WIP - 30 September 2011

Sweet Tea - Schaefer Yarns Laurel - Catherine the Great - still working on it. The body's coming along and it is now midriff length.

Shannon - Kimmet Croft Ramboullet(1 strand)/Ewetopia Farms handspun (by me!) - I'm only at the collar thing... because I've gotten other projects working.

Toe Up Socks - working on it but likely taking it with me.

Creme Tall Latte - using yarn I got from a friend - it's at the body area.

And the big news is that on the 4th, I leave for China for 7 weeks. I spend 1 week in Taiwan with my mother and relatives, and then 6 weeks in China in various places for work.

WIP - 14 August 2011

Currently, only Summer Tea (aka Doris Chan's Sweet Tea in Schaefer Yarns Susan in Catherine the Great colourway) is in work.

I am also spinning up a storm, which started during Tour de Fleece.

I have figured that maybe if I spin through the summer (cooler and less heavy stuff), I can use the yarn in the colder months. Thus far, I am almost through the grey/brown Border Leicester and Corriedale stuff from Ewetopia Farm' CSA starting last year and coming through this year (she sent more of the same stuff, and I'm finishing it off right now). Next shipment is due any time now, I think...

WIP update - 29 June 2011

The Amigurumi Doll is mostly finished. I just need to finish the hair. And make it some clothes, but I think that counts separately. ;)

I have pulled Pooh in Brown out of hibernation.

It and the Amsterdam Coat will probably take up some of my time.

Works in Progress - 13 June 2011

The projects that are actively being worked on:

Amsterdam Coat - Take 1 - Another Doris Chan pattern. Isn't that a surprise. ;)

Amigurumi - Still working on the one arm. I should probably work on this one a bit more maybe.

Laceweight Stella - This one I will probably work on more as the summer progresses. It's light and airy...

+++++

Works in mind:

Sweet Tea or something for the Schaefer Yarn Susan (sport weight)

Navy fleck Cinnabar - I will need to finish unravelling the previous project for this yarn first.

FO: Eve's Rib Tunic

Eve's Rib Tunic in Manos Silk Blend (Ravelry Link)

details:

Hook Size: I

Yarn: Manos Silk Blend - 7 skeins (approximately) - 150 yards per skein.

Changes: Pattern called for a shell to be dc-ch2-dc-ch2-dc, I changed the ch2 to ch1, and used an I hook instead of a J. A bit of length added to the sleeves (originally the ribbing started after the body was finished) and the neck ribbing (15 st originally, 22 st in the project)

Sit and Spin...

The old finish for "Sit and spin..." when I was in high school was: "...when you reach my elbow, the ride's over". Yes, it's insulting. But it was high school. ;)

Yesterday, I went to Serendipity Yarn Shoppe in Muscatine for 2 spinning classes. As taken from their website:

Spinning Clinic with Abi…..June 4, 10-Noon
Tired of Spinning Roving but not sure how to handle other forms of fiber? Bring your Wheel and learn from Abi about spinning from batts, locks, clouds and from the fold.

Spinning Class with Abi…1-4:00pm
Colorful Spinning – Beginner
Love all the multi-colored yarns but aren’t sure of your ability to mix and blend? Can’t tell a shade from a hue? Abi will teach you basic terminology and simple color principles to create your own colorways. Should be able to comfortable spin a single and spin a 2 ply yarn.

Abi is a really good instructor and she's really nice too.

Now I'm no longer nervous about colour stuff and will probably make up some coloured yarn and everything... which is also making me think about over-dyeing some of the natural brown-gray stuff I have. Hmmm.

Praise for Berocco

Two summers ago, I bought 6 skeins of Berocco Comfort Chunky in a lovely scarlet red, and 4 skeins of the same in white.

I was going to make a cardigan out of it.

During the construction process, I noticed that the red tended to get everywhere... on the white yarn, on white shirts, and all that. I shrugged it off and kept going, finishing the cardigan and wearing it a bit.

Fast forward to earlier this year, and I realized I wasn't wearing the cardigan, so I decided to rip it up and make a different one using a different stitch and a different pattern. But the colour bleed still concerned me, so I asked around, going so far as to email Berocco to ask what to do about the bleeding.

They suggested vinegar, but also said that the bleeding was likely only to get worse after I washed it. And they then replaced my yarn with Vintage Chunky.

Through the entire process, which took a week at most, they were nice and pleasant about it, as was I. I like the yarn, and still like the sweater, BUT... the bleeding is going to likely annoy me.

However, directly dealing with the yarn company has definitely made me feel better about using their product, at least.

