Weekend Things

Saturday night I went to a show put on by an amazing local artist, Tim Barsky. I first saw/heard of him a few years ago at an event called Hip Hop Against Bush. There were a lot of acts, but after Tim was onstage for all of three minutes, I barely listened the rest of the night. He played flute. And beatboxed. At the same time. My boyfriend and I went to see his last show (with the Everyday Theater), The Bright River, and were completely blown away. This guy isn't just a fantastic musician, he's also a storyteller, mixing traditional Ashkenazi forms and motifs with urban stories and methods - well, you have to see it to believe it.



I'm sorry to say that Saturday was the last night of this show's current run - it was fantastic, as expected. It was moving, funny, sad, local, global, political...I left angry and uplifted, just the way I like it. While this was a solo performance, Dreaming in a Firestorm will have another 8- or 10-week run starting in February, this time as an ensemble piece with the incredibly talented musicians that did The Bright River. If you are in the Bay Area, trust me, you want to see this. I will try to post an update when tickets for that go on sale. Write it down somewhere. Bookmark timbarsky.com. Seriously.



I also made tarts! With my roommate! Unfortunately I didn't get to eat any because she was taking them to a potluck at her boss' house. Oh well.



After something of a pause, I picked up Mesilla again. I'm making it in Knitpicks Shine Worsted. I just couldn't get the picot hem to work out for me, so I scrapped it and did a four-round garter-stitch border (k, p, k, bo pwise). One skein of red isn't really enough for the trim. I have one sleeve left to do (I only own one US7 circular, and no dpns, so it's tough...even doing it flat) and ends to weave in, then I'll get to the embroidery. I think it looks nice so far, though I'm wondering how the Shine Worsted will wear once I wash it. Hopefully it will lengthen a little; this shirt is a bit short for my taste. I have really enjoyed the pattern, though. I only took a break from it because of the hem, and running out of red yarn (once I ripped out the hem I had a lot more to work with, though). I hope to finish this next week.

And yes, I am still working on my log cabin!

Howto Hallowig

Something in me finds it incredibly funny that the folks at boingboing.net (one of my daily reads) would refer to this as a "HOWTO." Dudes, it's called a pattern.



Not that a pattern isn't a sort of howto, I guess, I would just never think of it that way, because the knitting pattern is like, an institution. Right?

I've been seeing knitty patterns on boingboing fairly often - womb, for one, and I think the recent sea creatures made it up there as well. It's funny to see them on boingboing because I get the sense that non-knitting readers will think, "my god, knitting is hilarious!" Well, sometimes it is.

link
Boing Boing: HOWTO make a bright wig out of yarn

FINISHED OBJECT ALERT

It will look a lot better on my brother! (Pics when I can get them)

YOU GUYS! I am so proud of myself. I have been working on this since December. I feel so bad but at least I finished it!

Pattern: My own, made up as I went, sort of. Seamed bottom-up raglan v-neck. Notes below.

Yarn: Knitpicks Merino Style, nutmeg, 12 balls (I wish I'd had 13 but I managed! Order more than you think you need ok?!)

Needles: US8, 6, 4. I used size 8 for the entire body and sleeves, then for the neck lining I picked up and knit with size 6, ribbed a few rows, then bound off with size 4.

Notes: I took measurements for my bro; shoulder width, arm length, arm circumference, torso length, waist. I started with 2" of 2x2 ribbing. For the back, not pictured, I did a 4x1 rib, no cables. The pattern for the front and sleeves is (k4, p1, C4B, p1). I began the v-neck about 2" above where I started my raglan decreases on the front. I had to do some math to make sure the cables and non-cables lined up when I sewed the sleeves to the body. Picked up for every stitch along the neckline after I sewed it all together, starting at the point of the V with size 6, 1x1 rib for about 7 rows, bound off with size 4. Sewed up the little seam at the bottom of the V. That's all I can really think of...I just did my gauge swatch and cast on about as many stitches as I needed to meet my bro's measurements!

Knitting Sucks

Ugh. Sometimes knitting is so frustrating. Things don't line up, garments lie funny, a good idea proves difficult to execute. I am impatient. I am used to doing things well. I am not used to going back, trying again, going back, trying a third time. I try to love the process but my budgets of time and money force emphasis on the product. When I can't produce, I just get bummed.

Still, it's a compelling vision to chase.

