tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-129467652024-03-23T12:20:25.953-06:00The Stash ProjectAn insane knitter desperately trying to use up her stash!Nikki in Niagarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13348586723780500367noreply@blogger.comBlogger120125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12946765.post-1167154032638935602006-12-26T10:17:00.000-07:002006-12-26T10:32:47.833-07:00Endings and BeginningsAs the year comes to an end I have decided to end this blog and start a new one. My new blog will centre on all the activities in my life I feel compelled to blog about rather than just knitting. <br /><br />A lot of things have happened recently and while I continue to knit and will blog about it; these new things will have a place on the new blog. <br /><br />We recently bought our own house! We moved Dec. 1 to our first home and it is keeping me very busy. I also am very comitted to my collage art. I was recently chosen to be a member of the Design Team at <a href="http://www.stampandscrapcanada.com">Stamp and Scrap Canada</a> and have also submitted some work for publication. This will be an exciting year for me!<br /><br />If you care to join me and read about my collage art and decorating our WWI era house along with the knitting please join me on my new blog.<br /><br /><a href="http://artful-life-with-elizajane.blogspot.com/">Artful Life With Eliza Jane</a>Nikki in Niagarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13348586723780500367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12946765.post-1163348375560214652006-11-12T09:15:00.000-07:002006-12-21T05:45:03.276-07:00Finally a FOI have finished socks!! Here we have the Feather & Fan socks (somewhat modified) from the book Socks, Socks, Socks. I used Regia Bamboo and they are wonderfully soft.<br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4719/1119/1600/nov12-3.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4719/1119/320/nov12-3.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />I just can't seem to survive without a pair of socks on the needles. So here we have the next pair which are super fun to knit.<br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4719/1119/1600/nov12-4.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4719/1119/320/nov12-4.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>Nikki in Niagarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13348586723780500367noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12946765.post-1162576346528059772006-11-03T10:45:00.000-07:002006-11-03T17:06:45.870-07:00Still HereWow, I haven't posted in a while! Things have been pretty hectic around here lately and I haven't been knitting as much as usual. I am still knitting, though. I have been pretty much working exclusively on the Poppy Shawl (see previous entry) and am on the 11th row of 17 rows of poppies. I'm still enjoying it as much as when I started though the rows are enormously long now and I'm at a point where I need to move up to a longer needle. However, I am using the longest needle I have so will have to go buy a new (longer) circ. This will entail a trip to the city so it may be a bit before I can get out and get one. <br /><br />In the meantime, a few days ago I cast on for a new sock. This will be my November entry for the SAM2. I am doing a basic Feather & Fan sock with Regia Bamboo. There is something about this F&F pattern (from the book Socks, Socks, Socks) that just practically knits itself. I am almost at the toe of the first sock. The Bamboo yarn is delicious, a joy to knit with and a joy to touch. It's one of those yarns where you just have to keep picking up your knitting to caress the yarn!Nikki in Niagarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13348586723780500367noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12946765.post-1160508165146799602006-10-10T13:11:00.000-06:002006-12-03T23:12:21.500-07:00Leafy Lace Socks<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4719/1119/1600/oct10-.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4719/1119/320/oct10-.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />My October <a href="http://knittinmom.blogspot.com/">SAM2 </a>socks are finished! These are from a kit from the <a href="http://theknitter.com">sotmc </a>from a few months back. Cascade Fixation and pattern by Rebecca Perry. The ribbing on the first sock is a bit too loose as I was getting used to knitting with the elastic but once I figured it out it was fine. These are nice huggable socks. I love socks that hug and will definately use this yarn again.Nikki in Niagarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13348586723780500367noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12946765.post-1160079284765563742006-10-05T14:00:00.000-06:002006-10-22T07:29:10.920-06:00Blanket and a Shawl<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4719/1119/1600/oct5-.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4719/1119/320/oct5-.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />The mitred blanket is finished! This one took quite a while to make simply because I was taking my time with it. Just knit a bit here and there but have been working on it like crazy this past week. The colours are not quite so bright as they appear in the picture.