February is for Finishing (NaKniSewMo)

my february fo's

2008-03-02T10:41:00.000-08:00

February is for bunny slippers

My first goal for this year's February is for Finishing was these long-suffering bunny slippers from the Happy Hooker. One has been made for a year and a half, just waiting for a mate. So here it is. It's made out of Naturally Yarns "Sensation" which is an angora/merino blend and plenty fuzzy without the mohair strand. I added extra rounds to the ankle piece and changed all single crochets to half-double crochets to get some very needed height. These slippers will not stay on my feet as originally written. The other weird thing was that the second slipper came out too big, so I had to rip back the upper and sole until it fit my foot.

I know the eyes are crooked. I don't care.

eternity cardi

I started this cardigan in March 2006, driven by a desire to take the edge off Sockapaloooza and a low price for Lana Gatto Ontario that promised a full cardigan for $30. It took maybe three months to knit the pieces - I seem to remember knitting and marking essays, and I definitely remember doing one of the fronts during a Meet the Teacher Night. Then, once it was done and summer arrived, it lingered. I put all the pieces in a bag for safe keeping. I got a new job. I bought a house. I moved. I sewed one whole seam right before a crazy-hot Thanksgiving that had me putting away the wool for awhile. And now, goaded by NaKniSewMo and my desire to CO for a Noro vest, I finally finished this simple little cardi.

Now that it's done, the collar kind of looks like a tumorous mass. I can't tell if it's my sewing or the fabric to blame. Also, I didn't put on the ribbon closures because it seemed dumb. for now, I'm using a 1" Bridesmaidmania 3 pin to close it, but will come up with something more dignified shortly. My knitsibs can't believe that I've never finished a sweater before. I'm just glad that I finished this one.

blurry but more-or-less accurate

pay no attention to the muffintop

123: loopy hemp pillow

When I asked Sister Silver what she would like me to knit her, she quickly decided on a loopy pillow. As it was beastly hot in the valley, I found a beautiful hemp (All Hemp 6) in the exact colour of her couch throw. What I didn't realize was that hemp is rough as hell on the hands, especially if you're fiddling with it to make loops. The knitting dragged. My hands chapped. I started to watch episodes of Lost while knitting it, thinking that an hour a week was enough. And then, once I got a square, I figured out that I didn't get gauge and my square didn't match the pillow form. Grr.

I ended up picking out the cast-off, knitting more rows, then binding off and picking up stitches along the side, log-cabin style to make this panel fit the pillow form. Exhausting. I threw it in the washer/dryer to soften it up, which it did, beautifully. It’s backed with fabric from Ikea because i couldn’t face the idea of buying a third skein. True to form, handstitching the back to the front took more than 6 months as it went hibernating for a long time.

Now that it’s done I have the damndest case of Stockholm Syndrome: it looks so good with my colour scheme that I may need to make another. But not of hemp, goddammit.

a front and side view of my new master

At the Wire

2008-02-29T14:18:00.000-08:00

Lucky it is a Leap Year. I needed the extra day to finish up, but the mittens are done and warming the hands of my friend.

These are knit from Knit Picks Elegance, alpaca and silk. The color is lilac, and it took just a bit over two skeins I used 3 mm DPNs. The pattern is from Ann Budd's Handy Book of Patterns, and I modified the thumb to make it less tight (by using the instructions for the next size up).

This may not seem like much, but it clears my slate a bit to return to some bigger sweater WIPs. So March will also be for some additional finishing.

Finishing Up

2008-02-24T06:00:00.000-08:00

Unlike last year, I didn't have too many UFOs left, although there are several WIPs that need attention. My major objective was to fulfill a promise for a Christmas gift. I ran out of time, and just left the recipient with a promise. My intent was to make a pair of Norwegian gloves from Heilo in my stash, but I was not getting gauge. As the time passed, I thought I might substitute a pair of socks, but my stash yarn wasn't looking good after swatching. I still wasn't getting gauge. Ordinarily, this doesn't bother me too much, but I didn't have time to fiddle with the pattern to make it work.

So, instead, I embarked on a simpler pair of mittens, made from Knit Picks Elegance.

I completed the thumb gusset on one last night, and I'm sure to have these done by Friday.

For more details, check my blog: primetimeknitter.typepad.com

2008? 2008!

2008-01-20T06:24:00.000-08:00

It's almost February, my finishing-challenged friends! I say we rev it up. Hell, I still have UFO's from the last time.

We even have a Ravelry group now. Shiny!

If you were a part of this crazy train last year, just start posting if you're taking part. If you want to join, send me an email (check the sidebar).

Crafters, start your sewing!

the finish of the finish

2007-03-01T13:20:00.000-08:00

This has been fantastic, guys! I'm going to figure out some kind of symbol to mark those of us who finished all our projects this month (not me, I'm afraid!) So let me know if you're earning your big 'F' for finishing!

I'm pretty sure that I'll need this again next year, so don't worry too much if you slip into old habits...I'll be there right along with you, avoiding sewing.

four for seven is better than half bad right?

2007-03-01T06:37:00.000-08:00

Or is it five? I set out to work on Lady E, not finish her, so I suppose she's one for the record books too. I finished the collar on the not-so-cowl of doom last night, a nice roll neck that I'm really happy with. I'm wearing it right now but haven't had decent light or anyone to take a pic yet so I should be back to post that tomorrow sometime. It's nothing like the pattern picture led me to believe it would be (seriously, who photographs a sweater with the model's arms crossed over her chest?) but I love it anyway, the fit is really flattering. Many thanks to the ladies at SnB for assuring me that it would be fine when I was sure it would be better off in a pile of crinkly yarn on the shop floor.

The FA mitts, mom socks and Rutelilje were my other FO's for the KAL with the seamless hybrid, dad's socks and Lady E still on the needles. I am proud though that I didn't work on anything but the items on my list for the whole month, not even an errant swatch!

This has been great!

2007-03-01T05:30:00.000-08:00

What a wonderful way to motivate us to get to those UFOs! I now realize that all I have to do is apply a little time and Voila! magically those projects seem to finish themselves. Thanks for hosting such a productive KAL.

A sad finish to the month!

