Jun

Apres` Surf Hoodie

I have finished quite possibly the most beautiful sweater I’ve ever knit. When the Apres` Surf Hoodie came out I remember thinking, “Alace hoodie? No thanks” and that was the last time I even thought about it. That was until my friend Sophia talked about this sweater for three weeks strait. She was swatching and deciding on yarn and I was becoming intrigued. By the time that she had cast on so had I.

I'm seriously in love with this sweater

Pattern: Apres` Surf Hoodie
Yarn: Beaverslide Dry Goods Light Sport Weight 1 pound cone (between 1700 & 1900 yds no one is quite sure which)
Needle: US size 4 through out
Mods: Many! Obviously I omitted the hood. I like the concept of a hood but don’t actually like to knit one. I have a knit hooded sweater and it pulls and stretches so that I’m constantly tugging down the front. I don’t like it. So the hood was out!

Another mod was that I omitted the waist shaping. This was a two fold decision and I will be completely honest here about it. 1. I just didn’t read the directions well enough. I just blew right by the waist shaping. 2. Instead of going back to fix this I thought about how I wanted the overall sweater to fit. I wanted NO tugging at all so after measuring a few of my favorite sweaters and my knit in progress I decided this was ok. I’m really pleased with the fit and my decision.

I also added length to the sleeves which probably wasn’t needed because this yarn + lace really bloomed in length not width. So my hands disappeared in their length. This doesn’t bother me because I’m usually tugging on my cuffs anyways and I can always fix it later if it really bothers me.

I’m especially pleased with the back. There is no pulling but also no drooping either. It fits me perfectly. This I believe has been the commutation of being honest about my measurements and how I wear clothes. When I first started knitting I had a tendency to lie to myself about what size I really was. It’s hard being a bigger gal and a knitter. I never meet gage and that’s ok because most sweaters stop at 50″ or 52″ bust sizes. Both of which I can wear but I like a little more ease than that.

I’m only a little sad that I will have to wait so long to wear this sweater. At least it will be ready come fall and I know it will be fantastic to wear. I should have slipped on a white T under this sweater to really show off the lace but this is exactly how I will wear it.

What else am I working on since I have been remiss in the knitting aspect lately? I have started a garter st jacket for my best friend’s soon to be baby girl. She’s due in September so I think I’m ok time wise though I’m afraid I’m going to run out of yarn. I did this with 3/4 skeins and I think I will worry till it’s done.

In real life the colors are Jitterbugs Vincent Apron & Velvet Grapes which are totally kicking butt together. they aren’t quite showing true in this photo but it’s almost there.

In other news tomorrow is my birthday which is also Canada Day for you people up north. I have no idea what’s going on to celebrate other than I am getting a much needed hair cut & washing my car. The Mr has been practically jumping out of his skin about his gift he’s been planning since December so I will finally find out what he’s been up to.

954 days ago Short URL 9 Comments

Craft/knit/Knitting/photography/Picture/Pictures

Jun

Crochet, Flowers, & Lompoc

This last weekend the Mr and I drove up to Lompoc to visit our friends Mette & Tom at Ranch Of The Oaks. It was the annual flower festival up there which was pretty neat. I didn’t know that Lompoc was the seed capital of the United States and where I’m used to seeing produce fields there are instead fields of flowers.

Tractor in a marigold field.

As always there was some farm animal visits.

Donkey!

I have to say I’ve been wanting to get into the big pasture with the donkeys since I met Mette. I was amazed that they both came right over and were happy to get any kind of attention from us.

Donkey Love

Of course there are llamas but they aren’t nearly as friendly.

llama

Fashion is relative on a ranch

All in all the weekend was a blast. We kept Mette & Tom company at their booth at the craft fair for the flower festival. I spent the whole time crocheting and the Mr spun 12 ounces of alpaca.

Crocheted Icelandic Scarf

This is made from a little under 400 yds of Icelandic Wool from Ranch Of the Oaks. This is probably the nicest lopi I’ve ever felt. It’s amazingly itch free that I doubt a lot of people would know what kind of wool it was.

I’m not sure what I did with the crochet pattern because I’m not a good crocheter. I think it’s a half double crochet? But I’m really not sure.

