Swatched

Some updates first. Here's the photo of the Swallowtail show after blocking:

Here is it model by one of my favorite subject (while he was napping):


Got a bit tired of the sock pal sock so did a quick project: Made cuffed booties from Debbie Bliss' Simply Baby. I think it might show off the stitches better with a simpler color.


Sockpal sock: Almost there. At the gusset.


Okay, I actually swatch for once! And not just with one size needle but with two of them! This has never happen before... Plus I didn't just measure it and tear it out and use that yarn in the actually project (like I do with the socks), I actually blocked it!




But I think I blocked it too aggressively. Some people might think there's no such thing as blocking too aggressive when it comes to lace. What do you think?

The one on the left is using size 2 (3.0m m) and the one on the right is size 1 (2.5mm). Which one do you think I should use for the MS3? I still have to get beads...

Now I need to resist starting MS3 before finishing the sockpal sock or else it'll never finish on time...

Love this shawl

Not the best photo. I'll try to get a prettier one















Pattern: Swallowtail Shawl from IK Fall 2006
Yarn: Habu Textiles A-98 Geelong Lamb wool color 111, double strands (Used about 324 yards)
Needle: Addi US4 24" and Addi Lace US4 36"
Start: 6/11/07
Finish: 6/25/07 (Blocked on 6/30/07)

Notes: Reduced the bobble from 5 sts to 3 sts suggested by another blog because wasn't sure if I had enough yarn.

This is one of the favorite Everlyn Clark shawl. I love the two different patterns in the shawl. I am still looking forward to doing other Evelyn Clark Shawls.

More knitting lately

Have you read The Panopticon's pride post yet? Only a yarn lover would laugh out loud at the joke "Your mother sleeps with Lion Brands". I so want to share that with the husband but I don't think he would appreciate it as much as I did.

On a surprising note, I've been doing more knitting then thinking or reading about knitting lately. On to the second lily of the valley edge of the Swallowtail shawl. I am loving the Habu's Geelong wool. It promises to feel as soft as cashmere after wash. We'll see. If it really does, I'll order more of other color for other lace projects. As much as I love Sundara's silk lace, they are just too expensive.

Instant gratification project

I thought socks were instant gratification projects, plus they are small and portable. I just found a more instant gratifying knit: baby socks! I am knitting socks for my cousin's boy who turned one not long ago. I got this beautiful variegated baby blue Koigu yarn. It's knitting up so nicely that I am tempted to keep it for my own until he can fit it. I'll most likely end up going back to Purl and get another skein of yarn to make a pair for Orion too. People at Purl must think I am crazy. I've been picking up Koigu like they are free. They do have the most Koigu I've seen at any yarn store. Or maybe it's the way they organize the yarn, the colors just really shine.

I will be making more baby socks in the future. But in the mean time, I still need to work on the Jaywalker in Sundara yarn as well as the sock for the Sockapalooza 4. Of course there are two more sock work in progress too...

Cherry Blossom Shawl

Blocking is magic!

Yay, it's done. I have to admit it's the first time I am blocking. I never made anything that couldn't get away without blocking. After this, I am sold! I mean, yes, blocking is necessary to bring out the beauty of mohair, but I am sure it'll just give everything else a better finish.


































The edging process: Since all 300+ stitches can fit in the 24in circular needle so I was too cheap to spend money on a longer one. Therefore the shawl looked like a huge fuzzy flower budd the time. When the edging started, it looked like a flower in bloom.














Below you can see the difference between knited edge and unfinished edge. The top is the unfinished side and the bottom is the finished edging. Isn't the difference like day and night?














4/15/06 Update

Okay, edging is harder then I thought. Maybe because it's the first time for me to be doing edging. Maybe it's also because I got so good (and fast) at doing the Chart C repeats (had to do 12 time!) so switching to edging is a big pace change. I just need to tell myself to be patient and stick with it. I only have to go around the shawl once, not 12x6=72 rounds like Chart C.

Hopefully I can block it soon and finish it in time for the oakland conference...

I am in my own heaven right now. Knitting while listening to Met Opera's live broadcast. One of my favorite tenor, Juan Diego Florez, is performing. During intermission they are talking about wonderful historic recordings, live and studio, and comparing them. The only thing that can make this more perfect is if it's all taking place in my own condo in the village (there's only one village for me, the one in NY) while dog-sitting Lily and Petunia.

