MIL gift
Originally uploaded by Knitter Kim
Friday, December 21, 2007
Deck the Halls
IMG_2002.JPG
Originally uploaded by Knitter Kim
Our tree was easy to decorate and I admit I like having it around to keep me company at night as I knit on presents.
Ballband Washcloths
Originally uploaded by Knitter Kim
IMG_2016.JPG
Originally uploaded by Knitter Kim
These were Teacher Gifts this year! The recipients seemed appreciative of the beautiful soaps and marveled at hand knit washcloths. :)
Saturday, November 03, 2007
chaiglovesandearwarmer.JPG
chaiglovesandearwarmer.JPG
Originally uploaded by Knitter Kim
A few more FO's--warm earwarmer and fingerless mitts from cozy 2 ply targhee in Morwenna's "Chai Latte" colorway--www.Mosaicmoonyarnstore.com
Saturday, October 20, 2007
BUNNIES!
BUNNIES!.JPG
Originally uploaded by Knitter Kim
A preview of a new design! It's almost ready to go to an expecting mama :)
Widdershins in Maple Leaf
Widdershins in Maple Leaf
Originally uploaded by Knitter Kim
I like to make shorter socks, so the ribbing at the top is only a couple of inches or so.
Close up of sleeves
IMG_1973.JPG
Originally uploaded by Knitter Kim
Just another picture. Figuring out how to use Flickr and Blogger together.
Simple To Wear Sweater
Originally uploaded by Knitter Kim
This is a quickie design, I wanted an easy-to-wear sweater that could be casual enough to wear with jeans or cords and wouldn't require a lot of fussing. Just slip it on and go!
It's made from Purewool single ply merino that I dyed in what I call my "Maple Leaf" colorway. Scoop neck so it's flattering on top. A little ribbing under the bust to keep it from looking like a potato sack, and some slight flaring at the sleeves. I ended the bottom hem and sleeves with picot cast off and did ribbing around the neckline.
I wore it yesterday and love it. It's super, super soft so no layering required! It's perfect for next-to-skin wearing. Last night, I also finished a pair of Widdershins in the same colorway. The yarn for the socks dyed up darker than the merino did, even though I used the same dye lot. I still love them and the idea that I can wear matching socks and sweater!
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Baby Mary Janes.
Could there be anything sweeter? I made these using a pattern from ShesCrafty using worsted weight yarn I had dyed. I didn't have the recommended fingering weight yarn in colors that I liked, so I felted them after knitting and love the way they turned out. The little iridescent glass buttons are perfect, I think. Baby Grace received her new Mary Janes today and appeared to like them very much.
Could there be anything sweeter? I made these using a pattern from ShesCrafty using worsted weight yarn I had dyed. I didn't have the recommended fingering weight yarn in colors that I liked, so I felted them after knitting and love the way they turned out. The little iridescent glass buttons are perfect, I think. Baby Grace received her new Mary Janes today and appeared to like them very much.
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
Spring is busy around here. I spend hours every day out of doors pulling weeds and fussing over my plants. It's more fun than it sounds, really! Things are going pretty well in the gardening department except a wily mama bunny made a nest in the mulch that covers my garlic bed. I wondered how my lettuce and strawberries were getting eaten! I lost a whole tomato plant before the mystery was solved. The babies are gone now, so I hope they've moved onto greener pastures.
I've been doing some dyeing lately. Playing with colors, to see what I like. I have no names for these colorways yet, but what do you think?
Also, work has been ongoing for the art fair I mentioned previously. Entered for the jury's consideration:
Organic merino dyed gray with light lavender yarn violets.
Also, some scarves and a hat knit from beautiful hand-painted yarn.
My friend Morwenna at Mosaic Moon dyed these lovely colorways--"Malayan Orchid" and "Guinevere" on Targhee and Blue Faced Leicester.
It will be a month of nail-biting to hear if I've been accepted as a vendor. Then, if I am, only two months to prepare the merchandise! I've been doing some knitting as I wait in an effort to be optimistic.
I've been doing some dyeing lately. Playing with colors, to see what I like. I have no names for these colorways yet, but what do you think?
