July 14, 2006

One for the Baby

Pattern: Baby Kimono from Mason-Dixon Knitting
Yarn: Debbie Bliss Cathay (50% cotton 35% viscose 15% silk, 50g, 105 yds.) in Old Rose 09 and White 02, 1 ball each.
Needles: Addi Turbo US 5 32"
Cast On: June 2
Cast Off: June 15
Mods: I guess none really, the pattern is pretty free form. I choose to make it on St st instead of the more popular garter and I did make it in two colors which was a pain. The floats on the increasing of the sleeves specially. I also choose use i-cord insted of ribbon for the straps.
Comments:This is for the baby of my cousin who's due on august. The pattern is simple and looks really cute. It's also a fast knit and very practical design for babys. I may have chosen a too delicate yarn for a baby garment but couldn't resist the colors and it says on the label that is machine washable, we'll see.

One for me

Pattern: Simply Lovley Lace Socs from Interweave Knits Spring 2006
Yarn: Gems Opal (100% Wool, 50g, 112 yds.), Willow, 2 skeins.
Needles: Susan Bates US 3 DPN
Cast On: ?
Cast Off: May 15
Mods: None.
Comments: These were my second pair of socks with heel flap, and it isn't so scary anymore, I'm starring to think that it may become intuitive one day. Love the pattern, the resulting socks and specially the slipped stitch heel, it may become my favourite heel it seems sturdy and looks good. Is the yarn I'm not so crazy about or maybe it was all the horrid sticky heat there was when I was knitting them. Ohh and I love working socks on DPN.

July 12, 2006

A foray into dark territory

Sewing. Last week I went to NY on vacation and had the obligated visit to Purl Soho (yarn to be posted later) and the neighbor Patchwork. I found myself enthralled with the beautiful fabrics and got a sampler of cotton half yards and the pattern and fabric for Amy Butler's Weekender Bag. I must reveal at this point that I do not know how to sew, I bought a machine last year couldn't even wind the bobbin properly and It has been under my desk ever since. I been wanting to take it up since I saw the Weekender Bag on Sew? I knit.

So I armed with courage and a sewing book decided to make a case for my DPN, this is the result, far from perfect, but considering that is my first ever sewing anything it isn't so bad. Sewing is still a mystery to me: I don't know how in the hell are you supposed to cut the fabric straight and how you sew a straight line for that matter, I don't get the numerous dials on the machine where you are supposed to control the tension and I don't know how I managed to use an entire spool of thread on this project when you are supposed to use only one on the much larger weekender bag. I'm still far from having the skill to make the bag, and may join a class to learn the basics.

I been knitting quite a lot also but the laziness and heat kept me from blogging, I finished and blocked the Shetland triangle and started a Shibori Scarf with a lace merino that I got at School Products. Obligated yarn porn will follow.