Blocking gets easier with time

I have to say it does not feel as a torture anymore, with a good practice it is manageable. I finished, washed and blocked the Swallowtail Shawl. The end result pictures in 'real life' will be taken later

The end result is stunning (well in my view); it is perfect for the summer and will go with different outfits. I know the colour is not mine but as is the shawl. That is right the yarn and the project were chosen back in January to become a present for my mum (she is blonde and has blue eyes, so fingers crossed she will be glad to receive it). I am proud of myself as I have finished it beforehand not a month or two after the birthday. I will go to visit my family at the end of May for about 10 days (cannot wait) and will give it to her. I think I will also take some pictures of my damned Phildar jacket as well on my mum

Holidays

Came and went so fast, I don’t event feel like I had one at all. I had so many knitting plans to convey but had a food poisoning instead.

As soon as I’ve finished wristbands I’ve decided to stay true to my initial proposal and pick up Highgate again. Which I did only to see yet another mistake at row 13! I am crazy about mistakes; I just have to have none of them if I possibly can, so I’ve ripped the whole front and started afresh. I am now back to where I’ve started: row 120.



Then I thought I could start another socks and relax for a while, sure I did, only I’ve chosen the wrong kind of socks for it: Eunny Yang’s entrelac knee-highs from IK Spring 2007. 2 evenings spend knitting frenzy, 5-6 ripping, plus ~10 ripping of the toe cast on. I don’t enjoy the process yet; I am now up to heel on the right sock and no passion.

To cheer up I’ve started a shawl: Swallowtail from IK Fall 2006 in Handmaiden Sea silk. That is a fantastic and utterly rewarding knit!

Useful or useless

Cannot decide actually, so what do you think?


When I finished my first Monkey Sock I was left with quite a leftover of yarn and taking into account the colour of it, I was completely lost at the prospect of finding a project that would incorporate it (I don’t like to store leftovers)

My boyfriend took a look and proposed to knit wrist bands. At the time I must say the idea seemed too appealing to resist because I use them very-very often. Ok, here is an embarrassing fact about me: as soon as the temperature strikes 25C my face starts to sweat enormously, just like in a sauna. I don’t sweat anywhere else but the face. Nothing helps against it, I can’t use any make up during the summer time, and to make things worse there is no hope of growing out of it. It is hereditary, my father and grandmother are just the same.

To wipe my brow I tend to go through loads of tissue per day and 2-3 wrists, so you see: it is an essential item for me. The thing I have noticed over the years as that sport wristbands are not as tough as they should be: they do not survive for more then a month in my care and every day wash (Nike sometimes lasts longer).

Here is the ingeniousness of my boyfriend’ idea: the yarn is for socks, so it is the toughest one available and in theory should withstand the summer. We’ll see about it.

Ok, enough on the advantages of the knit, coming to the uselessness of it: it took a really long time to knit. They only look small but being done on 1.5mm, it took about an evening each and I grew sooooo tired after the first one. I was only able to complete them employing all the willpower I seem to posses. I could have done a large garment at the time ‘wasted’.

Now you see why I have this mix feeling toward my wristbands


Model: Wristbands by me (72st x80rows for XS wrists)
Yarn: Lorna’s Laces Shepherd Sock in colourway ‘Happy Valley’ (about 0.5-0.75 of the ball for the three of them)
Needles: Pony 1.5mm(US 000)

Martha

It’s done! It’s done….and I am in love! This is my favourite knit so far: love the pattern, the fit, the yarn, the colour. Oh, how I love this ice cream with blackberry jam colour, so pretty, not lilac and not pink, just right in the middle.

I had to wear it today, so here are some pictures.



Model: Martha by Sara Hatton form Rowan Studio issue 2
Yarn: just slightly over 5 balls of Rowan Felted Tweed in colour Melody for Size L
Needles: Addi 3.00mm (US 2/3) and 3.75mm (US 5)
Modifications: none


I know that hat doesn’t match the outfit but my ear is hurting and I had to wear it

The secret 5th button

Almost there

I am desperate to finish at least something, the cold is almost gone and so what would be the point of my winter sweaters? I won’t be able even to take a picture in them.

So, I am on the quest to finish Martha, and then the mystery item, and then the Highgate (it has been collecting dust for far too long).

I was knitting in the train today on my way to Cambridge (was determined to finish the second sleeve). The elderly couple was sitting just opposite of me and the woman was ever so often glancing at my growing sleeve. When the train was approaching the platform the woman broke the silence and asked me where did I learn to knit THAT way? I know I don’t hold the needles in any known way because I am self-taught and I was already knitting for years before I realised something was wrong, but I figured it would be far to late to re-learn.

