Monday, June 25, 2012

Round Photos for Moroccan Tile Square by Nancy Fuller




These are round photos for the Moroccan Tile Square Afghan/Pillow by Nancy Fuller.   I put off posting these photos because I could NOT find the designer anywhere to ask for permission.  Then I decided to email Leisure Arts, the publisher, and they gave me the permission to post the round photos.  I would like to thank Nancy Fuller for this beautiful square, and Leisure Arts for publishing it and giving me the permission.

All of the rounds were hooked "as written,"  unless noted below.


Round 1:
as written



Round 2:
as written



Round 3:
as written



Round 4:
as written



Round 5:
as written



Round 6:
as written



Round 7:
as written



Round 8:
as written



I did not finish off but continued with dk blue
Round 9:
had a bit of trouble with this round.  In the end I just made sure it had 5 sc centered on each side, and it seemed to work. 

Measured 10.5 in.
Uggh!  sorry for the sideways photo



Round 10: 
I Dc'd in each stitch with 2dc ch 2 2dc in each corner.
finished off.
Final round.


 Where in the world is f1bercat?

I knitted 5 miles, barely.  So hard after taking a few days off.  Obviously, I need to stop taking days off.  


Here is where I am on the big map:


View Larger Map

I am headed down to California for my nephew's wedding.  I don't know if I will be able to bike while there, but I hope to at least get some walking in.

Stay safe and well.
Yours,
f1bercat
shaping the planet one gorgeous Tile Square (Thanks Nancy Fuller!)  at a time.






Thursday, June 21, 2012

USOC vs People with Pointy Sticks and Hooks

This is an update at noon Pacific time on the controversy about the use of the word "Ravelympics" for the biennial challenge on Ravelry to cast on/start a project during the opening ceremonies of the Olympic Games (winter and summer) and cast off/finish that project before the closing ceremonies.

A cease and desist letter was sent to the owners of Ravelry not only asking them to  remove patterns for sale that use the Olympic logo (they have a point here), and change the name of the challenge from Ravelympics to Ravelry Games (their suggestion), but also suggesting that the Ravelympics denegrates the Olympic Games and is insulting to the athletes.

The fiber community has taken to the internet and phone to protest both the tone and content of the letter.  You can follow some of it on Twitter.  Since the fiber hit the fan, Patrick Sandusky, a spokesperson for the USOC has "apologized" sort of and suggested that we knit stuff for the athletes to show our support.

There have been reports in many fiber related blogs, but it seems that the news is getting out as NPR has already blogged on this issue.  (I am just a bit irritated that they think it's funny to say we are in a "twist" even though I love NPR and yes, yarn does have a twist...)

I posted the information last night on the Colbert Report's facebook page, and also those of a few other public radio shows that I like: Wait Wait Don't Tell Me and This American Life.  I am now waiting eagerly to hear this controversy discussed on the evening news.

It is not a good idea to denigrate people with pointy sticks.

yours,
f1bercat
shaping the planet one Ravelympics at a time




Full House at Eastside Stitchers


Happy Summer Solstice!

The Eastside Stitchers meet up at Crossroads Mall was so much fun tonight.  We had 2 new members show up.  And although a few of our regulars were missing due to illness (get well soon, Colleen), dogs (hurry back, MsWiz), work (hope your schedule slows down Allifer), and drama (Cleothyla), we had a great time.

So, who was there and what were they stitching?

GwenS was working on a new cowl, the Abigail by tante ehm.  She was using her Malibrigo Finito in the Cereza colorway that she bought at Serial Knitters during the Puget Sound LYS Crawl.






Chockelet had much to show and tell as usual.  First, she brought the Clapotis shawl by Kate Gilbert that she was knitting with Blue Heron Yarn in Rayon/Metallic in the Cactus Colorway.



Then right before our very eyes, she FROGGED the whole thing.  She decided that she wanted to use a different size needle.  And plans to start it over.




As for show and tell, Chockelet brought some new card weaving projects.


Ellyol brought her finished Seafoam Shawl, by Kimberly McAlindin knit in Huckleberry Knits fingering weight in the Winesap Colorway.  Ellyol bought this yarn at Apple Yarns during the Puget Sound LYS Crawl.





She started a new baby bib.




Chatzy, no longer new to our little group, was trying to cast on a new sweater, The Bottom's Up by Alice Bell. 





Tara1682 came in at the end, and I FORGOT TO PHOTOGRAPH HER PROJECT.  Bad f1bercat.

But, who are the new people, and what were THEY working on?

