V Knits

Blooming Superwash Scarf

2009-04-20T21:03:00.002-07:00

The Blooming Cotton Scarf Pattern by Eunny Jang

The colors I chose!

So many colors, so much fun! If you're like me and have some trouble with tension when doing color work, try this pattern. Because you're only using one strand per round, you don't have to juggle multiple strands. It's all ingenious slipped stitches. The pattern is easy to remember and it's easy to see where you are in the pattern, thanks to all those colors!

The scarf is knit in the round, then cut and partially unraveled to create the fringe. See Below.

I've decided not to do the full pattern and knit only half the width of the scarf. I've also decided to sew a fabric backing onto the scarf. The back of the scarf has all those wonderful carried strands from the slipped stitches and seem prone to snagging.

Pretty green fabric

More on all this once the scarf is totally finished.

Wavy

2009-04-06T18:22:00.004-07:00

Wavy Scarf Pattern from Handmaiden

This was a super easy quick knit. Urban Yarns has tons of this Fleece Artist yarn. The yarn I used was Merino 2/6 with AngelHair(mohair) in the Peacock colorway. The 2 separate skeins are sold together with the idea that you knit with both yarns at the same time. My favorite part was watching the colors change. So pretty.

Spring Cleaning

2009-02-15T15:41:00.001-08:00

Tulips from my Fella. =)

Well, it's done. I've got my stuff updated on Ravelry, photos and all. I have ALL of my yarn pulled off of my shelves and I am doing another great re-organization. It feels good to finally be getting around to tidying up. I've wanted to for a while. I think I can thank working at my LYS for that.

The sun is out today and I think spring is finally on it's way here.

Dragging my @ss....

2009-02-07T21:40:00.002-08:00

I've had a Ravelry account since October '07. You would think I'd be on it more often than I am, which is never. I've decided to show some more effort. Take photos of my stash etc. And I want to start doing a better job of this old blog too. We'll see though I guess.

Does Anyone Know What This Means?

2008-10-26T16:26:00.000-07:00

We all knew this would happen sooner or later....

I bought a loom.

A 36" LeClerc Nilus floor loom to be exact. Something that is $2575.00 new, I got for $350.00. Holy crap!!! The price included a custom handmade bench and a warping board, bobbins, bobbin winder, shuttles etc..... The awesome lady that was keeping an ear to the ground for me was also kind enough to pick it up and drop it off at my place. =) Wonderful people crafters are, I tell ya. Then, my Fella decided to rearrange half of our one-bedroom apartment to accommodate the newest addition to our household. What a lucky girl I am. I have been grinning all day today. =D

Catching Up

2008-10-08T11:31:00.000-07:00

Flower Brooch

Flower Brooch on Knitted Pouch

And some pretty knitted lace....

.....to make a classy little scarf.

This is the Juliet Scarf from Louisa Harding's book Knitting Little Luxuries. Originally for a light and fluffy yarn (angora blend), this one was knit with 2 strands of different yarns together for some added weight and density. I used Hand Maiden's Cashemere and Silk and Great Big Sea, both in the Ivory colorway.

The knitted pouch which contains the scarf was a quick pattern that I whipped up that echoes one of the lace motifs from the original pattern. I started at the bottom using the provisional cast-on, added 4 reps of the lace pattern on both sides, made some yarn over holes for the crocheted cord to go through and voila! Little knitted pouch. I just thought a scarf like this should have sometime to protect it when it's put away. So. There we go. This is another one for Sherry. She'll get it tomorrow. =)

Sherry's Hat and Scarf

2008-08-08T23:13:00.003-07:00

Me modeling a hat and scarf I'm working on for my friend Sherry.

"Hey Sherry! I'm almost done! Almost."

Wow.

2008-08-03T15:18:00.002-07:00

I have not posted in FOREVER. I haven't knitted much either since I've been on this photography kick. I've only got one FO that I haven't taken a picture of yet. I've gotten so lazy! Anyway, I may start posting more frequently soon. Stay tuned!

