Yarn Crawl

Look What I Just Started...

The yarn is actually turquoise RYC Cashcotton 4 ply, but it's a cloudy day outside so somehow it came out greenish.

I've had a wonderful day so far. Got up at a leisurely 7:30, drank my coffee and updated my SP questionnaire, then worked out for 40 minutes while watching The Fashion Show on the Tivo, showered and went over to Whole Foods. I have been wanting to go there for awhile, as it's not super close by but I want to start eating at home more, and healthier. Wow, was I ever impressed. That produce beats the crap out of anything I can buy at Dominick's or Jewel, and they even had a guy making sushi. So my lunch was a sashimi combination and an assortment of three types of berries (blackberries, blueberries and raspberries.) What a day I'm having! Loving life.

SP 14 Questionnaire!

I have joined the latest round of Secret Pal and updated my questionnaire. As a side note, I'm not in a pissy mood anymore like I was yesterday morning. Jim and I had a nice evening yesterday and he mentioned that he does, in fact, want to go to Taliesin, just not this upcomng week because of holiday traffic patterns, particularly in that area of Wisconsin as it's not far from the Wisconsin Dells. Good point and understood!! I get ideas in my head sometimes and become very stubborn about wanting to do them NOW sometimes (well, let's be honest - all the time.) But I do get over it quickly. Anyhoo, probably TMI for my new SP - hi pal! It's ironic that this is my first day on vacation, and what do I do first? Oh, get my coffee and fire up the work laptop. A creature of habit, apparently.

Here's the SP 14 Questionnaire!

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?

My favorite yarn to knit with is merino wool, but I also like certain other cotton tencel blend yarns. Some specifics I love are any of the RYC Cashsoft and Cashcotton yarns, Cascade Pima Tencel and Classic Elite Premiere, Elann luxury superwash merino. I also love anything by Brooks Farm and Tess Designer Yarns. Historically I’ve liked worsted/aran weight yarn the best, but now I really like DK, sport weight and 4ply yarns. If you're on Ravelry, you'll see I have a shortage of these types of yarns. Oh, and I really really hate hemp and am not the biggest fan of linen, or anything unyielding that has a tendency to "split".

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?

The Circular Solution for the non-Harmony set needles, and a divided plastic box for the hooks. I only use circulars and have tons of them.

3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?

I’ve been knitting since January 2005 and I’d say I’m probably advanced in that I’ve mastered the art of fitting myself and others, have made many different types of sweaters, and am not afraid to try new things.

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?

Yes, my Amazon wish list is under rmartin_cpa at hotmail dot com (an email address I don’t use except for spam type/solicitation lists.)

5. What's your favorite scent?

Lemon and other citrus scents are my favorite, as well as seaside/outdoorsy scents. My latest fave is CK One Summer. Others I like, to give you an idea, are Lemon Sugar by Fresh, Issey Miyake, I Love Love. Light, citrusy, beachy – all good - not too sweet or floral.

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?

I do in fact have a sweet tooth. My favorites are milk chocolate and/or milk chocolate/caramel/peanut butter blends. I also love the Godiva Key Lime truffles (and any other kind of their milk chocolate truffles), which they only have certain times of the year. I am the kind of weirdo that can actually eat one piece of Godiva chocolate a day and make that box last for over a month - in fact, I have a half eaten box from a month ago on my coffee table now. I’m really not a fan of most dark chocolate despite its health benefits. I am pretty focused on my health and eating right/working out as it makes me feel good, but it doesn't put me off a little chocolate or wine.

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?

Knitting and apparel sewing (particularly dresses with knit fabrics) are my two passions. I've been getting into crochet more lately and have a broomstick lace project in process. I have a hairpin lace loom and some patterns for it but haven’t gotten to it yet.

