One Geek to Stitch Them All

So I’ll be heading to a Superbowl Party on Sunday, (me and everyone one else on the planet likely). Football is actually the only major sport I have no feelings for or understanding of. So instead I’m planning on what to bring to knit. And in planning what to bring to knit I went through a couple of my knitting books and caught sight of patterns I like and things I had planned to make for others and myself. So in conjunction with Stash Bust ‘10 will be, my earliest Christmas knits ever.

Well I am not starting them soon, I still have a Dalek to finish but I tend to have theme years. This year though I didn’t noticed till right now seemed to be Who themed. Be it knit or Polymer. Last year was hat, scarf and mitten sets or some adjustment of that.

But I think next year will be the year of Christmas stockings. Likely filled stockings.  But most likely they will be in colors other than red though I have a ton of red yarn, we’ll see what happens. I also fell behind on the geek ornaments that I was working on though I do have  a Dalek and A tardis. There is no K9, Red Shirts, Science officers, capes, or Cowls.

I also have a vague October deadline to make the Marvel scarf as that is when this year’s NYC ComicCon is happening. I also had hoped to hit San Diego’s ComicCon this year but the whole lack of employment makes that much less likely.

I made it to Wine and Knitting tonight at Gotham Fine Yarns, and met some new knitters, had wine, and DID NOT purchase any yarn. And there was a sale. And another sale. And a discount if your items were being purchased for the Ravelympics or maybe it was a discount later? No idea. I didn’t buy anything and understanding the sales would have made me sad and tempted to buy Noro Cash Iroha by the pound.

37 Days Without Yarn Purchase in 2010.

admin Lists, knitting 2010 goal, christmas

So I’m making a sweater not just any sweater but Vivian. Did I mention this will be my first sweater? I have 2 choices of yarn. Some Cascade 220 and Some Fashion sock yarn.

vs  though the second looks more like a wine red than the brown-ish tone this picture seems to be showing.  I have six skeins of the 220 and 10 Skeins of the sock at 193yds a skein. I do not actually like abuse and would double strand it if working in the fingering weight. I think the cables would look better in that color but wonder if I should torture myself less and use the worsted weight. Also there is a slight fear of running out of yarn if double stranding in combination with my epic torso. Though I bought the cascade so long ago there is no chance of the same dye lot. sigh.

In other news the pattern is making sales yay. I had forgotten about the Paypal fees so losing 1/3 before doing anything but I think I will just add that in out of pocket. The least I can do for the country that gave me my parents.

In happier news. I finally finished some Christmas gifts and gifted a couple this week. The Cowl went off to A tonight actually and the gloves were handed of to our bartender at Beer and Knitting along with the arm-warmers a friend made as her attempts at slippers kept failing.

That just leaves the Dalek which is at about an inch high still. And dad’s hat which is yet again a ball of yarn in the corner.

And an update of the Year’s Goal:

Tally

Skeins Likely to Use: 137
Total Yards: 25, 558
Cast on in 2010: 2

Days without a yarn Purchase in 2o10: 29

Completion

Projects: 2
Skeins: 1

admin clothing, knitting 2010 goal, gift, haiti, pattern, sweater

So I’ve finally put up the pattern for the scarf that started it all. I’ve added it to Ravelry for $.99 with 100% of the proceeds to go to Habitat For Humanity For Haiti.  After March First the pattern will be free again. But go ahead and check it out. I’m an Ravelry Designer now.

Justice League Scarf

admin knitting DC, design, double knitting, justice league, pattern, scarf

First off, Happy New Year to everyone. I hope you all had a good time ringing in 2010. I was at a Steampunk Bar with a TARDIS (Yes it was bigger on the inside)  to the Bathroom and Absinthe  shots at Midnight I had fun.  So I mentioned before my friend’s idea for a stash bust. Well I figure I should keep track of it somewhere. And keep track of my progress or lack there of. And also keep track of any new yarn I buy, which is not allowed until I am employed (fingers crossed on sticking to that).

