tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-78523275626042433762024-03-13T15:16:28.517-06:00Black Heels & Purls Knitting SocietyBlack Heels & Purlshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13465528620175683186noreply@blogger.comBlogger132125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7852327562604243376.post-33061073871736458992020-12-01T15:51:00.000-06:002020-12-01T15:51:20.486-06:00Hello, again!<p><span style="font-family: arial;"> Test, test, test...</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">So, I recently realized I have a perfectly good blog that I haven't touched in almost a decade, and after some trial and error, found my way back here. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">After several years of not really knitting, this has become the year of KNITTING ALL THE THINGS. I got an itch to knit some socks in March, which my boyfriend promptly claimed for himself. Clearly, I had to start myself another pair and suddenly I remembered how much I love knitting and playing with yarn and exploring</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> patterns. Since the world had pretty much shut down, I started spending all my time at home with at least one project going. It became the perfect opportunity to explore all the techniques and projects I'd ever been interested in trying. I suddenly had the time to focus and research and learn new things. I mean, who cares if that big project is going to take foreverrrrrr....it's not like there's anywhere else you need to be. </span></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">I dabbled in brioche, made a garment that actually fit, played with lots of colors, discovered the joy of MKALs (which I learned means mystery knit-a-long), found comfort in the online knitting community, fell in love with new yarns and designers, focused on more and bigger projects than ever before, and rediscovered my joy in knitting. It has become my calm and happiness in this weird, weird year. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">I'm planning an epic recap post in a couple of weeks, but for now enjoy a sneak peek.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://images4-g.ravelrycache.com/uploads/uhlissa/698998025/20200426_182202_small2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="240" height="131" src="https://images4-g.ravelrycache.com/uploads/uhlissa/698998025/20200426_182202_small2.jpg" width="98" /></a><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://images4-g.ravelrycache.com/uploads/uhlissa/732331900/20200929_000714_small2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="240" height="129" src="https://images4-g.ravelrycache.com/uploads/uhlissa/732331900/20200929_000714_small2.jpg" width="97" /></a><a href="https://images4-g.ravelrycache.com/uploads/uhlissa/735315106/20201012_201608_small2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="240" height="127" src="https://images4-g.ravelrycache.com/uploads/uhlissa/735315106/20201012_201608_small2.jpg" width="95" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Happy Knitting!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Uhlissa</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p>Uhlissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02692977481509967585noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7852327562604243376.post-35371011861292696142011-10-10T12:26:00.004-06:002011-10-10T12:39:59.718-06:00Twinkle, TwinkleHi there.<div><br /></div><div>I've been making stars. I was thinking I wanted to make some Christmas ornaments for gifts this year, and decided I wanted to understand how stars work. </div><div><br /></div><div>See:</div><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iqEmDcvJPE8/TpM5JNl3M7I/AAAAAAAAAhs/pO6vCUOlWas/s200/DSCN0929.JPG" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5661931986964919218" /><div>The six-pointed red and green one is a pattern called Star with Hearts that I found on ravelry. I used red and green mohair that's been in my stash for several years on US2s. The pattern was really well done, but I didn't really enjoy the process very much.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0GQT4sf4fAo/TpM5XXKQbvI/AAAAAAAAAh0/nLr7GfdbeAk/s200/DSCN0930.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5661932230051655410" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px; " /><div>Then I started thinking that I might be able to adapt it to make a five pointed star using the same principals. Hey, as it turns out, I'm kind of brilliant and it worked. The five-pointed star was knit on US8s, with some acrylic worsted weight I've been trying to get rid of. </div><div>It's not perfect, because I'm bad at picking up stitches, and I need to make an adjustment to the body, but I think I understand what I need to do. I might, in fact, try again today and see if I can improve the design.</div><div><br /></div><div>Apparently, my dog enjoys this star as much as I do. She kept trying to pick it up while I was taking pictures, and she finally got a hold of it while my attention was focused elsewhere. see:</div><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Fu2ZWr4JMI8/TpM6qA2XMaI/AAAAAAAAAh8/gvdNBd-lvw0/s200/DSCN0931.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5661933649991774626" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px; " /><div><br /><div><br /></div><div><3 uhlissa (and tiny dog)</div></div>Black Heels & Purlshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13465528620175683186noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7852327562604243376.post-61491872353635370462011-09-17T14:17:00.000-06:002011-09-17T14:18:27.465-06:00A blog post by Ambrrr! Who is not dead!Guten tag, everybody!<br />
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So somehow I am still around? I don't know. I have no good reasons/excuses/panicked thoughts that would explain my extended absence. I get distracted, and then I go do other things. Knitting-wise I mainly post my projects on <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/Ambrrr">my Ravelry page</a>, so if you can access that hurrah! Life-wise I am still unemployed (although at one point I was working three part-time jobs at once; that was crazy) and still sad about it. I was in California from March to July looking for something out on the West Coast but NOPE. So if you know of someone who needs a knitting intern architect, I am your lady.<br />
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Mainly life-wise I have been taken over by the BBC series Sherlock. Have you watched Sherlock? If you haven't just stop right now and go look it up on Netflix. I'll wait.<br />
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OK, are you doing it? Have you done it? Good.<br />
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<i>THIS SERIES, GUYS</i>. I love it so much. I'm trying not to talk about it until Uhlissa has seen it also (AGAIN, it is ON NETFLIX INSTANT, just three 90 minute episodes so far) so I'll just say that everything about it makes me super happy.<br />
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A PICTURE OF KNITTING:<br />
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<a href="http://images4.ravelrycache.com/uploads/Ambrrr/70802034/IMG_5808_medium2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://images4.ravelrycache.com/uploads/Ambrrr/70802034/IMG_5808_medium2.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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This hat is one of the few things I've actually knit recently. The other things are still waiting to be photographed. (I have never been good at pictures, have I?) My pal Sam likes Firefly, and so do I, so I made this for him. Then I took this picture when we went to a rodeo in California! Crazy times.<br />
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OK, I'mma go get some knitting done. Actually, I ripped off my fingernail last night, so knitting might have to wait a bit. But I'mma go do SOMETHING.<br />
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LOVE, Ambrrr (and a llama)<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NqWC2HZg280/TnT_4qD8LVI/AAAAAAAAALs/I1CXYmsyRp8/s1600/heresallama.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NqWC2HZg280/TnT_4qD8LVI/AAAAAAAAALs/I1CXYmsyRp8/s320/heresallama.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
(Llamas have fur that we use in knitting sometimes, right?)<br />
<br />Ambrrrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12907113823366569856noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7852327562604243376.post-62445300440677134212011-09-15T12:58:00.004-06:002011-09-15T13:15:44.237-06:00Here We Go AgainSo, ya, I disappeared for a year and a half. But, I've just moved back to Oklahoma and have lots of time for knitting and blog updating, so be prepared to see some beautiful new work. <div><br /></div><div>I'm on a mission to make all my second socks that I've been putting off. Last night I finished a pattern called Fawkes (which can be found on Ravelry). I knit the first sock Jan/Feb 2010. </div><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1OqF8CiMwcI/TnJLiAoumYI/AAAAAAAAAhk/Tj5rm7xIRNo/s200/Fawkes.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5652663529961855362" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 120px; " /><div>I just knit the second one in six days. Boredom really can inspire productivity as far as knitting goes. </div><div><br /></div><div>I'm pretty happy with the results. They're knit in Knit Picks Imagination in the color Frog Prince on circular #2s. I don't really like the color, but that's what I get for ordering yarn off the internet. Actually, I've never been disappointed with any knit picks yarn before, but this color just wasn't what I was expecting. I loved working with the yarn, and the result is a super comfy pair of socks. the pattern is great. Highly recommended. </div><div><br /></div><div>I just realized the only projects I've completed in the past year haven't been documented. Expect another post in the next couple of days. The wind here has been crazy, so I can't take anything outside to photograph at the moment. </div><div><br /></div><div><3 uhlissa</div><div><br /></div>Black Heels & Purlshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13465528620175683186noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7852327562604243376.post-1824359130317873962010-02-01T21:55:00.008-06:002010-02-01T22:25:45.340-06:00So, Once Again I'm SorryI'm fairly certain we don' t have any readers, but I'm going to apologize anyways. First, I apologize for doubting your existence in case someone does actually read this, and secondly I apologize for the serious lack of updates. You'll hear no excuses from me. I know it's unacceptable, and will attempt to rectify my slacker nature regarding posting.