Moderne Log Cabin Blanket

In the big Spotlight sale at Christmas and the relocating sale at my LYS, I bought about 4-5 sweaters worth of yarn for my daughter. Only to have her tell me, she'd prefer them in a blanket. A BIG blanket.

So I chose the Moderne Log Cabin Blanket by Mason Dixon. It has been fun, but a lot of work. The endless garter stitch has been much needed lately, I haven't felt like cables or lace or thinking, just knitting. And it certainly provides that!

I have enjoyed knitting the big blocks and seeing how the colors I chose in the order I chose work together. At first I was a bit unsure, but now my daughter and I love it. I have used a mix of solid lavender and solid "Poseidon" a light teal I suppose, with a completely Varigated pink and purple mix, as well as a green Varigated yarn. The effect is different to say the least.

The blanket is very big now. I am on the second last block and although the blanket is lovely to knit on at night, over my lap, keeping me toasty warm, each row takes about 10 minutes. Then flipping the blanket to knit back. A little unwieldy. And the weight! Of I don't have my wrists low enough, the weight of the blanket can hurt.

But love hurts doesn't it?

FO - Pillars of Strength Socks

Going back a little while, I finished my Pillars of Strength socks. They were knit as a test knit and the pattern is now available on ravelry. I knit them on 2.25mm needles, 2 circs, using Bendigo Woollen Mills Luxury 4ply in Ruby. The luxury is 100% wool, merino I think.

The socks took a while to finish, I enjoyed the pattern, but found the pattern a bit fiddly, mostly because of the twisted cables that create the pillars. In the pattern they are written as one stitch cables. I learn how to do this in a Debbie Bliss pattern without a cable needle. But it is quite tricky to do on such a small scale.

For this reason the socks were not going fast enough for me, and lost some of their enjoyment. Although I do admit once they were finished I was very pleased with how they look, they fit well and are nice and comfy.

I have decided that I think plain stockinette socks are more for me. I think I prefer to do the patterning on a larger scale for ease, and also to show it off on a more visible platform, clothing or shawls.

End Of An Era

The concept of an era is relative to the person who has experienced it. I define an era as a period of time where things stay relatively the same, consistancy in where you live, where you work, or your relationships. For this reason we all begin and end endless eras within our life, some more prominent than others.

I was a stay at home mum for 8 years, before the need to have money for our wedding prompted me to return to work. This was easier than expected as a friend of mine from Facebook had employment vacancies at her work. Within a couple of weeks I was working. This was a very emotional time as I had not spent that much time away from my kids ever, and even though I was looking forward to working, getting out of the house and being a person again, I also felt I was letting my kids down by not being there for them. We all soon realised that this was not the case, and although it took a while for us all to adapt, adapt we all did.

Now, about 14 months later, I had been moved around from store to store, without any say. This was combined with the lovely bunion on my right foot which was causing me a lot of pain while driving, and then compounded by a deep vein thrombosis, peresumably caused by the pill, estrogen. It was a combination of these two problems which prompted me to request that I be relocated back to the store I helped open, that is only 10 minutes from home, as opposed to the 45minutes in bbad traffic I was doing. But I was told no, they couldn't move me, and basically tough luck.

It was this lack of concern for my health that prompted me to look for another job. Healthwise I needed a job that has me less on my feet, and personally, I don't want to work for a company that cares so little for the health of their employees. I looked for work, applied for a few positions, and got an interview. That interview turned into 3, and within 2 weeks, I was told I had a new job working in purchasing for an international company.

At first this daunted me, and I doubted my capabilities, but then I realised that I must be capable to do this job, if the people I will be working with think so. I also realised that my current job was just that, a job. This neew move is a step forward in my career, with hopefully less broken promises and more support than I had before.

Don't get me wrong, I did enjoy working at this store, and they did give me the opportunity that I needed to reenter the workforce. And for that I will always be grateful. I learned a lot, experienced a lot and for much of my time with them, I loved my job. I suppose this makes it twice as sad that there was no farewell for my leaving. That hurt. Many people have left in my time there, and for those that had been at the company a year or so, a farewell party was held, and a collection for gifts was made so the recipient could have a farewell gift. I barely got a wave and a good luck. But this made me realise I truly am making the right move.

I have a habit of looking for signs everywhere, and the smallest things and the biggest things can all give you messages to let you know if you are on the right path, or not. Each sign I have seen has led me in this direction, and even though I feel nervous, anxious and scared that I may not be able to handle this new job, deep down I feel excited, proud and assured that this is where I'm meant to be.

An era has ended, a new era has begun. I wonder how long this one will last?

