tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-42326378345068324782024-02-06T22:08:08.916-05:00malaraky craftsLarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03616026174659155684noreply@blogger.comBlogger255125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4232637834506832478.post-89437749596365831992017-11-05T09:27:00.002-05:002017-11-05T09:28:17.949-05:00Once upon a time... Once upon a time, I had a knitting blog.<br />
<br />
Oh -- wait! It still exists. How does one find time for these things?<br />
You won't find time - you have to make time. You have to carve it out. Lately I have been doing a better job carving out time for knitting. Creating pockets of time to block projects properly, and consider options for recent yarn purposes. Allocating time to attending a wonderful new local knitting group that has multiplied the time available for knitting and crafty pursuits.<br />
<br />
Also -- fall is such a great time of year for holding yarn in your hands.<br />
<br />
Here's how my Sunday looks so far:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioLt4iarZr2bPdiz2tlzMTAgH_YmhhJLPD6a6Cp-ZDS-MdTVM64F4Sgs6Ml5nRJKgMy8DexteMsjm2ffZFgW-7pKU8z8vVL3wFGQ2HQm3qNhz1xBBfHMLcWy96KlP7Z_6aQeWCkl9c7nc/s1600/IMG_8263.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioLt4iarZr2bPdiz2tlzMTAgH_YmhhJLPD6a6Cp-ZDS-MdTVM64F4Sgs6Ml5nRJKgMy8DexteMsjm2ffZFgW-7pKU8z8vVL3wFGQ2HQm3qNhz1xBBfHMLcWy96KlP7Z_6aQeWCkl9c7nc/s640/IMG_8263.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
Pretty great, right? Project planning, project research, project advancement. Happy knitting today and all week!Larahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03616026174659155684noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4232637834506832478.post-86024082448254275102015-02-28T12:13:00.001-05:002015-02-28T14:16:14.518-05:00FO: Revontuli (Northern Lights)A very popular free pattern on Ravelry, this shows off beautifully yarns with very long color repeats, like Zauberball. I have few items in neutral colors so a few years ago I picked up this cream to dark brown lovely. The yardage wasn't quite enough for what the pattern called for, although others have opted for the same yarn choice and had some success. I knew it would be close!<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk03kV2nRX2CztP7lPrSQ9cltfCHWDTNuwkgHVNxodvIdGczsjrb5MTA7idu2OIk7RcsMEKkBLTFeEq4H10m10X50nCWQyhaGgV7Dc6o8NWOlIFV8VctVrl3lxk8QF_qIa0UuhuSHWlso/s640/blogger-image-1352288410.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk03kV2nRX2CztP7lPrSQ9cltfCHWDTNuwkgHVNxodvIdGczsjrb5MTA7idu2OIk7RcsMEKkBLTFeEq4H10m10X50nCWQyhaGgV7Dc6o8NWOlIFV8VctVrl3lxk8QF_qIa0UuhuSHWlso/s400/blogger-image-1352288410.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br />
<div>
So I cast on with another brown yarn (pure bamboo from Halcyon Yarns) and worked the beginning, knowing the color repeats wouldn't come into play at the start in any case. I put in a lifeline when I decided to switch to the main color. A good decision as it turned out! I didn't have enough yarn to quite fit in all the chart repeats, so I cast off as I got near the end of the supply. I had thought I might edge it in the bamboo as a counterpoint to the starting edge but the brown just did not match and I didn't love the look. So I went back, picked up the lifeline, and took out the starting bamboo portion. I then bound off those live stitches with the very last bit of the Zauberball. No problem that the part work near the neck has a bound off edge instead of the start of the pattern.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBSIwauXuzXS15Kcksq6sKeuU_6taXxdTNw5ZVqvWZYI1tjmrPRS6xgiKTtYxKjt3Rn-pFEqM9-ciPVvBj7ethsRlKQXydeEM52Gb9dwtGzBkaziPksT66YNLg31af4og1_rFoD3QiXVM/s1600/IMG_3340.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBSIwauXuzXS15Kcksq6sKeuU_6taXxdTNw5ZVqvWZYI1tjmrPRS6xgiKTtYxKjt3Rn-pFEqM9-ciPVvBj7ethsRlKQXydeEM52Gb9dwtGzBkaziPksT66YNLg31af4og1_rFoD3QiXVM/s1600/IMG_3340.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br /></div>
</div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
Blocking brought out the stitch pattern beautifully. Of course it did! Very pleased with my new neutral accessory. </div>
Larahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03616026174659155684noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4232637834506832478.post-50101610183513923192014-10-05T13:39:00.002-05:002014-10-05T13:39:25.886-05:00FO: Baby Sophisticate & Button DecisionsA quick baby knit in Lion Brand wool on bamboo size 9 needles.<br />
<br />
I had a little bit of a decision to make - the day before the baby shower - about buttons!<br />
The dinosaurs were super cute but likely to get snagged in the yarn and make it harder for the parents to get baby dressed.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvvDUQGsuCWTpYlQF2yqdTO0kC92GOXEgLq6kYBTvhQPfChyphenhyphen2n18SnPdi_i584A3rZwZ4_Pq1JQkvQO1_a4yF6cmL6vjCAw7QF0Jv4-NzErYH30yNxXYqmtUZelK02283Cby2iUxak9go/s1600/IMG_2198.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvvDUQGsuCWTpYlQF2yqdTO0kC92GOXEgLq6kYBTvhQPfChyphenhyphen2n18SnPdi_i584A3rZwZ4_Pq1JQkvQO1_a4yF6cmL6vjCAw7QF0Jv4-NzErYH30yNxXYqmtUZelK02283Cby2iUxak9go/s1600/IMG_2198.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEindt_cyJjC8ciDYeFzXXD4VY1oIK7fR1T-RpvHWt-XfbDmRfzwEf8j78gMjY5zYo5xhwwP_oRpjS9OexAj7mPeBKw34apGifxSrePRa4YApRgF0fR_jKvAH1xI2wLV4JxfBRQ66R73GnE/s1600/IMG_2197.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEindt_cyJjC8ciDYeFzXXD4VY1oIK7fR1T-RpvHWt-XfbDmRfzwEf8j78gMjY5zYo5xhwwP_oRpjS9OexAj7mPeBKw34apGifxSrePRa4YApRgF0fR_jKvAH1xI2wLV4JxfBRQ66R73GnE/s1600/IMG_2197.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
So the strawberries won out. They're cute - half a dark pink and half a pinkish red, with gold seeds and a gold back.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUKK4wAC9XC6u5WYnLb60Mnp7EHVPw8x2ySQ45jADSFCLm8lQc1hYmuoLa4FZZk-TF26FovlLzl_lXDzf1y6siEq6VaCQtxu7Gz-Wx8OxPNBrO9-qOxwdLFa4ICqH9GZ4rjhMmRPSs3wM/s1600/IMG_2230.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUKK4wAC9XC6u5WYnLb60Mnp7EHVPw8x2ySQ45jADSFCLm8lQc1hYmuoLa4FZZk-TF26FovlLzl_lXDzf1y6siEq6VaCQtxu7Gz-Wx8OxPNBrO9-qOxwdLFa4ICqH9GZ4rjhMmRPSs3wM/s1600/IMG_2230.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
This was a quick satisfying knit in a bulky yarn. I knit almost all of it during my breaks at work. It had almost no finishing, just weaving in a few ends and adding the buttons. I would absolutely knit it again! Baby is due in November so I hope he or she can get lots of use out of it this winter, and then it can go to another bitty baby!<br />
