Bron's Blog II

Year In Review Part 3 And 2007's Final Entry

Ahhh, symmetry. ::grin::

Let's git 'er done, shall we?

TEA COZIES - one knit & crocheted, one crocheted - both loved & enjoyed. I think I'll be making more this year, maybe even for gifts if I know the recipient likes tea. :) Designing a cabled cozy appeals to me too.

SOMETHING RED - It's listed on the side bar but unfortunately was a bad knit for me. I all but finished it when I realized either I wasn't reading the pattern right or something was fishy in Denmark. I didn't have the heart or patience to figure it out. Maybe this year!

VOGUE CARDI #19 was much, much better:

I've worn this several times to work and while I've never gotten a compliment on it, I love it! The color, shape, the lace - everything worked for me and I'm very glad I made it. Here's one pic of me modeling it.

BIANCA'S JACKET - another unqualified success:

I've also worn this to work several times and again, although I've never received notice from anyone there, I love this sweater. The silk is especially nice - I'm glad I bought more in black for my stash. This sweater has the honor of receiving the most positive attention on this blog of any sweater I've made. (Yep - I keep track of these things.) I can't believe I put off finishing the yoke for a couple of months!

SPIDERWEB CARDI - Probably one of the most mixed up patterns I've ever tried. I re-wrote the entire thing in order to finish this one. I'd show a picture but I got rid of it. It was incredibly frustrating to make and when it was done I realized I'd never wear it. Such a good idea gone so wrong. Sigh.

RHUBARB AKA "TOMATO" - What was I just saying about a good idea gone wrong? Bottom line - the lovely, thick cotton which makes this such a fast knit is too heavy for the scoop neck/cap sleeve design. I guess I could wear it as a vest but when it's warm enough for cap sleeves, it's too warm for the rest of this top. Live & learn.

ABI -

I've obviously been going through a turquoise blue phase this year!

I still like this sweater - just haven't worn it for one reason or another. I know I will, however, so I'll report this one as a winner. :)

The CHRISTMAS TABLE TOPPER was great:

But it's really hard to go wrong with a crocheted doily/topper of any sort. :)

BEADED/CLAY ITEMS (BUTTONS!) AND NECKLACES/EARRINGS, ETC.:

Yes. There will be many, many more in 2008. 'Nuff said.

SPROUT:

Even though I haven't had time to wear it yet, I really like this sweater so this will end the year on an upswing. :) I enjoyed working with the Rowan All Seasons Cotton too - I'm glad I have more stashed.  ::wink::

Last, but not least, these little mitts have been good for me:

I'm very happy they've gotten such a good response.

So - there you have it. 2007 in a nutshell of 3 blog posts.

Tomorrow I'll talk about what makes a good knit/sweater for me and what else I'll be doing besides knitting & crocheting next year. I do know one thing: last year at this time I stated I wanted to make fewer cardis/sweaters in 2007 and I managed to cut the number by at least a third.

Let's chalk one up to resolutions fulfilled, shall we?

Happy New Year everyone! Be safe tonight & let's all have a healthy, happy year. :)

1, 202

That's how many page hits I got yesterday when Crochet Pattern Central listed my Easy Victorian Mitts on the website. Considering I usually get about 300 hits/day, well, crikey! I've heard others tell of the massive increase in blog traffic because of that site and now I've experienced it first hand. If even a dozen people actually MADE the mitts, I'd really be thrilled. :::grin:::

Sara had made several pair and Robbyn was kind enough to pattern test for me within an hour of my posting it. Thanks to both of you - you made my week. :)

I'm taking a time-out from my year in review to catch up on some other news....

• After a week of suffering and 3 days of antibiotics, my sore throat finally seems to be on the mend. I suppose I should be glad I didn't have any other symptoms but damn - when your throat's sore for that long, nothing else seems to matter! (Whine over.)

