Sand Stitch, Dot Stitch

This might not look like much, and I don't see the resemblance to sand, but boy, did I have trouble swatching this one. It took me a bit to figure out where the pattern was going. But the good news is that you get two stitch swatches for the price of one. The reverse side is called Dot Stitch or Spot Stitch. Again, I don't see any dots or spots, but that doesn't mean it isn't a good looking stitch.



Barb's advice is to use Sand Stitch as sportswear and sweaters for men and boys. I like how she uses the term 'sportswear.' I know what she means, but I always get this mental picture of Andre Agassi, circa 1992 using a knitted headband to keep the flock of seagulls 'do from getting in his way of winning Wimbledon.

Someone asked about the yarn that I'm using, and well, in this case, it was Rowan All Season Cotton in a lighter bluish-gray. The swatches before were done in Mission Falls wool. I'm sorry it's not consistent, as I just wanted to use up bits of yarn from previous projects (I can't seem to bring myself to throw away yarn, I want to use up every little inch of fiber goodness) But this will change soon.

Is this enough yarn?

for two sleeves?

i didn't think so either, so i searched frantically for some more of this (since this used to be another sweater that I knitted a couple years ago and never wore, so i ripped it out and i'm sure the color has been discountinued) and i bought, what is described as 'rusty red' from somewhere in england. it should be to my house sometime next week, so progress on sweater is on hold, which means ...

(insert psycho music here)

STEEK, STEEK, STEEK

One of my favorite local yarn shops had a great sale, and when there is yarn on sale, you have to go, no matter how long you were trying to put off "a color decision" (read the air quotes as meaning I was trying to put off actually knitting the project)

a friend suggested i use pink, instead of the orange, but the pink at the store was a little too pepto bismo-y, so i went with this lilac instead ...

i guess if i really hate the combination, I could exchange the yarn ... oh, whatever, i can't fool you people. i really am dragging my feet with this. i'll do some knitting and show you the progress in the next day or so. at least this blog is keeping me an honest knitter.

by the way, my friend beverly found a place online to get 'Road to China' but it seems to cost a lot more than I remembered paying for it. If anyone is interested, I suggest just calling Gene Ann's.

Is it safe to come out?

I'm just peeking my head out to say the bag isn't felted, but you have to put in a lining to prevent it from dropping down to your feet the minute you put any knitting in it.

The pattern is from Kristin Nicholas and she used Classic Elite Montera (half llama, half wool). I've used Montera before, for a co-worker's hat. It's nice yarn, but a bit on the rough side, which I guess is fine for a bag.

I wonder if she used it because most things that are steeked are wool and I've read that part of the reason the steek shouldn't unravel (i'm still not convinced the whole thing won't unravel) is that it should be slightly felted (i think the official term is 'fulled', but don't quote me on that).

I wanted to sub some really great yarn, but I think I should just stick with the Montera for now.

I doubt they will have the same color combo, but if they don't, give me your two cents.

(The color combo now is a burnt orange, and a mocha with a lima bean green as accent, which i like, but any advice is welcomed)

Knitting with the enemy

So I've been knitting for about 7 years now, and in that time I've learned a lot. One project at a time has taught me something new, and in the process I've faced my knitting fears: yarnovers, cables, socks, intarsia, you get the point. But now, now I present to you the biggest, baddest mother-effing, knitting fear of all time (*for me*) ...

steeking.

there are plenty of techniques that I have yet to tackle, if I tackle them at all. (entralac, i'm looking in your direction) but if you feel like you've seen the model of this bag before its because she's the Interweave Knits model, who I guess is Pam Allen's daughter and if you're saying to yourself "she looks like she's got some work done" it's because this photo was taken six years ago.

I've been coveting this bag for six years!!!! A.K. will be the first one to tell you how I need another bag like I need a hole in my head. In fact, I just splurged (and with the help of a sale and a gift certificate bought this looker ...

... but all that is besides the point. This is about facing the fear of knitting something, then ... i can hardly bring myself to write it ... *cut* it.

i have to crawl under my desk and curl up into a ball now. i'll post more when i my spine grows back.

so purr-dy

Went to see the inlaws this past weekend for Father's Day, but I managed to get a little yarn hunting in between Cubs games and dinners (inlaws live in the greater Chicago area.)

Seattle has quite a few yarn shops herself, and I usually see most yarn brands within a 30-mile-radius of where I live, but Gene Ann's in Barrington, IL had The Fibre Co.'s "Road to China."

I am in love with The Fibre Co.'s yarns. I'm telling you their yarns are so luscious you just want to make out with them.

Granted I don't get out much, but I've managed to see this yarn brand in Portland (at Lint) where I bought "Terra" and now Gene Ann's, which had the lovely "Road to China" and "Khorma".

I mean, look at it knit up, and listen to the fiber content: alpaca, cashmere, camel, yak and soy. That's crazy talk.

If you every lay your hands on this stuff, you won't want to give it up.

Okay, I'll stop with the yarn gushing.

----

On another note, I just wanted to say thanks to all you great knitters who've taken the time to read my ramblings. I was so amazed when I saw all the welcoming comments when I came back from my vacation. You guys rock!

