I finally finished one pair of my hand knit socks that I started last February and have begun the 2nd pair that I started at the same time. I had knit the cuffs, by hand, with the thought of knitting them on the flat bed machine. But when my hand was so painful I just put them aside. The ones I'm working on now are black and blue and I purchased the yarn in DC when visiting David.
Now, as to the CSM (circular sock machine) I've made some real strides there also. I've made 3 cast-on sacks and the last one I incorporated a new technique. The 3rd one, finished today, went so great and is perfect! Now I need to make a draw string (I-cord) to go with it. That will be a breeze as I haven't had a problem making I-cord on the CSM.
On 9/23/12 my tension and speed finally came back to prior surgery levels. Now I can knit anyway I want ~ machine or hand ~ with no problem.
Life is great, even if the weather is grey and gloomy!
Wednesday, October 3, 2012
Friday, September 14, 2012
It has been awhile. Thumb surgery turned out great. My tension is still a bit off, but that is temporary. I bought a circular sock knitting machine and am still trying to get the process working for me. Finished the Horizon Scarf and ordered the book that it is published in.
Not much doing in my knitting world. I'm still working on a pair of hand knit socks that I started in Febuary! The tension is not consistant so I have to keep tightening it up. Now I think it is to tight! They probably won't fit me!
Now that I've spent all that money on both the flat bed knitting machine and the sock knitting machine I've got to get my tail in gear and start knitting on them!
Not much doing in my knitting world. I'm still working on a pair of hand knit socks that I started in Febuary! The tension is not consistant so I have to keep tightening it up. Now I think it is to tight! They probably won't fit me!
Now that I've spent all that money on both the flat bed knitting machine and the sock knitting machine I've got to get my tail in gear and start knitting on them!
Thursday, July 19, 2012
Doing some knitting
It has been 5 weeks since I had my thumb tendon operated on. That was 6/20/12. I am doing quite well, but knitting socks is out of the questions at this time. The tension has to be "just so" and a bit tight and that still is causing discomfort, called pain.
I am working on a scarf called Horizon Scarf by Kate Jackson. She hasn't published the pattern yet, as it will be in her up comming book Kate Jackson Knits. It is a beautiful scarf. Even though I still don't knit a lot of stitches per day, I am making progress. Since I''m using a size 8 circular needle and the tension is loose it doesn't make my thumb sore. At least I'm knitting!
Edited to add that the book is called Sunday Knitting and will be out on 9/22/12. I've ordered my copy.
I am working on a scarf called Horizon Scarf by Kate Jackson. She hasn't published the pattern yet, as it will be in her up comming book Kate Jackson Knits. It is a beautiful scarf. Even though I still don't knit a lot of stitches per day, I am making progress. Since I''m using a size 8 circular needle and the tension is loose it doesn't make my thumb sore. At least I'm knitting!
Edited to add that the book is called Sunday Knitting and will be out on 9/22/12. I've ordered my copy.
Friday, May 4, 2012
Lazy Days
It looks like I'm in the lazy days syndrome. My wrist isn't getting any better, actually worse. I can't knit more than 1,000 stitches a day without it becoming painful. I need to get back up the the hand specialist for a talk. I don't want surgery because I worry it could make it worse. It looks like I'll be doing very little hand knitting in my future. I have some socks on needles and occasionally work a few rounds on them. I'll be hand knitting some lace and some worsted weight, to use up my stash. I know I'm going to miss the comfort I get from hand knitting but at least I will be knitting. I think my spinning wheel might help with the rhythm of hand knitting that I will miss. But of course my right foot always wants to continue the rhythm after I go to bed!
I was on Ravelry today and discovered the Hansen Crafts mini spinner! It also comes with the WooLeeWinder level-wind flyer. I'm familiar with the flyer, but had never heard of the mini spinner! I don't have a problem with my Ashford Traditional wheel, but I sure would like the flyer attachment for my Ashford.
It seems like every time I turn around, lately, there is some new "knitting want" I encounter. They are always expensive items!
