Monday, May 28, 2007

GO FIGHT WIN
My sudden explosion of knitting-related motivation came and went. You know in the old Super Mario game, when you'd punch one of those question mark boxes and a star would come out, and if you grabbed it you could run really fast and knock everyone down in your way? But it would only last, like, 7 seconds and then you went back to your normal slow, awkward pace, hopping over evil turtles and such. That's how my knitting has been.

The bad news is, I just made an old school Nintendo reference. Wow, that was lame of me.

The good news is, I blazed through about 12 inches of my cardigan, and now the back is almost done! This is a pretty big accomplishment, considering it was my first time at Fair Isle. Of course, I had to be stupid about it. Not only did I add Fair Isle to a pattern that didn't even call for it, I had to make my own chart for it! Let me just say that I never want to look at another piece of graph paper again.

But I must say, my sweater is looking mighty swell.


Yes, the back of my sweater does say "RYDELL." And yes, that is a Grease reference.

Once I finish this spiffy little number, I'll be the coolest kid at the soda shop!

posted by kif @ 9:08 PM : comment [0]

Thursday, May 10, 2007

Therapy
For the past six months or so, knitting has been my therapy. I've mentioned this before. But as of two weeks ago, I've (re)started therapy for realsies.

My mental health is currently my top priority in my life, which probably sounds weird. But after 18 or so years without ever addressing the obviously unstable state of my poor little brain, it has begun to inform every decision I make. I wanted to study abroad in the Netherlands, but because I might not be able to get my meds while there and, more importantly, I will not have access to the people/things that keep me sane, I can't go. I know I will need to get a professional job as soon as I can out of college, not for the advancement of my career but for access to health care.

So despite not writing a real entry here in nearly two months, I can't keep my mind on something like knitting. My mind is on...well, my mind. It's the entity I interact with most these days. My various disorders (mood, anxiety, panic, eating) are unlikely characters in a twisted play that loops through my head. All I want to do is usher them offstage.

posted by kif @ 7:13 PM : comment [0]

Tuesday, April 24, 2007


Life is pretty ridic right now...maybe post soon? Until then...kittens!

♥ Kif

posted by kif @ 11:57 PM : comment [0]

Wednesday, March 14, 2007

Pattern - Lucky


Lucky


It's almost spring, which means the sun is coming out and the world (or at least the Northern Hemisphere) is becoming overrun with cute baby animals. But for knitters, spring means that the time for making sweaters and scarves and afghans is coming to a close, and that we should probably put down our needles for awhile and get some much-needed vitamin D.

Luckily, you don't have to put away your stash just yet. This headband with a simple clover lace pattern knits up quick and is a great accessory for spring.

MATERIALS:
  • 1 skein of Bernat Satin (100% acrylic) in Sage
  • US #7 straight needles
  • tapestry needle
GAUGE: 16 sts/24 rows = 4" in St st.

SIZE: One (21" circumference; stretches to 26")

NOTES: 2x2 rib: [K2, P2] to end of row.

DIRECTIONS:

Begin headband:
CO 6 sts, leaving 4-5" tail.
Row 1 (RS): K all sts.
Row 2 (WS): k2, p2, k2.
Row 3: k2, RLinc, k to last 2 sts, LLinc, k2.
Row 4: k2, p to last 2 sts, k2.
Repeat rows 2 and 3 three times more. 12 sts.

Clover pattern:
Row 1 (RS): k2, yo, ssk, k4, k2tog, yo, k2.
Row 2 (and all WS rows): k2, p to last 2 sts, k2.
Row 3: k3, yo, ssk, k2, k2tog, yo, k3.
Row 5: Repeat Row 1.
Row 7: k all sts.
Repeat rows 1-8 until work meas 15".

End headband:
Row 1: k2, ssk, k to last 4 sts, k2tog, k2.
Row 2: k2, p to last 2 sts, k2.
Repeat rows 1 and 2 three more times. 6 sts.
BO all sts. Break yarn, leaving 4-5" tail.

Closure piece:
CO 20sts.
Work in 2x2 rib for 4 rows.
BO all sts using Decrease BO

Finishing:
Attached each end of closure piece to headband using cast on/bind off tail and tapestry needle.
Weave in ends.

posted by kif @ 9:29 PM : comment [0]

Finished Object - Tubey


Of course, as soon as I finish a sweater, the weather decides to warm up!


Pattern: Tubey
Yarn: Bernat Satin (100% acrylic) in Brown, Stardust, Sultana, Camel, Sapphire, and Sage.
Size: Small
Time to Complete: 2.4.07 - 3.07.07

Notes: This is my first sweater, and I absolutely love it! I had no problem substituting the acrylic for animal fibers - the Bernat looks great and is super soft. I did find that the back panel that forms the top of the neckline and the sleeves was too tall, leaving a weird bit of saggy fabric in the middle of my back. I cut some of the excess off the neckline, which was totally frightening (I thought the whole thing would unravel), and resewed it. Blocking also helped smooth out the join between the pieces that formed the sleeves and the body. Overall I couldn't be happier with it.


Blocking Tubey. This photo gives a better view of the lovely colors and stripes.

posted by kif @ 9:12 PM : comment [0]

Saturday, March 10, 2007

Soon.
So.

I finished Tubey.

Which means I'm going to post about it soon. BUT not yet. Because finals are coming up and things are crazy. It does look amazingly awesome though, so I thought I should give you some time to prepare for it.

posted by kif @ 2:07 PM : comment [0]

Monday, February 26, 2007

Forgive me, for I have sinned.
I feel like such a fraud sometimes.

As soon as I take off my plastic novelty glasses and fake mustache you'll see me for what I really am.

I'm not really a knitter.

At least, that's what this confounded internet contraption has led me to believe.

Exhibit A: I do not have a cat.

I'm pretty sure I haven't seen another knitting blog that doesn't feature pictures of the author's cat doing something adorable with a ball of yarn or tearing said author's latest lace project to shreds. But alas, I have neither the permission nor the funds to have such a creature in my home. Based on the veritable army of cat-owning knitters, I must not be doing it right. How can one knit without a fat, lazy feline around to distract one from ever finishing another project again?

Exhibit B: I have no desire, inclinination, or need to knit a shawl.

They're freakin' everywhere. Some knitters seem to make almost nothing else, with the occasional socks or sweater thrown in while waiting for a newly-finished shawl to block. But I just don't get it.

I do not wear shawls. My friends do not wear shawls. I have no grandparents or elderly drinking buddies that would appreciate one. If I see a lace pattern I like, I'm going to use it on a scarf or a sweater or tea cozy before I ever feel the urge to make it into a shawl. And, though it might be heresy to admit, I will never knit Clapotis. Maybe I'll end up in knitter's hell for such a grave sin, but my needles are much more interested in, say, edible underwear.

posted by kif @ 11:47 PM : comment [2]




All original text, photos, graphics, and illustrations © H. Mamont.