Progress

Okay, Day 2, and I have made some progress on the left front of my brother's sweater, which now measures 13", completing the first full red diamond between the black and white diamonds. The neck and armhole shaping are coming soon, hopefully by the end of the day. I am going to use a modified drop sleeve and a deep V-neck, so I consulted The New Knitter's Template, and this is what I came up with:

I want a cardigan with length = 26"

and chest measurement = 48"

For these measurements, the armhole depth  should = 9", so 26" minus 9" = 17" from hem

V-neck depth = armhole depth + 1", so 10", or 16" from hem

As I recall, I modified the armhole depth to give my brother a little more room. I will measure the back piece later today to determine where changes might need to be made to my plan.

I checked the gauge, and I am slightly concerned. Whereas in November 2011 my gauge was about 23 stitches to 4", now it measures about 24.5 stitches to 4". The width of the piece in the lower section is right on 11", and in the upper portion it is about 11.25". As this is my first sweater knit in pieces, and the only other sweater I ever completed was in the round and 20 years ago, I am wondering:
          "Is this close enough to block out, or do I need to frog (rip-it, rip-it)?"
Experienced sweater knitters, please send your comments, and for now I will continue, just in case it will come out. If I hear from someone that I need to frog, I'll deal with it then.

ETA:The back piece measures 14.5" to the beginning of the armhole shaping, 24.5" total length, giving an armhole depth of 10", the same as the suggested V-neck depth according to The New Knitter's Template. I will therefore begin the shaping for both at the same time.

Dear friends and family, Your participation makes a difference in the lives of people affected by MS. Please support my Walk MS: Aberdeen Walk, which benefits the National MS Society. Multiple sclerosis stops people from moving. The National MS Society exists to make sure it doesn’t. Please help by making a donation — large or small — to move closer to a cure for MS. You can also join me on the day of the event. Become a participant and side by side we will move together to raise funds that make a difference. I appreciate your support and will keep you posted on my progress. Imagine a world free of multiple sclerosis — it can happen with your help. Sincerely, Marta Telkamp Click here to visit my personal page and make a secure, online donation. To send a donation: Make all checks payable to: National MS Society Please note my name and Walk MS on your check. Mail to me: Marta Telkamp PO Box 237 Britton, SD 57430-0237

Early and ongoing treatment with an FDA-approved therapy can make a difference for many people with multiple sclerosis. Learn about your options by talking to your health care professional and contacting the National MS Society at http://www.nationalmssociety.org/ or 1-800-FIGHT-MS (344-4867). Our postal address is: National Multiple Sclerosis Society 733 Third Avenue New York, New York 10017 Email Preferences Privacy Policy

nonprofit software

I'm Back (Again)

My brother has asked for a sweater. Several times. First he wanted an Irish Fisherman's sweater in wool-- He lives in Scottsdale, Arizona, so I ignored this request; after all, when would he wear it? I know, it's not the place of the knitter to question the desires of the requestee. But with all the work involved, not to mention the expense of the yarn, wouldn't you want to make something they can wear... and wear... and wear?

However, I finally suggested a cotton blend in an argyle cardigan. I found several pictures online, played with the color in Paint, and came up with something he loved. This morning, I couldn't find the image on my computer, so I did a web search and came up with the following:

This is the general style

These are the colors

Last summer, as we prepared to move to a different state, I ordered yarn from Knit Picks, CotLin in Moroccan Red, Black, and Swan, along with the book The New Knitter's Template by Laura Militzer Bryant and Barry Klein. I discovered that I loved both. 

The CotLin feels sort of rough at first due to the linen content, but it works up nicely with a great drape. The only problem I can see so far is that the red rubs off on the black and the white. I am hoping this will be fixed with washing and blocking, but will let you know. I am using a 24" circular size 3 Addi Turbo Lace needle, and my gauge is about 5.5 stitches to the inch.

The book is incredible! I have learned so much about construction, I feel I don't need a written out pattern anymore. Knitting the perfect sweater seems to be a matter of making a few decisions about length, armhole style, neck shape/depth, and ease. The rest is frosting-plain stockinette, cables or lace, color-work, whatever. Just determine your gauge and the chest circumference you want and begin!

