On the Needles 10/17/2014

I can't believe it has been so long since I last posted. I had grand plans and ideas then life gets in the way.

Hopefully, I will be back for good.

First things first. I did change my blog name and page etc.  it better matches up with all of my other things. So, now I am  knitnpiece.blogspot.com 


I have finished ton's of things but of course still not as much as I want.

Last night it was my Loopy Academy Cowl project. I used the Father Time pattern. Yarn is Sweet Georgia Tough Love Sock  in Colorway Maple. I only ended up casting on 240 vs 300 stitches. I am going to say that was a design decision but in reality I lost my measurement somewhere and I was a tad to short. Oh well it still works. It ended up coming out about 5 inches wide so nice and cuddly when wrapped twice.

I guess I should have tried to get a better picture. One of these days I will improve.

For more needle fun head on over to Judy's.

Michelle

I will have lots more to show I promise.

Yarn Stash 7/25/2014

It has been awhile since I have done one of these. So I am sure my numbers will look really awful.

I finished wingpsan - so that was 1.25 skeins and 465 yards out.

I bought yarn for Loopy 2 - that was 2 skeins and 850 yards in.

I bought yarn for Loopy 3 - Cascade Superwash 5 skeins and 1100 yards - My favorite color of course is lime green so this worked out wonderfully.

I received my Into the Whirled - 1 skein and 460 yards in.

Finally, the big kahuna. I fell in love with these sock yarns and for some reason they showed up, shortly after first seen, on my door step.

So that is 8 skeins and 3680 yards. These will be some awesome socks as soon as I can get my Camp Loopy 3 done.

Used this Week: 1.25 skeins

Used this Year: 13.25 skeins
Added this week: 16 skeins
Added this Year: 68 skeins
Net Used this Year : - 54.75 skeins 


Used this Week: 465  yards
Used this Year: 2912 yards
Added this week: 5630 yards
Added this Year: 13929 yards
Net Used this Year : - 11017 yards (must get these projects off the needles) 


For more head on over to Judy's.  

Michelle

On the Needles Friday 7/25/2014

I can't believe it has been almost a month since I posted.

I worked a couple of Friday's and forgot to post, my birthday fell on another one, and last week I had to have a tooth pulled.

I have to work today but I made sure to get this ready before hand for a change.

I finished Camp Loopy 1, early too I might add, which for me is a shocker.

Wingspan done. I did have to buy another skein to finish go figure.

I also started Hermione's Everyday Sock. I am using an Opal yarn from my stash. I know can you believe it. I have never worked with 2 circulars before. I really am liking it. It is also the first time I have actually used sock yarn and not the original pattern I was taught with. I really want to get back to these but I had to put them on the back burner for Camp Loopy 2. 

It's is really hard to get a good picture here in the basement but it will have to do because it is the coolest part in the house right now. I have no AC and right now we are sitting at a pretty 90 - which is supposed to be like this through the weekend. Yuck.

My camp Loopy 2 project gave me some grief. I didn't like the original pattern I chose with the yarn I am using. So of course I changed everything around thinking I was ok. Went to order what I needed for Camp Loopy 3 and realized the yarn I was using was not purchased at the right time. Crap...back to other yarn and new pattern. It is a simple pattern which for me is what I need since I am a turtle knitter but this one is BORING and seemed to take forever.

For the next challenge I am making a baby blanket. I think that is the quickest way to use up the yardage required for me.  I also am suffering from tennis elbow or as I refer to it...remodel the house elbow..so I really shouldn't be knitting anyway.

For more needle fun head on over to Judy's .

I have some awesome stuff for Yarn stash to report to. Just loving my new yarn and can't wait to get into it.

Michelle.

On The Needles 6/20/14

I'm finished. Well except weaving in the ends and blocking. I will work on that this weekend. In between working and painting.

I really love the way it turned out. There are endless possibilities with this for sure.

Hopefully before the next Loopy starts I will have the painting of youngest sons bedroom done. Three different colors is not making it a quick paint especially since I don't know what kind of paint was on the walls originally. I just know that it took 6 coats of dark blue on the bottom and I was not a happy person. I have a lime green closet to paint today but I am seriously thinking about leaving it for my husband to do. I am suffering from tennis elbow and it is not helpful to be painting. Rest it for knitting is what I think needs to happen.

For more needle ideas head on over to Judy's.