2007-03-01T01:16:00.000-08:00

Back at the beginning, I said I was going to finish three items in February: a wrap (with 2200+ ends to sew in), a teddy and a cardigan. The wrap and the teddy are finished. The cardigan is a very sad story.

Western Sydney has had heavy thunderstorms every day for the past week. That means the natural light is not very good. The cardigan in question is a dark colour (navy blue) so I have procrastinated.

On Tuesday, two days before the end of National Knitting Sew-up Month, I pulled the cardigan out of storage. I was determined I was going to finish that cardigan whatever the weather. I carefully pulled out each piece, the back, the right front, the left front, one sleeve - all looking good. I pulled out the second sleeve and there it was - a hole so large I could pass a ping pong ball through it! :-( Some nasty, wool-loving insects had a feast on my sleeve despite my precautions.

So I have struck out - the month is over and I have not finished! (sigh) However, at midnight on 28 February, I was only 40 rows (1760 stitches plus bind-off) short of completing a wrap (70in x 40in) - those nasty little insects don't eat acrylic! (one thing in its favour!)

Thanks, Aleta, for putting this KAL together. Maybe we can do it again next year - or maybe we've all developed new habits of finishing for 30 minutes before knitting! :-) Fellow-finishers, I bid you adieu, drop by and visit my blog sometime!

PS If you drop by now you can read the expanded version of this story - The Cardigan That Never Was (Part I)

One down

2007-02-28T19:49:00.000-08:00

I didn't finish ALL my UFOs but I did finish one. These alpaca armwarmers will be sent off to their recipient to be enjoyed in whatever is left of winter. Although they look small on me, they will fit her better as she is a tiny wisp of a woman.

I am close to finishing one of my own armwarmers as well and did succeed in not casting anything on during Feb. Other projects, like unfinished Branching Out, stayed in my knitting bag all month.

Thanks for this project! It really kept my knitting time focused on projects I needed to finish. Now if only I can keep that focus AND make more time for knitting in March!

Updated: One? I totally finished more that one! I forgot about all the ends I wove in (3 scarves worth) and blocking of one of those scarves. All the things I finished were for other people and all the ones that remain to be finished are for myself so I am happy about that as well. I am actually gifting one of those scarves tonight so it is REALLY finished!

i'm 5 for 8!

2007-02-28T17:51:00.000-08:00

I bet my friend Preacher never knew he wanted an Sn'B Nation Rockstar Doll, Palaver style! This doll is largely improvised, but I love a challenge. I'm now past the deadline for Preachtoberfest, but I was determined to do this one right, no matter how many times I had to knit the head. The embroidery was damned finicky as well. Fun.

my apologies for this garbage picture

This guy is coming with us to his new home NY this March Break. Good thing I managed to finish him in the last gasp of NaKniSewMo!

and one makes three...

2007-02-27T07:25:00.000-08:00

Rutelilje is done and she’s so gorgeous I could cry. This tiny little sweater is the triumph of my knitting career so far, that’s a bit melodramatic maybe but I’m so insanely proud of her I could pop. I learned a lot on this knit and really stretched myself to do some things I was really afraid in the beginning I wouldn’t be able to do successfully. I knit the colourwork, I steeked, I did what seemed like an endless amount of finishing to get the details just right and in the end I think it’s paid off.

I thought about going with off white buttons to match the body but DH thought the pink would have more pop and I have to say he was right, which he generally is when it comes to these things which is why I consult him so much. I’m glad that I decided to knit the body in flat stockingette, the allover moss stitch in the pattern would have been too much I think and would have taken away from everything that’s going on in the yoke.

I used a bit of grosgrain ribbon to seal the steeked edges which weren’t that nice to look at as I used pink thread to sew them so I could easier see what I was doing. It took hours last night to sew it in by hand with the tiniest little stitches but I think the work is worth how clean it looks on the inside now. I also sewed in the tiniest little tag I found at Knitomatic (click here, they’re having a huge sale).

If I had to do this one again, and it’s a strong possibility as I really enjoyed it, I’d cast on more stitches in the steek to leave myself a bit more leeway on the sewing, five was just a few too little and made things a bit tight in places where my machine stitching wasn’t perfectly straight (tough to sew really straight when you’re that nervous!).

This was mostly a stash knit which is great, I don’t think I’d have ventured to do this one had I had to buy a new ball of each colour only to use just a smidge of it. I was told by the lady at the LYS that I could probably get away with two balls of the main colour if I was doing the body stockingette but I was skeptical and picked up a third (to add to the two I already had) just for insurance and I’m glad I did, I used the majority of the third ball and I always like to have little bits of Baby Ull or Lanett laying around for something like this. Of course I'll give you the obligatory inside shot to show off my wonderful stranding.

Specs for this knit:

Yarn: a mix of Dale Baby Ull and Lanett Superwash, two of my fave baby/sock yarns as they come in great colours and wear like iron (not to mention machine wash like a dream), three balls of the MC and scraps of the CCs

Pattern: Rutelilje from Dale of Norway Baby #129 in six month size (but would almost fit M so I have to think that the sizing runs a bit on the large size)

I started this early in January so it wasn't the quickest knit out there but I'm still glad I did it and will do it again

Sock it to me baby!

2007-02-26T13:13:00.000-08:00

Well, they aren't pretty but they are functional, and even better, they're complete and he likes them! The Moda Dea Sassy Stripes has a few production problems wouldn't you say? Look at those sad stripes! But this is about celebrating the completion of another project!! YIPPEE!!!

Status Report

2007-02-26T12:06:00.000-08:00

Well it’s the third last day of the (short) month and I have to say that things haven’t gone as well as I’d hoped on the finishing front. I started out with seven UFO’s and at this point I have two that are actual FO’s, mom’s socks and the Fleece Artist mitts. Still unfinished from the original list are:

-the cowl of doom- needs the shoulders taken apart and reseamed and the collar knitting on, I’m going to go with a low roll neck so I think it should just be a few rounds more to knit then the bind off, this will be finished this month

-dad’s socks- I started these on Wednesday at work and I’m almost ready to start the heel so then it’ll be just the heel and leg to do for the pair so these are still a possibility

-the seamless hybrid- about 6 inches of each sleeve are done and they’re not likely to be done in time to knit the yoke and do the finishing before then end of the month (barring an act of God like time standing still or knitting gnomes invading my knitting bag during the night)

-Rutelilje- all the knitting is done so it just needs some ends woven in and the grosgrain ribbon sewn in to hide the cut edges of the steek, this one will be done by the end of the month

-Lady Eleanor- I knew this one wouldn’t get done by the end of the KAL but I did hold to my promise to move it in a forward direction, I have added almost four tiers of rectangles to it this month, can I call that a triumph?

