Vintage Velvet, Finis

However many months, seven skeins, and 515 rows later, FINALLY, finally I finished the vintage velvet. There are some spots where the worming is pretty bad, but at least they look like tiny little lumps. I may try washing it again in hot, or even boiling, water. But the touch, my friends, the feel of that oh-so-soft chenille, that longs to be worn against the skin.


This picture was taken before washing. It looks quite nice as is, and I share everyone's fear of what the washing will do to it.




This was taken after the washing process. Yes, it looks like a drowned rat, and yes, I thought I'd ruined it. I could barely bring myself to take the pictures, and quickly threw it into the dryer.


These were taken after it came out of the dryer - not completely dry - and the results were astonishing. The beauty, the drape, the hand, I can't stop raving. And it felted enough that my few, um, minor, mistakes aren't really visible. Wow. Wow. I do wish I had waited until I had more experience under my belt before attempting this scarf - the yarn deserved better. But I can't regret it, too much, this is just amazing! I'll try for better pictures in the morning, I can't get quite enough light.

What Kind of an Idiot...

Frogs their swatch without measuring the gauge? Seriously?!?! This kind of an idiot. So I'll have to do another swatch for the Manos, in order to measure gauge. DOH! I'm so frustrated with myself, I couldn't bear to begin swatching again right away, so I'm just knitting diligently on the Vintage Velvet. And I guess with the time of just doing a few rows every day, something clicked. I can do a pattern repeat (22 rows) in an hour! So that's finally blazing along (well, blazing for me, anyway). I'm on the 5th skein - only 2 more to go.

Happy St. Valentine's Day!

Enjoy!

The Avalon KAL is picking up pace quickly, and quite a few members are joining. Em has also started the Knit Down to Harry KAL. Oooooooooooooh. I've already ordered Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Of course, I'll re-read the first six before it arrives on July 21st. So the premise of the KAL is to read each volume, and to knit something Harry Potter related. Now, if you remember from an earlier post, I'm busy. Very busy. Very, very busy. I'm not sure I remember who am or what I'm supposed to be doing. Adding MORE things to my to-do list is not wise. No, it's not. Not at all. But it's Harry Potter. A Harry Potter KAL. And at the end of Deathly Hallows, there will be people with whom to discuss. And I do want to knit a gryffindor scarf. Those of you who know me, or are coming to know me, see where this is going. Yes, of course you do. A glutton for punishment; a masochist, I am.

On the Avalon knitting front, I'm swatching the Manos. For your viewing pleasure:

A Little Knitting News

Saturday was the second knitting group meeting at my local library. While not many braved the cold, a good time was had by all. I helped a woman pick up the stitches around the bottom of what will become a felted bag. I talked about the Mists of Avalon KAL, and what I should consider making for it. It was mentioned that a knitting store in Mt. Holly was having a superbowl sale, and I should definitely go. And of course, books were discussed. I'm really going to enjoy these meetings.

Sunday, I got up early and went off to Wool-bearers in Mt Holly for the sale. I arrived within minutes of their opening, and it was already crowded. But it was well worth the trip. I found 7 skeins of Manos del Uruguay in the topaz, and 3 in the olive, and snatched those up. I now have about 11 skeins of the topaz, and intend to use it for knitting something for the Avalon KAL. I have 5 of the olive, and have no idea what I'm going to do with those. And I saw some beautiful Frog Tree yarns. I have some in a charcoal, but I just love touching and was tempted to buy some more in other colors, but managed to refrain. It's a great store, and have, I dare say, every concievable yarn imaginable, including their own color-dyes. Mmmm-mmmm. They also offer classes, and classes for dying and spinning. If you get the opportunity, check it out.

I realized that the end of February is fast approaching, and a friend had requested that I knit him a noose. Since that's his birthday, the timing seems perfect. Yes, he's just a little twisted; that's why I like him. I plan on knitting a long i-cord, and letting him tie the noose himself. And I believe he really wants a hangman's knot, and not a noose, but we shall see.

Meanwhile, here's some of the topaz Manos. And it looks even nicer knitted. Wow!

Secret Pal 10 Questionnaire

SP10 Questionnaire

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?
So far, I haven't found a fiber I don't like. Dale of Norway's Svale is difficult to knit with, but it produces a beautiful product. I love Nashua Wooly Stripe, Diakeito Yarns Diamusee, Caron's Simply Soft, Muench Touch Me, Patons Classic Wool.

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?
A beautiful, hand-made case I found on ebay. Check out ehwa_apron on ebay. Truly outstanding work.

3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?
I learned how to knit, but not purl, when I was 8. After making a few doll blankets, I promptly gave up. In January 2006 I decided I wanted to knit again. I consider myself a beginner.

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
Amazon and Froogle: moonspinner7@yahoo.com

5. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products, etc.)
Rose/roses, I really dislike patchouli or musk.

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?
Anything chocolate, really.

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?
I will sew for necessity. But I'm not terribly crafty. No, I don't spin. I haven't tried dying my own wool; I'm not sure I want to.

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s?
I enjoy classic rock, older country, folk music, celtic music, alternative rock. Yes, both my computer and my stereo will play MP3's.

9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand?
My favorite color is blue. But I also like green, rust/browns, greys. I hate pinks, purples, and reds.

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?
I am a single parent with an 8 yr old son.

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?
Yes, I do. Or, I suppose I would wear a poncho, if I had any.

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
So far, all I've made are scarves and booga bags. But I think I'm ready to tackle a sweater or cape.

13. What are you knitting right now?
The Vintage Velvet from Scarf-style for the Knit-along, and a mohair bias-stitch scarf from my Secret Pal 9.

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?
Of course! Who doesn't!

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?
Circular all the way! I prefer metal needles, altho I have some lantern moon straights I do enjoy knitting with.

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?
No. I'm not even sure what they are.

17. How old is your oldest UFO?
About 13 months.

18. What is your favorite holiday?
Christmas.

19. Is there anything that you collect?
Bags, boxes, and baskets. Anything that you can put something inside - stuff that holds your stuff.

20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?
I subscribe to Interweave Knits. I've managed to acquire quite a few books; I can't think of anything else I need, offhand.

21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?
Yes! The skills necessary to make hats, socks, and sweaters.

22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?
I can dream about knitting socks. I am a woman's size 8.

23. When is your birthday?
August 28th.

Secret Pal 10

Caught up in the frenzy of the warm-fuzzies of the reveals, I did sign up for SP10. Without a pause. Without a second thought. Just charged in, and barged ahead, I did. I will regret this. I know I will. Between March and June, I will be: 1)Moving, hopefully. 2) Taking a 9 credit Certified Public Manager class. 3) Taking Intermediate Knitting at the adult school. and 4) Continuing with the 80 million other things I'm already doing. Every day, my insanity becomes more and more apparent.

I also joined the Mists of Avalon Knitalong. This knit-along begins in February and ends in April. And I'm sure whatever I choose to knit for it will be far beyond my skill level, thereby resulting in ripped out shreds of hair come April. I'm kind of leaning towards something by Elsebeth Lavold. Naturally.

Just call me crazy.