Jofrog is Knitfrog!
January 31 2006
I just seem to be on a sock run here. I really want to get back to "Huxley", but the socks keep seducing me! Mike's second blue sock is next to be cast on, but what else? I'm pretty sure that I'm ready for another toe up sock, my clown socks being the only other ones I've done that way. I think it's between my "Grapevine" Sunshine Yarns socks, or the Shelridge Farm green "Soft Touch Ultra" yarn. I'm strongly leaning towards the grapevine socks, but we'll all just have to wait and see. One thing that will keep me motivated is I've joined another sock KAL! It's the Sock-a-Month KAL hosted by Chrissy. It officially starts tomorrow (February) and lasts only for 6 months. The idea is one pair a month (at least). I'm in. Jaywalkers finished in February for both Cara's and Chrissy's knit-alongs? It's a push, but hey, what else am I doing?Socks, Socks, everywhere!
January 30 2006
You will all be relieved to know that my fifth Jaywalker sock needle has been found and I've been happilly knitting away on them! I turned the heel this weekend and I'm working down the decreases now. Slow and steady with some other projects mingled in... I might actually make Cara's February 14th deadline! I'm keeping the pattern as written, with a heel flap. I really think it's the right type of heel for this pattern and to keep with the flow. The gusset decreases will work perfectly into the angles. It was the right choice by the designer. Personally I use both heel flaps and short row heels. I go back and forth between which one I think is easier, or cleaner, or quicker, but I usually decide on a sock by sock basis. What about you? I know Claudia converted the pattern to use a short row heel because that's all she'll do. She knows what she likes and no immensely popular pattern will sway her otherwise! Others are afraid of the short row heel, or have tried it but like the fit of the heel flap better. And then there are the willy nilly, go with the flow, lets just all knit socks and get along crowd. Which are you? Feel free to take a button and tell the world. Kindly link it back to this post so others can find the buttons if they would like them too. Off to knit some socks. This is 200sox after all, right?Naomi Heel, Good Dog
January 27 2006
I keep picking up my pouch that's holding my Jaywalker sock (cuff a few rows away from done, and then onto the heel flap) and then putting it back down again because somehow between Monday night and now I've lost one of the needles! It will show up, it always does, but as for today, unless you want to see a longer Afghan Jaywalker cuff than in the last picture, there will be no progress to show. :-(Attention: Jaywalker Sock Needle Gone AWOL
January 26 2006
Okay, so maybe I'm not famous, but my doggie sweater is! ...okay, so maybe my doggie sweater isn't famous, but it is on display in my LYS's window! This little sweater is way too small for Naomi, (I almost broke her front legs trying it on her!), but it fits the toy dog at the store, "just right", and that's where it shall stay. This is actually the second time I've knit this sweater, almost in entirety. The first time I got down to the decreases for the butt flap, and my numbers were not working out. I was so mad at the pattern that they had screwed up and no one could follow them, until someone showed me the part where they say "increase one stitch into each seed stitch portion". Um, I'd increased one stitch. Period. No saving yourself from that mistake. Big RIP! I sat down the next day and worked it up again. Good think is it doesn' take much yarn and it knits quickly on US 7s. Speaking of, here are the details: Famous!
January 25 2006
A bit over a week ago Lauren posted a few sweaters and other items that she'd knit that she never wears any more, and was looking for takers. I saw the Chevron Tank from IK and knew it needed to be mine! I've looked at this pattern before and loved it, but I never get around to summer knits. Just look at how many seasons "Pauline" has been langushing, maybe this is the year. Anyways, I've seen Amber's version of this tank and looked at the pattern a few times, but now, without knitting it myself, I own a Cheveron Tank! Thank You Lauren! I LOVE it!Thank You Lauren!
