Moonlight Stitches

Bad idea first, good idea second

2012-01-23T12:29:00.000-08:00

Sometimes, ideas emerge fully hatched from my head and pour out in whatever creative medium I am using to express it. Sometimes they don't hatch; sometimes they ooze out like a ruined and rotting egg.

I was trying to take a short cut - US 17 and self fringing on both sides - hideous. Haste certainly made waste (and frogging to be done). Classified as a bad idea (but on the right track).

I reknitted this scarf as fast as I could as it realy needed to be turned over to its intended owner sometime ago (too embarrassing of a length of time to mention). I went down to a US 13, still double stranding the basically fingering weight yarns. I only allowed for self fringing on one side. Classified as a much better idea.

It then became a good idea when I decided to work the same idea in a new yarn, Aria, as the project of the week for 52 in 52. You can find the pattern here.

Ribbit, not Rippit

2012-01-06T16:43:00.000-08:00

I bought this craft kit for $1...

...so that I could get this crochet hook.

Ringing in the New Year

2012-01-04T21:28:00.000-08:00

First, I want to show you the custom stockings that I completed for December 2011.
For the first one, I made it up from an older stocking. I charted the tree (one on each side) and the Santa. Being asked to make this stocking allowed me to take part in a very special tradition of these stockings in this family. It turns out the the paternal great grandmother's best friend made stockings for everyone she ever met (nearly). When she passed away, everyone brought their stockings to her funeral and was photographed holding them. What a legacy!

Now is when the comedy begins. On the Tuesday before Christmas, a gentleman brought in 2 stocking kits and the hope that he might get at least one of them done. We asked, "Not this Christmas, right?" Then, he shared that it was actually a surprise for one of our knitters and his new daughter. He left thinking that he would have wait until after Christmas and I left thinking the same. Then, I found the time to squeeze them in and (after working all day on Christmas eve) I was able to get them to him before Santa made his rounds. The real punch line is that these stockings where basically the same as the one that I had already figured out. So, for the second year running, I figured out a stocking and its charts only to receive those same charts already figured out. This one seems to be a re-imagining of a the classic and got some extra embellishment.

Then, I had a very productive week before New Year's Day. I finished an entirely indulgent color stacked scarf out of Lorna's Laces Shepherd Worsted in the best color, Zombie BBQ. It took way longer than a garter stitch scarf should have as I actually had to pay a little attention to make sure that I was maintaining the stacking.

Then, I also whipped up two of Ovate, one in each size. I had already knitted the pink one but I wasn't very careful with my gauge so it used up every drip of yarn and didn't leave much for binding off properly or for the finishing. Really fun pattern. The one thing that I will say about it is that you should make things that require US 19 at home rather than while traveling, as I am fairly certain that they are the reason that I received a love note from the TSA about having done additional screening on our bags both coming and going to Portland.

Here Comes the New Year!

2011-12-22T22:05:00.000-08:00

Here are my beautiful sweethearts. I would like to share a picture of them where they are all in focus and all looking in the camera, but that is a somewhat unrealistic wish. Bella is wearing her way too cute Christmas dress and the boys are wearing blinking Rudolph noses(as cyborg eyes).

It has been a busy year in which much creating has been done (new baby to new knitting). I am still in the midst of the 52 projects in 52 weeks at anacapaknits, with about 22 weeks to go.

I have lots of things in the works as we prepare for the next set of classes at the store. So, I am going to narrow it down and share a picture of a nearly complete Baby Surprise Jacket that will be gifted to Kevin's coworker when they return from Winter Break. It was my first time making one with a hood; it still needs an attached i-cord around the hood and the rest of its buttons.

Maybe I will feel the urge to share before 2012 begins; if not, Happy New Year! (And, of course, Merry Christmas!)

Sweater time

2011-10-07T14:17:00.000-07:00

I have many sweaters to complete in the next two months, at least three. I can do it!!! Of those three, I'm very excited to have started a new sweater for my oldest son; making a sweater for him has reached the point I have been known to fear - I have to make it bigger than a sweater for myself. He is long overdue as I believe that the last sweater that I completed for him was pushing on 5 yrs ago. He can still squeeze into that sweater but it would be best to pass it down the line to Dante and have a new one now.

Hold me?

2011-09-01T08:04:00.000-07:00

I have begun putting things back in my Etsy Shop, moonlightstitches. I have been searching for a perfect yarn bowl. I don't think that my invention is perfect but it resolves a few things that I had concerns over - weight and durability. This bowl is made from felt and folds up into your notions bag when not in use.

