Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Check your math

Actually, the exact title for this post should, "Check their math."

Version #2 of my Short Sleeve Swirl Cardi (the first one went really wrong too but we won't talk about that):

Swirl Short Sleeve Cardi

Since the demise of the first version, I decided to use a pattern from the DROPS design website. I really like almost all their designs, even if the English translation of the patterns are sometime, how should I say this? Interesting, meaning I cannot understand what the heck they are saying. But that was not the problem, the problem was the math, that, I believe, should work the same all over the world.
I looked at the pattern and I decided to make the size XL - 110 cm = 43".
First mistake: I did not notice that in the schematic it was indicated that the XL has a bust of 43" and hips of 130 cm = 52". Now, my hips are not 52", they are actually narrow than my bust.
Second (huge) mistake: I did not check their math. For the XL size I was instructed to cast on 288 sts: at a 5.25 sts per inch, that gave me 55" circumference for the hips and, at 6.25 sts per inch, 46" circumference for the bust.
Uhm ...... to the frog pond (again!)
My dilemma is now this: do I re-size correctly this pattern that I like (most if it, I changed the sleeves because they were coming out really weird and I made them raglan style) or make something else entirely?
In the meantime, I made a hat with some handspun of mine:

Kiwi Pointy Elf Hat

Sunday, November 20, 2011

Scarves

Scraves by lux2night
Scraves, a photo by lux2night on Flickr.

It looks like I have become obsessed with making scarves - I just wound more handspun to make two more.

Saturday, November 05, 2011

Cut my losses

Two years ago I acquired a rigid heddle loom, Harpie, and I have not used in almost a year because this project was stuck on it:

Not Amazing Weaved Scarf

What was wrong with it? I warped a fuzzy aran weight yarn on a 10-dent heedle. Not a good idea, but I decided that I would make it work anyway, not to wast less than $15 of yarn I bought at Michael's.
One year later, it is still not working. Cut my losses:

Not Amazing Weaved Scarf

Thursday, October 13, 2011

My poor neglected blog

I was actually pleasantly surprise to see that last time I posted was in July, I completely forgot those posts from Italy and I would have sworn that last post was from before the summer.
Anyway, I am back home and I can't believe that it is the middle of October already!
Principessa started high school (Go Bears!), Paperino middle school and we are all terribly busy.

While I was still in Italy I finished my Vivace Cardi that took all summer:


Vivace Cardi 

And since back I made another pair of socks:

Turquoise Jeans Socks 
Look how different the colorway is even if from the same dye lot! I would have made really mad if I were knitting a shawl .......

Stats year-to-date for 2011: 30 projects, 10,749 yards of yarn knitted, 5,604 yards given away, 8,920 acquired, stash balance: -7,4,34 yards.

Friday, July 22, 2011

Firenze Socks

Firenze Socks by lux2night
Firenze Socks, a photo by lux2night on Flickr.

Done and spoken for, on the feet of the recipient.

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Firenze Socks

Firenze Socks by lux2night
Firenze Socks, a photo by lux2night on Flickr.

First sock done, second one enjoying the view.

Sunday, July 17, 2011

When in doubt, cast on a sock.

Firenze Socks by lux2night
Firenze Socks, a photo by lux2night on Flickr.

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Isobel


Isobel
Originally uploaded by lux2night

Not sure .......

Monday, July 11, 2011

Il Gomitolo in Modena


Il Gomitolo in Modena
Originally uploaded by lux2night


Found a darling little shop in Modena, all of this .... 3.5 euros!

Friday, July 08, 2011

Matter and Void


Matter and Void
Originally uploaded by lux2night

My Matter and Void Shawl if following me all over Italy. I am hoping to finish it on the train ride back to Rome on Sunday.

Sunday, July 03, 2011

Cadet Socks


Cadet Socks
Originally uploaded by lux2night

Socks finished on the plane ride to Italy, not exactly for wear right now!

Sunday, May 29, 2011

Two Monts After and Counting

My last entry was Marsh 15th? Really? It is just about time I come up for air. Let's what happen in the last two months and half .......
On March 25th about 300 grandparents came to visit for Grandparents' Day, on May 6th about 600 people came for the 50th Anniversary of La Entrada, in between an online auction, and saying yes to be the secretary of one foundation and one of the VP of another, no wonder I had no time to blog.

Since I posted last time I weaved in the 105 ends of the Sesia Ribby Pulli and I actually wore it a couple of times (courtesy of crazy Californian weather):

Sesia Ribby Pulli

I made a sweater for my neighbors' new baby:

Tahki Classic Baby Pullover

and a poncho to wear to the 1969 Spring Auction:

1969 Poncho

My friend Hollis gifted me with some wonderful cashmere that became Juno Regina:

Cashmere Juno Regina

I made her socks in return:

Hollis' Charade Socks

Finally, I brought Paperino to the movies to see "Pirates of the Caribbeans": 2 hours and half of my live I never will get back, but I made a hat:

"At the movies" Blue Hat

7,143 yards of yarn knit in 2011 so far. And now on planning for the six weeks in Italy .......

