On the Needles 4/15/16

I have a finish or two and I have a pita on the needles.

I finished my Loopy Academy socks and the shawl (but not picture have to block and weave).

Julie Spins - Saltwater Taffy

I have the yarn ready for the extra credit - still deciding on pattern.

I also finished my nieces pullover.

Azel Pullover - Bernat Softee Chunky - True Gray

My current project I am working on is a hat for Loopy Academy - I am working the 20 miles or ribbing with the KTBL to qualify. I'm not to thrilled with it but after trying Lindon Loop and ripping out 3+ times then switching to Whether the Weather hat and ripping out 3+ times, co pilot cowl and ripping out 2+ times ....well, I decided a simple hat is what this yarn will be. I will win!!!

I am off to Loopy Fling next week so I have a lot of quilting and knitting to do between now and then. Maybe with the snow storm we are supposed to get I can get a lot done.


For more Needle inspiration head on over to Judy's.

Michelle

On the Needles Feb. 12, 16

I missed the last On the Needles which was just as well since my projects that were on the needles were all ripped out. I made mistakes on both of them so had to start over. Go figure.

I am working on Loopy Academy Projects because I don't have enough other stuff on the needles to work on. I can say I haven't worked on any of them either. If I don't get back to the pullover for my niece she will be too big for it.

I am working on my socks, which when I finish will be my first pair on magic loop. I spent 2 days at the beginning of the year trying to do two at a time and couldn't get it. Someone recommended doing one at a time til I got the hang of it and by golly it is working a little bit easier for me. As of right now I can say I really like the way it knits. It is a lot easier on my hands to compared to DPN's as well.

Saltwater Taffy yarn by Julie Spins. I can say it reminds me more of sand and surf than taffy but I am loving it. I was going to make ankle socks but I think I will just keep going and make full socks.

My second project for Loopy Academy was a twisted stitch. I chose Linden Loop. It doesn't look like much here but the stitches are awesome. I ripped this one out twice, go figure. I just can not work on anything that has more than simple stitches while anyone is around. Although, I must admit, when working on this I say the pattern out loud continuously. So if there was some one listening in they would think I was crazy. Who knows maybe I am. 

I am 1.5 repeats in so I only have 1.5 to go. I honestly can not wait. I am so tired of doing tbl ( get confused easily) that I could scream and don't get me started on the yo's. I did learn to do my first slpsso so that is a good thing.

I am hoping to at least have the cowl done by next week. Maybe a sock but they are slow going for me.

Linden Loop in Rios (I think)

For more ideas head on over to Judy's ( who I think is going to Fling this year - and so am I ).

Have a great weekend and get lots done.

Michelle

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On the Needles Jan 15, 2016

Not a bunch of stuff has been done this week. Trying to get back into the groove of working.

I spent all day New Years Eve trying to master two at a time cuff down on magic loop. It was not a success. I posted in one of my Facebook groups (Addicted to sock knitting) and someone suggested trying one at a time. Why I didn't think of that who knows! So that is what I did. I mastered the cuff then realized my gauge is way different. So I frogged and used a smaller needle and I have success.

I am doing these at the same time. I am just using to different needles and rotating around. Harder way to do it but I will get them done close to the same time. I really am like the magic loop, of course I haven't done the heel or anything yet. They are Inversibles, one will be more purple the other more turquoise.

The Hornet. I am just a couple of inches away from the toe. Last night I was cruising along and ended up with a rats nest from here to next week. I tried as hard as I could but alas I had to cut the yarn. Thank goodness it was as the beginning of the round. I ended up spending close to 2 hours untangling the mess and I never did find the other end. I ended up cutting off the last small knotted area. Clueless as to how it happened since the stinking cake was in a ziplock back. Oh well I will get back to these soon. 

My goal was to finish a pair by the end of the month but I don't know if that will happen. I am slow and with the socks that have a pattern on them I really have to concentrate especially if it is a larger pattern. The Hornet socks is a 9 row repeat and therefore I have to concentrate. Hopefully I can finish this one this weekend and start the next one. Still have a little time left in the month. I can only hope.

Although, all this sock knitting means nothing else is getting done. I need more hands.

Head on over to Judy's for more ideas.

Michelle

On the Needles 1/16/2015

I tried really hard. Honest! I really wanted these socks done so I would have a finish today but it just didn't happen.

I did finish the first one and I am decreasing on the heel now. I would like to say I will have them finished by the end of the weekend but I don't see that happening. I guess I will aim for next needles post. It will be good for my stash numbers too.

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

Actually off to sew now.

