Baby's First Christmas Dress!

Merry Christmas! Savannah is finally big enough to wear her dress I knit for her this year. And what perfect timing--Christmas day! It brings me so much joy to see her so happy and know how much her parents love her and are enjoying their time with her this Christmas. Merry Christmas everyone!

Because Owls are so Hot Right Now

I made this latchhook rug and hung it on my wall. Yes I did.

Omar's Striped Sweater

It's getting chilly in Los Angeles (down to 40 degrees some nights!), so I decided Omar needed a sweater. I've never knit a dog sweater before, and I must say I didn't enjoy it much. It's a bit of a pain with all the end weaving and sewing velcro onto the back, BUT I love it on him! He is just the sweetest dog ever and he's so cute in his little sweater. Glad I'm done, and onto new projects!

I don't want to pose in front of the tree.

I'd rather nap next to you.

What to knit next? I'm thinking another large blanket, or maybe some quick scarves and hats for Christmas gifts. So glad it's cool and the holidays are coming!

Mom's 10/10/10 Birthday Stole

My mom's birthday was October 10th. She's been looking forward to 101010 for years now (we're number people), so I went to visit her on her special day. I brought this stole with me. We had so much fun! My mom is fantastic. I wish I had time to knit her cool stuff all the time. I try!

She looks pretty great!

Thanks to my dad for taking the pics!

It's the same pattern as the orangey one I made for myself a couple of months ago. I like it. She likes it. I'm thinking it'll be the last one I make of this pattern though. It's a little bulky. If I make more shawl type garments, I'll probably use a pattern with lace or something lighter.

The golf course behind her looks great too!

Vintage Winter Steeze

Always the trailblazer of knitted Los Angeles fashion, here's a preview of my winter looks (because we don't have fall in SoCal). After I've completed the next 73 items on my list of projects-I-want-to-make-that-I-will-likely-never-make, I'm going to make these and wear them.

This is my favorite. You can't stop me.

This is darling as well. It's a maybe.

I'll never make this, but the sweater/hat
combo was so popular back in the day,
I thought it deserved a mention.

Luke will wear this.

I'm Ready to Match the Leaves

The Lady Eleanor Entrelac Stole is complete. Photographed this Labour Day weekend, and I'm ready for fall! I have the stole to match the trees for my New York and Oregon October trips.

I've been finished with the knitting for quite some time, just haven't had the patience to knot, tie and trim the fringe. I love the knitting part, but as I've claimed before, I hate the finishing. I did find though, that trimming the large amount of fringe was made easier by using a large hardback book as an edge guide.

This was so fun to make and it's going to be great to wear. I think I might make a few more in different colors. Great to wrap around shoulders on a cool night, or to wear around your neck like a scarf.

Not sure what my next project will be, but I'm ready to start! Perhaps a little sweater for Omar...

My little love: Luke's dog Omar

New Rowan Magazine Out; I Must Make This

The autumn/winter issue of Rowan hit the US shelves this week. It's fantastic and I am forever a fan of their yarn and designs. This cape design called, "Kelly," really grabbed me and I'm dying to make it! Going to New York in October with my love, and this will be perfect for our fall trip. If I can get working quickly, I can do this in time. It's so cute. The design is by Sarah Hatton, who also designed my Wallis (go figure, dolman sleeves) and, I think, a couple of other things I've made. I clearly like her style.

Finished knitting the Entrelac stole, and now for the finishing. Photographs of the FO will be posted soon!

Entrelac

The blog Knitting Daily posted today about Entrelac, and I thought I'd share, in light of the stole I'm currently finishing. It's an interesting technique, and if you're a knitter, you might try it! (Not recommended for beginners, but everyone else)

About to finish the stole, then I'll post pics, already thinking 4 projects ahead. :)

Jackie Sweater

Hi. I want to make this sweater. Saw Laurie Metcalf rocking it on Roseanne and I'm dying for it. I'll probably make it in green. Doesn't have to be exactly like this one, but I definitely want the crossover shawl collar and the cabled eyelet front. I can make it up, but it'll take some work. Does anyone have a pattern for something similar to this? Please direct me if you do, thanks!

Jackie's pissed at Booker.

