Lavender Shawl Completed!

All done.



I learned a few things knitting this shawl.

Here is a picture of the completed shawl.

And a picture of the center stitch.

Backstage Lavender Shawl Update

I'm backstage before the first performance Saturday with an update on the lavender shawl. I made a mistake by not keeping the center back stitch plain. I involved it in the YO, k2tog lace pattern. 

Here's a close-up of the error. I'm trying to fix this while I have time duringyoday's performances. I'm not sure it will work but I'm going to try.


Update:
I tried and I didn't work. It looks like extra stitches will be added. I'm going to pull out the fishnet lace pattern and start this section over with a bit more attention on what the lace should be doing.

Lavender Shawl

A friend of mine has recently been diagnosed with cancer and I'm knitting her a shawl.
It's based on the Boneyard Shawl (rav link) by Stephen West but I'll be adding a fishnet lace as one of the last sections.

She wanted lavender. Here are the color options I gave her:


She has very good taste and selected #3 (going from the left). It's cashmere.

This is the first cast-on attempt. I was not happy so I pulled it out.


Here's the progress by Sunday's second show at the theatre.  I made good progress.


I don't think I'll get it finished by Friday. I don't want to shorten the shawl simply because I'm out of time. I know I'll have it finished by Monday.

Moms are Knitworthy

Moms are Knitworthy, a photo by knittingbrow on Flickr.

My Mom was in the hospital and is still under medical supervision. I won't go into details on the blog but we're waiting for her skilled team of doctors to get together and discuss the options. (Thanks for the good thoughts to her and those caring for her.)

Last week, my sister sent me this photo of Mom wearing a shrug I designed (& knit) for her 5 or 6 years ago. It was my first knitting using my own pattern. She wanted something to keep her arms and shoulders warm. I could do that! So I bought 10 balls of Noro Silk Garden in a blue color way I knew Mom would like. I basically knit a long scarf with a ribbing at each end and seamed closed some of the arm. (Why I didn't knit more of it in a tube is beyond me.) I finished it to the measurements and gave it to her.

She liked the colors. But I didn't see her wear it. A year ago, I saw it in the top of her closet and asked if she ever wore it. She had but it didn't fit her right. After a short discussion, I knew I could fix it. A bit of alteration later, we have a garment that could be worn comfortably.

Seeing Mom in this after being in the hospital makes me very happy.

Honestly, I think some of my sisters told Mom I didn't think she was knit-worthy because I never saw her wear the shrug even after I fixed it. So she pulls it out of the closet to wear every once in awhile when I visit. That could be true. Regardless, I think Moms are knit-worthy.

Sleepy H Socks

I'm working on another show. I'm Props Master (and floor manager) during the run of the show. The props have turned out nicely (with an emphasis on keeping it simple).
Here's the tavern sign I created:



Sleepy Hollow opens tonight and I have a little time between scene changes to knit. I'm working on toe-up socks using yarn I bought from Susan Yarns in Cleveland. It is a three-ply wool yarn that has a lot of colors.


Yes, I took this picture during tonight's performance with light from my head lamp. I like the way it looks. It am having trouble finding the best gauge. I started with size 1's and that was very tight but I thought it would be okay for the toe. I switched to size 2's and like it better but the toe is too big.


I can get my thumb inside the toe. Too big. *sigh*
I stopped knitting on the socks tonight and will frog them tonight.

I might switch my knitting. I need a black or dark watch cap to keep my head warm while backstage. It gets chilly. It would be cool if I could design something to work with my headlamp. Hmmmmm.

Dalia's Blanket Buddy

I knit a Bunny Blanket Buddy for my first niece-in-law. I used Mirasol Hap'i cotton yarn. I think it turned out cute.
I didn't do such a great job embroidering the face but you get the idea.

But this is the money shot that makes it all worthwhile:

Knit on in times of....

I was under a great deal of stress Sunday as I traveled to visit my Mom in the hospital. I packed my current knitting project, the Nutkin socks as well as the repair job I posted about yesterday. Before I left, I wound up two skeins of Claudia Handpaints Chunky Weight wool so I could knit on something fast and not brain taxing.

I cast-on both socks Sunday. See how far I've gone in a short amount of time?


I'm pleased with how quickly these are knitting up. I'm using Brittany US size 6 DPNs. I cast-on 8 STD on a size 3 needle because I think the toe-up cast-on is far too loose when I use DPNs.

I'll be doing the Sweet Tomato Heel by Cat Bordhi. I've opted to do 2X2 rib in the instep for a bit of variety.