January 24 2006
When I don't make lists, I forget things. Simple relationship. It's a truth. The last three times I went to my LYS I forgot to pick up some Knitters' Graph Paper. They have it in 5 and 8 stitches per inch for ten cents a sheet. Great deal and oh so helpful... if you remember! I ended up being home yesterday because of the snow, and wanting to use that Knitters' graph paper that of course I didn't have. Through the wonders of the internet I was able to plot on though! After trying two or three dead ends I found this: ABCs of Knitting: Actual Size Graph Papers You type in your criteria and they make you graph paper as a PDF. You can print it, you can save it, you can use decimal points, it's great! I though you needed to know! A Great Resource
January 23 2006
All of you Knitsmiths out there will be very happy to know that the Schaefer Marjaana Scarf is offically D O N E done! The Knitsmiths have watched me slave over this long, wide scarf for weeks now. I did it on commission for a woman I only met once, so there was no personal motivation, and boy are scarves long! The recipiant was a bit worried that the colors would bleed, so I gave it a good washing too and it grew even more! I hope she likes a long scarf, there will be a lot of wrapability in it! I know that in the picture it looks somewhat garder stitch-esque, but it is actually what they call a "Reversible Tweed Stitch". You can see it better on this entry. The Specs: I am SO HAPPY to have this off of my plate! Selfish knitting, here I come... after two more obligation knitting projects and maybe an involved secret project. Oh I do hope I get to wear Huxley this winter!Knitsmiths Rejoice
January 21 2006
Somewhere, right under the wire, in the middle of the night Kat guessed what Thursday's project is! It is a little dog sweater, done in the smallest size. I should have know that dog lover, and Java owner, Kat would be the one to guess! She and her dog go to the same park that Naomi and I go to on weekends. Maybe some day we'll run into them there! Had Kat not have figured it out, Naomi was going to help out. This sweater is meant to fit a dog with a 14" chest, and Naomi's is a bit over 19", but she squeezed in just for you guys! Hey, when you try a WIP on a dog, you have a built in leash! Bonus! Enjoy your Saturdays, I'm off to work.Special Saturday Post
January 20 2006
I was home for a bit yesterday afternoon between job assignments and squeezed in enough time to knit one little sleeve for "Red Set Go". All in all now I've devoted four hours to this newborn sweater project, over how many weeks? I think it needs to be finished tonight. I need something off of my plate! I did sew in the sleeve and weave in all available ends, so I'm really close. Close enough to find buttons today, don't you think? I'm thinking something fun and whimsical, but who knows what the sweater will pick! As for yesterday's project, no one has guessed yet. My dearest "Momfrog" was the closest though. I don't have the book at home this morning to show you all the picture and I can't find it online, so you'll have to wait for a special Saturday post to find out! I'm sure you are all sitting on the edges of your seats, don't fall off! Happy Knitting!One Hour of Knitting
January 18 2006
I seem to be starting projects much quicker than I'm finishing them these days. Slow and steady progress on a scarf just isn't cutting it for me. Any guesses on what I'm knitting now?Really? Another Project?
Mouse for size comparison.
January 17 2006
I did it, I started my Jaywalkers yesterday. I'm not going to apologize for knitting a fad item, I'm not going to explain myself except that I bought this yarn when Cara finished her first pair, specifically for Jaywalkers. Before the crazy hype. It just happens that it took me this long to start them, but even if I had bought the yarn yesterday, I stil wouldn't apologize for it! They're my needles and I'll knit what I want to! I'm using Regia 4ply Crazy Color. I thought this self striping (but no patterning) yarn would be great for Jaywalkers. After I cast on I had some doubts. Now I'm pretty sure that I like them, but they do share a striking resemblance with my grosmutter's afghans! Don't you think so? Therefore I name these my "Afghan Jaywalkers"!Afghan Socks
January 15 2006
Here's my first finished sock of 200sox! I've been knitting consistantly on this sock and on the Marjaana scarf and the progress is showing. The scarf is so close to completion and the first sock is done! I'm going to take a brief brake from this pair to concentrate on the Spirit Trail Socks. Melanie's babies are coming soon after all! That said, I may just cast on for Jaywalkers now. The only hitch in that plan is that I just finished this sock on US 1s and I really think I knit socks too tightly to use these needles for the Jaywalkers, even if I do knit the larger size. Just another reason to finsh up the Spirit trail socks, those needles will be just right. As for Jaywalkers, what's the consensus? Are most people knitting the larger size for pretty average sized feet?First Finished Foot
January 13 2006
I went out to dinner with my best friend Miranda last night. Great for our relationship, not great for making progress on my knitting. When I got home it was still early, and I'd stopped at The Paper Source earlier in the day, so I took on a paper related craft. I saw Knitsmith ClaireTuesday morning and one of the first things she told me was that she'd just that morning learned how to make origami boxes. I thought she'd gone to a workshop at one of the local art schools, but no, she'd learned from Carol Duvall on HGTV! She went online to get the instructions, but couldn't find them on the show's website. Not one to give up, Claire continued to search and came up with these instructions. A few moments and a photocopier later I had my own set. Now a few days later I have these: First my prototype, using pages from the Jeopardy Daily Calendar. Once that one proved itself to work I went for the good paper. It worked too, and I love it! Now what do I do with them? They are pretty sturdy but I'm thinking of playing with some Modge Podge or some sort of lacquer to make them even more durable. Thoughts, ideas, requests for boxes of your own?When There's No Time To Knit...
January 12 2006
Those crazy ladies over at Purling Ps have started up a sock knitalong for 2006! I was all set to tell you to go over there and sign up, but they had to limit the signups already, so if you didn't sign up by midnight central time yesterday you are out of luck. Boo. I have so many sock plans that I'm worried about them getting in the way of my sweater plans! That said, I've been working hard on a new sock and it's quickly approaching the toe. For today you'll have to make due with Margene's button. Oooh, pretty socks! ...and to think, I was actually consitering pulling out of Cara's Jaywalker Knitalong. As soon as I finish this first new sock it's a Jaywalker break. Lets face it, when you can't get a pattern, (and the yarn you've already bought for it), out of your mind, one just has to knit the darn thing and get it out of his or her system... right?Welcome to 200sox!
