My Ella Dilemma

Ella has been challenging me all the way. I have to face it, I have laceknit block. But I was bound and determined not to let this Ella get the best of me. After seeing Chris's wonderful Ella in variegated ocean greens and blues, and being egged on by the Aloha Knitters, I decided I had found the perfect project for my Woolarina handpainted yarn. I've been whining about this project quite a bit, and I am happy to say it is done, or that is to say it is sort of done. I got nearly to the end and ran out of yarn. I was soooo close. I was in full denial when blogless Michelle recommended a yarn saving maneuver. And there I was staring at that little ball of yarn, willing it to grow. I frogged back the left wing, and now I have an asymmetric shawl. I will have to stare at it for awhile before blocking and photographing it. The left brain me wants to frog back the right wing to match. Part of me wants to just let her be, and call it art. The yarn was wonderful and took the abuse very well. I love the colors, pink and green.


Meanwhile I took Erin's Eyelet Earring Class at the Bead Gallery on the spur of the moment. I pretty much just copied the class sample. It was quite fun and the pounding and sanding was relaxing. I came home and the fence dudes were finishing up the fence. I like it a lot. They have to come back when it stops raining to stain it.
I made one pearl necklace and finished out the evening with Battlestar Gallactica. My son had a good laugh last night as I waited for it to come on the wrong night.

Happy Tote, FO

I have to put a hold on knitting for a little while as my right forearm is complaining. So I decided to get out the ole sewing machine.




Project: Travel Tote with Top Extension, adapted from Travel Gear and Gifts To Make, by Mary Mulari.
Fabric: Swap meet finds, rayon blend leftovers from some aloha shirt factory, lining-twill from stash, handles black Kona cotton from stash

I had the fabric pieces in my stash for some time and once in a fit of madness I stitched them in strips to some lining material and they slept rolled up in some tub until the Great Craft Room remodel (the tale where the room went from craft room to guest room back to craft room all in one snap of a synapse).

The plan was to make a craft bag. I like the way the colors turned out as they remind me of the quilts I had when I was small, all colorful and crazy. I rushed and my serger had forgotten how to do the 3 stitch, so the bottom turned out a bit wonky. I would have liked the bag to have more body. I basically used the dimensions in the book, but if I make another, I will make it less tall and a little wider, and make the zipper extension part a little smaller. I was so tempted to use green webbing for the handles, but that would have meant a trip to the fabric store. I was "good" instead and used fabric from the stash.

All in all this project made me Happy Along. There are more of those strips of fabric, so maybe this bag will have a sibling;)

Tasting the Rainbow

Kim wrote about tasting the rainbow on her blog and that phrase has stuck in my mind. I read an article in the newspaper about people who try to give themselves holidays from the electronic life, not unlike yarn diets, drug holidays and low carb diets. I have days when I feel stuck in 8th grade (yuk) and other days when I feel these 50+years and see it speeding by. So yesterday, I made an effort to log off and get out with my partner in crime (Kim) and check out Chinatown. Not only did we find great vegies and great food, but I found a little Totoro treasure:)

Since it is the Year of the Boar, it was fortuitous that we saw a family of wild pigs in Hoolamaluhia. We ended up there because the gardens were open on Sunday, and Aloha Yarns was not. The pigs were pretty fast and I only got 2 of the 5 on camera.

Whatever the reason, I finally clicked with Ella and we are getting along now. I finished the first wing and have one to go! Child's first sock (Knitting Vintage Socks) in Koigu blue is inching along for Project Spectrum blue.

Black Wednesday and The Strange Ribby Cardi

Pattern: Chicknits Ribby Cardi
Yarn: Knitpicks Andean Knit Picks Andean Silk , 55% Super Fine Alpaca, 23% Silk, 22% Merino Wool
Needles: Knit Picks Options, size 11

I didn't really get gauge with this yarn. The person I made it for is very tiny, but I'm thinking this is way tiny and the arms will only fit a spider. The biggest drawback to this pattern is the seams. I think EZ wrote in one of her books that she does anything to avoid ending up with 5 pieces. Way back when, I learned to set in seams with a back stitch, and I'm not sure I liked how they turned out but the mattress stitch just wasn't working for me. The raglan neck portion is very pointed and has no shoulders and the collar looks way small. However, I'm persevering and will have the tiny lady try it on. Keep your fingers crossed!