Danielle xoxox

FO - Fern Green Pimpelliese

A few days ago I completed my Fern Green Pimpelliese. It got to a stage where it was all I could think about, all I wanted to knit. I became obsessed. I was loving watching the color repeats change, the points of each little triange come out of the fabric, and the way the rows got smaller and smaller. I was so addictive.Everything else was forgotten. I knit on it in the mornings before work, during lunch breaks and when I got home. This only lasted a few days because then it was finished.

 

 I will admit I was a bit disappointed about the weighing of my yarn. I weighed it numerous times to ensure that I started the decrease section as soon as it hit 50g left. Exactly half way. But I still had a 15 gram skein left once I cast off that final stitch. Abit disappointing, but it will make a gorgeous mini monster when it grows up!

The yarn I used was Moda Vera Fern from Spotlight, and although I'm not too fond of most of the Moda Vera yarn range, I was very happy with this yarn. It is a light fingering and soft, and what drew me the most was the color repeats. Stunniing. From dark greens, to bright greens, maroons and purples, the colors all gradiate into the next creating what I think is a stunning piece of knitting. This has yet to be blocked, and 'm hoping that a photo in true daylight will better represent the colors in this yarn.

February 2012 Socks, Completed Before April?

My February 2012 socks have been taking a while, I keep getting distracted by other projects, cardigans, shawls, scarves, and a test knit. Lately I have been taking them to work so they are my only choice during my lunch break. It has definitely provided much needed progress.

I absolutely live the colors, the navy, purple and green go so well together and the yarn is so soft, not even the littlest bit itchy. The yarn is King Cole Zig Zag and I can't remember the Colorway. I purchased it from my LYS, Knit'n'Purl in Dandenong. I have a few other skeins of king cole and I love all the colorways.

Starting a Shop

I have decided I want to go down the road of trying to sell my own wares, especially handspun, dyed fleeces and hand dyed yarns. I have played around with this a bit already and am very happy with the dyeing results I have had so far.

Handspun Hand Dyed

 Superwash wool, DK, pink, magenta and red 100g

75% Wool, 25% Mohair, 5% Alpaca, DK, purple, blue and pink 100g

 Superwash, DK, pink, blue, red 100g x2

But unfortunately like any new venture, you need to find the time and the money to start up. I have decided to start with what I have on hand, and then if I sell anything, put that towards buying new stock. I'm thinking of an etsy shop because that may be the best way to get some exposure and have people find my yarns and fleeces. But being in Australia, the popularity and knowledge of etsy is a lot less common that overseas.

But we all have to start somewhere. I'd love any advice anyone has when starting up. I know an important factor is good photos and I plan to work on that today.

Dyeing yarns

Over the last weekend I tried out some dyeing, and I loved it. I plan to sell them on etsy. Here are some samples:

The Rows Are So Long on Multnomah

I have completed the garter section and chose to do the 265 stitches instead of 229 as recommended by lala from the knitgirllls. This has worked well so far as the skein I have has around 500m. Very generous.

I plan to extend the feather and fan portion too if I need to as I want to use as much yarn as possible. As it is now, the rows are so long. So unbelievably long! But that's ok, because I'm loving the color repeats they really are beautiful.

A day for washing fleece

Today is going to be a scorcher, and I have a fleece to wash, so I have decided to hobble around and wash as much of it as I can. It is a very light brown fleece, perfect for over dyeing in my opinion, but unfortunately, very dirty!

The fleece is greasy, and as soon as I put it in water, the water turned brown. Going to be interesting to see the finished color. I still have a few fleeces I'm waiting to pick up, but as I can't drive very far at the moment I'll have to wait.

I also have a gorgeous alpaca fleece that needs a clean, but it does seem to be in great condition, just a little dusty.

The alpaca is in the basket, the wool is being soaked.

Cece is growing beautifully

After ripping out yesterday, I cast on again and knit frantically to at least regain the ground I had lost. I have now finished one ball of the patons fireside and have started the second ball.

Absolutely loving it! The color is gorgeous, the pattern is easy to memories and quite comforting to knit. I am so glad I finally cast this on for myself, and that I ripped out the bigger size. I feel really good about this size, I'm hoping it will fit perfectly.

I will knit about 6-6.5 inches before I start the shaping, this should give me the added length I require. I am definitely doing 3/4 length sleeves.

Can't wait to see it grow!

Casting on for Cece

A few days ago I cast on Cece. I calculated how to lengthen it including shaping and was ready to go. Today I frogged it. I realized I want my Cece to be an open cardigan and there is no reason for the circumference of the cardigan to be as big ad the circumference of my body. It won't stay open properly that way.

I was also concerned about yarn quantity. I have 12 balls of patons fireside I got given, and I have never seen it in shops so I don't know how old it is, or even if I could find more in the same Colorway. This is particularly concerning as I am knitting the 3/4 sleeves and want an extra 5 inches in length. I think I'll be fine, but not if I widen the length of the body.