Happy New Year!

2008-01-01T11:57:00.000-08:00

The first FO of the year!

This gray scarf is a gift for my sister. Not really a late X-mas gift.... A simple 'just because' gift. (Basically, I asked if she wanted me to knit her anything and this is what she requested.) It is so. Freaking. SOFT. Chunky Baby Alpaca yarn... *drool* I'll be sending it off in the mail soon!

I've got a bunch of projects lined up and it's just a matter of choosing which ones to work on. I am going to try very hard to not spend any extra money this year which means I'll be working on slimming down my stash.

For starters!

I'm going to knit this.....

Which I found in this....

And I'm going to knit it with this.

Eri's Clapotis and Muskox Qiviuq Yarn

2007-12-17T17:37:00.000-08:00

Eri's Clapotis.....

....In Drops Alpaca.

I love giving gifts. This past weekend became a series of impromptu gift exchanges. My Fella's sister and fiance came out from Courtenay to visit and I also spent some tasty-food, quality time with my good friend Eri. She was kind enough to model her new clapotis for photos. (Thanks Eri!)

Eri brought something for me too. Of course, what would a knitter love more than the gift of yarn!

100% Muskox Qiviuq Yarn from Folknits.

This is no ordinary yarn however. It is Muskox yarn. Muskox. I had no idea. I checked out the Folknits website and it said "Qiviuq is one of the finest, lightest and rarest fibres in the world." How cool is that? I am being very careful with what pattern I choose to knit with this. It will be a scarf for sure, possibly a slim version of the Clapotis... Oh! This yarn is absolutely gorgeous. It smells a bit different from other yarns. More like home, earthy and warm. I am in love with this yarn. The natural color of the yarn is so pretty too. It's a very subtle gray-brown, very sophisticated in a cashmere kind of way. Really, I can't say enough about this yarn. I'm going to savor it and not rush through knitting it. I'm still resisting winding it into a cake. =)

Gifties

2007-11-25T12:27:00.000-08:00

I thought I'd show some bits and bites of gifts I've been working on for the upcoming holiday season. I won't say what's what (I'm sure you can tell what they are anyway...) or for whom. Let's not ruin the surprise!

Debbie Bliss - Alpaca Silk

Drops Alpaca in Deep Red

Socks That Rock

And a pretty gift I received from the lovely Angela over at Food and Yarn. Thanks Angela!

Cables and Clapotis FO

2007-10-29T15:47:00.000-07:00

Aran Bag by Debbie Bliss

Yikes! It's been a while. No excuses, I've just been really lazy. But anyway! With access to library books again I have found a new pattern that I've started. It's the Aran Bag by Debbie Bliss. I've knit the front panel so far and am casting on for the back panel. The yarn I'm using (this time around...I plan to make more than one!) is Rowan Yorkshire Tweed Aran. I'm also scrounging around for fabric to use for the lining. This bag is going to be so pretty!

Clapotis from Knitty.com

It took me long enough but I've finally got the Clapotis bug. I've just finished this one and I am gearing up to make another one. The yarn I've used here is Mama E's C*EYE*BER Fiber yarn from the Cake of the Month Club. The next one I make will have to be wider though. The width given in the pattern works better as a scarf for me and I'd like one that functions more as a wrap. No wonder everyone knits this. No wonder!

Goats on the Roof!

2007-09-23T08:30:00.000-07:00

Goats on the Roof at Coombs, BC

I'm here in Courtney, BC visiting my good friend Jill and she thought it would be fun to take a slight detour from our drive up from Nanimo to see some Goats on the Roof. She said, "Trust me, you'll know when you see it." And really, that is what they are! Just some goats hanging out on the grass-covered roof of a market that overlooks a restaurant patio. Apparently, some of the goats will leer at you while you eat your tasty food! Very cute.

