Shamrock Knits

SP Question 3

What would you consider the perfect amount of stash?

I'm going with the Yarn Harlot on this one. She gave an interview on one of the podcasts I listen to about stash. She said something along the lines that the "perfect" amount of stash is however much yarn you'd need to Not run out of after you retire. So when I retire, I want to be able to work on whatever project I want to.

Some of my friends make fun of me because a lot of times when I buy yarn, I buy a sweaters worth of yarn. A sweaters worth of a textured pattern, like cables, of course. :)

Drop Stitch Tank Progess

I'm almost done on the Drop Stitch Tank from Fitted Knits. It started over several times on this one, mainly because of the drop stitch rib is soooo stretchy. The pattern says to go down at least 6 inches from your normal bust size. I didn't go down enough the first time. I think I knit looser in my project than in my gauge again, so I went down even further.

This is knit in the round, up to the sleeve separation, using the second bust size. I moved the ribbing up a little and could have moved it up even further. I still have to knit the neck trim and I'm deciding whether to knit sleeves or not. I don't usually wear sleeveless tops, due to the flabby arms. I'm still debating about whether I'm going to knit ribbed sleeve caps or not. I'd be the only on Ravelry to do that. I've seen people wear a shirt underneath with sleeves, so I may see if I like that first.

I'll definitely not wear a belt underneath this top. You can see the buckle sticking out from the front view. You should see how bad that looks from the side! :) I do have a seamless belt. I'll have to see how that looks.

SP Question 2

This week's question is: As a kid, what did you look forward to most about summer vacation/break/holiday?

Not having homework! When I was little, I spent at least half the summer with my grandparents in Arkansas, grandparents in Chicago, my dad in northwestern suburbs, and at camp for a couple of weeks. This gave my babysitter, who had 4 kids of her own, some time off. I started working part time when I was 15.

During high school years, I had more time for socializing with my friends. Since I home, I got to hand out with my friends more than when I was younger. One summer, I worked at Sunny Hill Beach in Wauconda. The beach next door, Phil's Beach, was in the Blues Brothers movie. They drove the car around in the sand announcing for their concert. Anyway, I got to work at the concession stand on the beach selling snacks, drinks, ice cream, etc. That was the year La Bamba came out. (A long time ago, I know.) Someone would play the sound on the jukebox, which was hooked up to outdoor speakers at least once an hour. If I never hear that song again, I'll be happy.

Knitting Retreat 2008

Last weekend, I went to the Iwannaknit Knitting Retreat in Indiana, hosted by Knitting Today. It was the 10th anniversary of the retreat and this is my 5th year attending. I had a great time as usual. We had attendees again from both coasts, midwest, and the south. Some carpool and some fly (even with their machines). It's amazing what the internet can do to bring knitters together. Of course, I didn't take many pictures. Too much having fun. Exhausting though. Why you ask? Because we knitters hang out to about 1-2am socializing, knitting, etc and get up at 7am for breakfast and classes.

I only have a couple of pictures. This is Lee-Ann, the owner of Knitting Today, opening a gift for her 10th year retreat. She's part of Ft Wayne knitting group, and they gave her a lamb with the shop name embroidered on it.

The retreat started out for machine knitters only, but the last three years, there have been classes for hand knitters as well. This year's main hand knitting teacher was Lorna Miser (founder of Lorna's Laces). I didn't take any of her classes, but I heard they were fun. She's a blast to hang out with. BIG fan of the color purple. She was very outgoing and funny.

My last picture is from one of my machine knitting classes. It was a class about converting hand knitting lace to machine knitting. I've been wanting to make a table runner with shamrocks along the border. I found a hand knitting shawl pattern with shamrocks (clovers) on them, and converted it to machine knitting. This has the proper direction of the stitches for the yarn overs and corresponding decreases. I was using almost a worsted weight yarn so I could see what I was doing. I'll probably use a smaller weight for the actual project.

All in all, a good time was had by all. Of course it took me a couple of days to catch up on my sleep. :)

SP12 Question 1

My hostess for the Secret Pal 12 swap is going to give us weekly questions to answer so our swap partners can know each other a little better. Plus, it gets us blogging more frequently. ;-p

What's my favorite summertime beverage?

