Friday, August 28, 2009

Starting Ysolda's Ishbel


Starting Ysolda's Ishbel
Originally uploaded by k_purls2
My Koolhaas hat is done, pictures to come. My next commuter / vacation
project is Ishbel. I'm using Malabrigo lace. The color is beautiful
but man is this yarn delicate! I'm feeling habu flashbacks, but they
are tempered by my memory of Tammy aka Tamalamadingdongs lovely Ishbel
knit with Malabrigo sock, ah it was so springy. I was sprung, had to
knit it. Tammy was so posh at Nana's Knitting Shop's Twist Collective
Trunk Show showing off hers. So far this is a great commuter project,
the center of the scarf is stockinette with steady increases which
don't require a book on the lap. Should be an enjoyable flight. Wonder
how far I will get.

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

It's All Kool


It's All Kool
Originally uploaded by k_purls2
Still working on the Koolhaas, decided to use CEY Venezia, it knits up
beautifully. Last chance to sit out in plaza, rainy rest of week.
Hopefully I will finish this hat by Friday.

Saturday, August 22, 2009

Commuter Knitting


Commuter Knitting
Originally uploaded by k_purls2
Out and about on Saturday, knitting on my commuter project,
Sockpixie's Groovy Socks. I'm making a lot of progress and the pattern
is perfect for knitting on the go because the repeat is an eight
stitch repeat. I think my pattern is supposed to be a chevron but I
can't see it well, it may be hidden in the colorway. It is pretty so
I'm happy. The yarn is Lornas Laces sock. One skein of green and one
green aqua and yellow mix. I think it's called daffodil, can't remember.

My koolhaas is not so cool. I made a mistake and need to do some
ripping. Can't commute with it because it requires attention and my
pattern. I'll work on it tonight.

I'm about to go the Chicago All Star Basketball charity event at the
United Center. Tee hee, I'm going to KiP! Happy Saturday.


Commuter Knitting

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Trying to Keep My Kool


Trying to Keep My Kool
Originally uploaded by k_purls2
I'm sitting in Daley Plaza by the fountain trying to do a gauge swatch
of Jared Flood's Koolhaas Hat. My great uncle, Willie is very ill and
stays cold, I thought I'd knit him a hat to wear indoors and I didn't
want something that fit or looked like a bulky winter hat. I've knit
this hat before and I do vaguely remember the challenges, but like
childbirth, I try hard to put such memories deep in the recesses of my
mind in case I decide to try it again.

I want to knit this by Friday and luckily for me, the Fall 2009
Interweave has an article on knitting cables without a cable needle.
So, here I am, attempting to learn, frogging incessantly. The other
issue is fiber. I'm trying to be a good yarn and money steward and use
what I have. I'm using my koigu sock yarn doubled.You guessed it, the
double yarn is giving me a headache. I'm about to try it single and
see what I get.

As far as the pattern goes, I'm not sure, can't remember if on the
first row the purl stitch is supposed to sit out the way it does, but
as I type this I kind of remember the centers combs being diamond
shaped.

Hopefully I have better luck working on this on the way home from work.

Thursday, August 13, 2009

A Visit to Stitches DC


A Visit to Stitches DC
Originally uploaded by k_purls2
Right off the Metro's Blue Line at the Eastern Market stop is Stitches
DC. It's not far from the Capitol area and I believe the area is
called Capitol Hill. The block that the shop is on reminds me of
Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn. Lots of ecletic shops and eateries line
the street.

Stitches is a pretty shop, beautiful natural light and airy. I think
there was an outdoor courtyard. The front window reminded me of a
cupcake / candy "shoppe." Stitches has a front area and then a hall
leading to the back where there is more yarn and classroom space. I
give it an A for physical arrangement.

I finally got a chance to see and touch Spud and Chloe and some
interesting organic wool. I'm not sure what that means though. I
enjoyed the many samples on display including a beautiful beret knit
out of Blue Sky's Organic Cotton. The pattern is Springtime Beret on
Ravelry. There were also several lovely baby knits on display.