<br /><br />Now, onto the good stuff.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_aFXIAg72Lsw/S2ej1cYpdnI/AAAAAAAAAgs/rLuVPP76_RU/s1600-h/IMG_5055.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_aFXIAg72Lsw/S2ej1cYpdnI/AAAAAAAAAgs/rLuVPP76_RU/s200/IMG_5055.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433491613993760370" border="0" /></a>For Christmas, I finished my mom's <a href="http://www.interweavestore.com/Knitting/Books/Sock-Innovation.html">Glynis</a> socks. They turned out wonderfully and it was really hard to wrap them up and hand them over. As I mentioned in my last post, this pattern is great, but there is a mistake printed in the book. Definitely check out the errata on the Interweave site (link above). I knit these using the magic loop method on 2s with Knit Picks stroll. I love the color, which I believe is called "Sparkle." Overall, I loved the pattern even though it was a bit of the challenge, and the yarn was great to work with. My mom was so excited to receive these. She constantly is telling everyone how great hand knit socks are, so I think just about all of our family members have asked for some socks.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_aFXIAg72Lsw/S2elku0xkCI/AAAAAAAAAg0/NfLsrEbJFnU/s1600-h/IMG_5142.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_aFXIAg72Lsw/S2elku0xkCI/AAAAAAAAAg0/NfLsrEbJFnU/s200/IMG_5142.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433493525909049378" border="0" /></a>The only other Christmas present I managed to make this year was for my brother. I make him something every year. I try to make something useful, such as gloves or scarves. He doesn't like useless stuff, but I ignored that and decided to make him a toy this year. As a native Texan, he's loved armadillos his whole life. I found <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/don-the-dillo-knit-armadillo">this</a> (sorry, ravelry only link) pattern and immediately knew I had to make it. He was a blast to make, and I'm now on the lookout for other cute toys. I believe I knit his body and appendages on 2.5 dpns. His shell was knit with 8s. His body is made out of Bernat Bamboo. The pattern called for another Bernat natural blend that I couldn't find. The bamboo actually worked out perfectly. He's very soft and cuddly! His shell is Bernat Alpaca. The eyes were the most challenging part of the whole project. The pattern linked to a great <a href="http://www.esunbeams.com/knittycat/patterns/knittycatsYarnKnotEyesforPeepsTutorial.pdf">tutorial</a>. The method sounds a little crazy, but the results are ideal.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_aFXIAg72Lsw/S2enJUtsRkI/AAAAAAAAAg8/P7bTiiK_g1A/s1600-h/IMG_5179.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_aFXIAg72Lsw/S2enJUtsRkI/AAAAAAAAAg8/P7bTiiK_g1A/s200/IMG_5179.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433495254066808386" border="0" /></a>I was in Dallas for a wedding at the beginning of January. Every trip to Dallas means a visit to Hobby Lobby. By far my favorite large chain craft store, I miss it dearly when I'm here in Arizona. So, anyways, a trip to Hobby Lobby led me to pick up some fuzzy Yarn Bee Surprise. I'd been wanting a mindless knit, and immediately cast on for a simple garter stitch scarf. I made it a bit too wide, so even using every yard of the skein, the final result is a bit too short, but I think it works well tucked into my coat. It was knit on 10 1/2s for a super, super quick, instant gratification sort of project. The width I randomly chose worked really well with the self-striping nature of the yarn and it's very cozy. Super satisfied with the result, and the skein I bought in a different color is going to very quickly become a very similar, if slightly narrower, scarf.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_aFXIAg72Lsw/S2eoOyOHSsI/AAAAAAAAAhE/q6aWJxmtI3E/s1600-h/IMG_5190.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_aFXIAg72Lsw/S2eoOyOHSsI/AAAAAAAAAhE/q6aWJxmtI3E/s200/IMG_5190.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433496447398398658" border="0" /></a>So, I've had a skein of Manos del Uruguay sitting around for very close to four years. It was sitting on my table tempting me a couple of weeks ago, and I finally decided on a pattern for it. I chose the <a href="http://kellymaher.wordpress.com/2007/03/14/big-blue-beret-pattern/">Big Blue Beret</a>. I love the pattern, though I made some pretty severe changes in the decreasing. The pattern tells you to knit for about 8" before beginning to decrease. I knit about 5" and then decreased very gradually for a few inches. I used the last scraps of yarn to make the pom pom because I firmly believe that all hats are better off with pompoms.<br /><br /><br />I've got a couple of different sock projects on the needles right now, but I'll save those for sharing later when I have something worth showing off.<br /><br />In other exciting knit news, if you're on ravelry, I just got asked permission to have a photo of one of my projects used on a pattern page. I'm really psyched about it. Check out the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/toasty-twisty">Toasty Twisty</a> scarf pattern here on ravelry.<br /><br />Again, I apologize for our extended absence. I hope no one missed us too much. I might promise to not disappear again, but you know what? I feel like we'd never succeed in that mission.<br /><br /><3 uhlissaBlack Heels & Purlshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13465528620175683186noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7852327562604243376.post-13804753168026650572009-11-25T13:02:00.007-06:002009-11-25T13:32:37.555-06:00Socks and SuchAs usual, Ambrrr ahed both of them within a two week time span, which is pretty impressive for me. Not only did I knit relatively quickly, I knit bothnd I have both proven to be exceptionally good at slacking off about posting. But luckily, there has been knitting progress made, and now the inspiration to post has finally struck me.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_aFXIAg72Lsw/Sw2AmtJEINI/AAAAAAAAAgM/0FzWcimmFbs/s1600/IMG_5017.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_aFXIAg72Lsw/Sw2AmtJEINI/AAAAAAAAAgM/0FzWcimmFbs/s200/IMG_5017.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408120129982832850" border="0" /></a>First off, I finished my <a href="http://knitfreak.com/blog/free-patterns/aquaphobia-socks/">Aquaphobias</a>. I mentioned them in my last post. They've become my favorite socks. Super comfy, though something's vaguely wrong with the cuff. It's a little bit loose, but because of the strength of the rest of the sock, they don't sag down at all. I finis socks without taking a break in between. I made a lot of progress on these while knitting at the bar. They were a great conversation starter since they're so bold and fun.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_aFXIAg72Lsw/Sw2DP1F613I/AAAAAAAAAgc/P5Q7DOmQeeU/s1600/IMG_5021.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_aFXIAg72Lsw/Sw2DP1F613I/AAAAAAAAAgc/P5Q7DOmQeeU/s200/IMG_5021.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408123035515017074" border="0" /></a>I bought Cookie's book <a href="http://www.interweavestore.com/Knitting/Books/Sock-Innovation.html">Sock Innova</a><a href="http://www.interweavestore.com/Knitting/Books/Sock-Innovation.html">tion</a> and immediately started a project the moment the book arrived. I chose Glynis and used Knit Picks Stroll in Sprinkle Heather. I had a little trouble in the beginning with the stitch pattern. There are a lot of K3tog and SSSKs. Once I got the hang though, it was decently easy to understand. If you're knitting this project, definitely check out the <a href="http://www.interweave.com/corrections/Sock-Innovation.asp">errata</a> on the Interweave site. There's a typo in the gusset (which I didn't come across, since I substituted a short row heel), and one in the 8th row of the foot, which if you don't catch disrupts the number of stitches you have at the end of the row. I love the result, but have decided to be generous and gift these to my mom for Christmas.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_aFXIAg72Lsw/Sw2EYKAWVmI/AAAAAAAAAgk/PvecDMxJVFE/s1600/IMG_5051.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_aFXIAg72Lsw/Sw2EYKAWVmI/AAAAAAAAAgk/PvecDMxJVFE/s200/IMG_5051.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408124278079379042" border="0" /></a>The only other thing I've finished recently was a beer cozy. One of my friends asked me if I thought I could knit one. I took the challenge and found a <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/cozies">pattern</a>. I adapted it a bit. I used US7s and Lion Brand Wool-Ease, and made the body in seed stitch. The recipient was pretty psyched about it, and I was pretty happy with the result. It was a very quick knit, and I'm thinking about knitting a few more in different colors and patterns for Christmas gifts.<br /><br /><br />Right now I'm knitting some more fingerless gloves. I knit a <a href="http://bhnpks.blogspot.com/2009/03/were-baaaccckkk.html">pair</a> last year for my brother, and my dad was envious. So, this week while I'm in Tulsa for Thanksgiving I'm trying to his pair finished up. It's going very quickly when I sit down and work on it. When I finish them, I'll go into more details about the adjustments I made to the pattern.<br /><br />Well, that's about all folks. I talked to the lovely Ambrrr earlier this afternoon and if she follows through on her word, she'll be updating soon too.