Anyway, lots still to do but I’m getting there at least

Halfway there!

2007-02-25T16:53:00.000-08:00

I finished my Jaywalkers

They're in Lorna's Laces Shepherd's Sock, in Liberty, knit on size 1 DPNs.

I also finished everything on BabyHoodie, except for attaching a button. I was going to go get a cute button today, but it was snowing. No pictures of BabyHoodie, for now. It's a gift for a friend - I don't want to ruin the surprise. I started seaming my Pinup Queen, but I think I've had all the seaming I can take for one day.

At Last

2007-02-25T04:43:00.000-08:00

I had to wait for daylight to do the final steaming and sew on the buttons (finishing details are on my blog, primetimeknitter.typepad.com), but here it is:

I'm really glad to have this off my UFO list, because there is still a lot of time to wear this sweater before it gets warm. I work in a loft-office, and if I heat the house so that the office isn't cold, I'd never be able to afford to buy yarn again. And when I saw the pattern, I thought this loose-fitting sweater would be perfect to work in. The pattern is from Interweave Knits, Fall 1997, and the designer is Nancy Bush. I used Rowan Magpie (now discontinued), size 5 and 7 US Inox matte grey needles.

I still have three more UFO's. One may be frogged and redone completely. Another is of Cotton Fleece, and I've decided to work on it in the summer. But the third is in about the same state as this one was when I started it. So now that this KAL got me off my rear and I realized the finishing wasn't as arduous as I imagined, I think I can get the next one done by the end of March (even though that isn't "national knitting sew-up month"). So thank you, Aleta for hosting this blog.

Fashionably late?

2007-02-24T17:49:00.000-08:00

So, I'm joining this party a little late. Luckily, I have few plans for the rest of this weekend or next week.

Things I have to finish:
- My February sock (my goal this year is a sock a month). I might finish this one tonight.
- A baby hoodie. For a friend's baby that's not due till July, but I might as well get it all finished. Mostly seams on this.
- The seaming on my Pinup Queen sweater. I finished the actual knitting in...October. Yeah.
- Lining on my Marigold Tote, finished not long after the Pinup Queen sweater.

I keep hoping that if I ignore these things long enough, the finishing elves will come do the work for me, but alas. I have finished one thing this month already - I blocked a Branching Out scarf that I finished knitting sometime in the summer. (As you can see, its a good thing a KAL like this has come along) For pics of the scarf, other adventures, and general rambling, you can visit me here.

The F Word

2007-02-23T15:10:00.000-08:00

Finishing, that is...

A few days ago I drafted a rant about how even though I had signed up for this KAL all I was doing was starting projects:

*spa socks from Knit1 (one of the very few reasons to keep that issue as far as I'm concerned)
*My So called Scarf (as an instant-gratification break from the sweater)
*crocheting [a whole other craft!]
*and I'm seriously trying to stop myself from casting on for the Razor Cami.

It was so bad that I found myself avoiding posting on this blog, even just to introduce myself.

[I am sienna & you can find me here; I am thrilled to see everyone else's accomplishments and am terribly embarrassed that it's taken me until almost the end of the month not only to post here but also to have something to post about.]

Yesterday, however, I finally blocked a scarf for my friend.
I also finished my My So Called Scarf.
I'm almost finished the first sleeve for my sweater (just have to fix a couple of cables)

and at long last I finished my resume!

I guess it's not too late to start finishing in February!

The toe that never closes

2007-02-22T14:52:00.000-08:00

I don't even want to admit how many times I tried to do the short row close on the hubby's sock this afternoon. I will give it another go tomorrow! ARGHH! I WILL finish those boogers!

Crossing off a few!

2007-02-20T17:53:00.000-08:00

Alright, slightly modified list (just because school work is killing me) but still quite a heap:

DONE:
Husband's Knucks
My Knucks
Mason-Dixon's Baby Kimono

STILL NOT DONE:
Last of 3 pairs of Nephew Mittens
Either Damn Sock or Jaywalkers done

Finished!

2007-02-20T14:00:00.000-08:00

This is my first KAL & I've finished the Mary Ann Sweater. See picture at Whatchamacallknit?

Renee

sequel to "I've finished"

2007-02-19T21:11:00.000-08:00

The photos of my finished afghan and teddy are now up on my blog. The post also includes my next project; please drop by and take a look. Comments welcome too! ;-)

2nd Project Finished

2007-02-19T20:03:00.000-08:00

This KAL has really helped me move along my outstanding projects. I have now finished a second project which is my First Lace Weight scarf, which is a gift for my Auntie B. This was the Bellini scarf kit from Morehouse Farm. I have one more project on my needles. I however am contemplating changing G's new scarf, so I don't think it will be finished by the end of the month.

The Hard Part Is Over

2007-02-19T05:57:00.000-08:00

It took two weekend days to complete the buttonbands, which were the obstacle to finishing this sweater. I did the buttonband on Superbowl Sunday, and the buttonhole band yesterday. It took about five tries to get the ribbing so it would match on both sides. And I never made one-row buttonholes before. There is a wonderful video showing how to do it (and many other techniques) on knittinghelp.com (the buttonholes are one of the advanced techniques). I usually don't knit near my computer, but this time I took the partially-finished sweater to my loft-office, watched the video and knitted along to it.

Now it is smooth sailing. I'm sure I'll finish the neck ribbing tonight (who can ask for better knitting TV than "24"!). And I've never minded sewing seams together. So I hope to have this modeled before the end of the week.

This is the major project I hoped to complete in this KAL, and I'm on track to do it.

Another dishcloth finished...

2007-02-18T21:48:00.000-08:00

I need to change my list of things needing to be finished to include only things I start in February! HAHA

Anyway, I finished the "round dishcloth". The 2nd pic is of a piece that may one day 7,000 years from now become a bedspread. I was really just attempting a lace pattern, so we'll see how it pans out in the future.