<br /><br />Thanks to <a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/14412686">Aimee</a> in the comments I've decided the mohair is a bulky yarn and still don't know what I'll be knitting with it. The search for a pattern continues.<br /><br />The Fixation socks continue in progress. I am just about to start the gussets. I'm working both socks at once on dpns. I'm really enjoying this yarn. At first I was unsure how to work with the elasticity worrying about my tension but finally figured out to just knit like normal and all is well.<br /><br />Now for a sneak peak at my current project. When I posted my last blog entry I was just about to cast on for this but didn't want to mention it in case it didn't work out. This is something I have wanted to knit since ... well ... forever. When I sorted out my stash the other week I decided to finally take the plunge and I am hooked on this baby! Here we have the start of the Poppy Shawl by Kaffe Fassett. I'm at the part now where I have to chart the pattern out myself to get the poppies lined up properly. I'm working with an assortment of sport weight/ light dk yarns in a multitude of textures and fibres. This is one of those things that will look better after blocking but man, I'm loving it!<br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4719/1119/1600/oct5-1.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4719/1119/320/oct5-1.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>Nikki in Niagarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13348586723780500367noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12946765.post-1159733865193950602006-10-01T14:08:00.000-06:002006-10-01T19:54:34.416-06:00Socktoberfest & Stash OverhaulFirst order of business is socks! I am currently knitting these socks from a sotmc kit from a few months back. These will be my Socktoberfest socks and my October Sock a month socks. Nothing like doing double duty with your kals!<br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4719/1119/1600/sept26-5.2.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4719/1119/320/sept26-5.2.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />I have been knitting almost exclusively on the mitred blanket this last week. I realized I was almost finished so decided to get a move on with this. I have two more sides to complete then I'll have finished pics to show!<br /><br />I spent this last week doing something <STRIKE>stupid</STRIKE> useful. I reorganized my stash. I sorted out by weight and purpose. I thought that doing this might actually reduce the number of boxes of stash but in the end I had one more box than I started with!<br /><br />I made boxes for each weight of yarn and then separated the sock worthy yarn into separate boxes for both sock weight and sport weight. I also sorted out the 100% wool worsted and cotton (regardless of weight) into separate boxes. Whether this will be helpful or not is doubtful but I feel a little less overwhelmed than before I started.<br /><br />So, what have I pulled out of the stash to knit next? you ask. Another blast from the past with this:<br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4719/1119/1600/sept26-6.1.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4719/1119/320/sept26-6.1.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br /><strong>Scheepjeswol Mohair Ombre</strong>. A lovely variegated colour of medium and light tans and grey. <strong>67% Mohair, 28% Wool, 5% Nylon. I have 9 full balls and an extra 20 grams. Making 470 grams or 376 metres</strong>. Recommended needles are size 6 or 7. But I am wondering, since all the info on the ball band is metric do they mean 6mm/7mm or the old UK sizes 6/7 which would be 4.5mm/5mm. The yarn strand itself is very thin, about a fingering weight, then it has a huge halo making it fluffy and thick. What do you think? I've never knit with mohair before.<br /><br />So, once I know what needles to use with this the <strong>big </strong>question is what the heck should I knit with it all? Would it work for a shawl? Other than the feather & fan shawls I've done I have never knit a large lace shawl and I would love to take one on. Pattern suggestions would be greatly appreciated!Nikki in Niagarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13348586723780500367noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12946765.post-1159561251011431482006-09-29T14:19:00.000-06:002006-11-10T09:00:15.710-07:00When Knitting Becomes an ObsessionIf you haven't seen this already. You really should!<br /><br /><object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/M6ZjMWLqJvM"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/M6ZjMWLqJvM" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed></object>Nikki in Niagarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13348586723780500367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12946765.post-1159115061016149192006-09-24T10:04:00.000-06:002006-10-01T09:40:55.100-06:00FO DayToday is Finished Object Day here at The Stash Project.<br /><br />First up are the Retro Rib socks by Evelyn A. Clark from Interweave Knits Winter 2004. The contrast colour is the leftover Trekking XXL from the Unsts and the main yarn is some thrifted wool Patons Azalea which seems to be quite ancient. A lovely yarn to knit with, it is pure new wool from Australia. Pretty much knit to pattern with the exception of the added contrast colour and I knit my standard star toe.