<br />
<br />Larahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03616026174659155684noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4232637834506832478.post-68452903897126104912014-08-04T07:41:00.001-05:002014-08-04T07:41:11.532-05:00WIP: Swallowtail Shawl - chart 2Making good progress on this lovely little piece, a great exercise in understanding your chart pattern so you don't have to pay much attention to the chart except at the start, middle, and end of each row. <div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1XPvFyUof9NBWT4VUb3uv7sam52Az4UaIWHvztad315bLrj8vsV10lJKddJ8okH_0NYiqSgXxLBx4URasu-p01oh915C1Zujiz5Hb340C_y1RwlIR-0fYTF1QrsNuqKscz9xgI5Y-QLU/s640/blogger-image-1772601268.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1XPvFyUof9NBWT4VUb3uv7sam52Az4UaIWHvztad315bLrj8vsV10lJKddJ8okH_0NYiqSgXxLBx4URasu-p01oh915C1Zujiz5Hb340C_y1RwlIR-0fYTF1QrsNuqKscz9xgI5Y-QLU/s640/blogger-image-1772601268.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>Nearing the end of the 14 repeats of chart 2 & looking toward to starting the border!</div><div><br></div><div><br></div>Larahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03616026174659155684noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4232637834506832478.post-79684204559774964572014-07-31T05:07:00.001-05:002014-08-04T07:41:53.079-05:00WIP: Swallowtail Shawl<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOMynLJwS0cPfA2R2HrOB22z27Zm3tT7XcEbMM1LTcN4QoSulb_mHrE8ivZYr8G11w1yZvd9xr3ZChdNNq79Z3KEw43-LoFhwFu07KkGLneNlK-nKG-DdtNZ1VLRcjxu9OHLC0PpVZQoQ/s640/blogger-image--1481836313.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOMynLJwS0cPfA2R2HrOB22z27Zm3tT7XcEbMM1LTcN4QoSulb_mHrE8ivZYr8G11w1yZvd9xr3ZChdNNq79Z3KEw43-LoFhwFu07KkGLneNlK-nKG-DdtNZ1VLRcjxu9OHLC0PpVZQoQ/s640/blogger-image--1481836313.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The tiny beginning of a nice manageable shawl in Sundara super wash sock, "Slip Slidin' Away". Nice to have the chart or written instructions options. I'm so glad I'm comfortable with the charts!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpiRig9MmFoAYOdfpPdGXCyVn60a8xksYDqAvakqTWJHHCOANJ-PeSOf6eTzTUQgXcIbF_aL_ao0q_ImLrV4en5fGp5YY2ZW4o5r60oms2MUQN-q-FnZxdJP3wd1c9kuVzCfxkd68CGzc/s640/blogger-image-1694560523.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpiRig9MmFoAYOdfpPdGXCyVn60a8xksYDqAvakqTWJHHCOANJ-PeSOf6eTzTUQgXcIbF_aL_ao0q_ImLrV4en5fGp5YY2ZW4o5r60oms2MUQN-q-FnZxdJP3wd1c9kuVzCfxkd68CGzc/s640/blogger-image-1694560523.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div>Larahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03616026174659155684noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4232637834506832478.post-7638154756422202032014-07-21T17:08:00.001-05:002014-07-21T17:08:35.973-05:00What knitters do when home aloneFirst thing I did when faced with three days home alone, no boys, no children:<div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiostrua-Y3iliC5eqJuQb7twi5dcQYH1xWE6DlZQTI3HTRA17Gc16g8xQOk2GLMd3k7OJVha6tPjzKVPJKQ8R2ZS27zqyGoHRgugan6Z0GQdO005xRBRpQ9VG3liBp0aXjRyejqmdJt-Q/s640/blogger-image-1890886223.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiostrua-Y3iliC5eqJuQb7twi5dcQYH1xWE6DlZQTI3HTRA17Gc16g8xQOk2GLMd3k7OJVha6tPjzKVPJKQ8R2ZS27zqyGoHRgugan6Z0GQdO005xRBRpQ9VG3liBp0aXjRyejqmdJt-Q/s640/blogger-image-1890886223.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8QPy1dbK88wT_XYdi_dVKC5GmxT3_Wn2910yIBQz5BSqd8WEQPrFwqXZZK1MbVOIxe23AlMJT6cwI0HJsZ-azygUGmP2mW9i8AtxmX1LisMpPX0l_Jpc_BY_O3V5H21XiDPAoOBQruTE/s640/blogger-image-1097997900.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8QPy1dbK88wT_XYdi_dVKC5GmxT3_Wn2910yIBQz5BSqd8WEQPrFwqXZZK1MbVOIxe23AlMJT6cwI0HJsZ-azygUGmP2mW9i8AtxmX1LisMpPX0l_Jpc_BY_O3V5H21XiDPAoOBQruTE/s640/blogger-image-1097997900.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPCFN9_gzq5A-b_kgdIH9w1i4FJFrPeYSv2ZWY2M9I_3Tav3u56GjOM7ZxwfY7yuyJZ_DeYgiZuWQ2HC-W7evBzwlRlKx90yPbewGoj1V6RJ-qU3AL2JLVtlNVENK8zqts3umlevu3NmY/s640/blogger-image--1566666735.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPCFN9_gzq5A-b_kgdIH9w1i4FJFrPeYSv2ZWY2M9I_3Tav3u56GjOM7ZxwfY7yuyJZ_DeYgiZuWQ2HC-W7evBzwlRlKx90yPbewGoj1V6RJ-qU3AL2JLVtlNVENK8zqts3umlevu3NmY/s640/blogger-image--1566666735.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>Feels great. My hand knits don't get nearly enough gentle washing tlc. </div>Larahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03616026174659155684noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4232637834506832478.post-43806068910556285432013-12-21T19:37:00.003-05:002013-12-21T19:37:57.375-05:002013 holiday knittingFinishing any last minute holiday knitting? Of course you are! Me too.<br />
<br />
Can't give too much away but here's the yarn I'm using:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizKwRzJdYn2FRBxwKNUMz2-98zt6sRhv-Y9FT2R_jg9Zxv12_5scHTakn250frLhA3ygwYdMtUMwcH6sRDy6HC3q9jnsTi1bjscvCU_ye_bdDoxodAdYcuDS8kYgrjhXmuhjplghAP82s/s1600/DSC04138.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizKwRzJdYn2FRBxwKNUMz2-98zt6sRhv-Y9FT2R_jg9Zxv12_5scHTakn250frLhA3ygwYdMtUMwcH6sRDy6HC3q9jnsTi1bjscvCU_ye_bdDoxodAdYcuDS8kYgrjhXmuhjplghAP82s/s320/DSC04138.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRE8I-2RYs1HZHUutPg185i2cxVrOkSZFY85NgPluy3bj6LliTEs7Ar1xgcIXJRGsF3a7iPeBr5EMpwNKxg3i9uvwGqbHElDTMipu1u4ZTFAPEoqezoMt4RyL1W926PDzQLBxBHMt7ZTQ/s1600/DSC04139.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRE8I-2RYs1HZHUutPg185i2cxVrOkSZFY85NgPluy3bj6LliTEs7Ar1xgcIXJRGsF3a7iPeBr5EMpwNKxg3i9uvwGqbHElDTMipu1u4ZTFAPEoqezoMt4RyL1W926PDzQLBxBHMt7ZTQ/s320/DSC04139.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSv88Lxig6RREyCauz1lr_JhI1la9RYZS5aimGS6kwl1lGv0z3NCyHOlK87WzbQ_gdXQw6w8Jn-0Vb1uC_zjV2bY5wMoS4TRDsAPs4I9bMyDqwwGyBPD9zwMV91_2W-EZDaywulInwejY/s1600/DSC04140.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSv88Lxig6RREyCauz1lr_JhI1la9RYZS5aimGS6kwl1lGv0z3NCyHOlK87WzbQ_gdXQw6w8Jn-0Vb1uC_zjV2bY5wMoS4TRDsAPs4I9bMyDqwwGyBPD9zwMV91_2W-EZDaywulInwejY/s320/DSC04140.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
I have high hopes for getting some of my lapsed projects back on track after a little last frenzy of gift knitting. I did a little project check while looking for appropriate needles for the above yarn, and I have several things that are just so close to finishing, it's criminal that they're sitting in bags stuffed in a closet! Ok, back to it!Larahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03616026174659155684noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4232637834506832478.post-11965562574876135272013-03-29T08:24:00.002-05:002013-03-29T08:27:03.239-05:00FO: BoroughYeah, I finished these <a href="http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEwbis11/PATTborough.php" target="_blank">Boroughs</a> in time for them to get good use this winter, but didn't download the photos until today. Do you find, if you have a smartphone, that you use that for all your picture taking and leave your poor digital point and shoot to collect dust?<br />