For this sweater, I have decided to make a 48" size. My brother's chest is 44.5", and I want him to have some ease for wearing over a shirt, but I also want to keep it from being too slouchy. I have determined that the modified drop sleeve will look best, and the V-neck should hit him mid-chest, as shown above left.

I cast on 132 stitches for the back, and knit the entire piece in red. Needless to say, stockinette is the stitch pattern here. I finished the back in mid-October, which I considered pretty good, considering our move from a 3 bedroom house in Iowa to a 2 bedroom apartment in South Dakota took 2 trips with a 26' U-Haul truck, two 6' x 12' storage units in Iowa and one 12' x 26' storage unit in South Dakota. (We only recently began sorting and organizing the storage unit in South Dakota; someday I'll know where everything is!)

I have been pretty slow to work on the fronts, especially as I had some trouble deciding at first how to go about knitting the argyle pattern. Should I try to knit everything at once or add the diagonal lines in duplicate stitch after knitting? Well, I tried the everything, and ended up with a tangled mess, so I frogged and decided duplicate stitch was for me. 

I was side-tracked for a good portion of the winter into other crafts(!), but have now gotten back to working on this sweater. It will be done before I see my brother in July! Therefore, I thought I would blog my progress on a regular basis to keep myself on track. As I see it, my goals are: two weeks for each front piece, which puts me at the end of May; two weeks for the sleeves, middle of June; leaving two weeks for finishing/blocking. Wish me luck!

New Beginnings

Teaching is more than an occupation for me; it’s a fulfillment of my inner self not found in any other venue. Ask me to teach you something, and my brain automatically says, “This is the thing for which I was created.”   I taught music for eight years and subbed in many subjects for two years after that. I am eternally grateful for the opportunity I had to fill in for a high school science teacher for eight weeks, which was the most affirming experience of my life. Those students responded to my teaching with so much enthusiasm, it was difficult for me to say goodbye at the end; I wanted it to go on forever, and the students begged me to stay to the end of the year.

Since leaving the teaching profession, I had felt a void in my life that nothing else could fill, until a friend asked me to teach a class for community education. I offered a general class of crochet instruction. No one signed up. Then I offered a class on knitting two socks at once from the toe up using the Magic Loop, and I had six students! Most recently I taught a class in which students learned to make reversible cables on a hat and scarf.

What fun! I have always been amazed at how much I learn when I teach. As an added bonus, my students are my equals, peers with whom I can share myself and who can open up to me in ways one can never experience as a school teacher. I have made some dear friends and they, in turn, have given me the impetus to continue learning and exploring and sharing what I have found.

I would like to offer classes more often than three times per year like I am with the community ed program, but I am stymied by the prospect of finding a location for my classes. My home is not an option, as MS prevents me from keeping the house in order and my husband, working all hours, doesn’t have the time to do it, either. I have considered local churches or the community center, but have not yet contacted any of them to find out about availability or cost. This is a small town, and my options are few, but I have confidence that with some effort, a place to teach will be found.

In the meantime, I am also thinking about making items to sell and offering custom jobs as well. I have thought about the typical washcloth and towel topper types of things, but am curious to find out what will sell the best for the least  amount of time expended. Extra cash is extremely short and entirely welcome right now.

SnapIt Screen Capture 3.7

I received a request to review this handy little tool, and I agreed to do it, because it is so handy. I use this for printing just the part of the screen that I want, whether it's a photo, a webpage, a game, whatever. I can see so many applications for SnapIt. I definitely give this 5/5 stars! Thanks to Julia Taylor of Digeus, Inc, who sent the request and the links. I have used SnapIt many times now, and I highly recommend SnapIt to everyone.

SnapIt Screen Capture 3.7

Capture anything you see on your PC screen! Don't waste time cropping your captures.
Take a "snapshot" of anything exactly what you need, with just a click.
Irreplaceable tool for Bloggers, Designers, Office Workers, Business People, Analysts,
Technical Writers who have to describe interfaces, menus, buttons, etc.