<br /><br />Happy Thanksgiving week to everyone who celebrates this great glutinous holiday. Looking forward to all the turkey and mashed potatoes and the food coma that will be sure to follow.<br /><br /><3 uhlissaBlack Heels & Purlshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13465528620175683186noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7852327562604243376.post-69575538105594298632009-09-11T15:39:00.007-06:002009-09-11T16:06:44.388-06:00Summer, where did you go?So, every time I'm pretty determined to update more frequently, I end up disappearing instead. I haven't knitted too much this summer. When it's over 100 out every day, cozying up to a ball of wool isn't the most appealing of ideas. Despite the desert heat, I managed to knock a few projects out.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_f0_UPXmpoew/SqrISYo7HvI/AAAAAAAAAHY/td8YIiito4g/s1600-h/IMG_4575.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_f0_UPXmpoew/SqrISYo7HvI/AAAAAAAAAHY/td8YIiito4g/s200/IMG_4575.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380332923024776946" border="0" /></a>1. Shawl. My grandmother's birthday was at the end of July and a big family gathering in California was planned. My mother told me that my grandmother would be very appreciative of something hand knit and suggested a shawl. An unfortunate turn of events canceled the California plans, and ended with a hospital visit in Nevada instead. I managed to finish the shawl in time, and she loved it. Unfortunately, because (as usual) I cut it so close, there are no finished pictures. Only the very beginning was documented. It's a basic stockinette shawl with some garter stitch edges and a futile attempt at lace at the ends. It's Lion Brand Homespun because it was the only thing I could find in the colors my grandmother for some reason adores.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_f0_UPXmpoew/SqrIjNaZCII/AAAAAAAAAHg/2wOv07GtgVI/s1600-h/IMG_4853.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_f0_UPXmpoew/SqrIjNaZCII/AAAAAAAAAHg/2wOv07GtgVI/s200/IMG_4853.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380333212068808834" border="0" /></a>2. Whitney's Pillow. Around my birthday my good friend learned to quilt and embroider and made me an amazing pillow. I decided to repay the favor for her birthday, though I decided to not learn any new crafts, since I already feel like I have too many. I tried first to do some color work and include a heart on one side and a big "W" on the other. The heart looked acceptable, but the W was a mess, and I tore out everything. I ended up just knitting a pillow case plain in the round, stitching on some felt hearts and sewing it shut around a pillow form. Not my greatest moment, but the recipient seemed appreciative.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_f0_UPXmpoew/SqrI3D3YLYI/AAAAAAAAAHo/bXSDOJH_s4o/s1600-h/IMG_4996.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_f0_UPXmpoew/SqrI3D3YLYI/AAAAAAAAAHo/bXSDOJH_s4o/s200/IMG_4996.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380333553103416706" border="0" /></a>3. Bad at Color Work Pillow. After my failed attempt at color work on the first pillow, I decided to try again. I had a vision in my head, and a hell of a lot of free time, since I was stranded at my family's house in rural Oklahoma. The colors weren't exactly what I wanted, and there are some serious issues with the color work, but from far away it still looks pretty cool.<br /><br /><br />4. Twisty scarf. While I was in Nevada, I taught my little cousin to knit. Her mother (my aunt) has been asking me for a scarf for a very long time. After seeing them, I decided I should probably actually do it. I found this <a href="http://thecaffeineatedknitter.blogspot.com/2008/09/so-back-before-great-knitting-slump-of.html">great reversible pattern</a> and started knitting. It's not as thick as necessary for the recipient who lives in Ohio, but I'm so in love with it, that I'm making this one for myself. It's knit with naturallycaron.com Country, which is pretty nice to knit with. I'm planning on making this very long and wearing it the minute it gets below seventy here in the desert. (I'll take pictures when I get some more progress made).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_f0_UPXmpoew/SqrJN8gvVNI/AAAAAAAAAHw/pbQUsijZJgE/s1600-h/IMG_5000.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_f0_UPXmpoew/SqrJN8gvVNI/AAAAAAAAAHw/pbQUsijZJgE/s200/IMG_5000.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380333946266408146" border="0" /></a>5. Aquaphobia socks. While stranded in Oklahoma, I entertained myself with online shopping, including a visit to Knit Picks. When I finally returned to the Old Pueblo, I had a bunch of yarn waiting for me, including a hank of Stroll in the colorway Cartoons. Not usually my color palette, but I love it sooooo much. It took a while to find a pattern to compliment the yarn, and I finally settled on <a href="http://knitfreak.com/blog/free-patterns/aquaphobia-socks/">Aquaphobia</a>. I've knit one sock, and it is glorious. Knitting on 1s for the first time wasn't as bad as I expected. I'm being surprisingly good and have actually cast on the second sock instead of starting the other projects I have planned for the rest of my knit picks purchase.<br /><br />So, that's what I've been up to since I posted last near the end of July. I'm supposed to be cleaning and rearranging the house I just moved into a few weeks before my almost-month stuck in OK, but I've been distracted by yarn and the internet.<br /><br />I hope everyone's read Ambrr's last few posts. I don't get quite as philosophical as she does, but I definitely encourage some introspection on our own knitting habits.<br /><br />What's everyone out there on the interweb been knitting this summer? Any grand plans for fall? My goal is to find a job, and actually knit the pairs for all my lonely socks.<br /><br /><3 uhlissaUhlissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02692977481509967585noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7852327562604243376.post-72332395725623897232009-07-26T17:58:00.003-06:002009-07-26T18:30:17.103-06:00Let's talk about socks, baby(I refuse to believe I'm not the first blogger to come up with that subject line.)<br /><br />ANYHOO, I was just thinking about how strangely divisive socks are in the knitting community. There are those who hate them and would never even think about knitting a pair, and there are those who can't imagine actually buying a sock from a retail store when they can make their own. The latter group has divisions of its own - DPNs vs Magic Loop vs Two Circs, fiber wars, the works. Socks is a crazy subject.<br /><br />I am the Switzerland of socks.<br /><br />I've been knitting off and on since I was 8, really getting back into the craft in high school and college. By the time I was 19/20 I'd made potholders (both on purpose and accidental), sweaters (ok, just the one huge one), scarves, hats, fingerless gloves, lots of things. But I'd never made a sock. Until the Knitty of Winter 2006, when a pattern called <a href="http://knitty.com/ISSUEwinter06/PATTmonkey.html">Monkey</a> caught my eye.<br /><br />I was awestruck, both by the beautiful pattern and colorful designer/model Cookie. If I made this pair of socks, would I too become as hip, knowledgeable and supremely well coiffed as Ms. A? Short answer: No. Longer answer: HELL no, idiot! But I WOULD become fascinated with an item of clothing I'd never thought to make before. My first pair of Monkeys was knit in Knit Picks Memories, and because I knew pretty much nothing about yarn (haha, still don't) they felted after a few washings and were unwearable. But I was hooked.<br /><br />That first pair was knit on DPNS, and I continued to use them until I found out about Magic Loop, which I regarded as some kind of miracle magic. Non knitters seemed to feel the same way, staring at me like I was creating clothing out of thin air. I don't recall having trouble turning a heel (which seems to be the main complaint of the anti-sock group); when I got confused Ravelry and the internet had abundant amounts of information regarding the caring, keeping and knitting of socks.<br /><br />I became the Switzerland of socks when I realized that people became very, very particular about the way you knit your toe toasters. I say (as they say in Switerland*) do what you gotta do. Hate knitting socks? Then don't, dude. That's cool with me. Love socks only on DPNs? More power to you! Magic Loop's the only way? As long as you don't strangle me with your circ we are fine. Knitting is knitting is knitting, so as long as there's fiber in your hands and needles in your closet (or something like that) we are all on the planet Knitting Nerd, capiche?<br /><br />I know that there are lots more Switzerlands (Switzerlii?) in the socks community. I say be proud! If not, come on in, there is cocoa and cheese and very nice knives and clocks.<br /><br />- Love love AMBRRR (who promises some photos soon, as soon as the bees stop scaring me out of the backyard)<br /><br />*This is a lie.Ambrrrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12907113823366569856noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7852327562604243376.post-2888605896101067032009-07-19T14:36:00.004-06:002009-07-19T15:11:49.047-06:00Say Whaaaaaat?It's amazing! I'M ALIVE!<br /><br />Yes, dear readers, contrary to popular belief I am not hidden away in a bunker somewhere so Uhlissa can take over the blagh. No, no, the truth is much sadder - I am graduated, unemployed and sad. D:<br /><br />But I HAVE been knitting a little! Mostly my attention is divided between:<br /><br />- a present for a cute couple I know, half of which I worked with at the Tulane Regional Urban Design Center. Is this all an insidious plan to steal their adorable mini Dachshund? Maybe. I can say no more.<br />- a shrug that used to be my February Lady Sweater and is currently a Little Peacock Shrug (although my inability to read the pattern properly means I'll probably be frogging it to make something else soon).<br />- a Montego Bay scarf that I cast on and knit one pattern repeat of approximately... a month ago. I didn't even put it up on Ravelry, that's how much attention I've paid to it.