So  a list of sorts. First up projects started but not finished in 2009. Not sure how I will deal with projects that will used 25yds or less of something like Cascade 220 in a variety of colors but as the months progress I’m sure I’ll think of something. Then a list of all the yarn that I think I would actually use in 2010. So none of my acrylic or odder novelty yarns are on this list.  Sadly my ravelry stash needs an overhaul, so it will likely not be updated at least not right now.

In better news I remembered that I had emailed my Justice League Scarf Pattern around so there should be a PDF in the next couple of days now that the pattern won’t have to be rewritten again (my flash drive killed itself) . I may add a few more files on my version of Double Knitting once I AGAIN get a new camera.

Projects- Cast on ‘09

Blanket 2/24 skeins used
Marvel Scarf/ JLA scarf 2 - 1/10 Skeins used
True Blood bag- 2/4 skeins used
Twilight Bag – 2/4 skeins used

Projects Planned

Office Shawl II
Knotty or Nice Hat
Green Lantern Bag
JLA scarf 2
Batman Scarf
Sock Weight Sweater
Cascade 22o Sweater
Dalek Kahn
Purple gloves
Slippers
Cabled hat/scarf/glove set
Armwarmers
Socks
Spiderman Scarf
Dark-Mark bag

Tally

Skeins Likely to Use: 137
Total Yards: 25, 558

Days without a yarn Purchase in 2o10: 4

Completion

Projects -
Skeins -

Below is a list of all the yarn and number of skeins.

Read more…

admin Lists, knitting 2010 goal, January, new year, plan, stash

So Christmas came and went. You would think my holiday knitting was done right?

Not quite.

Let’s not even discuss the fact that the camera died again a couple days before Christmas. I must be some kind of camera curse. So how did the Christmas knitting go you are wondering? I’m sure someone out there did better than I did.

Dalek - Purple and black fingering weight yarn about 1″ or for those who know the lovely EXTERMIKNIT pattern the first row of bobbles.

Dad’s Hat- Frogged and cast on again Christmas Day….

Mom’s Hat – Yarn was chosen that’s progress right?

Cowl – One more repeat of the pattern (12 rows) and its done. That’s not too bad.

Glove and arm-warmer set - its been cast on there’s some ribbing…

How is it that last year I made, 4 hats, 3 scarves, 5 pairs of Mittens and this year 4 projects have foiled me. Alas. I’m sure my like of Subway riding has something to do with it. That is in fact where i get most of my knitting done.

And instead of this fact doing something like deterring me I am plugging along with my knitting and wondering if I can in fact do a stash bust in 2010 against one of my geek knitting friends. She has mostly lace-weight including a 3000 yard skein I helped her wind one day (helped as in provided swift and winder). I know most of my stash is worsted followed by sock lasty about 6-10 skeins of lace weight.

Though if I do the stash bust I can A) Sell any items from patterns I design on Etsy, and B) get a whole year to plot the Christmas Knitting.

I’m on a purchase diet until employment but oh is it tempting especially when one of my weekly knitting groups meets in a different yarn store every week. Though this helps with the discovery of old and new yarn stores. The latest new discovery being a really new store Gotham Fine Yarns down on Orchard St. Its a lovely addicting little shop where I’ve been to Wine and Knitting which the owner hosts every 1st and 3rd Friday and where Geek Knitting has met a couple times. Great owner open til 8 daily which once the wallet allows will make my heart swell with joy.

And I leave you with a lovely picture of Molly surfing the web.

You turn your back one second…

admin knitting cat, christmas, Doctor Who, hat

I went to the Smiley’s Hotel Sale this past Weds, and Friday. For those that don’t know. Smiley’s Yarns is a  huge yarn store in Queens that sells a lot of synthetic fiber and others (I’ve gotten, soy/wool there along with silk and Alpaca, and 1oo% wool) and every year for likely ages they have a huge discount sale. I got the yarn for the blanket there last year (when I though it would be a sweater) My goal was to get more blanket yarn.

