Knitting | AuburnChick's Adventures

A Pile of Finished Blankets

Posted on January 23, 2009 by auburnchick

As many of you know, I head up the West Coast Oddball Baby Blanket project. We’ve got a group of gals here on Ravelry and one here Knittinghelp.com (where the project originated) involved. I’ve mentioned this project before but thought it would be fun to share some pictures of finished blankets. The gals have been sending them to me after the border has been added. I’m going to wash them all and get them ready to ship to the members who will be delivering them to hospitals in their cities.

As you will see, we’ve been quite busy!

Autumn Reds

Blueberry Bliss

Candy Cane

Carousel

Desert Sand

Disney Land

Grand Canyon Sunset

Lemonade Stand

Lime Sherbert

Pacific Blues

Puppy Love

Purple Mountains Majesty

Rain Forest

Rainbow Sherbert

Tropical Plantation

Filed under: Knitting | Tagged: blankets, Charity, Knitting, knittinghelp.com, ravelry | 2 Comments »

A Sensory Experience

Posted on January 17, 2009 by auburnchick

We’re spending the weekend in Metairie, Louisiana. Soccer Chick has an ODP (Olympic Development Program) regional tournament.

I drove her over on Friday after school, stopping to pick up a teammate along the way. We had a pleasant drive. I dropped off the girls at the team’s hotel and made my way two exits down to my own hotel, spending the night by myself. I must admit that although it felt odd at first, I quickly grew to appreciate being totally alone.

Chicky woke me up from a sound sleep by sending me a text message to remind me to take my sneakers to her hotel…long story not worth telling.

Once I was out and about, I figured that I might as well go exploring. I mean, I had the GPS, so why not!

Metairie is just north of New Orleans…an easy drive…especially when you’re looking for a certain type of store.

Getting my drift???

As I drove, I saw the Super Dome (famous site of Hurricane Katrina victims):

I also saw this lovely church:

The streets in New Orleans are very quaint:

And then I parked the car and made my way down the street to this place:

I consider it my mission to inspect yarn stores across the country and give you a review of them. Can you tell that I’m trying to justify my latest adventure??

Here’s the view you get when you walk in:

To your right is the “Sale Room.”

Everything in the Sale Room was 50% off. Here’s another picture of it, so you can see all of the lovelies in the room:

As you continue further in the store, you see, to the right, shelving with lots of books and magazines:

As you pass the shelving, you see the following, along the left side of the store, extending towards the back:

This is just one section of that wall on the left:

And on the right side:

The right side of the store is a sock knitter’s paradise. This is an entire section dedicated to Koigu sock yarn:

And here’s a section of various other sock yarns. The right section of this wall is all Tofutsies…the most colors I’ve ever seen in one store:

Here’s a couple of gals I spent time talking to. The lady in front was learning how to knit in the round. Her ribbing looked amazing for a first-time knitter! The gal behind her works at the store and was providing instruction and encouragement to the other gal. She was quite knowledgeable, friendly, and enabled me in my purchase (you’ll see later in this post). Her blog is here.

So, with all of that fabulous yarn, whatever was I going to do? It would have been rude to walk out without getting anything. Especially after everyone had been helping me pick my jaw off the floor. I mean, I’m from a small town where such delicious yummies do not exist!

Here’s what I got:

And here are close-ups of the yarn. I have to say that the Misti Alpaca was a total splurge. Once I touched it, I knew I had to have it. I am already feeling it around my neck. I will cast on for a scarf tomorrow when I get home from LA.

Misti Alpaca - Colorway is "Marvelous"

The Koigu was too much to pass up. All of the Koigu was beautiful! The colors are vibrant. I selected a solid color to give me more leeway in pattern selection:

Koigu

And the last purchase is Boomerang. The colorway is White Zifandel. I bought it because it’s worsted weight, and I am going to use it when my friend Christina (Rabbitrescuer) and I make socks. I’m going to walk her through her first sock pattern, and she wants to use worsted weight. I wanted to make my life easier and not have to adjust the pattern for thinner yarn. Sure, whatever excuse works, eh? And besides that, because it’s worsted weight, I’ll be able to get two pairs of socks out of the 320 yard skein. Ha! Two for the price of one, eh?

Boomerang - White Zifandel

Now, I have to tell you that after I left the store, my head felt like it was in a fog…in a good way. I have never gotten to visit such a fabulous yarn store. The assortment of goodies was vast.

