tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-61704228338054650462024-02-19T11:35:47.288-05:00Stitchin' Bitchknitting + vrock = awesome. real life math in action.vrockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00487698471635922624noreply@blogger.comBlogger95125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6170422833805465046.post-33002136423099955832015-03-15T14:03:00.001-04:002015-03-15T14:03:50.439-04:00Huzzah for the shopkeep!I want to knit all of the baby things. When I search around on Ravelry for projects, I'm drawn to the itty bitty little baby things, and the cute little stuffed animals and dolls. I'm really into these crochet dolls right now: <br /><img alt="Lupo-doppel-900_small2" src="http://images4-b.ravelrycache.com/uploads/lalylala/199540031/Lupo-Doppel-900_small2.jpg" style="height: 210px; left: 0px;" /><br /><br />They're by <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/sources/lalylala-ravelry-downloads" target="_blank">lalylala designs</a> and there's a whole series of them. I'd like to get one of these under my belt before nugget is born so I can hopefully make a whole fleet of them.<br /><br />Enough of that pie in the sky knitting stuff. Let's get down to brass tacks. I made a trip to Shall We Knit? at the beginning of the month to buy yarn for baby soaker pants, knitted pants, and also to support my hexipuff addiction:<br /><br />Mostly Sirdar Snuggly (with a Wendy Peter Pan thrown in for colour variation) for some baby pants:<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5gUtQd95PtCGQlXujhHrD1h3spsQr7bSiWCHSQuxya9pFPN6M2hEzBwvyGomVKLdVdMXqOjraEgW_-HGdBXnde4ivU5xRMwxGIN71IP8I8c5Wc6nxgzvxEqU0CI3fiYitrvSowd2cpng9/s1600/DSC04764.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5gUtQd95PtCGQlXujhHrD1h3spsQr7bSiWCHSQuxya9pFPN6M2hEzBwvyGomVKLdVdMXqOjraEgW_-HGdBXnde4ivU5xRMwxGIN71IP8I8c5Wc6nxgzvxEqU0CI3fiYitrvSowd2cpng9/s1600/DSC04764.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a> <br />
<br />
The ol' standby, Cascade 220, for diaper covers:<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFWRCuuVCO1eEOECjqFo6jullk6bRANz1-Iu-b66zEcuANuw4rrFyb1bJ1b9Zqz79cJUPddTQdONC1-JSMXLUW_RDXfViWwcbBZAxnr8o_rBXStDmW4yQoo5eHKpGmD8igWxvu6JPYQqBh/s1600/DSC04765.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFWRCuuVCO1eEOECjqFo6jullk6bRANz1-Iu-b66zEcuANuw4rrFyb1bJ1b9Zqz79cJUPddTQdONC1-JSMXLUW_RDXfViWwcbBZAxnr8o_rBXStDmW4yQoo5eHKpGmD8igWxvu6JPYQqBh/s1600/DSC04765.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a><br />
<br />And a little something pretty for me, some Madeline Tosh Light Unicorn Tails for hexipuffs:<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl_S11anZDMcKeiRQNR32ot9QUuTpd087sreVnR6_-wzkHnyckSugalAcYrviLd_ax2FXsGFbCbFup2eNnZt_XZWgH34UievAMZJ4P04ULXB76j7KZDqCESuc9Vx_YA4mtRs70gr-I4pWn/s1600/DSC04766.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl_S11anZDMcKeiRQNR32ot9QUuTpd087sreVnR6_-wzkHnyckSugalAcYrviLd_ax2FXsGFbCbFup2eNnZt_XZWgH34UievAMZJ4P04ULXB76j7KZDqCESuc9Vx_YA4mtRs70gr-I4pWn/s1600/DSC04766.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2wSs0kSVrfW_su4F9k_x5KKnNPnvsh_NMVXsRKGIRzjf47ceAwI30FWjW2tnnvx7iIz2B5O5vk3k1KqUTPvZSC4J5fDeiX4eqk5WOQmUedWofrY8TKTe92pqbYtoAg9Y7T9RPqbMp-G0S/s1600/DSC04783.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />
<br />
<br />
I whipped up my first diaper cover in a couple nights of knitting. This will be an easy and mindless knit to plug away at.<br /><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2wSs0kSVrfW_su4F9k_x5KKnNPnvsh_NMVXsRKGIRzjf47ceAwI30FWjW2tnnvx7iIz2B5O5vk3k1KqUTPvZSC4J5fDeiX4eqk5WOQmUedWofrY8TKTe92pqbYtoAg9Y7T9RPqbMp-G0S/s1600/DSC04783.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2wSs0kSVrfW_su4F9k_x5KKnNPnvsh_NMVXsRKGIRzjf47ceAwI30FWjW2tnnvx7iIz2B5O5vk3k1KqUTPvZSC4J5fDeiX4eqk5WOQmUedWofrY8TKTe92pqbYtoAg9Y7T9RPqbMp-G0S/s1600/DSC04783.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />These are <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/milo-soakers" target="_blank">Milo Soakers</a> by Kristen Rengren from <a href="http://www.amazon.ca/Vintage-Baby-Knits-Heirloom-Patterns/dp/1584797614" target="_blank">Vintage Baby Knits</a>. They are knit flat and then sewn at the side seams. Easy peasy, and a very satisfying little knit. I have enough leftover from this green pair to hopefully combine it with another colour for a striped one.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5FP_5vLRuNNhri4xW8tILmWR0vRLoR35t7VetpHM2K3cMLU3AKFTAUTK5Q2Hy9Au0_O56xG1TBDy4qKlVItXoxi5LMy1qeLL9yQVvbkYIM56uESa9AZcq01RCPcf2MDAli1tBJ3KXGSan/s1600/DSC04784.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5FP_5vLRuNNhri4xW8tILmWR0vRLoR35t7VetpHM2K3cMLU3AKFTAUTK5Q2Hy9Au0_O56xG1TBDy4qKlVItXoxi5LMy1qeLL9yQVvbkYIM56uESa9AZcq01RCPcf2MDAli1tBJ3KXGSan/s1600/DSC04784.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a><br /><br />What do you think, blue and red for one and yellow and green for another? I'm trying to keep the colour combinations as baby gender neutral as possible. I chose bright primary colours instead of blah and boring "baby" pastels. One, because they're more fun for me to knit, and two, because they are meant to soak up "liquid", which we all know is not bottled spring water. I can only imagine how disgusting a light-coloured pair of these would be after one wearing. Gross.<br /><br />I have to hunt around for lanolin to lanolize these puppies. That will be a fun adventure, I'm sure it will be sticky or greasy too. I'll bring you along for the ride when I get to that point.<br /><br />I also made some baby pants. As of this morning, I bound off that second leg and grafted the crotch hole. I still need to weave in all the ends from my colour changes and stitch on the monster face.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggWSyxZk6GirxG-J1bq594KAmqSKsNUg24BV_9Jr0NpcNCMfAYKeNmitLOQ5XjSxDyNnJ5fsBU3hyveaXGCcxtEjRvSH5Avz6-tqBNU4eRok142SrKn_hdIEM4MZZrbRqKvw3QdUsRMhSK/s1600/DSC04780.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggWSyxZk6GirxG-J1bq594KAmqSKsNUg24BV_9Jr0NpcNCMfAYKeNmitLOQ5XjSxDyNnJ5fsBU3hyveaXGCcxtEjRvSH5Avz6-tqBNU4eRok142SrKn_hdIEM4MZZrbRqKvw3QdUsRMhSK/s1600/DSC04780.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtmJ58CAxtySqdvSfZ_VmZFRdp_RWPA_E5c7ulAlhZf_ziU5u8ad6fHJ7yaOq4LlLPAp8L8p-UPaNRrYU_wJz_c2Cq9sURhhb0E3XLZM3k7fNhghuxr50oThtDpq1eTyui-3h_8TMw6Rr_/s1600/DSC04779.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtmJ58CAxtySqdvSfZ_VmZFRdp_RWPA_E5c7ulAlhZf_ziU5u8ad6fHJ7yaOq4LlLPAp8L8p-UPaNRrYU_wJz_c2Cq9sURhhb0E3XLZM3k7fNhghuxr50oThtDpq1eTyui-3h_8TMw6Rr_/s1600/DSC04779.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a><br /><br />The red mouth on the bum is soon to be a monster face, with eyes and teeth and everything! These are <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/das-monster" target="_blank">Das Monster</a> by Hronn Jonsdottir, to fit a baby who is 9-18 months. I have no concept of baby sizes, so I will present these to Tam Tam and she can put them on nugget when s/he is the right size for them.<br /><br />These were a quick knit too, nice and mindless once you got passed the monster mouth. I totally have enough yarn in each colour to make another one. A friend of mine from college just announced that she's expecting a baby in August, and I think she would really love these. She might get a pair too.<br /><br />Aside from finishing up these projects, I'm getting back in to spinning. The speaker at the <a href="https://www.kwknittersguild.ca/" target="_blank">Guild</a> meeting on Tuesday was telling us all about natural dyes for yarn, which she happens to use almost exclusively on her own hand spun yarns. When she passed around sample of her yarns, it tickled the spinning itch inside me and I immediately went home and dug out my wheel for a little action. <br /><br />I haven't touched my wheel in almost two years, ever since we moved and my flyer got knocked against something and a piece of it snapped off. It was still hanging on by a tread, so I very gingerly clued it back in place this week, and it worked like a charm! To be extra safe, I also contacted Gemini Fibres (they're north of Toronto, I've seen them many times at the <a href="https://www.kwknittersguild.ca/fair/" target="_blank">KW Knitters Fair</a> as a vendor) to ask if a replacement piece can be ordered. My wheel is my mom's, which she purchased in the 80's. It's an Ashford wheel, but the ones Ashford sells now aren't a perfect match (the closest one looks to be the <a href="http://www.ashford.co.nz/newsite/spinning-wheels/42/spinning/traveller/moredetail.html" target="_blank">Ashford Traveller</a>). I sent a picture of my flyer to the kind folks at Gemini and told them all I know so they can hopefully make a recommendation. <br /><br />In the meantime, I spun some yarn yesterday! I took a 50g hank of roving that I bought on a knitting field trip years ago and finally turned it into something.<br /><br />I spun it, plied it, niddy noddy'ed it, washed it, and hung it to dry (weighted down by a Star Wars coffee mug). <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkPHUKFmAiXckq6GxuG5k8ONwLIeTDL85UDlDwGF0BBg9XSmjB6W9zuHcqOE5xqGeUohH669xJTr4lvp2HYFITIX9_64gsaxKIY3TSZn06l577JRR7f64niBQYhHkuhqNoucqmNlbE7A3N/s1600/DSC04781.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkPHUKFmAiXckq6GxuG5k8ONwLIeTDL85UDlDwGF0BBg9XSmjB6W9zuHcqOE5xqGeUohH669xJTr4lvp2HYFITIX9_64gsaxKIY3TSZn06l577JRR7f64niBQYhHkuhqNoucqmNlbE7A3N/s1600/DSC04781.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a><br /><br />Isn't it pretty!?!?<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGFid7jSp93jTYJzqQr1R0rOuKDrFJUiXF0dNJnY5tfLRfoKLcg-qh6f3bcGWv0ymYWKudZN_lD_xh-AwhNNlHiMgsbta1TPItwdwC15odRSg6rgWw4_5V0QZZ8KnINPaTE4kQT16vUlnJ/s1600/DSC04782.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGFid7jSp93jTYJzqQr1R0rOuKDrFJUiXF0dNJnY5tfLRfoKLcg-qh6f3bcGWv0ymYWKudZN_lD_xh-AwhNNlHiMgsbta1TPItwdwC15odRSg6rgWw4_5V0QZZ8KnINPaTE4kQT16vUlnJ/s1600/DSC04782.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a><br /><br />I think this may get turned into some delicate and pretty fingerless mitts for Tam Tam. She loves pink more than life itself.<br /><br />And also while I was at the Guild meeting, I borrowed a book for my next project. Doesn't everyone need a knitted cat? Spoiler: these may or may not be your Christmas gift from me.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiem9i0cr4HDFSRNjW6HrULmeaqjbYr_zQXDf3yvg8e1vK5b_Hm-_IWRhJWfs1cMozgAhGpYwvzGiPVx6MOrE9RlwjGpLu4C19zBslbHwhlB_iu-j7sPCdWjSVUJBFPLCp2aBQvZxfY_Ask/s1600/DSC04785.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiem9i0cr4HDFSRNjW6HrULmeaqjbYr_zQXDf3yvg8e1vK5b_Hm-_IWRhJWfs1cMozgAhGpYwvzGiPVx6MOrE9RlwjGpLu4C19zBslbHwhlB_iu-j7sPCdWjSVUJBFPLCp2aBQvZxfY_Ask/s1600/DSC04785.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a><br /><br />Did you know yesterday was Pi Day? I made butter tarts to celebrate. You better hurry up and ask for one, they're getting all cold and eaten.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuu7K0NgnLXKp_qhyphenhyphenFVPI6LEarVQpMiOeoDKbzOPSgS42-QrDa56stYMpiJsOY0Q-zN0YJZDbg53KjQL3z0hNwLK6Y8btX-ethMwxxCmJ5720LBiFmMlZ8q7XiVk_Pd1RMsUiGZ-s4rWO-/s1600/DSC04788.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuu7K0NgnLXKp_qhyphenhyphenFVPI6LEarVQpMiOeoDKbzOPSgS42-QrDa56stYMpiJsOY0Q-zN0YJZDbg53KjQL3z0hNwLK6Y8btX-ethMwxxCmJ5720LBiFmMlZ8q7XiVk_Pd1RMsUiGZ-s4rWO-/s1600/DSC04788.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a><br />vrockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00487698471635922624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6170422833805465046.post-54705670010005463942015-02-13T12:31:00.004-05:002015-02-13T12:33:11.348-05:00Sardines on toastFirst of all, news: my sister is having a baby. There's a petit nugget proofing inside her as I type this, and my future niece/nephew is going to get ALL of the knitted things. I already spoke of this in my previous post, but there were no names named. Well, now there are. Tam Tam, you have been called out as someone who is slow-roasting a person inside of her. The news hit facebook officially this week, so now I can share with whomever I please. <br />
<br />
Back to the knits. I took my double knitting striped set idea and made it into a thing, but I'm not entirely happy with how it turned out. <br />
<br />
I bought yarn at Shall We Knit? in January, and I was pleased as punch to find clearance baby yarn in exactly the colours I was looking for. Mega score! When I took my purchases to the counter, I was informed that the yarns were on clearance because some people experienced bleeding in the dyes after washing. I took the chance, and I was diligent about making a swatch and test washing it. I had no bleeding colours at all, and I set out on my adventure to make the pieces. <br />
<br />
I started with the little baby mitts, following some rough pattern guidelines from a few different patterns. I cast on 24 stitches, worked ribbing for 8 rows, and then began my double knitting. The mitts were quick. and I worked a simple heart chart into the mix beginning in the second stripe.<br />
<br />
The hat was a similar story, where I followed a basic baby hat pattern and adjusted for my double knitting gauge (which is a whole lot looser than my usual gauge). I used the same heart chart and also started the chart in the second stripe of colour to keep it consistent with the mitts.<br />
<br />
After finishing both of those, I had a ton of yarn leftover, but not enough for the blanket I first envisioned as part of the set. I went with a striped sweater instead, not double knitted, and added a heart detail later with duplicate stitch. The pattern I followed for the sweater was <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/b21-18-rubin---jumper-in-merino-extra-fine" target="_blank">DROPS Design "Rubin"</a>, which had a sweet stranded colourwork thing going on that I chose to completely ignore. I liked the shape and construction of the sweater, and I followed the general knitting directions without following any of the charts, I just did mine with stripes. <br />
<br />
Behold! The finished set, modeled by Ms. Bear:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhapEzLy10j8_4YrCwdpx0Q5zbrZovD1ah4Uwhm2Sb9QtD9JdBoRDUVd9B6C7G-mucrYPl7tkF7-lA04aDRzxHTEP0TD8f7Ilvl0uYoCeIVfHbgU-_efqJiYxTYL3-rYIYJhezMmNDnMTyV/s1600/DSC04721.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhapEzLy10j8_4YrCwdpx0Q5zbrZovD1ah4Uwhm2Sb9QtD9JdBoRDUVd9B6C7G-mucrYPl7tkF7-lA04aDRzxHTEP0TD8f7Ilvl0uYoCeIVfHbgU-_efqJiYxTYL3-rYIYJhezMmNDnMTyV/s1600/DSC04721.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
They look lovely! From a distance...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDSrUwMfOZCDITH1DoHS7-2-djM6HAd1bAC0DWNFFURYUcv6epqh-3x_5YG6k3P_5RW5r4Hd8VANE-GlE6zKPTCNaF0kfrzkNcqtfIfvnFZtRkDzWJZmBIThEotYmZOibNBdJKJCY8cP15/s1600/DSC04723.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDSrUwMfOZCDITH1DoHS7-2-djM6HAd1bAC0DWNFFURYUcv6epqh-3x_5YG6k3P_5RW5r4Hd8VANE-GlE6zKPTCNaF0kfrzkNcqtfIfvnFZtRkDzWJZmBIThEotYmZOibNBdJKJCY8cP15/s1600/DSC04723.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
The red lining the inside of the double knitting heart bled like crazy. So much for swatching and testing. I'm really not happy with it, so I will re-knit the hat and do the heart in duplicate stitch like the sweater. There was no bleeding on the sweater at all, and just the tiniest bit on the mitts, but not enough to care. It's for a baby after all, he/she doesn't care and won't notice.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiG34S0BjIoFHRJXNdLtkuPRTKaFXNWcN5wDNAL-v69qdwzpmaPE-VBlzztmOH4N0wS9XQKLQUSSlpUCKqFPCzBikniL9C4hdWHWSJdFpyqSTgtpXfWRoeCIBCGGt4vVU9OYZiUaZPNYzm/s1600/DSC04722.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiG34S0BjIoFHRJXNdLtkuPRTKaFXNWcN5wDNAL-v69qdwzpmaPE-VBlzztmOH4N0wS9XQKLQUSSlpUCKqFPCzBikniL9C4hdWHWSJdFpyqSTgtpXfWRoeCIBCGGt4vVU9OYZiUaZPNYzm/s1600/DSC04722.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
I have also produced some newborn baby hats and the teeniest tiniest little baby booties you ever did see.<br />
<br />
A simple, uncomplicated baby hat, knit in some baby yarn I bought YEARS ago. These were some of the first yarns I wound when I got my ball winder too, and of course I didn't keep the ball bands, so I have no idea what yarn this is.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyn9Zm4nlYf0CfgCVBh3-OiMXzWxR7migunytENQzaKg0n4sbdCdC8qJxrNMsjM5pBkqtKJmsO_FO8inKmclyQFGkyIG0-gFcRAKNO698CdTdW1UA9JJYh53jADeBkVyk0iqJNl19WIEQv/s1600/DSC04731.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyn9Zm4nlYf0CfgCVBh3-OiMXzWxR7migunytENQzaKg0n4sbdCdC8qJxrNMsjM5pBkqtKJmsO_FO8inKmclyQFGkyIG0-gFcRAKNO698CdTdW1UA9JJYh53jADeBkVyk0iqJNl19WIEQv/s1600/DSC04731.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Same goes for hat number two, which I'm quite certain is made from the same yarn in a different colour. This is a basic ribbed baby hat. Ooooo, the variety!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3YqWeUTXy4oQEaogHbwot00qa_cB3-0F6JnQvjnrILy0Iocw5fSBlrU7Gr91nWt7pB5f35sRqeM-epGrMlW3Ysl134q-YkpNco1Nn9G0a33ghtj2cGmIIafczvYv5hpYwHzBtoZyUatOx/s1600/DSC04730.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3YqWeUTXy4oQEaogHbwot00qa_cB3-0F6JnQvjnrILy0Iocw5fSBlrU7Gr91nWt7pB5f35sRqeM-epGrMlW3Ysl134q-YkpNco1Nn9G0a33ghtj2cGmIIafczvYv5hpYwHzBtoZyUatOx/s1600/DSC04730.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
And a pair of <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/chaussons-mignons" target="_blank">chaussons mignons</a>:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE3OwxXzDoNJVxdhyfgwYO6mb9VtKyx7HiKCow_uvsRgoo-6Nwak6Zq2TPaxGtzLAAw8VWzQzjQ7t1Rgupz4_BCzkrgzGTAD5tjiefhsqk_JZhzUsWpMluu-XdzHk5oWV9vBKMy4KY6Pph/s1600/DSC04729.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE3OwxXzDoNJVxdhyfgwYO6mb9VtKyx7HiKCow_uvsRgoo-6Nwak6Zq2TPaxGtzLAAw8VWzQzjQ7t1Rgupz4_BCzkrgzGTAD5tjiefhsqk_JZhzUsWpMluu-XdzHk5oWV9vBKMy4KY6Pph/s1600/DSC04729.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
The little slipper/booties will only be appropriate for, like, a day, when the baby is first born. Anything older than the newest of newborns won't fit into them. These are made from Estelle 100% silk, which I bought at the same time as the other yarns and wound without keeping the ball band, except I remembered what the yarn was. <br />
<br />
I also made a baby coat. This is <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/latte-baby-coat" target="_blank">Latte Baby Coat</a> in Cascade Ecological Wool (these pictures are before I blocked it):<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhza97PlHNv_7GWlgjzEr5v5lSO0IvEyka4MOTJeKnQbS_0yrKa2PfnfjR0G31e-JZUoeQFd8omgroIPkQSbgtEUd6Gn6QIPj-GIh4gzpRnLToKlwzNOsDqv5QIX1yEVFDcXoh3RvNuPiNl/s1600/DSC04726.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhza97PlHNv_7GWlgjzEr5v5lSO0IvEyka4MOTJeKnQbS_0yrKa2PfnfjR0G31e-JZUoeQFd8omgroIPkQSbgtEUd6Gn6QIPj-GIh4gzpRnLToKlwzNOsDqv5QIX1yEVFDcXoh3RvNuPiNl/s1600/DSC04726.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfEdu_fT9YLPsB2pGTcIelglJEuEM3P-fMHaTv0Y5pqbO_j-PoTQVbl_roo7G2RN40ZdwxGyrJQJH4Sb60LaqaxW1_BFBuLfC08PETApAxZYGkZUt1kXBAKuKnW0gHS-9My7lXI9sxmq7g/s1600/DSC04725.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfEdu_fT9YLPsB2pGTcIelglJEuEM3P-fMHaTv0Y5pqbO_j-PoTQVbl_roo7G2RN40ZdwxGyrJQJH4Sb60LaqaxW1_BFBuLfC08PETApAxZYGkZUt1kXBAKuKnW0gHS-9My7lXI9sxmq7g/s1600/DSC04725.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
This one features a delightful basketweave button band, and can be made with or without the hood. I have yet to buy buttons for it, and I'm still deciding if I want to add the optional pockets to the front.<br />
<br />
I will also use this opportunity to share my fun with my new yarn salad spinner. Yes, that's right. The box says so. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj32j5OXsQ_uZA8XD2KPGhR6IpKnDknTI9YZI1ONM7io8_vaKyHSr4KcHxHaDyG14Zn3EGo9OFQbRyu2fbwDgs2xQdwYl4-fDfHak-W_Hs8jPiu2YwtrASD29iY7dCckaINB1NCYoKdJPN0/s1600/DSC04738.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj32j5OXsQ_uZA8XD2KPGhR6IpKnDknTI9YZI1ONM7io8_vaKyHSr4KcHxHaDyG14Zn3EGo9OFQbRyu2fbwDgs2xQdwYl4-fDfHak-W_Hs8jPiu2YwtrASD29iY7dCckaINB1NCYoKdJPN0/s1600/DSC04738.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
No longer do I need to squeeze excess water of my blocked knits by hand! I can spin them dry! I added this to my listed of knitting wants late last year, and on a birthday shopping outing with my mom, came across one and remembered I wanted to get one of those. I got an OXO brand salad spinner with spinning top/pump action, rather than the handle you have to turn. The handle pops out when slide the little black latch on the right.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9qNZ_BGB8RXGSfQIWJ0AusaJe9B5K47Kahhd-xVFJSljvlCbpjCv9q0RIVPqYihlRtyL2FyvjMuLtK7QNBAl0_Zt51XhPoK64W6_qiyvD7EBJcBGuTVtyxyfT8iuCcWnB3MCa_7XlZL1b/s1600/DSC04737.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9qNZ_BGB8RXGSfQIWJ0AusaJe9B5K47Kahhd-xVFJSljvlCbpjCv9q0RIVPqYihlRtyL2FyvjMuLtK7QNBAl0_Zt51XhPoK64W6_qiyvD7EBJcBGuTVtyxyfT8iuCcWnB3MCa_7XlZL1b/s1600/DSC04737.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
I soaked my little coat in the sink, drained the water, and squeezed out some by hand, so it wasn't dripping anymore. I moved the coat into the spinner and arranged it carefully in the colander portion. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk1TaHgYSmXDES_vHNyvQ1D4Nejjh4JPdgH6K2RBr3x4iH8C6YfbJ3n6z3Pdy1tr2yEzY3evUqs6IhiSM4dNZlqqGFgZRM1sppfHFwi1McYrOHd4oJJy5LID00iFXX2sUZSTpthSidQ1ie/s1600/DSC04739.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk1TaHgYSmXDES_vHNyvQ1D4Nejjh4JPdgH6K2RBr3x4iH8C6YfbJ3n6z3Pdy1tr2yEzY3evUqs6IhiSM4dNZlqqGFgZRM1sppfHFwi1McYrOHd4oJJy5LID00iFXX2sUZSTpthSidQ1ie/s1600/DSC04739.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Let the spinning begin!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif6ZFC_i1NCXAyVmpACD51pzW0411hzYsHWpslDPO5Dj0c12WcCw2xevvqUZnheZJoW4vFPDOfdSH-Wl_Q-9v7r-05wd3dVkQoV44xGP4ZBLidkgNmr3iWajTURgBFcY9Y7De6qh5zB7HT/s1600/DSC04740.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif6ZFC_i1NCXAyVmpACD51pzW0411hzYsHWpslDPO5Dj0c12WcCw2xevvqUZnheZJoW4vFPDOfdSH-Wl_Q-9v7r-05wd3dVkQoV44xGP4ZBLidkgNmr3iWajTURgBFcY9Y7De6qh5zB7HT/s1600/DSC04740.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
This was an action shot, but even if you can't see that, appreciate all the water pouring out of that sweater!<br />
<br />
I spun it three times, and got about this much water out of it each time before it was dry enough to take out. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWQ2ZkBQVhb13cU4CH93YBzx4C37-zkLCAbgk7nQiEi11jlZHdIuNiV-xnfOC2RuwQ00rvHWahuAtOh3Ww9ooVPSIZ68bUuqCOZTWWsUGmTfWgRUkuFkVHzZsXyrGCh5G-9_T3IHgH3Isy/s1600/DSC04741.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWQ2ZkBQVhb13cU4CH93YBzx4C37-zkLCAbgk7nQiEi11jlZHdIuNiV-xnfOC2RuwQ00rvHWahuAtOh3Ww9ooVPSIZ68bUuqCOZTWWsUGmTfWgRUkuFkVHzZsXyrGCh5G-9_T3IHgH3Isy/s1600/DSC04741.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
I highly recommend it for your blocking, or even just to speed up your weekly hand washing of knitted socks. <br />
<br />
And one more quick one while I have your attention. I finished my Hermione socks and tried them on today. Oscar approves. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn2I-Lxdlz-GX9HIcWEG_lzd9EDYyVbihuAwkxJMr8025sTOMj-ZwLMa0iym68UPwdR9SqsWE6O5p3CYcqTfapRLJR-1ELqqeyHJ-AvxLdyzpJy1wHER2Y0Jj_iqmB6-mbg9rZgJhnURg6/s1600/DSC04735.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn2I-Lxdlz-GX9HIcWEG_lzd9EDYyVbihuAwkxJMr8025sTOMj-ZwLMa0iym68UPwdR9SqsWE6O5p3CYcqTfapRLJR-1ELqqeyHJ-AvxLdyzpJy1wHER2Y0Jj_iqmB6-mbg9rZgJhnURg6/s1600/DSC04735.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
I'm diving into the work of knitted diaper covers/soakers next. And also maybe knitted baby pants?vrockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00487698471635922624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6170422833805465046.post-27966418512276879602014-12-22T12:34:00.000-05:002014-12-22T12:37:43.124-05:00We've got a hot crustacean band<br />
I'm winding down another year of knitting, readers, and I'm planning for a knit-filled 2015. There are babies in my future (not my future, someone else's future, but this directly impacts me) and little babies need little knits to keep their little bodies warm and cozy. I've been favouriting baby things like a mad person on Ravelry, and I'm full to the brim with baby knits lust.<br />
<br />
<br />
More on that shortly, but let's kick this off with a final tally of 2014 knitting projects completed, because it makes my heart feel good to write things down and see my accomplishments:<br />
<br />
Nordic Mittens<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd5ul5FTC81_AXj6ynLYODZMqTilXlNuvuftGYA5I_eFGvp-mqHd8OtgA06YH9zx6NNHOmprN3GvIXcPcK_N3noJLbO0eM-kWD4PBHrDYkpOavgQSC-Gtt-0j67MSiEIhbEF-5kg9ezSOg/s1600/DSC04194.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd5ul5FTC81_AXj6ynLYODZMqTilXlNuvuftGYA5I_eFGvp-mqHd8OtgA06YH9zx6NNHOmprN3GvIXcPcK_N3noJLbO0eM-kWD4PBHrDYkpOavgQSC-Gtt-0j67MSiEIhbEF-5kg9ezSOg/s1600/DSC04194.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
TARDIS Socks<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsZ9wQebTrDqLzL3tt_EI40AkDhX25dQ1mksqMHozZaKvjwTBVpZtrp9BnH2xYGCAYQexElbt8BFzkaCMbuFSy63GFjdISGvHtHTZAaKDAfQLWNcNpFWbupH-jBgpFIPYnTFf8DjjwkbTp/s1600/DSC04202.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsZ9wQebTrDqLzL3tt_EI40AkDhX25dQ1mksqMHozZaKvjwTBVpZtrp9BnH2xYGCAYQexElbt8BFzkaCMbuFSy63GFjdISGvHtHTZAaKDAfQLWNcNpFWbupH-jBgpFIPYnTFf8DjjwkbTp/s1600/DSC04202.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Polar Bear Earflap Hat<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjjJTSoStaHIcigoE04xFiSOg1EkeWgXOzSNkRjLCvvucYcIRYuWN2c4T_o0gGDOkxq7j0tdQANy5wWR332encmIdYgCBhRQBbqXBDx8Y0bsP6c-OMF-w1tNAl6YFohwV9jISA_zf3z2B1/s1600/DSC04282.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjjJTSoStaHIcigoE04xFiSOg1EkeWgXOzSNkRjLCvvucYcIRYuWN2c4T_o0gGDOkxq7j0tdQANy5wWR332encmIdYgCBhRQBbqXBDx8Y0bsP6c-OMF-w1tNAl6YFohwV9jISA_zf3z2B1/s1600/DSC04282.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
It's a Guy Thing Socks<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg44GdGqHmKQ8Pv79L8W-nmwa7ATnk4FN8pnZMxhSsZ5arhBPK35NrsI8AnsxV5g2bsz59zfiFWiIKNrJdQDDv9jOoiLnRuvCao6c2s2pnW4U-PVguCawF1eCTKKoWvPq_FuGJaHtGISDnU/s1600/DSC04412.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg44GdGqHmKQ8Pv79L8W-nmwa7ATnk4FN8pnZMxhSsZ5arhBPK35NrsI8AnsxV5g2bsz59zfiFWiIKNrJdQDDv9jOoiLnRuvCao6c2s2pnW4U-PVguCawF1eCTKKoWvPq_FuGJaHtGISDnU/s1600/DSC04412.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Octopus Socks<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhndbjHXzEvte5w1V6InypBvc1wg_JBdTMV1rKuxgvf0-f1_iCZVs1t1Yu3N0kszxWLO9vgKsqubBo2ugX4y7e3mAPHI4McSH4ocNPRrCr8s535LTcK6LMN5CsDsm5OoBwuUbJOUMjURkCl/s1600/DSC04409.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhndbjHXzEvte5w1V6InypBvc1wg_JBdTMV1rKuxgvf0-f1_iCZVs1t1Yu3N0kszxWLO9vgKsqubBo2ugX4y7e3mAPHI4McSH4ocNPRrCr8s535LTcK6LMN5CsDsm5OoBwuUbJOUMjURkCl/s1600/DSC04409.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Cat Paw Socks (gifted last week, and very well received)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHk5yRvktsmfRuqLhBI7l7HVnOAEuJFv4oTARwvbCZknqGWCE7SyLRfMQdt-cjCcCaTF1IdjCzgYQMkCr-OPjBDBZHfjRpy5UFW9Sx6qivpuyNNYwbwn1ogY8DGA0egbEkHQ9Alz7PSvji/s1600/DSC04436.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHk5yRvktsmfRuqLhBI7l7HVnOAEuJFv4oTARwvbCZknqGWCE7SyLRfMQdt-cjCcCaTF1IdjCzgYQMkCr-OPjBDBZHfjRpy5UFW9Sx6qivpuyNNYwbwn1ogY8DGA0egbEkHQ9Alz7PSvji/s1600/DSC04436.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Rockefeller Shawl<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCiiudWCLjfdv0_wPxlB7aizCpGnWsOBgDzYaBaWxtxdiO_bvyar_3hQ_VBMFzOMQU_XDPNioIxViHJnzO1LJeZnjTNbEaxEJRz1CZoPVAqtRzkaOKMPfErNOFNkXUQXTRRqRLwUP64AgI/s1600/DSC04446.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCiiudWCLjfdv0_wPxlB7aizCpGnWsOBgDzYaBaWxtxdiO_bvyar_3hQ_VBMFzOMQU_XDPNioIxViHJnzO1LJeZnjTNbEaxEJRz1CZoPVAqtRzkaOKMPfErNOFNkXUQXTRRqRLwUP64AgI/s1600/DSC04446.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Big Chunky Rib Hat<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxOHAzNaLMGZMLgg72R3kWUYgfVDC43ZMfoQdms0IncUBC3RaJQaK2poOTM4zADoOfseXHdnpZ44SkvNOymYsDBghNu58hi61FU20P5FtboQZHv3ajMVcFST5R_xLg_t71q9AgL9c1bh2O/s1600/DSC04438.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxOHAzNaLMGZMLgg72R3kWUYgfVDC43ZMfoQdms0IncUBC3RaJQaK2poOTM4zADoOfseXHdnpZ44SkvNOymYsDBghNu58hi61FU20P5FtboQZHv3ajMVcFST5R_xLg_t71q9AgL9c1bh2O/s1600/DSC04438.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Northman Mittens<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJhQVuasc5fY1tuDOcfBvHEmtmOblBZkCTUWctFgQRra8NQRJe0jaqPYrnhGO1MNa2al3eMim6iSN4OaMwPo0W0ytN2EZ8LDgWiV7qOgIgj11TUvDOiyuEVAuSjOpBjHIXab7h4G4JCPHz/s1600/DSC04453.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJhQVuasc5fY1tuDOcfBvHEmtmOblBZkCTUWctFgQRra8NQRJe0jaqPYrnhGO1MNa2al3eMim6iSN4OaMwPo0W0ytN2EZ8LDgWiV7qOgIgj11TUvDOiyuEVAuSjOpBjHIXab7h4G4JCPHz/s1600/DSC04453.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Reindeer Legwarmers<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMbprlQ8kPH-qA7mutEsuTQo5cGJ0P5NwyPQyUuuwtvoyG9tzJGYIdN9dHHtsTlhmE1vZJqAoc40FhsBRwdvaLSxVOmYvJhxxhChJ-BMDxJt5tcUfUE6G-vFxYFUZtP_1KIH3KWykdjQ7Q/s1600/DSC04627.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMbprlQ8kPH-qA7mutEsuTQo5cGJ0P5NwyPQyUuuwtvoyG9tzJGYIdN9dHHtsTlhmE1vZJqAoc40FhsBRwdvaLSxVOmYvJhxxhChJ-BMDxJt5tcUfUE6G-vFxYFUZtP_1KIH3KWykdjQ7Q/s1600/DSC04627.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Fall Mystery Socks<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgObgUPC4zu-7H3f-Y0ZIhQRkRq8YSSIh2AroqMBmu3hPNBSPpIezM54CUeuH3NXv2e6WVMUI-iesb-SbON_q9mo01_Cciwq2XErJ8ftUZeYxh3YckMOrxYOgk-VR3S1NUsmYrDqKIkkmnq/s1600/DSC04619.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgObgUPC4zu-7H3f-Y0ZIhQRkRq8YSSIh2AroqMBmu3hPNBSPpIezM54CUeuH3NXv2e6WVMUI-iesb-SbON_q9mo01_Cciwq2XErJ8ftUZeYxh3YckMOrxYOgk-VR3S1NUsmYrDqKIkkmnq/s1600/DSC04619.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Fox Cowl Hood<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBeT4AI5vp5VSsMr7gcZkkgoC4l7WUhB2nHyIqeN0FaNgnwYqNb65H57kt76WZ5DLL4OrcyLbN9uUVJw9Hu_23ShZAmsTdAQtVc1qY7vmYRUTBPcq6RhcdY-o9nvrqF4kl01Apma6wIOXn/s1600/DSC04622.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBeT4AI5vp5VSsMr7gcZkkgoC4l7WUhB2nHyIqeN0FaNgnwYqNb65H57kt76WZ5DLL4OrcyLbN9uUVJw9Hu_23ShZAmsTdAQtVc1qY7vmYRUTBPcq6RhcdY-o9nvrqF4kl01Apma6wIOXn/s1600/DSC04622.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Ninja Bike Mask<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-2JaqCcMH02ZlOP2LZ3-zyrcErCHiyiyJ9CtOk7CPb2sqUCTfhyphenhypheng4VZmkqhiiBMuwrrvQYjkCWxWrla4zSPz11EUb9q3hVB6App9Rgk3vKFeQci8BwOLuK7Cj8KylFLIcHLXJs13NhOxN/s1600/DSC04644.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-2JaqCcMH02ZlOP2LZ3-zyrcErCHiyiyJ9CtOk7CPb2sqUCTfhyphenhypheng4VZmkqhiiBMuwrrvQYjkCWxWrla4zSPz11EUb9q3hVB6App9Rgk3vKFeQci8BwOLuK7Cj8KylFLIcHLXJs13NhOxN/s1600/DSC04644.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Grey Gardens Headband<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0vtxJBTeBmzHicCxddNHjqeOQUvF6iR_m8hoaQG-ygEgLUQ7-aN0a180jKNSoRa2s-UA2yLh3cTlLGPXbPPzid1TFincx7pkbbQEudgr-nRGYZoSkbFRQM9a95BVtmx7vphh9uySLJBQO/s1600/DSC04669.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0vtxJBTeBmzHicCxddNHjqeOQUvF6iR_m8hoaQG-ygEgLUQ7-aN0a180jKNSoRa2s-UA2yLh3cTlLGPXbPPzid1TFincx7pkbbQEudgr-nRGYZoSkbFRQM9a95BVtmx7vphh9uySLJBQO/s1600/DSC04669.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Out of Darkness Shawl<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipPAVA-OJpGs7bqz_PFm2ugVOLYfRQMMjgywKYxMIKvZoQqeHAdMAFzLY-1Mi0rxPgYjW41hAO7hZ0A-yOXepe-8R6Iy-VXaN-ZFmvt828YXx0phJ5QKCk_HTKps0GQz3DXVOyOoMGVVMq/s1600/DSC04666.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipPAVA-OJpGs7bqz_PFm2ugVOLYfRQMMjgywKYxMIKvZoQqeHAdMAFzLY-1Mi0rxPgYjW41hAO7hZ0A-yOXepe-8R6Iy-VXaN-ZFmvt828YXx0phJ5QKCk_HTKps0GQz3DXVOyOoMGVVMq/s1600/DSC04666.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/kevin-mccallisters-moose-hat" target="_blank">Kevin McCallister Moose Hat</a> (my very first published pattern)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKSMF8tGOb64IooN0o_uYnMtHTiInSEUIX012ssVdRDT_WGucfXT9Rp0ef_XxCEzkgTchw9HtnxCNWW0ZQjhBECOwErK4Z_yyu7EGuYsv0DgV0lw3Sx5aQE1O2EVQK_Stu8M_86NBtptXJ/s1600/DSC04688.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKSMF8tGOb64IooN0o_uYnMtHTiInSEUIX012ssVdRDT_WGucfXT9Rp0ef_XxCEzkgTchw9HtnxCNWW0ZQjhBECOwErK4Z_yyu7EGuYsv0DgV0lw3Sx5aQE1O2EVQK_Stu8M_86NBtptXJ/s1600/DSC04688.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Honey Cowl (also gifted last week and very well received)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgatJlFNL59ckxgLij3MHysuNXCrLJG365o_sEuDPq7RJ2oVilJ1gN2bvClPQZq8RUutlY5kV7WVxFqjuy1Kr3gBWQOEzhOqx-f9I48oWkzsvHy5JIzzAmaW7BasoRG2yg4-iovA2SHlYeH/s1600/HoneycowlJenn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgatJlFNL59ckxgLij3MHysuNXCrLJG365o_sEuDPq7RJ2oVilJ1gN2bvClPQZq8RUutlY5kV7WVxFqjuy1Kr3gBWQOEzhOqx-f9I48oWkzsvHy5JIzzAmaW7BasoRG2yg4-iovA2SHlYeH/s1600/HoneycowlJenn.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Phew! It's quite a pile of knitting when you line it all up like this. I'm still clicking away at Hermione's Everyday Socks, but they're my go-to car knitting or knit night project. I'm about halfway done the second sock, and they might be finished by New Years. We'll see.<br />