So I went to the holiday inn. Armed with a decent amount of cash but not enough to break the bank. Just squeeze it a little. And they had more of the Patons SWS though solids instead of stripes, so I got blue (jeweled navy tone) and black which I felt would go well with the grays of the blanket. Each bag of 6 skeins was $15. I also somehow ended with about 2000 yards of sock weight yarn for $30. Its superwash and I am thinking the sweater than never ends but who knows.

I’m making dents in the stash, yes I’m ignoring the most recent purchase.  I am finally using the skeins of Noro Silk Garden I bought ages ago, making a quick pair of gloves for my roommate.

Don’t you just love the orange that seems to have come out of nowhere to start the other glove? After making my gloves these are a breeze. The pattern Ken by the Berroco team is simple to do and follow. And with the roommate right there simple to check. Though I did make a finger too long. Its never good when the glove fits me.

I have some maroon and cream that I think would look great as something for my other roommate, so in theory those skeins are accounted for.  Maybe a scarf, we’ll see what she likes.

I also have been making progress on the Christmas List. Likely not at a good speed.

But I have about 3/4s of a cowl for a friend, Knitty’s Abby.

Maybe a little more than that as I think 2 more repeats of the 12 row pattern and I shall be done. Then back to the rest of the list.

Though I have made an ornament. I have a knit version somewhere that I will be hunting down and backing in felt at some point but for now I have its unbaked clay counterpart.

Exterminate!- This is going to a Christmas Gift, mailed off. I’m thinking, Cybermen Head, K9, or I may attempt an Ood if I’m feeling brave.

Strangely I have had the urge lately to make Exterminknit again. So far I have resisted as I remember the evil of that project but I may just give in.  Likely after Christmas though that urge may pass. And as I’m in the middle of watching the Stolen Earth the urge to see if I can create a Dalek Caan/Kahn version is enticing.

Last but not least. I have made my first Etsy sale. My Tardis Ornament is on its way to a new home. .

admin craft, knitting christmas, cowl, dalek, Doctor Who, gloves, polymer clay

Finished the gloves finally. Weaved in ends and everything last weds at beer and knitting.

And I have made a whole lot of Stitch Markers in the last week.

In varying colors styles and beads. I also used a different wiring technique so it is a thicker single strand instead of a thinner double loop. Which also meant that the only color is in the beads and  all the wiring is silver.

I’ve also reworked the prophecy orbs  from Order of the Phoenix and I like this set much better and they shall be making their way to my Etsy.

Also I have a new favorite set of stitch Markers. Its always the sets that I have a fixed number of beads too. This one is a set of seven and makes me think of what it would look like if you locked a bit of the Time Vortex in glass.

Or I could have been watching too much Season 3. Hums Here come the drums, Here come the drums.

In other news I have reached 43,784 in the Nano word count. I’m not sure if I will make my personal goal of 75K but barring any disasters I will at least reach 50. The story is descending down a few winding paths and I’m having a lot of fun following them.

Now Christmas is coming soon so its time for the impossible list of things I will knit by the 25 or sooner (as some have to be shipped over seas)

- Ornaments I’m thinking six, if I’m feeling adventurous maybe even in 3D
-Gloves/Arm warmer set (Strata in Knitting New Mittens and Gloves)
- Cowl Hood  in superwash lace  (no pattern yet)
-Gloves
-Hat
-Sweater (for me so it doesn’t really have a deadline but I want to start it)
-Marvel Scarf (again for me and I’ve picked it up again Next hero up is Daredevil)
-knitting bag (though this would be a sewing project)
-Dalek Scarf
-True Blood bag (though if this is a gift or an item to sell I haven’t really decided)
-Super family of potholders though they will likely be sold separately Bizzaro is still on the needles somewhere.

admin Lists, beads, craft, knitting christmas, Doctor Who, etsy, gloves, harry potter, stitch markers

Polymer Apple stitch Markers have now been wired and pinned. Six lovely markers which are also up at the Etsy store. I have 2 sets and you can think about supporting your Geek here. Yep newly updated Etsy Items. All apple themed.