I called a friend and shared my giddiness. She totally understood.

Yarn shopping is a sensory experience, as many of you know. First, you experience visual satisfaction as your eyes lay sight of vibrant colors. It’s like a mosaic, with all of the colors combining to form a masterpiece.

Yarn shopping is also about touch. As you roll the yarn between your fingers, you envision yet-to-be-worked projects. Will this make a good scarf, you wonder to yourself. What about a pair of socks? How will this feel on my feet? Your mind starts working overtime as it tries to process the visions placed before it. Will a hat be warm if I use this yarn?

Yes, shopping for yarn is an uplifting experience. It’s as if you are transported to a time of innocence and wonder, much like that of a child’s when something is brand new. If leaves you filled with joy that’s difficult to explain to a non-yarney.

Filed under: soccer | Tagged: boomerang, fiesta, Knitting, koigu, misty alpaca, new orleans, shopping, yarn | 4 Comments »

A Good Deal is Hard to Pass Up!

Posted on January 13, 2009 by auburnchick

When you see a price tag like this:

And it is attached to this:

You just can’t pass it up.

So I didn’t.

A friend and I had traveled to a city far away…well, actually two hours away…to watch our boys play a soccer game. Rooster called me on the way to ask us to pick up some Dixie cups for the boys to use during water breaks.

No problem! We knew there was a Target near the school. The added bonus was the Starbucks located inside the store. We were anxious for some hot chocolate to warm us up before stepping into the frigid air. 50 degrees is cold down here in Florida!

While we were in Target, I suddenly remembered that I had left my gloves in my car…way back home. We had made a sudden change in our plans, and my friend had driven her van. I thought I had grabbed all of my cold-weather gear, but lo-and-behold, I left a very necessary item behind. My hands get very cold because I photograph all of the games I attend.

While I waited for my Starbucks order, my friend ran to take a peek at the gloves. By the time I met her in that department, she had the above gloves in her hand. Being the kind friend that she is, she offered them to me. I was pleased, to say the least. Especially when I saw that they were knit gloves with cables! My favorite!!

The cables make the gloves very thick and warm. Somehow, I think that the nice, low price makes them warmer.

Mind over matter.

Tonight I got a very nice compliment when someone asked me if I had knit the gloves. No, but that’s going to be one of the things I knit very soon!

Oh, and just for fun…

Here’s one of my newest pictures of Pele:

Doesn’t he look comfy?!

Ahhh…the dog’s life. Must be grand!

Filed under: This-n-That | Tagged: gloves, Knitting, soccer, Starbucks, Target | 1 Comment »

Tinkering With the Toes

Posted on January 11, 2009 by auburnchick

I am currently working on the Hawaiian Leis Socks (this is a Ravelry link) from the 2008 Pattern a Day Calendar.

Here’s a picture of my progress so far…

Hawaiian Leis Socks

As I near the point where I begin decreasing for the toes, I’m pondering a question that has been in the back of my mind ever since I knit my second pair of socks…how to customize the toes.

First, a close-up of mine:

AuburnChick's Ugly Toes

I feel the need to apologize for the graphic nature of the above photo. I’m not blind to the fact that I am not exactly a foot model. However, I felt it was necessary to include it given my question.

Now, as many of you know, sock decreases typically happen on both sides; however, if you take a close look (gag) at the above photo, you’ll notice that my big toe goes straight up and does not curve inward.

To get my socks to fit optimally, shouldn’t I be decreasing only on one side?

Yes, I realize that this might require some planning on my part…something I’m not very good at; however, what’s the point in knitting socks for myself if I can’t get the best fit? I mean, I can walk into any clothing store and buy a pair of pointy toe socks.

Because my feet are a bit wider than many, I’m also thinking that I should do the kitchener stitch much sooner than most patterns recommend. I mean, do my feet look eight stitches across? I think not.

I know that yarn stretches, but c’mon! My feet are BIG!

Ok…so these are my ponderings on a lazy Sunday afternoon.

Do I have too much time on my hands?

Probably.

We all need days like this, though. Time to ponder such heavy issues.

I’m looking forward to your comments. Please be kind about the toes. I’m sensitive.

😀

Filed under: Knitting | Tagged: feet, hawaiian leis socks, kitchener stitch, Knitting | 4 Comments »

Happy Birthday Sis!