January 11 2006
The last two nights have been filled with restless sleep for me. Last night I kept popping back into a dream where I was teaching a knitting class on edgings. No one had made their practice swatches, so I had them all start on that while I went off to do something else. By the time I got back the class was over and everyone had gone. I called them all at home to try to make the two night two hour each night course into one four hour long course the next night, but even then people only came with half done swatches and when we took our break the local businesses set up a carnival so I couldn't get my class back to the table to focus! All in all we picked up some stitches and knit a garder stitch border on one side. People were not pleased! Do you think I'm anxious about the class I'm teaching tonight in real life? No reason I should be, It's only beginners and I've taught them many many times by now, but somethings going on in that little head of mine!Bad Dreams
January 10 2006
While I'm trucking along on the Marjaana scarf I had to pause to start a little something new. I've always really liked the "Red Set Go" pattern from Monkeysuits and two nights ago I cast on with some Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Chunky. Mmmmm! Not quite three hours of knitting time later I have the back and both fronts done! Awesome! So much better than a scarf for motivation! I can't imagine that the sleeves will take longer than the fronts, so another hour and a half and I should be done with this. Any guesses on when that actually will be?!?Another New One
January 9 2006
Here it is folks, all ends woven in, and already in use... the first FO of 2006 is Mike's Fingerless Mitts! They are ready for their closeup, but Mike isn't! The mitts were made out of Cascade Ecological Wool, that started out looking like this: and now looks like this! What can I do with the leftovers now? Anyone need some feltable white wool? I used Ann Budd's Knitters Book of Handy Patterns, and some intuition. Remember how I said that these are the new knitsmiths project, well check this out, and there are more on the way. Knitsmith Shireen just started a pair yesterday! Off to work and then a new knitting group with Dani tonight! I hope they like the new kid! ;-)First FO of '06!
January 6 2006
I left Mike's convertable mittens out last night for the elves to weave in the ends, but woke up this morning to see that they hadn't gotten the message. Harumph! So, weave them in myself I shall have to do! That doesn't stop me from thinking about my next project though: Slacker Elves
How cute is that? I can't wait to get started! Theresa Gaffey is a new to me designer (although the pattern is copywritten 2001). My LYS just started carrying her patterns and they are all winners! Definitely worth checking out.
January 5 2006
As a wedding shower gift I was given two volumes of Haley's Hints. The other night I pulled them out to look up something and what do I find? Knitting Tips! Hmmm, some interesting tips Haley! Go tape record your instructions at the approximate speed you'd knit at so that you can play it back and knit at the same time without having to stop and read! Go right now! Do it! Haley's Hints
Click for BIG enough to read!
January 4 2006
It's time for another exciting episode of :"What's In The Pouch?" Welcome back your host, Jofrog! (Woo Hoo!) We last saw this pouch on New Year's Eve, do you need a recap? Have you all been thinking of what's inside? Here are the clues: It's the Marjaana Reversible Tweed Stitch Scarf, and just in case you wanted to see the reversible tweed stitch, here it is: Unfortunately this project has been getting almost all of my attention lately, but hopefully that means that it will be finished quickly. I'm almost through the first of two balls of yarn, and I'm knitting about 3 inches per hour, so hopefully not too much longer. It's a hard project to stick with for a long time, but I'm pushing through... then back to "Huxley" for me!What's In The Pouch?
La La La, have you had enough time to think? Ta Da!!!
January 3 2006
I wanted to revisit two little sweaters that I made for Channukah gifts. I showed them on my big overview of holiday knitting, but I thought they deserved more time. You've seen progress on the "Smart Zip Sweater" along the way, but what I snuck in was the hooded buttoned variation for a newborn little guy. Both sweaters were made out of Smart Superwash yarn, (only 7 skeins for both!), which feels a bit rough to the touch, but softens up as soon as you wash it. The pattern was from Sirdar Book 297 "Cheeky Chinos". I really love these Sirdar kid patterns. They are usually easy to follow, and come out great! I think he liked it! Open or closed it looks great on him. And check out that zipper, (ordered from Zipperstop). The little brother got the button up version. I made it in the 3-6 month size to wear this winter, but he's not even two weeks old yet and his newborn clothes are too big for him, so no modeling shot yet. Maybe in the future though. Their mom loved the sweaters of course, especially the turtle buttons! Thanks for taking the time to look in depth at these cute little swetaters!Revisiting
A big guy sweater for the big brother.
January 2 2006
Just before Christmas, after all of my present knitting was finished, I got a special request from my husband for a pair of fingerless/convertable mittens. I never ever get requests from him, and usually I get protests that I have too many other things that I want to knit, and shouldn't waste my precious time on him, so when this request came through I jumped on it! I had some Ecological Wool left over from his scarf last winter, so I picked it up, some US 7 DPNs and Ann Budd's Handy Book Of Patterns, and off I went. Wow do they go fast! I had the first one finished by Christmas night, despite the craziness of the season, and just picked up the second last night to do the fingers on them. It seems as if this is the new Knitsmiths project! We went through a sock phase, (okay, we are always in a sock phase to some extent), but now we may be in a mitten phase! Dana started it off, and now Colleen, and mine popped up simultaniously! Who's next? Alison? Shannon? You?A Special Request