Comic Con Haul 2011

2011-07-23T18:34:00.000-07:00

You question how the contents of the picture possibly could have come from the Comic Con? Well, when we were buying tickets, I gave my Saturday spot to a friend who joined our crew for the day (long story of how their stupid server would only allow you to buy 4 tickets; if you care, then you already know the sorted details). The "con" is an animal unto itself; I was glad to have the day away to go on my own San Diego Yarn Store Crawl.

Wanna hear what all I got? (Clockwise, using the blue yarn at the top as 12 am):

1. Baah! La Jolla Original Handpaint, A Nancy's Notions Doo Dad box, a crossstich bookmark (for Alexander); purchased from the Needlecraft Cottage

2. Scarves, a fun cardigan, and potential small project bag; purchased from the Pink Zone (on the way to the next store)

3. The Wonderful Wallaby pattern by Carol Anderson; purchased from Knitting in La Jolla

4. Alchemy Yarns Silken Straw; purchased from Common Threads

5. LLH Safari, yarn ball point protectors, and Jacquard fabric paints (payment/thank you to my mom for babysitting); purchased from The Black Sheep (GREAT parking and enjoyed the Comic con connection moment)

6. (more) Baah! La Jolla Original Handpaint, Knit Picks Straight US 8 (felt ok buying these from an LYS), and Barb's Koigu Ruffle, a Churchmouse Classics pattern (for which I am likely to use the red Baah!); purchased at Yarning for You

7. Oink Pigment Fingering "Sunny with a Chance of Peaches" and bright coral/orange Lacey Lamb; purchased at Two Sisters and Ewe

8. some gorgeous frosted pink beads (to be used with the Silken Straw in another Isobel) and really cool silver pinky ring with a plait running around the band; purhcased at The Bouncing Bead (next door to Two Sisters and Ewe)

This day was a fantastic day with 3 mini cupcakes and iced coffee for lunch (@ Cups after store 3 and before my 1 hr parking expired). All the stores had their strengths. It is always interesting visiting other stores than your home store; I am seeking an analogy and the best that I can come up with is like your first visit to a new potential friend's home and seeing if you could really hang out. If I had to choose a favorite, it popped up at the end of the day when I visited Yarning for Ewe. I knew that it was going to be a good experience when I saw the sign in the window reading, "P.M.A., Positive Motivational Attitude practiced here." (I am pretty sure that I remembered that correctly.) We had an "it's a small world" moment when they connected me to a beloved customer that is moving to our neck of the woods that I have already had the pleasure of meeting. I felt the same way that I hope she felt when she first visited Anacapa, like I could sit down and be fast friends with all of the lovely knitters at the table (and, if Bella had been nap-able, then I would have). They had Bella modeling adorable baby hat samples and she was in hog heaven with all the cheers and attention. Such a great day; yarn people are the best people.

A close second is Two Sisters and Ewe where Annie let me squeeze in just near closing. If I had been there earlier in the day, then you would also be seeing a sweater size pile of The Fibre Co. Canopy Worsted which they have on sale for 4o% off.

Best part of Comic Con so far!

Time to Take Stock

2011-07-06T08:50:00.000-07:00

I have been doing a decent job of keeping my project count from going into overdrive since I started a 52 projects in 52 weeks series at the store blog (even since Bella was born). But it can still have a way of growing unkempt rather swiftly. It was time to clean out and organize the knitting bag - there are 7 projects showing and an 8th project hiding. Pulled them out, tidied them and reassessed which one I needed to work on next, what can snooze for a while, etc.

Red Vines and More - igami

2011-07-05T22:15:00.000-07:00

We (being son Alexander and the lady who delivers him to social appointments) seem to have a lot of summer birthdays. I have been having fun decorating these presents with origami creatures. The present that I just wrapped was adorn with three jumping frogs. Since they are best done with an oblong sheet, there were trimmings. The trimmings became tiny froglets that are straight up adorable.

It has been a good time revisiting this hobby that I enjoy from time to time. I searched out a website that has simple animated videos and a wide variety of instructions - the origami club.

I was happy to see that it was also a fun activity choice during the TV-free hours of the afternoon. We loaded up on red vines and both made animals to amuse Dante.

P.S. The crane from this post was remembered via this tutorial.

P.P.S. The froglets on the top picture are playing leap frog.

