Confessions of a Professional Yarn Fondler

Sideways Curly Fries Vest

2009-07-09T20:00:00.000-07:00

The great thing about this stylish, versatile vest is that, since it is knit sideways, you knit it to fit your size. When you get to where your armhole is, you begin the armhole…It’s really that simple! Because it is knitted in this way, this pattern will “talk” you through construction versus giving specific numbers.

Materials:
Blossom by Noro (color #12 used for sample):
6 skeins for large, fewer for other sizes
US size 10.5 needles (24” circular or 14”straight)
Tape measure
Stitch markers

Pattern Abbreviations:
CO = Cast On
BO = Bind off
PM = place marker
Sts = stitches
DI = Double Increase. Work a double increase like this: do a regular increase (knit into the front and the back of the stitch), but instead of lifting it off of the left needle, you knit into the front of the stitch again, and then lift it off, thereby making three stitches out of one.

Knitted cast on: knit a stitch without lifting it off, and place the stitch you just made onto the left needle.

Instructions:
With size 10.5 needles, CO 45, PM, CO 10
Row 1: Your first 10 stitches (up to the stitch marker) will create your “curly fry”. Do a double increase (DI) into each of these 10 sts. Slip marker and knit to the end of the row.
Row 2: Knit
Row 3: BO all stitches before the marker (29 stitches; one left before the marker), slip marker, knit to the end of the row.
Row 4: Knit
Row 5: Knit
Row 6: Knit, then turn your work and using the knitted cast on, cast on 9 sts.

Repeat rows 1-6 for 3 inches, then CO 12 sts at the neck edge (opposite the “curly fries end”).

Work until you reach your personal shoulder width. Bind-off as many stitches as desired for armhole. I bound off 25, some may prefer a deeper/longer armhole. You can find your number of stitches by measuring from the top of your shoulder to where you want your armhole to end, and then lay the measuring tape on a flat part of your knitting and count how many stitches that takes.

Continuing in pattern, knit until the width of your armhole is done (my width was 4”), then cast on the same number of stitches you bound off to make the armhole (this is done on the opposite end from your “curly fries”). Continue in this fashion, making your "curly fries," for the width of your back, until you reach the opposite armhole edge. Bind off the same number of stitches used on the previous armhole. Knit the width of your armhole (again, keeping your “curly fries" going!), and cast on the same number of stitches bound off for the armhole. Knit the vest front for as many inches as you did on the other vest front, stopping 3” short of the edge. At the 3” mark, BO 12 sts at the neck edge to match the neckline on the opposite vest front flap. Your final BO row should coincide with a “curly fry” bind off row to have matching edge fronts.

BO all sts. Sew shoulder seams. Weave in all ends and enjoy!

Copyright 2006-2009 Marie Stroughter
All rights reserved. No part of this document may be reproduced or transmitted in any form, by any means (electronic, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of the designer, nor can the finished product be sold.

Rene's Humane Helpers!

2009-06-19T14:14:00.000-07:00

It's Homeschool Service Project time again at Casa Stro. This time, my daughter is asking all knitters to help out with cat toys for our local Humane Society. Here are the details:

PATTERNS (furnished by the charity, though modifications below have been approved): /Cat_Toys_HSSV-1.pdf

MODIFICATIONS: Toy #1 (sock): Sock can be knitted, try using this pattern (please stuff with lavender or chamomile, no catnip allowed per charity request).
Toy #2 (braid): I-cord can be substituted for fleece (i-cord tutorial here)

DEADLINE: The end of September (2009)

DETAILS: I will be posting a tag to use to designate the project. When completed, please use the tag provided. We'd also love a picture of your project. If local (as in, you know us and know where we live!), contact me & I will get them from you. If you are distant, please consider donating to your local shelter in my daughter's name using the tag provided & send us a picture, so we can count it in her grand total!

BONUS THANK YOU! If you are local to the area and are a "youth knitter" (high school or under), and made a toy for the project, you are invited to take a tour of the facility with us in the Fall (just include your contact info with your project).

