midsummer knits

Crochet grocery bag in Hemp for Knitting's Cashmere Canapa in Cristallo Blue with stash yarn (cotton) accent

The handle needs to be finished

Original Design











Purse panel to be felted - various yarns, including Lamb's Pride Bulky in Kiwi and Knit Pick's Wool of the Andes in hyacinth, spruce, avocado and grass

2nd (back) panel knitting completed on 8/5/07

Original design






Rowan Maris in Rowan Calmer, Calm colourway

So far, the back and 3/4 of the first sleeve are complete; 2 fronts and 2nd sleeve to complete before October.










My Clapotis in Malabrigo Red Pearl

Have just passed the halfway point

Knitting Delinquent

I've been busy - some knitting, but mostly everything else in life has been upside down for nearly the last 6 months. I've got the blogging bug again, and lots of projects in the pipeline to talk about!

I've got another blog Redskew Knits where I'll post the classes I'm teaching and current professional pursuits. I'll maintain this here blog for my personal knitting. I'll cross post any big news.

Also, the camera is on the fritz, so bear with me on the lacking images - I'm working on it!

Ok, on to the knitting.

From Rowan 41 - 'Maris' in Calmer, Calm colorway. The back is complete and I'm nearly halfway done with the right front! I'm working to an October deadline...















My friend Jess over at Awl Cowgirl Western Gear and I have some projects in the pipeline that I'm very excited about.

I'm working on an adorable stuffed brontosaurs from Family Circle Easy Baby Knits

Still plugging away on Annie Modesitt's Backyard Leaves Scarf

PROGRESS!

I've been pretty busy the past couple of weeks and have finished a number of lingering projects.

First - Felting
Jeff's Slippers -













Bag 1













Bag 2


It may be kind of tough to see in the bag photos, but I discovered that the Knit Picks Wool of the Andes (stripes on the bags and all 3 colors on the slipper) felts GREAT! The terra cotta color (bottom and top of the bags) is Anny Blatt Rustique, which is apparently washable! I want to go ahead and shape and line the bags before I send them to Awl Cowgirl.

And then we have an Original Fair Isle Hat for myself (Tulip, Stream, Avocado and Chocolate Knit Picks Wool of the Andes from the stash)

Another hour or so tonight will wrap it up so I can wear it! (Update as of Monday afternoon - yeah, it doesn't really cover my ears, so I've added the first of the earflaps!)






Last, but not least, I've managed to finish my first sock - Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock Multi in River...


That's it for now...

Another link... progress

Another inspirational add - they boys from Project RunGay have launched Project Gay

Sweater : none

Spiral scarf : Still plugging away on ball 2 of 3

Bag number 2 : no progress

I have, however, begun another scarf and am into the 2nd of 3 balls - going rather quickly on 10.5s.

I've also got to get something going for the Dulaan Knit In on Saturday.

New Links

I've added some new links in my sidebar

Seth Godin's blog is great as well as his book - keeping me motivated

Vive la Femme is keeping my wardrobe in tip top shape

Dulaan is helping children and shrinking my stash

Eco Tecture is keeping me informed of green architecture.

Have a great week!

Sweater Drama

Unfortunately, Jeff has the camera tonight, otherwise I'd have more pictures to post.

I made enough progress on my sweater to try it on again. The short row bust shaping is on target. The ribbing is nice and close fitting. The back, above the ribbing, is too big - if my shoulder blades were fat and jutted out of my back, it would great! But, they don't. I can do one of two things 1 - take the sweater in by sewing darts (with the sewing maching, to line up with the knit darts) 2 - calculate how far I need to rip it back (current estimation - back to the end of the 1st ball or beginning of 2nd (I'm up to the 5th ball)) and RIP RIP RIP (how appropriate for Halloween ;) ) Option 1 is relatively easy, but option 2 is more appealing (though much more work).

I embarked on this sweater to learn how to make clothes for my body, particularly in the clever way that can only be achieved with knit (and crochet) - by creating and sculpting the fabric as you go, fitting the sweater to the body.

