Sundays Upside Down

I know it's been a bit quiet around here; not as quiet as it has been in the past, but quieter than I'd like it to be.  This week in particular has been extremely stressful.  Hubby hurt himself on Saturday, and then we had to run to Toccoa for a funeral on Monday.  Since he hurt himself, I spent most of the week basically as a single mom.  This meant that all housework, food prep, and most of taking care of the kids fell to me.  It wore me out, so this weekend we've laying low.

One of his aunts passed away on Friday, and the funeral was set for Monday.  Me, being the spouse of the relative, watched the kids during the funeral and at the family lunch.  I loved being around the family, even if it was for a sad reason.  However, one of the big things at a Southern funeral is the food.  This time, it was honestly not that good.  There was mediocre fried chicken, canned green beans (yuck) and no cornbread to be seen.  And this was from a Baptist church!  Honestly, it was sad.  Baptists usually have really good food, and this one was a complete disappointment.

Speaking of food, we're baking our way through some science and math.  Fractions and chemistry - easy peasy.  I chose 6 different chocolate chip cookie recipes, and we're slowly but surely baking through all of them.  Each week, we're making one dough, baking half of it, tasting it and writing down our observations.  We are currently in week #3, but I thought I'd go ahead and comment on the first 3 recipes we've made. Our first recipe was from Savory Sweet Life, and is entitled "The Best Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe EVER," so you can see why it had to be first.  Here's the resulting cookies:

These cookies were good, but I don't know I would consider them "the best."  They were kind of thin, but good.  I should have spread them out a little farther, but all in all, a decent cookie.

The next one we baked, I chose, and it was Alton Brown's "The Chewy."  To me, these were actually the best, and I over-baked these.

These were definitely chewy, so they were soft (my favorite way for cookies to be).  They also puffed up, and gave good height to the cookie.  I didn't refrigerate the dough like I should have before baking, and so the normal baking time for them was actually a little long.  The interesting difference in this recipe is that you weigh the ingredients.  It makes for a more accurate measurement.

The one we just baked today was Thick and Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies by the Brown Eyed Baker.  She put some measurements by weight, and others simply by volume.  These were #2 in my book; they baked up nicely, slightly crunchy on the outside, while retaining some softness on the inside.  They are very similar to cookies that you find in a bake shop, or coffee house.  They are meant to be big, and they really are.

 
We still have 4 more recipes to bake through (I found another one for a cast iron skillet and I think this one will be our last one, when we bake all the others).  Thanks to the ladies from the Luvinthemommyhood Summer Sweater Knit-a-long for all the recipes.  They were instrumental in helping me find them - each one of the recipes is a favorite of someone from that group.  Thanks so much ladies!

Knitting updates will be given more next week - pictures will abound!  And, as I leave you today, I just want this to be the last vision you have:

Busy, busy

Well, it's been a busy week.  It's also been a busy day.  This morning, I canned my apple butter, folded 3 loads of laundry, cooked rice for lunch, fed my kids twice (and myself), and it's only 1 p.m.  I also cleaned the shower - I cleaned the sinks and toilets last night.  I've been incredibly busy today. It's been a good day.  I've also been working on Skelf, a little here and a little there.

I'm also going to decorate for Halloween today, or at least start them.  They take a while sometimes - inside and out.  I'd love to take a nap, and maybe I will get to that today as well.  In any case, the weather is cooling down and fall is on the way.  Hopefully I'll have a picture of Skelf soon - at least where I am on it.

Keeping up

I have so much going on - where to start.  So I had to rip back on Skelf, and it's back to about here:

It's a little farther along than this one, but I did rip back to row 8 on the tree.  I also started on yet another Christmas gift - only 83 days left until Christmas! I know, I'm insane for even keeping track, but every year I feel like it sneaks up on me, and it's here before I know it.  So this year, I'm trying to keep track of it and work on Christmas a little each day.  I'm also working on Halloween early (already planned out my costume, which is rare because I hardly ever dress up since I'm the one at our house passing out candy while Hubby takes Little Man and this year Princess around) and Thanksgiving won't be a thrown together event either if all goes as planned.