I must say I'm glad I took a few minutes to get this yarn ready so I could knit with it. It was very pleasing to have this type of knitting to keep my hands busy and my focus on the here and now with Mom.

Tests are still being run so an informed decision can be made. Thank you for your kind thoughts and words.

Mending Takes Time

I went to visit my Mom in the hospital today. The news is not good and waiting can be a pain but I have knitting to keep me occupied. I didn't drive so I used the time to repair a sweater that knitSB picked up at a thrift store for me. It's a perfectly fine J Crew sweater except the hole on the right sleeve forearm. It looks like the sweater was damaged when the box was cut open. See?



I needed something to take my mind off the reason for my traveling and opted to repair this hole. Mending takes time and I wanted (needed) to get this finished. I have some lace-weight light great alpaca I wanted to use. I was simply going to create a basket weave structure to prevent further stitches from unraveling.



It's not a perfect job beyond securing the garment and it pleases me. I was relieved there was something to take my mind off the reason for the trip.

I took another project to cast-on, toe-up socks out of Claudia's Handpainted Yarns worsted weight yarn (in the color: shark) on US size 6 DPNS. They are very fast and knitting up to a nice fabric. Pictures tomorrow.

Now, if I could just find a toe-up sock pattern with a great heel that I can knit without thinking too much.

Sleepy Hollow Props

I am doing Props and set dressing for the Columbus Children's Theatre production of Sleepy Hollow which opens on October 20. I spent 12 hours at the shop today finalizing the props so I can take them to the theatre for Sunday evening's rehearsal. I want to spend the rest of the week figuring out scene changes.

This sign is to distinguish the Tavern. I'm pleased.






I got to make up the tavern's name. Do you get it?

I have several other items that needed created rather than just repurposed I'll snap a few pictures this week and post if you're interested in seeing my work.

Nutkin Sock progress

Nutkin Sock progress, a photo by knittingbrow on Flickr.

Nutkin sock progress. I flipped the chart so the design would be opposite on each sock. Can you see the slight difference between the socks? http://www.knitzi.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=80&products_id=245
I'm enjoying the yarn, Cobblestone. I am a bit worried that the sicks might be a smidge too tight because when I tried them on they were rather tight going over the heel. But there is more fabric because of the heel, right so I should be ok?

What is seven letters...

I've been playing Words with Friends on my smartphone recently and enjoy putting letters together to make up words I didn't even know I knew. It is extra exciting if I can use all seven tiles. I just started a game and got seven letters to place on the board making a word. I like to use all the tiles and get the reward of feeling smart.

When I saw the letters O F R S E E A, I thought I recognized a word related to knitting. sure enough, and it was seven letters. With (too much) glee, I played the word.


Apparently, faroese is not an appropriate word for a game involving putting tiles on a board and earning the most points. To prove it, the game tells me so.



You hear the tone of voice in this pop-up message, don't you?

Sigh. It's a proper noun describing someone from the Faerose Islands.

Are you playing Words with Friends? I'm knittingbrow. Who are you?

Arch-enemy Sock Pattern Beta

Arch-enemy Sock Pattern Beta, a photo by knittingbrow on Flickr.

Yarmando gave me the privilege to test knit the Beta version of his Arch-enemy sock pattern It is a toe-up pattern with interesting arch shaping and ribbing to snug the fit. The pattern has some improvements to be done to it but the result is a nice sock. so nice in fact that want to knit another pair.

He gave me permission to blog about the test-knit. I hope he is willing to go back and revise the pattern. The world needs interesting sock patterns.

I'm planning a video post after I wash them to give the full review.

August at Otterbein

Songferret and I attended August: Osage County Saturday evening at Otterbein College. Info here.

I thought it a compelling performance with some very talented actors making me experience a wide range of emotions. If you've never seen August, I encourage you to take advantage of a great version of the show.
Dispatch review.
Grossberg commentary.
My San Francisco review.

The show is three acts so be ready for a 3 hour experience. I was engaged throughout the performance as the playwrite does an exceptional job unfolding details of this family in a way that pulls me in to learn more and more. I remember thinking "what could happen next?" There is a next (and a next and a next.)

I was frustrated a few times because actors were speaking over the (nervous) laughter and I was frustrated by not hearing all of the lines. I did have problems hearing lines but this is an issue I have with my hearing in theaters & during performances that are not mic'd.
The set was well-done and fit the stage nicely, taking advantage of levels to convey the 3-story home. I snapped this picture for you.


There is still time to go see this show! It isn't a "happy" show but offers a great theatrical experience.

I sat next to a lady who was interested in my knitting. I was casting-on for my Nutkin socks using the cobblestone yarn. You can see the yarn at the bottom of this picture. :)