<br />
I do.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikAr8EXvmPiV1qd8dkZI2H_SbkT54NTNfNiFb_g9DYgIf8H1LbsljMElNDQcyioadeWpFPS5NwhjzIgmhmn30ncKJaMG2AObaR3Kbxga1PC6OLv-1lElG88DfkuZHptV-asAnK060Aun8/s1600/DSC03942.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikAr8EXvmPiV1qd8dkZI2H_SbkT54NTNfNiFb_g9DYgIf8H1LbsljMElNDQcyioadeWpFPS5NwhjzIgmhmn30ncKJaMG2AObaR3Kbxga1PC6OLv-1lElG88DfkuZHptV-asAnK060Aun8/s320/DSC03942.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
These came out great. I used <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/people/malaraky/stash/dk-superwash-8oz" target="_blank">manly yarn gifted</a> from Beigeberry that she picked up at Rhinebeck a few years ago, Silver Moon Farm DK superwash in Sedate.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi39jWeLpGQJAzggisYWba3yowdajbDs0bnmIOjRXCBc4WIRPMwSvK4i-CtuoCJAnD8Q1WyLoCi54dATW3i8keOyXyweLC5VBJjEMyHBcgDxyMQRQdCXQrj3WucyoPSBUc1HSw-M8UjR1M/s1600/DSC03939.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi39jWeLpGQJAzggisYWba3yowdajbDs0bnmIOjRXCBc4WIRPMwSvK4i-CtuoCJAnD8Q1WyLoCi54dATW3i8keOyXyweLC5VBJjEMyHBcgDxyMQRQdCXQrj3WucyoPSBUc1HSw-M8UjR1M/s320/DSC03939.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
After the cuffs were finished I found that I needed to knit the flip top sections a couple of inches longer than called for. I was able to try the mitts on the intended recipient as I went along, so that worked out fine, but if I had knit them as written they would have been too short for the fingers.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
My Ravelry notes indicate how I proceeded when I determined that the palm should have a bit more protection when the flip tops are pulled back:<br />
<br />
"Thumbs are finished but I’ve decided this is going to work better with a bit of a pick up and knit ribbed section to cover the gap between palm and fingers where the flip top connects. Just picked up 40 sts on first go around, then added in kfb 8 times, spaced across the front starting a 2x2 rib to get back up to 48 stitches."<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVzGozTb_9QR9uv2JAED5BOJVQLLlaYuVdymmWZEtZ9OxGAxpT8mwdqIubfLOu0X2EUtIlqE4Dco_rgckaZGQSisLEQvSevjjg-SNx48YkhskR0lOpJyW6QakvNnNYopH1X565KZDHqEU/s1600/DSC03937.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVzGozTb_9QR9uv2JAED5BOJVQLLlaYuVdymmWZEtZ9OxGAxpT8mwdqIubfLOu0X2EUtIlqE4Dco_rgckaZGQSisLEQvSevjjg-SNx48YkhskR0lOpJyW6QakvNnNYopH1X565KZDHqEU/s320/DSC03937.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Grande', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, Lucida Sans Unicode, Lucida Grande, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Gap covered, ends run in, happy warm hands for the big guy of the house. </span>Larahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03616026174659155684noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4232637834506832478.post-45891783031661495712013-02-18T18:29:00.001-05:002013-02-18T18:29:35.082-05:00WIP: February Lady Sweater the second<br />
A few months ago I bought a sweater's worth of this:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtB8g9kRVHV_fh_2xjjlCldyra6KlDq6-Czj1ypmyEVOA03MD1pbErhyphenhyphenicShdTQevxTHC4zwa3yxzijw_seHGpwDNP34FF4Zp1NZRy82ACCstCykcPbfaNhUghZDfWbvTB4F_7ggiXt_4/s1600/DSC03719.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtB8g9kRVHV_fh_2xjjlCldyra6KlDq6-Czj1ypmyEVOA03MD1pbErhyphenhyphenicShdTQevxTHC4zwa3yxzijw_seHGpwDNP34FF4Zp1NZRy82ACCstCykcPbfaNhUghZDfWbvTB4F_7ggiXt_4/s1600/DSC03719.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
To knit a second one of these:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfR19PnzRQjve79440VTDa6Kbf_Yfi0-OWXdt0p6llyLLM0H4XeK8D7EHHR4PDViw2lQBgipufXfkCYyanXTCqohT_JCzOH7_jgpMYdEdR8LO8oSobxHQKBV3EBpTV7jonomlNVWZNch8/s1600/FebLadySweater.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfR19PnzRQjve79440VTDa6Kbf_Yfi0-OWXdt0p6llyLLM0H4XeK8D7EHHR4PDViw2lQBgipufXfkCYyanXTCqohT_JCzOH7_jgpMYdEdR8LO8oSobxHQKBV3EBpTV7jonomlNVWZNch8/s1600/FebLadySweater.jpg" height="320" width="234" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Loving the yarn and the lovely easy flattering pattern.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi7vQJSjSzNV3dzmjSWL7Xbh2czjeIf7gOu1jYp6LGxT39G2r8dgFonQjmG3KVUw1tnxzudVeD59-ay1-l4pYo_oX1IU4Flm-Uwt0zqp9gl58yXlSVRc5fzVHM8qV6W3-Ei2mu0EBMdzc/s1600/DSC03897.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi7vQJSjSzNV3dzmjSWL7Xbh2czjeIf7gOu1jYp6LGxT39G2r8dgFonQjmG3KVUw1tnxzudVeD59-ay1-l4pYo_oX1IU4Flm-Uwt0zqp9gl58yXlSVRc5fzVHM8qV6W3-Ei2mu0EBMdzc/s1600/DSC03897.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Now if only I had more time to knit!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXvyznDfTHEqVMg3k-v3LcD5GiKVxPf1fDDY8ZlE9TaG8d93jjYtQreCkEDT5JCp-M5HwJugLIuISpL8JrC2IdEI_LuebFLkdb5UPwnLmjIoIuHFGO7UpT4GajYNt_pejT5A_OMQzaXXg/s1600/DSC03893.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXvyznDfTHEqVMg3k-v3LcD5GiKVxPf1fDDY8ZlE9TaG8d93jjYtQreCkEDT5JCp-M5HwJugLIuISpL8JrC2IdEI_LuebFLkdb5UPwnLmjIoIuHFGO7UpT4GajYNt_pejT5A_OMQzaXXg/s1600/DSC03893.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Larahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03616026174659155684noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4232637834506832478.post-42628422072977279542013-02-16T17:34:00.001-05:002013-02-18T18:31:12.171-05:00Podcast discovery: Knitting in Circles<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I've been trying really hard on weekends lately to sit down and spend some time working on a pattern that requires a bit of attention - not TV knitting. Gotta keeps those WIPs moving! I find that a knitting podcast is a good companion, call it mood music if you will. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I recently started watching the <a href="http://knittingincirclespodcast.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank">Knitting in Circles</a> podcast and am on the lookout for other good current knitting content, so let me know if you have other recommendations! Some of my old standbys have stopped broadcasting (RIP <a href="http://sticksandstrings.libsyn.com/" target="_blank">Sticksandstring</a>) and the quality and content can vary so widely. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Knitting in Circles has a weekly broadcast schedule, which as a podcaster myself (when time permits) is frankly impressive. I don't know how Aimee and Darren keep it up, but they have good WIPs, FOs, and spinning to talk about regularly. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/60mk6i4i9nA?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