Posted on January 9, 2009 by auburnchick

Today is my sister’s birthday! Woo Hoo!

In true AuburnChick fashion, the kids and I called…early. Nothing like the sound of semi-awake voices to get you going, eh?

Now that she’s unwrapped her present, I can share it with you.

First, the gift…

And now, what was inside…

I went with a “Spa” theme this year.

And individual pictures with descriptions…

Turn Back Time Spa Cloth - Creative Knitting Magazine January 2008 - Sugar 'n Cream Light Teal

Waffle Stitch Spa Cloth - Creative Knitting Magazine January 2009 - Sugar 'n Cream Light Blue

The Waffle Stitch cloth pattern had an error. You have to cast on an even number of stitches.

Waffle Stitch Soap Sack - Creative Knitting Magazine January 2009 - Sugar 'n Cream Country Stripes

And last…something fun…

Chinese Zodiac Tiger - Knit 1 Magazine Fall 2008 - Woolease Paprika

The tiger (cause we’re Auburn fans) was my FIRST crochet project! I’m extremely pleased with it.

Happy Birthday Sis! You are a blessing to this world. Your solid faith and life of prayer inspire me in my own walk.

Filed under: Knitting | Tagged: creative knitting, crochet, Knitting, Sugar 'n Cream, tiger, Turn Back Time Spa Cloth, Waffle Stitch, woolease | 1 Comment »

Knotty or Knice Socks

Posted on January 4, 2009 by auburnchick

Woo Hoo! These socks are FINALLY off the needles!

First, the pictures, and then the info…

Knotty or Knice Socks

The pattern is called Knotty or Knice Socks from the Fall 2008 issue of Interweave Knits.

I cast these on 9/28/08 and bound them off yesterday (1/3/09). The main reason why it took me so long to complete them is because I put them down many times to work on other projects. Yes, I am a one-project-at-a-time kind of gal, but I had obligations…Guy Friend’s Beanie, charity blankets, stockings for the soldiers…

Plus, the yarn was so thin that I had to use a cable needle. Argh! Once I got the hang of the way the cables worked, I flew through the pattern repeats.

The yarn is Trekking Pro Natura, colorway #1545. I used size 1 (2.50mm) needles. I knit these using two circular needles…my favorite method. I worked five pattern repeats on the foot and five more on the leg.

If I were to change anything, I would have left more stitches across the toes. I do not have pointy toes, and these definitely go to a point. This is the neat thing about making your own socks is that you can customize them to fit your own feet perfect.

Ok…a note about the yarn.

I’ve gotta say that when I started working with it, I found it splitty. The needles kept poking through the center of the strands, making it difficult to cable. However, I got used to it and eventually didn’t have a problem. I also found the yarn a bit rough. The yarn is 75% wool and 25% bamboo. After putting them on for the pictures, I have decided that they are going to be warm. I’m sure they’ll soften up with a few washes.

Another thing I’ve decided is that I want sock blockers. Sister, if you’re reading this, make a note of it for my birthday. These are the ones I want (click on the link to go to the Etsy store to purchase):

Oh, and I just had to comment about the pictures of the socks. Soccer Chick took them for me. That’s her room. We’ve taken a couple of pictures against the green wall before. There’s just something about the green that makes for good knitting pictures! She was so funny too! She had to lie down on her stomach to take the pictures. Every time she took one, she got up to show me. Of course, something was wrong with each picture…the sock was wrinkled, my foot wasn’t positioned correctly…you name it, we did it wrong. She was fuming by the end, claiming she was not a photographer. She still managed to get some GREAT shots, eh?

Ok…I’ve just cast on for my next pair of socks. I’ll post some pictures of the progress another day.

Filed under: Knitting | Tagged: cables, etsy, interweave knits, Knitting, knotty or knice, purple, sock blockers, socks, trekking pro natura | 5 Comments »

Life Doesn’t Stop For Christmas

Posted on December 26, 2008 by auburnchick

It’s the day after Christmas, and Rooster is still sick. And it’s not just the sniffles either. We’re talking raging fever since Monday.

Sigh…

After sleeping fitfully on Christmas Eve, he woke up fever-free and a bit sweaty. We thought his fever had broken for good. He felt well enough to open presents at two different family gatherings. And what fun we had!

