tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90518709317415102702024-03-05T06:29:19.180-06:00Super KnitterUntangling the Skeins of My MindMegan Doreenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03499780165185888883noreply@blogger.comBlogger305125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9051870931741510270.post-26174610424293955592011-03-14T13:00:00.000-05:002011-03-14T13:00:06.667-05:00Cousin Cardigan<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB4fmk0clLCndBooJpAmyXhyI5xSxJ0qqpyLCdoK5suuyZy61gofvca_6hgNT5pJv6cTH-5kma9qXnTiFCZFRBy9vw1320Lgy6OaQ1YH8pffXVmp29Qt2PkuluWrPmzKOD6az1s4PV8gU/s1600/IMG_1561.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 239px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB4fmk0clLCndBooJpAmyXhyI5xSxJ0qqpyLCdoK5suuyZy61gofvca_6hgNT5pJv6cTH-5kma9qXnTiFCZFRBy9vw1320Lgy6OaQ1YH8pffXVmp29Qt2PkuluWrPmzKOD6az1s4PV8gU/s320/IMG_1561.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578115659718428386" /></a><br />Chloe's SweaterMegan Doreenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03499780165185888883noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9051870931741510270.post-60584641914774001722011-03-13T16:25:00.000-05:002011-03-13T16:25:00.370-05:00BonnetCommission baby hat for ChildressMegan Doreenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03499780165185888883noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9051870931741510270.post-45938383182378107592011-03-12T16:21:00.000-06:002011-03-12T16:21:00.646-06:00Interview ScarfMegan Doreenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03499780165185888883noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9051870931741510270.post-21262495425151904642011-03-11T16:20:00.000-06:002011-03-11T16:20:00.677-06:00Cashmere CowlMegan Doreenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03499780165185888883noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9051870931741510270.post-44911633587056633802011-03-10T16:19:00.000-06:002011-03-10T16:19:00.354-06:00Single EpisodeBiggest Loser baby hat for PaulMegan Doreenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03499780165185888883noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9051870931741510270.post-22786077395508810992011-03-09T16:19:00.000-06:002011-03-09T16:19:00.618-06:00Canada ScarfMegan Doreenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03499780165185888883noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9051870931741510270.post-52491300832438521772011-03-08T22:17:00.000-06:002011-03-08T22:17:00.267-06:00Winder<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6CCVpN7N5UCrFb_DuvZeIhHu0PkCJGlu9nxh4Jsev1pFk7qteWA5PfBMYy0orRnJrHRwuUZvpBI5oKp8bx4mZ5BsSWcfPC3mfEgYypqSbABPDbNFZ8aBYPmf2ocwqGAm1whXXfVN1aTg/s1600/IMG_1569.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 239px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6CCVpN7N5UCrFb_DuvZeIhHu0PkCJGlu9nxh4Jsev1pFk7qteWA5PfBMYy0orRnJrHRwuUZvpBI5oKp8bx4mZ5BsSWcfPC3mfEgYypqSbABPDbNFZ8aBYPmf2ocwqGAm1whXXfVN1aTg/s320/IMG_1569.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578125968767210722" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkPn-_TLW3gm0aZ6G3XIFDYWbt6YZTklS4vljm_a-91s2VA6GasJS8pM-x38fMwbYQuuQdNInfsBNhGu984tmIxy700mht9QE0g_AgNhKrCg8dpo3BYY5S1tiqex3fdi2k-4tFBtb_Mt4/s1600/IMG_1567.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 162px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkPn-_TLW3gm0aZ6G3XIFDYWbt6YZTklS4vljm_a-91s2VA6GasJS8pM-x38fMwbYQuuQdNInfsBNhGu984tmIxy700mht9QE0g_AgNhKrCg8dpo3BYY5S1tiqex3fdi2k-4tFBtb_Mt4/s320/IMG_1567.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578126080094753346" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvsRp5QXfN57MhFxTNk6EtsiWCIzlc0s-usOUpilBn9zE8l5lOKHWFpj7Yu_7eCSoexd-YArGO5i5CJM1WvYFY_S3LSyVCt7TGIhSY-XFRDPUvematY6nHEQb_MmHRquGBAzqtyTvcrmw/s1600/IMG_1568.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 190px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvsRp5QXfN57MhFxTNk6EtsiWCIzlc0s-usOUpilBn9zE8l5lOKHWFpj7Yu_7eCSoexd-YArGO5i5CJM1WvYFY_S3LSyVCt7TGIhSY-XFRDPUvematY6nHEQb_MmHRquGBAzqtyTvcrmw/s200/IMG_1568.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578126282119197618" /></a>Megan Doreenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03499780165185888883noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9051870931741510270.post-9884212207132071742011-03-06T16:13:00.001-06:002011-03-08T12:31:22.947-06:00Eleanor Completed<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5AewISIw-_U7hcHGPM5CqAy6aSxW3V3AcWIvgvi_gaJgxmtew9XSHg-RTetgQuv3-27uB8NqjENFRNhVfx9h__8SGVxKybEkjUMSWu5XPLPFJC4qQwkXrTPyxWtQTZz9myPKkPO0MRcU/s1600/IMG_1552.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5AewISIw-_U7hcHGPM5CqAy6aSxW3V3AcWIvgvi_gaJgxmtew9XSHg-RTetgQuv3-27uB8NqjENFRNhVfx9h__8SGVxKybEkjUMSWu5XPLPFJC4qQwkXrTPyxWtQTZz9myPKkPO0MRcU/s320/IMG_1552.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578125208087704210" /></a>I didn't blog much about this sweater, but then I haven't blogged much lately period. It is made out of a lovely silk and alpaca yarn...<a href="http://www.knitpicks.com/cfyarns/yarn_display.cfm?ID=5420126">Knit Picks Andean Silk in "Merlin"</a>. The pattern is called "Aquitaine." It is by Deborah Newton and appeared in the Winter 2009 Interweave Knits issue. <br /><br />The sweater was a fairly relaxing knit. The lace pattern around the yoke and sleeves was intricate enough to be interesting, but simple enough to not completely stress me out. I like the way that the sweater fits...the measurements in the pattern are dead on, which was a relief. It also didn't take very long, comparatively speaking...and speaking of comparisons, this sweater was an absolute job compared to the Clementine.<br /><br />Also...this is a very very very very warm sweater. gotta be the alpaca.Megan Doreenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03499780165185888883noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9051870931741510270.post-31755135058044248732011-03-05T12:45:00.000-06:002011-03-08T12:21:08.945-06:00Surprise!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn2oMb4vO793BM4jk-5YeCZsbBLTA7eSwP_SUJZkETAC4PN3nXpMvF2TOxQgKR7kMtsnX0I2S3K1MeXprKWuRlSmHp_D05FPdYXRz39PuskQDdTusKy_9e9WhqC6Eiytoufe9eWN93BD8/s1600/DSCN3457.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 160px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn2oMb4vO793BM4jk-5YeCZsbBLTA7eSwP_SUJZkETAC4PN3nXpMvF2TOxQgKR7kMtsnX0I2S3K1MeXprKWuRlSmHp_D05FPdYXRz39PuskQDdTusKy_9e9WhqC6Eiytoufe9eWN93BD8/s200/DSCN3457.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578121615585711378" /></a>YaYa decided to throw a baby shower for Miss A on the Sunday of New Year's weekend...and asked if there was anyway I could come out for it. I called my parents. I called my not parents. I bought a plane ticket. The plan was for me to cut my trip to WA a few days short and fly down to CA for the last weekend of my vacation. <br /><br />The shower was being held at the library. It was SO much fun to see everybody again, and Miss A was very very surprised.<br /><br />I knit a little baby cardigan for Wild Thing, her soon to arrive son. I made it out of navy blue cotton, and added little wooden toggle buttons. (Miss A appreciated the button's Paddington Bear vibe.)