WIP Wednesday 2/24/10

I've been busy working on my Ravelympics project. I did a provisional cast-on and bound that with a round of single crochet. details on the hem are on my project page. I continued in st st to the rib. I worked the front as written from there, but I shortened the straps quite a bit. I'm working the back now. I did the shoulder decreases as written, but I didn't divide the back and I am working it higher on the back to accomodate the crochet neckline. I'm going to add crochet sleeves too. I'm considering beading, but as that was not part of my original design, I'm not counting that as part of "completion" for the gold medal.

I tried it on today and I gotta say... I LOVE this yarn!!! it is even softer on!

We've also been working on Pinewood Derby cars this week too. Weigh in was yesterday. Race day is Friday. I'll have a full recap including the race results and the making of the cars, but here is a sneak peek.

Yup... Colin is getting in on the sibling race action! He'll be a pro by the time he is a scout.

WIP Wed 2/3/10

I've made progress on the serenity quilt - it is quilted and waiting to be bound. Without a good camera and good lighting, it is hard to see, so I'll post finished pictures later.

I've got another WIP that I keep forgetting to post.

leftover sock yarns crocheted in blocks to form strips. The strips will be bordered and bound in a neutral. My Grammy used to make similar afghans with her scraps.I have one and I love picking out things like the yarn she used for a sweater for me or the shirt on my doll or a dress on another doll etc.. this one will be going for quite some time. Guess I'll just have to knit more socks!

Speaking of Grammy, Alice is modeling my finished prayer shawl.

Glad to have that one off the needles. It is pretty and soft and I hope it brings comfort to the recipient.

Speaking of prayer shawls...

I've made some progress on Urchins and Limpets. See that unfinished motif? That would be where I ran out of the green. I had a decision to make -buy more green or remove the whole row. I didn't think it would have been long enough with one less row, so I'll be getting more green tomorrow. Right now I'm ignoring all of those ends that need to be finished.

Next up is some swatching for the Ravelympics.

This is Caron Spa - bamboo and something synthetic. Feels nice and I would expect it to have anice drape. It is DK and the pattern calls for worsted wt. so swatching and math will be key here.

I'll distract you with my knitting...

Still don't have the camp pics up.. so how 'bout some knitting?

First, I Finished Ryan's socks to match Todd's. Both pairs were test-driven at camp and got the seal of approval. they are both knit in my standard sock recipe. Toe up, 2x2 rib, short row heel. yawn.. but it shows the self-patterning yarn nicely and it makes for an easy commuter knit. the yarn is ON Linie supersock 100. needles US 1.5 (addi turbos).



I cast on a new sock project for ME.



The yan is more ON Linie Supersock 100, pruchased at WEBS. needles are sitll US 1.5 ATs. The pattern is Seaweed Socks from Wendy Knits. I'm thinking I'll make the Large. Right now I am almost up to the Medium increaes, so I'll try it on and see.

Next up...



Longies for Colin. I bought the green (Cascade 220 Heathers from WEBS) thinking shorties, but spring turned into summer and we are approaching fall, SO, I picked up some Patons Merino in Brown to coordinate with it. I'm working 2" horizontal stripes. The pattern is the Booty-Extreme Knit Pant which I am really enjoying!

Finally, You will notice the addition of Bobicus Maximus to my sidebar. Yes, I got all 36 squares joined and the whole thing bound. final pics are with the camp pics. I'll post the details with the final photos, which are worth the wiat! for now... a close up of the "Dudessembly".

The Big Pruple & the Ravelympics

During the last winter Olympics, the Yarn Harlot hosted the Knitting Olympics. So many of us had such a great time that we wanted to do it again. The Harlot's stance was that each event only takes place every 4 years, so we need to wait unitl the next winter games for that and she suggested another "event" for the summer. Makes sense. But some folks on Ravelry were hungry for a challenge and put together the Ravelympics. Basically the same damn thing with another name. Out of respect for the Harlot's wishes, I have decided that the Summer games are a good time for a crochet challenge.

But what?

Lace? no, I have a HUGE knit lace project OTN (I'll take some pics after a couple more tiers. It's just starting to look like something!).

Toys? hmm.. maybe... I've got a few ideas...oh wait.. those were knit...

Sweater? no way! I really like the look of a knit sweater with a crochet trim, but now that I can knit, very little crochet-wear appeals to me (same goes for hats, mittens and socks. I like the fabric of a kint better here where negative ease is a must).

A bag?- nah, I'm on a bag sewing kick..

Granny Squares? A-HA! inspiration!

A few years ago, in the time before Ravelry, I participated in a purple granny square swap. We traded 12" purple and white squares. I don't recall how many were in the group, but I remember making extra squares so I'd have enough for a king size afghan. With the remodel, move and a new baby (that'd be Colin), they got stuffed in a bag and shoved under the bed and forgotten.

My intent was to join them in a sage yarn (my master bedroom is purples and sage) to make a throw for our king size bed (again, I made extra squares already). So, now this challenge gives me the motivation to complete the UFO just in time for fall! (and with oil prices skyrocketing, we'll be in NO hurry to turn on the heat this year. Think we can make it to November?) I even found a really neat joining method, Dudessembly. A really pretty deviation from the standard double crochet border, single crochet join that was my grandmother's trademark (she made the COOLEST scrapghans! every one is like a trip down memeory lane. my hat, my brother's gloves, mom's sweater...). This weekend I went out and purchased the sage yarn - TLC Essentials (on sale of course!).

I came home to toss the yarn and a hook in the bag to have everything ready. I thought I should pull out the squares and make sure they are all close in size (that was an issue in the 8" pastel square swap I did). I counted them (being a math nerd, I count everything - borders on compulsive actually...). 30. 30? shouldn't there be 36? king size is roughly 6'x6'. The squares are 1'x1' each, so 6x6 is 36... why are there only 30? What was I thinking? What sort of denial can cause math that bad?

So, now I am working on the last 6 squares in preparation for the Ravelympics. Three down, one in progress two more to go, 10 days left... cake!

May I present: Purple Swapghan

It occurs to me now- as I'm typing this - that I will be on vacation (camping in the Berkshires) the second week. Wonder if I can start a week early, or should I jsut lug it up the mountian. Come to think of it, an extra blanket may come in handy.. even if it isn't done...

For the Love of Lace

have you seen this article?

I thought it was interesting. Smart talented women making a good living - beaten down by “the man”. You can see all the pretty things on thier site.

Basically, some very talented lace crocheters in a very Catholic Polish village have a business making lace - typically large pieces like altar scarves and tablecloths. Their customers include Queen Elizabeth and the Vatican. The large pieces took a long time to make and there wasn't a huge demand. They couldn't make a living. One lady go the idea to make lacy lingerie- smaller, faster projects with greater demand and a higher profit margin. the Conservative villagers and the Church aren't happy.

I don’t get why the Church would be so opposed. I mean, they want us to marry, stay married and procreate. I think the g-strings would help… Besides, if they are so concerned, then they should just buy more tablecloths.

They're GRReat!

ok- yes, I've probably lost my mind and really... it's a long story. The bottom line is- I thought I'd have some fun with some leftovers in the stash. Opal "Tiger" and some unknown soft eyelash yarn.




the patterns for both the pasties and thong are available as a free download on Ravelry.

there you have it. Crochet pasties and matching thong. If you have to ask Why? I simply say - why not?