Ella is going by fits. I keep thinking I can fix an error by dropping down stitches and although there are big holes in this pattern, I have one that is really huge and is starting to bug me.

I suppose this is just the crap at work oozing into my creative energy. I went for a massage today, watched my TV shows and look forward to the Monday holiday. I have men in my patio working on my fence and they are odd critters. Must be the power tools. Took my dad out to lunch. He has started to repeat himself so now I have to listen to him tell me how to run my life 3 times! At 87 he is starting to look fragile so I hold my tongue. Good thing Aloha Knitters is tomorrow night. I've started the bitchin' early.

I started the blue Child's First Sock in Koigu. Aah Koigu! A very bright spot:) I shall take this to knit on as Ella is misbehaving.

Jayne Hat, FO

FO: Jayne Hat
Pattern: Adapted from Redshirt Knitting I added 4 stitches to the hat and 2 stitches for the flaps. I did not bind off at the top of the hat, but threaded the tail through the stitches and pulled up tight. I picked up only the back loop for the flaps and knit in garter stitch up to the decreases, then knit decrease row, and purled the next row with the purl on the outside. Because of the extra two stitches, I ended up with 2 rows more, but because of my tight knitting, it worked out okay.
Yarn: Lamb's Pride Worsted, two strands together, size 11 needles.

I started this last night and finished it this am. My lovely niece modeled the hat for me sparing all the viewers closeups of my age spots.

Ribby Cardi is seamed, but the collar looks mighty strange. I'm not sure whether to frog the collar or not. I will definitely have to order a custom zipper. Ella is sitting, waiting for me to join a new ball, and she ain't blue so I may jump ship and start something blue for Project Spectrum

Kim is poetisizing so I knit ahead on the Jayne Hat ;)

When there are no FOs, flash your stash, and nature pictures.

After a particularly heinous challenging day at work, I am rejuvenated by a package I found hiding out on my patio from my Madison, Wisconsin sister (wearer of Rogue).Inside was a very nice card, a bag of cashews, two skeins of Koigu, color 275, two skeins of Malabrigo (yum,yum,yum) and 3 colors of the Lamb's Pride Worsted to make a Jayne Hat. My cup runneth over! Thank you thank you thank you! (or as we say here, Mahalos). I love it all!





I joined some talented and crafty ladies for a walk at Hoomaluhia and it was a glorious day. It was impossible to be uncheered. Not even thinking about seaming Ribby Cardi.

The purple hedge near my house was if full bloom. How beautiful is that?

Post It Notes don't wash well

There be hats but none that actually fit a human I know. M modelled them all at once ala
Bartholomew Cubbins
Ribby Cardi is blocking. The Knitpicks Andean Treasure in black bled a lot so I'm glad I decided to wet block it.
After fondling Chris's Ella I started Knitty's Ella in Woolarina wool, yummy and soft to work with. I'm hoping it will encourage me to beat my nemesis and finish a worthy lace project. M is also making one in a rayon blend.





On the homemaking front, I am making a concerted effort to check my pants pockets before putting them in the wash. I will have to extend this to include jacket pockets as well. For the record, post it notes do not wash and dry well. They are now hard to write on and don't stick. At least it wasn't a pen, I say.


Today was a beautiful day, just clouding up a little at dusk making for a wonderful sky.

I finally did it. I officially put in to reduce my working hours to half time starting April 1. It's a bit scary after 26 years, but I think I'm ready to take time to smell the roses. I won't need all those post it notes after all!

Day in Waikiki

Day in Waikiki
Originally uploaded by acornbud.