<br /><br />Hopefully the sweater will fit Wild Thing before it gets too hot for him to wear it!<br /><br />(By the way...that is Candid in the picture with Miss A...)Megan Doreenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03499780165185888883noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9051870931741510270.post-52203026735219944792011-03-04T16:15:00.000-06:002011-03-08T12:10:20.071-06:00Demands of My Sister<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3tcJO1O-g6liW8QgNDfbQVR2rbuSQXxcK1TqqzEJsmKj1q9HNnypD4ollpzjouHh8nySdz-dhgeKPfGq39OoUAGqx0BbqjBOcHtXrUOAEP0TrX6juefPCVFVBLh2dHPbhVLmcYmE5ArA/s1600/IMG_1565.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 239px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3tcJO1O-g6liW8QgNDfbQVR2rbuSQXxcK1TqqzEJsmKj1q9HNnypD4ollpzjouHh8nySdz-dhgeKPfGq39OoUAGqx0BbqjBOcHtXrUOAEP0TrX6juefPCVFVBLh2dHPbhVLmcYmE5ArA/s320/IMG_1565.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578125636577428946" /></a>My sister gave me a gift card to Debbie Macomber's yarn shop for Christmas. This was delightful because it meant I <span style="font-style:italic;">had </span>to go to the yarn shop before I left town. (Twist my arm...such punishment...)<br /><br />We went to the shop and I walked around looking at literally every yarn available. I wanted to pick something out that I couldn't easily get online. I also wanted something that would have that festive, Christmas gift feel...so not dishcloth yarn...As I meandered about petting and squishing the pretty skeins, my mom and sister also wandered about.<br /><br />Eventually Sister came over. Apparently she had found a hat that she HAD to have. Which translates to she found a hat that I was supposed to make for her. This happens fairly regularly when Sister and I go to yarn shops. It isn't that she can't knit. She can. I am pretty sure that we have taught her how. It is more that she doesn't see the point in it when I make her everything her heart desires.<br /><br />I looked at the pattern and said I would make it if she bought the yarn for it. I would even pay for the pattern. (She seemed shocked that she had to buy the yarn...but that's the way the cookie crumbles.)<br /><br />She picked out some lovely wool. I made the hat when I got back to TX. I must really love her to make something with stranded color work. I hate color work. It worked out well though, and she was very grateful when it came in the mail...Kentucky has been having LOTS of snow days this winter.<br /><br />(Oh, and I bought myself some alpaca with the gift card...it is not yet assigned a project...)Megan Doreenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03499780165185888883noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9051870931741510270.post-21460402567552222862011-03-03T22:00:00.000-06:002011-03-08T11:56:18.802-06:00Elephant in the Room<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNPZRmf3b0tkhxbi1Jn9vkPaEFIA-jZd8wAfhMIsCANpt7nrEhzsThu1qELojOG7A7O9tt6yCbdSrgyy0Nlmee6JVb5KSM9JRtCFQDcX0KNYkS-PxbSToykQs-KrW9aM3m_OXSdIlJwm0/s1600/IMG_1482.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 245px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNPZRmf3b0tkhxbi1Jn9vkPaEFIA-jZd8wAfhMIsCANpt7nrEhzsThu1qELojOG7A7O9tt6yCbdSrgyy0Nlmee6JVb5KSM9JRtCFQDcX0KNYkS-PxbSToykQs-KrW9aM3m_OXSdIlJwm0/s320/IMG_1482.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578124869086872434" /></a>Every year my extended family gets together at Christmas and does a white elephant style gift exchange. We set a $5 limit, and try to actually bring things that people <span style="font-style:italic;">want</span>. (As opposed to weird gag gifts.) Generally speaking people are good about insuring that there are things the littles will like, and the aunts/uncles are always well optioned...but there tends to be little geared toward my older guy cousins. I have taken upon myself to fill this need. One year, for example, I took a huge roll of duct tape.<br /><br />This year I knit a version of the Knox Beanie in a variegated grey. Technically it was more than the limit...I normally charge about $20 for a beanie. Still, I figured if I didn't charge myself for labor it would be ok. The yarn itself cost right around $5.<br /><br />I sat by my cousin Reb, who is 20, during the gift exchange. His turn was coming up. Several gifts had been opened: quilt books, bouncing balls, tools... Things were getting sketchy. There wasn't anything really stealable, and the chances of a gift he wanted were dropping...I pointed to the box I had wrapped and said, in a very obviously hinting way, I brought that one.<br /><br />He ended up picking mine, and opened up the beanie. Which he immediately plopped on his head. Apparently he liked it enough to block anyone from stealing it by wearing it.<br /><br />I'm glad he liked it!Megan Doreenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03499780165185888883noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9051870931741510270.post-43538964428497657732011-03-02T12:30:00.000-06:002011-03-02T13:01:09.987-06:00Handknits to the Rescue<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2qcjaoAAbNKT_WIni_mychABQXeNfYEf43dIWShwP-xiolluy2ebO1PtE8iP1EkG_sP0Xgzi1hHYJMZXrgYKu9N6g1DgAj64rC9eMXaqjjbj1Zn22VkemESDWDh9LSsnbSlVHwvFxAYg/s1600/IMG_1415.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 219px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2qcjaoAAbNKT_WIni_mychABQXeNfYEf43dIWShwP-xiolluy2ebO1PtE8iP1EkG_sP0Xgzi1hHYJMZXrgYKu9N6g1DgAj64rC9eMXaqjjbj1Zn22VkemESDWDh9LSsnbSlVHwvFxAYg/s320/IMG_1415.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578124466735943378" /></a>My mother had a minor procedure done on her head the first week I was home for Christmas break. She was perfectly fine afterward except for the fact that the stitches/recovery stipulated that she could not wash her hair for a few days.<br /><br />We had church to attend. She couldn't shampoo her hair.<br /><br />What to do? What to do?<br /><br />What she decided to do was ask me ahead of time to bring all my berets home with me.<br /><br />Sunday morning she picked out her outfit, we found an appropriate beret, and styled her up beautifully. No one at church had any idea that the decision was anything but an aesthetic one.<br /><br />Handknits save the day yet again!Megan Doreenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03499780165185888883noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9051870931741510270.post-75784048376930715062011-03-01T16:45:00.001-06:002011-03-01T21:07:11.049-06:00O Canada! I Love to Shop In Thee!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy5gUp5_fIAJ4DfYd-5et6km8Jws1NupnovN1OsSZs5kTuELxryvmi83w2Y7vUEAjCjhJyNa2tV0xB5Sdmhl4PG3TO0Af1sxlc-VIAFkFEE8K9xu9Nd0zeEkVqIifiW5wpBX36cfAav78/s1600/beehive.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 151px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy5gUp5_fIAJ4DfYd-5et6km8Jws1NupnovN1OsSZs5kTuELxryvmi83w2Y7vUEAjCjhJyNa2tV0xB5Sdmhl4PG3TO0Af1sxlc-VIAFkFEE8K9xu9Nd0zeEkVqIifiW5wpBX36cfAav78/s200/beehive.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579311002274251986" /></a>While we were in Victoria, I forced my ever patient family to walk a good distance to a yarn shop I found in the yellow pages. (It was weird having to resort to analog research techniques...seeing as how I didn't want to pay the international rates to use my cell phone.)