Help fund a microloan to knitters in Bolivia!
(Once these knitters are fully funded, the javascript will show random other kiva entrepreneurs.)
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Monday, June 22, 2009
Converting diapers to yarn
I finally got a visit to the friend who's been receiving all these diapers I've been making. I brought along a pair of sweater shorties, with felted on decorations.
I took nearly a dozen diapers in two sizes, with doublers, plus some shorties/longies.
Here are some of the details on the cutest diapers:
My friend gave me a generous gift certificate for my birthday. It was good at the local yarn shop, which meant I had to spend it immediately, or never spend it. I willingly ran off to spend! I got my first skein of Malabrigo, plus some Earth Collection Homestead in natural colours, and 2 skeins of Mirasol Hacho sock yarn.
Ooh la la, lovely yarns!
I took nearly a dozen diapers in two sizes, with doublers, plus some shorties/longies.
Here are some of the details on the cutest diapers:
My friend gave me a generous gift certificate for my birthday. It was good at the local yarn shop, which meant I had to spend it immediately, or never spend it. I willingly ran off to spend! I got my first skein of Malabrigo, plus some Earth Collection Homestead in natural colours, and 2 skeins of Mirasol Hacho sock yarn.
Ooh la la, lovely yarns!
Houston, we have longies
After knitting through many troubles, I finally completed the longies from Yarn Pirate yarn. They've gone to their new baby owner and I hope they keep baby dry and warm next winter.
I originally knit the legs in the multi-colour yarn, and then switched to brown when that ran out. But then I had longies with cuffs that came above the knees, and that looked just plain dweeby. So I knit the legs by alternating colourful with brown yarn, with made the legs look much better, and I still had enough brown left for a 3-row cuff. The longies came out about an inch and a half shorter than I'd hoped.
I originally knit the legs in the multi-colour yarn, and then switched to brown when that ran out. But then I had longies with cuffs that came above the knees, and that looked just plain dweeby. So I knit the legs by alternating colourful with brown yarn, with made the legs look much better, and I still had enough brown left for a 3-row cuff. The longies came out about an inch and a half shorter than I'd hoped.
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Third time's a charm?
These longies will be utterly fabulous once they're done. They have to be. They've been nothing but trouble through the whole process. The first time they were too big and I was running out of yarn. I ripped them out and restarted them on a busy day full of commencement ceremonies. At some point in the process, I did a short row WRONG, and continued to repeat that error all through the longies. Only when I divided for the gusset did I notice that I was SEVEN STITCHES SHORT. That's when I realised I'd been doing the short rows as a k2tog, not as an encroachment. DUH. There's no recovering from that error, and I ripped them out and I'm working on them again. There were a few other downers, too, like leaving my knitting bag hanging in a bathroom stall at the commencement, and discovering the bag missing when I got home. By reviewing my pictures of the day, I could see at what point I was missing my bag, and returned back to the place to get the bag. I won't even get into the story of the bum on a bicycle who wouldn't leave me alone when all I wanted to do was work on the longies. I'll be actually seeing the baby shortly, hopefully they'll be done by then.
Thursday, June 04, 2009
Kiva!
This blog post is part of Zemanta's "Blogging For a Cause" campaign to raise awareness and funds for worthy causes that bloggers care about.
I've been meaning to blog about Kiva, and Zemanta's Blogging for a Cause campaign was a bit of a kick in the pants to actually post.
For mother's day this year, I asked for Kiva gift certificates, and my family gave me $50. Kiva is a microlending facilitator. People who have money to spare can lend money to people who could use a small boost. I was able to help fund a loan for a woman in Peru who makes knitwear and cheese, and runs a store. Kiva says: "With this loan of 2500 soles, to be repaid in four installments, she will invest in the purchase of barley, animals, and supplies to make foods to carry in her store." I also invested in a group of entrepreneurs in Bolivia. I may have been influenced into investing by the woman wearing a baby in a sling made of colourful Bolivian fabrics.