A few more pics can be found on my blog.

I've finished!

2007-02-18T15:50:00.000-08:00

I wanted to shout but it's not good etiquette! ;-) Rejoice with me - the ends are finished, all 2200+ of them.

I did knit all (or most) of my ends in as I was going but as the patches were small and the ends in some cases were less than 2 inches in length I was a little scared they would unravel (it's loose tension) so I sewed them all back on themselves. Not to mention all the nasty ends that kept wiggling their way through to the front of the work!

Photos will be posted on my blog some time later today when DH gets home from work to take them. (It's Monday morning here in Sydney, Australia) Here's one I prepared earlier, a close up of the right side of the work (before the ends were sewn in)

And more good news...I've also finished the teddy that I was working on! Yeah for me, two projects down, hip, hip, hooray! (Sorry, I'm just a bit excited)

Cross posted from www.stashalong.blogspot.com

2nd F.O.!

2007-02-16T09:32:00.000-08:00

I made a dishcloth these past two days... Yes, I realize that all the things I've finished are things I've started in Feb. and not things on my list!! LMAO!! Oh well, I TOLD you it was chronic and terminal in my case hahaha.

On the road to finishville

2007-02-15T14:36:00.000-08:00

Seems like most things are moving in a forward direction at least. I'll update the original list:

1.The Seamless Hybrid- sleeves have been cast on and are in progress now. I can't say how many times I had to do the provisional cast on to get the right number of stitches. Then getting them onto their two circs was a comedy of errors so I finally settled on double magic looping them to save myself from pulling out all of my hair.

2.Rutelilje- the body is finished and I steeked her today, a totally nauseating experience let me tell you. First I did some deep breating sitting at the sewing machine. Then I sewed one side and sat and cried a little bit. Once I had it all sewed and made the first cut I sat with my head between my knees for a bit to get the room to stop spinning. In then end it steeked fine and didn't disintegrate into a pile of Baby Ull scraps on the floor so that's a good sign. I'm working on picking up stitches to knit on the button bands now. I think once that's done I'll get some grosgrain ribbon to cover the cut edges and neaten up the inside some.

3. Mom's socks- done and gifted!

4. Dad's socks- still haven't cast on the second sock.

5. Fleece Artist Thrummed Mitts- done and in action. They came out great and they're super warm, I love them with all my heart. I may add a silly string though because I dont want to lose them.

6. The Cowl of Doom- it's blocked and seamed but is having neckline issues. It grew in blocking, it's really long so it may need a trip through the dryer to bring it up to an acceptable length. If it doesn't shrink I'll still wear it but it's more tunicish than I wanted but the fabric is so nice and soft I won't consider hiding this in the back of my closet. The cowl may get scrapped for a short ribbed neck, I need my Denny to advise me before I do anything rash though.

7. Lady Eleanor- I picked her back up and have knit one triangle and one rectangle since yesterday so I'm using her to break up the monotony of knitting two huge sleeves at the same time.

So two out of seven done and two more very close to being finished, not bad for mid-month I think.

Still finishing!

2007-02-15T12:56:00.000-08:00

One of my UFOs for February finishing was a wrap (afghan) with a few dozen ends to sew in. Make that a few hundred. :-(

So far I have sewn in over 1600 (yes, I am counting them with a row counter and a tally sheet for every hundred). I sew in 100 a day and have got ahead of myself because torrential rain (which we needed badly) fell over the western suburbs of Sydney on Monday and my class was cancelled so I had extra time for finishing.

This is what the back looked like before I started; now multiply that by 100 and you get the idea!

2 for the price of 1!

2007-02-14T05:59:00.000-08:00

My first Dulaan 2007 hat, knit from a Caps for Kids pattern in Knitting for Peace and my leftover Plymouth Galway worsted from the marsupial bag. Now, with pompom! I wonder if it will be warm enough for the little Mongolians - I'll solicit more opinions before I take up space in the shipping box.

This is why I need deadlines. As soon as I decided to give Blake his robot for Valentine's Day, it went from completely knit, no finishing to completely finished in 2 nights.

check out the love between boy & robot!

It's the Jess Hutch pattern in Lamb's Pride Worsted. I had a brainwave during finishing, and instead of knitting, felting & attaching appliqués to the front, I dug through my buttons to find some excellent remnants. The heart button is my absolute fave - the Boy used the name Heart Shaped Robots for a music project once, and I knew that our robot would have to have a heart on it somewhere. I also used some of the safety eyes I ordered a few months ago, since Blake is past the swallowing everything phase (I hope).

His name, Ro-Bert (or more formally, 81:Ro-Bert), is a reference to our imaginary second son, Bert.

This was such a satisfying project to finish. When the Boy saw it for the first time he said, "our family is complete." Hee.

bert watches the snow day develop

More victories for NaKniSewMo!

x-posted from knittin' smitten

Little girl's jumper

2007-02-14T03:27:00.000-08:00

This is a size 8 little girl's jumper, and its finished, finished finished! Yay!

I am posting this here, first, and details will be on my blog tomorrow morning.

This is the third project for me to have finished courtesy of this KAL, and I have a couple of pairs of socks and a shawl to go, but probably not all in the month of February...

Finished Object ! Woot-a-loot!

2007-02-13T19:22:00.000-08:00

Yay - finally a F.O. this month!!!!!!!
From a chronic starter, this is a good thing. :-)

I finished "Purple Rain", and it turned out really good, I think. It's my own pattern and its knit on RedHeart Sport Weight yarn because its my first test and I test on cheap yarn hahahahahaha!

You can see pics of it here on my My Blog!

Knitting bags done!

2007-02-13T19:18:00.000-08:00

I have been meaning to make up these two knitting bags for months now. One I promised to make for my mom and the other one is for me. I couldn't find the exact coordinating fabric I was seeing in my mind's eye, so I sort of set it aside, then went on to other things.

I drug them out in the spirit of February is for Finishing, and I'm glad I did. They both went together fairly well, and although it took me most of the weekend, the results were good!

Both bags have a large pocket on front (the pink one is matching, so it does not show up in the photo), zipper pocket on the inside, knitting needle pockets on the other side of the inside, and matching needle rolls with three inside rows for different size knitting needles.