<br /><br />We easily found the <a href="http://www.beehivewoolshop.com/">Beehive Wool Shop</a> on Douglas Street...I loved that it was a wool shop, instead of a yarn shop. (Does that mean it is an LWS instead of an LYS?) It had a lot of space, great light, and loads of charm. The staff was delightfully helpful as well. AND it has been in business for over a century. AMAZING. Loved it. Highly recommend it. Go to Canada. Go to Victoria. Go to this shop.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvXVySaQzsHAz89b-gXJ8D3tRLbGBWPrCMxPZZvGKGjamyOnAhwJ8DNl_DOQV1nuJbKPqnQaXUWBcT9LZEe-b42zs69LijHtKsTqoof_2RGteJtQxRkTScttIFpwZtzW2Oq0j6aoR9L2Q/s1600/sockyarn.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvXVySaQzsHAz89b-gXJ8D3tRLbGBWPrCMxPZZvGKGjamyOnAhwJ8DNl_DOQV1nuJbKPqnQaXUWBcT9LZEe-b42zs69LijHtKsTqoof_2RGteJtQxRkTScttIFpwZtzW2Oq0j6aoR9L2Q/s200/sockyarn.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579313081467641170" /></a>I, of course, purchased some yarn. I wanted it to be Canadian yarn, er...wool, so I selected a skein of Tough Love sock yarn from Sweet Georgia Yarns. This yarn company is located in Vancouver, Canada...and the yarn is hand dyed. I dithered back and forth on the colorway before settling on "Violet Hill". <br /><br />The fun thing was that when we got back to the ferry's customs to cross back into the US, the customs official asked if I had anything to declare. He sure gave me a funny look when I said yarn!Megan Doreenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03499780165185888883noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9051870931741510270.post-14199478762825887592011-02-28T10:45:00.000-06:002011-02-28T10:45:00.300-06:00Canadian Silliness<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7meuGwvFFtvahYGDdEtxhKFIxtAefJTCFRbwZ_AbITllmywFI9g1Tv0qvjFH4WCgTTxz9dUBo1Qmr9RgfuF67zdmLMYM1DOv1s0Su15wy7Di-zvzJI4Fc44t8ME671H086YZ6HIMk7j0/s1600/DSCN3418.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 253px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7meuGwvFFtvahYGDdEtxhKFIxtAefJTCFRbwZ_AbITllmywFI9g1Tv0qvjFH4WCgTTxz9dUBo1Qmr9RgfuF67zdmLMYM1DOv1s0Su15wy7Di-zvzJI4Fc44t8ME671H086YZ6HIMk7j0/s320/DSCN3418.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578123841489329010" /></a>When I was home for Christmas, Mom and Dad took Sister and I up to Victoria for a brief jaunt. Funny how one forgets that Canada is a foreign country. It was so much like Washington, and yet so completely different. (Funny how you can travel a couple of hours and all of a sudden everyone pronounces their vowels in a quaint and exciting way.)<br /><br />While there I walked past this amusing hat on sign post. It led me to wonder, was this an act of purposeful urban kniting grafitti...or did someone lose their actual hat and it was placed there for safekeeping?<br /><br />I'll never know for sure.<br /><br />And it'll probably bother me.<br /><br />Forever.Megan Doreenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03499780165185888883noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9051870931741510270.post-28330548465736463952011-02-27T14:00:00.002-06:002011-02-27T17:03:41.459-06:00Just Playing Around!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0gULX6vO-vsOuBSoMCVBSEQpJX69S-uOZTyo18kV5PnarYMS7V21-jY-_1zhRz57xXB_2zeJD5xd8ECERSBmKUKpm2tYjlfyROkR1RNF91ogZ4Wg_07wVb4Y1cKqzZI5rSnIpdrxIWso/s1600/IMG_1367.jpg"><img style="margin: 10pt 10pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 120px; height: 120px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0gULX6vO-vsOuBSoMCVBSEQpJX69S-uOZTyo18kV5PnarYMS7V21-jY-_1zhRz57xXB_2zeJD5xd8ECERSBmKUKpm2tYjlfyROkR1RNF91ogZ4Wg_07wVb4Y1cKqzZI5rSnIpdrxIWso/s320/IMG_1367.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578119893004139602" border="10"></a>I love my nephew. He is the best baby ever. Babies need toys. <br /><br />My mom came across a pattern to knit covers for super balls, and then felt them. The balls still bounce really well, but not as erratically, and are easier for little fingers to grasp.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIhl7NgRuy6SXcWAsUyMMEy3lugnZlWJG-xF02j4HYeEEsFGWC7-S3A630oeNw_pUiuuBNN-1noVmfZ1K0IYbYWngrHONeSkslKVn97rhbrX05ZoCqB1JkcAqQtrfH8VvizbUtB2hnxI0/s1600/IMG_1368.jpg"><img style="margin: 10pt 10pt 10px 10px; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 120px; height: 120px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIhl7NgRuy6SXcWAsUyMMEy3lugnZlWJG-xF02j4HYeEEsFGWC7-S3A630oeNw_pUiuuBNN-1noVmfZ1K0IYbYWngrHONeSkslKVn97rhbrX05ZoCqB1JkcAqQtrfH8VvizbUtB2hnxI0/s320/IMG_1368.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578119897184230418" border="10"></a>I had some Noro Kureyon in the stash that was perfect. What I didn't have was a super ball. It turns out that in this modern digital age, super balls are not only incredibly difficult to find...they are also insanely expensive. Still, nothing but the best for Nephew. I finally tracked on down and got to knitting.<br /><br />The knitting itself was very fast and easy. It only took a couple hours. What was not fast and easy was the felting. I had to run the ball through the wash/dry cycle 10 times before it was properly tight/fuzzy/felty. I sure liked it though.<br /><br />And I think that Nephew did as well!<br /><br /><iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/20416728?portrait=0" width="400" height="225" frameborder="0"></iframe><p><a href="http://vimeo.com/20416728">He Likes It!</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user269582">Megan May</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>.</p>Megan Doreenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03499780165185888883noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9051870931741510270.post-678433037879561352011-02-26T18:30:00.002-06:002011-02-26T18:30:00.196-06:00When Birthdays and Christmas Converge<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheQGUcspJmnC11oVyU5QWcDNCO2pm00Bnl7e-K5q5LxE3WZEDeESW0VYqWNZFv9qHSAuXvIGzgNxcJzGT-YdPQIQryM8YWC5qdqfGlFsG32xAS_nztVk5I7t78MV7qlu4tMCh0QboRpeE/s1600/IMG_1555.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheQGUcspJmnC11oVyU5QWcDNCO2pm00Bnl7e-K5q5LxE3WZEDeESW0VYqWNZFv9qHSAuXvIGzgNxcJzGT-YdPQIQryM8YWC5qdqfGlFsG32xAS_nztVk5I7t78MV7qlu4tMCh0QboRpeE/s320/IMG_1555.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578114680725334322" /></a>For my birthday, back in August, Mom gave me <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Knitters-Book-Wool-Ultimate-Understanding/dp/030735217X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1292704713&sr=8-1">The Knitter's Book of Wool</a>. It is a very neat book. It talks about how different sheep create different types of wool, and how various wools are more suited to certain types of projects. (Wonder why Aran sweaters developed where they did? Cause the sheep's wool was perfect for Aran sweaters, thats why!)<br /><br />The book also had some really nice patterns. Mom particularly liked a certain farrow rib knit in the round cardigan. It was called the Allegin. It was a very pretty sweater, and looked like it was well within my skill set.