My daughter has invested her babysitting/dogsitting money in a noodle seller, and with a friend, has raised money through lemonade stands to make a few more investments.
Bonus! There's a Ravelry team, so you can feel part of a team as you help people.
These are loans to real people in real situations, and there is some risk, though the risk seems fairly low. But if the loan is repaid, then you get the money back and can invest again.
I've been meaning to blog about Kiva, and Zemanta's Blogging for a Cause campaign was a bit of a kick in the pants to actually post.
For mother's day this year, I asked for Kiva gift certificates, and my family gave me $50. Kiva is a microlending facilitator. People who have money to spare can lend money to people who could use a small boost. I was able to help fund a loan for a woman in Peru who makes knitwear and cheese, and runs a store. Kiva says: "With this loan of 2500 soles, to be repaid in four installments, she will invest in the purchase of barley, animals, and supplies to make foods to carry in her store." I also invested in a group of entrepreneurs in Bolivia. I may have been influenced into investing by the woman wearing a baby in a sling made of colourful Bolivian fabrics.
My daughter has invested her babysitting/dogsitting money in a noodle seller, and with a friend, has raised money through lemonade stands to make a few more investments.
Bonus! There's a Ravelry team, so you can feel part of a team as you help people.
These are loans to real people in real situations, and there is some risk, though the risk seems fairly low. But if the loan is repaid, then you get the money back and can invest again.
Monday, June 01, 2009
Stuck like a stuck thing
So I haven't been knitting lately, not much anyway. Mostly, I'm stuck. Here's a picture of many of the projects that are lurking about, unfinished. Not all of them have even made it to the blog, yet. There's so many of them that I can hardly start any new, but they're not progressing.
Starting at the left we have the St. Peter Port Stripes. A funny one to start with because they're not exactly stuck. Just slow moving. They're not holding my interest well, even though they're gorgeous.
Next are the spaghetti socks. Sadly, I think the heel area is too tight. It's something that's hard to tell when you try it on with just the heel done. As the socks get taller, it's more obvious that the short row heels are just too snug over the top of the foot. I'm so loathe to rip them out. Each heel is made with two strands of yellow yarn, and the yarn has been cut to the length of that heel. Knitting another heel will surely involve a different length of yarn. Thus, joining in the middle of a heel. I can't bring myself to face it.
Next are the Hiiumaa hybrids, which need to be ripped back. I'm a whuss about ripping back.
Next are two projects, one atop the other. The top are a pair of baby socks. They just need the ends woven in. I knit them for my new nephew. But they're thick and warm and it's, you know, almost summer. Below that is a cool mitten I started. I got mired.
Lastly, on the far right, my darling, my heartbreak. This is a pair of longies knit of the gorgeous Yarn Pirate yarn. It's not going well. See, I mixed up my numbers when I bought it, and I thought I was buying enough to make a pair of longies. I thought thirty bucks of yarn would make me a pair of longies. I'm not even knitting the largest size, and I'm going to run out of yarn before knitting much of the legs. I don't want shorties. I want longies. I'm going to have to rip them out and redo. Again, it upsets me because like the spaghetti socks, I've already cut the brown yarn. Now I'll have to cut it again for a different waistband for a smaller pair of longies. This means a possible join later. And no matter how nicely I work on my joins, they always show somehow. Spit joins, Russian joins, woven joins, woven-while-you-go joins, they all show up somehow. I do whatever I can to avoid joins. But I love the yarn. Love love love it.
Pretty kitty always shows up for pictures.
Starting at the left we have the St. Peter Port Stripes. A funny one to start with because they're not exactly stuck. Just slow moving. They're not holding my interest well, even though they're gorgeous.
Next are the spaghetti socks. Sadly, I think the heel area is too tight. It's something that's hard to tell when you try it on with just the heel done. As the socks get taller, it's more obvious that the short row heels are just too snug over the top of the foot. I'm so loathe to rip them out. Each heel is made with two strands of yellow yarn, and the yarn has been cut to the length of that heel. Knitting another heel will surely involve a different length of yarn. Thus, joining in the middle of a heel. I can't bring myself to face it.
