Mom's Mommes Lysedug

I promised a real post when I got back, and I refuse to disappoint! So with out further ado, presenting the Ravelympics Gold Medal Winner, Mom's Mommes Lysedug!

Pattern: Mommes Lysedug, a vintage pattern
Yarn: Farmhouse Yarns Autumn Spun in Burgundy, 2.5 skeins
Needles: Knit Picks Harmony Interchangeables, size US10
Notes: This was my second circular afghan for the Ravelympics Afghan Marathon Event, and it tested my limits - that's for sure. The knitting itself was not hard, but the lack of charts on the pattern was... well let's leave it at frustrating.

I ended up binding off early. The blanket measures 70" across, and I still had 12 rows to go. I decided to end it there. I like the finished look, so there you go. The pattern called for a "loose bind off". I chose to do the crochet bind off that has kind of become my "blanket bind off". I like the way it looks, what can I say?

I am slowly making my way though the stash of farmhouse yarns. I need to start making larger projects if I am actually going to make a dent in it. The really sad part is that most of it isn't even in Ravelry. (hides head in shame) I need to do another stash update. Maybe I will have a day off sometime that I can get that done. Maybe....

Overall, I am pleased with my Mom's Mommes Lysedug. It is a nice size, and a pleasing pattern, if I do say so myself. (grin) I think this will be a lovely Holiday present, and it crosses #13 off the Summer Knitting Goals List! (and for those counting, that leaves 4 pair of mittens and a sweater left on the list. Not too shabby!)

if it isn't lace...

...it must be mittens!
I started a new project. Yes, it's another pair of thrummed mittens. I am getting a little predictable, I think.

Our trip went pretty well. We had the interment service on Saturday. It was a beautiful day, and the funeral director said some very lovely words. The moment was very low key, and quiet, but, perfectly suited to the person we were remembering.
The rest of the time was spent taking some of DH's stuff from the house, and throwing a hell of a lot of stuff away. We also fixed some small things around the house, and...well, we just generally spent a lot of time filthy dirty. (and not in the good way, either.)
On the upside, I am not in jail. I did not commit assault, murder, or manslaughter, so I am ahead of the game, as far as I can tell. Oh, and we got to eat at a few favorite restaurants in the area.
Today, on the way home, we needed a "car break", and just happened to be on Rt 91S. So, I called up SitnKnit. I've not been to the new store in Bloomfield. So, a little GPS foo, and away we went. I wanted to "just look around".
I looked around so much, I somehow looked the whole way to the car with the following items:

Yes, lace and sock yarn. (predictable, I know) Harmony lace yarn, Noro Silk Garden Sock, and Shibui Sock somehow all came home with me. I really need to learn how to knit in my sleep.

SQQQQEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEK

That was me, squeeking in, just under the line, with a finish in my afghan marathon final. I plan to do a proper post on Tuesday, I just thought I'd wave my arms around and tell the world. I'm nothing if I'm not subtle, you know.


Yay! Go me, and my oOld Ravelympics medal!

olympic update

I am on to my Main event, Afghan Marathon #2, and it is going ok. I am a little over half way though, and feeling the pressure. I have a lot to do this week in terms of social schedule, and family stuff, so I have to use my knitting time wisely. That means knitting on breaks and lunch (and other assorted moments) at work. I am just pounding this blanket out - even though it is uncharted, and we all know how I feel about uncharted lace.
anywho....
I was really getting in my rhythm today. I was fighting past the 35 st long lace repeats. I was charting as I went to see the pattern easier. I was about to break the page 3 barrier when....
my needle broke. AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!
It was like my shoe falling off mid marathon. I fixed it. but putting 100 lace sts back on the needle, in a complicated lace pattern, in dark yarn, was just not cool.

Must keep knitting. Play through the pain. Break through the wall.

Ravelympics fever!

I am half way through my Ravelympics event, having completed the first Afghan in my two part Afghan Marathon. Whew. It was not easy either!

Name: Vangie's Blanket
Pattern: Oma'a Lace by Judy Gibson
Yarn: Farmhouse Yarns Autumn Spun in Burgundy, 2 skeins
Needles: Knit Picks Harmony, size 10
Notes: This blanket is based on a circular Shawl pattern that I found on Ravelry. It is really easy - mostly feather and fan- a trait highly desirable in Olympic knitting. Not because it is fast, but because it is tv watching knitting. As to my usual form, I had to keep tinking back. I always mess up the uber-easy patterns. The hard stuff is a piece of cake, but give me feather and fan, and I rip and rip and rip and rip.....