<br />- An Amineko crocheted cat for my little cousin out of some yarn I've got hanging around. I have not worked on it for a month and a half. (<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/amineko-crocheted-cat">Rav Pattern Link</a>)<br /><br />So clearly the blagh isn't the only thing suffering from my ADD. Job searching takes up a lot of my time too, as does all the crying and sitting in the fetal position. You know, busy times.<br /><br />As if I didn't have enough to think about and do I've started hula hooping to loose weight. It's extremely fun, and if you listen to music time passes like you wouldn't believe. I just started yesterday and I am going to have bruises, let me tell you.<br /><br />OK, off to look at patterns for the Noro sock yarn Uhlissa bought me for my birthday last year. Wheeeeeee!<br /><br />- Love love AMBRRRAmbrrrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12907113823366569856noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7852327562604243376.post-38293727233359171762009-06-24T20:04:00.005-06:002009-06-24T20:10:20.565-06:00Jaywalkers = done!So, in my last post, I spent a lot of time talking about my Jaywalkers. In the past couple of days I got inspired and determined to finish them. Today I rode my bike to my favorite bar/pizza place <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_f0_UPXmpoew/SkLcKjO_JLI/AAAAAAAAAHQ/89ODtTij8PM/s1600-h/IMG_4566.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_f0_UPXmpoew/SkLcKjO_JLI/AAAAAAAAAHQ/89ODtTij8PM/s200/IMG_4566.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351081381084472498" border="0" /></a>and finished up the foot. When I got home this afternoon, I finished the toe. I'm very happy with the result. They are super comfy, and I look forward to weather where socks are appropriate (probably months from now). Arizona, 103 degrees and bike riding don't really lend themselves to hand knits, but I usually ignore that and knit as much as I can anyways. I do however, have the definite sunburn to prove I love being outside even in this ridiculous heat.<br /><br />Also, dear readers, comment and encourage Ambrr to update. My text message pleas are apparently falling on deaf ears, and I am very anxious to see all the glorious things I know she's been working on.<br /><br /><3 uhlissaUhlissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02692977481509967585noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7852327562604243376.post-70097261351034729082009-06-19T16:02:00.009-06:002009-06-19T16:35:19.810-06:00I Pretty Much Only Knit SocksIn case y'all didn't see, I just updated my last post (three months later....) with some pictures. And that motivated to post again. Ready to catch up on four months of knitting?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_aFXIAg72Lsw/SjwQQXAoOPI/AAAAAAAAAfs/AbrXcYKmlG8/s1600-h/IMG_4466.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_aFXIAg72Lsw/SjwQQXAoOPI/AAAAAAAAAfs/AbrXcYKmlG8/s200/IMG_4466.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349168330649909490" border="0" /></a>1. Jaywalkers. One day in March, on my way home from lunch I decided I had earned a treat. I stopped by my LYS (<a href="http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&ct=res&cd=1&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.kiwiknitting.com%2F&ei=rg88SqjJOpS0Na2UpaUO&usg=AFQjCNFo_Tcc5EoDtZnbupoTMlhmWRu6Mg&sig2=-ShrFSOvlh_1G9DhWHxkzA">Kiwi Knitting</a>) and bought some <a href="http://www.straw.com/cpy/yarns/pandaSuperwash-card.html">Crystal Palace Pand</a><a href="http://www.straw.com/cpy/yarns/pandaSuperwash-card.html">a Superwas</a><a href="http://www.straw.com/cpy/yarns/pandaSuperwash-card.html">h</a>. It's this really cool mauve color, with bright orange and blue and green and yellow. I decided I'd finally try out the infamous <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/jaywalker">Jaywalker</a> (ravelry link) pattern. The yarn is a little bit splitty, but otherwise feels amazing. The pattern is so easy to memorize, which makes this pattern very transportable. The only adjustment I made while knitting was to make the leg several inches shorter than called for. A few weeks ago I was in Kentucky visiting my brother, and I got invited to a craft night, where I cast on the second sock. Everyone was really impressed, which is always a great feeling. In the past week I turned the heel on the second sock and will hopefully get them done pretty soon.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_aFXIAg72Lsw/SjwSMArTJAI/AAAAAAAAAgE/ILwebPQb2T8/s1600-h/IMG_4399.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_aFXIAg72Lsw/SjwSMArTJAI/AAAAAAAAAgE/ILwebPQb2T8/s200/IMG_4399.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349170454958646274" border="0" /></a>2. Juggling balls. My friend Amy has always really like the <a href="http://bhnpks.blogspot.com/2008/03/hello-world-how-are-you.html">juggling balls I knit myself</a>, and requested some for her birthday. Of course I obliged. I think I made them out of some magenta Vanna's Choice.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_aFXIAg72Lsw/SjwQBSkLKdI/AAAAAAAAAfk/60i22aKl60Q/s1600-h/IMG_4533.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_aFXIAg72Lsw/SjwQBSkLKdI/AAAAAAAAAfk/60i22aKl60Q/s200/IMG_4533.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349168071758784978" border="0" /></a>3. Kindness socks. I finally decided to learn how to do magic loop socks. It's amazing, and I'm trying to never go back to dpns. I ordered some Knit Picks needles and this <a href="http://www.knitpicks.com/Essential+Multi+Stroll+Multi+Sock+Yarn_YD5420194.html">Essential yarn</a> (colorway is Fruit punch, which makes me smile). It took me a while to find a pattern that was simple enough to learn magic loop on, and looked pretty good in the yarn. I stumbled upon this <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cauchycomplete/2022502004/">pattern</a> via ravelry. Like my Jaywalkers, I shortened the leg. I don't really like the toe that the pattern calls for, but I did it anyway. If I were to make another pair, I'd definitely change it up. This was also my first experience with a <a href="http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&ct=res&cd=1&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.knittinghelp.com%2Fvideos%2Fcasting-off&ei=4A08SubiO4uWMd__kMEO&usg=AFQjCNFbS6yhVTCIFHLUerpbxTc-5oXs-A&sig2=4ZRErR0ECNhFeRsnBQtsjQ">three needle bind off</a>. Loved it! Might incorporate it into more of my knitting. I haven't started the second sock, but plan to once I finish my jaywalker and maybe the pomatomus I haven't mentioned yet....<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_aFXIAg72Lsw/SjwQhTxXqQI/AAAAAAAAAf0/mWe9ip0IdA8/s1600-h/IMG_4452.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_aFXIAg72Lsw/SjwQhTxXqQI/AAAAAAAAAf0/mWe9ip0IdA8/s200/IMG_4452.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349168621838379266" border="0" /></a>4. Pomatomus. I have been in love with this <a href="http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEwinter05/PATTpomatomus.html">pattern</a> for as long as I can remember, and finally developed the courage to try it out. I bought the yarn at a Christmas sale in December at the <a href="http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&ct=res&cd=1&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.stitchworks.com%2F&ei=pQ48SpSvH4v4MJb2xaQO&usg=AFQjCNEnE7HXDgvPwkD75iLDpvV3z488Dw&sig2=M_mZmtXgNzcp2WkMiZ1btg">Stitchworks</a> in Tulsa. It's <a href="http://www.plymouthyarn.com/index.php?nav=cYarn.yarnDetail&yarnid=000284&searchcollection=000005">Plymouth Happy Feet</a>, which has quickly become one of my favorite sock yarns. The subtle color changes make this sock so sexy. I don't know why, but the word "sexy" just constantly comes to mind when I'm looking at this sock. I'm absolutley in love, though it's taking forever, and after two and a half months I'm just now turning the heel on the first one. Oh well, it will be completed, it will have a mate, and they will be glorious.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_aFXIAg72Lsw/SjwR0WdI_9I/AAAAAAAAAf8/z7MT3NXH48Y/s1600-h/IMG_4543.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_aFXIAg72Lsw/SjwR0WdI_9I/AAAAAAAAAf8/z7MT3NXH48Y/s200/IMG_4543.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349170048487981010" border="0" /></a>I also want to give dear ambrr a shout out for the best birthday present ever, which I've been meaning to blog about. Of course she bought me yarn, but not just any yarn. Dream in Color <a href="http://www.dreamincoloryarn.com/pages/yarns.html#">Smooshy</a>, which is wonderful, and I mostly just cuddle with it. I think it will become <a href="http://knitty.com/ISSUEwinter08/KSPATTblackrose.php">Blackrose socks</a>, but I'm open to other pattern suggestions.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Once again it is summertime, and I have endless free time. Hopefully the knitting and blog-updating will both increase. What's on your needles this summer?<br /><br /><3 uhlissssaBlack Heels & Purlshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13465528620175683186noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7852327562604243376.post-72756567413293449652009-03-16T08:07:00.003-06:002009-06-19T16:36:37.170-06:00We're Baaaccckkk!Hello!<br /><br />I'm well aware that we have been silent for a very, very extended period of time. Unfortunately, neither Ambrrr or I have been off having amazing adventures. Ambrrr's working on her thesis, and I'm struggling through grad school. Also, the fact that we live more than a thousand miles apart has apparently had some effect on our blogging. But, we're currently in the same city! (on Spring Break for me) and have been inspired to fill you in on what's been going on, knitwise anyway.<br /><br />This summer I was knitting like a fiend, and updating pretty well. In August I moved to Arizona to work on my masters, and school has stolen all the time I used to spend doing things that make me happy. Despite being incredibly busy, I was able to get a few projects knocked out.