New Home!

So, I moved (both my blog and my home, actually). I was never really 100% psyched up about k-sue (a combo of my first and middle names- i guess that much is obvious), so I figured before I got really invested in this blog I should find a name I like. I'm not sure I'm there yet, but I'm really picky. Anyway, find me (Chris, I think you're the only one who reads this blog and it probably would make more sense just to email you, but I'm trying to be a better blogger and post more:) ) at dragoknit.blogspot.com

Back online in the New Year....FINALLY

So getting back online in our new place has been somewhat trying. Apparently it takes a few weeks to get the cable/internet guys to come over here. After waiting, they couldn't install anything because someone is paying for cable and internet for our place (which has been vacant since September) and they can't shut it off. At least I'm finally back online.

That said, I have some FOs from my hiatus.....actually, just one now that I'm really thinking about it.

First we have....

HURRY UP SPRING ARMWARMERS

Pattern - Hurry Up Spring Armwarmers from Stitch 'n' Bitch Nation

Yarn - Malabrigo in Pagoda

Modifications - None

Random Commentary:
I feel like it took forever to finish these babies. I think I knit and frogged half of the first armwarmer four times before I finally mastered the chart. This was my first time reading a chart and I was reading it from left to right. How embarrassing, huh? I also started with metal dpns and the yarn kept slipping off. I normally stick to bamboo, but my LYS was all out so I chose the second best. Also, the Malabrigo was amazing for this project. I loved seeing the colors form and the yarn is amazingly soft.

Funny Side Note : I never noticed the branch and leaf pattern despite the pattern title and staring at them while knitting. But when my husband took one look at them, he noticed right a way. A bit of an Einstein moment for me. I like them even better now, though:)

SPENCER GLOVES

Second picture was my Jazz Hands Action Shot, which backfired and now looks more like a demented shadow puppet.

Pattern: Spencer from Rowan 38
Yarn: Rowan Wool Cotton
Modifications: The pattern calls for the cuff to be knit with Size 2/3 Needles, which I couldn't find. I just knit the entire glove with 3s.
Needles: Size 3 Bamboo Circulars
Random Commentary: These were a pretty fun project, but I had spurts of interest. The gloves are knit flat and with short rows for the fingers. I needed a lot of patience for the fingers. I had some trouble avoiding gaps between the fingers. They're not perfect, but I don't think anyone but me would really notice. I still have buttons to sew on and the cuff to knit for the second glove, but I feel like I sort of finished with the one glove done. Right?

-----------------current projects----------------------

DAD'S SHARFIK

After I made the hats for my mom and sister (and after a subtle hint from dad), I decided it's high time he get something handknit. I knew exactly what I wanted to knit him: Grumperina's Dad's Sharfik. The first time I saw it, I thought of my Dad (not because of the title, but it's just his style). Okay, and it IS called DAD's Sharfik. It's too perfect. Here's the yarn.....(cat not included)

I chose the Karabella Aurora 8 not only because it's the prescribed yarn, but because I kept having to resist rubbing it against my cheek in my LYS. It's that soft and yummy. Even the cat can't resist. A cat that would rather sleep on a stray plastic bag than a comfy couch doesn't exactly have discerning taste, though. And I digress... I couldn't stop myself from casting on for this baby the second I got the yarn home. That's about as far as I got though...

I'm loving it. The pattern is just .... so....smart! It's easy to memorize and the simplicity of the broken ribs is astounding. It just makes sense the way it's written. I love that.

STASH FLASH

And last, but certainly not least a recent addition to the stash...

What is to be Electra (Rowan 38). Are you blind? Bright, huh? I'd like to blame it on my camera's flash and my inability to photograph in natural daylight (In New England, there's about 5 hours of daylight this time of year, and for all those I'm strapped to a desk:( ) , but i have to be honest. It's that bright. I was surprised, but I think the colors will be a nice punch all mixed together.

State of Affairs














This picture pretty much sums it up. Moving sucks any way you put it. I'm shuddering just looking at this picture. This is the pile of boxes taking over the living room in our current apartment, soon to be moved to our new casa in Somerville. I'm just hoping all the rain coming down right now doesn't turn into ice for tomorrow. Although, maybe then we can just "slide" the boxes into our new place? It's not the packing and unpacking of the boxes that's getting me down, just knowing these boxes have to be lugged up and down many flights of stairs is the real issue.

As for knitting, I'm working on various small projects but not very ardently. See above. Pics coming soon.

