Oh Hiiiiii

Hi there.

Nice to see you guys. If you're still there.

Truth be told, there's a legitimate excuse for my lack of blogging. And frankly, it'll probably become more sporadic as I make an effort to overcome some trials and tribulations and get out in the world.

Just kidding. But I will be spending more time out and about versus blogging.

Don't worry, this blog will still exist, but whether there will be frequent posts, that's questionable. My computer did forget this URL since I haven't been here.

Frankly, I think I lost my touch for writing extensive, weird commentary about knitting and whatever else I did. And other social medias (coughTWITTERcough) consuming me, I wonder if it's better to write that occasional long, intense post about a single topic, or writing 140 character bits all the time about a variety of topics.

It's okay, onward and upwards.

FO: Light Up My World aka Barbara Gordan

Nananananananana BATMAN. Or more accurate- Batgirl.

Pattern: Damson by Ysolda Teague

Yarn: Unplanned Peacock Studio Diva Sock in Canary, one skein

I purchased this yarn at the Pittsburgh Knit & Crochet Festival and I think it's fair to say it was love at first sight. After weeks of dreary gray weather, I had been on the hunt for the perfectbright yellow yarn. That warm sunshine-y shade that drags away the winter blues kicking and screaming into a closet and locks them away without a question. That yellow. Wandering around, I just hadn't found the yellow. Yellows were there indeed, but not the yellow. My companion stated to me, "The yellow will call to you." And indeed it did- in fact it screamed out like a siren under a pile of sock yarn.

The company, Unplanned Peacock Studio, had so much luscious yarn for a great price. The colors leaned towards the warm side, but they were indeed very gorgeous. I picked up the Diva Sock, which was divinely sock. Most likely the golden merino-cashmere-nylon blend. Knitting it up was pure joy, and it came out so soft and wonderful. My only gripe is that the color leaked, but luckily the shawl still retained its bright yellow.

Damson, like all of Ysolda's other patterns, is easy, fun and well written. The crescent shawl shape is becoming one of my favorites to wear, and I love it! I've waxed poetic about Miss Ysolda Teague, but she never stops amazing me. I'm debating knitting the Snapdragon tam (I actually despise tams, so it'll become a beanie instead if made) and mittens.

Anything yellow you've knit?

FO(s): Notoriously Uncharted

Out of all the accessories I utilize everyday, I think scarves are the most often used. Light or heavy, wool or silk, in every color of the rainbow, scarves come in the biggest variety I've ever seen. In one household, my mother and I together own at least 10 pashmina scarves, supplemented by one or two (or 11) hand knit scarves. So it's safe to say we don't mind a few new additions to our collection.

Pattern: Baktus by Strikkelise

Yarn: Cascade 220 in Black and Natural, 1 skein each.

The pattern is really versatile and the triangular shape is wonderful. I've only this twice, which I regret. It's a fun easy project that's good TV and transportation knitting. I haven't had much opportunity to wear this scarf, but from the few minutes I've stolen with it, I can attest to it's warmth and softness. Cascade is such a great yarn, and a great material to use for cold weather articles. I'd knit every sweater I own out of it if I could. I eyeballed when to decrease and increase, but I still got a pretty substantial scarf out of it.

Pattern: Annis by Susanna IC

Yarn: Bernat Meadowspun in Burgundy, 3 skeins

Susanna is truly a genius, this short row shawl is AWESOME. After casting on the ungodly amount of stitches and knitting the lace, the short rows were easily to do and went by really fast. It was interested to watch this shawl develop, and how it became even better with some blocking! I can't wait to knit another one, but only with a different yarn. The yarn left much to be desired- constant breaks in the yarn made it annoying and the fact the tag said 'do not block.' The color however was gorgeous with its heathered purple-red.

I've still got one more shawl left to photograph, even if it's done and blocked. I'm waiting for the weather to look up again so I can have some real modelled pictures for you with humans, instead of my favorite cardigan pulling mannequin duty once more.

