Continued idiocy and Vegas, baby!

For some reason my hands forgot how to knit properly right around midnight.  I have no idea what happened, I put the very nearly finished fingerless 2 down for a couple of hours, picked it back up and was knitting backwards.  Not backwards knitting mind you – I was throwing the yarn over rather than curling from under resulting in oddly half raised stitches.  I’d frog but… they are so nearly finished now after all ready being an idiot that I’m just not going to.  All that’s left is the top ribbing and finishing the thumb.  Roughly half an hour’s work.

And I’m oddly unmotivated.  I want to cast on the next pair.  I can’t (won’t) until this pair is finished.  Arghhhhh…. ok, ok…. another half hour of ravelry and blog browsing then it’s off to finalize the gift.

And… in other news…  I’m going to Las Vegas on Friday!!!!!!  It was a total surprise, and I’m entirely excited.  Six hours or so of knitting time driving down, another six or so driving back and a fun filled two days there with one of the best humans ever!!!!!!!! 

I’m taking the socks for soldiers BSS, WRT socks, Grylion socks and probably the pair of fingerless gloves that I WILL cast on this afternoon.

Know what?!  I’m discovering that having a life is actually fun!

4B and I switched rooms last night.  My bed is a queen.  Since his feet hang over the bottom of the double he thought he might sleep better fully ensconsed in bedness.  Ok, whatever.  I like my room though.

He requested that I take my knitting off the bed.  I’ve been known to cozy up and knit in bed.  He was alarmed at the number of printed patterns – I can never knit that many things.  Of course not!  But I can knit quite a few and many are inspiration pieces and/or have features I’d like to incorporate into other designs.  Accompanied by much eye rolling by both parties.
He was also a bit upset that all his underwear has disappeared.  uhmmm… I don’t wear your underwear… all I know is they go in the wash, in the dryer, come out and still exist.  D doesn’t wear ugly tighty whities.  How does one lose ALL their underwear?!  Seriously??  And do I even want to know?

Tomorrow is the traditional off to mom’s Thanksgiving Event.  The kids are going to meet me down there, I’m happy they’ve decided to go.  Their dad has to work, sounds a bit odd but it’s going to be different not having him there.  We’ve been divorced for over eight years now but he still comes to most major family gatherings and we’re all fine with that.  4B is most likely going to a friends’ – I’m glad.  Although he feels holidays, birthdays, etc. are ‘just another day’  I’d hate for him to be alone.

Considering this has without question, been the worst year of my life, I have much to be grateful for.  The lessons learned, the changes made, the dear friends, the opportunities presented, I am truly thankful and very humbled.

I’m an idiot and other acceptable excuses

The second fingerless glove was one row away from completion when I noticed something awful.  I’m an idiot.  This is a fairly well known trait, but it creeps up on me unexpectedly from time to time.  I’d added a couple (er well, 4) extra rows so one was a fair bit larger than the other.  Yep… had to frog back to the thumb base.  I’m finishing it this afternoon.  For real.

That’s ok…. “I’m an idiot” is a perfectly acceptable excuse in my circle of friends.  As are the following – I almost finished in time, you’ll get it next week; My roots are showing so I can’t _______  (insert whatever you wish here); I couldn’t find ________ so I ________ instead (again, insert to your heart’s content); and It sounded like fun.

My all time fave and probably most used though is…  I have a reason, as soon as I know what it is, I’ll let you know.

Vehicle of death and not quite finished glove

Happy dance alert!!!!!!!!!!

B and his boy C fixed my strut yesterday!!!!!!!  Being the sort who disapproves of vehicles being on the road that could, at any moment, cause death and destruction (literally) he popped the hood yesterday afternoon.  He had a bit of a ‘omg’ look on his face.  The strut mount was gone.  Yes, I know, it’s been gone for as long as I’ve had the car – about a year now.  B and C took the wheel off, took the strut off to check for any further damage, called Auto Zone and $40.00 and an hour and a half later… it’s fixed!!!!!

I went with B to Auto Zone to pick up the part.  He kept looking at me as though he wanted to say something so I finally said, “yes?”  He kind of blurted out, “Does 4B know how bad this is?!”  Yes, he knows.  Is he not at all mechanically inclined?  Yes, he is.

So he does realize that your front wheel could have come off at any time?

Yes, he did.

More puzzled looks followed by a short discussion on allowing one’s wife to drive a vehicle that unsafe.  I’d explain it if I had an explanation, but the only one available is – ‘that’s 4B, I’m only supposed to drive back and forth to work anyway…. and since I was out of work for a month…’  ok ok yes, you’re right, not the point.