My Lady Eleanor Entrelac Stole

A couple of weeks ago, I decided I wanted to start a new project for fall. I realize I have a long SoCal Indian summer ahead of me, yet. I dream of a Northwest fall. I mostly love the colors of maple trees and want to wear similar hues. I was thinking of a wrap or shawl, and though I never wear them, I could start. Or gift. I pulled out all the colors in my stash that live in the pallete of which I was dreaming, and started planning how I could stripe them, pattern them, somehow make them look like they all blended together. I wasn't sure how to do it. Then I remembered this variegated yarn I bought years ago, started a sweater on the fly, and then shelved, never to revisit. I pulled out the yarn, along with the sweater, and thought about it. After reviewing, I kind of like the sweater, and am hesitant to frog it. Though I don't know where I kept my notes. I have no clue what size needles were used, how many stitches were cast on, etc. I could figure it out, but seems like a pain.

I think I stopped knitting this because I didn't like the striped look. Can't remember exactly. Oddly, the main attraction for me to keep it and finish is the cluster of green towards the end of the one sleeve. That's it. The big payoff. A green patch.

Whether I will finish the sweater is still undetermined. If I do, I will need to buy more yarn, if I can find it. It obviously won't be of the same dye lot but that doesn't often matter with these acrylic (GASP! Gimme a break, it's all I could afford to buy so much of then. And now, frankly.) yarns produced for the masses. TBD. For now, I have about 4 skeins and have decided to make the Lady Eleanor Entrelac Stole from the Scarf Style book by Pam Allen. When finished, it looks like this.

I'd never tried Entrelac before. I was kind of apprehensive, but like most patterns, just takes a little getting used to. I'm into it. The pattern calls for size US 10 1/2s and I originally used 10s, knit about a foot, then decided I didn't like the drape. Too tight, resulting in a bumpier, harsher looking garment. I switched to 13s and I'm digging it. About 2 feet in, I stopped for a week or so due to heat and general busyness. Think I'll pick up again tonight. It's looking something like this.

Friends in Knits

Jessica looking cute and bundled up at Sundance (many months ago) in a red chunky hat I knit.

Echo Park Share Fair

Hi! I'll be teaching knitting tomorrow, Saturday, at the Echo Park Share Fair, from 1:30-4:00pm. Come out and visit me! If you'd like to learn the basics, bring some yarn and needles. (I'll have some there, but you won't be able to take them home.) If you have a project or pattern you need some help with, I will be doing that as well. I'm really looking forward to this great community event!

Holy Cowl!

I knit this royal blue cowl as a gift last month, and since knit 3 more, in different colors. One is a gift, the other two, I may keep for myself. They're great easy projects to work on and not have to think. Very simple and quick. Great for use of scrap yarn as well, because they only use about one skein. Hasn't been hot here yet, so I can still hold yarn in my lap. Probably not for long!

Holy cow! The moose is done!

It's done! I finished it. Finally. It was October 2008, I first saw this sweater and thought about ordering the Rebecca update in which it was published. 5 or 6 shipments of a pattern, yarn and needles later, and painful seaming (it's always painful for me, I'll put finishing off for months), I have my finished sweater! It fits well, and I love it. I want to be in a cabin in the snow, cuddled up by the fireplace. :)

What's the plural of moose?

It's almost done. I finished embroidering the moose on the front and then ran out of black yarn. So yet again, I had to order more yarn. 4th shipment now. 5, counting the needles. I'm so excited to be almost done! Finally. It's so cute, I love it. While I wait for the yarn to finish the back, I'll weave in ends and seam the sides and sleeves. That's my least favorite part, so I could put it off for a while, but hopefully not. Next post will be pics of me wearing the finished sweater!

Baby Dress

This was one of the most fun things I've ever knit. The yarn was a dream to work with, and it just flew by. The pattern came from a Vogue Knitting mag and it was just really easy. I had no problems, and was done in a week. I've been waiting to post it until Tiffanie received it, and I know she's picking it up at her post office today (tomorrow), so I couldn't wait any longer! I can't wait to see Savannah in it. I made the 1 year size, but my knitting is sometimes tight and runs small, plus babies grow at such different rates, I have no clue when it'll fit her. When it does, though, I will get a pic of her wearing it up here!

Savannah's Outfit

I'm dying of suspense, waiting for this gift to show up in London. I really want to post a pic, but want Tiff to see it before I do. I can't wait for it to fit the little munchkin, and see her wearing it! She's soooooooooo cute.