Anywho, I still need rebound a little from the setback. I can work full time on my friend's purse, so that's exciting.

Brief Update

Last week I finished knitting Jeff's Fiber Trends Felted Clog Slippers.

I am one ball (of 3) into the spiral scarf in Scarf Style,

Using Rowan Tapestry Rainbow colorway (it's GORGEOUS!)


I have re-knit the part of my sweater I ripped out (really not that much) and am onto the ribbing. My goal is to complete it by the end of October. I am also moving forward on the 2nd of the felted bags (client has approved color scheme :) )

Plans for November : 2 baby blankets, something for Dulaan, and maybe 2 more scarves as gifts.

Morning Views

 

My Sweater

I've begun Bombshell from Big Girl Knits in GGH Bel Air, Teal I got into the 5 of 7 balls, but then realized I had done too much short row bust shaping, so rip rip rip I need to do. Of course, I realized this at about 9:30 pm on Sunday, so it sits until I can devote a little more time to it.

Bag Project - Part One

While on vacation this summer, I was inspired by a felted purse in the one yarn shop I was in. An idea developed - I would knit the bag bodies and felt them, I would then send them to Jess, and she would work her magic with leather handles and beautiful leather and metal adornments. Here you see the first bag, pre-felting. I've begun the second bag body, in a similar palette. 

Finished Shawl/Scarf

Bamboo yarn - so soft and easy to knit. A simple chevron lace pattern. About 20" x 40" blocked. It's for my mom's birthday. 

Current Books

I've got a couple of things on my plate. To scratch my academic itch, I've begun reading Modern Architecture Since 1900. I don't have much to say about it yet, since I've only read the introduction (which I only do with about 25% of books).

I've also begun Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert, and I'm enjoying it very much (thanks for the loan, Kel). Since I've developed the skill of reading while knitting, I've been able to work through much more of both than I have in the past. It also helps that I've been trying to keep the idiot box off, with the exception of specific programs (Project Runway, The Daily Show, and The Colbert Report, plus a little real news in the am.)

Enough media advertisement for now. One more knitting project below.

New Scarf

Aqua Mohair lace scarf, approximately 4" by 72" very light. I still need to block it properly.

Preview

I did manage to photograph a number of my completed and in-progress knitting projects this weekend. I will be doing an image dump most likely tomorrow, so be on the look out for that.

I finished reading John Irving's A Prayer for Owen Meany this weekend - I highly recommend it! I also learned to play Nerts, which is pretty decent as far as card games are concerned.

Hearing the truth is as important as speaking it

My parents taught me to tell the truth, and I still do. I feel icky inside when I don't (that's my gut talking, something else my folks brought my attention to). I don't find it difficult to tell the truth, but in my experience, others are not interested in the truth. It is sometimes hard for me to hear the truth about myself, but I am better for the listening. When it is something negative, I work to improve. Which lead me to the title of today's blog - Hearing the truth is as important as speaking it. A quick internet search yielded this useful biblical reference.

Communication is in two parts - speaking (not only the words themselves, but also body language, intonation, eye contact) and listening (not only hearing the words, but not simply waiting your turn to speak, reading other cues from the speaker (see above) ). To speak the truth to a party not listening does not mean the truth should not be spoken. Conversely, the speaker may not speak the truth, but their other means of communication will reveal themselves to the successfull listener.

Is YOUR mug on an album cover?

I just found out (purely by accident, of course) that my face (along with other family members') face is featured on a children's album my aunt made. See if you can find me.

Rainy Monday

Here in Chicago, the weather was dreary, but I was rather motivated. Friday was quite beautiful, so after work (and skipping yoga : ( ) Jeff and I grabbed some appetizers (crispy stuffed olives are divine) and drinks (16oz vodka tonics for $6.35!) outside at the new restaurant BB's. Satuday we caught up with a friend back from vacation for brunch at Tweet. Excellent service and meal, as well as many more menu choices than I expected. Then I had the boys drop me off at Arcadia Knitting, where I armed myself with materials for my new project, from Big Girl Knits. I'll post more info/stats on the project as I get further into it. I am onto ball 3 of 7. This will be the first garment for myself.