<br /><br />I might be missing a few items, but I'm not even in the same state as all my FOs, so we'll just have to hope I get them all in. And apparently I don't have pictures of most of these readily available, so bear with me until later in the week when I'm home and can fix that.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_aFXIAg72Lsw/SjwJvX5uaVI/AAAAAAAAAfM/mk4Bk_J7ImI/s1600-h/DSCF9014+093.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 130px; height: 200px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_aFXIAg72Lsw/SjwJvX5uaVI/AAAAAAAAAfM/mk4Bk_J7ImI/s200/DSCF9014+093.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349161166883940690" border="0" /></a>Wedding Shrug. My uncle got married in October, outside in Northern California. I had a perfect dress, but it was going to be far too cold, so I knit myself a <a href="http://www.classiceliteyarns.com/WebLetter/45/Issue45.php">shrug</a>. I used the "Posh Wedding Shrug" pattern, knit with Bernat Alpaca in a slightly off-white color. The yarn made it very soft and cozy, but was a little too fuzzy and kept leaving fiber on everyone. Being the amazing procrastinator that I am, my brother was driving us to the wedding, and in the valet line I was sewing in the loose ends. Unfortunately, I wasn't completely done (I hadn't managed to get the lace edge or the ribbons done), but it looked pretty good. I was actually the flower girl (a dream come true!) so all eyes were on me, and I was overly conscious of how unfinished I must look, but I got a lot of compliments, especially from other knitters. I've been meaning to finish the last few details, but keep getting distracted by other activities.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_aFXIAg72Lsw/SjwKMofZCaI/AAAAAAAAAfU/RmRsyh3g7Z8/s1600-h/IMG_3282.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_aFXIAg72Lsw/SjwKMofZCaI/AAAAAAAAAfU/RmRsyh3g7Z8/s200/IMG_3282.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349161669553097122" border="0" /></a>Every year I knit my brother a christmas present. He's a very practical guy and hates useless junk. A few years back I had knit him fingerless gloves. He destroyed or lost them in some way, so I made replacements. I decided to go all out and use sock yarn and a really fine gauge to hopefully inspire him to take care of them. I used this <a href="http://www.marniemaclean.com/patterns/HFMGloves/HFMGloves.html">pattern</a> for inspiration and some math help on the fingers, but a lot of it, I just kind of winged. I used Red Heart Heart & Sole sock yarn. as usual, I needed to find a yarn I didn't think he could destroy, and I was interested to try this stuff out. It was surprisingly nice to knit with. I was nervous about the size of the first one, and waited until I was back in Tulsa for Christmas and had my dad try it on. It fit perfectly, so I cast on the second. Then my dad demanded a pair, which I barely started after the first pair was completed. I want to make some for myself.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_aFXIAg72Lsw/SjwKlvZaIxI/AAAAAAAAAfc/-DwK8Tgmc5s/s1600-h/IMG_4412.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_aFXIAg72Lsw/SjwKlvZaIxI/AAAAAAAAAfc/-DwK8Tgmc5s/s200/IMG_4412.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349162100903781138" border="0" /></a>About two weeks ago, I decided to cast on my second <a href="http://bhnpks.blogspot.com/2008/04/we-meet-again.html">Charade</a> sock. Yes, it's been almost a year since the first one was completed. I only knit about an inch before my life caught back up with me. Luckily, spring break is here, and I've been sitting in New Orleans enjoying my break and knitting non-stop. In the past four days I've knit almost the entire sock. All I have left is the toe. I'm in love with the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/charade">pattern</a>, and the yarn (my first Koigu experience). I can't wait to have the sock done today so I can wear them soon.<br /><br /><br /><br /><3 uhlissaUhlissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02692977481509967585noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7852327562604243376.post-81832967677475680282008-11-07T14:54:00.004-06:002008-11-07T15:39:24.827-06:00Well Well WellLong time no post! And look, me with absolutely no knitting photos. My sidebar is completely shot, guys... I'll have to do a complete overhaul sometime during Winter Break.<br /><br />I'm actually posting to talk about one of my OTHER favorite things: PENS. In particular, <a href="http://jetpens.com/"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">JetPens</span></a>, and their amazing selection of Japanese and otherwise hard to find pens, pencils, brushes and other fantastic items. I was lucky enough to get to review two colors of the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Uni-ball</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Signo</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">DX</span> UM-151, in <a href="http://www.jetpens.com/product_info.php/cPath/239_286_53/products_id/2987">Lime Green</a> and <a href="http://www.jetpens.com/product_info.php/cPath/239_286_53/products_id/2985">Mandarin Orange</a>. Both are the .38mm size.<br /><br />The main reason I haven't posted this review sooner (I am ashamed to tell you exactly when I got these, it was way too long ago) is that I've just been constantly using these pens. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Uni-ball</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Signos</span> are fantastic, I ordered one in Black (.38mm) and Green (.28mm) over the summer and use them constantly. I wasn't too sure about their new colors, they seemed way too bright. Again, because <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">JetPens</span> is so awesome they sent some samples out to reviewers, and I was chosen! It was like my birthday, Christmas, and some sort of pen related holiday all in one.<br /><br />While they look bright at first, both the Lime Green and Mandarin Orange (the orange a bit more so) mellow out a little on paper, without the ink in the barrel being "deceptive" in color. I enjoy using them to write in dark classrooms. As with the other <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Signo</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">DXes</span> I own the ink flows smoothly from the first time you put pen to paper, with little to no bleed-through (even though I held the pen in place for three to four seconds). The line is thin and clear, and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">niiiiiiice</span>.<br /><br />Without reservations I recommend these pens, and any in the Uni-ball <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Signo</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">DX</span> line. Fantastic pens, great price, everyone wins.<br /><br />Photos are forthcoming! And maybe one day some knitting.<br /><br /><3 AmbrrrBlack Heels & Purlshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13465528620175683186noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7852327562604243376.post-25499190011079454922008-09-07T10:51:00.005-06:002008-09-07T11:02:06.542-06:00Bad Pooling or Psychedelic Trip?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_aFXIAg72Lsw/SMQI4RzN9dI/AAAAAAAAAWQ/7LOqZOMIN7s/s1600-h/IMG_3040.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_aFXIAg72Lsw/SMQI4RzN9dI/AAAAAAAAAWQ/7LOqZOMIN7s/s200/IMG_3040.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243325629110023634" border="0" /></a>So, several months ago (middle of July-ish) I decided to knit some little socklets. I was inspired by the <a href="http://mindofwinter.prettyposies.com/archives/000169.html">BMG Footies</a>, but didn't really feel like reading a pattern. I just winged it. I obviously made a few mistakes, but they turned out pretty well, and are reasonably comfortable.<br /><br />The yarn is Plymouth Happy Feet, which I had never seen until I bought this at the Stitchworks in Tulsa. It was really fun to watch as I was knitting. The individual colors are so much more vibrant than when you look at the finished project. There was a green that happened everyonceinawhile that I loved so mschool. I have a lot of long breaks in my schedule, that make great knitting time, assuming I don't have too much work to do. I had quite a uch, I almost wished the whole sock were that color. Also, there was the weirdest pooling I've ever seen in my life. I think I like it?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_aFXIAg72Lsw/SMQIniBeigI/AAAAAAAAAWI/kUpx2zgjoiA/s1600-h/IMG_3045.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_aFXIAg72Lsw/SMQIniBeigI/AAAAAAAAAWI/kUpx2zgjoiA/s200/IMG_3045.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243325341407021570" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I knit the first sock this summer, on evening's after work. The second, I cast on while I was at school on my first day of grad few positive reactions on the several days I was sitting around knitting.<br /><br />This is the first time I didn't meticulously count rows or make notes. I think I got the short row heels identical, but I'm not sure about the length of the foot. It's not noticeable even if it's not exact.<br /><br />Details:<br />Pattern: My own, mostly<br />Yarn: Plymouth Happy Feet, less than one skein<br />Needles: US 2/ 2.75 mm.<br />Cast on: July 23, 2008<br />Cast off: September 6, 2008<br />No reason they took so long except that I moved, started school and had 8 other projects going in this time frame.<br /><br />That's all for now.<br /><br />I've done a few other things recently, so I'll update again. And I'll yell at miss ambrrr to update, cause I know she's got some good things goin'.<br /><br /><3 uhlissaBlack Heels & Purlshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13465528620175683186noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7852327562604243376.post-17882987183253335872008-07-21T18:19:00.012-06:002008-07-21T18:54:36.773-06:00Ravelry has Kidnapped our Devotion to the BlogDear Readers,<br /><br />I apologize for our lack of posting. I'm blaming ravelry. Also, the fact that Ambrrr and I both work and are very easily distracted by the tv and rest of the internets.