Such an alarming lack of knitting

Or so it would seem-- I've actually been knitting furiously on the sweater made o' Koigu for Kerrie Allman's book, which I really shouldn't show you. The girls at Tuesday 'Bou know, though-- I'm on the second sleeve (front and back are done to the underarms) and it's only been 3 weeks, minus lots of hours spent at work. I didn't think I could work the Koigu that quickly.

In other news, I'm looking forward to Knit Michigan next Saturday. I just found out that I'm in the dyeing patterned sock yarn class- it was my 2nd choice, so not bad. I'll come home with yarn for (yet another) pair of socks-- no complaints there! I've never done any dyeing except for the time my students and I dyed yarn with Kool-Aid "sun tea style", and that doesn't count.

Two more for Knit Michigan

Up to $275- thanks Mom and Melissa!

Another donation!

Up over $200 now, let's keep going. Thanks Janette!

Check out the haul!

Today I found a little thank you (more like a huge thank you) from Jonelle Raffino of SWTC. I helped her out proofreading her upcoming book Purls Forever (look for it- I also did 2 of the designs!) It's a nice read with plenty of patterns too. In the picture are 3, count them, 3 bags of my new most favorite yarn- SWTC LOVE (bamboo and silk, baby!) and lots of SWTC Tofutsies too (you know how I love knitting socks).

If YOU want to find yarny delights on your porch too, don't forget about my CONTEST. I have a gigantic stash (now approaching 350 balls!!) and I'm not afraid to share it! 

Happy Birthday Emma

Can't believe it's been 7 years already! Happy Birthday Big Girl. 

Surprisingly long weekend

Well, it was supposed to be a 3-day weekend, but it's gone a bit longer due to a sick kiddo. While that's fairly nice for me right now, as usual there will be post-substitute carnage to deal with tomorrow, I'm sure! Oh well.

Over the weekend I was pretty busy. Friday night I went out with the knitting girls, and Saturday through Monday was a blur of doing stuff for work, knitting the big pile o' Koigu (my sweater for Kerrie's book), and proofreading another knitting book (kind of fell in my lap unexpectedly, but was a lot of fun to do). I'll let you know when that one is coming out-- I have a couple of designs in it as well.

Calorimetry

It's done! Hopefully this will keep my ears warm at recess. Pinecone wanted to get in the picture, he says hi. I used Diakeito Diadomina, color #317, about 2/3 of a ball, and size 8 needles with my new pink Denise cords. Nice and quick! I've heard of others using less than the recommended number of stitches according to the pattern, but I'm a really tight knitter so I didn't, and it worked fine. 

Another kind donation!

Thanks Joanne! You can too. Up to $145 now! Let's keep going, okay?

Thank You!

First, thank you to everyone who has donated to the cancer charities for Knit Michigan! We have raised $120 so far-- I know we can do more!!

A BIG Thank You to:
Jae
Tara
Amy W.
Hubbo

Also, another big thanks to all who delurked yesterday- that was fun! It's Delurking WEEK, you know, so feel free to keep up the good work on that one!

It's Knitters Night Out tonight at Have You Any Wool, so I'm planning to get a lot done- this week has been busy and it'll be nice to see my pals and actually knit for once!

A little bird told me

 

Back on track, kind of

I'm back to work now after the break, which was kind of a rude awakening when you've been off for two weeks! I'm almost done with Calorimetry, and it looks pretty cute. I've been hard at work on the Koigu sweater too- it's going to take a big effort to finish on time!

Don't forget about this! My pal Jae is first in line with her donation- don't miss out on your chance to win the goodies!

Edited to add: You know the design I finished the other day? If you're going to TNNA this weekend, I heard a rumor that Vickie Howell herself might be seen wearing it.

Finishing and Starting

I finished one of the two designs I'm working on for SWTC (this one is in Love, one of the new yarns in their Vickie Howell collection). I'm only revealing a peek! I had some unexpected knitting time last night when we took Emma to meet friends at Jungle Java (good knitting spot for moms with kids, I'm telling you- comfy leather couches, coffee, and the kids can't escape!)which allowed me to finish up the crocheted trim. I finished grading the pattern this morning, and it's already on its way to Arizona.

