necessary to finally detach the sock from the cat. Don't worry: the cat is just fine. The sock?<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/emilyhuckabay/4500963792/" title="Untimely Demise by fayawayknits, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4014/4500963792_742190a578_m.jpg" alt="Untimely Demise " width="160" height="240" /></a><br /></div><br /><br />Well, I think I'm going to put this yarn away for awhile.Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15028972454874280838noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6456690396175720704.post-73706405149557438842010-04-06T15:17:00.000-07:002010-04-06T13:35:59.607-07:00T-Shirt QuiltLast month the chemist went to a conference in Florida, leaving me to my own devices for a week. So, for a few glorious days I didn't cook, knit way too much, and enjoyed sole possession of the remote control. Since we're being honest here, I have to admit that I cleaned out <span style="text-decoration: line-through;">our</span> the chemist's closets while he was gone too.<br /><br />(Apparently, I have no shame. Or, I'm turning into my mother.)<br /><br />As I was going through our closets, I ran across a bag of t-shirts that the chemist wanted to keep but were generally unfit to wear in decent company. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Ya'll</span>, I am not a saver nor do I fancy myself as overly sentimental, but I just couldn't get rid of them. So, I did the only logical thing a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">crafter</span> that wants clean closets can do: I made a t-shirt quilt.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/emilyhuckabay/4480137836/" title="T-Shirt Quilt by fayawayknits, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4063/4480137836_09921c0274_m.jpg" alt="T-Shirt Quilt" width="160" height="240" /></a></div><br />It was a pretty fast and easy project, even for a complete quilting novice like myself. In fact, I think that I only worked on it on and off for about three weeks. I mostly followed the instructions found <a href="http://www.goosetracks.com/">here</a>, which contained <span style="font-style: italic;">just enough</span> hand holding to get the job done. Though, I ended up consulting YouTube for the binding, which I'm pretty sure I butchered anyways. (It really only matters that it's attached, right?)<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/emilyhuckabay/4480131986/" title="T-Shirt Quilt by fayawayknits, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4028/4480131986_5a317229ac_m.jpg" alt="T-Shirt Quilt" width="240" height="151" /></a><br /></div><br />It's far from perfect, but I'm so happy with it. I love how each shirt has a story and how it's a tangible scrap book of our first five years together.Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15028972454874280838noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6456690396175720704.post-17290552222165210092010-04-04T16:00:00.000-07:002010-04-04T14:09:15.942-07:00SprungHappy spring, friends! And, happy Easter too if that's your thing.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/emilyhuckabay/4488114682/" title="Spring by fayawayknits, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2680/4488114682_ef5f2915d3_m.jpg" alt="Spring" width="160" height="240" /></a><br /></div><br />We're enjoying a beautiful spring weekend, which is passing by way too quickly. My basil seeds finally decided to sprout yesterday, confirming that spring is really here.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/emilyhuckabay/4488119750/" title="Basil by fayawayknits, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2799/4488119750_2c011eefcb_m.jpg" alt="Basil" width="240" height="160" /></a><br /></div><br />I'm sort of surprised that they're growing at all. They're some cheap seeds that I picked up at the grocery store and dumped in a plastic pot outside our door far too early. After they fell victim to the last snow fall of the season, I was convinced that all hope was lost. Now I'm optimistic that some <a href="http://thepioneerwoman.com/tasty-kitchen/recipes/main-courses/balsamic-chicken-pasta-with-fresh-cheese/">Balsamic Chicken Pasta with Fresh Cheese</a> (a new favorite) is once again in our future.<br /><br />Hope you're enjoying this beautiful spring weekend too. I'll be back later in the week to share a couple of finished objects.Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15028972454874280838noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6456690396175720704.post-9813365879006993042010-04-02T17:04:00.000-07:002010-04-02T16:41:56.139-07:00The TicketThis time last year, I was casting off what is still probably the best thing I ever knit: a <a href="http://stick-leggedgirl.blogspot.com/2007/11/color-block-baby-blanket.html">Cotton-Ease Baby Blanket</a>. I followed the pattern <span style="font-style: italic;">to a T</span>, and if I do say so myself, it turned out pretty fabulous. I could wax poetic about everything I loved everything about that blanket. I completely enjoyed every stitch and square, and it was a sad, sad day when I had to pack it up and drop it in the mail. <br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/emilyhuckabay/4479461969/" title="Mitered Square Blanket by fayawayknits, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4059/4479461969_7de5a905a4_m.jpg" alt="Mitered Square Blanket" width="160" height="240" /></a></div><br /><br />Fast forward nine months, give or take. A friend of my husband's approaches me asking me to teach her how to knit. She wants to knit a giant, cuddly, wool, Pottery Barn-esque blanket to throw over the back of her sofa. (At least, this is how I imagined it.) Remembering all of the dropped stitches and accidental yarn overs in my first sad bit of knitting, I talked her down from the dream blanket and got her started knitting a garter stitch scarf. <br /><br />But, her passion rubbed off on me and the idea stuck: I wanted to knit a giant, cuddly blanket to throw over the back of our <span style="text-decoration: line-through;">sofa</span> futon. <br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/emilyhuckabay/4480143374/" title="Mitered Square Blanket by fayawayknits, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2758/4480143374_577b1b662a_m.jpg" alt="Mitered Square Blanket" width="160" height="240" /></a></div><br /><br />I didn't put two and two together until I was doing some spring cleaning and found myself face to face with a big basket of leftover Cotton-Ease from The Best Thing I Ever Knit. Then it hit me: a mitered square blanket would be just the ticket.<br /><br />Ever since <a href="http://pairofducksknitting.wordpress.com/author/loloen/">Loloen </a>completed her mighty <a href="http://pairofducksknitting.wordpress.com/2009/02/10/heres-johnny/">Blanketa</a> last year, I've wanted to make the infamous Mason-Dixon Mitered Square Blanket. Without giving much thought to just how long this crazy project is going to take me, I cast on. <br /> <br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/emilyhuckabay/4480141570/" title="Mitered Square Blanket by fayawayknits, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2683/4480141570_08d8fa592e_m.jpg" alt="Mitered Square Blanket" width="240" height="184" /></a></div><br /><br />Three squares down, seventy-seven to go! <br /><br />(Ouch.)Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15028972454874280838noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6456690396175720704.post-88320683987146632332010-03-30T16:32:00.000-07:002010-03-30T18:45:36.999-07:00Biting the BulletWell, here goes nothing. <br /><br />I've been meaning to start this blog for over a year now, but I kept waiting for a better project to come along, a better camera, more free time, etc. It's time to bite the bullet and get on with this already! So, here’s to new blogs and new socks. Cheers!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/emilyhuckabay/4477444522/" title="033010 007 by fayawayknits, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4061/4477444522_64d6e6a9f4_m.jpg" width="160" height="240" alt="033010 007" /></a><br /></div><br /><br />These are some brand new socks that I cast on last night, which I'm fondly referring to as my "Wasabi Pumpkin" socks. They're actually the Wasabi Peas socks from the current <font style="font-style: italic;">Interweave Knits </font>knit in some unseasonably-colored Knit Picks Essential Sock Yarn that I picked up for a song several years back. (I'm trying to be virtuous and knit up some of the yarn I've squirreled away since my knitting habit got serious.)<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/emilyhuckabay/4477445596/" title="033010 034 by fayawayknits, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4025/4477445596_84c6e63c0f_m.jpg" width="240" height="160" alt="033010 034" /></a></div><br /><br />So far, I'm enjoying the pattern and can't wait to see how the construction will play out. The p3tog are a bit of a slog, but I think the texture is going to be worth it.Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15028972454874280838noreply@blogger.com1