New FOs!

I've had a nice long weekend staying busy with my knitting. I sort of finished .....
NIMBUS



but I still have a few things I want to work out. For starters, I bought an all-purpose zipper assuming it would work. Unfortunately, I didn't realize until after I sewed it to the sweater that it didn't zip all the way down. Who knows what you could use a 22" zipper for that doesn't zip all the way down? In any case, I've been wearing it all weekend, but taking it on and off over my head like a jackass. Aside from the zipper, I'm still not that in love with the sweater. It's super warm and takes the bite out of the New England temps, but I already see the stictches loosing structure. I knit the sweater with the specified needles, but wish I opted for a smaller size. Oh well, I haven't taken it off all weekend, so I guess I can't complain.

Nimbus by Jennifer Thurston
featured in Magknits
Yarn - Rowan Polar in Silver Lining and Rowan Big Wool Tuft in Silver.
I followed the pattern to a t. The sweater knit up fast and the instructions were clear and easy to follow. The sweater was really fun to knit and gave me a chance to try some new techniques, making a hood, pockets, etc.
Knitting Dates - November 4 - November 23

Next FO - SPARKLE HAT

Sparkle Hat, SnB Handbook

Yarn - Lamb's Pride Bulky in Onyx

Knitting Date - 11/18/05

When my mom and sister flipped through SnB (separately), they both fell in love with this hat. So, I made two. It was a pretty fun hat to make and gave me a chance to work with beads and dpns. Surprisingly, I had a good experience with both. The most annoying thing about this hat was finding the pailettes with the large hole. I ended up just hole punching ones with the standard size hole. Not difficult, just plain boring. I have some extra yarn, maybe I'll make one for me, too.... Three girls, same hat?

ORANGE HAT

Pattern - I made it up as I went along.

Yarn - Plymouth Yukon

This hat is on its way to being frogged. It's really soft and sort of cute, but just isn't manly enough. I'm going to add a grey stripe to the bottom and make the ribs 3x1, not 2x2. Hopefully, that will help.

In Progress - Spencer Gloves, Rowan 38

I fell in love with these gloves after my first flip-through of Rowan 38. Of course to make them, I had to combine several skills (cables, gloves or even mittens, tiny needles) not yet conquered (or attempted) by me. No problem! As soon as I picked up the toothpicks required to knit these beauties, I wondered if I was in some trouble. But after a few rows, I started to dig the little needles. I'm still scared I won't be able to find a stitch if it slips off the needles, but everything is looking okay so far. It's gratifying to see the cables form and just plain nice to carry around such a dainty project.

Other news

I also ordered the yarn for Electra, in Rowan 38. I looked in three different LYS and couldn't find all the different yarns all at one place, so I sucked it up and ordered it online. I just hope it arrives before my flight to Aruba on Friday!

Long weekend

I love the first day of a long weekend, especially a weekend without plans. I'm going to knit and do New Englandy fall things this weekend. I like to keep the expectations low, that way I can't disappoint.

So, I've been working on Nimbus, a design featured in Magknits. I'm using Rowan Polar, which is the softest and most pleasant yarn to work with. It's a bummer it's discontinued. I bought a 10-pack on Ebay for really cheap, though, so I can't complain about the discounted prices. Here's an up close and snuggly picture... Don't you just want to lay in it?

Also in the picture you'll see Rowan Big Wool Tuft. I've never even seen needles as large as the ones you need to knit this stuff. Knitting four rows of garter stitch is a challenge, I can't imagine knitting an entire sweater.

Here's a picture of the back (with Zoe getting ready for attack - no rhyme intended), all finished....


I think this is my first piece that I'm not sure if I'll like it when it's done. I think it will be a cozy winter sweater, but not sure if I can pull it off. It's a fun knit so far, so I'll keep going anyway.

First Post!

Woo hoo. It's about time I start using this blog. It's supposed to be just about knitting, but we'll see what I actually write about. I'll start with my first big finished piece, a sweater for my lovely husband, Josh. He hasn't worn it, yet, but I'm certain that once he does he'll never want to take it off. Well, that's what I'm telling myself after three weeks of labor:) The sweater is based off a design in SnB Nation, the one with the flames.

Alas, here it is as modeled by Josh, prior to blocking.

And here it is blocking. Fascinating, I know. That's Zoe in the picture. She has a weird fetish with anything knit.

Thanks for looking:)