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/63055517@N00/251396197/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://static.flickr.com/91/251396197_4d2cc35f9d_m.jpg" width="236" height="240" alt="sept24-1" /></a><br /><br />Next up we have the fingerless mitts on page 7 of the Fall 2005 Interweave Knits, using the Patons Siberia from stash. Again I really enjoyed this yarn and these are nice and soft. This was knit to pattern with the exception that it called for 6 mm needles and I only had 5.5 and 6.5 dpns so I went with the 5.5 mm. They only used 60 gr of yarn so I had plenty.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/63055517@N00/251396198/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://static.flickr.com/89/251396198_7f22f66b1f_m.jpg" width="240" height="230" alt="sept24-2" /></a><br /><br />And finally we have a <a href="http://www.freepatterns.com/fp_pdfs/Other/Knitting/lacy_summer_purse.pdf">Lacy Summer Purse</a> (PDF FILE) using the blue ball of Patons Cotton Sahara. This yarn gave me headache trying to figure out what to knit with it. I started knitting a dishcloth but I really like this yarn and it seemed too nice to knit a dishcloth with. I mean this stuff is old and I may never get my hands on some again so I wanted to make something "nice". Know what I mean? Finally settled on this pattern and this is such a cute little bag! It would make a perfect gift bag. It took pretty much the whole the ball of yarn with just enough left that I didn't hyperventilate about running out!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/63055517@N00/251396193/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://static.flickr.com/95/251396193_3f2712d811_o.jpg" width="398" height="469" alt="sept24-" /></a><br /><br />I now have one and a half balls of the peach Cotton Sahara left and I am going to knit this bag again with it only I am going to try substituting the mesh pattern from itsy-bitsy. Now I am going to go get a few more balls out of the box to see what I'll be knitting with next.Nikki in Niagarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13348586723780500367noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12946765.post-1158780070913409792006-09-20T13:08:00.000-06:002006-09-21T13:56:06.846-06:00Itsy BitsyI feel like I'm on a roll here! Knitting is just flying off the needles. Here we have the <a href="http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEspring05/PATTmeshbags.html">itsy bitsy bag</a> finished.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/63055517@N00/248427440/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://static.flickr.com/98/248427440_1d25d94e7a.jpg" width="203" height="500" alt="Itsy Bitsy Bag" /></a><br /><br />I just love this thing! Here it is holding the current knitting yarn and "what is that peeking out?" you ask. That is one of the fingerless mitts already finished! I can imagine knitting this bag over and over. I have to tell you, though, it was not fun to knit. The herringbone stitches used are extremely fiddly. I had to employ an extra finger while knitting and it slowed me down considerably, but it was definately worth it. And practice does make perfect. I see this in the future and may be changing my mind about making dishcloths with the Patons Cotton Sahara. This bag used 70 grams of the Wendy Capri. So I do have some left.<br /><br />As mentioned, I have one fingerless mitt finished and am working on the second one. The retro rib socks are coming along, I've finished the foot of one and am plodding along on the second foot.Nikki in Niagarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13348586723780500367noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12946765.post-1158507202165941382006-09-17T09:24:00.000-06:002006-09-20T10:54:54.940-06:00Decisions Have Been MadeThanks for all the suggestions everyone! I've decided on patterns for these three yarns.<br /><br />First up the Wendy Capri. After one false start knitting with this I realized it was more of a worsted weight than dk and decided upon the <a href="http://knitty.com/ISSUEspring05/PATTmeshbags.html">itsy-bitsy mesh bag</a> pattery from Knitty. I'm more than half-way finished and just about ready to start the second ball so feeling good knowing I'll have enough yarn. This yarn is working perfectly and I really like it. Here's the progress pic.<span></span><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4719/1119/1600/sept17-.1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4719/1119/320/sept17-.1.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4719/1119/1600/sept17-.0.jpg"></a><br /><br />Next on the list was the Patons Siberia. <a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/2462491">sparkli </a>suggested the My So Called Scarf pattern. I haven't knit that before and took a look at the pattern, which is gorgeous! But after good consideration, this yarn is just too fluffy and nubby for the pattern stitch to show up well. So I went hunting online for a pattern, then I remembered a pattern from an Interweave Knits issue and have decided upon these fingerless mitts. They call for 100 gr and I only have 80 gr, but I've made full sized mittens with 100 gr of chunky yarn so I should be ok and I'm going to make them a bit shorter than the pattern calls for anyway so I think we'll be good. This is on page 7 of the Fall 2005 issue.<br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4719/1119/1600/sept17-1.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4719/1119/320/sept17-1.