Friday, October 29, 2010

Tauron Boneyard Traveler Shawl

There will be more pictures once is blocked. I started this yesterday, but it is a mindless knit, well not that mindless. I used a lot of my homespun and some of the left over yarns from other projects, mostly sheep and alpaca wools and it is lovely. This is from the Navajo Plied Alpaca that I diud a while ago in three colors and it worked wonders for this shawl. I have a video to make and will talk to you later. Happy Friday Everyone!

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Tauron Traveler Hat

This hat is to be made on Aran Weight or DK weight and I went with Cascade ecological wool which is considered a Bulky yarn. Dropped down to US 6 and had to skip some rows. The name of the Pattern is Flintshire and is a Ravelry Pattern for sale.by Ashley Knowlton .
TauronTraveler (3)
I went by the numbers until row 31 the every other row until row 51,( I did just the odd numbers), I did do line 36 and 52, then did as the pattern suggested.
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The result was a perfectly shaped hat, and very soft. I am hoping to make another one in DK weight with some Baby Alpaca with a Twist that I have. Thanks for stopping by!

Thursday, October 21, 2010

Entrelac Project Bag, lined

Entrelac Bag (1)

The bag has been lined with a beautiful red cotton flannel.  I was offered polyester and even though there are advantages to that, I really don't want polyester in my bag.It is about 90 % wool on the outside and because I used the Noro Kureyon SOck which has Nylon, that gives it a bit of Nylon in the mix.  I lined the bag before I closed the bottom, it was closed afterwards with a kitchener stitched in reverse to give it texture. I am working on the I-Cord right now.
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This was and still is a fun project and is a bag I can use to carry some of my works in progress.  I will not be ashamed anymore, because I have no store bought project bags to carry my stuff around lol! The I-Cord  will be long enough to serve as handles and to close the bag as well.  I am going to borrow some of the ideas from the Dice Bag and use one of those thingies to have a nice holder for the straps to hang out.   There are holes around through which I am going to thread the I-Cord.  Hope to finish the I-Cord today, this was a very fun project and I am hoping to make a vest or two, in the meantime thanks for stopping by!
Entrelac Bag(2)

Sunday, October 17, 2010

Entrelac Bag, Is it?


PoseidonEntrelacBag (1)
Originally uploaded by Crafty Andy
Entrelac is one of those things that you will eventually get.   It is a matter of time and patience and practice. 
This pattern that I am using is for a bag that will be felted.  This bag may not completely felt as I am using some Noro Kureyon Sock yarn  double stranded to get close to worsted weight.   I can tell you that I really don't care for Noro sock Yarn, I like the colors, but the materials are not the best.  Anyway moving along, I have prepared this video as a guide, I am not a professional teacher nor a professional photographer, so this video has it's limitations.  Warner Brothers was buys this weekend lol.  I hope you enjoy the video and that it helps you understand Knitting Backwards somehow.  Thanks for stopping by!

Friday, October 15, 2010

Tauron in Caprica and Debbie Stoller

TauronIn CapricaCap (2)
One of the TV Series that has inspired me more to knit and crochet has been Battlestar Galactica and now Caprica.  The Above hat is in the 101 One skein projects is called the In Between Seasons cab.  It is done in two parts ,, the band is done flat and then stitches are picked up.   My other posts will tell you more about it, here I am showing you the finished object.  The hat can be made longer if you continue to knit more than the pattern calls for, but remember this is not a ribbing headband, so it will have to stay like this while you wear it, otherwise you will not look very fashionable, lol!

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Here you see sporting my Galactica Tattoo and the Boneyard scarf/shawl and the Windchief Hat, both from West Knits.  The windchief is a cowl and a hat  in one pattern, so if you are looking for something this fashionable for your neck and head, this is the pattern for you.  I don't like cowls much, they tend to make my neck shorter.


 Lastly I bought this book today as at my local yarn store, Imagiknit , Debbie will be giving a class on lace and there will be an opportunity for her  to sign my books, I am sure, but I will also bring the Son of the Stitch 'n Bitch, which is a book completely dedicated to patterns for guys. I perused lightly through this book "Superstar Knitting" and saw a lot of instructional chapters that will be  making people push their limits to the next step with more intricate designs and challenges.  She will be giving a class that I am signed up to take on Lace Knitting.  I can't wait, it is November 13, 2010 at Imagiknit.   Is nice to have the authors come along and spend time with you.  I hope you can come if you are close by.  Thanks for your visit.

Thursday, October 14, 2010

A Tauron in Caprica Cap

CapricanCapWIP (1)
This is the perfect project for anyone wanting to learn two things.  A) Twisted stitches, B) Basic Cables.  Bonuses are decreases and YO lol! The band is done flat then grafted together, the stitches are picked up and knitted, you can use DPNs or circular needles.  The Book is " One Skein Wonders " , which is a great book for those who want quick projects that use one Skein.  I have done many a project from here and gotten lots of inspiration.  At any rate this hat may be done by day's end at which time I may or may not take a picture depending how warm it is. lol.  Thanks for stopping by!