So I'm starting again. I am knitting the 38" as I have seen a few people mentioning it blocks bigger on ravelry. The good news is I enjoy the lace pattern as I had finished a repeat before I frogged it!

(The color of the balls is more accurate than the color of the knitting.)

Treating Myself to Pimpelliese

I needed something for me, especially after a day like today, so I pulled out my Pimpelliese. A really nice free pattern by Christine Ebers. It is a triangular scarf with a similar construction to the baktus, once you have half a skein left, start decreasing.

This pattern has gorgeous lacy triangles knit into the border as you go, easy enough to remember, but still so pretty you can't help look at them. I think I have 5 completed.

I'm knitting it out of the Moda Vera fern, but in the green Colorway. Love it do much so far. The colors are making me so happy! I'm using 3.75mm needles and although they are only birch, they work well enough.

Can 't wait to see this grow!

I have a DVT

A little off topic, but not really as I will have more time to knit. I have had severe leg pain for the last few days and today the ultrasound discovered I have a blood clot, also known as deep vein thrombosis. Considering my only risk factor is the pill, this is very unexpected.

I have to have daily injections for a few days, followed by regular blood tests. I also have medication to take and my doctor wants me to see a hematologist, because considering my age and lack of risk factors, they feel a specialist is warranted.

This is very scary. I have to keep an eye out for chest pain or shortness of breath in case the clot travels to my lungs. I've been crying most of this morning, but think I have now reached a level of acceptance.

If nothing else, I plan to knit. Lots.

Casting on Chloe's Multnomah

Chloe requested a shawl, a big shawl she can completely wrap herself in. She also requested a cardigan knit out of Moda Vera fern. A new 50/50 wool acrylic blend with some gorgeous color changes and a little fuzz. But the yarn is a fingering weight, a fine fingering weight and I was not going to knit a cardigan out of it. But a shawl? Sure!

I searched on ravelry for shawl patterns that were simple enough to show off the color gradients in the yarn, but also with a little interest so I don't get bored. The first choice was the Multnomah. A simple pattern, the body in garter stitch and the edging in lace. The garter stitch shows off the colors wonderfully.

In my fit of startitis I have a few more cast on to talk about.......soon.

FO - Deep Purple Libby

Chloe's deep purple Libby is finished, sewn up, buttons on, just needs a wash and a block. Good news is it fits Chloe well, and she loves my choice of buttons.

As much as I resent the amount of time it takes to assemble a sweater, I found the sewing up of Libby to be enjoyable. Certainly not something I want to do often, but assembling a knitted garment once in a while is kind of fun.

The completion of Libby has resulted in the casting on of numerous new projects, so far one pair of socks, three shawls and soon a cardigan for me. The main emphasis is color at the moment, and the cardigan will be lace, so the pattern will be creating the interest. Did not knit as much as I wanted this weekend, but at least it felt productive.

Libby is getting Boring!

I have almost finished the second sleeve of Libby, and I'm very relieved. It is getting boring. All the stockinette and solid color is starting to get to me. As soon as I have finished the second sleeve I will soak all the pieces and block them for the ease of seeing them together. Then I knit the neckband and we are done.

I'm not sure what's next, but I'm thinking cece for me. I think the lace will be just what I need. I also have some bright socks on the needles, and a shawl, the multnoma.

For now the end is in sight and for ghat I am grateful.

I Want to Dye!

I went to the market last weekend and was saddened to see no independent dyers of wool, fibre or yarn. There was a little old lady stall full off acrylics and offering to finish your knitting for you, but that wasn't what I was looking for.

I know have this overwhelming desire to start dyeing and become an indie dyer myself. I have already found places go buy bulk and I have so many ideas, I just need to save the start up money. I find myself thinking about it all day long! Planning colorways and different products to use, but it's only early days!

Nearly Quit Spinning Yesterday

Yesterday was a bad day for spinning. I kept loosing control and the yarn would break. Even lost the end for a while. It was getting to the point where I wondered why I was wasting my time spinning when I had do much knitting to do.

Today changed it all though. I decided to give spinning another go today and what do you know? I was spinning beautifully. For whatever reason yesterday was just a bad spinning day.

I hope I can still spin well tomorrow.

Libby is Progressing Nicely

So far I have completed the back and left front of Chloe's Libby. I am about to cast on for the right front. I am pleased with how it is working out so far, in particular I think the flair that the cardigan has will be really cute.

I have realized a slight color difference with one of the skeins, because I bought them on sale, a few of the balls were a different dye lot. I am pretty sure it will be unnoticeable once fully assembled. At least I hope so.

FO - January 2012 Socks

I finished my January 2012 socks, a little over schedule now that it's February. I really enjoyed doing the heel flap again, the socks fit perfectly, and I live how they look. Definitely a win in my opinion.