Next are the Hiiumaa hybrids, which need to be ripped back. I'm a whuss about ripping back.
Next are two projects, one atop the other. The top are a pair of baby socks. They just need the ends woven in. I knit them for my new nephew. But they're thick and warm and it's, you know, almost summer. Below that is a cool mitten I started. I got mired.
Lastly, on the far right, my darling, my heartbreak. This is a pair of longies knit of the gorgeous Yarn Pirate yarn. It's not going well. See, I mixed up my numbers when I bought it, and I thought I was buying enough to make a pair of longies. I thought thirty bucks of yarn would make me a pair of longies. I'm not even knitting the largest size, and I'm going to run out of yarn before knitting much of the legs. I don't want shorties. I want longies. I'm going to have to rip them out and redo. Again, it upsets me because like the spaghetti socks, I've already cut the brown yarn. Now I'll have to cut it again for a different waistband for a smaller pair of longies. This means a possible join later. And no matter how nicely I work on my joins, they always show somehow. Spit joins, Russian joins, woven joins, woven-while-you-go joins, they all show up somehow. I do whatever I can to avoid joins. But I love the yarn. Love love love it.
Pretty kitty always shows up for pictures.
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Fun with scraps
I was messing around with scraps from other projects and came up with a cute new dress:
Look! It goes with the pants I made last night.
I'm not sure what to do with it yet. I think my friend who receives most of my baby sewing isn't quite into this style.
Look! It goes with the pants I made last night.
I'm not sure what to do with it yet. I think my friend who receives most of my baby sewing isn't quite into this style.
Fun with pants
Ever since I made the little supergrrl diaper, I've had a pair of pink sleeves sitting around my sewing room. I was scared to work on them, worried that I'd "ruin" them. This weekend I got over my worries and started cutting. I used a homesewn pair of pants my daughter wore as a toddler for my guide.
The results? Pants!
And... Ever since sewing up my quickie mittens, I've had a sweater body sitting around my sewing room. Last night I similarly mustered my courage and started cutting. I used the template created by cutting out the pink pants.
I actually couldn't cut them the way I normally would, with the bum waistband higher than the front waistband, because of the stripes.
The results are a little awkward, and it remains to see if they'll fit a real live baby. If so, they should be good over a cloth diaper, being 100% felted wool.
The results? Pants!
And... Ever since sewing up my quickie mittens, I've had a sweater body sitting around my sewing room. Last night I similarly mustered my courage and started cutting. I used the template created by cutting out the pink pants.
I actually couldn't cut them the way I normally would, with the bum waistband higher than the front waistband, because of the stripes.
The results are a little awkward, and it remains to see if they'll fit a real live baby. If so, they should be good over a cloth diaper, being 100% felted wool.
Saturday, May 09, 2009
Acquisitions
Seems like there's a lot of raw materials coming into my house today. I have lots of things to work with!!
The first time I bought GothSocks was, apparently, before Madrona. Madrona being some famous yarn event? Ever since then, Gothsocks have been in high demand. Shop updates sell out in mere minutes.
I was actually able to buy some brilliant pink sock yarn called Disco Dollies without fighting for it. This arrived a week ago or so, but I never made the time to photograph it. Then on Monday, I stalked the etsy cart for her updates, and I scored some Dripping Rubies with real silver thread in it, and a skein of BarbiGoth. The latter two arrived today. I really do adore the GothSocks colours!
The first time I bought GothSocks was, apparently, before Madrona. Madrona being some famous yarn event? Ever since then, Gothsocks have been in high demand. Shop updates sell out in mere minutes.
