Ripit, Ripit!

I bit the bullet and decided to frog back my Pink Vicky Ribwarmer. I was almost done with the first side, but..... Well, you know how garter stitch stretches.
I had added extra rows before starting the short rows because I had added extra stitches. But because the point runs in a diagonal, the fit wasn't right. My problem is knowing when to follow EZ's counts, and when not to, since I am using a different key number.
So far things are looking good as I start the first curve again.

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WIP Club

The more I mull it over, the more I like it.
The idea of making a self-imposed club, like the Yarn Harlot's sock club that is.  I gave a list a couple days ago of WIPs I have, although it may be an incomplet list.  I will continue to scour the stash to see what I can find.
So my knitting New Year's Resolution will be to finish as many WIPs as I can.
But, new projects will be accepted. 

Speaking of new projects, above is the beginning of the lace border for the tunic for Flo's granddaughter, Sandra.  Once I figured out the transition between the repeats of the 2 charts involved, it went well.  I will have to chart another couple little patterns before I get to the body of the Tunic.  But at least this part is going fairly well.

And the pink mystery project?  Notice the short rows developing?  This is of course, Elizabeth Zimmermann's ribwarmer that I have been mulling over for some time.   About half way throuth the short rows on first corner, and then can start increasing back and completing the curve.   Just like the Baby Surprise Jacket, I am having trouble visualizing the fit from this, but am going forward with confidence.
I will have to figure out how to put a WIP completed counter or list on the blog to hold myself accountable I guess. Hmmmmmm.  Must think on that.

Neighborhoodie Pics

As I said, I finished the Neighborhoodie last Sunday, after a quick trip to JoAnns for a zipper.  I was able to find a blue one that blended well with the colors--no stark white one this time.

I felt that the vest was a bit large.  But in the pictures, aside from being long, I guess it looks ok. 

The pockets are applied after knitting, and I only started the 4th big ball of Marbles chunky yarn (341 yards reach I think) as I began the last ball.   Aside from the fact that is acrylic, a fact my fiber snobbishness can't ignore, I quite like it.
At least it can be tossed in the washing machine.  But if I must go acrylic, I think I still like a wool blend.

Ideas for WIP Club

Possible projects for the WIP club I mentioned in the previous post

1. Linda's purple mittens--I need to finishe those soon anyway.
2. Pink mystery project (to be named later.)
3. Bigfoot Shaw, started in about 2008, and hardly touched recently
4. Even older, a black mohair shawl, from a class I took with Marla Mutch several years ago.
5. Reading Shawl, started this past year.
6. Featherweight sweater.
7. Silver Shrieks in the Night mobeius.
8. A really old feather and fan in the round, started maybe 5 years ago out of sock yarn?
9. Another lace weight shawl in a feather and fan pattern, that is also way before Ravelry.  I may just find and frog that one.  Its a made up design anyway.

Gosh, that's more than enough, at 2 months each, for an entire year!  And I haven't even scratched the surface.  There are 3 pairs of socks, only one with the first sock done.  One of them is a charted toe up pair. There is another pair of sock that I have to reknit from the ankle down.  Also my Burly yarn vest that I am frogging back about 4 or 5 inches, and then re-finishing.  Not to mention the recently purchased alpaca destined for a sweater, and more Lambs Pride for another sweater.  And if I dig, I could probably come up with at least one other shawl in progress, and other projects ready to go.
I have no right to even be thinking of starting anything else.  And yet......
We'll see.

The Idea

 I mentioned my idea, concerning all my projects I have committed too, as well as those I have started already.  I mentioned a project in my last post that I have recently started. 

I have 6 skeins of victorian pink Lambs Pride--one of my favorite fibers and colors.

The picture previously, as well as below is just a hint of what I have started.  More hints--it is for me. It is wearable, and knit in 2 identical halves.  Entirely garter stitch.  I'll tell more later.