I like that this blanket isn't fussy. It's straight forward, but yet somehow a little elegant. I didn't do all the repeats of F & F called for in the pattern. I would have a carpet instead of a blanket. I stopped after section 4. (The pattern goes to section 9.) Since originally this pattern was a shawl, this makes sense, but was going to be way bigger than I wanted. I knew from all of my training in circular blankets, that I wanted to use about 2 skeins of Farmhouse Autumn spun to get a good size blanket. Usually, this comes out to around 100 rows. I ended with 92.

The blanket is about 5 feet in diameter, perfect for a lap blanket, and the Farmhouse Yarns Autumn Spun is super cozy, since it is wool, silk, and cotton. A little really goes a long way towards staying warm.

I really like this blanket, and while it is not the most intricate one I've done, I love the color, and I'm sure the recipient, Vangie, will too. With that, I get to cross off another Summer Knitting Goal, and half a Ravelympic goal. Now, I have to stretch and get ready for my second Ravelympics Marathon!!

off to a good start

I am an Olympics junkie. I really am. I love them. It really doesn't matter what sport is on tv, I am watching it. Now. I am really not a sporty girl. (Like, at all.) I played my fair share of sports in High School, and I try to maintain a basic fitness routine involving the elliptical machine and weight machines, but, athletic, I am not. In fact, if you were to think of an adjective that describes me, athletic would not be in the top ten of most people's list. That is OK though, because for 2 weeks every two years I get to be at the biggest athletic competition in the world. I get totally sucked into the "behind the scenes" stories, and the rivalry drama. Sometimes the action is so tense, and the competition so close, that I can't help but to scream at the TV! (Did you see the swimming final last night for the Men's 400 Meter Freestyle? Holy Hell. That was good. Not to mention, Phelps is a cutie.)
And, I do it all while knitting. Now, I'd be knitting anyway, but just to add some pressure to the Olympics, I've joined the "Ravelymipcs" as a Ravelete in the Afghan Marathon. Running I don't do, but knitting two entire Afghans in two weeks? Count me in. Last Friday I cast on for the first part of my event. I feel like the first one is the Qualifier, since it is the easier of the two. My qualifier is about half finished, and moving ahead nicely. I feel I am keeping a good pace, not too fast - don't want to burn myself out - and not to slow - don't want to fall behind. I am nearing a rough section of the event though, since I have to actually work, and cannot just knit all day like I did this past weekend. Don't worry though, I have a good downhill section to look forward to, and should pick up speed then!

Back to the grind! Good luck to the other Raveletes! (and to the actual Olympians. You know the ones that are athletic. Not me.)

Downey Blueberries

How long can I keep the "Hairy Balls" joke going? Hopefully for at least four more pairs of mittens!
I cast off yesterday for the third pair of thrummed mittens - #8 on the Summer Knitting Goals list. Only four more left to go, and still enjoying knitting them. Win, win, I think.

Name: Downy Blueberries
Pattern: Fleece-Stuffed Mittens from Favorite Mittens, by Robin Hansen
Yarn: Brown Sheep Lambs Pride Worsted in Blue Magic
Needles: Vintage DPNs in size 4 and 5
Notes: None really. They are the same as the last two pairs. This pattern works up so quickly, it's hard to believe they are done! I must say, I love that about them!

Today, I switch over to Ravelympic knitting. Wish me luck in my Afghan Marathon!

Davey's Ribby Sockies

My Brother, the middle one, is the coldest man on earth. My Paternal Grandpa used to hold the title, but after his passing, the crown went to Bro#1. Grandpa M wore long johns all year long, and multiple pairs starting in October. (and no, we didn't live in a particularly cold place either.) Bro#1 isn't quite as cold as Grandpa was, but he is a close second. It could have something to do with the fact that he is over six feet tall and weighs 130 lbs. Anyway, I decided he needed some warm socks to get him through the winter. He wears steel toe work boots for his job, and anyone who wears them knows how cold they are in the winter!

