the pink llama

It's Here, It's Here!

2006-10-04T19:29:00.000-05:00

My first ever order from Reprodepot, courtesy of a gift certificate I received from my sister for my birthday a couple of weeks ago. I've wanted to buy something from there for ages!

In addition to my two fabrics, I got two lots of ribbon- cute Japanese 'seamstress' linen ribbon, and the little mushroom, plus these buttons- I love the fly buttons so much, i'm going to buy a few more and use them on a shirt I have planned.

Here's a couple of close-ups of the fabrics. I was thinking about using the Etsuko labybug as a coat lining, but it is not quite slippery enough, so maybe a a shopping bag.

This starburst fabric reminds me of a 60's summer dress my grandmother would wear (or cover her lawn chairs with). I was originally thinking a bag as well, but now I see it, maybe an apron?? Although it would look quite good as a very retro Amy Butler Weekender, don't you think?

My First Knit-a-Long!

2006-10-03T19:39:00.000-05:00

I've been wanting to join a KAL for quite awhile, but have never found quite the right one. Don't get me wrong, there are lots of great ones out there, but I am a pretty slow knitter, so anything with any kind of a time constraint is pretty much out! But now I've found Zimmermania. I've been an EZ fan for sometime- the first book of hers I bought was Knitters Almanac. I remember the day I bought it. My sister was visiting from Australia. On a Chicago-cold December day we went to this shop, where I purchased the book. Then we went to this cafe (before it added it's fancy new section). We sat in front of the fire and drank hot chocolate out of bowls...and I couldn't put the book down. I just loved it. Unfortunately, I have only made one thing from it so far. The Maltese Fisherman's hat.

This was one of the most fun pieces I have ever made, and it was so quick. I went to a different cafe, and cast on, and cast off during ONE session on their couch (but I did have more than one coffee!). Anyway, it is hard to explain, but it was just SO much fun to use EZ's 'pithy directions' and see how they unfolded. It is knit in Misti Alpaca Bulky, so is very soft, and the design is great- the back flap covers the ears perfectly. My only issue is that most brimless hats look terrible on me- i was thinking about adding a crocheted border/brim at the front, and adding some ties similar to an earflap hat, but I remember what EZ said about mixing the grain and the grape. How about a pin of some sort? (And yes, it does look better on the pin than on me!)

(Apologies for the shakey photo...it was now or another week for this photo)

Maybe I just need to admit defeat and find someone with the kind of face shape that looks good in beanies...

Future EZ projects? I'm hoping to start the Moccasin socks within the next week, and also a Tomten for the Dulaan project. Stay tuned.

PS: Progress continues on the acrylic cardi- halfway through the right front....

More progress...

2006-09-24T21:20:00.000-05:00

Too long between posts at the moment...I guess that's what happens when you've only one project on the go. I've only fairly boring progress to show. I've finished the back and both side panels. I'd also made a good dent in the left front, although I've decided to start again on that one, as I miscalculated the decreases on the ribbing. I kept knitting because I thought I'd just compensate during the stockign stitch to the armhole decrease. But, I decided the next day that I'd be better off just starting again- I wasn't sure I could make the same miscalculations on the right front...anyway, here it is:

Other than that, not much else being achieved craft-wise here at the moment. The weather has turned a little colder here, so I've gotten the gourds out a little early. Here they are, along with this weekend's sole purchase...some vintage ribbon.

Progress....

2006-09-11T00:35:00.000-05:00

Here's the progress so far on 'Project Acrylic':

Maybe I shouldn't call it that- not really giving it a head start at all, am I? I'm, ready to start the armhole shaping on the back. I've also just finished one side panel, which I had to start while I was awaiting adjudication from the officials on a pattern question. Not quite as much knitting as I would have liked this past week, but hopefully I'll make a dent this week.

and just for something fun...pick the odd one out in my nearly still life....

Changing my ways...