Eve's Rib Tunic - Current Primary WIP

Eve's Rib Tunic by Doris Chan in Manos Silk Blend.

As of present posting, the yoke is done, and I'm working on the body of the sweater. The body itself only covers down to about the top half of my breasts. NOT a look I was going for so I am definitely going to keep going.

I'm using an I hook and changed the ch2 to ch1 in the shell pattern so that the spaces are smaller.

I started this project with 7 skeins of Manos Silk Blend... I have just started skein 3, and am setting aside 1 skein each for each sleeve, and 1 skein for the cowl neck.

Update on WIPs - 15 May 2011

Currently In Progress:

Eve's Rib Tunic - I'm now working on the body rounds after getting through the yoke relatively painlessly. I need to decide relatively soon, I think, how long I want the sleeves to be, and how much of a cowl neck I want in the sweater too.

Stella in Laceweight - This project got taken out because it was 90F outside for most of this week... which I can't stand. That warm is going to mean I don't REALLY want to work on heavy wool projects...

Amigurumi - This seems to be the project I go to when I don't really want to work on anything else...

On Hiatus -

Three Way Wrap - it's still taking me too long, and with the weather warming up, I think I'll put this one aside for a bit.

Effort in the heat

The Wisconsin Colour Cardigan is finished.

I decided not to add a hood to it, but just made a short collar instead.

Given that it is done in a bulky yarn, and it was 95F yesterday... this officially is TOO HOT to wear the sweater.

So...

Instead, I'm bringing out my lace-weight project... (technically 2 strands of cobweb weight)

The sweater that has taken over my life.

I have the sleeves to finish (yes, I'm technically working on both of them at the same time), a hood to add because I want one, and then the edging before it's all done.

Or, should I say RE-done?

The sweater fits better now than it did and I'm thinking I will likely wear this when the weather goes back to not being gawdawful (read: spring and summer)...

The yarn bleeds, though... I wrote Berocco about it and they're sending me replacement yarn that is partially wool... for free. At least, I THINK it's free.

Well, I'll see what I make out of it, I guess.

I need to finish this because otherwise nothing else will get done.

WIP update - 06 May 2011

WIP:

All my energy seems to be going into the re-make of the jersey-sweater... Everything else has gone by the wayside.

On the bright side, though... I'm on the sleeves now and likely won't have that much more.

WIP update - 27 April 2011

Finished: Lucy Bag - It's even felted now! It turned out better than I expected.

Still in progress:

UW cardigan rework - using a different pattern (rather than winging it) - I'm on the main body, with the sleeves, edging, and collar yet to do.

Three-Way wrap - This is... boring. But that's ok too.

Amigurumi - Head and body finished and stuffed. Started on the arms. (barely)


Scheduled -
01 May 2011 - Eve's Rib Tunic

15 May 2011 - Mixed Yarn Clapochet - two similar colours in RHSS and Caron Simply Soft - going to alternate.

Amsterdam Coat - hopefully.

RIS

RIS = Reduction In Stash

I went through and rearranged my stash tonight. Doing so determined that all of it (not including the "projects being worked on") fit into 3 large bins of the 20+ gallon variety. I believe this is a good thing, seeing as this means most of the yarn and fibre has some project associated with it...

Not to mention that the fibre CSA I'm signed up with (paid for and everything) has gone through first shearing already and shipments will probably start up again in the next few months.

Stash Diving

I went through my stash yesterday for a look as to what I've got.

I found that there are things I could probably make from what I've got, and there are probably some skeins either I'll give away or find something to do with.

+++++

I am thinking that I might spin this coming weekend... get stuff built up to work on this summer, etc.

This weekend will probably be relatively relaxing, though.

+++++

If I can work my stash down, I think that would be a good thing.

WIP update - 17 April 2011

Finished Object: Purple Sparkle Cinnabar - see previous entry

WIP:

"mixed craft" Lucy Bag - somewhere in the 60-70 round of the main body, which puts it at about round 80-90 for the whole thing.

doll amigurumi - this is going "slowly" because I want to finish the Lucy Bag and because the Cinnabar took over a majority of my crafting this last week.

3-way Wrap - knooked. Have to start this one over because when I was trying to change cords, the whole thing came undone and I dropped all of the stitches... so I ripped it up and am going to start over.

Badger Colour Textured jacket - this one's "started"... but I haven't gone much beyond that, to be totally honest.

FO: Purple Sparkle Cinnabar

Purple Sparkle Cinnabar

Here is what it looked like almost exactly one week ago:

Yarn used: Purple Sparkle handspun
Hook size: Boye J for main body, Boye I for cardigan band and sleeve bands
Start Date: 08 April 2011
End Date: 16 April 2011
Pattern used: Cinnabar from Every Day Crochet by Doris Chan

This is the thing I'm tempted to submit to the State Fair.

