Today 1,459 yards

We had work knitting today so I got a lot done.

5 Days and counting 1309 yards!

Check this out

I saw this video of knitting with 1,000 strands of yarn. That's crazy!!! I have a hard time knitting with 2 strands, let alone 998 more.



At this moment, knitting one strand at a time, I'm at 1,099 yards for this month.

Posh Vino Pouch

As you may recall The Boyfriend asked me to knit him 7 wine cozies in under three weeks. I accepted the challenge and created a new pattern, knit like the wind, felted them and had them all dry and ready to go by December 21st. He gladly gave them, with the necessary wine to coworkers and faculty. Well, all except one which he didn’t give to the intended recipient until last week when he saw her for the first time since then. She was thrilled with the gift and a few days later wrote to say “Thank you for the wine sock”. I had to laugh, I guess in the regular non-knitting world the word cozy isn’t frequently used.

Posh Vino Pouch
© 2009, Mychawd
This wine cozy paired with a bottle of wine makes a perfect gift for the host of any party. The felted nature will keep chilled bottles cool and the handles makes it a convenient tote bag.

Materials you will need:
J.Knits Dreamy Worsted -3 or 4 skeins
US Size 13 16” circular needles
Tapestry Needle to weave in ends

Finished measurements: 17” by 10” around

Gauge: 12.5 sts x 12 rows for 4”

Main Color (MC): Indiana (Stripes) or Iowa (Dimonds) 2 Skeins
Contrast Color 1 (CC1): Georgia (Stripes) or Santa Fe (Dimonds) 1 Skein
Contrast Color 2 (CC2): Rancho Mirage 1 Skein

Base of the Cozy:
Cast on 6 sts, connect to work in the round
Round 1: Knit
Round 2: Kf&b each stitch (12sts)
Round 3: Knit
Round 4: *Kf&b, K1* repeat 5 more times (18sts)
Round 5: Knit
Round 6: *Kf&b, K2* repeat 5 more times (24sts)
Round 7: Knit
Round 8: *Kf&b, K3* repeat 5 more times (30sts)
Round 9: Knit
Round 10: *Kf&b, K4* repeat 5 more times (36sts)
Round 11: Knit
Round 12: *Kf&b, K5* repeat 5 more times (42sts)
Round 13: Knit
Round 14: Purl
Round 15: Purl
The base of the cozy is now complete, you will now simply knit in the round until piece measures 13”

To achieve Pink stripped pattern...
Knit with MC until piece measures 7” from second purl row, work 2 rounds CC1. Change to MC, work 3 rounds. Change to CC2, work 4 rounds. Change to CC1, work 4 rounds. Change to MC, work 3 rounds. Change to CC2, work 2 rounds. Return to MC and work until piece measures 13”
Work Handles.

To achieve Brown diamond pattern…
After completing round 15 above, knit 4 rounds (MC).
Round 1{Kf&b K1 (MC), *K1 (CC1), K3 MC repeat from * 4 times} repeat portion between {} once more (44sts).
Round 2 *K1 (MC), K3 (CC1), repeat from * 10 more times.
Round 3 Knit (CC1).
Round 4 *K1 (MC), K3 (CC1), repeat from * 10 more times.
Round 5 K3 (MC), K1 (CC1), repeat from * 10 more times.
Return to (MC) and work until piece measures 11”.
Repeat round 5. Repeat rounds 2-5. Return to (MC) and work 4 rounds, piece should measure 13.5”
Work Handles.