• I've been spending far too much time on Ravelry, looking at other people's FOs (gotta love all this time off!):

Not only am I getting inspiration and a slew of new patterns, I'm finding things like Pagancub's Prosperity Bindrune. That's just so cool to run across - I love it!

• I started my Gathered Pullover while watching "Farce of the Penguins" last night (more "Oh...jeez!" disgusting than funny, but there were a couple of good moments.)

A few weeks ago I was deciding what color of CE to use for this and I was vacillating between Sugarplum and Popsicle Blue. Terri, however, voted for Taupe and I decided she was oh-so-right. Neutral, goes with everything, understated yet elegant.

That's my TV knitting for awhile...I'm still deciding on my next lace and/or cable project....

• After seeing some gorgeous skulls & roses fabric over at The Spinning Goth I asked her where on earth she found it. "Jo-Anns" was the reply & I hopped on over, with visions of Gothic quilts dancing in my head:

Trust me, guys, it'll be fab!

• I finally picked up these two magazines at B&N, but didn't find anything in them that screamed, "Make me!"

Although this pattern did give me ideas about a design of my own:

But we'll see what 2008 brings. :)

Tomorrow we may be headed up to Santa Fe for a belated Xmas with my Bio-Mom..or she & friend might be headed down here for early afternoon pizza. In any event, I'll still post the last of my review. New Years Day will be reserved for my future plans, both personally & craftily. ;)

Oh yeah...one more thing....

Go, Patriots!

::wink:::

Sprout

The perfect shorti cardi:

STATS:

Pattern - Sprout by Amy King
Size - 44"
Yarn - Rowan All Seasons Cotton - about 13 balls (I kinda lost track.)
Needles - Size 7 Knit Picks Options
Mods - I added 3" to the cardi length (going from 8" to 11") and I added more buttons (8 instead of 4.)

This has a 60s vibe going on that I really like. I managed to find the perfect aqua buttons to match the "surf" color of the yarn. I'm very pleased! (Despite that rather evil look on my face.)

The pattern was easy to knit & there were no problems. Except that little row gauge thing but heck - when have I let things like that stop me? All it meant was that cables at the seams meet at the top of my sweater. SO not important! ::Grin:: Besides, I kinda like it better this way!

Thanks for being so generous with the pattern, Amy. :)

2007 In Review - Part 3....Post 1 of 2

Boy, my post titles are getting complicated, aren't they?

Denim Sprout will be finished in a bit. Just half a button band to go, then the sewing on of buttons & the weaving in of ends. I've been toying with the idea of making buttons from clay - we'll see what happens. Sooo - I'll be writing the official FO post later on today - 2 of 2. ;)

They will also be the first official FO pix with my new camera:

Nothing fancy - just another Kodak EasyShare since my old one died. After 4 years, it was time to switch. This one is twice as small with a screen 3 times as big as my old one. But the absolute best part is buying a camera that already works with the software I have on my computer AND one I knew how to use! A short learning curve is a good learning curve. ::grin::

And heck - it's red. What's not to like?

I'm jumping around a bit in today's review just to keep things interesting....

LARGER THAN LIFE BAG

I really loved the colors I used and finding the lining fabric to almost exactly match was a real stroke of luck:

I also enjoyed seeing all the other bags that were made by various crocheters at the same time. However, as I've said, I'm not really big on using the bags I make. I did take this to school a few times but it's so big & sloppy as a tote I really should have put in the zipper. Woulda, shoulda, coulda.

This would be great to use as a beach tote....too bad I'm hundreds of miles from the ocean. ;)

Summer Bag

I used it for about a month this summer before I couldn't take it any more.

Have I already mentioned what you all need to do when I'm tempted to make another bag?? (OK - just checking.)

CHILE CHICKENS FROM THE INFAMOUS CHICKEN PATTERN

Dudes - I love me my chickens! These I sent away to my Aunt in CA, but I did keep one (a pink one) for myself. I have plenty of kitchen cotton left....I see more of these critters in my near future.