That's an easy one - lemonade, any kind/flavor. I like to drink it all year round, but a lot of restaurants only serve it during the summer. I've been trying to cut down on my pop (soda) drinking. At home, I drink water, cranberry juice, lemonade, and beer. I do seem to drink beer more often in the summer for some reason. Maybe because the warm weather reminds me of festivals and outdoor parties.

I also drink hot teas. Peppermint is my favorite. I never got into cold tea. Maybe it's because most people use the plain Lipton for iced tea. I like Hazelnut flavored coffee (again, only hot). I used to drink a ton of it at work and have cut back to a couple of days a week. One of my coworkers works on Tuesdyas and Thursdays and drinks the Hazelnut with me. I only make it now on those days.

Power of Positive Thinking

This is me and my momma. I love her dearly.

We found out a couple of weeks ago that she has colon cancer. My grandfather had it, but I didn't know that her grandfather had it. Three generations. I guess I'll be getting checked out much sooner than the normal person. My mom waited too long, mostly out of fear. My great-grandfather died from it. My grandfather had to wear a colostomy bag, but lived for years after the surgery. He was, however, cut my about the pelvis to his chest.

It's been a tough few weeks, but we're all keeping pretty positive about it. At least she had the colonoscopy done now, rather than waiting longer.... Surgery has improved alot. Most are done laporscopically. If surgery is needed, the incision goes to above the belly button area. Colon cancer is not normally an aggressive cancer. Her CT scan didn't show spreading to the lymph nodes, so that's good. They'll be removed and tested to be sure. There was a very small spot on her liver, but that could be a cyst (apparently common).

A few days after the surgery, we'll know what stage the cancer is. If it's one of the higher ones, the spot may be spreading and chemo could be needed. The doctor said that chemo works well for colon cancer and is tolerated well by the patients (meaning not a lot of losing hair or feeling sick). We'll cross that bridge if it comes.

Her surgery is scheduled for July 7th (7-7) sounds like a good, lucky day to us. We didn't plan it that way, so it must be a good sign. We all believe that she will get through this fine and hope her recovery will be short and as painless as possible. Once all goes well, she'll have yearly (or there-abouts) exams and any polyps will be removed before cancer has a chance to start. (If you're around 50, please get the exam. This is treatable.)

We can't have too many good thoughts and prayers, so please send them our way. Thank you.

More Fitted Knits

I finished the Bulky Mini Cardigan from Fitted Knits a few weeks ago, but I haven't sewn the buttons on yet. I used Cascade Revolution yarn from the Webs Anniversary sale. I made the body a little longer and the sleeves a little shorter than the pattern called for. I like how it came out. I have it held together by a DPN for the picture. I think the t-shirt and shorts are a nice touch too, don't you think? LOL

I also started the Drop Stitch Tank, using Cascade Pima Tencel. This one has been started three times. The pattern says to make it at least 6 inches smaller than the bust size. I wasn't making it small enough. It's still a little loose, but not too bad. I'm knitting it on circulars. The picture is from the side, so you can see the back on the right and the front on the left.

I decided to knit more rounds of the full drop stitch pattern and move the ribbing up to my waist area. I think this will accommodate my belly and bring it in for a little waist shaping. I guess I'll have to separate for the sleeves and knit flat after that. We'll see how many times it takes me to do that. I really like this yarn though. It's really soft and has a nice sheen to it.

 

Secret Pal 12 Questionnaire

1.    What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?

I love most yarns (even acrylics). The only ones I don’t care to work with are scratchy wools and novelty yarns.

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?

My Addi circulars in the original packets. The Knit Picks Interchangeable circulars are in the Knit Picks binder. My crochet hooks are in a pencil case.

3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?

I’d consider myself a beginner at crochet and advanced beginner at hand and machine knitting. I started machine knitting in Jan 2004 to make a baby blanket for my nephew’s baby shower. I’ve learned a lot of techniques on the machine (LK-150 midgauge), but I haven’t made too many garments. I started hand knitting Jan 2005. I still have issues with reading (more following) patterns correctly and have continual issues with gauge. I suspect that will be a lifelong battle. J I’ve only made simple things in crochet (edgings, toys), no garments or complex patterns yet.