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />And finally the Patons Cotton Sahara, which, yes, has been mellowing for quite some time! <a href="http://stashqueen.typepad.com/">christy j</a> logically suggested a pillow top since it would match my living room. After looking though some pillow patterns I just couldn't see this cotton, nubby yarn as any of them! More thinking and came up with the equation: Cotton Yarn = Dishcloth. I think this cotton/nylon blend might actually make a very nice dishcloth, give it a bit more scrubbing power than a 100% cotton. Now the colours are way off for my kitchen so I'll gift these for Christmas. I should get a couple of cloths (maybe three?) from this yarn. Now I'll be haunting this <a href="http://www.knittingpatterncentral.com/directory/dishcloths.php">list </a>of dishcloth patterns.<br /><br />PS - I am still working on the Retro Rib socks. I'm working the feet now.<br /><br />Next blog post should some FO's and when I've knit this batch of yarn up I'll post the next selection of yarn from the box. So get your thinking caps ready to help me again!Nikki in Niagarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13348586723780500367noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12946765.post-1158178137040739122006-09-13T13:35:00.000-06:002006-09-23T15:17:54.653-06:00And Now for Something Completely DifferentI am taking a new direction in this blog. I have a purpose! <br /><br />I have a huge stash which I actually have not really added to in quite some time. A few odd balls here and there and some thrifted yarn but no big yarn purchases for a couple of months now.<br /><br />So here is my purpose for this blog. I am going to knit up my stash! My stash is quite large and contains everything from 100% acrylics to 100% wool with everything inbetween. Nice yarn and not so nice yarn. Yarn I haven't knitted because it's too nice, yarn I haven't knitted because I don't know what to knit with it. I have an incredible amount of odd balls that just sit around and seem to multiply.<br /><br />Now, I'm not saying I won't buy yarn anymore but I am going to knit from the stash on a regular basis.<br /><br />What stash you ask? This stash:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/63055517@N00/242567644/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://static.flickr.com/97/242567644_f3fc7574ca_m.jpg" width="240" height="155" alt="My Stash - Bottom of Closet" /></a><br /><strong>Bottom of closet</strong><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/63055517@N00/242567646/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://static.flickr.com/89/242567646_ebf4a1bf16_m.jpg" width="240" height="135" alt="My Stash - Top of Closet" /></a><br /><strong>Top of closet</strong><br /><strong></strong><br />Now, it may not look like a lot to some of you but trust me those boxes are big and absolutely stuffed full of yarn. Some of the boxes only close properly because of the boxes sitting on top of them!<br /><br />Starting off this stash-busting project we have the first box, which was not included in the above pictures. This box is only half full.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/63055517@N00/242567648/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://static.flickr.com/94/242567648_121f343dbe_m.jpg" width="240" height="164" alt="First Box of Stash" /></a><br /><br /><strong>First Goal of The Stash Project</strong>: Knit up this box of yarn.<br /><br />But I need your help. This box is full of odd balls and I have a hard time thinking of small items to knit with odd balls. Please give me your input! Here are the first balls I've moved to my knitting basket. What should I knit with them? <br /><br />1) Wendy Capri - 2 - 50 gr balls - no yardage - double knitting - 51% cotton/49% acrylic - colour is cream/off white<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/63055517@N00/242567650/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://static.flickr.com/86/242567650_3502dd903f_m.jpg" width="240" height="225" alt="Wendy Capri" /></a><br /><br />2) Patons Cotton Sahara - 50 gr blue, 75 gr peach - 115 yds per 50 gr - worsted weight - 89% cotton/11% nylon - as a note these colours match my living room.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/63055517@N00/242567651/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://static.flickr.com/89/242567651_c5a3e5feee_m.jpg" width="240" height="162" alt="sept13-4" /></a><br /><br />3) Patons Siberia - 80 gr multi kind of burgundy and grey - no yardage - chunky weight - 77.5% acrylic/12% cotton/8.5% mohair/2% nylon<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/63055517@N00/242567654/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://static.flickr.com/98/242567654_8ea33736e3_m.jpg" width="240" height="224" alt="sept13-5" /></a><br /><br />Any ideas?Nikki in Niagarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13348586723780500367noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12946765.post-1157918754694811032006-09-10T13:54:00.000-06:002006-09-14T14:05:58.020-06:00Feather & Fan Comfort Shawl<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4719/1119/1600/sept10-.jpg"><img style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4719/1119/320/sept10-.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />I finally got around to taking a photo of the shawl I finished a bit ago.