I also made a pair of Apple earrings.

I have finished the right hand of my gloves and have started picking up the pace on the left. I’m nearly at the thumb opening though I am very pleased at how the right hand  came out and fit.

The ring finger is a smidge too long and i may pull back 2 or three rows. But the best part is on my hand it looks like a perfectly normal glove. Off I’ve gotten a few, aren’t the fingers a bit too long.

Ah the joy of  long fingers.

NaNoWriMo is going well even if my word count is not what it was last year. I’m at ~15K right now which is ahead of pace but last year i finished on the 16th or so and kept writing much slower with a couple days off. I need to get prodded with the motivation stick but I was up late last night taking notes from sudden inspiration.

I’m also pondering this whole knit a sweater in November thing. As much as I pretend I don’t I do have an excess of time until I am fully employed again…and I still have the red and black cascade 220 that is supposed to be turned into a sweater.

hmmm. Or Maybe I should Knit a few more TARDIS ornaments as the attempt at making one of polymer ended like so:

Burnt Time Machine – sigh. I may start weekly fail posts. Especially as I expand my craft arm into all sorts of things I’ve never done (polymer clay) and all sorts of things that I haven’t done in years (beads, crochet, sew).

admin craft, knitting gloves, polymer clay, stitch markers, Tardis

It’s November which means its noveling time! I will try to update, because I still knit during November. Though Weds night beer and Knitting may turn into Beer, Knitting ,and noveling. I also have my first set of polymer stitch markers to finish up.  They are apples and very cute if I do say so.

As you can see by the very blurry picture only 2 have been wired. But its on my to do list. Its just the last week was spent decorating for the Halloween Party, and baking, and cleaning, and there’s still that pesky job hunting thing I’m working on.

Read more…

admin craft decorating, halloween, NaNoWriMo

Knitting my first pair of gloves out of Knitting New Gloves and Mittens, Welig. It had been frogged a few dozen times as it was also my first reading of a chart really. Which I think I’m doing wrong or there’s random Errata. I’m inclined to believe i still don’t know how to read a chart. But they are coming out well anyway. I’ve made it past the scrap yarn thumb this work through, and nearly finished the chart on the train home. I omitted the bobbles mostly because i despise bobbles a bit after making 2 daleks. But may place a small charm or buttons in the space for accent.

Its a lovely slightly variegated black Malabrigo  I haven’t actually decided if I will make full gloves or just up to the top knuckle. I do wish I could find the pattern for the flip top thumb. Though I have time since Ipod handling is done with the left hand and I’m making the right. I do have to have a few more rows because I have outrageously long palms and fingers  and haven’t had a pair of gloves fit right in years.

I’m also knitting myself a blanket. Which is going to be a feat as I’m 6′ 0″ and have a queen sized bed.  but I have 13 skeins of Patons SWS Soy Wool blend and its never becoming a sweater. I also have  quite a few random skeins of the same weight that can be incorporated into the same blanket.  And they are all variegating colors. Reds, Blues, Purples, even the yarn I’m using for the gloves can be used.

At the moment I’m making Knit strips 70 stitches across to see how that goes. On the second ball of yarn. which is going to be basic garter stitch to get a better feel of yarn usage.

I also have opened my Etsy Shop over the weekend. There are more things to be added over the next few days, but its housing some stitch makers and a scarf. I shall be adding a baby blanket and some more geek markers once they are made.

I also headed over to the new Micheal’s that has opened on 100th and Columbus Ave in Manhattan. I needed Polymer, and wire cutters, and other things really! It was nice though sadly it did not have anything in the way of Halloween Decorations and I have to get supplies for decorating the apartment for the party.

Maybe if the party has a decorative theme I can work something out. And my mind went to Zombie Prom. I blame all the Zombie tales that seem will be coming out of Nano.

admin knitting blanket, etsy, gloves