I was sifting through my stash, wondering what I can knit for Christmas gifts, and my gaze landed on a skein of Lion Brand Wool Ease, worsted weight. Not the nicest yarn I've knit with, but a decent acrylic-wool blend that is machine washable and dryable. Ideal for gifting because it is very economical, easy to care for, and because it's worsted weight, thousands of free patterns can be had for every knittable/crochetable item.
Deciding on a men's hat, I went to Ravelry in search of a pattern. I found Turn a Square (Ravelry link), a wonderfully easy and free pattern. It calls for striping, but I decided to skip that. It's your basic stockinette hat with a ribbed hem, but it has four sets of raglan-like decreases to shape the crown that are simple enough to be mindless but aren't boring. next time I knit this hat, I'll include the stripes.
Hats are wonderful things to knit. They can be as easy or as difficult as the knitter wishes. This was a very simple pattern for my skill level, which meant it was a great "get out of the no-knitting rut" project. It was also very quick, going from cast-on to weave-in in less than 24 hours, knitted during Peanut's naps and while she was playing at Giggle Factory this morning. And because it's 80% acrylic, blocking is not necessary, just a quick trip through the wash.
I think I'll use the rest of the skein for a gift for one of my nephews. Now all I gotta do is get Peanut to hold still long enough for me to get some measurements from her hand so I can knit mittens that will fit the nephew for the whole winter.
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
No will to knit
It's true. I have no will to knit lately. And that just bites. It's fall, for goodness' sake! Time for knitting scarves and hats and mittens and Christmas presents. But combining early pregnancy fatigue with a new job and chasing around a toddler makes for very little energy to do anything in my free time that doesn't involve plopping my laptop on my lap and reading an ebook.
Plus I want to participate in NaNoWriMo in November, which would basically suck up any free time at all. I probably shouldn't plan on finishing a book, but knowing I'm only one of thousands handling a busy real life in addition to writing will be nice.
So it looks like November and December will be very busy months for both knitting and writing. Should be fun. Crazy, but fun.
Now all I need to do is ferret out my will to knit.
Plus I want to participate in NaNoWriMo in November, which would basically suck up any free time at all. I probably shouldn't plan on finishing a book, but knowing I'm only one of thousands handling a busy real life in addition to writing will be nice.
So it looks like November and December will be very busy months for both knitting and writing. Should be fun. Crazy, but fun.
Now all I need to do is ferret out my will to knit.
Friday, September 26, 2008
Hold My Sock
Yarn Harlot started it, knitters everywhere continue it. Having someone significant hold your sock for a picture is something that seems odd, but when you're a knitter, including your projects in such a way raises the importance of both the sock and the subject of the picture. At least, that's what I think.
Last weekend, Naomi and I drove down to West Virginia (talk about a long road trip) for Lora Leigh's Reader Appreciation Weekend, known as RAW. There, I got to hang with many people I see online all the time and with authors of such wonderful talent and imagination. I brought along stuff to finally begin the second sock to match this:
Spring Forward at Knitty. I finished the first one over a month ago. Second Sock Syndrome hits me hard. I'm working on that, though.
Anyway, I cast on the second sock while I was at RAW's Friday night slumber party. Everyone (okay, most) wore pyjamas and we ate pizza and danced to the tunes of a very enthusiastic DJ. The next day, there was a private booksigning just for RAW attendees and a Masquerade Ball that evening. I got pictures of said sock along with people I know and love. Most took it in stride when I said "hold my sock," but the funniest was Lora Leigh, who looked at me suspiciously and asked "Is it contagious?", which is the exact thing she said when I told her earlier in the evening that I was pregnant. LOL
Naomi (left) and Kimberly, who was being cheeky and used her cleavage as a shelf.
Danita, who had the coolest "mask" at the ball.
Diane, who is one of the finest examples of all that is good about human beings.
Jill, who somehow withstands the blazing oven-like heat of Arizona every summer.
Author Lora Leigh, who came up with the idea of RAW originally and who also writes excellent books.
Mel, who liked the sock so much she didn't even look away from it while holding it.
Me and Nalini Singh, one of my favorite authors and an utter sweetheart.
Me and JR Ward, an incredibly lovely and gracious woman who writes books I kind of have a thing for.
It was a great weekend. A lot of driving to get there and back, but totally worth it. I likely won't be going next year because, assuming all goes well, I will have a four month old baby in addition to Peanut and traveling that much for so little time there seems pretty crazy.