<br />
You're probably wondering about those One Row Per Day socks, yes? The one row per day part was an abysmal failure, and I wouldn't recommend it for someone who likes to knit in blocks of time while watching TV (which is essentially the only way I knit). I found it so difficult to find the motivation to pick up that project, knowing that I would just be putting it down after a row. The socks will be finished, they are on my list of socks to keep handy after Hermione's socks are done. They will be a good simple project, and I think Fuzzyhead will definitely appreciate them as a nice boy-appropriate sock.<br />
<br />
My list of baby project to come includes making an adorable set with a blanket, hat, and little mitts. I saw something I love at Chapters, but being a good little knitter, I couldn't justify buying it when I could make my own. Here's the set:<br />
<br />
<img alt="Warm Knits Gift Set - Heart" class="productPreview-image productPreview-image_hooker js-productImage" src="http://dynamic.indigoimages.ca/gifts/882709136668.jpg?altimages=true&width=310&quality=85&maxheight=310&sale=35&lang=en&z=120015450-1466347399" height="106" width="320" /><br />
<br />
It's adorable, and appears to be double knitted?? I've only ever done double knitting once and it turned out terribly (RIP, LOST scarf for Fuzzyhead that will never be...). However, I really enjoy the clean look on the back of the blanket, and inside the hat and mitts. I know I don't appreciate catching my thumb on floats inside a colourwork mitten, and I'm sure a little baby doesn't either. The project seems simple enough, I'm sure I can whip something up using a basic pattern and mapping out a heart chart. <br />
<br />
I also have two other baby blankets in mind, because who doesn't need more baby blankets!<br />
<br />
I LOVE the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/baby-blanket-snowflakes---vognteppet-snfnugg" target="_blank">Baby Blanket Snowflakes</a> pattern and think it would be a perfect stroller blanket for a little winter baby. I also love that it is knitted in the round and then steeked, which would give me the chance to try out steeking.<br />
<br />
<img alt="8622464466_e960cfb6d0_n" class="height_lock" src="http://farm9.static.flickr.com/8532/8622464466_e960cfb6d0_n.jpg" style="left: -2px;" /><br />
<br />
And then a more traditional looking heirloom piece, which the mother-to-be would appreciate more than the baby would, I think. The <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/shale-baby-blanket" target="_blank">Shale Baby Blanket</a> by Brooklyn Tweed has been on my queue for a long time, waiting for the perfect baby-having opportunity.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Jjf_0038_small2" class="height_lock" src="http://images4-d.ravelrycache.com/uploads/brooklyntweed/41489273/JJF_0038_small2.jpg" style="left: -4px;" /><br />
<br />
As for more adorable outfits, sweaters and little jackets are fun to make, and I've got two such items in mind.<br />
<br />
This is <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/anders" target="_blank">Anders</a> by Sorren Kerr, and I love it and want one for myself as well.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Img_9395_small2" class="height_lock" src="http://images4-d.ravelrycache.com/uploads/puddlefish/201090851/IMG_9395_small2.jpg" style="left: -4px; top: -74px;" /> <br />
<br />
There's actually a whole set of pattern for sweet little Noridic style garments, including baby leg warmers, a little jumper dress, and an adorable kerchief.<br />
<br />
The jacket I have in mind is the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/latte-baby-coat" target="_blank">Latte Baby Coat</a> by Lisa Chemery.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Dsc_0414_small2" class="height_lock" src="http://images4-d.ravelrycache.com/uploads/frogginette/125446388/DSC_0414_small2.JPG" style="left: -9px;" /> <br />
<br />
And then of course there's the baby sweater I made and finished years ago that's waiting for the gifted to this particular baby-to-be:<br />
<br />
<img class="photo_image" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2775/4338547904_a22a638c10_z.jpg" height="240" id="photo_image_10089106" width="320" /><br />
<br />
This is <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/jasper-diamond-hoodie" target="_blank">Jasper Diamond Hoodie</a> by Kristen Rengren, and I finished this sweater almost 5 years ago. It's been sitting in a Ziploc bag in my stash waiting patiently to be a sweater for a baby. It still needs buttons, but that's a quick and easy fix. This sweater is for the 9-12 month old size, so I've got plenty of time to finish it and gift it before the baby finishes baking.<br />
<br />
There may be a small knitting field trip in my future, since I don't have anything on hand that would be appropriate for the baby projects I'm going to make. I'm just about ready to be starved for new projects since I <i>only</i> have socks on the go. That will just not do, readers.<br />
<br />
Onward,<br />
<br />
vrockvrockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00487698471635922624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6170422833805465046.post-19774742777221434982014-12-13T13:33:00.000-05:002014-12-13T13:33:47.409-05:00Kevin McCallister's Moose Hat<!--[if !mso]>
<style>
v\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
o\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
w\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
.shape {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
</style>
<![endif]--><br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves>false</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-CA</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/>
<w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
<w:Word11KerningPairs/>
<w:CachedColBalance/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0cm;
mso-para-margin-right:0cm;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0cm;
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-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:shapedefaults v:ext="edit" spidmax="2050"/>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:shapelayout v:ext="edit">
<o:idmap v:ext="edit" data="1"/>
</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Kevin McCallister’s Moose Hat</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9WtM7UOiusT4myn7xb1vAJvWdlja63TQ17RJBJiH0TUymbs558lSeRKzrmrlB5m7hHeK5hUQCuVpCJ1qc5_9UykEvqMpZ3Yt9fr4C8ouvgulLOKLyO9jz0QozQCuAe6V0HVU6CImbteaF/s1600/DSC04688.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9WtM7UOiusT4myn7xb1vAJvWdlja63TQ17RJBJiH0TUymbs558lSeRKzrmrlB5m7hHeK5hUQCuVpCJ1qc5_9UykEvqMpZ3Yt9fr4C8ouvgulLOKLyO9jz0QozQCuAe6V0HVU6CImbteaF/s1600/DSC04688.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";"><!--[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-CA</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/>
<w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
<w:Word11KerningPairs/>
<w:CachedColBalance/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0cm;
mso-para-margin-right:0cm;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0cm;
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-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]--><span style="color: #7f7f7f; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-no-proof: yes; mso-themecolor: background1; mso-themeshade: 127;">Copyright Vrock Knits 2014<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span><span style="color: #7f7f7f; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-themecolor: background1; mso-themeshade: 127;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>|<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"><span style="mso-no-proof: no;">Pattern is for personal use
only.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Please do not reproduce or sell this
pattern, or items made from this pattern.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>For questions please contact vrockknits AT gmail DOT com</span></span></span> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">This
pattern is the closest recreation of the hat that Kevin McCallister wears in
the Home Alone movie that I could make.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The chart for this pattern was created by staring intently at a screen
shot of the hat while I counted stitches and translated it into an Excel
spreadsheet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">The hat
is a slouchy, colourwork toque with a large pom pom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is worked in the round with two colours,
and features sections of long floats.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
pattern calls for knitting a partial lining to tuck up inside the hat for extra
warmth, and to provide a smooth edge for the hat.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">This hat
requires two contrasting colours in a DK weight yarn.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Knitters must be able to confidently knit in
the round, cast on with a provisional crochet cast on, and knit two-colour
stranded colourwork. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">Difficultly Level</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">Intermediate
- not recommended as a first colourwork project, but knitting skill level
required is advanced beginner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">Size and Finished Measurements</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">Finished
item is approximately 21 inches around, to fit a head with a circumference of
22 inches.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">Materials</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">Berroco
Vintage DK | 52% acrylic, 40% wool, 8% nylon, 290 yards /260 metres| colour
2105 (Main Colour) | 1 skein</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">Berroco
Vintage DK | 52% acrylic, 40% wool, 8% nylon, 290 yards /260 metres| colour
2134 (Contrast Colour) | 1 skein</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">Recommended needle size</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">One set
of 3.5mm double pointed needles OR one 16 inch 3.5mm circular needle</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">One set
of 3.75mm double pointed needles</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">One 16
inch 3.75mm circular needle (optional)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">Gauge</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">22
stitches and 32 rows per 4 inches, in stockinette stitch in the round with 3.5
mm needles</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">24
stitches and 24 rows per 4 inches, in colourwork in the round with 3.75mm
needles</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">Notions</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">Crochet
hook (3.5-4.0mm) and waste yarn for provisional crochet cast on</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">Stitch
markers, 5 </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">Darning
needle</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">Pom pom
maker, 3.5” (optional)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";"> </span><span style="background: yellow; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; mso-highlight: yellow;"></span><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";"></span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";"></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">Instructions</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">Using a
crochet hook and waste yarn, provisionally cast on<span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;"></span> 110 stitches onto smaller needles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With MC, knit one row, and join for working
in the round.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Place marker for beginning
of round.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">Increase
10 sts evenly around - *k10, m1, repeat from * to end of round (120 sts).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;"></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">K 11
rounds, then change to larger needles.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">Begin
chart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Repeat the chart five times
across each round, placing a marker between each chart repeat.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">If
working on circular needles, on round 57 of the chart, change to double pointed
needles for the crown decreases.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">Crown Decreases </span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="background: yellow; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; mso-highlight: yellow;"></span><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">Rnd 1 –
Using MC, *k2 k2tog, repeat from * to end of round.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>30 sts decreased, 90 sts remain.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">Rnd 2-5
– k</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">Rnd 6 -
*k1 k2tog, repeat from * to end of round.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>30 sts decreased, 60 sts remain.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">Rnd 7 –
k</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">Rnd 8 -
*k2tog, repeat from * to end of round.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>30 sts decreased, 30 sts remain.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">Rnd 9 –
k</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">Rnd 10 -
*k2tog, repeat from * to end of round.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>15 sts remain.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">Cut
yarn, leaving a 6 inch tail.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thread tail
onto a darning needle and draw through remaining stitches.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pull tight to cinch remaining stitches, and secure tail, weaving in the end. </span><span style="background: yellow; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; mso-highlight: yellow;"></span><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">Lining</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">Remove
waste yarn from provisional cast on and place sts onto smaller needles – 110
sts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">K 5
rounds in MC.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Change to CC and k 35
rounds, or until lining reaches desired length.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Bind off.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">Pom Pom</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">Make one
3.5 inch pom pom using both yarn colours.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>When securing the pom pom, leave the tails long enough to use for sewing
it onto the hat.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">Finishing</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">Weave in
ends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">Tuck the
lining inside the hat, and pin in place evenly around the edge of the hat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Turn hat inside-out and sew lining in place,
using loose stitches.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">Block
and let air dry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sew pom pom to the top
of the hat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wear and enjoy.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">Chart</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFDzbYesY3a7PbjLfeXbwLAtJW2LQgPKzb3VYAMH7ejqtYGfO-9Xu1Gm8t-QPigC2TMywzadesi6PHMTL21cFpMsJGYGinwISkpc1UxP9LEMAJmGvo4e2ubwgQhXB2WHGHGBFmmKL5Zwbe/s1600/Moose+Chart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFDzbYesY3a7PbjLfeXbwLAtJW2LQgPKzb3VYAMH7ejqtYGfO-9Xu1Gm8t-QPigC2TMywzadesi6PHMTL21cFpMsJGYGinwISkpc1UxP9LEMAJmGvo4e2ubwgQhXB2WHGHGBFmmKL5Zwbe/s1600/Moose+Chart.jpg" height="640" width="282" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHrC4JyaSVVPApMI8Jv8sAmPkpnZkhtV8w372Pp3GPR4P-YMGXP3Fsno36nTgJ0r5xrO1nGrG51TffeFUfPCt74thWRak9_lwqsU7pmR2KfP2YNKLDjMe8ZiryZPV7iED10ctVAO4WykdX/s1600/DSC04686.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHrC4JyaSVVPApMI8Jv8sAmPkpnZkhtV8w372Pp3GPR4P-YMGXP3Fsno36nTgJ0r5xrO1nGrG51TffeFUfPCt74thWRak9_lwqsU7pmR2KfP2YNKLDjMe8ZiryZPV7iED10ctVAO4WykdX/s1600/DSC04686.JPG" height="320" width="267" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn4QG9DPV50lkVhDb26ckqPz7xiAwitDfHz846CkxZUdmXHYV20O3F0a5R4a1QQl14hVw8P5TAhC0miJPSMqucohImHLdUBH8uFDh7r8wev73krF-0pWxnc5PR8P_GJNKYpk2JjPUrONCB/s1600/DSC04699.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn4QG9DPV50lkVhDb26ckqPz7xiAwitDfHz846CkxZUdmXHYV20O3F0a5R4a1QQl14hVw8P5TAhC0miJPSMqucohImHLdUBH8uFDh7r8wev73krF-0pWxnc5PR8P_GJNKYpk2JjPUrONCB/s1600/DSC04699.JPG" height="320" width="232" /></a></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
vrockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00487698471635922624noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6170422833805465046.post-67967029653841757722014-12-07T12:58:00.000-05:002014-12-07T12:58:40.579-05:00Josephine in her flying machineIt's almost ready to share, readers! I've been plowing through my Home Alone hat this week to get a pattern produced, because 1) I want to get my feet wet with pattern writing, and 2) I want to wear this hat.<br /><br />I've taken serious notes while I did my knitting, and I'll be sitting down to write out a formal pattern to share with y'all this week. The hat is 95% done, and here's what it looks like:<br /><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJU9ydfMrRGanbAJB5sbBXtrj3In5CivLwtNyQw7eDU4leVGyHeFOoyxlT7CBMdNXwyJpPZ3hRXZ8TW_tyvitdpytGprJyqACbJA7vEFsKE0moR3THdjfNUr-17zWbHOg1Po7kkDFGWOL0/s1600/DSC04679.JPG" height="320" width="240" /><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
The bottom is quite long, because I plan to tuck it up inside the hat
for double warmth. If you stare long enough at a screen shot of the hat
in the movie, you will notice that there is a smooth, unbroken edge of
knitting that goes up inside the hat. I wanted to make my version of
the hat as true to the original as possible, so I tried out a few ways
to accomplish that. Originally, I cast on and knit some extra rounds to
be tucked inside, then a purl round, then got going with the hat, and I
didn't like the little ridge the purl round created at the edge of the
hat. I know this makes for a natural folding line in the world of
tucking up a lining inside a hat, but I didn't like the effect. Also,
the way I started it involved knitting the cast on edge together with a
round of live stitches (to avoid sewing it in place later), and I hated how obvious that round of stitches
became. So I ripped it out and started again.<br /><br />The hat you see in
the picture above was started with a provisional cast on, so now that
the hat is complete, I've gone back to pick up those stitches and make
the lining. I have far more red yarn left than the grey at this point,
so after a few rounds, I switched to red to make a fun contrasting lining.
And when I say lining, I actually mean that I'll be going as far as the
backs of the reindeer, to fully cover the wearer's ears. Again, if you
stare intently at a screen shot of the hat on Kevin's head, you can see
a slight line at the top of the reindeer's back where the lining
ends. <br /><br />In good progress news, the chart worked out beautifully
in the round, as I had only ever done the chart as a test knitted flat,
which sucks for colourwork. I played around with my gauge to fit my
mammoth woman head (I'm a solid 22" around, just like a man), and the
pattern will be written to fit a larger head size. My next post will be
just the pattern for the hat, and if I can figure it out, I'll link it
to Ravelry so others can find the pattern.<br /><br />And since it's been eons since I posted, let's recap all my knits since July:<br /><br />I
finished Slim Jim's reindeer legwarmers. For the final chart repeat, I
added an extra stitch between each reindeer repeat around to account for
the calf (craftily hidden in the white space between the reindeer). When I got to the ribbing at the top, I snuck in a few extra
stitches again, for extra stretchiness.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiJEgvzcLo-nMVpnJUi-CIfk85u1ths299VQmq9ws6kZsCVAj1chCORP4C9qkW-d15OnJ7A1qWhbfsweXFR42CwQJdz95HNkSgLbfJ94rW6ipaLscfMa6fnQKM0RbkeitvryG750dNvIWR/s1600/DSC04627.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiJEgvzcLo-nMVpnJUi-CIfk85u1ths299VQmq9ws6kZsCVAj1chCORP4C9qkW-d15OnJ7A1qWhbfsweXFR42CwQJdz95HNkSgLbfJ94rW6ipaLscfMa6fnQKM0RbkeitvryG750dNvIWR/s1600/DSC04627.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />I made a pair of <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/octopodes" target="_blank">octopus socks</a>, featuring yarn from <a href="http://woolverine.ca/" target="_blank">Woolverine</a> in downtown Kitchener:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoZJZEGdtKjqi3hszK54hN-C_bvfYSB1LaM0PJcRGsABUWiJGi0XdjvGvx3xe7iKB6e8R7GxJkT81tqlf8Pc1LK_6FB8PK0_VDwuBP8ICDl9p8vw9iN74af32Fxes0KZgVMsrbvSwtSoxH/s1600/DSC04286.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoZJZEGdtKjqi3hszK54hN-C_bvfYSB1LaM0PJcRGsABUWiJGi0XdjvGvx3xe7iKB6e8R7GxJkT81tqlf8Pc1LK_6FB8PK0_VDwuBP8ICDl9p8vw9iN74af32Fxes0KZgVMsrbvSwtSoxH/s1600/DSC04286.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZy_6-15vWDaccHx5ysReNXW3cWNhLvhtnHcQsHi-c1TqSEkw2OBVXjXqA1xf9Yh0Bk3g2urrVwjDbLzy7d_3XWbFzpUM4JwV4j3ERLXVng39ASCyHQQX3gdOPIOBvXXfayZHgiXb9hyphenhyphensg/s1600/DSC04409.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZy_6-15vWDaccHx5ysReNXW3cWNhLvhtnHcQsHi-c1TqSEkw2OBVXjXqA1xf9Yh0Bk3g2urrVwjDbLzy7d_3XWbFzpUM4JwV4j3ERLXVng39ASCyHQQX3gdOPIOBvXXfayZHgiXb9hyphenhyphensg/s1600/DSC04409.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />Stash's Christmas socks are complete, in a handsome pattern called <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/its-a-guy-thing-2?buy=1" target="_blank">It's a Guy Thing</a>. This puppies are folded up and waiting on my gift wrapping table to be wrapped for Christmas. Fuzzyhead was the foot model for this picture.<br /><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3OeMJQOJzUsjL8glOn1mMhNdxCy9yC_z7TifEMPB7ZTfSsiAHK90SjVSjLYHladpq2J__VVcsyC5jUOeRHbs0FqG5p8X7wFRyYGIGtwwEINELsihvdKJoLkQROQ-zSs6L1-GaXybnOBZq/s1600/DSC04412.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3OeMJQOJzUsjL8glOn1mMhNdxCy9yC_z7TifEMPB7ZTfSsiAHK90SjVSjLYHladpq2J__VVcsyC5jUOeRHbs0FqG5p8X7wFRyYGIGtwwEINELsihvdKJoLkQROQ-zSs6L1-GaXybnOBZq/s1600/DSC04412.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />From my trip to the <a href="http://torontoknittersguild.ca/?page_id=15" target="_blank">Knitters' Frolic</a> in April, I impulse purchased this skein of purple sock yarn because it had a cat on the label. I earmarked it for a pair of socks for my non-knitting cat-loving coworker (I know, I know, that's a risky move, but she has said more than once that she LOVES hand knitted socks)<br /><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJvGeASPFr3LQpg0OUrY527D45_9_UshKzK6TTWWdO8mtF7R1A79QuBnPNZ6t8wUTDGyrThqhib-N-2qWYRzDfMJncnGxDltFo_9sDYMPHJiMFsgFwyJ3P7kLCXvnQuwkDyCEyWJySvDiH/s1600/DSC04414.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJvGeASPFr3LQpg0OUrY527D45_9_UshKzK6TTWWdO8mtF7R1A79QuBnPNZ6t8wUTDGyrThqhib-N-2qWYRzDfMJncnGxDltFo_9sDYMPHJiMFsgFwyJ3P7kLCXvnQuwkDyCEyWJySvDiH/s1600/DSC04414.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5ihJCuFaysCt6IlDgjGmOwALPJE1tDcTGeExHRxXA9OqCHcxPbiMUIwTm1z2jpM5vMXMW3vF0ZUp9J55qSYfs2byUJWGGKYD0WnVnaVuVmv1AmT8y7ytt95_b2IVXmHpB9APi9t9sOGo1/s1600/DSC04436.JPG" height="320" width="240" /><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The socks were a great mindless knit over the summer, and I really hammered home the cat thing with a pattern called <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/paw-tracks" target="_blank">Paw Tracks</a>. The gift will be presented with the tag so that the cat connection is very obvious.<br /><br />My current socks project is <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/hermiones-everyday-socks" target="_blank">Hermione's Everyday Sock</a>, also made from sock yarn I scored at the Frolic. This Sweet Georgia deeply discounted yarn translates beautifully into fun stripey socks.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpOAhZ_zVmp3_9H0fr_G3bPyZKLMaGHg007QaMAG8qO1A3XHZl28o90R0_VPYuz-UgWp1JSXpmn6FCrsQSwRCZXu7On6vQyBnuJ1bUCYwQticW56L3LVzNySfMajbn72ME0Egq97_5x3SQ/s1600/DSC04417.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpOAhZ_zVmp3_9H0fr_G3bPyZKLMaGHg007QaMAG8qO1A3XHZl28o90R0_VPYuz-UgWp1JSXpmn6FCrsQSwRCZXu7On6vQyBnuJ1bUCYwQticW56L3LVzNySfMajbn72ME0Egq97_5x3SQ/s1600/DSC04417.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJqGI0hnssM46wh9XgWVelX30HI5an3YHx5o1smNEFXA44vD4JOGa3huOmnOVAfigOemLuNIiBNSad7Yh5RVHSQ_QlzRwABdTyk2YKVRJCPpyYEJL_486nYWVWgfPxrbX90-XruhansQB6/s1600/DSC04630.JPG" height="240" width="320" /><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
These are still a WIP, and they're a perfect thing to bring along to knit night or in the car.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I made use of the last half a ball of heavyweight sock yarn I bought at Rhinebeck in 2013. I made a pair of fingerless gloves for Fuzzyhead earlier this year, and there was still so much of the yarn left that I needed to do something with it, so I made a hat. Since the yarn was more like a sock yarn than anything else, I knitted with two strands held together to make <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/jasons-tweed-hat" target="_blank">Jason's Tweed Hat</a>, as it calls for a chunky weight yarn. Once I finished the folded over ribbed section to cover the ears, I was running seriously low on yarn, so I cut it back to a single strand and finished the hat. From a distance, you can't even tell, and all the warmth anyone cares about is around the ears, so no harm done.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN7i1ivo-dJ4PSqjrkiIQcj2Wz060ve1xW8cf5EkTOu5KCQf71QHuzRPCzLmtazS8lHcfoueP_NPzXQ1sWNkLQk-J0Qq-LnSmU6w4g9isXIvHdJapac2rhPfpwpMcauVXSd_lkNkYSC2e8/s1600/DSC04439.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN7i1ivo-dJ4PSqjrkiIQcj2Wz060ve1xW8cf5EkTOu5KCQf71QHuzRPCzLmtazS8lHcfoueP_NPzXQ1sWNkLQk-J0Qq-LnSmU6w4g9isXIvHdJapac2rhPfpwpMcauVXSd_lkNkYSC2e8/s1600/DSC04439.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
I finished <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/rockefeller-2" target="_blank">Rockefeller</a>, and I love it. The picture on the left is when it was almost done, and the one on the right is the shawl all blocked and beautiful. It's such a nice piece to wear all bundled up around your neck and shoulders. I wear it with a shawl pin to hold the ends in.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAjfxQg5amRCqTBTDyoOinEOR3A6iNkBK9Qdcv-uhOWH0tL3fkQvmAC8AXnD50YQfljua57qD1tvOgvaVnN4rSoGUgx3XguKXD3u_wTNPbhvRoY_5AWCVgX5w4lC1VbXLOga80lg5IrmjA/s1600/DSC04435.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAjfxQg5amRCqTBTDyoOinEOR3A6iNkBK9Qdcv-uhOWH0tL3fkQvmAC8AXnD50YQfljua57qD1tvOgvaVnN4rSoGUgx3XguKXD3u_wTNPbhvRoY_5AWCVgX5w4lC1VbXLOga80lg5IrmjA/s1600/DSC04435.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivp2D96tDTDlwN1NVJG2k2Cb7VYQb71yUcdYmp-KppQZjwbpNpyAufktlLldjtM40w1s28-dfYGj9kFinsErdwq1hTHMDpfT3WvmUJAQx0SQG1ZuZ03JpGcoxQuzdrjbSyvjYMw7cquPu8/s1600/DSC04446.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivp2D96tDTDlwN1NVJG2k2Cb7VYQb71yUcdYmp-KppQZjwbpNpyAufktlLldjtM40w1s28-dfYGj9kFinsErdwq1hTHMDpfT3WvmUJAQx0SQG1ZuZ03JpGcoxQuzdrjbSyvjYMw7cquPu8/s1600/DSC04446.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />I ran out of the blue/green yarn as I was starting the second wing, so I started to taper off the blue and increase the number of orange rows. Then I started running out of orange, so I said "screw it" and I made the second wing shorter and round than the first (which is long and skinny and goes to a fine point like a triangular shawl wing). It really makes no difference when I wear it, because I put the shorter end down first and wrap everything over top of it. <br /><br />I made a pair of <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/northman-mittens" target="_blank">Northman Mittens</a> to replace my tired looking red Olympic mittens from 2010. I wore those things down to grubby, filthy nubs, and I darned and patched them more times that I care to admit. These mittens are my new deep winter double-thick mitts. They are glorious.<br /><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVuZhJW-Eb2qbkdPIgQFaj2rc3fvF_8wE7lUWbtIiXOLx9gTaIH76aVA-Dp-6QlHsYWgKb19VbwfabBdcPiZC8jaR0ofJC5rQpP8LqbMpZE1o5tgGBAL0Iqn0tJlAyVxnJfmOkgz-5RsrY/s1600/DSC04453.JPG" height="320" width="240" /><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I made them with worsted weight yarn knit on 2.25mm needles, which makes for this deliciously thick fabric. Even without the lining, these would have been fine for cold winter needs, but the lining cleans up the inside and makes for a fun surprise when you peak inside. I severely modified the lining mitten to make it fit inside. When I followed the pattern as it was written, it was so cramped and crowded inside the mitten that it gave my hand a headache. I ended up ripping it back and redoing the lining three times before I got it right. My inner mitten has a lot fewer stitches, and I began the decreases for the finger tip area a lot sooner. If you pulled out the inner lining and looked at it, it's quite pointy and ugly, but it fits beautifully inside the mitt.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb6dfAev4pb-HC0kUvw6vBMpoLAhBl5POU1fpTXQoIzYBBs3yNllTUJi9U0v9z88hO9-Nx50XFVQ4I8oSxCE0VOWM5Q-praJicrYpVyVIRKqoeKV1mGYPu_s76GuKcq5lDE_uLfwA9ibJN/s1600/DSC04456.JPG" height="240" width="320" /><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I hammered out a pair of tweed cabled socks in a delectable golden hue. These are <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/fall-mystery-sock" target="_blank">Fall Mystery Socks</a>, knitted up in my very first tweed yarn purchase from Rhinebeck. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixxhOq-Tr5f6014RrviDF1R6xMaejO9R6x_UgF7__fh6nRM5G7wh-qWJwuHuYRyoTiT_nnDBt6hxl5dY5sPcQdPLDs6VQVn4o6K9dOGyT2XXKCWM8Q8TC00sT7QC5tVadCZw6gRDX06Bc8/s1600/DSC04619.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixxhOq-Tr5f6014RrviDF1R6xMaejO9R6x_UgF7__fh6nRM5G7wh-qWJwuHuYRyoTiT_nnDBt6hxl5dY5sPcQdPLDs6VQVn4o6K9dOGyT2XXKCWM8Q8TC00sT7QC5tVadCZw6gRDX06Bc8/s1600/DSC04619.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Fuzzyhead's friend had her <a href="https://cytosinedeleted.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">stomach removed because of cancer</a> this year, so I made her a <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/failynn-fox-cowl" target="_blank">fox cowl hood</a> so she could keep warm and toasty this winter. This is an awesome pattern, and a quick knit. All I want to do is knit these for every small child I know (which is none, I don't know any small children). I knit this up in Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick and Quick, and I used every last scrap of yarn from two balls to make this. Every. Last. Scrap. I had 10" of yarn left to sew on both foxy ears, and that was a struggle. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihQgtS0tYMn9ZToaWGZb3gA7Oiui-M1TK2O-sbifbpHHEqvyzZrGv3XNb21uZqXRhdqkEsKua6r8J0F2yYpjRsFoz5UnbCz3s7FW16_sbGq7YJWhblDabsV64MPtAk-8meSxAGhkRhOPH0/s1600/DSC04622.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihQgtS0tYMn9ZToaWGZb3gA7Oiui-M1TK2O-sbifbpHHEqvyzZrGv3XNb21uZqXRhdqkEsKua6r8J0F2yYpjRsFoz5UnbCz3s7FW16_sbGq7YJWhblDabsV64MPtAk-8meSxAGhkRhOPH0/s1600/DSC04622.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