I also realize I've got a bunch of completed (or nearly so) projects that need photographing and posting, so I'll see what I can do this week.

I should get my butt back to work, but do check out Cleo's blog, as she's been updating her blog more regularly, so gotta show her some love.

Off to work I go

My office went back to normal hours this week (8:30-5:30, m-f) from our summer hours (8-6, m-h, 8-12 f), plus we had Labor Day off. I have to admit that I was looking forward to the schedule change. Last summer I definately made the most of the half-day fridays, feeling like I had a long weekend every week. This summer was different. After the Avon walk, I was waiting for my vacation. After the vacation, I was waiting for Jeff to get going on, and get comfortable with his new job. I just want to get back in the swing of things - get back to my regular Friday night yoga class.

Having basically taken the summer off of yoga, I really feel the difference in myself. I'm more irritable and worry about things I have no control over. While I was studying yoga regularly (December to April or May) I had gotten better control over my mind and body. I was less suceptible to depression and found life more satisfying. Since I know yoga works for me, I need to get it back in my life.

A thing of beauty and function : Boffi Cut

Vacation

Early July was spent on a fantastic 10 day road trip. This pic was in the Bear Tooths (L to R) Meghan, me, Jeff, Joel.

These good times didn't kill me. 

For those of you that were wondering

I've recently become interested in the Myers-Briggs Personality Profile, with my classification being Introverted, Intuitive, Thinking, Judging (INTJ). You can find out what you are HERE.

Links and bits about my type are listed below.

http://www.typelogic.com/intj.html
http://www.keirsey.com/personality/ntij.html
http://www.geocities.com/lifexplore/intj.htm

And, From http://fuzzy.snakeden.org/intj/

How to deal with an INTJ:

1. Be willing to back up your statements with facts - or at least some pretty sound reasoning.
   
   
2. Don't expect them to respect you or your viewpoints just because you say so. INTJ respect must be earned.
   
   
3. Be willing to concede when you are wrong. The average INTJ respects the truth over being "right". Withdraw your erroneous comment and admit your mistake and they will see you as a very reasonable person. Stick to erroneous comments and they will think you are an irrational idiot and treat everything you say as being questionable.
   
   
4. Try not to be repetitive. It annoys them.
   
   
5. Do not feed them a line of bull.
   
   
6. Expect debate. INTJs like to tear ideas apart and prove their worthiness. They will even argue a point they don't actually support for the sake of argument.
   
   
7. Do not mistake the strength of your conviction with the strength of your argument. INTJs do not need to believe in a position to argue it or argue it well. Therefore, it will take more than fervor to sway them.
   
   
8. Do not be surprised at sarcasm.
   
   
9. Remember that INTJs believe in workable solutions. They are extremely open-minded to possibilities, but they will quickly discard any idea that is unfeasible. INTJ open-mindedness means that they are willing to have a go at an idea by trying to pull it apart. This horrifies people who expect oohs and ahhs and reverence. The ultimate INTJ insult to an idea is to ignore it, because that means it's not even interesting enough to deconstruct.
   
   This also means that they will not just accept any viewpoint that is presented to them. The bottom line is "Does it work?" - end discussion.
   
   
10. Do not expect INTJs to actually care about how you view them. They already know that they are arrogant bastards with a morbid sense of humor. Telling them the obvious accomplishes nothing.

ReDesign

It's time for a ReDesign - of my life, of my goals, of my blog. The motivation is most clearly represented by Karim Rashid's approach, as presented in his text Design Yourself.

I get to keep all the things that work and work to change all the things I want to improve. I'm interested in so many things, and I'm going to use this blog to document and focus my energies as necessary. I've still got knitting projects in the works, but there is so much more to be explored.

Other things that have been taking up my time

It was a record setting weekend for the Chicago Avon Walk for Breast Cancer , which was this past weekend

We set a record for number of participants – 3,600

And we set a record for most money raised at any one event – 8.2 MILLION DOLLARS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

For reference – the Avon Foundation funds 42 clinical trials annually, at the cost of 7 million dollars!

