Ravelympics 2008 - Gauge Swatch

Here's my gauge swatch for the project I'm going to be working on for Ravelympics 2008 being hosted on Ravelry. The idea is to pick a challenging project, cast on during opening ceremonies on August 8th, and finish the project by closing ceremonies.

 

I'm entered in the Cable Steeple Chase for Team Japanese. I'm going to knit one, maybe two, cable cushion covers from a Japanese knitting book I have, Favorite Aran Knits.



I've had a couple of false starts with cable patterns and I'm hoping since this is a smaller project and one I have to worry less about fitting me, that I'll have success. Plus I'd like to use my knitting-cables-without-a-cable-needle skills that I picked up in April from Annie Modesitt before I forget.

I'm using Berroco Ultra Alpaca in White. It is like knitting with buttah! It is so soft. Part of me is wondering if I should save this yarn for some type of knitted garment but it has been languishing in my stash for a while now, so I might as well use it. I have two skeins and I think this will be enough for two pillows.

The pattern is for a 14 X 14 inch cushion. I'd also like to make a larger, say 16 X 16, pillow cover in another color with a slightly different knitting chart that is also in the book. But I don't want to put too much pressure on myself during Ravelympics so if I get two done that will be great.

Fiber Fantasic

Last night at my Renton Knitters group we had all kinds of fiber related activities. We always have people knitting. But last night we also had crochet, loom knitting, spinning, and drum carding.

Here is Charity with her new spinning wheel. She has already made some really lovely yarn. Can anyone say birthday present please? ;)

 

Angi showed Joann's daughter how to knit. She picked it up really quickly. And she is such a cutie.

 

Joann brought her drum carder and carded several batts from fiber she had also brought.

 

Charity was the lucky receipent of this batt.

 

Angi also did some spinning with a drop spindle.



Don't show this picture to Angi's in-laws! They may get the wrong idea! This lovely baby has been gracing our presence for about a month now since her mother started attending our group.



I also scored some free yarn last night from Erica. She has a friend who took up knitting and, gasp, decided she didn't like it after spending several hundred dollars on yarn. Erica brought what she didn't want to the group. I got a total of 3 skeins of Lorna's Laces Shepherd Worsted. This one is called Douglas Fir.



These two are called Tahoe and seem to coordinate with the Douglas Fir.



Now I have to figure out what I'm going to knit with them. Of course, I have other yarn in my stash waiting to be knit, so it might be awhile before I get to these beauties!

Clapotis FO

 

 

I finally gave into the "peer" pressure to do a Clapotis. I mean everyone but me has knitted one. I'm not sure when or if I'll ever use it. I'm not a shawl person, but I love the yarn too much to think about giving it away. :)

Pattern: Clapotis
Yarn: Blue Heron Rayon Metallic, Raspberry
Needles: US 6 / 4.0 mm
Started: June 28, 2008
Finished: July 7, 2008
Modifications: I did only 8 repeats of Section 3

Cherries!

 

Yesterday, I was sitting at my desk and while looking out my window I noticed that one of my trees had red "things" on them. I walked out to investigate and discovered I had a tree full of cherries!

I filled a large bowl with the ones I could reach. They taste great! Now I have to figure out what to do with them that doesn't involve sugar. Ideas?

Seattle Pride 2008

Just got home from a wonderful day with my Seattle Queer Knitters at Seattle Pride.

We took the bus down to the parade in downtown and then afterwards walked to Seattle Center where we played in the fountain and people watched.



In the slide show you can see the Honeymoon Cami from Knitty I finished this week along with my Snatchel bag. I got the button sewn in just in time last night. Everyone thought it was great.

Cross Stitch Song

This is a hilarious song: Cross Stitch (mp3)

My favorite is:
"Knitting Needles Don't Kill People, Old Ladies Do"

Or How About:
"I see your ball of wool and smile"

Or:
"I get ectasy when I make tea cozies"

The chorus:
"knit 1, purl 1, drop 1, cast on, cast off. (crochet, crochet, crochet)"

Enjoy!

Cami FO

 

I finished knitting my Honeymoon Cami from Knitty tonight. I really like how it turned out. I used a Bamboo/Rayon mix yarn that I had made up at Yarnia in Portland.

It has a wonderful drape and feels soft and light. A great top just in time for summer.