Name: Davie's Ribby Sockies
Pattern: Retro Rib Socks, from Interweave Knits
Yarn: Zitron Trekking XXL #71
Needles: Knitpicks classic circs in size 1
Notes: Bro#1 really doesn't like long socks. He wears those little short ones that slide down in your shoes most of the time. But, I expect, he will appreciate a slightly longer wool sock for the cold, February days outside, at work. I did make the socks two inches shorter than the pattern calls for, just so they weren't "long" socks. I also knit the "women's" size for the most part, as he is rail thin. No baggy socks!

I extended the heel flap to match the directions on the "men's" size. I was afraid the gusset would be too short for a guy, otherwise. I also knit the foot - forever -. Not really, but compaired to my little feet, it was a lifetime.

The pattern was really simple, once you get the set up going. The first few rounds are not completely mindless, but not hard either. All in all, a very good "boy socks". Not too patterned, not too boring for the knitter.

I like the trekking too. The subtle stripes give the socks just a little extra kick, with out me needing to do anything else. (I like that) Trekking also wears well, a bonus in boot socks for a 25yr old, I think.

With that, #17 bites the proverbial dust. Another Summer Knitting Goal complete!

Ta DAH!

The other day, I sat at work, not really working. (Hey, it’s summer. Whatever.) I noticed a little blue and green thing staring at me.
“stop looking at me.”
“no,” it said.
“I don’t care. Keep looking,” I said, “I’ll just ignore you.”
“Fine. I’ll just sit here, unfinished, and take up space.”
“I just worked on you! “
“Like hell you did! That was in May!”
“No way. Shut up, and go sit under that pile of resumes.”
“Nope. Not going to. I’ll gonna just sit and stare at you.”
“You are not next on the list, “I said.
“You’re not going in order!”
“I don’t have time right now.”
“Oh. LSG is more important than me. I see.”
I looked at the spot where the voice was coming from. Honestly, the blasted blob has been on my desk for so long, it has started to look like it might be part of the normal desk crap. You know- stapler, hole punch, tape, coffee mug, planner, half finished knitting project. It finally got to me. I had to finish it.
“damn you,” I said, “Now I have to sew.”
Sew I did. And sew, and sew and sew. Finally, Via diagonal came out!

Name: Diagonale
Pattern: Via Diagonale, from Knitty.com
Yarn: Farmhouse Yarns, Single ply worsted in avacodo, and Andy's Merino in Turgoise
Needles: Knit Picks Options, size 6
Notes: Umm. I started this so long ago, I hardly remember anything about it. It doesn’t help that I was on painkillers when I cast on for it. The first 6” were kind of created in a haze. I do remember that it was not easy knitting. Knitting with really thick yarn, on little needles is torture on the hands. I would describe it as “Bullet proof”.

Still, it wasn’t quite as stiff as I would have liked, so I lined it with plastic canvas before I lined it with fabric. The plastic canvas really made a difference. The lining fabric is a silk left over from a show, two seasons ago. It matched so well, I couldn’t resist. I found the handle at Joann’s. The handle selection at Joann’s has really increased recently – and in a very good way.

The slip stitch pattern is very easy to do. I recommend it for someone wanting to learn to do color work, but not ready to try Fair Isle. You still have to work with two colors, but you don’t have to hold two colors in your hands, at once.

Over all, I like the bag. Right now, I’m kind of over it. I have been looking at it for 9 months, after all. I’m ready to not see it all the time. I’m going to put it away until October, when I gift it, then I will probably love it! Vangie loves bright colors, so she should be thrilled, too!
I'm thrilled just to have #2 on the Summer knitting goals list completed.

Ravelympics

Way back in January I joined a little Ravelry group called "Knitting Olympics". We were a grand total of 25 people interested in doing a little Knitting Challenge during the Summer Olympic games. The Moderator contacted the Yarn Harlot to see if she was running her Olympics. She was not. So, out of respect for the YH's event, we changed the name to Knitting Olympics Trials. 6 months go by, and I think, "hmm. I better decide what I'm knitting." I go check in on the little Ravelry group. Dude. It is soooo not little anymore. Ravelry has gotten behind the project 150%, and it is now called "Ravelympics"! There are crazy events and teams and sign ups and... (whew!)!
I am signed up for the "Afghan Marathon". I plan to complete two blankets during the Summer Olympics. One would be easy. Two will be a challenge! I signed up to compete for Team LSG and Team New Haven. Yep. I'm double dipping. (Triple if you figure they are both on the Summer Knitting Goals list.) So starting Friday the 8th of August, expect to see a lot of posts about these two projects:
Mommes Lysedug
Oma's Lace
I'm off to do sit ups to get ready. (right. I'm drinking Iced Coffee and daydreaming about knitting instead of working. Sit ups. HA!)Maybe tonight I'll wind the yarn, you know, for training.