The walk was really wonderful – lots of fantastic people, and I really felt that my efforts were worth while. Along the route there were many people cheering us on – breast cancer survivors, their families, those who had lost loved ones – all out there cheering us on, thanking us walkers for our efforts. It was truly amazing.

I walked 13.1 miles on Saturday and made my way to Warren Park, where the Wellness Village where Jeff had been working all of Friday and most of Saturday laying out and setting up tents, tables and chairs for the mess hall, and other miscellaneous hard labor to get camp set up for the walkers. After dinner, Jeff wasn’t feeling well so we went over to the medical tent where we were sent home. Jeff was experiencing the beginning stages of dehydration and exhaustion. Unfortunately, I did not wake up in time on Sunday to get in the second day of walking.

All in all, it was truly moving experience and I will consider participating in it again!!!

Happy Birthday to Me

A beautiful knitting bag (it holds 6 pounds of yarn!) from Scott, Kelly, Joe and Jeff

and flowers from my husband

A sewing project

A little pillow - I've sewn ladder yarn onto some fabric samples....

Another almost finished

A baby blanket for my cousins - crocheted in cotton, I have to decide on the edging.

2 finished objects

Two scaves for charity:

Another image!

This was a holiday gift:

Pattern: Knit Picks Bella Scarf by Susan Lawrence
Yarn: Merino Frappe in Ivory , knit on US13 needles

FIN

The blanket was completed this weekend!

"Damn' the man. Save the Empire"

Favorite quote from the movie "Empire Records", as spoken by Ethan Embry's character Mark. As you may or may not have heard, trouble is brewing with naming of particular knitting groups, and as a member (and co-organizer) of one of said groups, I say : Free to Stitch Free to Bitch. Other bloggers share their thoughts.

Blocks and projects

We're up to 29 blocks - only 20 more to go by Saturday!

I'm nearly done with two projects, but have a lot to start and finish (one scarf, two bookmarks, a shawl and MAYBE something else) . I am 50% complete with Christmas cards, though - they should go out this week (a huge improvement over last year's February postmark!)

Marie Curie Quote

"Life is not easy for any of us. But what of that? We must have perserverence and, above all, confidence in ourselves. We must believe that we are gifted for something, and that this thing...must be attained."

Blanket Update

I've completed 3.5 blocks so far, I've seen a couple of the other completed blocks and I've gotten more commitments. I think we're going to have a wonderful blanket! I'll be sure to post pics of the assembly and the blanket.

Charity Blanket

So we now have a place to give the blanket, thanks to Jerry. I think the block tally is over 10 right now. So we still have a ways to go, but I know we can do it!

I other knitting news, this weekend I completed 1 christmas gift, am at 90% for another. (Counting on her fingers)... this means 3 in progress, 5 to start and finish, and 3 complete. Not bad. I also managed to make my way through 25% of my holiday cards this weekend.

More blocks at S'nB tomorrow.

Pic from Afar

Sarah has posted pics that include my first freeform scarf, so I stole one. In the pic, she happens to be in Paris (lucky girl :)

Participants!

So far we have Jerry, Chandra, Cyn, Sarah, Gayle and myself from Lakeview S'nB making blocks, and Mary has knitting machines and has at least one knitted blanket to contribute! Way to go! Jerry is helping identify a local need for the blanket(s) we produce. Project Linus is also a consideration.

We already have 2 blocks completed! We're on our way...

I have also added a link for Threads of Compassion if anyone is interested in knitting for sexually abused women in Chicago. My goal is to complete some charitable knitting every month. In January, I'll be working on items for the February 3rd Benefit for Chloe. Thanks to Cyn for bringing this to our attention.

In other knitting news, nothing completed this weekend, but progress made on two Christmas gifts and another begun. I also made a couple of attempts to start knitting blocks for the blanket, but to no avail. I will try crocheting a block tonight.

Happy Knitting!

Knit Unto Others

Check out the link under "Looky Here". I'll be working on squares for Warm Up America. I invite my S'nB buddies to contribute a square, and maybe we can send in a full blanket before Christmas.