Now I'm all set to go to Stitches next week!! More photos (including actual knitting content!) are on my blog.

No Time to Blog...Gotta Knit!

2007-02-13T18:13:00.000-08:00

This KAL is just what the doctor ordered! Thank you, thank you!

I've been knitting every moment I can; even holding my knitting under the table during class so I don't waste any time. My house has suffered, my garden neglected, my blog outdated and my dog ungroomed, but on I knit.

And February zooms on by.

I'm working on a sweater (my first) and once that's completed, it's on to Jaywalker socks and a shawl. I hold little expectation for the shawl to be completed, but the sweater and socks should get done.

Thanks again for lighting that fire under me!

A pair of socks means 2 projects down!

2007-02-13T02:42:00.000-08:00

A pair of socks mean that I have finished 2 projects so far this February.

Specs: Ladies socks made from Rowan Calmer.
My own pattern. I cast on 40 stitches on 4.00mm needles and did a Turkish afterthought heel over half the stitches, and my usual wedge toe. This was leftover yarn and I think I used maybe a whole ball of white, or maybe a fraction more, and then a little of the laurel gree.

If you are knitting socks for someone else and not sure that they will fit, these socks are just the ticket. Soft and stretchy, they have a great comfort factor and you are pretty well assured that they will fit.

Only a couple more projects to go! (Can I cast on something new, then?)

Check out the details on my blog, knittingnatty.typepad.com.
See you there!

Newbie here

2007-02-11T20:35:00.000-08:00

I just started a blog, and I have to say I feel so old (I'm stumbling through the process). Anyway, surfing around I found the link to this one the other day, and since I had just finished two of the four projects I'm shooting for this month, I'd say it's serendipitous!

The cloche is made out of Blue Sky cotton

and this hat... is made out a very soft yarn. It's been years since I started it (shame, shame), and I set it down because I didn't like the way the top rim puckered. I can't find the original pattern, and I have a tendency to modify every pattern I use (which I vaguely remember doing with this one). I originally made it for my niece, and her birthday is coming around again, so maybe she won't notice?

I'm not a big frogger in any case. I like the planning and starting out parts best (hence the four (ouch) boxes of UFOs sitting in my yarn closet).

Since I haven't figured out how to cross-post from my blog yet, I used the old standby Ctrl-C. Pictures and links - no problem; buttons - still working on it...

whew, atleast I have one February project finished.

2007-02-11T16:01:00.000-08:00

Hah, in the last picture I look like the captain of a ship. As a general rule, I think ponchos can make full figured women look fat! That being said, I still love making them and I love wearing them because unlike shawls, they tend to stay on easily, and unlike capelets, my arms have still have a full range of movement.

The thing I liked best about this project was that it worked up quickly. It also required minimal finishing, and required no brain power whatsover. It practically knit itself. The original project was in wool (from Weekend Knitting), but I used a cotton alpalca blend, because I already have a poncho (made out of a merino-mohair blend) and given the warm climate of Macon, I knew I needed something more light weight.

At first, I hated this project. It felt like a let down to work on it after working on the Clapotis. Although the Clapotis was simple had enough pattern variation to keep it interesting, also the colors where bright whereas the gray was sort of drab in comparison. But I would say if you are looking for a quick easy poncho this one will do nicely. The cables are simple to make, and I think it looks more complicated than it is. It has the added bonus of being lightweight and neutral which means I can probably wear it year round.

Also since the majority of it was knit while I was traveling from Macon to Clearwater, FL. it really was as Melanie Falick promised a perfect car trip project. Originally, my goal with this group was to not start anything new in February. I broke down yesterday, and cast on for a quickie (it's for a cover for a hot water bottle).

I am still working on my two big projects a lace shawl and cushion covers. Boring! So I am glad I got this off the needles.

slow and steady

2007-02-10T16:51:00.000-08:00

Well, I finished the front...and started the sleeves. You can see pictures on my blog, but no new pictures for another week (my camera is on a trip to Australia without me). Hopefully by the time the camera returns, I'll have pictures of both sleeves to show!

Corded bag done!

2007-02-09T17:11:00.000-08:00

I had knitted this little corded bag out of Noro Daria a few weeks ago, but meant to line it and add a zipper. That was where that project stalled, until today, when I got off my rear and did it.

I thought it turned out very cute! I love the texture of the Noro Daria. Very interesting. The pattern by Grumperina went very well and was a very easy knit, after getting the dpn's going.

I can't decide to use it as a makeup bag, or a knitting goodies bag. Hmmm.... I think the cat wants it for cat treats.

More finished objects on my blog.

sweater!

2007-02-08T16:35:00.000-08:00

I'm done! Another victory for NaKniSewMo!

This was supposed to be for Blake's birthday (cough*mutter*cough), but I had trouble working up the nerve to install the zipper. I did it the way I do anything pesky: pin the crap out of it, go very slow, and check progress all the time. And lo! It turned out okay.

It's an Accordion, knit from Peace Fleece in three colours (hemlock, shaba, ancient fern). The main knitting was done in time for his birthday, as was the sewing up. If not for the zipper, he'd have been wearing it long since. And plus, since it's comically oversized, he'll be wearing it for some time to come!

And no, he doesn't always look like he's been caught out by paperazzi. Just when I'm trying to get him still for a pic.

x-posted from knittin' smitten

better late than never...

2007-02-07T16:39:00.000-08:00

Joining my first knit along sounds like a great idea when it's a knit along designed to make one finish those darned UFOs! I'm nowhere near as ambitious as many of you, and we're already 1/4 of the way through the month, so my goal is only one FO by the end of the month, a sweater for myself (my first sweater--I'd rather screw up my own than someone elses!). I've got the back done, almost done with the front, and it needs sleeves and a hood. Pictures once there's decent light in my apartment.

Wish me luck!

six to go!

2007-02-07T16:17:00.000-08:00

I finished Blake's sweater! And all it took was 2+ hours of zipper installation. Hee. Pictures tomorrow, when I get a chance to wrangle the baby into the sweater.

First project finished!

2007-02-07T16:13:00.000-08:00

Here are two of the projects earmarked for finishing in February blocking:

And here is the Lace Panel Jumper completed and laid out:

You can see the specs on my blog, knittingnatty.typepad.com!

ack!