I was actually able to buy some brilliant pink sock yarn called Disco Dollies without fighting for it. This arrived a week ago or so, but I never made the time to photograph it. Then on Monday, I stalked the etsy cart for her updates, and I scored some Dripping Rubies with real silver thread in it, and a skein of BarbiGoth. The latter two arrived today. I really do adore the GothSocks colours!
What she found
Today, after all her Saturday obligations, my #1grrl, aka MiniMe, arrived home wanting to enjoy the many yard sales she'd seen out there. She grabbed her bike and headed out to see what she could find. I told her that if she saw any tank tops--and showed her an example--for 25 cents, to grab them for me. She found a camisole for 50 cents and brought it home.
Although it doesn't suit my original purpose, it has a nice row of pale green stretch lace. Thing is, stretch lace has suddenly become hard to get. None of the local (chain) fabric stores are carrying it. I'm baffled by this. Earlier this spring, I made her a pair of green leggings. Sadly, they're way too big and won't fit for a year or two. The good news is, I can recycle the stretch lace from the above top to the cuffs of these leggings. Hooray!
Although it doesn't suit my original purpose, it has a nice row of pale green stretch lace. Thing is, stretch lace has suddenly become hard to get. None of the local (chain) fabric stores are carrying it. I'm baffled by this. Earlier this spring, I made her a pair of green leggings. Sadly, they're way too big and won't fit for a year or two. The good news is, I can recycle the stretch lace from the above top to the cuffs of these leggings. Hooray!
It's a beautiful day in the neighbourhood...
It's one of those Saturdays where it's impossible to do anything but be outside. The sun's out, but it still feels like spring here, so we're not overbaking outside, yet. I jumped on my bike, and with the newspaper garage sale map as my guide, explored the winding streets east of us and found some people getting rid of junk. The first sale was overpriced. Shirts cost more than they do at Thrift Town, and a single button-up shirt cost $10! No way. I'm after shirts for a quarter.
The next three yard sales I found all had shirts for a quarter. I dug through to find the 100% cotton stuff I long to cut up. I made a haul! For four bucks total, I brought home 16 shirts. I'd better get sewing!
The next three yard sales I found all had shirts for a quarter. I dug through to find the 100% cotton stuff I long to cut up. I made a haul! For four bucks total, I brought home 16 shirts. I'd better get sewing!
Friday, May 08, 2009
sewing with scraps
Sometimes, when I'm all done sewing a diaper, I still have lots of fabric left. I can't help but thinking of those scraps as useful.
I use the few remaining baby clothes about the house to draft a pattern.
Cut them so efficiently that there might be enough left for another.
Baby clothes take so little fabric!
...and we have a bodice! This is the back.
And this is the back of the dress. I cut the skirt from the t-shirt's sleeves.
And look! It matches the shorties just like I'd hoped.
I use the few remaining baby clothes about the house to draft a pattern.
Cut them so efficiently that there might be enough left for another.
Baby clothes take so little fabric!
...and we have a bodice! This is the back.
And this is the back of the dress. I cut the skirt from the t-shirt's sleeves.
And look! It matches the shorties just like I'd hoped.
Contest
Yes, this is a knitting blog, not a diaper blog, but I have been sewing lots of diapers lately. I don't have anybody in this house wearing diapers, but I am keeping my school chum well stocked with diaper paraphanalia. I know she could put these bags to good use. Check it out. If you win, I won't. :)
Tuesday, May 05, 2009
More results from the sewing room.
Back into the sewing room after more than a month, and guess what? I make another diaper. This one's all buttery soft and brilliantly yellow, cut from recycled t-shirts. It doesn't have snaps, yet.
The best part is the message on the butt.
The best part is the message on the butt.
Monday, May 04, 2009
Greenies, finished
The shorts I started Saturday morning were finished promptly Sunday evening. I'm very pleased with how they turned out. I wish I had access to the baby herself so I could see how things fit. Oh well!
I used the itchy fingers longies pattern, doing the math using the numbers provided for a "small".
I used the itchy fingers longies pattern, doing the math using the numbers provided for a "small".