I really need to make the long swatch for my cardigans, on the knitting machine. One swatch, various settings. Since the cardigans will be straight knit I took the ribber off of the knitting machine Wednesday. That thing is heavy! Now all I have to do is get the yarn ready to swatch. It will require dividing the hank in half, making one ball. Then using my scale, to make 2 balls from the one ball so I can run the two strands through the machine at the same time. Once I get the tension I want I will have to re-calculate the sweater pattern, as a flat pattern, not in the round. That isn't a problem, the problem is me! I just don't have the incentive to do much of anything lately.
I did make a loaf of bread Wednesday, using my new bread machine. I should never try to talk on the phone, or even answer it, when I'm in the middle of something! I had to throw the first batch out because I didn't put in the right amount of liquid! Once I started over I realized my error! Another thing I learned was don't believe everything the book says! It said that you could use butter straight from the fridge. Wrong! I even softened it with the first try, but all I got were flour covered lumps of butter! I knew better! With the second batch I melted the butter! That works! Then there was the salt - I knew they wanted more than I like, but I followed the instructions. Next time I'll decrease the amount of salt a bit. Trial and error. At least I got a nice loaf of bread. Oh yes, then there was the clean up of the pan. Well, I did that right, thank heavens, but when I went to wash the beaters I could only find one, and there are two! I hunted and hunted and couldn't find that darned missing beater. About 1/2 hour later I was looking at the bottom of the loaf and it dawned on me - it was still in the bottom of the loaf! I'm learning! Just wait until I try to make Puff Dough! That should be real interesting! That is all by hand, no machine with that. It is very time consuming.
Now I'm hungry!
I was on Ravelry today and discovered the Hansen Crafts mini spinner! It also comes with the WooLeeWinder level-wind flyer. I'm familiar with the flyer, but had never heard of the mini spinner! I don't have a problem with my Ashford Traditional wheel, but I sure would like the flyer attachment for my Ashford.
It seems like every time I turn around, lately, there is some new "knitting want" I encounter. They are always expensive items!
I really need to make the long swatch for my cardigans, on the knitting machine. One swatch, various settings. Since the cardigans will be straight knit I took the ribber off of the knitting machine Wednesday. That thing is heavy! Now all I have to do is get the yarn ready to swatch. It will require dividing the hank in half, making one ball. Then using my scale, to make 2 balls from the one ball so I can run the two strands through the machine at the same time. Once I get the tension I want I will have to re-calculate the sweater pattern, as a flat pattern, not in the round. That isn't a problem, the problem is me! I just don't have the incentive to do much of anything lately.
I did make a loaf of bread Wednesday, using my new bread machine. I should never try to talk on the phone, or even answer it, when I'm in the middle of something! I had to throw the first batch out because I didn't put in the right amount of liquid! Once I started over I realized my error! Another thing I learned was don't believe everything the book says! It said that you could use butter straight from the fridge. Wrong! I even softened it with the first try, but all I got were flour covered lumps of butter! I knew better! With the second batch I melted the butter! That works! Then there was the salt - I knew they wanted more than I like, but I followed the instructions. Next time I'll decrease the amount of salt a bit. Trial and error. At least I got a nice loaf of bread. Oh yes, then there was the clean up of the pan. Well, I did that right, thank heavens, but when I went to wash the beaters I could only find one, and there are two! I hunted and hunted and couldn't find that darned missing beater. About 1/2 hour later I was looking at the bottom of the loaf and it dawned on me - it was still in the bottom of the loaf! I'm learning! Just wait until I try to make Puff Dough! That should be real interesting! That is all by hand, no machine with that. It is very time consuming.
Now I'm hungry!
Friday, February 24, 2012
Miscellaneous Updates
Everything seems to be moving along pretty good lately, just a few minor bumps, but that's life.
I made David 3 pairs of socks on the knitting machine. He called and wanted to know how long they take to do, on the machine! Then sent me pictures of sweaters! One was a fair isle from Land's End. I googled Men's Fair Isle Sweaters and there was the sweater, same model; that is how I found out it was from Land's End. I clicked on it and wow, it was on sale for 39.99. There is no way I could buy even just 1 skein of each color for that price, so I bought it! I'll be mailing it soon, along with the 3rd pair of socks and a scarf I made for Melissa. I copied off the pattern and now I just have to take my Jamison & Smith yarn sample card to match up the colors, should I ever decide to make matching socks or vest or something with that pattern sequence.