Anyway, the woman said she had been knitting for years and had never ever come across my method and she also said that my way is fast and very tension controlling. I am so pleased!!! Finally someone said something nice, not just a blank stair of annoyance as if I am not a knitter but a clown.

Martha is now washed and blocked

Candyfloss

Or mint candies for kids: that’s what ‘Happy Valley’ reminds me of.


Pattern: Monkey by Cooki A. from Knitty Winter 06
Yarn: 1.5 skews of Lorna’s Laces Shepherd Sock in colourway ‘Happy Valley’ (Note, I started each sock from the different skew to obtain similar pooling)
Needles: Addi’s DPN 2.5mm
Modifications: chose to do 6 pattern repeats for the leg and 6 for the foot

Spring

Finally I feel some change, not only on the outside but inside as well. I despise the feeling of being ‘up in the air’ and it is exactly what I have been experiencing recently. Thank God it is all over and I can start knitting again.

To get the sense of the spring I wanted a knit with summery yarn (bit tired of wool), something cheerful, happy, and bright.

The pattern that immediately came to my mind was Monkey. And monkey means cheeky, playful, carefree…. Here the choice of yarn came in, or rather the choice of the colourway: Happy Valley from Lorna’s Laces.

I personally think that it is the great colour choice as pattern can be easily distinguished and it is cheeky enough to be worn out with keds and shorts and a geeky t-shirt. Oh, I want summer!!!!

The meterage of the skew is so generous, I think I will cast on a mystery item with the ends (my own design representation of my boyfriend's ingenious idea)






PS: Ava, thank you for your congratulations (I still don’t know how the retrieve peoples email form their comments).

Away

I’ve been an awful blogger recently: not writing, not commenting, and not even reading.
I have a very good reason for it actually-PhD interviews at Cambridge University. That’s right, my dream place-the fruit fly heaven, the Department of Genetics.
I’ve met lots of really-really nice and smart and friendly people over the two days I have spent in the lab.
And today Dr. Martinez-Arias confirmed that I can have a place in his lab, starting October 2007!!!!
It is an oral confirmation, not a written one yet, but I am sooooo happy my heart hurts.

These past two weeks were the most nerve breaking experience in my life: I could not sleep and eat, and I’ve lost 2.5kg during it. That explains why I could not knit and so haven’t blogged.

I am off getting back with my life now.

More images

From today's section on SEM

Not knitting but still art

I am afraid I wasn’t knitting much these past days, way too busy with my ‘primary’ life in a lab. This week I’ve been enjoying an introductory course to Electron microscopy. Pictures I was able to produce myself using pollen sample and SEM will follow later this week (Uni internet is way too slow).

For me molecular biology and genetics are fun and in a way a form of art. Some people have a misconception regarding the matter believing that science is all to do with maths. Well in a way it does, as it does with physics but then again physics may be regarded as a form of art too. You have to know how to draw diagrams, use sophisticated computer paint packages and take pictures (understanding the principle of image developing comes in pretty handy).

Aw, as some of you may have noticed I put a new name down in the ‘Progress section’, that is my new infatuation piece (again in tweed) called Martha. It comes from Rowan Studio Issue 2, and not from a Rowan mag. I am pretty happy with my progress so far: last weekend I’ve done the whole of the back and have to say it does look as good as in the picture.


Another thing I need to say or rather ask is a bit stupid, so here it goes: how do you find the e-mail of the person who commented in your post, so you may send him/her a thank you reply? I am totally lost…

Gambling

I am not a gambler, at least not with respect to the casino game aspect of the definition, neither with respect to life decisions, but it seems like I might be a gambler when it comes to yarn meterage.

I have never knitted with Sundara Sock Yarn before, so I had no idea whether 1 skew will be sufficient for the sock I wanted. The Ripple Weave socks have adjustable pattern repeat, nothing to worry about, right? The problem is I set my heart on knitting exactly 7 repeats like on the mag model girl, knitted the first sock, absolutely loved the length, and started another one…

I wasn’t sure until the very end whether I would be able to make it. It is such a thrill not to be sure; it keeps you knitting frenzy and doesn’t get the ‘second sock syndrome’ to kick in.

So, after 2 evenings knitting like a complete knittoholic (does such word exist?), I finished the second sock with only 50cm of yarn left. Can you believe my luck?!! I have no idea what I would have done if I ran out of it since it is limited edition dye and there is absolutely no chance getting another skew. I know I would have to rip it but then I know even better that I would never make myself to re-knit it one repeat shorter.