Also, work has been ongoing for the art fair I mentioned previously. Entered for the jury's consideration:
Organic merino dyed gray with light lavender yarn violets.
Also, some scarves and a hat knit from beautiful hand-painted yarn.
My friend Morwenna at Mosaic Moon dyed these lovely colorways--"Malayan Orchid" and "Guinevere" on Targhee and Blue Faced Leicester.
It will be a month of nail-biting to hear if I've been accepted as a vendor. Then, if I am, only two months to prepare the merchandise! I've been doing some knitting as I wait in an effort to be optimistic.
Thursday, May 03, 2007
A short rant
Seriously. What is up with the freaking stickers on fresh fruit? How much time is wasted placing these stickers ON the fruit and then trying to remove them from the fruit?
I remember when I was little and the checkers at the grocery store knew all of the produce codes by heart. When was it decided that the checkers couldn't memorize the codes any longer?
Seriously. What is up with the freaking stickers on fresh fruit? How much time is wasted placing these stickers ON the fruit and then trying to remove them from the fruit?
I remember when I was little and the checkers at the grocery store knew all of the produce codes by heart. When was it decided that the checkers couldn't memorize the codes any longer?
Monday, April 30, 2007
Baby Knitting
I'm always so impressed with those knitters who find out a friend is pregnant and know immediately what they want to make for the new baby. I seem to have a hard time deciding and wait until the last minute to start/finish items. My friend Marnierecently had a gorgeous baby and when I opened the most recent Vogue Knits magazine, I saw the perfect gift--the Baby Surplice sweater by Elizabeth Z.
It's a fun and baffling knit until you get to the very end, when a la Elizabeth Z, it all makes sense.
I decided to do anchored buttons so that Marnie may move the buttons easily for perfect adjustability.
The yarn is farm yarn from Theresa at LTK dyed in her "Guinness" colorway. The colors aren't totally boy/girl, which I love.
I saw my girlfriend Erica today, and she's going to give birth to her second child on Thursday. It's a girl, and for some reason, I cannot settle on a project for her. I need some imspiration and fast!
I'm always so impressed with those knitters who find out a friend is pregnant and know immediately what they want to make for the new baby. I seem to have a hard time deciding and wait until the last minute to start/finish items. My friend Marnierecently had a gorgeous baby and when I opened the most recent Vogue Knits magazine, I saw the perfect gift--the Baby Surplice sweater by Elizabeth Z.
It's a fun and baffling knit until you get to the very end, when a la Elizabeth Z, it all makes sense.
I decided to do anchored buttons so that Marnie may move the buttons easily for perfect adjustability.
The yarn is farm yarn from Theresa at LTK dyed in her "Guinness" colorway. The colors aren't totally boy/girl, which I love.
I saw my girlfriend Erica today, and she's going to give birth to her second child on Thursday. It's a girl, and for some reason, I cannot settle on a project for her. I need some imspiration and fast!
Thursday, April 26, 2007
Spring is here!!!!
It's been a flurry of birthdays and spring fever over here. And knitting, yes, some knitting. This is going to be a big catch up post, so bear with me as I overwhelm you with photos.
First, it was Anthony's 7th birthday on Easter. He was gifted a new bike, one where he doesn't look like a circus clown while riding it because of knees up to his ears. He asked for dinner at Red Lobster and so it was--crab legs for the birthday boy!
He also had a violin recital at school. Here's my only, not so great, picture:
Next, it was Paige's 14th birthday. She asked for a local fast food joint for her birthday dinner, so we did that. Here she is blowing out her birthday candles with DOminic ready to help as needed:
Dominic has been spending all non-rainy days out of doors. I've been trying to teach him to use the pedal car, but he much prefers being pushed around in it over working to get it to move.
Me? I've been starting seeds:
Those are San Marzano sauce tomaotes and a new cherry variety called "TomatoBerry". Both seeds are from Johnny's Seedsmy very favorite seed source ever. They specialize in high quality seeds with a lot of organic varieties and a lot of variety in general! The germination rate is always very high and if you want to grow long Chinese beans, they have that. This year, we have the German Red Top garlic in our garden, coming up nicely. We plant it in the fall. I am also trying a new pole bean, to maximize garden space. Also new are 60 hills of potatoes (from Johnny's as well, but a lot of varieties sold out fast.). I'm hoping to avoid buying supermarket potatoes this year! And garlic! And tomatoes! And lettuce! And cucumbers for pickling and eating. And zucchini. Asparagus. Strawberries. I think that might be it this year.