LUCY IN THE SKY WITH BOB

Eh - Expensive yarn (TOO expensive for what you get), good pattern (this was my 3rd Bob), but I lengthened it when I shouldn't have and I still need to go back & slip stitch around the neckline so it doesn't fall off my shoulders. Once I lose 20+ pounds, (which WILL happen this year, more on that later) it will no longer hug love handles & look MUCH better. So I'm reserving final judgment on this one until I can actually wear it.

PINEAPPLE PULLOVER

I figured this one out from a couple of schematics in a French publication sent to me by my buddy in...duh....France!

A great top, just too big for me. It went on to a a good home.

I'll be back with Sprout pix later on. To file under "random sharing," did you ever wonder what I see on my wall when I look up from my computer screen?

Oh yeah - Ian Anderson is a rock god. How cool that Doug saved this poster for over 30 years, eh? He went to some amazing concerts while growing up in Germany. This concert was in the Olympic Hall at the Olympic Park in Munich and Doug was 16.

2007 Year In Review - Part Deux

It's a good thing I don't have to talk, only type. My sore throat is now in its 4th day and shows no sign of getting better. I did start some antibiotics just in case it's strep so now I'll just wait & see.

On to the show!

FISH BATH MAT

Crocheted as something of a talisman to help us find a new house (crochet it and they will come!) the fish bath mat is still in use:

I love the mat but the construction wasn't the best. The rectangle should have been crocheted as one piece rather than eight (!?!) and then sewn together. It would have looked so much better and been a heck of a lot easier to assemble.

However it does seem to have brought us good luck in the house hunting so who am I to quibble?

NANTUCKET JACKET

Rarely have I knit anything that has generated so much controversy.  (Hey - at least she noticed I was knitting!)

Here's an artsy shot:

I love the clever construction and all the interesting stitch work. I'm embarrassed to say that I didn't wear this for the longest time because the shawl collar never lay flat. I knew I had to sew it down but I never got around to it until this fall. (I know - BAD Bron!) It took me all of 15 minutes and I've worn it a couple of times this year with a lime green top underneath. It IS big (the bust came out to 50" despite my getting gauge) but I've gotten nothing but positive comments on it. In fact, I've gotten more compliments on this sweater than anything else I've knit. Ever.

Of course, the teacher who disliked the color so much has been on extended leave. We'll see if she's still hung up on my color palette when she comes back this January.

So Nantucket is a winner and a sweater I love to wear. (That's two so far in this review if anyone's keeping track.)

DORIS CHAN'S LACE CARDI

One of my favorite crochet designers, I like almost everything she does. (We won't talk about Amazing Crocheted Lace. Ahem.)

Great cardi but the yarn I used wasn't. It was Lily Elite Cotton from Smiley's and unfortunately it faded & looked 10 years old after just one washing. I finally tossed it - it wasn't worth keeping around.

I wouldn't mind making a replacement someday so technically this cardi was a success, just not a lasting one. ::wink:::

SQUARE NECK TANK TOP

OK - here's something else you can help me with: If I EVER want to make another knit tank top, PLEASE direct me to this post. Pretty please?

Oh, it came out alright, but it's a worsted weight, summer knit. I don't know what I was thinking. In the summer I'm WAY too hot to ever wear a hand knit anything. (Even though this one's showing plenty of skin.) The only exception to this was my Mondo Cable that I knit from Katia Pisco. I wore it a couple of years ago during our vacation in Boston. But that's it - I haven't worn it since.

The minute I put on a hand knit tank or tee in the summer I immediately start sweating...in my air-conditioned house! It's just not ever going to work for me and I need to accept it and move on.

See - just thinking about it for this post made me shudder.

Tomorrow....the thrill of victory, the agony of defeat. (You KNEW I had to say that just ONCE during this thing, right?)

In Sprout news: I'm doing the neckline ribbing now. My row gauge was horribly, terribly off (with my stitch gauge being right on the money) but I soldier on with confidence...and a bit of whistling in the dark.....