I am done with my apres surf hoodie and just have to take pictures. It’s awesome. It’s probably the prettiest thing I’ve knit next to my Lady Elanore and I know I will get quite a lot of use out of it. I now have to think of the next big project

Until then I thought this sign was funny.

955 days ago Short URL 5 Comments

california/Craft/crochet/fiber/handspun/knit/Knitting/photography/Picture/Pictures/Spin

Jun

Too Many Topics

The days have been a blur of activity but I can’t quite remember what happened in all of them I know that last Friday was my good friend Nancie’s birthday and we all surprised her at a local restaurant. The reaction was classic.

Nancie

After a delish lunch at Hozy’s we all caravan-ed over to Lisa’s place for some more birthday celebration – knitters style

Lisa & Becky

Then after that we had some brownie Sundays and they were fantastic!

Saturday the Mr and I drove down (up? sideways?) to Valley Village to visit a friend we don’t get to see all that often. Will and I hung out all the time (and I mean every damn day) when we both lived in Minnesota and it’s just a freak chance that we moved out to California with in months of each other and actually live with in driving distance.

Reflections of Me

I finally got a picture that I have been trying for since about this time last year. I’m a little obsessed with reflective surfaces, especially if they are non-traditional ones. So last year we passed by a huge tanker truck and I noticed that we were reflected awesomely in it’s hubcaps. A new obsession was born but it was limited. Tanker trucks are most usually spotted on the 101 & 5 out here and they aren’t all that prevalent on the road in Ventura. So I knew my best chance of catching one was on the way to Will’s house. Bingo. Also I have to be the passenger for obvious reasons (I hope they are obvious anyways). I have totally been known to take pictures WHILE driving but not on the 101 going into LA thank you very much. That’s just stupid.

Another accomplishment of epic proportions.

My Word Count

I still can’t quite believe that I’ve written over 200,000 words in one piece that actually relate to each other (That’s 358 pages for those of you that wanted to know). I printed my story out so far and had it bound at kinkos so that I would be able to give it to people to read and it would be easier than on the computer and get their opinion. Problem with that is that I’m still really embarrassed that I’m writing a story at all, so I doubt anyone will ever even see it. Every time I even mention it in public I hear my parents voices “get a real job” because art school or anything fun won’t pay the bills. This was a reoccurring theme when I was growing up which is maybe why I get nasty jealous when other can totally make a living at something awesome. Either way, I think that I’m just about 1/2 way done (but when haven’t I said that before?)

In other news the Mr has Thursday and Friday of this week off (which totally rocks hard core) and we are heading up to Lompoc to Ranch Of The Oaks this weekend. They are having a craft fair up in Lompoc and if you want to stop by to visit alpacas please do stop by! The Mr and I will be there all weekend, I’m offering impromptu knitting help, instructions on knitting in the round, socks, and other techniques. I’m going to force the Mr to bring his wheel so both of us will be fibery all weekend.

My birthday is a week from tomorrow. I’m not sure how that even happened or how I managed to be 27. It’s weird, not unpleasant but just different. Of course I’m also one of those odd ball people who is really looking forward to my 30′s and 40′s. What can I say? I’m a freak! Those of you at Anacapa Fine Yarns on Thursdays I will be bringing cupcakes (home made) to knitting so be there or be square.

I’m still knitting the Apres` Surf Hoodie. I have finished both the front and back and now am almost done with 1 sleeve. This is definitely going to be one of my favorite sweaters (I hope!) Amazingly the weather here has been so gloomy (june gloom) that I could probably even wear it soon if I finished it fast enough!

And just as a reminder for this weekend!

961 days ago Short URL 3 Comments

california/fiber/knit/Knitting/photography/Picture/Pictures/The Story Of Mildred/Writing

Jun

Actual Knitting!

I have finished the back and am close to finishing the front of my Apres` Surf Hoodie.

I am using Beaverslide Dry Goods in their light sportweight. It’s $30 for a 1lb cone, comes in fantastic colors and is 1976yds per cone. Seriously, it’s amazing. I can’t wait to finish this sweater because it’s going to get A LOT of wear. I’m leaving off the hood because that’s just how I roll. I don’t wear a hood and don’t need a hood looking like a giant flabby tumor on my back.

