Casting On

I’ve been behind on posting FOs. I have 2 that I finished in NH and one that I finished today (ok, I’m not behind on that one).

Pattern: Los Monos Locos / The Crazy Monkeys by Jennifer O’Sullivan
Yarn: Knit Picks Memories in Yukon
Needles: Addi Turbo Size 1 40 inch
Finished: August 4, 2008

This was my first project I finished at the lake.  I really didn’t like the Eye of the Partridge heel.  I don’t think I’ll be using it again.   But I do like how the monkey pattern came out.

Next…

Pattern:  Calorimetry by Kathryn Schoendorf
Yarn: Brown Sheep Handpaint Originals in Mountains Majesty
Needles: Knit Picks Options Size 6
Finished: August 5, 2008

I dropped down 2 needle sizes for this one.  If I had done a gauge swatch, I could have dropped down one more, but I didn’t have enough yarn.  Nor was I going to frog back mohair.  It turned out fine, but it could have been a little smaller.

And bringing up the rear…

Pattern: Star Crossed Slouchy Beret by Natalie Larson
Yarn: Malabrigo Yarn Merino Worsted
Needles: Clover Size 10 DPNs and Knit Picks Options Size 11
Finished: August 29, 2008

You know when you see a pattern on Ravelry and you just have to knit it?  That’s how I was with this one.  I even when out to the new yarn store in Branford to get a solid color, but they only had lace weight (that trip will be in tomorrow’s post).  So I found in my stash some Malabrigo that I used for a Clapotis.  If I was to make this pattern again, I would not use a variegated yarn.  This yarn doesn’t show the random cables are star crown that well, but the hat fits great and feels like a dream.

Tags: hats, socks

With 35 minutes to spare before the closing ceremonies, may I present my Toe Up Jaywalkers.

Pattern: Toe Up Jaywalkers by Natalia Knits
Yarn: Cherry Tree Hill Supersock Merino in Jewels
Needles: Addi Turbo Size 1 40 inch
Finished: August 23, 2008 @ 11:24 AM EDT
Mods: I had to frog back the heel extension a couple of times because it was too long. I ended up using a modification similar to the one TheWool13 used on hers. I started the gusset at 5 1/4 inches. I kept 26 stitches between the markers and 16 at each side. I picked up 16 stitches for the heel flap.

And I’ll proudly show off my medal.

Tags: ravelympics2008, socks

I think it’s called being a glutton for punishment.  I wonder why I torture myself like this.  So here’s my swatch for SotS III.

I’m reusing the yarn from SotS II and the beads from SotS I.  Since I’ve failed miserably at the first 2, I’m determined to finish this one.

Tags: shawl

Since we moved in May last year, this was the first year we were able to take advantage of the large garden plot in our backyard.  We planted tomatoes, beans, peppers, eggplant (which some animal got), cucumbers, pumpkins zucchini and squash.  Everything is doing ok, but the squash has really taken off.

We have 2 more plants about this size and 5 more smaller ones.  There’s already some squash ready to be picked.

Notice the supervising beagle.  This is what I picked yesterday.

So, does anyone have any good squash and zucchini recipes?  I usually just grill it with a spice mixture, but I’ll be up for anything different.

Tags: garden, squash

Did you ever have that item where you wished something was slightly different about it and you knew you could fix it when you had the time? That was me with the Forest Canopy Shawl. It was just not long enough for my taste. I had enough yarn left over to add more repeats in. It was just finding the time to frog back to where I needed to. The past week I managed to do that. Minus some false starts, I added 2 more repeats in. But I had to forgo 2 repeats of finishing and I had to use a regular bind off. But it’s back on the blocking board.

My new blocking board is a 12 inch foam square that breaks down into 3 inch squares that I found at the dollar store. The blocking wire is 16mm floral wire thanks to a Ravelry tip. If you look at the before and after pictures, you’ll notice that the points are not as pronounced on the second version. It’s the trade I had to make for the length and I think I will get more use out of it at the longer length.

Tags: blocking, shawl

Today I finished the first of my toe up monkey socks and casted on the second. I added an extra 1/2 inch on the cuff and used the Elizabeth Zimmermann’s sewn bind off. The sock is slightly tight. I had planned on buying a pair of sock blockers at Rhinebeck this year, but now I’m not sure if I can wait that long.

Tags: socks, wip wednesday

Last night I went to a talk and book signing by the co-author/photographer of Shear Spirit, Gale Zucker.  She talked about her travels across the country from farm to farm exploring each farms’ distinctive fiber.  Even though Gale is a member of the Snb that I attend, I was really happy I made the trip to RJ Julia Booksellers to see her.

I got out to Madison early enough to stop by Madison Wool and pick up some very yummy sock yarn.

Tags: books, stash

So this is what they mean by a dog day afternoon. Sasha does not like this weather. I would have liked to take her for a walk, but 1. it was too hot for her and 2. the closest mailbox is .8 miles away. Did the post office decide to do away with mailboxes? Or was mailboxes in residential areas just a Jersey thing? I got spoiled living on a main road for so long.

Blog status update- Today I was able to transfer my posts from my previous blog over here. I learned that I will have to go over each post and see where the pictures are located. While doing that I can update the tags and catagories. I also put the content in the sidebars that I wanted including 2 new widgets, one for Netflix and one for GoodReads.

Tags: sasha

I hath found the missing 10th Circle from the Divine Comedy that Dante missed. It’s called Applied i-cord. Knitters sit in this circle and all they do is put i-cord around a sweater. And since this circle is located below the devil, it is extra hot down there.

If anyone guesses what neglected project this is, I will give them a cookie.

As for the new blog format, I will be replacing the image once I have something more suitable. I’ve have some work to do on the sidebars and incorporate Ravelry in, but at least I got it started.

The good news of the day- the pressure in both my eyes was 11.  It hasn’t been that low since…well, I don’t know, but it’s been a very long time.

The bad news of the day- my dvd player does not play DVD-RW discs.  Damn.  Now I’ve gotta get more DVD-Rs.

Tags: sweater

Wow, March was my last post.  A lot has happened since March.  Things I’ve remember, things I’ve forgotten, things I wish I could forget.  Life has gotten in the way.  January One made this great post about the declining in knitbloging in general.  I can’t say that Ravelry is the cause for me, because I just logged into Ravelry for the first time in I don’t know how long today.  I guess with everything going on, I needed a break.

I haven’t been knitting much except for a baby blanket for my sister-in-law.  And I didn’t even take a picture of it before I gave it to her.  I really just picked up the needles this past week.  I’ve decided that I’m not starting anything new.  I’m finishing or frogging what I have in my to-do box.  Once I get through that, then I’ll think about what’s next.

I’ve decided to start a clean slate for myself.    I’ve been wanting to change the way my blog looks for awhile now.  I’m just not into the cutesy color scheme and layout anymore.   You may have noticed that the actual web address of my blog is marlasite.com/castingon.  Since I really don’t use marlasite except for castingon, I’ve bought hosting service for castingon and will not renew the hosting for marlasite.  From this point on, all my new post will be at www.castingon.net (once it’s set up).  I will post a reminder post on August 1st, but that’s it after that.  So make sure you update your bloglines (or whatever else you use).