Your Personality Profile

You are dignified, spiritual, and wise.Always unsatisfied, you constantly try to better yourself.You are also a seeker of knowledge and often buried in books. You tend to be philosophical, looking for the big picture in life.You dream of inner peace for yourself, your friends, and the world.A good friend, you always give of yourself first.

The World's Shortest Personality Test

It sure is Friday at the office

Your Brain's Pattern

Your brain is always looking for the connections in life.You always amaze your friends by figuring out things first.You're also good at connecting people - and often play match maker.You see the world in fluid, flexible terms. Nothing is black or white.

What Pattern Is Your Brain?

Hmmm?

You Should Get a MFA (Masters of Fine Arts)

You're a blooming artistic talent, even if you aren't quite convinced.You'd make an incredible artist, photographer, or film maker.

What Advanced Degree Should You Get?

funny!

You are Martin Heidegger! Your reputation is
stained a bit by the fact that you were a
member of the Nazi party, but your
groundbreaking Being and Time is still
read by a whole lot of people. You overuse the
hyphen, and make up a lot of words. You died in
1976.

What 20th Century Theorist are you?
brought to you by

Still, no photos

I know some of my readers are as bummed as I am - I managed to send off the DH with the camera and flash card, full of images, without downloading them to the laptop. Oh well.

With DH gone, I plan to get lots done (of course) - like socks and holiday cards (no, not knit :) ) and Christmas presents, and this cool idea for adding to a 3/4 sleeve T-shirt. I may even try to get to the new JoAnn fabrics - which I've heard nothing but good things about.

Finished mittens, sorry no photos

I finished Jeff's mitten's yesterday when I was home sick. I'm pretty happy with the progress, but I'm excited to go ahead with my mittens, because I've got a few more modifications I want to test out. I hope to post pics and notes on what I've worked out. I crocheted what I wanted to be a basket, but became the base for a very cool brooch. Hopefully I'll make gift and/or card progress this weekend, as DH probably has to work one day this weekend.

At Tuesday's S'nB, I met some great ladies from ACAD in Calgary - fiber artists to be exact - it was great. We're starting to have larger turn out on Tuesdays, now that the weather is getting colder and the holidays are sneaking up on us.

Progress, always onward and upward

A delightful weekend with many visitors. My folks were in town and we visited the MCA to see the Dan Flavin Retrospective, which closed in Chicago this weekend. We celebrated my mom's birthday and Saturday we spent the day at SOFA - lots of beatiful and amazing things, and some projects that get an A for effort.

We also had a chance to catch up with our friends Joel and Meghan and had fun talking design and travel and music and anything else that tickled our fancies. I've also been commissioned by said friends for two separate endeavors. Upon completetion I will exhibit them here.

Meanwhile, I finished one gift, made progress on another, and am about 1/3 the way through Jeff's second mitten. I wouldn't be surprised if I finished it tonight at S'nB. I enjoy working in the round, and I really do not mind the dpns. After the first row, I'm able to knit as smoothly as with straights. I've also begun cable work (on straights) and after making mistakes on the second repeat, I really began to understand the pattern and proceeded to work and memorize the pattern.

Lots has been going on....

I visited my friend Meghan in San Francisco over a week ago... visited Urban Knitting Studio (Great space, beautiful and extensive yarn collection, friendly staff, easy to get to). While on vacation, I figured out that knitting/crocheting/crafting/working with my hands is really what makes me happy, and I decided that I am going to pursue this as my vocation (in lieu of pursuing an architecture firm with DH and BF), the final form of which I'm not 100% clear about yet, but I'm very excited to figure it out.

In the mean time, I completed my crocheted linen grocery bag and have been testing it for improvements on the next one, working on Jeff's mittens, I completed Jeff's scarf, began working on veggies, won lots of yarn on E-bay, and am working on a couple of freeform designs, as well as a couple of Christmas presents. Updated pictures to come later.

I'm off to Stitch 'n Bitch tonight - I'll be working on the mittens.