Handles
Round 1: Knit first 21 sts and place stitch marker
Round 2: (CC1) K3, (MC) K16, (CC1) K5, (MC) K16, (CC1) K2
Round 3: (CC1) K3, (MC) K16, (CC1) K5, (MC) K16, (CC1) K2
You will now work back and forth between stitch markers, working one side of the handle while the other side waits. Then you will work the second side as the first.
Row 1: Worked over 21 stitches, (CC1) K2tog, K2, (MC) K15, (CC1) K2, Turn (20sts)
Row 2: (CC1) P2, (MC) P14, (CC1) P2, P2tog, Turn (19sts)
Row 3: (CC1) K2tog, K2, (MC) K7 K2tog, K4, (CC1) K2, Turn (17sts)
Row 4: (CC1) P2, (MC) P11, (CC1) P2, P2tog, Turn (16sts)
Row 5: (CC1) K2tog, K2, (MC) K5 K2tog, K3, (CC1) K2, Turn (14sts)
Row 6: (CC1) P2, (MC) P8, (CC1) P2, P2tog, Turn (13sts)
Row 7: (CC1) K2tog, K2, (MC) K3 K2tog, K2, (CC1) K2, Turn (11sts)
Row 8: (CC1) P2, (MC) P5, (CC1) P2, P2tog, Turn (10sts)
Row 9: (CC1) K2tog, K2, (MC) K4, (CC1) K2, Turn (9sts)
Row 10: (CC1) P2, (MC) P3, (CC1) P2, P2tog, Turn (8sts)
Row 11: (CC1) K2tog, K2tog, K3, (5sts)

Now begin working as an I-cord using only (CC1). Work I-cord for 3”, place on holder.

Return to held stitches, begin working on side where there are 3 stitches in (CC1). Work rows 1-11 as above.

Kitchener stitch the two I-cord pieces together. Piece measures 7” in diameter and 24” in length from cast on to Kitchener stitches.


Weave in ends and felt.


Being careful to not over felt, check size every 5 minutes until desired dimensions are reached, 5” in diameter and 17” in length from cast on to Kitchener stitches.

Spring has Sprung

Saturdays are typically a day of knitting, napping, sunshine and history. I knit while listening to audio books or podcasts while The Boyfriend reads. Then we usually watch something history related during which I continue to knit and he takes a nap. MacOban and Linus alternate taking naps in the sun or on us.

The difference this Saturday is that my knitting mojo seems to have abandoned me. I cast on a new sock, knit 3 inches while designing a pattern that will appeal to men, and then decided that I was using the wrong needle size. Rippppppp

I have 8 rows to go on the cuff on the birthday socks and can’t get motivated to pick them up.
And I’ve now cast on again but each row seems tedious. This is so odd since the toe and heel are my favorite parts of a sock. Perhaps it’s that the color doesn’t move me. I was digging through the knitting bag and found those Sugar Maple, red-yellow socks I had to knit. I haven’t touched them in weeks but I’d sort of like to be working on them right now.

Due to the lack of knitting mojo, I went for a walk around the yard. It’s in the 46 degrees out. The snow is melting and the tulips are starting to poke up through the mulch. It’s dinner time. “Here comes the Fun Cooker!” Perhaps I’ll have something to eat and try knitting again.

Life as a Samurai

Day 14 of the cold and I’m still raspy. Fortunately, every day is better than the day before. I caught the cold from a co-worker and both Julie and I came down with it at the same time. But neither of them have the lovely smokers voice that I do, same cough though. I’m wondering if this is a sign that when I’m older I’m going to be like my Grandmother and Aunt who have frequent laryngitis. Can you imagine a Samurai with so much to say and unable to say any of it?!?! Oh nose!!!!

This past week the Seacoast Knitters had the St. Patrick’s day swap. As you can see, fingerless mitts were the hot item.

I’ve been knitting like a fiend to try and make a birthday deadline on a pair of socks. It’s so nice to knit for someone with the same size feet as myself. I can keep trying them on to be certain that they’ll fit her. These are the Staccato Socks by Veronik Avery. It’s a great two row pattern. I think it would be better highlighted with yarn that is more variegated, maybe a 5 or 6 color sock yarn instead of the 2. It’s lovely none the less.

Tonight The Boyfriend is out and I’ll be eating Pad Thai, watching Law & Order SVU and knitting til my hearts content, or I get sleepy, whichever comes first.

Oh and FYI I'm at 782 yards knit this month. Another 1,000 and I'll make my mile. Yeah...if I stopped working and knit for 8 hours a day for the rest of the month, maybe I'd make it.

3 Levels of Sickness

It’s been a long week. Lots of coughing and sneezing as I struggled through a severe cold. Based on my 20+ years of experience with colds and flues, I submit that there are three levels of sickness.