I also got started on the sweater I'm doing for Kerrie Allman's book, and since my deadline is so tight it's going to rule my life until it's done- it's in one of my favorite yarns though (Koigu!!) so I can't complain.

Last night in a selfish knitting fit I also started Calorimetry from Knitty- I need a non-hat hat- I can probably finish that without infringing on the "have to" knitting too much.

In other news, I'm not feeling well- AGAIN - so I'm going to curl up with my knitting and rest until Sunday, I think. Then I have to get ready for school to start again, which will mean a day chained to the computer doing lesson plans and stuff. Until then!

Nobody Loves Cancer

But everybody loves yarn, right? I have signed up for a wonderful event called Knit Michigan, wherein I will essentially knit ALL DAY to support several wonderful cancer organizations. My own father died young of liver cancer, and I have known far too many others whose lives have been disrupted by cancer as well. Since you all did SUCH A GREAT JOB supporting Girls on the Run with me for the marathon last fall (getting me more than $100 over my fundraising goal) I thought we'd try it again for Knit Michigan. I have put together some yarny prizes (including a FULL BAG of new SWTC Pure, which seriously puts the silk in soysilk), 2 skeins of gorgeous Noro Kureyon, and a delightful grab bag of fine Classic Elite yarns. Everyone who is generous enough to make a donation (no matter how small) has a chance to win the goodies!

Here's the deal:
1. Email me at frottez at att dot net and let me know your name, address and the amount you plan to donate.
2. I'll give you my address, so you can mail the check MADE OUT DIRECTLY TO THE CHARITY BECAUSE 100% OF YOUR DONATION GOES TO THEM! I will need your check by FEBRUARY 1, please.
3. I'll send you a handy receipt for tax purposes- I promise!

Choose from the following organizations:
-Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute
-Gilda's Club
-U-M Comprehensive Cancer Center
-Genesys Regional Cancer Center

For my part I am giving up my spot to join the Rockin' Socks Club and making a donation instead.

Prize winners will be drawn on February 2.
Let's get going!

Firsts and Favorites

I was feeling a bit sentimental (as opposed to vacuuming, which I started but soon stopped) so I put together a little display of some of my firsts and favorites among my knitting projects. From the top left:
Lady Eleanor (enough said), my Sushi pattern, the first to get a LOT of nice comments, my teddy bear pattern, the first I did for SWTC, which got mentions in a few knitting magazines after Full Thread Ahead sold the kits to raise money for Hurrican Katrina victims, a little beaded bag I did out of Koigu a few years ago that I just love (first time I used beads), the Alien Illusion Scarf from Stitch n' Bitch which still amazes me with the appearing/disappearing alien heads, my first "real" pattern, my first attempt at intarsia (and lining something knitted) - this one is from a few years ago, Charlotte's Web (my first lace project), and my very first sock- yes, it's argyle. I knit it for Level 2 of the TKGA Master Knitter Program. One of these days I'll find a picture of my very first big project, the "Emma" tennis dress from a Berroco pattern. Yes, it was for Emma. I know I managed to get one picture of her running away from me in it (she was only a year old), it's got to be somewhere.

Starting over

Yesterday I realized that the design I'm working on for SWTC (in one of the new, and I dare say REALLY NICE brand new, not quite in stores yet yarns "Love"- it's bamboo and silk, super soft, almost glowing) was not looking how I wanted it to. So I held my breath and ripped out 3 days of work, after which I needed some time to regain my composure before rethinking, redoing some math and starting over. Here's the progress (the edge might look rolled right now but it won't be in the end- I'm planning something neat for that.)

Love is the second of SWTC's new "Vickie Howell Collection" yarns I've gotten to see- the other, "Craft" is also really nice (cotton and milk protein). I don't usually like cotton yarn so if I do it must be good. I haven't designed anything with that yet, just have a sample ball to try out. The third, called "Rock" is a blend of soysilk, wool, and hemp- but I haven't seen it yet.

As soon as I finish this project (shouldn't take long now) I have another sweater to design for SWTC in their new Inspiration (blend of soysilk and alpaca) and FINALLY I get to get cracking on the sweater I'm doing for Kerrie Allman's (of MagKnits)upcoming book! There was a lot of problems in the getting-the-yarn-to-me process but it's been all worked out- luckily she was able to extend the deadline!

