Drago[knit]fly

Prairie Tunic is finished, just in time for the, um, cold weather. I'm just glad it's no longer languishing at the bottom of my knit bag. It's freeing to finish a knit. Here are some pics of the thing: Now for the stats: Pattern - Prairie Tunic by Veronik Avery Source - Interweave Knits Spring 2006 Yarn - Jaeger Sienna 4-ply (prescribed yarn) in lilac Amount of Yarn - 4.5 balls. Pattern called for 5.5 balls (I made a blend of sizes. See below) Started - May 28, 2006 (wow, that's just sad it took me so long to finish) Finished - August 27, 2006 Modifications - My tunic is a blend of two sizes to match my body. I started with the 39.5 inch size for the bottom, but decreased 10 extra times so the top would be 36.5 inches. I wish I had made the entire piece 36.5 as the bottom is too big. I kind of knew (famous last words), but kept going just because. I have a plan, though. The pattern instructs you to leave the bottom six inches on either side unseamed, but seaming is ...

Yay! A finished object. I can't even remember how long ago I started these socks it's been so long. I had to refer back to blog archives just to get an estimate. I don't know why I thought I would have enough yarn to get all the way to my knee. I think logically, I knew, but some glimmer of hope (aka denial) kept pushing me along. With the help of Veronique's advice to count stipes and my trusty office postal scale, I was able to determine when to stop on sock one and cast on for sock two. Even with this assistance, I was still worried as I neared the end. I actually had to splice yarn scraps from my cast on tail to have enough yarn for binding off! There were some ugly moments. I made it, though! Pattern: A mix of Wendy's Toe Up Socks, Diana's Knee Highs, and trial and error. Yarn: Vesper Sock Yarn in Midnight Knitter Yardage: 440 yards - ALL of it Started: about May 13th Completed: August 11 Notes: I'm 90% pleased with these socks. Next time I ma...

I can't believe it's been nearly two months since my last post. I'd like to say I've been so busy knitting and haven't had time, but there hasn't been all that much knitting, either. Life just got ahead of me. First I moved from Boston to Connecticut, which of course involves a new job, packing, moving, etc. Then I went to the Cape for a week, and then we got this little guy! His name is Miles and he is a 12-week old lab. He has not only stolen my heart, but my knitting time as well! Oh and cats are not the only animal to like yarn, by the way. There has been some knitting action, most of it in the past couple weeks. A quick update: Vesper Midnight Knitter Knee Socks These babies are so close to being finished, I can taste it. Unfortunately, so is my ball of yarn, so I'm getting a little nervous. I didn't bind off the first sock, just kept it on some waste yarn, so I have a backup plan. Birch My first attempt using KSH and I'm finally used to it. I...

Thanks for listening to my weather rant last post. I think it worked, though. It stopped raining:) It was a crafty weekend at la casa de Dragoknitfly. I finished up Bobble Blue and K brewed some fine homecraft delights. Scroll down for some pics in all it's casked glory. More importantly (sorry, honey!) ... Bobble Blue Pattern: Bobble Blue by Mari Lynn Patrick Source: Interweave Knits, Spring 2006 Size: 38 Yarn: Plymuth Suri Merino, 8.5 balls in French Blue (recommended yarn, color used in magazine - how creative am I?) Needles: US Size 6 and 7 Addi Turbos Buttons: From my stash. I think they might be my mom's even. She gave me a prescription bottle filled with buttons a few years back, but I've thrown in many of my own thrown in since. Modifications: Three stitch bobbles rather than five. I also added a half inch of ribbing. Comments: Fun pattern, although I'm not convinced the yarn is a good match. With the short sleeves and the alpaca blend yarn, somet...

BOBBLE BLUE I think I forgot what the sun looks like. It's been raining here in Boston for days. And days. And days. I feel like we're being punished because we only had four months of winter instead of our usual 6. What's worse is that the rain is nowhere near stopping. You'll imagine my wonder when around 7 tonight light started shining into my apartment. Was it the street lights? No. It was my old friend, the sun!! After my eyes snapped out of their shock, I snagged a chance to snap a few shots of the back of Bobble Blue, which has been waiting patiently for a photo opportunity. Please excuse the wrinkly appearance, it's been hibernating in my knitting bag the past week while I work on the left front. This little sweater is coming along after a brief lull. As much fun as the cables are, I have a serious mental block with the bobbles... and adding the second line of cabling. I keep forgetting all about it, even with the chart a foot away. I've ripped this quit...

First I got a pedicure (thanks, Mom!) Then, I finished my jaywalkers And finally(!) got new running sneakers. My feet are loving life. Some notes on the Jaywalkers... Pattern: Jaywalkers by Grumperina (duh, like I'm not the last person to knit these) Yarn: Sundara Yarn in Trompe L'oeil (Super soft yarn, with excellent stitch definition and luscious colors) Needles: Size 1, 40" Addis Dates Knitted: March 26 to May 2, 2006 Techniques: Magic Loop Mods: Followed pattern pretty much exactly. Only change was knitting 6 inches (instead of 7) before starting the heel. Comments: Loved the pattern. Great for T knitting. Will definitely make another pair. Highlights striping yarns like no other pattern. Here are some more photos of the finished socks..... close up of the stitches. the toe... I don't know, I just thought it looked cute! I also bought some yarn for a not yet started project, Prairie Tunic from Interweave Spring '06. Bobble Blue is coming along slowly. ...

CABLEKNIT PURSE I've been working on some small projects along with my Jaywalkers and Bobble Blue. Here is the cableknit purse I first mentioned in my last post: Specs: Pattern: none Yarn: Lamb's Pride Bulky in Oatmeal Needles: 11 Clover Bamboo Straights Comments: It's dangerous for me to post this here as I have yet to sew in a lining and I'm not exactly diligent when it comes to finishing. I have a five hour car ride to Jersey this weekend, though, where mundane crafts will be key. (It's hard to concentrate or read a chart with a ornery tabby cat yowling in your ear and climbing all over the dashboard). I like the bag, but don't think it's the most useful thing I've ever knit. You really can't fit much. I'll still probably knit it again with the following mods... use worsted weigh yarn, splurge on real wood handles instead of acrylic (Ijust snagged these at Michael's and didn't search for higher quality handles), make the b...