On The Needles 6/13/2014

I am almost done with my Camp Loopy project. I just don't have enough yarn and I had to order more. No, it really doesn't make me happy but what can you do. I did order my yarn for project 2 at the same time so more yarn will be coming in.

It is a very easy knit and I love working on it. I was just really hoping I would be done this weekend. I have a bedroom that will be taking up all my time next week, painting is very time consuming.

I saw this yarn and thought of vampires which lead me to Twilight which is one of my favorite set of books so that is what I went with for the challenge.

For more on the needles head on over to Judy's.

Michelle

Hoping her yarn gets here quickly.

On the Needles 5/30/14

I have a finish. I do. I do.

I finally finished the fingerless mitts I was doing. So that will be really nice for my stash numbers, until add the dream club that came in. Oh well! What can you do?

Made with Liberty Wool

I am now ready for Camp Loopy when it starts on Sunday. I am still trying to figure out what yarn to use.

I am making the Wingspan.  What yarn do you think? I am leaning towards the blue because it has more than 400 yards on it (which is the minimum for the challenge) but I bought the black/red. Which is self striping. Hmmm....decisions, decisions.

Off to do some things around the house so I can knit all day Sunday. By then I am sure my body will need it.


For more ideas head on over to Judy's.


Michelle

On The Needles 5/16/2014

I can't believe it has been almost a month since I last posted. I guess time does fly when you are busy. I think I am going to have to change my routine around a little bit so that I can post more.

I haven't done as much knitting as usual. I have been working with wool and doing some blanket stitching on flannel as well not to mention the applique. I'm sure that will change a little bit next month with the Loopy Camp starting.

Let the updating begin.

I finished a cowl. It is Malabrgio Neck Thingie from Ravelry. I used Liberty Wool instead.

I finished my first hats for sailors, it came out smaller than I thought. I figure it will still work for someone.

It's is actually a Navy blue. Cascade super wash named In The Navy.

I am trying furiously to finish the next finger less glove before Camp Loopy begins. Hope I can get it done.

I have my Camp Loopy yarn and some other yarn that accidentally ended up in my cart. Come back for the report and I will show you the rascals.

For more eye candy head on over to Judy's.

Have a Blessed weekend,

Michelle

On the Needles 4/18/2014

I am making progress. Little by little.

I finished the first of my fingerless gloves. I still have to weave in the ends.

It didn't turn out to bad I don't think. Especially since this is my first time making one.

My hats for sailors is coming along. I was hoping to get to the decreases last night but I had a desire to sew so that is what I did.

 

 

I had and have some yarn coming in but I will wait and post all of that next week. Who knows maybe by then I will have these projects finished and then my numbers won't look to bad.

 

Off to sew and craft but first a Dr. apt for the kiddo since there is no school today. Hopefully the next week will be full of finishes. I only have to work one day and have classes one day out of the next 11...yippee!

 

For more temptations head on over to Judy's.

 

Michelle

On The Needles 4/11/2014

I totally spaced posting last week. My week was in a state of chaos even though I was off. Of course it doesn't help that we totally rearranged the basement which pretty much meant all of my quilt stuff since that is all that is down there. But, that story is for another day.

I did get some knitting done.

I finally finished piece 1 of the Kimono Cardigan for mom. Only have 4 to go.

It will definitely need some blocking since it just want to curl into a nice blob.

 

 

I am also working on a fingerless glove. I only have another inch or so then I can start the gusset for the thumb. I have only done it once before and it wasn't pretty. Hopefully this time will be a little bit easier.

I was really hoping for no stripes but oh well. The other one may not match exactly but that is ok. I have a cowl scheduled to be made for this set as well. Love the yarn though.

 

And because I didn't have enough to do I also cast on a Hats for Sailors. So too many projects and not enough time as usual. I also started the back of the cardigan but have only worked 3 or 4 rows so far.

 

It really looks purple in this photo but honestly it is a dark blue almost navy. Hopefully next time around I will have a picture that is color worthy.

 

I didn't get as much knitting done these last two weeks as I wanted. I spent a lot of time blanket stitching a wall hanging. It is times like this I wish I had more than two hands.

 

 

For more knitting neatos head on over to Judy's.

 

Michelle



 



 

 

On The Needles 3/28/14

Progress. I have progress. Not as much as I would like, of course, but some none the less.