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Caprican Cardi WIP 1


CapricanardiBackWIP (5)
Originally uploaded by Crafty Andy
It's a Cardigan and it is from Lionbrand, it is the NorthShore Cardigan and it is a very nice Cardigan indeed. It has no pockets, but that will be a breeze to make , because? Well as you may have remembered, I started the Carlitos Cardigan A while ago. Since then I have seen at least two. Two of my friends were able to decipher the incognita of this pattern, even after it was republished the pattern assumes a lot from the knitter. The Charts are too small for my old eyes lol, but nonetheless you can see them. To make a long story short, I could not get motivated to continue making the cardigan, so I decided to frog it. I don't mind a pattern that is complicated, but I want to be able to make the pattern without having to figure out much. A pattern that requires a lot of garment knowledge is definitely not a pattern that I can tackle, because I know how to sew, but making sweaters and cardigans is a different story. The Carlito would benefit from better instructions or rather chat from the author. One thing I noticed right away from my friends cardigans , is that the bottom part of the cardigan could have been made with smaller needles. It is definitely a tight fit.

Anyway here is the NorthShore which is a beautiful pattern that I know I am enjoying making, no matter how much I hate purling , lol, it is still worth it to see the beauty of this pattern coming alive. I am using Wool ease in the mushroom colorway and I am hoping to have this Cardigan done by Halloween. Thanks for stopping by!

Sunday, October 10, 2010

Fleet week 2010 Pier


Fleetweek2010Pier
Originally uploaded by Crafty Andy
The day was beautiful for the Fleet to be here. We walked from the Embarcadero to the Pier 27 where we stood for almost two hours in line to tour a ship. Was it worth it? You bet, this was the first time that I have done this on Fleet Week! Happy Fleet Week!

We toured the "HMC Whitehorse" A Canadian Vessel

Thanks for stopping by!

Boneyard

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The original yarn, the way it look from the skein before all the transformations.
TauronBoneyardWIP


Out to dry after an overnight overdye job.  For reds and blues, patience is definitely something to cultivate.
TauronBoneyardOverdyed















In a matter of a day I was able to make this scarf-shawl, what is more amazing is that this pattern is simple.  Stephen West , from www.Westknits.com has made this pattern available for free on his site and on Ravelry.   It is a simple stockinette with simple increases, but you can increase anyway you ant, by pick up a stitch or by Making 1 Stitch left or Right.  A shawl will take about probably 200 or so yards and if you use big needles like US 8 or US 9 you will get a nice size shawl.  I used US 9 and bound off with US 10.5.  MY bind off is very stretchy as I use the bind off from the Herbivore. I was very pleased with the two overdyes I have done with this yarn.  I first overdyed this variegated green yarn with blues and yellows, then with Black Cherry Kool aid And Jacquard Cherry. This is the Burgundy I like and I know that I will wear this ensemble lots of times.  I hope you have a great Sunday, I have some more fun to get into.  Thanks for stopping by!

Saturday, October 09, 2010

Reds and Greens and in between

As a Stash Buster I am making this Windchief from  WestKnits aka Stephen West, but I used two yarns that I fused together and overdyed them in greens, but did not like it very much.  Here comes the Black Cherry Kool Aid and Jacquard Dye Cherry.

TauronWindchief (13)
Below is the Start of the Boneyard in my hand, once it is finished I will overdye it with the same recipe and will become burgundy as well.
TauronGraveyardBoneyard 
I used 1/4 teaspoon of Jacquard dye and 2 packs of Black Cherry  Kool Aid per 50 grams to get this beautiful Burgundy below and will be the same recipe I will use to overdye the Boneyard, another Pattern by WestKnits. The shawl is in the works and will be the same color as the hat, I think the Burgundy is delicious, Black Cherry none the less.  Thanks for stopping by!

TauronRedsWindchief (5)

Friday, October 08, 2010

Stash Busters

I am Stash Busting and in the Bust I am making Stephen West Windchief with the colorway I made the other day of overdyed yarn. It is going to look fantastic. I am hoping to make a small triangular herbivore kerchief with the left over yarn. Westknit has a Westknits.com website and a book for the taking. The book will entitled you to a Ravelry download of the book, Wicked isn't it?
Tauron RebelHat (2)
I also frogged the Carlito, I just got bored and it was not fast enough of a project to keep me interested, instead I got this project from Lion Brand that I am already loving. I will make this Cardigan and will have after thought pockets added to it.
CardiganWIPBBack (1)
In my stash busting mood I am working on a In Between Seasons Cap with this fantastic Yarn I was gifted last year. Yep, I am stash busting , gifts, and charity. I am also going to start a Stash Busting with socks soon, as soon as I finished the Cardigan, I may start a vest or two. I do want to make a Vest and a Scarf for XMAS gifts. Anyway have to go and get some physical exercise besides Knitting and crocheting. Which by the way I have two Crochet Projects on the burner as well. Multitasking is great, I also have some spinning cotton that I need to do, but that will have to wait for November . Thanks for stopping by.
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Wednesday, October 06, 2010