<br /><br />Here is the feather and fan comfort shawl<br /><br />Now, other than the continuing mitre blanket, I am currently working on the retro rib socks from Interweave Knits. Finally. I've wanted to knit these since I got that issue and every time I see them posted on someone's blog. I'm almost at the heels.Nikki in Niagarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13348586723780500367noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12946765.post-1157413676939261532006-09-04T17:46:00.000-06:002006-09-07T06:26:58.030-06:00We Will Miss You<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4719/1119/1600/SteveIrwin_Gilbo_529323_Max.jpg"><img style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4719/1119/320/SteveIrwin_Gilbo_529323_Max.jpg" border="0" /></a>Nikki in Niagarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13348586723780500367noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12946765.post-1157212313100667882006-09-02T09:44:00.000-06:002006-09-10T22:28:28.793-06:00Wicker BasketAs I was working on the red/purple socks below the August <a href="http://theknitter.com">sock of the month kit </a>arrived. As soon as I opened it I <strong>knew </strong>I would be casting on the for these socks the second I was finished. And I did, they practically flew off the needles taking 3 days to complete. I love them!<br /><br />Wicker Basket Sport Socks by Wooliedi. Yarn is Wick by Knit One Crochet Too which is <strong>soy</strong>. I've never used soy yarn before and it is wonderful!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/63055517@N00/231856048/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://static.flickr.com/86/231856048_2bb2142074_o.jpg" width="398" height="480" alt="sept2-" /></a><br /><br />P.S. - I finished the shawl last night! So more pics coming soon!Nikki in Niagarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13348586723780500367noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12946765.post-1156954783184186572006-08-30T10:14:00.000-06:002006-08-31T19:48:25.036-06:00More SocksHere is the promised FO! <br /><br />These socks started out as the Lavender Lace Socks by Evelyn Clark in the book Vogue Knitting on the Go Socks Two but I made a lot of changes. Practically everything actually! But I did use the horseshoe lace pattern on the leg. The yarn used for the red is a vintage yarn: Mary Maxim 3ply 90% wool 10% nylon and was beautiful to knit with. Unsure as to what the purple yarns are but they are both the same brand and 100% wool.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/63055517@N00/229263488/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://static.flickr.com/93/229263488_86b66ef49a.jpg" width="408" height="500" alt="aug30-" /></a><br /><br />I have another FO on the blockers right now and will post again soon!Nikki in Niagarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13348586723780500367noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12946765.post-1156352480082198592006-08-23T10:56:00.000-06:002006-08-23T11:01:20.106-06:00Checking InI haven't blogged in a bit so I'm checking in! I don't have any pics today as all my knitting is wips at the moment. I haven't been blogging but I am knitting. On the needles as of right now are:<br /><br />1) the brown mitred blanket. Was working on it pretty regularly as tv knitting while doing the Unst socks but taking a bit of break right now.<br /><br />2) started and am almost finished another feather and fan comfort shawl. I made two of these last year and wore them constantly last winter so feel another one is definatley needed.<br /><br />3) working on the gussets of another pair of socks. Started working from a pattern but have modified it so much they really aren't the same as the original pattern anymore.<br /><br />Next blog post should show a FO of either item #2 or #3.Nikki in Niagarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13348586723780500367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12946765.post-1155321337312767372006-08-11T12:29:00.000-06:002006-08-30T18:53:15.866-06:00We Have UnstFinished my socks for the "Knitting on the Road" kal. These are Unst by Nancy Bush with some modification.<br /><br />I knit the leg on #2 then switched to #1s for the heel and foot. I do not like holey feet so I did not carry the pattern down the foot, instead I continued in a rib pattern p1,k5,p1,k7. Yarn Trekking XXL. This yarn has a very long pattern repeat, it didn't start to repeat until I was 2" into the second sock ! and not an exact repeat either.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/63055517@N00/212643530/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://static.flickr.com/93/212643530_8a35a14088_o.jpg" width="419" height="502" alt="Unst" /></a><br /><br />Currently on the needles: continuing to work on the miter (mitre) squares blanket and starting to look for a new sock to knit.Nikki in Niagarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13348586723780500367noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12946765.post-1154378303914393802006-07-31T14:28:00.000-06:002006-08-10T05:49:59.880-06:00Currently On and Off the Needles<strong>Off the Needles</strong><br /><br />Two more hats using up the colours from the previous ones. This is based on the 76 stitch hat from an older issue of interweave knits.