Ribby cardi is still in progress, stil black and still boring to photograph.
I had a meeting in Waikiki so went early to walk around and visit the acquarium. The jelly fish and coral exhibits were very colorful, but difficult to photograph. The Nautilus are sure weird looking critters. The giant clam in the picture is supposedly the oldest one living in an aquarium. It weighs over 160 lbs.
According to Fodor's: This 1927 World War I monument, dedicated to the 102 Hawaiian servicemen who lost their lives in battle, stands proudly -- its 20-foot archway, which was completely restored in 2002, is floodlighted at night. The 100-meter saltwater swimming pool, the training spot for Olympians Johnny Weissmuller and Buster Crabbe and the U.S. Army during World War II, is closed as the facility has fallen into disrepair while a debate rages within city government about whether to refurbish the pool or leave only the archway monument.
I would vote for dismanteling the pool but saving the archway. I can't understand having a pool in the ocean.

Recycled Silk Bag

Yarn: Mango Moon Recycled silk
Pattern: Adapted from Carawata Bag, Andean Folk Knits, by Marcia Lewandowski. I basically used the shape and made it a little bigger.
The yarn is very soft and funky to look at and work with. It tends to shred if any frogging needs to be done and I wonder how the drawstring strap will hold up. I thought the draw string closure was clever. I used a a chain, then came back with a single crochet. I am thinking of some beads, but don't know if I'll ever get to that.
It was difficult to photograph. This was one of those yarns I knew I just had to try once and I like the results. Time will tell if I will use this. Maybe it would be a nice one to take to the movies.

The Ohana Fair, Something Sparkly, Something Sad

I made the blue version of the crystal rope. That is an aquamarine clasp, one of my birthstones.

The Ohana Fair was really packed with people this year. I had to park at the UH and take a shuttle, but it turned out to be quite convenient. I enjoyed the bonsai exhibit, but my pictures did not turn out that well. I am still trying to find out if I can make adjustments to take pictures in darker areas. I loved these sushi pillows, especially the spam musubi.

On the knitting scene, I am working two fronts at once on Ribby Cardi, making the all rib version in Knitpicks Andean silk in black making for very boring wip shots.

The holiday visitors are still straggling in. Sister number 4 and son will be leaving tonight.


I got sad news from a penpal (we've been writing since I was in 5th grade). His wife died at age 49 and he pondered why so young. I often wonder why, too.




White iris blooming
Pretty, quick sunset
Savor precious moments now

Hawaii Sky, Hawaiian Snow

I took a day trip to the Big Island and what a glorious flight over it was. The plane flew over Molokai and Lanai, and then over Molokini, a partially submerged volcano that has become a diving destination. In fact there were two ships parked there and another two enroute. Coming over the Big Island, the Observatory was nestled in snow! After entering the cloud cover, the lush Windward coast and Akaka Falls were something to behold. As the plane descended to land I noticed a brief rainbow blazing over Mauna Kea.

I used my miles and and went over to have lunch with a friend and of course visit Big Island Bernina yarn store. I met a goat named Nani and the cutest new tiny black puppy named King, revisited Chevy, the most mello Australian cattle dog and got the tour of the back yard which is gradually becoming a ATV track with it's wild orchids, ohia trees, and mini lava tube.



I got quite a bit of the back of the Ribby Cardi done. A nice mindless knit for the short plane trip from Honolulu.

Stashbusting

The oldest "yarn" in my stash is Nomotta, pure silk organdy riboon, "exquisite fashion ingredient for crocheting, for knitting and for hand-weaving." It is black, 1/4 in. wide/100yds/spool and I have a ton of it. How old is it? I got it at a garage sale about 15 years ago. The address for the company has no zip code. I knit it together with a cotton yarn that has a gold thread running through, ball band long lost. The ribbon is quite stiff and I had visions of making the Knit Lit's Fakeagamo. But I ended up with this little clutch. I lined it with black brush denim from that other stash of mine and sewed the seams and zipper in on the machine. It came out kind of cute.

The 3 mountains in the back are some hats, two from Lamb's Pride Bulky, a little over one ball each and left over Beaverslide from my Gansey. For the charcoal one I used E. Zimmerman's pattern from Knitting without Tears. She says to cast on 36 stitches for the Brioche stitch in any bulk yarn and it will stretch to fit any size head. Well, I must not have had bulky enough yarn and maybe could have used a size 11 instead of a 10.5 needle, but the hat will fit a large menehune, but not my head. The Beaverslide one is about the same size. The sable on was my one pattern. I actually swatched a bit and ended up with a giant hat that doesn't even fit my son. But it is very warm and will work well for someone big hair! To much for the hat tales. I never thought making them fit would be such a challenge. But my stash is smaller:)

The little bear was a cute Christmas gift. It is mostly handsewn, and has buttons attachments that allow his arms and legs to move. He is just darling and I love him.

