The lower body half is now complete and have started on the upper body. Like many others, I didn't bind off so I could graft from live stitches. So far the calculations are working out; we'll see how it's going when I reach the armscye though.



Here's a shot of what my nails currently look like after having my hands done with mendhi awhile back. It stays on the nails until it grows out. Good motivation for keeping those tips painted though!

Posted by Jen at 11:45 AM | Permalink | Comments (4)

I'm getting the greatest birthday present. My sister flew all the way down to Texas to visit! First visit here since I moved from my hometown 2 1/2 years ago. Hi Jessica! *waves*
And in true older sister fashion, I can now taunt her with threats of blogging photos, mwahaha...

Posted by Jen at 05:45 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

So I had this idea. Just a whim. A little bit of color work. Hey, I could even use some stash yarn. Sit down and start drawing some designs. Ooh, this could work. Move to the computer and make a final chart. Alriiight, everything lines up and works out. Crunch some numbers. Hmmm, stash yarn isn't going to be suitable after all. Must make this. Damn, will have to order some. Well this other yarn I have lying around is close in gauge. Wouldn't hurt to test it out. Yeah, I'll just work a little in this. Nevermind that it's left over Christmas colors. Must. see. pattern. emerge. Screw tension. Can not wait until real yarn gets here. There, test run finished. And looky there, it makes a bizarre, albeit perfectly fitting, soda can cozy. See? time not wasted. Oh good, yarn is here! Suppose to be scrubbing bath tub. Have guest coming. Ok, I'll just start a tiny row gauge swatch. What?

Posted by Jen at 02:13 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

So this is how I spent my Saturday. Following is the method I developed for dyeing my recycled yarn with food paste dye (Wilton's icing dye). What I like about this method is that the yarn is never added to water that is a different temperature, thus minimizing the chances of shocking/felting. Added bonus is not having to handle scalding hot yarn, this is a good thing if you are like my accident prone self.

First soak the yarn in lukewarm water (without vinegar) for 30 minutes. While the yarn is soaking prepare your dyepot.


Icing dye is very concentrated, so 1 bottle of food coloring will dye a lot of fiber. For 4 oz. of yarn I used a little under 1/2 tsp. Wearing gloves, mix your dye into a cup of hot water until it is completely dissolved. Next, fill your dyepot with tepid water and pour the dye mixture in.

*Tip - You can purchase latex gloves in bulk at hardware stores like Northern. Usually 100 gloves for around $6 instead of 3 pairs for the same price elsewhere.

Remove the yarn from the soaking water and gently squeeze out excess water. Now add the yarn into the cool dye.


Bring water up to near boiling (150-160°F) and simmer for 10 minutes. A steady steam should be rising off the top at this point.


You can see here how the water is getting much clearer

Now add a glug or about 1/4 cup of vinegar being careful to not pour it directly on the yarn. The vinegar aids in the uptake and colorfastness of the dye, because of this it is best to add it after the yarn has evenly soaked in the dye to help with a more uniform coloring.
Bring the temperature up to 180°F (170°F for silk) and simmer for 30 minutes or until color is exhausted.


Turn off heat and let cool in dyepot to room temperature.

Rinse thoroughly with same temperature water and hang to dry.


The first batch I dyed is hanging on the right. This was with Leaf Green and it produced a very vivid green. The second batch I wanted a more mossy/earthy tone so I sprinkled in about 1/3 of a packet of Cherry Kool-aid too. The result is hanging on the left, exactly the color I was going for actually. I guess all that color theory in college finally paid off, heh.

The finished skeins
Rollover the smaller images to view enlargement.

Posted by Jen at 03:07 PM | Permalink | Comments (18)

Recycled yarn fresh from it's bath.



This is the yarn from the thrift store sweater. Here it is in it's dingy natural color, soon to be food paste dyed green. I've found some really good resources specifically on dying with Wilton's icing dye (food paste dye). An interesting deviation from some of the more common posted kool-aid methods suggest adding the vinegar after the yarn is soaked in water and added to the dye pot. This is suppose to aid in a more even uptake of color. So I'm going to experiment and I'll post my final technique.

Staying with the theme here, been bargain book hunting of late. I've found some great deals locally and over the internet. These images taken from on of my newly acquired and fabulously retro needlework books.



It's titled Creative Needlework, published in 1969 and covers a whole array of topics. I love the colors in this, I'd actually like to make that knitting appliqué tote bag. Now I can also do things like figure out what the hell Crewel actually is. That, or you could aspire to have your very own macramé owl added to The Treasury.
Some other finds are The Great Knitting Book, Knitting Know-How and America's Knitting Book all together under $3. How I do love a bargain.