I started and finished a shawl for Slim Jim using the yarn I won at the 2012 Adjudicated Show. This lovely ombre yarn was calling for a delicate lacy shawl, and that is was I gave her. Enter, <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/out-of-darkness" target="_blank">Out of Darkness</a>. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0CvWrZBD796T5yvb4S-zEYn-_qD9ioddHvXw5i0pxTKp4fKnAQ724I99bsKUQibdy1N4nxNuDI9nTPc18-BaO3m2wcjWI89yJu2XKs06N1WnuYVKDqrFIZAp6E7VFxAVMh1QPcSSyXlK4/s1600/DSC04633.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0CvWrZBD796T5yvb4S-zEYn-_qD9ioddHvXw5i0pxTKp4fKnAQ724I99bsKUQibdy1N4nxNuDI9nTPc18-BaO3m2wcjWI89yJu2XKs06N1WnuYVKDqrFIZAp6E7VFxAVMh1QPcSSyXlK4/s1600/DSC04633.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
I included beads, because why not? I purchased four little tubes of 6/0 glass seed beads from Michaels and only had to go back once to get more (I needed almost exactly 5 tubes to finish, with less than 20 beads leftover). I blocked this beauty on the back of my purple couch (even if the day ever comes to get rid of that couch, I'm going to keep it for blocking purposes).<br /><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaKNVIaJ6b5wQgXT3EbpeZu76B_Huf1xC4ML8JRKU3oqYQBbZdhTex9_hZBaU_93ILrrsTTLTaX4LsXLBZ0ZjeYgk5xThDlXA5ttIm5f-5VFRWYjsIp8hq7-ocFMUPikz5lOZj5DKAPmLi/s1600/DSC04666.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaKNVIaJ6b5wQgXT3EbpeZu76B_Huf1xC4ML8JRKU3oqYQBbZdhTex9_hZBaU_93ILrrsTTLTaX4LsXLBZ0ZjeYgk5xThDlXA5ttIm5f-5VFRWYjsIp8hq7-ocFMUPikz5lOZj5DKAPmLi/s1600/DSC04666.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCs5cKz4rS3SMqLQnwZ1igaDRh9hzz8WjfuKCfdQntWXn7dVKN1mJHcyOCx_Rb5jbkGGdjcbkld-QJnjB7m308Yy2rsS5KiL54lgYVDqwm2dZMIrxKxw0jNAfKqo8xB0WQ1Gh2POtOJ4tn/s1600/DSC04668.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I used almost all of my pins to block all those pointy point points. I finished the shawl quite late one night, and even though I was pumped to get it blocked and finished, I couldn't bare the idea of pinning all those points when I was anything but perky and well rested. Slim Jim will likely receive the shawl next year, maybe for her birthday.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I made a <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/ninja-bike-mask-of-awesomeness" target="_blank">Ninja Bike Mask</a>, perfectly fitted to my face shape. I used worsted weight yarn (in crappy acrylic, because I intend to wash this a lot, because, you know, sweating) and the instructions were clear and easy to follow for modifying. It was really written more as a set of guidelines than as a formal pattern, which I appreciated for making it with whatever yarn I had lying around.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCs5cKz4rS3SMqLQnwZ1igaDRh9hzz8WjfuKCfdQntWXn7dVKN1mJHcyOCx_Rb5jbkGGdjcbkld-QJnjB7m308Yy2rsS5KiL54lgYVDqwm2dZMIrxKxw0jNAfKqo8xB0WQ1Gh2POtOJ4tn/s1600/DSC04668.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggpg8432OTRrlRkXWjeZ3xhHO9654522kBlWnkVJxluhWprfbFoksAnZBBooydTFUKpXWY8bNlOvqJmrQsq0YJjgvYlx8p3ueaWSC1n768vTdU5kfEhSGaBTBzhN9mVg1V9CdYwLgzMRwB/s1600/DSC04644.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I got my entrelac on with this quick little knit, which helped me use up some Noro Silk Garden Sock. This handsome little fellow is <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/grey-gardens-2" target="_blank">Grey Gardens</a>, and it's super cute when my hair is up.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcfsNW-Q0W338egcLXvPM-hpTFD4hBBgnbB-jO53xkLLfQziHHvkJg5HkphdQfPOC3czzPXZVNMqDHV65xn7sC2f7RgIGrlF4D5q7yIIwlrRXNQV684Dhb1vgt_OzCVap9N-UY6kN3qiFY/s1600/DSC04669.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcfsNW-Q0W338egcLXvPM-hpTFD4hBBgnbB-jO53xkLLfQziHHvkJg5HkphdQfPOC3czzPXZVNMqDHV65xn7sC2f7RgIGrlF4D5q7yIIwlrRXNQV684Dhb1vgt_OzCVap9N-UY6kN3qiFY/s1600/DSC04669.JPG" height="320" width="240" /><br /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
And finally, my other current work in progress is the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/honey-cowl" target="_blank">Honey Cowl</a>, featuring sweet sweet discounted Briar Rose DK yarn from <a href="http://www.shallweknit.com/" target="_blank">Shall We Knit?</a> in Waterloo. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilWsFzgYiWs-q1vVOV7qwqqoG42E0K2ulEy427kkelrS9PwMtRP8WJC4ZQulGWgXI4tHxWMf_Hs8nLD8dYRClWDW1wZnUBKVTmWV9XOLdbbTSsXefjy2yPYecWJ4vPw-3OxqhfFUNtpv3W/s1600/DSC04663.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilWsFzgYiWs-q1vVOV7qwqqoG42E0K2ulEy427kkelrS9PwMtRP8WJC4ZQulGWgXI4tHxWMf_Hs8nLD8dYRClWDW1wZnUBKVTmWV9XOLdbbTSsXefjy2yPYecWJ4vPw-3OxqhfFUNtpv3W/s1600/DSC04663.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
This will be a gift for my other coworker, and it's also a lovely mindless knit for knits when I don't want to think. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnj0pVSjhfry7Yq2K_D0u0qG-IC8EPWnawzx8fDGQHYCsWxnjHlJrndLLV38A6z96nhiGem9PZBcXQXJRRmtjQqrv7Fy2OsobmKDSUotx1d0rjPESA-y_JEc9ktHUo2g6RHUVA-N6e-uId/s1600/DSC04673.JPG" height="240" width="320" /><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Up next for this kid, trying my hand at writing a pattern, and asking nicely that a few people try it out and tell me what you think. Stay tuned!</div>
vrockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00487698471635922624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6170422833805465046.post-71883502438335667942014-03-16T14:05:00.000-04:002014-03-16T14:05:51.870-04:00Double screen computersIt's been a couple weeks of knitting intensity over here, my lovelies. I've plowed through the Polar Bear Chullo (I finished it yesterday and it's mostly dry from the blocking it received), I started a new portable sock project, and last night I started work on reindeer leg warmers. Wanna see?<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiUrJ1VDeEfWztuP8RzpmPJu-jaZAEGrbZi0ip1XWfyYDUCnqUxvPlg0iZOCq0F6hMqZU2OuYmkaJsB2gowAAD9Wvi1OlWs7FoKwSXF6PLkbODKCve4W2daTnz3W8Ux5g415OfOtfBseY8/s1600/DSC04283.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiUrJ1VDeEfWztuP8RzpmPJu-jaZAEGrbZi0ip1XWfyYDUCnqUxvPlg0iZOCq0F6hMqZU2OuYmkaJsB2gowAAD9Wvi1OlWs7FoKwSXF6PLkbODKCve4W2daTnz3W8Ux5g415OfOtfBseY8/s1600/DSC04283.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjjJTSoStaHIcigoE04xFiSOg1EkeWgXOzSNkRjLCvvucYcIRYuWN2c4T_o0gGDOkxq7j0tdQANy5wWR332encmIdYgCBhRQBbqXBDx8Y0bsP6c-OMF-w1tNAl6YFohwV9jISA_zf3z2B1/s1600/DSC04282.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjjJTSoStaHIcigoE04xFiSOg1EkeWgXOzSNkRjLCvvucYcIRYuWN2c4T_o0gGDOkxq7j0tdQANy5wWR332encmIdYgCBhRQBbqXBDx8Y0bsP6c-OMF-w1tNAl6YFohwV9jISA_zf3z2B1/s1600/DSC04282.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Fuzzyhead is modeling the hat, but it's a gift for Slim Jim (stop reading now, Slim, otherwise you're spoiling your birfday surprise). I'm really pleased with how it turned out, the patterned sections are all slightly different and they look really nice and smooth. The polar bears are adorable, but it was tricky to maintain even tension over those areas, and they're the ones that turned out a little wonky. Blocking helped a bit, but they're still not perfect. Oh well. I know I much prefer colourwork projects with nice even sections of colour, where I don't have to twist the colours every few stitches. <br /><br />But, despite knowing that, I've picked up another colourwork project where the floats are not all perfectly nice and even. Enter the reindeer socks, which I am knitting as leg warmers.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE2Glicouqp8drKIJ6AL0z41CF7hYljRmsWa63Cg9WNBTQuoCr7E-6hbgH1Kt0tkq770qR2wxZDchap1zsBeHNH8POihJhJJBAZayR09v_YR2PxfLFnFh1wzb1sDYKzCLbuzvs3eojxM3r/s1600/DSC04285.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE2Glicouqp8drKIJ6AL0z41CF7hYljRmsWa63Cg9WNBTQuoCr7E-6hbgH1Kt0tkq770qR2wxZDchap1zsBeHNH8POihJhJJBAZayR09v_YR2PxfLFnFh1wzb1sDYKzCLbuzvs3eojxM3r/s1600/DSC04285.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
To get them a little larger and slouchier, I am knitting them with fingering weight yarn (Knit Picks Palette in Cream and Hollyberry) and using 2.75mm needles. The needle size choice was mostly because both of my 2.25mm sets are currently in use (hexipuff blanket and my latest sock project), and my 2.5mm are being used for my one row at a time socks. I think I might need another pair of 2.25mm needles, but for now I am actually pleased with the size and tension the 2.75s are giving me. It's nice a loose, with lots of stretch for pulling up over ankles and calves. <br /><br />As I was working on the polar bear hat with a side of hexipuffs, I realized I was lacking a portable simple project to take to knit nights. There were too many colours and colour changing, and too much chart-following with the polar bear hat to make it a good talk-while-you-knit project, and the hexipuffs are fiddley and require that I travel with a small handful of stuffing in my knitting bag. I also recently found out that Slim Jim's boyfriend, Stash, would love and cherish a pair of hand knitted socks. Huh. I had no idea. I think every knitter needs her/his friends and family to proclaim their interest in receiving knitted items. I would never knit something for anyone if I wasn't sure they would love it and appreciate it, but if you don't speak up, how do I know? So I dug through my sock yarn bin and pulled out this little beauty from my original Rhinebeck trip in 2012.<br /><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3k6rteMHzUxhX7zPRmiGqAMhNf-jwSiGaO4WI-QybU8PEX0HMHIzbzwJVLeJo_OjZIWPMkfwkr5WwkFynzQZozqB112SRthA0fczbeTJPDDBnIcGlxHhMdwwc9YRm_HeF_z4uO1oCmfYv/s1600/DSC03405.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3k6rteMHzUxhX7zPRmiGqAMhNf-jwSiGaO4WI-QybU8PEX0HMHIzbzwJVLeJo_OjZIWPMkfwkr5WwkFynzQZozqB112SRthA0fczbeTJPDDBnIcGlxHhMdwwc9YRm_HeF_z4uO1oCmfYv/s1600/DSC03405.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />This is Sock82Me in Bronze. Slim Jim told me Stash would appreciate any sock-type item in a brown colour since that is the colour he wears most often. <br /><br />The pattern I chose is a simple boy-approved pattern called <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/its-a-guy-thing-2" target="_blank">It's a Guy Thing</a>, and I started the socks some time two weeks ago, in time to bring them out to a knit night.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRHHWime4_lxeuRxItvclUOepsIIDHwGBTlgBFM66Tpmwr_rDgNZ2DbPgK5BIdWitz049b13P6j0D0v_8-KaSmHJ0my1ArB4kDDQ6DDzg5U-fultYa1rhmxdHiwQ4oEj_hdPXVluPNAxeD/s1600/DSC04292.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRHHWime4_lxeuRxItvclUOepsIIDHwGBTlgBFM66Tpmwr_rDgNZ2DbPgK5BIdWitz049b13P6j0D0v_8-KaSmHJ0my1ArB4kDDQ6DDzg5U-fultYa1rhmxdHiwQ4oEj_hdPXVluPNAxeD/s1600/DSC04292.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
The socks can be made in pretty much any size, from itty bitty kid size to XL adult man. The pattern is simple and easy to remember, but more interesting than straight stockinette or basic ribbing. The seed stitch panels are separated by thin two-stitch cables, which are done in a different way from how I've ever done cables before. Instead of doing the cables with a cable needle, or even doing the cable motion without the needle itself, these cables are formed by knitting the two stitches together, and then knitting the left stitch again before dropping both stitches off the needle. It looks just like I did traditional cables, but it's a little more seamless in the knitting process than stopping to move stitches around for cables. Neat.<br />
<br />
I've also hammered out some rows on the One Row a Day socks today while scrolling through pinterest and watching my stories.<br /><br />Here's the March 5 update I should have done on March 5:<br /><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYsWvBtLlJybyiSAUlaWG2p05Da2Yprrvwj5BOXASWoHrGrfK8xftmSQwdL0THofCxkqb97jYfbk0TbMmw1oF5jq23AXiqNj2NkLD3V7Og-zGDua9xrXrCMP0M4xNbZonzjXaBlUMb6lyA/s1600/DSC04289.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYsWvBtLlJybyiSAUlaWG2p05Da2Yprrvwj5BOXASWoHrGrfK8xftmSQwdL0THofCxkqb97jYfbk0TbMmw1oF5jq23AXiqNj2NkLD3V7Og-zGDua9xrXrCMP0M4xNbZonzjXaBlUMb6lyA/s1600/DSC04289.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />And the March 12 update:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGEaObAbk6POY3BN5HjWRM70hqYnRb8KaAKvQS3Ro4v0_QhJu8FKrEAtGSEGIxC1uPxI6pJdWYkexKA_1xSGkAPfOAhBFOsJ3khFn44DUXY9JAuPsET-44wHmeCJRQafKP0BSrwdaDG7tq/s1600/DSC04291.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGEaObAbk6POY3BN5HjWRM70hqYnRb8KaAKvQS3Ro4v0_QhJu8FKrEAtGSEGIxC1uPxI6pJdWYkexKA_1xSGkAPfOAhBFOsJ3khFn44DUXY9JAuPsET-44wHmeCJRQafKP0BSrwdaDG7tq/s1600/DSC04291.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
And don't forget, I've still got yarn floating around from the Knit Picks order for a pair of Nordic mittens, and I have yarn from my Rhinebeck trip in October for a shawl. I may need to pick up a large project to keep on the go, but for now I'm pleased to have something colourwork-y and something super simple.<br /><br />Onward,<br />
<br />
vrock<br />
<br />
<!-- Blogger automated replacement: "https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGEaObAbk6POY3BN5HjWRM70hqYnRb8KaAKvQS3Ro4v0_QhJu8FKrEAtGSEGIxC1uPxI6pJdWYkexKA_1xSGkAPfOAhBFOsJ3khFn44DUXY9JAuPsET-44wHmeCJRQafKP0BSrwdaDG7tq/s1600/DSC04291.JPG" with "https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGEaObAbk6POY3BN5HjWRM70hqYnRb8KaAKvQS3Ro4v0_QhJu8FKrEAtGSEGIxC1uPxI6pJdWYkexKA_1xSGkAPfOAhBFOsJ3khFn44DUXY9JAuPsET-44wHmeCJRQafKP0BSrwdaDG7tq/s1600/DSC04291.JPG" --><!-- Blogger automated replacement: "https://images-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com/gadgets/proxy?url=http%3A%2F%2F1.bp.blogspot.com%2F-nhhWUYeJsLc%2FUyXlwctXF9I%2FAAAAAAAABLg%2FD949kilb_4k%2Fs1600%2FDSC04291.JPG&container=blogger&gadget=a&rewriteMime=image%2F*" with "https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGEaObAbk6POY3BN5HjWRM70hqYnRb8KaAKvQS3Ro4v0_QhJu8FKrEAtGSEGIxC1uPxI6pJdWYkexKA_1xSGkAPfOAhBFOsJ3khFn44DUXY9JAuPsET-44wHmeCJRQafKP0BSrwdaDG7tq/s1600/DSC04291.JPG" -->vrockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00487698471635922624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6170422833805465046.post-18870504581630249312014-03-01T13:13:00.002-05:002014-03-01T13:13:51.678-05:00In like a lamby lion I've picked up work on the Polar Bear Chullo again, my darlings, and I'm quite pleased with the progress. When I last touched the hat, I was getting concerned that it was slightly too big for a normal-sized head (specifically, the head of a Slim Jim). I didn't pick up the project for a good month as I stewed and thought about whether I should keep trucking or rip it back and start again. Since this hat has LOTS of colourwork, and I change at least one of the colours every other row, I wasn't interested in pulling it apart and having a million little cut strands of yarn to sort out. Instead, I took the lazy knitter's route and dropped my needle size down to 2.0mm from 2.25mm about an inch into the brim of the hat. I also know that there are decreases coming up soon, and any extra floppiness about the bottom edge will be a fun design feature I included, and the hat should still stay on her head without any trouble.<br /><br />Here's where I am as of this morning. I did everything from the top row of the centre purple pieces (about where the top of the purple cable from my needle sits) yesterday, and that's where I made the needle size change. I barely notice it, so Slim Jim surely won't, and a good blocking will cure what ails me.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi99jHOP4LMZGK-J-lrKtzHubHWgl_8UqGqIRkUFOXVAt-AUoEpyPmlyq8JqGAwcQCVvNYUvPcTvoHY4CEzyYVnwsJUBhyphenhyphenDw8USA9dwxb7ANmOtE5sB7r1zujqA3MPF953ZmevqDdaQzRoF/s1600/DSC04258.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi99jHOP4LMZGK-J-lrKtzHubHWgl_8UqGqIRkUFOXVAt-AUoEpyPmlyq8JqGAwcQCVvNYUvPcTvoHY4CEzyYVnwsJUBhyphenhyphenDw8USA9dwxb7ANmOtE5sB7r1zujqA3MPF953ZmevqDdaQzRoF/s1600/DSC04258.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />I especially love that I'm on the polar bears now. Look at those little polar bear feet!!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWeqIgf0U3aJwevwzzcRccNsTV4eME7Td-lKd9A29vN5kMiIUuRuIibB8sO4s01NPuTsaLWbjgCgvL0znmkTqZ7JoOFtDV8rO5q8m_qgir0RrykO2TsX4u2sYubUAUzo_jQ80q0e7MI_6Z/s1600/DSC04257.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWeqIgf0U3aJwevwzzcRccNsTV4eME7Td-lKd9A29vN5kMiIUuRuIibB8sO4s01NPuTsaLWbjgCgvL0znmkTqZ7JoOFtDV8rO5q8m_qgir0RrykO2TsX4u2sYubUAUzo_jQ80q0e7MI_6Z/s1600/DSC04257.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />And it most definitely fits as a hat, although my head is abnormally large and it's still on the needles. I know I look silly.<br /><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwpnlw4V_6g7DPNaGCtzp8ZGlFVyqxr0TlWlZSUEoZ3IPvfxC0Qj9B2UOgRhFiMLJDIjMBZM7Zehkc8KBYblBnaUppgUbTuN7OX_CmoTMjU8qAfnd5bNct0PKp7tXvAnoc82tbJvyVNPuz/s1600/DSC04259.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwpnlw4V_6g7DPNaGCtzp8ZGlFVyqxr0TlWlZSUEoZ3IPvfxC0Qj9B2UOgRhFiMLJDIjMBZM7Zehkc8KBYblBnaUppgUbTuN7OX_CmoTMjU8qAfnd5bNct0PKp7tXvAnoc82tbJvyVNPuz/s1600/DSC04259.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
The one row per day socks are proving to be a bit of a chore. Every time in the last month when I thought of what I could knit, my thoughts went like this: "I could work on the polar bear hat? No, I'm afraid I have to rip that baby apart. What about hexipuffs? Naw, I'm getting a little bored of those right now, I've been picking up that project every day as my go-to for the last few weeks. I should start a new project, I don't feel like I have enough variety in my current projects. OH WAIT! I have those socks I'm supposed to be working on." Every time.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />They're not hard, they're not tricky, they're not too easy. I enjoy knitting them just fine, but it's the "you can only do one row per day" part that is tripping me up. Every time I think about working on it, I know I'll just be packing it away in a few minutes and having to pick up another project. I find myself leaving it to the end of my week (Wednesday was my start day, so my goal is to always have the week's worth of required knitting done by Wednesday) to crank out all 7 rows. I like this system a lot better.<br /><br />Despite all that, I still forced myself to catch up yesterday, and here are the missing recaps from February:<br />
<br />
February 12:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEign91IxuZVEXrjR4YNAeBtwm7kzMTT6TJdcrtdNoK12r3JMMvnqwPI4jqm7gP95izjJpk-HgMZDqHubVwYyCJcaB73CFLMJVgoD6ZXzcDKK-Y1tf-7eBcOz_J-uDtej9XCqXU25JVsSDLi/s1600/DSC04221.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEign91IxuZVEXrjR4YNAeBtwm7kzMTT6TJdcrtdNoK12r3JMMvnqwPI4jqm7gP95izjJpk-HgMZDqHubVwYyCJcaB73CFLMJVgoD6ZXzcDKK-Y1tf-7eBcOz_J-uDtej9XCqXU25JVsSDLi/s1600/DSC04221.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
February 19:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTH4dUuKUBCWy5KjzSAzqUzOwRQBPXuB9WNN1faA4HvtE7sbLQHZSrKgJMl7Q7kThkx9T2jys3RR_-bDHWSTLAmxXwmnS50yxp06daPtQSpm8rx0JbpHYLCs5o2EEQUQ9d5dL-T41NNJWs/s1600/DSC04223.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTH4dUuKUBCWy5KjzSAzqUzOwRQBPXuB9WNN1faA4HvtE7sbLQHZSrKgJMl7Q7kThkx9T2jys3RR_-bDHWSTLAmxXwmnS50yxp06daPtQSpm8rx0JbpHYLCs5o2EEQUQ9d5dL-T41NNJWs/s1600/DSC04223.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
February 26:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8HCb3qXYo5q1aFENIc3_p-Ec3oeB8EsAFDowNPrkgHDEHGLbLPeTxi6boEijQKjqOHdMzELNQ5eVZJmwkdqsmJqLQd_Meigeb_IqtXaFGZu7DhoTPNg1l9TgvUXfPkntMDmQ3vYUauQkO/s1600/DSC04254.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8HCb3qXYo5q1aFENIc3_p-Ec3oeB8EsAFDowNPrkgHDEHGLbLPeTxi6boEijQKjqOHdMzELNQ5eVZJmwkdqsmJqLQd_Meigeb_IqtXaFGZu7DhoTPNg1l9TgvUXfPkntMDmQ3vYUauQkO/s1600/DSC04254.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />And I went ahead and caught myself to the exact day I should be on, which also conveniently took me to the end of the month so I could place another marker:<br /><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp_Q9h5lFkE6oDL6TSKfu9y1cop5Mvj7aY3Q-DG87LNqFJzhCzWjqEwHuzC5N28Tt6UnUIaDrBZyCHGfLJcWtocxJbLUxFZULL16mVTw2NhDbgA1xR4O8oXTpIPEf8E2EIEQzW0mpaY5WY/s1600/DSC04256.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp_Q9h5lFkE6oDL6TSKfu9y1cop5Mvj7aY3Q-DG87LNqFJzhCzWjqEwHuzC5N28Tt6UnUIaDrBZyCHGfLJcWtocxJbLUxFZULL16mVTw2NhDbgA1xR4O8oXTpIPEf8E2EIEQzW0mpaY5WY/s1600/DSC04256.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
What's up, March! <br />
<br />
Onward,<br />
<br />
vrock<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
vrockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00487698471635922624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6170422833805465046.post-29008452292234348362014-02-06T12:15:00.001-05:002014-02-06T12:15:45.481-05:00The fabulous Sun SphereHere comes a speed post for you, readers. I just whipped off all 7 rows that I owed you this morning, and here is the update for this week to catch me up. <br />
<br />
I feel like I'm always falling behind on this project. It's more difficult than I thought to pick it up and just do one row per day. With any other project I've ever done, I wouldn't just do one row; I would knit while I watch a show or a movie, or to get to a certain point in the pattern. Limiting myself to one row per days has lead to me picking up other projects instead of the one I should be doing. Bad vrock, bad.<br />
<br />
I added a marker for the January 31st row, so that I would have an easier time tracking where I was. When I picked it up this morning, I spent way too long trying to figure out where I left off.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm_AD00hKAoPykfzV3f_8-tg-ujhaodqxQNVP6hYw8smL54O0YAjGqwfAa8C_0dLQKkvqWss-FsB0yuYFKF2K9-YFACTN3kAsZRSXFEL46SgEr3HR0zl1UeMsLApco7EERK-kPHhARnAz7/s1600/DSC04216.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm_AD00hKAoPykfzV3f_8-tg-ujhaodqxQNVP6hYw8smL54O0YAjGqwfAa8C_0dLQKkvqWss-FsB0yuYFKF2K9-YFACTN3kAsZRSXFEL46SgEr3HR0zl1UeMsLApco7EERK-kPHhARnAz7/s1600/DSC04216.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
It's also handy for seeing what one month of knitting looks like. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYAo1S9TOG6mTMEqejv8-yqUO6V5k_9-nAMDz2E6lpPnzT_nmULlKAgWRCA2-_VJhQ6u2xVvxA5F6oyW1UZnuJrZ3nOQ_ihkQPNhLOvFxNuQJ5mM72HHlEd5aEVro7fSQi3tMCBgPwzLSW/s1600/DSC04217.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYAo1S9TOG6mTMEqejv8-yqUO6V5k_9-nAMDz2E6lpPnzT_nmULlKAgWRCA2-_VJhQ6u2xVvxA5F6oyW1UZnuJrZ3nOQ_ihkQPNhLOvFxNuQJ5mM72HHlEd5aEVro7fSQi3tMCBgPwzLSW/s1600/DSC04217.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Onward,<br />
<br />
vrockvrockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00487698471635922624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6170422833805465046.post-91402001399107139382014-02-02T11:53:00.000-05:002014-02-02T11:53:08.157-05:00Feeding crackers to your robot headSolidly into the main part of the leg pattern now, readers. I have a feeling that the updates for the next few post will be very similar. Maybe I should start holding it up to an object for measuring the growth each week. When I got a puppy when I was 12, we took a picture of her every week next to the same stool to see how much she grew. While doing the same thing with my sock might not be as adorable (that's up for debate), I think it might keep things interesting.<br />
<br />
Here's the non-exciting update for this week:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIDkreUcIaxm9x7xUHh1Kwt7K7oXyiD-F6wENJZRLAHn68WT5u58yyD3uKORSe9WVxKlYSTFSYkOJ_xJla2WkAlG-4H-LhdmgxKbh75ZbxUmfjzQm6B3E9g1GIPAgAdo_Q6cMxyeAqq31H/s1600/DSC04212.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIDkreUcIaxm9x7xUHh1Kwt7K7oXyiD-F6wENJZRLAHn68WT5u58yyD3uKORSe9WVxKlYSTFSYkOJ_xJla2WkAlG-4H-LhdmgxKbh75ZbxUmfjzQm6B3E9g1GIPAgAdo_Q6cMxyeAqq31H/s1600/DSC04212.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnLa7gTNAIwxumIL-nG3149me3-2nMAiGp918MRplkWiJO7JZMNfOsNNBX0uxef_j39odqOw1X5IfuEX9yahVYXjD6hVT9Jan8C1TGgiisj0MWwO0wPooV0umS4gtHNmXYe5h-1gyRw1pe/s1600/DSC04213.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnLa7gTNAIwxumIL-nG3149me3-2nMAiGp918MRplkWiJO7JZMNfOsNNBX0uxef_j39odqOw1X5IfuEX9yahVYXjD6hVT9Jan8C1TGgiisj0MWwO0wPooV0umS4gtHNmXYe5h-1gyRw1pe/s1600/DSC04213.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />I've kept the Polar Bear Chullo in the dark this week, and I've been working more on my hexipuffs. It's so satisfying to finish each little one during an episode of American Horror Story. I finished 3 or 4 of them yesterday (and Netflix asked me at least three times if I still wanted to keep watching my show. Don't judge me, Netflix! I'll watch four continuous hours of TV if I want to). <br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglQ2TM2qWJONNnaKtAHTZIjsRXZbbmJwyyYaCK-AJl8tJWqjyad-dn2JLH0b4BdrZxtiCGqVpdewJY2ElYhyphenhyphen1fRtsP5EAuGW3Cqa4eZGu3nBzyr7SaMDVYHbeov78K7mGKG0XGc1F11ByG/s1600/DSC04215.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglQ2TM2qWJONNnaKtAHTZIjsRXZbbmJwyyYaCK-AJl8tJWqjyad-dn2JLH0b4BdrZxtiCGqVpdewJY2ElYhyphenhyphen1fRtsP5EAuGW3Cqa4eZGu3nBzyr7SaMDVYHbeov78K7mGKG0XGc1F11ByG/s1600/DSC04215.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Most of the rainbow-y coloured ones were done yesterday, and today I emptied out all of my jars of little tiny leftover sock yarn balls from old projects. Now my project bag is full of new colours to play with, and I've got to start thinking of a formal place to store all my hexipuffs. With our basement still in a state of chaos from the flood/leak in January, my crafting world is spread all over the basement in the wrong places. It makes me itchy to think of my stuff being out of order downstairs, so I've avoided going down there for craft reasons. The rec room will likely be put back together in the spring, once we have a good solid thaw (and probably lots of rain) to confirm that the basement is solid, then the flooring goes back down, and my craft corner can be recreated. That's still a long way off (today is February 1st, and we just got a fresh dump of snow last night), so I'm avoiding for now. The hexipuffs are currently living on my living room coffee table, and there they shall stay.<br />
<br />
Onward,<br />
<br />
vrock <br />
<br />
<br />vrockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00487698471635922624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6170422833805465046.post-74203584020736190762014-01-29T16:18:00.001-05:002014-01-29T16:18:58.332-05:00Cool RunningsAlmost a week late with a post, but I'm on track with the daily knitting! I'm on to the real patterned part of Harvest Dew now, I made it passed the ribbing.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw3eNZj4ahT-6Lx-0d85mzS5WQZBGuqg-Exg1RMUEhtMVOq8t6yq7l0ji0MTkuLT_x5Up24KOQFsZL-G-uxQ78ymYWqSywCfJEH7WUB03LSRS1ZSbooSsfTCRI1KGLdlYIG5fCppz1F1D6/s1600/DSC04206.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw3eNZj4ahT-6Lx-0d85mzS5WQZBGuqg-Exg1RMUEhtMVOq8t6yq7l0ji0MTkuLT_x5Up24KOQFsZL-G-uxQ78ymYWqSywCfJEH7WUB03LSRS1ZSbooSsfTCRI1KGLdlYIG5fCppz1F1D6/s1600/DSC04206.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx__P-4aQOp5VzcTmz2KgLOvPCE3arCWOgT9AyItXFEMez0E9qUMV4vPzJ8s7j5iPzJuBiObpx7DFFoKAXfX2GVHiN_K74atEYwt5wTtGqMeANxgT-gindsErWknv_e6XW8qYcmVkzJDoZ/s1600/DSC04207.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx__P-4aQOp5VzcTmz2KgLOvPCE3arCWOgT9AyItXFEMez0E9qUMV4vPzJ8s7j5iPzJuBiObpx7DFFoKAXfX2GVHiN_K74atEYwt5wTtGqMeANxgT-gindsErWknv_e6XW8qYcmVkzJDoZ/s1600/DSC04207.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Maybe difficult to see at this point in the project, but I've got slipped stitches every third stitch. You can see it in the picture above - the dark blue stitches on my current row are the ones I slipped. After three rows of this, I get to shift the pattern over and repeat for three more rows. With the very strong striping of this yarn, I'm thinking this will be a nice effect. We'll see as things progress!<br />
<br />
In my last post, I shared all my new upcoming projects to be done with my latest Knit Picks order, and I'm already making solid progress on my Polar Bear Chullo for Slim Jim.<br />
<br />
Here is an earflap:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDEIZIJHrkH8KYCEVJdnHmqbi_2Hft5zrMeyiBrM9y8Ir1X1jz9i3VsR4110cZqGItpJ_eepmOdhuAHbCS61zv94Xwp7kud4BkFHMOEY5jkUrXwvGmJELQgOCvh8Ba9LeVF2BMZlipFASG/s1600/DSC04209.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDEIZIJHrkH8KYCEVJdnHmqbi_2Hft5zrMeyiBrM9y8Ir1X1jz9i3VsR4110cZqGItpJ_eepmOdhuAHbCS61zv94Xwp7kud4BkFHMOEY5jkUrXwvGmJELQgOCvh8Ba9LeVF2BMZlipFASG/s1600/DSC04209.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
And in fact, I have two of them! And they're attached together in the very beginnings of a hat!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh26SiDQ0V5lojbxMsJDWtrptCbvH6wdgl8p6xix3xDLhwz_H7bExBDru1C5OKC3dMJHe1KdyXBBYR0AIgrEi18N0vtvzEAq0cN2AYkRsqyKlOQ55d3e8UR8a3Rnua5Tfc86pVn7BK6P8rh/s1600/DSC04210.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh26SiDQ0V5lojbxMsJDWtrptCbvH6wdgl8p6xix3xDLhwz_H7bExBDru1C5OKC3dMJHe1KdyXBBYR0AIgrEi18N0vtvzEAq0cN2AYkRsqyKlOQ55d3e8UR8a3Rnua5Tfc86pVn7BK6P8rh/s1600/DSC04210.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