Mystic Sea Socks FO

2007-09-08T12:44:00.000-07:00

FO: Mystic Sea Socks - Pattern by Cass White

These socks were great to knit! Yummy yarn and an interesting pattern. I'm pretty happy that Angela gave me this pattern. I always have my doubts with rib patterns, I just do. But this pattern was a total success! I really liked how it was cast on. (I don't know if that method has a name but I think the idea is to cast on twice the number of total stitches needed so there is more stretch at the cuff.) I did change the heel and toe, but only because I am partial to short row heels and toes. I did a plain 1x1 rib while working the short rows for the heel and stockinette for the toes.

Yarn: Blue Moon Fiber Arts-Socks that Rock in Nodding Violet

I'm wearing them right now. They're really nice.

Cobblestone Pullover FO and Nomad Hat and Scarf FO

2007-08-25T05:21:00.000-07:00

Cobblestone Pullover

I like it when it only takes 9 days to knit a sweater. Of course it doesn't hurt that My Fella usually fits one of the smaller sizes. This Cobblestone Pullover pattern by Brooklyntweed is a beaut. It's very easy to read and all of it is knit in the round which I love! The only seams to be sewn are under the arms, another plus for me since I dislike sewing seams. My Fella is so sweet he has been very careful his green zip-up skull sweater for fear that he might wreck it somehow. It was the first sweater I had ever knit for him so I appreciate and understand how he feels. But this time I have given him strict orders to wreck this sweater. Pilling, threadbare, worn. I want him to wear it so often that people start asking him why he doesn't change clothes. *haha* Okay, maybe not that much...

I knit this sweater with Rowan Felted Tweed (50% Merino wool/ 25% Alpaca/25% Viscose/Rayon). 6 1/2 balls @ 50g each (175m/191yds).

Nomad Hat and Scarf

Another quick knit FO I've got is the Nomad Hat and Scarf pattern by Kat Coyle from the same Fall 2007 issue of IK. I knit it with Patagonia Nature Cotton from Araucania.

Now all we have to do is wait for fall.

Best Angela Ever

2007-08-21T21:59:00.000-07:00

Eeek! Socks That Rock!

That is the Angela over at Food and Yarn. How come? Because she has brought me a cool pattern and pretty sock yarn. *Swoon* How sweet is that? The pattern is The Mystic Sea by Cass White. So pretty. And the yarn! Blue Moon Fiber Arts - Socks That Rock. (I don't know what the colorway is called though...Nodding Violet I think?)

The Mystic Sea by Cass White

Yarn Cake!

Squamish Getaway

2007-08-20T21:20:00.000-07:00

Sloan, David and Ian

Well my Fella got whisked away this weekend with me and a couple of friends to Squamish, BC for his surprise birthday weekend. (Specifically, it was a joint birthday weekend because Ian and Sloan share the same birth date!) We stayed at this cool little hostel called Squamish Inn on the Water and we took in the sites and hiked around at Shannon Falls.

The Birthday boy on his hiking adventure

Me taking a dip in cold river water after a good hike!

We also had time to check out the little shops downtown and of course, I found a yarn shop. Not just any yarn shop mind you, a yarn shop-slash-gelato cafe called Gelato Carina! (604-815-4448)

Noro Cashmere Island in Color #5

Which is where I found nine skeins of this lovely Cashmerino Noro. Mmm, I've already got a sweater in mind for it too.... Possibly the Eyelet Pullover from the Fall 2005 issue of Vogue Knitting.

And speaking of sweater, there has been good progress on my Fella's Cobblestone Pullover. I may have pictures to post soon...

Oh My!

2007-08-15T15:34:00.000-07:00

The fall issue of Interweave Knits is amazing. Go and get it right now. Also, the new editor has her blog here. I'm so hyped about this issue!!!! I've already started on one of the patterns for my Fella. Progress update to follow!