• First Level of Sickness: you are sick, so sick that can’t work or go to school. But you are able to take medication, to dull the symptoms. You can focus your attention allowing you to read your book report book you are behind on, or knit complicated patterns that will take your mind off of the unpleasantness in your body.
• Second Level of Sickness: not only are you too sick to work, but you are too sick to concentrate. You feel achy and the medication isn’t enough to relieve your suffering. You can watch TV and may be able to knit stockinette for short bursts but are frequently frustrated by your constant need to blow your nose and take Tylenol. (This by the way always upsets my stomach if I take it for more than 4 hours, so I get the added bonus of stomachache!)
• Third Level of Sickness: you sleep. You can’t do anything except sleep. No TV, no knitting, no reading. Barely any eating because you need to sleep.

I spent the majority of the last 7 days between the second and third levels which means scarcely a stitch was knit. There is no way I can make it to a mile by the end of the month.

I did finish the Melaine socks. They are thick and tall. I like them but am no longer crazy about the color. It goes well with jeans though.

I also started a bag for my new laptop. It’ll be felted when I’m finished and knit on size 11s it’ll be a quick knit. I’m using Berroco Jasper and Oak Grove Studio Kid/Merino Blend that I got at Rhinebeck.

I’m also working on another sock pattern for the J.Knits Fall 09 line. It’s the first man’s sock I’ve ever knit. I love the pattern and of course am a fan of the colorway.

'Cause only k-nitwits like to k-nit

The other day my Mum sent me the lyrics to the Fraggle Rock Doozer Knitting Song...I thought you'd like to hear the song too.

What's your word

Your Word is "Love"

You see life as possibility to form deep connections with a few people. Relationships are the center of your world, and you always take time to bond with those you love. You are caring and giving. You enjoy helping those you love. And when it comes to romantic love, you feel passionately ... even in a very long term relationship.

What's Your Word?

Clear the Sock Needles Update

I’ve completed three pairs of socks this month. I was aiming for four but I feel like that’s just not going to happen. I have 5” leg and 3.5” leg. For the sake of the challenge I could make them 5” socks and say I’m done. But that would compromise my vision for the socks. Knit on size 2s & 3s they are going to be thick and boot sock-ish. I want to use more of the yarn than I normally do and I want to make them 6.5” with at least 1.5” of 2x2 ribbing. I’m certain that I will finish these socks this weekend but with a busy day ahead of us, I won’t be able to finish them today.

Warning: The rest of this post is for my sake not yours. Not an entertaining entry. There I've placed the disclaimer, now it's your own fault if you read on about my savings and stash reduction plan and find it less than riveting.

I did take a 3 day break from socks this week and knit Na-at-tay two hats. He’s shipping out and I wanted to be sure he has a good washable alternative to the Zissou hat, which is hand wash. I don’t want to be a slave to my monthly challenges. I just want goals to work towards and attempt to achieve. To that end, I’m thinking it may be time to knit a mile in a month. I have some felting projects for Mum that need my attention and a few more non-sock gifts that should be attended to.

For the record I have not purchased yarn from a store since, 2/8/09, ok and from an online vendor since 2/20/09. I know it’s not long but I’m going to make a conscience effort to pare back the yarn purchases until Rhinebeck. I’m not going to give up buying yarn (I don't think that would be possible) but I am going to start squirreling away my yarn allowance so that I have plenty of funds. I’m thinking something like every time I go into a yarn shop and don’t spend the usual $50, I pocket the remaining money towards Rhinebeck. I know, you may not be a knitter and may not understand what I’m saying here. But the Seacoast Knitters in small or big groups frequent 1-3 shops a month. That’s 8-24 trips between now and Rhinebeck…that’s a $200-$600 in savings if I can limit myself to $25 per trip instead of the usual $50. I’ll be keeping track of my progress. 64.8 miles.

But, my yarn spending habits are not the purpose of this post. I’m going to knit a mile out of stash yarns. Knit a mile and not buy a replacement mile. Knit a mile, and make room for more? Knit a mile, that’s 1760 yards. Knit a mile, that’s about 5 pairs of socks for me. Knit a mile, that’s about half of the chunky wool bin.