2006-09-05T19:44:00.000-05:00

As I am currently under a self imposed ‘no extras’ budget in preparation for an upcoming holiday, my stash enhancement activities are severely (if not completely) curtailed. I’ve finished up a number of WIPS/UFOs that have been languishing in the basket for awhile, and have plans for a few others (mainly sewing) that will use up stash. BUT, I really need a knitting project that I can work on in from of the telly, without too much thought. And, instead of all the useless (albeit cute & fun) toys and knick-knacks I’ve made in the past, maybe it would be nice to make something for myself. Something I can wear. I’ve got plans for the ribby cardi, the go-with-everything cardigan, the circle sunrise jacket and the Indian summer jacket. All of them require an outlay on some decent yarn…maybe not anything too serious (I found some cheap tweed online in cones for the ribby cardi) but with shipping etc etc it adds up. Anyway, I was clearing up the piles of magazine on Saturday, and came across Knit 1. I’m not so keen on this magazine, not an awful lot in there that I would wear, but you know, one or two patterns in each issue that I think “Maybe I’ll make that with some [insert any-other-brand-but-Lion-Brand yarn here] one day”. Well, budgetary constraints can force you to change your tune pretty quick. As I procrastinated during the reorganizing magazine exercise by flicking through those mags, I came across this cardigan:

I thought the design was cute, perfect for Autumn & Winter in my ridisculously over-air-conditioned office. So, my curiousity was piqued. Off I trotted to the local Pearl store, to buy the requisite [yes, acrylic] yarn. Now, while I think kermit is kind of cool, and his skin colour is perfectllysuited to him...not so good on me. So I settled for 'Oxford Grey'. the best option for my work wardrobe- think it will look really cute over a white shirt and black or greay pants/skirt, as well as a singlet top and jeans. and here it is...my first foray into manmade fibre:

8 balls for the grand total of $23.17 including tax. Wish me luck!

Sink Pirate...

2006-08-31T22:32:00.000-05:00

Here's the finished skull dishcloth:

I used Peaches & Creme cotton in ecru, and modified a chart for the sweater in SnB Happy Hooker, winged it on the stitch count. I think it is the perfect size, although knitting it was a little tough on the hands, as I used #3 needles. I think the recommended size is #7 or #8 for that yarn, so things got a little tight! Anyway, he's off to rule someone else's sink...but I've enough cotton left over to make another one for myself. Every sink should have one!

Working View....

2006-08-31T07:34:00.000-05:00

Just a short one today...here's another view from my windows...a little later in the evening than the last:

And here's progress on the birthday dishcloth I mentioned. A soon to be skull- should be able to finish it tonight.

The Weekend...

2006-08-27T21:54:00.000-05:00

A great relaxing weekend...lots of knitting time and catching up on 24. This morning I went to the Antique Fair a few blocks from my apartment. Lots of stuff, although I thought it was either pretty crappy or fairly overpriced. I did find some sewing related stuff- some vintage transfers ($1) I want to use for Christmas presies, and a great old tin full of a gorgeous variety of old sewing needles stil in the original packages ($2.50). Too tired to take photos at this point, instead, here's what I managed to start and finish on Friday night:

I didn't have a pattern, so just sort of knit until I thought it was a good time to decrease. I've already felted it, and it is a little big, so I might have to give it another go.

Hope you had a great weekend.

Oh, and that's my ultra-rad Voltron you can see protecting the hat. He was $2 at Village Thrift, and I had to fight off three 6-year olds on my way to the checkout. It was worth it- he looks great above the fireplace.

Recycling....

2006-08-22T18:51:00.000-05:00

First recycled knit/yarn foray.

A while ago I was reading a lot about recycling thrift store sweaters for yarn (see here and here), and have been wanting to try it. So, last time I went to Village Thrift, I was specifically on the look-out for a piece of knitwear I could unravel. Being summer, knitwear seemed to be in short supply, but I did find this.