Looks like I'm not going to be able to hit the stash for a while- and considering how much I realized I have, that could be a problem. Oh well! It seems that I always get super busy periods with lots of designs due and then there are other times I can slow things down a bit. I'm determined to get a ton of knitting done this week- plus a bunch of stuff for work- luckily Hubbo and Emma will lend a hand around the house because I'll never keep up with everything!

2006 Year in Review, and winners!

First, the projects I finished in the last few days:

The Chic Knits Bucket Hat, started way back in the summer. Yarn is Lion Brand Cotton Ease, less than 1 ball.

And the Flower Washcloth from Weekend Knitting, which I'll hang on to for an emergency gift.


Last but not least, the Shape It Scarf from The Knit Stitch, which I made with the Silk Garden I got for Christmas.


Second, the comprehensive list of projects I finished in 2006 (yes, I keep track, and yes, they are even in order by start date):
1. Mermaid Scarf (for Great Gifts book)
2. Pagoda Top for Emma
3. Fisherman Shrug (from the awful, mistake-ridden pattern in Knit It!)
4. Sockapaloooza Socks
5. Elizabeth Cardigan for SWTC
6. Koigu Jaywalkers for me
7. Bamboo Feather Cape for SWTC
8. Fair Isle Cardigan for The Alpaca Yarn Company
9. Simplici-Tee for SWTC (Have You Any Wool has a sample of this one on display)
10. Arbor Pillow, in Fall 2006 issue of Cast On
11. Baby Cable Socks, to be in July 2007 issue of Creative Knitting
12. Emma Pullover for SWTC (in their ads for Amaizing)
13. Petal Bib

14. A quick hat
15. Another quick hat
16. Toe Up Socks in Socks That Rock
17. Trekking Socks for Emma (for the Trekking KAL)
18. Sherbet Stripe Set for SWTC
19. More Socks That Rock
20. Chunky Cables Jacket, in February 2007 issue of Knit n' Style
21. Socks That Rock Jaywalkers
22. Chic Knits Bucket Hat
23. Turtleneck Tank for Nashua Handknits "Seashore" book
24. Boatneck Tank for Nashua Handknits "Seashore" book
25. Charcoal Ridges Wrap for an upcoming book
26. Lady Eleanor!!
27. Lace Up Fingerless Gloves from Alterknits, gave to Emma's teacher
28. Jonette's Sweater for an upcoming book
29. Totoro Bonnet for Emma
30. Tofu-ties Socks for SWTC
31. Plush hat for Emma
32. Cabled Capelet
33. Ruffles Scarf
34. Dune Scarf, gave to the art teacher at school
35. Henry Rollins doll, for Hubbo
36. Zara Fingerless Gloves, gave to teacher's aide in Emma's class
37. Shape It Scarf, made with Xmas gift yarn
38. Flower Washcloth

So that's 38: the winner is... Sonya who was right on the money at 38!!

As for unfinished projects, the list is:
1. Bohus Red Palm Sweater
2. Vintage Velvet Scarf
3. Chocolate Covered Cherries Socks
4. Karaoke Jacket (only cast on, how sad!)
5. Level 3 Aran for TKGA- we'll see if I EVER get around to this one!
6. Design for SWTC #1 (well underway, almost done)

(there are 2 others that aren't cast on yet, so they don't count).

So that's 6: the winner is... Sarah, who guessed 6 and was also exactly right!

And now for the stash. I rearranged and counted ALL of it. By "stash" I counted anything that's not currently being used or planned for a particular project. Here's the breakdown:
SWTC yarn: 77
Cotton Ease: 21
Koigu: 16
Noro, Malabrigo, and Diakeito: 21
Angora, Cashmere, Alpaca and Mohair: 49
Plain Old Wool: 27
Shetland Wool: 18
Sock Yarn: 23
Silk: 11
Cotton: 29
Ribbon: 3

That makes 295 altogether: the winner is: Robin who guessed 224- not bad!
Congratulations to the winners! Please email me at frottez at att dot net to claim your prize.