Michelle

Yarn Report 1/9/2015 - Week 2

I knew this week my numbers were not going to be good. The yarn I ordered last year arrived this year. Go figure. The things I am working on are longer term projects and will take awhile. I really need to learn to knit a little bit faster. I don't think I will every be a cheetah but a step up from a turtle would be good.

Left to Right

My last (I think) Dream Club - Starry with sparkle - 450 yards

WSK - Western Sky Knits - Rainbow Night - 400 yards

Tumbleweed Yarn - Sidewalk Sand Kit - 400 - yards

WSK - Western Sky Knits - Pretty Little Hedges - 400 yards

Now for the lovely numbers.....

Used this Week:  0 skeins

Used this Year: 1 skeins
Added this week: 4 skeins
Added this Year: 4 skeins
Net Used this Year : 1 skein

Used this Week: 0 yards
Used this Year : 198 yards
Added this Week: 1650 yards
Added this Year: 1650 yards
Net Used this Year: 1452 yards (red is not good)


Off to get some things moving. KNIT! KNIT! KNT!


Michelle

Head on over to Judy's for more reports.

On the Needles 1/9/2015

I have a lot of stuff on the needles. Most if is stuff I don't want to work on, I lost my mojo, but I really need to. I want this stuff done so I don't feel bad and I can move on to more things.

My goal is to have all of this stuff done and off the needles by the end of March.

Hermione's Everyday Socks - Almost done.

Plain Vanilla Striped Socks - Pattern from Yarn Harlot book.

Jared's Seattle Hat - Michele by Sarah Montie - This will be my 3rd hat from this pattern. Love it.

Kimono Cardigan - I have one front done, this is the back, still have 2 sleeves and another front to do.

Vanilla Latte Socks - I am on the heel flap on first sock. I shouldn't have started these but I really wanted to try my new needles.

Dr. Who Scarf - Not very far on this one at all and it has been sitting around for over a year.

Relax Shawl - Also been sitting around for awhile. It was supposed to be for a Camp Loopy last year but didn't make it. I do a row every now and then.

Mrs. Winkle - May have to tink and start over. I think I made an error. This is one of my long term projects my goal is to do a loop every couple of days.

Matchmaker - My other long term project. I really like this one and I really really want to work on it but I keep telling myself do some of these other things first.


I also know my knitting time will decrease a little. I usually only knit or do hand work at night and I have a wool applique and hand applique BOM starting soon that I told myself I would keep up with. Oh! there is just not enough time in the day. I spend way too much time procrastinating. I wonder if they make anti-procrastinating pills. HMMMM

Here is to hoping I can reach my goals with out the "I wanna start something new bug" hitting me. Of course Loopy Academy starts soon and I really shouldn't do it but I will probably end up doing it and I really don't have time to do it but I know I will probably do it. Not good, Not good at all.


Michelle

For more pretty's head on over to Judy's.

Yarn Report 1/2/2015

I know this is only the second day of the New Year but I was on a roll and actually have some outgoing yardage. I won't mention the yarn coming in that I ordered last year but of course won't arrive til later today I am sure. Oh well, I won't add it until next week so I will have pretty good numbers for at least 1 of the 52 weeks.

Used this Week: 1 skeins

Used this Year: 1 skeins
Added this week: 0 skeins
Added this Year: 0 skeins
Net Used this Year : 1 skein

Used this Week: 198 yards
Used this Year : 198 yards
Added this Week: 0
Added this Year: 0
Net Used this Year: 198 yards

Here is a close up of the cowl I finished yesterday. I am calling it Mary's Cowl. It is a really nice pattern for those 200 yd skeins we all love to buy.  Pattern: Blue Roan Bell Cowl

Head on over to Judy's to see how everyone else is doing.

Michelle

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 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



 



 

 

Yarn Report 3/21/2014

One of these days my numbers will be good. When? I have no idea but one can only hope. I am still working on my sock. Hopefully I will have that finished by next week. I then plan on making some dish cloths. Of course, I had to go buy some yarn to satisfy that desire.

Hopefully between the sock and some dish cloths I can make a little dent here.

Used this Week: 0 skeins
Used this Year: 4.5 skeins
Added this week: 6 skeins
Added this Year: 44 skeins
Net Used this Year : -39.5 skeins 


Used this Week: 0  yards
Used this Year: 1242 yards
Added this week: 815 yards
Added this Year: 5580 yards
Net Used this Year : - 3523 yards (must get knitting)


For more stash reports head on over to Judy's.

Have a great knitting week everyone.

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

A Tale of a Mitten or 2, or, 3

Once upon a time there was this lovely young lady  knitter who decided to make her niece a lovely pair of mittens to go with the lovely hat. Now, said person had never made a pair of mittens before. It can't really be that hard right?