I also need to block it but that will be done...

WIP - Purple Sparkle Cinnabar

I got a crazy idea in my head to make a Cinnabar out of the purple sparkle handspun (now determined to be 1060 yards across 4 skeins) and then submit it for consideration at the State Fair.

So...

Update!

WIPs:

Mixed craft Lucy Bag - A few more rounds done. Just have to keep plugging at it.

Amigurumi Doll - not as much done, but it's been worked.

Three-Way Wrap - Started. 80 stitches on instead of 76 recommended because I like my wraps wider. Striped (gray and green alternating) and knooking instead of solid knitting. (I will get the hang of purling in knooking!)

FOs:

Spinning:
approximately 400 yards of "purple sparkle" - mostly wool (there's some sparkly stuff that isn't, and likely some other stuff in it isn't wool either), 2 ply, light worsted weight. Total weight of both hanks combined is about 12-16 ounces (I haven't weighed it yet)

Crochet:
4-S vest by Doris Chan -
Will make separate post out of this one, but I will say this much: it came out much too big for me, and fit T perfectly. So I made a few adjustments (length, and no buttons, opting for lacing instead) and have given it to her.

WIP update - 31 March 2011

Amigurumi Doll - body being worked on.

Lucy Bag - need to pull out and start working on again.

4-S vest - need to keep working again

cardigan rework - need to work again.

DW Season 18 scarf - pulled out of hibernation for mindless working.

Amsterdam Coat - Moved to "inactive" for the time being. Too much other stuff to finish.

"scheduled": (which means I need to finish some stuff between now and then)
3-way wrap - Start Date: 02 April 2011

Eve's Rib Tunic - Start date: 01 May 2011

Spinning FO: Purple sparkle

This yarn was spun from some roving I got from someone doing some de-stashing.

Estimate is: 6 oz

2 ply, approximately light worsted weight.

All of it took me approximately a day to spin, BUT, that is about all I did that day.

FO: Spring All Shawl

Pattern: All Shawl by Doris Chan - Elegant Ewe variation

Modifications: main body to 25 rows (pattern indicates 20 rows), final row of edging skipped (picot fan) in favour of SH-ch10 repeats until the end.

Almost made the complete end too... ran out a few repeats too soon.

Started: 20 March 2011
Completed: 29 March 2011

Did not work on it daily, so it took a little longer.

What I'm currently working on... 20 March 2011

Spring All Shawl (Pattern: All Shawl) - just started using Manos Silk Blend, and using the pattern variation she calls "Elegant Ewe"

amigurumi doll - take 1 (Pattern: Amigurumi Doll Pattern from Stitch) - Making it slightly larger because this is a test for me.

blue 4-s vest (pattern:4-S Vest from Everyday Crochet: Wearable Designs Just for You by Doris Chan) - Making this out of varigated blue Sugar N Cream...

Mixed craft "Lucy" bag Pattern: Lucy Bag from: Two Old Bags, Lucy Bag) - Crocheted bottom, knooking sides and strap - Knooking is knitting using a crochet hook. This edition is striped using Peace Fleece.

Amsterdam Coat - take 1 (Pattern: Amsterdam Coat by Doris Chan) - this so far really has not been started... so it's really a project in mind instead of in works, but I'm keeping it in this group anyway.

Dr. Who scarf - Season 18 - Variation: 3 very light colours (white, beige, cream) variation instead of eggplant, burgundy, and some other red...

Jersey style Cardigan - Patterned off the dark Red jerseys worn by the University of Wisconsin Badgers mens hockey team, this is a rework because the sweater I made was too big (on purpose because it was done to match the XL jersey I have, forgetting that the jersey is too big for me except when I'm wearing hockey equipment under it) and so I think I'm going to use Cinnabar out of Doris Chan's EveryDay Crochet for it... but try to make it with a V neck instead.

FO: Luna Lovegood's Cardigan

Pattern used: Luna Lovegood's Cardigan (from Ravelry by Megan Nieves)

Yarn Used: Caron Simply Soft Brites in Grape

Modification: 6 buttons instead of 4 or 5, and longer in the waist (I'm long waisted, so it didn't look good on me until the place where I stopped)

Hook size: Boye I hook

Started February 18 2011

Completed March 19 2011

I had set this one aside for a little bit while I worked on other things, but one month should be enough time if someone is project-monogamus... which I'm not.