Crocheted Polypropylene Grocery Bag

2007-08-12T19:59:00.000-07:00

What's a crafter to do with polypropylene string? I can't remember the title of the book that I saw this idea in, but I picked up some string to make up my own pattern.

I started from the bottom up, finishing with the straps. I don't like to get too fancy with my crocheting so it's all chains, single and double crochets.

I really like how this bag turned out, and who knew polypropylene string came in pretty colors! I have this blue shown here as well as red which you can see in the bag, just above the bananas.

(Pattern disclaimer! I just quickly jotted down what I remember of how I made this bag. If you happen to try this pattern and it reads all screwy, let me know and I will try to decode it for you. I will not pretend to be a pro, I really don't do a lot of crocheting... Also, this is just my interpretation of a bag I saw in a book I can't remember the name of. I don't mean to rip off the pattern at all!)

Pattern: Crocheted Polypropylene Grocery Bag

Bag is made from bottom up in the round.

-Chain 25.

-Single crochet all the way down one side of chain and back up the other side and slip stitch to join to work in the round.

-Chain 2 to begin round and work single crochet for 2 rounds.

-Chain 3 to begin round and work double crochet for 2 rounds.

-Chain 5 to begin round, (*skip 1 space, double crochet into next space, chain 3*) repeat (*to*) until end of round, slip stitch into 3rd chain from beginning of round to join.

-Slip stitch into next 2 chains, chain 5 to begin round, (*double crochet into next space (between double crochets), chain 3*) repeat (*to*) until end of round, slip stitch into 3rd chain from beginning of round to join. Do 11 rounds like this.

-Chain 2 to begin round and work single crochet for 2 rounds.

-Work single crochet around both single crochet rounds together to create a bigger, sturdier round for the bags edge.

Strap Directions

-Lay flat (to help determine where the straps will be attached.)

-Slip stitch to about 1 1/2 inches in from side.

-Chain 3, double crochet into next 4 spaces. (5 double crochet-wide strap.) Turn.

-Work until strap reaches desired length. I made mine 19 inches.

-Hold strap end to 1 1/2 inches in from opposite side and single crochet together to join.

-Slip stitch around to other side until about 1 1/2 inches in from side. Repeat strap directions for second strap.

I don't know that hook gauge needs to be too specific. I used a 5mm and my bag ended up measuring 14" top to bottom, 10" across at the bottom and 14" across at the top. Straps measure 19".

Another thing to note, the single and double crochet at the bottom does not stretch as readily as the loosely chained body of the bag. I like it this way but you could always omit the double crochet section and start right in on the body portion of the pattern.

Knitting on the strike line

2007-08-03T20:35:00.000-07:00

But first things first...

My very first tomato, ever.

I'm having a tomato! Bear with me here. This is my first attempt at growing anything edible and I am very excited about getting to taste the literal fruits of my labour soon!

Me knitting a toque and my picket sign with toque knitting stuff.

We are still on strike. Boo! =( But to keep busy on the picket line a bunch of knitters have organized a cause for our communal knitting. Knitting hats for the less fortunate in Vancouver's Downtown East Side. I've got 3 made so far. (Props to Angela at Food and Yarn and Divinity at Knitteriety for their superb organizational skills and knitting prowess!)

One toque FO and one toque WIP

A couple of very cute Spaniels in Solidarity!

On Strike! It's Sam's Strike!

2007-07-28T17:38:00.000-07:00

July 26th 2007 - First day of strike for CUPE Local 391
Approximately 400 people from the membership were present.

In the pursuit of job security, pay equity, benefits and improvements for part-time/auxiliary workers! The workers of the Vancouver Public Library have been on strike since Thursday, July 26th in the hopes that the Library Management Team (LMT) and the GVRD will return to the bargaining table. Currently, CUPE Local 15 and Local 1004 are also on strike. This city-wide strike has been dubbed "Sam's Strike" because of the actions (or rather, inaction's) of our Mayor Sam Sullivan.