We're on some austerity measures around here, which actually works out well for me.  I have TONS of stuff to work on already; I just need to work on it.  Not spending means not going anywhere and that means time to work on stuff.  We have a massive deep cleaning spree to take on, and staying at home helps.

In other news, we're homeschooling, and science is great.  We decided to start baking our way through science, and a little bit of math.  Fractions can be taught with baking, and science is fun when you get to eat your experiments.  This was actually week 2; week 1 resulted in this:

I chose 6 chocolate chip cookie recipes.  This was #1 and the results were good.  Little Man voted it a 10 out of 10.  I take that with a grain of salt, as it was the first batch we made.  We just made the second batch tonight, and we used a different recipe.  I'll post more about these later, as we do them. For now, we're just enjoying the end result.

Wrapping Up

So, technically, the KAL for Luvinthemommyhood ended yesterday. I had pretty ambitious goals for it, and here's where I am on my goals.

Goal #1: Big Blue Sweater for Little Man: Finished.  This one was the first sweater I wanted to make for my Little Man; and it turned out nicely.  It was actually easy, considering I was basically winging it.  I took some measurements, looked at a chart, followed a formula, and voila! a sweater for him.  I still have to add the stars to make it like the Coraline sweater, but all the knitting is done.






Goal #2: Finish Playful Stripes: Not Finished.  This one I had hoped would be easy enough - all I had was the yoke and button bands, seaming and finishing.  Then, when I went to put it together, it wasn't all I had hoped it would be.  I do plan on getting this finished before too much longer, if for no other reason than to wrap my Princess in some love.





Goal #3: Pink for myself: Frogged.  Skelf: Not Finished.  I tried, I really did.  I knit like a madwoman on this one, and still, no sweater finished.  I have 2 sleeves and a part of a body.  More up-to-date pictures will be made soon.  But, I learned a LOT of lessons while working on this sweater, and I think that may be more important than the actual sweater finishing itself.  Here are some lessons I learned about me and knitting while working on this one:

Lesson #1: Sometimes it's not you, it's the pattern.  No, really, no matter how hard I tried to make Pink work for me, it just wasn't.  So, I abandoned the pattern.  It's not that it was a bad pattern, but it didn't work for me.  It's like that one teacher in school that's a great teacher, but when you're in their class, everything is turned upside down and you would understand the lessons more if they were taught in Farsi than in English.  We've all had those teachers - really great, but the teaching style doesn't suit us.  Same thing here.

Lesson #2: It really does help to wash and dry your swatches.  It gives you a real sense of what the fabric will be like, and if you're going to go through all the trouble of making a gauge swatch to begin with, and also if you're going to go through all the trouble of making a sweater, you want it to fit.  Do it right.

Lesson #3: Pay attention to your pattern.  It sounds like it's a no-brainer, but the directions are usually very specific, and you need to read them very carefully.  Small words mean a lot: more, for example.  When a designer tells you to follow the directions 8 more times, it means 9 times total.  Don't just jump to conclusions.  Read carefully and thoroughly.  Several times.  You may miss something.

Lesson #4:  Find a pattern that teaches you new techniques.  I learned a couple on this sweater, like a tubular cast-on, and how to cable without a cable needle.  These are things I might never have learned on my own, but this sweater taught me those things, and I am a better knitter for it.

Lesson #5: Trust your instincts.  I think sometimes I rely too heavily on this pattern, but I say this for myself in the area of something's wrong.  Throughout this sweater, I sometimes followed blindly (and incorrectly) the pattern, and I should have gone off to a quiet secluded place and double checked myself.  Instead, I forged ahead, and created some issues, that now I have to fix.  I missed a couple of decreases for the waist shaping, and in doing so, threw off the yoke.  So, I had to rip back, like 2 skeins worth of knitting.  It was slightly painful, but in order to have the sweater right, and fit, I need to fix it.  I also tried to get out of not adding more rows in the waist section, but when I got to try on the sweater, it wasn't as long as I want it to be.  We're talking about 4-6 inches too short.  I should have trusted my gut and added the rows.  But I was worried about yarn.  If I have to, I can go get another skein.  Although it will be a different dye lot, it's another new skill I can add - mixing dye lots.