I decided to make a key hole scarf for a friend but was to lazy to get up and look for my pattern. So I found a similar one on Ravelry and changed that one a bit. Actually, the original pattern was one Richard's mom had made in the early 70's and written the pattern on an envelope. I have that envelope and one of the ones she made.
Then I saw a link, on Ravelry, for a Pinwheel Purse. I've seen them before, but never had the pattern. So I immediately printed the pattern and made the pieces. Now I'm almost done putting it together. I just used some left over sock yarn.
One of the gals from the Meadville group invited me to join the Titusville group that meets every Wednesday. So, yesterday I went over to see what that group was like. They are a great group of women, and so fun to be around! I don't know if I will go every week, but I will be going quite often since they are so nice and it is so close!
With the price of gas going up I have already curtailed my driving about as much as is possible. I only budget $50.00 a month for gas and by the time I go to Meadville twice a month and (shame on me) up to Waterford to Marge Butler's yarn store occasionally I just seem to go through a tank of gas! I will be going to the Franklin knitting group this Saturday, so there is another out of town trip. Also, I do try to go visit one friend just south of me at least weekly. With this new group here in town that will help, on the gas situation and while out to go there I can run my errands.
I got my final 2 windows installed today, from Window World. They were here almost 3 hours for just the 2 windows and it got down to 52* in here by the time they finished! The windows really look nice though, so I'm happy with them. Originally I bought 6 for upstairs. I got the double hung that tilt in so you can wash both sides from inside. I mean, after all, how do you wash 2nd story windows from the outside! I got the same for the main floor but with the e-gas in them, for the main floor bedroom and front room. The rest of the windows will be fine, as far as I'm concerned, at least for this year! I'd really like a garden window in the kitchen, but then I wouldn't be able to really look outside to the back yard, from the front room. Besides, that would cost at least $1,800.00 and I just can't justify paying that much for a window just for plants! Now I just need to re-install all of my main floor blinds and put the new blinds up on the 6 upstairs windows.
Monday night I decided to run over to Subway and grab a sandwich. Just a quick trip, no need to lock the storm door to the back porch, just the door into the house. When I got home, maybe 10 minutes later, I sat down and ate 1/2 the sandwich and watched some TV. After awhile I started to feel cold and looked at my Atomic Clock and it said it was only 59* in the front room. Well, that didn't make sence. Then I thought, oh no, the furnace has quit again! I'd just had it fixed on the 24th of January. Well, no heat! I played with the thermostat, turning it up and down, but no "click". I went down the basement and checked the furnace and the pilot light was on. I couldn't figure out what was wrong. So I slept on the couch in the front room, which is the warmest room in the house, with my extra electric blanket. Tuesday morning I called my contractor/friend and he came over. He couldn't find anything wrong! Then he checked to see if the wires were getting power - nope! He came upstairs, to the back porch and checked the electrical box. The switch for the furnace was in the off position! I asked him what would cause that to trip and he said there was no reasonable explination to account for it to trip. Did someone come onto the enclosed back porch, through the unlocked storm door and throw that switch? I'll never know, but you can bet that will be the last time I will leave that door unlocked, even to be gone 10 minutes. We both laughed when I said: "When something won't turn on, plug it in, dummy!". We both felt very foolish that the switch wasn't the first thing we checked!
So, I've had some interesting times lately, but I'm still smiling and am now warm.
I made David 3 pairs of socks on the knitting machine. He called and wanted to know how long they take to do, on the machine! Then sent me pictures of sweaters! One was a fair isle from Land's End. I googled Men's Fair Isle Sweaters and there was the sweater, same model; that is how I found out it was from Land's End. I clicked on it and wow, it was on sale for 39.99. There is no way I could buy even just 1 skein of each color for that price, so I bought it! I'll be mailing it soon, along with the 3rd pair of socks and a scarf I made for Melissa. I copied off the pattern and now I just have to take my Jamison & Smith yarn sample card to match up the colors, should I ever decide to make matching socks or vest or something with that pattern sequence.
I decided to make a key hole scarf for a friend but was to lazy to get up and look for my pattern. So I found a similar one on Ravelry and changed that one a bit. Actually, the original pattern was one Richard's mom had made in the early 70's and written the pattern on an envelope. I have that envelope and one of the ones she made.