<br /><br />Mom's birthday is in December. Christmas is in December. It is always a bit of challenge figuring out what to get her for both, and to properly budget them. Occasionally though I have moments of brilliance. I decided it would be a GREAT idea to knit said sweater for mom for a combination birthday and Christmas present. Mom is a great knitter, but rarely takes the time to knit anything for herself...and I don't know when she last knit a sweater.<br /><br />With a little help from my dad (who selected the color of the yarn...<a href="http://www.knitpicks.com/yarns/Shamrock_Yarn__D5420154.html">Knitpicks Shamrock in Kavanagh</a>), I buckled down to knit the sweater. The pattern was extremely well written and easy to follow. I knit the sleeves first, and placed them on waste yarn. Then I knit the body from the bottom up, joined the sleeves, and knit the yoke in one piece. I LOVED that there was no seaming up to do. I hate seaming up. <br /><br />I actually got the sweater completed and the ends woven in before I got home for Christmas break. I had planned on giving mom as much as was finished for her birthday, since I did not think it at all possible that I would finish it by her birthday. And then I was going to finish the rest before Christmas. Instead, when I gave it to her, all it was missing was the buttons. (I have always found buttons to be a very personal choice. The wrong buttons can completely change the personality and appeal of a sweater.)<br /><br />Mom was delighted and surprised to get the sweater. Together we went shopping for the pewter buttons. She wore it to the family Christmas gathering at my grandparents, as well as to work.<br /><br />I think it turned out extremely flattering, and love the way it looks on her. I may just make a version for myself as well.Megan Doreenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03499780165185888883noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9051870931741510270.post-54529315193373787942011-02-25T22:45:00.001-06:002011-02-26T16:22:46.934-06:00Falling Off and Getting Back OnStopped blogging again. <br /><br />Rats.<br /><br />Starting up again.<br /><br />In order to play catch up, I have done the following: pre-written blog posts covering the knitting I have been doing, uploaded the pictures appropriately, and scheduled them to post DAILY until I am back on track.<br /><br />Please note...these entries are not necessarily in the correct order of occurrence.<br /><br />Apologies to my readers.Megan Doreenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03499780165185888883noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9051870931741510270.post-88670822611797054882010-12-17T21:45:00.002-06:002010-12-18T14:30:35.557-06:00Hypothetical KnittingI have a friend, Printer, who has a screen printing business, and has done a LOT of t-shirts for me and the residence hall this year. I fear he tends to cut me a better deal than he ought to occasionally. So, because we are friends, and because he is so generous...I wanted to give him a Christmas present. The problem is, he is a bit of a tricky fellow to shop for. He doesn't have a television, he makes his own t-shirts, he doesn't collect anything, he doesn't have any real hobbies to speak of...I decided to knit something for him. The problem was determining what to knit that he would actually wear or want. So, we had the following telephone conversation:<br /><br />Me: So, hypothetically, if someone were to knit something for you, would you wear it?<br />Him: It depends on what it is.<br />Me: Lets say it was hypothetically a beanie.<br />Him: Possibly. Would it look...crafty? <br />Me: Not necessarily.<br />Him: Yeah. I would probably wear it.<br />Me: Hypothetically, what color would it need to be.<br />Him: Something dark like black or grey.<br />Me: Ok. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaip8lQY7Ao-_AV3gEaJjT47lwPHYcKNrfwFQEi0o1mZuKJerZ1xso8jJr46fsHT781Ak5VKVTOrlBlXHpT48-egOejE8dkQtVgKuVxwfF9kAJSvPdtG9JonKTtam-y4H4EXzs_xlLgEM/s1600/DSCN3394.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 208px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaip8lQY7Ao-_AV3gEaJjT47lwPHYcKNrfwFQEi0o1mZuKJerZ1xso8jJr46fsHT781Ak5VKVTOrlBlXHpT48-egOejE8dkQtVgKuVxwfF9kAJSvPdtG9JonKTtam-y4H4EXzs_xlLgEM/s320/DSCN3394.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552121080508662290" /></a>A few nights later, we had another telephone conversation:<br /><br />Him: What are you up to tonight?<br />Me: I'm knitting.<br />Him: Knitting knitting, or hypothetically knitting?<br />Me: Hypothetically knitting.<br />Him: How is it coming? Hypothetically.<br />Me: Hypothetically, I am really liking the pattern design I came up with.<br />Him: Cool.<br /><br />I, hypothetically, finished the beanie and mailed it to my sister in Kentucky. (Printer also lives there, too...I put it in the same box as SNCFan's hat and scarf to save on postage.)<br /><br />She delivered it to Printer before she came up to the parents' house for the holidays. Hypothetically he can wear it frequently this winter as Bowling Green is having an appallingly cold and icy December.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxaHwdymiFHGn_OOJ44PnglSvkKcJPqEePdp7yaCx0C0osn2rCL8HGuNYPscEgdMlt6a6V-QUHYMnRFf8p1wdrcwL0jTzuzOeOEfTitm_g1rjL-57s5XgXLdGp9en-QJXaFmKXBq5RBtA/s1600/photo%25283%2529.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxaHwdymiFHGn_OOJ44PnglSvkKcJPqEePdp7yaCx0C0osn2rCL8HGuNYPscEgdMlt6a6V-QUHYMnRFf8p1wdrcwL0jTzuzOeOEfTitm_g1rjL-57s5XgXLdGp9en-QJXaFmKXBq5RBtA/s320/photo%25283%2529.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552120517383649602" /></a>Apparently, he liked it, as in an unprecedented move, he actually took a picture of himself and sent it to me.<br /><br />He is pondering deep hypotheses. <br /><br />And it looks much better on him than it did on me.<br /><br />The pattern was really easy. It is a variation on a standard 2X2 ribbed beanie that ended up in a sort of waffle pattern. It was a little less boring than a standard beanie without being fussy or girly. Heaven forbid we knit anything less than masculine! I will write it up soon and post it.Megan Doreenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03499780165185888883noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9051870931741510270.post-35576299221896902322010-12-15T12:45:00.003-06:002010-12-18T14:38:12.058-06:00Airport EyreI am flying back to Washington today for the holidays. (Actually...I am bouncing all over for the holidays...Canada, Oregon, etc.) This means I need airport knitting. And, I actually need more airport knitting than normal. <br /><br />I plan on arriving at the airport at least an hour before my flight, then there is the nearly 2 hour flight to Vegas, then the 3 hour layover in Vegas, then the additional 2 hour flight to SeaTac, then the nearly 2 hour drive from the airport to my parents' house...which comes to roughly 10 hours of knitting...and that is just on the way <span style="font-style:italic;">there</span>!