- Supports hotkeys, auto-saving, clipboard
- Automatically copies screenshots to the clipboard
- Tracks capture history, auto-saves captured images
- Saves files in BMP, GIF, JPEG, PNG and TIFF formats
- Auto-names captured images

Download and install SnapIt Screen Capture 3.7.46819:
http://digeus.com/downloads/snapit/files/3/snapit_3_7.exe

Learn more what is included in SnapIt Screen Capture 3.7.46819:
http://www.digeus.com/products/snapit/snapit_screen_capture_3_5.html

Long time away, now I'm back

I've been away from the blog for quite a while, but came across it again the other day, and realized I need to start up again. The process of organizing my thoughts and putting them on the page helps me to stay sane, so writing is nearly as therapeutic for me as knitting or crocheting, and I enjoy reading your comments and blogs as well.

After the New Year, I got into knitting much more than crochet. In fact, I didn't work any crochet for several months as I knit on several projects. I have discovered there are some things I like knit, and other things I like crocheted and very few that cross over. I have picked up the crocheting again recently, and have been selectively choosing what I might make with each art.

Looking back, I realize just how much "start-itis" I have, and how little "finish-itis". I have begun many projects; but I have finished very few. However, I have learned much and hope to pick up some of the hibernating items and finish them, as well as complete what I have begun recently.

What's been on my hook and needles? LOTS! What's done? Well, not so much, and I'm feeling sort of "sheepish" about it. (Get it? Sheep, wool, yarn… I know, bad pun) Anyway, here's a list of what I have worked on and a few photos of those projects.

1. A sweater for my DH: 

a) Started as a Men’s Hooded Cardigan in tunisian crochet, using Red Heart Super Saver. After putting it aside several times, I realized I was not enjoying the technique, due to the time-consuming nature. I was using a 3mm tunisian hook for worsted weight acrylic in order to get gauge, and I was not happy. FROGGED!

b) Tried a knit pattern with the same yarn. I had received the Knit Picks Zephyr Acrylic Interchangeable Needle Set for Christmas, and was eager to try them out. Oh, did they ever squeak with the Red Heart! EWWW! Put away that yarn for smaller projects or donation.

c) Ordered Knit Picks Shine Worsted in Mallard and began knitting the Classic Raglan Cardigan from Barbara Walker's Knitting from the Top (awesome book, by the way), using the cable charts from the Lion Brand Pattern Inishturk Sweater & Tam, spent lots of time figuring out how the raglan area would grow with the cable patterns. I had stitch markers for each of the 5 cable patterns, plus increases and seed stitch and so on; people were amazed at all the markers on my knitting needles. I got frustrated with all the patterning and decided to FROG and start again simpler.

d) So, currently I'm working the Seamless Set-in Sleeve Sweater from the same book, using just a couple of cables down the front of the cardigan. This is going much better, but I haven't worked on it for a while. Maybe I'll get it done for Christmas.

2. Socks for me, DD, DH, me, etc.

a) I frogged the first pair I blogged about, then, in teaching a very nice young lady how to knit socks, I gave her the yarn. My gauge was very loose, and I didn’t like how they felt, so I thought to start over with a nicer yarn. The young lady was very happy to receive my gift, and I was happy to give it to her.

b) I started several pairs of socks over the next few months, not getting very far before deciding to start something else. I used everything from Hobby Lobby’s “Walk Away” sock yarn to Red Heart’s “Heart & Sole”, to Knit One, Crochet Too’s “Ty-Dy Sock” to Knit One, Crochet Too’s “Crock-O-Dye” (wool, nylon and silk, yummy). I have now purchased sock yarn in almost every color and fiber, buying with a particular person in mind for most of them, but not really getting any made.

c) HOWEVER, I did manage to finish a pair of socks for DD with Red Heart’s “Heart & Sole” Spring Stripe while recovering from surgery to correct a deviated septum. This pair, start to finish, took me five days to complete. She wore them to a friend’s home for a weekend sleepover, and I haven’t seen them since (though she swears she has, and that they are just hiding somewhere in our house, which is possible, considering there are clothes laying around in just about every room in our house, and DH won’t match up socks, so they sit unmatched in a laundry basket until someone digs out a pair to wear. That’s what I love about my husband doing the housework, nothing is predictable, lol!)

