A Fishie Post

I've been bitten by the blanket bug as well as the Malabrigo bug. I have to admit. I love me some Malabrigo! I can swim nekid in that stuff.

I've been working on two projects: Girasole and A recipe for fish. Both are coming along swimmingly.

I started thinking about a Recipe for Fish. How many fish? How big of a blanket? What is the purpose of this blanket? I realized that I wanted to create an heirloom blanket for my son. Something he can use once he's all grown-up...either as a throw on a sofa or a blanket for him to (still) cuddle with. So, a minimum of a full size blanket. I want it colorful so it grabs my attention as well as his, but not too colorful that he wants to hide it when he gets older. Decisions, decisions. I have knit a total of 7 fish so far. They measure about 4.5" in length, and 3" in width. If I made a blanket that is 18x12 fish...then the final project should be about 81"x36". Hmmm...I guess I need to go back to the drawing board. Those dimensions might not work. I like the 18 fish...Aargh! Math!

Here is a possible schematic:

Bad drawing...but it gave me an idea.

Fish and Fish...and a New Toy!

Since having my baby, I've become obsessed (slightly) with knitting blankets. They are so practical and cozy. I love the idea of curling up on the sofa with a good book, or yarn and needles, wrapped in a warm blanket in Southern California. I love blankets so much that I've started 3.

The first one that will be frogged is the Modern Log Cabin baby blanket that I never got finished. I think I finished about 10 squares then left it laying there. There is only so much garter stitch a girl can do!

The second one is Girasole. Here is the Ravelry link. It's being done in Malabrigo silky merino (sand). It's coming along and I will post pictures, once I grab it from work. I love lace done on large needles.

The third one is A recipe for Fish. Again, the Ravelry link. This will be for Andy's bed...when he gets older. It is being done in Malabrigo. All shades...aiming for a rainbow effect. There will be 196 little fish. I've got 2 so far.

As for the toy...well...my mother believes I need to be able to capture everything about Andy. He's growing up so fast and he's only 5 months. So, with my mother's generosity...I bought this:

It's a Canon FS200. It records in standard definition onto flash memory cards. It's extremely compact. This is how it compares with a pacifier.

Like I said...tiny! I can't wait to start playing with this baby. It should be fun!

The new kid in town...

Today was "grand opening eve" for our newest local yarn store! It is VERY local for us at OTMP - we could go there on lunch hour and that is VERY dangerous. Even more dangerous for a certain someone (not me, I can resist) is the WALL of Malabrigo ;) I snapped a few pictures to commemorate the occasion. We arranged with multiple knit groups to meet there for some shopping and knitting then out for lunch. We even ran into someone I haven't seen in FOREVER, it was nice to see you R! Business appeared to be brisk for them, hopefully that will continue :) Welcome to Knit Schtick and L and R (the owners) we look forward to hangin' at your shop and getting to know you. You may regret being so kind and welcoming ;)


Overview of the shop


Friends enjoying the tables... notice the back wall - half of it is Malabrigo!


T, R, and, our own Labrat in the corner... It was fantastic to see you R - been FOREVER!


another shot of them :)


Somebody's little boy... very interested in his feet :)


Our very own Unprepared Mind and J and her sister L


Last but certainly not least - the owner Lauren and her husband Rudy

Finished!!!

During my pregnancy and later the birth of my DS, I have to admit something. I finished nothing. Well, almost nothing. I finished a clapotis for a friend of mine, but that was it. I started projects..many of them: 3 baby sweater, 2 blankets, 2 adult sweaters, and several pairs of socks. The baby stuff got ripped out. The adult sweater got close to completion (it was a simple knitted bodice from stefanie japel) but it turned out to be huge. So I started it again on a smaller size. I think I got about 20 rows in and then stopped. My socks have cuffs...toes...legs...feet...but not a complete sock. Until now.

I also realized something during my sock knitting times. I don't like wearing socks with legs. I run around barefoot most of the time. I wear clogs and really don't need socks that goes past the ankles. So I started playing around ravelry and found this. If you aren't in ravelry, you should be if you are a knitter. OMG! So much to see and so much information. It's like a knitter's wonderland! Short socks! Footies! I feel like smacking my forehead and say, "D'oh!" (a la Homer Simpson)

Using the pattern more as a recipe... I finished these.

I love the look of the scrolls socks by Charlene Schurch in her More Sensational Knitted Socks. But they turned out too baggy at my legs. These fit perfectly. I love them.

Fast facts: CO 64. Did an eye of partridge heel flap with three garter stitch edges. Simple round heel. Finished with a standard toe and kitchner stitch.

Yarn: Handegerbt's Merino Extra Soft which is 70% wool and 30% silk. The colorway is wizard.

Needle: US Size 1

Conclusion: I love these socks! They are so comfy!