Knitting with Friends

Up until recently, I've been mostly a solo knitter. I really enjoying time alone and just zoning out and letting the needles fly. Except for a short-lived stint in a knitting circle I organized with coworkers/friends in 2004-ish, I've really never knit with anyone else. I even taught myself, alone, with a book. This year though, has been pleasantly different! I've gotten so much pleasure in the few nights I've spent knitting with girlfriends. 2 of the 3 friends had never knit a stitch before, and I really enjoy seeing someone go from slightly frustrated or confused, to satisfied and excited by their newfound hobby. I enjoy the tradition of knitting circles and am aiming to cultivate a little knitting camaraderie this year. Of course, I still enjoy knitting alone, but doing it with friends is proving to be more fun than I ever imagined. :)

Update on the Moose

I finished making up the sleeves, front, and back of the moose sweater. The top is to be finished with circular needles and raglan shaping. I ordered the circulars and they finally arrived yesterday! I went ahead and got the Options Interchangables, off the Knit Picks website, because I know I will use them all. I ordered additional cables in 40" too, as they're the longest they make and I need them. So they've arrived, and I can continue with the sweater. I've never knit a raglan yoke and finished in one piece, so this will be a little challenge for me, especially when the jacquard pattern returns towards the neck. Here I go...

My Red Fair Isle Baby

I started this sweater 4 years ago. The color is a dream to work with for me. I designed the fair isle pattern and painstakingly graphed it out on my computer then printed. I sketched an idea for the shape of the body, which is designed to be form fitting up to the bust and the upper arms, then balloon out a little bit. I stopped knitting after I finished the front and back and grafted the shoulder seams together. I let it sit in my closet this entire time. I've decided to pick it back up and finish the damn thing. I think I was just stumped as to what to do for the sleeves. I’m still not quite sure how to get a poof like I wanted, or if I really even want that shape anymore. I’ve never done short rows, and though I’m sure I could, I’m not sure my first time should be on my own design. Maybe. Here is my sketch of the body. This is why I didn't go to Parsons or FIDM. Now you know. Shhh.

Death of the Local Yarn Store

Recently, I've taken on a few new knitting projects. While my yarn and needle stash is expansive, last week I found myself lacking specific circulars that I wanted immediately. I knew JoAnn's or Michael's would not carry the 40" 10 1/2s I needed, as they never carry any longer than 32", and even those are few and far between. So, I decided to hunt for a Los Angeles LYS.

I used to have my go to places like Black Sheep Knittery, That Yarn Store, the Yarn Garden, and Knit Cafe, whose owner, Suzan, was always so cool and helpful. Unfortunately, all these places are now CLOSED, except the Yarn Garden, which is now under another name by the same owner and sells handmade goods, not yarn.

I know there are a few other local yarn stores that I could try, but I am not keen on driving 45 min to West L.A. or getting on the freeway and going to the Valley or Pasadena. I also needed the needles on a Monday, and most yarn stores are closed on Monday, plus, there is no guarantee they will have what I need. So I resigned myself to ordering the needles online. I hate not supporting an LYS if I can, but it has become so difficult these past few years.

I know this city is not alone in the loss of these gems. I've read articles in my magazines and rants on blogs, encouraging knitters and crocheters to get out there and spend at least a portion of their budgets in a LYS. I want to do this, but it's hard when the internet is right in front of me, and the yarn store is so far away.

German Moosey Sweater

I ordered this Rebecca update from Deutschland during the summer of 2009. I found the ggh Aspen yarn on Jimmy Beans in Sept, and ordered it then. It was delivered, then stolen off my porch while I was away for a couple of days. I understandably, couldn't get a refund. But I was determined to make the sweater! So I ordered it again, about a month ago. The price was about 40% higher this time around, but I finally started making it. Come to find out, the pattern does not call for enough of the orange/rust color. It calls for 4 skeins and even though I made the smallest size, with the smallest needle choice, I think it needs 6 skeins. So I ordered more. I’ve finished the back and am up to the jacquard pattern on the front when I realized that I used the larger size needle for the ribbing on the front. They’re only 1/2 size difference, and it’s not really noticable, but I’m tempted to frog it because I’m a perfectionist. Also tempted to frog half of the back, because I feel I could’ve used better tension on the fair isle pattern. I went LYS hopping today, in search of the rest of the 4 pairs of circulars the pattern calls for (which are so expensive!), but silly me forgot that almost every LYS is closed on Monday. This is quite the project. I’m getting a lot of satisfaction out of it though!

I found this rad Barbie latch hook I made several years back. I'm kind of in love with these silly things again, and might have to pick up a new one soon!