Free Day

I can't call it a snow day, since we don't have any yet, but I am home. A Nor'easter is on it's way, at least the school districts around here took it seriously enough to either call off school or have drastically reduced schedules.



I finished both of the shelving units yesterday afternoon. They are caulked and ready for painting. And before you ask, yes, I actually own some of those free weights on the stand (just don't ask me if I use them)!

Off to buy paint.

Sunday Already?

Wow! Sometimes time really has a way of escaping, doesn't it? I had a short week last week. No school Monday, got out early Thursday due to the impending storm that wasn't really that big, but it was big enough to give me a two hour delay on Friday. So why does it feel like my whole week was taken up by school?

I did decide to continue on with my crocheted border for the Brushstrokes vest. I took out the first one, went down a hook size, and picked up less stitches. One more row around, then a finishing row of crab stitch. Thanks to all who gave me advice.

This weekend I'm trying to put together two shelving units to hold the receiver, speakers, and my growing collection of cds and dvds. They are to flank the television and eventually I plan on making a shelf to span the units and enclose the tv, hopefully making it look like it doesn't dominate the room. I needed to take advantage of this lull in the weather and get outside and cut some of the wood. The garage is so wet (from snow melting off the car) that I couldn't work out there, so I ended up working on a drop cloth in the living room. Just a little tip for those who may be planning the same project. When you are scooting down the side pieces screwing in the shelf supports, make sure you ass clears the previously screwed down supports. Ouch! Of course, the fact that they are only about 3/4" high doesn't say much for my arm strength or, for that matter, the size of said ass.

There has been a little fiber progress. The hooded cotton baby sweater has been sewn together and is drying now. I finally got the two green plaid baby blankets serged and I'm going to have to handsew the hems. My machine is going to need to go in for a tune up.

I hadn't realized how long it's been since I've spun. The last thing was the Brushstrokes. So I pulled out two balls of Shetland roving I bought at Rhinebeck and got one of them spun yesterday.

This came from Eileen Testo, Weston Hill Farms, along with a 2.5 pound fleece that is washed and waiting my attention. Come to think of it, when was the last time I carded anything?

I'm Going to Have to Think About This

The vest is seamed and I've done two rows of single crochet around the arms, but I'm not sure that the 5 or 6 rows I have planned are going to keep the bottom from rolling up. It's not blocked yet, so that will help. If it doesn't hold I'll just have to go with a ribbed band.

If you're looking for buttons, check Cathy's links in the comments to my previous entry. I found some winners!

Indigo Moon is Swatched!

I just love this yarn. Unfortunately, there's not enough to make a sweater. I used Sweaters 2.30 to come up with a set in sleeved, v-neck cardigan, minus the sleeves. In other words, I'm making a vest! I'm knitting with the KnitSmart, so the back was finished today. It's going to have a singled crocheted band around the armholes, bottom, and fronts. I haven't decided if I'm going to have buttons or some other closure.

I almost finished the hooded baby sweater, but I was too lazy to go out and get buttons, so the front bands aren't done yet. Anyone know a good online source for buttons?

A Change from the Blankets

You know, there are just so many blankets you can make before you come up for air! I decided Ava needed a little cotton sweater for the spring. I made one for her big sister, Isabella, so now it's her turn. This is from Elann's Endless Summer Collection Lara. Despite the color's name of mauve, it's really more of a lavender. The yarn is mercerized and has a lovely sheen to it, however not a lot of fun to knit. It splits very easily, but I'm only doing the ribbing by hand - the main pieces were done on the KnitSmart. You may notice the rug warp used as waste yarn! I'll get the cuffs done tonight and then sew it all together and do the front bands. Guess I can't do the buttonhole band until I get the buttons, though.

I didn't get many parents at the conference yesterday. We were there from 12:00 to 7:30 and I had 30 students represented, out of 149. There was lots of time for knitting and I finished the back of the Beast jacket and started on one of the fronts. This is so heavy I'm going to have to seam it with some finer wool.

What I Wish I Was Doing

I'm heading to school for conferences. I was pleasantly surprised to get almost 25% of my students represented at the fall conferences, but after last night's dissapointing Super Bowl, the fact that spring conferences are always less well attended, AND that they are scheduled for a Monday, I gotta figure I'm going to have some knitting time. Even with the fiber time, I wish I were still doing this.

If you remember the living room redo in August, then obviously I've done little more to it!

Two Block Twill

Despite having to change bobbins every 12 rows, I was able to get the samples and two baby blankets woven off in one week. However, my speed cost me. Can you see the mistake? Oh, well. I'll give it as an extra, you know, not the main attraction. The second blanket turned out well.



Here's a close up of the weaving just after I took it off the loom. There doesn't seem to be any puckering. We'll see what the washing shows.



More gloves! I couldn't make a decent pair of gloves to save my soul until I got my hands on The Knitter's Handy Book of Patterns. These are the third pair, made for keeping my hands warm on the way to school. I puposely made these with very little ease, to make it easier to drink my coffee and eat my English muffin on my 10 minute drive to work. I was in such a hurry to finish them that I didn't wash the frogged yarn I used on the second glove. Notice the wonky ribs on the left glove.

Quick Update

I got another yard woven on the baby blanket warp and haven't had any problems. The yarns are all 6/2 unmercerized cottons, but I'm sure they're not all from the same mill (mill ends, no labels). It will be interesting to see how it washes up. Some puckering will add texture, and it should look planned since the colors were sleyed and woven in a planned sequence.

Stay tuned.