What next? Ribby cardi? While I ponder what next, I am knitting up my Mango Moon recycled silk into a little bag. Pretty mindless.

Lust, Thy Name is Malabrigo

I readily admit I lusted for Malabrigo. I read about it's legendary softness, I fondled the many skeins at The Knitting Tree in Madison, and I bought some for myself for Christmas in pink chunky and chocolate brown worsted. Now I want to keep it whole. I agonize over knitting something unworthy and I'm too selfish to give any FO away. For my sins, I failed at producing an acceptable first color knit project. Even the wonderfully soft Baby Cashmerino and the awesome pattern from the very generous Hello Yarn couldn't save me.

Inspired though by myra's chibi dangos I knit a little Totoro. He doesn't quite fit in the thimble. He still admires the acorns on the mitten efforts. I'm showing you the good side of the mitten. There are lots of puckers, the black shows throught when the mitten is on, and the thumb is mess. Hope this isn't the beginning of a single mitten syndrome!


I thank blogless Michelle for The GREAT Acorn Cookie Jar!

Oh my I almost forgot to blog about the concert. I haven't been to a concert for a long time. Bonnie Raitt played at the Waikiki Shell. It was a bit drizzly when Hapa opened, but dried up by the time she come on. Wow she can make that slide guitar wail! The place was full of baby boomers. It was such a great, peaceful night.

Happy 2007!

Pattern: Sharp Fingerless Gloves
Yarn: Jo Sharp Silkroad Aran, less then one ball, (Cascade Pastazza work well, too)
Needles: size 7, set of for DP or two circulars if you prefer
Size: small women (wrist about 6 inches)

Stitches:
twisted rib: K into back of second stitch on left needle and leave on needle. K into front of skipped stitch on left needle and slip both stitches off
M1F: From the front, lift loop between stitches with left needle, knit into front of loop.
M1B: From the back, lift loop between stitches with left needle, knit into front of loop
PM: place marker

CO 30 stitches, divide on 3 needles and join, without twisting.
Row 1 and 2: *P1,K1,P1,K2* repeat around
Row 3: *P1,K1,P1, twisted rib* repeat around

Repeat these 3 rows until there are 3 twists.

Row10 and 11: K2,P1,K2,P1,K6,P1,K2,P1,K6,P1,K2,P1,K4
Row 12: K2,P1,twisted rib,K6,P1,twisted rib,P1,K6,P1,twisted rib,P1,K4

Repeat these 3 rows until there are 3 twists
Row 18:

Thumb gusset
K9 **
PM,incease into next stitch by knitting in front and back then slip off,PM (two stitches between marker)
Knit next round and every other row in pattern.
Increase until you have 10 stitches between the markers by. M1F after first marker and M1B before the next marker, Place the gusset stitches on a holder.

**For the alternate glove, instructions are the same, except start K8

Join and knit around continuing pattern for two more twists.
K1P1 rib, decreasing one stitch at top of thumb on the first row. Continue rib for 5 rows then cast off in rib.

Thumb
put 10 stitches back on 2 needles. pick up 3 more stitches with the 3rd need at the top of the thumb opening and knit in stockinette stitch for 3 rows.
K1P1 rib, decreasing one stitched at top of thumb for two rows, bind out in rib.

Weave in ends.

Totoros think they make fine tree stumps.

PS: Everyone is tagged to do the New Years meme

Rogue Alive!