Stitches DC stocks a lot of higher end fibers, a great place to
splurge for the perfect hat, scarf or shawl or baby gift. I scored a
skein of Karabella's Supercashmere in a plush pink. It was on sale 50
percent off and still a splurge at $21.

While googling the shop, I ran across a blog entry from the White
House's Director of Public Engagement discussing a roundtable recently
held at Stitches regarding Healthcare Reform. Politics and yarn, I
like it!

Although I was nervous about my travel companions, the boys were well
behaved. I think the airy shop and serenity lulled them, or the
gynormous pizza slice I stuffed them with one block earlier bought me
20 minutes of blissful yarn shopping.

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

A Visit to A Tangled Skein in Hyattsville MD

Thank goodness I am big city gal, born and raised on public transportation. In every city I visit, the trip isn't complete without
a bus or train ride. Today I got out the map, ventured from DC to Hyattsville, Maryland to visit A Tangled Skein, Stacey www.crimsonpurls.blogspot.com
linked me to CiCi who gave a list of shops in the DC area.

We took the Greenline there and it was fun! The Metro is nicer than
the EL. The seats are comfy and I'm digging how the have an automated
sign telling you wait times. I'm not digging the idea of having to pay
to get out the station. Is that to keep out the homeless? I don't know
how I feel about that. Come to think of it, didn't see any homeless in
the subway.

The buses run by the hour in the afternoon, but the trip was short. A
Tangled Skein was on the corner in what looks to be a former bank
building or maybe insurance office? Nice columns out front!

The shop was full of yarn and I must say it rivaled home. Generally
when I travel shop I try to buy something I can't get at home from my LYS. Often this whittles the selections. Of my standouts, the shop had llama silk, merriboo (merino
and bamboo), several bamboo blend options and two beautiful malabrigo silk colorways vienna OMG! And this regal purple turquoise and
pinkish. I decided upon the meriboo by Frog Tree. I bought four skeins
in colors inspired by the ceiling tile at the Capitol tour and a
tapestry at the Smithsonian American Indian museum. Turquoise, cream,
brown and red.

Tangled Skein also had a nice selection of tools, alot of crochet
options, left with a gift for mom.

Lastly the owner, I believe her name was Sheryl, she was warm, patient
and knowledgeable about the tools and the fiber. I had both boys with
me and Aaron was on prenap 10. I've seen the nervous gritted smile of
shop owners with a toddler running around, but she never made me hurry
or even peeped around the aisle at my "Aaron no!" declarations.

I enjoyed it and the trip was well worth it. I'm excited about
embarking on a project with my find. Sheryl also shared with me the
Frog Tree uses it's sales to benefit the work community. I'll have to
look that up when I return home. Thanks CiCi and Stacey! And Lansing
my co-navigator for taking a nice picture of mom.

Monday, August 10, 2009

Oh What a Tangled Two Circs


Oh What a Tangled Two Circs
Originally uploaded by k_purls2
I prefer knitting my socks two at time on circular needles. The hiccup
is the yarn constantly tangles. I have to stop at the end of every
round to detangle no matter how hard I try to avoid it. Now, I'm about
to add two more skeins as I attempt to knit Sock Pixie's gorgeous
cornicopia socks. Arrgh! And this is supposed to be my compact travel
project. I need help.

Saturday, August 8, 2009

Anne Lindbergh felted boots


Anne Lindbergh felted boots
Originally uploaded by k_purls2
In addition to the mittens I mention below these felted boots with
embroidered trim were also on display. Cool!

Aviator mittens


Aviator mittens
Originally uploaded by k_purls2
I'm at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum. Imagine my
knitterly delight to see these knitted mittens belonging to Mrs.
Charles Lindbergh who flew with her famous aviator husband. How about
that! Fascinating! I love the patterned wings on the cuffs.
Take that Capitol building where knitting needles are not welcome.

Friday, August 7, 2009

Pack light!


