Sea of Dreams KAL: Blocking with Blocking Wires

Reblogged from polkadotsheep:

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So you have finished your Sea of Dreams Blanket, now what? Well, with lace, it is especially important to wash and block your knitting.

What is blocking anyway? When you block a knit object, you are shaping it out to specific dimensions or until it has the look you want in the finished object. Blocking is worked with a damp object.

Read more… 504 more words

Really great artical. Blocking makes all the difference to many projects!

FO Friday: And this was supposed to be a quiet week!

DH’s Birthday, Maplefest (annual local event), Chapters book browsing, seeing Iron Man 3 (which was awesome!) watching Leafs tear your heart out, Craft group, lunch with the girls, Knittin club and Physio followed by lunch out with MiL (who has completely recovered, yay)  and through all this I am beavering away on my Dawn till Dusk Lace shawl, this has indeed been a humdinger of a week…

I’m in the middle of a pile of projects, embarrassed to say nothing done this week. Well started weeding the garden, we dug out 2 dead bushes and filled the planters with fresh soil… and making plans for the big event for my DS (more to come on this next month).

I adopted a couple of new books this week :0)

The Knitting Stitch Bible by Maria Parry-Jones

you can never have too many stitch dictionaries!

and Take-Along Knitting

Found on ravelry: Damask by Kitman Figueroa I liked this so much I bought the pattern one day I will knit it.

I have been enjoying reading other people’s blogs, I’m going to start linking to some you might enjoy too :0)

Blog visiting:  Peacefully knitting with Tina

Inspiration to add to my large collection of what happened next in the Austen novels.

What am I reading? Mr Darcy’s Diary by Maya Slater

Picked it up as a discard from the local library. Very entertaining so far.

Another useful tutorial:

Toe-up socks 2 at a time by Tii Casa (part 1, 2, 3, 4, 5)

This weeks musical interlude:

The Last Saskatchewan Pirate by the Arrogant Worms another great Canadian band! :0)

Current WIP List (15)

1. Mile a minute afghan 1st crochet project 20% done 
2. Sassy Summer Satchel  MayKal 
3. Piles of Smiles socks a new pattern I am working on 30%
4. Sssydney and friends two more to do
5. From Dawn Till Dusk shawlette / scarf 45% Done
6. Camellia shawlette - A wedding gift (due May 25) 5%
7. Sea of Dreams Blanket 60%
8. Top Down Swing Pullover – Both sleeves done 80%
9. Beryl Blanket – Long term project  (60 hexs)
10. Box of Boxes Blanket – Long term project  (17 squares)
11. Easy Peazy Shawl – almost 90%
12. Ruffle Scarf – for the fall Bazaar so no hurry 80%
13. SPROUT – Growing Roots vest 60%
14. Cozy Winter Shawl 85%
15. Pine Forest Baby Blanket 75%

FO’s 2013 = 36

WIPS 2013 = 15

Used of 37 purchased patterns from Rav = 8 (29 to go)

Stash Used 2013 = 34

Books 2013 = 15 + 1 = 16

Thanks again for visiting,

cya next week :0)

I’m off to visit Tami’s, then on to my blogwalk

come join me in the blogpond :0)

WIP Weds: The War continues…

Sssydney the sssnake and friends 

XL coffee cup sweater - to be one of many for Craft sale in June

From Dawn Till Dusk shawlette / scarf April Kal

Really lovely lace yarn. Using thread for lifelines.

A non-knitting project, a Catholic Rosary for a first communion on Sunday. I was at the LCS with my diagram collecting all the odds and ends for this project, a women looked at me like I didn’t know what I was doing…she was totally right! lol

Making Catholic Rosary

The Catholic Rosary has 10 beads (decades) and 5 decades, between the cruciform beads.  

I have only made Anglican/Protestant Rosaries in the past.

So after lots of research I took a stab at it.

This is a Protestant rosary. Unlike a Catholic Rosary, there are 7 beads (weeks) and 4 weeks between the cruciform beads.,. A crucifix or cross ia acceptable on an Anglican Rosary (cross is more common)

Knitting technique video link:  Tubular Bind-Off from VeryPink Knits Just love her instruction videos!

Found on Ravelry: Philosophers Walk Socks by Lesley Melliship one talented knitter, this is her 1st pattern on Ravelry and it’s a freebie

Current WIP List (13)

I am starting to note how close to done my WIP’s are.