Pattern:
Rogue from The Girl From Auntie
Yarn: Jo Sharp Silk Road Aran Tweed in color Tartan (more like the top picture), Wool/silk/Cashmere
Needles: size 6 and 7
Hems: Tried the diagonal on the bottom and 1x1 rib on the sleeves
Size: smallest

I loved this knit. I thought I had gauge but did not have perfect row gauge. If I had my druthers it would be a little longer. I added several rows to make the sleeves long enough. It is modeled unblocked and looks amazing on both my my sister and her mom. Blocking may have added the length I needed. The pattern is very clever and well written. I also loved working with this yarn. It was extremely cuddly, soft and warm. The few little pokey twigs came out easily. My sister who it is for, and her daughter who is the model, and I all loved the color and the yarn. It might be a good idea to block the hood as I read about how to eliminate the small "ears" after I have seamed the hood.

I feel so lucky to have very slim women who live in cold places to knit for as I can use less yarn, heh. They are carrying away some of my other knits, Coronet Hat in Lamb's Pride Bulky Fuschia and Cascade Pastaza Braid Cable Wristlets with matching hat(not shown), STR neck sock and Noro Diagonal scarf.

Mele Kalikimaka 2006

santos posted about this gingerbread and I ran out and got the cookbook, The Breakfast Book, by Marion Cunningham. The gingerbread (more of a cake) was delicious! I tried the Gingersnap cookies which impressed even my visiting sister, the one who's culinary expertise is legendary.

May all your knittin' be merry, and bright.
May all your stitchin' be tiny and tight.
And may all your cookin' be tasty and great.

Bathroom Sushi and a bit of Wierdness

I was tagged by Rachel with a meme.

6 weird things about me

“THE RULES: Each player of this game starts with the ‘6 weird things about you.’ People who get tagged need to write a blog of their own 6 weird things as well as state this rule clearly. In the end, you need to choose 6 people to be tagged and list their names. Don’t forget to leave a comment that says ‘you are tagged’ in their comments and tell them to read your blog.”

Well I will tag Puanani and Kim with this meme. Okay, I know that's only two.

Weird thing #1. I live in the same house I grew up in.

Weird thing #2. I can only read novels when I'm on vacation. When I'm not on vacation, I can only seem to read craft magazines and books, especially knitting books, and work-related journals.

Wierd thing #3. I have never been outside of America.

Weird thing #4. I was taught Mandarin Chinese from 4th to 12th grade by the same teacher, but alas, I remember little having not used it.

Weird thing #5. I am a terrible letter writer, but I love email!

Weird thing #6. I'm mostly Asian, with a bit of Spanish, but I like my sashimi cooked!. (Which is to say I don't like sashimi) I do, however love natto.

Which reminds me that my niece always gets mad when people get sashimi and sushi mixed up. She also gets mad when people say shushi instead of sushi. And that brings me to...



Bathroom Sushi
Pattern by Kai
A variation found at diy Network

I learned how to do a yf increase. Where has that one been all my life? Mine came out a bit snug. I am a tight knitter. While knitting with Opal at Mocha Java the other night, a guy came up and told me he grew up in house where every bathroom had a toilet paper cozy, but the rule was the toilet paper was not to be used! Surely that can't be the rule. I thought this was the emergency spare:)

Something Sparkly

I took the Rainbow Crystal bracelet class and finished this bracelet for my sister's birthday/Christmas gift. She likes very sparkly things and can get away with wearing big, honking clasps like the periodot flower. It is so tuff to get good photos of crystals.

The sky at dusk was full of incredible clouds.

It made up for the damage the wind did to my fence.

Knit a Totoro (The primitives)

Added 1/19/2011: I often get asked if this is the Totoro pattern I use now. The answer is no. I usually do not use a pattern, and no two are alike. Some time after knitting these early ones, I discovered needle felting and not use that for the facial features.


A couple party Totoro's showed up yesterday. The green Koigu hat is actually one of Saartje's flowers turned upside down. I was too lazy to knit holes for the ears, but maybe next time.

I finally got around to checking and rewriting the pattern as the old version was messed up.