2007 In Review - Part 1

Down on the left side of my blog you'll see a more or less complete list of things I've made this year. Starting from the bottom up, let's see what we can see....

2 Knit and 1 Crocheted Calorimetries

In fact, I still have the knit Calorimetries that I made (there ended up being more than 2):

Although I do have two wrapped up to give to a friend as a late Xmas present.

I really loved this pattern but unfortunately I can't wear them at all. My hair is too thin and (I guess) my head is too weirdly shaped. These things pop right off. (Anyone out there remember the knit headbands in the 60s & 70s? They'd come in different colors, 4 or so to a card at the local discount store, and every girl wanted hair long enough to wear one? Well, my hair was long enough but the damn things popped off too!)

I made two different crocheted versions, one of which (Bron's Brain Band)  got published in the Crochet Pattern a Day Calendar.

I can't wear my own design either. Well, maybe if it's fastened under my chin!

So I guess I'll say this is a great pattern for other people, just not for me. :(

Fountain Lace Cardi

Now - that one is a rousing success with one caveat: the color pretty much relegates the wearing to spring only. However, I loved the yarn (CE of course!) and the lace pattern is really lovely. The elbow-length sleeves cover a multitude of upper arm sins and the length is just right. (Take note of what kind of cardi is a success for me...I'll be returning to the subject later on this week.)

More Dishcloths Than One Person Should Ever Make

Sorry, you haven't seen the last of these:

There's just something about all those different hues and variations that keeps me coming back for more. Must....make.....dishrags.....resistance.....is......futile......

Crocheted Triangle Purse

I don't know if any of you noticed that I had the purse out with my "to-give" handmade items:

(Hehehe- there's a Bron's Brain Band too!) The truth is, even though I adore making bags & purses, I don't use the ones I make. They stretch (even when they're lined, they aren't very stable) and "bag" and bunch up and...well....I don't like 'em very much.

I might like a felted one, but since I don't felt/full and don't plan to, that's a moot point.

Some things I freely admit I make just to say I made them. A purse like the one above is a case in point.

I'll probably continue doing that in 2008, although I think I might have made my last purse - ever. If I say I want to make another one, just point me to this post, OK?

Next time: There's something fishy in Nantucket and I'm such a square after crocheting a lacy something.

Here's a peek at Denim Sprout:

Love those cables at the raglan seam:

I did chicken out & add 3" to the length, but it will still be MUCH shorter than I'm used to.

Baby steps, people, baby steps.

Holiday Recap

Taking pictures of our lights was difficult, but I wanted to try:

Considering that we won the award for best lights in Golf Course Estates! (1st annual - we got a certificate & everything!)

Despite my being sick (once I leave school for vacation and all the stress is gone I always seem to get sick.... I have a really bad sore throat & am exhausted & achy... Yuck!) Christmas went on as usual. Santa left an interesting note on the tree for Colin:

"Colin - Couldn't fit it down the chimney - check your Dad's shop - Santa."

Note the look of shock...what could it be????

What boy wouldn't want a new bike for Christmas? (Isn't this from a Hallmark movie????)

It works!

Dylan, however, felt the frustrations of Christmas...

Stupid packaging!!!

In another Hallmark moment, I received diamond earrings from hubbie:

Now, what girl could complain about that? Not this one!

We had a nice dinner with my father-in-law and his girlfriend, then it was early to bed for this sickie.

The holiday was OK, although I never did really get into the Xmas spirit as in years past. Dylan & I discussed it since he was "blah" this year too. For him it's the fact that he's getting older and it's hard to surprise him with gifts any more. He already has all the game systems & games he wants/needs (most of his friends were getting 360s this year, which he got awhile ago) and he's starting to understand the adult perspective on gifts & giving. It interesting to see your children shift from "kid view" to "grown-up view" right before your eyes.