<br />
Coming <strike>tomorrow</strike> the day after tomorrow - the WIP I brought out of the closet tonight, a new February Lady Sweater in Sundara yarn, so beautiful!Larahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03616026174659155684noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4232637834506832478.post-33979023440470696692013-02-01T21:19:00.001-05:002013-02-01T21:19:17.599-05:00WIP: Bordeaux StoleA little WIP with your FOs?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBRXrqHmM0uinOc7mBQt-04bHTYXOLmZQ1_dftKyNJnYdbKdzW51usGMVqsrT7D0omejndYuPcSKr-ZkOmBI2cQZTxeSC4RwHSWIxtS5wNDIYdv8r761gdwDktJmAaScbU1TqBi8menaA/s1600/IMG_0358.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBRXrqHmM0uinOc7mBQt-04bHTYXOLmZQ1_dftKyNJnYdbKdzW51usGMVqsrT7D0omejndYuPcSKr-ZkOmBI2cQZTxeSC4RwHSWIxtS5wNDIYdv8r761gdwDktJmAaScbU1TqBi8menaA/s320/IMG_0358.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
This is the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/bordeaux" target="_blank">Bordeaux</a> Stole, knit in Fleece Artist <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/yarns/library/fleece-artist-nyoni" target="_blank">Nyoni</a>, lovely stuff. I bought, erm, 4 skeins of it, um, at 820 yards each (??!) on sale at a yarn store down in Annapolis Valley, NS, a couple of years ago. It's a lovely periodot, which is my birthstone colour, so I was really doomed as soon as I saw it, let's be honest.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9zs92i7kkcGm58VKpEF5zqa21VctnAtZtczx1iOVQVBotR9v8t1dE1h8r7kck15qFpXp2ARTZOjWVXReuTEJPlPdyQhMBGYly7yGbiTgzHEPgTpLSDUvGANSrnbL_0PTwDYbrd2Il-Rc/s1600/DSC03727.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9zs92i7kkcGm58VKpEF5zqa21VctnAtZtczx1iOVQVBotR9v8t1dE1h8r7kck15qFpXp2ARTZOjWVXReuTEJPlPdyQhMBGYly7yGbiTgzHEPgTpLSDUvGANSrnbL_0PTwDYbrd2Il-Rc/s320/DSC03727.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
The stole is knit in 2 halves, and the first one is more than good to go, given I used more than a skein so far, and the second half, well, I have nearly finished the charts. And then it's smooth sailing. So sometime around spring time when the grass matches I should have a lovely warm shoulder covering blanket sort of wrap thing.<br />
<br />
<br />Larahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03616026174659155684noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4232637834506832478.post-57912224241482748472013-01-06T16:50:00.000-05:002013-01-06T16:50:22.629-05:00FOs: Rainbow Scarves<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8196CD7BskUr-EqHGKVC5kdYEcweUKsYxwLAJVcoAeMc6AMisRcVsC3ECNsXDBextdJp2qPvR69FOVtABthCKJBjuJiv0DEdI1JuNkyqcx5q6ORoQUXK9DFFE8aDF7voePff1bJRuFcU/s1600/DSC03905.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8196CD7BskUr-EqHGKVC5kdYEcweUKsYxwLAJVcoAeMc6AMisRcVsC3ECNsXDBextdJp2qPvR69FOVtABthCKJBjuJiv0DEdI1JuNkyqcx5q6ORoQUXK9DFFE8aDF7voePff1bJRuFcU/s1600/DSC03905.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
Two rainbow coloured scarves have been finished and fringe chosen by the recipients. Yesterday they were out ice skating outside while the wind gusted and blustered.<br />
<br />The scarves are incredibly hard to photograph. Here's the yarn, Bernat Softee Chunkee Ombres, a super bulky acrylic in the "Schoolyard" colourway.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSv5CopAOZfa3YJn38g_f7WiBs_Zn_J9IU2L26dNNzhMoPHFlGlbBTRS1hsTMryvpqs8How9_bEWqioeISSvUEue_awgjjtDHrEST52TuumSn_696q3WTi4WlMnarQNoSVz731pXhI3ew/s1600/IMG_0227.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSv5CopAOZfa3YJn38g_f7WiBs_Zn_J9IU2L26dNNzhMoPHFlGlbBTRS1hsTMryvpqs8How9_bEWqioeISSvUEue_awgjjtDHrEST52TuumSn_696q3WTi4WlMnarQNoSVz731pXhI3ew/s1600/IMG_0227.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
The saturated colours are very bright. I normally shy away from acrylic, but in this case I am using these scarves as a bit of a test case - the girls are being trusted not to lose them, so cheap yarn is desirable.<br />
<br />
I'm planning to type up my notes on the two scarves as a pattern freebie - they were fast and came out great! Not too long but just about right for munchkins:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFZNQForNzOPw0Vx6TncrUVRYeBXab5HzvjHAQv_uVad5YtaqtJE3RDqSX_X9puSgfg2u3cAhWiRRqy7S6N9fOj8W6KE5AHXSGtTVkO9bzHIoHJwy7ArHtIrS45I3x-Xc5Pdd9q27XNZY/s1600/DSC03929.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFZNQForNzOPw0Vx6TncrUVRYeBXab5HzvjHAQv_uVad5YtaqtJE3RDqSX_X9puSgfg2u3cAhWiRRqy7S6N9fOj8W6KE5AHXSGtTVkO9bzHIoHJwy7ArHtIrS45I3x-Xc5Pdd9q27XNZY/s1600/DSC03929.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
They are also hard to photograph!Larahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03616026174659155684noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4232637834506832478.post-57713901974744643632013-01-01T14:54:00.000-05:002013-01-02T13:10:50.106-05:002013: The year of eliminating UFOs?Happy 2013!<br />
<br />
We rang in the new year with a group of friends in our cozy home (our last house guest actually just left after a nice long single-malt-soaked-sleep) and had a lovely time.<br />
<br />
Over the weekend I did some stash airing, inspired by everyone's favourite <a href="http://twitter.com/knitsib" target="_blank">@knitsib</a>, <a href="http://cast-on.com/" target="_blank">Brenda Dayne</a>.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIeMN8HrRM07teYed8os0e94wEhgRwtxXRmpE59pq-KTmyEB61WtvKRmxy6_MgkcNrPUNcCX0vMlDs9pr5wzqHKmCcKAfhHPj589sIpFDMbfRnb2o6Arjxqr8VqkNRH2hfV6mvmW8m4ig/s1600/IMG_0260.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIeMN8HrRM07teYed8os0e94wEhgRwtxXRmpE59pq-KTmyEB61WtvKRmxy6_MgkcNrPUNcCX0vMlDs9pr5wzqHKmCcKAfhHPj589sIpFDMbfRnb2o6Arjxqr8VqkNRH2hfV6mvmW8m4ig/s1600/IMG_0260.JPG" height="320" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCEHfjwNNBQmuI7UAHoA6CzyIK4YZteea-X4dr06Pybfwc2F1kUB9FDS8tmoXrx0h9X2NcU96-IXlQTlZYiNMTQxTcR0OjdjNSFSXtECpPX6A2n-nCGsXFvmx_UUtc8gQvwHEbQBLDS0E/s1600/IMG_0261.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCEHfjwNNBQmuI7UAHoA6CzyIK4YZteea-X4dr06Pybfwc2F1kUB9FDS8tmoXrx0h9X2NcU96-IXlQTlZYiNMTQxTcR0OjdjNSFSXtECpPX6A2n-nCGsXFvmx_UUtc8gQvwHEbQBLDS0E/s1600/IMG_0261.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></div>