Then I saw a link, on Ravelry, for a Pinwheel Purse. I've seen them before, but never had the pattern. So I immediately printed the pattern and made the pieces. Now I'm almost done putting it together. I just used some left over sock yarn.
One of the gals from the Meadville group invited me to join the Titusville group that meets every Wednesday. So, yesterday I went over to see what that group was like. They are a great group of women, and so fun to be around! I don't know if I will go every week, but I will be going quite often since they are so nice and it is so close!
With the price of gas going up I have already curtailed my driving about as much as is possible. I only budget $50.00 a month for gas and by the time I go to Meadville twice a month and (shame on me) up to Waterford to Marge Butler's yarn store occasionally I just seem to go through a tank of gas! I will be going to the Franklin knitting group this Saturday, so there is another out of town trip. Also, I do try to go visit one friend just south of me at least weekly. With this new group here in town that will help, on the gas situation and while out to go there I can run my errands.
I got my final 2 windows installed today, from Window World. They were here almost 3 hours for just the 2 windows and it got down to 52* in here by the time they finished! The windows really look nice though, so I'm happy with them. Originally I bought 6 for upstairs. I got the double hung that tilt in so you can wash both sides from inside. I mean, after all, how do you wash 2nd story windows from the outside! I got the same for the main floor but with the e-gas in them, for the main floor bedroom and front room. The rest of the windows will be fine, as far as I'm concerned, at least for this year! I'd really like a garden window in the kitchen, but then I wouldn't be able to really look outside to the back yard, from the front room. Besides, that would cost at least $1,800.00 and I just can't justify paying that much for a window just for plants! Now I just need to re-install all of my main floor blinds and put the new blinds up on the 6 upstairs windows.
Monday night I decided to run over to Subway and grab a sandwich. Just a quick trip, no need to lock the storm door to the back porch, just the door into the house. When I got home, maybe 10 minutes later, I sat down and ate 1/2 the sandwich and watched some TV. After awhile I started to feel cold and looked at my Atomic Clock and it said it was only 59* in the front room. Well, that didn't make sence. Then I thought, oh no, the furnace has quit again! I'd just had it fixed on the 24th of January. Well, no heat! I played with the thermostat, turning it up and down, but no "click". I went down the basement and checked the furnace and the pilot light was on. I couldn't figure out what was wrong. So I slept on the couch in the front room, which is the warmest room in the house, with my extra electric blanket. Tuesday morning I called my contractor/friend and he came over. He couldn't find anything wrong! Then he checked to see if the wires were getting power - nope! He came upstairs, to the back porch and checked the electrical box. The switch for the furnace was in the off position! I asked him what would cause that to trip and he said there was no reasonable explination to account for it to trip. Did someone come onto the enclosed back porch, through the unlocked storm door and throw that switch? I'll never know, but you can bet that will be the last time I will leave that door unlocked, even to be gone 10 minutes. We both laughed when I said: "When something won't turn on, plug it in, dummy!". We both felt very foolish that the switch wasn't the first thing we checked!
So, I've had some interesting times lately, but I'm still smiling and am now warm.
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Progress is great
I finished the Cardigan on New Years Eve! All washed and blocked and looks great. I really wanted to get it done so I could get to my finishing touch projects. As of 1:00 AM this morning I now have finished off David's socks that needed the toes and kitchner done, one pair of socks, for me, kitchnered and Sharon #1's Pop Up Paws kitchnered. Basically that leaves just the side-ways sweater that needs finishing touches.
Off the knitting topic, I got my kitchen electric problems fixed this last week, gave my recliner away and was given a very comfortable couch. When I found out my friends were going to get rid of the couch I was excited to be able to get it! Finally I can lay down to watch tv when I'm just to tired to knit and want to watch the end of a movie before going to bed! I had to move all my furniture around several times until I was finally satisfied with where everything ended up. I admit the arrangement looks weird, but it suits my needs and I'm happy. I had to move my smaller couch into the bedroom, for the time being. It is backed up against the foot of my bed! Hey, I've found it is sort of nice to have a place to sit while putting on my shoes and socks!
My next project is getting 2 new windows put in and starting on the upstairs. I need to straighten out my 2nd floor attic, now that the electrical problem is fixed. Then I can clean up the Pile It bedroom and move my single bed in there, from the large 2nd floor bedroom. Then I will get some guys over to move my 1st floor bed and dresser to the large up stairs bedroom. This project will take some time because it isn't as easy as it sounds to get everything in order. I sure hope I find a few things up there that I've been looking for!