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

When I am not alone ....

... there is not time to blog.

Daylight Saving Time started on Sunday and it is horrible. Not matter what, nothing is worth more than one hour of sleep in the morning. And I have a cold that I am sure is due to the lack of morning sleep.

Fiber news since Stitches: I love my spinning chair and I have spin more in these last two weeks than in two years. The right chair makes all the difference, and the new permanent set up:

Spinning set up

I finished a pair of vanilla socks (Ravelry project page here):

Turner Socks

and promptly cast on another pair:

Cadet Socks

My Sesia Ribby Pulli is done as well (if you do not look at the 105 ends on one of the sleeves, how I ended up with so may ends in ends in one sleeve is a mystery), and it is cold enough I may wear it once this season.

Friday, February 25, 2011

Blissfully Alone - last day

Photos from Stitches:

Knitmore knitup swag
Knitmore Girls goody bag

Malabrigo Lace
Malabrigo Lace

Tess' Designer Ribbon
Tess' Designer Yarns Microfiber Ribbon

Flexie 8
Flexie 8 hair/shawl pins

Buttons
Buttons

Knit light and highlighter tape
Knit light and highlighter tape

Un-progress on the Ribby Pulli:

Ribby Pulli

So I finished, tried on and hate it. The short sleeves look silly on me and I did not like the scoop neck, so rip rip rip, I am re-knitting with long sleeves and crew neck.

From Hollis's stash:

Juno Regina

Yesterday Hollis handed me two half projects that were not working for her and were handed to the frog pond. Rip rip rip, this cashmere is becoming Juno Regina.

Thursday, February 24, 2011

Blissfully Alone - Day 5

Again, randomly:

1. Yesterday I went to Santana Row and back without getting lost. Still amazed at myself. Yarn and fiber were not involved, but storage from The Container Store.

2. So far I exercised 5 days in a row. Not having a family is good for me?

3. Without my kids bugging me about it, I do not do laundry. I got really close to have nothing to wear.

4. Today I went to Purlescence, again without getting lost, but only because I had Hollis in the car with me. Did NOT buy yarn, but then I scored some at Hollis' house.

5. I really need to knit Hollis a pair of socks.

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Blissfully Alone - Day 4

The sun is out, I am too. When I am not, knitting progress on the Rubby Pulli:

Ribby Pulli

Monday, February 21, 2011

Blissfully Alone - Day 3

Today I went to Tiburon and back without getting lost. If you know me, you understand that it is nothing short than miraculous. If you do not know me, just know that I can get lost in my own house going to the bathroom.
To be completely honest, I drove there no problem, after all, it is "take 280 and go straight until you hit 131 and turn right." And to make things easier, when you have to turn right, it clearly says "Tiburon."
Coming back, I thought I would take 280 after the crossing the Golden Gate. I ended up in 101. But I was not lost, I knew where I was (Lombard and then Van Ness) and knew how to get home.
And I did. To a empty home.

Sunday, February 20, 2011

Blissfully Alone - Day 2

1. Sun, hence pictures for tomorrow post.

2. Correction to yesterday post (any inaccuracies was due to yarn fumes, so I am writing this in the morning before I go to Stitches again and come back intoxicated and I am saving it): I did buy sock yarn, one skein of Abstract Fiber Super Sock in Knitmore.

3. I did not bought yarn today. That does not mean I bought nothing.

4. When I came back from Stitches, I went to the gym. Feeling very virtuous.

5. Principessa is not calling or texting me, and that can only means good news.

Saturday, February 19, 2011

Blissfully Alone - Day 1

Randomly ....

1. My husband and Paperino left yesterday, I dropped Principessa at an ungodly hour at her school this morning, I am blissfully alone for a week.

2. There is fly in the house and I am afraid of flies, but I can't kill them. My husband or Paperino are the ones who kill flies, so I miss them.

3. I was at Stitches West all day.

4. I did not buy any sock yarn. That does not mean that I did not buy yarn.

5. I met the Knitmore Girls, who are even nicer in person than on the podcast. They gave me yarn and a mug. But I would have thought they were nicer in person more than on the podcast even if they have not given me yarn.

6. I saw lots of people who had not seen in a while, including Nathania who was wearing with bunny ears. I was in caffeine withdrawal so I did not recognize her, all I could see was a very tall person with bunny ears.

6. I bought furniture. At a yarn and fiber convention. It takes skill.

7. I have no picture because it is raining. A lot.

Friday, February 18, 2011

Washington DC Wear

Last week, in 77° weather I made her model her Washington DC scarf, mittens, and hat:

Washington DC Trip Set

The smile is all about her texting mittens:

Washington DC Trip Set