#11 North Roe Shawl

I love beach knitting. To some, knitting alpaca by the side of the ocean, in the blazing heat and humidity doesn't sound the least bit appealing. (I think those people are crazy, but I suppose you have to be crazy to know crazy). This year I decided to take a shawl from my Summer Knitting Goals list on vacation. The results of my Vacation, and tons of wonderful quiet knitting time, and a beautiful Holiday present.

Name: Grandma M.'s North Roe
Pattern: North Roe Shawl by Odile Buatois-Brand
Yarn: Plymouth Yarn Baby Alpaca Lace, color 1265, 2 skeins
Needles: KnitPicks Harmony Needles, size 5
Notes: I chose this pattern for a few reasons. 1. I wanted a triangle shawl 2. I wanted an easily memorized pattern that I didn't need to refer to often, as that is difficult on the beach 3. I wanted something that looks harder than it is
I think I was pretty successful!

The pattern is really adjustable. You can make this as big or as small as you want just by knitting more repeats of chart 1 or 2. I knit 4 repeats of chart 1, and two of chart 2, followed by the edging. Oh, and in the interest of full disclosure, I don't think I understood the pattern correctly. The original is in French, and translated into English. I don't think the whole thing is actually translated though. The pattern never actually mentions chart 2. I kind of guessed at what to do by using the picture. If I could read french, I might have discovered some secret directions that made the shawl even more awesome, but I like the current awesomeness level just fine.

This is my first time using the Plymouth Baby Alpaca Lace too. I understand this is a fairly new yarn to the market, so that explains why I didn't see very many projects made with it on Ravelry. It is a very nice lace weight yarn. I'd say it is not as soft as the Misti Alpaca I love so much, but it is similar to the Knit Picks Alpaca Cloud. The color is gorgeous - the FO pictures really don't do it justice. The unblocked picture from yesterday is a much better color representation.
The yarn does soften up after a good washing, and it blocks really well.

My Grandma M. is my paternal Grandma, and her favorite color is green. I love green too, I just can't wear it very successfully. In fact, in this color, I'd look like I might be a zombie. So, I jump at the chance to knit in green for people who wear it. Now, Grandma M shouldn't wear this color, but she does. Who am I to judge an 80+ year old's color palette taste - especially when it fits in with my desire to knit with citrus green?

Overall, another successful Summer Knitting Goals, Lace2K, and Holiday Knitting project! With #11 out of the way, #17 is on the way next!!

Best Laid Plans

I don't know if you noticed, but I never did post while on vacation. I had intentions, I really did. The relaxing just got the best of me, and I never did manage a single post. In fact, I never even took a single picture. Not one. I did, however, knit like a crazy woman.
I had a great time catching up with my extended family, playing in the sand, riding my bike, (and lets not forget) shopping... you know, the basics of a great vacation. We had beautiful weather - it only rained once, and that was at night. The only drawback was the cold water. It is usually cold, but this year it was "JESUS F*CK! I HAVE FROSTBITE AND CAN'T CONTROL MY SWEARING!!!" cold. The lady from the yarn store (more on that in a minute) told me the water was April cold. WTH? I couldn't get past my calves, not matter how much I wanted too. Even DH, who can stand nearly any temperature to go swimming could only bear it for 5 minutes. It was the kind of frigid that knocks the wind out of you.
I did manage to surpass the lazy one day and pedal down to The Knitting Niche. I like to stop in every year and chat. The owner is originally from CT, and always remembers me. Not my name, just that I'm from CT, and my family is from PA. We chatted for a while about costumes and vintage patterns. She showed me an awesome collection of Victorian pattern magazines. (OOoo. jealous) I ended up only buying three skeins of yarn, but a very awesome three skeins they are.