RAVELRY GROUP:
If you are on Ravelry & want to join our project group, click here! Thank you for your support!

First Pair of Socks Completed!

2009-05-19T12:14:00.000-07:00

I've knit socks before...just never 2 of the same one (also known as a pair, I believe!). Thus, last night at Guild, I finished Sock #2 of this pretty little set.

Interesting knitting irony: I made them for hubby's birthday (which is tomorrow), but he ran around this morning saying he could not find socks (I guess I should be doing more laundry, than knitting...???). Anyhoo, I whipped these babies out, and sent one happy hubby off to work in style!

Specs:

Yarn: Colinette "Jitterbug" in Oyster Blush
(1 skein, with less than a yard left over! Woot!)
Needles: US size 2 (toes, US size 1)

My ADD Sockette!

2009-03-03T14:34:00.000-08:00

Those of you who really know me, know that my ADD prevents me from fully appreciating the sock knitting....LOL! Tiny needles? :::::shudder:::: But here's proof that old dogs can learn new tricks! What's amazing about this sock is:

I used the short-row toe/heel method I had just learned at Stitches on Friday
I whipped this baby out in no time
I actually re-did the heel 3 times (I would have chucked it in the UFO pile while decaring sock knitting is for the birds BSL (Before Sock Love!)
I created/adapted a pattern!

It's called My ADD Sockette because:

It's wildly colorful like my personality
Short blips of color like my attention span
It took very little time to knit, thus, did not exceed my ability to attend to it

Specs: Yarn: 100% Merino by Creatively Dyed Colorway: Annato Needles: Magic looped using US #2

Afghan Squares For Pine Ridge Reservation

2008-12-01T14:54:00.000-08:00

I managed to whip out two Caps For Connor, and no sooner were they in the mail, when I saw this post from Chez Insanity about the Afghan Squares For Pine Ridge Reservation project. (Note, that last one is a Ravelry link, so Non-Ravelers will not be able to see it).

The description says, in part, "Pine Ridge Reservation is the poorest spot in the USA. The average life expectancy for residents is only 47 for males and early 50s for women. The unemployment rate is 90% and the teen suicide rate is four times the national average. Basics such as running water, heat and food are scarce for many residents let alone jobs and health care. These challenges are particularly difficult to deal with given the geographical isolation of the Rez and the incredibly harsh climate."

The group is creating squares for blankets for residents of the Reservation. A Lakota woman is seaming them all together.

This has all the earmarks of yet another great Homeschool Service Project! C'mon, join in!

Caps For Connor

2008-11-18T08:20:00.000-08:00

If you are on Ravelry, please consider joining the charitable crafting group Caps For Connor. A member there has a son whose best friend (8-years-old?) was just diagnosed with a very rare, and very aggressive form of brain cancer. All the kids are shaving their heads in support. However, it's Winter...in Wisconsin! So the effort is to create caps for all the kids to show their solidarity in school colors. Deadline is 12/5. See group for details. (Note: If you are not on Ravelry, the link will not work)

Ravelympics

2008-08-16T07:39:00.000-07:00

If you weren't already convinced that my sanity is zapped, I offer this proof for your consideration:

I've joined the Ravelympics on Ravelry.

Now, lest you think I've really and truly lost it, let's read that sentence again. I've joined it. Realistic hope of finishing said project does not figure anywhere into it! I'm making a (very easy) fair isle vest for my youngest. It was meant as pure therapy, and a diversion from all that is going on in my life (see previous post), and I do feel some guilt that I put aside my mom's afghan to do it. However, dealing with my mom's situation (a daily barrage of phone calls with doctors, social workers, family/friends needing updates, and 100 mile (round-trip) trips to see her roughly 3-4 times per week), I wanted to work on something that didn't have all that attached to it, so I could "escape" just a little. That strategy isn't working out so well, but I'm making a Gold Medal Effort!