Last weekend, Naomi and I drove down to West Virginia (talk about a long road trip) for Lora Leigh's Reader Appreciation Weekend, known as RAW. There, I got to hang with many people I see online all the time and with authors of such wonderful talent and imagination. I brought along stuff to finally begin the second sock to match this:
Spring Forward at Knitty. I finished the first one over a month ago. Second Sock Syndrome hits me hard. I'm working on that, though.
Anyway, I cast on the second sock while I was at RAW's Friday night slumber party. Everyone (okay, most) wore pyjamas and we ate pizza and danced to the tunes of a very enthusiastic DJ. The next day, there was a private booksigning just for RAW attendees and a Masquerade Ball that evening. I got pictures of said sock along with people I know and love. Most took it in stride when I said "hold my sock," but the funniest was Lora Leigh, who looked at me suspiciously and asked "Is it contagious?", which is the exact thing she said when I told her earlier in the evening that I was pregnant. LOL
Naomi (left) and Kimberly, who was being cheeky and used her cleavage as a shelf.
Danita, who had the coolest "mask" at the ball.
Diane, who is one of the finest examples of all that is good about human beings.
Jill, who somehow withstands the blazing oven-like heat of Arizona every summer.
Author Lora Leigh, who came up with the idea of RAW originally and who also writes excellent books.
Mel, who liked the sock so much she didn't even look away from it while holding it.
Me and Nalini Singh, one of my favorite authors and an utter sweetheart.
Me and JR Ward, an incredibly lovely and gracious woman who writes books I kind of have a thing for.
It was a great weekend. A lot of driving to get there and back, but totally worth it. I likely won't be going next year because, assuming all goes well, I will have a four month old baby in addition to Peanut and traveling that much for so little time there seems pretty crazy.
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Basic Baby Socks
I've become a fan of making my own sock patterns. As an experienced knitter, it's fun and relatively easy. To the beginner, though, having a pattern is important. Even better is a basic pattern, which is often a blank canvas on which a knitter imposes his or her own creativity. Baby socks are good for that. They can also be an instant-gratification project, a way to use up leftover yarn, or a way to take a new yarn for a test drive.
It is because of the latter that these socks came about. I had seen On Your Toes Bamboo (Ravelry link) at my LYS months ago, but whenever I stopped in after that they were sold out. I don't like special ordering yarn (for some reason I feel like premeditated spending is worse than impulse buys--I have no idea why), so I just kept an eye out. Last week while I get getting some Cascade 220 for a sweater, I noticed that they had it in. It's a pretty salmon pink, plenty girly without being run-of-the-mill pastel.
The gauge on the ball band calls for US 3 (3.25mm) needles, so that's what I used. I like the fabric it produced despite the fact that many Ravelers used US 1 or 2 needles. Also, it went faster. At this gauge, they should fit babies up to about 12 months old or so. Changing yarn may change either stitch or row gauge and will therefore affect the size of the finished sock.
So here's the pattern. As always, get creative. Longer cuffs, ribbing down the foot, it's all good. :) Unlike my Little Feet pattern, this has been written for the begging sock knitter with detailed instructions for the turned heel, gusset, and wedge toe. Grafting/Kitchener instructions for the toe can be found in a multitude of places, so you're on your own there. Happy knitting!
*************
Yarn: On Your Toes Bamboo, 75% Bamboo 25% Nylon
Needles: US size 3
Gauge: 7.5 sts/in
CO 32
Knit 10 rows of 2x2 ribbing
After completing the tenth round, knit 16 stitches onto one needle for the heel flap. Work 12 rows in total (including the first knit row) for the heel flap, ending with a purl row.
Turn Heel:
Row 1: sl 1, k 9, ssk, k 1, turn
Row 2: sl 1, p5, p2tog, p 1, turn
Row 3: sl 1, k 6, ssk, k 1, turn
Row 4: sl 1, p 7, p2tog, p 1, turn
Row 5: sl 1, k 8, ssk, turn
Row 6: sl 1, p 9, p2tog, turn. 10 sts remain
Gusset:
Knit 5 of the heel stitches onto one needle and the second five onto another needle, now Needle 1. With Needle 1, pick up 8 stitches along the side of the heel flap. Knit across the top of the sock to the other side of the flap (needles 2 and 3). Pick up 8 stitches with a new needle (needle 4) and knit the five remaining heel stitches. Needles 1 and 4 each have 14 stitches. Needles 2 and 3 each have 8. The center of the heel is the new beginning of the round.
Row 1: Knit even.