60 cents, and yellow tags were 50% off that day, so I got it for 30c. Originally I had planned to just unravel the whole thing and knit something else, but as I began to take it apart,

some new ideas began to form. Here are the by-products after the unraveling: (Click on photo to go to Flickr & view notes)

I’m hoping to be able to post an ‘after’ photo in a week or two showing the final bounty produced from one sweater, for 30c. Stayed tuned.

SO SATISFYING

2006-08-18T21:39:00.000-05:00

I mentioned previously that I went to Village Thrift last weekend. Oh how I love those stores. Besides the album cover I picked up a few additional items, leaving with a fairly eclectic haul, including this:

Never worn, with all the tags! It is completely clean, no stains, but does look fairly crinkled, as I have not yet had it dry-cleaned but the fabric is gorgeous- a linen/silk blend. This photo does not do justice to the gorgeous colour. Fully lined with grosgrain ribbon facing on the seams. Check this out:

Dana Buchman

Original Tags- $168.00 at Saks!

And how much did I pay?

In case you can’t read that, it says $1.50. That’s right, One fifty. LOVE IT!

Thinking....

2006-08-15T19:18:00.000-05:00

Today I was thinking about all the things I want to start and get done. I am really hoping that besides a record of my projects and other comings & goings, the blog will motivate me to keep moving forward and complete projects, as well as expand my skills. As I mentioned in the last post, in addition to all the knitting and projects, I also have the craft “room” to pull together. A desk has been purchased. Very plain, very simple, versatile and as large as the space will accommodate. Meet Mikael, from Ikea.

Now I have the ‘bones' of the room in place, and the shelving unit reconfigured, I just need to get cracking on the ‘prettying up’ of things. Here’s the full list. I’ve decided I will add this list to the side bar of the blog to inspire me to get to it! A lot are fairly simple, but require a quick trip to the hardware shop, which I may not be able to make until next week, given that this weekend is our annual trip to Wisconsin for the Sun Prairie Sweet Corn festival.

Craft Room Prep:

Get the wall shelves mounted
Build a notice board (Homasote)
Make sewing machine cover
Curtain to cover HVAC door
Chair cushion and/or cover
Flat curtain for shelving unit
Thread holders
Cover and/or label boxes
Buy Hanging Lamp
Smile & Enjoy!

Finally, I LOVE this:

It is the Babette crochet blanket from IK Crochet Spring 2006. The blurb says it is inspired by Kaffe Fassett and Liza Prior Lucy, but when I look at it the first thing that comes to mind is Klimt. It would be such a good 'TV project'..something repetitive and mindless for the coming winter. Unfortunately, the approximate cost of this using the recommended Koigu is in the vicinty of $270. As if I don't have enough to do, I might make it my ongoing mission to source similar colours of a different [cheaper] yarn..not that I don't love koigu, but that is A LOT, not to mention, I havce found it hard to get, even on back order, here in Chicago.

What to do next?

2006-08-14T20:09:00.000-05:00

Right: Naramach is blocking tonight. I am now in the wonderful position to choose something else to work on. Do I choose to finish one or all of these WIPs: (click on photo and then roll over the image to view what each one is)

OR, do I choose from the huge list of other 'new' projects....??

Antigua Poncho (Have yarn already)
Crocheted Bedfellow (SnB Happy Hooker)
A Felted Cloche (Have yarn to use)
Paisley Carpet Bag (Have yarn already)
Moccasin Socks (Knitter's Almanac)
Karis (Started, but need to frog and begin again)

Not to mention these, that I have no yarn for:
Go-with-everything-cardy (Peace Fleece)
Indian Summer Jacket (Cotton yarn – would love to make for vacation)
Eunny’s Vest (Perfect for Fall, but am having a hard time choosing colours…)
Christmas Socks (3 pairs)

Oh, and on top of ALL that, I really want to design a new masthead for the blog, not to mention finish the re-decorating of the craft room.

Whew, I really need to break it down, y’all!

Please help!

Woo Hoo!