<br /><br />Anyways, on to the knit goods:<br /><br />I dyed my first yarns! I had dye and yarn sitting around for over a year, and finally used it. I did three different combinations of the three colors of dye (Lilac, Violet and Gunmetal). Something weird happened to one skein, so we won't be talking about it.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_aFXIAg72Lsw/SIUocqYzTfI/AAAAAAAAAVA/vF4yOnEdHL8/s1600-h/IMG_2141.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_aFXIAg72Lsw/SIUocqYzTfI/AAAAAAAAAVA/vF4yOnEdHL8/s200/IMG_2141.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5225627415513091570" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_aFXIAg72Lsw/SIUouZftTUI/AAAAAAAAAVI/Dgpxc4UrQDw/s1600-h/IMG_2186.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_aFXIAg72Lsw/SIUouZftTUI/AAAAAAAAAVI/Dgpxc4UrQDw/s200/IMG_2186.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5225627720216300866" border="0" /></a><br />The darker skein has contributed to half a pair of sock. It's would be a whole pair of socks, but I get distracted. The sock is <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/catherine-2">Catherine</a> on US2s. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_aFXIAg72Lsw/SIUpRDvLx2I/AAAAAAAAAVQ/XnMs5OKN6p0/s1600-h/IMG_2792.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_aFXIAg72Lsw/SIUpRDvLx2I/AAAAAAAAAVQ/XnMs5OKN6p0/s200/IMG_2792.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5225628315671054178" border="0" /></a>The yarn, which is Knit Picks Bare, would have showed the pattern better if it weren't so dark. The colors managed to self stripe a little, which actually looks surprisingly cool. I also threw in a short row heel, which is my new passion. I love the pattern, and am pretty happy with the overall result.<br /><br />My brother called me one night while I was working on abovementioned sock, and when I told him I was sock knitting, he demanded a pair. "demanded" might be too strong a word, but not really. All he said he wanted was black. I needed to find something he could wash and dry, since I have no faith in his ability to take care of things. I also needed a pattern that wouldn't bore me to death, but would be subtle enough for him. Per usual, I've only got one sock knit, but I'm so excited about it.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_aFXIAg72Lsw/SIUqYshsJhI/AAAAAAAAAVY/xGCLp2wcolw/s1600-h/IMG_2804.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_aFXIAg72Lsw/SIUqYshsJhI/AAAAAAAAAVY/xGCLp2wcolw/s200/IMG_2804.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5225629546391021074" border="0" /></a><br /><br />It's very difficult to photograph, and also looks silly as it was knit for a foot about three inches bigger than mine. That's part of why I haven't knit the second. He'll be here in a few weeks to help me move half way across the country. I will have him try the sock on, and then on the two day drive, I will knit the other sock. Or that's the plan.<br /><br />Details:<br />Pattern: <a href="http://spinalcat.blogspot.com/2007/10/free-sock-pattern-rudy-got-sole.html">Rudy Got Sole</a><br />Needles: US 1 1/2 dpns. The smallest I've ever used. I love them.<br />Yarn; Regia Silk. I love it sooo much. I want to make myself something out of it.<br />I added a short row heel, because that's what I do now.<br /><br />Every year I knit Whitney a birthday present. We were roommates both freshman and senior year of college, and she's one of my favorite people ever. Well, anyways, back when I knit my <a href="http://bhnpks.blogspot.com/2007/12/longest-update-in-history-of-world-part.html">bolero</a>, she kept trying to steal it, and suggested I make her a turquoise one. I totally intended to do it for Christmas ( I even went to Garden District Needlework and bought the yarn), but just now had the time and right occassion. I finished at about 130 this morning. I was determined, and needed to get it mailed today. But that's going to be my excuse for the crazy picture.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_aFXIAg72Lsw/SIUugcNVb_I/AAAAAAAAAVw/hizYBaGP2JA/s1600-h/IMG_2845.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_aFXIAg72Lsw/SIUugcNVb_I/AAAAAAAAAVw/hizYBaGP2JA/s200/IMG_2845.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5225634077496143858" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Pattern: <a href="http://kellymaher.wordpress.com/2007/07/04/ribbed-lace-bolero/">Ribbed Lace Bolero</a><br />Yarn: Cascade 220 in Lagoon (7812)<br />Needles: US8 and US10 1/2 (which is why I think it took so long---the 10 1/2s were super slippery and not sharp enough)<br /><br />I finally finished my bag. Last time I posted I mentioned I was in the mood to knit a bag. I actually started one, and it was sitting around for over a month just waiting for me to finish sewing up the strap. I just finished it, and am so excited, I already threw all my purse contents in it.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_aFXIAg72Lsw/SIUvMJegCKI/AAAAAAAAAV4/j0Wz3pNOL4c/s1600-h/IMG_2856.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_aFXIAg72Lsw/SIUvMJegCKI/AAAAAAAAAV4/j0Wz3pNOL4c/s200/IMG_2856.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5225634828382111906" border="0" /></a><br />Pattern: <a href="http://www.garnstudio.com/lang/en/visoppskrift.php?d_nr=98&d_id=54&lang=en">Bag</a><br />Yarn: Lion Brand Wool Ease in White Multi (IT SPARKLES!)<br />Needles:<br />Lining it was pretty difficult, and the strap was a nightmare. Mostly because of my choice of construction. I didn't just want a garter stitch strap, so I knit a strip of stockinette, cut a piece of fabric, and sewed the fabric into the knittin (if that makes any sense...which it doesn't).<br /><br />One more sock:<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_aFXIAg72Lsw/SIUvomxfToI/AAAAAAAAAWA/8bQXNFW0Ong/s1600-h/IMG_2126.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_aFXIAg72Lsw/SIUvomxfToI/AAAAAAAAAWA/8bQXNFW0Ong/s200/IMG_2126.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5225635317282721410" border="0" /></a><br />The artichoke sock. In lovely, lovely drops alpaca. This was my first short row heel, and how I fell in love with the technique. The sock looks strange and disproportionate, but it's so comfy.<br /><br /><br />Whew. That was a super post. I'll be back before too long. For now, I'm off to cast on something new.<br /><br /><3<br />uhlissaBlack Heels & Purlshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13465528620175683186noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7852327562604243376.post-78443489497005395802008-06-20T22:33:00.003-06:002008-06-20T22:43:06.971-06:00Oh DearsFirst off, let me just say how much I love the foto of Sheeps! in her pearls surrounded by yarns. This accurately depicts how Uhlissa and I spent our final times together at Tulane, but with more tears (in my case).<br /><br />No knitting has been going on in these here Ohio parts, I've also hit something of a standstill in Uhlissa's graduation present. Hopefully it will be finished tomorrow and mailed soon... I sort of suck.<br /><br />BUT! I know what I want to do for my next knitting project - Ene's Scarf left me drained and weary, I still haven't blocked the ends and it's been done for about 20 days now....<br /><br />MONKEYS! Again! I knit Monkeys as my very first sock project, out of Knitpicks Memories in Yukon. They sadly felted and can no longer be found, and I was upset about this. BUT (AGAIN)! I have discovered Dream in Color Smooshy, in the shade of Lipstick Lava, and will soon (like in two weeks) order a skein to make Hot Hot Monkeys and everyone will be happy, most of all me.<br /><br />So that is what's the what. Catch you later, my babies!<br /><br />(Incidentally I too made a horrid 1930's housewife, which might be better for everyone in the long run)<br /><br /><3 AmbrrrAmbrrrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12907113823366569856noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7852327562604243376.post-57674081129712411502008-06-10T18:41:00.004-06:002008-06-10T18:49:30.910-06:00Uh OhsSo, Ambrrr found this quiz, and I am proud to report I would have been a failure as a housewife in the 1930s. Honestly, this result is perfectly inline with my goals for myself as a woman.<br /><br /><br /><center><table style="border: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" width="300"><tbody><tr><td><img src="http://www.magatsu.net/maritaltest/wife.jpg" height="72" width="72" /></td><td><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:100%;">20</span></p><p style="text-align: center;">As a 1930s wife, I am<br /><strong><span style="font-size:85%;">Very Poor (Failure)</span></strong></p><p style="text-align: center;"><small><a href="http://www.magatsu.net/maritaltest/">Take the test!</a></small></p></td></tr></tbody></table></center><br /><br />I'm sure if it asked more about knitting, I'm sure I wouldn't have been such a failure. However, I would apparently make a pretty awesome 1930s husband. Good to know.<br /><br /><center><table style="border: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" width="300"><tbody><tr><td><img src="http://www.magatsu.net/maritaltest/husband.jpg" height="72" width="72" /></td><td><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:+3;">129</span></p><p style="text-align: center;">As a 1930s husband, I am<br /><strong><span style="font-size:+2;">Very Superior</span></strong></p><p style="text-align: center;"><small><a href="http://www.magatsu.net/maritaltest/">Take the test!</a></small></p></td></tr></tbody></table></center><br /><br /><br />Just thought I'd share with ya'll. No knitting update right now, even though I've made some progress on a bad I'm knitting. I'm pretty psyched about it.<br /><br /><3Black Heels & Purlshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13465528620175683186noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7852327562604243376.post-81939146777165640032008-06-09T17:58:00.005-06:002008-06-09T18:08:26.584-06:00Stash-Down UpdateSo, I've finished yet another project.