So, did I not just get done saying I find lace tedious, and I find scarves tedious, and therefore I find lace scarves doubley tedious?
So of course, I cast on another lacy scarf. In my defense, I know from experience that this particular pattern (Berry Lacy) goes quickly because it's nothing more than lots of dropped yarn overs and garter stitch in between.
The reason for maddly beginning another lace scarf is because I found out that knitting with wire sucks if you have uncooperative wire. So unless I want to buy some wire for a single project, then fuss with it scratching up my needles as I go, the knitted wire jewelry for Patty's presnt was not going to be a fun option. Maybe I'll take another stab at it later, but I decided a lovely lacy scarf would be just as good, and a whole lot softer. And also something a bit more matching her style. She doesn't wear a lot of jewelry as far as I can tell, but everyone likes to wear soft things. And a scarf of merino = definitely soft.
So this one has a 20 row pattern repeat, so it looks like this scarf plus my other scarf means 30 rows of lace knitting every day. Actually since Berry Lacy knits up so fast, I'm hoping to have it done in just a few days. Then I can wrap it, stash it under my bed, and not have to think about it until it's time to give it away.
Next thing to cast on, Tim's present, on DPN's! I don't really like DPN's, but what can you do? He's my best friend and this is something I know he wants (but still can't disclose because as remote as the chances are that he'll discover this blog, there's still a chance.) And eventually I need to go shopping for more yarn for the other presents.
AND THEN there's my bolero with my magical blue alpaca that I still haven't cast on for again. I really really want to finish a project for myself since I've been doing so much gift knitting. Not to mention this project has a deadline too, sort of. See, I'm going to see Phantom of the Opera with my boyfriend sometime in September, and I know exactly what I'm going to wear and I want to include the bolero in my outfit.
Ah well. Just 10 rows at a time. Or 30 now as it would be.
Did I mention I'm going away to San Diego in 11 days for a week and therefore need to pack traveling knitting? Life just keeps getting more and more exciting.
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Friday, July 9, 2010
10 Rows Every Day
Just the other day, I realized, "Oh crap, it's July already." The reason that is an "oh crap" moment is because knitters and crafters who prefer to make presents for people rather than buy them, know that July is when you have to start thinking . . . Christmas.
So I counted up and realized I have 8 Christmas gifts to make. There's JR, Tim, Patty, both my parents, Natalie, and because I don't want them left out because they're really starting to like me now, Patty's two kids. Then I also realized that Patty's birthday is in November. I had thought I'd finished up the birthday presents because everyone else's birthday come so much earlier in the year. And to be fair, I went on my birthday knitting spree back in March when things still could've changed dramatically in Tim and Patty's relationship, and why knit a birthday present when she might not be around to receive it. Ok, I had a good inkling the relationship would last, but still, best not count your chickens and all.
So the gift knitting continues!
For Natalie - Branching Out scarf
For JR - Sweater? (question mark because I found a beautiful pattern, but I'm not 100% sold on it. And for the record, I don't believe in the sweater curse. Ok, I do believe it happens, but it won't happen to me because even if he broke up with me, it wouldn't be because of the sweater, and I know he'd still wear it and think nice things about me.)
For my dad - golf club covers, duh!
For my mom - ugh. Not sure. Either a big mesh shopping bag, or a stylish beret.
For Tim - hehe, he might discover this so I won't say except it's something he requested ages ago.
For Patty - I haven't decided which present to give her for her birthday and which for Christmas, but I will be making her a knit purse and knitted wire jewelry.
For the kids - they will be getting identical tulip shaped drawstring bags with some sweet goodies inside. Thought it best to keep it simple and identical so there's no jealousy issues and yet I can still give them something nice.
It's only July and I'm slightly panicky about the amount of knitting that is. But I've been working on Natalie's Branching Out scarf, and it gave me an idea. Because I think scarves are tedious, and I think lace is tedious, I can only do a little at a time. Branching Out is a 10 row repeating pattern, so I promised myself I only had to do 10 rows a day. So far it's working. Actually I might even get in 20 rows today, since I already did 10 this morning and I think I might take it to work and do 10 more there. So in the meantime, I'll just get my other projects sorted out, get the materials, and begin chipping away at them 10 rows at a time.
I once sat down for a Leverage marathon (love that show!) and brought 4 projects to the couch with me. I did a little section on each, then moved on to the next one, rotating through them while watching the telly. It worked great, it kept me from getting bored with any one project, and I got loads of progress done on each. Seems like I'll have to line up some movie/knitting nights, no?
So I counted up and realized I have 8 Christmas gifts to make. There's JR, Tim, Patty, both my parents, Natalie, and because I don't want them left out because they're really starting to like me now, Patty's two kids. Then I also realized that Patty's birthday is in November. I had thought I'd finished up the birthday presents because everyone else's birthday come so much earlier in the year. And to be fair, I went on my birthday knitting spree back in March when things still could've changed dramatically in Tim and Patty's relationship, and why knit a birthday present when she might not be around to receive it. Ok, I had a good inkling the relationship would last, but still, best not count your chickens and all.
So the gift knitting continues!
For Natalie - Branching Out scarf
For JR - Sweater? (question mark because I found a beautiful pattern, but I'm not 100% sold on it. And for the record, I don't believe in the sweater curse. Ok, I do believe it happens, but it won't happen to me because even if he broke up with me, it wouldn't be because of the sweater, and I know he'd still wear it and think nice things about me.)
For my dad - golf club covers, duh!
For my mom - ugh. Not sure. Either a big mesh shopping bag, or a stylish beret.
For Tim - hehe, he might discover this so I won't say except it's something he requested ages ago.
