| how many times can one pair of needles break? |
wednesday 02.02.2005 |
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in case you're wondering if the aran along had done schmeebot in, you're right. that darn sweater is all that i work on these days.
11" old plastic circular by bates
isn't it a sore sight? i bought them a while back at in stitches, sb. it snapped as soon as i joined the casting on stitches for the aran sleeve. argh!
even sorer yet...
those #@&*%$! crystal palace needles. that's the second time they broke. the opposite end fell off while i was in sb last week. i repaired it using borrowed epoxy so i had to walk to ace hardware on clement street this morning to get my own. this is the third time i've experienced crystal palace needle failure. i own at least 30 pairs of them so goodness knows i'll need the glue.
...
attn sb knitters:
i see this ad every single time i check my yahoo mail for as long as i can remember. suddenly, i recognize the brunette.
i know that's not her picture but i just can't help thinking every time, "hey, that's what's her name!" any gueses?
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| legs got himself a buddy |
thursday 02.03.2005 |
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he's got the cutest little garter stitch wings. i want to name him chuck because he was designed to be a chicken but ended up looking more like a duck. hm, i suppose dicken is a fair name, too. which do you like better?
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| itemized for your pleasure |
monday 02.07.2005 |
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i have been brewing on a 2005 to knit list well before the new year began. i gave myself until the lunar new year to have the all the items figured out. well, the deadline is two days away and this is all i have:
1. aran sweater or an imitation of one. i'm happy to report that it's 35%
complete.
2. socks. they will be the end of me.
3. throw pillows. i would like to make them with either fun colored yarns or
with complex stitch patterns, like this:
4. join at least one other knit along. i hope to participate in one that won't
require me to follow an exact pattern. if you plan on starting your very
own knit along, feel free to publicize it on schmeebot.
as for the general to do list, i have these:
1. start listing 100 things about me. i would like to list them as anecdotes
instead of mere statements. time to dust off those writing skills.
2. sew. i am now in possession of a fully operational sewing machine along
with all the required knick knacks. unfortunately, the urge to sew has
passed along with all the wonderful project ideas.
3. crochet. i want to revive the hook so i can copy making this.
4. (attempt to) raise $1,800 for the avon walk. i got a vote of confidence
from mariko, my very first pledge of $25. only $1,775 to go.
i want to continue adding to these lists well past the deadline. if you have such lists, please share them with me. consider it a call for inspiration.
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| not even a beanie |
wednesday 02.09.2005 |
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for all the knitting ideas that bang around in my little head and keep me up at night, i have nothing on the needles except that darn aran sweater. and it is not going very well.
new use for 16 inch us8 circular needles
i may never finish the aran at the rate i'm going. i've alternately knitted and ripped the one sleeve six times and i'm still unhappy. it's grim.
the good news is: one of the items on my to knit list just got crossed off!
4. join at least one other knit along. done!
how's your list looking?
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| number five |
friday 02.11.2005 |
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i've got a new item on my to knit list.
from the holiday 2004 jcrew catalog
yes, i'm a sucker for that dumb brand. i was instantly sold on the hook and eye closure. i don't like the yarn they used but i like the simple construction lots. the entire garment is made of moss stitch. i think the front border is knitted transversely from picked up stitches. pretty simple otherwise.
this morning i tested out my interpretation of the collar.
as i am no good at picking up stitches, i used garter stitch for the border. i used stockinette for the body to enhance the definition of the border. it's all experimental right now. the only thing i'm sure of right now is the the use of raglan sleeves. going for the usual seamlessness.
i don't quite like the look of the garter stitch border. i'll be knitting up a few more trials because there's a lot of room for improvement. it will be smooth sailing after i figured out the collar. i think.
have a great weekend, everyone!
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| love, finnish style |
monday 02.14.2005 |
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look what i discovered through minna in finland.
doesn't it look like it could be legs? i nearly used icords for his ears. i'm glad i didn't. otherwise i would have commited proper copyright violation.
would you happen to understand the writing on the picture? wish i could get an english translation for kati's website. such terrific illustrations.
have a lovely saint valentine's day, everyone!
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| crochet fun |
tuesday 02.15.2005 |
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i haven't posted any real knitting for a long time. i hope today's entry won't get schmeebot booted off the knitting bloggers' ring.
it has also been a long time since i've crocheted anything seriously. in my early twenties i crocheted afghans like there was no tomorrow. wish i could show you the very first afghan i made; it looked like an amoeba.
these days the only time i use a crochet hook is when it's required for my knitting projects: open cast on, multi row corrections. the last time i crocheted something i was showing off to erin that i had figured out how to make a crochet flower. in the process i ruined a good chunk of tracy's beautiful lace yarn.
i picked up the crochet hook to crochet for the first time today. i was trying to figure out the lovely stitch which the talented miss engman uses for her animals.
i think i got it. you can see it in the top half of that sampler. the trick now is to figure out how to increase and decrease a bit more gracefully.
graceful or not, i need to come up the entire animal fast. last week i made the mistake of challenging mg in berkeley to make an animal. as of today, not only has she finished it, she has already given it away! yikes!
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| my special palentine |
wednesday 02.23.2005 |
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i've got no knitting or crocheting news to report. i do have something to show off though. it's from a special someone who agreed to be my secret pal.
hand drawn original
i received it last week. isn't it wonderful? i know i'm getting very excited over a set of knitting instructions but you know how rare it is to get anything handwritten these days. so, to me, this is a work of art.
and i can't believe she gave it to me!
along with all the fine things from my secret pal, this is what i received:
now you know
i hope your secret pal is just as good to you. have a fine wednesday, everyone!
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