I realize I’ve neglected my spinning wheel for a few weeks and have a few bobbins that i really need to ply. Maybe I can get that done next week and free up all the bobbins before heading up to Lompoc. Lord knows I have enough fiber.

I also have fairly regular visitors to the yard bird wise.

Oeriel

and then these guys which crack me up. I want to know what the fly did to the bird!

It’s been cool and kind of cloudy lately but that has been great weather for the flowers which have now really bloomed in earnest.

I may also have a lead on a job but I’m not going to go into too much detail in case I jinx it Also I’m getting closer to a kind of landmark for me. I am just about to reach 200,000 words in my story. I printed out (at kinkos online) what I have so far and had it bound. It’s weird to have it tangible and to physically hold it in your hand.

965 days ago Short URL 6 Comments

california/Craft/fiber/knit/Knitting/photography/Picture/Pictures/short story/The Story Of Mildred

Jun

I had such a lovely weekend that sometimes I am truly overwhelmed by how blessed I am to have married into such a fantastic group of people. We drove up to the Mr’s grandparents Saturday and though we had to play nice with the only unsavory element of his family it was really nice. I have to tell you once again, if you do not know someone well enough to know why they do not have children after almost six years of marriage, you do not know them well enough to ask. It is the rudest question on the face of the earth. I do not ask you “why did you feel the need to have babies to justify your marriage” why? because it’s rude, yes? Just keep that in mind if you think this is a good small talk starter.

In other news I’ve been knitting like mad (is there any other way to knit?) and have finished the back and half of the front of the apres surf hoodie except I’ve got no pictures. Maybe tomorrow if the sun actually comes out.

I have supplemented my summer reading with some good gore. I dig the concepts of this book and at times it’s been funny but there are a few things right off the bat that I’m not a fan of.

ORCS now with women!

1) the sentence structure seems to be lacking somewhat. The sentences are themselves fine, but the author doesn’t seem to fully employ a compound sentence. I’m not sure if this is the editor’s fault or the work of the writer. Each sentence is between 12 and 14 words with few exceptions. Being a big fan of Tad and Terry and Patrick ect (Williams, Prachet & Rothfus for those of you just joining us) I need long drawn out page long sentences.

Problem (for me) #2 is um, well there’s sex. I don’t read sex, any type of sex, which makes this book a little awkward at times. This book should come with a warning “FOR ADULTS ONLY” because, yeah, ew. (and it’s not at all that I’m a prude, I just don’t care to read about ‘manhoods’ and the like).

Next for the knitters and spinners. June 27-28 you all want to be in Lompoc CA.

969 days ago Short URL 1 Comment

Family

Jun

Celebrating the Small Anniversaries.

A week of anniversaries. Not big ones like wedding anniversaries, the Mr and I were married in September, but ones that we’ve never actually acomplished before.

First off, we have spent one full year in one place. One house, no moving, 12 full months. You might think that this is nothing and that people do this all the time, but honestly we haven’t. See, the standard lease in California is 10 months and we have only once re-signed a lease in our almost 6 year marriage. Of course, a week after we resigned it (in month 11) we decided to relocate to Ohio for business and moved that month.

Also yesterday marked the 10th week since I gave up smoking. That’s two and 1/2 months. I still want a cigarette almost every week but it usually passes quite quickly. I think it’s a physical want rather than a NEED. Like my brain is remembering “hey, didn’t we used to smoke about this time every day?” It’s amazing how well I breath now, how well I smell and how well I taste. I knew smoking decreased all these things but it doesn’t matter when you are in the middle of an addiction.

I have also finished the first Vilai sock. Another Cookie A sock from Sock Innovation. Am I knitting my way through this book? Probably. I did the same thing with Knitting Vintage Socks.