Lesson #6: There are some beautiful sweater patterns out there.  I now have a queue a mile long in Ravelry for sweaters.  Every now and again, I plan on simply seeing what's out there, what's new, and what's popular right now.  You can find the most amazing patterns from new designers that you've never even heard of or seen before, all by doing a random search.  Thank you, Ravelry.  My budget is now overdrawn for the next 10 years. :)

Lesson #7:  There are some amazing knitters out there.  When you start searching on sweater patterns, start looking at finished projects.  Some people keep meticulous notes on their projects, and you can really learn a lot about a pattern or designer, by reading the notes or comments on a pattern. You can also see if people have modified the pattern - like adding sleeves, or taking them out, scaling the pattern up or down, changing the button bands, etc.  Not only that, but I met some incredibly wonderful knitters through this knit-a-long.  These women are incredible, competent, fast, inspiring, warm, and just all around fantastic.  They freely share advice, help, encouragement, love, hugs, and terrific recipes. :)  I feel that I have grown as a knitter (and cook) by knowing these lovely ladies.  Their advice and support were incredibly helpful and I don't know if I could have made it through without them.  They gently pushed me through, and I finished.  There were times when I wanted to quit, thinking there was no way I'd make any sweater in the time given.  But I did.  This KAL taught me a lot more than I would have learned on my own.  So, to all the Summer Sweater Knit-A-Long, thanks.  You are wonderful, bright, and amazing.  I am better for knowing you.

Creating with Shannon

So, Shannon over at Luvinthemommyhood posted a "fill-in-the-blanks," and I thought it would be fun to share.  Feel free to repost this with your blog, and if you have any questions, just ask! :)

* i'm longing to make "my first quilt" right now.

* i want to try "knitting a sweater" with some "madelinetosh" yarn.

* i wish i could sew with "skye reve and rock 'n romance" fabric.

* i dream of making "a completely handmade Christmas".

* i keep track of my ideas by "writing them in notebooks".

* i'm inspired by "music, nature and my children".

* i would love to meet "all my KAL pals" in person.

* my favorite fiber is "alpaca".

* i like to sew with "cotton". 

* my favorite color is "black and jewel tones".

* i rock at "fixing other people's knitting boo-boos".

* i would like to learn how to make "perfectly tailored clothing like audrey hepburn".

* i like to listen to "music" while i "craft".

* i bring my "knitting" everywhere.

* my favorite things to "knit" are "fast and easy projects".

* my favorite things to "crochet" are "just about anything".

* my crafting space is "in transition". (read: a total wreck that has to be organized and cleaned). :)

* if i had my own crafting room it would be "silvery grey with splashes of color".

* i sew with "a huskystar".

* i like to "try" "new recipes".

* i can never get enough "books".

* i adore "photography".

* i also enjoy "reading" and "painting".

* i like to fill my shelves with "fabric, yarn and books".

* i create the best when i'm "alone".

* i am currently excited for "starting a new sweater". probably this one or this one, or maybe this one.

* right now i am "preparing for christmas". 

* i love to watch "old movies" while creating.

* my guilty pleasure when it comes to creating is "notebooks/journals and books".

* my current favorite music crush to listen to while creating is "trans-siberian orchestra".

"Never let your schooling interfere with your education" - Mark Twain

Coming Together

I've caught up and moved forward with Skelf.  It's a lovely sweater, and quite frankly, I'm surprised how quickly it's knitting.  Here's the body, done last night:

Here it is, right side out:

See this tree?  Yep, I did it all without a cable needle.  How's that for you?

I've also started on the first sleeve, and although it's farther along than this picture, I thought you might like to see it as well.

I'm not all that worried about the uneven stitches - I've already straightened a few of them out.  The rest I figure will even out once I block it.  Looks pretty good, if you ask me.  I would love to finish both sleeves by the weekend, and then start on the yoke next week.  Realistically, I'm hoping to finish the first sleeve this week and next week, do the second sleeve and hopefully the yoke.  I think I can make it by the end of the month.  The sleeve is actually going pretty quickly.  I may have to increase the size of the sleeve, but that will be seen as I go.  I'm trying it on as I go, so hopefully I'll know and can do something about it before it's too late.  How is your knitting going?  Are you making good progress?