MMMMMMmohair. I don't know what I will make yet, but I'm sure it will be pretty. This stuff is gorgeous. I have used similar mohair yarns before, but this is my first time for this brand - Idena Lux Mohair. We'll see!
The really nice thing about having such a laid back trip is the copious amounts of knitting time. I managed to knit an entire shawl and a half a sock! I didn't even knit the entire time I could have knit. I read some magazines, watched tv, and went for walks!

The shawl is The North Roe Shawl, and it is for my Grandma M. Yep - another holiday gift, and on my Summer Knitting Goals list. I'm blocking it today, so a FO report will be coming tomorrow.

I also started some socks for the other brother. Retro Rib Socks in Trekking made an awesome back-up project for the beach. I'm glad I took a back up project, too. I finished the shawl on Thursday night, and would have been knitting less on Friday. Sure, I went to the yarn store, but I didn't have needles or patterns along. I like to knit form patterns at the beach, not just wing it. Winging it is not relaxing. I don't want to think. I just want to knit. Someone else can do the thinking for me when I'm on Vacation.
I think that's it. I'm trying to get mentally back into work and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. It is not easy. My brain is firmly still on vacation.

#7 Fuzzy Plums

These mittens are the shizknit! Seriously! So satisfying, and so cute. I hope the recipients like them as much as I like making them!

Name: Fuzzy Plums
Pattern: Fleece-Stuffed Mittens from "Favorite Mittens"
Yarn: Valley Yarns Berkshire in Eggplant, 1 skein
Needles: Vintage DPNs in 4 and 5
Notes: I decided to do the "diamonds" pattern in the thrumming, instead of the "lines", this time. I like the effect a lot! The lines were easier to thrum during the decreases - more intuitive, but the diamonds came out fine. My one little note about this fleece stuffing pattern: I have a "square and even" issue, meaning everything has to be lined up. In the diamond pattern it is really easy to start dropping thrums during the hand decreases to "keep things lined up". The next time I will keep more in play towards to finger tips, even if that means the pattern squishes a bit. More fleece in the finger tips= more warm.

Oh, and for some reason my thumbs are slightly different. I have no idea why. I just placed the starting thrum differently. I know I am the only one that will be bothered by this, so I'm totally not going to worry about it. I just thought I'd point out my folly.

Well, that completes #7 on the Summer Knitting Goals list! I am ready to head on Vacation! I am not taking more mittens with me. I don't think thrumming is good beach knitting. I am taking the shawl for the other Grandma ('cause, you know, Alpaca is the far superior choice for beach knitting) and a pair of socks. Maybe I'll have lacy tan lines on my legs!

#12 - The Zetor Scarf

Last night I decided to stay up and just finish those last 4 pattern rows on the Zetor Scarf. I didn't want to take this project on Vacation with me, as I would finish it the first day, and it would just be more stuff to haul around. Therefore, I was finishing it, damn it! I was a little tired today, but it was worth it.

Name: Grandma's Zetor Scarf
Pattern: Zetor Scarf by Jatta Saukko
Yarn: Knit Picks Alpaca Cloud, Iris colorway, a little over 1 ball
Needles: Knit Picks Harmony, size 5
Notes: This was a very simple lace pattern, if you read charts. If you don't, this might be a good excuse to start! Really, it looks more complex than it really is.

The yarn was left over from my Mom's Icarus Shawl, and I liked working with it then, and I like working with it now. No complaints at all from me. It is a hard color to capture in pictures, though...

The pattern is not written by a native English speaker, so I had a bit of a translation "moment" when I started the pattern. Once I read through the whole thing, it was rather apparent what I was supposed to do. My one note would be that the pattern tells you to work chart 2 as many times as you want. To knit it like the one in the picture, work 29 repeats. I did a little math in my head, and figured out that I needed 6 repeats to get a good size shawl. "WTH?" I thought. "29?!" I JUST, and I mean JUST, realized that the author meant 29 repeats of the section between the bold lines, and not 29 repeats of the 16 row chart. Duh. Anyway, I seem to be the only person that didn't understand this right away, since nobody on Ravelry knit the pattern "as written" and has a 60 foot wide scarf.