I finished my Cornelia Socks for the Loopy Challenge. I literally and wove in the ends about 3 minutes ago. I forgot I still had to do the Kitchener stitch when I was getting ready to write this post.

These will be off to soak this morning.

 

 

I also switched gears a little bit and made some dish cloths. I did one knitting and 2 crocheting. I used to crochet all of the time but my hands don't like it anymore. I can sit and knit all day with no pain. Not so much with the crocheting. I was able to knock  of these out then my hands rebelled. It is really hard for me to knit or crochet with the cotton yarn, doesn't move as smoothly I guess.

 

I still have to give them a little blocking love. I wanted to finish up the skein of purple so I just crocheted another one just smaller. I love the smaller size ones anyway. My goal was to do one a month this year. I just smacked out 3 of them so I guess I can wait until June and do three more really quick. Might save my hands as well.

 

 

Then, instead of starting something new, which I really, really wanted to do, I went back to the Kimono Cardigan. I am almost done with one piece. I  only have about 6 more inches. I then will have 4 more pieces and then I will be done. So, maybe the completion date will be sometime in 2050..

I'm assuming I will have to block before I put the pieces together since the sides of this love to curl in.

 

 

I'm hoping I will be able to show as much progress next week but I doubt it. I have some major applique I need to work on. Oh well, there is always the week or two after right?

 

For more beauties and ideas head on over to Judy's.

 

Come back this afternoon and check out the numbers. They have gone done but I did it a little box of fun in the mail as well.

 

 

Michelle





On The Needles 3/21/2014

Didn't work on my sock as much as I wanted but I still made progress. I am hoping to finish it up before the next Needles post. That way I will be a head with the Loopy Challenge.

The kiddos are out of school next week for Spring Break and I only have to work one day so hopefully between football practice, football scrimmages, track practice, track meets (mind you that is only one kiddo) and hubby being home for a couple of days I can get some major stuff accomplished. One can only hope.

I even faltered and bought some yarn. Gotta fix that. Too much coming in not enough going out.

Michelle

Head on over to Judy's to see other progress.

On the Needles 3/14/2014

I am knitting. I really am.

Remember the Honey Cowl?

I was going to make this my Spring Loopy challenge. Well, I didn't like it so much. I decided to make a pair of thicker socks. I actually finished the first sock the other night but waited to graft it until yesterday. I have to really concentrate so I wait until no one is at home and I talk really loudly while I am doing it. Hey, no one said I was normal.

I love how the little bit of pooling happened. I think it will be a nice pair of crazy socks. I still have to use the pattern that I originally was taught with. For some reason I still get lost and confused if I try something different. Go figure. I must say that I would really like to learn how to do the toe a little bit differently. I really don't like the boxy look but I guess that will come with time.

I now have 2 weeks give or take to get the next sock finished before the deadline. That will also help me with my little challenge of finishing one set of socks a quarter.

I think I will have enough yarn left to make my niece a funky little set as well. Will have to make them a little bit bigger though since she seems to grow like a weed.

For more knitting ideas head on over to Judy's.

Michelle

As soon as I get the other one done my yarn stash will change too. I haven't been posting the last couple of weeks since nothing in and nothing out is the norm around here.

On the Needles 2/28/2014

I have a finish. It is not the most perfect. Matter of fact I had quit a few bumps along the way. But, for a first time sweater I don't think it was half bad. It made it through the was, not with out problems, so hopefully it won't fall apart anytime soon.

It is still a little damp but it is done. At least my numbers will change on the yarn report. Not that it will make a big difference since I have yarn to add.

 

 

Loopy Ewe has the new Spring Challenge out so I bought some yarn for that and started working on a Honey Cowl. I made one already but it was the small version. I am now making the larger version. Hopefully I can get it done in time. I was going to try and participate in the fabric challenge as well but I just have too much stuff to do and I am way behind. Sometimes you just have to say no.

 

I am using Lorna's Laces in Cornelia. I love the feel of the yarn and even though it wasn't really turning out the way I thought I am rather liking it now. It just looks like a piece of woven fabric. Now to go make some progress on it. Well, after kit cutting, machine piecing and whatever else I can come up with to do.

 

 

For more knitting ideas head on over to Judy's.

 

 

Have a great weekend.