Once Again

I realized, belatedly, that I should have washed and dried my swatches.  I didn’t think of this before, since most of the items I have made in the past were mostly either not items that would get washed frequently (like fingerless mitts) or items where size didn’t matter (scarves, shawls and the like).  So, last night, I washed my swatches.  Lo and behold – the size 7 swatch was on gauge!  So, I started again.  Fortunately, I wasn’t all that far really into the sweater. 

I think I should get the prize in this knit-a-long for the most problems with a sweater. J  I will say this, despite all the problems I’ve had with the yarn and pattern and everything else, I have learned some very valuable lessons.  First, always make a swatch.  Second, always wash your swatches.  Third, read the pattern VERY carefully.  Fourth, enjoy what you knit.  These lessons have taught me to more careful when reading directions, to paying attention to details, and I’m ready to cast on for another sweater.  I have the yarn (another stash dig uncovered a lovely bag of yarn sitting patiently and waiting for me) and I found a pattern that I adore, by a designer I’ve been watching and loving since being introduced to her.  It’s a Jane Richmond pattern, found on Knitty.  The Gemini promises to be lovely once all knit up, great for the office or a Saturday.  I still have my eye on the Owls Sweater, but I have to wait for the rest of my yarn to come in.  I’m hoping it will be soon, but it’ll be a while before the weather will cooperate with the wool to wear it.  That gives me some time.

Following Directions

I used to be really good at following directions.  Really, I did.  I remember this one time in 8^th grade, our teacher made us all take out a sheet of paper and pencil and she passed out this test booklet.  I remember her telling us to read all the directions before getting started.  So, I dutifully read the instruction booklet.  It was not a timed test, so there wasn’t really any hurry.  The instructions told us to put our name in the top left-hand corner, draw lines through words, draw a square and a circle, and a bunch of other things.  You can see a similar test here.  After reading the test, and actually following the directions, I was one of only a few people who did exactly what they were supposed to do. 

Fast forward a few years, and sometime in high school, I got the same test.  I made it down to about direction number 3 or 4, and realized that I shouldn’t be following any of the instructions, but simply reading them.  So, I had already goofed up. 

Fast forward to now, and I have the hardest time reading directions before I do anything.  That would explain why I’ve worked the chart for my sweater pattern 3 times.  Third time’s the charm, right?  Here’s a picture of the second time:

Here it is corrected:

So, here’s what I’ve learned about making a sweater.  First and foremost, make a swatch.  I’m glad I did – it saved me from having a sweater that I spent hours on and can’t wear.  Second, read the directions.  No seriously, read them.  Several times.  And then, one more time.  Don’t just glance through them.  READ THEM.  See, there was this little section in there where you set up for the pattern, and you work 4 rows like that.  Then, you start the chart, and work 4 rows 5 times.  Yeah, I missed the 4 rows part the first time.  And I had misread the pattern previously, so my chart was on the wrong side.  I ripped back, and started again.  Thinking I had misread more than just WHERE the chart was supposed to be, I also started working the chart 3 rows early.  Oops – yet another problem.  So, now I had the chart in the right place, but started it incorrectly.  Fortunately, I’m not that far along, and can fix it with a handy dandy crochet hook.

 1.       Skelf                                          2. Chambord

 3.  Oatmeal Pullover                             4. Plain and Simple Pullover

I think it’s because I’m in such a hurry to get things done.  I should really slow down a little.  I guess I should also tell you which pattern I decided on, shouldn’t I?  I picked the one with the same yarn that I was working with, and I already had the pattern.  I’m trying to be good, and use what I have, and not spend more money.  So, I chose the Skelf.  I think it will be a lovely addition to my closet, and a go-to sweater for the fall.  Also, it took no modification, other than switching needle size.  I like not having to do a bunch of math before getting started.  Although, sometimes apparently, it’s a helpful thing for me to do, since it makes me read through all the directions BEFORE getting started.  In any case, Skelf should be moving along nicely, now that I actually read the pattern and know what I’m doing.  Sort of.  