OK, now the knitting. It's been hard to find adequate time lately. A few rain-showery days have allowed me to spend time indoors, dyeing yarn, playing with some stitch patterns, trying to decide what to work on next. I had a custom order for a customer, which was a cotton top and skirt. I dyed the yarns and knit the order up:
to
I've also been working on some special items for an art fair. I need to submit 4 photos of my work with the application because it's a juried fair. So, it's been dyeing, swatching, winding, knitting, embellishing central over here. It's a rainy day today, so I'll try for a few photos tomorrow. So far, I have a scarf and a tunic and beret almost done.
It's been a flurry of birthdays and spring fever over here. And knitting, yes, some knitting. This is going to be a big catch up post, so bear with me as I overwhelm you with photos.
First, it was Anthony's 7th birthday on Easter. He was gifted a new bike, one where he doesn't look like a circus clown while riding it because of knees up to his ears. He asked for dinner at Red Lobster and so it was--crab legs for the birthday boy!
He also had a violin recital at school. Here's my only, not so great, picture:
Next, it was Paige's 14th birthday. She asked for a local fast food joint for her birthday dinner, so we did that. Here she is blowing out her birthday candles with DOminic ready to help as needed:
Dominic has been spending all non-rainy days out of doors. I've been trying to teach him to use the pedal car, but he much prefers being pushed around in it over working to get it to move.
Me? I've been starting seeds:
Those are San Marzano sauce tomaotes and a new cherry variety called "TomatoBerry". Both seeds are from Johnny's Seedsmy very favorite seed source ever. They specialize in high quality seeds with a lot of organic varieties and a lot of variety in general! The germination rate is always very high and if you want to grow long Chinese beans, they have that. This year, we have the German Red Top garlic in our garden, coming up nicely. We plant it in the fall. I am also trying a new pole bean, to maximize garden space. Also new are 60 hills of potatoes (from Johnny's as well, but a lot of varieties sold out fast.). I'm hoping to avoid buying supermarket potatoes this year! And garlic! And tomatoes! And lettuce! And cucumbers for pickling and eating. And zucchini. Asparagus. Strawberries. I think that might be it this year.
OK, now the knitting. It's been hard to find adequate time lately. A few rain-showery days have allowed me to spend time indoors, dyeing yarn, playing with some stitch patterns, trying to decide what to work on next. I had a custom order for a customer, which was a cotton top and skirt. I dyed the yarns and knit the order up:
to
I've also been working on some special items for an art fair. I need to submit 4 photos of my work with the application because it's a juried fair. So, it's been dyeing, swatching, winding, knitting, embellishing central over here. It's a rainy day today, so I'll try for a few photos tomorrow. So far, I have a scarf and a tunic and beret almost done.
Friday, March 16, 2007
I'm a hooker now. Kinda. Sorta.
I decided I had to make more room in my stash for more stash and the bulk of the mess was a ton of tiny little odds and ends. And not all of them nicely coordinated so that I could use them to make a striped sweater. So, my goal is to make the world's ugliest afghan in a crochet ripple pattern so that I can use up these bits and add to the afghan whenever I feel like it.
I decided I had to make more room in my stash for more stash and the bulk of the mess was a ton of tiny little odds and ends. And not all of them nicely coordinated so that I could use them to make a striped sweater. So, my goal is to make the world's ugliest afghan in a crochet ripple pattern so that I can use up these bits and add to the afghan whenever I feel like it.
It took me a while to get the hang of the pattern and it's a basic pattern, folks. I still don't think I have it 100% right but the beauty of it is that I don't care if it's perfect or not!! I love it! It's long enough to cover the length of the sofa, so hopefully one day, the whole fam can sit underneath it while we watch a movie together.