Posted by Jen at 01:03 PM | Permalink | Comments (6)

Who says you're ever too old for some lacy socks- or pink?

The details
Knit in fine sport weight on size 5 needles and attached to some commercially bought socks with black elastic thread. Little black ribbon bows tied into eyelets on each side for embellishment.

Talk about a quick project, this particular lace pattern is only 7-12 stitches wide. I'm pretty pleased with the results as it's more or less precisely what I was envisioning. I have some other hot pink mercerized cotton in my stash I'm already planning to make a second pair with.

*Edit: Guide/pattern added to the side bar too, or click here

Posted by Jen at 11:47 AM | Permalink | Comments (4)

So much intricacy, so few stitches - what's not to love?


The Jackie E-S Lace edgings workshop was really interesting. Above are some of the samples I knit in class along with our workbook material. I have had some design projects in my head that would incorporate a lot of these techniques and had several questions about certain aspects. This 7 hour class covered all of them. I like knowing more than just how to knit a pattern or stitch but how it works together, what different parts are used and for what reasons. Jackie was a fun, pleasant and patient teacher, I would definitely take anything she offers in the future. So, being inspired- a new project using some lace edgings hopefully posted tomorrow.

Lace Leaf Pullover
Progress shot


Finished up a sleeve and starting on the body. Note: do not attempt twisted ribbing when brain is not all there - falling into the habit of regular 1x1 waaay to easy.

PDF Pattern
The Ropes and Ladders Scarf is now also available in pdf format. Thanks K. Anne of JustCinful for creating it! Download link also in the sidebar.

Oh, and Mom if you're reading this, Happy Birthday!

Posted by Jen at 03:38 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)

Well it's a no go for the Lace Leaf rotated chart. I was testing out the idea of knitting the lace part upside down so the body of the garment could be knit in one piece instead of grafted together in the middle. I knew they would not be identical but I wanted to test how much so. First, when working traveling twisted stitches from top to bottom they will not appear as little v's since they are upside down it looks more like little teepees ^. Now since these two sections would not be viewed side to side I wasn't too concerned. In fact- since the one is worn upside down the stitches would actually look right side up. I also attempted the m1 then double decrease method to try to duplicated the ssk or k2tog look. However, the overall end result was just too sloppy to be passable or worthy of a photo.
So on to actually knitting the rest of the pattern.

Posted by Jen at 02:35 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

I do love idiotic signs...


This was taken in the park across from my place. It's a good thing they were sure to tell me to not run through the pedestrians.

So I did manage to get a spot for Jackie Erickson-Schweitzer lace edgings workshop afterall at the guild meeting last night. I'll post of a review of it afterwards, as I know she offers workshops throughout the country.
And the new issue of theAntiCraft.com is up. Go check it out- now damnit.
No knitting photos today, so I'll leave you with a gratuitous puppy photo.

Posted by Jen at 03:06 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

This pattern I did a little backwards from the usual for me. I usually have a design idea or pattern in mind, and then go hunting for the perfect yarn. On this one however, I fell in love with the yarn then figured out something to do with it. The cabled scarf is knit in Elsebeth Lavold Chunky Al, 50% Alpaca, 50% wool in the gorgeous Moss color. The pattern includes written directions and charts for the cables, enjoy!

Clicky here for pattern

Posted by Jen at 10:44 AM | Permalink | Comments (4)

So, apparently-

Bobbles are the New Black




















Seems bobbles are the recurring theme recently. For me, bobbles in garments kinda recall "Grandma sweaters", or more aptly- Donation Sweaters. I once worked at a thrift store where the ongoing game of amusement amongst employees was "Try to top the latest Most Ugly Sweater Ever". (If you have ever worked in retail, you will understand the need for small amusments) These often featured bobbles and there were some real finds, let me tell ya. They'd always give you a few minutes pause from your dreary day to ponder "Some one actually payed money for that?"
There are definitely some new takes on the little bobble that are changing my mind though. Of course, this coming from a girl who has a bobble tutorial herself, heh heh.

Posted by Jen at 01:55 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Just found out my design is going to be published in the new Knitty! Here's a little preview of it.

Also joined the Dallas Hand Knitters Guild. They're putting on a lace workshop taught by Jackie Erickson-Schweitzer of HeartStrings FiberArts. I'm really looking forward to it. If you're in the Dallas area check it out. *Edit: Seems enrollment is closed, damn- will have to be next time.

Posted by Jen at 03:12 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)