The in-laws gave me enough money to pay for a ball winder and swift…the two biggest items on my list. I must take a moment to brag. I am a smart shopper. After scoping out the KnitPicks swift, I went to Joann.com and found this swift. My mother-in-law found a coupon in the paper, so after the discount, I paid only $49.19! Woo Hoo!

Knowing that I could only use one code at a time, I placed a second order for a ball winder. I hesitantly tried a coupon code that expired on the 24th, and it worked! So, before taxes and shipping, I paid only $25! Woo Hoo! I have $31 left!

Santa brought me a couple of knitting magazines, Ghirardelli chocolate, a pack of pens, and a bag of Twizzlers. I love eating Twizzlers when I get to go to the movie theater. Boy am I wanting to see the movie “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.” Finances will dictate that I wait for the DVD version.

My sister gave me a Kohl’s card. Soccer Chick looked over my shoulder and ooohhhed and aaahhhhhed.

The in-laws are extremely generous, going beyond the money mentioned above. They also gave me a new tripod, camera battery, SD card for the camera, and a Kohl’s card, which Soccer Chick was eying greedily (keep your paws off my stuff Sista!).

The kids got new iPods from the grandparents, along with a few other goodies. Teenagers are very expensive these days, so the number of gifts has gone down as the expenses have increased. They’re very pleased with their iPods, though. Especially since the one that Rooster received last Christmas recently underwent a bath in the washing machine. Dh got a Blue Ray DVD player. He’s nearly giddy! You know how men are with electronic toys. Of course, I’ll probably have to figure out how to use it and then give him a lesson on “DVDs for Dummies.”

I only knit a couple of gifts this year. My mother-in-law opened her’s:

Flirtation Cozy - Patons SWS (Natural Berry)

And exclaimed joyously “Oh, how pretty.”

And then, with nary a pause, she said, “What is it?”

We all laughed! It was too funny.

I explained the best I could without having a mug to demonstrate, and we moved on, with the next person taking their turn opening a gift (we all take turns…enjoying each person’s moment…youngest to oldest).

My sister later opened her gift…

This year, I went with a tea theme. It started when I knit her a cozy as well:

Flirtation Cozy - Patons SWS (Natural Denim)

Once I had the cozy, I worked on the rest of the basket. I had seen an clip on the Today Show with Martha Stewart, and she had stenciled initials on teacups. Of course, she’s Martha Stewart. My version didn’t come out quite as nice, but my sister was happy all the same. The neat thing was on Christmas Eve, my sister told me about how much she loves tea…

Isn’t it awesome when things work together that way?

After we finished Christmas with the in-laws, we headed to my sister’s house. She and her husband (who happens to be Mr. AuburnChick’s brother…yeah, we’re from the South, okay?) were hosting the afternoon gathering with my mom and her husband.

Mom is notorious for giving my sister and me lots of gifts. Usually, grandchildren are the ones who are spoiled in families, right?. Not in our case. Mom shops the sales after Christmas and purchases everything for the next year. However, this year, she only carried in one box of presents. The recent downturn in the economy has touched her as well.

Everyone got money. Mom has had too much trouble with gift cards not working properly, so she opted for the green stuff.

She also gave my sister and me our own blankets…crocheted by a friend of her’s:

Can you say GORGEOUS?! I think that if I had received this gift two years ago, I would not have fully appreciated it. Now, I sat in awe. Rooster has already used it to cover up with. Fevers make you cold, you know.

Mom only gave us one set of Christmas towels this year (we usually receive a half dozen or so) and, of course, a set of salt and pepper shakers. Rooster and I got a good laugh about that later.

During the visit with Mom, Rooster started feeling bad. His temperature was going up, but he was trying desperately to hang in there. After she left, we returned to the in-law’s house, where I finally pulled out the thermometer. Well over 102.

Sigh…

He went down for a nap but didn’t feel any better when he woke up. Everyone retired early for the night. Rooster woke up once in the middle of the night. His temperature was over 103. I trudged downstairs for Gatorade, and we both fell asleep again. We slept late. Everyone slipped out of the house to shop. I thought this was a good sign…sleeping in. Not so.

He had a temperature of over 102.

I called the doctor.

After consulting with him and talking to the Mr., we decided that the best course of action was to return home. Poor Rooster. In his words, “Christmas has been pretty crappy this year.”