Thursday, March 15, 2007
The sleeves are done:
That purple thing hanging down from the jacket is some grosgrain ribbon that I'm going to cover the seams with. The two purples are so pretty against each other. I also made some matching leg warmers and found another ball of this yarn under the sofa (what ? your yarn doesn't travel around your house?) and am toying with the idea of a bag.
It was my birthday this week and my husband's last week. We took a weekend trip to Chicago to celebrate. Our splurge was on one of the best meals I've ever eaten in my life at Le Lanwhich is a French-Vietnamese restaurant. It's not traditional but delicious and BEAUTIFUL food? Yes. Reservations are strongly recommended. So are the Stuffed Tiger Prawns. It was so warm that evening, we were able to walk back to our hotel. I love walking in Chicago at night.
Knitting wise, I've been wandering around without any serious projects on the needles. I'm finishing a sock from Regia yarn that I bought on sale (60% off!) at one of my LYS. I'm waiting for the muse to hit me over the head. I've had several ideas of ideas kind of float through, but nothing that I have.to.make.
For that reason, I've been searching for someone's design to be compelling enough so that I will want to make it for myself. Any suggestions?
That purple thing hanging down from the jacket is some grosgrain ribbon that I'm going to cover the seams with. The two purples are so pretty against each other. I also made some matching leg warmers and found another ball of this yarn under the sofa (what ? your yarn doesn't travel around your house?) and am toying with the idea of a bag.
It was my birthday this week and my husband's last week. We took a weekend trip to Chicago to celebrate. Our splurge was on one of the best meals I've ever eaten in my life at Le Lanwhich is a French-Vietnamese restaurant. It's not traditional but delicious and BEAUTIFUL food? Yes. Reservations are strongly recommended. So are the Stuffed Tiger Prawns. It was so warm that evening, we were able to walk back to our hotel. I love walking in Chicago at night.
Knitting wise, I've been wandering around without any serious projects on the needles. I'm finishing a sock from Regia yarn that I bought on sale (60% off!) at one of my LYS. I'm waiting for the muse to hit me over the head. I've had several ideas of ideas kind of float through, but nothing that I have.to.make.
For that reason, I've been searching for someone's design to be compelling enough so that I will want to make it for myself. Any suggestions?
Friday, March 02, 2007
Happy Birthday, dear Hubby!!
Today is blustery and snowy and icky. And it's a good thing, because Dominic and I will be staying in today and baking this the most delicious carrot cake recipe I've ever tried. You grind the carrots and then marinade them in brown sugar so they get all juicy and delicious. The cake is moist, and amazingly big.
My MIL outfoxed me yet again. I'm not sure how she does it, but she's damn good at it. I called her up and invited her and her husband to meet Hubby and I tonight for a drink to celebrate his birthday. She agreed and said NOTHING to me about dinner at her house on Sunday. When hubby called his sister to ask her to meet us tonight, he found out his mom had been planning a birthday dinner at her house on Sunday. Damn. There I go again, getting burned for being nice. To normal people, this wouldn't seem so big, but I don't like my in-laws and spending time with them twice in one weekend is too much.
Catherine has suggested 3/4 sleeves for the jacket. That's a good idea, Catherine. I'm going to try to screw up my courage today and finish some sleeves.
Today is blustery and snowy and icky. And it's a good thing, because Dominic and I will be staying in today and baking this the most delicious carrot cake recipe I've ever tried. You grind the carrots and then marinade them in brown sugar so they get all juicy and delicious. The cake is moist, and amazingly big.
My MIL outfoxed me yet again. I'm not sure how she does it, but she's damn good at it. I called her up and invited her and her husband to meet Hubby and I tonight for a drink to celebrate his birthday. She agreed and said NOTHING to me about dinner at her house on Sunday. When hubby called his sister to ask her to meet us tonight, he found out his mom had been planning a birthday dinner at her house on Sunday. Damn. There I go again, getting burned for being nice. To normal people, this wouldn't seem so big, but I don't like my in-laws and spending time with them twice in one weekend is too much.
Catherine has suggested 3/4 sleeves for the jacket. That's a good idea, Catherine. I'm going to try to screw up my courage today and finish some sleeves.
Thursday, March 01, 2007
To sleeve or not to sleeve.
I can't decide. I keep picking this up, start some sleeves and then putting it back down.