1. Sssydney and friends one done a few more to do
2. XL coffee cup sweater for Church craft sale
3. From Dawn Till Dusk shawlette / scarf  40% Done
4. Camellia shawlette - A wedding gift (due May 25) 5%
5. Sea of Dreams Blanket 60%
6. Top Down Swing Pullover – Both sleeves done 80%
7. Beryl Blanket – Long term project  (60 hexs)
8. Box of Boxes Blanket – Long term project  (17 squares)
9. Easy Peazy Shawl – almost 90%
10. Ruffle Scarf – for the fall Bazaar so no hurry 80%
11. SPROUT – Growing Roots vest 60%
12. Cozy Winter Shawl 85%
13. Pine Forest Baby Blanket 75%

FO’s 2013 = 30

WIPS 2013 = 12 + 1 = 13

Used of 37 purchased patterns from Rav = 8 (29 to go)

Stash Used 2013 =  33

Books 2013 = 12

Thanks again for visiting,

cya Friday :0)

I’m off to visit Tami’s, then on to my blogwalk

come join me in the blogpond :0)

FO Friday: Meet Sssydney!

Here is Sssydney, I’m still working on his family…

Currently he ssslithering up a pencil, but he could wrap around just about anything.

These guyz work up really quickly!

Here is the Sydney snake and friends pdf

and Hubert the Briar Bunny has returned from his trip to the Yarn Challenge at the LYS

DH started calling him Hubert, he hasn’t commented so I guess that’s his name ;0)

Knitting technique video link:  Emily Ocker’s circular cast on, I used this for both Sssydney and Hubert

Found on Ravelry: Frigging Princess by Anna-Lena Thiel This one just tickles my fancy :0)

Current WIP List (12)

I am starting to note how close to done my WIP’s are.

1. Sssydney and friends one done a few more to do
2. From Dawn Till Dusk shawlette / scarf 20% Done
3. Camellia shawlette - A wedding gift (due May 25) 5%
4. Sea of Dreams Blanket 60%
5. Top Down Swing Pullover – Both sleeves done 80%
6. Beryl Blanket – Long term project  (60 hexs)
7. Box of Boxes Blanket – Long term project  (17 squares)
8. Easy Peazy Shawl – almost 90%
9. Ruffle Scarf – for the fall Bazaar so no hurry 80%
10. SPROUT – Growing Roots vest 60%
11. Cozy Winter Shawl 85%
12. Pine Forest Baby Blanket 75%

FO’s 2013 = 29 + 1 = 30

WIPS 2013 =  11 + 1 = 12

Used of 37 purchased patterns from Rav = 8 (29 to go)

Stash Used 2013 =  33

Books 2013 = 12

Thanks again for visiting,

cya Friday :0)

I’m off to visit Tami’s, then on to my blogwalk

come join me in the blogpond :0)

WIP Weds: Sprouting Sleeves

Well the Operation is over! Hopefully we will have MiL home today. She is doing fine.  Four small holes and no gallbladder, she has already returned to her usual fiesty self.

Well, the you know what hit the fan today…

- MiL is still in the hospital, lots of pain!

- My Dad has a foot that is broken in two places, 6 weeks on crutches

- DS’s blood sugar was 21 yesterday and this morning still 10.5

Can we start wednesday over again this one sucks!!!!

I have been working away on  “Sprout – Growing Roots”.

I decided to make a modifications to the Raglan portion of the pattern. The increase rows in the pattern asked for either Kfb, M1 or Yo. I opted for Kfb, however on the right side of the cable there was some unattactive laddering.

Hunting around I found an old Latch Hook (which I am adding to my knitting tool kit) and picked up the ladder and tidied up the increases.

 I think this really improved the appearance of shoulder seams.

New and improved raglans!

Book: Nero Wolfe: The Door Bell Rang by Rex Stout

I’m a big fan of Nero Wolfe and Archie Goodwin! This book is a great read, as usual against all odds Nero catches the murder and Archie is his charming wise cracking self. I’ve always had a crush on him :0)

FO’s 2012 = 26

Patterns from my own Library = 5

WIP’s 2012 = 7

Stash used 2012 =  38 + 1 = 39

Yarn Diet target  21 balls used (diet over Yay!)

Stash Purchased 2012 = 54 + 3 = 57

Beryl Blanket Hexes = 46

Books =  16 + 1 = 17

links for my blogwalk join me in the blogpond :0)

WIP Weds and Friday’s at Tami’s

Technique Video Tutorial: Afterthought Heel openings.

Designing socks lately, the question of “Afterthought Heels” has come up. Hunting around I found some pictures and video tutorials with detailed instructions on how to open the stitches to make the heel. I will post further information on optional “Afterthought Heel” types.

