Coachella is off the needles!

Pattern: Coachella
Needles: Size 8, Size 10
Yarn: 3.25 balls of SWTC Amaizing in Khaki
Gauge: 5 sts/in stockinette using size 10 needles
Size: S
Modifications: My gauge was off from the 4.5 sts/in since I was not using the recommended yarn and needles, so I knit the S size, but ended up blocking using the XS measurements.

I love this pattern! However, working with the Amaizing yarn was not so, um, amazing. Although the resulting fabric is fluffy cloud soft, there were numerous knots and tears in the yarn that made it unacceptable. I'd be interested in trying this with another corn fiber yarn, or perhaps bamboo tape.

I know, I know.... I should really show the back of this garment since that is the coolest part. However, I deemed all of my backside pictures unacceptable for public viewing. ;) So, if you're looking for butt shots (which is all I could see), move along, move along...

New Ravelry Group

I want to start a Ravelry group that specializes in humiliating our pets. In knitted items, of course. Wanna join? If so, please comment and let me know your Ravelry name! I need at least two other people to start the group. You know you want to humiliate your pet!

Ravelry! Worth the wait

After a couple of months of (im)patiently waiting for my Ravelry invitation, it came quite unexpected yesterday night. Since then, I've set up a Flickr account and itemized my projects, yarns, and needles. Making databases makes my little engineering heart jump with glee!

I also finished my Coachella today and it is blocking as I type. Notice the weird striping at the bottom of this - the final increase row ended up making the tank top self striping. I was able to break it up when I added a new ball of yarn. As soon as the boy comes home at a decent hour where there is some sunlight, I can model it again for my FO shot!

Oh, yes, and there were also kittens to be played with today. This little guy is Bling, named for the bling (bright white patch) he flashes on the bottom of his neck. I miss fostering kittens, but boy oh boy I do not miss the smell. Gack! I'd rather foster puppies any ol' day. So, luckily I have nice friends who ask me to come over to socialize their kittens. It's a tough job, but someone has to do it.

Drowning in dog hair

This is why I spin chiengora. The princess on the chair is their cousin, Fallon.

I need to reprogram the Roomba to follow the dogs around. Of course, the Roomba might refuse since that is basically a suicide mission.

Just a little bit longer...

People were not kidding when they said that Coachella is a fast project! I tried it on again today to see how I liked the length - four more inches, and it will be perfect for traipsing around Vietnam, Thailand, and Taiwan.

So far, I've only used three balls of yarn, and I suppose I could stop, but I like to stretch and not have my belly button show. I guess you could say I'm growing up.

It's a boy!

Although I have not had the pleasure of meeting the little one in person yet, I think I can safely post this now without worrying about the parents seeing it! I doubt the new parents will have a moment to read this blog - they have something more fun to do now!

This was truly a joint effort. The boy helped me pick out the yarn, and when he deemed none of the colors good enough, he helped me dye the yarn. This baby is going to be a California Golden Bear. Go Bears!

Here are pictures of the process and the FO.








Drum roll, please...

See this?

It's a knot! Yesterday was spent buying yarn and swatching for Coachella, the sexy tank top featured on Knitty. However, the yarn I chose for this project, SWTC Amaizing (corn fiber yarn) has knots! My yarn ball is not one continuous piece of yarn. And not only that, but while starting this project and knitting the first round, my yarn broke!!! This does not bode well for this project.


However, my swatch survived the washing machine and I am happy with the fabric. I had to go up a needle size to obtain gauge, though, but hey! Any excuse to buy new needles is fine by me.

Rebirth of a Jaywalker

After I finished the first Jaywalker, I didn't like the feel of it. Meaning, it was a little tight around the ankles and the raised parts of the pattern irritated the bottom of my feet. I didn't have the heart to knit a second uncomfortable sock, so with liquid courage, I ripped the sock back to the toe and I started again. This time, I increased the toe to 92 stitches and I am only doing the Jaywalker pattern on the top of the sock.

To sooth my hurt knitting ego, I visited a new yarn store, k2together. k2together specializes in fair trade, green, and organic yarn. What a treat! I came away with some sumptuous yarn that I'll post when I cast on.

New sock accessories

I can't decide if these scream "there's no place like home" or "you deserve a break today." Regardless, here are the new sock vehicles.

Why Greaseball is a Butt

Seriously, these pictures do not need any annotation.