Vilai Sock

The color is off because it’s one of those fantastically red/wine/burgandy colors that is beautiful in person but doesn’t photograph worth a spit. Hopefully the June Gloom will lift a bit in the next few days so when I finish both I can photograph them in natural light (for those of you that don’t live in Southern California/ Central Coast and don’t know what June Gloom is, well it’s an entire month in SUMMER where it is weirdly cold during the day and the sun is absent. It happens every year but still is weird to me)

974 days ago Short URL 6 Comments

california/Craft/knit/Knitting/photography/Picture/Pictures/thoughts

Jun

Two Socks Full

I finished two pairs of socks in the last week. One pair was finished in two days which is even a record for me! Funnily enough they are still not my favorite pairs of socks in Cookie A.’s Sock Innovation.

Kei-Mai Socks

Pattern: Kei-Mai from Sock Innovation
Yarn: Knit Picks Essential Kettle Dyed in Wine
Needles: US 2 circs
Thoughts: This pattern is honestly just fine. Nothing to write home about in my mind though it does have some unique and thoughtful construction in regard to the lace panel. 7 inches of ribbed cuff was a little much though, there should have been more going on because though this was a super fast sock I didn’t want to knit it because of the boringness of ribbing. All in all it’s just fine.

Angee Socks

Pattern: Angee from Sock Innovation
Yarn: Malabrigo Sock
Needles: US 1 circs
Thoughts: OK, now here is what I was looking for. Though this still is not my cup of tea pattern wise they were so much fun to knit and the chart just sucked me in that I finished these babies in 2 days total.

Angee Socks

The yarn reminds me of a Monet painting and it was amazingly ribby enough that I could smash my fat foot in the sock before washing/blocking it for the recipient who totally does not wear my big clog stomper size 12′s.

I have one complaint about Sock Innovation by Cookie A. though. All the stitch counts are a might puny. They are all roughly 60-65 stswhich is tough on a gal who has large feet. Especially when there are cables involved. That means I have to up my yarn/needle size to even be able to wear these socks but also means that I will end up with thick slipper socks. :/ Though…she does go through a whole second on modifying a stitch count I still feel I kinda shouldn’t have to. But then again, maybe I’m spoiled.

In other news my husband is starting his own line of knitting related products using rare woods and a laythe. No, they are not knitting needles and as soon as I have a proto type I will flash it all over the blog

Purple Heart

On the job front I am still unemployed but I have a thingamajig (not an actual interview) that I have to show up for on the 16th. It’s for the county and it’s doing something I could do in my sleep, and it pays pretty darn well. So we will see. Though I have to tell you, I was looking forward to having the entire summer off.

976 days ago Short URL 4 Comments

crochet/knit/Knitting/Pattern/photography/Picture/Pictures

angee/cookie a/kei-mai/sock innovation

Jun

Ghostly Image Captured @ Bodie Ghost Town!

I finished the Kei-Mai socks and they are ok. I’m still not thrilled about them but have already started a new pattern from the same book and am totally feeling back in the groove. I did take pictures but instead I’m posting just one random picture today that cracks me up. Happy Friday!

Ghostly Image Captured!

979 days ago Short URL 3 Comments

california/photography/Picture/Pictures

Jun

I <3 Icelandic Wool

One of the nice things about being home is that after I finish looking for a job for the day I have “free time” which means trying to clean the house, making dinner (I am having an affair with the crock pot), baking bread and what not. This week it included spinning.

Icelandic + Angora Goat

This is Icelandic Wool blended with Angora Goat from Ranch Of The Oaks and it was absolutely beautiful to the touch. Not at all like any lopi I’ve ever felt, it was clean and soft and so enjoyable. Also, it had a LONG staple! Over 3 inches in some places! I’d totally recomend begining spinners trying icelandic but I doubt that any is really as nice as Tom & Mette’s. I’m not sure how they get it so soft but they are doing something seriously right at Ranch Of The Oaks for sure!

I’m thinking that after I wash and twack it this yarn will fluff up to a solid DK or even light worsted weight. I am thinking about making fingerless mitts or mittens out of this as it’s a little too hairy to be close to the neck.

I also finished a sock from Cookie A.’s new book. Kei-Mai. It’s nice I guess. I’m waiting until I finish the second sock for a full review but though I was impressed with the traveling lace pattern I wasn’t happy with the 7″ long cuff or that for my foot size the lace travels all the way across the foot to the other stockingknit portion of the sock. I’m really glad I went up a needle size (66st is kinda small for me!) instead of adding more rib because then I really would have been out of luck pattern wise.

