Parts Of Craziness

Tisdag

noreply@blogger.com (Ms. Kimba) — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 12:32:00 +0000

My current progress on the TTL Mystery sock KAL.

Clue four was handed out Sunday but I decided to try and catch

up on sock two first. I can be caught up in a few hours, and

probably would be by now, but it was so busy at work yesterday I just didn't

have the time to knit once it got past 11am.

Clue four gives three different levels of difficulty for the foot section.

I seen someone had finished it already, the most difficult one....

I am tempted...or shall I go down the middle?

I can't decide.

Onsdag

noreply@blogger.com (Ms. Kimba) — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 12:29:00 +0000

I have joined a Mystery Sock 2012 KAL by Kirsten Kapur.

I have to say I am loving it so far. I have never worked a bobble before in my life until now. I actually like them :) The only issue I am having is all the cabling in the sock. I like cables. I don't like cables on a sock. It's fidgety, but somehow I am not too bothered with this at this time. Maybe because it's not so frequent.

I am using a Us1/2.25mm Chiao Goo circular needle and Cascade Yarns Heritage in the colorway Cerulean. The photo does not do the colors richness any justice. It's amazing. The pattern is really easy so far. I understand everything. The only thing I would change would be to have the symbol key and the instructions for it on the same page instead of two pages apart. So I have to have everything spread out a bit. Well, I did. I now have managed to memorize what the symbols mean. But for a beginner it might not be so easy.

I have gotten further along than what my picture shows. This is only a days work thus far (mind you I have only been able to knit at work). I am loving it. I don't foresee any issues making sock #2 as per usual because this sock is quite fun!

Torsdag

noreply@blogger.com (Ms. Kimba) — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 12:21:00 +0000

I started a design quite some time ago.

Anis Sjal

But I never really did anything with it.

I wanted to submit it somewhere and never have, I wanted to self publish it on Ravelry, never really have.

I started it with lace weight yarn.

It was taking forever and got to the point where I was bored with it, but it was soft and delicate and lovely.

But if I was bored with it, would someone else be too?

Yesterday I decided to switch it up.

I chose a fingering weight yarn instead that I picked up a few months ago in New York City at Purl Soho

One of my most favourite things about this shawl is the texture I was able to create with a simple stitch pattern.

So here is my new sample I started in Spud & Chloe Fine

It's hard to get a really good picture in this dark color, especially when it's dark, gloomy & rainy outside.

But I am liking it now. It's going quickly, and easily, and I am much more pleased.

Here is what it looked like originally...Unfinished, but you get the idea.

I'm excited to have a finished one with the border lace :)

First FO of 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Ms. Kimba) — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 23:05:00 +0000

Kathleen

By: Jane Richmond

Raveled HERE

Difficulty: Easy as pie

Level of Love: Mucho Grande Amore <3

This was knitted up with a quickness.

Though my Ravelry page says different because I had to keep stopping.

However, I think all in all it took just a few hours of my time.

I fell in love with how quick and easy this was to make. As with all of Janes' designs,

I adore it~

I had extra Malabrigo worsted left over from my Cardigan and decided to use it to make this lovely hat for my boss. She is in love with the softness. I knew she would be as she kept coming to my desk at work squeezing the cardigan in progress.

It's really a shame I don't wear hats.

And what else?

I have more left over for mittens.

I had to debate whether or not to keep the mittens for myself, or use Janes' cable pattern and make a matching set for the boss's hat.

I decided to keep the mitts for myself.

First started project of 2012 and they are all mine!

Cruiser mitts

Tisdag

noreply@blogger.com (Ms. Kimba) — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 02:18:00 +0000

So I have this shawl I designed and I am unsure what to do with it.

I started it at the beginning of the spring in 2011...

I was using lace-weight and I would like to submit it somewhere...

But I am thinking maybe more on the lines of fingering as

it is requiring so so much knitting & I think I am getting bored with it.

It is not finished yet as you can see.

