Madame Purl » Sweaters & Vests

Origami Knitting

Madame Purl — Sun, 18 Apr 2010 23:39:22 +0000

I love these projects that are like origami knitting. You start off Raveneli by knitting the collar in the round first. Then you do a little more knitting and then knit up the back. This is where I’m at right now. At least this yarn and this pattern seem very compatible. It’s always nice when you find the perfect fit for your handspun.

Cold but Clear

Madame Purl — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 18:31:07 +0000

So winter has for sure come upon us — it’s very clear and cold today. At least we are getting some sun today.

I started a Coco sweater – the cold weather has urged me on since squeezing her into her old coats don’t seem to be an option this year.

Unfortunately last night’s work is about to visit the frog pond since I couldn’t get gauge and this is going to be smidge too tight. At least this works up quick.

February Lady Sweater

Madame Purl — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 03:07:49 +0000

Finally I put the buttons on my February Lady Sweater. Yeah!

I’m hoping the weather cooperates for Rhinebeck. I’d love to wear it out for the day.

This is my friend Beverly. She loves knitting socks. She’s the most prolific sock knitter I know. Wednesday night she was putting the finishing touch on five pairs. Aren’t they gorgeous?

Just In Time for 90-Degrees

Madame Purl — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 01:38:13 +0000

All blocked.

Just need to add the buttons, but I’m in no hurry since it’s going to be 90-degrees for the next few days. As soon it cools down, I’ll get a nice finished picture. I like these buttons. They match the triangle in the gull lace pattern.

I’m dreaming of my next sweater. Notre Dame De Grace… of course I still want to finish spinning for Tasha’s Shawl… so much crafting, so little time.

Everywhere

Madame Purl — Sat, 25 Apr 2009 00:00:40 +0000

I can’t believe it’s been more than a week since I posted. Whoops. I feel like I’ve been everywhere. I know there’s just so much going on, but for the life of me I don’t know what. Last night I gave a talk/demo on spinning to the Hononegah Women’s group. We all had a blast. I really enjoy myself on these talks. Of course I could talk spinning/knitting forever, so it’s more like get me to shut up. Last week we went to a little festival out in Cedarville – that was a lot of fun and as per usual I spent my budget with no problems on some great little foibles and fiber.

I have made a little progress and started more projects. I’ve almost got the body done for my FLS.

I also started a little hat for my little cousin that is turning 1. These cupcake hats are all the rage for my knitting group. I thought she would look cute. Anyway, I’m done with the pesky part, so now it’s the fun part.

I did cast on a few new socks. I’m back on two at a time, toe up. I haven’t done this since I first learned to knit socks, so I’m re-visiting the technique and having fun.

I also finished a pair of car socks – they’re easy enough to knit in the car. By the way this is Wisdom Yarn’s Chicago and the knots were nuts. As you can see they don’t match. At one point I was like whatever and just finished them before I pitched the yarn – knitted project and all in the trash. As you may already guess – I’m staying away from this yarn with a ten foot pole.

Finally I couldn’t resist. I picked up these great little project bags. I couldn’t decide on a pattern, so I got three. These are very nicely done and very inexpensive. A great size and has a nice pocket and good draw string. Super fast shipping also – I order on Friday and had by Monday. Gotta love that.

These came from BlueTulips on Etsy. Go over and have a browse. You know you want too… heheh.

February Continues

Madame Purl — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 19:51:55 +0000

I know it’s April, but the February Lady’s Sweater continues. Finally.

I’ve made it to the pattern part of the sweater and I’m finally making progress. I’ve split off the sleeves and now it’s just down the body. I think it will fit. I keep going back and forth between the XS and Small, but having made the Einstein Coat the garter stitch does have a tendency to bag and now I swim in that sweater. So this time, I picked the XS and then sweated that it would fit. I know you can try it on as you go, but I’m so lazy I’d have to slip another needle or thread through and I just haven’t done that. So I carefully slipped it on and it seemed to fit, so it should be fine.

It’s about 60-degrees and beautiful today. Madison is thoroughly enjoying herself outside.

Sunshine is getting chased by Coco here and as a result giving her a good hiss. I just love that little back off face. (lol)

Conserving Energy

Madame Purl — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 23:35:02 +0000

I know it’s been a week since I posted. Shame on me, but I’ve been conserving energy for a good reason. I’ve been feeling a little run down lately. I swear my office is filled to the brim with cold and flu bugs and even some knitting friends seem to have come down with it lately. With that said, I need to conserve my energy to stay healthy. Next week I start checking off another goal on my 2009 goal list. I’m learning to weave. On Tuesday I will begin a 5-day class over two weeks that will go from start to finish of a project. I can’t wait.

In the meantime there has been knitting. I started a sock for my Silly Sock Pal, which I have to finish soon for mailing. I have one goodie for my package and an idea for two more, so I should be all set there. Just have to knit, knit, knit. You’re not seeing things – it’s in black and white because the color may or may not give it away… I’m not going to tell. (lol)

Finally I knit and re-knit the beginning of the February Lady’s Sweater. In the directions it says to pick up a stitch in the back for the increase. Well if you just pick up any old stitch I found it can get wonky. If you pick up the bar in the middle or I guess so be it the “right” stitch than it is nice and smooth.