I think that these socks are kinda pretty, but I think pattern wise they aren’t my cup of tea. I chose this pattern to get my feet wet in the book and now that I have it’s off to the more interesting and fun patterns.

Icelandic Lambs

I’m really in love with the coloring on these little guys. I can’t wait till they make it into more yarn for me!

981 days ago Short URL Comments

fiber/handspun/knit/Knitting/photography/Picture/Pictures/Spin/spinning

Jun

First Time Shearing

Tom and Mette have become fast friends of mine & the Mr’s, they own and operate Ranch Of The Oaksup in Lompoc and when Mette invited us to shearing this year I knew I had to go. I have to admit, I didn’t really know what to expect or what, if anything, she would let me do (I mean you don’t want some newbie screwing up your fiber and your livelihood right?) but I guess I must have misjudged her trust in us because we were soon thrown into the thick of things.

Preita, the Mr, & Jim posing with the first Alpaca of the day.

Notice that smile? Yeah, that was the very first animal of the day, our very first alpaca and neither Matt or I knew at that point that there were 55 more animals to go. Seriously though, it was awesome. It was hard work for sure because even though alpacas aren’t big they are quite strong. I had head duty the whole time which means I had to make sure that they stayed put, where their head went so did the rest of their body. Thankfully there weren’t any serious incidents where anyone actually got hurt. They are, after all, an animal that doesn’t understand why or what you are doing.

I will admit that I thought I would be taking a whole lot more pictures during the day, but I didn’t. I instead worked my butt off with the rest and it was awesome. The first animal went on the table at about 9 am and we were done with the alpacas at about 5:30 pm. I, along with most of the women took a short break to make and eat sandwiches and, like most of the women brought down food to shove in the men’s mouths as they worked and refused to quit. I may be a hard core feminist, but that doesn’t mean I won’t make him a sandwich and take care of him.

the Mr feels quite at home here.

(I’m sure a lot of people think that I pose or make the Mr look a certain way when I take his picture, but often he is rarely aware of what I’m doing or that I’m focusing on him) It was nice for the Mr to be around like minded men too. He’s quite happy when he’s dirty, sweaty and working his tail off and there aren’t as many men who’d like doing that as you can imagine. I think this weekend he was around kindred spirits. The men didn’t talk much all day, they were dirty, sweaty, tired and extremely appreciative of that glass of jack at the end of the day.

Patrick gets his equipment ready for the final animals of the day

Patrick and Jim were amazing shearers. I have to admit that I was afraid of getting in Patrick’s way at the beginning of the day. He was definitely there to work and I’m glad that Jim asked for our help because I doubt Patrick really need TWO people who didn’t know what they were doing and would get in the way of his flow. It was neat to see the same kind of zen expression on his face that the Mr gets when he chops wood.

After all the alpacas and llamas were done Patrick showed us a quick shearing of the Icelandic Ram. It was amazing, he caught the ram and just flipped him on his butt where the ram went into a sheep trance and just sat there like a baby until Patrick had finished shearing him.

Patrick shearing the Icelandic Ram

He looked much better albeit naked afterwards. The ram, not Patrick

Besides shearing there were the regular antics and fun things that you just don’t get to do at home in the suburbs like bottle feeding a lamb.

Matt feeds Little Dude his bottle

Feeding the rest of the animals isn’t as personal.

You get to do things up here that are just neat. Like eat an ostrich egg for breakfast.

I am going to steal Baxter and his freaky multi-colored eyeballs and take him home. I love this dog.

Baxter

So that was our weekend. I’m kind of thinking about maybe bugging Mette during the week at the mill and maybe getting some mill training since I’m not working and that woman could totally use help in any way as she’s probably the busiest person I’ve ever met! Till next time!

983 days ago Short URL 7 Comments

california/fiber/knit/Knitting/Memories/photography/Picture/Pictures/Spin

alpaca/llama/ranch of the oaks/shearing/wool

Mr Poopers Day Out

Posted in June 2009 …