I think I'll make some matching pants and see how I feel after that. This is some lovely vintage Shetland wool yarn I picked up at an estate sale. I am in love with the color--a heather pink/gray and wish I had much more of this yarn to play with.
I can't decide. I keep picking this up, start some sleeves and then putting it back down.
I think I'll make some matching pants and see how I feel after that. This is some lovely vintage Shetland wool yarn I picked up at an estate sale. I am in love with the color--a heather pink/gray and wish I had much more of this yarn to play with.
The Valentine's sweater for Dh is done, but in a holding pattern until he decides if he likes the collar or not--now the stinker is leaning towards a V-neck. If he changes his mind and wants the V-Neck, I may need to pull out the scissors and so some cutting rather than ripping back.
I've been reading Elizabeth Zimmermann and she'll give me the courage if necessary.
Thursday, February 15, 2007
The Valentine's Sweater
...Is not done. Chances are good I could complete it tonight. I chugged some coffee so I could stay awake tonight and have some "alone time". I need to decompress from a few very busy days. Plus, Anthony is off of school tomorrow, so I get to (hopefully!!) sleep in until 7:00 or 7:30. His class at school today performed a wonderful play and my little man had quite the role! His expression of emotion was pretty excellent for a six year old. I think he could be a Jim Carrey in the making.
Valentine's evening was pretty good. The hubby and I hit the mall for a bit and I found some bargains that made me happy! (New shoes, skirt and top!) I have decided I don't wear enough skirts. Then, we went to see Music and Lyrics
No, Dh didn't want to go, but he ended up enjoying himself and I loved it! Both Hugh Grant and Drew Barrymore were great in this part satire/part romantic comedy.
I'm off to knit and snuggle under a down throw while watching a video.
...Is not done. Chances are good I could complete it tonight. I chugged some coffee so I could stay awake tonight and have some "alone time". I need to decompress from a few very busy days. Plus, Anthony is off of school tomorrow, so I get to (hopefully!!) sleep in until 7:00 or 7:30. His class at school today performed a wonderful play and my little man had quite the role! His expression of emotion was pretty excellent for a six year old. I think he could be a Jim Carrey in the making.
Valentine's evening was pretty good. The hubby and I hit the mall for a bit and I found some bargains that made me happy! (New shoes, skirt and top!) I have decided I don't wear enough skirts. Then, we went to see Music and Lyrics
No, Dh didn't want to go, but he ended up enjoying himself and I loved it! Both Hugh Grant and Drew Barrymore were great in this part satire/part romantic comedy.
I'm off to knit and snuggle under a down throw while watching a video.
Monday, February 12, 2007
The best part of coming home is knowing that your knitting is waiting for you. I've been working on a sweater for my husband---a Valentine's gift, you know. Of course, I waited until last Thursday to decide that I needed to make him said sweater. It's lovely Tahki Donegal Tweed yarn in the Oatmeal colorway. I like the little blue flecks that appear every once in a while.
The sweater itself is a basic raglan with some ribbing at the sides for a nice fit. He's approved the project and design so far and even likes the yarn, which is a minor miracle. So far, I have 1 sleeve and the body up to the armholes done. So, chances are good for an on-time gift!
Part of my Saturdays during the cold months are to curl up on the sofa when the youngest is napping and knit and watch the line-up of cooking shows on PBS. My Anthony was snuggled up with me this weekend watching and learning and insisted we try a chocolate chip meringue recipe immediately. It was very simple to make and the cookies were quite delicious!
Here's the recipe:
3 eggwhites, room temperature
1/4 tsp. cream of tartar
1/4 tsp. vanilla
1 cup of sugar
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
Beat the egg whites with the cream of tartar and vanilla at high speed until soft peak stage. Then, gradually add the sugar while beating. Continue beating until the meringue is at the stiff peak stage. By hand, fold in the chocolate chips.
Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper and drop cookies by rounded spoonfuls onto the sheets. Bake at 250 for 1.5 hours until lightly golden brown and firm in the middle. Cool and store in airtight container.
The sweater itself is a basic raglan with some ribbing at the sides for a nice fit. He's approved the project and design so far and even likes the yarn, which is a minor miracle. So far, I have 1 sleeve and the body up to the armholes done. So, chances are good for an on-time gift!