First the wonky – look closely.

Second the smooth. Compare and contrast. If you can’t see anything than yes, I’m this crazy to re-knit this. (lol)

Finally it’s a rainy day around here and about 40-degrees, but we were blessed with two 60-degree days this week, which was fantastic.

Welcome 2009

Madame Purl — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 03:43:46 +0000

So today started off early as both DH and I got up and got going to head out to The Fold for the annual sale. Dawn and I wanted to be first one’s in and hurry up to get our purchases done and get out. If you haven’t been there for the sale it’s total madness. Since last year my car got hit in the parking lot at this sale, DH drove us and waited in the car for us. This way too we could talk and look at books we got for the holidays and stuff.

Since we got there early we got a primo spot to park and were the first one’s in the door. Even though I had a list, calculator and had an eye of what I was looking for – I still managed to get a bit confounded. There are just entirely too many choices in that store. I did manage to get bearings and get some lovely stuff.

First some Gypsy Girl Adrianna I had been coveting… but talked myself out of last time I saw it…

Close up… isn’t it gorgeous.

Then some lovely merino/silk – 8 ounces of luscious goodness…

Totally gorgeous and everyone kept asking me where I got it. Since it was in a huge maybe 2 or 3 pound bag, I re-assured everyone there would be plenty left. It just struck me when I posted a picture this would make a totally gorgeous shawl.

Then I picked up a bag for my Lendrum spinning wheel.

I had been coveting one of these for a while. I would take it more places if it had a decent bag. I already have some lovely cozies for the heads that my Mom made. I think this may have been last years model as it was a little less then all the other denim ones, but I don’t mind. The best part – all my purchases were 30% off.

I’m off to knit and think about my goals for 2009. I don’t like resolutions, but I do like goals. Have a good one everyone!

U is for Update

Madame Purl — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 03:09:38 +0000

So I didn’t mean to take a bloggy break. Life just kept getting in the way (still is for that matter) and every time I sit down to write this Coco seems to need to go out or someone needs something.

So let’s see where did we leave off…

The TV. Well the TV thing worked out great. DH and I went by Sam’s Club to check out new TV’s and see if they knew anything about this extended warranty. While we were there they told us just to bring back the broken TV and they would give us a full refund. So we packed everything back up the next night and not only did they refund the TV, they also gave us our money back for the extended warranty. So we purchased a new TV and have been happily watching ever since. This new TV is better than ever – we ended up with a Sony Bravia 46″ LCD this time. The picture was just better than the plasma. Maybe it worked out for the best.

Last weekend we went back to the vet. Unfortunately on the way DH didn’t see the man hole cover was up from all the plowing going on with the snow around here and shredded his tire. Ugh. We finally made it to the vet. We found out poor Tobey needs a special diet and all but our diabetic cat needs a lower protein food. This means feeding them on a schedule. So we tried this only to have poor Fagyo go into a diabetic shock. I woke the vet up on Sunday morning at 6:55AM. I’m sure he loved that, but I think he may have dozed off again, as I called him back to let him know the corn syrup worked around 8:10 and he still sounded groggy. Anyway he came out it. He was still a bit unsteady throughout the day, but by the evening he was right as rain again.

The washer also broke. That needed a new motor and motor board. As least the parts were under warranty. Just cost the service call and the labor, but it took two visits. Another pain.

I did manage to finish the vest, but still haven’t gotten my Mom’s presents off yet. Her birthday is Sunday. Since I’ve had to put a few more hours in a work this week (inventory, yuck), it may not get out till Saturday. Kinda a bummer, but I know she understands.

Here’s the vest. It’s a pain in the winter, when it’s hard to get a decent picture even in the day.

Plain Jane but very useful. She’ll love it. I think it’s my last one for a while though. I think I’ve knit 3 now and it’s worn on me. I think I’m going to try a hat and scarf for her next project. I did end up with an extra skein of Cascade 220 – so I think I’m going to make her a beret to go with the vest.

Clicking Along

Madame Purl — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 04:50:51 +0000

I know it’s Whisker’s on Wednesday. Tobey looks about the same, but he’s still not feeling well. I let him out of sick bay for awhile, but after he rewarded me with bad behavior, back in he went. You know when they don’t meow or bang the door they really are sick. I’ve called the doc and still no results back yet. I’ll keep you all posted. Appreciate all the positive thoughts for sure.

On knitting news, I casted on the rib warmer and it’s clicking along. I’m reading Sense and Sensibility with the Ravelry Austen Book Club and this is my first project with them. Fun for sure. The discussions have been wonderful and insightful.

Sorry about these pictures folks. We’ve had nothing buy overcast/rainy days around here. I’ve switched to working mornings and by the time I get home in the afternoon, I feel like I’ve got about 10 minutes of daylight to work with.