2007-02-07T14:28:00.001-08:00

I haven't knit a thing in days!!! BAD ME!!

One Down

2007-02-07T08:20:00.000-08:00

I managed to finish off one project just last night. It's G's first hat by me. I am quite proud of this piece, because this is the first piece I have made with out a pattern. With the exceptions of some ideas from existing patterns, like for the number of stitches to cast on and the decreases to close up the piece, I pretty much made this hat free-hand. If you know me, going freehand is a big thing for me. I like my patterns. So this is a great first for me. Look here to see what this means to me.

Not so fast there Banff-O!

2007-02-07T08:14:00.000-08:00

The Banff sweater and I are about to part ways. The front nad back are nowhere near the same size! ARGHH!!! Read more on my blog.

The good news is that I did spend my required 30 minutes on attempting to finish a project which will free me up to work on other, less frustrating things.

Sleeve Number One Done!

2007-02-07T06:54:00.000-08:00

I've completed my adapted version of the sleeve for the sweater that has been staring at me. I was rapidly running out of yarn and wasn't sure about the sleeves for my climate so I greatly shortened them and reduced some of the bulk. As I said on my blog, Lordy please let them fit!!! I will have to sew one in and see before I knit the other one.

How are your projects coming?

Projects to be finished this February

2007-02-05T07:40:00.000-08:00

I currently have 3 projects that I would like to finish this month and they are:

G's first scarf by me - currently at 10%
G's first hat by me - currently at 50%
Auntie B's lace weight scarft - currently at 60%

I know that this may be quite an optimistic goal. But don't all goals have to be optimisitic? Maybe by joining this KAL, I'll actually set myself up for success.

With time comes knowledge

2007-02-05T06:16:00.000-08:00

This has to be one of the best KALs for a girl like me! I am forced to sit and work on this burgandy sweater that I've been bypassing for years. It needed very little finishing but I ran out of yarn as I neared the end and got so frustrated that I put it down. I was fairly new to knitting when I started it so I didn't know all the possible ways to complete it successfully. Now I know how to work the sleeves from the top down and can shape and complete them as the yarn runs out. The good news is that the sleeves on the pattern were big and bulkier than I'd like to this really is the best way for me to get the overall shape that I like.

How many of you are like me and find that you spend more than the "required amount of time" on your UFO? Was that part of the overall evil plan launched by the KAL author? Hmmm......

My Very First KAL!

2007-02-04T18:30:00.000-08:00

While cleaning out my stash in January, I found so many UFOs, it was frightening. Surprisingly, they just got tossed right back on top of the stash, unfinished. This KAL was just the kick in the pants that I needed. When I first joined February is for Finishing, all of these projects were at various stages:

blue sky alpacas bulky scarf
sue's Christmas socks
baby kimono from Mason Dixon Knitting
two wool vests (in acrylic) from Erica Knight's Simple Knits for Cherished Babies
amigurumi bunny
baby booties
sable sweater
ribbed jacket (baby sweater)

In the days before my first post, I have managed to finish the blue sky alpacas bulky scarf, which was easy as all I had to do was weave in the ends. Wearing it now, I can't believe I put off finishing it for so long.

Then, some time during a six hour Gilmore Girl (season 6) marathon on Tuesday, I finished the baby booties. I even ran out to get the buttons on Thursday and sewed them on that night (during a second, although shorter, Gilmore Girls marathon). I guess this makes them my first official finished project for this KAL!

Two down, six to go.

one down, seven to go!

2007-02-04T11:21:00.000-08:00

And yea, the easiest shall be completed first. It's a little cotton bear out of left-over Sugar n' Cream for the Mother Bear Project. The Boy got me Knitting for Peace for Christmas and this was my first foray into the charity knitting therein. I had trouble with the facial embroidery (this is the third draft of that nose/mouth combo) and one of the seams is kind of gross. Other than that, I couldn't be more pleased at the way this little girl has turned out.

and then there were six...

2007-02-04T10:46:00.000-08:00

Yay! I cast on and finished the second sock for mom's Christmas pair and gifted them yesterday. Between not being really all that happy with my mother right now and hating both the pattern and yarn made me really not want to even look at these much less finish them but here they are. I figure if I intersperse some of the more painful knitting with stuff I want to work on everything should get done.

Ive also cast on and knit half of the second sleeve for the cowl sweater and should have that done tonight for blocking tomorrow and I'm about half way through the second mitten so I'll work on that while the sweater pieces dry. Hopefully I'll have some more FO's to show by the middle of the week.

Two Down

2007-02-03T07:28:00.000-08:00

As soon as these are dry, which won't take long since today is the coldest and driest day we've had all winter, I have two FOs!

These were the least demanding of the four UFOs I am hoping to complete in February, but it is a start. Mentally I can think that I'm half done, even though finishing the two sweaters, the UFOs that are left, will take many more hours. But tomorrow, to avoid annoying the men in my family during the Super Bowl, I will work on the brown sweater. (I'm not a football fan, and I've learned that any utterance, no matter how important, is just an annoyance.) If I can finish the buttonbands, the rest will be smooth sailing. I really don't mind sewing sweater bits together. The stumbling block on this sweater is the buttonholes.

The orange scarf is the feather-and-fan scarf from Scarf Style. I used Debbie Bliss's Alpaca Silk DK, a very luxurious yarn. I personally would have trouble with it in a sweater because it stretches easily and would probably sag over time, but the scarf is a dream. I've made the same one in red (both to match pairs of leather gloves). The blue scarf is made from Acera, which I bought at the Brooks Farm booth in Rhinebeck this fall. It is wool, silk, and vicose. I usually don't like synthetics (since the specter of 1970s acrylic haunts my yarn dreams), but this yarn is lovely. I've made two of these seamen's scarves from Myrna Stahman's book on shawls and scarves, and I'm hoping that Brooks Farm shows this yarn again next October. It would make a lovely lace T, which would be fine for New York weather in spring and early fall. For those of you in warmer areas, you could wear such a garment all year round, except, perhaps for the summer.

I'm a Mac user, and Blogger only gives me the options of typing and inserting pictures, but not links. I will have links to the sources and books on my blog some time next week, when I will also show the finished scarves after they've dried.