The Year of Personal Transformation

2008-08-15T13:33:00.000-07:00

I know I've let my blogging go by the wayside a bit. Which is odd, since I do a fair amount of freelance writing. Like my knitting, writing serves as therapy when Life's Little Moments descend. This year has had an exceptional number of them:

In February, my oldest (whom you may remember as the Little Red Scarf Dude), was diagnosed with epilepsy. This is in addition to auto-immune Type 1 diabetes. So far, we've been incredibly blessed. He had the two initial seizures, and has been seizure free since then, though he does suffer from migraines from time to time now.

In June, my beloved little LYS where I had worked and taught for just over four years closed its doors. It was bittersweet - sad because I loved it so; happy because the owner is off to bigger and better things in her life.

I've had to weather a few personal crises as well, the least of which was an abnormal mammogram (which eventually was biopsied, and is nothing of concern).

Then, last month, just when I thought maaaaaaaybe there'd be a pause for breath, my mom was diagnosed with cancer, and the prognosis currently does not look good at all.

Despite all of this, or more accurately, because of it all, I feel incredibly blessed. God has surrounded me with wonderful, supportive, loving people. He's given me the strength and tenacity to deal with it all. And I have this wonderful craft that allows me to process Life through this incredible therapeutic filter.

Funny Drummer Dude!

2008-04-04T14:08:00.000-07:00

This is so not knitting related, but has caused quite a stir here at Casa Stro! May I present to you, for your viewing enjoyment, Funny Drummer Dude:

OKC: On the needles, a shawlette for my daughter's best friend's birthday!

Bogie Rox My Sox!

2008-03-18T00:06:00.000-07:00

The ever-gracious, and seriously talented Ms. Bogie Bogie of Bobaknit fame (in addition to her fame as a designer!) shared her mad socks skillz with the Guild tonight. Her designs are so brilliant that she may yet make a sock-knitting convert out of this self-professed big needle knitter!

I know I sound like I'm laying it on thick, but to be in her presence and see he work is to feel as though you are in the room with sheer genius, and I am truly humbled.

Pour Moi?

2008-01-28T19:44:00.000-08:00

Oui, oui! Emy has ~~suggested~~, ~~hinted~~, ~~scolded~~, ahem, remarked that as I rarely knit for myself, I ought to embark upon such an odyssey. While at the Yarn Swap at Purlescence yesterday, there was some rogue yarn that, in that siren's call that yarn can sometimes have, up and deafeningly screamed in my ear, "Buy me, Woman, and knit yourself some fingerless gloves!" Now, being that I'm the kind of person to instantly snap to attention when talking yarn is involved, I did purchase the yarn. Now, please note, I was only there for the yarn swap. I had no intention walking in, that purchases would be involved (at least that's my story and I'm sticking to it!). I am halfway finished with the Warm Braid Cable Wristwarmers, and here's a pic for your viewing pleasure.

Specs:

Yarn: Bamboozle - Crystal Palace - Color 444 (Rainforest)
Amount of yarn - 2 skeins
Needles: US size #9 circs (magic loop method)
Pattern: Source can be found here

Edited to add: Forgot to mention I made a couple of modifications to the pattern: Because they are wrist warmers and I wanted fingerless gloves, I lengthened them. Instead of a 1" rib on each end, I made it 2" and added one cable repeat in the cable section.

Knitting Survey

2008-01-25T23:06:00.000-08:00

Gleaned & adapted from Jasmin's blog:

Bold for stuff you've done, italics for stuff you plan to do one day, and normal for stuff you're not planning on doing.