The pattern picked the aforementioned knitter began knitting in earnest. Following the pattern to the letter. She continued to knit and knit and knit and knit. In the back of her lovely mind she kept thinking this mitten was looking kind of big, but never having done the pattern before chose to continue. Now mind you this is not even in the round, it will be seamed later. Finally, after what seemed like days the glove was done, all ends woven in and seamed up. Then, reality set in. This mitten was big enough for said knitters hand with a little bit of room. The said knitter also wondered after looking at the picture on the pattern why her mitten didn't look the same. Well, other than the obvious gargantuan size, she also messed up the right side and the wrong side so now there is this nice ridge that shouldn't be there. Now mind you not once but twice.

Attempt 1 - really doesn't look that large in the picture but try and picture this on a 3 year old.  My thoughts exactly!



After sometime had passed, about one day (it is Christmas season), the poor, poor knitter decided to tackle another mitten with a different pattern. I mean she still has a whole skein of yarn left, plus a little more at that. The knitter is happily knitting away with her new pattern on size 4 dpns (tell you about those later). She is merrily knitting round and round following the pattern. She also has never knit onto scrap yarn but she merrily goes with flow and actually realizes she can do this. Now, by this time she is almost done with the one mitten and will only have to back and do the thumb. No worries she's got this, except one minor little detail. The stinking DPN's she is using are shorter than what she usually uses and they are killing her. Well not really but poor knitter's hand is being rubbed raw  sore. She can handle this though the is almost done and by golly she was a Marine at one point of time. Finally, after another day or so she is done with mitten 1. It is awesome. She figured out how to get the waste yarn out, pick up stitches, and go the distance.

The next day she starts the "matching" mitten. No problems. All is right in the world she will zip through this mitten and will be done with another project and able to move on up to other things. Since said knitter was on a roll she finished the mitten in a day (pretty quick for her too) but 9pm that day she only had to do to more rounds on thumb and weave in ends. She's got this. Bam...she is done. She proudly holds up for hubby to see and marvel at the wonders of the mittens that she created.

Now, the said knitter is enjoying her success immensely. Then reaching across the 12 inches she has to reach to get the other mitten and put them together to wash the travesty sets in. They DO NOT MATCH.  What they heck?

Then the reality sets in. She didn't read the directions properly from mitten one to mitten two. Go Figure! Even though when poor knitter is starting second mitten she has a momentary thought of "I don't remember doing a ribbing on the first one" but it just must be me.  Oh why, why did she not reach those short few inches and check the first mitten. She didn't even have to get up for goodness sakes.

So, now the poor, poor knitter has 3 mittens and none of them match. Guess what said knitter will be doing with the stinking DPNS from hell the basket. You got it! She will now spend the next day or two making not one but TWO more mittens. One with ribbing, the proper ones, and one without commonly referred to the oven mitt.

Will said knitter be making anymore mittens after this any time soon? Not if she can help it.

Come back on Friday to check out my On The Needles post and just maybe there will be 2 sets of mittens.

Michelle

PS. Hubby asked what I was going to do with the first lonely mitten attempt. My lovely response..."why, hang it on the Christmas Tree since there is not such thing as an ugly mitten".

On The Needles - Nov 1, 2013

Let me just say that when you give up on procrastination you actually get something done. I have been working on 4 projects every night. I may only do a little bit of each one but I do something. Normally it is hand sewing, then knitting, then hand sewing, then knitting. This way I rest my hands and I actually am making a lot more progress than I figured I would.

This is a block of the month I started awhile ago. I am no hurry to finish the complete afghan anytime soon but I wanted this block done. I only worked a repeat a day and it only took a little while but it is done. The second picture shows the true color a little bit better.

 

I like the idea behind this BOM because it has things I have never done in various blocks, bobbles, cables, chart reading to just name a few. But, I did tell myself that before I did another block I need to finish the back of the cardigan for my mother. So that will now become my 15 minutes of knitting, the rest of the knitting time is on my socks. I am just finishing up the heel now.

 

 

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

 

 

Have a blessed day,

Michelle

On the Needles 10/4/2013

I really haven't done a bunch of knitting or anything else for that matter this last week. It was another hectic week around the household and then the government had to do its thing so now my DH is home with me for awhile. Guess we might start painting next week. So much for my plans.

Anyway, I have been working on this Kimono Cardigan for my mom for a long, long, long time. Well not all of the time there may have been months and months in between picking up the needles on this but that is besides the point right.

I'm hoping in the next century to at least get the back done so I can do the other pieces. I just knit slow so it seems to take twice as long.

I need to get to 27 inches to complete this portion.

 

See the stitch marker. See the needles. I timed myself to see how much I could get done in an hour. That was it. I didn't get up. I didn't stop. I had pedal to the metal. I hope with time I get faster because at times it is so frustrating. I normally don't mind the speed but when I want to get this cardigan done it is a drivin' me nuts.