Ten Works in Progess, sitting on a wall...

2007-02-03T01:11:00.000-08:00

Hi all! Just found this great KAL, and wanted to join in.

I currently have 10 UFO's that have been crowding out everything else on my coffee table for far too long. I have been madly knitting pieces in preparation for a big finishing party, and now we can do it together, non?

Please come by the blog and check the sidebar with the percentage charts and I will post here and there when I finish my projects. My digs are at knittingnatty.typepad.com.

Sounds like a plan!

My list to finish...

2007-02-02T17:53:00.000-08:00

1. We Call Them Pirates KAL hat - not actually on the "roll call" for this KAL, but I'm making the hat and maybe the mittens.

2. Daughter's sweater - started last month.

3. Mittens - I have like 3 pairs of mittens missing the second mitten. I suffer from SMS hehe...

I am a chronic starter and I'm sure there will be more to finish before Feb. is over. :-)

Hello!

2007-02-02T06:11:00.000-08:00

I'm Ms. Knotty and am one of those people who really doesn't get excited about finishing my work, but I've found the better at it I get the less I dread it. I also am more likely to complete something when I weave in the ends when I've completed the section I'm working on, rather than waiting until the end!

Anyhow, here is the list of things I hope to complete during NaKniSewMo:

White sweater for my sister (completed yesterday as first challenge)
Sock for Mr. Knotty (it's out of some scratchy acrylic that I really don't enjoy working with so I keep putting it off. The yarn selection was necessary due to his clothes washing techniques.)
Sewing seams on dress for Miss Knotty's Easter dress (a.k.a. "The dress that never ends")
Sewing seams on bolero for Miss Knotty (goes with Easter dress)
Completing the cranberry sweater for myself that I started 2 years ago
Completing or deciding to frog and start over the ribbon bag that I started a few years back
Doing a better job of weaving seams and then sewing a snap on the Anouk I made Miss K last year. I really hope she can still wear it this spring.
Yellow short sleeve sweater I started 3 years ago. It's in the closet just hanging there on a stitch-holder.

I think that's everything but I may have to add to this post :-0 Let's hope not!

In addition to all of this I'm also doing my own stash-a-long and would love for anyone interested to please join me. You can also visit my blog at Knotty and Nice

Looking forward to seeing who else is completing things this month!

2007-02-01T03:42:00.001-08:00

Game On, Knitters! Start your needles!

eta: I actually finished something today, but as it wasn't part of the Shameful 8, I won't post here. You can get details on the Smitten blog if you needs some finishing joy.

2007-01-29T17:45:00.000-08:00

I am showing my commitment to the KAL by finishing a sock from my list BEFORE February! Here it is! Can you smell that, ladies....? That's the smell of pen ink crossing something off a list!

Here's my list....

2007-01-29T14:13:00.000-08:00

Hi there! Love the idea! I have chronic startitis so have a lot of finishing to do this month including...

1) Weaving in the ends on 2 scarves. (One was a birthday present from September.)
2) Block and gift an alpaca scarf. (I wove the ends in last night!)
3) Knitting the second of a pair of arm warmers that should have been gifted over a month ago.
4) Turning the heel of the sock I started during Socktoberfest. (I hate the yarn so I am only knitting the one sock to learn before trying real ones with good yarn.)
5) Finish my Branching Out Scarf. I don't even remember when I started this.
6) Finishing the first and knitting the second of a pair of arm warmers for myself (these were just started this month though).

These are all pretty small projects. Very finish-able for the next month. Right?
Once they are done, and only when they are done will I cast on for my first ever sweater!

Cleanup time

2007-01-29T12:17:00.000-08:00

Looks like I've had some serious alien activity going on around here with all the UFO's hanging around my knitting space. Like our loverly hostess I too have a big stack of projects I'm hoping to get done in the coming month. Looking at all this seems really strange as I don't often have more than two projects on the go at a time, not sure what happened here but it's time for some cleanup obviously.

1.EZ Seamless Hybrid sweater for DH- this was supposed to be his Christmas gift, it needs sleeves and the yoke knit, the body is done (this is a sweater for a 6' tall man with a 52" chest and long arms, this a marathon knit so give me some slack)
2. Ribby sock for Mom- her Christmas gift, one sock is done so it needs a mate
3. Boring Man Sock for Dad- again this was supposed to be his gift, needs a mate
4. Rutelilje from Dale Baby #129- a shower gift (the shower was 2 weeks ago) for a baby to be, needs a few inches on the body, steeks cut and button bands knit on
5. Fleece Artist Thrummed Mitts pour moi- one down, one to go (I'm putting this as priority #5 but I'm pretty sure they'll be the first thing I finish) baby it's cold outside!
6. Cowl sweater from Jo Sharp Knit mag- also for me, needs one sleeve, seaming and the collar knit
7. Lady Eleanor from Scarf Style- mine too, this will be the gravy knit and isn't really a priority at all but I would like to commit to moving it in a forward direction this month, maybe I'll knit a square a day or something to break up everything else, In no way do I expect to be wearing this by the 28th.

We'll see how I do with all this.

Note to Rocketbride: if you should catch me knitting something other than what's on this list you have permission to spank me with sock yarn

Count me in!

2007-01-28T21:04:00.000-08:00

What a good idea for a KAL. It works in harmony with my NY resolution not to cast on anything until I have completed all WIPs/UFOs and my other KAL - Stashalong.

I particularly like the rule of not knitting until I have done at least half an hour of finishing; what a great way to push myself!

So here is my list of UFOs awaiting finishing:

1. teddy (for charity)
- needs a face embroidered, some arms, sewing and stuffing; doesn't look much now but wait and see

2. cardigan - seaming and blocking needed (no photos sorry)

3. wrap/afghan (for charity)
- as you can see, the ends need sewing in

I have three other projects on the needles that may be finished in February:
two wraps/afghans (for charity) and a jumper (sweater)

More details on my blog.

Thanks Shansays for sharing the news about this KAL. Thanks Rocketbride for inviting this Aussie to join! :-)

Indecision...

2007-01-28T14:59:00.000-08:00

This is a great idea! I have limited myself to three concurrent projects.