I'm not quite finished, but after finding mould in the closet where my yarn is mostly stored (EEEK!!!), I resolved to go through everything, make sure it's in good shape, and properly ziploc bag all of it. As my stash has grown, I have sometimes stored things properly and sometimes left them in the bags they came in. No longer. I bought a box of large size ziploc bags and have re-bagged everything now, and it has been wonderful to look at what I have and remember what I planned for all of it when it was first purchased. As I assured my partner (who has never seen the full stash out in one place - on purpose!), I bought all of it with a project in mind. Well, most of it, anyway.<br />
<br />
The re-organization/stash airing is nearly complete and as I uncovered some forgotten (save for the grace of Ravelry) UFOs and the yarn to finish them, I started moving toward a half-formed resolution. I'd like to make 2013 the year I finish up the projects that have promise and are finishable, and frog or repurpose the projects that are no longer inspiring. I have lots of beautiful yarn and ideas about what it should become, and having too many projects on the needles hanging out (taking up valuable needle and cable space) is holding me back.<br />
<br />
Do you have any crafty new year's thoughts about how you'd like 2013 to go for your projects?Larahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03616026174659155684noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4232637834506832478.post-6843014714748733542012-12-23T13:17:00.000-05:002012-12-23T13:17:28.343-05:00Rainbow scarvesHowdy y'all.... new year coming up, and I have an unexpected break from work (before starting a new job) so I am planning on attacking some UFOs! Also, tidying up this blog would be a good thing.<br />
<br />
Of course the Christmas knitting needs to get wrapped up first. I just bound off a super simple little scarf and am about to cast on for another. I know a couple of 4 year olds who appreciate my knitting enough to get a little something cozy under the tree.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdUhYjAqghmtg13cpvrcUYl0ZyQkXL5p0C0Wk4L_dlRON52jQNeMA8JcqHnp78JVyRZevRXxT73usGOXOwzGSxYGiKfFgWVhHLygDc6z8MaeJTvgXK8c7zZ9pGDpVXcVbt3CBcHo8BMXM/s1600/IMG_2687.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdUhYjAqghmtg13cpvrcUYl0ZyQkXL5p0C0Wk4L_dlRON52jQNeMA8JcqHnp78JVyRZevRXxT73usGOXOwzGSxYGiKfFgWVhHLygDc6z8MaeJTvgXK8c7zZ9pGDpVXcVbt3CBcHo8BMXM/s320/IMG_2687.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
These are a couple of the reasons that my knitting has slowed way down and I'm not blogging as much as I would like. I like to think that the time invested away from my knitting now is going to triple our joint output in years to come because they both love crafty stuff and are excited to learn to knit! I'm using other means to develop their motor skills before we sit down and risk the frustration that can come when you first try to cast on and get going.<br />
<br />
Last year they each got a pair of these:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBKAiO_U8mnGzMp9SLgP_h5sWiYtcuRAiGYpJ10y7Ylg-3eKuqqbjWOpGf0bVQoJPRKVB_E2YsaXW0ipCSqCx70XDZYf7hX8lmKeyvqUicmMbIf62Ttv8OnD4i9ljmWpRF5aMxsI9HmtA/s1600/DSC03418.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBKAiO_U8mnGzMp9SLgP_h5sWiYtcuRAiGYpJ10y7Ylg-3eKuqqbjWOpGf0bVQoJPRKVB_E2YsaXW0ipCSqCx70XDZYf7hX8lmKeyvqUicmMbIf62Ttv8OnD4i9ljmWpRF5aMxsI9HmtA/s320/DSC03418.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
And to my amazement, a year later we still have all four mitts. This may be due to the fact that these mitts are not allowed to go to daycare during the day where all other mitts (even the brand new 6 pairs of stretch ones I bought them recently) go to get lost. Like on day 1. It's frustrating enough to lose store bought mitts, I'm not really interested in risking it with handknits.<br />
<br />
Those fingerless mitts need a little extending as little hands grow so I might try to add a bit of an extra top to them somehow. And in a notebook somewhere around the house there are notes because I had planned on sharing... so maybe those will emerge as I start to get more organized in the new year! I had trouble finding an appropriate mitt/fingerless pattern for toddler hands so I worked something out myself and I was fairly pleased with it, plus the girls love them.<br />
<br />
So - to come - two very similar scarves for the wee ones (a pair of free patterns planned) - and some other WIPs and FOs that have slowly but surely been coming along this year. Thanks to everyone who keeps visiting despite my lack of updating this past year!Larahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03616026174659155684noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4232637834506832478.post-13033622498447856122012-09-15T13:22:00.000-05:002012-12-23T12:48:54.263-05:00New pattern: Étoile BlanketWow! It has taken me a long time (um... 2 years?) to compile all my notes from multiple notebooks and scraps of paper and sketches and finally publish a new pattern.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDupefIdyJWbzbcdKaFrYFCEe2c0dtJnHPg7-SBEg-JXQDTySELhOGqjqfR0EeqdKH8eV_OjGw0coKtLjP52kSht4Zg5qMSz-U89O-x3NhNKR3IZHC0Tf51xMPRGGOXMC2mbr3mq5ixHs/s1600/Screen+Shot+2012-09-15+at+3.09.03+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDupefIdyJWbzbcdKaFrYFCEe2c0dtJnHPg7-SBEg-JXQDTySELhOGqjqfR0EeqdKH8eV_OjGw0coKtLjP52kSht4Zg5qMSz-U89O-x3NhNKR3IZHC0Tf51xMPRGGOXMC2mbr3mq5ixHs/s640/Screen+Shot+2012-09-15+at+3.09.03+PM.png" width="640" /></a>The new-to-me Ravelry pattern uploader is great!<br />
<br />
You can find the Étoile Blanket over on Ravelry for a modest $5. I think you'll want to knit it more than once, it's so satisfying, so it's a good value! The Étoile Blanket is a lovely simple pattern that I've knit a couple of times for wedding gifts, and that I will definitely knit again in other yarns as every time it works up differently, yet it's easy knitting for TV watching or podcast listening.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn3fzGp9GOcHlXsFKTl9vB3hq9oyfzVsIaUn0JsNpeKIwGNA3CR256QNFMsTz7ZWkcAZ0Oy7XhpAbQZcV0zj0pPKalfRRB0MdXnTAan3WcvaVlThPZ8H5MchSmI6DGBoNqRIPqqCqR0fU/s1600/Etoile-grey3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn3fzGp9GOcHlXsFKTl9vB3hq9oyfzVsIaUn0JsNpeKIwGNA3CR256QNFMsTz7ZWkcAZ0Oy7XhpAbQZcV0zj0pPKalfRRB0MdXnTAan3WcvaVlThPZ8H5MchSmI6DGBoNqRIPqqCqR0fU/s320/Etoile-grey3.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/purchase/malaraky-crafts/117351"><img border="0" src="http://www.ravelry.com/images/shopping/buy-now.gif" /></a><br />