After making each earflap separately (and doing the colourwork back and forth on a FLAT piece, changing one or both colours every row, UGH), I cast on the additional in-between stitches and started making a hat.<br />
<br />
I'm about an inch into the brim of the hat, and the colourwork isn't tricky or difficult or anything, because it's worked in the round, the way it should be.<br />
<br />
I definitely made a goof on the foundation round of the pattern, where the placement of the white stitches would help me with all future rows of pattern. I thought I had it right, then when I came back around on the next row to the last 1/3 of the foundation row I realized I was off with my colours, so I painstakingly unknit and fixed my colour mistakes as I came up to them, then knitted the next things I needed. And on the third time around, thinking I had fixed it, I realized there were still errors. Rather than rip it all back and start again, I trucked on and accepted the few little slip-ups of white stitches on the light purple. They're subtle and I've fixed it now with the major pattern placement, so I'm leaving it.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju2g9mYnuBbug7Yw58jffJmHoJupmBayL6T1CX6UZ9SPD7kXrXGjgFb45xpqg_pTEl2uvrNOKXpUfLMKdCDM60YwpUc1Ktt1ac-UBWPlnHoiLN7DAephKTqrgOBx142uoaSad2u3j2CHZw/s1600/DSC04211.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju2g9mYnuBbug7Yw58jffJmHoJupmBayL6T1CX6UZ9SPD7kXrXGjgFb45xpqg_pTEl2uvrNOKXpUfLMKdCDM60YwpUc1Ktt1ac-UBWPlnHoiLN7DAephKTqrgOBx142uoaSad2u3j2CHZw/s1600/DSC04211.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
I've also discovered that my hat is turning out a touch bigger than I was hoping. I'm tempted to rip everything out and try again, but I might just try slipping down a needle size and see if that tightens things up. I've only done about an inch, so maybe that would fix it?<br />
<br />
I've kind of set this one aside as a backburner project when I'm in the mood for something fiddley, so I've picked up my hexipuff quilt pieces a lot in the last week as an easy no-brainer project. What's that you ask? What's a hexipuff blanket?<br />
<br />
It's this!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://images4.ravelrycache.com/uploads/tinyowlknits/69832653/DSC_0515.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" class="irc_mut" src="http://images4.ravelrycache.com/uploads/tinyowlknits/69832653/DSC_0515.jpg" height="393" id="irc_mi" style="margin-top: 0px;" width="586" /></a></div>
<br />
Tons and tons of little puffy hexagons all knitted separately and tacked together to form a knitted quilt. This is the Beekeeper's Quilt by TinyOwlKnits, and I love it.<br />
<br />
I always keep those little micro balls of leftover sock yarn after a project, and until now, I've just been stashing them in a clear glass jar as decoration. Now I can do something useful with them, so every pair of socks I've ever made can be represented in blanket form. I have enough of some yarns to make multiple little puffs, and some will only make one, but this is going to a project that keeps going for a long time.<br />
<br />
This is my progress so far:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJODKawzBeBJgyQIw7D9a19N5bXSmMUMdNHGfl0Z2AN2K61ZOuRGfLpgViPibmENL3Y_UbEbVFG9uLOxC7tQoQhIZS1Hjh3z-leKe6fhBIHD-11ougWqa6c0CfwQTjdR50r00XR9YgLmzl/s1600/DSC04175.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJODKawzBeBJgyQIw7D9a19N5bXSmMUMdNHGfl0Z2AN2K61ZOuRGfLpgViPibmENL3Y_UbEbVFG9uLOxC7tQoQhIZS1Hjh3z-leKe6fhBIHD-11ougWqa6c0CfwQTjdR50r00XR9YgLmzl/s1600/DSC04175.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
I'm up to about 4 or 5 now, but it's a far cry from what I'm guessing will be the hundreds I need to finish a blanket.<br />
<br />
Today is Wednesday and this is last week's update, so maybe I'll get my act together and share this week's update tomorrow. If you believe in me, I'm sure I can make it happen.<br />
<br />
Onward,<br />
<br />
vrock<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />vrockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00487698471635922624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6170422833805465046.post-89651242028213157652014-01-16T20:55:00.000-05:002014-01-16T20:55:18.753-05:00Sections of couch everywhere!<br />
I think a Wednesday blog deadline might be a bit of a stretch for me, readers. I definitely finished my required knitting for the week yesterday, but fitting in the blog time didn't quite happen this week, and it didn't happen last week. I'll aim for Wednesday, but I think I'm more likely to set aside time on Thursday night. Either way, here's what I've been working on this week:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH0Q5CHdPTBue8x-j1wcfvVTALebDFru2tcwHXHbqsv9MKKFksKR4N0sAXNsJTgh3URMXuqzycnLo-0HSndWtP9nnIlneiKYtyecaCa9D3Y6ApK_0bOiBRjMT0LfECKVXpJSj3xyuxQek7/s1600/DSC04195.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH0Q5CHdPTBue8x-j1wcfvVTALebDFru2tcwHXHbqsv9MKKFksKR4N0sAXNsJTgh3URMXuqzycnLo-0HSndWtP9nnIlneiKYtyecaCa9D3Y6ApK_0bOiBRjMT0LfECKVXpJSj3xyuxQek7/s1600/DSC04195.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
The sock has another 7 rows on it, and I'm still not even at the end of the ribbing. The ribbing calls for 1.5" and I'm about a week away from moving beyond the k3 p1. A handy thing about Week 2 is that the blue-er blue worked out to be exactly 7 rows, which made it super easy for counting my rows. The grey-blue continues on for a bit more, so it won't be an easy marker for Week 3 unfortunately.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdzwwrFp9zt_onGaeX253B3DC0HcHQtXi30Jgn7Ki0uhO6SmGB9HJ-AGButLZ2E2VrsTegHS-VOFZwfSyvOnwsrxBSRDPZaoRWTZkeqOzzXUmOl35xTOsoScQTd1s6CaASXRESTMoPavCV/s1600/DSC04196.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdzwwrFp9zt_onGaeX253B3DC0HcHQtXi30Jgn7Ki0uhO6SmGB9HJ-AGButLZ2E2VrsTegHS-VOFZwfSyvOnwsrxBSRDPZaoRWTZkeqOzzXUmOl35xTOsoScQTd1s6CaASXRESTMoPavCV/s1600/DSC04196.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Last week, I also introduced my Home Alone hat idea. I was struggling to find a pattern that I could rework to fit my needs, and no chart seemed to exist to make Kevin McAllister's signature moose hat. The best I got on Ravelry was this:<br /><br /><img alt="Img_0868_small2" class="height_lock" src="http://images4.ravelrycache.com/uploads/magicneedles/200919940/IMG_0868_small2.JPG" style="left: -14px;" /><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/moose-camouflage-hat" target="_blank">Moose Camouflage Hat</a><br />
<br />
It had the trees along the crown, and the repeating moose pattern, but it wasn't close enough in my opinion. <br />
<br />
So I did what any dedicated Home Alone fan would do, and I made my own chart in Excel. Fun fact: knitting stitch height and width ratios can be recreated in Excel by setting the column width to 1.67 and the row height to 13.2. I did this, and then got to work with the best picture of the hat I could find, which showed very clear stitch definition:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhaK1-wykU53tpj5yRuiuq4TAydkVCSuu54HbPqIWt1M33ZgxkYTdqqUUJCt5tdnvfTyrspqDTlLAdIV_OdSyanRjrnWq6vLrk6pl8FZMz7DB0dex6BJZM16FBSGBtA25uCXWoYYVH9tfG/s1600/Home+Alone+hat+picture.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhaK1-wykU53tpj5yRuiuq4TAydkVCSuu54HbPqIWt1M33ZgxkYTdqqUUJCt5tdnvfTyrspqDTlLAdIV_OdSyanRjrnWq6vLrk6pl8FZMz7DB0dex6BJZM16FBSGBtA25uCXWoYYVH9tfG/s1600/Home+Alone+hat+picture.png" height="280" width="320" /></a></div>
Once I had one moose sketched out on the chart, it was easy! One chart repeat is 24 stitches across from nose to tail, and the diamonds and trees work out nicely. Just now, as I was typing that last sentence, I realized I goofed on the pine trees in my chart. It appears that they are in two different styles - one branchy bare tree style, and one solid filled-in tree style. Shoot. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /> Problem solved, I just went back in and fixed it. But I also realized I can't add a pdf file to my blog post, so my plan to share the chart is not going to happen right now. I'll get back to you about that.<br />
<br />
In other moose hat news, I also need to figure out the rest of the hat pattern so I can actually make it. I figure the hat circumference would be six moose around, for a total of 144 stitches. With a head circumference of roughly 23", that means I need a yarn that gives me 6 stitches per inch. I'm thinking something DK for this one. Worsted just seems like it would be too bulky and thick for the hat. <br /><br />I made a quick swatch in some worsted yarn I had lying around, and it confirmed my suspicions; I want a denser, tighter looking fabric, but with finer stitches. Make sense? My swatch was also done flat, so I had to do my colourwork on the purl side. BALLS. My first swatch was mostly to confirm that my knitters' graph paper dimensions in Excel were right, and that my moose wouldn't look too squat or stretched out. The moose look perfectly in-proportion, they just need to be done in the round so I can get a sense of what they will really look like, and so I can do it in the right weight of yarn. All in good time, lovelies. I'm in no rush to get this project off the ground, because I have bigger fish to fry right now.<br />
<br />
And here are my bigger fish:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiNx8aj0qJUbCM_tcLhsRtC-asKNbNSqHvewsjdZZxnt5ERvRz4N81Jr8035kM-nuIaZMSMXPBqdXGYqXkzxbmh3bbJAnKVchSW-1f86hiBLfIGs1iA5pdNCV6YtvKBWSF3fVSzZebndyL/s1600/DSC04193.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiNx8aj0qJUbCM_tcLhsRtC-asKNbNSqHvewsjdZZxnt5ERvRz4N81Jr8035kM-nuIaZMSMXPBqdXGYqXkzxbmh3bbJAnKVchSW-1f86hiBLfIGs1iA5pdNCV6YtvKBWSF3fVSzZebndyL/s1600/DSC04193.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhddroPs6gCKh-qu0R93XS_-0-8dP8dF2aFvvP5mW3HNFsnKjLwkBSzZn5XZN5q4xEYWcIDdFX0G56gEeiTzDzVs37Yb8SzAB3xbUOQZ3cr2E9yApue1v5mDDv76rBd75p2oglZi43Vt5it/s1600/DSC04194.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhddroPs6gCKh-qu0R93XS_-0-8dP8dF2aFvvP5mW3HNFsnKjLwkBSzZn5XZN5q4xEYWcIDdFX0G56gEeiTzDzVs37Yb8SzAB3xbUOQZ3cr2E9yApue1v5mDDv76rBd75p2oglZi43Vt5it/s1600/DSC04194.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
This is my progress on the Nordic Mittens I mentioned last week. I'm on a knitting roll and I threw this right mitten together in a few nights. The Swish DK was a really nice choice for these. It's soft and smooth, but completely machine washable, and these are a gift for a non-knitter so that's a definite must. The left mitten is on my knitting to-do list this weekend so I can present them to my student on Monday when she's back at work.<br />
<br />
It's a nice colourwork pattern, my only complaint is that there are some sections with longer floats between colours, and I would prefer a nice neat every 3 or 4 stitches goings back and forth between two colours. I suppose this challenges me though, so you've won this round Nordic Mittens.<br />
<br />
I also received a box full of yarn from Knit Picks last week, and I had every intention of taking pictures of all of my purchases to show you, but then my basement flooded and all my craft stuff had to be emergency evacuated into the laundry room. The basement is fine, the most annoying thing is that we had to tear up our laminate flooring (which was just put down in September, but can be used again because we acted quickly to get it up off the floor), and all of our basement stuff is currently relocated around the house and it's going to be crowded and overwhelming at my house for a while. We probably won't put the basement back together until all the snow is gone outside, just to make sure that the fixes for the cracks worked. In the meantime, here is the gist of what I bought, with pictures courtesy of Knit Picks.<br />
<br />Palette fingering yarn in Cream and Hollyberry for my reindeer legwarmers:<br />
<br /><img alt="Palette Yarn" border="0" height="200" rel="large" src="http://d2q9kw5vp0we94.cloudfront.net/Yarn_Color_Detail/23730.jpg" width="200" /><br />
<img alt="Palette Yarn" border="0" height="200" rel="large" src="http://d2q9kw5vp0we94.cloudfront.net/Yarn_Color_Detail/25539.jpg" width="200" /><br />
<br />
Palette yarn in White, Ice Lily, Mulberry, Hare Heather, and Grizzly Heather for Slim Jim's polar bear hat:<br /><br /><img alt="Palette Yarn" border="0" height="200" rel="large" src="http://d2q9kw5vp0we94.cloudfront.net/Yarn_Color_Detail/23728.jpg" width="200" /><br />
<img alt="Palette Yarn" border="0" height="200" rel="large" src="http://d2q9kw5vp0we94.cloudfront.net/Yarn_Color_Detail/25999.jpg" width="200" /><br />
<img alt="Palette Yarn" border="0" height="200" rel="large" src="http://d2q9kw5vp0we94.cloudfront.net/Yarn_Color_Detail/24571.jpg" width="200" /> <br />
<img alt="Palette Yarn" border="0" height="200" rel="large" src="http://d2q9kw5vp0we94.cloudfront.net/Yarn_Color_Detail/26042.jpg" width="200" /><br />
<img alt="Palette Yarn" border="0" height="200" rel="large" src="http://d2q9kw5vp0we94.cloudfront.net/Yarn_Color_Detail/25532.jpg" width="200" /> <br />
<br />
And Wool of the Andes worsted for my lined nordic mittens in Garnet Heather, Gosling, and Pumice Heather:<br /><br />
<a href="http://d2q9kw5vp0we94.cloudfront.net/Yarn_Color_Detail/25633.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Wool of the Andes Worsted Yarn" border="0" height="200" rel="large" src="http://d2q9kw5vp0we94.cloudfront.net/Yarn_Color_Detail/25633.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://d2q9kw5vp0we94.cloudfront.net/Yarn_Color_Detail/25986.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Wool of the Andes Worsted Yarn" border="0" height="200" rel="large" src="http://d2q9kw5vp0we94.cloudfront.net/Yarn_Color_Detail/25986.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<img alt="Wool of the Andes Worsted Yarn" border="0" height="200" rel="large" src="http://d2q9kw5vp0we94.cloudfront.net/Yarn_Color_Detail/25753.jpg" width="200" /><br />
<br />
Feast your eyes on my yarns, and I'll catch you up next week with my progress.<br />
<br />
Onward,<br />
<br />
vrock vrockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00487698471635922624noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6170422833805465046.post-73295557150478894092014-01-09T20:44:00.003-05:002014-03-01T13:14:07.711-05:00Winter holiday decor is a let down<br />
<div style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
</div>
<br />
Week one has already come, and while I'm technically a day late (shhh, don't tell anyone), here's my update on the One Row at a Time socks for 2014:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNHj8e6BWkl8qfXxbAI5lyWynpgG2LHhNwvpeMOGypOS-OjDegUi5NvHkXi-CHkiog7hY6r9hh2nLeYKjf6yYgdo9OrUITzAZNIh6NkfmNOXGhH2kDI5dXLomEMdZwE85WLKoLjgGe0vVs/s1600/DSC04182.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNHj8e6BWkl8qfXxbAI5lyWynpgG2LHhNwvpeMOGypOS-OjDegUi5NvHkXi-CHkiog7hY6r9hh2nLeYKjf6yYgdo9OrUITzAZNIh6NkfmNOXGhH2kDI5dXLomEMdZwE85WLKoLjgGe0vVs/s1600/DSC04182.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj96DJNy3FzZkq07eOmgLbeSwKRfwWo5FU7j75PBVcR8U0BQj6QbNuooV9U6pDn8Z9RQS1_xvYsrDi4aI2xVI87lXh5W1LEQBaSAUpHDwgOGuvJxAf9cqX1xeWKk1T7CxR-kCKl9NmHeyoS/s1600/DSC04183.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj96DJNy3FzZkq07eOmgLbeSwKRfwWo5FU7j75PBVcR8U0BQj6QbNuooV9U6pDn8Z9RQS1_xvYsrDi4aI2xVI87lXh5W1LEQBaSAUpHDwgOGuvJxAf9cqX1xeWKk1T7CxR-kCKl9NmHeyoS/s1600/DSC04183.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
That's 7 little rows, reader. Seven adorable little rows, each knit (more or less) on each of seven different days. I mostly kept to the one row per day part of the agreement, although there was one day where I had to catch up on 3 rows. It's not a perfect system, and I think nailing myself down to sitting down and doing exactly one row per day is unrealistic, and just setting myself up for failure. I'm happy with the Wednesday deadline, and I'll keep letting you know how it goes. Okay? Deal.<br />
<br />
In other knitting news, I started and finished a whole project in just a few days. I made an entire fingerless mitt, <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/beer-gloves" target="_blank">Beer Gloves</a> by Kurt Fausset, featured in Son of Stitch 'n Bitch, in one afternoon/evening (read about it <a href="http://vrock-inreallife.blogspot.ca/2013/12/new-years-rockin-eve.html" target="_blank">here</a>), and then I cranked out its partner a short while later, also in one afternoon/evening. And while the first post about these mitts had my girlish red-nailed hand modeling the man mitts, here they are on a genuine, bonafide man:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNr6WW0BJaoxRJ6zrPBE3jVZJe_tTx9d6zCXTG3ZwBUOm8C3JywDo6JYQZXisDmXQFNZEpd6jbF8OvtRofIS0ds_b7hvVszTqiDQhqYQYwGlL1O1JfZOP3_HrGALcAsnrTpa_LhH9E7A_K/s1600/DSC04181.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNr6WW0BJaoxRJ6zrPBE3jVZJe_tTx9d6zCXTG3ZwBUOm8C3JywDo6JYQZXisDmXQFNZEpd6jbF8OvtRofIS0ds_b7hvVszTqiDQhqYQYwGlL1O1JfZOP3_HrGALcAsnrTpa_LhH9E7A_K/s1600/DSC04181.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
So rugged and manly.<br />
<br />
I don't know how many of you received Christmas money as youngster (or if you still do, as an oldster), but that was never a thing in my house. I had two great-aunts who would each send $10-20 every Christmas from England (and sometimes they couldn't be bothered to get Canadian dollars, so I got pounds), but that was it, and it was hardly something to write home about (although I always wrote a hand-written and thoughtful thank you note, because my Momma raised me right). Once I joined Fuzzyhead's family and started making regular appearances at his family Christmas gatherings, I was brought into the inner circle and I started receiving Christmas money from his grandparents, just like he did. It's weird and different. I've read/heard that even after all the thoughtful people in the world put great care into choosing a gift that you would love and appreciate, receiving cash is still the number one gift choice of recipients everywhere. Isn't that sad? Well, the point of the story is that I received Christmas money this year, and it came in the form of a MasterCard gift card. I had $100 dollars burning a hole in my wallet, and since it was in credit card form, it was only natural that I do a little online shopping.<br />
<br />
I've been queuing colourwork projects like the dickens since just before Christmas, when I watched Home Alone (as part of our annual holiday tradition of watching all the best Christmas movies, obviously) and was hit with a sudden NEED to knit Kevin's moose hat:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU0dtY79KyTH3xSl9Ysc2gGR77DPIPRFWvAUNkEFFILm8DfIfbfhl-ydFF5OYvys5I0vJ3_bXoZAN4tgFFx7dYF7WgCDw2QsD5Sma4aHJLdnMe2zyZ0IqpVCDucHyKj3f_7qPjqCYB8g4l/s1600/Home+Alone+hat+picture.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU0dtY79KyTH3xSl9Ysc2gGR77DPIPRFWvAUNkEFFILm8DfIfbfhl-ydFF5OYvys5I0vJ3_bXoZAN4tgFFx7dYF7WgCDw2QsD5Sma4aHJLdnMe2zyZ0IqpVCDucHyKj3f_7qPjqCYB8g4l/s1600/Home+Alone+hat+picture.png" height="280" width="320" /></a></div>
I went searching high and low on Ravelry for a pattern, and one doesn't seem to exist (I'll tell you more about that next week). But while I was there, I found a bunch of other colourwork things I want to make:<br />
<br />
<img alt="16-2_medium" src="http://images4-d.ravelrycache.com/uploads/tinlou/171120250/16-2_medium.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/150-16-september-gloves---mittens-with-nordic-pattern-in-lima" target="_blank">Mitten with Nordic Pattern</a><br />
<br />
<img alt="Polar_b_500_small2" src="http://images4-b.ravelrycache.com/uploads/needlesonfire/16947937/polar_b_500_small2.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/polar-chullo" target="_blank">Polar Bear Chullo</a><br />
<br />
<img alt="4189386152_be724cec34_n" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4039/4189386152_be724cec34_n.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/northman-mittens" target="_blank">Northman Mittens</a><br />
<br />
<img alt="Reindeersocks4_small2" src="http://images4-b.ravelrycache.com/uploads/stoperror/41009773/reindeersocks4_small2.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/reindeer-socks" target="_blank">Reindeer Socks</a><br />
<br />
<img alt="Img_9355_small2" src="http://images4-b.ravelrycache.com/uploads/puddlefish/201090967/IMG_9355_small2.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/anders" target="_blank">Anders</a><br />
<br />
And there's even more in my favourites list, this is just what I actually plan to make in the near future. So I merrily logged on to KnitPicks and bought myself a bunch of yarn for colourwork projects, and it just arrived this week!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvVC336naMWnnxOlzE_nK-GSX4ypJBCbRnqt2ih0EOVzTZQCSN-uzfvkBpRGMKV753vo652nXJZGqLhUV9pr5lZ2VLqKaiCL3oD_RyZDVkJDOsWSM0keXbWr_S6gP86elACpcjqq2HTW5G/s1600/DSC04184.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvVC336naMWnnxOlzE_nK-GSX4ypJBCbRnqt2ih0EOVzTZQCSN-uzfvkBpRGMKV753vo652nXJZGqLhUV9pr5lZ2VLqKaiCL3oD_RyZDVkJDOsWSM0keXbWr_S6gP86elACpcjqq2HTW5G/s1600/DSC04184.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<span id="goog_1286156878"></span><span id="goog_1286156879"></span><br />
<div>
There's nothing like getting a package in the mail. It's like baby Christmas. I ordered a bunch of similar colours, and it took me longer than it should have to sort them out from each other for the projects they will one day become. Sitting on top of the pile are a few balls of Swish DK for the Mitten with Nordic Pattern. These will be for one of my co-op students from work. She's only working with us for one more semester, so I've given myself a March 1st deadline to get them done. The rest of the box can remain a mystery to you until next week, it's good for you. Delayed gratification is the definition of maturity.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Onward,</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
vrock</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
vrockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00487698471635922624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6170422833805465046.post-1694097055268421922014-01-01T13:21:00.000-05:002014-01-01T13:22:57.388-05:00One is the lonliest numberHappy New Year, my darling readers! As promised, here is the first of what will hopefully be weekly posts about my progress on the One Row Per Day Socks. It's already been difficult to just cast on and not go any further.<br />
<br />
To begin, I cast on 60 stitches for the small ladies sized, because for every sock I've ever made for myself, 60 stitches is my Goldilocks porridge. I've never done a gauge swatch for socks (although I do them for anything else that matters), and I always use 2.25mm needles. For this particular set of socks, I'll be using 2.5mm needles (gasp!) because my two other sets of 2.25 needles are currently in use, and will likely be in use at some point during 2014. Oh well. I'm sure it will be fine.<br />
<br />
The pattern called for a twisted German cast on, so step one was to look up what that was. I used <a href="http://newstitchaday.com/twisted-german-cast-on/" target="_blank">this tutorial</a> to get it going, and for anyone who hasn't ever done this cast on before, it's essentially long-tail cast on with an extra flick of the wrist.<br />
<br />
Here are my 60 stitches. <br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy3rY5cBw0ejW61SO1tqxD6_KiqMa5twQKOufS4McSgRC5UvZZgWErSjmeffWJ0xPqEjvaNgI-aW-6UHLHlgFEGt4nXwYRyCsGPipcPJICPmC1WhF_xSBzqRcryuwhLx3iVR9iMLF0Y0gy/s1600/DSC04179.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy3rY5cBw0ejW61SO1tqxD6_KiqMa5twQKOufS4McSgRC5UvZZgWErSjmeffWJ0xPqEjvaNgI-aW-6UHLHlgFEGt4nXwYRyCsGPipcPJICPmC1WhF_xSBzqRcryuwhLx3iVR9iMLF0Y0gy/s320/DSC04179.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
And here they are neatly arranged on 4 needles, with 29 stitches for instep and 31 stitches for the sole. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgFUDZeAMQdPEkkyr7vEartUyB6Lgf9dkiqSfwZMf6791v8UuRw2EX5hWeayd8i_Gq4dAYIH1TlDxaJtZ3P8ZEMWC7DAsEOS9bDfwj20UG2g4tQGplbEgzMi0APp2CXqNNL-fFEfl17o0R/s1600/DSC04180.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgFUDZeAMQdPEkkyr7vEartUyB6Lgf9dkiqSfwZMf6791v8UuRw2EX5hWeayd8i_Gq4dAYIH1TlDxaJtZ3P8ZEMWC7DAsEOS9bDfwj20UG2g4tQGplbEgzMi0APp2CXqNNL-fFEfl17o0R/s320/DSC04180.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
And that's all I can do today. Hmm. I realize my rules are self-imposed (Fuzzyhead pointed that out to me), but I've decided I will only knit one row per day without working ahead. I can catch up if I miss a day, but I will not work ahead. Every Wednesday is my deadline to have completed 7 rows, and to post about my progress. <br />
<br />
As another fun bonus to share with you, I got to start a new folder for all of my 2014 knit pictures. What a good start to the year.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi53yMADZxRkNfhbwPNhRXlI8rfbFQaT0ovgBY9_nRffKpm4hTY6cxZb40UNDR9kaKwPpkWu2FaD7t1O03XcVEN9E5HUA5cghPpvcGhby9QAdj1iBt6h9wYBpeZ3lAZZ5c-Qbf3-rRVuzXn/s1600/Knitting+2014+folder.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi53yMADZxRkNfhbwPNhRXlI8rfbFQaT0ovgBY9_nRffKpm4hTY6cxZb40UNDR9kaKwPpkWu2FaD7t1O03XcVEN9E5HUA5cghPpvcGhby9QAdj1iBt6h9wYBpeZ3lAZZ5c-Qbf3-rRVuzXn/s320/Knitting+2014+folder.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Onward,<br />
<br />
vrockvrockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00487698471635922624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6170422833805465046.post-7105268204364729882013-12-31T16:19:00.000-05:002013-12-31T16:19:03.795-05:00New Year's Rockin' EveWelcome to the end of year round up, readers! I've been cramming in a bunch of final projects all this week as 2013 comes to a close, and I've even started and finished a project or two. As of today, December 31, here's what's kicking around my house.<br /><br />Norie was started and finished in two days, because I'm a dork and if I'm not at work, my fingers will find knitting. It's a compulsion.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpHBeNjknLwn1yGqHoy71XytWXr-562be8mtG8OFJaYRzUWrYIgQN9oMxpgfRMHGF3qeqW_7QQSeB5C5zym5VN8Jf2uzIdzcDq6XNiwchB5WcMp-sQ45Yg6YYQwfllDiApNKGLkuAoEoMi/s1600/DSC04169.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpHBeNjknLwn1yGqHoy71XytWXr-562be8mtG8OFJaYRzUWrYIgQN9oMxpgfRMHGF3qeqW_7QQSeB5C5zym5VN8Jf2uzIdzcDq6XNiwchB5WcMp-sQ45Yg6YYQwfllDiApNKGLkuAoEoMi/s320/DSC04169.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
This is only my second ever hat for myself, and I feel like I should have made more by now, but I haven't. I chose this pattern so I could have a pretty and delicate hat to wear when I need to not look like a grub. The only other hat I have was made so long ago, I don't even have a picture of it. It's super warm, but looks very rustic, and turns whatever hair I'm sporting into a wicked batch of hat hair. Now when I walk my dog in the morning, I'll look like a lady.<br /><br /> I also started and finished a single fingerless mitt yesterday. I borrowed Son of Stitch n' Bitch from the library to get the pattern, <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/beer-gloves" target="_blank">Beer Gloves</a>, and the yarn was from my Rhinebeck adventure this year. The yarn is from The Fold, and it's Socks that Rock Mill Ends in a camouflage-ish colour. Very manly for Fuzzyhead. It's a heavy sock weight, which really is knitting up like DK, which is perfect for these mitts. I also renting me up a movie from the library, and while I watched Gatsby, I made a mitten. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqtgDgkFw34fyRShPeB8NkQQZrpXvrd3xHiBmaoPkapiYPuw8y46BlRVpJt-DuT2FcagZBRrdw_L-w7r81M8yPEA8xxdGemjJmaXslKvcQXtbTqj_j1IET1FeJFVv8zN1RRa_pMK8tdp84/s1600/DSC04171.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqtgDgkFw34fyRShPeB8NkQQZrpXvrd3xHiBmaoPkapiYPuw8y46BlRVpJt-DuT2FcagZBRrdw_L-w7r81M8yPEA8xxdGemjJmaXslKvcQXtbTqj_j1IET1FeJFVv8zN1RRa_pMK8tdp84/s320/DSC04171.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
I also got to learn a new bind-off, which looks perfect for all the
little fingers. This pattern calls for an invisible bind-off of your
choice, and since I had never done one before, I went looking for
something on the internet. Here's a little link-love for the <a href="http://crankygrrrrrl.wordpress.com/2007/01/15/k1p1-invisible-bind-off-tutorial/" target="_blank">invisible bind-off tutorial</a> I found that was very helpful. <br />
<br />
The palm of the mitt has a textured portion, which I think is meant for twisting open beer bottle caps. Fuzzyhead will find it very useful, I'm sure. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj49F9SB2fNZemEDZJLeHblguTI2PHopNgJmwLyaUzAQrbK25nMg6mN8ML6H0iHdgEhchHwzlDfuP62tMVEWU-rvZrcvFid4s_A9UD5Fm2RXOIz3AMKnbpgEj80HumL5EuabP3PK4tEIEQh/s1600/DSC04172.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj49F9SB2fNZemEDZJLeHblguTI2PHopNgJmwLyaUzAQrbK25nMg6mN8ML6H0iHdgEhchHwzlDfuP62tMVEWU-rvZrcvFid4s_A9UD5Fm2RXOIz3AMKnbpgEj80HumL5EuabP3PK4tEIEQh/s320/DSC04172.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
The mitten mate for this one might be started and finished tonight as we wait for the ball to drop, who knows! The first one was a very quick knit, and I'm eager to get them done so Fuzzyhead can start wearing them and keep his little fingies warm.<br />
<br />
Here's the progress report for the TARDIS socks: <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvwY0Wosej6cw1gECwzwx_WrmckmTmNo4wMlfg1Vp6GD0VhzIisCcSUEIts3GsjutqJHN5SiOebJoBf4QcwvqPZRzwd7UpXEyLQ1uG45AGOR6fJj9PPks0dGv-7kpehERrxSY6hTz_1tNw/s1600/DSC04174.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvwY0Wosej6cw1gECwzwx_WrmckmTmNo4wMlfg1Vp6GD0VhzIisCcSUEIts3GsjutqJHN5SiOebJoBf4QcwvqPZRzwd7UpXEyLQ1uG45AGOR6fJj9PPks0dGv-7kpehERrxSY6hTz_1tNw/s320/DSC04174.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
One whole sock is done with ends woven in, and the second sock is at the heel flap. I'm coming in to a nice stretch of mindless knitting for the foot, so I'll be glad to keep this one on hand for on-the-go knitting.<br />
<br />
I also started a very long-haul project this week, a knitted quilt with many tiny hexagons, made from all of my sock yarn scraps. Considering I make socks like they're going out of style, I think this blanket will still take me years to finished. Each little hexipuff is only about 2 inches across, and estimates on Ravelry say it takes upwards of 150 of these guys to make anything substantial. So far I've made three, and I've got loads of scraps to use up. I've been keeping all my yarn scrap balls in clear glass jars as decoration in my office, but now they will have a more useful purpose. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0zhPHAhf6N_etRNT8kAaiTEJUy5aehHizx106YvU8hwH33Yf8GHRBlpxo_D66kTwxWIQD8u3tRFRMD5UWDwPbedSUtYID6abIJnAzjXzzAFrrUc6IvkwAZcrr_8HsEYUYD28xEccClZ5E/s1600/DSC04175.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0zhPHAhf6N_etRNT8kAaiTEJUy5aehHizx106YvU8hwH33Yf8GHRBlpxo_D66kTwxWIQD8u3tRFRMD5UWDwPbedSUtYID6abIJnAzjXzzAFrrUc6IvkwAZcrr_8HsEYUYD28xEccClZ5E/s320/DSC04175.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Now how about some finished projects from 2013 that may have been missed on the blog? I've been terrible for updating this year, but I've got a plan to remedy this for 2014. Keep reading to find out more.<br />