03/06/2006 Update

The Cheery Blossom Shawl from the Interweave Knits Spring 2002. The center start is just not very good. I try the crochet start in Kinzel book, but the needles just got a bit twisted. This was also before Lew showed us how to do a good start at Stitches West. I wanted to be working on this shawl at Stitches since we'll be helping at Lacy Knitter's Guild. Good thing it's mohair so the center will be fuzzy.

Start Date: Two weeks before Stitches West
Yarn and needle: patterned called for.

Just moved it from dpn to circular. I didn't have the 16" and was too edger to move to circular so for a while I was knittin on the 24" and one dpn.














Finished the chart B repeats.














Now it's time to do chart C 12 tmes! I think we are half way done now. 6 more repeats to go.














Close up of the pattern. Looks okay. Blocking should make it prettier too.














Now I am taking a break. Learning and knitting socks! I know I need to get back to this...but...just let me get a pair of socks done....

Cascading Leave Socks

One sock done. I didn't start the second one until after the Cherry Blossom Shawl was finished. It only took about three days to do this first sock because it's the thicker medium weight.
















4/12/2006 Update

I couldn't wait to start another sock. I've been eyeing this color way before the first one was done. I winded it up in a ball and was all ready. It's a Sock that Rock yarn and let me tell you I did not know why people were crazy about this sock yarn until I started knitting it myself.















It's the medium weight Sock that Rock from Blue Moon Fiber Arts. They did not have many light weight sock yarn at Stitches West (problem with shipment, dye, etc). I really liked the color and went for it in the medium weight. The color on the lable is actually "Fred Flinston" but I did not like the image that name conjours up. So I've decided to rename it to "New England Autumn." My husband agrees it reminded him of autumn when I showed it to him and force him to tell me what he thinks of it.*

Which let me to think perhaps I'll use this yarn for the Cascading Leaves from the Jeanie Townsend. That way I will have the leaves in autumn! :-)















It's working out really well. I took Streets and YOs' advice and shifted the pattern so it matches up with the ribbing on top. It was her sock that inspired me to do this one.















I made another modification: I extended the pattern to the instep of the foot. I want more of the pattern. Not sure how comfortable it will feel but I am willing to sacrifice comfort for look. Now I just need to cross my finger hoping I have enough yarn...

* Poor husband is constantly bothered by me seeking opinion on knitting which he understands as "it's like zero's and one's." That's how I explained it in the computer terms so he can understand better.

My first sock!

Finished! I think they are the first Finished Object that's for me! I've been knitting for five years and I haven't knitted for myself yet. Well, I did try to make the leg warmers for me but they are too itchy for my skin, so that doesn't count.















They keep my feet nice and warm...

Pattern: Simple "Garter Rib" from Sensational Knitted Socks
Yarn: Lornas Lace Shepherd Sock custom color for Purl
Needle: 2.5mm Susanne's ebony dpn

Notes: The Susanne's ebony needle is so beautiful, however it has more friction then the Lantern Moon ones. It was a bit hard to get the stitches to slide. Plus I am a tight knitter so that doesn't help either.

Finally mastered Kitchener stiches, thanks to Pam's help! She patiently guided me through the first half of first sock. I was able to do the second sock myself but it took about three starts to get it right.

3/8/06 Update

Oh what a joyous moment? I finally started my sock knitting journey. The yarn is Lorna's Lace from Purl's Custom Color an I am just doing a simple stitch so it doesn't compete with the yarn color.















Of course this means I am not touching the other projects at ALL ....

Best center start yet

This is by far the best center start i've ever done. This, of course is after Lew's tutor at Stitches West.
















However nice, I did not kept this because there's a mistake. Plus I will be using another yarn for the frosted flower pattern but I might consider using this next time (it's the shetland lace weight). I just want to have a record of me being able to produce a good center start in case I am not able to do it again.

Tyrolean Cardigan

3/14/06 Update

Second sleeve is done. Now on to the body. Probably do the back first since it'll be a fast. Now if only I can get myself stop from the sock knitting long enough to cast on for the back...

