Row 2: Knit to the last three stitches of needle 1, k2tog, k1. Knit even across needles 2 and 3. When you get to needle 4, k1, ssk, knit to end.
Repeat rows 1 and 2 until all needles have 8 stitches.
Foot:
Work 12 rows even
Toe:
Row 1: Knit to last 3 sts of needle 1, k2tog. K1, ssk at the beginning of needle 2. Knit to last 3 sts of needle 3, k2tog. K1, ssk at the beginning of needle 4. Knit to end of round.
Row 2: knit even
Repeat rows 1 and 2 until each needle has 4 stitches. Graft two sets of 8 and weave in ends.
It is because of the latter that these socks came about. I had seen On Your Toes Bamboo (Ravelry link) at my LYS months ago, but whenever I stopped in after that they were sold out. I don't like special ordering yarn (for some reason I feel like premeditated spending is worse than impulse buys--I have no idea why), so I just kept an eye out. Last week while I get getting some Cascade 220 for a sweater, I noticed that they had it in. It's a pretty salmon pink, plenty girly without being run-of-the-mill pastel.
The gauge on the ball band calls for US 3 (3.25mm) needles, so that's what I used. I like the fabric it produced despite the fact that many Ravelers used US 1 or 2 needles. Also, it went faster. At this gauge, they should fit babies up to about 12 months old or so. Changing yarn may change either stitch or row gauge and will therefore affect the size of the finished sock.
So here's the pattern. As always, get creative. Longer cuffs, ribbing down the foot, it's all good. :) Unlike my Little Feet pattern, this has been written for the begging sock knitter with detailed instructions for the turned heel, gusset, and wedge toe. Grafting/Kitchener instructions for the toe can be found in a multitude of places, so you're on your own there. Happy knitting!
*************
Yarn: On Your Toes Bamboo, 75% Bamboo 25% Nylon
Needles: US size 3
Gauge: 7.5 sts/in
CO 32
Knit 10 rows of 2x2 ribbing
After completing the tenth round, knit 16 stitches onto one needle for the heel flap. Work 12 rows in total (including the first knit row) for the heel flap, ending with a purl row.
Turn Heel:
Row 1: sl 1, k 9, ssk, k 1, turn
Row 2: sl 1, p5, p2tog, p 1, turn
Row 3: sl 1, k 6, ssk, k 1, turn
Row 4: sl 1, p 7, p2tog, p 1, turn
Row 5: sl 1, k 8, ssk, turn
Row 6: sl 1, p 9, p2tog, turn. 10 sts remain
Gusset:
Knit 5 of the heel stitches onto one needle and the second five onto another needle, now Needle 1. With Needle 1, pick up 8 stitches along the side of the heel flap. Knit across the top of the sock to the other side of the flap (needles 2 and 3). Pick up 8 stitches with a new needle (needle 4) and knit the five remaining heel stitches. Needles 1 and 4 each have 14 stitches. Needles 2 and 3 each have 8. The center of the heel is the new beginning of the round.
Row 1: Knit even.
Row 2: Knit to the last three stitches of needle 1, k2tog, k1. Knit even across needles 2 and 3. When you get to needle 4, k1, ssk, knit to end.
Repeat rows 1 and 2 until all needles have 8 stitches.
Foot:
Work 12 rows even
Toe:
Row 1: Knit to last 3 sts of needle 1, k2tog. K1, ssk at the beginning of needle 2. Knit to last 3 sts of needle 3, k2tog. K1, ssk at the beginning of needle 4. Knit to end of round.
Row 2: knit even
Repeat rows 1 and 2 until each needle has 4 stitches. Graft two sets of 8 and weave in ends.
Monday, September 8, 2008
Knitting, knitting, knitting...
I have been pretty productive over the last month or so. Among other things, I've been turning out dishcloths and lace bookmarks like nuts. Thanks, Liz, for all those wonderful sock yarn scraps for the bookmarks.
I knit a pair of socks in one week by working them at the same time on two sets of DPNs. It was great. Now I just hope they fit the intended recipient, but that's the risk you take when you make socks for feet you don't have access to.
I started a pair of baby socks for my favorite author's best friend's baby girl. A little weird, I know, but I wanted to test drive this new sock yarn (Ravelry link) I got and get a really accurate gauge and baby socks seemed like a good idea. Plus I have baby fever and I'm hoping to ingratiate myself with this particular author to that perhaps she will send me books early or something. Pathetic, yes. But I've made peace with that. :)
I've been plowing through my kitchen cotton. In fact, even my husband noticed that my giant yarn box (what he calls my stash) was getting lighter. Maybe if I fill it up again with lighter fibers like wool, he won't notice that it took a lot more yarn to do it. LOL
I've put my raglan (Ravelry link) on hold until the drive to West Virginia. I need to swatch it a lot better; there won't be much ease in this thing, so I want to really avoid making it too small. I need to figure out what cable I want to put down the sleeves and swatch that as well. Also, I think I will knit it in the round and steek it for a zipper.