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)

I have an iPod and iTunes, so I should be able to play anything on there. I have very eclectic musical taste. If you look at my iPod, for example, it has Ingrid Michaelson, Frank Sinatra, classical music, 80s songs, 50s songs, and classic rock/metal. The only thing I really don’t like is most country music. I love audiobooks and have an audible.com membership.

9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand?

I really like most colors – all shades of green (except mint), teal, red/orange (as well as red and orange separately), turquoise, plum, maroon, blue-violet, and chocolate brown are all colors I love. I tend to like warm and/or vibrant colors and really dislike pale pastels and light beige on me as they wash me out.

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?

I have been married to the love of my life, Jim, since 2002 – as a point of trivia, our first date was on September 1 (1995) which is the same day in 1957 that my MIL and FIL were married. Clearly, it was meant to be! We have two sweet-sixteen-year old kitties, Gilda and FatKat.

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?

Scarves – yes; Hats – yes; Mittens – no, but I like fingerless gloves (Fetching was one of my faves); Ponchos – no..

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?

It’s all about the sweaters….

13. What are you knitting right now?

It changes from week to week – the best source is my Ravelry project list. I haven’t been too good about updating my project list in my right hand sidebar, but if my pal isn't on Ravelry, I can start updating the project list on the blog more consistently.

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?

Sure! I love handmade socks even though I don't knit them myself! I wear a size 6.5 or 7 shoe.

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?

I only use circulars – I have every possible material and size already though. I use all kinds except plastic – addi turbos, bamboos, rosewood, ebony – and I have the Knit Picks Harmony set. I do not yet have the Knit Picks metal needle set. For crochet hooks, I only like aluminum but I have every size of those too, though.

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?

Yep, I have both.

17. How old is your oldest UFO?

Mirepoix, from Fall 2007 Interweave - it's been hibernating since around October 2007.
I’m done with the sleeves, but need to finish the upper body and steek it.

18. What is your favorite holiday? What winter holiday do you observe?

My favorite part about holidays is the potential for long knitting and sewing weekends! Every holiday’s good. I celebrate Christmas.

19. Is there anything that you collect?

Cat figurines from various countries and other U.S. states that I've visited.

20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?

Books are a great thing to get for me as I really, really appreciate them and I keep my Amazon wish list updated. I already have subscriptions to Interweave Knits, Rowan International, Vogue Knitting, and Cast On. The only one I don’t have that I like is Rebecca – I have a lot of the back issues but would love a subscription. I really am liking Knitscene and Knit.1 lately. I have a subcription to Burda World of Fashion, a sewing pattern magazine.

This wasn't part of the question, but I guess it falls under the “yarns” category as it is also fiber-related: I adore fabric, particularly knit fabric from gorgeousfabrics.com or ITY jersey from denverfabrics.com. My latest fabric website find is spandexworld.com, but I only buy either swimsuit fabric (though I’ve yet to attempt one) or ITY poly/spandex blends. You can see my acquisitions on my blog and Flickr account (rmartin_cpa) to see what I like. Emilio Pucci and Diane Von Furstenburg are my fabric/style inspirations.

21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?

I’ve learned a lot of techniques, but haven’t necessarily made garments with them yet. I haven’t made an intarsia garment or sweaters utilizing slip stitch or brioche. I'll be picking up the Mirepoix Bodice again so will be getting some practice on steeks. Still planning to finish the Hourglass Jacket (my first crochet – broomstick lace – project.)

22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?

I’m not. I would love to get a pair (especially a lace pattern) but don’t want to make them. My shoes range in size from 6 to 7 depending on the style, because my feet are a little wide across the toes. Mostly I wear a 7. I have never taken measurements, though – just ask me if you’d like me to!

23. When is your birthday?
February 19.

24. Are you on Ravelry? If so, what's your ID?
Yep. RobinM is my ID.

Well, there it is in all of its detailed glory. I look forward to getting to know both of my pals!

Vacation - Almost Here!