I am very pleased with this scarf. It is much more intricate looking than it really is, although I did get really bored towards the end. I think my Grandma will like her Christmas present! The bonus - getting to cross #12 off the summer knitting goals list!

All Hail Mr. Ship!

Things have been a little busy around chez' Costumechick this last week. I finished my July Socktopia socks 4 days ago, and still haven't posted about them! I either need to get my ass in gear, or I need to make more hours in the day. Either will work, but the "more hours in a day thing" in more likely, at this point. So, this morning, I'm stealing some Charlie time to post on my blog. You guys are do lucky. You rank above Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. That says something...
First, some back story...
My Little Brother is a "type A" personality, "go-getter", "super human" type of guy. I say that because we are cut from the same cloth. (ah, a little plug for the awesomeness of Costumechick. :) ) He is 11 years younger than me, but we compete with each other like we are twins. Which has the higher IQ (me, for the record), which has more awards(him- he's a kiss ass), who had harder college courses (probably a push, but we both think our major was harder), which political party is better (he has no ground to stand on), and on and on and on and on.... But, I love him to death, and when he called me to tell me he own the "Mr. Ship" contest, I said, "the what?".

Name: Mr. Ship 2007 Socks
Pattern: My own toe up with a little color work.
Yarn: Regia Nation Color, #5396, 2 balls
Needles: Knitpicks classic circs, size 0 and 1.
Notes: "Mr. Ship" is chosen during a charity fundraising pageant at Shippensburg University each year. the contestants raise money while campaigning for themselves on campus. As a freshman my brother won "Audience Choice", but not the big prize. Last year, he won. Evidently, it is odd to win as a Sophomore, but Mark is odd. I asked if he gets to cut the ribbon at car dealerships and stuff, like Miss Pennsylvania. He just looked at me. But, his reign is almost over, and I wanted to make him some commemorative socks to remind him of his days before he became a "washed up beauty queen".
Shippensburg University colors are red, white, and blue, and the Regia Nation Color was perfect! On top of being Mr. Ship, my little bro' is also a big fan of his country. (We may not agree on political issues, but at least he still believes in something, and I can respect that.) Add that to the July Socktopia theme of "patriotism", and I was set! The yarn is a bit....loud, but that's ok, Mr. Ship is not known for his shyness.

To do the fair isle portions, I used the outside of the "other" ball. That worked out well, and left very little leftovers. I did have to wind off a little from the second ball for the second sock, just to start the socks in the same place in the color pattern. I was a little nervous, but they ended up matching almost perfectly!

Overall, I think this was a very successful project. Good Socktopia theme usage, good Christmas gift, and I get to check #16 off my summer knitting goals list! All hail Mr. Ship, 2007, and his fantastic socks!

A quicky

I know what you were thinking! For shame!
I suppose it's OK. You wouldn't be surprised if my post was about *that* anyway. But it's not, so don't go getting all hot and bothered on me.
Through the wicked humidity, I've been dong some knitting!
Another two repeats on the Zetor


Some foot on Sock #2 for Socktopia

yep... looks pretty much like last week. I don't know how much I will get done this week, as Charlie and the Chocolate Factory fittings start tomorrow. Cross your fingers that it all will fit, and I'll just have to do finishing touches.

Independence Day

Happy fourth, a day late, 'cause that's how I roll. I had a nice, quiet Independence Day, mostly involving the task of Oompah Loompah puppet making. Ehh. I did have some knitting time too, and managed to finish off sock #1 for Socktopia, July. The theme I went with was "patriotism", and the socks coming off the needles are my "Mr. Ship 2007 socks".

I forgot how fast plain stockinette socks are to knit! Anyway, I added a bit o' color work to personalize Mr. Ship's socks.

I plan on reversing the pattern on sock #2, so the front of the foot says 'Mr. Ship', and the back says '2007'.

Mr. Ship, for those who don't know, is my youngest brother, Mark. He won the title in a pageant at Shippensburg University. Mark is no slouch in the ego department, so he never lets us forget that we are in the presence of Mr. Ship, and loyal subjects of his "Markdom". That's my baby brother for you. Anyway, the school colors are Red White and Blue, Mark wears loud socks, and I wanted to "honor" Mr. Ship - so out came my newest project.
These are on the Summer Knitting goals list too. I'm totally rocking my list.