<br />
In the meantime, here's the finished project round-up:<br />
<br />
Big chunky cowl, I wear this almost every day <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFf6osJcmvwzlu6jbbr-2Ph0p1iShUYtMI5uwnvgHCs1XNrKl0kY9JkpI9EHKmrAzOe4f8gbf2oXEfNg_eZQncMBGHU9-h0PQBdJ0XxWMJX68D_G4lKG_pazXD2bO_Gnk7IIQGQxfBBE5M/s1600/DSC03477.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFf6osJcmvwzlu6jbbr-2Ph0p1iShUYtMI5uwnvgHCs1XNrKl0kY9JkpI9EHKmrAzOe4f8gbf2oXEfNg_eZQncMBGHU9-h0PQBdJ0XxWMJX68D_G4lKG_pazXD2bO_Gnk7IIQGQxfBBE5M/s320/DSC03477.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Maeva socks. Despite what this picture shows, they are done. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmVyvw_0jDq76Y75ez1OguN1ygP-ORCjbsxFHrQSS65nYsHrguXkEyxXgLOCGBevgxAwn87r7_mavJghPrSon65OAq9cgj98E-QzfGZ6F_3kwTbpluWd7WOuBENKfqqNoiOtL_w0Bd8H-H/s1600/DSC03483.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmVyvw_0jDq76Y75ez1OguN1ygP-ORCjbsxFHrQSS65nYsHrguXkEyxXgLOCGBevgxAwn87r7_mavJghPrSon65OAq9cgj98E-QzfGZ6F_3kwTbpluWd7WOuBENKfqqNoiOtL_w0Bd8H-H/s320/DSC03483.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
Turtle shell and hat set for Steph's little Hannah. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4PwhNpex7rNpEEKxJ575kt4aPKAWJ1fCAUKmCwcLYxqR4n7yHhh9vhz6QYU0YTMdcoFCcOwUX2QYTmE0t6NyLqXxEJPMqwpw7Swq1lPR4HrctmNK3NLzj3vYTGzh6F4dQNlpamhMCS4N7/s1600/DSC03490.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4PwhNpex7rNpEEKxJ575kt4aPKAWJ1fCAUKmCwcLYxqR4n7yHhh9vhz6QYU0YTMdcoFCcOwUX2QYTmE0t6NyLqXxEJPMqwpw7Swq1lPR4HrctmNK3NLzj3vYTGzh6F4dQNlpamhMCS4N7/s320/DSC03490.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Paulie. Bam! Sweater that fits, and I look great in it. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkSnmxt644qC-hk_bBEu_NsY_SHhBud4wXX3KPWZUtbI9QvmJEF6AGDfLasTtdf2X9YGvrM-Yv7jlKaiRqW6tHcf0VfIJnwXE5y2MwfpesohDChSuLpXiUKHna53JsZQvdvJK6aXE2jRaI/s1600/DSC03513.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkSnmxt644qC-hk_bBEu_NsY_SHhBud4wXX3KPWZUtbI9QvmJEF6AGDfLasTtdf2X9YGvrM-Yv7jlKaiRqW6tHcf0VfIJnwXE5y2MwfpesohDChSuLpXiUKHna53JsZQvdvJK6aXE2jRaI/s320/DSC03513.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
I took a bit of a knitting hiatus over the summer when we moved, and when I came back to it, this was the first little thing I finished. A nut, for my chipper co-worker. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_vlhKupxVyxrHFDO1lFOsKbnCFs-McJtO8qLHfJv0PXjp8lvBd0KquhoVvMw097cFWiqOI4DHMOj5wYyqs4PZdd_YvT8XjKWbxx-AuZ3-rnBN5CFsJw80PrHfjSmHXcEwBw84hvvXF99H/s1600/DSC03927.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_vlhKupxVyxrHFDO1lFOsKbnCFs-McJtO8qLHfJv0PXjp8lvBd0KquhoVvMw097cFWiqOI4DHMOj5wYyqs4PZdd_YvT8XjKWbxx-AuZ3-rnBN5CFsJw80PrHfjSmHXcEwBw84hvvXF99H/s320/DSC03927.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Plain and simple stripey socks, featuring Miss Babs yarn from Catherine. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRct6AFQV__lXNhyphenhyphenRjl3_gWcWg6nv2BVnwxyHLmaNWm1d7CXrd02bGxtwVYIlBpSjjsNwPGoHJt6rnli1VOOBA0CVPYDjh3lrMsjzyRkC2xU1SuRGtsDWzw0Y9BkMrPI8rsJvc27tE5y0W/s1600/DSC03977.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRct6AFQV__lXNhyphenhyphenRjl3_gWcWg6nv2BVnwxyHLmaNWm1d7CXrd02bGxtwVYIlBpSjjsNwPGoHJt6rnli1VOOBA0CVPYDjh3lrMsjzyRkC2xU1SuRGtsDWzw0Y9BkMrPI8rsJvc27tE5y0W/s320/DSC03977.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Itty bitty socks for a co-worker's baby. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZOEVmZnyVEvbdTOoa6VpjknnyNk4ULVOOT7j0g5CJMD4tdmLBMPldm5iVOxOdBrR-ySONPKuzH0lMYWAhsZzbU9uJXP07DEUvtMGdDLph8YWdkjM9I4NXTRho9NT-erTsY6Gjjx8iS1mC/s1600/DSC03983.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZOEVmZnyVEvbdTOoa6VpjknnyNk4ULVOOT7j0g5CJMD4tdmLBMPldm5iVOxOdBrR-ySONPKuzH0lMYWAhsZzbU9uJXP07DEUvtMGdDLph8YWdkjM9I4NXTRho9NT-erTsY6Gjjx8iS1mC/s320/DSC03983.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Annis shawl, keeping my office chair cozy, and quite often keeps my neck warm. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEaxerDyJWWuuwbkzL3AA3G0uh8Ujm6vsOuB46BtgVNIrrceQW2x5PnsUZZ8k0sR_rPZP-SQN8LsBZzUhF98mqwdgOUqgec3DNEsJsQj7W4bUgDhdmtjJjT_X2Y2gq_KHZ0n_ZxAL3O5b5/s1600/DSC03985.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEaxerDyJWWuuwbkzL3AA3G0uh8Ujm6vsOuB46BtgVNIrrceQW2x5PnsUZZ8k0sR_rPZP-SQN8LsBZzUhF98mqwdgOUqgec3DNEsJsQj7W4bUgDhdmtjJjT_X2Y2gq_KHZ0n_ZxAL3O5b5/s320/DSC03985.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvd55qNLbpblaLVntBsBGeyMQQK5kGsPLcAiS1phK99eFm-2GCpvun3ecsrqgra5lnVWDGepC9ZM5uryZa6OXmFeOSNJanFtQpj_fwiUp94wYK2KOejLcRoYB7cvszRL451OhrfDAHlSPi/s1600/DSC03987.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvd55qNLbpblaLVntBsBGeyMQQK5kGsPLcAiS1phK99eFm-2GCpvun3ecsrqgra5lnVWDGepC9ZM5uryZa6OXmFeOSNJanFtQpj_fwiUp94wYK2KOejLcRoYB7cvszRL451OhrfDAHlSPi/s320/DSC03987.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Hemlock Ring Blanket. I banged this one out in about a month, and it was so much easier than I thought it would be. Can you do feather and fan? Of course you can. You can make this blanket.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIRIKbndd2X_tl_ZSmflBjKKYha1MkOOXRhSX_5bNEoj9gNUVM3fWXUNZDuRFrBBo5tUYZob_MBQfNIHzuuLPgGdOnqHBmchG5B2cdPSh-heYBfdrNkZNK6SLsBBpP4rUAkOZMNpemSb0z/s1600/DSC04155.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIRIKbndd2X_tl_ZSmflBjKKYha1MkOOXRhSX_5bNEoj9gNUVM3fWXUNZDuRFrBBo5tUYZob_MBQfNIHzuuLPgGdOnqHBmchG5B2cdPSh-heYBfdrNkZNK6SLsBBpP4rUAkOZMNpemSb0z/s320/DSC04155.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
I've also taken to wearing it as a cape, because we keep the temp of our house at a nippy 18 degrees C. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPTAHeLvGurCiZdLSs5m1HN3qliwdzzeOkLyMZOrCS_8z4rCeGHEGmuLnIi3iFRmidTb8RySENLwAjG4mqTflGXWrpIfalJHrb6XaDptEtFkaBOWFl8vyDshc7-d2aDUAy-61IpWVNCapF/s1600/DSC04161.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPTAHeLvGurCiZdLSs5m1HN3qliwdzzeOkLyMZOrCS_8z4rCeGHEGmuLnIi3iFRmidTb8RySENLwAjG4mqTflGXWrpIfalJHrb6XaDptEtFkaBOWFl8vyDshc7-d2aDUAy-61IpWVNCapF/s320/DSC04161.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
And my Christmas socks, hung on the mantle. SO CUTE. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuzJXLZZesvPMB-q4re2j_3-D-c6FWlXbxKKvVXoh7zYsdfui5bZjz4g10ekbkJrwlCt09LL2p6HBMNmz8ScOnSFuA60bsP5M6qv79mG3JN98AbMXRb68tOxPczedSCmt3cycv8BcL0z0Z/s1600/tiny+socks+cover+photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="134" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuzJXLZZesvPMB-q4re2j_3-D-c6FWlXbxKKvVXoh7zYsdfui5bZjz4g10ekbkJrwlCt09LL2p6HBMNmz8ScOnSFuA60bsP5M6qv79mG3JN98AbMXRb68tOxPczedSCmt3cycv8BcL0z0Z/s320/tiny+socks+cover+photo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
And while I reflect on all my knitting wonders from 2013, I'm already planning for a year-long knitting project. Catherine and I are doing a knit-a-long of socks. We're making the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/harvest-dew" target="_blank">Harvest Dew</a> pattern, and we're making it last all year by only knitting one row a day. In a more likely scenario, I will knit 7 rows per week when I sit down to do it, but we are forbidden from finishing before December 31, 2014.<br />
<br />
This is the yarn that Catherine got me for Christmas: <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXB8TR5FYq8cTxLayruKSMrx_2r60lqpXOtNC7MMevmtBIeJlIPMP3-nMAItTlpNoB-YlwPv6SturedgUb44QOlto2OXWRKhTnHcnoPqROqZd_LBPzYAemIsV2SCPR0v2tuHMtb3Efw93V/s1600/DSC04177.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXB8TR5FYq8cTxLayruKSMrx_2r60lqpXOtNC7MMevmtBIeJlIPMP3-nMAItTlpNoB-YlwPv6SturedgUb44QOlto2OXWRKhTnHcnoPqROqZd_LBPzYAemIsV2SCPR0v2tuHMtb3Efw93V/s320/DSC04177.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
She has the same yarn in a different colour, and we both searched for a while to find a pattern that would showcase the variegated yarns. Harvest Dew was a top choice for both of us before we compared notes, and we had a "get out of my head!" moment when we revealed out top pattern pick. <br />
<br />
And as I mentioned above, I'll also be posting more in 2014 because I'll be doing weekly updates on the progress of the socks. We're doing cuff-down, one at a time, so you can check in each week and watch it grow.<br />
<br />
Happy New Year!<br />
<br />
Onward,<br />
<br />
vrockvrockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00487698471635922624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6170422833805465046.post-66652642383864700232013-12-24T13:21:00.000-05:002013-12-31T16:19:13.673-05:00Boxes full of deliciousness Merry Christmas Eve, readers! Here comes your daily dose of holiday cheer in the form of the insane amount of baking I've done in the last two months.<br />
<br />
Every year since Fuzzyhead and I have been together, we've given gifts to all of our extended family at Christmas time. You may know from your own experiences, that buying presents for aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandparents is murderous awful work, because you see these people twice a year and have no idea what they want/need or what they would appreciate. We've opted for consumable homemade gifts every year, because who doesn't love to stuff your face at Christmas? <br />
<br />
In the past, I've made red pepper jelly for everyone, an assortment of jams (where everyone got one big jar and one little jar of different types of jams), and a mix of different tasty things, including homemade marshmallows, chai tea concentrate syrup, a spice rub trio, and tea blends. This year, I went the baking route and made up boxes of tasty treats for everyone. I can tell you right now, I will probably never do this again.<br />
<br />
I started the process in October, when I chose all the recipes I wanted to make, based on things I've made in the past, and various other recipes from my favourite magazines and websites. My all-time favourite magazine is the 2011 Better Homes and Gardens special holiday release called Food Gifts. It's amazing. You can find most of the recipes online, but the magazine is so nicely put together with lots of ideas for presenting the food in bags, boxes, and containers. Martha Stewart is my other go-to, since it's rare that I come across a bad recipe from her.<br />
<br />
My baking list included:<br />
<br />
-Gingerbread men (Martha Stewart)<br />
-Chai spice sugar cookies with vanilla glaze (Better Homes and Gardens website)<br />
-Classic shortbread (Martha)<br />
-Decorated sugar cookies (Martha)<br />
-Peanut butter marshmallow squares (general internet search, it's only three ingredients so any recipe will do)<br />
-Toffee-topped chocolate ganache tarts (BHG magazine)<br />
-Lemony-glazed shortbread (BHG magazine)<br />
-Pink Lady Squares (general internet search, these are also so common that any recipe will do)<br />
-Homemade marshmallows (BHG magazine)<br />
-Snickerdoodle thumbprint cookies with apple butter (a Martha recipe, but I added the snickerdoodle part and the apple butter)<br />
-Red velvet whoopie pies with cream cheese icing (BHG magazine)<br />
-Pumpkin spice cookies with brown butter icing (Martha Stewart website)<br />
<br />
That's twelve different types of cookies. And it took me months to get it all done. I started making the doughs, for the ones I could make ahead and freeze, in late October. I banged out the sugar cookie, chai spice cookie, gingerbread men, and the pumpkin cookie doughs and wrapped them up in the freezer. Next I started making the other things that could just sit in the freezer, like the marshmallows, the lemon shortbread, and the red velvet cookies. In the last two weeks, I really kicked it up a notch and was making or baking something almost every night. <br />
<br />
I bought 5 dollarstore containers that were long and flat to stack cookies in the freezer, and those are all full. I have a few things stored in the fridge, and a couple on the counter in other containers (the regular shortbread and the thumbprint cookies, which are fine at room temp). I've only handed out 6 of the boxes so far, and I made enough for 25 of these little treat collections. I'm looking forward to a time when my freezer will be empty again. <br />
<br />
Now, let's stop worrying about the process, and enjoy the final product:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizhSqmalcLGmydUyuNh98odA_7V81y6mQtDcC96UQ4UaDF-whihMA9LHpE2OIb_Y1B0myvZXw3hfErnMfkakbrCYvDnFrKxVkJVi3No1DQT73BoelHrMkif_1hkaAbO1QHP2-hmNehgeoE/s1600/DSC04146.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizhSqmalcLGmydUyuNh98odA_7V81y6mQtDcC96UQ4UaDF-whihMA9LHpE2OIb_Y1B0myvZXw3hfErnMfkakbrCYvDnFrKxVkJVi3No1DQT73BoelHrMkif_1hkaAbO1QHP2-hmNehgeoE/s320/DSC04146.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Clockwise from top left - marshmallows, lemon shortbread, chair sugar cookie stars, regular decorated sugar cookies, peanut butter marshmallow squares, chocolate tart (no toffee), gingerbread men, and pink lady squares.<br />
<br />
The liners I picked up by chance at Michaels when I was buying bakers' twine. They were from their "Celebration" line of accessories, and it was the only one on the shelf. They're grease-free, and came in two different pretty patterns. There were 25 sheets in the package, and it was only $5. It was fate.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS2f6Tgo-JZgUBd2-DCnPcWy0E0J2TzJfsQlOHcdeq5kbKTd0lrvPUbdRViOQzjF4mcrwG4Ffg6ACvxkOTN53rrH3l34m_SMVxpv-1z5chX8TjEz-7evXhwUVIPVEeuD-uAznEgieCTmZ1/s1600/DSC04147.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS2f6Tgo-JZgUBd2-DCnPcWy0E0J2TzJfsQlOHcdeq5kbKTd0lrvPUbdRViOQzjF4mcrwG4Ffg6ACvxkOTN53rrH3l34m_SMVxpv-1z5chX8TjEz-7evXhwUVIPVEeuD-uAznEgieCTmZ1/s320/DSC04147.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
This box is mostly the same as the one above, except it has thumbprint cookies in the bottom left corner.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJtzh-oPGmm3fjhaJBSgUF3EUlu168Jjz2Lfkz9Z6ORbJuo2U5ROyjb1XWNkh_aZFl60_iXZOFMr5i5C_e5QgF8LDz2hYKk57wydUiflCGHsMMF0TnkH6GtlYIps8MKs6m2IR2Difqot3O/s1600/DSC04148.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJtzh-oPGmm3fjhaJBSgUF3EUlu168Jjz2Lfkz9Z6ORbJuo2U5ROyjb1XWNkh_aZFl60_iXZOFMr5i5C_e5QgF8LDz2hYKk57wydUiflCGHsMMF0TnkH6GtlYIps8MKs6m2IR2Difqot3O/s320/DSC04148.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Again, mostly the same, but this one has red velvet whoopie pies in the top middle, and pumpkin cookies with brown butter icing in the bottom middle.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh26kKOzr27MSp7D96eeVG2dUy9yomPeqqDmSJ4-nOLzGVhs_Tqn_Tef3CrFlxQ_zv53Z2bts-vOi-k7blSjdOnHLyCf0vtw5pFIy_FKl5VP7l4sAksofNYazXyLG8W_z2WPjg4IgmDaw_/s1600/DSC04149.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh26kKOzr27MSp7D96eeVG2dUy9yomPeqqDmSJ4-nOLzGVhs_Tqn_Tef3CrFlxQ_zv53Z2bts-vOi-k7blSjdOnHLyCf0vtw5pFIy_FKl5VP7l4sAksofNYazXyLG8W_z2WPjg4IgmDaw_/s320/DSC04149.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
These first four boxes were for my co-workers, who all appreciate my baking throughout the year. <br />
<br />
I hummed and hawed long and hard about the perfect container for the cookies. I wanted something with a clear window in the top, but that would have cost more than it was worth. I started my search online at places like the Container Store, but their boxes would have cost me upwards of $30, before shipping. I only needed 25 boxes, and many places forced you to order by the 100's to get the best price.<br />
<br />
My solution was G.T. French paper here in town. They sell wholesale to all sorts of places, but they're also open to the public. I walked in there one day after work and bought thirty 9"x"6"x2" boxes for a whopping $6. The man who helped me was hesitant that the size I chose would be big enough, but I knew I wasn't cramming them full to the brim, and I made small-ish sized cookies for that very reason.<br />
<br />
I used various stamps from my collection to decorate the plain white boxes, and tied them closed with bakers' twine.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiODW45Q4S_2zD-ShchfOgy0WfANrUGAMaTpvprBL0kBiqKQfNtBfIn2HHF73zvl9i3E6sOoXVIqBR5x2huSjPXIolpRmRrqjI1hrrYpUx8QZfaWrnqjHQJqzDq5YveUdRMgcvlekzt4WSu/s1600/DSC04150.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiODW45Q4S_2zD-ShchfOgy0WfANrUGAMaTpvprBL0kBiqKQfNtBfIn2HHF73zvl9i3E6sOoXVIqBR5x2huSjPXIolpRmRrqjI1hrrYpUx8QZfaWrnqjHQJqzDq5YveUdRMgcvlekzt4WSu/s320/DSC04150.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgaLaUA_JDo7mvhX79vWASqjmO4TE2bPlYduCZG9WPWgRyIqCMyDssAMfF7vhAk5QewhmtTzsqBSRhxD3TsPwIXBEwWyrAeNj-rYjelkxsnrXHOBVd21Gas-tBZkXZ4LY6hZ32ZkBNTDLy/s1600/DSC04151.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgaLaUA_JDo7mvhX79vWASqjmO4TE2bPlYduCZG9WPWgRyIqCMyDssAMfF7vhAk5QewhmtTzsqBSRhxD3TsPwIXBEwWyrAeNj-rYjelkxsnrXHOBVd21Gas-tBZkXZ4LY6hZ32ZkBNTDLy/s320/DSC04151.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
I also added a little "from the kitchen of..." sticker (I have a few different stamps that say things like that, so I stamped out a few onto mailing labels) so everyone knew they weren't junky store-bought cookies that I jumbled together in a box. Fuzzyhead was concerned that some people might not appreciate all the work I did if they didn't realize they were all made by me.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUk5Dq7BPb6cC_pDNh-fIu1deCwe1vz7_T_0N7xcUwTqfDxfZznO26X9Egp2k-0Cfb91V948ZNeMYK9YE-plCZdsJstLvxcgmaRSCHNDwZnrcE3cg1umOcFCEc_E56hI_p_I1862iFegUI/s1600/DSC04152.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUk5Dq7BPb6cC_pDNh-fIu1deCwe1vz7_T_0N7xcUwTqfDxfZznO26X9Egp2k-0Cfb91V948ZNeMYK9YE-plCZdsJstLvxcgmaRSCHNDwZnrcE3cg1umOcFCEc_E56hI_p_I1862iFegUI/s320/DSC04152.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
In total, I made about 615 cookies/bars/tarts. Phew. And a Merry Christmas to one and all.<br />
<br />
Onward,<br />
<br />
vrock <br />
<br />vrockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00487698471635922624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6170422833805465046.post-47194254159850665392013-12-24T12:41:00.000-05:002013-12-31T16:19:27.186-05:00Teeny weeny feet covers<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
As you may recall, I spent an awful lot of my free time with the Guild and all the things they do. I'm especially keen on the Knitters' Fair, where I was first introduced to the Guild. This is where I was initially drawn in to volunteer when I joined the Guild, and where I will continue to shovel my time-coal after my stint on the Executive committee is complete. As someone who is involved on the planning committee for the Fair, I spend very little time shopping or enjoying all that the Fair has to offer. This year was no exception, and the total of what I walked away with fit inside one TARDIS-shaped bag:<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPeKmGp_yWSmPzfMAM8jasbvHRc6dd4aF0RtNMOWXdu1TVdnSWYEX-wCTLLQm8BYFSoDtu5n2Cxju8ftOFKTT263oTShOddK4ovjZ7TPNM7sM290QmL9uFQ94VOE2VQ_LTYVZBA28tDO7K/s1600/DSC03879.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPeKmGp_yWSmPzfMAM8jasbvHRc6dd4aF0RtNMOWXdu1TVdnSWYEX-wCTLLQm8BYFSoDtu5n2Cxju8ftOFKTT263oTShOddK4ovjZ7TPNM7sM290QmL9uFQ94VOE2VQ_LTYVZBA28tDO7K/s320/DSC03879.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
This was the very last time that these TARDIS bags would be for sale, since the lovely folks at <a href="http://www.etsy.com/ca/shop/zigzagstitches" target="_blank">ZigZag Stitches</a> received a cease and desist letter from the BBC, as they apparently own the rights to all police boxes. I snagged one of the boxy bags partly because I enjoy Doctor Who (although I'm not a superfan) and partly because they are now very rare and precious. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbxOm7q6A0VaQgrEAHToH28zc-yGyzWJyjHvGq64KscJcLXtpL_LagMKJyzH_tyeBc8IfRJFvxhkTmQAAjcGDrpV_zPn3nlZA5DFswt2iSp9GixNs4PbdlTyA-0TZix_JRfe_yEyM3NERK/s1600/DSC03878.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbxOm7q6A0VaQgrEAHToH28zc-yGyzWJyjHvGq64KscJcLXtpL_LagMKJyzH_tyeBc8IfRJFvxhkTmQAAjcGDrpV_zPn3nlZA5DFswt2iSp9GixNs4PbdlTyA-0TZix_JRfe_yEyM3NERK/s320/DSC03878.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
I also bought a handful of teeny tiny yarns from <a href="http://www.theblacklamb.ca/" target="_blank">The Black Lamb</a>.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW-NwWx9yU2NmGYWesOBef5pR5wmJQupB9fycPXkXLb0J6djg03a0JUa0OGSayeTPRs-wo6YALC4TybbUT6FwXFbbDS5OM03EswqMAQD_NCpPztfDpFx7saHkxJ3tzVOvPfv8IAIgAr9x-/s1600/DSC03876.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW-NwWx9yU2NmGYWesOBef5pR5wmJQupB9fycPXkXLb0J6djg03a0JUa0OGSayeTPRs-wo6YALC4TybbUT6FwXFbbDS5OM03EswqMAQD_NCpPztfDpFx7saHkxJ3tzVOvPfv8IAIgAr9x-/s320/DSC03876.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The rainbow-coloured ones were purchased for a pair of stripey baby socks for a co-worker's baby. My work's logo is rainbow-ish, and I knew she would absolutely DIE when she saw tiny socks in our colours.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyxGSlHjd9CAddJ9fRYioDze_cRxyvKWtKq4oaKNvAoDTPVVSLMzwx-WkHMRPc83HWzgi1nvhyLwM0b6XQeg7XVKN8AvxzyawDRk98BjKGXs3BJ42jm_Ubzb8ZWsvVFefuy44o2JmPETCJ/s1600/DSC03875.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyxGSlHjd9CAddJ9fRYioDze_cRxyvKWtKq4oaKNvAoDTPVVSLMzwx-WkHMRPc83HWzgi1nvhyLwM0b6XQeg7XVKN8AvxzyawDRk98BjKGXs3BJ42jm_Ubzb8ZWsvVFefuy44o2JmPETCJ/s320/DSC03875.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
The other colours were purchases for tiny socks for a mantle decoration for our house. We just recently installed a mantle (we don't have a fireplace or anything, we just like the look of a mantle), and it needed some holiday decoration love. I decided to make 24 teeny tiny holiday socks, each to be filled with sweets and treats to enjoy on all the days leading up to Christmas. I already started the project in the summer with whatever red, green, and white socks yarn scraps I had lying around, so this was just to introduce a few more shades of holiday cheer to the collection.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9NbclCxKRrWxOgDNgfdafuvF8SvE5AZ2vIMSohUUeS_sHnnFW1ZqZc-S1apfR8EBuderUfjw_TLjXvIVYxFxPPjBAmjFCV0oXqL8yokogOqCBGT4cSmTXaZrTzo483X2MDBXezsNIgHg7/s1600/DSC03877.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9NbclCxKRrWxOgDNgfdafuvF8SvE5AZ2vIMSohUUeS_sHnnFW1ZqZc-S1apfR8EBuderUfjw_TLjXvIVYxFxPPjBAmjFCV0oXqL8yokogOqCBGT4cSmTXaZrTzo483X2MDBXezsNIgHg7/s320/DSC03877.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Here are some in-progress shots of the tiny socks, from the yarns I already had:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTAhCF1ZFnvcS9_ulubXkdDTK962Ss_dJFu23gPSZ9a0gpTp8b0Ou4555bXSuNX0FtHHWCd0yiV0qA3co9HOrd7bYEDqRuiyJnP8ikid82FvV9ncthzQ7tCu6PJx4Z77D6WwRWpMGWQb41/s1600/DSC03857.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTAhCF1ZFnvcS9_ulubXkdDTK962Ss_dJFu23gPSZ9a0gpTp8b0Ou4555bXSuNX0FtHHWCd0yiV0qA3co9HOrd7bYEDqRuiyJnP8ikid82FvV9ncthzQ7tCu6PJx4Z77D6WwRWpMGWQb41/s320/DSC03857.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
You'll notice that I snuck in a few pairs of mittens, just to mix it up.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbhP0ihQkKyr3N2u3M5I-1K5ap3b85qRcBb9XKacpxzFruhNRIq-J0VPhe5HcYHQLZSo2EZkXY9jEo2_y-sK0yzcUW9I8zIAzLX9g0G-Z3MNjeeQ4VV2IFOO4583Al_HsKzoO1SedBZ2Zk/s1600/DSC03858.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbhP0ihQkKyr3N2u3M5I-1K5ap3b85qRcBb9XKacpxzFruhNRIq-J0VPhe5HcYHQLZSo2EZkXY9jEo2_y-sK0yzcUW9I8zIAzLX9g0G-Z3MNjeeQ4VV2IFOO4583Al_HsKzoO1SedBZ2Zk/s320/DSC03858.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
And here is the finished product:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXsZgMI9ZlS4gFZvPCZrT8JLcQqp6SfzaC97vtL5T_35UGQYA5J4KQ1fbmCC3wAo27RR3pwXNTirgylWSDdS5_iFJd32L0dPZfMpZDVdtgNCYFwXxyhZagKjD_q87wj020GE7idex5wp5y/s1600/tiny+socks+cover+photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="134" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXsZgMI9ZlS4gFZvPCZrT8JLcQqp6SfzaC97vtL5T_35UGQYA5J4KQ1fbmCC3wAo27RR3pwXNTirgylWSDdS5_iFJd32L0dPZfMpZDVdtgNCYFwXxyhZagKjD_q87wj020GE7idex5wp5y/s320/tiny+socks+cover+photo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
They are lovely. And wonderful. And teensy tiny. Each sock took about 2 hours to make, and I used the <a href="http://www.knitzi.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=250" target="_blank">Hunca Munca</a> pattern (the plain version, although I chose to graft the toes rather than use a three-needle bind off). For the mittens, I improvised based on the same number of stitches as the socks, and my general knowledge of mitten construction.<br />
<br />
For the treats inside them, I chose candy for me, and a LEGO set for Fuzzyhead, broken down with a pinch pieces inside each sock, and the instructions for assembly handed out on the last day.<br />
<br />
As for baby socks for an actual baby, here's how they turned out:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw950EiqR1XaHYB7vIWNLF4jubqlyqTuMbSRbtTgNVF_JsH0eW7qgd0JzBFtGJaKiIQ16XRSbKpsl1geio_GqyftOAblr0Pic_ZrvWXVFqn4yp6zTqWlDUOcIVLJmU8vS-fCYzSO-XcuJB/s1600/DSC03982.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw950EiqR1XaHYB7vIWNLF4jubqlyqTuMbSRbtTgNVF_JsH0eW7qgd0JzBFtGJaKiIQ16XRSbKpsl1geio_GqyftOAblr0Pic_ZrvWXVFqn4yp6zTqWlDUOcIVLJmU8vS-fCYzSO-XcuJB/s320/DSC03982.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMe-RR73YfvzyHtixysZB1SqcaT_I5L_QTtaDxdyh4SzicEE-S16EzMM19pgYNyfbt1D-FqGwnnhyphenhyphenMF9yO9eKjFS3avggOKRPMEp2SNUSJaMcLimLb6xsDPRAefCTOFdBxcmy4aLEf3E4G/s1600/DSC03983.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMe-RR73YfvzyHtixysZB1SqcaT_I5L_QTtaDxdyh4SzicEE-S16EzMM19pgYNyfbt1D-FqGwnnhyphenhyphenMF9yO9eKjFS3avggOKRPMEp2SNUSJaMcLimLb6xsDPRAefCTOFdBxcmy4aLEf3E4G/s320/DSC03983.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
For gifting them, I made a small box from cereal cardboard I found in the blue bin, and covered it with brown craft paper. I neatly folded tissue paper inside and tucked one of my washing and care cards behind the socks. The box itself was done up to look like an old-timey parcel you'd get in the mail, and it was addressed to the wee recipient, care of his mother. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiskLDWLOUlazn7J6pAW8z6QDz8lKuXKxdsQrwD4qU840qqsDND7H48HLA4Xr2VrYeQzP7ST0QIM5bUHWbLS1mHr5JBjXc-rBqdvRMvdaJmY28Hq5JyQRtr6mOjgSzyfHuFQakhGbuU6Ho4/s1600/DSC04120.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiskLDWLOUlazn7J6pAW8z6QDz8lKuXKxdsQrwD4qU840qqsDND7H48HLA4Xr2VrYeQzP7ST0QIM5bUHWbLS1mHr5JBjXc-rBqdvRMvdaJmY28Hq5JyQRtr6mOjgSzyfHuFQakhGbuU6Ho4/s320/DSC04120.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
That's my "hand knitted with love by me" stamp on the underside of the lid.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9_8HBQ6s7E9XYvYT_U4SRlLZUNJNym9eGc4fcHHB2Nli1PRFulw486qA_3OzyT7WpJgGaZRqtk8yg2P2w4u9aaps9t8sZPbl7mmQNgfmjhynNEc8jA-v2-1GB1KK1jfO5UywDI_8NsS1D/s1600/DSC04121.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9_8HBQ6s7E9XYvYT_U4SRlLZUNJNym9eGc4fcHHB2Nli1PRFulw486qA_3OzyT7WpJgGaZRqtk8yg2P2w4u9aaps9t8sZPbl7mmQNgfmjhynNEc8jA-v2-1GB1KK1jfO5UywDI_8NsS1D/s320/DSC04121.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
And as hoped, she loved it. I got my very own mention on facebook. Baby Max was born December 12, a month early, so any fears of the socks being too small to ever fit him were dismissed. Mom and baby are doing well, and he's home in time for Christmas.<br />
<br />
Onward,<br />
<br />
vrock vrockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00487698471635922624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6170422833805465046.post-50213228953884497272013-11-25T19:37:00.001-05:002013-12-31T16:19:37.540-05:00The bees are everywhere!Back in September, I spent my morning at <a href="http://culturedays.ca/en" target="_blank">Culture Days</a> at <a href="http://www.regionofwaterloo.ca/en/discoveringtheregion/josephschneiderhaus.asp" target="_blank">Joseph Schneider Haus</a>, readers. Ever been? The K-W Knitters' Guild was there in all of our knitting glory, promoting our guild, our craft, and hopefully teaching a few people how to knit.<br />
<br />
A quick confession before we get too far in to this. I completely forgot about this on my calendar until half an hour before I was supposed to be there. I had agreed to spend the morning at the booth, and then trade off when other people arrived around lunch time. My shift was 10-1ish, and at 9:30, when I was typing up a blog post and sipping my morning coffee on a lazy Sunday morning, I checked my phone to see what time I was working the next day and saw a flash of "Schneider" on the screen. I put my phone down and carried on my merry way, and then sat straight up and probably said a swear as I realized what that meant.<br />
<br />
I hauled ass to get ready and pull together a bunch of samples for the table. I was out the door just before 10am, and was on track to arrive downtown around 10:15. I rushed into the parking lot across the street, and speed walked over to the building. Aaaaaaaaaaand there was no one there, and nothing set up yet. Then I saw that the hours of operation on Sunday are 1-5pm. Hmm. Let's put this all together now. I know that I was asked to be there at 10, and I agreed to be there at 10. So....where was everyone? There was another lady standing around looking equally confused, so I took the initiative and went inside to see if I could find someone. I found people right away, and it looked like we were the first ones there as they were finishing the set-up. Someone brought over a table and a couple chairs for our tent, and I set out my samples.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-yLo8ubRrNgWUXSLcAiUs87OOfgJvYCxG3r6DL96xmzZWezguho6OOW2ozMkazylbr9KAK6K4pcSqWjeBwSPip1vXCE-Y8CMSp9ILcMsOj0KNMVM3OkbwX-mX7Ss-InB_AetixJ6bKztA/s1600/DSC03924.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-yLo8ubRrNgWUXSLcAiUs87OOfgJvYCxG3r6DL96xmzZWezguho6OOW2ozMkazylbr9KAK6K4pcSqWjeBwSPip1vXCE-Y8CMSp9ILcMsOj0KNMVM3OkbwX-mX7Ss-InB_AetixJ6bKztA/s320/DSC03924.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
Around 10:30, my morning shift partner arrived with the Guild banner, and I had some company.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy768yweE3Uk1IFqZQlEzS_3ftvKL0PhRYXwgpa_8elt8ga-D9hsEoAXFfP9JxkPv_RZWrr_T96HHcepeEjKAxZ_Uw0fP_RF683y9lwuyBzs_mXvFywzWJBvoxHmJxozplswI_gJjzUycE/s1600/DSC03925.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy768yweE3Uk1IFqZQlEzS_3ftvKL0PhRYXwgpa_8elt8ga-D9hsEoAXFfP9JxkPv_RZWrr_T96HHcepeEjKAxZ_Uw0fP_RF683y9lwuyBzs_mXvFywzWJBvoxHmJxozplswI_gJjzUycE/s320/DSC03925.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_ZVvI-buemmqheghu7hCWvyrat92wdl8Jp_Hu9CubhfPB5lvym5ZVBJMuAnGiPghy1i5-1NdN0sJfY_mOlr_W6rR6Q2b2SddwsO1E-bD-3i5SnCmxugLTUgV3B7AUqQiJRxnHgrAPHMEV/s1600/DSC03926.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_ZVvI-buemmqheghu7hCWvyrat92wdl8Jp_Hu9CubhfPB5lvym5ZVBJMuAnGiPghy1i5-1NdN0sJfY_mOlr_W6rR6Q2b2SddwsO1E-bD-3i5SnCmxugLTUgV3B7AUqQiJRxnHgrAPHMEV/s320/DSC03926.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
I think we must have had some wires crossed about why it was necessary to be there at 10/10:30 when the event didn't start until 1pm. We didn't have much to set up, and we really just ended up knitting and chatting and seeing what the other booths were up to. When I left at 1:00, a few more Guild people had arrived, and I entirely missed interacting with the visitors. Oh well.<br />
<br />
The day was lovely, it was bright and sunny, and I hope that the Guild got some great exposure from the event. I would definitely volunteer with this event again, hopefully during a time when the public is actually there.<br />