LambTown Video Experience


I wanted to share this video experience with you for some time, but I needed to get my videos together.  LambTown was a very positive experience and I can tell you that it was very different than the garlic festival.  I guess Knitters and crocheters, spinners and weavers when it comes down to it know how to have a good time, no problems at all unless someone screams cashmere for free.  Going to this show again opened my eyes at how this animals are treated and the live they have.  If it was up to me they would have open space all the time, but then when I want their fleece I will have to run after them.  Seriously  you will see where your sweater comes from or your gloves and how human or inhumane they are treated.  I really can not judge that, I guess shearing sheep is a very old tradition.  They know what they are doing and I take that what is being done is ok.

The food was fantastic.  The town loves girls in Pink and Lavender and it loves ballet.  The entertainment in this venue was fantastic and very nice, the food was even better.  There was plenty of parking and it was a lot of fun.  I hope you enjoy this video, it is done with a new software and it has almost all the horns, clacksons and and whistles it comes with.  Thanks for stopping by.

Sunday, October 03, 2010

Overdyed Greens

Last night I was inspired after the Lambtown visit to overdye some yarn in my attempt to have a destash . This yarn is actually a combination of two brands of yarns that were similar in look, but I had left overs. I fused the two skeins together and started the planned overdyed. I turned to blueberry Kool Aid for the first touch of dyein. I made the bath water blue, then I opened some packages and put it directly on the fabric, is was a very direct hands on overdyed to give it a kettle dyed look. Once the KoOl aid was poured I gave it a minute or so, then mixed the yarn carefully as not to make it felt. I used neon green food coloring and some yellow food coloring in specific areas to make it blend, without agitation for a minute or so. I have a brand new yarn. The yarn I started with was closely similar, but with some areas of little or no dye on them. Perfect go this job in my opinion. Enjoy your Sunday , thanks for stopping by!

Saturday, October 02, 2010

Lamb Town 2010


The Monday Night Knit Group went on tour  to visit Lamb Town in Dixon, California.  This was a wonderful  experience with lots of entertainment, good food and wonderful company.  There were lots of fleeces and rovings  and beautiful combed tops to buy.  I got two Christmas gifts , two objects already made which will be adding to my comfort and my partner's comfort.  The food was fantastic, the music was really good and so many creative people.  I think this is something I would enjoy going every year if I had the opportunity to go.  Enjoy the slideshow of the Album.  Thanks to the Monday Night Knit group.for getting this together and thanks to those who did the driving which made it easier for all of us to have a great time. There are some videos , but I am very tired to process them today, hope you have a great night. Thanks for stopping by.

Friday, October 01, 2010

A Fall Beret and a Chair

I have always loved hats, even when I had lots of hair.  There is something about a hat that is intriguing or even sexy.  It covers your head so it is a hair replacement in my opinion, lol.  A hat is also a protection against the elements.  This Beret is the MOSS STITCH BERET by Kent Turman.  The pattern is fantastic and my favorite part is that it has a beautiful fold.  I started the provisional cast-on with a crochet cast on, then when I was ready to have the live stitches, I pick them up with a circular needle and I knit the fold together as I went along one stitch from each edge.  I started with dpns, then when I was getting close to finish the brim, I switched to two circular needles.
TauronAtumnBeretNAchair (19)
I like this pattern because this beret is very versatile and can be adjusted easily.  It calls for US 3 when you begin then you switch to US7, but I know how  I knit , that would not have worked.  As Elizabeth Zimmerman would say, the stitches after the brim would have been sleazy if I did not use US 6 instead.

TauronAtumnBeretNAchair (14)
This pattern is not demanding, but you do have to pay attention to your knitting.  A person gives you  a pattern to follow, but you are responsible to make adjustments as needed. I ended using US 3 as I was about 4 rows away from finishing the crown as I wanted a very tight top, the little I-Cord stub was done with the US3.
TauronAtumnBeretNAchair (6)
The Beret is very soft due to the use of the Kid-Silk mohair strand along with the superwash Cascade Merino.  I am hoping to make more Berets in the near future.  This was a very quick knit , less than two days, I guess I am a quick knitter some times.  When you shave your head or have no hair for whatever reason, a soft hat like this one is a sensual indulgence.  I was very happy with the way it turned out and with my photographic adventure.  I could have done a bit more to make the photographs more Catalog, but hey I have to get ready for my trip to LambTown tomorrow.  There will be pictures and maybe I will get some yarn, we shall see.  I hope you enjoy the pictures and the Beret and if you are not on Ravelry, go and sign up, it is a fantastic resource for knitters, crocheters, spinners and weavers. Thanks for stopping by!
TauronAtumnBeretNAchair (22)

Almost two years without blogging August 2020

Life can be a bowl of strawberries when cheries are not available.   It has been almost two years since I have been in this blog.  I have s...