 

Michelle

 



On the Needles 2/21/14

I have been really busy these last two weeks but it doesn't seem like I have been doing much. Between the weather and the kiddos my life has not been my own.

I am almost done with my first attempt at a sweater. I have one sleeve left. I keep telling myself that a one sleeved sweater will not be a fashion statement.

My goal is to get it finished this weekend. I have a Loopy Ewe package coming with the spring challenge and I only have a month to finish it. That is usually a really short time for me and I have to really work to get it done.

I'm also working on some applique so my time to sit and knit is split and makes it that much harder.

I also re-started the Kimono Cardigan for mom but for some reason it looks really small. I did a swatch and had to change needles but I may have to look at it again. Of course I also decided to start on a front panel vs. the back like before because it was smaller but this looks tiny. May have to put that on the back burner until the challenge is done.

Off to teach a Hexie class then home to sew and knit.

For more knitting ideas head on over to Judy's.

Michelle

On The Needles Friday 2/7/2014

I didn't get to post last week because it was crazy here. Cold weather, snow, more snow, school delays, school closures, snow, snow and well you get my drift. LOL.

I finished my Scaptastic Hat and I absolutely love it. I used Hand Maiden in Walnut.

I really need to find a better way to display these things. 3 jelly rolls under this makes it look kind of weird.

I love, love, love the yarn. I can see some more in my future.

 

 

I also started a sweater, first time ever, for my niece. I am figuring it out as I go. I did rip out the beginning about 4 times before I got the hang of it. Hopefully I can do the collar and the sleeves without a problem. I love the yarn as well. Hopefully within a couple of weeks I can finish it too....I have to many things on my list I wanna get to.

 

This is a pattern from Knitting Pure and Simple. I really think it is awesome. LOL..

 

I had a sock that I was working on for my 15 minutes a day project but I ripped it out. I knew it was too loose but I kept on going and after I turned the heel I finally smacked myself and said you know this is too loose why do you keep going? Do you really think it is going to miraculously tighten up on you? So, I have to start another project but haven't figured out which one yet.

 

I have a boat load of yarn that came in today. So my numbers this afternoon are not going to look very good at all.

 

Remember that cardigan I was working on for my mom? Well, I hated, hated, hated the yarn so I asked if I could find something else. That is what came in. So, now I get to start over on that, better after one piece than five I say.

 

So, off to figure out my totals for the yarn report.  I may have to go into hiding.

 

For more needle fun head on over to Judy's.

 

Michelle



On The Needles 1/24/2014

I have been a busy girl this week, on the knitting side anyway.

I finished my first piece of the cardigan, the back, by doing my 15 minutes a day.

This is before I finished it. It didn't look much different done so I didn't take another picture.

 

Then I finished my Racing Raindrops scarf for the Loopy Ewe Challenge. I really enjoyed worked with the beads. You can not see them really well but that is because I used smaller ones, it was what I had. I may make this again one day in the larger size. Yeah right.

I really need to find something to display my stuff on better. Guess I will put that on my to do list for someday.

 

 

I then finished this swirly twirly scarf for my niece. She had been asking for one for ever and so my mom had a skein of this funky yarn so off I go. I really dislike making these. They are easy but I think it is just because they are kind of fiddly to work with. But it is done.

Hard to see but I wasn't taking a selfie and this was the closest thing.

 

 

I then started a different project on my 15 minutes a day project. It is actually a UFO but new to the 15 project. I needed a break from the cardigan. I will probably get back to that after this sock is done.

This will be an ankle sock and then when the pair is done I will try and make a pair for my younger niece (she's only 3) since I don't need as much yarn. My SM is there since I have changed my 15 minute week from Thursday - Thursday to show progress on Friday.  This last week I actually finished the ribbing and then moved down to the SM.

I love seeing the progress from week to week. I like that it lets me know I have been making progress little by little.

 

Last but not least I cast on my Scraptastic Hat. I did have almost all the ribbing done but of course someone was talking to me and I lost my place and couldn't fix it so I had to tink and start over.

 

Handmaiden Casbah in Walnut - I like the one Denise did over at Justquiltin so I had to copy her.

 

At least my numbers will look good on yarn report this afternoon.

 

For more inspiration head on over to Judy's.

 

Have a great day.

Snow yesterday. High of 22. Highs through the weekends of 60. Then 30 and snow on Monday gotta love life here in Colorado.