<br />
Onward,<br />
<br />
vrock vrockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00487698471635922624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6170422833805465046.post-40423991633106090002013-10-24T18:30:00.000-04:002013-10-24T18:30:06.929-04:00Look at the size of that nut!I like a good knitting challenge, readers. Here's the back story: I work at a museum, and we have traveling exhibits that come in for 4-8 months at a time. Currently we have a trees exhibit, which is aimed at families and small children, and one of my coworkers asked if I could make her an acorn to use during demonstrations with the kids. Of course I could.<br />
<br />
I rooted around on Ravelry to find a pattern I could modify. The knitted options didn't look that great, and I know you can make odd shapes more easily with crochet, so I resigned myself to the fact that I would be moving away from the needles and picking up a hook.<br />
<br />
The pattern I liked the best was the one that met the scale requirements for the project. We needed something that would be a plush version of an acorn, that kids could toss around and play with. I was aiming for something that was about 8-10" tall, and it seemed like more trouble than it was worth to take a 2" acorn pattern and make it ten times the size. <br />
<br />
Enter the<a href="http://littlegreen.typepad.com/romansock/2008/06/little-acorn-pa.html" target="_blank"> Little Acorn Project Bag</a> by Brigitte Read. This was exactly what I was looking for, and it was free, and it looked easy enough for my limited crochet skills.<br />
<br />
Her version was meant to be a project bag, as the name indicates, but it was a simple step to not include the button closures and just stuff it and sew it up. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZAZLGeuu6CfybevjMOaq0YtpLLvJAUgieN3In01JQ4p3DDGu_6uQlUdeG3F0PXn7YNDKgEiUNIq4BAbp_CjVh9k4xuSJbMOypEM_bEixK73nWJ5Is3WBNe6G_dwrNyQ7urpLCo5HqzhPx/s1600/DSC03927.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZAZLGeuu6CfybevjMOaq0YtpLLvJAUgieN3In01JQ4p3DDGu_6uQlUdeG3F0PXn7YNDKgEiUNIq4BAbp_CjVh9k4xuSJbMOypEM_bEixK73nWJ5Is3WBNe6G_dwrNyQ7urpLCo5HqzhPx/s320/DSC03927.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz0lhbS21X3DUpm82wbAmv0OEGrXHS7_fJIknoMj9McUrw_Qh_mO__yMdpMvVSsUnppiOvtUxijAbF87K-7qFfXPEtXbzLljyVzTiy9uo4oB05XLRMjJG7eVXkBf32iNL2K_dr3rAWZKVx/s1600/DSC03928.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz0lhbS21X3DUpm82wbAmv0OEGrXHS7_fJIknoMj9McUrw_Qh_mO__yMdpMvVSsUnppiOvtUxijAbF87K-7qFfXPEtXbzLljyVzTiy9uo4oB05XLRMjJG7eVXkBf32iNL2K_dr3rAWZKVx/s320/DSC03928.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz_Zq4mhXjXhPmM8CQVs8M41EG-wBLi06BMyzJFPP86bF4EwkpEBu93_qEtkVt89uodMIF-_q4lFVkUJm6oNtSlQz8VjgtQ30vUXKCYhn-Sh3OrTEh1oUZwM1p6WnYZV0bmxH03r-Ksmpe/s1600/DSC03929.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz_Zq4mhXjXhPmM8CQVs8M41EG-wBLi06BMyzJFPP86bF4EwkpEBu93_qEtkVt89uodMIF-_q4lFVkUJm6oNtSlQz8VjgtQ30vUXKCYhn-Sh3OrTEh1oUZwM1p6WnYZV0bmxH03r-Ksmpe/s320/DSC03929.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
I was so happy with how this turned out. It was easy peasy to make, and I had it done in a few nights. AND, I was able to use up some of my leftover scraps of acrylic yarn from various projects. No one really likes acrylic, but it made the most sense for this project because it would be man-handled by grubby little kid fingers all day, and now it can just be tossed in the wash.<br />
<br />
Also, it was a very cute little fall project to work on, and it makes me want to make a series of crocheted and felted acorns for decorating my dining table. At Rhinebeck, there were some really adorable needle felting kits for pumpkins and the like, and I want to try my hand it that eventually. I realize now that I had the cash on hand to buy one of the kits, but I was holding on to my cash for our food stops on the way home, which didn't end up happening. Oh well. I'll put it on my list for next time, and it's one more craft to add to my list of things to do.<br />
<br />
Onward,<br />
<br />
vrockvrockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00487698471635922624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6170422833805465046.post-79120897259686630662013-10-21T13:12:00.003-04:002013-10-21T13:13:56.552-04:00A worthy post after months of no action - Rhinebeck 2013!Hello readers! Before you even say anything, I'll explain myself. I went through a bout of no knitting this summer, where not only did I not write any blog posts, but I also did not do any knitting. I bought a house with Fuzzyhead in June and all of my efforts went to doing all the little things with the house (for your own amusement, you can follow my house adventures at joeyandjanicebuyahouse.wordpress.com). Now that we're settled in, I think it's about time for me to get back to knitting, and writing about it.<br />
<br />
We begin with my most recent knitting excursion to Rhinebeck. You may recall that Catherine and I went last year for the first time, and we were gung ho about going again. We went with the same bus group, a bunch of ladies from Georgetown who organize the trip each year. We were fully prepared for the bus of cackling hens syndrome again, and I think it really helped to know that was coming in advance. I brought my ipod and I think I chiseled away about more than 12 hours worth of podcasts on the trip. Let's start the recap!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvdRhwvDrDxRMihTfjZMW2-iz2sY7Ny6Lg0LOvNhDQy5aN_0yJ_LgApXo3lk8OM18bSeGz2elhJ5i-o23BMyXXBIiQhxV6myDD5d-SsaakvtDrhQo7un8vK_xsdsp6my8MNlPHzUxzBEeB/s1600/DSC03932.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvdRhwvDrDxRMihTfjZMW2-iz2sY7Ny6Lg0LOvNhDQy5aN_0yJ_LgApXo3lk8OM18bSeGz2elhJ5i-o23BMyXXBIiQhxV6myDD5d-SsaakvtDrhQo7un8vK_xsdsp6my8MNlPHzUxzBEeB/s320/DSC03932.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Here we are, shortly after 8am as the bus is rolling out of the parking lot to begin our journey to Rhinebeck. As someone who doesn't live in Georgetown, this meant I was up at 5:30 in order to walk a dog and get ready to leave and then drive to Georgetown to meet the group. The lack of sleep didn't catch up to me until later that afternoon, around the time when I was getting mildly bus sick from the combination of jerky stopping and starting and what I later found out was a vanilla air freshener.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5_RqRmkwRn0Ao4K7cnZey_qnA35e5j3HPlHs6eOTNTX4oeDLBAu2f28x_6Ldf9fvktvfL-FeETEMxtBkBKpSS-Sf8e75p8zagnjzgUlVozzZsIvTpsOx1tUiCbp6kbqRbzTcZlrGsoN9D/s1600/DSC03933.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5_RqRmkwRn0Ao4K7cnZey_qnA35e5j3HPlHs6eOTNTX4oeDLBAu2f28x_6Ldf9fvktvfL-FeETEMxtBkBKpSS-Sf8e75p8zagnjzgUlVozzZsIvTpsOx1tUiCbp6kbqRbzTcZlrGsoN9D/s320/DSC03933.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
At about 10am, we arrived at ye olde duty free. They are a well-oiled machine at duty free, since they get so many bus loads of cackling hens arriving each day to load up on booze and designer fragrances, so a kind young lady from the duty free hops on the bus to give us the low-down on the process. She also handed out two $10 gift certificates, to force us to spend money, and Catherine won! As soon as it was in her hand, we started chanting "candy! candy!" and the other gals on the bus laughed at us. Who's laughing now, ladies? We scored two GIANT Reese's peanut butter bars for $6, with money left over for jelly beans. Super score.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipgOYQKQKixvdkpJmAk1PKRaJY7blOZcryNdB4QUioGMQoDY9Zr2vUJ9voH8N3AF-tr3KUXas3exQePVvX0RtGVhjcjD7_rSXcz7xspgOUhZfTufE5023eHp0-dGH97bxNa0veGr7ZzSIZ/s1600/DSC03934.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipgOYQKQKixvdkpJmAk1PKRaJY7blOZcryNdB4QUioGMQoDY9Zr2vUJ9voH8N3AF-tr3KUXas3exQePVvX0RtGVhjcjD7_rSXcz7xspgOUhZfTufE5023eHp0-dGH97bxNa0veGr7ZzSIZ/s320/DSC03934.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Our border crossing experience was the exact opposite of what happened last year - this year we were really delayed in crossing to the states, but breezed through the border stop on the way home. Here we are crossing over to Buffalo, before we even got to the hour long wait in the parking lot before the let us come inside and flash our passports.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT1vUy75hmKJvuAC_Ms38hi0CdJrrfKdI_VR-JMtLbBly0u537Rji_L_N-moWBPCZY9RjoAizWJPa-Mo5pp2uf0oBgTfl8x3CMhbrRC4pel7danYZRNBHfsE-TDIx05zQli5AuNBmE3NtU/s1600/DSC03935.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT1vUy75hmKJvuAC_Ms38hi0CdJrrfKdI_VR-JMtLbBly0u537Rji_L_N-moWBPCZY9RjoAizWJPa-Mo5pp2uf0oBgTfl8x3CMhbrRC4pel7danYZRNBHfsE-TDIx05zQli5AuNBmE3NtU/s320/DSC03935.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
In knitting news, this is what I was working on on the bus. The pattern is <a href="http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEss11/PATTrivercat.php" target="_blank">Rivercat</a> from Knitty and this is yarn that I bought <a href="http://vrock-inreallife.blogspot.ca/2012/10/a-journey-to-rhinebeck-and-back-again.html" target="_blank">last year at Rhinebeck</a>. It's from <a href="http://cephalopodyarns.com/" target="_blank">Cephalopod Yarns,</a> Skinny Bugga in Green Darner Dragonfly. This is where I was at the start of the trip, and within the last hour of traveling back, I was grafting the toe. I started the pattern a few days ahead of leaving for Rhinebeck so I wouldn't be figuring out the tricky little parts of the pattern while on a jiggling bus.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFmRs-1ZtUvE38UJNfCJEEqNLUT1kQRa3YPAIK-HwyZlUL37oFGBFyv0iX-OWocKQ8UtbamMjwmJPsgYYtcMvpsWGON0LkElB-PlTRxpH8SUvMDWtQ9Y50pdgix7awdbH6NMgoTLDTNCM6/s1600/DSC03936.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFmRs-1ZtUvE38UJNfCJEEqNLUT1kQRa3YPAIK-HwyZlUL37oFGBFyv0iX-OWocKQ8UtbamMjwmJPsgYYtcMvpsWGON0LkElB-PlTRxpH8SUvMDWtQ9Y50pdgix7awdbH6NMgoTLDTNCM6/s320/DSC03936.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
We arrived to Poughkeepsie in one piece and ditched the rest of the group at the Olive Garden to run across the street to Chili's. We were in bed early, and up at the crack of early to get ready for the fair. Here we are on the bus on Saturday morning, excited for yarns!<br />
<br />
I made a list of what I needed to buy on Friday night in the hotel. I had specific projects in mind, and I jotted down the basic requirements for yardage and yarn weight:<br />
<br />
Norie Hat - 260 yards, DK weight<br />
<img alt="1_small2" class="height_lock" src="http://images4-b.ravelrycache.com/uploads/Gudrun/42470211/1_small2.jpg" style="left: 0px;" /> <br />
<br />
Rockefeller Shawl - 450 yards colour A, 505 yards colour B, light fingering weight<br />
<img class="photo_image" height="214" id="photo_image_25809571" src="http://farm9.static.flickr.com/8444/7894579292_270ff33095_z.jpg" width="320" /> <br />
<br />
Larch Cardigan - 1580-1720 yards, Sport weight<br />
<img alt="5273376889_9db9cc3133_n" class="width_lock" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5284/5273376889_9db9cc3133_n.jpg" style="left: -78px;" /> <br />
<br />
Hemlock Ring Blanket - 600 yards, worsted weight<br />
<img class="photo_image" height="213" id="photo_image_315648" src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1416/1083791860_9f0a610f6b_z.jpg" width="320" /> <br />
<br />
And I was open to the idea of picking up yarn for a baby project for a coworker, and I wanted to pick up some yarn for Tyler, who just started knitting earlier this year. His only request was "red", so that left it open for fun interpretations.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoMlhoS_fOEfaCDCmXhvGSCe5rplE_7xYbpsbSIoUOkm1HGlU7Ee-vAOhXifHVpBD0OqCa_wLeJ7mPRT-tHrMSNSU_qUwIs4cCeClHjVeh2yZKL8hgtg3o5-NQ41r6yQt-xnW5iLhJyzcz/s1600/DSC03937.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoMlhoS_fOEfaCDCmXhvGSCe5rplE_7xYbpsbSIoUOkm1HGlU7Ee-vAOhXifHVpBD0OqCa_wLeJ7mPRT-tHrMSNSU_qUwIs4cCeClHjVeh2yZKL8hgtg3o5-NQ41r6yQt-xnW5iLhJyzcz/s320/DSC03937.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Blurry, but it`s the entrance to the fairgrounds - Dutchess County Fairgrounds, home of the New York State Sheep and Wool Festival! <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJfte3d23Bu2IJGiKLhXiG4mRfPT9mH2GztEAVBEBJcza4cBjGo4-PYy_AQKCVQmOoSZzIR6j3Gnm_Gam7f7NHED8Xy2MMSGdvfbKpmHvXGzhhzA7u1Ov4c8YG9BE8_cTNX2efFqc2g5wU/s1600/DSC03960.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJfte3d23Bu2IJGiKLhXiG4mRfPT9mH2GztEAVBEBJcza4cBjGo4-PYy_AQKCVQmOoSZzIR6j3Gnm_Gam7f7NHED8Xy2MMSGdvfbKpmHvXGzhhzA7u1Ov4c8YG9BE8_cTNX2efFqc2g5wU/s320/DSC03960.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr9ci09jQgH-W3gH7_tznQUF52VdrJc31GPlGo5poKXv3uhQO2NCUbDpCZDuhZ0UAZ4QC6MHppVJ1e5TWrWfEglvSs6BzGO4piyK1_u_rvZ43IiBQutKXnUTyuofAUcDSf9k8Wd7d9JvEv/s1600/DSC03938.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr9ci09jQgH-W3gH7_tznQUF52VdrJc31GPlGo5poKXv3uhQO2NCUbDpCZDuhZ0UAZ4QC6MHppVJ1e5TWrWfEglvSs6BzGO4piyK1_u_rvZ43IiBQutKXnUTyuofAUcDSf9k8Wd7d9JvEv/s320/DSC03938.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
The line-up. This is mostly to show the scale of the event - when I tell people I went to a knitting festival, they don't really get that it's a big deal, with THOUSANDS of people. It was way more crowded on the Saturday than last year, and I'm not sure what made the difference. A lot of the vendors were the same, the weather was equally nice, so....? <br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK7dtKc9Rxnel6ngTtrD44yIlANgrozuFIlS_TmJFcgJhS1VTbESbODwXvlmgxYVrSz0mOhXg_zOgJ0uUZhAyrlg5-YZMq7oOo38N8quJnYXmo76kij9h2v3VbP9DNQzBB_o6E68ggxTv7/s1600/DSC03939.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK7dtKc9Rxnel6ngTtrD44yIlANgrozuFIlS_TmJFcgJhS1VTbESbODwXvlmgxYVrSz0mOhXg_zOgJ0uUZhAyrlg5-YZMq7oOo38N8quJnYXmo76kij9h2v3VbP9DNQzBB_o6E68ggxTv7/s320/DSC03939.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Waiting in line to get our chance to squeeze all the yarny goodness.<br />
<br />
We took a different approach to shopping this year; we weren't just going to browse all day on Saturday and miss out on getting the yarns we wanted. Last year, our "take notes first, and buy later" philosophy meant some of our choices were sold out before we got back on Sunday with money. This year's plan was to hit up the popular booths first and make impulsive purchases so we wouldn't regret it later. First up, <a href="http://www.missbabs.com/" target="_blank">Miss Babs</a>.<br />
<br />
As soon as we were inside the gate, we did a hop, skip, and a jump through the leaf piles and booted it up to Building C to visit Miss Babs. Last year they were crazy busy all weekend, and I never ended up buying anything from them. This year I wanted to get something, and I was open to what that would be. I decided on getting the worsted weight yarn for Hemlock, and I picked up four skeins of Heartland Worsted in "Fieldmouse". The line-up to pay was stretching outside the building, and one could describe her booth as CRAZY. We waited in line for one hour and five minutes. No joke.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPE6kMemKBnHDEQWKRtZd0hWTw-B6Ln-Bh1DsQJnkwo-wfUJdfDj6odTqytK63IcG0QhNip4SkkF_3930j4bxsEIJm_Zz04bopNhZURE3qSUInQMhHE11qTh-cVRLvy9WxokU871DCpZ9y/s1600/DSC03940.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPE6kMemKBnHDEQWKRtZd0hWTw-B6Ln-Bh1DsQJnkwo-wfUJdfDj6odTqytK63IcG0QhNip4SkkF_3930j4bxsEIJm_Zz04bopNhZURE3qSUInQMhHE11qTh-cVRLvy9WxokU871DCpZ9y/s320/DSC03940.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
I was almost more excited about the food options than I was about the yarn. We chose this cute little food truck for lunch on Saturday. They make flamms, which are like pizzas, but super duper thin. I chose the Traditional, which had spiced creme, red onion, scallions, bacon, and some other kind of cheese.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUCEMe3EUDDSg0nggroCApkAOwaAeUyyMOFEym6JhTkuoTszDdecY2jSHwV-r9zobnHvVxvLZe_LU5gZkrysuouvnGYYUpijwqXV0E9DpuorqC6D7IVRO3YZimrvltf1efILnO9c7Qjy6O/s1600/DSC03941.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUCEMe3EUDDSg0nggroCApkAOwaAeUyyMOFEym6JhTkuoTszDdecY2jSHwV-r9zobnHvVxvLZe_LU5gZkrysuouvnGYYUpijwqXV0E9DpuorqC6D7IVRO3YZimrvltf1efILnO9c7Qjy6O/s320/DSC03941.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
It was so delicious, I can't even tell you. The only thing I didn't love was the charred edge bits and the amount of flour that they had to use to get the flamms to slide in and out of the oven easily. Catherine described it as eating an ashtray after a while, and because of it she didn't finish all of hers.<br />
<br />
We did more wandering and shopping in the afternoon, and we also hit up the other very popular booth of the weekend, Cephalopod Yarns. They had a pretty big line-up last year, and by the time we got there, there wasn't much selection. This year, we were ahead of the game, and we went there with guns a-blazin'. I picked up a skein of the DK weight in "Arkham" for my Norie hat.<br />
<br />
After the two big names were out of the way, we wandered around and took in the sites. I wish that I could have bought a $10 bunny: <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbBA_YJbewtB3j-lqA8edrOupCrzVnVOZGuYBR5b-gZOgy6CFiMu5jL0MBYquJA2IDDsjebQk5An1dNRuzGKouNz91_qloX5APxCSVOKI95wmesvYg5-vO32rLq22V5Kl1rkRlLLGVC9fV/s1600/DSC03944.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbBA_YJbewtB3j-lqA8edrOupCrzVnVOZGuYBR5b-gZOgy6CFiMu5jL0MBYquJA2IDDsjebQk5An1dNRuzGKouNz91_qloX5APxCSVOKI95wmesvYg5-vO32rLq22V5Kl1rkRlLLGVC9fV/s320/DSC03944.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
But I'm pretty sure I couldn't get over the border with one, plus it didn't look like they had anything for you to carry it around in. Too bad.<br />
<br />
One of our major afternoon stops was at <a href="http://www.thefoldatmc.net/index.html" target="_blank">The Fold</a> and <a href="http://www.bluemoonfiberarts.com/newmoon/" target="_blank">Blue Moon Fiber Arts</a>, which is where I bought the yarn for the lovely sweater I wore on Saturday. They carry Socks that Rock, and I remembered their booth fondly from last year. From them I picked up a skein of mill ends heavyweight sock yarn for some winter socks for Fuzzyhead, and the yarn for my Rockefeller shawl in the form of mini skeins of Socks that Rock in "Sabertooth Caterpillar" and "Cozy Fierce and Dirty Orange".<br />
<br />
By 4:00, we were tuckered out, and we spent the last hour or so sitting on a grassy and leafy hill, resting our tired little tootsies. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4LWfaZH42hCNIVSoBR_vxRZwP1t72JbE7tJ4CWcqRLEXGhb9MFhkK7YdWTVM__WiXaCp3PfP0-t-dVUm_ddVLS3HI6WnNQaTZyBSpGPaeSuB5umsRn5BckHrND2qdDFoTydlnk_dDo30E/s1600/DSC03947.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4LWfaZH42hCNIVSoBR_vxRZwP1t72JbE7tJ4CWcqRLEXGhb9MFhkK7YdWTVM__WiXaCp3PfP0-t-dVUm_ddVLS3HI6WnNQaTZyBSpGPaeSuB5umsRn5BckHrND2qdDFoTydlnk_dDo30E/s320/DSC03947.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Back at the hotel, I documented my scores from the day, on my hotel bed, in poor lighting:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitAVbxjZGz6ft7MrEkVjt3lSOtCVcGeXuuuS7tzcPWUduA9XDRsq5UBcvlKKn7vSfX_RboX3c0lNtHYXIkDVkGPyUUDKnaW4vCbGiZTGGrUz3GG-zZcr2KJZrV1p9M0InqWb3oNAcqIv-i/s1600/DSC03950.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitAVbxjZGz6ft7MrEkVjt3lSOtCVcGeXuuuS7tzcPWUduA9XDRsq5UBcvlKKn7vSfX_RboX3c0lNtHYXIkDVkGPyUUDKnaW4vCbGiZTGGrUz3GG-zZcr2KJZrV1p9M0InqWb3oNAcqIv-i/s320/DSC03950.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
That's Heartland in the back, my Socks that Rock for Rockefeller in the middle-right, Socks that Rock for Fuzzyhead's heavy winter socks on the left, and Cephalopod DK up front.<br />
<br />
Sunday went by a lot faster, and we were mostly concerned with doing our quick final shopping and getting back to the bus, with food in our bellies, by 11:30. We went back to all of our "saw it yesterday and kept thinking about it" booths, and Catherine picked up a few more things. I only needed to grab Tyler's red yarn and a mini skein of white sock yarn from Miss Babs for an upcoming project. I went up to Miss Babs first thing in the morning, and the giant line was already starting, so I almost dismissed the idea of getting the mini skein. I left it for the time being, and I went to another booth and got two skeins of Shepherd's Wool in a nice bright red for Tyler.<br />
<br />
I still had some US cash burning a hole in my wallet, and I really didn't want to have to exchange it back to Canadian. And what's the one thing everyone needs more of? Sock yarn! I went to TuckerWoods and got a skein of Rory's Toes, which is their tweed sock yarn. <br />
<br />
We petted a few sheep and walked through a few more buildings to make sure we weren't missing something fantastic, and then made a break for lunch. While Catherine was still finishing lunch, I zipped back up to Miss Babs, hoping that the line wouldn't be too big to mess up my timing to get back on the bus. I saw some other people from my group, so I figured at the very least, we would all be late, and I picked up one last skein.<br />
<br />
We were back on the bus in plenty of time, and I got some solid knitting done on the drive home. We made record time on the way back, mostly due to the fact that we only stopped once before the border (and there was a Starbucks, hallelujah!), and we were through the border control stop in less than 10 minutes. We arrived back in Georgetown at 9pm, and loaded up our bags for the drive home.<br />
<br />
And now, the final yarn round-up:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpSTUn2OuKgU7faFeaINoSNWhyCJSQ9gYZXYJgn6I13q0FIXLGhz-gp9ZFUx4JhY_wgAMBUSBIa78_Xw3DfgHstUY4_u4_MZUte6qBpQydCl0E4nXkM4ihyoWFOiJ-1XZe4Av2z_NQvDHJ/s1600/DSC03962.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpSTUn2OuKgU7faFeaINoSNWhyCJSQ9gYZXYJgn6I13q0FIXLGhz-gp9ZFUx4JhY_wgAMBUSBIa78_Xw3DfgHstUY4_u4_MZUte6qBpQydCl0E4nXkM4ihyoWFOiJ-1XZe4Av2z_NQvDHJ/s320/DSC03962.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsgfuxSXkn5V2zcl0MasM0DEr6E1lDpSjUI3CXz20t-jQDs-8FjSKa1K1sD1-xO4LDWMrKKcNK8s9hBagGRqoBrbV0YfAAf75LgfWLQ03uwhHI_N6iOrhnhTOt1RemD66olc8Frosya2ej/s1600/DSC03963.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsgfuxSXkn5V2zcl0MasM0DEr6E1lDpSjUI3CXz20t-jQDs-8FjSKa1K1sD1-xO4LDWMrKKcNK8s9hBagGRqoBrbV0YfAAf75LgfWLQ03uwhHI_N6iOrhnhTOt1RemD66olc8Frosya2ej/s320/DSC03963.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXxirMm8OO6IwSO65Fm8N1JE5esvOdzmv8n9FZMZ3xiCcYc3gG5qZ0lv_X3KsLDWNyaqL-KElrtrJQl7FQKBnwT_HHdytjRDtXOscp0wBStuf06WIAuwsaiH_fDkY1EZ_UROASBZG3PnJY/s1600/DSC03965.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXxirMm8OO6IwSO65Fm8N1JE5esvOdzmv8n9FZMZ3xiCcYc3gG5qZ0lv_X3KsLDWNyaqL-KElrtrJQl7FQKBnwT_HHdytjRDtXOscp0wBStuf06WIAuwsaiH_fDkY1EZ_UROASBZG3PnJY/s320/DSC03965.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqGpmD7PTB4BV4Jdlgnd1NGI6oHEPRF5-F6qlU4ppvKbM7sLM3ORpHDi2P8LC1ikKE9Xko9lTw6s8v0T3QDxMFd_AgmnEvSrJX0H2yos-paEugrcIBi7lCXxb5IwMPkRQdVkJjN8KkKtXo/s1600/DSC03967.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqGpmD7PTB4BV4Jdlgnd1NGI6oHEPRF5-F6qlU4ppvKbM7sLM3ORpHDi2P8LC1ikKE9Xko9lTw6s8v0T3QDxMFd_AgmnEvSrJX0H2yos-paEugrcIBi7lCXxb5IwMPkRQdVkJjN8KkKtXo/s320/DSC03967.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQUrcZMv4-PZTLCE9MY4M6bqp-gnE6BsC27p1RDKLQYq3YW_kX8nvWduG825g9er4snYbtMSi1d3x2uGl16nhy24M5irRi_CZjmzMipIW7nvmRJEXNyai92P5ydCAp8gnuVeMHFnCg5u1T/s1600/DSC03970.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQUrcZMv4-PZTLCE9MY4M6bqp-gnE6BsC27p1RDKLQYq3YW_kX8nvWduG825g9er4snYbtMSi1d3x2uGl16nhy24M5irRi_CZjmzMipIW7nvmRJEXNyai92P5ydCAp8gnuVeMHFnCg5u1T/s320/DSC03970.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSaRFhO1ZzSM21r3k9jibvqDDwhH5pZi950ztX9jMI75Ywhs-y8cv-csqu-klhdclXIZLBiFvGH_aWRejzK3KCmEOrRYCVBRTWz86OnKSOO5AahyJ3HEQTvb1Xv1qFz-ARSPkU5-g3aTm6/s1600/DSC03971.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSaRFhO1ZzSM21r3k9jibvqDDwhH5pZi950ztX9jMI75Ywhs-y8cv-csqu-klhdclXIZLBiFvGH_aWRejzK3KCmEOrRYCVBRTWz86OnKSOO5AahyJ3HEQTvb1Xv1qFz-ARSPkU5-g3aTm6/s320/DSC03971.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj50Vlyg2gVo9BGcVXGCUAlKOCpWoLlE1S4-wm0O2I8WfTTjcTVwKHR0fLBJWL3Q97eZCVDOO32GEq9LshjfyF258gbcjHdZL9FEtWNOC2DCOnrx3N_D9nTxpZT5FZfzP18IS64R8ZKf7bh/s1600/DSC03973.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj50Vlyg2gVo9BGcVXGCUAlKOCpWoLlE1S4-wm0O2I8WfTTjcTVwKHR0fLBJWL3Q97eZCVDOO32GEq9LshjfyF258gbcjHdZL9FEtWNOC2DCOnrx3N_D9nTxpZT5FZfzP18IS64R8ZKf7bh/s320/DSC03973.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
I've still been taking pictures of all of my knits and yarn purchases, so I'll work on putting together some catch-up posts of everything I've been knitting. You can look forward to that, and now it's lunch time.<br />
<br />
Onward,<br />
<br />
vrockvrockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00487698471635922624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6170422833805465046.post-56191311064593770842013-04-28T09:43:00.000-04:002013-04-28T09:43:06.515-04:00See my vest, see my vest!Yesterday I expanded by knitting shopping horizons and went to the Downtown Knit Collective's annual Knitters' Frolic in Toronto. The Guild organized a bus to the Frolic, and for ten measly dollars, I sat in comfort on a big yellow school bus and chatted and knitted while someone else worried about driving and parking (shout outs to Dee-Anne for being a rockin' chauffeur!). I've been to the local Knitters' Fair a number of times, and it was at the Fair that I first learned about the Guild. I've been part of the planning committee for the Fair for the last two years, and part of the reason I wanted to check out the Frolic was to compare notes and see if we could be doing things any differently/better. <br />
<br />
Let's start with what I bought:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6NBTBZ_v6ZzFMB_MUn068fooUcu1SFVpXd-eYxK4kl7S-TJa4gXMAKSibN5Imhk-Y7GNAHjJLWRqYBDv4dFdgZinHVA8LmtjfA8ZtPMU2AvPipe3Q60OmnrAzugN2dkpsCtPoOZOtK7vM/s1600/DSC03519.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6NBTBZ_v6ZzFMB_MUn068fooUcu1SFVpXd-eYxK4kl7S-TJa4gXMAKSibN5Imhk-Y7GNAHjJLWRqYBDv4dFdgZinHVA8LmtjfA8ZtPMU2AvPipe3Q60OmnrAzugN2dkpsCtPoOZOtK7vM/s320/DSC03519.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I finally own a yarn bowl! I've been seeing these at every fair and festival and yesterday I took the plunge and bought one. This little beauty came from a vendor from Quebec, called <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/sheppardhandmade" target="_blank">Sheppard Handmade</a>. I toured the whole Frolic before coming back to buy my pottery here. Her stuff was the best by far. I especially like that the notch for your yarn is SMOOTH. Every time I've seen other yarn bowls, if you run your finger along the notch it's all catchy and grabby, and the exact opposite of what you would want for your yarn. Kudos Sheppard Handmade! </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiofcNUOOwqxmIoU1keP7AG4YCLxhnmrMTvoaz9plw93hUkRYbXt4cO864j3EhIaXSWxyMLFHx6ufoN0aStvCG8rklvuybxbggxiwYuRNKEdxGZcWDmrL4Et1tW_b6slLZhfzfm58kkWNAF/s1600/DSC03521.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiofcNUOOwqxmIoU1keP7AG4YCLxhnmrMTvoaz9plw93hUkRYbXt4cO864j3EhIaXSWxyMLFHx6ufoN0aStvCG8rklvuybxbggxiwYuRNKEdxGZcWDmrL4Et1tW_b6slLZhfzfm58kkWNAF/s320/DSC03521.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Look how cute it is! </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk19g5JMLHhlSNqyHBmfwEp4FEsp2MXpr8frGtmiEuVZx7HqAnHZZPbrozDRCNsxUPOZ_EiLYa-bk0biurck3CkgCB6pC8HJxlTyc1FQbYQZXbRaOU9JnlW9IEvsC3KfxWNS93vSmLUOXB/s1600/DSC03522.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk19g5JMLHhlSNqyHBmfwEp4FEsp2MXpr8frGtmiEuVZx7HqAnHZZPbrozDRCNsxUPOZ_EiLYa-bk0biurck3CkgCB6pC8HJxlTyc1FQbYQZXbRaOU9JnlW9IEvsC3KfxWNS93vSmLUOXB/s320/DSC03522.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
She also makes ceramic buttons, so I search through the piles and found 6 relatively small buttons for my finished paulie cardigan. I sewed them on when I got home, and now my sweater is officially complete. Ps. I love moo cards for tags on yarn and knitting notions, don't you? </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd3Uo-SS8YXlPlXXhFfuVh6D1MttQ7m_-WQSrOY4rmYfPUCR0phNCBpUWqvYfIacM9A0KLoLl6hqLDEggZ5ROG5zApKbRJ8n7CMpXPe8DXeX7gPay1Q77nWwqJFaqlgWw2Y5YsbFWHZuK8/s1600/DSC03525.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd3Uo-SS8YXlPlXXhFfuVh6D1MttQ7m_-WQSrOY4rmYfPUCR0phNCBpUWqvYfIacM9A0KLoLl6hqLDEggZ5ROG5zApKbRJ8n7CMpXPe8DXeX7gPay1Q77nWwqJFaqlgWw2Y5YsbFWHZuK8/s320/DSC03525.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
My favourite project bag maker, Zig Zag Stitches. The robots make me think of Fuzzyhead, so I've decided this project bag will be for boy projects, like boy socks. Which leads me to... </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAJcw1rZ7Ll2XbtQe-UyWKv2jn4IFg2iIcsTMepjl9vUfdCpr6hcfk-56Wqc3pRiS3tPhFKYysU5n3c52j26xD_tXX5YRSJMC6-KW88eHAwhG6Oq-4-HkimeWSyCYiaCcKwMaiwqKaaQIm/s1600/DSC03528.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAJcw1rZ7Ll2XbtQe-UyWKv2jn4IFg2iIcsTMepjl9vUfdCpr6hcfk-56Wqc3pRiS3tPhFKYysU5n3c52j26xD_tXX5YRSJMC6-KW88eHAwhG6Oq-4-HkimeWSyCYiaCcKwMaiwqKaaQIm/s320/DSC03528.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The TARDIS yarn from <a href="http://indigodragonfly.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">indigodragonfly</a>! Fuzzyhead and I watch Dr. Who on a regular basis and I thought this would add some much-needed colour to his handmade sock collection. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOuo6ujJ5MdW0vGJrRhk9oNQqS8rTmf9i8y6-3iM4ZMQCfnT1jLM2DhkQ3MDH8ZZNhHLya9K4qM8lq5_J4xG82mS7J_Rg-n04akpTQOyAmg-Es2WpJ8TpGWuIozwZsKigvMYQ1ozO2Y0rM/s1600/DSC03529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOuo6ujJ5MdW0vGJrRhk9oNQqS8rTmf9i8y6-3iM4ZMQCfnT1jLM2DhkQ3MDH8ZZNhHLya9K4qM8lq5_J4xG82mS7J_Rg-n04akpTQOyAmg-Es2WpJ8TpGWuIozwZsKigvMYQ1ozO2Y0rM/s320/DSC03529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Yarn bowl in action, securing Maeva from rolling around all over the place.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I didn't buy a whole lot, since I haven't gone through the stuff I already have in my stash, and I have big, exciting plans for it. I brought $200 cash to the Frolic, and I still have $65 left over. I did real good!</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I liked the Frolic a lot over all, they had a great selection of vendors, including some I had never seen before at the Fair. The venue was really nice too, it was held at the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre, which was pretty and open and easy to navigate. The vendors were mostly set up through different rooms on the main floor, with a small strip of vendors upstairs (only about 5 in total, which makes me think they were last-minute additions). They also had fantastic food options - the Knit Cafe handled all the food service, and I loved the sandwiches Catherine and I shared. Everything was vegetarian, which also happened to be what I was in the mood for, and the sandwiches were very interesting. We shared a grilled zucchini and mozzarella and a sweet potato and cheddar sandwich. Sweet potato on a sandwich! I have never even thought to do that. I rushed home to tell Fuzzyhead about my sandwich epiphany. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