R2D2 - Build it aldready

2011-07-03T10:04:00.000-07:00

One of Dante's best acts is his "I'm a Robot." So, R2D2 is a big hero in his book. Elisa shared this pattern with me a little while ago and I finally got the juice to whip up a couple.
The pattern is very cute but doesn't give a gauge. After knitting a short fat one with an H hook (went to the XL), I figured out that the unstated gauge is 3 sts/in. Switched to a I hook. I am making two in tandem. As I attached the appliques to the first, I realized that I reversed the placement of the blue and white sts in the final three rows. I left it on Dante's as he was hovering quite closely while I worked away and asking, "Mom, will you build an R2D2 helmet for me? Will you build it?" I fixed those rows on the one that I am making as a gift.

I wasn't sure if my older son would be into wearing one, but he has requested one. There are droids in red so he will get a version in that hue.

Polka Dots

2011-06-29T23:45:00.000-07:00

While Alexander made a birthday card for his friend, I was busy adorning the present with this crane in matching paper. I didn't get much knitting done today but I did lots of cuddling, wrapping, playing, feeding, etc. (in any order). My sparkling top is growing,though.

To the North and Back Again

2011-06-28T22:03:00.000-07:00

We just returned from a family reunion in the Bay Area. Tons of fun, maybe the most fun that I have had with the Ralph Cozzoli layer of K's family.

On our way back south, we squeezed in a trip to Monterey. We were all going to go into the Aquarium, but I decided that my $29.95 ticket fee would be better saved and redirected to yarn $. So, I sent the boys into the watery experience and I went to visit a yarn store within walking distance - The Twisted Stitch. Dawn, the owner, was lovely and she had a selective selection of fiber goodness. Her store is new-ish and I hope that it grows so that the next time that we take our aquarium detour I can enjoy a visit again. I am very excited about her plans to create a knitted kelp forest. I will share more as I learn more. K is excited to begin work on a few underwater creatures. It is nice to have a marine expert in the house.

My little purchase is pictured at the top, Garden Metallic. It is a lace weight (or no. 10)crochet cotton with a metallic thread. I have started this top from Knitscene, Summer 2011. The yarn is way too light but I figured that since the top is lacy and will call for a tank top under, then why not make the whole thing a bit open.

The following pictures are of my make shift yarn bowls. A Bumpo seems to be quite the handy thing even beyond a baby chair.

No DMV Knitting

2011-06-24T09:19:00.000-07:00

I love dmv appointments. I got there at 8:45 for an appointment at 9 am and was all done before my scheduled time. I only had time to fix my brioche sts that had slipped off the end of my dpn while having been neglected.

Grandma's Birthday

2011-06-17T23:57:00.000-07:00

Today would be Grandma Lecrivain's 103rd birthday. She was a pretty great lady and the most amazing needleworker that I have met thus far (and, due to personal bias, the best I may ever meet). We miss her. Earlier in the week, I found myself wishing that I could have known her when she was my age. I bet we would have been friends. Once she just happily shook her head at me and said, "That girl's brain is always working away." I was glad she noticed.

Helpful

2011-06-16T08:07:00.001-07:00

Dante was helping me knit yesterday by chopping up a ball of waste yarn. He had actually just wrapped up trying to cast on with a circular needle and some other scrap. He wasn't happy that his method didn't result in any real sts. Though he is only 3, it might be time to start teaching him for real.

School Year Out!

2011-06-15T09:46:00.001-07:00

Today is my son Alexander's last day of school again. How swiftly the time passes!
For about a week and a half, I have been trying to figure out an end of the year teacher gift. Yesterday, I finally found it - Taffy Pull Scarf. Good thing since it was then due today. I was fringing swiftly this morning. I wish that I could have taken better pictures (and Dante engaging in his sport "you take picture of my hand, haha" wasn't helping). This pattern is great (and fast) and I look forward to making another at a more leisurely pace. I combined all stash, hoping for a delicate effect in fingering weight. I wish that I had had time to replace the white with something more delicate, but, once a stitch was made, it was here to stay.

Trying to be Back

2011-06-13T10:41:00.000-07:00

Sorry for the lapse. I was busy growing another human being and the third trimester was occupied with knitting and napping. She is approaching 3 months old and I feel like I have enough of a handle on the flow of the day to include blogging again. She and her brothers are a great fit and I couldn't be happier with the shape of my family and home. I would like to say that I will now be a religiously devoted blogger, but something will surely slow me down again. For now, all is good (great, even).