 

Michelle







 

 

 





On the Needles Jan 17, 2014

Not a lot of progress made this week. Although, some days it seemed I just kept knitting and knitting and knitting and didn't get anywhere. I think I hit the cosmic vortex of stagnation, or so it seemed.

I am hoping that I will be done with my Racing Raindrops scarf AKA Loopy Ewe challenge this weekend. I am on the decrease side so my rows will be getting shorter as I go I just have to figure out how to keep Zeus off my lap. He loves to sit right in the middle of my lap and of course that is on top of the yarn. He doesn't mess with the yarn though which is a good thing.

Mind you this was after I moved my yarn because conveniently it was under his front side. Crazy gato.

 

Racing Raindrops - I think I am down to 50 or so repeats left. I felt like I was on 62 for about a year.

 

Kimono Cardigan  - I have been working on this for about a year. Well, ok, it has been sitting in its bag for about 3/4 of that time. So, I decided this year I would do 15 minutes a day 5 days a week on one project that I wanted needed to get done. The last 2 weeks (well this is the second week) this has been my project. I placed a marker and then spent 15 minutes a day. For me that came out to 3 rows a day. It doesn't seem like a lot but eventually it will be, because it will be done. I have about 2 more inches then I will be done with the back section, which is this piece. I have 4-5 more pieces to make probably the fronts and the arms but I will get to them eventually. I may decide after this is the right length the switch projects (this is for my mom and she keeps asking for it) or maybe not. I just feel content that I can do the things that are wanting my attention and still spend a little time with the oh not so nice things.

 

 

Hopefully next week I will have a finish to share maybe two but that is highly unlikely. I can only dream right?

 

For more needle goodies head on over to Judy's

 

 

Michelle

 



On the Needles - Jan 10,2014

I still have all of the same stuff on the needles. I have been knitting and knitting and knitting but don't seem like I am getting anywhere. I think that is because I keep casting on and for me that is a no-no. I just need to keep a few things going not a hundred.

I am almost half way done with my Racing Raindrops Loopy Ewe challenge scarf. Of course I have been saying that for almost a week. I will get to the half way point one of these days, hopefully this weekend.

Racing Raindrops - I only have 4 more repeats (24 rows) then I am half way done. I know the other half will go quicker since I will be decreasing. Or at least I can hope it will.

This is a the first of a pair of socks in the plain Jane style following the Yarn Harlot's guide.. I am using Springtime from Knit Picks.  First time I have used such small needles, and they are my new Karbonz, so it seems to take forever to do the ribbing. These will become my church socks. The other one I cast on for this purpose are going to be short socks so they will be my stay at home and knit socks. Let's see how long they take me to finish.

For more goodies head on over to Judy's.

On the Needles 1/3/2014

Yes! I finally finished the socks I started in April. No one said I was fast but I can be steady. Well, most of the time. I can say these were not something I worked on all the time more like a little bit here and there. I have found that they became my church socks. I realized when knitting these during service I concentrated on the Pastor more. So, I sit and knit with my Bible and notebook open next to me and make notes as needed. Who would have thunk it. I am going to have to get another pair cast on so that I am ready for Saturday.

My Antarctic socks. Made with a Zauberball Sock yarn in who knows what color because I lost the little paper (it's been so long).

These were for the pooling challenge Judy did way back when. I am happy to say I did get a little bit which is good.

 

 

I also, late last night, remembered I wanted to cast on my Dr. Who? scarf so that I could work on it throughout the year. I am not in any hurry but let me tell you I did not want to put it down last night. Might have something to do with the fact that I decided to have a large cup of coffee at 730 because I was falling asleep while we were watching Lincoln (good movie by the way). Needless to say it did take me along time to fall asleep, guess I won't be doing that again anytime soon. Anyway, I loved the simplicity of this pattern and I love the yarn. It is a simple garter stitch using Lorna Lace's. It seems like huge bulky yarn since I am also working on my Loopy Ewe Challenge.

Loopy Challenge - Racing Raindrops Pattern using Beads.

Dr. Who? Scarf

 

 

 My Challenge is using lace yarn and beads. Big difference for sure. I am about 1/4 of the way through so I am still hoping to be done by the end of the month. I only have a little more hand work I have to finish up then I can just knit at night.

 

 

 

 

 

For more knitting goodies head on over to Judy.

 

 

Michelle