<br /><br />After much thought and deliberation, I decided my best bet was the Eyre Wrap. It requires no pattern looking, and there is no way on earth that I will finish it and need to start another project. <br /><br />The Eyre Wrap is my own adaptation of the Bridesmaid Wrap in Suss Cousins' book <span style="font-style:italic;">Wedding Knits<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Wedding-Knits-Handmade-Gifts-Member/dp/0307346404"></a></span>. The pattern called for a very thin yarn to be knit on very large needles. I tried it. I tried it 4 times over the past 3 years or so with different yarns. I really did not enjoy trying to knit lace on size 11 needles. What should have been a fairly brain-free knitting project (1x1 rib for forever and a day) was horrid...also, the pattern called for the sleeves to be knit flat and seamed in. As anyone who knows me may remember, I hate seaming things up! The pattern kept going back in the queue and the yarns were repurposed.<br /><br />Sister gave me a craft store gift for my birthday (thank you), and I found some <a href="http://www.caron.com/color_cards/cc_simplysoft_collection.html">Caron Simply Soft in Pagoda</a>. It was the exact color I was looking for to make a drapey wrappy cardigany thing. Since I was gonna make it up as I went, I didn't want to spend a ton on yarn...so was willing to go with an acrylic. (I have used this yarn before for experiment projects...reasonably priced and nice to work with.) When I was drawing up the design, I kept coming back to a version of the Bridesmaid Wrap. The yarn's gauge was the same as the patterns, only the yarn was thicker so it wouldn't be a pain like the lace. This wrap should look similar to the original pattern, just less airy and lacy. (And I was actually wanting a cozier wrap anyway.)<br /><br />But what about the piecing? Well, thanks to <a href="http://www.knitandtonic.typepad.com/">Wendy Barnard</a> and her book/blog/patterns, I am confident in my ability to pick up the sleeves from the armscye and knit them down in the round...so we will see how that goes.Megan Doreenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03499780165185888883noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9051870931741510270.post-3221685697397155832010-12-13T16:30:00.000-06:002010-12-14T11:40:34.377-06:00Raiding the Gift StashOn Halloween, some of my staff members decided to dress up as lumberjacks. They had boots, they had plaid shirts, they had 5 o clock shadows...they even had elastic to make fake suspenders. What did they still need? The iconic lumberjack beanie! What did I have lots of in my gift stash? The iconic lumberjack beanie!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgVI3GuXRRK1l_ipjGyB2uy20GQ12QkFWJ8tfHByddpvAkWWZb5jnshc2VC5qwdNkU_RDZGbe0Y7vwKZspmz5bad0icS6OdfvjFS8QSwQeVMQhDkOyyXHPWfcQkw1Lrl0d4y6T_eGeVd4/s1600/IMG_1180.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 273px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgVI3GuXRRK1l_ipjGyB2uy20GQ12QkFWJ8tfHByddpvAkWWZb5jnshc2VC5qwdNkU_RDZGbe0Y7vwKZspmz5bad0icS6OdfvjFS8QSwQeVMQhDkOyyXHPWfcQkw1Lrl0d4y6T_eGeVd4/s320/IMG_1180.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550593276581374354" /></a><br /><br />(That battle axe that Arty AD is holding was found in the residence hall's magic closet, dubbed Narnia. Seriously...it is like Mary Poppins' carpet bag...whenever we need something, anything, we go look in Narnia...and it is ALWAYS there! Now if I could only convince Narnia to function like a yarn shop...)Megan Doreenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03499780165185888883noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9051870931741510270.post-14325992573174530692010-12-11T16:28:00.004-06:002010-12-14T11:33:14.185-06:00Commissions and CrunchesIn addition to knitting projects for my own enjoyment, I completed several commission projects this semester as well.<br /><br />HeeBee Beret:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_xXFLR3ePeV_eO95KsfBls-X2m7IwM4BV_lMzh0udiQaLq5nUZ3lmUoJmtd-rMPbOGAVt2HLBGmzwvQUYQelxujzqJCeR27Rl6kUSYxnOu2RBIfBR0R-3El_MImN596BIPLyeWVKclQs/s1600/IMG_1136.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 120px; height: 160px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_xXFLR3ePeV_eO95KsfBls-X2m7IwM4BV_lMzh0udiQaLq5nUZ3lmUoJmtd-rMPbOGAVt2HLBGmzwvQUYQelxujzqJCeR27Rl6kUSYxnOu2RBIfBR0R-3El_MImN596BIPLyeWVKclQs/s320/IMG_1136.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550584080126265394" /></a>One of my Resident Assistants, HeeBee, really liked the berets that I had made for myself. She asked if I could make her one in purples and greys. Berets being nearly as fast as beanies, I agreed. I made it out of <a href="http://www.knitpicks.com/yarns/Imagination_Hand_Painted_Sock_Yarn__D5420173.html">KnitPicks Imagination in Arabian Nights.</a> She really liked it, and received a ton of compliments!<br /><br />Flame Beret {Photo Pending}:<br />One of the people who really liked HeeBee's beret was her really good friend Flame. Flame asked if I would make her a beret as well. She picked a yarn that I had in the stash. It was a jewel tone variegated Hacho from <a href="http://www.mirasolperu.com">Mirasol Peru</a>. (The yarn has been discontinued...so I bought scads of it in various colors on clearance at <a href="http://www.yourknittingplace.com/">Knit This Purl That</a>...LOVE THIS YARN!!!) Flame is classically beautiful in an old Hollywood sort of way. She looked great in the beret. <br /><br />Dr. and Mrs. Boss Socks:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijnhNmMUJJbPrBDdmHLawzLd-7s1wyK7OCq0Me0T32B8EiEyKKPUfQBZRhC_e3l_4TezRJXt-L4i-XhRIKSzocoIVvcAupWujBfmMGM75njhcEzOQcTvJ4EnMHexmdD_jdvKrccklYmzo/s1600/IMG_1024.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 122px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijnhNmMUJJbPrBDdmHLawzLd-7s1wyK7OCq0Me0T32B8EiEyKKPUfQBZRhC_e3l_4TezRJXt-L4i-XhRIKSzocoIVvcAupWujBfmMGM75njhcEzOQcTvJ4EnMHexmdD_jdvKrccklYmzo/s200/IMG_1024.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550591142318540386" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1sDOsBMhhmzrxsrRGpy15D3aRyEpovZYGyHhFic4LAzrM9lKCrSV-PnE8YvHkHbXJOQGm85pIoeicKdhv08SA64h-QoCZSFbP4NH1ieIG3s97A6LxcE8JChSWn_hSpjpOOKtipCwBwJA/s1600/IMG_1109.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 152px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1sDOsBMhhmzrxsrRGpy15D3aRyEpovZYGyHhFic4LAzrM9lKCrSV-PnE8YvHkHbXJOQGm85pIoeicKdhv08SA64h-QoCZSFbP4NH1ieIG3s97A6LxcE8JChSWn_hSpjpOOKtipCwBwJA/s200/IMG_1109.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550591361948528594" /></a><a href="http://superknitter.blogspot.com/2010/09/commission-socks.html">As previously blogged</a>, Dr. Boss commissioned a couple of pairs of socks. Things got a little hairy with both pairs because I was using a self striping yarn. I am a little uptight, and had determined that the stripes on both pairs had to match perfectly. It was a bit of a headache, but worth it in the end. Overall Mrs. Dr. Boss's socks were a breeze. Lovely football knitting. Lovely airplane knitting as well. Dr. Boss's socks, on the other hand, not as joyous.(Note to self: Man Socks take FOREVER. I thought I would never finish those boogers.) I was very concerned that I was going to run out of yarn. In the end both pairs turned out beautifully, and were appreciated by their recipients.<br /><br /><br />A Capella Beanie and Scarf {Photo Pending}:<br />Sister has a really good friend that I met when I was visiting out there. SNC was heading up to Chicago for a <a href="http://www.sncmusic.com/">Straight No Chaser</a> concert...I think it is about the 1000th she has gone to. Chicago = Cold. SNC knew I knit (how could she not, I was doing it constantly while I was there) and asked if I could make her a plum hat and scarf. I took a pattern that I have been developing (The Hypothetical Beanie) and converted it into a scarf pattern, and made the matching beanie. I really liked the way they turned out. Hopefully SNC did as well.