3/6/06 Update

Okay, the first sleeve is done. I am following the instruction exactly so I won't need to worry about remember modification and fitting. I know I run the risk of not fitting but I just want to produce a nice cardigan in it's entirety for now. I think starting with the sleeve was definitely not a bad idea. It's much faster (so more encouraging). If I make a mistake, it's not that bad to take it apart and redo it.















On the second sleeve now. It's nearing the cap shaping.

Sock class!

I finished the "sock class" from one of my sock book. It was so awesome!! I've been wanting to do this for so long. I've been buying sock yarns before I can knit socks. This sample help demystify the sock mystery. I learned to pick up stitches, which will be helpful when I try to do the Orenberg shawl.

This was a top down but there are other methods I want to learn. Definitely want to try the toe up method. The Vintage Knitted Socks also explains so many different toes and heel methods. So many things to learn, so little time!





























You can see that I am just not good at Kitchener stitch. The toe area is too bunched up. I want to do a better job...I really do. Just someone show me how!!!

One thing to note about knitting socks...I've been so obsessed with it. It's causing me to do very little of everything else (including eating)

Last note: The toe is red because I ran out of the other yarn....It wasn't intentional.

Fan and Feather Shawl

I got some lace (almost cobweb size) Suri alpaca yarn at Stitches West. They are in three graduating shades of purple. Gene agrees the color scheme will look nice on the Fan and Feather shawl. So I started doing some practice on the bigger yarn. The pattern is so pretty.
















However, when I stated on the real thing...It doesn't look quite the same. Granted I dropped a stitch (upper right hand corner), but is the needle too big for the yarn? From the sample above we know how the pattern will look with a too small of a needle but how would the pattern turn out if the needle is not small enough. Would it look nice and airy like the Cherry Blossom Shawl? Any help is welcome!















I did take it apart because some center stitches are too lose and they look like yarn overs. I'll start it again once I re-decide what needle to use...

Baby sweater for Alexander

Made this sweater for JoMay and Bill's baby Alexander. The under arm kitchener stitches are not good. I just can't get it right for some reason!! (I need to master that for socks) So the sweater looks like it has a seam under arm. I hope the baby won't be too picky.

Contrasting Leg Warmer

Leg warmers are done. I spend some time practice knitting continental style. I am not sure if I like the 12 inch circular needle. One of the joint started to deteriorate. If I do it again, might just stick to double pointed needles.

Finished January 2006
Pattern in Last Minute Knitted Gift
Yarn: Worsted weight yarn from NYC farmer's market (off white and dark rose). Habu Textile's mohair (off white) and Karabella's mohair (cranberry).

Failed first adult sweater

This was an attempt at a sweater from Sarah Dallas' Vintage Knits (Short-sleeved diamond stitched sweater). I misread the instruction and it was increased incorrectly. Give me a break, it was my first attempt at an adult sweater. Couldn't find a graceful way to fix it so I tore the whole thing apart after taking this picture. I might try the sweater again because it's so delicate and elegant but no time soon. I can still feel the scar...

Scarf presents

This was Christmas present for Mark. I knew he likes white and he's probably the only person I know that can keep it clean. He seems to really like it. Wore it on his birthday with his dinem jacket, very cute. I still have the same yarn so I will probably make a hat.














Blue Sky Alpaca Worsted (50% alpaca, 50% merino), Ecru. Two hanks used.
Finished May 2006


This is the scarf made for Lena. The yarn was sooooo amazing at Purl. I couldn't resist it. It's by far the most expensive yarn I bought. Two skeins cost $70 + tax.





























Yarn: Alchemy's Furry Kindness. 70% French Angora, 30% wool. 86yd / 25g. Two skeins used.
Finished June 2006 (temperature was getting a bit warm in NY to be knitting mohair...)

Sweater made by my aunt

This sweater was made by my da-gugu (oldest aunt on my father side). It's a cute vest with trinity clusters in the body.

I remember she used to knit for me when I was young. I didn't appreciate it then but now it brings back good, warm memories.

This proves we have the "knitting gene" in the family :-) She was glad to find that I knit now because she was the only one that knitted in the family. She says Small gugu wants to learn how to knit too.

Simple Mohair Lace Scarf

This was my first lace scarf (also first time working with mohair). It went to Makiyo. She's always so great to me. I know she would not take anything I buy but if it's somehting I made, she cannot say no. She wore this when we went to the City Opera at Lincoln Center. It matched her camel color jacket.