<br />
Let me know what you think! :)<br />
<br />Larahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03616026174659155684noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4232637834506832478.post-66529932614290424652012-03-13T17:51:00.000-05:002012-03-13T17:51:30.408-05:00FO: Striped CitronIt has probably been a couple of months since I finished my second <a href="http://knitty.com/ISSUEwinter09/PATTcitron.php">Citron</a>. The first one was olive green, and they're both in Malabrigo Lace. Lovely soft stuff. Wonderful pattern for some simple knitting that turns out looking lovely and feeling like a cloud wrapped around your neck. <br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/24495679@N00/6977816663/" title="DSC03507 by malaraky, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7208/6977816663_5d8d670f63.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="DSC03507"></a><br />
<br />
Although I managed to not make a note (I was being very good at this for the last few years) of the needle size, I think that's because they were the recommended 6 for this pattern/yarn. Otherwise I'm just sure I would have mentioned it. <br />
<br />
If you have a chance, check out the <a href="http://www.tumblr.com/blog/knitpurlpr0n">knitting tumblr</a> I'm jointly authoring. This blog will continue to be a place to document WIPs & FOs, but the Tumblr will have a few extras, like cool crafty things from around the web. Speaking of which, anyone using Pinterest? <a href="http://pinterest.com/larakillian/">I'm giving that a test run</a> as well.Larahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03616026174659155684noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4232637834506832478.post-68332177977179484622012-02-03T15:59:00.001-05:002012-02-03T16:01:32.883-05:00Check out my new Tumblr...Well hi!<br />
<br />
I am not abandoning this blog, it is too nice and well established for that. However, in recognition that I have really fallen out of the habit of updating it, please feel free to check out this Tumblr I have set up to document some of the more knitty-gritty knitting and crafting moments in my life:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://knitpurlpr0n.tumblr.com/" TARGET="_blank">http://knitpurlpr0n.tumblr.com/</a><br />
<br />
It's oh-so-easy to use the Tumblr app to take a picture of, for example, the mittens that are wearing through at the thumb, and post it immediately with just a short comment, rather than saving up my thoughts for a full on blog post and having to deal with downloaded and uploaded photos and all that. I don't plan to disappear completely from here but you might check the above for more frequent updates! So far all the posts are from me but the original idea was for a joint project with my new local knitter friend <a href="http://www.lolaaugustine.com/" TARGET="_blank">Lola</a> so hopefully this will be a joint effort!Larahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03616026174659155684noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4232637834506832478.post-79944583715039902332012-01-02T13:13:00.000-05:002012-01-02T13:13:51.925-05:00FO: Traveling woman shawl pt 2Hey! I did actually take other photos of this shawl. I've had more time than usual in the last week to flip through photos on the computer. These were taken in early October 2011.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/24495679@N00/6621524339/" title="DSC03352 by malaraky, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7141/6621524339_e6ee31e9be.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="DSC03352"></a><br />
<br />
Also that photo makes me see how when I blocked it I apparently pulled out the wrong point for the centre - see how the double YO increases along the middle don't match up with the central point? Oooooops.<br />
<br />
It's kind of exciting how I've managed to get knitting back into my life again. Maybe it's the cooler temps (though often it feels ilke spring instead of winter here for some odd reason) or maybe things are just settling a bit. It's good.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/24495679@N00/6621534897/" title="DSC03353 by malaraky, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7148/6621534897_9169e0695f.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="DSC03353"></a>Larahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03616026174659155684noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4232637834506832478.post-69008884836929410952011-12-30T20:00:00.002-05:002012-01-01T19:34:05.395-05:00FO: Traveling woman shawlNever having seen lace weight cotton in a very subtle semi-solid, I picked up a single skein of <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/yarns/library/araucania-lonco-solid">Araucania Lonco Solid</a> during a trip to the DC area a couple of years ago. It marinated in my stash, 440 yards, enough to work a small project with a nice weight to it - a summer shawl. <br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/24495679@N00/6493231675/" title="DSC03365 by malaraky, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7021/6493231675_c21dca45cf.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="DSC03365"></a><br />
<br />
Naturally I started it in the spring of 2011, worked on <a href="http://feministy.com/traveling-woman/">The Traveling Woman shawl</a> during the plane travel on a trip to Belize, then let it sit for some months while I didn't do much summer knitting at all. I managed to finish it in October (it really is a fast and satisfying knit), and then wasn't able to download photos from my camera for a month or two. The colour is more accurate here:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/24495679@N00/6272958959/" title="Traveling woman shawl by malaraky, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6054/6272958959_ab114bd046.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="Traveling woman shawl"></a><br />
<br />
But unfortunately I don't have a great shot of the whole thing. It is a nice drapey heavy sort of summery shawl. I like it.Larahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03616026174659155684noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4232637834506832478.post-89344294677775810612011-12-15T17:06:00.017-05:002011-12-30T19:31:55.069-05:00WIP: Tinder cardiganIn October, <a href="http://beigeberry.wordpress.com/">beigeberry</a> and <a href="http://subliminalrabbit.blogspot.com/">subliminalrabbit</a> and I decided to do another KAL. Beigeberry had spotted the new Brooklyn Tweed collection and had her eye on either Bedford or Tinder. I decided on Tinder and the others decided on Bedford. Still from the same collection (<a href="http://brooklyntweed.net/btfall11lookbook.html">BT Fall 11</a>) so we continued calling it a KAL.<br />