Point now is – it’s fixed!  My son has his learner’s permit and will now be able to drive the thing without fighting the vibrations and worrying about pending doom.   My gratitude is overwhelming me right now.

I’m one happy, thankful Redfear!

The heel on sock 1 for WRT (B) is ready to be started.  The fingerless gloves are nearly finished.  I have them to where I had to put the thumb stitches on a holder and couldn’t find anything (not my house, thought it would be rude to wake host to request dental floss in the middle of the night) so…..  should have those done this afternoon.

Free Pattern for Fingerless Gloves

This is my pattern for the fingerless gloves.  It’s specifically designed so it can be changed to suit the wearer/mood of knitter/time available.  See pic in Finished Objects post below.

Yarn:  used Knit Picks Gloss – use any fingering weight with a bit of give

Needles:  used size 3 dpns, use whatever gives you guage give or take a little

Guage: apx 7-8 stitches per inch

Cast on 36 using whichever somewhat stretchy cast on method you prefer

K3 P1 rib for 6 rows STRAIGHT

Join on 7th row – depending on how deep you want the side slit

Knit about 26 total rows K3 P1 rib

Switch to stockinette for about 14 rows (insert an eyelet row or two if you want to)

K17 from beginning of round (where the side slit is) place marker; K2, place marker, knit around to 1st marker, slip marker

K in front and back of both stitches between markers, slip other marker

K 3 rounds, *K to marker, knit in front and back of first stitch, knit to last stitch before marker and knit in front and back of that stitch, slip marker*

K 3 rounds, repeat from * to *

K 1-3 more rounds (depends on size of wearers hand), place the 12 thumb st on holder, k in front and back of next stitch, knit around

St st 4 rows

Top of Hand:

1) K2 tog, yo, K1, yo, K2, sl 1, K1, psso, knit to end

2) K

3) K2 tog, yo, K3, yo, k1, sl1, k2, psso

4) K

5) K2tog, yo, K5, yo, sl1 k1, psso

Note:  do any lace type pattern that will fit on top of hand or can knit 5 more rows st st

Knit 3 rows st st

K 4 rows K3 P1 rib

Bind off top

Pick up thumb stitches, 4 stitches per needle

K around, before starting next round pick up and knit 4 stitches in K2 space, then knit around

K 12 stitches then K2 tog 2x (14 st total)  this eliminates holes where you picked up

K 4 rounds

K 4 rows K3 P1 rib

bind off

FO’s in general

Just got off the phone with TJ… we were discussing my knitting.  I have to admit, for a dedicated non knitter she’s pretty understanding of my addiction.  She informed me that 4B CONSTANTLY bitches about my knitting.  Did you know that I never finish anything? We both had a good laugh over that one.  She possesses 6 finished objects including a pair of socks for her daughter, two baby blankets and a fuzzy, cozy scarf.  He has one pair of finished socks that he wears constantly.  The pair of leisure socks for soldiers is currently drying on the couch behind his head.  The stole for dear sister is blocked and neatly folded on the ironing board (what else would I do with the thing?! geez!) waiting for gifting.  One finished fingerless glove is sitting on ‘my’ couch, the other is 1/2 finished and on the needles virtually in front of his face.  Then there’s the Christmas Stocking, the shrug/wrap for myself…..

Those are the items we came up with just off the top of our collective heads.  (She doesn’t know the gloves are for her… she thinks they’re for me, since she doesn’t read my blog she won’t realize until they’re gifted *big grin*).

True, I have two pairs of partially finished socks and the socks for soldiers on the needles but hey… some things DO get finished.

Donate Life

I strongly encourage everyone to visit Domestic Diva’s blog.  If you have ever considered donating a kidney, or any other organ, if you have ever been curious about the process, or if you want more information – she has it.  Did you know it’s possible to donate even if you aren’t an exact match?  Did you know how many people are on waiting lists, long long long lists?  You can fill out the kidney donor questionnaire here.

For years I’ve had the organ donor tag on my drivers license.  I have no idea how/who might need anything I’m finished with but they are certainly welcome to whatever they need.  My general philosophy is, ‘if I don’t need it, give it to someone who does.’  I’ve tried to apply that to life as well.

This has been a topic of discussion numerous times.  4B (ex to be) is philosophically against organ donation.  I understand and respect his reasons.  I’ve promised him that I’ll take care of his last wishes even after divorce.  It’s unfair to expect anyone else to do so.  He has made arrangements to be cremated and I have access to the paperwork necessary.

