Thursday, January 19, 2006

Froggy Goes the Knittin'

There comes a time (5am) when one awakes to the fact that all the needles I want are being used by ufos that need to go. I was so excited by this Online Sox yarn, having seen a sample pair knitted up, but something in my sock is not working.

The designs are built into the yarn, and are not lining up as they should. Perhaps if I cast on 56 sts for this sock rather than 48 which is my standard. However, I am already using #1 needles and the yarn being so fine, is making a pretty loose gauge, so I fear this is ready to be recycled, or REGIFTED! to a tight knitter.

While I love this yarn, Berroco's Foliage, this is my third attempt to turn it into something I like. I have no one to blame but myself, having jumped into the thing without a well researched plan. In other words, I was making this up as I went along. So far, no go. However this is a good candidate for other pretested knits. So Rewind!

Yummy scrumptious Merino hand dyed by me sock yarn. umm, with a bad case of the blahs. Too muted to make me happy. Off the needles and banished to the rewind pile with you!

This wonderful shawl is brought to you by Iris, who carries no blame for my mindless knitting.

Apparently one must do more than merely peruse the instructions.

I learned alot of new yo semi-lace techniques, which required paying attention. I cannot be counted on to count rows or stitches, after the first 100.

This results in things that do not line up, or are of different lengths or widths. This particular design looked great on the needles, and unless you ACTUALLY COUNT the stitches, you won't know that you are off by 3 inches until you finish the darn thing.
Many many nice yarns were sacrificed to make this shawl, which turned out to be unwearable, not even once. You know I made my share of wearable shawls this season, and didn't miss this one a bit.

My great idea, the Dot Com Collar, turned out to be the Dopey I'll never use this Collar.

And will become part of the Never Ending Scrap Scarf, which will go in the Guiness Book of Stupid Knitting. They don't have one? Well, they should and I could fill half the pages.

My half done Aran knit was rescued from the Frog by Dave who said he would wear it if I put sleeves on it. It actually fits him way better than me. He is hipless whereas I have hips. This sweater does not accomodate hips.



Third time's a charm on this Triangle knit. I am frogging #1 and #2. Noro Kureyon makes all the difference. If this turns out to be wearable it could take the place of my other fave modular knits like this one on the needles...



My hand dyed sweet pastels in Merino.


The Handy Caddy that I got myself and my girlfriends when I was in Mountain View CA. This is the greatest little carrier, because you can see where everything is, and the pockets keep the pointy things out of the way, yet reachable. I am so happy to have found this little item. It even has a place for my Equal packets!
Today's Painting

Painting #3 A walk on the beach Oil on primed paper, 15x20"ish

Trying for nicer colors, since famed art critic, Dave didn't like yesterday's colors.

I went for a bit of splatter. And I found a bottle of painting medium which allows for glazing, more transparent layers of color.

OK so this is a kinda corny image, but I am dreaming of Florida. Oil paints are reflective, so even without a flash I got a bit of glare.

8 comments:

  1. Wow! I really covet that Handy Caddy. Great for knitting. But then I don't knit. Oh well! Still a good idea.

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  2. I have no idea why you call it frogging to take apart UFOs, but I am really glad that that process awaits the Dot Com collar, as I sort of wondered why it appealled to you when you first adored it... >;)

    BTW - I am reading the Dairy Barn 400 right now, and being unfamiliar with your earlier work, I keep keep being happily surprised to find your name under such lovely pieces! Now I just want to try and figure out how you got from there to HERE - guess I need to keep reading!

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  3. Anonymous11:22 AM

    I am knitting my very first sock (using the magic loop method - which I like), but am having a hard time counting and seeing the little stitches to turn the heel!

    I love your painting #3 - the design, colors and all!

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  4. Hm - I liked yesterday's colors better - that was a really wonderful painting.

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  5. I shall have to be less impatient to read your blog as I'm always missing bits that you add on. I do like the last painting -the one inspired by Florida. Its got loads of depth and its not corny at all. Think what you could do with stitchery!

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  6. Susan, it's called frogging because you rip it, rip it. Melody, you have some lovely knitting there -I'm trying to keep the knitting desires under wraps as quilting has to take precedence. And your Matchstick quilt in the previous post - dammit, woman, why does your stuff look so good? I just want to eat it. Is my eyesight failing, or are the matchsticks wee slivers of cut fabric?

    Shirley from New Zealand
    http://shirleygoodwin.blogspot.com/

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  7. Golly damn but you are one super woman. You in line skate, have two kitchens, dye beautiful fabrics, make wonderful art quilts, small and large, knit constantly and now you are doing wonderful paintings. YOur paintings are so very free. I keep waiting to see a figure piece show up in your fabric...I know it's there!

    Liz Berg

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  8. Hi, I am Ivana and I live in Central Europe.
    I love your blog. Especially your nice colours. Your knitting ispired me, I have to try something more sophisticated then plain pattern form one coloured yarn.
    Go on, I´ll come again.

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Hello,
So nice of you to drop by. I love your comments, and if you would really like a reply, please email me at fibermania at g mail dot com