On the needles

After unsuccessfully trying to finish 3 projects with a toddler, I put those away and have turned towards other things.  Many other things...
Listed not in any particular order:
#1 - Still working on the bolero in orange - sleeves are 1/3 finished.
#2 - A summer top-down T

#3 - KAL Skew socks.  The sock that is farthest along was started and knitted August 2010, put aside and now, since I'm not sure where I left off, I'm knitting the second sock.  Hopefully I'll reach an "a-ha" point where they will be identical (in mirror image).

#4 - Oooo, my fave... Sojourner Cardigan.  Here's the model I saw at WEBS that hooked me:

And here's my status:

No contest here!  I'm in no rush, no deadlines, just pure knitting!

PS: Thanks for stabbing in the dark in yesterday's contest.

Works in progress

Main focus is to get some things finished so they can be mailed.  They are intended as Christmas gifts. But I'll put the spoilers here and let you guess what they are!

The bottom picture is to be frogged for a larger size.  It's great to take pictures and ... MEASURE!!  Gauge is off.  The other two:  Gauge doesn't matter. (I like that kind of knitting!)

Startitis

In random order, with no specific order:


Mr. Foster needs a new set of clothes.

This is probably the most urgent.  Mr. F (stuffed monkey) has NO clothes.  This is the "scrubs" top and pants to follow. What you see are the sleeves (cuffs) at R top, and body in the middle.  All to be knitted together at the armpit. It would be nice if he had some clothes for his camping trip in Yellowstone.


Sock to finish.

The socks that have been on the yarn crawl, to Maine and back.  There's another one somewhere...

Pullover in fair isle (for toddler)

How impressive is this!?  I just wanted to feel the wool... and use my yarn jar... Really, it won't be needed for a year and a half.


New long-legged overalls (for toddler)

I stopped working on this because of the same reason as the fair isle pullover... I might some back to this for the feel... Heavenly!  


Dang, that mitten.

Started ages ago (look for it on Ravelry for date) and I love the pattern, and it wouldn't take any time at all to finish that thumb and 2nd mitten, but... other duties call!


Fancy cotton dress (for toddler)

This is the most challenging part of the dress.  Haven't decided if it will have sleeves, or short sleeves or as in pattern.  How 'bout those pretzel containers!  Perfect, except I can't remove the label.  Adds to the ambience around here.


Cotton top (for toddler)

The dreaded start-over winner.  I'm sticking to it (from time to time).


And last but... maybe least:
Tote Bag

What?  You can't see anything?  Maybe, MAYBE, if you click on the picture you'll see a bit of cable/crossover with two very dark colors.  Totes/bags hold the least amount of interest.  Not when I'm starting them, or purchasing kits, or patterns... I just don't stick to it.  I don't see the rush.  But it will be lovely, someday.


Knit NIght tonight!!  More pics tomorrow!

Sew and Woe!!

That does it!  This confirms my notion that knitting is SO forgiving... Make a mistake? Not to worry: Frog it and reuse.  How friendly is THAT?


My poor monkey project... My decision to double the size has led to all kinds of decisions, good and poor:


Good:

1. Increase Dimensions
2. Useable for stroller
3. Hole in the center for seat belt
4. More monkeys (how can that be bad?)
5. I'm a genius!

Poor:

1. Ran out of yarn for background
2. Ran out of yarn for background (worth 2 numbers of Poor)
3. Monkeys are freckled with copper
4. Knitting like a fiend to beat the onslaught of Summer!

Solutions:

1. Call the LYS for more yarn
2. LYS going out of business (none available/not ordering more)
3. We can live with freckled monkeys
4. Stitch and cut those ##%@$$&*& steeks.

Ah!  Ready for border, but where are all of my US7 circs?  As I start digging and looking for all of those lost unfinished items that probably are hiding my #7's, what do I find in a completely random location (i.e. the bottom of one of my many project baskets)?  A ball of my background color!!  I'm wild with anger.  Can it be used to fix the problem?  Reality sets in as a realize that there's no ripping out once the steeks have been cut.  

I'm bummed.  Grumbling and swearing I'll be better next time at putting ALL of my yarn BACK* in one place, I make the decision to "duplicate stitch" over as much of the freckle area as I can...

Looks like I have more work to do... And it makes me appreciate how much faster knitting is than sewing in stitches.
The sewing of the steeks went quite well.  I was oblivious to what would develop in the following hour.  The long tubes of 36" were stitched almost half way from the bottom then cut open. Then stitched as far as I could manage from the top and cut. Finally I stitched the middle section and cut.  I was pretty happy then, and after a good night's sleep I'm calmer now.


* How did that one little ball get stranded? When I finished a piece and cut the yarn, I started the next piece with a fresh skein, and dropped my leftover ball in the basket.  It's perfectly clear to me now....

Do-overs and NO Do-overs

  

I love to knit!  Do-overs!! Here are some of the projects I have on needles, and have waited for my return for... years!  Yellow shawl, purple pillow edging, blue spiral gauntlets, one hopeless mitten waiting to be frogged, and a blue/red sock.


I love to make music, too!  NO do-overs.  Music can be stressful.  The anticipation of somewhere down the road, next month, next week, tomorrow, of 88 keys and most of them shouldn't be touched to make beautiful music.  And there are no do-overs.  You keep on going and hope it doesn't suck.  


Last Saturday I ended up playing more than I thought. Originally I was asked to accompany a trumpeter playing the Hummel Trumpet Concerto (in E).  It's a great piece, and alas, I knew what I was getting into: Concerto means the piano part is all of the orchestral parts condensed to two hands.  It helps to be familiar with the piece which I am so I had a good feeling about what I had to play and what I could omit. (I'm NOT an orchestra, so get over it!)  I had plenty of time to prepare myself, however, life kept getting in the way (Christmas, granddaughter visit, cruise, Traveler's diarrhea) and suddenly I had one week to pull it together.  AND in that last week two other trumpeters asked for accompaniments which weren't as demanding, so I said yes.  THEN I realized I was accompanying the trumpet ensemble and a duet on organ, and voila!  I was playing half the program!  No do-overs! I was rather proud of myself--I can't say it was perfect, but it was fun, and the Hummel came out better than I had hoped.  I had to memorize some little/big passages and even though it got shaky in one spot, I didn't have to stop (and do-over) and the soloist was top-notch.  She was so familiar with the piece I couldn't trip her up.:-)  


It was stressful, and I realize it most when it's over.

The next day was my "knit like a fiend" day!

I finished 2 projects and started 2.  AHHHH!  Do-overs. This Irish pattern is a 6 month sized vest.  Celina knitted the back way back when, and now I have the pleasure of finishing it.  The Sublime Baby Cashmere Merino dk is... "Sublime"!   
Gaunlets to match a hat:  24 hour project.
Yes, I love my knitting.  Oops, a little mistake: Should I take it out, make it perfect or will my eyes be the only witness?

       This week: Nothing but knitting!  And what a perfect pile of knitting I have to choose from!  Pile #2: Adult vest (dark green), top (pink/gray), baby cardigan (pink), baby vest (tan), and socks (brown).


Maybe I'll cast on...