<br /><br />A Couple of the projects I made for others can only be called Crunches! They were last minute, looming deadline, oh no I totally need to get these done NOW!!!<br /><br />Wedding Knitting {No Photo, Cause They Are Gifts}:<br />BFF's younger sister is getting married this next week. I had asked her <span style="font-style:italic;">months</span> ago what her kitchen colors were so that I could knit her dishcloths. But...then I kept postponing making them. Fast forward to last week. One of my residents goes to church with BFF's parents in Houston, and had agreed to act as my own personal UPS truck. She was going to take BFF's Christmas presents home with her at the end of the semester...WHOOPS! I had less than a week to get the wedding dishcloths done! Ack! Luckily they are quick knits...I made up 2 <a href="http://superknitter.blogspot.com/2009/06/movie-theater-dishcloth-1.html">Movie Theater Dishcloths I</a>...finishing them the night before they had to leave town! That was cutting it a wee bit close. I hope she likes them!<br /><br />Argyle Beanie:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg635Ic7zTpFRF2uVldNGNm-JwGreFBFEGZOcbYKSbXD6D2e6tG4uNAIZthuiMgP34ub8dtiZ0pHIpAWi_9mMLBu30djXokh_X7VkGDz3_oeC-GBOg2WA_cZm_rx3pvhxjQzPzq27tPasE/s1600/photo%25283%2529-1.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 180px; height: 220px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg635Ic7zTpFRF2uVldNGNm-JwGreFBFEGZOcbYKSbXD6D2e6tG4uNAIZthuiMgP34ub8dtiZ0pHIpAWi_9mMLBu30djXokh_X7VkGDz3_oeC-GBOg2WA_cZm_rx3pvhxjQzPzq27tPasE/s320/photo%25283%2529-1.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550585259376964050" /></a>Argyle, one of my fellow RDs, is spending part of the winter break in Washington, D.C. It gets quite cold there, and Argyle does NOT like being cold. We were standing in the main office discussing holiday plans, when he turned to me and asked me if I had any spare beanies in my gift stash, and if so how much they cost. I told him that I certainly did, and quoted him a price. He pulled out the cash and said he wanted a grey or black one. I took the cash and went back to my apartment, where to my horror I realized that the grey beanie I thought was in the stash had actually been used as an emergency birthday gift a month or so earlier. OH NO! I took money under false pretenses! Luckily for me, I had dark grey yarn languishing in my stash. I cast on a version of the Knox beanie on a Thursday afternoon, and finished it before bed that night. It was a close call though...Megan Doreenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03499780165185888883noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9051870931741510270.post-25530320832678239682010-12-09T21:30:00.004-06:002010-12-10T12:00:20.626-06:00CompletionsI have been VERY productive this semester, as mentioned previously. Here are a few of the things I have finished. (This is not a complete rundown, since some of the projects were commissions, which I will talk about tomorrow, or are Christmas gifts, which I will show you after the holiday!)<br /><br />Three Towers:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinYGv5-1eSrKcG9igDN_zQ3tYjfn7TVY0r0ZpI3wawOb40H-B0ujD8f6dKcoNkRaCS-S_XV2TqAS7zdounsb-mgp2tGaIfKlH5IClszDgiz4oAc64n50fMuCJ12qlQCP4QScdT1S-_Xko/s1600/IMG_1148.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 239px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinYGv5-1eSrKcG9igDN_zQ3tYjfn7TVY0r0ZpI3wawOb40H-B0ujD8f6dKcoNkRaCS-S_XV2TqAS7zdounsb-mgp2tGaIfKlH5IClszDgiz4oAc64n50fMuCJ12qlQCP4QScdT1S-_Xko/s320/IMG_1148.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548885266584919666" /></a>A few months ago I was ordering yarn from KnitPicks and needed to spend another $3 in order to get free shipping...so I ordered a ball of <a href="http://www.knitpicks.com/yarns/Swish_DK_Yarn__D5420168.html">Swish DK Yarn</a> in Merriwether...a color they don't seem to have anymore. When it arrived, I realized that it was almost the same color as Sister's eyes, and decided use it to make a beret for her. I had come across a stitch pattern that looked like the Eiffel Tower. Since Sister and I visited Paris together, I thought it would be fun to try and incorporate that into my standard beret. The result? The Three Towers. <br /><br />Grimm Scarf:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia5fwvwJORYpaWnyXWLpUkla41BJhgoySXQ-W3T0dgjRFcNSb4aO4EnSF02vfTU7uuHU3FKvsdBu6JlX9ED5nVQzfKq4lmJAe1g_nErtP7In6ER8IH_aO6TEjlhHo7wlM2dwZtjlKp71g/s1600/photo%25284%2529.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia5fwvwJORYpaWnyXWLpUkla41BJhgoySXQ-W3T0dgjRFcNSb4aO4EnSF02vfTU7uuHU3FKvsdBu6JlX9ED5nVQzfKq4lmJAe1g_nErtP7In6ER8IH_aO6TEjlhHo7wlM2dwZtjlKp71g/s320/photo%25284%2529.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548885562508153378" /></a>I had initially hoped to submit the pattern for my blood and shadows scarf to KnitPicks. Who knows? I still might. In order to do so, I needed to knit a version of it out of one of their yarns. I bought a skein of the <a href="http://www.knitpicks.com/yarns/Imagination_Hand_Painted_Sock_Yarn__D5420173.html">Imagination Hand Painted Sock Yarn</a> in Wicked Witch. I also decided that the scarf pattern needed a new name. Since the original scarf was made as an homage to vampire literature, I knew I wanted a name that was dark. At the same time, I wanted to tie the name into the fantasy nature of the yarn colourways. How handy that some of the best fairy tales were written by the Brothers <span style="font-style:italic;">Grimm</span>. I finished the scarf while I was in Kentucky a few weeks ago. <br /><br />Shrug:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLQI_6JztG8Ts34s7Rk8hJH6mw7p04qrX07H0X_gKu5l59qmP_9yfWM17NJuJbsHQr0vfd90kjNp_H77NXOhgzmi6k36Ujh7yYw111rJAJBqekziDCdCSyFbI36Ve00B1DW-jEcEcETc4/s1600/IMG_1195.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 182px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLQI_6JztG8Ts34s7Rk8hJH6mw7p04qrX07H0X_gKu5l59qmP_9yfWM17NJuJbsHQr0vfd90kjNp_H77NXOhgzmi6k36Ujh7yYw111rJAJBqekziDCdCSyFbI36Ve00B1DW-jEcEcETc4/s320/IMG_1195.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548889016343906466" /></a>I made myself a shrug out of <a href="http://www.knitpicks.com/yarns/Shamrock_Yarn__D5420154.html">KnitPicks Shamrock yarn in Campbell</a>. I LOVED working with this yarn. The color changes in it kept the knitting interesting, even though the pattern was the single most brainless project I think I have ever done! The pattern was the free <a href="http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/90687AD.html?noImages=">Lion Brand Stockinette Shrug</a>. I've linked to it, but it may require a membership to view. It is a REALLY easy pattern. You knit a really long rectangle with ribbing at each end, and then seam up the sides. It is crazy. And I think it is very flattering. (Also, it is very warm...being Shetland wool and all...)<br /><br />Clementine Cardi:<br />I sort of almost finished this one. But I am still mad at it. No pictures until I get to Washington.