If I don’t need ______ why am I holding on to it?  Sometimes I hold on to an item because I simply like it.  Sometimes because I may need it later.  Sometimes because I’m too lazy to do anything with it.  Not a great reason.

On a lighter note – last night 4B woke me up about 1:30 am to drunkenly whine that there was only one Reece’s Peanut Butter Cup left.  Had he been a three year old child I would have most likely given a swift swat (figuratively) and sent back to bed.  As he is a 54 year old man, I was p*ssed.  Then he started going in on how he’s dying.  End stage emphesyma aggravated by severe alcohol abuse and a 3 pack a day smoking habit.  I informed him as nicely as a sleep deprived human is capable of that if he doesn’t shush he will not only not be cremated, he will be buried in my family’s plot.  Empty threat?  Yep. Petty?  Yep.  At least I got back to sleep by 3:30 or so.

And…. ta da… I got my job back – full time, not three quarters. GO ME!

Capelet Stole blocked and interview

H’s stole is DONE (except for weaving in ends… but done enough for now).  I am so excited!!!!!   It looks like something she will enjoy wearing, I hope so!  Now that it’s done, it was a fun knit.  hehehehehe    Casting off was sheer torture, blocking wasn’t bad though – wet and stretch and dry.  Not that difficult.

My interview this afternoon ended up being with a lovely lady I’d interviewed with before at a different company!  We had so much fun in the interview a year and a half ago that today was almost like visiting a friend rather than a  ‘please hire me, I truly must have a job’ ordeal.  We’ll see what works out.

Now finished and now cast on

Sister’s shoulder wrap/stole/capelet thing is finally finished.  I’ll try to get it blocked today (or tomorrow) and take a pic or two plus add some notes.  There is one thing I must say – this was knit on some very old metal circulars. They’re horrible… cable is somewhat thick and twisted oddly and can’t seem to get it fixed. (tried hot water, can’t do the microwave thing) I think they’ll have to be tossed as spent half the knit time arguing with the needle.

Tools DO make a difference.  Top of the line is nice but hardly necessary but when a tool makes working on a project more difficult then it simply isn’t the right tool.  ‘nough said.

Color is really deep red, think burgundy wineish  detail of hem ruffle (the thing looming at you in the foreground)

View from bottom to top

The whole deal – top is the gently scalloped edge from fern/fan stitch going into an eyelet stockinette freehand area with a ruffled bottom edged with garterstitch border.  Keep in mind, recipient is a very petite lady, 4″11 ish so something to keep her shoulders warm doesn’t mean an item that is overly long.  We’ll see how she likes it and perhaps get pictures (if she likes it) during the holidays.

Late last night I cast on a pair of fingerless gloves for myownbadself.  My hands are cold.  We’ll see how this turns out, doing a 3×1 rib cuff using left over Knit Picks Gloss.  It better be an all time record fast knit.  Did I mention my hands are cold?  oh yeah…   Could go get a couple pairs of cheapy knit gloves but I don’t want to.  Want my own!  Besides, experimenting with a newish design and need to know how it will work up before making a couple more pair to gift.

In other news – Have a job interview today!!!!!  And my former employer called yesterday and left a message.  I’ve called back a couple of times but no luck in getting through.  DO THEY WANT ME BACK?!  Yes, no, maybe, uh ?????

Very nearly Finished Object

I am finally binding off sister’s capelet, stole thing. It’s turning out fairly well, can’t wait to block it!  Truth be told, I can’t wait to finish it’s driving me insane.  Literally.  For some reason, I decided to add a ruffle at the top.  A very slight ruffle (increase by apx 1/4 overall)… that was fine.  Then decided to double that…. OUCH.  I started binding off last night about 9:00, was still binding off at 11:00.    There’s still about 200 stitches left. Of course, had a couple phone calls and breaks inbetween but geeeeeeeeeez.  Elbows and wrists are letting me know they are completely annoyed with me and fingertips are going numb again but… it will get finished!

Now back to binding off.  It WILL be finished and sweetly blocking away plus two more inches on each sock for soldier socks (say THAT five times!)  before I can cast on anything else.

More Monochromatic Knit Quilt

Went to Home Depot today and picked up a bunch of paint chips then played around with color combinations, shapes, sizes, etc. for a while.  Some people can do this mentally using only a color wheel. I like to be able to move things around physically. This way, sometimes I accidentally come across a combination that I wouldn’t have mentally.

There seems to be a technical problem with those pics right now so uploaded a couple different ones to demonstrate the difference placement, value, etc. make in monochromatic projects:

        Note the differences in color placement, complexity of pattern etc.