I am doing lots of things these days, classes, designs, projects, etc. My main focus is a self imposed challenge on the store blog, anacapaknits.blogspot.com. I am trying to complete 52 projects in 52 weeks. I have two weeks up and am poised and ready for at least the next two. The reason to care is that whatever yarn I use is 10% off for the week.

Along side of the above project, I have other pots on the fire. I had left over Red Heart from making pom poms for our Relay for Life Booth in a color combo that I am very excited about. I have to say, for what Super Saver lacks in cuddle factor, it makes up for with color choice and durability. And, sometimes, I crave a granny square project.

Tis the Season for Custom Stockings

2010-12-12T20:31:00.000-08:00

Since 2006, I have knitted stockings every December.

Pictured left are the custom stocking produced in December 2006.
Yarn: Lamb's Pride Bulky
Favorite Features: top hem is lined with wide velvet ribbon(more pictures here); the stripes in the heel flap

This red stocking is represents the first of what was meant to be our family stocking set. This one is my oldest son's.
Yarn: Lamb's Pride Worsted
Favorite Features: big fat foot, striped heel flap

No picture of the 2008 commission. They were made from the Ann Norling series of stockings. Finishing them was so down to the last minute that I didn't have time to photograph them. They were cute, though! The order recipients were a new grand baby and a new daughter in law. They were worked in (shocking) Lamb's Pride Worsted. I did some strange hybrid of intarsia and stranding so that I could work them in the round (what won't I do to avoid a seam).

Here is last year's, December 2009. This stocking was a fun one: I was all over getting it done swiftly, I was able to do the whole pattern stranded (yay, no intarsia), and the lady who ordered was tickled pink at the results. A fairly new knitter, she had been gifted the pattern and yarn by a non knitter who thought it cute. "Abby" is her son's girlfriend, and, with prospects looking good, she wanted to make a spot on the family hearth for this sweet girl. The best part about making stockings is that I get to facilitate the formations of family traditions.
Yarn: (more) Lamb's Pride Worsted

I bring you this year's commission, December 2010.
Steve came in late last December wondering if we could recreate his mother's handy work, pictured on the far left. She had made it for him while delivering him in 1960. Steve had taken excellent care of his stocking and everything down to the angora beard was in great shape, especially considering that it had seen 5 decades of Christmas eves and mornings. I tend to believe that she really may have been working on this project while actually in labor, as the gauge tighten significantly as you move down from the top hem to the foot. Without a pattern, I reworked the chart and made three new Santa's popping from the chimney tops. The first one was slow going as I worked out the chart, but the following two went at top speed. Some day I will share the chart. The extra good news is that he wants to order another 3 for his son's family which means that my charting will keep paying off. This time, I followed the usual construction guidelines, working it flat with proper intarsia and the foot in the round; I remembered to slip the first st of each row so that I could easily do a crocheted slip st seam. Then, I slipped a lining in to top it all off. He wasn't upset that the size didn't match the original (I didn't think that he would mind a bigger stocking).
Yarn: (surprise) Cascade 220

Deck the Tree

2010-12-07T00:17:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

I have had this pattern in the works since August and I am very excited to share it with you this lovely December.

The ornaments are worked in the round from one pole to the next (south pole to the north pole. The cast on is something of a thrill, using Emily Ocker's circular beginning (originally found in Elizabeth Zimmerman's Knitter's Almanac). There are four separate designs: stockinette, striped stockinette, simple lace, and a lacey leaf. The next fun part is that you inflate a balloon and apply a starching agent to harden your knitted fabric into an attractive Christmas globe.

Knit loves Crochet

2010-11-08T13:10:00.000-08:00

And I love the END of daylight savings time with the return of my missing hour!

I am always so energized by those 60 minutes coming back into my personal clock.

By 1pm today, I had completed the above two knitted towels with crocheted edgings. As pictured, you can see that I machine knitted the centers which took about an hour and a half. The crocheted edgings took about an equal amount of time.

Made 2 dozen banana bread muffins.

And had two loaves of garlic rosemary bread ready to bake.
And kept a certain somebody entertained, meanwhile.

Amiable Amigurumi

2010-11-02T06:26:00.000-07:00

These are the amigurumi that I entered last month in the Crochet Me Amigurumi Calendar contest. The winners were supposed to be announced yesterday but no news. Holding my breath still.