<br /><br />Colton Scarf:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLv9JUGDGuVYWlhG_bIWO0PUThn4lwblIVTOPcg5vNgOJdowXsBYKhP8pWbkIgmAyRiW7y-5XxANNZKELujGf47VZypr-HjMWheF2ZioW9TIbO_1K9hKc6t9kljn_nqpfj-nPyRwO-wzg/s1600/photo%25283%2529.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 246px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLv9JUGDGuVYWlhG_bIWO0PUThn4lwblIVTOPcg5vNgOJdowXsBYKhP8pWbkIgmAyRiW7y-5XxANNZKELujGf47VZypr-HjMWheF2ZioW9TIbO_1K9hKc6t9kljn_nqpfj-nPyRwO-wzg/s320/photo%25283%2529.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548889197123133970" /></a>After I finished the Baby^3 Blanket, I had odd amounts of the various yarns left over. What to do? What to do? And then it hit me...make a version of the scarf that goes with everything! I did a 2x2 ribbed scarf, changing yarns at random points throughout. It came out beautifully. I'm giving it to BFF for Christmas so that she can match the baby! (I'm pretty sure she doesn't read the blog, so I feel perfectly safe posting it here...)I think that this is a really great way to use up the stash as well. I have lots of little teeny tiny scrap balls that are just begging to be scarfed up!Megan Doreenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03499780165185888883noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9051870931741510270.post-39196876982974423702010-12-07T16:22:00.003-06:002010-12-07T16:22:00.058-06:00On Becoming a Sports FanI can honestly say that I have attended more sporting events this semester than the rest of my life combined. And I have definitely watched more football! (I actually understand the game now!) The advantage to having so much school spirit...aside from getting paid to...was that it offered numerous opportunities to knit.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijiIvvy_ApbWKxvRCGisSZlJf5GXjWpPSzbIWGcEDHEOAxc-FgqM2AAKM26jOPtDD7CdEvaRVv4ZawxmIOOM294DoEFy_zhrKqQ-F8BRWiDkZm3Giys7TFYUgAOFIzqcQ6cAd6l3A7oAM/s1600/IMG_1034.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijiIvvy_ApbWKxvRCGisSZlJf5GXjWpPSzbIWGcEDHEOAxc-FgqM2AAKM26jOPtDD7CdEvaRVv4ZawxmIOOM294DoEFy_zhrKqQ-F8BRWiDkZm3Giys7TFYUgAOFIzqcQ6cAd6l3A7oAM/s200/IMG_1034.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547983723348314370" /></a>I knit at intramural games...in the stands, and on the sidelines.<br /><br />I knit at ACU football games.<br /><br />I knit at volleyball games.<br /><br />I knit at soccer games.<br /><br />After the first game or so, people stopped staring. They simply didn't notice that I was doing anything out of the ordinary. Instead, on the rare occasion I wasn't knitting, they would notice I was idle and ask where my knitting was!<br /><br />So, what was the most exciting thing that happened during this strange journey into jock-dom? I got a concussion. I got a concussion without even participating <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIu45X84nNwnx2vO5H3rsY5Kv4kqA3clElXNnf3LDYWDILsHgMQzIHKLmLTxRZBr_wh-QfoE5elMCq3Zp6NJZRP7yLpvpnOdS-KscNwz7Ac6uXocZ-Y2KQpg_MBjHlzjexYC4jBMaTLRA/s1600/IMG_1165.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 186px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIu45X84nNwnx2vO5H3rsY5Kv4kqA3clElXNnf3LDYWDILsHgMQzIHKLmLTxRZBr_wh-QfoE5elMCq3Zp6NJZRP7yLpvpnOdS-KscNwz7Ac6uXocZ-Y2KQpg_MBjHlzjexYC4jBMaTLRA/s200/IMG_1165.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547984765311323218" /></a>I was sitting on the bleachers at a McKinzie Skull Caps intramural football game (they are our brother hall). I saw the McKinzie RD had arrived, and decided to go say hello. I stepped sideways off the bleacher. I thought the footrest extended out a bit past the seat. I was wrong. I missed the step, landed on the side of my foot and went over backwards...hitting the back of my head (hard) on the ground. The residents I had been talking to were worried. They helped me up and asked if I was ok. Then one of their boyfriends started laughing. They stared at him, since that was not an appropriate response...till he explained, and we all started laughing. See, I had been knitting a sock. The ball of yarn was in the pocket of my hoodie, and I had the circulars in my hand. When I fell over backwards, I had instinctively lifted my hands to keep my yarn from getting dirty, and somehow managed the whole thing without even dropping a stitch. He couldn't believe that I had tried to save the knitting rather than myself. (Clearly! I mean, a gal has to have priorities. My head would heal...the sock may not have!)<br /><br />I am already looking forward to next season...knitting and sports! Who would have thought they were so compatible?Megan Doreenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03499780165185888883noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9051870931741510270.post-22180015053814512762010-12-05T16:24:00.003-06:002010-12-06T13:07:24.326-06:00Gardner Hall Intramural Knitting TeamWhen I came back to ACU, I decided to resurrect an old program that I had done when I was an RA here. I used to have a community service group called Team Tabitha. I taught the girls on Team Tabitha traditional domestic skills, with their first project being a service project. (We did baking, and took cookies to the firefighters in town. We did flower arrangements, and took them to nursing homes. I taught knitting, and they donated their scarves to the homeless.)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglekHoXfBWrV-7I5gj37cCcSkncbOC-sX6KlXzdfLZNs5PtE4OTsqqnEoBoE8riUz-3rO9B-heN24hq1BvmA0n7R37OIMn_JBWL6S8qqYZ1ipRoY69KUTQO_foptgsNnY6Aytw7SwGGPQ/s1600/knittingproof1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 162px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglekHoXfBWrV-7I5gj37cCcSkncbOC-sX6KlXzdfLZNs5PtE4OTsqqnEoBoE8riUz-3rO9B-heN24hq1BvmA0n7R37OIMn_JBWL6S8qqYZ1ipRoY69KUTQO_foptgsNnY6Aytw7SwGGPQ/s320/knittingproof1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547642781236918610" /></a><br />This year, I revamped the program. We created the Gardner Hall Intramural Knitting Team. I ordered team tshirts. The girls started calling our get togethers "meets". We met once a week. I taught them simple knitting, and offered them service hours if they donated their scarves to homeless ministries. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJTY85ebm8wGXE1N7bZadEstVe-fNub2kFJ9Y1emdAGuuAMcjx0eaZuFG0ko5oizR_XJxkJXDm170VCsjgqYdOq5BiFcIqtD81zuE6LihO36EPL34OX8dgk47o9rIyUyyhdxNQXfUuDnU/s1600/IMG_1005.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJTY85ebm8wGXE1N7bZadEstVe-fNub2kFJ9Y1emdAGuuAMcjx0eaZuFG0ko5oizR_XJxkJXDm170VCsjgqYdOq5BiFcIqtD81zuE6LihO36EPL34OX8dgk47o9rIyUyyhdxNQXfUuDnU/s200/IMG_1005.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547645101605323938" /></a><br />45 girls came to the first "meet". Attendance varied after that...anywhere from 3-30 residents in any given week. I started seeing girls knitting in the lobby, at football games, in the campus center. It is epic. And really, that may have been an underlying motive in starting the team. See, I don't look as strange or odd when I am constantly knitting at events around campus anymore because there are a lot of people randomly knitting. Instead of trying to blend in with the "normals"...I have proselytized...creating more "quirks".