d) Also, I made a pair for myself using Panda Silk by Crystal Palace Yarns in 5110 Deep Sea. I used Wendy Johnson’s Gusset Heel Basic Socks. They are a little slouchy, which I was told by an experienced knitter, is probably due to the bamboo.

e) I started a pair for myself with Knit Picks Stroll Tonal in Summer Blooms. This pair is from a book called Teach Yourself Visually: Sock Knitting and is called “Toe Up Cables Galore”. I used a short-row heel and really enjoy the fit. All I have left is to finish the leg, but I needed the needle I was using for something else (I forget what), and they are sitting in my craft room, waiting to be picked up again.

f) DH said he would like a pair of socks. What color? “Anything is fine.” “Really, how about pink?” “No, not pink, but anything else.” “Rainbow?” “Sure.” “Okay”

Zitron Trekking (XXL) has a lovely self-striping rainbow colored yarn. The colorway is 135 Circus. I purchased two skeins because we were at the lake with no ball winder to make two balls, I wanted the socks to have matching stripes, and I might make myself a pair as well. So, I have completed the foot, and they are waiting for a heel and leg to be added. These are sitting in a zippered bag next to my chair, not my immediate priority, but up there.

3) Sock Class

Last spring I agreed to teach a sock-knitting class this fall for community education in my little town. It’s going to be my version of two-at-a-time toe-up socks, using Magic Loop Knitting, Judy Becker’s Magic Cast On, a short-row heel, and 1x1 ribbed cuffs. We will do stockinette on the foot and leg. Along the way, I will discuss various sock knitting books, patterns, and techniques, including lace, cables, and colorwork which lend themselves very well to sock knitting.

Therefore, I have a lot of planning to do, as well as knitting up a pair of sample socks. I am using Hobby Lobby’s “I Love This Yarn” in a purple solid on the toe, heel, and cuff, and a multi on the foot and leg.

4) Baby gifts

The barista where we knit on Thursdays had a baby boy on 8/16/10. Four weeks in advance, we decided to make gifts for her. We thought she was having a boy, so I began a project in blue; a sweater to begin with, and plans to add a hat and booties and pants from Knit & Crochet Style 2/10, Baby, using Red Heart Soft Baby. Really cute pattern, loved it, got close to done, found out she didn’t know the gender(!), so decided to make something with a lovely multicolored dk soft acrylic, Yarn Bee Baby Bee Sweet Delight in crayon colors. I haven’t yet finished it, but found out two weeks ago that she did indeed have a boy, so now I can choose which to finish, but need to keep it simple because she will be back in the next couple weeks and we plan to give her our gifts when she comes back. I don’t have a lot of time to work on it, though, because of my sock class.

5) Shawl for Mom

I have started the “Marialis” shawl from Stahman's Shawls and Scarves: Lace Faroese-Shaped Shawls from the Neck Down & Seamen's Scarves, using Patons Classic Wool in Peacock.

6) Shawl for Me

I have wanted to try lace weight for a while now, so I have some Misti Alpaca Hand-Paint Lace, and I am going to try it with Pimpinella. Working with lace takes some practice, so I have only done a little bit.

6) Tea for Two Teddies for DD

A couple years ago, I ran across this pattern in Crochet World, August 2008. There is a dress for an 18” doll, the pattern for the teddies, and a tea set. The whole set was called Teddy Bear Picnic. I started the dress, but realizing just how time-consuming thread crochet is, I set it aside. Lately I picked it up again at DD’s request, as she wants the bears and tea set. So, I got it out and finished one of the the bears and its dress and hat. Then, DH asked to have one in black with a gold tie for his office (he’s a band director at a nearby high school, and their colors are black and gold). I made that for him, but instead of a tie, I made a scarf; it was easier.

I could probably come up with a lot more projects I have started and set aside, but I think I’ve been wordy enough for one post. Happy knitting/crocheting!

Remember, it is better to love than to be right.