Off the knitting topic, I got my kitchen electric problems fixed this last week, gave my recliner away and was given a very comfortable couch. When I found out my friends were going to get rid of the couch I was excited to be able to get it! Finally I can lay down to watch tv when I'm just to tired to knit and want to watch the end of a movie before going to bed! I had to move all my furniture around several times until I was finally satisfied with where everything ended up. I admit the arrangement looks weird, but it suits my needs and I'm happy. I had to move my smaller couch into the bedroom, for the time being. It is backed up against the foot of my bed! Hey, I've found it is sort of nice to have a place to sit while putting on my shoes and socks!
My next project is getting 2 new windows put in and starting on the upstairs. I need to straighten out my 2nd floor attic, now that the electrical problem is fixed. Then I can clean up the Pile It bedroom and move my single bed in there, from the large 2nd floor bedroom. Then I will get some guys over to move my 1st floor bed and dresser to the large up stairs bedroom. This project will take some time because it isn't as easy as it sounds to get everything in order. I sure hope I find a few things up there that I've been looking for!
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
The Steek
Years ago, when I attempted my first steek, I knew nothing about steeking. There was no internet then, only word of mouth help. Wasn't good help. Today we have such an invaluable tool to find our answers.
When I saw Murial's cardigan I knew it was the pattern I'd been seeking for years. Of course I had to download it; a free pattern from Knit Picks. It is knitted in the round and I knew that it would have to be steeked! Oh my. Much to my surprise the pattern is written with so much detail, on steeking, that my fear evaporated instantly. Today I steeked. Wow! I have decided to put in buttonholes, so now I had to find the proper button. I have lots and lots of buttons. I got out my container of buttons that are all sorted and on lengths of string. I found two different buttons that would work, one a light green and the other a dark green. The dark green will be perfect! Antique buttons with a shank. I say antique because they are from my MIL's stash and probably as old or older than me! Now all I need to do is put the cardigan on and note the bust point, for a button, so it won't gap. I will knit the left band first so I can count the stitches to be able to figure where the buttonholes will be placed. Ah, math! Glad I do like math! I will also place markers where I will attach the buttons and put in a stabilizer, between the front and back of the band, for extra stability when sewing the button on.
I can remember reading Elizabeth Zimmerman's note about steeking. "Cut on basting, then lie down in a darkened room for 15 minutes to recover. You will never fear to cut again". That was from page 61 of Knitting Without Tears. In another quote she suggested a glass of wine and a cold cloth on your forehead.
I was feeling very confident when I did my steek because of the instructions with the Classic Lines Cardigan pattern. The band will fold over and cover all of the steek.
It all worked just like it was supposed to.
When I saw Murial's cardigan I knew it was the pattern I'd been seeking for years. Of course I had to download it; a free pattern from Knit Picks. It is knitted in the round and I knew that it would have to be steeked! Oh my. Much to my surprise the pattern is written with so much detail, on steeking, that my fear evaporated instantly. Today I steeked. Wow! I have decided to put in buttonholes, so now I had to find the proper button. I have lots and lots of buttons. I got out my container of buttons that are all sorted and on lengths of string. I found two different buttons that would work, one a light green and the other a dark green. The dark green will be perfect! Antique buttons with a shank. I say antique because they are from my MIL's stash and probably as old or older than me! Now all I need to do is put the cardigan on and note the bust point, for a button, so it won't gap. I will knit the left band first so I can count the stitches to be able to figure where the buttonholes will be placed. Ah, math! Glad I do like math! I will also place markers where I will attach the buttons and put in a stabilizer, between the front and back of the band, for extra stability when sewing the button on.
I can remember reading Elizabeth Zimmerman's note about steeking. "Cut on basting, then lie down in a darkened room for 15 minutes to recover. You will never fear to cut again". That was from page 61 of Knitting Without Tears. In another quote she suggested a glass of wine and a cold cloth on your forehead.
I was feeling very confident when I did my steek because of the instructions with the Classic Lines Cardigan pattern. The band will fold over and cover all of the steek.
It all worked just like it was supposed to.
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