Afghan
I-cord
Garter stitch
Knitting with metal wire
Shawl
Stockinette stitch
Socks: top-down
Socks: toe-up (I learned the technique at Guild, I've yet to complete one but want to)
Knitting with camel yarn
Mittens: Cuff-up
Mittens: Tip-down
Hat
Knitting with silk
Moebius band knitting
Participating in a KAL
Sweater
Drop stitch patterns
Knitting with recycled/secondhand yarn
Knitting with banana fiber yarn
Domino/modular knitting
Shadow/illusion knitting
Twisted stitch patterns
Knitting with bamboo yarn
Two end knitting
Charity knitting
Knitting with soy yarn
Cardigan
Toy/doll clothing
Knitting with circular needles
Baby items
Knitting with your own handspun yarn
Knitting with your own hand-dyed yarn
Slippers
Graffiti knitting
Continental knitting
Designing knitted garments
Cable/aran stitch patterns
Lace patterns
Publishing a knitting book
Scarf
Teaching a child to knit/crochet
American/English style knitting (throwing)
Continental style knitting
Knitting to make money
Buttonholes
Knitting with alpaca
Fair Isle knitting
Norwegian knitting
Dyeing with plant colors
Knitting items for a wedding
Household items (dishcloths, washcloths, tea cozies…)
Knitting socks (or other small tubular items) on one or two circulars
Knitting with someone else's handspun yarn
Knitting with dpns
Holiday related knitting (I've done knitting for holidays, but nothing holiday-themed)
Teaching a male how to knit - my hubby and both of my sons!
Bobbles
Knitting for a living
Knitting with cotton
Knitting smocking
Dyeing yarn
Steeks
Knitting art
Knitting two socks on two circulars simultaneously
Felting/fulling
Knitting with wool
Textured knitting
Kitchener stitch
Purses/bags
Knitting with beads
Swatching
Long Tail CO (Think Men on Film: Haaaaated it)
Entrelac
Knitting and purling backwards
Machine knitting
Knitting with self patterning/self striping/variegated yarn
Stuffed toys
Baby items
Knitting with cashmere
Darning
Jewelry
Knitting with synthetic yarn
Writing a pattern
Gloves
Cuffs/fingerless mitts/armwarmers
Intarsia
Knitting with linen
Knitting for preemies
Tubular CO
Freeform knitting
Short rows
Pillows
Knitting a pattern from an online knitting magazine
Rug
Knitting on a loom
Thrummed knitting
Knitting a gift
Knitting for pets
Shrug/bolero/poncho
Knitting with dog/cat hair
Hair accessories
Knitting in public
Met knitterati/famous knitters

Guild Night - We Steek!

2008-01-22T12:32:00.000-08:00

Last night at Guild, VP Pam de-mystified steeking! Here's a peek at my steek:

Knitting Fingers!

2007-11-15T13:10:00.000-08:00

As you may recall from previous posts, my 4-year-old son desperately wants to learn how to knit. The I-cord "machine" didn't cut it for me, and a spool or knitting noddy uses that little thingamajig to manipulate it, so I taught him to finger knit (or as he calls it "knitting fingers").

Here is a picture of his "knitting fingers" in progress as well as a picture of the end result (also known as a Cat Torturer....our cat has gone ba-zonkers chasing my son around and around as he runs with it!).

Ask and Ye Shall Receive!

2007-10-25T14:32:00.000-07:00

Yes! I wrote them and they answered (right away, I might add!!!)....Wooo Hooo....!!! I am officially a Ravelry-ite!!!!! Ravelry ROCKS! (And, I'm OneKnittingMama, FYI!)

Almost Means "NOT!"

2007-10-25T14:01:00.000-07:00

OK, so most of you know I'm an idiot! Those who don't...now you know! Most of you have your coveted Ravelry invite...except Moi, who, as most of you know, couldn't get it together enough to type my own stinking e-mail correctly (and yes, I have Mozilla, so what's up with that? Did I keep typing over the pop up thing-y? Do I have so many e-mail accounts it had no idea which one I wanted it to fill in?). And, yes, I wrote them...I haven't heard anything back yet (like they aren't busy enough sending out thousands of invites per day without a goof-bucket like me pestering them for a screw-up I made!). And the anal in me had to go and check to see if they sent my invite (to the wrong addy), and here's what I got:

Your invitation was sent on October 14, 2007. We just sent you a new copy of the email (from invitations@ravelry.com) in case it was lost or eaten by a spam filter.