FO - felted bag and slippers

Felted Bag -

Pattern Used: Well Traveled Bag

Yarn Used: Dale of Norway Heilo

Colours: Royal Blue, Charcoal, Black - main body is Royal Blue, striping is Black and Charcoal

The bag itself was not big enough for my liking, so I doubled the width and length of it...

+++++

Tall Boot Slippers -

Pattern Used: Felted Crocheted Slippers

Yarn Used: Dale of Norway Heilo

Colours used: Black, Royal Blue - pattern calls for double stranding, so it was one strand of each.

WIP update - 14 March 2011

4-S vest - nearing the end of the yoke

Amigurumi Doll - finished head (just about), started body

Luna Lovegood Cardigan - need to get back to

Amsterdam Coat - need to start - size 45 pattern printed out

mixed craft Lucy Bag - need to get back to

WIP update - 10 March 2011

Well Traveled Bag - almost finished. Decided it needed a flap over the top... so I made one. Not sure it is big enough yet, but that's ok. I am waiting on another felting project before I felt both of them because they're made out of the same yarn and I want to make sure it looks good and also want to see if there is leftover yarn to make the flap bigger.

blue/black felted tall boot slippers - Same yarn as mentioned. I might go and buy soles for these to be able to wear them around more. I suspect I will be lining these in flannel because I get itchy around wool a lot. These are about half finished - I'm on the boot part of it now - and are likely to be finished in the next day or so.

4-S Vest - ripped out and started over. I am about to where I was before and it does look better.

Luna Lovegood cardigan - Have not really touched this one in a while.

Amsterdam Coat - The pattern wrote out longer than I thought it would... I'm a little nervous now, but nothing ventured.......

Very Well Traveled Bag

The Well Traveled Bag is almost finished. I am down to one last ball to go before throwing it in the washer to felt.

I have 8 balls of yarn left. I think they're going to be turned into felted slippers.

The bag was started... almost 2 years ago.

I bought some shiny purse handles that would be pretty for it too, I think.

As per prior observation, I think I decided I was going to finish this project and that's what I am going to do.

WIP update - 06 March 2011

Luna Lovegood Cardigan - making up the buttons now. Still have to do most of the sweater, but the buttons had me curious.

Well Travelled Bag - Have brought this project out of hibernation for now. Am considering making pockets for the inside so as to use up more yarn.

4-S vest - I am going to rip this out and start over because I messed it up the first time.

Lucy Bag - I may put this on hiatus until I finish something else.

Amsterdam Coat - going to probably start this soon.

FO: Cinnabar Hoodie

Cinnabar by Doris Chan

Yarn used: Red Heart Super Saver - Artist Print

Hook Size: J for the body, I for the trim

Start: 19 February 2011
End: 05 March 2011

Total time: 2 weeks, though I did not work on it constantly for the entire time. Some days I did not work on it at all, others, I worked on it a lot.



The original pattern did not have a hood, and the sleeves were full length.

On me, it's 3/4 length sleeves, and waist length, but I have long arms and a long waist.

I still need to block it and find a better lit place for the picture, but it is done.

Posted to the Everyday Crochet community on Ravelry and Doris Chan told me that this was a whole new design. =D I told her I took inspiration from others who had added a hood to the pattern.

Personal Observation on a personal habit

I have noticed recently that when I'm in the middle of a project, I can have a whole bunch of projects going at once. But the closer I get to finishing ONE project in that bunch, the more often the drive is to finish THAT project and then start on something else.

Unless it's a small project like a hat or something... Usually hats are "finish now! This is quick!"

Crochet: Pencil hold vs. Knife hold

The 2 most prominent ways to hold a crochet hook are like a pencil and like a knife.

Anyone who does one and says the other is "doing it wrong" needs to take a lesson in "To Each Their Own".

I hold my crochet hook like a knife. I recently tried the pencil hold, and found it made my wrists and hands hurt. But that may partially be due to the fact that I was trying something new that my muscles didn't like.

I have seen others crochet just fine using the pencil hold, and if that's what works for them, more power to them.

Knife hold for me works perfectly fine. I've gotten a LOT of stuff finished using the knife hold.

As of 02 March 2011 - WIP update

Cinnabar in Red Heart Super Saver Artist Print - working on sleeves and main body now. It is short-sleeved and waist length as of now. Considering adding more length, longer sleeves, and a hood. Will still need a cardigan band and buttons. Added pockets - reused from the sweater that gave its life due to lack of use to this new project.

Blue Stella in lace-weight - Lacey Lamb Turquoise - Going to build this one bigger than the rounds indicate, due to lighter weight yarn. Thus far, it is palm-of-hand sized.