This is what I’ve figured out so far using part of a fairly traditional star pattern – it’s often used on its own as a nine block quilt with border though.   

The positioning of color makes a dramatic difference.  I used to spend hours with Mom in fabric stores going over different color combinations, getting swatches, laying them out on the floor, switching around and around.  Fortunately, she has an excellent eye for color and design.

How does this translate to knitting?  Looks like this particular pattern should be relatively easy.  Let’s say we’re going for big and bold – 9×9 inch overall squares done 9 times with a great (as yet unvisualized border).

9 inch square = 9, 3″ squares.
4 outer corner squares = 1.5″ square color C next to 1.5″ color square color D
4 outer middle squares = 3″ squares Color B
1 center square = 3″ Color A

There is absolutely NO chance that I would knit each smaller square individually.  Some probably would, but not this girl!

Mind you, this is most definitely still a work in progress… but… I would probably start with the top right corner and Color D (darker of the two).  Work 1.5 inches across in D, start color C, knit 1.5 inches, switch to color B, knit 3 inches, then do the first part in reverse for 3 inches length.  End on WS row.  Knit 3 inches Color B, 3 inches color A, 3 more inches color B for total of 3 inches in length.  End on WS row.  Then do the top part in reverse for the bottom 3 inches.

If I were in a ‘fancy’ mood, I may even do a fairly tight lace stitch for A and D.  Or maybe a cross wise cable criss crossing in square A.

In order to keep the motivation level up, I might graft each square together as completed.  Otherwise, graft squares when all nine are completed.  As this would be a fairly large project, feeling a grafted border would work best.  Or, leave border off for a bit smaller quilt.

On the other hand… I’m a huge fan of Kaffe Fassett’s knitting.  His knit coat is one item that would probably transfer fairly well to a quilt project.  He also has several knit quilts that are breath taking.

I Should NOT be left unsupervised

Any takers for a verbal smack upside the head to keep me knitting on the WIPs not blog browsing constantly.  Or perhaps teach me to knit (without serious mistakes) whilst reading??????

Things I’ve done lately when left without supervision…hehe

1) Cut my hair.  Short.  Way short.  I cut my own hair frequently as I know how I want it and have ridiculous ‘cow licks’ at the crown.  A couple weeks ago was a bit beyond the pale though.

2) Read blogs until 6am.  Obsessively.

3) Open as many browser windows as I can in order to read ravelry AND blog browse.

4) Drink, idk, 12 cups of coffee or so in a 4 hour time frame.

Designing Monochromatic / Knit Quilts?

Have to admit, I do miss web designing, particularly the graphic side.

I was browsing a great LYS today (Kamille’s – Where Friends Wind Up in Gardener Village) and then through a quilt shop it occurred to me that I want to play with monochromatic design.  Something similar to star and/or round the world quilts done with such a theme plus perhaps one major accent color.

Oh… and one of those delightful moments happened in the shop.  As my friend and I were walking toward the door (uhhh after spending quite a bit of time doing the touchy, feely, is this the right weight, color for… thing) she stated I must be a great knitter.  (nope, just love doing it)  When we walked out, he turned to me and said, does she know you?  No, hun, only in the way that knitters can spot each other a mile away.  She was working on something a brilliant shade of green in a bulky wool (?).  Can’t wait to go back to see how it’s coming along.

The  deceptively simple overall look with increasingly complex patterning upon closer examination appeals to me.  Or, reversely, the complex overall look that can be achieved with different values.  Hmmmm…. going to get out the colored pencils and start playing….   Imagine something along these lines

texas star quilt

knitted, say in blacks/greys – working on that through mentally.  I’ve seen some beautiful knitting as ‘quilts’ but not very many using traditional quilt patterns.  An example of the direction I’m thinking of can be found on ravelry.  But again, want to play with color schemes a fair bit.

Any ideas? thoughts? help?   Pretty please?

Go me…. or rather go mkdesigner.  I found Classic Quilt Knitting Patterns with four volumes intended to use with Design a Knit Software.  Definitely on the wish list.

Also…. was finally able to write about The Great Storage Unit Debacle

Converting Circular Sock Knit to DPNs

In socknitters there was recently a brief discussion on how to convert sock patterns written using the two circular needle method to using double pointed needles.  The result:

1) put half the stitches from circular needle #1 onto dpn #1 then the other half from circ. #1 on dpn #2.

2) put half the stitches from circ. #2 on dpn #3 and the other half on dpn #4.