Very mysterious garment.
Anyway--back to the plan.  I have been reading all year about the Yarn Harlot's self imposed sock club.  She went stash diving a year ago, and matched yarn with patterns she always wanted to knit, putting each set into a ziplock baggie.  And every month she grabbed another bag, at random and finished a new pair each month. 
I liked the idea of a knitting club based on current stash.  I wanted to do something similar.  My plan is slightly different.  I want to give myself 2 months max to finish a WIP (work in progress) already on the needles.  Since I plan on starting the club on New Year's Day, I figured it was fine to begin the above project.  And maybe even another one or two, by Friday.
This will be in addition to the two projects I have promised for Flo and Betty, but I look forward to finishing some of these additional projects I have waiting in the background.
And at least I finished the Neighborhoodie yesterday.  Zipper and all!  Just no pictures yet.

Not Again!

What's this I see? Another project?
Hmmmmm.....could be.
More later, I'm off to a holiday time movie.

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Christmas Wishes to All

A low key Christmas going on at the home of farmmom and company. With only part-time wages, we are light on presents, but there is at least something for all my guys.
Unfortunately, none of my guys really want or appretiate hand knits. Frustrating to be sure, but there is more for myself that way. And I can take time for a couple custom projects.
On the docket is a tunic for friend Flo's granddaughter. Flo has cancer and is unable to knit right now, and this is a project she promised her granddaughter.
I also promised to knit a jacket for a friend. She dyes fiber, and this is an alpaca silk blend I think. Since I can't afford enough of it to make a sweater for me, this is a chance to at least use this yummy fiber.
Of course I like some variety in my knitting. But I am chewing on an idea to provide that.
More on that in a few days.

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Recent Knitting

Finally, a good picture of my boss with his scarf.  We got scarf and camera together at the same time.  He has been enjoying it when it was supercold last week.

 I have been working on some Purple Stuffed mittens for Linda in exchange for a couple belts she will be weaving for me on her inkle loom.  The purple is the same as the purple on my loom, much darker and richer than shown below.  The thrumms are a medium lavender, rolled from regular roving to knit along with the yarn every 4th row.  It forms a loft and warm insulating layer inside the mittens.

 The above is the view into the mitten, below is the side view of the mitten. 

 And rapidly nearing completion is the Neighborhoodie.  I have the zipper bands and one sleeve edging to go, then sew in the zipper.  Which I forgot to buy last weekend. 

This weekend does not seem to hold a lot of free time. 

Gilbert the Wonder Dog

A week or so ago, on warping day, I dropped off Gilbert for a haircut, just down the road.  (Remember the line about warping not taking any longer than his 2 hour haircut?)

As you can see he was quite a shaggy little boy.  This picture was taken the evening before.

Due to my lack of camera, I couldn't get a good "after shot" for a week, but doesn't he look handsome now?  Aside from the fact he is looking peaved, because I insist on knitting instead of petting him all evening, that is.

New Beginnings

Younger Son started a new job today. Nothing glamorous, but still, in this day and job climate to find something with more hours is great.

Not a beauty shot, but he doesn't like getting his picture taken.  This headless shot is with Gilbert the wonderdog, before haircut.
The job still entails milking and scraping pens, but since the skidster is heated with enclosed cab and radio, he thinks he is really coming up in the world. 
The job is at an area farmer who recently bought a dairy farm that formerly milked water buffalo for cheeze.  It went bust, but this farmer has regular cows, and my son is quite experienced in dealing with milk cows.
Maybe he can pay back some of his loans.

Movies as Real Life

I just saw "Meet John Doe" with Gary Cooper. All I could do was keep comparing the movie and its John Doe clubs with today's Tea Party movement.
Life imitating film. Wow!

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Warping and Weaving

I mentioned last week that I spent most of the day last Friday warping my loom, with the help of Evelyn at the Old Farm Girl.  My loom, a 24 inch Kromski Rigid Heddle Harp loom, and the yarn before the festivities began. 