And of course, there were some things that could have been improved on, and I'm keeping these ideas in mind as I work with the Fair committee. There was no bank machine on site, which caused a hiccup for the two people I was shopping with when they needed more moola and many of the vendors don't accept plastic forms of payment. At the Fair's previous location, Bingemans, there was a bank machine on site which, I heard, regularly runs out of cash before the day is over. At the Aud this year, there are TWO bank machines on site, and they care about keeping them full. Hooray! Our next committee meeting is coming up soon and I'll prepare a run-down of my thoughts and comparisons, since the only committee members who went to the Frolic were Catherine and I.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
In current project news, I'm making good progress on Maeva, I'm on to the second sock, and I'm more than halfway done the foot. I'm debating whether I should start a second project at the same time (gasp!) since I completed neglected Maeva while I worked on paulie. The very next project for me will be my Annis shawl, and I hope I can get that one on the needles by the end of the moth.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Happy knitting,</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Onward,</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
vrock </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
vrockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00487698471635922624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6170422833805465046.post-24276214454506482152013-04-12T13:53:00.001-04:002013-04-12T13:53:48.268-04:00Blood work and black coffeeHappy Friday, dear readers! I finished a sweater, today is a glorious day! Let's start off with pictures of the finished specimen, and then we will dissect its inner workings and talk about the process.<br />
<br />
Squeeeeee! Here's paulie: <br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4XWlOh6aXd2ryD62vcFhe1iQ4NKAVWX5TMA0nbiUH4qPe1ZOwst5amEtx0mVbzomZ9pJ2M1aWN2o_FvMht27lirrwLdBkd-bKWz84CUeEHd7hhrENCHqhbjzVHgSns2Ebsgxf7BPNvKSi/s1600/DSC03508.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4XWlOh6aXd2ryD62vcFhe1iQ4NKAVWX5TMA0nbiUH4qPe1ZOwst5amEtx0mVbzomZ9pJ2M1aWN2o_FvMht27lirrwLdBkd-bKWz84CUeEHd7hhrENCHqhbjzVHgSns2Ebsgxf7BPNvKSi/s320/DSC03508.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Isn't she lovely? I'm really pleased with the colour combination and the fit. All my swatching paid off!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5StM-l4dnzN87IqLf9xeF_HnrBXcJXjy74F2muw-TipCP03h8Mhuq3xQI7LLTOW8LmfVAhjRos8RDd3_TOxKjh6CGuIrvlAagtpyMGqWABF_1jZpVU7B3Hc2Ac1vMYwC-hfwr14OqZTC8/s1600/DSC03509.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5StM-l4dnzN87IqLf9xeF_HnrBXcJXjy74F2muw-TipCP03h8Mhuq3xQI7LLTOW8LmfVAhjRos8RDd3_TOxKjh6CGuIrvlAagtpyMGqWABF_1jZpVU7B3Hc2Ac1vMYwC-hfwr14OqZTC8/s320/DSC03509.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It's a gloomy day outside, so I wandered around my house trying to find some reasonable light to take a few selfies. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgR5CVeKCt3XnSCorFIuRrNF4UH0hUxVecpSfredQlS7Zu5LLISHB0H1EPvF2oX4tkKI7JAADtNZzzz2uAGTEtYvo-X5M98XLD5k_cihvAu9r4kAWr49AUFkTxa4soaWMn5Un3xrDzcZc8/s1600/DSC03513.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgR5CVeKCt3XnSCorFIuRrNF4UH0hUxVecpSfredQlS7Zu5LLISHB0H1EPvF2oX4tkKI7JAADtNZzzz2uAGTEtYvo-X5M98XLD5k_cihvAu9r4kAWr49AUFkTxa4soaWMn5Un3xrDzcZc8/s320/DSC03513.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Look at how she nips in perfectly around the boobs, I love her already! She still needs buttons, but as we all know, a cardigan is very wearable without buttons.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKDnzr0fZHjYNv3LAo0EuP88QhxNhLFoVGLPc_8j8ZBe8PiN4fQpS5USYygbljAcbhl6iOFsvbkMIE2j0v0aDQqQQWA5zEGK5WuwoPzV5Gh50GFFS2D_ZWkUM3Hqn6G7jAqw-JlPTMmtWL/s1600/DSC03514.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKDnzr0fZHjYNv3LAo0EuP88QhxNhLFoVGLPc_8j8ZBe8PiN4fQpS5USYygbljAcbhl6iOFsvbkMIE2j0v0aDQqQQWA5zEGK5WuwoPzV5Gh50GFFS2D_ZWkUM3Hqn6G7jAqw-JlPTMmtWL/s320/DSC03514.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The perfect length too!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
So now the knitty gritty about how paulie came to be. The journey started with a complete ripping back of the collar and shoulder section after I misread the pattern and increased far more often than I was supposed to, right up to the end of the garter stitch section when I was going to start the stripes and get into the body of the sweater. I ripped it back all the way to the first few rows and started again, and thankfully that was the only major setback of the whole project.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I mostly kept to the directions on the pattern, I didn't need a lot of modifications because my measurements lined up more or less with the medium size. I added a couple extra stitches around the upper arms, and I added an extra decrease or two to the sleeves. <br />
<br />
The shawl collar deserves its own paragraph. I had no trouble with the length of any other section of garter stitch edging (the cuffs, the bottom of the sweater), so I went merrily along with the directions for short rows for the shawl collar. When it was done, I completed the i-cord bind off in the contrasting colour, and everything looked lovely. When I tried it on (before blocking), there was no way the shawl collar would fold back on itself and stay there. It kept popping up and looking like a douchey cardigan-style popped collar. I thought it was either that the collar itself wasn't wide enough to give enough room to fold it back, or the edging was too tight and forcing it to go against my wishes. I toyed with the idea of ripping out the i-cord bind off and doing it again, much looser, but I figured blocking might cure what ails me. <br />
<br />
I made sure to block the collar folded back on itself, and it sat for 3 days drying in my mud room. Annnnnnnddddd, the result is still kind of the same, but it's smoothed out a lot more so I'm very ok with the collar staying flat. Whatever.<br />
<br />
Next up, selecting buttons! I hear that Shall We Knit? has a new fancy pants button selection, so I may check them out next month when I'm in Waterloo for the Guild meeting. My go-to place for buttons is Lens Mill, but I think paulie deserves something nice. The official wearing of paulie has started already, so buttons or no buttons, she's now a part of my wardrobe. Her ceremonial debut is this evening, at a friend of Fuzzyhead's birthday party in Dundas.<br />
<br />
And I'm back to sock knitting! Paulie was my one and only project for the last two months, and I've been neglecting Maeva. I picked these up again on Monday night knitting at Margot's, and I've finished all of the cabling work for this first sock. The leg of the sock is just panels of Stockinette with seed stitch columns - simple, but with a bit of interest. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqLjiMrjpmioUqkhlAkxxJw2u7YSRNXtt8sOFTH_1uKtOAzOCQZTic4zTnsc2P5AXZobKMJAGjJVygge36vGBAYDqNhEXxwr6lAWraQC0I7MVhXTRvfy4-7ycRA4hF-XURdFQnWOYaBDDJ/s1600/DSC03515.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqLjiMrjpmioUqkhlAkxxJw2u7YSRNXtt8sOFTH_1uKtOAzOCQZTic4zTnsc2P5AXZobKMJAGjJVygge36vGBAYDqNhEXxwr6lAWraQC0I7MVhXTRvfy4-7ycRA4hF-XURdFQnWOYaBDDJ/s320/DSC03515.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
I'm also itching to pick up some lace work for spring, I'm thinking Annis will get her time in the sun with my indigodragonfly singles lace. Annis is nice and simple, and I've got her pegged for such a fun and bright colour, I'm looking forward to it.<br />
<br />
In non-knitting news, I'm engaged to be wed to Fuzzyhead. The facebook status update was released on Monday night, and we watched all of the "likes" come in fast and furious. People love us. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb_rdXWdjWESfLzZXWMclGo7AFFQiLB0SzdrIZurT0JIAj4e-Vj7CcTteuW2iAd_PpuHXEX7DSct7Y3ytrraSfE-pFgWOaP58q5qKv8ii8fn1K35vheGkBX9DThR_maHexCqWxVqazX82a/s1600/271220_10152136225140500_374552210_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb_rdXWdjWESfLzZXWMclGo7AFFQiLB0SzdrIZurT0JIAj4e-Vj7CcTteuW2iAd_PpuHXEX7DSct7Y3ytrraSfE-pFgWOaP58q5qKv8ii8fn1K35vheGkBX9DThR_maHexCqWxVqazX82a/s320/271220_10152136225140500_374552210_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Happy knitting!<br />
<br />
Onward,<br />
<br />
vrockvrockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00487698471635922624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6170422833805465046.post-74948719628387471592013-03-25T10:24:00.000-04:002013-03-25T10:25:38.524-04:00Microwaved day old coffeeHello lovelies. I've been re-energized with knitting power in the last few weeks, and I have visions of many new projects dancing around in my head. Let's kick things off with a re-cap: <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLlGk-aQe4caBC3QrQc4rq3PH1SOIcNXvvvxLzJwvaSKnGZiHQZ_WIjeo-lNAk6XWfReP-Xc9eH-t0IDXRSV28i4sfz8HAs1EazsXrIhY5A5gHCD5Zojzq1slK_Fv6KbapeW8r44c4JmJw/s1600/DSC03490.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLlGk-aQe4caBC3QrQc4rq3PH1SOIcNXvvvxLzJwvaSKnGZiHQZ_WIjeo-lNAk6XWfReP-Xc9eH-t0IDXRSV28i4sfz8HAs1EazsXrIhY5A5gHCD5Zojzq1slK_Fv6KbapeW8r44c4JmJw/s320/DSC03490.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I made a sweet little turtle shell cape for a baby-to-be that belongs to a gal who works for my mom. She showed my sister a picture of this baby photo prop last year and asked if she could make her one. My sister's knitting and crochet skills are there, but she doesn't really knit much anymore, so I took it on myself to create this little beauty. I bought the pattern on Ravelry for $6 and I made it in one afternoon. The pattern called for Vanna's Choice acrylic yarn, which made my heart sad, but I used the same yarn anyway for the sake of new mamma being able to easily wash it. I hear babies dribble all sorts of gross liquids in their first few months. Gross.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0AF9qbVJ0Oa3D3qMunqGX_55bwEqAtUGZVFb0i3Zd6DlrJ_cDDmopZkxTPoZDLvvcq4c2B05Bpe4tDdusi5q15TaPILMw42LHOAst5OtwTaY2Tbna9Gjq1tRnkKmvnxt3lICogJ3O7hmx/s1600/DSC03497.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0AF9qbVJ0Oa3D3qMunqGX_55bwEqAtUGZVFb0i3Zd6DlrJ_cDDmopZkxTPoZDLvvcq4c2B05Bpe4tDdusi5q15TaPILMw42LHOAst5OtwTaY2Tbna9Gjq1tRnkKmvnxt3lICogJ3O7hmx/s320/DSC03497.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I've been teaching some knitting workshops at my museum this season, and I dragged out my project planning book to show my newbie knitters. The page for paulie is one of the more intense entries I did for a project because I was so determined to make something right so it would actually be wearable. I followed the guidelines from Little Red in the City for taking my measurements, and then I made two generous sized swatches to check my gauge. I got stitch <i>and</i> row gauge for once in my life, and I'm a happy little camper.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdjeBQlC4RAcFcBX1Dfeap4kwQNcAv8KNJtZW-qBeVc8Ku-0_qWww5L_64U_oQHNlg8gQ3-8D8gd9qqHp_oIKumalu3tY75Ny3oqxqclrMFnQ_N9kHVS5lx7hbqi1vuzbGejMnuE-vFAd5/s1600/DSC03499.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdjeBQlC4RAcFcBX1Dfeap4kwQNcAv8KNJtZW-qBeVc8Ku-0_qWww5L_64U_oQHNlg8gQ3-8D8gd9qqHp_oIKumalu3tY75Ny3oqxqclrMFnQ_N9kHVS5lx7hbqi1vuzbGejMnuE-vFAd5/s320/DSC03499.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This is paulie's progress report as of this morning. That's me, modeling in my pj's (it's my day off and I have no intentions of getting dressed, deal with it).</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifySQ1tlJ4UTwMdSPrFW2HsPJfbi8alJZePYMUEsqtzsO8GFbcQsgadCpPVplMbByoBS3MsZe_c_3IA9V3f-Rc43RecbceFft6xig9ZS8aQcIaOcIuF1twsHAgHydr7VBTq0H-J8YXNy-w/s1600/DSC03498.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifySQ1tlJ4UTwMdSPrFW2HsPJfbi8alJZePYMUEsqtzsO8GFbcQsgadCpPVplMbByoBS3MsZe_c_3IA9V3f-Rc43RecbceFft6xig9ZS8aQcIaOcIuF1twsHAgHydr7VBTq0H-J8YXNy-w/s320/DSC03498.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
The body is completely finished, and I'm 3/4 of the way finished sleeve #1. I'm constantly checking for sleeve length, which involves whipping off whatever sweater I have on so I can freeze ever so slightly for a few minutes since it's bare arm town on the other side right now. I'll be glad when my house will be consistently above 18 degrees soon. Come on spring! </div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo2zk_Qp-PiFwR06U35Om6tt_OSEj2y61IP8hmBbAf2YVIpDM5LEtsWC-Gv0UwIPnXFH2rP3jE-NKlt_12xpQc0qHsQ4iZHbDROiEdAe6iKxSTqzWyONMDNLHsNkV1k79GUtVWz2lIhZ_7/s1600/DSC03491.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo2zk_Qp-PiFwR06U35Om6tt_OSEj2y61IP8hmBbAf2YVIpDM5LEtsWC-Gv0UwIPnXFH2rP3jE-NKlt_12xpQc0qHsQ4iZHbDROiEdAe6iKxSTqzWyONMDNLHsNkV1k79GUtVWz2lIhZ_7/s320/DSC03491.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Paulie's body, before sleeves. Look how pretty!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I also owe you a stash update, readers. The following yarns have been added to my collection as of September, and I only just got around to taking pictures and officially adding them to my Ravelry stash.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUKXQAE8o2PTmalSa11OUQpDdNQWIj2WOYjFJWbOWObg8g1ILtd5NKHF0aChhkayR8W4_7NHbwSGngG7MAv5H-LIfKutHDgIm_0blbcNbze2vFaPoKYr1dO2SM127l1epHDNA2_2OmxnDd/s1600/DSC03500.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUKXQAE8o2PTmalSa11OUQpDdNQWIj2WOYjFJWbOWObg8g1ILtd5NKHF0aChhkayR8W4_7NHbwSGngG7MAv5H-LIfKutHDgIm_0blbcNbze2vFaPoKYr1dO2SM127l1epHDNA2_2OmxnDd/s320/DSC03500.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Zen Yarn Garden Serenity 20, my draw prize for being a volunteer with the KW Knitters' Fair this year. It's got 20% cashmere, so I'm thinking really hard about what to make with it that is worthy of the luxury.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl_3ONiYr_lUDpbLUVTAOR7KbCB1cSU5LVbdSqv6Ti1c9HR766EolcJ89MwVFRXe8JYELo2wS3mH7o_Op3C0irTs5aDmQMAv4HfOfje6Tm1VXWpuN3jr1IHUj4pY6bACyjPjOeeR-u21b9/s1600/DSC03501.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl_3ONiYr_lUDpbLUVTAOR7KbCB1cSU5LVbdSqv6Ti1c9HR766EolcJ89MwVFRXe8JYELo2wS3mH7o_Op3C0irTs5aDmQMAv4HfOfje6Tm1VXWpuN3jr1IHUj4pY6bACyjPjOeeR-u21b9/s320/DSC03501.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
My Christmas 2012 gift from dearest Catherine, and also my very first 'tosh, believe it or not. The handsome rusty orange will be a fine pair of socks for either me or Fuzzyhead.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZhck1Dxl_vbeLpzXXwr2wrCts7MY-3bhRmT-EYS44mUUZEiXHSTZ-jq_eSSLt_UV9fw3-AExzOzqTzENsu3CNa3bE_M2GKehn6RNXdQFiJmLSizY7pHGUgp10L96EqHheVHVh2upJjEQE/s1600/DSC03502.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZhck1Dxl_vbeLpzXXwr2wrCts7MY-3bhRmT-EYS44mUUZEiXHSTZ-jq_eSSLt_UV9fw3-AExzOzqTzENsu3CNa3bE_M2GKehn6RNXdQFiJmLSizY7pHGUgp10L96EqHheVHVh2upJjEQE/s320/DSC03502.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Birthday sock yarn from Catherine! This is Miss Babs "Yummy" hand-painted sock and baby yarn, 2 ply superwash. She ordered 2 different skeins online and let me choose the one I wanted. I'm a sucker for greens and any natural-ish colours, so this one was a clear winner. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I taught my first lace knitting workshop yesterday to one attendee (who knew quite a bit about lace already, despite being a brand new knitter as of December 2012), and I've been jonesing to pick up a lace project. Here are the next two on my list:</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img border="1" height="332" src="http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEss10/images/annisBIG.jpg" vspace="10" width="580" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Say hello, this is <a href="http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEss10/PATTannis.php" target="_blank">Annis</a>. I love her. She will be made out of this:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5mmcqlUjeI8eohHjP5lg_a2Q-9ogkPW3duwwdAVbCKZUK1hblzjft-CdHs0ghy2GTx8-0ky4WUrTfmZ3iCdq3Nfl1YNNJ-cBids1Q-AxZ7GY9ZXRFPdw24dqe0Y2eEqK4weZbksR6KMP1/s1600/DSC03303.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5mmcqlUjeI8eohHjP5lg_a2Q-9ogkPW3duwwdAVbCKZUK1hblzjft-CdHs0ghy2GTx8-0ky4WUrTfmZ3iCdq3Nfl1YNNJ-cBids1Q-AxZ7GY9ZXRFPdw24dqe0Y2eEqK4weZbksR6KMP1/s320/DSC03303.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
My single lace from indigodragonfly that I bought at World Wide Knit in Public Day in June 2012. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The other lovely on my list is this elegant lady:</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img class="rg_i" data-sz="f" name="vMD2getUFQO1FM:" src="https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRrvCazpx3wROOOnMtcNXjPK_PgtwkMBKeDTrIG2a8cPI99Og8m" style="height: 213px; margin-left: 0px; margin-top: -10px; width: 190px;" /></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
This is Triangular Summer Shawl by Nancy Bush with a beautiful lily of the valley pattern. I'm leaning towards this as the yarn:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEili2UpKf0e6Na1D7TXSG4jvRNApzBq6snuG2AjVh9XJuA-AUcEhZ5LA5827F8MhLib21UqyqjtwVuQracoDRGcGJGVyrYqdynP749bWyfyoGS1fJ0DYmhMRJ4DCpI24YYtpg-WHrbuV3Rx/s1600/DSC03308.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEili2UpKf0e6Na1D7TXSG4jvRNApzBq6snuG2AjVh9XJuA-AUcEhZ5LA5827F8MhLib21UqyqjtwVuQracoDRGcGJGVyrYqdynP749bWyfyoGS1fJ0DYmhMRJ4DCpI24YYtpg-WHrbuV3Rx/s320/DSC03308.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg3PJecS8ywBiidVhy0lXrOZEuPezNk2h5MQqzmxhMW59MWCci_9gKmneWyFFN9GbsvbJ_itg8UyyN0UDDDWpJgAXumuHQA3iQ1-g4bN1zlTCF3ZBd5Q_Egd4TH-NNRjkJ5ouP2UhL5uwi/s1600/DSC03309.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg3PJecS8ywBiidVhy0lXrOZEuPezNk2h5MQqzmxhMW59MWCci_9gKmneWyFFN9GbsvbJ_itg8UyyN0UDDDWpJgAXumuHQA3iQ1-g4bN1zlTCF3ZBd5Q_Egd4TH-NNRjkJ5ouP2UhL5uwi/s320/DSC03309.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I'm hesitant about the long colour change and if that will blur the pretty pattern. I've been madly looking through the Ravelry projects for this pattern to see if anyone else used a striping yarn, and I saw one, but it wasn't the ombre style that I have with this yarn. I'm still thinking on it some more.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
That's full time for me this morning, happy Monday to you!</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Onward,</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
vrock</div>
vrockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00487698471635922624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6170422833805465046.post-25348874122145476612013-02-01T11:48:00.000-05:002013-02-01T11:48:59.877-05:00Thinking jug Hello readers! It's been too long, but I haven't just been sitting around, oh no! I've been knitting my way through many of my Rhinebeck purchases, which was exactly what I wanted to do when I dropped a couple hundred dollars on yarn in one weekend in October. The last thing I wanted was for that delicious yarn to sit around and collect dust while I lusted for new and exciting yarn. Here's what I've been working on:<br />
<br />
This one was a quick and simple knit, made for my hairdresser who just had a baby in December. I searched high and low at Rhinebeck for the perfect bulky weight superwash yarn for a baby-tastic little item. I chose a baby sack (some of you may call this a bunting bag, BORING), and she loved it. At my last hair cut (which I had to wait 2 months for because of the previously mentioned newborn baby), she mentioned that she'd already washed it a few times (phew! it passed the washing test), and it's the perfect little thing to slip on baby Abigail when she's in her crib. That's all a gifter/knitter wants in life, to know that my gift is enjoyed. Ah, satisfaction.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCLdNPPvGoc-w_Shq3ZDPNmlys-jvMydCcXyBOVdbaImm3VVkm4F0OB-8dojiPhsDtKql__6e1MszWXkT7Xg2pYtOvY8peRvU_n4Q0fj_vH7LpjbjpMj50sHAgOmDqfhEcJNd9RJ83CBNu/s1600/DSC03443.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCLdNPPvGoc-w_Shq3ZDPNmlys-jvMydCcXyBOVdbaImm3VVkm4F0OB-8dojiPhsDtKql__6e1MszWXkT7Xg2pYtOvY8peRvU_n4Q0fj_vH7LpjbjpMj50sHAgOmDqfhEcJNd9RJ83CBNu/s320/DSC03443.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I also had enough yarn to knit up a quick little baby hat. I love the wooden buttons I found, since I didn't need to actually make button holes for them. I wrapped the whole package up in bright green tissue and wrapped a shoe box in brown craft paper and butcher twine. I win at presents.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
I also started and finished a non-Rhinebeck item that I had my eye on for a while. I bought 3 pillow forms from Ikea in the summer, and I finally found a reasonably priced roving-style wool for this project - I had looked everywhere at Rhinebeck, but considering I needed 4 normal skeins for one pillow, I wasn't really down with spending $80+ on a single throw pillow. I ended up buying <a href="http://www.bernat.com/product.php?LGC=roving" target="_blank">Bernat's Roving</a> wool from Len's Mills Store in Cambridge, and spent a total of about $40 on the yarn for the project. Score. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSeNyIUGcoB18KTvuUtvGLOH_Vbi25ft-a0dQYD9WMKRUp8D9UQMnuZ5PPKaQFXg7P5QjiKtK_rGXhk2fMkc8PtYDnbdQvPGK_TwnjWOo9RWDr0fXKKtxNgqUSHyIss5MlOsb9QRPV2Jeq/s1600/DSC03457.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSeNyIUGcoB18KTvuUtvGLOH_Vbi25ft-a0dQYD9WMKRUp8D9UQMnuZ5PPKaQFXg7P5QjiKtK_rGXhk2fMkc8PtYDnbdQvPGK_TwnjWOo9RWDr0fXKKtxNgqUSHyIss5MlOsb9QRPV2Jeq/s320/DSC03457.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Quick and simple knit. I panicked a few times during the production of the pieces about how they would fit the pillow form, but I blocked the pieces out to the correct measurements before sewing them together.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjez1XPJeMihBZ7NLaADkG3bKjupYfWEfG2cekrsO3ywa7I9SnoyBMDXyYyJHazb4c8yFcYE3w1tm_Bp3G2NYftXtBYkpsEXUXMqAVpU_EMX8xJR1qpaGv3tREqHaCx48oPflvAci1h31Yu/s1600/DSC03458.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjez1XPJeMihBZ7NLaADkG3bKjupYfWEfG2cekrsO3ywa7I9SnoyBMDXyYyJHazb4c8yFcYE3w1tm_Bp3G2NYftXtBYkpsEXUXMqAVpU_EMX8xJR1qpaGv3tREqHaCx48oPflvAci1h31Yu/s320/DSC03458.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Trinity stitch pattern. </div>
<br />
<br />
Also in the pile of non-Rhinebeck FO, please welcome Momma's Christmas socks (finished January 19). These were made with one of the sock yarns from my <a href="http://www.indigodragonfly.ca/" target="_blank">indigodragonfly</a> <a href="http://vrock-inreallife.blogspot.ca/2012/06/acquiring-freckles.html" target="_blank">shopping splurge</a> in June last year.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXWz6f5L-bei_8To4kPbLPekZrnr6KVi0RxgONKhyWwmFsUMUiNKBnOeUmuOqXn8s-22frGghnsve-h1Rj59gRVJXOtaFyhROdrjRiiqyBk2cvQZuAY55aYvtwfISklMD10SIbSj4fXGew/s1600/DSC03475.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXWz6f5L-bei_8To4kPbLPekZrnr6KVi0RxgONKhyWwmFsUMUiNKBnOeUmuOqXn8s-22frGghnsve-h1Rj59gRVJXOtaFyhROdrjRiiqyBk2cvQZuAY55aYvtwfISklMD10SIbSj4fXGew/s320/DSC03475.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Nutkin pattern, and the yarn is Merino Sock by indigodragonfly in "We gotta go to the crappy town where I'm a hero"</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Back to Rhinebeck projects - hello big chunky delicious cowl! I had my eye on a big thick cowl when I saw them featured in Vogue knitting holiday 2009, and while I originally bought this yarn to make the baby sack above, I decided on a cowl for me because of the 60/40 alpaca/wool blend. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI9wK6Oz0iw5JIL4kqhDrA6TGL7vj0noZ3AsE4kMrQa9FGizzLZOvScYOXxX5ttW9ptiYV3A5taslazH3lYHbuho-q-VjiTM87IJ5Gik0fZCZeNBOmoqHEEz3lxbD23W6pq-1UudJ0REJ4/s1600/DSC03471.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI9wK6Oz0iw5JIL4kqhDrA6TGL7vj0noZ3AsE4kMrQa9FGizzLZOvScYOXxX5ttW9ptiYV3A5taslazH3lYHbuho-q-VjiTM87IJ5Gik0fZCZeNBOmoqHEEz3lxbD23W6pq-1UudJ0REJ4/s320/DSC03471.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Fun fact: the yarn I bought did not have a dye lot, and one of the skeins definitely had more of grey-speckle going on, while the other one had lighter yellow and white splotches. I decided to alternate each skein every row throughout the piece to evenly distribute the variety of non-yellow colours. It was a mild pain in the ass to juggle two balls of yarn at the same time, but I'm very happy with the result.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY7h_tJmCz6Ig7ii6EseT3ehpoL5Dzua66fFxZAF9HJUMqkU4Ugzo5L5VH4oNXoDUyTTzXScN-uQY0dd4sqAM_549W5UQ4hJQW2LIUdmUFuQu90OeGexu4TtRlgWLIRsdMM9Pq_8IrVH85/s1600/DSC03472.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY7h_tJmCz6Ig7ii6EseT3ehpoL5Dzua66fFxZAF9HJUMqkU4Ugzo5L5VH4oNXoDUyTTzXScN-uQY0dd4sqAM_549W5UQ4hJQW2LIUdmUFuQu90OeGexu4TtRlgWLIRsdMM9Pq_8IrVH85/s320/DSC03472.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Horseshoe cable (made without a cable needle), twisted rib, and bobbles of knit stitches on patches of purling.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinKgbQTlRKvJ6ch70fGvSr6p93C-y0vSZFRg4KcSfJqHmO54hAqKWkBygdJWKA1ilR24Q39wOOXeNX1-ckEz46N-OTRrK7J3hLvA4Lsy4Pvwv7VC2jvormoLdXUGNCl8rOrzqsYzEhSAPM/s1600/DSC03477.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinKgbQTlRKvJ6ch70fGvSr6p93C-y0vSZFRg4KcSfJqHmO54hAqKWkBygdJWKA1ilR24Q39wOOXeNX1-ckEz46N-OTRrK7J3hLvA4Lsy4Pvwv7VC2jvormoLdXUGNCl8rOrzqsYzEhSAPM/s320/DSC03477.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Hello pretty! Wearing a coat and cowl in my kitchen.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
First socks from the Rhinebeck stash:</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqgMyXVVaWOxHldY4U5ZwHlHwC3tRVB0bv-4QS7BZe7L57oH_vhQng54XworTtiHx8zHVrnXKPvL6pkXAWVKlk-SXQdrfpY8c7h8DfzU2FRUteHXh0p3JofQQEdx9eWDbpALR02HuA1C6p/s1600/DSC03483.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqgMyXVVaWOxHldY4U5ZwHlHwC3tRVB0bv-4QS7BZe7L57oH_vhQng54XworTtiHx8zHVrnXKPvL6pkXAWVKlk-SXQdrfpY8c7h8DfzU2FRUteHXh0p3JofQQEdx9eWDbpALR02HuA1C6p/s320/DSC03483.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This is <a href="http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEw11/PATTmaeva.php" target="_blank">Maeva</a>, knit in <a href="http://periwinklesheep.bigcartel.com/" target="_blank">The Periwinkle Sheep</a>, Oh So Fine! sock yarn in "Memories of Summer". From the lovelies at The Periwinkle Sheep, I really wanted to buy their "Rhinebeck 2012" yarn, but I hesitated on day 1 and when I came back on day 2, they were all out. Sad face.</div>
<br />
And finally, my pride and joy, my new baby, my 2013 sweater: <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/paulie" target="_blank">paulie</a>. He doesn't look like much yet, but he will be glorious. I'm swatching like a mad woman to make sure I have the right gauge, and then I'll be blocking everything and hanging it to test for gravity-effectedness. No one wants a saggy sweater. Paulie will be my go-to work cardigan to wear over my uniform. And then for once, when someone knows I'm a knitter and asks if I made my sweater, I can say YES. It will be a great day.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJtYy4dqFcbUd74YHNRRcgbXx7SFUz9Gag2QbTQ7O9Y9K3NX8Ph7Y5xXMjF6uoiVmslj4CLtnwbNv4eKi3GZdzeRhs9jYE8qxP5Ft2gqTlkaVF4hT0cxLRrYp_3Xh7oB2mBmOOmwKWOTk9/s1600/DSC03480.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJtYy4dqFcbUd74YHNRRcgbXx7SFUz9Gag2QbTQ7O9Y9K3NX8Ph7Y5xXMjF6uoiVmslj4CLtnwbNv4eKi3GZdzeRhs9jYE8qxP5Ft2gqTlkaVF4hT0cxLRrYp_3Xh7oB2mBmOOmwKWOTk9/s320/DSC03480.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This is <a href="http://www.bluemoonfiberarts.com/newmoon/" target="_blank">Blue Moon Fiber Arts</a>, BFL Sport in "Manly yes, but I like it too", which will be joined by his contrasting colour friend "Tumbleweed".</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
In knitting-related news, I'm officially a professional knitting instructor. The programming coordinator at my museum learned that I was an avid knitter, and asked me to put together some knitting workshops to teach in the winter. I suggested 7 different workshops that I would be comfortable teaching, and she agreed to all of them. You can find the full schedule and pricing for the upcoming workshops <a href="http://waterlooregionmuseum.com/upcoming-events.aspx" target="_blank">here</a>, just scroll through and look for anything with "Knitting" in the title. I've already taught my very first class, Knitting 101 (shout out to my two brand new knitters!), and I'm looking forward to the next few months of teaching. My upcoming workshops, in order, include Knitting 102 (the "next steps" class after Knitting 101), Learn to Knit for Kids, Knitting Lace, Knitting Cables, Colourwork Knitting, and Knitting Socks. If you know a knitter who wants to learn a new skill, send them my way.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I'm off for the day now, readers, happy knitting!</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Onward, </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
vrock</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
vrockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00487698471635922624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6170422833805465046.post-19093338586446505232012-10-26T13:24:00.000-04:002012-10-26T13:24:27.392-04:00A journey to Rhinebeck, and back againAs promised, my lovely readers, here comes the massive Rhinebeck update!<br />
<br />