<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH0iebWhaY8R02oLc_yCRMmyeugwkUj0prWXd3AQ-WBVkEA8jtZlyjWYlB3-Kf7jiZkowFVoLMCU_elVF14h7YVd9k_OVWeEF8-5SMispbcELtjh5rEitEqQwxdLaQ8oDyVfI5ENIarGg/s1600/IMG_1088-1.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH0iebWhaY8R02oLc_yCRMmyeugwkUj0prWXd3AQ-WBVkEA8jtZlyjWYlB3-Kf7jiZkowFVoLMCU_elVF14h7YVd9k_OVWeEF8-5SMispbcELtjh5rEitEqQwxdLaQ8oDyVfI5ENIarGg/s200/IMG_1088-1.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547645740794685090" /></a><br />Once the tshirts came in, guys wanted in on it. Officially I have 7 guys on the knitting team...in that they ordered shirts. I have only seen 3 actually pick up needles.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI54GMFoYlDbgHbtDt5k4wLDuPlkQwnhE8UTo-lSCJMeemZ2S-HnbW2km6l5Hf-48hpsxIYG5Wlp9TXkLiDtQ0s3Fw5VGzM0FuNPv7Wnes0KCsik05JB6naHo0DExijLOLiEZVLP1alLc/s1600/IMG_1149.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI54GMFoYlDbgHbtDt5k4wLDuPlkQwnhE8UTo-lSCJMeemZ2S-HnbW2km6l5Hf-48hpsxIYG5Wlp9TXkLiDtQ0s3Fw5VGzM0FuNPv7Wnes0KCsik05JB6naHo0DExijLOLiEZVLP1alLc/s200/IMG_1149.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547646125964895250" /></a><br />I have had residents come knock on my door at 10 o'clock at night...holding their needles and yarn tentatively in front of them, with huge eyes..."I did something wrong! Can you fix it?" I have fixed more dropped stitches and knots this semester than the previous several years combined. (The really exciting oopses happen when my lefties come to have me fix stuff.)<br /><br />I have also had crocheters come to me for help, and more than a few hand sewing emergency help requests as well. I am getting quite the reputation for handiness!<br /><br />So far a lot of my residents have completed their first scarves. Some have gone on to knit more for Christmas presents out of "fancy" yarns. A couple have even learned how to purl, or knit in the round. It has been, by far, the most popular hall program this semester. I can't wait till next semester to see what they come up with!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjetN_ED6GjkMxWTfW4QlMgTXj4GUGH2PY3xrCS0SLxkrQWFy3vq0rd2bscb7d2KVVt4PfXvx69qOerVc5TZfDWHkhktX9xq4JOyNllKVDrhANu5Y27OXjZ7zvtsIeUODBDwiCNSsGkxas/s1600/DSCN3396.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjetN_ED6GjkMxWTfW4QlMgTXj4GUGH2PY3xrCS0SLxkrQWFy3vq0rd2bscb7d2KVVt4PfXvx69qOerVc5TZfDWHkhktX9xq4JOyNllKVDrhANu5Y27OXjZ7zvtsIeUODBDwiCNSsGkxas/s200/DSCN3396.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547647056239355378" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlvilKWH4R1Ue7Y8hMsuR6ACk28CKBc7AkAR6rJ3_5veE_DL97nW9wg9_AF3S6TnmyvjrS_wBvJTky5Igqq_V2813WjPTEabSiu9xUD_dUYMHPwIBuSwGyLX1FO_qnU8rB4B-wiA6QdIw/s1600/DSCN3390.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlvilKWH4R1Ue7Y8hMsuR6ACk28CKBc7AkAR6rJ3_5veE_DL97nW9wg9_AF3S6TnmyvjrS_wBvJTky5Igqq_V2813WjPTEabSiu9xUD_dUYMHPwIBuSwGyLX1FO_qnU8rB4B-wiA6QdIw/s200/DSCN3390.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547647049161305362" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifiDvPq_e_eu1bnTZJTyDs6z2GtLf96QBBRQT2o7vhzs9U2ByiXXW1-sRwfdbExvYLAW-YnvtoHdEBRnu7nzdDaty01H_swnGPacH1NGHrrcrVoUp_CiLp4lYE87IsT1I49BGu3DnO_1M/s1600/DSCN3389.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifiDvPq_e_eu1bnTZJTyDs6z2GtLf96QBBRQT2o7vhzs9U2ByiXXW1-sRwfdbExvYLAW-YnvtoHdEBRnu7nzdDaty01H_swnGPacH1NGHrrcrVoUp_CiLp4lYE87IsT1I49BGu3DnO_1M/s200/DSCN3389.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547647046096901138" /></a>Megan Doreenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03499780165185888883noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9051870931741510270.post-34246646320514038372010-12-03T22:30:00.009-06:002010-12-03T23:33:22.194-06:00Clementine Cardigan: The Continuing Saga<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6bXnQqH8mtZ6pGw9vXFZXl4D6t-uNKlK0UHkpdjmtzZYGUvJZNUJINH3TO3ClEqNT7S30LxBcGJ_myX6w_ayTUhjOXG0P4PqhCxLQdUBkNRG9913IZJH0pyKO3DwDlbGOz6VgfiXqYEA/s1600/IMG_0994.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 175px; height: 175px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6bXnQqH8mtZ6pGw9vXFZXl4D6t-uNKlK0UHkpdjmtzZYGUvJZNUJINH3TO3ClEqNT7S30LxBcGJ_myX6w_ayTUhjOXG0P4PqhCxLQdUBkNRG9913IZJH0pyKO3DwDlbGOz6VgfiXqYEA/s320/IMG_0994.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5546685846720214130" /></a>Previously in posts about the Clementine Cardigan: <a href="http://superknitter.blogspot.com/2010/09/clementine-cardi.html">I found a typo in the pattern, after reknitting the collar SEVERAL times</a>. Then, I discovered that the <a href="http://superknitter.blogspot.com/2010/09/fuzzy-math.html">pattern didn't call for enough yarn, and had a mini panic attack before ordering 450 more yards</a> from <a href="http://www.knitpicks.com">KnitPicks</a>...<br /><br />And now, the rest of the story...thus far...<br /><br />After ordering the supplemental yarn, I set the offending cardigan aside, and worked on something far less frustrating. A week or so later the yarn arrived, but I was still mad at the sweater, so I put the yarn on the shelf and ignored it for a while. (Which was actually kind of sad. It wasn't the sweater's fault, after all. It was the pattern designer's.)<br /><br />Eventually I did pick it back up. I joined my new yarn on, and finished the body and the button bands. I picked up the stitches for the right sleeve. I knit down the sleeve. I completed the sleeve and looked at the amount of yarn I had left.<br /><br />YOU'VE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME!!!! I AM NOT GOING TO HAVE ENOUGH YARN TO FINISH THE SECOND SLEEVE!!!! WHAT IS THIS THING? THE BLACK HOLE OF YARN??!!!???<br /><br />At this point the entire sweater and needles and pattern went flying across the living room, and I burst into tears. I would have cursed at the sweater designer had I not been a good Christian girl. (As it is, I may have wished some horrible yarn tangles on her...)<br /><br />Once again I called KnitPicks. Once again they shipped me more yarn. (Bless you KnitPicks telephone operators. You are little rays of light in a dark hole of knitting despair!)<br /><br />I ordered 3 more skeins, since that is how many it would take to finish the second sleeve.<br /><br />The new yarn came, and the second sleeve was finished. (By the way, please note that the pattern called for 950 yards of yarn. By the time I was finished with it I had ordered a total of 1650 yards of the <a href="http://www.knitpicks.com/yarns/Shine_Worsted_Yarn__D5420140.html">Shine Worsted</a>...and I have, exactly, 23 yards left over.)<br /><br />And yet, that is not the last frustration with the sweater from...ahem...well, you know where...<br /><br />I live in such a podunk little town in West Texas now, that I cannot find a single store that has 12 matching buttons to sew to this stupid thing! <br /><br />Seriously? <br /><br />I guess I will go button shopping when I am in WA at Christmas. Until then, I see no earthly reason why I should weave in my ends. The sweater doesn't deserve to have its ends woven in. It can just wear the tails in shame. The stinking ends can stinking wait till I'm stinking home. <br /><br />I'm not even going to dignify it with a photo at this point.Megan Doreenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03499780165185888883noreply@blogger.com0