<br /><br />I made toeless socks. I'd been intrigued by the idea, and I have found them to be pretty much the best thing ever. I love knitting worsted weight socks because they go so quickly. I love toeless socks because I love flip flops. All of these things are wonderful. I love the color green I used. Check out some pictures, and then the details:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_f0_UPXmpoew/SE3EJ7FfUqI/AAAAAAAAAEg/FEpJMZ_OZfk/s1600-h/IMG_2096.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_f0_UPXmpoew/SE3EJ7FfUqI/AAAAAAAAAEg/FEpJMZ_OZfk/s200/IMG_2096.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5210036018696114850" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_f0_UPXmpoew/SE3EYVYktaI/AAAAAAAAAEo/bDmHjdoNwA4/s1600-h/IMG_2092.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_f0_UPXmpoew/SE3EYVYktaI/AAAAAAAAAEo/bDmHjdoNwA4/s200/IMG_2092.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5210036266273650082" border="0" /></a><br />Pattern: <a href="http://knitty.com/ISSUEspring06/PATTpedicuresocks.html">Pedicure Socks</a> from Knitty<br />Yarn: Cascade 220 in a gorgeous apple sort of green that's been in my stash since who knows when<br />Needles: US7 dpns<br /><br />Took about two days to complete both of them. I tested them out by going to the mailbox a little while ago. They're totally great, especially on summer days like today, when it rained for eight hours and is about 20 degrees cooler than it has been the past few weeks.<br /><br />Also, wanted to show my stashbusting progress:<br />The <a href="http://bhnpks.blogspot.com/2008/06/baby-knits.html">Baby blanket</a> used 1 whole skein of cream colored baby soft and about half a skein each of blue and green. That's a total of 2 skeins.<br />The <a href="http://bhnpks.blogspot.com/2008/06/i-am-knitting-machine.html">homespun hat</a> used almost every bit of the skein of homespun. That makes three so far.<br />The <a href="http://bhnpks.blogspot.com/2008/06/i-am-knitting-machine.html">quant</a> used almost a whole skein of SWS. We're up to 4.<br />This beautiful specimen of footwear used about 75% of a skein, and I like to round up. 5 skeins!!<br /><br />5 skeins is small when looking at it as a percentage of my stash, but still, it's a start. I'm in the mood to make a bag. I'm scouring the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com">rav</a> right now to find something inspiring.<br /><br /><3 uhlissaUhlissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02692977481509967585noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7852327562604243376.post-70449560837432865982008-06-06T18:39:00.007-06:002008-06-06T18:56:46.018-06:00I Am A Knitting MachineHello World.<br /><br />The past few days I've been knitting like crazy. I have also declared it THE SUMMER OF THE STASH. I'm going to try my darndest to resist purchasing any new yarn. I can't make any promises and it will definitely be an exercise in self-control, but I'm sure going to try.<br /><br />Yesterday I finished a hat made from the homespun I <a href="http://bhnpks.blogspot.com/2007/04/glorious.html">received</a> last year as part of the Secret Pal 10. I kind of winged the pattern based on my experience with Purl <a href="http://bhnpks.blogspot.com/2007/12/longest-update-in-history-of-world-part.html">Bee</a> Berets and the <a href="http://bhnpks.blogspot.com/2008/01/i-have-so-much-free-time-i-should-have.html">Mary Jane</a> Pithy Hat.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_aFXIAg72Lsw/SEnaAkrHOUI/AAAAAAAAAUY/9eAvqj7Eo6U/s1600-h/IMG_2032.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_aFXIAg72Lsw/SEnaAkrHOUI/AAAAAAAAAUY/9eAvqj7Eo6U/s200/IMG_2032.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5208934147410049346" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_aFXIAg72Lsw/SEnaOGJGXkI/AAAAAAAAAUg/R3jcdqtj5qI/s1600-h/IMG_2043.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_aFXIAg72Lsw/SEnaOGJGXkI/AAAAAAAAAUg/R3jcdqtj5qI/s200/IMG_2043.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5208934379732491842" border="0" /></a><br />I started with some 1x1 ribbing on a US4 circ. I changed to US7 and increased into every stitch. I decided it wasn't what I wanted and switched up to a 10 1/2, which I used for the rest of the hat. The yarn was a very interesting thick and thin in yellow with swirls of blue and red. In some spots the colors are gorgeously vibrant. I'm pretty happy with it. As a blonde, I really shouldn't wear yellow hats, but apparently I can't help my self.<br /><br />Today, I finished my second <a href="http://knitty.com/ISSUEwinter07/PATTquant.html">quant</a>.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_aFXIAg72Lsw/SEnawHGmKvI/AAAAAAAAAUo/Yr4HmRU7tBc/s1600-h/IMG_2051.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_aFXIAg72Lsw/SEnawHGmKvI/AAAAAAAAAUo/Yr4HmRU7tBc/s200/IMG_2051.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5208934964105980658" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_aFXIAg72Lsw/SEnbK9eYKtI/AAAAAAAAAUw/rNvjHmlSqVc/s1600-h/IMG_2062.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_aFXIAg72Lsw/SEnbK9eYKtI/AAAAAAAAAUw/rNvjHmlSqVc/s200/IMG_2062.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5208935425377839826" border="0" /></a>I used Paton's SWS in natural pink on US8s. It went very quickly. I cast on last night and finished this afternoon. I'm totally enraptured with the joy that is entrelac. I can't wait to do some more. I'm not thrilled with how it turned out. It's almost too wide for my head, and I don't like the way the pattern ends. I'm not anticipating giving this a lot of wear, but it was indeed a stashbusting project, so no regrets.<br /><br />As far as stashbusting goals go, I have four giant tubs of yarn, and keep finding more every time I unpack a box or dig through a bag. These projects almost completely used up full skeins. The baby blanket I finished used up a total of 2 skeins of yarn. I'm going to set my goal not in objects made, but in skeins used up from my stash.<br /><br />So, here goes: Official Goal for Skeins Used This Summer*:3o<br /><br />This number might be unrealistic or a complete underestimate. We'll see.<br /><br />Share your goals, and let's all de-stash together!!<br /><br />*Summer being defined as the period between graduation and the first day of graduate school.<br /><br /><3 uhlissaBlack Heels & Purlshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13465528620175683186noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7852327562604243376.post-85721643432464354712008-06-04T13:39:00.007-06:002008-06-04T13:50:52.118-06:00Baby KnitsThe blanket is done! Well, the knitting is done. It has some ends to be woven in and I'm going to attempt to block it. But overlooking those things, IT'S DONE! It took about two months, from casting on to binding off. Of course, in those two months, a lot of things other than knitting took place, like finishing college, graduating and moving.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_aFXIAg72Lsw/SEbwk0vIKsI/AAAAAAAAAUA/dm4wvpHqLuc/s1600-h/IMG_2013.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_aFXIAg72Lsw/SEbwk0vIKsI/AAAAAAAAAUA/dm4wvpHqLuc/s200/IMG_2013.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5208114534522825410" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_aFXIAg72Lsw/SEbxSIGbgKI/AAAAAAAAAUI/wh6EpJW3ZBw/s1600-h/IMG_2011.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_aFXIAg72Lsw/SEbxSIGbgKI/AAAAAAAAAUI/wh6EpJW3ZBw/s200/IMG_2011.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5208115312814948514" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Details:<br />Pattern: <a href="http://www.knitlist.com/00gift/round-baby-blanket.htm">Round or Pinwheel Baby Blanket</a> (found on <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/">ravelry</a>, just like everything else I love)<br />Needles: US6, dpns, 16" and 47" circulars<br />Yarn: Lion Brand Baby Soft in cream, bluebell and pistachio. I used almost exactly the whole skein of cream and about half of each of the others.<br />I used a <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/theheddleworks/round-or-pinwheel-baby-blanket">border</a> that another raveler came up with, that a lot of people have used. Mine's not lying flat really, but I think the slight curl/ruffle is kind of nice.<br />I talked to the mommy-to-be yesterday and told her I was knitting her something. She was really excited, but I refused to tell her what it was. Apparently the blanket matches her color scheme. As soon as I get it all blocked I'll be taking it to her.<br /><br />I'm really happy with the outcome, but I'm glad to be done. Near the end it became pretty tedious, and I'd take breaks to wind balls of other yarn and plan out future projects. Look forward to a handspun hat, another quant and various other beautiful things.<br /><br /><3 uhlissa<br /><br />p.s. congrats to ambrrr on being employed.Black Heels & Purlshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13465528620175683186noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7852327562604243376.post-58230318236123245702008-05-25T12:09:00.003-06:002008-05-25T12:18:21.515-06:00Oops, oh my!Dearest Chickadees and Chickadudes,<br /><br />My humblest, humblest apologies for neglecting this blargh for as long as I have. Dearest Uhlissa has been after me to update, so I must confess it is my own lackadaisical nature that led to the dearth of updates on my part.<br /><br />As if stands, the BHnPKS has been temporarily disbanded due to two things: Summer Break, and the Grandest A+ Adventure of All: Uhlissa's Graduation! On May 17th Uhlissa graduated from Tulane with a fancy fancy degree and neat hat. There were robes involved, as well. There will soon be pictures of this grand event, and of us and BHnPKS mascot Sheeps! looking our smiley best.<br /><br />On the knitting front, it is probably best if you can join us on the Rav. Most of my updates go there now, although soon I will start a summer internship (June 1st, to be exact) and we'll see what working from 8 to 4:30 does for knitting time. The real world! How does one deal with it?!<br /><br />On the needles now: Ene's Scarf. I KNOW! Here are the notes I've posted on Rav:<br /><br />Needles: Knitpicks Harmony Circs US 6, 47"<br />Yarn: Knitpicks Gloss in Dolphin, bought 4 skeins<br /><div class="notes markdown"> <p>5/19/08: Arrive home from Tulane. Drop by library to pick up “Scarf Style.” Cast on. 375 sts later, wishing self to be dead.