Needles: set of 4 DP
Size 1-2 for sock yarn, 7-8 for bulky/worsted

Inc=knit in front and back, slip stitch off the needle

Back and head:
CO 9 sts. Join, place marker
1-and all odd rows except row 5, knit
2-k1, Inc in the next 8 stitches. (17 stitches)
4-k2, inc in next stitch, then * K1, inc in next stitch*, repeat between * all around. (25 st.)
5-Purl
6-K9, inc 1, k6, inc 1, k8 (27 st)
8-K1, Inc 1, k7, inc 1 in next 2 st, k6, inc 1 in next 2 st, k7, inc 1 in last st (33 st)
10-K1, Inc 1, k9, inc 1 in next 2 st, k8, inc 1 in next 2 st, k9, inc 1 in last st (39 st)
11-13-Knit
14-K1, K2tog, knit until two stitches remain, then ssk.
15-Knit
Repeat rows 14 and 15 until 19 stitches remain

Next row-K1, * K2tog, K5, K2tog *, Repeat between * around (15 st)
Next row-K2tog, Knit around (14 st)
Next row- * K2tog, K3, K2tog *, Repeat between * around (10 stitches

Knit last row Cut yarn. Thread tail through stitches, stuff and draw up tight.

Use starting tail to close up hole on base.

Arms: Cast on 8 st. Join. Work in in stock st, work 7 rows. Divide stitches on two needles. Double bind off. This end is sewed to body. Use black yarn to embroider claws if desired.

Ears: Cast on 3 st. Work as I-cord for 2 rows. Continue as I-cord, but inc in middle stitch.. Work as I-cord for 1 rows. Then K1, ssk, K1. Last row, K1, ssk, then cut yarn and thread through st.
Draw up the thread to bottom so it is opposite the starting thread. Use tails to sew down the ears. The size of the ears will have to be adjust depending on how big the Totoro is.

Tail: CO 15 st. Join. Stock st for 4 rows. K2tog both ends. Stock st 4 rows. K2tog both ends. P next row. K2tog both ends. P next row. K2 tog, both end and in the middle. Gather up remaining st., stuff then sew to body.
Alternately pick up the stitches directly on the body and knit in the round.
Eyeball the placement, and pick up 13-15 stitches. When the tail seems long enough, k2 tog, k1 one row, then k2 together all around until about 8 stitches are left, and thread through the tail stuff before pull up and bury tails.

Optional bib:
CO 6 (or pick up 6 on of the front garter stitches, center over the front)
Work back and fourth stock st for 3 rows.
K1, M1, K4, M1, K1
Purl one row
K1, M1, K6, M1, K1
Work stock stitch for 7 rows.
K1, ssk, k4,K2tog, K1
Purl one row
Bind off. Sew done to front, stuff lightly if you want.

5 Apply eyes of your choice
*Another way to do the arms, tail and ears is to use DP needles and pick up st. directly on the body and knit in the round. Stuff the tail before drawing it shut. The stitches are easier to place if you stuff the body before picking up the stitches. You may need fewer stitches. Anything to reduce the dread seamingJ

Little Pleasures

Pattern: Coronet Hat from Knitty
Yarn: Lamb's Pride Bulky in Fuschia
I hope my niece will like the color as it is a far departure from my usual palette. Rachel made a couple of these already. I followed the pattern and picked up stitches on the wrong side. It leaves a little ridge at the top which worked okay, but probably would look okay the picking up stitches on the right side. It's still drying. It will be very cozy and I think my niece can make of use of it in Chicago, Brrrr! It was a fun knit, and I love the yarn!

This Cascade Pastaza started out as OSW and while knitting it I couldn't help but go "ick". I think it will be perfect as a Shaker Rib Hat and I think I have enough. The cable in the Warm Braid Cable Wristwarmers did not show up too well. I think if I had photographed it a smaller resolution, I would not have so much resizing artifact. /The hairy mohair didn't help, either. My son was gracious enough to model them.

Growing up in Hawaii, one of my favorite treats after a long day at the beach was Shave Ice. For years we went to Uptown Sundries on School street between Liliha and Nuuanu. Later, it changed to B & S and moved down the street, and now it has a brand new name. I haven't been there yet. This is a picture of the Shave Ice from Gyotaku. The ice is not fine like I would like but the the azuki bean cap (Japanese Chocolate, my dad always said) was tasty and so was the strawberry syrup. Now I have to get my little pleasure at Waiola. Maybe when my sister is in town, we will try the new place.