I pulled it off of the needles, but I already have the rest of the design down,

written & charted. It's just a matter of deciding what to do and where to go next.

I am thinking for this year I will finish all my WIP's, which I have not many.

Six to be exact, 2 to be done in the next day or two.

Spin up all the fiber I have stashed that is waiting to be turned into yarn,

and finally clean up the rest of the cormo fleece I have.

I would like to also knit up as much of the handspun yarn I make as well.

But first, the shawl dilemma.....

I want this to be part of my 2012 goals.

What would you do?

Söndag

noreply@blogger.com (Ms. Kimba) — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 04:46:00 +0000

First day of the year and I have cast on for a new project already.

I would be more happy with knitting it, and probably a lot further had

I the proper needle for working the magic loop method.

However, I do not have a Us 6 in a long enough circular.

Instead I am using 2 short Us 6 circ's

The project?

Cruiser by Cailyn Meyer

I am using more of the leftover Malabrigo worsted from my sweater.

I always order extras for two reasons. The first, in case I do need to make an extra larger size.

And the second reason being that if I don't need the extra yarn, I have enough left for another project :)

Here is my progress thus far.

It's easy and fun. I am loving these!

So far the only mod I made was that I worked the ribbing in

a Us 3 instead of the called for Us 6 because I wanted a tighter cuff.....
Then once the cuff was done, I switched to the Us 6.

I have to say I am happy with the change. It fits

perfectly.

Saturday

noreply@blogger.com (Ms. Kimba) — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 14:53:00 +0000

And so it is the end of the year.

Time to celebrate with family and friends.

It has been a good year and I am looking forward to 2012.

I have no idea how many projects I have started and ended in 2011, but I know it was quite a few!

Here is my last project this year.

Kathleen: by Jane Richmond

Finished sweater-FINALLY!

noreply@blogger.com (Ms. Kimba) — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 14:12:00 +0000

So finally I got the sweater done yesterday to much perseverance.

It was one of those things where I was so close, inches away but if I didn't do something, it would never get done. So I watched a film. The Kings Speech to be exact. It was the perfect film to watch and

before I knew it. I was done!

I am loving the fit, though the sleeves are a tad tight. It just needs a good blocking, but today I am going to wear it to work. It is so warm and soft and I am in love.

I used Malabrigo worsted in Natural. I made no modifications except that I did not decrease for the sleeves.

I took a few photos, obviously, didn't know which I liked best that would show off the sweater, so I am using them all here. My mess up was in the beginning of the sweater. Apparently as I was increasing for the sleeves I needed to modify the cable pattern. I was not aware of this as I knit the patter as noted in the book. Surely the cable would have to work itself out? No.

I saw some mentions about having to tear back and redo it so it matched up. I however did not. Oh well. It gives it character and in fact the way to top cables came out, it looks like the pattern flows from one style right into the next. Not sure how the mess up became something good but, it works.

Or so I think/hope.

I will be making another. In black. In different yarn. Cascade 220 I think. If you can't tell by the smile on my face, I am very pleased.

Off to work I go!

Happy Knitting.

Tisdag

noreply@blogger.com (Ms. Kimba) — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 12:38:00 +0000

So I didn't finish by Christmas morning. There was too much going on. However, I did make progress last

night. I have about 2/3 of the 2nd sleeve to go. Hoping and praying

that I will be done today. We shall see....

It seems to fit really well, though I should have made the collar ribbing about another inch longer.

But it's fine where it is.

The 3/4 sleeves seem to be just where I want them.
And if I roll down the cuff it will reach my wrists.

And the length in the back is also perfect.

I know that once I block it that it will have some stretch to it and I can lengthen it just a wee bit.

I was right on gauge without having to change needle size or anything, However I could not decrease for the sleeves. They are a bit on the snug side, but once blocked I can give it a bit of a stretch.

I am a 36 and I made a size 40, had I known that it would be like this I would have went to the next size up, even though I have already made it with 4" positive ease.

When I make my next one, I will make a bigger size.