New Arrival

Endless Summer Collection Lara, White, 7 balls
Peruvian Collection Quechua, Saxony Teal, Colony Blue, 1 ball each

I ordered the Quechua just because I've been wondering about it for a while, no project in mind yet. The white is for a little top I've been thinking about, hopefully a pattern to be available soon. So many projects. You see why I need a Week of F.O.s.

Bye Bye Baby

Stitch n Pitch was incredibly fun! I didn't get to meet too many people, but it seemed like there were a ton of knitters there. And what a great night to go to the game!





















Ok, I knew there was going to be a tote bag, but how was I to know that when they gave it to me, it would be full of YARN AND NEEDLES?!?! Not my favorite yarn, but definitely some of my favorite needles! I was shocked to find a set of US17 Clover Bamboo straights in there - those are nice needles! And even though I'm not a big Red Heart fan, hey, you can't beat free.

My boyfriend, total sweetheart and rabid Giants fan that he is, agreed to go with me even though, as I explained over and over, we'd be sitting in the knitting section. Then, because he has no need whatsoever for knitting implements, he handed me all his Stitch n Pitch schwag, so I could have double everything. What a guy.




















Here we are on the BART going home; all local public transit was free yesterday (most of this week actually) because it's hot and the BAAQMD wants us to "spare the air" by not using our cars. We never drive to the city anyway, but it was great to save $6 each! We love free stuff.

Now, see that look of glee on his face? That's due to the fact that the GIANTS WON! And how!

Barry Bonds' 722!

Suicide Squeeze!

Bonds - Durham - Feliz...three home runs RIGHT IN A ROW in the 8th (we were screaming)!

Lowry shut out the Padres all the way through eight innings, then they squeezed in a paltry 3 runs in the 9th. But since I'm sort of a fan of the mercy rule, I totally didn't care!

Of the 9 runs the Giants scored, four of them were home runs. It was the knitters. We're good vibes.


















I felt great as we walked out of the park; J. kept saying "wow, you really picked a good night!" even though I just bought tickets for whatever the hell night they were having the event. The weather was great and we headed back to Berkeley with brand new Giants hats (I look pretty snazzy in mine, don't I?) but without our "I Was There" Barry Bonds home run pins - they ran out! Oh well. We had plenty of free stuff.

Plus, this morning when I dumped out my tote bags to take the photo, I discovered another set of Clover Bamboo Needles in US4 - now that's a size I can really use! I hadn't even found it at the game under all that yarn.

I highly recommend looking to see if your team is hosting a Stitch n Pitch...but you have to put your knitting down and cheer when they hit 3 homers in a row, ok?

Week of F.O.s

It's rolling right along here...my self-discipline is sometimes not so great so yesterday I only brought two things to Stitch N Bitch:

My brother's Christmas Sweater



















Last night I did ALL the seaming: sleeves, sides, raglan seams. Then I picked up for the ribbed v-neck edging. I will be done so soon! People kept saying "wow, you're really getting a head start on that!" but unfortunately I had to tell them that it was, er, Christmas 2005 to which I was referring.

My Sunrise Circle Jacket



















I had already ripped 5 balls' worth, so last night I cut the seam that hemmed the outer edge of the circle and ripped the last 4. Now I can find something else to do with this pretty, pretty yarn. I've probably said this before but: totally NOT the pattern's fault that it didn't work out. This yarn gives too small a gauge to yield a stiff enough fabric to get the style the SCJ is going for. I loved the pattern and I was sorry I'd picked the wrong yarn.

Also, realizing that I really needed to do it (and to assuage my stash guilt...I suffer so badly from the stash guilt!) I went through my closet and put a bunch of stuff in the Goodwill pile.


















Now if only I can get up the gumption to take it down there...and get it out of my apartment.

Last, but not least, I'm still churning out the log cabin strips. Honest.

















Tonight: Stitch n Pitch! I can't wait! GO GIANTS!

In Which I am Out of Town

I'm down in L.A. for the weekend, and while I brought some knitting with me, I haven't taken it out of my suitcase once. The project is something of my own design, and my armholes have gone awry. It is incredibly hot down here and I can't concentrate on anything like shaping or mathematics. Why didn't I bring my ballband dishrags? Because I'm an idiot, that's why.

