The Lady Meddler’s Husband

So I’m a huge Whovian. Its unhealthy and My new year long project is Doctor Who TARDIS Afghan on Ravelry. The pictures are gorgeous.

It is also going to be a great opportunity to learn how to solve one of my new year’s resolutions: intense colorwork. I’ll have the opportunity to do stranded knitting, intarsia, AND double knitting. I will also have to learn how to add fabric backing with a 3 needle bindoff! It is a large and learning project. I’m using a fairly cheap yarn since this is going to be 9’6″ x 6’4″. I’m using a deliciously soft Plymouth Encore Worsted on size 9 needles. I have no pictures yet, but I’m about to cast on! So I will leave you with an excellent Dr. Who picture.

http://whovianrules.tumblr.com/page/27

Also, I’m titling this the “The Lady Meddler’s Husband” after the episode “The Doctor’s Wife” because a friend I and were discussing our Time Lord names, and the Lady Meddler is what I went with.

I’ll keep everyone up to date.

Doo Wee Ooo,
stitchon.

I’m at a crossroads…

…in my knitting life. I absolutely adore working with double pointed needles. Like looooooove it. I especially love the look people give me. They look at me like im a ninja, and I’m not going to lie that is an awesome feeling.

Oh right! back to the problem at hand. There are some gorgeous sock patterns that are knit from the toe up… on circulars. For example, Blackrose from Knitty. It doesn’t seem like it is difficult to do but for some reason the idea of not using my dpns makes me a little sad . Most people then argue that if I’m going to be soooo damn stubborn about wanting to stick to my dpns then I need to learn how to rewrite the pattern…. I’m pretty sure I can, but that is A LOT of work before even starting a project on US 1s that I’m starting to lean toward making my first pair with this fancy magic loop circular needle thing. Does anyone have any suggestions on a well written pattern? Difficulty doesn’t matter if it is well written. 

Cause I mean it’s all about being versatile, and being able to make whatever pretty thing I run across right? And let’s face it, I’ve met a ton of knitters that have been knitting waaaay longer than I have that are scared of dpns. This isn’t betrayal, but expansion.

 

grow on, 

stitchon. 

Some Socks!

So, I’ve been under the weather, and other personal issues have kept me from updating and knitting! It’s been terrible BUT I have been able to work a on a sock! We just started a knitting group at my Masters program at the University of Alabama and our first knit-a-long is socks. I’m the only person that has ever successfully made a pair in the group so most are doing a very simple worsted weight sock. But I am doing this. It’s called Candle Power and the pictures with the pattern really don’t do it justice. It is absolutely stunning when stretched. So here are some pictures!

I tried to take some good ones, but I don’t really think I captured it either! The yarn is Madelinetosh sock! In a gorgeous purple colorway that the pictures don’t even come close to covering. Here is a link to their website! They have some amazing colorways, and are typically well priced. It’s been a pleasure to work with as well.

 

So that is a quick update! What have you been knitting?

 

keep on,

stitchon.

The Cabled Monster Blanket from the Depths

I’ve been working for a long time on a blanket for my grandmother. The pattern is incredibly easy, it was double stranded, and on size 13s… It should have taken me a week, but it took me a year. I put it on hibernation for about 10 months. Well, I finished it last night. It was the happiest moment ever. I was so glad to get it off my back. Let’s just say she isn’t my favorite person on the planet. And I really wish I could give this to someone who will appreciate it. It was done with Berroco Vintage. Here is a link to their website. But here are some pictures!

Photo Time!

So here are the promised pictures!

Here is the Dr. Who scarf I am currently working on. This is just the first three stripes out of 66! But it is super fun to knit with all the color changes, and is a nice i-dont-have-to-pay-attention knit.

 

And here are some pictures from my Papermaking Class. These were taken by a woman named Uli Frank. She is in the class with me. Here is her blog.