Today is my last day in the office until July 13th, and I cannot WAIT. I really need a break from everything. Jim wasn't into the idea of the Taliesin visit, so I guess we are staying home. More sewing and knitting, I guess! I don't know how much I'll be blogging, depends on whether I have stuff to show.We'll see. Happy 4th of July!

Paloma WIP

Yesterday I had to fly out to Dallas/Ft. Worth for the day for a meeting (which ended up going very well!) and so I had some time on the plane on the way there to work on Paloma. I just finished the waist section of 13 stitch scallops - eliminated one repeat - and just started the first set of increases to work on the 14 stitch scallop pattern.

I'm liking how it's looking so far!

Also, I bought a book in the airport for the return flight and am really enjoying it - Loving Frank. Marjorie had mentioned in an email a few weeks ago that she enjoyed it, so I picked it up and am really glad I did! Thanks Marjorie! It's really a good book.

I'm a sucker for any type of historical fiction, and I love Frank Lloyd Wright's work. Plus it was interesting as there were a lot of local references to the local Oak Park area where he lived, which I'm pretty familiar with as Jim grew up in the next town over and we spent a lot of time there when we were dating the first few years. I've been wanting to get back into actual books vs. audiobooks lately (although each type of "reading" has its place!) and this was a great start into that. I was riveted and got halfway through it on the 2.5 hour flight!

That actually gives me an idea for a day trip for next week when Jim and I are off work - a road trip on the bike up to Taliesin in Spring Green, Wisconsin! I've been to Taliesin West in Arizona and really enjoyed the tour (in fact that's where I got my current mouse pad in my office of "Saguaro Forms and Cactus Flowers") and I think it would be really fun to see the original! I just mapquested it and it is 187 miles from my house - might want to stay overnight if we take the bike, as I don't think I'm going to want to do 7 hours on the bike in total in one day as mapquest estimates it takes 3 hours and 20 minutes each way. Despite it being very comfortable compared to the last bike, we haven't been on it for more than about an hour at a time. We'll see...I really want to go though.

Knitting Progress and a Short Sleeved 3775

I hope everyone had a great weekend - I know I did!

First off, on Friday afternoon I finished the Knitty Diamond Halter (modeled pics to come soon when I wear it:)

It had just one seam up the back, but I hadn't seamed anything in soooo (sewww?) long I'm glad I remembered how.

I also worked on the Leaf Yoke top and have the hip increases done, but I need to put it on waste yarn and try it on so I know how much longer it needs to be and whether I need any more hip increases.

I started a new project with some Rowan Plaid I had in stash (actually the yarn I had started the Lace & Cable Cowl with a while back and frogged)- Lightning from the Rowan Plaid collection. I remember I swatched for this about two years ago in pattern and thought the double decreases were tricky - it was a piece of cake. I decided to follow the instructions and knit this in pieces for a mindless knit. It wouldn't be hard to convert to do seamless except for the sleeves, as it's a cardigan, but I didn't feel like knitting long rows. The left front is 39 stitches - you gotta love that kind of quick progress.

Jim and I took the bike out for awhile on Saturday and dropped in to visit his aunt and cousins.

Then Sunday I made this - yet another Simplicity 3775, but in the cap sleeve version - I love this fabric and have had it in my stash for awhile:

I made it as a casual, hang-around on weekends or out to dinner dress, but it is good for work too as it has the little sleeves (and cami under it, which is essential!) Technically, sleeveless items aren't prohibited in my office, but I think they can look a little too casual.

I probably need to try this pattern in a size down on top to avoid the really low neck (or figure out how to raise the neckline, which I know is definitely doable but I have to snap out of my comfort zone to do it) but I'm worried about easing it into the bottom, which I don't want to make any smaller. Anyway, I'm still not done with this pattern yet, as I love it, it is easy, and takes me about 3 hours now to make. I did manage to screw up on almost every seam on this version for some reason, which is weird as I haven't had any trouble on the others, and it still took 3 hours, even with ripping out and redoing the messups.