Instead of actually knitting, I have just been dreaming about knitting. Literally. I saw something cute in a car commercial, made a little sketch, and that night started dreaming about what would be the best yarn to use. So I ordered a little of this:






Then I got to thinking about another idea floating around in my head, and found this:












But the problem with this is that there isn't terribly much left, for now. So. Anyway that's pretty much all I've been up to knitting-wise, besides getting a few more balls of Sugar n Cream at Michael's ;)

Excuses, Excuses

Phew! It's so nice to have that pattern all written up. It probably has some errors in it that will be worked out in time. When I get some time I'm going to knit it again, despite the fact that I don't know anyone who would need it anymore, just to make sure that it works. I wouldn't want a faulty pattern out there with my name all over it.


I sort of decided that there just isn't enough time to finish my log cabin before the wedding reception, so I will have to give my friend her present a little late. It will probably work out better since we both live in the Bay Area, but the reception is taking place back in L.A. where we went to high school, so anything she gets down there has to be hauled right back up to San Francisco. I'll spare her that with the blanket. It will also give me a good excuse to hang out with her sometime soon (like when I do finish this...)

I am itching to start on a couple other projects but I think that when I get back from my L.A. trip it will be time for a WEEK OF F.O.S! During this WEEK OF F.O.S! I will finish at least two things. It will feel as if a giant weight has been lifted! It will!

It will!

Lock & Key

I developed this pattern after searching the great Series of Tubes for a knitted dread tam for my boyfriend and finding only crochet versions. Things to know about me #37: I do not crochet. Thus this hat was born, and worn almost daily for the last year, to the point that I could hardly get a good enough look at it to write up the pattern. This explains why it might look a little beaten-up in the photos. It also points to the reason I have no modeled photos: said boyfriend cut off his dreadlocks recently, which is why I could finally take a good look at my handiwork.

For a prettier and more printer-friendly version, download the pattern. (MS Word, for now.)

Please e-mail me if you have any questions or issues with the pattern, or to report errors. If you plan to distribute or derive this pattern, please be sure to fully understand the Creative Commons license under which it is released (see below).


Lock & Key
Dreadlock Hat Pattern

Size
One size – fits 20-24”

Materials
Tahki Cotton Classic [100% mercerized cotton,
108 yds/50g hank]
[MC] 3609 Olive, 2 hanks
[CC1] 3002 Black, 1 hank
[CC2] 3003 Ecru, 1 hank

OR

Elann.com Sonata [100% mercerized cotton,
115 yds/50g ball]
[MC] 5310 Deep Olive, 2 balls
[CC1] 8990 Deep Black, 1 ball
[CC2] 8176 Natural, 1 ball

1 12-inch US6 circular needle
1 set US6 dpns or second circular needle

Stitch Marker
Tapestry Needle

Gauge
20 sts/30 rows = 4”


Directions
Cabled Rim
Cast on 96 sts in MC using cable cast-on. Join in round being careful not to twist.

Rnd 1: place marker, [k2, p1] to end.
Rnd 2: [k2, p1] to end.

Rnd 3: [k2, p1, C2B, p1] to end.
Rnd 4: [k2, p1] to end.
Rnd 5: [C2B, p1, k2, p1] to end.
Rnd 6: [k2, p1] to end.

Rnds 7 through 18: Repeat rnds 3-6 three more times
Rnds 19-21: Repeat rnds 3-5
Change to CC1 (I recommend not cutting MC, as you will continue with MC in two rows)
Rnd 22: k to end.
Rnd 23: p to end.



Increasing
Change to MC.
Rnd 1: k to end.
Rnd 2: kl6, m1 by knitting into right loop of last rnd stitch, [k12, inc1] 7 times, k6. (104 sts)
Rnds 3 and 4: k to end.
Rnd 5: [k13, inc1] 8 times. (112 sts)
Rnds 6 and 7: k to end.
Rnd 8: k7, inc1, [k14, inc1] 7 times, k7. (120 sts)
Rnds 9 and 10: k to end.
Rnd 11: [k15, inc1] 8 times. (128 sts)
Rnds 12 and 13: k to end.
Rnd 14: k8, inc1, [k16, in1] 7 times, k8. (136 sts)
Rnds 15 and 16: k to end.
Rnd 17: [k17, inc1] 8 times. (144 sts)
Rnds 18 and 19: k to end.
Rnd 20: k9, inc1, [k18, inc1] 7 times, k9. (152 sts)
Rnds 21 and 22: k to end.

Design
Change to CC1.
Next rnd: [k17, k2tog] 8 times. (144 sts)
k 3 rnds.
Change to MC, k one rnd.
Change to CC2, work following chart or written instructions once, 16 reps around.