Redbird1 brought a Holden Shawlette by Mindy Wilkes.  She was using Blue Heron Yarn's Silk & Silver in the Seal-Ombre colorway.


 and Hrvdmnky brought her newly started Log Cabin Blanket.


 Welcome Redbird1 and Hrvdmnky!

Where in the world is f1bercat?

Today I knitted 6.15 miles.  I usually work on the spa washcloths I am making as gifts for my sisters while I am riding the exercise bike, but today I worked on my Circle Socks.  That pattern is so easy, that I have discovered I can work on the socks AND ride.  Totally cool.





But, where am I?


View Larger Map

just outside of Corvallis, Oregon.

Here is my progress on the big map:


View Larger Map

Finally, I want to say just a few words about the USOC and their cease and desist order to Ravelry about the Ravelympics.  This is what I posted on my Facebook page:


The USOC has sent a cease and desist order to the online Knitting/Crochet site www.Ravelry.com telling us to stop using the name "Ravelympics" for our 3rd biennial crafting challenge. For this user sponsored and run event, completely volunteer and non-commercial, members join teams, then cast on, or start, a project during the Opening Ceremonies and try to complete the project before the Closing ceremonies. Badges can be won for your Ravelry home page for the different types of projects completed.

In the letter, the USOC Lawyers state "The Olympic Games represent ideals that go beyond sport to encompass culture and education, tolerance and respect, world peace and harmony." Obviously, they don't encompass craft.

Also, stated in the letter, "We believe using the name “Ravelympics” for a competition that involves an afghan marathon, scarf hockey and sweater triathlon, among others, tends to denigrate the true nature of the Olympic Games. In a sense, it is disrespectful to our country’s finest athletes and fails to recognize or appreciate their hard work."

I am sad that the USOC believes that my crocheting a cardigan (planned to be my Ravelympic project as I am a captain of Team Crossroads), while watching the Olympics on TV denigrates the true nature of the Olympic Games.

I am seriously considering boycotting the Olympics and all sponsors.
 Stay safe and well.
Yours,
f1bercat
I carry pointy sticks.  USOC, watch out. 
 
 

Tuesday, June 19, 2012

A Tale of 2 Heels

Warning!  Lots of spoiler photos of the Rombikiri Socks by YarnYenta.


I am participating in the Solid Socks Mystery Sock KAL/Green Sock challenge for the month of June.  The pattern is called Rombikiri, and is by the YarnYenta, Heatherly Walker.  The pattern so far is this wonderful diamond design.

The 3rd clue was for the heels.  Nothing new there, just an Eye of Partridge Heel with a Garter Stitch Border. (Notice how casually I write that?  LOL!  I've done 3 socks now with borders, and this is my 2nd Eye of Partridge Heel.  I'm such an expert!)




But it got me really thinking about design. Like many new knitters, I want to learn how to design my own pieces.  I am now pretty comfortable with altering socks for size.  I have taken things designed to be knitted flat, and changed them to the round (like the Belinda Jane Doll by Flutterby Patch).  But, I have not started a design from scratch.


There is a woman who comes occasionally to the Eastside Stitchers Wednesday night Stitch n Bitch who was making  pair of socks of her own design.  And, as she described it, it's not that hard.  I mean, you just pick a lace or texture pattern that has a reasonable number of repeats, and use it. Of course, that is basically true, but when you look at really successful patterns, there is more to it.  There is something about balance, and poetry in a really successful design.

Why do designers choose one heel over another?

Here are some of the heels I have knit over this year:


My first Eye of Partridge heels.

Hermione's Everyday Socks by Erica Lueder Oct SKA 2011
For the November, Man Sock, SKA challenge, I made 2 pair of socks, both with traditional sl 1 k1 heel flaps.

Movember Mystery Sock by Deb Barnhill Nov SKA 2011

Mr. Pitt's Socks by Kaitlyn Wong Nov SKA 2011
The choices for top down socks seem to be, continuing some kind of pattern over the flap, plain stockinette (not very sturdy), the standard s1 k1 ribbed flap, and Eye of Partridge.  Now, I am sure there are more possibilities, but these are the ones I have learned.

So, how does a designer decide which to use in her sock design?  I am so fashion senseless.  It seems to me in the socks that I posted above that the heel choices were really on the mark.  The heels for the men's socks need to wear well, but not be too fussy.

The Snuggly Socks, designed by Liz Marino, that I made in her Gift Knits Club this year, follow the same principle.
Snuggly Socks by Liz Marino for 2012 Gift Knits Club


These socks used a textured rib, and are a unisex design, so the heel shouldn't be too fussy.