The idea of steeking is daunting, scary, and thrilling. It's a big risk, cutting your knitted fabric. One of the things I like about knitting is that it's very forgiving: if you don't like it or have made a mistake, you can rip it out. We've all done it. I've frogged an entire sweater before. Steeking, on the other hand, is an irreversible committment.
But hey--what is knitting if not an opportunity to constantly challenge myself? I keep telling beginning knitters that knitting is not hard, it's just a bunch of small building blocks. Steeking will be yet another block added to Courtney's House of Knitting Skills. The time has come to leave my comfort zone. I did it with socks. I can do it with steeking.
I knit a pair of socks in one week by working them at the same time on two sets of DPNs. It was great. Now I just hope they fit the intended recipient, but that's the risk you take when you make socks for feet you don't have access to.
I started a pair of baby socks for my favorite author's best friend's baby girl. A little weird, I know, but I wanted to test drive this new sock yarn (Ravelry link) I got and get a really accurate gauge and baby socks seemed like a good idea. Plus I have baby fever and I'm hoping to ingratiate myself with this particular author to that perhaps she will send me books early or something. Pathetic, yes. But I've made peace with that. :)
I've been plowing through my kitchen cotton. In fact, even my husband noticed that my giant yarn box (what he calls my stash) was getting lighter. Maybe if I fill it up again with lighter fibers like wool, he won't notice that it took a lot more yarn to do it. LOL
I've put my raglan (Ravelry link) on hold until the drive to West Virginia. I need to swatch it a lot better; there won't be much ease in this thing, so I want to really avoid making it too small. I need to figure out what cable I want to put down the sleeves and swatch that as well. Also, I think I will knit it in the round and steek it for a zipper.
The idea of steeking is daunting, scary, and thrilling. It's a big risk, cutting your knitted fabric. One of the things I like about knitting is that it's very forgiving: if you don't like it or have made a mistake, you can rip it out. We've all done it. I've frogged an entire sweater before. Steeking, on the other hand, is an irreversible committment.
But hey--what is knitting if not an opportunity to constantly challenge myself? I keep telling beginning knitters that knitting is not hard, it's just a bunch of small building blocks. Steeking will be yet another block added to Courtney's House of Knitting Skills. The time has come to leave my comfort zone. I did it with socks. I can do it with steeking.
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Aaah, September
I'm a fan of September. I loved school and by the time September rolled around, I was so ready to go back. Now, I have something else to look forward to.
This year's Reader Appreciation Weekend is at the Pullman Plaza in Huntington, West Virginia. Naomi and I are driving down and rooming together. Sadly, Maggie will not be there, but I get to see a bunch of other friends, including Lami and Kat. I can't wait.
I have been knitting for this event for months. Mostly washcloths, but a few really nice things, too. JR is getting something decadent that didn't even cost that much. I'm knitting a pair of socks for someone who singlehandedly saved my holiday. My favorite sheep-chasing Kiwi author is getting something with a sheep on it.
The other authors I've read are getting pretty lace bookmarks, assuming I can get them done. I may have to knit them on the way and block them when we get there. We'll see.
This year's Reader Appreciation Weekend is at the Pullman Plaza in Huntington, West Virginia. Naomi and I are driving down and rooming together. Sadly, Maggie will not be there, but I get to see a bunch of other friends, including Lami and Kat. I can't wait.
I have been knitting for this event for months. Mostly washcloths, but a few really nice things, too. JR is getting something decadent that didn't even cost that much. I'm knitting a pair of socks for someone who singlehandedly saved my holiday. My favorite sheep-chasing Kiwi author is getting something with a sheep on it.
The other authors I've read are getting pretty lace bookmarks, assuming I can get them done. I may have to knit them on the way and block them when we get there. We'll see.
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Hostage Situations
Knitting is only my second love. My first is romance novels. It's unfortunate that I have chosen two hobbies so misunderstood by society, but the reward I get from both outweighs the occaisional negative feedback.
Next week, there's a book releasing that I've been chomping at the bit for. Nalini Singh's Psy-Changeling series is one of the best new paranormal series out there right now. She's taken basic shapeshifter lore and the possibility of psychic ability and combined them in an alternate near-future reality. The fifth book, Hostage to Pleasure, will be landing in stores in seven days.