This is a true colour (above)

Model: Ripple Weave Socks form VK Fall 2006
Yarn: Sundara Sock Yarn in 'Navy over Pink'
Needles: Addi's DPN 2.5mm
Modifications: I chose to knit complete 7 repeats pattern

This is the reason I think it is called Weave

Pattern is double sided, cannot decide which side I like more

Kiwi

This weekend was very productive; I finished my GG top but didn’t have enough time this week to take pictures of me in it. Verdict: LOVE it! Love everything about it: the simplicity of the design, the fact that it is top-to-bottom knit, the way the colour looks in the pain st. st. This yarn is made for the plain st. st. But is it a Kiwi colour? For me it looks more like green apple on the sunny day or pistachio.



Model: GG from Zephyrstyle
Yarn: 5 balls of Lana Grossa ‘New Cotton’ in colour kiwi
Needles: Addi’s circular 24’ and 40’ in 3.5mm and 4.0mm, Addi’s DPN 3.5mm
Modification: well, a part from the initial cast and the fancy pattern everything had been knitted to fit my body and so had been knitted from my head and not using the instruction

Recycle

Remember my green bolero, the one I crocheted last summer and wore only once to make pictures of it. Well, I have finally ripped it and casted a completely new project with the salvaged yarn, a knitted project as I am not a crocheter.
It is a Green Gable: the picture is rather old (taken today in the morning), I am now down to waist. I thought of taking pictures of me wearing it, but then even down to waist it is still revealing.
This is my first top-to-bottom knit and I do love it. I can play with the pattern, do increases and decreases whenever I want and if it does not look right I might just rip couple of rows and start all over again. This particular yarn is perfect for plain stockinette stitch; want to finish it as soon as possible. But since I only knit on the weekends now, it will take some time.

Sanity

I am at Uni with no knitting, no time for reading and in the mist of things to do as I go through each day. The weather doesn’t help either, since it is all rainy and grey and sleepy.

To stay sain, I listen for my favourite band: Silverchair. Just though you might like to check out their new video on the new song (first after 5 whopping years of silence). I have to admit, I am slightly too exited and paranoid about it, have to watch it 10-20 times a day; I am sure it will make me sick eventually but for now I am loving it!!!!

Sick and Tired

The Phildar Jacket is finally done and it is such a sense of relief!!! I don’t like the end result; don’t even think it will grow on me: it is way too small in length and the cut is not mine.

I have to admit, this is my first adult piece from a French mag and French shaping is not for me. I am more on the German line with big feminine curves. I know I am not as skinny as I would like but even so, I did knit my normal size(size 3) and it is too uncomfortable.

So, I have decided t give it away to my mum, she is slimmer and shorter and overall has a completely different body type. Fingers crossed it will suite her and will not be thrown away.

Model: Gilet (21) from Phildar Tendances 436
Yarn: Phildar Pure Laine 3.5 650gr in colour Chameau
Needles: 3.00mm and 4.5mm

7 ways

All through this week I have been inspired by big knitting. I saw it in so many places; I lost my sleep and started thinking how I could possibly adapt it in my own knits. After all, it is going to be one of the biggest fashion trends in the coming Fall/Winter; I know it is almost a year from now, but I always preferred to be ahead rather then behind in fashion.

If you feel you might do with some of that inspiration yourself please check out Olga’s lovely blog for latest catwalk pictures and a new book by Twinkle.

About my actual result, well here it is. WARNING: high picture contents ahead.
Remember, I knitted the skiing sweater from Cascade Magnum earlier this winter. I was never fully satisfied by the neck and it only took 5 balls of yarn rather then 6 mentioned in the pattern. I was planning to use the ball on a mystery original design but last night the longing for the big turtle neck took a grip over me and I had to knit.
I picked up the sweater, the extra ball and I can now reveal my very own modified version of the sweater. There are 7 different ways of wearing the huge neck.

An impulsive knit

You know how it is sometimes: you understand that you should be working on the certain knit, but you just can’t force yourself because somehow that knit becomes compulsory. This is exactly what happened to me this week. I was going to work solemnly on my Phildar Jacket and try to finish it off but just never could make myself.

I am getting towards the end of it now with fronts, back, 2 sleeves and one pocket being done. I now need to finish the second pocket and knit a huge front plank. And then of course I will have to wash, block and assemble it, not a small task but I will get there.

So, instead of being constant I stated that new impulsive knit: the Ripple Weave socks from VK Fall 06. Something is not right with me, ever since I finished that Christmas stocking I became bewitched by the whole sock knitting experience, I have to knit it. Strange, isn’t it? As soon as one pair is done I must find another one. And I bought this glorious Sundara Sock Yarn; it is the best sock yarn I worked with ever!!!

One sock is done now and I better hide the remaining yarn and work on that cardi before I cast on the second sock.




Love that Welsh Heel