The Hermione's Every Day Socks, are pretty simple, but still feminine.  The Eye of Partridge Heel is a nice choice.


I love that heel, and think it is a pretty choice for the current socks I am knitting.  Also, it's fun to practice the pattern again.

So, what will my first sock design be?  And how will I construct the heels?  I have no idea.  But I am excited to think about it.

Where in the World is f1bercat?

 I knitted on the exercise bike this weekend as well as today, so I am going to add the 2 distances together, and make it look like I went really far!  And although I don't feel too poorly, I have the beginning of a cold, with the achy muscles, etc., so I'm really proud of myself for making it to the Y today. 6.86 miles on Saturday, + 7.34 miles today put me at 255.19 miles total on my trip.


View Larger Map

I am almost half way down the state of Oregon.

I'm starting to believe there is an end.  Maybe next year?

Stay safe and well.
Yours,
f1bercat
shaping the planet with a lot of socks






Friday, June 15, 2012

Halos of Hope



The Sharing Our Gifts Across America Group on Ravelry is on their 29th State.  The goal of the group is to do some type of charity knitting in each of the 50 United States. 

This month the state is Illinois, and the charity we are helping is called Halos of Hope.  The information on the group's thread for this month reads:

Halos of Hope is 501 c(3) approved charity committed to providing in-need cancer patients with crafted hats donated by caring volunteers.
Hats can be knitted, crocheted, or may be sewn headscarves. As of February, 2012, Halos of Hope supports over 450 cancer centers in the United States. Donations from our group will go to those centers in Illinois.

The call was for knitted and crocheted hats and head scarfs, "chemo caps."  They wanted them to be especially soft.  Also, they need hats for women, men and kids.

I decided to make a man's hat.  I can't believe I'm saying this, but I didn't have any suitable yarn.  I didn't want to use wool, although wool can be super soft, just in case someone was allergic.  I thought a yarn for baby clothes would be soft enough.  I found some nice brown yarn by Plymouth Yarn, Dream Baby DK, at The Knittery, in Renton, WA.  It is 50% acrylic microfiber and 50% nylon.

The brown in the above photo is pretty close to the color in real life.

The pattern I used is Brennius Hat by Orna Ferenz.  It is a free pattern on Ravelry.  It is very simple, easy to remember, and quick to knit.  I like that it is not fussy, but has a bit of a texture to it.  I also like the slight slouch to it.

I didn't have any needles with a 15" cord, so I  bought a pair of those as well, in size 4 US (3.5 mm).  They felt a bit awkward to use at first, since the needles are so small in the hand, but as I had at first thought to use magic loop, they were a great improvement.

The yarn did feel super soft.  I used most of one skein.  My son, Pookie, who is my model, really liked the finished hat.  He especially liked how the top made a square.  It was just a bit different .  Just different enough.



I hope that whoever gets the hat likes it.  I hope that it gives some comfort.  I hope that this hat lets someone know that people far away are thinking about, hoping and pulling for him.

I want this hat to be a halo of hope.

Yours,
f1bercat
shaping the planet one hat at a time


Thursday, June 14, 2012

Crown Jewels 12 in. Square by Melinda Miller Round Photos







These are the round photos of the 2012BAMCAL 12 in. filler square for June.  I have also added a very short video tutorial to show how to do the popcorn stitches used.
The square is the Crown Jewels 12 in Square, and was designed by Melinda Miller.  Check out her blog.

Thank you to Melinda Miller for allowing me to show photos of the finished rounds of this square on my blog.

She recommends size H hook.
I used a single color until the last 2 rounds.  If I added comments or clarifications, I used blue.  As written, means that I  hooked the round as written.

Round 1:
as written 
Round 1


Round 2:
Beg Popcorn Stitch:
ch 3 (counts as dc) 


4 dc in same st as joining st 



drop lp from hook, insert hook from front to back through top of beg ch 3 and then in dropped lp 04
Yo and draw through both lps on hook 


Popcorn Stitch
5 dc in same st 


drop lp from hook, insert hook from front to back through top of first dc and then in dropped lp


yo and draw through both lps on hook          


round as written 
Round 2


Round 3:
as written 


Round 4:
as written 
Round 4


Round 5:
as written 
Round 5



Round 6:
as written
Round 6


Round 7:
as written

Round 7

Round 8:
be sure there are 4 dtr clusters in each corner 
as written

Round 9:
as written
Round 9

Round 10:
as written
final round


 Thanks again, Melinda Miller.
This is a beautiful square.

Yours,
f1bercat
shaping the planet square by square