In this book we will get to know Dorian better, a leopard changeling who was born a latent--he's a leopard in every way except he doesn't have the ability to shift. Everyone I've talked to who has already read this book has loved it--not that I'd expect anything less than that from one of my favorite new writers.
Nalini Singh is not only a great author, but an utter sweetheart. I get to meet her in a few weeks. She's getting a sheep-related knitted gift to honor her Kiwi-ness. LOL She's running a contest on her blog that sounds fun because it gives us readers an excuse to ruminate on all the delicious men we encounter in the land of romance fiction. The question involves hostages, both having one and being one.
Which fictional hero would I like to hold hostage? It's a tie between Baran Arvid from Angela Knight's Jane's Warlord and Judd Lauren from Nalini's books. Baran Arvid is a genetically engineered warrior from about three hundred years in the future. He has super strength, a tattoo on his face, and uses a restraint cable quite creatively. Judd Lauren was featured in Caressed by Ice, the third Psy-Changeling book I was lucky enough to win an ARC of a couple months before it's official release.
Who would I want to hold me hostage? Also a tie. I don't think Zsadist could hold anyone against their will given his past, but I'd love for him to make that particular bit of personal growth with me. I'd also want Roarke from JD Robb's In Death series. Rich Irish bad boy with a well-hidden soft side? Sign me up. Roarke may be my favorite fictional hero of all time.
Nalini's last question is which fictional world would I want to be held hostage in. Assuming I'd get a change to explore it, I'd have to say the world she created with the Psy, Changelings, and humans living semiharmoniously together. Aside from the fascinating people, there's a lot of fun technology to explore. I'd want to be a changeling, though. Or a Psy after they break Silence. Unless I'd be a Psy who got a changeling male's assistance in breaking out of that pesky emotionless automaton thing....but I digress.
If you like paranormal romance and haven't gotten to this series yet, you should get out from under that rock and start Slave to Sensation. Nalini's style and imagination is fresh and brilliant and you will enjoy it.
We now go back to our irregularly scheduled knitting blog. :)
Next week, there's a book releasing that I've been chomping at the bit for. Nalini Singh's Psy-Changeling series is one of the best new paranormal series out there right now. She's taken basic shapeshifter lore and the possibility of psychic ability and combined them in an alternate near-future reality. The fifth book, Hostage to Pleasure, will be landing in stores in seven days.
In this book we will get to know Dorian better, a leopard changeling who was born a latent--he's a leopard in every way except he doesn't have the ability to shift. Everyone I've talked to who has already read this book has loved it--not that I'd expect anything less than that from one of my favorite new writers.
Nalini Singh is not only a great author, but an utter sweetheart. I get to meet her in a few weeks. She's getting a sheep-related knitted gift to honor her Kiwi-ness. LOL She's running a contest on her blog that sounds fun because it gives us readers an excuse to ruminate on all the delicious men we encounter in the land of romance fiction. The question involves hostages, both having one and being one.
Which fictional hero would I like to hold hostage? It's a tie between Baran Arvid from Angela Knight's Jane's Warlord and Judd Lauren from Nalini's books. Baran Arvid is a genetically engineered warrior from about three hundred years in the future. He has super strength, a tattoo on his face, and uses a restraint cable quite creatively. Judd Lauren was featured in Caressed by Ice, the third Psy-Changeling book I was lucky enough to win an ARC of a couple months before it's official release.
Who would I want to hold me hostage? Also a tie. I don't think Zsadist could hold anyone against their will given his past, but I'd love for him to make that particular bit of personal growth with me. I'd also want Roarke from JD Robb's In Death series. Rich Irish bad boy with a well-hidden soft side? Sign me up. Roarke may be my favorite fictional hero of all time.
Nalini's last question is which fictional world would I want to be held hostage in. Assuming I'd get a change to explore it, I'd have to say the world she created with the Psy, Changelings, and humans living semiharmoniously together. Aside from the fascinating people, there's a lot of fun technology to explore. I'd want to be a changeling, though. Or a Psy after they break Silence. Unless I'd be a Psy who got a changeling male's assistance in breaking out of that pesky emotionless automaton thing....but I digress.
If you like paranormal romance and haven't gotten to this series yet, you should get out from under that rock and start Slave to Sensation. Nalini's style and imagination is fresh and brilliant and you will enjoy it.
We now go back to our irregularly scheduled knitting blog. :)
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