Swatching

Since Pink is being frogged (or we could call it "re-knit" since I'm working from the knitted portion, without unraveling the whole thing - it's more transportable that way), I've worked up a couple of swatches.  I know, right?!  Me, swatching?  Is the sky falling in?  But I have realized after being told over and over (and over) again, that swatching is important.  For example, here's the first swatch I did with a suggested needle size:

Here's the first one.  It was nice and tight, but not quite on gauge.

It was a little tight, 5 stitches per inch.  One of the patterns calls for 4.5 stitches per inch.  So, since the original one was done on a size 7, I went up to a size 9.

On a size 9, it was close.  Like really close.  So, I could follow the pattern on a different size needle, and get the right results.  This is important.  So, which pattern did I choose?  You're going to have to wait to find out! :)  I did figure out though that not having a project to work on bothers me.  Apparently, knitting is necessary for me.  All the better - now I have an excuse to knit more and have a stash.  We all need a good reason for that, right? 

Mutant Enemy

So, here's the latest on Pink:

I'm really not loving this.  The sleeve is too big, even though I've decreased.  The ribbing on the bottom so is not working for me either.  It's really loose.  The neckline is still not exactly what I'm looking for, so...I think it's time for this one to head to the frog pond.  I still really love the color, and Spud & Chloe yarn is really nice.  I do have to confess that the cotton element can hurt a little, so you have to watch it.  For now, here are a couple of other items:

These were me playing with the timer, and they're not my favorite, but better pictures take time.  I'm still working out all the ins and outs of my camera, but these will do.  These are Christmas gifts - the top one goes to my mother-in-law.  The bottom one is for my mother.  Cowls rock.

Now, back to Pink.  Here's what I'm thinking to do with it instead:

Chambord

Oatmeal

Plain and Simple Pullover

Skelf

These are my top 4 choices.  Quite honestly, I'm leaning toward Skelf.  I want something more interesting than plain stockinette, but nothing too difficult either.  I'd like to break out of a plain something, have a bit of a pattern, but I want it to be a "go-to" sweater as well.  I could see pairing it with jeans or slacks, or a skirt.  Any suggestions?  Any votes?  Anyone else have issues with sweaters?  Please leave a comment! :)  No crickets...the summer is ending, and I need a sweater for fall!

Trying to be good

I'm really trying to be good.  Honest, I am.  But have you seen this?

This is new, from Luvinthemommyhood, on the KnitPicks site.   It's the Mallory Cowl, and it's yummy.  I'm thinking everyone needs a cowl for Christmas now.  I definitely need one.  Can you make your own Christmas gift?

I'm working on finishing my sweater, but I still want to knock out a couple of these Owl Cozies for Christmas.  Yes, more knitted gifts.  They're easy, and I already have the perfect yarn for them, and I really want to cast on but...

this sweater keeps calling my name too.  So I'm trying to be REALLY, REALLY good, and not cast on until I'm done.  I'm close - I'm down the body, working on the increases, soon to be on the 1x1 ribbing.  Then, it's on to the sleeves.  I hope to be done in a week or two (more likely two) and if I'm REALLY good, I might be able to knock out the Owls Sweater too before the Knit-a-long ends.  I can at least start it, and maybe finish it up in October.  What a perfect October sweater!  I'm also going to try and get at least 3 of the owl cozies made for October as well.  What fun is a gift, if you don't get to try it out yourself?  I'm also thinking I should go ahead and make the Mallory Cowl for me, because if I don't knit me one, who else will?  Would you wrap it and put it under the tree?  Would that be too cheesy?

Surprise!

I know I've complained a lot about Pink, and most of it has been my fault.  Reading the pattern is a critical step in knitting, and it's one to which I should have paid more attention.  That being said:

Yet another horrid self portrait, yet you can see that I'm down to the waist shaping and I'm out of my pajamas (always beneficial).  When I can find my tripod, the self pictures will get better, I promise.  But wait - there's more!