Happy Knitting & I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas

The Christmas Sweater

noreply@blogger.com (Ms. Kimba) — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 02:21:00 +0000

I'm getting there slowly but surely....

I (~~hope)~~ will be done by Christmas because I would like to wear this to lunch.

I have the second sleeve part of the way done right now. On the first sleeve I knit to the wrist, then rolled the edge to make it a 3/4 sleeve. I was tempted to do the extra long sleeve, but because I had started the ribbing where it had instructed me to, it would look dumb. I was not going back to add more cables once I had gotten so far.

I am praying for a miracle that I can get the second sleeve done tomorrow at work, and in the evening after I get the kids home and settled. I will also have Saturday to work on it. If I could have just the ribbing around the fronts and collar on Saturday, I think it would be possible to be done on time.

I have never in my life knit a sweater so fast.

Nor have I ever wanted a sweater so bad either.

I am aware there is a mistake in the upper body portion.

At this point I don't care.

I will be knitting another one of these for myself.

I will not make the same mistake twice.

I will not have time to block it.

I will do so after the Christmas lunch.

Happy Knitting!

Tisdag

noreply@blogger.com (Ms. Kimba) — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 00:38:00 +0000

The first sleeve is finished (though I do not have an updated picture here).....one more to go then the ribbing begins for the front and collar. I know there is a mistake in the upper portion of the body. I can't bring myself to rip back. I just can't. Especially with the very delicate wool I am using. The halo is unreal and I know this will pill, but I am not about to ruin the yarn. When I wear it I don't think anyone will notice, unless they are a knitter themselves....we'll see...sigh*

Progress

noreply@blogger.com (Ms. Kimba) — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 12:16:00 +0000

So my cardigan has been making quite the progress lately. I think this is one of those sweaters that I will want/need a few of. I have about 18 more rows then I will start the bottom ribbing. In this view my son is holding it upside down and the lighting was bad. It is winter afterall.

I'm very pleased with the turnout so far. Christmas is just around the corner and I am really hoping to have it done in time. I have knit group tonight so hopefully I will be able to knock some out there. Work has been fairly crazy lately so knitting has come to a halt during the day.

We'll see how it goes!

Rocky Coast Cardigan

noreply@blogger.com (Ms. Kimba) — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 03:28:00 +0000

This cardigan is by far the fastest thing I have ever knit in my life.

With size 10.5 needles on worsted weight yarn, it goes fast.

The Malabrigo worsted is so soft and fluffy and great to work with, but I do foresee some issues.

Issue#1 It's going to shed on any dark colored clothing.

Issue#2 It's going to pill quickly.

At the moment they are the only things I can see, but time will tell if anything else will arise. Other than those 2 things, I am loving it. When I tried it on it fit perfectly so far. The wool is so warm I can see that it might either make me too warm from the heat it was throwing off, or, it will suit me perfectly as I chill very easily.

I have 9" inches to go and then I can begin on the bottom ribbing. Almost half way done! I'm trying to be optimistic. :)

I would love to have it done in time to wear for Christmas or even my birthday, which is 2 days before. So we will see how fast my little fingers can knit.

Happy Knitting!

Fredag

noreply@blogger.com (Ms. Kimba) — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 12:10:00 +0000

Many of you have heard about the book that Hannah Fettig & Alana Dakos had written, Coastal Knits. I pre-ordered the book just like a lot of people, mostly because in the pre-order package was the one pattern that I was dying to knit.

Rocky Coast Cardigan.

I have never in my life wanted to knit a sweater as bad as this. However, I have had the book now for a month, two maybe? And I just got my hands on the yarn. It was a struggle to wait.

Last night I cast on. I just want to sit and squeeze the yarn in my fingers because it feels softer than silk. I cannot wait to feel the finished product on my shoulders. I am using the secondary yarn that they suggested, Malabrigo worsted in Natural. So it will look just as pictured above & below.
I am thinking this will be a fast knit as the needle size required is a 10.5. That's pretty big for worsted but it will give the cardigan a nice and light feel.