<br />
They're both quite a bit farther along than I am. Ok, so <a href="http://subliminalrabbit.blogspot.com/2011/12/why-hello.html">subliminal rabbit has finished her project</a>. <br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/24495679@N00/6493227559/" title="DSC03363 by malaraky, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7029/6493227559_cc739ba823.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="DSC03363"></a><br />
<br />
That's an early photo, though! I've finished the left front and am making good progress on the back following the holiday knitting wrap up. The yarn is a wool/mohair blend I picked up at <a href="http://www.minimills.net/page.php?24">Belfast Mini Mills</a> on Prince Edward Island in July. It's squishy and soft with a pretty halo. <br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/24495679@N00/6493261463/" title="DSC03378 by malaraky, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7018/6493261463_c9fbdda5e7.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="DSC03378"></a><br />
<br />
Also I have decided my Tinder will be a vest instead of a cardigan. I was having trouble deciding if I would go with the reverse st st sleeves, and also looked at all my sweaters and realized half of them are purple/burgundy. So I think adding a vest to my wardrobe, especially given the length of this one, plus possibly adding pockets, will be a good thing. Also, I may not have purchased quite enough yarn (1000 yards) for a full cardigan so.... a vest solves that problem too!Larahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03616026174659155684noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4232637834506832478.post-75798462335450426022011-12-01T11:33:00.010-05:002011-12-11T11:53:00.689-05:00FO: Clementine ShawletteWell, knitting slowed down for a little while but it has picked back up again and a few things have been finished, a few more started, and a couple of patterns are hopefully going to be written fairly soon. <br />
<br />
So today I'd like to show you the Clementine Shawlette in Diamond Yarn Luxury Collection Alpaca Prima (100% alpaca fingering weight): <br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/24495679@N00/6493235849/" title="DSC03367 by malaraky, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7157/6493235849_b45eb14bd1.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="DSC03367"></a><br />
<br />
Something a little funny happened with this one - I started it about a year ago and once I got into the 4 row lace repeat it was no trouble at all to set it down, work on a different project, then pick up Clementine when I needed something to just plug away at. I had plenty of yarn (something I can never say for my sweater projects) so I didn't think too much about the length of the thing... until I decided it was getting just about long enough and I should decrease for the final end of it - then checked the pattern and realized I was supposed to knit this in two equal halves. Oops!<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/24495679@N00/6493233735/" title="DSC03366 by malaraky, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7013/6493233735_179c5d9406.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="DSC03366"></a><br />
<br />
So I put the first 85% on hold and cast on from the start of the second "half" - I did try briefly to reverse the shaping on the increase chart to decrease the end of the original half, but with triple decreases and whatnot it wasn't too straightforward so I decided pretty quickly to just cast on for the second piece and then graft them together when it got to the full width. So the seam is most of the way toward one end rather than the centre of the back but never mind! <br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/24495679@N00/5401605645/" title="DSC02794 by malaraky, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5135/5401605645_27a89a86dc.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="DSC02794"></a><br />
<br />
I have more FOs and WIPs to mention - and the reason I'm back is because I lost my ability to download photos from my camera since July, but recently I was able to borrow someone's set up to download pics from my micro SD so I have a bunch of stuff to post. And I was able to update a bunch of Ravely stuff, which is very satisfying!Larahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03616026174659155684noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4232637834506832478.post-80665925978466884042011-03-15T16:31:00.000-05:002011-03-15T16:31:24.202-05:00FO: Aviatrix & Saartje's Booties setI had to wait to post this just in case my friend the mom-to-be ever glances this way, so here are a few photos of a fun baby set I managed (for the first time ever!) to complete before the baby comes!<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/24495679@N00/5489818025/" title="DSC02839 by malaraky, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5251/5489818025_5a3a196685.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="DSC02839" /></a><br />
<br />
The yarn is Lily Chin Gramercy superwash merino, in a nice bright turquoise that should work for any gender :) I used <a href="http://fleeglesblog.blogspot.com/2007/12/sartjees-fleeglized-bootie.html">Fleegle's seamless bootie recipe</a>, not for the first time. <br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/24495679@N00/5490412516/" title="DSC02837 by malaraky, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5252/5490412516_42409b443f.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="DSC02837" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/aviatrix-baby-hat">The Aviatrix hat</a> (Rav link) is one of the cutest little hats I've ever seen for a baby, and the adjustable chin strap means it'll last for more than one season, I hope!<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/24495679@N00/5373092148/" title="IMG_0148 by malaraky, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5130/5373092148_627e952116.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="IMG_0148" /></a><br />
<br />