 The yarn is fingering weight Nature Spun, in Victorian Pink, a lavendar, and Regal Purple. 

 We calculated on a balanced pattern dividing each pink and lavendar band with 10 ends of purple.  The lavendar we then set off on each side with an additional 2 pink ends.   I will not go into the mess and fuss involved with preparing the warp threads.  The patterning made it take just a bit more the the couple hours that was predicted.

 When I used my Knitters Loom, I never tied the back end of the loom.  But Evelyn had done it that way before, so that is what we did.  And eventually all was set for weaving.

After getting the loom home, I sarted the weaving.  I didn't want to do too much until I got my camera back. (YEA!!   I have it!) But this is after about 13 inches.  I am beating it tight and the plaid effect seems to be showing up quite well.  Once the ends are trimmed, and the weaving is done, I think I will have a handsome shawl.

Scarf Delivered

I know that this week my posting has been rather thin.  I find without my camera, I have all these ideas for posts, but they would be rather flat without pictures.  Hopefully on Friday the camera and cordless drill will be swapped out and I'll be back in action.
Boss Russ was given the scarf.  His birthday isn't until this weekend, but thought with the cold weather, he might appreciate it early.  He seems to love it.  Said he can't believe how warm it is. (The power of Wool!  I'm transforming the world, one person at a time!)  I did get a picture of him with my cell camera, but that camera and I have a love/hate thing going on and it is very blurry.  I will try on Sunday, if he has it with him.  
I also notice the trees on the west line of our pasture almost look like birch.  The wind and snow this past weekend coated the east side of them with snow and ice.  They look lovely.   But again no camera.
Soon, I hope, I can be a shutterbug again.

Warping Oops

Just noticed the only picture I had of the weaving didn't show on the posting. I'll try again.

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Warped Women

After a long but laughed filled day, my rigid heddle loom is warped for a shawl in purple, lavender and pink.
Many pictures were taken but.........
I left my camera at the shop!
Back safely home at last, I tightened and tuned the stand and the warp and even managed to weave a couple stripes. However I have knitting to finish by Thursday. So back to the wool room with the loom, and out with the knitting.
However, if I get snowbound tomorrow, I may switch back and forth, to prevent boredom you know.

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Return of the February Lady Sweater

Finally, a chance to enjoy this sweater that I finished last spring.  I think I only was able to wear it once or twice before the weather was just too warm for it. With the temps comfortably below freezing, this is a nice thing to have on.
I have been plugging away on the brown scarf. It is 40 inches and a great no brainer knit. I may have it done this weekend.
Then what to knit....UFO's? Something new? Maybe one of my commissioned projects?
We shall see how the spirit moves me.

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To My Impatient Public

Yes, yes, I know it has been several days since posting.  But....
I have been busy, buying wooly items--alpaca, roving, yarn.
I have been busy knitting--scarf, sock, sweater, shawl.
I have even been working on my loom. 
I have not abandoned you.  I will post, but nothing really exciting has been happening, and anything that has happened, had no pictures.
We haven't even had any decent snow at my house.
So, here is something to dream about.

Snow, glorious Snow!!

The Final Shot--Pi Are Squared

I discovered something after church Sunday.  All the best photographers are apparently in Florida. I wanted shawl pictures, and I kept getting head shots. 

But finally at spin guild Monday, I got the pictures I wanted of the shaw.

There will definitely be another of these in the future.   The best thing about this pattern is the wearability.  It is absolutely hands free.   Pattern is in the Elizabeth Zimmermann book Knitting Around and I bought it just for this pattern.  Yarn is mill ends in a light worsted/or possibly sports weight, from Stonehenge Mills

Another Project Done.

Now that November is done, and my vest isn't, I decided to make another quicky project.
Behold the Cables Coffee Cuff, a free pattern on Ravelry. I whipped it up in just a couple hours. And the coffee is still hot!

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