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/63055517@N00/203137093/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://static.flickr.com/78/203137093_b990bc732b_m.jpg" width="240" height="158" alt="Two 76 Stitch Hats" /></a><br /><br /><strong>On the Needles</strong><br /><br />And as promised the sneak peak of the next mitred blanket I'm working on. I really love how this is turning out! The colours are a bit washed out in the photo but you get the idea.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/63055517@N00/203137094/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://static.flickr.com/65/203137094_66e43bc994_m.jpg" width="240" height="179" alt="july31-3" /></a><br /><br />Today the winner was announced for the next sock we will be knitting in the "Knitting on the Road" kal. I think I'm starting to miss the sock knitting as I cast on for it right away!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/63055517@N00/203137095/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://static.flickr.com/71/203137095_95dfdf66c9_m.jpg" width="240" height="232" alt="Starting Unst" /></a><br /><br />I think any knitter worth their salt knows what yarn that is!<br /><br />And that is all she wrote folks!Nikki in Niagarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13348586723780500367noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12946765.post-1153768010540100482006-07-24T13:06:00.000-06:002006-07-29T11:39:25.463-06:00She Who Likes To Knit HatsCouple of more hats off the needles this week!<br /><br />First a mosaic pattern that took me a week to knit. I don't know, mosaic is tooted as the easy alternative to stranded knitting but I am so slow with mosaic patterns and much prefer stranded. I like the look of mosaics though.<br /><br /><a title="Photo Sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/63055517@N00/197163090/"><img height="517" alt="Mosaic Hat" src="http://static.flickr.com/67/197163090_763c21e7cb_o.jpg" width="467" /></a><br /><br />Then knit much faster (2.5 days!) is this stranded hat. At first I wasn't too sure about the pattern band (it seemed too busy) but the more I look at it the more I like it. I really like the colours here. I'm using up odd balls for these hats and it is forcing me to find colour combos that wouldn't normally come to me. Pink, brown, yellow, gold and blue!<br /><br /><a title="Photo Sharing" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/63055517@N00/197163091/"><img height="384" alt="Picot-Hem Fair Isle Hat" src="http://static.flickr.com/76/197163091_c48522e138.jpg" width="500" /></a><br /><br />And I have started working on the next mitred (mitered) blanket with the butterscotch yarn and am loving it! Will get a sneak peek photo for you some time soon.Nikki in Niagarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13348586723780500367noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12946765.post-1152810952983721662006-07-13T11:10:00.000-06:002006-07-16T16:08:24.453-06:00Another BlanketYeah!! I finished the blanket. This was total random using my scraps and black as the main colour. Haven't measured it but it is quite big. Hanging on my fence it looks a little crooked but it really lays perfectly flat. So, I'm already planning the next one using an old 60/40 wool/acrylic nubby yarn from my stash, a delicious butterscotch colour. This will be a little more planned as I'll only use scraps that go with the MC (both co-ordinating and contrast colours). I've already got something in mind for the next black scrap one, too. It won't be squares next time, if my plan works out. We'll see. But in the meantime I've started another hat and feel another hat binge coming on. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/63055517@N00/188851143/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://static.flickr.com/60/188851143_c7f2c4139a.jpg" width="500" height="458" alt="Mitered Blanket" /></a>Nikki in Niagarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13348586723780500367noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12946765.post-1152468762637522122006-07-09T12:04:00.000-06:002006-07-13T01:02:18.343-06:00Thrifty Knitting FindsWell, this weekend I got some nifty finds from garage sales. But first knitting news. After the hat bonanza last week I figured I better get this black mitre blanket finished before I do anymore so I've been working away on it. I'm on the final rotation of squares and have 2 of the four sides finished. Next post should see a FO pic!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/63055517@N00/185669159/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://static.flickr.com/72/185669159_82eca21be1.jpg" width="500" height="370" alt="Knitting Garage Sale Finds" /></a><br /><br />In the front some hat pattern booklets. The hardcover book is "The Big Book of Knitting" 1948 and in the back is a really cool automatic i-cord knitter! You thread the little "machine", close Granny's head and crank her feet for lots of i-cord!Nikki in Niagarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13348586723780500367noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12946765.post-1152121188739681742006-07-05T11:34:00.000-06:002006-07-16T14:11:43.086-06:00I May Have a Problem ...Well ... um .... I think I have a little problem. What do you think?