Part of my Saturdays during the cold months are to curl up on the sofa when the youngest is napping and knit and watch the line-up of cooking shows on PBS. My Anthony was snuggled up with me this weekend watching and learning and insisted we try a chocolate chip meringue recipe immediately. It was very simple to make and the cookies were quite delicious!
Here's the recipe:
3 eggwhites, room temperature
1/4 tsp. cream of tartar
1/4 tsp. vanilla
1 cup of sugar
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
Beat the egg whites with the cream of tartar and vanilla at high speed until soft peak stage. Then, gradually add the sugar while beating. Continue beating until the meringue is at the stiff peak stage. By hand, fold in the chocolate chips.
Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper and drop cookies by rounded spoonfuls onto the sheets. Bake at 250 for 1.5 hours until lightly golden brown and firm in the middle. Cool and store in airtight container.
Wednesday, February 07, 2007
Hearing about the class-action sexual discrimination lawsuit against Wal-Mart this morning gave me tingles. For ages, I'd been hearing about how unfairly Wal-Mart treats their female employees and finally, someone is trying to do something to hurt them where it really hurts--the pocketbook.
I've stopped shopping at Wal-Mart because of their business practices. Pure and simple. I know of many others who have done the same--I wonder how many more will decide to direct their dollars elsewhere now that this lawsuit will be in the news?
If you'd like to read about it, click here
I've stopped shopping at Wal-Mart because of their business practices. Pure and simple. I know of many others who have done the same--I wonder how many more will decide to direct their dollars elsewhere now that this lawsuit will be in the news?
If you'd like to read about it, click here
Tuesday, February 06, 2007
Dear Bravo:
Please fix Top Designer right this instant. It made me feel really sad to watch it. It's that bad. Please go to Project Top Design and read their critiques carefully because they are DEAD ON with what is wrong with this show.
Thank you.
Please fix Top Designer right this instant. It made me feel really sad to watch it. It's that bad. Please go to Project Top Design and read their critiques carefully because they are DEAD ON with what is wrong with this show.
Thank you.
Monday, February 05, 2007
Where Have I Been?
Well, for a while there, it seemed like anytime I had the time or inclination to blog, Blogger was down. So then it started to feel like it was pre-destined for me not to blog.
Anyway, it's been kind of quiet here, except I just finished a large-ish custom order. I dyed the merino yarn for the twisty scarves and used Manos del Uruguay for the Long and Skinny scarf and the felted mitts:
I've also been working on some other knitting for the store:
Now, I'm trying to screw up the courage to go down into my COLD basement and rinse off the cotton yarn I dyed yesterday. Have I told you we have a high temperature of 3 degrees today? Why did I choose the coldest days of winter to dye cotton yarn? Alright, it was mostly a diversionary tactic, trying to avoid buying sock yarn.
In the midst of the knitting and dyeing, I was watching Top Chef season 2. What a mess that show is. Seriously, I hated every single contestant except Michael. The best part was the guest judges. Ted Allen was a hoot and Eric Ripert holds a special place in my heart. Top Chef producers--take note--your viewers want some quality next season!
Well, for a while there, it seemed like anytime I had the time or inclination to blog, Blogger was down. So then it started to feel like it was pre-destined for me not to blog.
Anyway, it's been kind of quiet here, except I just finished a large-ish custom order. I dyed the merino yarn for the twisty scarves and used Manos del Uruguay for the Long and Skinny scarf and the felted mitts:
I've also been working on some other knitting for the store:
Now, I'm trying to screw up the courage to go down into my COLD basement and rinse off the cotton yarn I dyed yesterday. Have I told you we have a high temperature of 3 degrees today? Why did I choose the coldest days of winter to dye cotton yarn? Alright, it was mostly a diversionary tactic, trying to avoid buying sock yarn.
In the midst of the knitting and dyeing, I was watching Top Chef season 2. What a mess that show is. Seriously, I hated every single contestant except Michael. The best part was the guest judges. Ted Allen was a hoot and Eric Ripert holds a special place in my heart. Top Chef producers--take note--your viewers want some quality next season!
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