I see I'm not alone...

http://www.laweekly.com/ink/05/43/la-butler.php

Some inspiration

"By your thoughts you are daily, even hourly, builiding your life: you are carving your destiny."
-Ruth Barrick Golden

"Do not let time pass without accomplishing something. Oterwise you will regret it when your hair turns grey." - Yue Fei

Patterns soon

New blog: http://patternedredskew.blogspot.com . I will post my original patterns here.

Business planning and crocheting

So I completed the feather and fan scarf below on Saturday. I finished the free form last Wednesday evening and it is now in Conneticut with Sarah. Sunday I met with my two business partners for the better part of the day, working on our business plan, all the while happily crocheting away (from start to finish) on my green chenille scarf. This is how life should be.

I also got a shout out from my business partner/best friend Scott's boyfriend Joe. He will be our future IT consultant. He's cool.

That's about it for today. I'm still plugging away at the orange and white scarf and the purple lace. I gotta get my hands on dpns (I managed to lose out on a great set on Ebay - I will be trying again soon) so I can get cranking on the socks.

I've got Stitch 'n Bitch tonight - yee haw!

Feather and Fan scarf in Magic Stripe

Lion Brand Magic Stripe on #6, three repeats. It's my "easy project" for now.

Slip Stitch scarf

Orange cotton and white acrylic "fall scarf" for DH. My first attempt at a slip stitch pattern. I definately like this easy technique for color work. I'm already planning orange and white mittens worked in this same pattern, but in wool to be felted.

Freeform in progress

My first attempt at Freeform knitting and crochet. Mostly Lion Brand yarn - two colors of homespun, one chenille, some verigated wool, and other color coordinates from my stash. This is the project for the weekend - I need to almost double this in size. I'm really looking forward to it! Then, it will go on an overseas journey with Sarah. Maybe I can get her to post a pic or two when she wears it :)

Yo! Drop It Scarf

The Yo! Drop It scarf from Stitch 'n Bitch Nation in two strands - red & white Pineapple and red acrylic. approximately 6 hours to complete.

Progress

I will post photos tomorrow, but I figured I'd post SOMETHING....
Finally started my purple lace shawl, still working on the free form, the orange & white slipstitch pattern (this is my "easy" one), the lavendar lace (maybe 1/3 complete), and last Friday I started and finished the Yo Drop It scarf from SnB Nation in Red & White Pineapple yarn and red acrylic. It's about 5'6" long, took approximately 6 hours and is going in my gift pile for Christmas...

Still to plan... varigated green chenille scarf, lavendar cotton, gotta pick up some dpns for sock making, waiting for 3 pounds of yarn from ebay...

And I'm EXHAUSTED from work today - lately I've only been busy for about half the day, and all of a sudden my brain is working full speed on laying out unit plans!!!!!!!!

Projects for other people's babies

I've come across a couple of the CUTEST patterns for baby things veggie rattles and baby socks. I've got a cousin coming in February, so that gives me plenty of time...

I'm currently working on a Freeform scarf in blue/purple/pink/green/ivory (gee, I really need to post progress pics) , Knitty's Branching Out scarf in lavendar cotton/linen, and a fall scarf for my husband in orange cotton and white acrylic in a great slip-stitch pattern from my stitch bible , The Reader's Digest Ultimate Sourcebook of Knitting and Crochet Stitches.

I'm making progress toward my Holiday gifts ... the freeform is due at the beginning of September (she's leaving the country) and Branching out is a holiday gift, a few more scarves, some socks - I should be in good shape.

I still have 10 balls of Rowan Glace in Excite that I can't make up my mind on - I think I'll do a shawl for myself, but it's a matter of finding the right pattern....

I should really get back to work instead of daydreaming about my knitting projects!

More on my personality

ENTJ - "Field Marshall". The basic driving force and need is to lead. Tend to seek a position of responsibility and enjoys being an executive. 1.8% of total population.

Free Jung Personality Test (similar to Myers-Briggs/MBTI)

Umm, not so much about knitting

I have issues with...

weakness submission persecution rest fruit

Take Word Association Test