Also, I received an email last week and was told that the book I have been contracted for is underway. I signed the contract and mailed it in the other day. In January I will get the yarn and then I can begin knitting my design for the book. I will have a nice 60 day period to have it finished and mailed in.

This is going to be a book for release in next winter I'm guessing by the way things are going. Which puts this whole thing in at a total of a year and a half from the time I designed it till the time the book gets released. Good thing I'm patient.

Happy Knitting

Onsdag

noreply@blogger.com (Ms. Kimba) — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 03:16:00 +0000

Well I think it's been a full week since I posted anything and I don't have much to share. I would have thought that I'd have an FO by now but I don't. I have an afghan started to use up what stash I have left (which is not much) and I started a pair of fingerless gloves (for a xmas gift), one of which is done and blocked and the other I have started....See!

I have also started a pair of fingerless mitts for myself, and when they are done I will finish spinning some more yarn and make yet another pair for moi. I knit for others so much and for deadlines but you know what? I need to knit for me too.

So who cares if I am a little selfish? They are small quick satisfying projects and I enjoy them.

How often do you actually knit for yourself??!! Hmmm???

Happy Knitting!

Tisdag

noreply@blogger.com (Ms. Kimba) — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 12:20:00 +0000

Well Thanksgiving is on it's way this week. I've gotten a lot of knitting done, even for Christmas! For myself as well. But now there is a big dinner to prepare for which puts a halt on a lot of stuff. Lucky for me after work today I have 5 days of relaxation before going back to work, so I hope to knock out a lot of knitting during this time.

There is another design in the works. I am hoping I get chosen again as I have worked with this company twice before. I don't know if I am pressing my luck or not but I am going to give it a shot!

I'm still waiting to hear the latest word on the book. I have 6 days left to wait...It seems like forever!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone. Here's to hoping you get to spend lots of time with your family and that nobody gets hurt during Black Friday shopping!

Fredag

noreply@blogger.com (Ms. Kimba) — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 04:53:00 +0000

I have started this project all because I bought Frabjous Fibers roving from my LYS (Flying Fibers). I wanted a scarf of some sort. I wanted it to match my jacket, and I wanted to make it from start to finish.

Though what I should have done was finish washing the dirty fleece I have from MSWF and went through the process that way, dying my own and all. But now that I think of it, that will be my next venture as soon as I cast on for my last Christmas gift. I will clean up the last of the fleece and make myself some fingerless mitts. I have some dyes I've been wanting to use up so this would be the perfect opportunity.

Anyways, here is my Mustard Scarf by Jane Richmond

From start to finish....

Frabjous Fibers BFL/Tussah silk blend. It's so silky smooth and squooshy!

On November 11th I begun. I spun a decent amount of singles up, over-filling the bobbin, having to give it a good twist as it seemed to have a mind of it's own.

I made a 3 ply yarn and came out with 125 yds. (not sure why it looks so light in this picture)

I cast on a few days later and within a few hours time..Viola!

One Mustard scarf finished, washed & blocked and ready to wear.

I used up every single yard and came out bigger than what the directions noted..ah well! When it's a scarf it's not a big deal to go longer.

I have not yet found the perfect button for it yet....But I will!

It's very cosy and warm. The pattern was easy to memorize and quick to knit.

I will be making more of these.

Tisdag

noreply@blogger.com (Ms. Kimba) — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 12:16:00 +0000

Well the hunt for my own web domain is a no-go at this time. I could not find what I was looking for. So for the time being I will continue to keep my space here until I find what suits my needs.

I have been very busy lately knitting. I have been keeping small projects on the needles & popping them right off, which is a change for me.

The first 3 of the projects I will be showing you are for a coworkers granddaughter.

First up. Poppy by Justine Turner.

From start to finish it took maybe 2 hours.

Baby Bella Mitts by Aoifa Anctil. I made these in about 45 minutes...I have another to make yet to complete the set.