 

CANES WIN!!!! CANES WIN!!!!!

Now that I know a bunch of people are actually reading this blog, thanks to Sundara (she kicks ass), I feel under some obligation to say a knitting-related entry will come soon, but I had to say something about the Stanley Cup.

The Carolina Hurricanes are your 2006 Stanley Cup Champions!!!!!

The photo? My favorite skating couple of all time. Bret Hedican, with wife Kristi Yamaguchi, the 1992 figure skating Olympic Gold Medalist with their two adorable daughters. I figured you may not be interested in hockey, but who could pass on seeing a baby in the Stanley Cup?

Seriously.

Also, apparently I am not the only crafty one in the family. A.K. made his own version of the Stanley Cup using some tin cans, paper plates and spray paint. He needs to put on the finishing touches before I can take a picture of it, so those who are interested, stay tuned.

'The Principles of Knitting'

You know the book, the one that's out of print and cost way more than it should.

Maybe I'm a sucker, but I bought it.

No. 5 on list to 'Knitting Crazy-ville' ... check.

I'm estatic that I will be in possession of this book, and all those nasty thoughts about 'losing' the library's copy of it can now be erased, but I don't understand why the publisher of the book, or another publisher, or June Hiatt herself, doesn't reprint the damn book.

MELANIE FALICK are you hearing this!!!!!

INTERWEAVE, I'm looking in your direction.

MEG SWANSEN, make a call, drop your name, drop your mom's name, use your connections, MAKE IT HAPPEN.

Let me be the last sucker.

Double Moss Stitch

Barb notes that this really should be called 'Double Moss Stitch' since it requires four rows to complete. She also suggest it can be used in lieu of plain stockinette stitch, which would give it a nice texture, not to mention it's reversible and resist curling.

I wish I had more insight, but Barb leaves me speechless.

Lopez Island

Sorry I haven't posted this past week, my husband A.K., my dog Lilly and I headed out to Lopez Island in the San Juans for a quiet getaway. And I mean very quiet. You could hear my tapestry needle drop. But all that downtime gave me time to dream up some new projects, which I'll share with you once I get all my trips out of the way. (A.K. and I are heading to the Windy City this weekend to catch some Cubs games and visit with his family, mine are in Florida and out of the country)

What I will share right now are highlights of our trip...

Day 1, after unpacking the car and giving Lilly a bowl of water.

Found container to display yarn I brought with me. Some people might bring some flowers to cozy up a vacation rental, I bring yarn.

Scoped out a place for my yarn stash if for some reason we would move into said vacation rental.

Checked to see if we got the Stanley Cup playoff game on TV. No such luck. Found DVD player with some DVDs. 'Far From Heaven,' made for TV movie of Jon Krakauer's 'Into Thin Air', 'America's Sweethearts.' and 1994's 'National Lampoon's Last Resort' starring Corey Feldman and Corey Haim. Whoa, where did they find that gem. And yes, it is THAT BAD.

Found bar with satellite dish to watch Game 1. Canes win!

Day 2

Took a hike and saw some seals.

Rented some bikes

Ate some salmon with red pepper sauce.

Stayed up and watched 'The Patriot' on a Canadian network

Day 3

Rode bikes around the island.

Went to same bar to watch Game 2, Canes win!!!

Celebrated our third anniversary with pasta and fish

Day 4

Rained all day, stayed in

Day 5

Packed up and left.

Seed stitch, moss stitch

I thought seed stitch and moss stitch were the same thing, at least that's the impression I get from Debbie Bliss. Those weird British people with their tea and crumpets and accents and such.
But Barb's here to right my wrongs. (And she'll be doing that alot, I'm sure)

Here's Barb's take on Seed stitch

...It is sometimes called Rice Stitch or Moss Stitch, although it is different from true Moss Stitch. Seed Stitch is really a k1, p1, ribbing broken on every row, so that every knit stitch is placed above a purl stitch and every purl stitch is placed above a knit stitch.

and her take on Moss stitch

...It should not be confused with Seed Stitch, as the latter changes from knit to purl stitches on every row whereas Moss Stitch changes every other row.

and there you have it, they really are different. Barb's so smart.

WOO!!!!!

Did you hear, the Carolina Hurricanes are in the Stanley Cup Finals!!!!!!

For those in Carolina, this is for you ...

WOO, WOO, WOO

What does hockey have to do with knitting? Nothing, I'm just giddy with 'Canes Fever!!!!!

So as long as I'm here, can I gush on Bret Hedican? I love Bret!! Not in that kind of way because I'm married, but I know my husband gets a little worried when I used to drive around North Raleigh, home of Bret and KRISTY YAMAGUCHI!!!!! and their two kids!!!!!!

Not that I'm a stalker or anything.

WOO, WOO, WOO

Just so you know, I do love my sports, so every so often one of these sports post will emerge. I'll try and keep them brief and add knitting stuff soon afterwards, but come on, it's

THE STANLEY CUP FINALS!!!!! and the CAROLINA HURRICANES are in it!!!!!!!

Go CANES!!!!