Thirfting Around Ballard

Amy and I have decided to check out different neighborhoods in Seattle on the weekends to see where we'd like to buy a house eventually. I'm hoping we can buy next year but we may need to save another year before we can afford the down payment.

So this last weekend we went over to Ballard and went to a couple of thrift stores. The first two sweaters I got at Value Village. The third at Goodwill.



This first one seems to be a handmade cardigan. If it didn't have fuzzy novelty and eyelash yarns in it, I might even keep it to wear. I like the colors. But the real reason I bought the cardigan wasn't to wear or even for the yarn. I bought it for the buttons.



Aren't these great? Dichoric buttons like these could easily cost $2 to $3 or more. The sweater has 5 of them.



This second one was $2.50, half price from $4.99 because it was yellow tag day. It is a women's large and the yarn content is; 35% wool, 28% viscose, 15% Nylon, 9% Silk, 3% Cashmere, and 3% Other fiber (hmmm?). I wasn't really sure I wanted it, but Amy kept saying "it is only $2.50 and stop stressing about it." The yarn will be good for small projects.

The big find of the day though was this:



It is a 100% Alpaca sweater. Look at all those cables and different stitches. I'm going to get a lot of yarn out of this one. Really soft yarn. The label says it was hand knit in Peru. So I'm trying not feel bad about ripping it our for yarn. It is too big and bulky for me to ever wear.

Aren't these great finds? Oh and Ballard is pretty cool too!

TKGA Membership

I opened up my mail yesterday to find a membership to The Knitting Guild of America (TKGA) yesterday. I had it on my Xmas list, but I didn't really expect to get it. Sometimes I put things on my list just so I'll remember. This was one of those things.

Amy said she didn't get it for me. And I don't think it is a gift my brother would buy me. So it has to be my mom.

I'm torn about calling her today and asking her or waiting until Xmas. But I know her so she'll want to know it arrived.

Now that I have the membership I plan on signing up for the Level I Masters Knitting Program. It is a:
"non-competitive and rewarding achievement program for advanced knitters."

I'm not what I consider an advanced knitter but I'd like to be better then I am now. I probably won't do all 3 levels but I want to do the first level to improve my knitting skills in a structured way.

The program requires knitting swatches and garments plus answering knitting related questions. Your work is then evaluated by a committee before you "pass" and can go onto the next level.

I think it will be fun but challenging. I'm on the TKGA board on Ravelry and most everyone says they learned a lot by taking the program and that their knitting experience and projects improved tremendously.

What a great Xmas present. Thanks Mom! (You did get this for me didn't your?!?)

Yarn Dyeing Party

Charity gave us a Yarn Dyeing 101 Class yesterday at Ialiuxh's yesterday. We used both Kool Aid and Jacquard fabric dyes.

First we soaked the skeins (premade by Charity, Ialiuxh, and Elizabeth. I brought some of my reclaimed yarn from a sweater I ripped out last month):


Here they are after they soaked:


Then Charity mixed up the Jacquard fabric dyes:


Here's Tara spooning her dye onto the a skein (pretty!):


And Charity (isn't this a great color combo):


And Ialiuxh (with her favorite colors!):


And mine (this turned out much better looking when it was done):


After we dyed them we wrapped them in Saran wrap and microwaved them for *2 minutes, waited 2 minutes* (3 times)

When they cooled, the skeins were rinsed and hung to dry.


Ialiuxh is going to bring the dried skeins to knit night on Wednesday so I'll have more photos then.

Next, Charity is going to teach us kettle dyeing.

Finished Gifts

Yesterday I finished My So Called Scarf for my MIL's birthday which is next week. I need to send it priority this week so it will get there on time.



I also finished Hedgerow Socks for my mom which I gave to her today for her birthday.



I had her try on her Wickedly Foolish cardigan and I'm really bummed because it isn't wide enough. It is okay at the bust but I need to add about 4 more inches around the stomach and lengthen it by another 4 inches. So I'm going to have to rip out a ton of rows. I have no idea if I'll get it done for Xmas now.

I just can't face the ripping and reknitting right now. So I startd the Hoodie Scarf to take my mind off it. I'm using Cascade 220 in Maroon. I wanted a smallish project that I can carry with me and knit at knitting group.

Hello Dolly!

 


Look what came in the mail today! My early Xmas gift to myself: an adjustable dress form!

I've been wanting one of these for awhile so I can see how my knitted garments are going. I hate trying them on in the mirror not really able to see how they look from the back. Now I can get a 360 degree view.

 
 

And my mom's Wickedly Foolish Cardigan got to break her in. I was able to adjust the bust and hip measurements to match my mom's. I think the cardigan fits pretty good. I was a little worried about the hip area. I do think it would be tight if it wasn't a cardigan. But mom will mostly wear it open so that won't be a problem.

The other nice thing about seeing the cardigan on the dress form is that I can see that I don't have miles of sleeves to knit. With the raglan style the upper part of the sleeve has already been knit. I was really worried I wouldn't have this done by Xmas, but I think now it is doable.

Besides the sleeves, I still have to do pockets. I haven't decided what the placement will be or how I'm going to do them yet. I need to check out my Sweater Workshop book to see tips on pockets. I know there are directions on an after thought pocket which requires cutting the fabric. I may do that or just knit some squares with the ribbing on them and sew them on. Or somehow knit them on. Anyone know how to do that?

Urban Craft Uprising Goodies

Today we went down to Urban Craft Uprising at Seattle Center. I picked up a couple of really cute bags. The first is B.O.B (bag of bags) by Don't Quilt Your Day Job. I especially like that it has Breast Cancer Awareness bags in it and the pink handles. Too cute!
I also bought this great DPN needle case from valutree. She also makes messenger bag style knitting bags. I wanted to buy one but I didn't have $50 cash with me. Luckily, she has an Etsy shop so I can order one later.

First Seattle Snow Winter 2007