Jaywalkers = 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 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.

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.

<3 uhlissa

I Pretty Much Only Knit Socks

In 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?

1. Jaywalkers. One day in March, on my way home from lunch I decided I had earned a treat. I stopped by my LYS (Kiwi Knitting) and bought some Crystal Palace Panda Superwash. 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 Jaywalker (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.

2. Juggling balls. My friend Amy has always really like the juggling balls I knit myself, and requested some for her birthday. Of course I obliged. I think I made them out of some magenta Vanna's Choice.





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 Essential yarn (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 pattern 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 three needle bind off. 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....

4. Pomatomus. I have been in love with this pattern 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 Stitchworks in Tulsa. It's Plymouth Happy Feet, 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.

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 Smooshy, which is wonderful, and I mostly just cuddle with it. I think it will become Blackrose socks, but I'm open to other pattern suggestions.




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?

<3 uhlissssa

We're Baaaccckkk!

Hello!

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.

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.

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.

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 shrug. 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.


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 pattern 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.

About two weeks ago, I decided to cast on my second Charade 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 pattern, and the yarn (my first Koigu experience). I can't wait to have the sock done today so I can wear them soon.



<3 uhlissa

Well Well Well

Long 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.

I'm actually posting to talk about one of my OTHER favorite things: PENS. In particular, JetPens, 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 Uni-ball Signo DX UM-151, in Lime Green and Mandarin Orange. Both are the .38mm size.

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. Uni-ball Signos 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 JetPens 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.

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 Signo DXes 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 niiiiiiice.

Without reservations I recommend these pens, and any in the Uni-ball Signo DX line. Fantastic pens, great price, everyone wins.

Photos are forthcoming! And maybe one day some knitting.

<3 Ambrrr

Bad Pooling or Psychedelic Trip?

So, several months ago (middle of July-ish) I decided to knit some little socklets. I was inspired by the BMG Footies, 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.

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?

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.

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.

Details:
Pattern: My own, mostly
Yarn: Plymouth Happy Feet, less than one skein
Needles: US 2/ 2.75 mm.
Cast on: July 23, 2008
Cast off: September 6, 2008
No reason they took so long except that I moved, started school and had 8 other projects going in this time frame.

That's all for now.

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'.

<3 uhlissa

Ravelry has Kidnapped our Devotion to the Blog

Dear Readers,

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.

Anyways, on to the knit goods:

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.

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 Catherine on US2s. 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.

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.

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.

Details:
Pattern: Rudy Got Sole
Needles: US 1 1/2 dpns. The smallest I've ever used. I love them.
Yarn; Regia Silk. I love it sooo much. I want to make myself something out of it.
I added a short row heel, because that's what I do now.

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 bolero, 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.

Pattern: Ribbed Lace Bolero
Yarn: Cascade 220 in Lagoon (7812)
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)

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.
Pattern: Bag
Yarn: Lion Brand Wool Ease in White Multi (IT SPARKLES!)
Needles:
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).

One more sock:
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.


Whew. That was a super post. I'll be back before too long. For now, I'm off to cast on something new.

<3
uhlissa

Oh Dears

First 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).

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.

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....

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.

So that is what's the what. Catch you later, my babies!

(Incidentally I too made a horrid 1930's housewife, which might be better for everyone in the long run)

<3 Ambrrr