Not Arts, Just Crafts

Haven't been knitting much ... but starting up slowly again. Made these mitts for CableGuy's grandma for V-Day. (Fiber - Noro Aya and some undyed plain wool - KnitPicks maybe? Frankenstein pattern made from "Fetching" Knitty Summer 2006 and "Hollywood Herringbone Pullover" KnitScene Fall 2009)

He did a few rows and wove in the stinky ends for me. I did a hat and a scarf over Xmas and, of course, my never ending dishcloths.

But I have been rather crafty lately. I was commissioned to make a ring out of one of those over-sized diamond paper weights as a costume piece for a New Year's costume party someone was attending. WIP pics:



And the finished object:


Now I'm working on a muppet style puppet of an animated character for a friend who makes iPad children's books. Or rather I'm procrastinating by blogging instead of working on the muppet style puppet I've been commissioned to make.

What's new with you?

Post Traumatic Stress

I am reviving this blog. I believe in us as Craftsters and Knitters. I haven't been knitting for months, my last sweater has been punished in a closet since November. I am ready to move on. I was traumatized by having several ill-fitting projects in a row. First, Sahara; http://www.stitchdiva.com/ProductInfo.aspx?productid=SDS-031 . $150 bucks in frickin' Tilli Tomas frickin' Rock Star and I could not get the finished product over my boobs. They are perfect (my boobs,) but not huge. The yarn and size I knit it in were both unforgiving. Second, was the They Might Be Pirates hat; http://www.helloyarn.com/wecallthempirates.htm Knit (in gauge!!! I swear I swatched and everything!) This hat came out so teeny tiny it would not fit HottieEsq's 4 year old son's head. As a pirate would say, I was an"gurred!" Finally, Fitted Knits (no image of the knitting promised land available.) Sure I substitued a different gauge yarn. Sure I changed the pattern to make it more hip (on the fly, forgot to write down what I did.) Sure I ended up knitting MUCH tighter than my guage swatch (I did the fucking swatch! I swear!!!!) I am one of those rare knitters that knit one thing at a time. I was not willing to give up on this last project. I would go to the LYS with it in my bag. I would ask opinions...this can be blocked out right? The fact that it is cutting off my circulation on my arm TODAY doesn't mean we can't "fudge" the size on the arm right? I toted this knitting disaster with me for almost eight months. The yarn was dirty and tired from fingering, wondering, wishing.......I finally admitted it is a frog job. There, I said it. I need to frog it and move on. I am knitting this now; http://kpixie.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=35_39_46&products_id=3887
Thrice bitten, thrice shy....I am cautiously knitting. I measure every row.

What the hell happened to our group?

Where have all the knitters gone? I miss our group and want to get back in the swing of things. Anyway, Happy New Years to my knitting sissies. I am punishing a sweater yet again. Can we make plans to meet and knit soon kids?

New Tink Knit bag

Are the angels singing when YOU look at this bag or am I just insane? I love this. More than LOVE it. How many things can one person knit??? Where do you get the hardware from? The devil is in the details........

Knitting Drama

So, at LAWoman's insistence, I am posting. I do not have pictures right now, but hopefully, will be able to post what's on the needles now at a later time.

This whole working and raising kids thing is getting in the way of my knitting and I have to say, it's pissing me off. I've been working on the same sweater from Fitted Knits (the lacy wrap sweater) for forever. In all fairness, I have frogged it twice (first time because it was the wrong yarn, second time because it was too small). I think I'm knitting it better than I did the first two times (praise the Lord!) but I have the attention span of a gnat and am looking to cast on for something new.

A Frienemy of mine is having a baby next month and I'm thinking about making her a blanket. Maybe the Log Cabin Moderne baby blanket from Mason-Dixon knitting? See, because she's a frienemy, though, I'm not so interested in spending beaucoup bucks on yarn for her. You feel me? I mean, I know it's a new life and blahbetyblahbetyblah, but the holidays are right around the corner and I do have people I have to knit for: my sister is having a baby (the way she is acting with complete bitchiness, I am sure it is a girl). I would spend money on good yarn for her. There are other friends, family members, etc. on whom I would drop some significant duckets, but a frienemy? Hell, should I just go buy a blanket? I mean, then I don't get the accolades at having made it, but....so what?

What are your thoughts?

I MUST make this

I will be the first to admit that I am a nerd. I also have a Wonder Woman fixation. I must have this. I must make this. Holy crap, I think my head is going to explode with the anticipation of this. You can see more pics and a tute here; http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=193480.0 This is why I love Craftster.....people are as creative, insane and obsessed as we are. This will be my next project. I promise you that.

On the needles now.......

I am knitting this now. Qutie an annoying knit as it is on size 4s and 5s and just knit knit knit, purl purl purl ad nauseum. What is motivating me is I am knitting this in Berroco Ultra Alpaca Light in the most beautiful colbalt blue color. The fabric is knitting up beautifully. Cost under $70 bucks for the yarn too. Finished the back and one front panel, cast on for the other front (regretting I did not do both fronts at the same time. DOH!) Think I made a good decision knitting the 38.....I will get pics as soon as I get farther down the road.

Kat