My DH gave me the cutest B-day card ever!

I think it's wishing me a clean birthday, LOL.
The envelope was great, too:

Swatch for my MIL's Poncho

This is the indiecita alpaca held two strands together. I tried first using one strand but it was only little tiny stitches and just didn't look like I had imagined. I then tried 2 strands on size 5 straight needles but that looked a little tight so this is using my nylon size 6 circ. I tried using my Denise but the point isn't too pointy so it was harder to to the sl1-k2tog-psso maneuver. Normally I like their shape and feel much better but for this project they were causing a little frustration.

Time now to consider the dimensions of the poncho. I'm doing the two rectangles version, but for someone a little more voluptuous topside than me. Holey Moley from Knitty seems to be a nice shape so I'll use those dimensions: 18"x34". In my calculations, the front will be 25" long, so that should be adequate.

Oh, yeah. You might be wondering about the pattern. I got Barbara G Walker's (first) Treasury of Knitting Patterns through ILL. This pattern is called Lace Cable or Germaine Stitch. It's from page 275.

Finished Caitie's Poncho

I think it turned out well and it is unique. The proportions of the rectangles weren't exactly right so the neck was a little too big. I could have picked up stitches and knit around, but I decided to knit a couple of 18"x2" strips and sew them in.

That actually worked really well. I was talking about this at the Stitch n' Bitch last night and the yarn rep who was there said, "of course, you never want to go smaller than 18"x25" rectangles." Well she didn't know I was knitting for a child, but I looked around for proportions when I was figuring this out and found 1:2 to 1:3. Hmmm. She's saying 1:1.4. I ended up with like 1:2.5. The fringes are 6 strands each wrapped the long way around a CD case. I didn't even weave in some of the ends - just made them more fringe.

Here it is on. Keep in mind that I'm a lot taller than the end user!

All these pictures were taken just about in the dark so that explains the wierd colors. It's actually this really pretty cranberry. It's really warm, too. I was happy to get it off my lap!

Had a great time at Knit Out DC 2004

It was a bit smaller than I expected, but luckily Kim found me pretty quickly so we hung out and chatted the rest of the day. The fashion shows were the best part. The ones from the yarn companies weren't as cool as the ones from the shops. Some of the shawls were amazing! I also got to see RosebyAny (and DH), Knittens (and BF?), and Lauren. Lauren took a group picture.

The weather was fab and I found out about a ton more LYS that I need to visit! Hmm, my birthday is coming up...

Knit-Out DC

I'm definitely going, either taking the metro from GR or NC. Looks like a lot of fun and some time knitting on the train. Say hi if you recognize me from the picture from the previous post. I really don't look that scary in person!

Me looking a bit demented in my new FO

I finished the striped little cardigan. It fits great. I'm not so sure about the buttons, but they are there to stay now. This was actually a pretty complicated project. A few lessons learned:

1. I really do hate weaving ends in on cotton, so a cotton striped sweater is not so hot an idea
2. I really do like sweaters done using Fee's ideas from the Sweater Workshop but maybe the applied button band is slightly more attractive
3. When you're doing the raglan decreases in ribbing, when in doubt have another knitted stitch on the front side, always use k2tog and SSK instead of going back and forth with the purl equivalents
4. I can make a sweater that fits (although now I want to lose weight)
5. Duh, do an even number of rows of each color, weave the colors in on the sides like in fair isle, but only with a knit stitch
6. Socks are still more fun

This picture was taken in very low light and I didn't ask the DH to fix it.

So I *am* crazy...

I just joined another knit-a-long. A sock knit-a-long. That's pretty crazy alone with how busy I am (working 1 full time job, 1 part time Sundays, and perhaps teaching at my LYS), but here's the real kicker: the knit-a-long is auf Deutsch. That's right, in German. I had 1 semester in college (I know how to say I've got a book by Kafka, I'm flying to Vienna at 11, and that I want a beer) and a class when I was in 8th grade.

So everyone's going to help me and I'm going to use the web translators. We'll see how it goes! Here's the link to the group: http://de.groups.yahoo.com/group/mustersockenknitalong/. Ah, the universal language of knitting. Perhaps I should do French first since I am actually almost fluent in it. But I'll take this opportunity.

Geez. I apparently accidentally posted this on my library blog by mistake. ACK. Oh, well, maybe nobody saw it?

I LOVE the new issue of Knitty

I want one of everything but I AM going to make blaze.

A book review (trying something new)

Debbie Stoller
Stitch 'N Bitch: The Knitter's Handbook
*****

I'm trying out a new trick. I really do like this book, though. It's not too serious yet it pretty much teaches you all you need to know to knit.

A poncho for my niece.

She's 12 and I think this would be a great b-day present. Gee, I hope she doesn't read my blog? Anyway, I'm making it out of this fuzzy cranberry-colored acrylic that is also from the stash. It will be warm and durable this way. I've tried several patterns and I'm going with the two rectangle approach. I tried to do point up, but that didn't work with my stitch pattern, then I tried a couple of other things... no luck. So, I finally made a little paper poncho (who suggested this on their page? sorry for not giving you credit!) and figured out the dimensions.

I'm using the lacy zigzag (Nov 1 from the perpetual calendar) and size 10.5 or 11 needles. My rectangles will each be 10" x 30". Here's a progress picture. It's actually going very fast but it's hard to take a picture of it since the batteries are about gone on the camera and it's very dark.

New Addi's and 365 stitches calendar

I finally spent some of the gift certificate that I got for being in a focus group in the beginning of June. Now I can do more socks at the same time! Woo-hoo. I had only DPN in size 1 but now I have a pair of 24" Addi turbos in size 1 (2.5 mm). I'm thinking about doing the pattern for the flames socks using them although they are slightly larger than the Brittanys that I've used for the rest of the sock. After all, my gauge will no doubt change anyway since I'll be doing Fair Isle for the patterns. I like to live dangerously.

I also got the stitch a day calendar. Yes, I know there are errata, lots of errata... but I like having the stitch pattern on the little easel. It makes me happy. I'll definitely use some of the stitches in the ponchos I'm planning. I had better get started on those! Maybe some socks, too.