I actually finished the Big Blue sweater!  Little Man was excited.  I still have yet to weave in ends, and add the stars, but the knitting is done.  It's big on him as anticipated, so he can wear it for a couple of years.  He did tell me it was itchy, but that's because I haven't washed and blocked it yet.  I don't know how much actual blocking the sweater needs, but I will wash it to remove any excess dye and hopefully make the fibers soften and bloom a little.  It's just Ella Rae Classic, a sturdy wool, so "bloom" is relative.  He seemed pleased with it, and that's all a mother could ask.

The Problem With Pink

I learned to knit eight years ago.  I taught myself, and I'm pretty adept at it.  I won't say I'm the fastest, or best, or brightest, but I have figured a few things out about knitting and the kind of fabric it makes and how to manipulate the creation of that fabric.  That being said, why am I having such issues with this one, basic, simple top down raglan pattern?  See this?

 This got ripped back yesterday.  I tried it on (please forgive the horrible bedhead and pj's - it was REALLY early) and found it didn't fit quite right.

And do you know why?  Because in my 8 years of knitting, with a simple pattern, I have forgotten how to follow instructions.  The good news is:

I've not only knit back what I had to rip out, but I've surpassed it.  While I'm knitting the rest of the body, no matter how plain I THINK it is, no matter how simple, I'm watching and reading and re-reading the pattern until it's done.  My stitch count is off a little, as is my row count, but that's mainly because I changed the neckline.  I apparently am never quite happy with how a pattern is written, at least for big projects.  I'll follow a pattern religiously for mitts, hats, scarves, lace...but give me a sweater that's supposed to be plain Jane simple and easy, and I'll screw it up every time.

Baby Steps

I'm nursing a hurt back, and self-medicating.  It's not a permanent solution, but it beats pain meds and another trip to the doctor.  I have no idea how it happened, but if I sit too long, I'm stiffer than heavily starched underwear.  So, even at work, I'm up about every 15 minutes, which means there's not a whole lot of knitting going on.  However, I do have this.

The blue sweater is actually more done than this; I finished the sleeve shown.  All I have left is another sleeve and the neck.  Pink is still giving me a fit, but I figured out what to do.  I'm altering (because what good is it if I can't fiddle with a pattern?!) and it's about back to here, or maybe a little farther.  I changed the neck increases, to get a deeper V, and actually added a few stitches to make the increases even.  I don't know why I can't get it to work out on paper, but I messed with it enough to make me happy.  Part of me really wants to figure out the pattern as written, and yet, I'm just going to go with what I have.

In other news, the Rasta cowl is complete.  I haven't taken pictures yet - wouldn't you know it, the day that I was going to take pictures, was the day that my back went out.  I hope that this weekend, maybe it'll feel better and I can take some pictures.  How's your current WIP going?  Any major success?  Set back?  New design feature?  Hope your week is well!

Missing Things

I've been nostalgic lately, probably because there's nothing new under the sun, and in watching fashion shows or magazines, I see things that bring back childhood memories.  In fashion, my rule is generally "if you were around during the first incarnation of it, you probably shouldn't wear it the second time around."  Hence why I avoid neon colors.  I was also looking at some "vintage" patterns, and have a few of them myself.  I have for example this book:

And I have to wonder if we look on these patterns and lines the same way we look at the 1940's and 1950's patterns.  Are they really that classic?  Or are we all delusional about the time, because we enjoyed it?  Is it because there was really something great in there to last, or because we remember the good times we had?  I can't remember if I showed you this or not, but I'll show it again.

I picked three skeins at Main Street Yarns and Fiber in Watkinsville a few weeks ago.  I hadn't been in ages, and it was nice to see where they had moved (yes, I know; they moved several years ago, but like I said, I hadn't been in ages).  The store is a converted barn, and it's lovely inside.  I didn't venture through the whole of it, because in the back, rumor has it, there are dyeing rooms and class rooms set up.  I just wandered a bit through the yarn.  It was nice and airy, with plenty of space to walk and look and touch.  There was an electric fireplace in the middle of the front room, and some lovely seats where my hubby decided sat while I looked (smart man - knowing it could take me a while).  It looked as though it were in between seasons for them.  They still had some summery yarns, but you could tell some of the winter things were coming in as well.  Still, it was a lovely selection.  If you get a chance, drop by and indulge!