Just Breathe

It's back to summer in the FiberChic world--hello, everyone!

Soo...recap of this year:

gave up the dog,

received the "outstanding aux." for our color guard

almost moved to central IL (but didn't),

almost moved to KY (but didn't),

found four kittens under a friend's stoop, kept two of them,

Knitted Christmas presents, including a guitar strap, "America's Next Top Model" Christmas ornament, and bitty mouse,

enjoyed a family round-up during Christmas,

(student) directed my school's rendition of "D**n Yankees",

stressed over Chemistry,

stressed over AP tests,

went to my first school dance (prom!) (with a group of friends, not by myself),

said goodbye to the fantastic school band director, due to district cuts,

and throughout it all...

spun, designed and knitted another dress (pictures pending).

You, Blogosphere, were so good to me my freshman year--you kept me sane through a dramatic transition in my life. I figure the least I can do is just let you know how I'm turning out.

Still Here

Hello, everyone! Hows life been these past few months?

Pretty hectic for me, let me tell you.

End of January, I finished this:

I also spun up the yarn for my dream dress..

and dyed it...

and got the cutest dog in the world, named Laney...

and knitted the dress...

and modeled it! (Mom is now letting my face be on the web, since I'm now 16 (as of last Dec, this was just the first time I could put it to use)

My dad is a wiz with a camera--he's fantastic.

Thanks to everyone for their patience with my blogging (or rather, lack thereof). I'm still enjoying life knitting and smiling.

ha-HA! I have finally finished a post!

Life...

...is getting in the way of life right now...but thankfully, life is working with knitting to keep me from going insane. ;) My enter key is not working, so there are going to be less paragraphs than there should be today.

Using a compilation of different fibers from my spinning career, I created a little shrug. It was just a rectangular piece of fabric that I sewed part of the long ways together. None of the fibers are dyed other than that big brown strip; that yarn was from a pair of socks I made for my mom a while ago. I am finding out I am actually quite enamored with the natural colors; I should buy more "regular" fiber! Every other strip was in k 2 rows, p 2 rows, and the intermittent strips were in garter stitch. It turned out rather well; this is the first shrug I've made that I wouldn't mind wearing in public.

I am also knitting a vest from the fall issue of Interweave knits; as you can see, the body is done. I just have to block it (the stockinette stitch really rolls!) and add the edging in the neck and arms. There also is supposed to be a strip to tie it off. I have found my interchangeable set, so the confusion of a straight needle being able to go around in a circle will not happen again. For anyone who is being super kind to me and continuing to read this blog, thanks so much for bearing with me. I have lots of other yarny "stuff" I'm working on, and will try to post as often as possible. I don't know how you seniors do blogging and knitting and school; I can barely keep up and I'm just a sophomore!

Priorities

School is turning into one big priority that, unfortunately, can not be ignored or pushed aside for a simple blog post. My goal was to post every day in December; I'm currently using borrowed time even as we speak.

How does posting every weekend sound? (WARNING: Feburary is going to be hectic.)

No blogging time does not mean no knitting time, however. 

I knitted 2 scarves for two separate friends of mine; pictures were not taken.

I have finished the super-secret presents, but haven't given them yet, so pictures will have to wait.

I am almost done with Ryan's vest, as you can see:

Unfortunately, the neckline is supposed to have ribbing. The pattern called for a circular knitting needle.

"No problem," thought I. "I can just use my straight needles. The fabric will be a bit stretched, but it will bounce back."

Allow me to illustrate. I thought that a straight needle could go around this.

I guess I figured it would bend or something.

which would you choose?

Right.

It's a good thing my birthday is tomorrow; I believe I need a size 3 circular knitting needle.

Stylish Fingerless Gloves

Ta da!!! I finally have a pair of gloves!

I love this pattern because lengthy decreasing is not needed, just a sudden increase to allow room for the thumb, and the ribbing shapes itself to your hand!




Needles: a set of 4 dpn, US size 5
Yarn: thin worsted weight, approx. 80 yards (I used handspun)
Gauge: 32 rows and 20 stitches is 4' square in 2x2 ribbing
Notions: 1 stitch marker
Fits: a medium woman's hand


Pattern:

**Note: Knitting begins at the fingers and works down to the cuff.


Fingerless Gloves (make 2)

-CO 36 sts and divide evenly on three needles. Place marker. Join, being careful not to twist.

-Work in k2 p2 ribbing until the piece measures 2.5 inches (6.4 cm) or desired length. This should fit comfortably from mid palm up to fingers.

-At the end of the next row, BO 4 sts You now have 32 sts.

-At the end of the next row, CO 8 sts. You now have 40 sts.

-Cont in 2x2 ribbing until work from BO/CO section is approx 4 inches (10 cm) or enough length to cover palm and go down the wrist.

-BO all stitches.

I finished the second super secret project, and am on a great start on the third.
School is still crazy, so please bear with me!