ARRRGGGHHH!!! Couldn't you just die????

When I do get my invite (I'm 4-something thousandth on the list now), just look me up under OneStupidMama!!!

Red Scarf Tally

2007-10-15T23:28:00.001-07:00

Nikko has 94 scarves! This is amazing! Yet, despite this awesome achievement, he's so heartbreakingly close to his goal of 100. I know a few of you sent in a scarf you committed to on his behalf directly to the Red Scarf Project....if you did, would you please let me know in the comments so that I can count your scarf in his tally? Thanks! And thanks so much for the outpouring of love...not only for my little guy, but for the kids who deserve the honor so much: The former foster children now benefiting from the love sent through the Red Scarf Project!

Techno-Hubby Finishes Scarf!

2007-10-11T22:05:00.000-07:00

Extra! Extra! Read all about it! Techno-Hubby finished his scarf for the Red Scarf Project!

The Jane Austen Knitting and Tea Society

2007-10-11T13:10:00.000-07:00

Those of you who know me well, know I'm a major Jane-ite. I have a knitting blog, so, duh!, it's a good bet I enjoy knitting. I also love a good cup of tea! What if there was a place that combined all three of my loves? Well, now there is!

One of my favorite all-time online haunts is the Republic of Pemberley (ROP). I love the idea of applying to become a citizen of the Republic, and how polite and civil discussions there are. However, by nature, the group is heavily focused on discussing JA, and not nearly enough knitting goes on! Therefore, in anticipation of the new Masterpiece Theatre productions of all six of JA's works, I've created the Jane Austen Knitting and Tea Society. A gentle society where discussion of all things knitting, JA, or tea-related are welcome! When PBS airs the new productions, I'm hoping for group viewings, reading, and discussing. If this sounds like your "cup of tea" click on & come over!

Click to join JA-KATS

Which Jane Austen Character are You? (For Females) Long Quiz!!!
created with QuizFarm.com

You scored as Emma Woodhouse

Emma is possibly one of the most loyal characters of Austen, always wanting better for those around her and doing all she possibly can to make it happen. Her motives sometimes get in the way of her good intentions and her own opinions can end up ruling her actions, but she has a good heart. She loves to be social and is welcoming to most, unless they are too silly to tolerate. While she sometimes changes her behavior to make others feel comfortable, she knows who she is and is always bettering herself.

Emma Woodhouse

75%

Elizabeth Bennet

66%

Marianne Dashwood

66%

Elinor Dashwood

59%

Lady Catherine

56%

Jane Bennet

53%

Charlotte Lucas

28%

FO: Vest!

2007-10-10T14:52:00.001-07:00

A little friend of ours turns three this weekend and looky, looky, looky what he's getting! And....drum roll, please....I actually did Knitting Math! Yes, this ADD girl, who has severe mathophobia, converted this flat pattern to circs - and it was easy, peasy, lemon-squeezy! Woo hooooooo! Plus, I changed the cables so that they were mirrored cables (both front and back, thank you very much)! Additionally, I fiddled with the decreases on both the armhole edge and neck edge, so that they were mirrored as well.

Specs:

Pattern (not sure if this link will allow you to go there without registering, but hey, I'll try!):
Cable Vest

Yarn: Luna by Cascade: MC #715; CC #730

Needles: US #7

Cute Boy Knitting!

2007-09-18T17:06:00.001-07:00

OK, I've knitted for the Little Missy (and taught her to knit to boot!) and you've seen the plethora of stuff I've made for Proud Big Brother.....so......drum roll, please....here's the hat for My Youngest! He really, really, really (did I say really, really!!??) wants to learn to knit as well, but he's only 4-1/2. I can try with some super honkin' needles, but I don't want to frustrate him so that he won't want to knit later when true manual dexterity kicks in & he can. Anyhoo, in the meanwhile, he looks mighty cute!