Sunday, May 03, 2009
Short on the shorties
On Saturday morning, I awoke thinking of knitting. I think this happens on the weekends because I have the luxury of waking up slowly. Instead of being yanked from a deep sleep directly into the morning's preparatory activities, I can lie there for a bit. And naturally, my thoughts turn to yarn.
On the day I dyed the volcano pants, I also dyed the leftover blank yarn in the sink. The results didn't look like I expected, and I was disappointed. I balled up the yarn and forgot about it. Now, almost 3 months later, I can look at the yarn and see it for what it is, rather than for what it is not. There were exactly 40 grams of it, so I decided to combine it with some green Cascade and make some shorties. I did a descending pattern of 6 rows colour A, 6 rows colour B, 5 rows colour A, 5 rows colour B, etc. I had the pattern pretty well calculated, but I forgot to take into account the extra yarn the short rows use up.
The following picture shows exactly where I ran out of yarn. I was on the final row of the pattern, the part where there was one row of each colour. I ran out of yarn 26 stitches shy of finishing the last row. Sigh.
On the day I dyed the volcano pants, I also dyed the leftover blank yarn in the sink. The results didn't look like I expected, and I was disappointed. I balled up the yarn and forgot about it. Now, almost 3 months later, I can look at the yarn and see it for what it is, rather than for what it is not. There were exactly 40 grams of it, so I decided to combine it with some green Cascade and make some shorties. I did a descending pattern of 6 rows colour A, 6 rows colour B, 5 rows colour A, 5 rows colour B, etc. I had the pattern pretty well calculated, but I forgot to take into account the extra yarn the short rows use up.
The following picture shows exactly where I ran out of yarn. I was on the final row of the pattern, the part where there was one row of each colour. I ran out of yarn 26 stitches shy of finishing the last row. Sigh.
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Thursday, April 30, 2009
Spaghetti Socks
I have made it past the heels on the sock-blank socks. I was able to pull the yarn from the other end of the ball to do the heels. I knitted the heels double-stranded, to make them extra-strong. I have a mild fear that this will ultimately reduce the length of my socks, but logic tells me I have more than enough yarn.
I really love how the ball has two strands together. It's an excellent way to knit two socks at once.
While I was knitting on the socks, I noticed that the yarn looked remarkably like spaghetti noodles with marinara sauce. The comparison was so vivid I found myself checking my fingers for sauce stains. Can you see it?
I really love how the ball has two strands together. It's an excellent way to knit two socks at once.
While I was knitting on the socks, I noticed that the yarn looked remarkably like spaghetti noodles with marinara sauce. The comparison was so vivid I found myself checking my fingers for sauce stains. Can you see it?
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Ahoy! Acquisitions
I've said before that I'm a sucker for contrast yarn. So here I go again. Yarn, perfect for soakers, complete with contrast yarn. Yes please! I'm so into soakers, even though the baby wearing them isn't mine, and isn't even near enough to cuddle. Since her mother will put her into soakers, I just keep making them. It makes me happy!
Although, really, when I say soakers, I mean longies.
This came from Yarn Pirate on Hyena Cart. I'm not entirely sure how the whole Hyena Cart thing works, but I got me some yarn, so it works well enough to please me! I adore the colours. I wanted to cast on the moment I got my fingers on this yarn, but I'm not sure what size to make. The baby is currently 2 months old, but I want this to fit next fall. How can I know?
See the row of little radish plants by the yarn? I managed to make something grow!
Although, really, when I say soakers, I mean longies.
This came from Yarn Pirate on Hyena Cart. I'm not entirely sure how the whole Hyena Cart thing works, but I got me some yarn, so it works well enough to please me! I adore the colours. I wanted to cast on the moment I got my fingers on this yarn, but I'm not sure what size to make. The baby is currently 2 months old, but I want this to fit next fall. How can I know?
See the row of little radish plants by the yarn? I managed to make something grow!
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