Greek Key Pattern Charts
The following charts give identical results. Note that not all chart rows are the same width. (Click picture to enlarge.)


Greek Key Pattern Written Instructions

All sts are k.
W = CC1
B = CC2

Rnd 1: [9W] 16 times.
Rnd 2: [9W] 16 times.
Rnd 3: [k2togB, 1W, 6B] 16 times.
Rnd 4: [1B, 1W, 1B, 5W] 16 times.
Rnd 5: [1B, 1W, 1B, 1W, 3B, 1W] 16 times.
Rnd 6: [1B, 1W, 1B, 3W, 1B, 1W] 16 times.
Rnd 7: [1B, 1W, 3B, 1W, 1B, 1W] 16 times.
Rnd 8: [1B, 5W, 1B, 1W] 16 times.
Rnd 9: [7B, 1W] 16 times.
Rnd 10: [8W] 16 times.
Rnd 11: [6W, k2togW] 16 times.

112 sts remain.

Decreasing
Rnd 1: Change to MC, k to end.
Rnd 2: Change to CC1, k6, k2tog, [k12, k2tog] 7 times, k6. (104 sts)
Rnd 3: k to end.
Rnd 4: [k11, k2tog] 8 times. (96 sts)
Rnd 6: k5, k2tog, [k10, k2tog] 7 times, k5. (88 sts)
Rnd 7: Change to MC, k to end.
Rnd 8: [k9, k2tog] 8 times. (80 sts)
Rnd 9: k4, k2tog, [k8, k2tog] 7 times, k4. (72 sts)
Rnd 10: k to end.
Rnd 11: [k7, k2tog] 8 times. (64 sts)
Rnd 12: k3, k2tog, [k6, k2tog] 7 times, k3. (56 sts)
Rnd 13: [k5, k2tog] 8 times. (48 sts)
Rnd 14: k to end.
Rnd 15: k2, k2tog, [k4, k2tog] 7 times, k2. (40 sts)
Rnd 16: [k3, k2tog] 8 times. (32 sts)
Rnd 17: k1, k2tog, [k2, k2tog} 7 times, k1. (24 sts)
Rnd 18: k2tog to end. (12 sts)
Rnd 19: k2tog to end. (6 sts).

Finishing
Cut working yarn to 6”. Using tapestry needle, thread yarn end through remaining 6 sts. Draw together tightly, then thread yarn through top center of hat and secure on WS. Weave in ends.

Care
Cotton will stretch a lot, so to retain hat’s brim, machine wash and tumble dry regularly.

Modifications
To make your hat bigger, smaller, longer, etc., just make sure that you cast on a multiple of 6 sts (for the cables on the brim) and have a multiple of 9 sts when you begin the chart. Just remember, cotton is very forgiving so the original size will accommodate most heads!





Alexandra Kostalas and Hot Coals Only
http://hotcoalsonly.blogspot.com

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You may copy and modify this work only for non-commercial purposes. Attribution must be given with all copies and derivations of this work. Any derivative works must be released under identical license.
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Done and...not quite done

I love it!

Pattern: Kiri by Polly Outhwaite

Yarn: Austermann Pharao, 100% ägyptische Baumwolle, aka cotton, color Tangelo. 3 balls plus a few yards of the fourth ball for the last .25 row and bind-off.

Needles: US6 addi turbo. Crammed all gazillion stitches onto my 12".














I did a preliminary stretching last night, have to head to the hardware store for a long wooden dowel and locate my T-pins to block out the top line and the edging. This yarn blocks like a dream - comes out of the sink soooo soft, you can squeeze the hell out of it without hurting it, but it will retain enough moisture to block out well. I am so glad I have two balls of it left, and I might order some more from elann.com in another color!

and:
















The more I knit, the more I like how it looks, but the slower it goes. I have added a second lace strip now. Each of my six main colors has shown up in three strips now, and I haven't finished any of the first balls of each color. I have 26 balls total, including my two greens, so I think it will end up a good size. Not even two weeks left, sheesh.

Back to ze log cabin!

Buy Me Some Peanuts

I finally bought tickets to the knitting special event night at the Giants stadium, Stitch n Pitch! Knitting, Giants baseball, a free tote bag that incorporates both concepts - how could I resist? Plus, I know of a certain lace project that would be the perfect accessory at such an event...