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?

On Amazon, it’s under Heather Reagan, Woodridge, IL

5. What's your favorite scent?

I prefer clean scents (what you’d normally use in bathrooms), vanilla, and mint scents.

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?

I like the sweet and tarty candies like SweetTarts, Nerds, Lemonheads. I’m not a huge chocolate person, but I do eat it with peanuts or caramels. I don’t dark chocolate.

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?

I don’t spin. My other hobbies are machine knitting, crochet, and beading.

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)

I have an iPod and CD players. I like classic and hard rock, pop, smooth jazz. I don't care for rap and grunge rock. Some of my recent purchases have been Three Doors Down and Best of Ottmar Liebert.

9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand?

I love blues and greens. I don’t care for oranges or yellows.

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?

I’m single and have 2 cats.

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?

Scarves – yes, hats – sometimes, mittens – I prefer gloves, ponchos – I prefer other types of wraps instead.

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?

For machine knitting, blankets. For hand knitting, sweaters/tops. For crochet, toys/amigurumi.

13. What are you knitting right now?

I’m hand knitting the Drop Stitch Tank from Fitted Knits. On the machine, I’d like to start a lace shamrock table runner. For crochet, my nephew has placed an order for several amigurumi animals.

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?

Who wouldn’t? All gifts are great.

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?

I prefer circular needles. I have a few straights, but not many. I don’t have DPN because I use magic loop on circulars. I prefer metal needles.

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?

Both

17. How old is your oldest UFO?

I felted a poinsettia wreath for my mom almost a year ago, but I haven’t sewn them together yet.

18. What is your favorite holiday?

Christmas, Christmas, Christmas.

19. Is there anything that you collect?

Way too much. Signed 1^st edition hardcovers, movies (DVDs), and of course yarn.

20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?

I have subscriptions to Interweave Knits and Knitwords magazines, and 2008 Twist and Turns Newsletter (Janet Szabo). I don’t have a lace books. I also want The Cable Knitting Handbook by Annie Maloney or any books/old newsletters by Janet Szabo.

21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?

Learning how to make a garment that fits in the first attempt. It currently takes 2-3 attempts.

22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?

I’ve made one pair recently. I wear a size 7 ½ shoe.

23. When is your birthday?

May 16th

24. Are you on Ravelry? If so, what's your ID?

Yes! ShamrockKnitsIL

Knitting Time-Out and Charity Updates

It seems I can't work on a project unless I've started it three times. I've been trying to work on the Lacy Little Top, but I kept making it too big. I've officially given this project a time-out because I've frogged it now three times. It's got bad mo-jo around it right now. I'm a loose knitter and I've been knitting on size 1 needles because I felt the size 0 looked too tight. Kathy thinks I might knit looser during the project than I do for the gauge swatch. I guess she has done in the past. It's one possibility. Doree said that I seem to think I'm a bigger size than I am. That's a very likely possibility. I think there was discussion about ease with this pattern on Knitting Daily. I'll have to check that out before I start this project - again.

I've finally been catching up on the knitting podcasts that I listen to. Both WEBS and Stash and Burn mentioned donating to The House that Yarn Built. This is a team sponsored house in Brad Pitt's Make It Right organization for rebuilding a section of New Orleans. It takes around $150K to build an eco-friendly home. I've been buying a lot of yarn at the WEBS anniversary sale, that I figured I could at least donate $20 to the cause.

I also received an email from the Books For Soldiers group that I support the troops through. They've had difficulties raising funds this year, so they may have to end the site this year. They were also the target of a major cyber attack. The IT resources used alot of funds defending the website. I usually just send packages and forget to donate for the site maintenance, so I did that as well. It makes me mad though that they were specifically targeted. There's not enough fighting and hatred already?

Finished Socks

I finished my first pair of socks. Thanks to Kathy for giving me a sock tutorial. The yarn is a hand dyed yarn that Selena gave me for Christmas. I'm not thrilled with the color pooling, but the yarn is really nice. It's a little hard to see the cables, but they're all over these puppies. :)

I don't know if I'll make another pair for awhile, but I wanted to try them out. I really liked the toe-up cast on. That was pretty cool. Check another item off my list of what I haven't knit before.