Colin's bike was a BIG surprise, but it's probably one of the last ones we'll be able to pull off as the kids get older.

Dylan & I decided that next year he'd going to put off instant gratification (Gee, Mom - (blank) game is out, we need to get it NOW!) and keep a list of things for us to get for his B-day & Xmas. That way, at least, he'll have more things to open & enjoy on the day. He also wants to plan & give little gifts to his friends to help get himself in the mood.

We'll see how it all works out next year. :)

Tomorrow, here on Bron's Blog: The first day of my Year in Review. The review should last 5 days, bringing us to New Year's Eve....

I'll also show a picture of my considerable progress on Sprout, which will either be my very last FO of 2007 or my very first of 2008. It's gonna be close!

Today I'll be going to see Sweeny Todd with a couple of friends from school. We planned this a few days ago and I figure even though I'm sick, I can manage to go sit in a theater for a couple of hours. (With a nap afterward. ::wink:::)

See ya tomorrow!

Easy Victorian Shell Mitts

I gave all you knitters out there a pattern for Christmas (Terry's Scarf) so here's a little something for the crocheters too:

EASY VICTORIAN SHELL MITTS

Yarn - 2 skeins Knit Picks Main Line (Dusty Lavender pictured) or 160 yds of any aran/worsted weight yarn.
Hook - G
Skill Level - Easy Peasy
Size - One size fits most. However, you can make the mitts smaller by crocheting 4 fewer rows on the wrist ribbing. (4 rows = 2 rows of  rib =  1 shell and 1 dc.) You can size them up by adding 4 rows of sc on the wrist ribbing , thereby adding 2 rows of rib, one shell and 1 dc in the body of the mitts. You'll need to adjust your shell/dc count accordingly in the body of the pattern.

Matching Nail Polish  - Optional. ::wink::

Pattern stitches used - Beginning shell = Ch3, dc, ch1 , 2 dc in same space.
                                  Shell - 2 dc, ch1, 2 dc in same space.

Gauge - 3 shells/3 dc (in pattern) = 4"   7 rows of shells = 4"

Finished size: 4" wide in lace portion, 7 1/2" long, bottom of ribbing to top of lace.

PATTERN:

Ch 10.

Note: For rows 1 through 22 in wrist ribbing, sc in back loop only.

Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc in each ch across, ch 1, turn. 9 sc.

Rows 2 - 22: Sc in each sc across, ch 1, turn.

Row 23: Bring row 1 to meet row 22, matching stitches. Sl st row 1 and row 22 together. 11 ridges made.

Break yarn. Turn cuff inside out (so sl st edge is inside) and turn cuff so the ridges are running vertically, attach yarn with sl st in the side of the 1st sc in row 1.

Lace portion:

Row 1:  Ch 3, (dc, ch 1, 2 dc) in same space (beginning shell made), *sk next sc row on cuff, dc in side of 1st sc in next row, sk next sc row on cuff, shell in side of sc in next row,* repeat between *'s 4 times more. Sk next row end, dc in side of next sc side, sl st in top of beg. ch 3. (Depending on how you slip stitched the ends together, you may or may not have a complete sc row to put your last dc in. If you can't skip a row, just put it in the next row. No harm, no foul. Honest - it really won't make a difference.)

You now have 6 shell/dc combos around.

Note: You can make the mitts long or shorter here. simply crochet more shell rows if you want them longer, fewer if you want them shorter.

Shell rows 2 - 7: Sl st in next dc and ch sp, beg shell, (dc in next dc, shell in next shell) around, ending with dc in dc, sl st in beg. ch 3.

Row 8: (Creating thumb space) Sl st in next 7 stitches, sl st in ch 1 of shell, beg shell, *dc in next dc, shell in next shell* 4 times, ch 1, sl st in to of beg ch. 3. (You have skipped one shell and 2 dcs to make the thumb opening.)