Anyway! I also went to Ulta and found a new perfume I like:

and saw The Proposal with Heather on Sunday. It was cute and funny! I was up for a "chick flick" but wasn't in the mood for the drama of My Sister's Keeper. I have the book on my iPod but haven't listened to it yet, but obviously I know the gist of that one and neither of us were up for it! So we had a nice time, then Jim and I went to Finley Grill for dinner. All in all, a really fun weekend!

Here's What I'm Doing This Afternoon....

Relaxing, knitting and listening to audiobooks on my iPod!

This chaise lounge was on my original home improvement/planned acquisition list so I thought I'd share, as I just added on the umbrella and table setup.

Have a nice weekend, everyone!!

However...

Despite my aforementioned lack of blog mojo, I did just have these five pieces of fabric jump into my online cart over at Spandex World. Check these out - I was careful only to get the poly/spandex mixes - I think the "ingredient" combo I don't like is nylon/spandex, which I have a few pieces of in stash and don't think I'll use. Whatever it is, it's that thicker knit fabric that is solid white on the reverse side - I had picked some pieces of that up in the Vogue Remnant room and I don't personally like it.

These are the new pieces - I did two yards of each for simple summer dresses or tunics/tops:

and a yard of this for a swimsuit, as it was on sale too:

As you can probably tell, I'm loving orange and coppery orange colors lately. They are so nice in the summer with a tan! Now I need to get sewing on my existing stash so I can knock it down a little before these new fabrics arrive!

No Blog Mojo

I haven't felt like blogging for the past few days - Jim and I have gone out for dinner yesterday and the day before and didn't do much after that so I don't have anything really to show.

I dropped off my sewing machine and coverstitch machine on Monday at lunchtime and I couldn't believe they were ready the next day! They said that the coverstitch machine's tension was off, and it's making a much nicer stitch now. The sewing machine just needed a major tuneup, according to them, because of all the abuse it's taken over the past year, and they replaced the automatic threading mechanism, which I didn't even know I had and was broken. I picked both machines Tuesday after work, but haven't done anything with them yet.

I'm hoping for lots of sewing mojo for the rest of this week and the weekend. I have a business trip (in and out in the same day, so not bad) to Dallas/Ft. Worth on Tuesday, and am off Friday, then I have a week of vacation with Jim the following week. Planning on LOTS of sewing and knitting during that time! Trying to figure out some day trips for us that week too. Other than that, not much is going on!

The Weekend - Unplugged!!

Remember how I was saying I thought this was going to be a knitting-focused weekend? Well, I didn't know how true this was going to turn out to be. On Friday night there was a huge thunder and wind storm, breaking many trees near us in half, blowing our mailbox down the street, and along with thousands of other people in the Chicago area, our electrical power went out that night.

Usually I have to say our power service is consistently very good - when other people have power outages that last a while, we are usually lucky enough to have ours out for only an hour or so. Well, NOT THIS TIME. Our power *just* went on at 4 pm today, so we were without power for about 44 hours. Lost everything in both refrigerators (about half of the freezer stuff was old and needed to go anyway - this is a definite case against stashing food) but still it was about seven large Hefty bags worth, we had to go out and buy another battery for our sump pump backup system, and basically sat around by candlelight on Friday and Saturday night.

On the bright side, as you can imagine, I got a LOT of knitting done! Serious progress was made on the orange leaf yoke top, and I only have the straps left to do on the Knitty Diamond halter. Pics to come soon!

Leaf Yoke Progress!!

I just came home and finished the leaf yoke chart on my Knit.1 Leaf Yoke top - loving it!

The lace pattern will open up even more once I wet block it, but as I had the opportunity to show it before doing the pickups from the bottom, I figured I would show it off (plus I'm so giddy about it, I had to share:)

I think it's going to be a knitting-focused weekend!