3) read pattern carefully and remember which dpn corresponds with which circular needle.

But… what if the stitch or motif pattern isn’t exactly the same all the way around causing mathmatical migrains?

1) Again, read pattern carefully

2) Take the # of stitches the pattern/motif is worked over and divide by 2.  That’s how many stitches you need to have on each dpn.  (If stitch pattern is a 40 stitch repeat, you need 20 pattern stitches over 2 dpns.)

NOTE:  If stitch pattern is a 40 stitch repeat that is not the TOTAL number of stitches you need, simply the number of ‘pattern’ stitches needed. You still need ‘x’ number of total stitches.

For example, if you are working a 64 stitch sock with a 40 stitch cable repeat you need 64 stitches divided over 3 or 4 double points – your preference.  You will need 20 stitches of the cable repeat on one dpn and 20 stitches of the cable repeat on the other dpn.   If you are working a 60 stitch sock with an all over 20 stitch pattern repeat you could do 3dpns with 3 repeats per needle.  Just do whatever makes most sense to you with the pattern.

I’m just starting a pair using this method.  We’ll see how it goes.  So far the math looks right but due to my sporadic counting skills…. uh…. well, ya know.  Once I feel a bit more comfortable with it, I’ll post progress notes and pics.

This is absolutely not an original idea of mine – thanks goes to ‘Elizabeth in Norway’ ‘Trek’ for answers and ‘Irene’ for asking the question.

Who do YOU knit for? and WOW progress

Yes, I freaking KNOW it’s nearly 2:00 am…. been knitting…and knitting… you’d think I would have made more progress.  Trying to finish sister’s stole which is now a capelet.  Don’t ask, it just is, ok.  Will post later in the morning.

8:30 am… and now I’m curious:

Proud World of Warcraft Mom – son made level 71 w/ his mage sometime early this morning (as in after 2:30 before 8:00) Gratz!!!!!
We had a hell of a time getting Lich King installed, ended up having to go back to Game Stop and get a different copy. Poor D, he spent hours trying to get it installed. And now… he’s made it! wtg!!!
BTW, we typically play on Icecrown. Redfear (me, duh) and Komotaxy (D), plus a few other characters. Alliance. Allied Giants.

I’m too sexy .. World of Warcraft funny Version !! Good old WOW days… yes, I am sharing this bit of unsolicited silliness.

Speed Knitting

Last night – this morning – I knit from 1:30 am to about 5am.  There are tons of projects that need working on, couldn’t sleep anyway so figured I should be productive rather than stare at the ceiling which is mind numbingly plain.   As my mind was raced over possible solutions to a family situation, my fingers started slowing down or speeding up according to the complexity of the thoughts rambling around.  Then it struck me – I should see what my speed is on a consistent basis.  Note to self – do this again a few times after having a reasonable amount of sleep.

This is what I came up with (for late night/early morning brain and emotions are numb knitting) – on size 2 dpns mens sz large sock the average is 4 rows in 4.5 minutes.  On size 3 dpns mens sz large sock it was more like 5 rows in 4.3 minutes.  On size 6 circulars with heaven knows how many stitches – was increasing like crazy for a ruffle – it’s roughly 3 rows in 8.5 minutes.

How do I compare to other knitters?  No clue!  However, I want to speed things up a bit.  Quite a bit.  So…. I’m working on learning Continental knitting.  It looks pretty easy but requires a different hand set of hand movements.

When I lived in the UK I sort of learned Continental but didn’t practice enough to make it stick.  I want to be able to stick a needle under one arm and knit quickly to the end of the rows though like my flatmates mum did.

As I was browsing through K2Tog I came upon Miriam Tegels tips on speed knitting.  Miriam holds the Guinness Book of World Records title of Fastest Knitter at 118 stitches per minute.  Astonishing speed!!!  I strongly recommend watching her video and reading the posting/comments on KnitPicks in Angela’s blog as well as listening to Kelley’s Podcast.  Lots of fun and informative conversation there.

Another fun speed knitting vid:

Speed Knitting (with Stained Secret Track)

I have a lot of progress to make but have discovered a few things that help:

1) Don’t try to speed knit when doing complicated lace (or even easy lace) patterns.  Should be obvious but this morning, it wasn’t;

2) When knitting quickly feel for any possible dropped stitches, if going fast it’s easy to drop until I ‘catch up with myself’

3) Stay as relaxed as possible – do NOT tense shoulders.

4) Practice reasonably decent ergonomics.

5) Take breaks.

6) Admire progress from time to time.

Perhaps simplistic but, they’re helping!