2006-08-13T11:57:00.000-05:00

Finally, I have finished all the actual knitting for Napramach, and all that remains is the weaving in of the [many!] ends. I'm hoping to do that today and tomorrow night, and then block it. I'm excited, because I had told myself that I couldn't begin another project (or even pick up an in progress one) until this one was done. So, now I can look at my list of ideas and sink my teeth into something else. (No photos until it is pinned out)

This weekend has been great- yesterday I went to see Strangers with Candy, which was hilarious. Amy Sedaris is absolutely brilliant. Oh how I would have loved to work on costume for that show. After the movie we went shopping, and I picked up a few things at Village Thrift. I'll save them for their own posts, except for this:

I think I've mentioned that I am on a bit of a yellow kick at the moment, which is very strange for me. Anyway, I was browsing through all the records and this one really caught my eye. 45c. I'm going to put it up on the shelf above my craft desk.

Today I've had a lazy morning, watched the season 2 finale of Project Runway, and am about to head out to return library books, videos and take care of some general odds & ends.

Hope your weekend was great!

Look Familiar?

2006-08-06T23:59:00.000-05:00

I know progress photos are usually pretty boring. This one is an exception...it is extra-specially BORING!

(Sorry about the very bad photo...it's late, light is poor, etc etc)

I have finally finished the two main pieces of Napramach. The photos I had a couple of weeks ago were very similiar [read identical] to these, EXCEPT for the mess at the back, while I figured out fair isle. I actually ripped out one whole side and re-did it from scratch. I'm much quicker now, but it has taken a long time to get it done, as there has been [seemingly] no time this week. So, even though I was hoping to make progress today on my craft room organisation, every time I tried to do something else, I was pulled back to this project. I REALLY want to get it finished. Usually I don't have a problem with starting another project (my theory on this is that it keeps you motivated to have projects to pick and choose from, or actually to finish a whole new one while you have a different one 'slow cooking' in the background). BUT, for some reason, try as I might, I just can't pick up anything else while I still have this on the needles. Maybe it's the Olympic Sprit of perseverence- never say die!

Anyway, after ripping this out so many times, I was on a roll. Then I spotted a mistake. Can you see it?

Yes, yes, I mean besides all the lumps and bumps and crazy uneven edges? I'm not fixing it. I can't pull this thing out again...I have too many other things on the to-do list.

Hope you had a great weekend!

It's Here!

2006-08-01T22:10:00.000-05:00

Look what arrived in the post on Monday:

Yay!! A real blocking board. I got the large SEW EZ board direct from Guardian . Also, on the same day, my package from West Elm containing my new candlestick. I'm using this candlestick as the inspiration for the feel and colours in my craft 'room' [read 'small nook']. When I was at Ikea picking up the desk, I also bought a set of sheets for $9.99. I really like the design and colour, and am going to use the sheet fabric as part of the decor in the room. Here it all is together:

I am planning on a luxurious WHOLE DAY at home this coming Sunday, and will be hopefully doing some sewing and getting the craft room ready for crafting. I started a list of everything to be done...curtains, sewing machione cover, cushion, shelves, cover boxes, make cotton reel holder...just for starters... a busy day coming up! (Not to mention blocking everything and anything in sight...if the cat is smart, she'll stay out of the way!)

Weekend Fun...

2006-07-31T22:56:00.000-05:00

I spent last weekend, which was one of the hotest Chicago has had this year hovering around 98F at the Pitchfork Music Festival in Union Park, just a short walk from my apartment. It was a great afternoon:

Blue Skies, Good Music:

Not to mention Flatstock 9 , where I picked up these:

There were so many great artists there, and I could have spent much, much more if the budget allowed. The sea dragon is by Warnick Art and the other two are from Leia Bell. I love them, and can't wait to hang them with the rest of my [very small] collection...

Napramach progress and some packages to unwrap next time.

Lessons...

2006-07-25T22:38:00.000-05:00

So, Napramach, the ill-fated Olympic Project, is knit as two sides and which are then crocheted together around the outside edges. Here's where we are at the moment:

A front and a back....(unblocked, and photographed at night, so please excuse the camera shake)...