You can see a few very cute entries here.

Thing one is called a Smonster. I have made knitted Smonters in the past. Their name arrived in reference to the Smitten, a mitten with two hand holes for lovers to hold hands on a cold walk.

The monkey is named Monkeytoosh. With his features being similar to a sock monkey, I used something like a crocheted sock heel to shape his snout and toosh.

At the bottom, we have the terrifying one eyed, one horned, flying, purple people eater.

If they don't win, then I will make the patterns available on my own. ;) I have to be pleased with their reception around here at least. The boys fight over the Smonster and Dante, who doesn't really care about playing with stuffed animals, has lots of love for Monkeytoosh and the OEOHFPPE.

Halloween Hits

2010-11-01T11:24:00.000-07:00

Halloween is my second favorite holiday (St. Patrick's day rates above it). And it was as fun this year as it ever is. I finished the costumes in plenty of time for all of the day's festivities.
Then, we moved into Kevin's department, leading the pumpkin carving. Both Kevin and Alexander decided to go with the classic Barf-kins. Dante desired an ultra classic triangle eyed, goofy toothed handsome face. Kevin executed his and Dante's jack 'o lanterns swiftly, and Alexander did his best job of cleaning out and carving on his own to date.

Dante dressed as Cookie Monster (a costume that we envisioned for him way back when he was in utero). The two best things about this costume was that other little kids were impressed with recognizing him as Cookie and that a women at nice house was so excited about his cuteness that he got candy and a yummy fresh baked cookie.

Alexander was a Sith lord. Sort of boring, but it was a good opportunity to make him some easy black knit jamas as his under layer to the dark hooded cloak. Kevin ensured that it was more authentic with the purchase of a new red light saber and some black leather gloves. Alexander was very gracious and only occasionally corrected people that he wasn't a Jedi.
We made a treacherous decision to meet friends for trick or treating and left a bowl out.

Some dissatisfied individual smashed our littlest pumpkin in response to the emptied bowl. Jerks. Now, the 2 yr old wants to know where his pumpkin went. At least pictures preserved the fun and appreciation that he had with it. It was a good lesson for the 10yr old to prevent future mischief in witnessing what a bummer a smashed pumpkin can be.

Shawl with the little ruffle

2010-10-21T07:30:00.000-07:00

I worked this up in a big hurry after casting on. It has been done for about two weeks (finished in plenty of time for the Fall Show and Tell).
I am deeply in love with this color combination, mustard and turquoise. I had my hand on a different color for the ruffle, but in my mind's eye I really had my heart set on this color of Berroco Ultra Alpaca. The knitter whose shawl I am emulating had a much larger ruffle, probably 4 inches deep, but I only had about 80 g of yarn at my disposal. I have a strong feeling that the bigger ruffle may take as much yarn as the body of the shawl.

Wanna buy a pattern on sale?

Very Exciting Arrivals

2010-10-20T08:29:00.000-07:00

Shortly after I made my entry yesterday, some exciting things arrived.

My first (not-self published) crochet and knit patterns have been put into glossy print! The hat and scarf combo (top) is in the upcoming issue of Interweave Crochet Accessories 2010. Such a thrill to see my work in their publication.

The red cardigan (bottom) is in Creative Knitting November 2010. Let's just say that the contents of the box with my complimentary copies make me feel very motivated to lose weight till I am closer to the sample size (and to submit more often to this magazine).

Not only am I jazzed and re-energized about the submission process, but I am also armed with two issues filled with really great patterns that are making my fingers itch to cast on or chain for.

The special issue of Interweave Crochet Accessories is hitting LYS and newsstands on Oct. 26. The Creative Knitting is currently on sale.

Seen the Sale yet?

Finished Hooter (As in an Owl)

2010-10-19T12:25:00.000-07:00

I successfully acquired my shopping list shortly after I posted last week and completed the lining process on Wednesday evening.

I found the perfect owl fabric by Robert Kaufman, the perfect ribbon to line the handles, and decently priced buttons for handle attachement and pupils.

I would have showed you earlier but I was suddenly crazy busy making amigurumi toys to send in to the Crochet Me Calendar contest. I don't think that I will show you those items until they announce their decision for the winners on Nov. 1. It is quite a relief that the wait is finite and not too far off. I have so much to look forward to that weekend!

Remember to take advantage of the October Coupon! Also, please be sure to make the purchase through the ravelry.com link so that it qualifies.