Our day began at the crack of dawn in Georgetown to meet our bus group for the first time. We met at a coffee shop to sign in, fork over some cash, and get a hot beverage.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT4GTjmX7hhs2V0xzNtSvYCyqzm3HTYz7D5ITVjnCGFnbTQzXAyQQ2XLQ-4UxFz0TdeIIXNzowgZZIIKvX5ntZwud2n7XNRJUcchUQNCV1OaUJhqtaGsKRU_71rBKmeLIhZPTut5J14BOg/s1600/DSC03329.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT4GTjmX7hhs2V0xzNtSvYCyqzm3HTYz7D5ITVjnCGFnbTQzXAyQQ2XLQ-4UxFz0TdeIIXNzowgZZIIKvX5ntZwud2n7XNRJUcchUQNCV1OaUJhqtaGsKRU_71rBKmeLIhZPTut5J14BOg/s320/DSC03329.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Breakfast of champions, plus gift bags for the housekeeping staff at the hotel. I did not include the picture of Catherine at this early hour, where she was secretly hating me but putting on a good face.</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirYtL66u3y8D5lvsDaxpLSTNhmU_RbRyCxcln_uj0PKFPHyROYAJCAfJrWuprvpKxTl5tWkkLSiwilzz8dqdjhB3vi2gZoqGKE99NR7fTvs7mshVaPRM95-jETD9N_SZZb9CnjxXR-XJww/s1600/DSC03332.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirYtL66u3y8D5lvsDaxpLSTNhmU_RbRyCxcln_uj0PKFPHyROYAJCAfJrWuprvpKxTl5tWkkLSiwilzz8dqdjhB3vi2gZoqGKE99NR7fTvs7mshVaPRM95-jETD9N_SZZb9CnjxXR-XJww/s320/DSC03332.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Before we even got to the border, Catherine discovered a the perfect hole in the seat in front of her for storing a pen. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih97NeuEDLg6B6fj2y_o4Z2yJz4mip3an6jOIj_rwlYXnJst1Fjx42I5QU8yGvQMqKW5j3nFvUsy4y8UzhiNB9UjPdT7p80VTfIXQKWNEm86uoi20CQgwIyyb2cS9k2fMSOUCB22nN1wsf/s1600/DSC03334.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih97NeuEDLg6B6fj2y_o4Z2yJz4mip3an6jOIj_rwlYXnJst1Fjx42I5QU8yGvQMqKW5j3nFvUsy4y8UzhiNB9UjPdT7p80VTfIXQKWNEm86uoi20CQgwIyyb2cS9k2fMSOUCB22nN1wsf/s320/DSC03334.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Our bus ride on the way there was about 10 hours, but really only about 7 of actual driving time. We were tuckered out on Friday night, and after getting super scammed by the local taxi services for a ride to the mall and back, we hit the hay to rest up for a full day of fun. This is the site that greeted us on Saturday morning, look at all those knitters!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvZv_zWi-5JNf6ZY9LHqeQnSznVRJqmbgOszhgBdkkOPkfU32FdPrtw4l2XwDr7nCWKXYR5DXKCLq2SoaDRbtB9VsKJbSVQ11WpyXPPnVWU5h8KiPdXM0NuV-pMiT2CqR_xwHBSIbQyYVc/s1600/DSC03336.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvZv_zWi-5JNf6ZY9LHqeQnSznVRJqmbgOszhgBdkkOPkfU32FdPrtw4l2XwDr7nCWKXYR5DXKCLq2SoaDRbtB9VsKJbSVQ11WpyXPPnVWU5h8KiPdXM0NuV-pMiT2CqR_xwHBSIbQyYVc/s320/DSC03336.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The very official sign that tells you I was actually there.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimlY_bqsCe-Ffr4DGAyurR0b-xdePn5NfEy6JIOqcFl5W1OxgAnf_mQY9iE0-T2u2JOyZpE5CiU2-H2Wo-0T9k9RkYj2641n2kWSEzEsMc34I9bOImLm19d7dOsTjXc8sISTXjp3rL95Fv/s1600/DSC03345.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimlY_bqsCe-Ffr4DGAyurR0b-xdePn5NfEy6JIOqcFl5W1OxgAnf_mQY9iE0-T2u2JOyZpE5CiU2-H2Wo-0T9k9RkYj2641n2kWSEzEsMc34I9bOImLm19d7dOsTjXc8sISTXjp3rL95Fv/s320/DSC03345.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I took SOOOO many pictures of sheep. All the animals were lined up in pens, and I had no idea there were so many different kinds of sheep. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj22Xp4DvaTnrpQQtS6LhiCHD88RDuVFvVacb8zX2RDwNKLqu8uma3PVlGX74a4BTkiul-ClwaNGXG6oxm1Q7y67-KOagUiZdCcFJfBijyYzZjGgevI8EYToGIjPFduag5mvlZz_wK-8-B8/s1600/DSC03349.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj22Xp4DvaTnrpQQtS6LhiCHD88RDuVFvVacb8zX2RDwNKLqu8uma3PVlGX74a4BTkiul-ClwaNGXG6oxm1Q7y67-KOagUiZdCcFJfBijyYzZjGgevI8EYToGIjPFduag5mvlZz_wK-8-B8/s320/DSC03349.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0k_kYiC2OssXGAgdAJRizGvMcTL6v1cbSkCUYaEd_HMt9XAHvQUwGSeIEqwKhzD1JjThYf_0Mst-iLCLF-NKDPr7-4Tivj21o6MVtOjLVH2zujSMJ_g2M5-m8AnGSMc3HUOtQVbegGcmd/s1600/DSC03353.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0k_kYiC2OssXGAgdAJRizGvMcTL6v1cbSkCUYaEd_HMt9XAHvQUwGSeIEqwKhzD1JjThYf_0Mst-iLCLF-NKDPr7-4Tivj21o6MVtOjLVH2zujSMJ_g2M5-m8AnGSMc3HUOtQVbegGcmd/s320/DSC03353.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz1DtD3hBQaAOFzoXCNVOS-ZIh9qOg9OHmFd1u3IMD8RbVUYlm79N5IUMQCQhBDKEyKS2Oi3_-LHl7ZDcCZmSmqYGrBxXW-HG13vIYcsMoOUlVmFlsSm2NItPqhNvh-jZkfdegbgiaAZIJ/s1600/DSC03354.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz1DtD3hBQaAOFzoXCNVOS-ZIh9qOg9OHmFd1u3IMD8RbVUYlm79N5IUMQCQhBDKEyKS2Oi3_-LHl7ZDcCZmSmqYGrBxXW-HG13vIYcsMoOUlVmFlsSm2NItPqhNvh-jZkfdegbgiaAZIJ/s320/DSC03354.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt_mVIY8FCcCL9KuBXX0eG1uTIHLOcOSpo21iUgaSl1qxnd5wi7CvEYRCj14WiBziLms4cZaaSUZoi6-b9JjJJjQ6WUKq_EJ_p29jMicI_Mxxo_96CfOC8KvH8YfEU7DWNdoC244fMcLnT/s1600/DSC03359.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt_mVIY8FCcCL9KuBXX0eG1uTIHLOcOSpo21iUgaSl1qxnd5wi7CvEYRCj14WiBziLms4cZaaSUZoi6-b9JjJJjQ6WUKq_EJ_p29jMicI_Mxxo_96CfOC8KvH8YfEU7DWNdoC244fMcLnT/s320/DSC03359.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This one might be my favourite.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5wbSsAjfITnFG9JAFCSUz2KAe8pk-cqE2bcnhFiKakQrB_9CqA0jr6K3cDE_0lgW1JmPUj78SKDzEOyONOu4jkwvHzRxXatIInJ88VUKg3BC5J7181wKWzv_xnhEWaOVVoiFcy99jhIWZ/s1600/DSC03364.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5wbSsAjfITnFG9JAFCSUz2KAe8pk-cqE2bcnhFiKakQrB_9CqA0jr6K3cDE_0lgW1JmPUj78SKDzEOyONOu4jkwvHzRxXatIInJ88VUKg3BC5J7181wKWzv_xnhEWaOVVoiFcy99jhIWZ/s320/DSC03364.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv9hl3uLgB93P1AF3PJbz_ufsyVJ37VHoYZwsS5FhgGCi5KSuul-HvFUdqVh-ke0XLEoN1HnGvEFbQyoEqZi3UKItVaud5vp0HV8szBsMquTv7w4hGBzTs_K_tqmNqdz8mUIX1TmVnQAzj/s1600/DSC03369.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv9hl3uLgB93P1AF3PJbz_ufsyVJ37VHoYZwsS5FhgGCi5KSuul-HvFUdqVh-ke0XLEoN1HnGvEFbQyoEqZi3UKItVaud5vp0HV8szBsMquTv7w4hGBzTs_K_tqmNqdz8mUIX1TmVnQAzj/s320/DSC03369.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Don't forget about llamas! The llamas and alpacas were regularly paraded around the fair grounds for touching and photo ops.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVKStWSqkFUWanX0D283ZeBMQ4zcX9T6Ah1wpzUsYj0jPn8lVYPiAJAt0SO6e7Glw0kvpCczTnQEmhSPeLhivgCQkXK6ToTRJK9PKUExfsCLTT86CZkWNHk8zaGC8-5YsiM4yAucduHhOM/s1600/DSC03370.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVKStWSqkFUWanX0D283ZeBMQ4zcX9T6Ah1wpzUsYj0jPn8lVYPiAJAt0SO6e7Glw0kvpCczTnQEmhSPeLhivgCQkXK6ToTRJK9PKUExfsCLTT86CZkWNHk8zaGC8-5YsiM4yAucduHhOM/s320/DSC03370.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This little monster was at the Good Karma Farms booth, one of the first places I saw on Saturday. When I came back on Sunday to make a purchase, this guy was already sold. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOaQPJnTnPX2Bpy_giYKSbzkO70q-8tyIXTxk0ugBtKvUa1ecDaubahsmTn-abePbFqMD7-vfoHx0QBrq4rqwyYJgITCTzF4zqF-gdZbc7KeUxCKtyupaw51pOUhC1zGI38gRD0eybglmg/s1600/DSC03373.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOaQPJnTnPX2Bpy_giYKSbzkO70q-8tyIXTxk0ugBtKvUa1ecDaubahsmTn-abePbFqMD7-vfoHx0QBrq4rqwyYJgITCTzF4zqF-gdZbc7KeUxCKtyupaw51pOUhC1zGI38gRD0eybglmg/s320/DSC03373.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Llama llama llama</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_ihS1jhPdT0szoMegzYOGTsS9m3lJ9YZo_LpACutNRBnp5mNb57m0H8u28_tpnkgROLivaUeUpBGRecpRXFusUlxpYHq2EiQB27tsukgP4Y_Ngn5dRceV_w5aeJmkaVGzXakO5KHKWaJl/s1600/DSC03377.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_ihS1jhPdT0szoMegzYOGTsS9m3lJ9YZo_LpACutNRBnp5mNb57m0H8u28_tpnkgROLivaUeUpBGRecpRXFusUlxpYHq2EiQB27tsukgP4Y_Ngn5dRceV_w5aeJmkaVGzXakO5KHKWaJl/s320/DSC03377.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Inside one of the vendor buildings. SO many people!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZYQ63zzWJLLKW2q1qsMF1PV80TAf7CTkQDgJ0avmY6lsFsXSG7po-X1ZMg7HJgaV5-IxAuqLSAyjy3lMVKC-ThAV1PA9VpOZHY3QEazotgoUHZr9MhdqC09MseFK6RjIGAC0TM0mdbSrA/s1600/DSC03380.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZYQ63zzWJLLKW2q1qsMF1PV80TAf7CTkQDgJ0avmY6lsFsXSG7po-X1ZMg7HJgaV5-IxAuqLSAyjy3lMVKC-ThAV1PA9VpOZHY3QEazotgoUHZr9MhdqC09MseFK6RjIGAC0TM0mdbSrA/s320/DSC03380.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Sheep dog demonstrations! That'll do, pig.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYSLCi4OZsWTNDK-D7sXwuztqO9SfpAHrHuoHGJZSsQkfLzQ5FNgdXHzAqX-XY_Ej-upqdSTVaYRvP2Ymt06C7EvIvzaLLbYlER6UhH36x9OxaemmLsMbzfJMtvl76Nh6Nw8vB0nZdjzMt/s1600/DSC03389.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYSLCi4OZsWTNDK-D7sXwuztqO9SfpAHrHuoHGJZSsQkfLzQ5FNgdXHzAqX-XY_Ej-upqdSTVaYRvP2Ymt06C7EvIvzaLLbYlER6UhH36x9OxaemmLsMbzfJMtvl76Nh6Nw8vB0nZdjzMt/s320/DSC03389.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
On Saturday night after we got back to the hotel, we held a show and tell in the hallway. Everyone unfolded their ironing board in the hallway and set up a display table. This is our haul from day one. Catherine's stuff is on the left, and my two humble packages are on the right.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3fDqVRyYsRzIxbhFFgA0OjaCvtFGrUFAYvoAuwo39-nXbBIuK0cbV6U2eL_2aNPgA6U3mB35Mw005ilKPRLf3CIylqcSHmOI6xosktLW46bqm2ns1pMUKGttc6OYtZr5jD62x30TJY6yd/s1600/DSC03390.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3fDqVRyYsRzIxbhFFgA0OjaCvtFGrUFAYvoAuwo39-nXbBIuK0cbV6U2eL_2aNPgA6U3mB35Mw005ilKPRLf3CIylqcSHmOI6xosktLW46bqm2ns1pMUKGttc6OYtZr5jD62x30TJY6yd/s320/DSC03390.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Future sweater yarn.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlUvUSnmEz5qTPlf3EFP-d4wKXk0ICaU2XZjeaeu0S2DO5hKGklTdsHtlbRf7NMOG6Lk3lg3GJe9uXdEayaOxw8vQIUbHZMaB6j1-7rExnJEKgorWwtpB9pOwCz1nuU81Sp2mllMh68DFX/s1600/DSC03391.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlUvUSnmEz5qTPlf3EFP-d4wKXk0ICaU2XZjeaeu0S2DO5hKGklTdsHtlbRf7NMOG6Lk3lg3GJe9uXdEayaOxw8vQIUbHZMaB6j1-7rExnJEKgorWwtpB9pOwCz1nuU81Sp2mllMh68DFX/s320/DSC03391.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Just because I like it sock yarn.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO6Pa4zQyoge8xOGjk9uMBj7lV-WuqCkd_VqSt_TBfEEsO29Ti9EvhchoEo8E_TV7EI_vjyCbuJX3YQwWLv2E_QZS-e7jMLnMUC89sBpUNmMHlA6BULaqR1JnBHa5ZjHmN9d1JS6lrBrTp/s1600/DSC03392.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO6Pa4zQyoge8xOGjk9uMBj7lV-WuqCkd_VqSt_TBfEEsO29Ti9EvhchoEo8E_TV7EI_vjyCbuJX3YQwWLv2E_QZS-e7jMLnMUC89sBpUNmMHlA6BULaqR1JnBHa5ZjHmN9d1JS6lrBrTp/s320/DSC03392.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Other knitters with their treasures.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIyvXqwsjE_5pYibZxnU6LBVDNoRJtqN9p9nsUbNh1VKEQtlthgz9JP8rT0MaRWBOO0e1bhAvbE5OhvBv5n3owkQxsA5xGerjpRmrxbDoOpC3qyn6WazgaHqeAHg_x2SaXAzjJA6fFqZeP/s1600/DSC03396.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIyvXqwsjE_5pYibZxnU6LBVDNoRJtqN9p9nsUbNh1VKEQtlthgz9JP8rT0MaRWBOO0e1bhAvbE5OhvBv5n3owkQxsA5xGerjpRmrxbDoOpC3qyn6WazgaHqeAHg_x2SaXAzjJA6fFqZeP/s320/DSC03396.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Day two was a lot more buying from me - we made a run-around plan based on all the things we saw on Saturday, so I knew exactly which shops to go back to. We were only at the fair on Sunday for 2 hours, and I spent most of my money in less than an hour.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM8Y6UCOX5smIf_vv1ArnIfhdsxhb_xRCdtzrth1eLww8301-gHf1TctmQVciLkuTIfPO7bd0g3Lf1046VPzuwGFpnJRnRPqh7MAfvBXKqv0P8Q-Thvh2s9mhu2XNiElRhaT0nIMYOhjGL/s1600/DSC03399.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM8Y6UCOX5smIf_vv1ArnIfhdsxhb_xRCdtzrth1eLww8301-gHf1TctmQVciLkuTIfPO7bd0g3Lf1046VPzuwGFpnJRnRPqh7MAfvBXKqv0P8Q-Thvh2s9mhu2XNiElRhaT0nIMYOhjGL/s320/DSC03399.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We didn't see this sign until we were on the bus leaving on Sunday, but this is where we were!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
And now, the official stash additions that I brought home from my adventures at Rhinebeck 2012:</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPrXy9HzYXxDLjCWSmaIYspdIvLcuzK31bXeZRCn2mo7kJKycea962nCcSjof7PYjwwqSx-bFX8IH5NSt1vLl1_y2L3VlzJRCo1Ofkca2jUV9xCCxgeEI6IXcs7J5uMTIVIjwY9zAop2D3/s1600/DSC03400.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPrXy9HzYXxDLjCWSmaIYspdIvLcuzK31bXeZRCn2mo7kJKycea962nCcSjof7PYjwwqSx-bFX8IH5NSt1vLl1_y2L3VlzJRCo1Ofkca2jUV9xCCxgeEI6IXcs7J5uMTIVIjwY9zAop2D3/s320/DSC03400.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The Periwinkle Sheep, Oh so fine! sock yarn in "Memories of Summer"</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh36ZIV_pEJxDDCV20Tn8mLPJmdMUTk-Wc2uzc47T2Pb5HefD7lxA_BSvbTEAZqFC9TJDhvn_Vr6SbbTgAJao32kCf-VhOUZu11bt3zv2LvvGBlBXw22nQOF-Ea9hOpDbL0aqBaGJmbRSox/s1600/DSC03404.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh36ZIV_pEJxDDCV20Tn8mLPJmdMUTk-Wc2uzc47T2Pb5HefD7lxA_BSvbTEAZqFC9TJDhvn_Vr6SbbTgAJao32kCf-VhOUZu11bt3zv2LvvGBlBXw22nQOF-Ea9hOpDbL0aqBaGJmbRSox/s320/DSC03404.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
BitsyKnits Sock82Me in "Fawn"</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTh-stLAsahvxGigllvoI4ItzFRGkkPpOmCf9G-7Z1Ho5uz-3U8YVLnpMJ1L1ISL7A_Ow7rlpOywx3kpNInx4BiG8sLMFV_s29Go8AHaf6xt_4VZBK2oRbUiE2yIX4tahATtK_iGS_9TBv/s1600/DSC03405.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTh-stLAsahvxGigllvoI4ItzFRGkkPpOmCf9G-7Z1Ho5uz-3U8YVLnpMJ1L1ISL7A_Ow7rlpOywx3kpNInx4BiG8sLMFV_s29Go8AHaf6xt_4VZBK2oRbUiE2yIX4tahATtK_iGS_9TBv/s320/DSC03405.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
BitsyKnits Sock82Me in "Bronze"</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQINVmCGc1lA40tV1JeqHWK5n0MfaHoxIqKl2rdYG9dF-C382lUPQPNCgcKv2Xn-g1j7LWLS5xBURMz9x54fchmPfnEu7cNa4IMwpSzEH-bK9kX8jo5iSVTK6_M7FqVBpAmqwZNGiQ1-q5/s1600/DSC03407.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQINVmCGc1lA40tV1JeqHWK5n0MfaHoxIqKl2rdYG9dF-C382lUPQPNCgcKv2Xn-g1j7LWLS5xBURMz9x54fchmPfnEu7cNa4IMwpSzEH-bK9kX8jo5iSVTK6_M7FqVBpAmqwZNGiQ1-q5/s320/DSC03407.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Good Karma Farm 60/40 Wool/Alpaca in "Chicken Beak"</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvcMbUEFsNl4pvIjXkgMlHCcHLegsoYde6bvNjUEZpB2Vc9Ngtgsx8B1uBPgENr4uSa32Q0i2gHYjQ55rGMktIdgJzuGrqD0vROZsewDGXaV3U_o65h9N1zUAuqGBVoxRMEr6XuKJjPiKz/s1600/DSC03411.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvcMbUEFsNl4pvIjXkgMlHCcHLegsoYde6bvNjUEZpB2Vc9Ngtgsx8B1uBPgENr4uSa32Q0i2gHYjQ55rGMktIdgJzuGrqD0vROZsewDGXaV3U_o65h9N1zUAuqGBVoxRMEr6XuKJjPiKz/s320/DSC03411.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Sliver Moon Farm bulky wool in "Fern"</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiavtnaI7l_3p1s9FbLNbyeAEutNAkuZMJk-3wdsGzUn3WeohZRH8Q3_8qe1YqBA_J5zBvzbcthJUBWwSHFP1rNbkfzQSOGVWWAHmRTcYOmNgJXHC_sE9B6jKv4pgZIggRWcPplnemwG-5k/s1600/DSC03414.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiavtnaI7l_3p1s9FbLNbyeAEutNAkuZMJk-3wdsGzUn3WeohZRH8Q3_8qe1YqBA_J5zBvzbcthJUBWwSHFP1rNbkfzQSOGVWWAHmRTcYOmNgJXHC_sE9B6jKv4pgZIggRWcPplnemwG-5k/s320/DSC03414.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Cephalopod Yarns, Skinny Bugga in "Green Darner Dragonfly"</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSdC7eT_O4bhPoRH1pw9SRNjH_O7kI2vLI4xN_5fx0GJq4Vj_UBWR2HFxJplIqWGTQ7GbZ_kshe80gXV6pDni6rE8LN4dnrOkL75CrHanpYE3mW36OVP-eIe4ljj4O93EBlvDSifBBspky/s1600/DSC03417.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSdC7eT_O4bhPoRH1pw9SRNjH_O7kI2vLI4xN_5fx0GJq4Vj_UBWR2HFxJplIqWGTQ7GbZ_kshe80gXV6pDni6rE8LN4dnrOkL75CrHanpYE3mW36OVP-eIe4ljj4O93EBlvDSifBBspky/s320/DSC03417.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Blue Moon Fiber Arts, BFL Sport in "Manly yes, but I like it too!"</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPNJXhej_XZQRR-ZJEQSpXU1T2fTqQOMaHIAsA5wneMVz5tZpN7aFvA1pg5nGhARVXoCGyIugO5WNOgEE2MaA_xeqhpmfiXzhCc2z5iSYjqYWA4YItNSmChKrGJguWAQs8OWrsRi3u_W2t/s1600/DSC03420.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPNJXhej_XZQRR-ZJEQSpXU1T2fTqQOMaHIAsA5wneMVz5tZpN7aFvA1pg5nGhARVXoCGyIugO5WNOgEE2MaA_xeqhpmfiXzhCc2z5iSYjqYWA4YItNSmChKrGJguWAQs8OWrsRi3u_W2t/s320/DSC03420.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Blue Moon Fiber Arts, BFL Sport in "Tumbleweed"</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQtGv3Ei1T5lnfXz90C3LeuUVtUv8fGa-5rCMzi-2iPXhegSZhxh6gkUew6xkPcBd_Tgzb36qcTV02AYvz0LoEdsMtBog3b2j7zEmTlc1ZNYhL8gLFT50z1WkZPtTlAd2bCbX6uheHC7ro/s1600/DSC03424.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQtGv3Ei1T5lnfXz90C3LeuUVtUv8fGa-5rCMzi-2iPXhegSZhxh6gkUew6xkPcBd_Tgzb36qcTV02AYvz0LoEdsMtBog3b2j7zEmTlc1ZNYhL8gLFT50z1WkZPtTlAd2bCbX6uheHC7ro/s320/DSC03424.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
My Cephalopod sock yarn next to the pretty bag it came in</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXomsPMqwa-PYcYjHoVGuClwyPYBtwSJS8ya-S80yLbzCuwMk13VrqZu3nHTRUxBhYFJoV2wgXRh10_FzG_h8LyZCW8ubshzJSoeSS8fZX1Ki7nVs48skF9JS7sN-ZU3uiv3fECzbmEHkV/s1600/DSC03425.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXomsPMqwa-PYcYjHoVGuClwyPYBtwSJS8ya-S80yLbzCuwMk13VrqZu3nHTRUxBhYFJoV2wgXRh10_FzG_h8LyZCW8ubshzJSoeSS8fZX1Ki7nVs48skF9JS7sN-ZU3uiv3fECzbmEHkV/s320/DSC03425.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
My new project bag from go Monkey Design.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX-JkSZdQFD57p5bcvI2eDblsXpSBmBODCC0XdQslMbtr1Bf4quOmpYuSRj2pWNCdmPy_bbrb5Kb2rlxxjRHyvwQeqSCN-PtDqjvez0V5sIEykHbigViwfD8U2WasT_vO47CKrao5ipNge/s1600/DSC03426.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX-JkSZdQFD57p5bcvI2eDblsXpSBmBODCC0XdQslMbtr1Bf4quOmpYuSRj2pWNCdmPy_bbrb5Kb2rlxxjRHyvwQeqSCN-PtDqjvez0V5sIEykHbigViwfD8U2WasT_vO47CKrao5ipNge/s320/DSC03426.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
I've already updated my Ravelry queue with a few must-start projects since I've got knitting on the brain now and I've got that itch to start something new. First up will be the baby bunting bag with the Sliver Moon bulky green yarn, and I chose a different pattern from the one I originally posted about. I was looking at the specs for that one and realized the pattern called for more fingering weight yarn than it would take to make a sweater for an adult. Yeah, no. New pattern is a simple baby sack with some ribbing at the top. Looks simple and cute, and it will be a fast project (instant gratification!). My new sweater will likely be a project for after Christmas - let the swatching begin!<br />
<br />
Onward,<br />
<br />
vrock<br />
<br />
<br />vrockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00487698471635922624noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6170422833805465046.post-15386525768508175292012-10-14T14:02:00.000-04:002012-10-14T14:02:05.406-04:00Rhinebeck planning, SQUEE!It's October, it's getting cold outside, and I'm going to Rhinebeck next weekend. Let that sink in for a moment. I'll wait.<br />
<br />
I'm going to Rhinebeck! The holiest of all holy knitting events, and this little kid is going. Catherine and I booked our place on a bus tour in the summer (mildly sketched out at first, we blindly sent money to a stranger and crossed our fingers that it was legit and not a knitting scammer), and we leave on Friday morning. <a href="http://www.sheepandwool.com/" target="_blank">This</a> is where we are going. I'll wait again while you check it out. <br />
<br />
I've been getting emails every week from the organizers of our trip with reminders and itineraries and I'm super psyched. I'm even excited for the 9 hour bus ride to get us there, where I can knit and chat and read and eat car snacks. I've been trying to focus on what I actually need to get while I'm there, since I didn't buy a single thing at the Knitters' Fair this year. Catherine and I are meeting up on Thursday to go over vendor lists and project plans - we'll be keeping each other on track and on budget. I really think being accountable to your buddy is necessary at a place like this. It's way too easy to bring a credit card and just stop thinking about how much you're spending. Here is my project list that will require purchasing yarn at Rhinebeck:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Knitted pillow shams in a bulky weight yarn (preferably roving style), mentioned in my last post <a href="http://vrock-inreallife.blogspot.ca/2012/06/acquiring-freckles.html" target="_blank">here</a> </li>
<li>Baby bunting bag for my hair dresser who is expecting a baby around the new year</li>
</ul>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixDjIEHsXpkkMnAM3vm8V7uOCVe3Up3CsgZW2iQlJPcvE9D20vBtNHwCQAS31jXFnuh7ANnzF3DD3Ze9EdBps0jw0sYryyQz_mMgnL-hsmUntxKaqXkOqSlHgU2UFTViUmtJO9psakAz9Q/s1600/Baby+bunting+bag+for+Skye.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixDjIEHsXpkkMnAM3vm8V7uOCVe3Up3CsgZW2iQlJPcvE9D20vBtNHwCQAS31jXFnuh7ANnzF3DD3Ze9EdBps0jw0sYryyQz_mMgnL-hsmUntxKaqXkOqSlHgU2UFTViUmtJO9psakAz9Q/s320/Baby+bunting+bag+for+Skye.jpg" width="206" /></a></div>
<ul>
<li>Possibly getting yarn for a sweater project for me, I'm leaning towards this:</li>
</ul>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYsnwGI2urxg8kcW4PukQ9YRXFU5sTC9l6tpjK8dc269bSZlko6p1uz814Sr-dLxUsBuJs4c-By9AfqCOkVCBsfqOoqBV4ucyCGE31eFCtEoJ59AXaEOnobxwtgjJgpLfxHnNVZ0V751ij/s1600/Paulie+cardigan+yellow+and+grey.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYsnwGI2urxg8kcW4PukQ9YRXFU5sTC9l6tpjK8dc269bSZlko6p1uz814Sr-dLxUsBuJs4c-By9AfqCOkVCBsfqOoqBV4ucyCGE31eFCtEoJ59AXaEOnobxwtgjJgpLfxHnNVZ0V751ij/s320/Paulie+cardigan+yellow+and+grey.JPG" width="281" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
It's called "Paulie", and I'm in love with it. I can see myself wearing it at my go-to fall and winter sweater, and likely wearing it at work</div>
<ul>
<li>Sock yarn, any and all. If it's cheap or pretty or it's being sold by the pound, I'm going to be all over it. I don't have any patterns in mind, but it doesn't matter. I always need sock yarn.</li>
</ul>
Aside from actual projects I'm planning for, I will also be on the lookout for awesome project bags, accessories, and knitting-related things that I need. I've seen a knitter or two sporting a knitting needle gauge necklace, and I want one real bad. <br />
<br />
I'm setting myself a budget of no more than $400, although I'm not picky about what I have to get from that amount, and none of the projects on my list need to be done right this second with only brand new yarn. I will be bringing a reasonable amount of US cash with my for general spending, but I hate going to the trouble of getting US cash and then not spending all of it (and refusing to lose money by selling it back to the bank), so I'll also be using credit cards. Expect an epic blog update later this month.<br />
<br />
In regular non-Rhinebeck knitting news, here's what I've been working on.<br />
<br />
Rock Island shawl is DONE.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBoeSHUAjLfdRcjx1DV_o8_zQqyfjU2bb_4ZkpEixfh0_CH8m6PT8E-4XjsaROF7RhcO_CO1FvTG1yMoS2sdZfUOAjD9B0IuoZe4wYIJ6hTwiWeDM0WOGb4Qxa75WVN9IffMOAmvyrJB-k/s1600/DSC03312.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBoeSHUAjLfdRcjx1DV_o8_zQqyfjU2bb_4ZkpEixfh0_CH8m6PT8E-4XjsaROF7RhcO_CO1FvTG1yMoS2sdZfUOAjD9B0IuoZe4wYIJ6hTwiWeDM0WOGb4Qxa75WVN9IffMOAmvyrJB-k/s320/DSC03312.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt4AeMPq2dTYmdgTWe7NV3iN00epESjrLok0jjNWlyT4K4ojXoQmolGQ8i2kaKfU-Mqic7ka8klH5itCG46oxyPOJY0136dMCTv37kZyB7V3DHxOR3bJnz6SjQl2Q-IiLwfdLVa2JlgYW0/s1600/DSC03313.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt4AeMPq2dTYmdgTWe7NV3iN00epESjrLok0jjNWlyT4K4ojXoQmolGQ8i2kaKfU-Mqic7ka8klH5itCG46oxyPOJY0136dMCTv37kZyB7V3DHxOR3bJnz6SjQl2Q-IiLwfdLVa2JlgYW0/s320/DSC03313.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjXl6ithNTCEuIs32tLysi4kQ8rdGzbEWasoJl1hJnCzBS6J75ZNS19uwbP7W5D0LIKVz6cVnU0i5RJu_dcAjSqvF3LA5gdSFuY0MksusdL7-1E_cJy_dLjPQyQCNTSPdnB-BsoK84pEYF/s1600/DSC03314.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjXl6ithNTCEuIs32tLysi4kQ8rdGzbEWasoJl1hJnCzBS6J75ZNS19uwbP7W5D0LIKVz6cVnU0i5RJu_dcAjSqvF3LA5gdSFuY0MksusdL7-1E_cJy_dLjPQyQCNTSPdnB-BsoK84pEYF/s320/DSC03314.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
It's too pretty. I wish it was for me. I'm debating whether Tam Tam will get it for her birthday or Christmas. Her birthday is coming up at the end of October, but I have something else planned for that (horseback riding! Shhh, don't tell her). I've already taken this shawl everywhere without the joy of actually wearing it - it came to the first Guild meeting of the year for Show and Tell, I entered it in a Fall Fair contest and won first place, and it came to regular knit and chat night. Right now it's neatly folded up in my stash baskets, waiting for me to decide its fate. I'm leaning towards Christmas.<br />
<br />
My Cuff au Lait fingerless mitts are DONE! I don't have a picture of the finished pair, so you'll have to settle for a picture of the left finished mitten. Get over it. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKi9uxiNUjhxg4jjVhBxbil7Aw-Yh1QH9mr41Ja1eZT_lE5Zlgl_UjD5lyyPymBTCW0ffPh8wN4RptXe_OaC6YtBPvX008I-n1cYbEzUAVQx_cU1y3EOXpZKitSV0qZmf3LW5rr3l2uLVC/s1600/DSC03315.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKi9uxiNUjhxg4jjVhBxbil7Aw-Yh1QH9mr41Ja1eZT_lE5Zlgl_UjD5lyyPymBTCW0ffPh8wN4RptXe_OaC6YtBPvX008I-n1cYbEzUAVQx_cU1y3EOXpZKitSV0qZmf3LW5rr3l2uLVC/s320/DSC03315.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje7WV97h49zcRfHjVqi4DuG0LtN2e4iJfUWeE2jU8Zcip-XtlDGJkjW9vC4jGHSvsAgpfY9eWoMhZTnd2BmMJjzURozGjOtdfOR2fKc6jrIovLdhepkJWa4Oq3KSlP-1Ry1e1Jpj3D9Qtw/s1600/DSC03316.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje7WV97h49zcRfHjVqi4DuG0LtN2e4iJfUWeE2jU8Zcip-XtlDGJkjW9vC4jGHSvsAgpfY9eWoMhZTnd2BmMJjzURozGjOtdfOR2fKc6jrIovLdhepkJWa4Oq3KSlP-1Ry1e1Jpj3D9Qtw/s320/DSC03316.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJcw3JOZ1doDG9DOPgiazV3X8-0_j2gksYVAn68WV7Vv61LVxf8C0lB0MnjDue91wfqZdq0ZgdhiLNl-W2hddTnQMsnxM7SFvAaASPRnMv9qnisl0kVzLOCjuJa69H3YNJAt38etyGeueM/s1600/DSC03317.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJcw3JOZ1doDG9DOPgiazV3X8-0_j2gksYVAn68WV7Vv61LVxf8C0lB0MnjDue91wfqZdq0ZgdhiLNl-W2hddTnQMsnxM7SFvAaASPRnMv9qnisl0kVzLOCjuJa69H3YNJAt38etyGeueM/s320/DSC03317.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I like this picture because it looks like I'm holding the ball of yarn between my fingers.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I'm working on Fuzzyhead's Christmas socks - a manly man's pair of socks in semi-solid black, in a railway stitch. How masculine. The stitch pattern is from Knitting Vintage Socks by Nancy Bush, one of my favourite sock books, but modified with a toe-up construction. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFyBPV19VKo9FuiOTFeBIkYLlCKnWt5utPVoEeRYrFS6S5clCIo-GyEGgg5hOIGkMxWQ6YKvCzZDPUBXCIXgLbhUyTi3kyRotb2VkyOMJQUEyLxhmerkemaard-yNKqhzLrGCfsNrvxCcX/s1600/DSC03322.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFyBPV19VKo9FuiOTFeBIkYLlCKnWt5utPVoEeRYrFS6S5clCIo-GyEGgg5hOIGkMxWQ6YKvCzZDPUBXCIXgLbhUyTi3kyRotb2VkyOMJQUEyLxhmerkemaard-yNKqhzLrGCfsNrvxCcX/s320/DSC03322.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv1VjkdsVqcqQ_PBOb3GNIZjDXKUT3DLHRIrqSerNOqp5U9qy4IO1Y2AjcAUT1gqUrP3d0SsP8YTHizc032e-BvY7vbOVDKwBbn7DrDtjPTQdHefBkvgFAHPnFmzNlt7Nv7Rohu0ljqRau/s1600/DSC03323.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv1VjkdsVqcqQ_PBOb3GNIZjDXKUT3DLHRIrqSerNOqp5U9qy4IO1Y2AjcAUT1gqUrP3d0SsP8YTHizc032e-BvY7vbOVDKwBbn7DrDtjPTQdHefBkvgFAHPnFmzNlt7Nv7Rohu0ljqRau/s320/DSC03323.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8403WyCXKwHSBi72gL1icD92mMko4jKJ8jE61XPvg8Q6jGbgJOFa4IdgykTrwjbEuO4BXZ0A5DQQI-SdjM9-IIUobVdDiRcA1GI8fmRDLmaG3v2oWTSfCnLStp9U2XZ29D7SbuSGILPkv/s1600/DSC03324.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8403WyCXKwHSBi72gL1icD92mMko4jKJ8jE61XPvg8Q6jGbgJOFa4IdgykTrwjbEuO4BXZ0A5DQQI-SdjM9-IIUobVdDiRcA1GI8fmRDLmaG3v2oWTSfCnLStp9U2XZ29D7SbuSGILPkv/s320/DSC03324.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I'm really curious to see if the rows of knit stitches will even out with blocking or if they will stay a little wonky. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I also want to knit a quick brain slug for my Halloween costume this year. Last year, I spent way too long and way too much money on a costume I will probably not wear again (which is too bad, because vrock as sexy hamburglar needs to happen again). I'm working on Halloween day and I was searching for the perfect costume that is work appropriate, and not so awkward that I can't actually work in the costume. I've decided on a brain slug on a headband as the perfect costume. I can wear my normal work cloths and it doesn't require special make-up that needs to be re-applied or checked on all day. I might even bust out my rarely-used crochet skills and try my hand at this little beauty:</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTp9CBx6PgDk3iK-XrcMIr2Ih2VYrlQA9U_a-BJYAc3ZJDq96sLP2MxkRRM1xNg1ydc8qU8ejeSm9kLLAqUWccWck1Tur3JFgCxyoTDWAIsAKI95a_NiAEa2keHQJeZ75a7Hq3rHKBU6Mc/s1600/Brain+slug+crocheted.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTp9CBx6PgDk3iK-XrcMIr2Ih2VYrlQA9U_a-BJYAc3ZJDq96sLP2MxkRRM1xNg1ydc8qU8ejeSm9kLLAqUWccWck1Tur3JFgCxyoTDWAIsAKI95a_NiAEa2keHQJeZ75a7Hq3rHKBU6Mc/s320/Brain+slug+crocheted.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Or support a fellow Guild member and make one of these felted slugs: <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrDlq0Df6rzTZLgPvtQdPb63mA6Kv2dyo51k0cefMuChJF-u7n2YxkSHmSGLKcARwyYpPVouFgO16mOg9cyx1jgjke71HCnvBIDCS1XZZgOhDDDHh-h-E1g1wsGuKzIwD-yQ0vfrcy0HXQ/s1600/Felted+brain+slugs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrDlq0Df6rzTZLgPvtQdPb63mA6Kv2dyo51k0cefMuChJF-u7n2YxkSHmSGLKcARwyYpPVouFgO16mOg9cyx1jgjke71HCnvBIDCS1XZZgOhDDDHh-h-E1g1wsGuKzIwD-yQ0vfrcy0HXQ/s320/Felted+brain+slugs.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
I'm also gearing up for Christmas, because I'm a giant nerd, and I look forward to this all year long. In August, I wanted nothing more than to make a 2012 Christmas planner to keep track of all my crafty and baking and decorating holiday dreams. The step by step DIY guide I followed is <a href="http://ashleyannphotography.com/blog/2010/10/18/10-in-10-guest-bloggers-the-sisters-behind-eighteen25/" target="_blank">here</a>, and it required a composition notebook, some standard paper crafting supplies, and Christmas themed scrapbooking paper. Michaels let me down big time on the Christmas paper - in August, when they were already rolling out the Christmas ribbon and Christmas ornament aisle, they had not a single sheet of Christmas scrapbooking paper in sight. Shameful. How is a crafty gal supposed to get her craft on for a Christmas planner in August without Christmas scrapbooking paper? I went back in early September and found exactly one style of Christmas paper (which I also happened to love), and my 2012 Christmas planner was born:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiCUfIZX0Uc53g9EL1nTudXhvfu8kYn25QA6HojIe1OdnTjhT0j_VpouMjBfzu0MgbCP6kfMes2ZNZgkQpUAnFdnKdZ3M97B7KAuWW6pIm_fPKagqLmuRniJQCYVOhc7IIBYp98sU0k51C/s1600/DSC03325.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiCUfIZX0Uc53g9EL1nTudXhvfu8kYn25QA6HojIe1OdnTjhT0j_VpouMjBfzu0MgbCP6kfMes2ZNZgkQpUAnFdnKdZ3M97B7KAuWW6pIm_fPKagqLmuRniJQCYVOhc7IIBYp98sU0k51C/s320/DSC03325.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHs0446E5yNBr8jymBXC_ZRUT5VFEfMV7NnkmRrDq4F5rpWjpJ6xSSVRiSJsBRs7qFGcZlXtnEW1LjqRtTUxRFEbUarJoikZYZ8aTOvet58F3Wm1qUT6W7ZXemVpl-f_78tDbLtmPIdSom/s1600/DSC03326.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHs0446E5yNBr8jymBXC_ZRUT5VFEfMV7NnkmRrDq4F5rpWjpJ6xSSVRiSJsBRs7qFGcZlXtnEW1LjqRtTUxRFEbUarJoikZYZ8aTOvet58F3Wm1qUT6W7ZXemVpl-f_78tDbLtmPIdSom/s320/DSC03326.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It has tabbies for all of the most important Christmas planning activities - a calendar to keep my on track, the list, the master Christmas card list with addresses, home stuff, and food. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5LzDpG0dmEexp6lhyphenhyphenSC8N8y_f8sQWCDrjC3YL42VTipY01ip45yaZQBZpHudtn8H-xl0SGP0N6wvh-8tMjsalScQOLzrUqkpIiCh86LVL261MAeSRnnn7MKMFu2A3hj065XORHDa-itYg/s1600/DSC03327.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5LzDpG0dmEexp6lhyphenhyphenSC8N8y_f8sQWCDrjC3YL42VTipY01ip45yaZQBZpHudtn8H-xl0SGP0N6wvh-8tMjsalScQOLzrUqkpIiCh86LVL261MAeSRnnn7MKMFu2A3hj065XORHDa-itYg/s320/DSC03327.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkr2_e9wKYNXnHGbEIBHOmyRmVCxDuM3FoqpbnLIuPDwH8X-4xfom9xaw7Ge3LdpYVXymbFhWVp_5XmNUCBHDg7zAP-VytWc1MmLFtmdcA24OCVA9wG5mi19YbEMJ5iM3X2mhUIq0E4b91/s1600/DSC03328.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkr2_e9wKYNXnHGbEIBHOmyRmVCxDuM3FoqpbnLIuPDwH8X-4xfom9xaw7Ge3LdpYVXymbFhWVp_5XmNUCBHDg7zAP-VytWc1MmLFtmdcA24OCVA9wG5mi19YbEMJ5iM3X2mhUIq0E4b91/s320/DSC03328.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It even had a ribbon to tie it closed and keep peeping peepers out of the Christmas secrets.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Also, I'm firmly into the role of President at the Knitters' Guild. If you haven't seen me strike passion in the hearts of Guild members, you should stop by and watch me in action at a Guild meeting.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
And now I've got zombie-themed baking to accomplish today readers. It's the season premiere of Walking Dead tonight dontcha know.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Onward,</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
vrock </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />vrockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00487698471635922624noreply@blogger.com1