This is the Couching process. It's when you press a sheet for the first time from the Mould and Deckle

This is when you go for the first pull. SHown by two of my classmates.

I recommend taking a papermaking class for all my crafty friends. Its a lot of hard work, but the results are definitely worth it. You will be hooked after your first pull.

 

paper on.

stitchon.

I’m a slacker!

Hello!

I am so sorry I’ve been so lazy in posting. School has officially started back up and things have gotten pretty hectic around here. I’ve got a couple of wonderful things to talk about.

1. I am a member of Tuscaloosa’s only and homegrown burlesque troupe, The Pink Box Burlesque! We are some really fun people and love taking to the stage and shaking our tailfeathers. Our first show of the new season is this Saturday at the Green Bar in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. It’s a review show and is guaranteed to be a good time. You can find out more information at pinkboxburlesque.com and you can also find us at facebook.com/pinkboxburlesque. So if you are in the Tuscaloosa area come on down, have a drink, and see a show!

2. I have a new knitting project/challenge! I want to make the Dr. Who Scarf! It’s going to take me the year to do with other projects mixed in between. Here is a link http://www.doctorwhoscarf.com/season12.php to the instructions. I’ve only picked up three color from Hobby Lobby so far. I’m using Hobby Lobby I Love This Yarn mainly because it is a huuuuuge project and they have some really great colors to choose from.

3. I am in a Papermaking class at UA right now and I am LOVING EVERY SINGLE PULL. We did our first pull last Thursday, and this Thursday I’ll be able to take some pictures of our final product. It was made out of 100% cotton rag. I will post pictures as soon as I can. EXCITED.

That is all I have for now. Sorry this isn’t a picture heavy post, but hey! I’m a busy girl.

get crafty,
stitchon.

Reposting: BUTTONS AND YARN OH MY: You should be OUTRAGED!

I wanted to post this in solidarity to those participating in the internet blackout against SOPA. SOPA affects all of us, and this is an absolutely great post. I read it on Buttons and Yarn OH MY. Read it and watch the videos and spread the word. Thanks Buttons.

You should be OUTRAGED!.

Number 14!

So I am a huge Alabama fan. Both of my Undergrad degrees are from there, and I’m currently working on my Master’s from there as well! Well, we won the 2011 BCS National Championship last night, and I couldn’t be happier! In honor of the win I have decided to make myself some Roll Tide fingerless gloves. The knucks pattern from Knitty.com is the perfect the pattern. http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEsummer06/PATTknucks.html

I’m planning on stitching ROLL TIDE in the knucks, and I’ve got some great crimson stash yarn I’ve been dying to use! It is Berroco Ultra Alpaca.

Another great thing about this pattern is that it allows me to learn some new techniques: the crab stitch bind off. It also gives me the opportunity to get better at embroidering. I’ll post pictures when I get around to casting on. I need to go pick up some needles.

So I guess I’ll work on a blanket I’ve been killing myself over for a year now…

happy stitching,
stitchon.

Teaching

Nothing really feels better than helping someone learn a new skill, and in my case, the skill of knitting. So far, I’ve helped a few friends pick up on the task and in turn learned some new things about the craft as well. I’ve taught people the basics, dpns, and cables. i still have a lot to learn myself, but I think teaching is a great way to fine tune my own skills as I add more to the crafty arsenal.

The more time I spend with the yarn crafts the more I really want to open up a fiber crafts store. I know there are tons of stores out there, but one that specializes in teaching every aspect of the craft. From spinning to dying to plying to knitting or crocheting. I think that’s one thing a lot of fiber stores don’t offer. The ability to see the craft from start to finish. That is just a dream store right now, and this is definitely not the economy to be thinking about undertaking something so big but I don’t care!

Have you helped anyone learn how to knit or crochet or sew? Was it more difficult than you thought it was? What would be in your dream fiber store?

Some perfect advice.

This advice has gotten me through numerous finals.

source: everyday-inspiration.tumblr.com