Aviatrix Baby Hat, also by Justine Turner

All in all everything took me just a few short hours to complete per item. i am happy with the results and so is the receiver.

And lastly, I have started Pikku-Pete by Lene Alve for a different coworkers one year old daughter. I am not sure if I will embroider on the sheep yet or not at this time. It's a simple and very interesting hat as far as construction. The photo does not capture the deepness of the color but I am very happy with it. I am using Cascade Sport.

I still have to make some fingerless gloves yet for a Christmas gift & then it's all 'me' knitting. With the exception I have till the end of the month to finish my knitting for the book. I have been very slow and lazy with it. I will be done in time!

Happy Knitting

FYI

noreply@blogger.com (Ms. Kimba) — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 12:43:00 +0000

I will be taking down this website in the near future.

I think some major changes need to be made so I will be purchasing my own domain.

If you follow me here or on Ravelry, I will personally be letting you know my new URL instead of just putting it out there for all to see as there have been some complications recently due to spammers and so on.

In the mean time Happy Knitting

Done!

noreply@blogger.com (Ms. Kimba) — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 23:33:00 +0000

And Megan was very pleased with these. One more down and another project to go....

Tisdag

noreply@blogger.com (Ms. Kimba) — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 01:42:00 +0000

Progress is being made......

Fo

noreply@blogger.com (Ms. Kimba) — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 02:19:00 +0000

My Aviatrix by Justine Turner is finished.

I can give it over to it's owner tomorrow and wait for pictures of the baby wearing it!

Next up...

Megan's Wood Hollow Mitts by Kirsten Kapur

After making a show at work there are others asking for them..I had to politely decline. Too much going on. Ill be casting on for mitt #2 in the morning.

Söndag

noreply@blogger.com (Ms. Kimba) — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 13:20:00 +0000

And so it begins.

Holiday knitting.

This on top of everything else I have deadlines for. I just hope I can get everything done in time. The good thing? My holiday knitting is all small items because for the most part I will be buying gifts.

Currently I am trying to whip out an Aviatrix hat for my friend/co-workers daughter as she told me Milania has no winter hat. And it snowed yesterday so I am going to hopefully be done today and can give it to her tomorrow at work!

This is my progress so far. I am using Cascade 220 Sport

I also have a pair of fingerless gloves in the making for my boyfriend because he requested them. So he will have them for Christmas. He also requested a cardigan but that will have to be a birthday gift. There's no way I can have one done in time for the holidays...

He wants this one

And I happen to have the book so this makes it so much more easier.

Happy Knitting!

Torsdag

noreply@blogger.com (Ms. Kimba) — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 21:45:00 +0000

It's been so busy over here on my end lately I haven't had time to post!

I had some ladies working on a test knit for me so a project to be released in a book can be done in the proper way. I need to make sure all works well. So far so good and I got some beautiful pictures back from one person who finished.

I am very very pleased!

As soon as it is done I can get to work on getting my Anis Shawl finished up and ready for download. It's one of those knits where I had an idea to begin with, then it took on a life of it's own as I went along. So far I am more proud of this than anything I have done so far.

I'm hoping to calm down and do some 'me' knitting afterwards. Maybe I'll get that winter sweater for myself finished yet :)

What have you been knitting??

Happy Knitting!

Fredag

noreply@blogger.com (Ms. Kimba) — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 11:09:00 +0000

I'm thinking it's time to get some test knitters before we continue on for the book. I'm currently re-knitting my design for the third time to be sure, but it's easy for me to not see something. "They" will be contacting me in November so we can get started. I will be one of only so many designers featured. I am stoked!

When they give me the green light I will spill the beans, as for now it's all hush hush.

Once this is done, then I can finally get a move on finishing up another design that's been sitting on the back burner. It will be a personal pattern available on Ravelry. It's taken longer than I had wanted but it is what it is. Summer slowed me down because I felt the need to spend more time outdoors.

It's Friday though, so the weekend is upon us. Happy Knitting!