JenLa

There’s no place I can be
Since I Found Serenity

Stats: Baby Blanket
Pattern: Serenity
Yarn: Lion Brand Cotton Ease, just a smidge over 5 balls. Worsted (9wpi)
Needles: US Size 7 [4.5mm] circs. I used my Denise Interchangeables so I could expand the circumference as the blanket grew
Started: August 2007
Finished: November 2007
Mods/Notes: Well, since this is an original design there haven’t been any modifications, yet.

This is a square baby blanket combining cables and lace, knit from the center out with cabled corner spines and a slightly scalloped edge. Would it be vain of me to say I really enjoyed knitting my own pattern? Well then, bring me my magic mirror, cuz knitting enjoyment factor for me? Pretty damned high. Like, “beyond the rim” high. Among other things, I cabled without cable needles for the first time ever! And constantly, as in, unless it’s a sven-or-more-stitch cable, I don’t need no stinkin’ needle! Many an hour of my commute was happily spent intensely conjuring the engineering of this blanket; which elements to introduce and where, what kind of edging did I want? How was I going to build the stitch count while a la Veronik Avery, working the newly-added stitches directly into the cable & lace motif. And how to best achieve the overall look I was wanting in the simplest yet most engaging way possible; and how to put it all down on paper in such a way that other people besides me can understand it.

The only issue I have with this pattern is that you can’t add more repeats of the cable & lace motif than what the pattern calls for unless you’re prepared to do some serious slap-dashery and number-fiddling. I tried, but to write it all down in the pattern made my brain all ’splodey. Besides, at 42″ x 42″ I don’t see much need for it to be any larger, unless you’re wanting to use a finer-gauge.

I seriously considered taking Turtlegirl’s threat advice, and thought about submitting it to IK, Magknits or Knitty, but I really didn’t want to have to sit on the pattern and the pictures until February (and I’m still mad a Knitty for the last rejection). And even though I’ve been threatened about giving the pattern away (busted kneecaps…okay, I might be exaggerating a might), I can’t bring myself to charge money for it. That’s not what we’re about. So, if you’re interested, there are 3 ways to obtain this pattern.

1. Click the Big Damn Button.
2. Find it in the Ravelry library.
3. Once Jen gets a chance to catch her breath, let alone has 2 minutes to rub together, it’ll be up on our free patterns page (very top of the page where it says Our Free Patterns). In the meantime, just hang tight and, see numbers 1 or 2.

I’m rather curious to see this knit up in something other than cotton. So, if you knit it, let me know.

Shiny!
(click on the word)

I have a finished object today. One you didn’t know I’d started.

What’s this? Is she knitting gardens again?

Oh, it’s a carrot bed. Yep. Freak.

Wait, that’s not a carrot.

Oh noes, rabbit in the garden.

Ooo a hidey hole made all out of squooshy!

Well, the name IS “Ninjabun”, so the stealth is right in the name. I started this pattern on Thursday and finished it today and that’s the other reason I haven’t shown it; I haven’t posted since I began. This is a gift for a dear friend’s baby shower this coming weekend.

Pattern: Ninjabun! by Anna Hrachovec of Mochimochi Land
Yarn: Oddments of alpaca remnants in my stash
Needles: US 3- the pattern calls for larger needles, but since my yarns were DK and I like toys to be knit tightly so the stuffing doesn’t show, that’s what I used.
Mods: Apart from the needle size, none.
Thoughts: SO cute. I think this is Anna’s cutest pattern yet. If you’re one of those who likes to bandy the word “fiddly” about, move along. [And why do you people think making a sweater one loop at a time isn't 'fiddly', btw? Sheesh.] There are 20 fence posts to knit and sew on. I didn’t find it difficult or annoying in the least, but then I thoroughly enjoy knitting little toys and am more than willing to deal with details. I’m trying to decide whether to make Rainycloud or Uh-Ohs to go with it.

Another short post today. I’ve been down with a stomach flu that hit me like a mack truck and it still hurts to breathe, much less think. I’m definitely on the mend, and want to thank everyone for their kind wishes, thoughts, compliments and everything lately. I’m going to be a better blogger and leave comments and answer emails again soon instead of trying to race through everything on bloglines.

It’s done. It may have required two month’s worth of UFOR focus and a hard deadline, but I finished it. More and better pics here.