Using waste yarn by jlwinpa (picture from berrysmom.blogspot.com)

Step 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AK6F_xAuVCA&feature=channel

Step 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ldHqhjUFZ0&feature=relmfu

Step 3: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zbGJudBQa6U&feature=relmfu

Step 4: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_JiPNFhknJk&feature=relmfu

Step 5: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ATuElCkMb-c&feature=relmfu

Step 6a: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b83fQpzDRsY&feature=relmfu

Step 6b: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QBNWi7faCwk&feature=relmfu

Step 7a: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ww5HV6i6Rj0&feature=relmfu

Step 7b: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LtU5-jG4t18&feature=relmfu

Sock Surgeon’s afterthought heels by TelmaQ – no waste yarn

(picture from curlerchik.blogspot.com)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bC8WcAmmnv0&feature=related
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Video Tutorials: Useful stuff from Lucy Neatby

 Lucy Neatby is one of my favourite knitters, she does great tutorials and DVD’s too!

1. Crocheted provisional cast on
2. Removing provisional cast on for use
3. German Twisted Cast on (deeper edge good for socks)
4. Navajo knitting (Make 3 times thicker)
5. Yo at the beginning of the row
6. Tidiest Bobble stitch; making 3 from one
7. Double knit fabric
8. Gafting
9. Knitting with beads
10. Setting a thumb on a dk mitten
11. Perfect graft of Icord edged garter stitch

As you can see well worth buying her DVD’s

Techniques: Another way to Graft with knitting needle

While hunting the web looking for a way to expand to a friend how to graft stitches together I found this. Have used it several times, works wonderfully. Uses knitting needle rather than darning needle!

Thanks TECHknitting!

HOW TO KITCHENER STITCH with KNITTING NEEDLES

Step 1:

click picture

Wrap (bring) the working yarn around to the front of the work.  NOTE that the working yarn passes UNDER the two left needles, and UNDER the right working needle.  Insert the right working needle into the first stitch (green) on the left front needle, and use the working yarn to PURL this first stitch.  Draw the working yarn backwards (away from you) all the way through this stitch until the end of the working yarn pops free.  The loose end of the working yarn (red) will now be in the area between the left needles. The stitch (green) which you were working is now fully bound off.  Push this stitch off the left front needle.

Step 2:

click picture

The working yarn should now be in the area between the left front and left rear needles.  Insert the right working needle into the next stitch (purple)–which is the second stitch on the left front needle. Use the working yarn to KNIT this stitch.  Draw the working yarn forward (towards you) all the way through this stitch until the end of the working yarn pops free of the stitch.  The loose end of the working yarn (red) will now be in the front of the work.  The stitch (purple) you were working on is only half bound off–you must leave this stitch on the left front needle.

Step 3:

click picture

Wrap the working yarn around to the back of the work. NOTE that the working yarn again passes UNDER all the needles on its trip to the back of the work.  Insert the right working needle into first stitch on the left rear needle (blue) and use the working yarn to KNIT this stitch. Draw working yarn forward all the way through this stitch until the end of the working yarn pops free.  The loose end of the working yarn (red) will now be in the area between the two left needles. The stitch (blue) you were working is fully bound off–push this stitch off the left rear needle.

Step 4:

click picture

The working yarn should be in the area between the left front and left rear needles. Insert the right working needle into the second stitch on the left rear needle (teal) and use the working yarn to PURL this stitch.  Draw the working yarn backwards all the way through this stitch until the end of the working yarn pops free. The loose end of the working yarn (red) will now be at the back of the work. The stitch (teal) you were working is only half bound off–you must leave this stitch on the left rear needle.
These four steps are repeated again and again to create a Kitchener stitched seam. If you want to chant the steps to yourself as you work, here is the mantra:

• Step 1: Purl front, push the stitch off
• Step 2: Knit front, leave the stitch on
• Step 3: Knit rear, push the stitch off
• Step 4: Purl rear, leave the stitch on

Technique:Knitting 2 socks at a time (Video Tutorial- 7 Parts)

Just love “verypinkknits”  Stacy Perry, very professional, well photographed, great teacher! (5 out of 5 Kitten rating)

Knitting 2 socks at a time  (part 1-7) verypinkknits: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i4iD77aJCAw&feature=relmfu

part 1 – prepare yarn

part 2 – casting on using two circular needles

part 3 – Heel flap (sl, k1)

part 4 – Turning heel (short rows)

part 5 – Pick-up stitches for gusset

part 6 – Gusset and instep

part 7 – Graft toe

I want to try this with mittens before I try it with socks… Looks a little complicated but doable.

How to make Tarn (yarn from Tshirts)

Yup this bright recycleing idea is brought to us from Melissa Somerville!

Read how here http://www.tangledness.com/html/fall_2010/diy_tarn.html

Cool eh!