For Patty - I haven't decided which present to give her for her birthday and which for Christmas, but I will be making her a knit purse and knitted wire jewelry.
For the kids - they will be getting identical tulip shaped drawstring bags with some sweet goodies inside. Thought it best to keep it simple and identical so there's no jealousy issues and yet I can still give them something nice.
It's only July and I'm slightly panicky about the amount of knitting that is. But I've been working on Natalie's Branching Out scarf, and it gave me an idea. Because I think scarves are tedious, and I think lace is tedious, I can only do a little at a time. Branching Out is a 10 row repeating pattern, so I promised myself I only had to do 10 rows a day. So far it's working. Actually I might even get in 20 rows today, since I already did 10 this morning and I think I might take it to work and do 10 more there. So in the meantime, I'll just get my other projects sorted out, get the materials, and begin chipping away at them 10 rows at a time.
I once sat down for a Leverage marathon (love that show!) and brought 4 projects to the couch with me. I did a little section on each, then moved on to the next one, rotating through them while watching the telly. It worked great, it kept me from getting bored with any one project, and I got loads of progress done on each. Seems like I'll have to line up some movie/knitting nights, no?
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Fresh Start, Fresh Blog
Welcome to my new knitting blog. My old one was quite dusty and un-used, and since one of my new personal resolutions is to write more, it seemed time to re-launch my knitting blog. Granted, I am not one of those prolific bloggers, especially when it comes to my knitting, so in the beginning I expect to update maybe once a week, possibly more if I'm working on big projects (or lots of them). This blog is connected to my Ravelry profile, so if you're a member there you can look me up under RogueButterfly. I may or may not be moving my old posts over here, that's yet to be decided.
My newest project is to totally overhaul my Ravelry profile. Today I just added pictures to most of my projects (before everything was woefully boring white boxes), and I plan to continue going through everything else and updating with new information. I also have a new goal to complete everything I have currently on the needles. This includes one dishcloth (plus maybe a second of the same pattern and yarn) and two scarves. I want all three of these projects done before I start too many new projects, but I'm thinking I'll do them in stages, a little at a time on each one so that I don't get bored with them before they're finished.
I do have one new project I'd like to start right away though - a little bolero sweater in this gorgeous dark blue alpaca. I've already started and ripped it out once because I made a mistake (at one point a stitch marker fell off and I could figure out where it belonged so my stitch count got off). The story behind this sweater is kind of long, but interesting. My very good friend Judy was giving me a reading of my natal chart as well as telling me things that my spirit brother wanted me to know, and the topic of knitting came up. Long story short, knitting is a good channaling/alpha brain wave activity for me, especially with natural fibers, and the spirit guides said the alpaca blend I like so much is on their approved list. So after the reading I went to look at yarn on a whim. In the alpaca, there was this gorgeous midnight blue color that I fell in love with instantly. There were only 3 skiens so I bought all 3. When I got home, I got on Ravelry to find the perfect pattern. I knew I wanted a shawl or small blanket or something that I could wrap around my shoulders and snuggle up in. Then I took a look at a pattern I had put into my queue some time ago that just called out to me. It's an elegant little bolero sweater with a single button or ribbon closure (called the Cloud Bolero, I'd link it, but if you aren't a Ravelry member you wouldn't be able to see it). So I looked closer at the pattern. It uses a yarn very similar to the alpaca I bought, my size require just over 2 skeins, and I already had the right needle size in my very small collection. It was fate. I don't even mind having to start over because I'd like to pay proper attention to this one and try to knit some good intentions and good juju into it. So that's what is in store for the near future. Long term I'm thinking about actually designing patterns and creating pieces to sell, not for any big profit but just for fun.
My newest project is to totally overhaul my Ravelry profile. Today I just added pictures to most of my projects (before everything was woefully boring white boxes), and I plan to continue going through everything else and updating with new information. I also have a new goal to complete everything I have currently on the needles. This includes one dishcloth (plus maybe a second of the same pattern and yarn) and two scarves. I want all three of these projects done before I start too many new projects, but I'm thinking I'll do them in stages, a little at a time on each one so that I don't get bored with them before they're finished.
I do have one new project I'd like to start right away though - a little bolero sweater in this gorgeous dark blue alpaca. I've already started and ripped it out once because I made a mistake (at one point a stitch marker fell off and I could figure out where it belonged so my stitch count got off). The story behind this sweater is kind of long, but interesting. My very good friend Judy was giving me a reading of my natal chart as well as telling me things that my spirit brother wanted me to know, and the topic of knitting came up. Long story short, knitting is a good channaling/alpha brain wave activity for me, especially with natural fibers, and the spirit guides said the alpaca blend I like so much is on their approved list. So after the reading I went to look at yarn on a whim. In the alpaca, there was this gorgeous midnight blue color that I fell in love with instantly. There were only 3 skiens so I bought all 3. When I got home, I got on Ravelry to find the perfect pattern. I knew I wanted a shawl or small blanket or something that I could wrap around my shoulders and snuggle up in. Then I took a look at a pattern I had put into my queue some time ago that just called out to me. It's an elegant little bolero sweater with a single button or ribbon closure (called the Cloud Bolero, I'd link it, but if you aren't a Ravelry member you wouldn't be able to see it). So I looked closer at the pattern. It uses a yarn very similar to the alpaca I bought, my size require just over 2 skeins, and I already had the right needle size in my very small collection. It was fate. I don't even mind having to start over because I'd like to pay proper attention to this one and try to knit some good intentions and good juju into it. So that's what is in store for the near future. Long term I'm thinking about actually designing patterns and creating pieces to sell, not for any big profit but just for fun.
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