A Tale of Blocking, Part 2: Drying and Pinning

Now for Part 2! Here's where all the good stuff happens! Onwards!

So after you're done soaking and such, remove the piece from the water. When you're taking the piece from the water, try to support it with both hands to prevent stretching and breaking. After soaking, the fibers, especially wool, are VERY fragile and prone to breaking. So support the piece with both hands and lay it out on a dry towel. Never ever ever wring out your knitting! EVER. The fibers are fragile and this will stretch out and break your knitting! Gently pull out of the piece from the damp ball it's in and lay it out flat on an old and very absorbent towel.

Once it's flat on the towel, roll the towel up into like a wrap with your knitting inside it. Now g-stomp the living shit out of this towel. Yes there's a purpose to this. Stomping the towel takes out all the excess water from the knitting, and believe me, there's a whole lotta water in there. This won't ruin your knitting, so don't be too worried. Once you're finished stomping the knitting, unroll the towel and gently move the knitting to a different towel or blocking board, what have you. The knitting should be fairly damp, but it's still fragile so be careful to support it.

Once it's on a separate towel, begin to pin out your knitting. I prefer T-pins and blocking wires. Gently stretch out your knitting to the dimensions you want, and pin it down. If you're blocking a lace shawl with straight edges, I'd recommend blocking wires to get straight edges. Tack out your points to emphasize them. Wait for at least 24 hours for the knitting to be completely dry, unpin and wear! You now have a beautiful, blocked shawl!

In conclusion-

• Never wring your knitting! Remove excess water by pressing it between towels.
• Pin out to dimensions using wires and pins.
• Wait for 24 hours to dry or longer depending on your piece's weight.
• Wear that lace knitting!

If you have any extra questions about blocking lace, I'd recommend these videos here and here and of course, any blocking article on Knitty

A Tale of Blocking, Part 1: The Soak

I know I have extolled the virtues of blocking literally every FO post regarding a lace item on this blog, and I also know that tutorials like this exist all over the Internet. But to me, blocking is singlehandedly the most important skill I've learned in knitting, save for knit and purl stitches. This even beats out grafting, and heck, it's a lot more fun. Blocking is one of those skills that can literally transform your crumpled, tiny project into something simply beautiful and elegant. However, I've seen with my own eyes how blocking can go dreadfully, dreadfully wrong. Hence these posts.

When I block, I typically use a bucket. Some use sinks, but I like the bucket. Personal preference. More space and easier and faster to fill and refill. Fill the bucket full or halfway with water. Here's where it gets tricky. Water temperature is a HUGE HUGE HUGE factor in blocking. Here's why-

One of my knitting friends made a gorgeous shawl for her daughter. I'm not exactly positive of the fiber content, but I suspect it was a merino and silk worsted weight. The pattern was Damsel Shawl by Lori Law. It was her first shawl *squeal* and she had never blocked before. Naturally, she went to our local yarn store, where the assistant advised her to put the shawl is hot water. First mistake. After removing the shawl from the water and pinning it down, she discovered it had partially felted. You can see the shawl below and how there is absolutely no definition to the lace. It's just a blobby triangle :(

Never ever ever ever put your item in an extreme temperature. My general rule of thumb is if you wouldn't put your baby in it, don't put your knitting in it. I go for a lukewarm temperature, leaning more towards cold. If I can splash it on my wrist without discomfort, it is the temperature for knitting. If your piece is in an extreme temperature, there is a chance it will felt and it is indeed a heartbreaking and tragic event.

After filling the bucket or vessel of preference with your lukewarm water comfortable to the touch and adding soap if you so desire (Quick note, I highly advise against Wool-lite or any commercial detergent. I know of rumors of the detergent taking away the sheen of the yarn and no one wants that. I have heard of baby shampoo being used, but I'd recommend Soak or Eucalan), GENTLY submerse your knitting. Push down the knitting into the bucket with your hands and 'squish' it in the water to allow the garment to become fully soaked. DO NOT agitate your knitting as it will felt. Be gentle, like you are playing with soap bubbles. Gently squish and push the knitting to allow water in and fully soak the piece. After this, leave in the water for about 20 minutes.