I get easily confused with too many going on.
Each project represent another milestone for me, i.e., something I wanted to learn.
I lose the patterns in my craft room, or the dog ate them.

If I finish one in February, I can start another!!
Why haven't I finished this poncho? I am looking for a border.

list of shame

2007-01-27T13:31:00.000-08:00

...or, you know, mild self-disapproval.

Blake's Accordion sweater (needs a zipper)
Blake's robot (all assembly required)
Palaver Doll (needs hair, glasses, stuffing, and legs)
Tintinito mittens (facial embroidery, i-chain)
Basic Cardigan (seaming)
Secret Design Project (sewing, felting, more sewing)
Mother Bear (facial embroidery, sewing final seam & scarf)
Kid's ski touque (top gathering & pom pom)

Two a week should just about cover it. Yeee-ikes.

I love it!

2007-01-27T07:57:00.000-08:00

What a wonderful idea. In January, I joined the Stashalong gang to try to rein in my purchases, but since then I have been on line almost every day obsessing over starting another pattern. I feel like a total online junkie. I am thrilled to join this group and dedicate myself to actually completing something.

I have 3 perfectly good projects on the needles already.

1. Meadows Flowers Shawl from Knitter's Stash

2. Mini Cabled Cardigan from Weekend Knitting

3. And cushion covers for the chairs in my office (which I haven't worked on in over 2 months).

My intent is to work on these three projects ONLY for the next month. I will not cast on anything new, and I am not going to even look at any new patterns until I have completed at least one project.

I have been keeping the Mini Cable Poncho as a train, car trip, tv project because there is no shaping and it's only a four repeat, but if by mid-February it's not finished I will commit to working only on it so that I have at least one project done by the end of the month.

Thanks, I will be checking in ofter for moral support.

Get This off my Back!

2007-01-27T06:59:00.000-08:00

I started this over a year ago, and got bored because it was a little too simple (and boring) to keep me entertained when other, more interesting projects came along. It is for my 5 year old daughter, so I can't procrastinate forever or I will have to find a smaller child to give it to.

I have finally responded to the nagging voices in my head to finish it, and two days ago, I finished knitting the pieces. Now I just have to sew it together and do the neckline and zipper.

Thanks for the Knit along, because it may have sat around for another year to finish, but now that I've shown everyone, I have my pride at stake!

More finished and unfinished knits at my blog, Yarn Paper Scissors.

Fulfilling Those New Year's Resolutions

2007-01-27T06:26:00.000-08:00

Thanks for asking me to join this KAL. I started 2007 with plans to finish some UFOs (in my January 1 post at primetimeknitter.typepad.com), but all I've managed to do was generate a few more. I finished two scarves, and neither has its ends woven in, nor been blocked.

The orange is from Scarf Style, and it is knitted from Debbie Bliss' Alpaca DK, and the blue one is from yarn purchased at Rhinebeck in 2006. It is from Brooks Farm, and the yarn was a show special (Acera: wool, silk, vicose). The pattern is a Myrna Stahman seaman's scarf. I enjoyed knitting both, and I've just put off blocking them. I guess they'll take no more than 2 hours each to finish.

The sweater I'm really hoping to complete for this KAL is this one:

I've described it in my blog post. It is knitted from Rowan's Magpie, which I think is a discontinued yarn, and the obstacle has been the buttonholes. I have never made buttonholes as the pattern suggests, and I want to. I know there is an on-line knitting video that shows them, but my computer is not located where I knit, so I've dragged my feet about finishing this one for more than a year. I'm guessing it will take only around 7 hours to finish.

And if I can manage it, I'd really like to get this sweater done.

It has been a UFO for more years than I recall. It is also described in my blog post. There are several obstacles. First, I want to frog the shoulders so that I can replace them with short rows and reassemble them using a three-needle bindoff.

Second, I think I'm running out of the main-body yarn. That is not much of a problem because all that is left is the seams, and I can do them either in the dark green that is part of the trim or from some similar Brown Sheep Lamb's Pride that I just ordered from Patternworks and received. Third, it is hard for me to work on this dark color at night, when I do most of my knitting, and so I will need daylight hours. I'm thinking that Superbowl Sunday (since I'm not a football fan and DH and DS are) might be a great time to work on it.

I have two other February projects--a shawl and a sweater for DH. I don't consider them UFOs because I'm working steadily on them. And so if the projects I've described are finished in February too, I'll feel very satisfied indeed. [That leaves two more UFOs, but one is in Cotton Fleece and is earmarked for a summer project; the other may be frogged completely and reknit as something else.]

So I'm looking forward to your words of encouragement, so I can get off my rear and get these done!

Please note that I use Mac's Safari browser, and Blogger doesn't give me the ability to use links. I know I can download Firefox and get all of Blogger's options, but I'd rather fuss with these UFOs for now. So link references will be a bit "clunky".

Just joined!

2007-01-26T08:48:00.000-08:00

Yay. This is a great idea for a KAL. On my list to finish in February:

Heartbreakingly cute baby kimono
damn socks v.2
jaywalker socks
Henry Rollins doll I started 2 years ago
Nephew's mittens

Let's see if this is even remotely possible!

my rules

2007-01-25T11:18:00.000-08:00

Please feel free to modify these rules to suit your own circumstances.

I cannot cast on for a new project until at least one UnFinished Object has been completely finished.
When it is "knitting time" at home, I must spend at least one half-hour finishing before I start knitting.
Out-of-house knitting is exempt, except for knit-centric gatherings (stitch n' bitches, pub knitting, knitting circles), during which rule 2 will apply.
I will enjoy myself and strive to remember at all times that this is my hobby, not a life sentence busting rocks.

manifesto of sorts

2007-01-25T09:56:00.000-08:00

This KAL is for knitters like me who like knitting way more than they like finishing. (Sewing and embroidery in particular make me more of a procrastinator than usual.) In the spirit of NaNoWriMo (which my husband completed in 2001 when he was unemployed), I declare that the shortest month of the year shall be for the finishing of projects that have stacked up due to this unfortunate tendency.

We call it National Knitting Sew-up Month, or NaKniSewMo.

I have yet to think up rules for this KAL, which is why this is only the most tentative of manifestos. But I have 6 more days to work it out.