Spin, Knit, Purl and Be Happy: August 2008

Saturday, August 23, 2008

I Can Not Think Of a Title

Well, Project #2 of Ravelympics complete.

(please excuse the shadows; that's what I get for wanting "natural lighting")

It definitely needs some blocking, but I have until Christmas....

Whatever I don't get done tomorrow (in time for the end of the Ravelympics), I'll finish on a road trip. Must go knit now..

Thursday, August 21, 2008

Baby Steps

(no pun intended)

I now have both fronts, and the back done and the same length.

I had a bit of a scare regarding the gauge; it turns out that the yarn, although it's a similar weight, does not match the gauge in the pattern. Since it makes the bolero bigger, not smaller, I am going to continue on today as if I had the proper gauge, with my eyes shut. I know I am going to be embarrassed about this later, but my logic is that Riley wouldn't be able to wear this for long if it was in the proper gauge, maybe she'll get a couple more wears in it if the gauge is a few less stitches to the inch.

But before you send me "Are you crazy?!?" mental thoughts, just know this: it made sense around 10 last night.....

I'll be seeing the twins tonight, so I can sneak a couple measurements and see if my wonky-gauged version will fit her. If not, maybe I can adjust the pattern a smidge.

When I took a break from my Ravelympics project, I did a little spinning.

This is an alpaca and cormo (cormo is a brand of sheep that is desended from Corriedale and Merino sheep). I Navajo plied the yarn; it's the thickest I've made in a while. After I catch up on Ravelympics projects, this will probably be a hat.

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

And I Thought I Would Post More Often!

Color guard (not me in the video; I just youtubed it) was as tiring as I thought it would be. We have the two songs (both by Queen: Don't Stop Me Now and Bohemian Rhapsody) choreographed for the flags, but now we have to work it into the band's routine.

I also went to the State Fair with my cardigan, and got a superior, which I'm really happy about. The judge said that I had my work cut out for me to top this next year. I thought that was nice of her.

And what is my plan for next year, you might ask?

Well, it includes:

-roughly 1,000 yards of handspun silk with gradual color changes

-a mesh ruffle at the hem,

-and a ribbon at the waist!

Yep, a dress. This is going to be my ideal prom dress. I am not planning on going to any proms any time soon, and may not, even in the very far future, but at least I'll know I can make a dress!

I probably won't start it until Christmas or so--I have a lot of other projects I need to catch up on, like this bolero....

.....which doesn't really look like a bolero yet, and I am kinda having some issues with the fact that the back (on top) is shorter than the left front (below the back).

Since this is the second of my four Ravelympics projects, I'm going to have to pick up the pace a little to get everything (or at least Ryan and Riley's presents; they've been in the back of my head and my queue for too long) done by the end of the Olympics.

Did I mention I still have homework to do?

And a room to clean?

Yeah, umm....I'd best be off.

Saturday, August 09, 2008

Ravelympics Day 2

Beginning on Tuesday, I went on a trip to Ohio for school. On Friday, (the first day of the Olympics and the Ravelympics), we drove back. I got a good seven or eight hour car ride to work on my first project, fingerless gloves for my little brother. It was just the right amount of time.

John loves them--and they fit. (Score!)

I did the finishing today, and hope to go to a Michaels or JoAnn's this week to get the yarn for the other competition I am in: Baby Dressage. I also need needles for the gloves I would like to make for myself.

Unfortunately for my yarny plans, I have color guard (aka waving flags in pretty ways) all day, every day next week, and no planned long car rides till after the Olympics end. The knitting (and blogging) will be sporadic, but a little more updated than usual.