</p> <p>5/20/08: Row 3 of Chart 1 is confusing me. I am sad. May stab self with sharp, sharp Harmony circs.</p> <p>5/20/08 B: Have figured out sekkrit. Is most sekkrit of sekkrits - the markers must move. SCIENCE!</p> <p>5/21/08: Am now onto Chart 3, having finished Charts 1 and 2. Three shalt be the number of the chart, and the number of the chart shalt be three. Chart 4 shalt thou not knit (yet), nor either reknit thou Chart 2. Chart 5 is right out. Once Chart 3, being the third number, be reached, then, lobbest thou thy Scarf of Ene towards thy foe, who, being naughty in My sight, shall snuff it.</p> </div>As of today I'm onto the second repeat of five total of Chart 3... I can't say it's getting easier but I've definitely established a rhythm.<br /><br />So keep cool, my babies!<br /><br /><3 AmbrrrAmbrrrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12907113823366569856noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7852327562604243376.post-84060366380743496532008-04-21T12:37:00.006-06:002008-04-21T12:51:15.850-06:00We Meet AgainDear Blog and Readers,<br /><br />Ambrrr and I didn't mean to neglect you, and we are very sorry. Our lives have been overrun with things like school and trying to decide what to do with our futures. No big deal. In exciting news, I just got my acceptance letter for graduate school today. I already knew I had been accepted, because of some e-mail correspondence that had taken place, but having the physical letter is such a validation and thrill. Unfortunately, what this means is that Ambrrr and I will be separating ways in about a month. That does not mean the Black Heels and Purls will perish, it will just be written from cities 1400 miles apart. I promise you this distance will not affect our dedication (which exists, despite recent lapses in posting). And now dear readers, I update you on what's actually been accomplished, as far as knitting goes, in the past month of my life:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.imaybeknittingaranchhouse.com/archives/2007/04/charade.html">Charade Sock</a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_aFXIAg72Lsw/SAzg_5y_ZeI/AAAAAAAAAS0/kjYwSIfGXMw/s1600-h/IMG_1265.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_aFXIAg72Lsw/SAzg_5y_ZeI/AAAAAAAAAS0/kjYwSIfGXMw/s200/IMG_1265.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5191771858902410722" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_aFXIAg72Lsw/SAzhIZy_ZfI/AAAAAAAAAS8/5EdNlyvbS5E/s1600-h/IMG_1269.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_aFXIAg72Lsw/SAzhIZy_ZfI/AAAAAAAAAS8/5EdNlyvbS5E/s200/IMG_1269.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5191772004931298802" border="0" /></a><br />Yes, just one. I finished it, and can't be inspired to start the other. I had a horrible time with this. I knit two inches knowing that it looked wrong before I figured out what I was doing. I ripped back and restarted. It went pretty quickly, and it's beautiful. I'm not really a big fan of the toe, but that's ok.<br />Made in Koigu KPPPM on size 2 dpns.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.knitlist.com/00gift/round-baby-blanket.htm">Spiral Baby Blanket</a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_aFXIAg72Lsw/SAzgw5y_ZdI/AAAAAAAAASs/FOnvaXxj_sw/s1600-h/IMG_1653.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_aFXIAg72Lsw/SAzgw5y_ZdI/AAAAAAAAASs/FOnvaXxj_sw/s200/IMG_1653.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5191771601204372946" border="0" /></a>I've had my eye on this blanket for a long while, not really sure who I could make it for. A woman I worked with a few summers ago recently let me know she was having a baby boy in August. I decided immediately that a blanket was in order. I just started a few days ago, and am very excited about it.<br />It's knit in three colors of Lion Brand Baby Soft of US 6s. I'm worried that when it gets a bit larger in diameter I'm going to regret using something with such a fine gauge, but right now it's not so bad, and I'm really excited about how pretty it seems to be.<br /><br />Sadly that's all that's been accomplished. Hopefully more soon.<br /><br />With Love,<br />uhlissaBlack Heels & Purlshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13465528620175683186noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7852327562604243376.post-59736420571708237372008-03-09T11:00:00.010-06:002008-03-09T12:02:17.251-06:00Hello World, How Are You?Hello blog. I'm sorry I neglect you. I've been busy! I'd love to tell you I'm just focusing so much on school right now that I don't have time for anything else, but that would be a blatant lie. I play a lot of cards, juggle, knit a bit and am generally lazy.<br /><br />But here's what I've been doing:<br />I knit juggling balls. They work. I love them.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_f0_UPXmpoew/R9QjKLUkCxI/AAAAAAAAADc/8AtCWc1-cM4/s1600-h/IMG_0648.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_f0_UPXmpoew/R9QjKLUkCxI/AAAAAAAAADc/8AtCWc1-cM4/s200/IMG_0648.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5175800529500244754" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_f0_UPXmpoew/R9QitbUkCwI/AAAAAAAAADU/AA_Lp4T3JnM/s1600-h/IMG_0647.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_f0_UPXmpoew/R9QitbUkCwI/AAAAAAAAADU/AA_Lp4T3JnM/s200/IMG_0647.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5175800035579005698" border="0" /></a>Pattern: <a href="http://i-like-lemons.blogspot.com/2008/02/knit-balls.html">Oh Ba</a><a href="http://i-like-lemons.blogspot.com/2008/02/knit-balls.html">lls!</a><br />Yarn: Vanna's Choice in colors I just had sitting around<br />Needles: US7 dpns<br />I just used beans instead of fluff. Eventually I'll get a picture of my mad juggling skills for all of you to witness and appreciate.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />On Valentine's Day I posted a picture of the Heart Bouquet, but didn't say anything about it. My friend Amy was my valentine. She put together a scavenger hunt and cooked dinner. I knit a bouquet of hearts and made desert.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_f0_UPXmpoew/R9QkYbUkCzI/AAAAAAAAADs/3jLCCpttxwc/s1600-h/IMG_0554.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_f0_UPXmpoew/R9QkYbUkCzI/AAAAAAAAADs/3jLCCpttxwc/s200/IMG_0554.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5175801873825008434" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_f0_UPXmpoew/R9Qj1bUkCyI/AAAAAAAAADk/dhwo9qUEwmE/s1600-h/IMG_0547.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_f0_UPXmpoew/R9Qj1bUkCyI/AAAAAAAAADk/dhwo9qUEwmE/s200/IMG_0547.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5175801272529586978" border="0" /></a><br /><br />There were a total of 16 hearts made from <a href="http://mochimochiland.com/weblog/?p=14">this pattern</a>.<br />Yarns: Cascade 220 in Ruby; Red Heart Soft Yarn in Fuchsia; Vanna's Choice in Dusty Rose, Mustard, Purple, Brick, Dusty Purple, and some blue/green color; Wool Ease in dark rose heather, blue heather and ranch red; bernat cashmere blend in rain and ocean; karabella aurora 8 in some dark purple; and Berella 4 in burnt orange and rich pink.<br />Needles: US6 dpns<br /><br />I also made some heart sachets for my roommates. The heart pattern is from the earflap of a hat in an old Knit.1. I stuffed them with fluff and added some potpourri.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_f0_UPXmpoew/R9QlZ7UkC0I/AAAAAAAAAD0/DR_4ZL88fm4/s1600-h/IMG_0549.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_f0_UPXmpoew/R9QlZ7UkC0I/AAAAAAAAAD0/DR_4ZL88fm4/s200/IMG_0549.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5175802999106440002" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />I'm currently working on <a href="http://www.imaybeknittingaranchhouse.com/archives/2007/04/charade.html">Charade </a>socks. It's been an interesting adventure, which I will explore further once I finish them.<br /><br />Happy Knitting!<br /><br /><3 uhlissaUhlissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02692977481509967585noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7852327562604243376.post-9502594011968235552008-03-07T11:29:00.003-06:002008-03-07T11:40:41.748-06:00Oh. ... Whoops.So, how about that knitblog? I vaguely remember something like that, where I would post pictures and talk about what I was crafting. That was nice.<br /><br />Oh, what? That's here? Amazing!<br /><br />I'm trying to remember what I've finished/worked on since we last spoke FOREVER ago.... I'l just go with what's up on <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/Ambrrr">the Rav</a>.<br /><br />THINGS THAT ARE DONE:<br />- Clapotis (post photos)<br />- Artichoke Sock (needs photos)<br />- Deathscythe and Secret Santa Axel Mitts (take/post photos)<br />- Cheap-O Thorpe (take/post photos)<br />- Happy Fun Lime (post photos)<br />- Koolhaas (post photos)<br />- Ou y Quant? (post photos)<br />- Mini-o-metry (take/post photos)<br />- Hearts for Merith (take/post photos)<br /><br />THINGS THAT ARE WIP:<br />- Casey's Brioche Scarf (pretty much on hold at this point, haven't worked on it since December)<br />- Other Jellyfish Smooshy<br />- Jaywalkers - nearing completion and quite nice (take/post photos)<br /><br />THINGS I MIGHT FROG:<br />- Glittens on Kittens Also Wearing Mittens - kind of tight; yarn is annoying me<br /><br />OK, now I shall go back to paying attention to this Digital Media lecture.<br /><br />Ciao, bella(s)!<br /><br /><3 AmbrrrAmbrrrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12907113823366569856noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7852327562604243376.post-48300381880294852372008-02-14T12:36:00.001-06:002008-02-14T12:37:40.355-06:00Happy Valentine's Day from the BHNPKS<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_aFXIAg72Lsw/R7SKbZZBpNI/AAAAAAAAASk/OlsQmLyS6AU/s1600-h/IMG_0554.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_aFXIAg72Lsw/R7SKbZZBpNI/AAAAAAAAASk/OlsQmLyS6AU/s400/IMG_0554.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5166906875777754322" border="0" /></a>Black Heels & Purlshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13465528620175683186noreply@blogger.com0