<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/63055517@N00/182593676/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://static.flickr.com/73/182593676_cae3037a7b.jpg" width="500" height="374" alt="Hats" /></a><br /><br />I can't stop knitting these things!! I just love going round and round and round. And the great thing about hats compared to socks is ... you only have to knit one!Nikki in Niagarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13348586723780500367noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12946765.post-1151515139376856272006-06-28T10:53:00.000-06:002006-06-30T09:33:39.063-06:00Friday's Finds, Knitting and MoreWell, this week I didn't do much thrifting at all. I did pop into an antique/junk store and managed to pick this up. 1937 woman's magazine has lots of cool images and ads plus some knitting patterns; and two old postcards<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/63055517@N00/177109644/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://static.flickr.com/64/177109644_a254149c6c_o.jpg" width="368" height="415" alt="Antique/Junk Store Finds" /></a><br /><br />All was not lost though as I managed to get a couple of real good deals on ebay this week. A lot of vintage birthday cards and a lot of old photographs.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/63055517@N00/177109645/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://static.flickr.com/48/177109645_c9820c9ffb_m.jpg" width="240" height="234" alt="Ebay Score 1 - 120+ Vintage Birthday Cards" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/63055517@N00/177109646/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://static.flickr.com/64/177109646_a0f96cf1f8_m.jpg" width="240" height="213" alt="Ebay Score 2 - Old Photos" /></a><br /><br />Some of you were quite interested in the altered puzzles I was participating in and with the move and all I never got a chance to post pictures but I have received three completed puzzles now. Each piece was altered by a different artist, I haven't completed the frames yet but have to share how wonderful these are. Click on the images to see larger.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/63055517@N00/172712342/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://static.flickr.com/70/172712342_bf41a6e2a2_m.jpg" width="205" height="240" alt="Wizard of Oz Altered Puzzle" /></a> <br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/63055517@N00/172712341/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://static.flickr.com/74/172712341_05c782b9d4_m.jpg" width="213" height="240" alt="Star Trek Altered Puzzle" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/63055517@N00/172712340/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://static.flickr.com/45/172712340_c8477532e6_m.jpg" width="198" height="240" alt="Star Trek TNG Altered Puzzle" /></a><br /><br />And finally, Yes, I do knit! I'm still working on a mitred blanket. This will be my third one this year, as you may remember I decided to see how many I could make this year. I'm getting ready to finish it, I have to buy another ball of black then I'm going to do the final finishing round. I'm getting a bit tired of it and besides I have 7 balls of a butterscotch coloured yarn that I'm anxious to use as the main colour for the next one. <br /><br />Also started a new project and will leave you with a little teaser of the WIP.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/63055517@N00/177109888/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://static.flickr.com/62/177109888_7b7fd3db84.jpg" width="500" height="391" alt="WIP June 28" /></a>Nikki in Niagarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13348586723780500367noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12946765.post-1151084307128495302006-06-23T11:16:00.000-06:002006-06-28T02:13:21.433-06:00Friday is for Thrifty FindsI do a lot of thrifting: going to thrift stores, garage sales, estate sales, flea markets, antique stores, junk stores, you get the idea.<br /><br />Sometimes I score big, others nothing, and a lot of in-between. I'm going to start sharing my finds on Fridays.<br /><br />These all came fron one visit to a Goodwill, one evening this week. <br /><br />Click on the pictures to read the notes.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/63055517@N00/173335373/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://static.flickr.com/48/173335373_4dae0a213e.jpg" width="500" height="438" alt="Thrifty Finds This Week Pt.1" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/63055517@N00/173335375/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://static.flickr.com/62/173335375_391cf33a3e.jpg" width="500" height="421" alt="Thrifty Finds This Week Pt.2" /></a>Nikki in Niagarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13348586723780500367noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12946765.post-1150996940391939412006-06-22T11:18:00.000-06:002006-06-23T11:09:11.886-06:00What do you do in the middle of a hot summer?Why ... knit mittens! of course. Don't ask me why but I started knitting some munstersockens for myself using odd bits of leftover sock yarn and before I knew it they decided to fingerless mitts instead. I love them.<br /><br />Pattern: just made it up as I went along<br />Yarn: leftover sock yarn<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/63055517@N00/172712338/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://static.flickr.com/44/172712338_5f164ece80_o.jpg" width="451" height="404" alt="Fingerless Mitts" /></a>Nikki in Niagarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13348586723780500367noreply@blogger.com1