I’ve been meaning to post for a week or so, but unexpected bad news had me down for quite awhile.
Springwater Fiber Workshop, in Alexandria, is closing, unless they can gather enough in pledges to stay open. This breaks my heart, as it’s an organization that’s grown important to me over my short acquaintance with them. I learned to spin there, and I’ve been working on my agoraphobia, going to some of the knitting and spinning group meetings there. I really hope they manage to find a way to stay around.
In actual Tina-knitting activity, there are two projects that have been finished for a great deal of time that need blogged, and one I just finished. First, my favorite:
The Imperial knit hat for TD-0013. This was a fun project, and I got some practice in knitting in the English fashion – I’m usually a continental knitter. I wasn’t completely happy with the finished product, however. It’s too tall, and I’m thinking of reknitting it in a fingering weight on smaller needles. It would change the charts, but I could compensate for that, and I think it would look better overall.
I also wish I had a better photo, but I mailed this out in October (yeah, I’m a bad blogger), so all I have is a blocking shot. I need to work out a better way to block hats, but I so rarely knit them. I seem to be a sock girl, through and through.
Next we have a pair of socks I finished last month, the Summer of Love 
Lace socks from Blue Moon Fiber Art’s Rockin’ Sock club. I accidentally “modified” the first sock and left out the inch of plain stockinette after the ribbing, so I matched it on the second sock, so I didn’t have to rip out the first sock.
Incidentally enough, the third (and just finished) project is the April sock from the club, Knee High to a Grasshopper.
This was not my favorite knitting. I will admit it now. It was at times tedious and frustrating, and only stubbornness got me through the first sock. After that…well, one sock isn’t very useful, so more stubbornness got me through the second. I’m not a fan of toe-up socks, and learned with this one that I’m also not a fan of socks knitted on two circulars. But trying new things is why I joined the club in the first place, so I have another pair of socks that I wouldn’t normally have chosen to knit. I can’t love them all.
So…now I can start on the October sock. I’m actually…*gasp*…more or less caught up with the club. I know, we’re all amazed.
Opening text:
Okay, well, it’s not text. But it’s the beginnings of a mini-saga, so how else should it open?
Imperial Cog motif from this site. I’m also going to be using the Stormtrooper Helmet pattern from here. Yarn is Dale of Norway Falk, which I picked up from Webs.
Knitting this on a 16” US 3 Knit Picks metal circular. I’m kinda wishing they had introduced the wooden ones when I’d ordered it, but it’s only a minor quibble. I’m really liking the wooden DPNs – wood just feels better in my hands than metal.
Everyone, get your minds out of the gutters. Now!
But I’ve done some knititng! Who wants to see pictures?
Socks for Becky’s birthday. Which was in January. I still have to mail them out…
Regia Silk, size 0 needles, K3p1 ribbing. Not my favorite yarn to work with - it’s rather splitty to me.
Wicked in its finished state, allegedly. I’m seriously considering frogging it and knitting one size smaller.
Inside-Out Socks from the Rockin’ Sock Club. Yes, this was the February kit. At least I’m almost finished, and can start the April kit.Probably right as the June kit arrives.
More soon. Ravelry and new medication has me interesting again!
Originally uploaded by foogrrl.
This was painful, last night. But trying on the sweater after all the increases, there was no denying the fact that I was swimming in it.
Back to square one.
Pokemon goofiness, the world is getting back to normal.
Since we’ve established that, what do we think this is?
Well, I wasn’t at the point where the pattern says to put the project on waste yarn and try it on, but I couldn’t wait. I *knew* I had screwed up, and didn’t want to waste any more time. So, deep breath, shaking fingers as I transfer stitches, and then…try it on.
And…it fits. Really well, as far as I can tell. Of course, at this point it’s really just a small, odd poncho. But it will be okay. So here’s an work-in-progress picture for those who are interested.
Pattern is Wicked in KnitPicks Swish Superwash, color Dublin. I’m really enjoying the yarn. It’s very squishy, and I think I’ll really love the sweater when it’s done. I’m also absolutely loving the KnitPicks Options needles. They make knitting a joy, to me.
Knitting is enjoyable again. I’m on the fourth ball of yarn out of nine. Just sailing through this sweater, and I can’t wait to wear it. It’s the second in what I intend to make a yearly ritual. I will knit myself something nice for my birthday, every year. Last year it was the Jaywalker socks in the eye-blindingly happy colors. This year, the sweater. Next year? Who knows - I’m not going to hold myself back.
What do I like best about this project? It’s a sign that things are more steady now. I’m finding fun again. I’m learning to make myself happy. Important lessons.
You know what might make the best day, ever? Knitting on this while listening to an audio version of Karen Traviss‘ Republic Commando: Triple Zero. That novel has been better than comfort food for me this past year - it’s been comfort reading. Too bad there doesn’t seem to be an audio version.
Which just goes to prove that TD-0013 knows what’s good for the Imperial citizen. He’s from the Empire, he’s here to help.
These have actually been finished for a good while now. Pattern is Fetching from Knitty, worked in KnitPicks‘ Andean Silk. I’m pretty sure the color is Olive - of course I’ve lost the ball bands.
Yes, this was mainly a depression-lessening exercise. I’ve had one sock on the needles literally since I’ve started seeing the psychologist, and it’s worn on me. I keep getting to a point, becoming completely unhappy with it, and ripping it back to the beginning. I’m tempted to do so again, but for better reasons. Right now it’s plain stockinette, and I want to do something a little nicer with it. We’ll see.
In any case, I took some time and wandered through my stash to see if I could find some kind of inspiration. I had two balls of the Andean Silk, and they just seemed perfect to make something both useful and a little luxurious.
On a somewhat light note, I didn’t notice until halfway through the second piece that I was using three size 5 needles and one size 7. Normally I’m obsessed with being perfect (and yes, it’s getting a lot of work in therapy), but for once I was okay with “close enough.” That’s very good progress for me.
And now, I’m working on a large project for, well, the first time in ages. In fact, it’s the largest project I’ve started, and it’s for me. Currently in the “Oh, God, is it going to fit?” stage, I’ll post pictures after I know one way or the other. Otherwise I feel as if I’ll jinx it.
Okay, it’s been done for a few nights now, but with my current state of scatterbrained-ness, I just got around to taking a picture.
Hopefully it will go out to it’s intended recipient (and a very dear friend) soon!
Thanks for those who have sent warm, happy comments. I’m glad to be feeling better, and it’s good to know I have friends.
The mystery (heh) project is up to a point where I needed a model. Be kind, it’s his first modeling gig ever. He’s normally too busy saving the galaxy from evil.
I know, I’ve been missing lately. It’s been a bad few months, but things are starting to get better. I hope.
Without boring everyone with the details, I’ll just let you all know that depression sucks. I’m under a doctor’s care, and I’m starting to be me again.
And, for putting up with that, there’s this picture. What could I be knitting?