"Wow, all that intarsia", you might say..."I bet there are a few ends that need weaving in". Well, my friends, you would be correct:

But wait! Did I mention that this was my first Intarsia project? Ever. Well, it is. And, during a trip to my local yarn store, I asked for some advice. Can you guess what I was told? Here's a hint:

If you guessed that my friendly LYS assistant told me that I needed to cut a separate piece of yarn for every block of colour that was separated by TWO OR MORE stitches of another colour, you would be correct again. That's right, I feel like a fool. This advice resulted in MORE THAN 80 yarn ends to weave in on my first piece, not to mention, major tension issues. My only consolation is that by the end of the first repeat I had deduced that something was 'wrong', and figured out a better way...

Look at it! What a disaster...can you believe an 'expert' gave this advice??? I know the next two repeats are far from perfect, but they are a hell of an improvement on the first. I've decided to rip out the whole piece and reknit it. Now I've had some experience, my tension is MUCH better, and I've also realised that I should be catching the long strands of yarn (the ones over the centre of the repeat), so they aren't just left hanging around. Lonely.

What a lesson...I'm glad I learned on this piece, and not an actual sweater. I also know to make a gauge swatch IN THE PATTERN, not just the yarn! I'll cross that Olymic finish line eventually.

The Setting Sun...

2006-07-24T23:41:00.000-05:00

This is my usual evening view...

Tonight, at last, this was an additional view...

The Olympic project is FINALLY taking shape...details next time.

Issues.

2006-07-20T18:58:00.000-05:00

I have issues. Spatial issues. I’ve recently moved, and am still trying to get everything set up and situated. I have what was referred to by the leasing agent as a ‘multipurpose room’…supposedly able to be used as an office, spare bedroom, etc etc. However, I doubt it could ever be used as a bedroom, as the HVAC is situated in there and is fairly noisy. I'm planning on using it as the craft room. So…here is what it looks like currently - gah, what a disaster:

It is small, but the main problem comes with the actual layout:

Spatial Issue #1: The two doors you see. The one on the left is the coat closet, which I would like to keep fairly clear of general storage, and only for winter coats, hats, etc, plus the ironing board etc. The door on the right is actually the HVAC closet, so access to that needs to be kept open. **Little Annoyance: Why have they used two completely different doors side by side? It upsets to my virgoan sense of symmetry!

Spatial Issue #2: is that there is no door between the ‘room’ and the hall, so when you enter the apartment, this is literally the first thing you see…an entrance of sorts.

I’m tossing up between two looks- one with a fairly modern Scandinavian line, and the other a bit more eclectic. Of course, all of this needs to be done on a tight budget. I need to keep the shelving you see- it is relatively new, and required for all those boxes. I am planning on making a fabric cover for it out- maybe a fairly plain calico with some appliqué or a basic stencil. My only new purchases will be a desk, chair and maybe a couple of wall mounted shelves. So, I think the desk will dictate the feel of the room. To that end, I have narrowed it down to two possible candidates. They are both relatively narrow, which is a requirement for the position of sewing/craft table in this space. While the first one is slightly more my aesthetic, with the very simple, square lines, the other one has simple ‘turned’ legs- a bit more farmhouse style. Like a lot of people, I have a thing for mixing styles. I can see the second style paired with a very modern style chair.

I'm off to Ikea on the weekend and will hopefully be coming home wiht a desk (and some extra shelf pieces). I'm also planning a trip to the swedish shop here in Chicago to see if I can get some ideas...I'm fairly inspired by this candlestick I just found on sale at West Elm...I'm not one for bright yellow, but this has really taken my fancy. I think it is that 70's/swedish thing...maybe I've been listening to too much Abba?? Hhhmmm, maybe that's my REAL issue?

I've Been Thinking About It....