I heard from my dear friend A a couple of days ago, she is very happy with the little package I sent, and I am excited for the coming addition to her wee family. Hooray!<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/24495679@N00/5373092146/" title="IMG_0147 by malaraky, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5129/5373092146_54ba986aca.jpg" width="472" height="500" alt="IMG_0147" /></a>Larahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03616026174659155684noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4232637834506832478.post-56766076117893133592011-03-04T16:35:00.000-05:002011-03-04T16:35:31.460-05:002010 FOsHappy weekend! <br />
<br />
I took the time a few days ago to update move last year's projects into their own page, so hopefully this is the beginning of me cleaning up my blog a bit after much neglect. It's easy to take a quick spin through <a href="http://malarakycrafts.blogspot.com/p/2010-fos.html">2010 FOs right here</a>. <br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/24495679@N00/5296791395/" title="DSC02670 by malaraky, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5081/5296791395_1a35b1856e_m.jpg" width="240" height="180" alt="DSC02670" /></a><br />
<br />
Now I just need to get my WIPs organized and clean some of them up. How is it possible that 90% of the time something is on the needles is simply when it's waiting to be finished up? I want to get back to some of those spring projects but feel downright guilty about the languishing FOs. Hopefully this weekend will involve some knitting time! Have a good one...Larahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03616026174659155684noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4232637834506832478.post-716585273792345362011-03-03T14:05:00.000-05:002011-03-03T14:05:05.831-05:00WIP: Mythos CardiWhatever happened to that pink <a href="http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEff10/PATTmythos.php">Mythos cardigan</a> I started last summer at <a href="http://malarakycrafts.blogspot.com/2010/08/knit-camp-2010.html">Knit Camp 2010</a>?<br />
<br />
Let me tell you. I ran out of yarn toward the end and cannibalized part of the sleeves so I could do the knitted on icord edging. They were too fitted at the wrists anyway. Last night I finished my new sleeve cuff solution (ruffles may be involved!) but I also wanted to explain how I re-used the yarn from the lower sleeves, which of course were knit from the cuff up toward the shoulder, even after I'd seamed them completely. Warning: Graphic surgical photos follow. Not for the faint of crafty heart!<br />
<br />
Still with me? Ok, here we go. <br />
<br />
I decided to go for a half length sleeve, to be sure I had enough yarn to re-do the edging on the sleeves in some manner as well as complete the icord edging around the body. First I marked with a safety pin on both sleeves where I would like to rip back to.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/24495679@N00/5408452535/" title="DSC02802 by malaraky, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5295/5408452535_3277dcfdb9.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="DSC02802" /></a><br />
<br />
I had already used a different yarn to seam the sleeves; in this case the best I could do was a dark pink bamboo yarn of similar weight to the pink wool used for the whole project. I unraveled my sleeve seams up to the safety pin. <br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/24495679@N00/5409063610/" title="DSC02808 by malaraky, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5134/5409063610_9f7a9b36ed.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="DSC02808" /></a><br />
<br />
Next, I took a high contrast yarn, in this case a black cotton, and threaded it on a darning needle to insert a life line into the row of stitches corresponding to the level the safety pin was at. I wanted to put these stitches back on a circular needle so I could knit down from the elbow length and create a new cuff. This is where it's a little freaky - you have to cut into your knitting. I snipped a few stitches in and into the row below the one where my lifeline was placed, as I wanted to keep those stitches live. Snipping a little in to the row rather than right at the edge meant that I wouldn't lose the beginning of the row of stitches that I wanted to keep, due to having too short a tail. <br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/24495679@N00/5409063400/" title="DSC02807 by malaraky, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5100/5409063400_3a312dbc62.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="DSC02807" /></a><br />
<br />
I gently unraveled the row below my life line, stitch by stitch, and picked up the stitches held on the life line with my circular needle. <br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/24495679@N00/5409063190/" title="DSC02804 by malaraky, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5300/5409063190_74b6030e6d.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="DSC02804" /></a><br />
<br />
The result was a half sleeve of stockinette, ready to be unraveled and used to knit on a new cuff for the sleeve.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/24495679@N00/5408452999/" title="DSC02805 by malaraky, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5215/5408452999_dea7df3af7.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="DSC02805" /></a><br />
<br />
Here's the only picture I apparently took of the entire thing, while I didn't want to show you just at the start, in case the half-attached sleeve gave you the willies. <br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/24495679@N00/5408452755/" title="DSC02803 by malaraky, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5012/5408452755_ef4f3384be.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="DSC02803" /></a><br />
<br />
I'm pretty happy with the solution for the new sleeve cuff, but it's not completely finished and I don't have pictures yet. Have you performed any knitting surgery lately?Larahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03616026174659155684noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4232637834506832478.post-52264440216063444092011-02-07T13:27:00.002-05:002011-02-07T13:29:07.178-05:00Ysolda's prices going upIn case you - like me! - have been thinking for awhile about any purchases of individual patterns by Ysolda, now might be the time because she writes that <a href="http://ysolda.com/2011/02/07/price-increase/">her prices will be going up</a> on Valentine's Day!<br /><br />I have been determined to try knitting Coraline for a long time since every one seems to come out so well. This is me trying to remind myself to purchase the pattern before next Monday!<br /><br />Happy knitting :)Larahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03616026174659155684noreply@blogger.com1