Red Scarf Project: Norma Rocks!

2007-09-15T05:01:00.000-07:00

As you know, my son has been knitting for the Red Scarf Project. He started this drive waaaaaaay back in March, before OFA changed its guidelines to limit scarves to five per person or organization. Currently, he's a little over 60% of the way toward his goal of 100. And, he's generated some good PR buzz along the way.

So, when OFA changed the guidelines, I wrote them about my amazing kid (yeah, okay, so I'm biased!), I got back, what I will term out of an Austen-esque sense of decorum and politeness, a "poorly worded" response from them.

Here it is, a few weeks out from the deadline. My son has over 60 scarves, with more coming in each day. So, out of frustration and a desire not to discourage the budding philanthropist in my son, I wrote to the ever cool, Ms. Norma Miller of Now Norma Knits fame. Lemme tell ya folks, this lady rocks!

Apparently, though OFA has their hearts in the absolutely right place, they are, shall we say, a little lacking in the communication department. It would appear as though I am not the only one to have a less-than-stellar experience with them this year.

I don't take the power of the internet lightly. I've avoided writing about this because I really don't want to bash these good folks. But, I also have a responsibility to my son to keep his little spirit intact. Yes, we could have friends send scarves in for us (as many have offered), but would it not still be the same amount of scarves?? And, we specifically solicited people to create for this cause, and I don't want to abuse that trust (even though some people prolly wouldn't mind, I can't speak for all of them...and many I don't even know to even ask!)

La Norma is having a pow wow with OFA this week to gently let them know about the PR backlash, and so I am hoping to hear something about Nikko's Red Scarf Project.

Another Knitter Joins the Ranks!

2007-09-13T14:24:00.000-07:00

First, I was the lone knitter here at Casa Stro. Then, I taught my oldest son to knit. The both of us taught Techno-Hubby to knit...And now, as of today, there is a brand new knitter at Casa Stro, my daughter! WooooHooooo!!! She's addicted, too! Doesn't want to put the needles down to play or do anything else. Then she wants to talk about knitting! Loooooooove it!

It's Official!

2007-08-07T12:57:00.000-07:00

I'm a mom, once again! Our adoption of a brother/sister sib set was finalized a week ago today! Why are you hearing about it a full week later? Well, many reasons:

* We were in an area of the country without reliable internet or cellular connectivity

* Hello! I'm the mother of three, now! I can't just blog any old time, yanno! Get a life!

Okay, I'm kidding with the second one (well, the "Get a life" part...The other, not so much!). But it is wonderful and glorious to be a new mom, once again! Here's a pic of the cake made for us (ignore the wonky name spellings...we have names that are hard to spell correctly!)...Enjoy!

Woo Hoo! I So Rock!

2007-07-18T18:31:00.000-07:00

My family teases me because, at the drop of a hat, I will tell anyone, "You so ROCK!" I've said this to servers at restaurants, the folks at AT&T who hooked me up with my phone...I guess next to "ya think?" the phrase, "You so rock!" is my catchprase! So imagine my surprise when the lovely Jen, (creator of Craft Kitten, kitty mama to 7 (we're kitty-in-laws...our kitties are sisters!), and new Auntie to the adorable Vivi) tagged me as a "Rockin' Girl Blogger!" (and she said some nice stuff about me too...she likes me, she really, really likes me!) So, I now tag:

L'Tanya: entreprenurial spirit behind Black Purl Magazine, and just an all-around sweet person in general;

AND:

Christy: My little sister, protegé , still newlywed, and someone I have never seen cranky or say a cross word about another soul -

AND:

Keisha: My lunch bud and one of the smartest people I know - she knows something about just about everything (can you say "feudal Japan?") - maybe this is the kick in the butt you need to start blogging again, because I miss you and your blog is how I keep up with you!

Y'all can consider yourselves tagged - cause you so ROCK!