Pack light!
Originally uploaded by k_purls2
The bridge of Erika Badhu's Bag Lady..... " So- pack light yea yea yea
yea!" I should have been focused on clothes for conditions, extra
pants for Aaron and making sure I had my the spray top to my leave in
conditioner and my toothbrush (dang!) but instead I was in the middle
of the floor sweating about what project I could travel with. I'm in
the finishing stage of my summertime tunic and I don't have anything
portable on the needles. So there I was this morning trying to stuff
all the fiber I needed to start my Bettye Wrap. I discovered I am
short 2 balls of Louisa Harding's Grace and I'm no longer feeling the
color palette. Now I'm in a panic...what do I want to knit? What is
reasonable to pack? What will I realistically work on? I can't believe
I didn't have some ideas ready to go. I need to refresh my knit queue.
I settled on knitting socks and had to quickly wind the yarn. I'm
excited about the project, I'm knitting Sock Pixie's Cornicopia socks
in a limited edition Lorna Laces colorway I bought last summer from
Jimmy Beans. Wish me safe travels and happy knitting well productive
knitting! I don't want to bring these skeins back unworked.

Thursday, August 6, 2009

Kid's Color Block Cardigan an Ode to Baby Winburn

I knit this beauty, Leigh Radford's kid's color block cardigan from
her One Skein book. This cardigan is darling with it's asymetric front
panel and playful colors. The book inspired me to live a little and
experiment with color palettes. It's so funny to me that although I'm
a graphic designer and enjoy creativity, I'm straight laced, stay
within the lines when it comes to my knitting. I confess to you that I
was a little green today when my mom proudly proclaimed that she was
done buying crochet patterns and would start "putting her own
signature and twist" on the patterns she owned.

Now being that this pattern is from One Skein and inspires one to use
those orphan skeins and one ball beauties, I would have been remiss to
go out and purchase yarn (all the same color too I bet). Plus at one
point will I actually use and enjoy the trunk and roller cabinet full
of fiber that I already have tucked and snuggled away? So out came the
skein of soft butter yellow left from my beret, crimson red from
Corey's procrastinated hat, charcoal Debbie Bliss, one of my first
yarn purchases ever, old-timer gray that I borrowed from Rochonda, and
the quarky green/olive/pea whaa? green that lived on a hat for Aaron
and Josh. So much love and memories of projects and yarn shopping
poured into this sweater that prayerfully will comfort Baby Winburn
this fall when he or she debuts. I hope that Nicoles heart jump for
joy ever times she snuggled with her first child.

Ah, ode to Baby Winburn. What would be a song without the bridge, a
sonnet without that underlying carry through? These buttons are so
special on the sweater I love them. Different shapes and a splash of
color. They almost remind me of colored ivory playing a melody.

Romantics aside, practically I learned how to do i-cord edging and
perfect my shoulder seaming skills. This sweater, though it was quick
to knit, probably 5 hours leisure, the finishing was equal in time and
demanded close attention. I also "squoze" in a lesson in math and
resizing. The pattern calls for bulky, I used dk. The pattern's
smallest size is 2t, I made mine 3 to 6 months.

Wednesday, August 5, 2009

7th inning


7th inning
Originally uploaded by k_purls2
5 to 1 sox bottom of 7


imgHomeRun

I'm officially a man


I'm officially a man
Originally uploaded by k_purls2
I quit! Can't do 2 things at once! Too hard to knit and watch the game. This game is too good. I probably should have started something before getting here so I could have been in the zone. All I have to show for Stitch n Pitch is this raggedy and tangled cast on. I should have brought some crochet cuz Tameca is jamming on her "super-size" market bag. "Excuse me Miss, would you like that super-sized?! I'm having fun!


img_tamecaCrochet

Score one for the sox!

imgUSCellular

Play yarn!


Play yarn!
Originally uploaded by k_purls2



Live from Stitch n Pitch 2009

img_tamecanK

Live from Stitch n Pitch 2009 at US Cellular Field, Sox vs Angels! Go
Sox! We got a sporty yarn bag and a stitch marker. There's a
raffle...will today be my day?

The park is nice already had a polish with sauerkrat! Yum! My buddy Tameca is crocheting a market bag for a church crochet group, Shepherd's Prise and I'm about to get busy on my socks at the Sox, pun intended! This is so much fun! Ever noticed how
green the baseball field is? Very cool. I need to hunt down some
baseball green fiber and make a cute hat or socks. Lornas Laces has a
pretty green.