Luna Lovegood's Cardigan - Caron Simply Soft Brites - Grape - still working on the yoke.

Update as of 20 February 2011

1 - Knooked Lucy Bag - Still in progress. Admittedly, I have not worked on this in a while. Found out by a friend's example how well Peace Fleece works up felted. Now I just need to finish this too.

2 - Luna Lovegood Sweater - I've just started this one - around Row 4 - in what was left of the Grape Caron Simply Soft. I think I'm going to finish using this yarn for this one.

3 - Cinnabar in Artist Print - Acrylic, but whatever. I just started this one yesterday. And given the way the designer's patterns work up, I should be done with it sooner rather than later.

4 - 4S vest - Restarting this thing. I should probably rip it out and start over.

5 - Well Travelled Bag - Starting this one up again too. If I can finish it, and all that, I can use it.

Projects in mind:

- Catherine the Great in Soft Serve - I hope this works because it's a smaller yarn, and I might have to play around with the gauge a bit, but I wasn't happy with it in shawl form, so...

- Lacey Lamb - considering doing a Stella in this yarn... making it bigger or whatever. That is, if the yarn doesn't make me nuts. It is cobweb/light-lace-weight which I am going to double for this.

WIP update

Currently throwing all my energy into Soft Serve from Everyday Crochet by Doris Chan.

Thanks to some difficulties in my life outside of crafting, I seem to be focused on one project and one project only.

I have finished the yoke and am started on the body. I'm going to make the body as long as possible and then use the remaining yarn on the sleeves.

WIP update

Currently in work:

Soft Serve
From Every Day Crochet by Doris Chan

Yarn: Schaefer Yarn Laurel - Empress Wu Jiao

FO! - Celtic Knot shawl

Pattern: Celtic Knot Shawl by Doris Chan

Yarn: Caron Simply Soft Brites - Grape

Hook size: Boye I

Started: 30 December 2010

Finished: 02 February 2011

[pictures forthcoming - I'm at work at the moment]

Puck This! Hat Trick - 3 hats in the month of January 2011

Hat #1 -

Maple Leaf PDQ

the PDQ from "Stitch & Bitch - The Happy Hooker"

Modifications: No holes, double stranded

Main body of hat is royal-ish blue with 2 white stripes and white ear flaps.


Hat #2 -

Bucky's Pi Striped Stocking Cap

Striping pattern followed pi (3.141592 - which is where I ran out of yarn) in inches

Alternating colours red and white.

Bucky = Bucky Badger


Hat #3 -

Blackhawks Black Jersey striped hat

crocheted the first 10 rounds, knooked (knit with a crochet hook) the body (including increases), crocheted ribbing.

hat is mostly black with red-black-white-black-red stripes 1" wide - pattern based on the pre-2009-2010 third jerseys for the Chicago Blackhawks.

Projects update

New projects in progress:
Hat: knooking/crochet combination. This will be mostly black with striping that will match the older black third jerseys of the Chicago Blackhawks.

Future project:
Doris Chan's Soft Serve - from "Everyday Crochet"
This is going to be a rework (again) of some yarn I got and had made into a shrug, then reworked into a kimono-style thing. Why another rework? Well... I'm not wearing it.

All other projects are still in progress.

Celtic Knot Shawl update

Through Row 9 right now. Total rows in the filet: 34.

It is turning out very pretty.

My previous attempt at this (which is finished, FYI) is possibly going to go up on Etsy along with a few of my other things.

Why?

Well... I never wear some of this stuff. The creative process was fun, but I've got stuff languishing in my closet.

Of course the main question would be: would anyone buy it?

Works in Progress

Knitting -

• Dr Who scarf - following pattern for length (hopefully) and colour changes.  Otherwise, its being done in white, off-white, and beige.

Knooking -

• Lucy bag - with crocheted bottom. - in stripes
• socks - maybe.

Crochet -

• Celtic Knot Shawl by Doris Chan - Am doing this one according to pattern (I know) except it's in purple instead of sage. Otherwise, I hook, Caron Simply Soft, etc.

Spinning -

• Drop spindle - fibre from Ewetopia Farm CSA - yellow
• Wheel - some misc stuff in a purple with bits of other colours in it.

Writing -
Aside from work? Umm... a slew of stuff, none of which is finished.

Test Test Test

New blog. The other one here got taken over by my Twitter feed, so I am starting a new one which is going to be strictly about my creative projects.

Topics will include:

• - Crochet
• - Knooking (knitting with a crochet hook)
• - Spinning
• - Weaving
• - Writing