Knitting Needle Giveaway on FaveCrafts.com

I would love to win this set of needles... check it out! http://www.favecrafts.com/sweeps/Clover-Getaway-Knitting-Needle-and-Takumi-Velvet-Gift-Set-Giveaway#

Hubby's Medical Emergency

Hi all! Just wanted to let you know that my husband spent Monday night at Sanford for observation. Monday morning he had experienced some stroke/heart symptoms during his jazz band rehearsal. The school sent him by ambulance to the local hospital in Sioux Center, Iowa, which sent him by ambulance to Sanford. We came home yesterday, but as you might imagine, I was not up for a return trip to Sioux Falls for Knit Night.


Larry was tested and examined by neurology and cardiology and everything looks really good, no damage. What probably happened was his heart went into an arrythmia, not quite a heart attack, and this caused a lack of proper blood flow to the brain, which brought on the stroke-like symptoms.

He is feeling better, just very weak and tired. He plans to return to work on Thursday if all goes well today.

Watch Knit and Crochet Today Online

Watch Knit and Crochet Today Online: "

PBS has a show called “Knit and Crochet Today” where they do fun crochet and knit projects. Each episode is about a half hour long and is filled with tips and tricks from people in the crochet and knit industry. I was never able to catch it on my PBS station, but now I realize that it’s available to watch online for FREE. I’m so excited to start watching it! It feels like I’ve been missing out on a great show and now I have some catching up to do. Here is the link if you would like to catch up on the old episodes too: Watch Knit and Crochet Today Online

"

Been a while

So I realized it has been a while since my last entry, sorry about that. Katherine came down with H1N1 and I was pretty occupied for the last week.
The big news is Katherine started a new school today!
From the time she started school at 5 years old until last week, she had gotten up at 5:30 am most mornings in order to commute with Larry to his school 20 miles away, and they didn't get home until 4:30 pm or later. What a long day for Katherine! It was necessary until recently because I was working various places out of town, so it was easiest for Larry to care for her by taking her with him.
However, this year we've noticed changes in Katherine that indicated she was not in the best situation for her health and wellbeing. She was tired all the time, and we ruled out medical problems, so we know she was not getting enough sleep. Also, she didn't fit in with the kids in the other school, and she knew it. Different ethnic background, different religious background for the majority of the students. In four years, she was invited to another girl's house once. ONCE! And I know it's not her personality at issue, because she gets along great with other people.
SO... when she came home a week ago and had had a struggle at school that involved a discussion with the principal and guidance counselor, Larry and I discussed it and decided to investigate what it would take to switch schools and how soon it could happen. Last Monday, Larry found out that since she is open enrolled and would simply be coming back to our home district, it was just a matter of doing it... then I called the principal here and he said she could start anytime.
Now, Katherine had been awarded a vocal solo in her school Christmas program, and was possibly going to play it on her new accordion as well, and she was very excited about this. HOWEVER, she was so eager to start the new school and get away from the problems discussed above, that she willingly, although hesitantly, gave up that solo in order to start the new school right away.
SO... as soon as she was recovered from H1N1, I took her up and got her registered at the new school, and this morning I dropped her off. When she got up at 7:00 this morning (!), she said, "I feel naughty getting up this late!" She was ready to go in 10 minutes, and I had to put the brakes on her so we wouldn't go too early :)
I am so happy for her!



~Remember, it is better to love than to be right!

Socks are done... on to... err... "bigger" things?

Well, I got about an inch and a half of ribbing done on my socks and decided I was done. I was eager to move on to my gloves with the Mini Mochi. It's so soft! Going back to finishing the socks felt like going from angora to coarse-spun raw wool. I still like the socks, don't get me wrong, I just don't know how much of the "cheap" stuff I am going to buy from now on.
You know what they say about "once you go black?" Well, once I went to the merino...

So far, I have started and frogged the gloves a couple times, not ever happy with the beginning of a project until it is just right (curse my perfectionism!), and now I'm moving right along on the cuff of the Left Glove. I never thought double pointed needles were for me, I would fumble them around, but somehow they are working for me now. Maybe I just needed the right yarn? Hmmm.....

Here's a preview of my progress:

Socks, Hats, and Gloves... I love fingering weight!