2006-07-19T20:06:00.000-05:00

Oh my goodness- I did it. I finally bought a blocking board. I’ve been thinking about it for ages, as using my bed doesn’t cut it (I don’t have a spare bed, and as much as I love knitting, I draw the line at sleeping with a project while it blocks) and until recently had a hardwood floor. The couch is out of the question as my cat is drawn to damp yarn, for some reason, and likes to lie ALL OVER IT. My poor Maki scarf never got a proper blocking, and could do with one. Plus, I have a number of projects on the go at the moment that will need some serious blocking. I found the large Sew E-Z board on sale at Guardian for only $45, so finally bit the bullet and did it. I should have it just in time to pin out my current project (the poor neglected Olympic Project)…more on that later.

Finally out of the starting blocks...

2006-02-15T21:21:00.000-06:00

So. Friday night I was out for dinner, but made it home in time to catch the parade of nations, and cast on as Ireland was entering the stadium. Luckily, this begins with only two cast on stitches, and you increase one at each end for about 20 rows to form a triangle. Two triangles form the top of the bag, and are then joined and knitted down to form the main body. Easy, right? WRONG! I am so inexperienced with both charts and intarsia (hence this being chosen as a good olympic challenge) that I have frogged and reknit the first 10 rows of the first triangle SEVEN, that's right SEVEN times. After throwing it down in disgust on Saturday, I finally picked it back up tonight, hoping that I could channel Lesley Kildow's guts & nerves of steel as well as gain further inspiration from Dale Begg-Smith in the Moguls. It mightn't look like much from the photo, but I can assure you, we've picked ourselves up, dusted ourselves off, and are now cruising. Thank goodness.

Knitlete in Training

2006-02-09T21:02:00.000-06:00

You know, watching athletes practising for their events has never been that exciting for me (unless you are talking about the Australian cricket team circa 1982/3, when, as a starry-eyed 11 year old, I watched Geoff Lawson practising in the nets at the 'Gabba- but I digress). So, practising atheletes not very exciting. Neither is a practising knitlete. This is all I have to show. BORING! (But don't you love my addi turbos? Purchased especially for the olympic kit).

Only 24 hours and the torch will be lit...

Olympic Project

2006-02-06T23:22:00.000-06:00

Almost two years ago I bought the book Folk Bags, with an eye to making Napramach. I have been looking for a new project to give me a bit of a challenge, and when I read about Yarn Harlot's Knitting Olympics, I thought it would be the perfect chance to finallly give it a go. Hopefully if all goes well it will be someone's birthday present this year. Here is the picture from the book, and some of the yarn.

Many of the colours are discontinued, but I've managed to put the full set together a ball or two at a time. I'm swatching tonight, so I'm ready to go when the flame is lit on Friday...I can't wait to start!!

Housekeeping

2006-02-06T20:16:00.000-06:00

Obviously, it has been a while since I've posted. To be honest, I really go hot and cold on the blog idea. I read a handful of blogs on a regular basis, but when it comes to my own, I find the idea quite strange. I know people have written about the ego of blogs before, so won't go into it. In any case, I will be updating regularly for the next couple of weeks, due to Yarn Harlot's Knitting Olympics. But first, some housekeeping.

Looking at the sidebar to see what I could update...really, only the regia socks are finished:

I completed half the collar for karis, but then decided I couldn't handle it, so it has been languishing in the basket ever since. recently, I have been inspired to try again/continue.

I'm about 15 shades into the 100 shades I need for the paper lanterns from AlterKnits.

I have had one false start on the Loop-d-Loop paisley carpet bag.

I'm one mitten short of a pair for a friend.

I've knit one swatch for the master knitting course.

The Diana beaded evening bag looks exactly as it did about 8 months ago.

I've a new spindle and rovings ready to try spinning for the first time ever...(why finish anything when I can start something new altogether??)

The list goes on. Maybe restarting the blog and the Knitting Olympics will get me going again!

Swift Still

2005-12-06T04:30:00.000-06:00

Swift Still
Originally uploaded by pangepange.

A gratuitous photo of the swift my father made me, using the pattern for sale at Schoolhouse Press. I LOVE it, and it folds up to be so compact...