 

 

For more lovelies head on over to Judy's

 

 

Michelle

On the Needles 8/30/13

Can believe August is almost over? I can't. 

I finally finished my Camp Loopy 3 project yesterday, talk about cutting it close. I chose a very easy (and boring) project because I really didn't think I would be able to get it done. We had to use 800 yards, I used 894. I still have to wash and block it but right now I am considering it done.

I found the pattern for this on Purlbee.  I think I will be working on dish cloths for the next little bit.  Although, I have a friend visiting and she showed me this really neat sampler afghan made with 12" squares, that might be a project that jumps up in the line.

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

Have a great and safe weekend everyone.

Michelle

On The Needles 8/9/13

I am slowly but surely working my Camp Loopy 3 project. I was doing good then realized I didn't like the way the sides were turning out so before I had to change colors I ripped out and started over. I now feel like I am way behind.

I have one row left on the second color then I can move on to the third. I really hope I can power through this and get it done. My fingers hope so to.

This will have a total of 7 different colors in it. Not bad for a simple baby blanket. It is times like these I really wish I knit quicker. Don't think it will happen anytime soon though.

 

 

 

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

 

 

Michelle





On the Needles 7/12/2013

With Camp Loopy in full swing I actually have and on and an off the needles. A rare occurrence since I am a slow knitter.

I finished Camp Loopy 1 which was a scarf. I was really excited because I actually finished a week early.

This is the mediation infinity scarf off of Ravelry. I really enjoyed making this and of course I learned a couple new stitches.

 

I am using this yarn.

This is my Camp Loopy 2 project. I have to use at least 500 yarns and a pattern that had over 100 projects found on Ravelry. So of course I still need simple so here you go. I chose to do Gathered Scarf it does have some new to me stitches as well. For some reason  I don't find this one as enjoyable as the last one. I think it is because I have to pay more attention since it is a 13 row repeat that I can't seem to memorize. The infinity scarf was a 2 row repeat and I got that one done pretty quick. I also have to use 2 needle sizes on this one and it is a small pain going from a size 4 back up to a 7 with a kfb but I will get r done. I just hope I can have a week break with this one as well. Especially since my quilting/sewing time seems to suffer a bit when I am knitting so much.

 

On a lovely side note. I was knitting the other night while the Colorado Rockies were playing and my husband looked over at me and said "It just occurred to me that you have become my knittress."  I just smiled and kept on knitting..gotta love that man.

 

 

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

 

 

Have a blessed week everyone.

 

Michelle

 

On The Needles 6/28/13

I have been busy knitting for a change. As a matter of fact that is all I have wanted to do which is no good for my Dear Jane or any other sewing for that matter.

I finished my Camp Loopy project 1...

I then finished my first Antartic sock, it is just a plain sock. This was my one attempt at the pooling challenge, which didn't work. Ironically this sock is supposed to pool. Not.

I will spend this weekend working on Dear Jane and then my mom's Kimono cardigan. I told her she may get it by Christmas 2017 at the rate I knit, but it's the thought that counts right.

For more knitty goodies head on over to Judy's.

Michelle

Camp Loopy 2013 Project 1 Done

I have a knitted finished, that is a rare thing as it is, but this one is for Camp Loopy. I even have a week before the next project starts. I just finished a 400 yard project, and it took me 3 weeks, the next one is 500. I really hope the last one doesn't kill me.

It is the Meditation Infinity Scarf. You can find it on Ravelry. This yarn is Malabrigo Light of Love.  I am usually not a pink person but I loved the way the original scarf looked and went with the flow.

My next project is also a scarf but I will be learning new stitches again. I bought a pima-cotton in Aqua but I am already doubting my choice. I may take some time and try to knit with it and see if I like it, that way I have time to order something else if I don't.

Off to knit since I still don't feel like sewing, which I will regret soon I know.

Michelle

Loopy Groupie

After purchasing my yarn for month 2 of Camp Loopy I became a Loopy Groupie.  Yeah!

I received a wonderful project bag, a little bag of goodies with a bookmark pattern, some Soak, tape measure and a wonderful skein of yarn..oh yeah tootsie rolls too.

I am doing another scarf, still the safest for me right now, and am using a solid aqua color we shall see how this one turns out.

Cascade UltraPima in Aqua.

 

I will be making the Gathered Scarf. This one will also have new to me stitches so we will see how that goes.

 

Camp Loopy Project 1-13 is blocking right now.  Hopefully I will get a picture tonight and be able to load up to the Loopy Ewe and be here later this week with it.

 

Off to sew..or maybe browse Ravelry.

 

Michelle