Row 9: Sl st in next dc & ch 1 space, beg shell, (dc in next dc, shell in next shell) around, ending dc in ch 1 between shells, sl st in top of beginning ch 3. (You've added one dc back into your row.)

Rows 10 - 11: Sl st in next dc and ch 1 space, beg shell, (dc in next dc, shell in next shell) around, ending with sl st in top of beginning ch 3.

Fasten off, weave in ends, enjoy!

I'll be posting this pattern over on Ravelry and probably sending it in to the Crochet Pattern a Day folks. If anyone has time to test this for me (after the festivities of course!) I'd appreciate it!

This took me an hour to design & crochet so you all should be even faster. ::wink::

I'm taking the next couple of days off - I'll be back on the 26th with the 1st installment of my 3rd annual Year in Review.

I hope everyone has a safe holiday full of love and laughter.

Lavender Tudora

STATS:

Pattern -  Tudora from the 2007 Winter Knitty

Needles - Size 7 Denise

Yarn - Vanna's Choice (YUCK!)

Time & effort involved - Not much, although there seems to be an inordinate amount of knitting in something so small!

Mods - None

Comments - I love the pattern, hate, hate, HATE the yarn! I wanted something wash & wear for my friend and decided to try Lion Brand's Vanna's Choice. I might as well have used scratchy old wool or nasty Red Heart. It was plasticy & scratchy to knit with and (doh!) feels the same way on your neck. Never again. The pattern needs a yarn with body to keep the ruff standing up so I'm afraid the "soft" version of the cheaper acrylics wouldn't do well.

Maybe a run through the washer & dryer will soften it up?

I'm thinking of using a 100% silk yarn, like Elann's Silky Tweed, although if I ordered from them I wouldn't get it for several weeks due to the holiday vacation. Soooo..I'll see what I have on my shelves. I'll lose the ease of care factor, but it'll be worth it for comfort.

Blessed Solstice to one & all (1:08 AM Dec. 22nd if you're picky.)

Movie Mania

This weekend, we have a small collection of Christmas movies that we'll be watching:

("Christmas Vacation" is our favorite - the Netflix movie is "The Nightmare Before Christmas." I'm going to buy my own copy for next year.)

For after Christmas, these movies have been purchased & wrapped:

"The Simpson's Movie" (Family)
"HP and the Order of the Phoenix"(Family)
"Shaun of the Dead" (Dylan)
"The Family Guy - Stewie Griffin - The Untold Story" (Colin)
"The Chronicles of Riddick"(Me)

I swear there's another one but it's not coming to mind right now.

Yes, my kids lucked out. They have a mother who doesn't believe there's such a thing as too much TV or too many movies. ::Wink::

Other movies I enjoy watching this time of year: "The Sound of Music," (not necessarily Xmas, but so darn warm-fuzzy good!) "White Christmas," "The Bishop's Wife" (the original, and one that I now have thanks to Terry at school), "A Charlie Brown Christmas", "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town,"  and any of the Scrooge incarnations...

Deneen really made my holiday with lovely, aromatic, handmade soap:

Besides the lavender and lemongrass/sage, she sent peppermint...which is already in use! Thanks so much, Deneen. :)

I don't have a job for today (yet) which means I'll probably be helping around the school again, taking over teacher's classes so they can move into the new wings. OR doing Santa stuff like addressing all 160 gift card holders for the teachers! (Yeah - did that one on Tuesday. ::grin::: Heck - the pay's the same!)

I'm not complaining, though. I enjoy doing different things outside the classroom and dealing with the kids these last couple of days before break is hell. hehehe..."hell" before Christmas. I crack myself up.

I knit on Tudora last night & am ready for the shaping. I should have that FO for you shortly. :)

As far as mailing out the rest of my packages...well....my friends will just have to enjoy presents arriving on the 26th...or 27th. It's the first year I've ever been late - at least I know the two I have left to send to won't mind a bit. :)

Here's wishing everyone a happy holiday countdown! And if you don't celebrate - hey, it's almost over. ::wink::