I have actually completed the socks to the ribbed cuff, just need to k1p1 round and round until I think they're long enough, or until I run out of yarn. I am guessing the former will come first. I am kind of looking forward to having left over sock yarn enough from several projects to make something kind of crazy. Since I tend to use the self-striping yarns, I wonder what kind of fair isle look I can achieve with them? And just how crazy will I be willing to go?

Sock/Fingering Weight yarns I have used so far:

Mini Mochi in Violets Rainbow

I am making "Sock It To Me" gloves with this, my first knitted glove pattern.








Lion Brand Sock-Ease in Cotton Candy:

 

I made the "Happy Valentines Day" Hat in tapestry crochet for my daughter with this.

and Yarn Bee's WalkAway in Toe Hold, which I used for my socks, "Two at Once, Toe Up, Magic Loop Socks" from KnitPicks.

I LOVE SOCK YARN!
The Mini Mochi is my first "luxury" yarn purchase, not from a box store, but from a LYS, that I purchased with my own money, for me. Yay!

socks 2009 10 29

socks 2009 10 29
Originally uploaded by idlehands1969
Here's the first picture from my socks... toes are done, working across foot.
I'm using Walk Away yarn by Yarn Bee from Hobby Lobby. When I find the wrapper I will list the colorway as well. I am using a size 3 (3.25 mm) 29" circular needle and the Two at a Time, Toe Up Magic Loop Socks pattern from KnitPicks.
The directions are pretty easy to follow, although I had to pull up some video tutorials on the web to make sense of some of it. I haven't knit in many years, after all.
I used a different cast on than called for because I found it easier. Also, for the second side of the round it says to pick up and knit from the purl bumps. I had a heck of a time until I got out a skinny crochet hook and picked up the stitches with that, then slipped them onto my needle. Worked great! XD

"Remember, it is better to love than to be right."

Reading with your ears

So I was at the local library the other day, checking out audio books, 'cuz I like to listen while I crochet (and now knit). That way I get my two favorite hobbies at once. I know I'm not the only audiophile around, and I wanted to share what I found... online audiobook lending for free! The website to get started is http://www.overdrive.com/. Now I can listen to just about anything I want for free, on my computer or mp3 player! YAY!

Knitting Socks

So I started this on 10-27, late at night. I can't seem to put it down. It's my first (knitted) socks, and I have tried several techniques and patterns before settling on this one. I don't like dpns or two circs for sure... too "fiddly" to deal with. Magic loop rocks! I have frogged my work at least 15 times now, finally got the hang of the cast on and increases, gonna keep going... further bulletins as events warrant! Pics to come.


http://www.knitpicks.com/cfpatterns/pattern_display.cfm?ID=50631220&medid=RAV

Good instructions for the pattern challenged

crochet-fingerless-gloves

Crochet-Fitted-Hand-Warmers

Wow... really!?!

Got this from a fellow crocheter:

Thought I would share this with my fellow yarnies, hope it makes you smile, I sure did.

"Remember, it is better to love than to be right."

Knit Night

I realize this is a few days overdue, but I wanted to talk about Knit Night. I went to Barnes & Noble for my first Knit Night on Tuesday, and I had a blast! I was the only crocheter, but I felt very welcome.

Colleen was teaching Elizabeth to knit, and they are the pictured duo from the post [here]. They were having so much fun! I think Elizabeth is going to be a regular knitter with the group.

I had forgotten my white yarn, so could not work far on Katherine's gloves, but I spent the evening talking with my new friends Lori (sp?), Alaina, Elissa, Lisa, Colleen, Elizabeth, Peg, Judy, and Mary (did I forget anybody?).

Thanks to all for a great time... wish I could come every time!

 Remember, it's better to love than to be right!

New blog posting

I am so excited! I got a call from my lawyer this morning, and I have finally been approved for Social Security Disability benefits! YAY! WOOT! XD

The timing could not have been better. I had started thinking about which car to sell, what stuff we could sell, and where we could move to after selling the house, and now we don't have to do any of that!

WHOOPEE!


Remember, it's better to love than to be right!

Knit Night at B & N!

From Drop Box

From Drop Box

Carrie (sp?) Colleen, and Elizabeth
Remember, it's better to love than to be right!