If you used soap, rinse and repeat till the water runs clear. As always, be gentle and use lukewarm water. The same rules as the initial soak apply to the rinse.

In conclusion-

• Use lukewarm temperature water that is comfortable if you placed it on your wrist. NO extreme temperatures
• When soaking, be gentle. NO agitation of the pieces. Squish and push. Gentle in the key word here.
• If you used soap, rinse and repeat till water runs clear.

Part 2- Drying and Pinning! Really that's all there is to it.

FO: Ishbel

It started in February when I purchased the yarn from Creatively Dyed Yarn. Dianne, the booth owner, had so many different kids of yarn that came in so many different colors, and varigations! But my eyes landed upon Catkin, a gorgeous teal with hints of black and it was love at first sight. Dianne suggested the pattern, and I was fixed. Hooked. Obsessed you might say.

Pattern: Ishbel by Ysolda Teague

Yarn: Creatively Dyed Yarn Steele in Catkin

The pattern is so easy and gorgeous and I can see why it's got over 8000 projects! I've knitted this construction before, and it's by far one of my favorites and the most logical as well! Preblocking, the shawl looked like an uncurled mess from hell, and the lace pattern was just ugly. Again and again, blocking is proving it's worth to me. And Ishbel is one of those that looks good in any kind of yarn, and I can see myself knitting it many times in the future, as gifts or just selfish variations for myself.

Steele is simply gorgeous. The color is beautiful and the dye did not run when I blocked it. Steele definitely matches up to Malabrigo Sock in softness, and in color. The extra yardage makes the yarn even better, even though the yarn was kinda expensive. Catkin was hard to photograph. It appears dark blue in some light, and then photographs a little greenish in others but it's simply beautiful in person.

I do plan on wearing this to the next knit and crochet festival, and maybe I'll come back with another new beautiful skein of sock yarn from Creatively Dyed Yarn. If you see the booth, I encourage you to check it out! You'll be floored by the rainbow of colors she has, and I know I'll definitely be looking for a skein of sunshine yellow for a Damson.

Catch Up

In the days that I haven't posted, we've gone through the holiday season, entered a new year and been snowed in. That last one is my favorite. Looking outside, I can see the few inches of snow that apparently constitute a cancellation, though I can't say I'm complaining. I had finals.

I had a very merry Christmas indeed. This year's gift list surpassed last's year by far. Meet my new obsession.

That's right, Lego Harry Potter Hogwarts. 5 hours well spent. Dumbledore's office is definitely my favorite part of the castle just because it includes Trevor, Neville's frog.

In addition to the amazing castle, my friends and I had a Secret Santa exchange. I got two balls of Malabrigo Worsted in a beautiful dusty pink. While pink is a color I never rarely go for, I'm sure going to enjoy knitting it up.
And yes, that is in fact Whimsical Little Knits 2. Looking through the book, Ysolda's creativity is simply amazing. I've knitted mittens with flaps on my own, but the way she does it with her Snapdragon mittens is ingenious. The book is filled with practical accessories that are really creative and fun.

Just to remind my family that I am a teenage girl, I asked for the most spectacular pair of black pumps that I've ever seen. I have a thing obsession with shoes, and I've been on the hunt for a pair of simple black heels.

A 'batwing' sweater, which I have wanted for so very long. I'm deciding whether to get a yellow scarf and pretend I'm Batman, though I can't deny that I enjoy yellow and gray together.

Of course, I did grab some Christmas gifts for myself, including a new iPod touch affectionately named WALL-E, skinny black pants, and a plaid scarf.

It's going to be a magical 2011 indeed.