Below are some of my fellow library workers on the picket line.

(From Left: Lani and Alexei)

(From Left: Sherry, Jaspal, Ian, Al, Lara, Stephen and Ron-o-tron.)

Our Bargaining Committee has been hard at work, constantly encouraging our management team to return to the bargaining table to discuss our issues.

This post is not completely without knitting content though! There are many avid knitters that work at the library and they were out in full force as well!

Knitting in Solidarity!

Mini Summer Vacation

2007-07-17T21:01:00.000-07:00

Fresh cherry!

The past few days my Fella and I have been visiting his parents in Powell River, BC. We picked fresh cherries and blueberries in the backyard and visited the local farmer's market. We also went with my Fella's sister and her fiance to a cabin on Powell Lake for some swimming, spaghetti and mosquitoes.

Sock knitting on the ride through the peninsula

Don't worry though, I did have time to fit in some knitting. Socks, nice and simple. I usually prefer socks for travel/bus knitting because the project doesn't grow too big.

Silver Selkie Studio fleece

This is some fleece I picked up at the local farmer's market. Merino / Rambolete / Targee / Kid Mohair is what the label says.

Fleece close-up

I always love to visit there as it is a huge change of pace from busy Vancouver. I believe a move to a smaller city is in the cards for us... Who knows?

Bird-colored yarn and a hit of lace

2007-07-09T08:54:00.000-07:00

Testudo from C*EYE*BER Fiber's Project Spectrum Sock Yarn Club

I love this yarn! I am totally in love with the colors. It very much reminds me of the Pink Galah birds I saw while I was in Australia. I know it's sock yarn but I am tempted to use it to make something other than socks.... What to do, what to do...

Swallowtail Shawl - Budding Lace Pattern Close-up

Lately I have been having a hankering for some lace knitting. After sifting through patterns I found this one in the Fall 2006 Interweave Knits. I am knitting it on needles that are 1.5mm smaller than called for in the pattern. I could end up with more of a neck scarf than a shawl, which will be fine with me. I am using Alchemy Yarns Haiku (40% silk/ 60% mohair). *Drool*

Bee and Allium

I am afraid of bees. Mostly when then fly into the apartment. But with gentle coaxing from my Fella and sheer determination to get this shot, I got up close enough to get a decent shot. It helped that the little guy was so busy he didn't seem to notice.

More silk!

2007-07-01T20:19:00.000-07:00

Tussah Silk - Handspun on my poplar drop spindle

One of the wonderful ladies I work with brought me a bagful of tussah silk roving. (She had no use for it and wanted it to go to some use.) I am a happy girl, let me tell you! This is the first time I've spun silk and it's easy, I really like it. And the color! Such a pretty color. *Sigh*

Tide Pool from C*EYE*BER Fiber's Cake of the Month Club

Here is some yarn I forgot I bought! That happens sometimes when I order things online. I forget about the order and then.... Surprise in the mail! I love getting mail. Especially in the form of yarn.

Hope everyone is having a good Canada Day weekend! I stayed at home to avoid the crowds... Aren't I exciting? Woo!

Baby steps with the new camera

2007-06-24T23:01:00.000-07:00

March of the knitting needles

Orchid roots and terracotta pot

Typewriter typebars
(Which would fit in with the current colors for PS 2.0)

Brown and Blue Tank Top WIP

There is so much to learn with my new camera. I am very excited and I feel very dedicated to decoding the lingo and testing out the different settings etc. So far, so good. I'm inching away and slowly gathering knowledge. I am considering taking a few courses, which I will have to save up for... (Read:Yarn Diet!) But until then lucky for me I have a friend (my Fella's co-worker) who has the same camera as I do and he has offered to answer any questions I might have. Check out his stuff here! As you'll see, he's got the skills to pay the bills.