Specs: Fiber Farm Play Mat
Dates: Fall 2006 to July 2007
Patterns: The original idea came from Debbie Bliss’s book, Toy Knits. The sheep and pig also came from there, but immediately I got bored and started knitting squares that were all different stitch patterns. Then I decided it needed angora goats, so I partially made up a pattern for that, based on the sheep pattern. After that, I decided it should be like our farm, so I made up a pattern for the guinea fowl. I had to make up the pattern for the guard llamas, as well, because the few available patterns I’ve seen are either too big or not really very llama-esque or both. Thank gourd I finished it before I found some other kind of animal to add to the farm. First person to say “barn cats” or “dogs” has to knit them from my pictures.
Yarns: Everything was knit with remnants from other projects and there is everything in there from Knitpicks Elegance to Blue Sky Alpacas to Dale Baby Ull.
Needles: Again, a bit of everything. The animals were mostly knit using 0’s, though.
Why? Because I’m sick? This is a present for my almost 2 year old niece. To answer Elizabeth’s earlier question: yes, the different squares are different crops. As you can see, some of the acreage has been planted and is growing, while other sections have only recently been plowed. The niece will no doubt grasp the agricultural significance of the diversity of planting, the crop rotation and bushes for erosion control as well as the environmentally friendly method of insect control, i.e., guineas. The water is unpolluted because the farmer used no synthetic fertilizers and the barn, which is elsewhere, is solar. The farmer has decided on fiber as a renewable resource and natural clothing option and treats all the animals exceptionally humanely. They eat organically grown vegetables and grains to supplement their forage and the hay was made with an alternative fuel baler. The farmer also composts their manure and uses it to fertilize the crops and has installed a gray water system for irrigation as well as recycles, produces biodiesel and lives off the grid.

Okay, I have no idea why I wrote all of that. I just made it up for filler. Yes, I’m sober. No, I’m not that green. I sure wish I were, though. I should lie and say I knit this toy as a teaching tool, to raise children right and teach them about how precious our land is, how wonderful fiber is and how desperately we need to change our thinking about agriculture, which is all true. That would sound noble, right? I strongly believe in everything I just wrote, but….

It’s a toy. Toys are fun.

I’m going to give it to her when I see her during the wedding festivities. I’ll be sure and post if I win any Best Aunt Awards. I am down to only needing to finish one project by Saturday night and it’s looking grim. I did save the least-important-to-actually-have-by-the-deadline one for last, though.

Meanwhile, I would like to show you this:

Which used to be my botched attempt at a fair isle christmas ornament. It is now this:

That would be my August UFOR project. Which means I have nearly a whole MONTH of no lip from Stacey.

This post brought to you by the No Farmers, No Food Coalition in conjunction with the STFU Foundation.

Eve’s Rib Baby Socks

Pattern: Cable Rib Socks from Better than Booties Baby Socks by Ann Budd
Yarn: Knitpicks Essential superwash merino in Burgundy; leftovers…approx. 1/4 ball if that
Needles: US size 1 [2.25 mm] bamboo DPNs
Mods/Comments: The pattern calls for just a plain ribbed edge at the top of this particular sock. To me this looked unfinished, so I did a picot hem instead. Gawd, how I love the way that particular hem treatment looks! It adds just a sweet twee flair to an already adorable wee little sock. I really like this pattern and I plan to use it again and again, now that I have yet another baby on its way. It’s cuff-down with a simple YO short-row heel and toe. And because you turn the toe from the bottom of the foot and over, the zig-zag bind-off gives me yet another technique for grafted toe avoidance, and we all know how I love me some of that!

Speaking of toze, you gotta see this!

Here’s the place I was planning on putting another jigsaw puzzle for your enjoyment, but on todays trip around the bloggerhood, I saw that Turtlegirl (which is pretty cool and you should go play) beat me to that idea. Well, I can’t very well post it now, can I? Unless I WANT to look like a dumb lame old poser who couldn’t find an original thought if it jumped up and bit her on the boob. Can’t have that now can we? I’ll just have to save mine for later. But it was a really REALLY cool one, and knit-related to boot. Oh well, fodder for another day!

Instead…

Since Jen’s is shaping up to be a week of this…

I give her this to soothe the savage beast…and a name preference for the moocher (see yesterday’s post): Swatch and Frog are my 2 favorites so far. AWESOME suggestions peeps! And look at the size of those front paws! The better to bat you with my dear. Ohhhho, those are some serious pouncitude equipment.

Last week pretty much shot my Effed-Oh wad. So now I’m on to new projects and maybe trying to finish up one old or two old languishing things. I’ve been trying this system where I work on one thing until it’s finished. I know what you’re thinking. “AWAY, FOUL BLASPHEMER!” But for the moment it seems to be working for me. I may be going to hell for declaring project monogamy. In fact, there’s evidence to prove it.

Why do so many of you dislike intarsia?

I hope by week’s end to show you why I’m putting myself through this. I’m also desperately hoping it’s going to be worth it.

Please send bobbins and chibis. Some beer and pizza wouldn’t go amiss, either.