No kidding.

We left Soccer Chick with the grandparents. She had money burning a hole in her pocket. My mother-in-law called, telling me she was peeking around the corner where Chicky was in Victoria’s Secret buying unmentionables. Nobody was allowed to go into the store with her. This purchase was to be private. I’m sure I’ll see whatever she bought hanging on the line soon.

Mr. AuburnChick got us home and settled and then left again…driving the hour and a half back to his parents. They will be visiting his grandmother tomorrow, and sick children do not make for a safe environment for a 90-something lady. I made sure to check with my mother-in-law about how much Christmas money we should be receiving…especially after the Mr. hinted that he would be taking half for himself.

Not nice.

Santa, do you hear? Put him on the Naughty List for next year!

When we got home, I found a box on my porch. It was from one of the Oddball Knitters. She sent me two completed blankets…

Pacific Blues

Lemonade Stand

The sweet gal included an extra gift for me…

Yep…it’s a wool/silk blend and heavenly! I can’t even imagine what the yarn will feel like knit up into socks! What a generous gift!

The best thing about the unexpected return trip is that the dogs got to come home early. They are extremely happy…

Molly - Freshly Bathed Sporting a Christmas Bandana

Molly - Freshly Bathed Sporting a Christmas Bandanna

Aubie - Classy Old Lady

Pele - Very Happy to See His Bed!

So, it’s been a busy but strange Christmas. Rooster is sitting on the couch surrounded by all of his Christmas goodies, reluctantly taking his temperature every couple of hours. He says he’s going to get Thermometitis. heehee

Filed under: This-n-That | Tagged: christmas, Knitting, regia silk, virus | 4 Comments »

Guy Friend Opens His Gift

Posted on December 15, 2008 by auburnchick

After begging like a dog and giving me sad puppy dog eyes, I relented and allowed Guy Friend to open his gift.

He seemed happy.

And then he went to the bathroom to look at himself.

He said that he looked like a Jamaican.

I’m not sure if this was a compliment or not. I offered to knit him some dreadlocks to accompany the beanie. He laughed.

So, at this point I have no idea if he likes it or not.

Soccer Chick confessed that he’s picky.

Do me a favor, please. If you ever get the sense that I want to knit something for a teenager, STOP me! Inundate my blog with comments warning AGAINST this.

That’s all.

Filed under: Knitting | Tagged: beanie, Knitting | Leave a comment »

A Beanie for Guy Friend

Posted on December 13, 2008 by auburnchick

Well, I got down to work and finished the beanie in only a couple of days. Rooster was kind enough to model:

This one is similar to the one I made for Rooster. In fact, I used the leftover Lion Brand Wool Ease. The colors are Forest Green Heather and Paprika.

The pattern came from this pamphlet:

The pattern name is actually “Nothing But Ribbing Beanie.”

I sure hope he likes it!

Filed under: Knitting | Tagged: beanie, Knitting, lion brand, nothing but ribbing, wool ease | 2 Comments »

Pom-Pom Baby Booties

Posted on December 2, 2008 by auburnchick

Nothing like the holidays to get your knitting ramped up, eh?

I made these to accompany the ruffled hats I finished last week.

The pair below is made from Bernat Baby Jacquards “Berries and Cream.”

And the colorway below is called “Boys and Girls” (same yarn brand):

The set…with the hats:

Ok…pattern comments…

First off, you can find the pattern here (it’s free).

WARNING – The pattern has a couple of mistakes that had me scratching my head.

Did I enjoy the pattern? Only up to the Sole portion, in which there are mistakes.

The pattern, overall, was a bit strange…kind of like working a sock with a twist. I selected the pattern because it didn’t require seaming. I knit them in the round using size 4 dpns.

I made four of these booties, and all four were knit a bit differently. For some reason, I just didn’t get something in the instructions.

My recommended pattern modifications:

Under the Sole section – Rounds 2 & 4 – Omit the K2 at the end of the rounds.

Only knit through Round 6 of the Sole. The bottom is plenty big enough. You might even want to try stopping at Round 5.

For the pom poms, I used the Clover Pom Pom Maker (size 3/4″). This is a fairly easy way to make pom poms, once you get the first one done.

Filed under: Knitting | Tagged: baby, bernat, booties, jacquards, Knitting | Leave a comment »

« Previous Page — Next Page »

AuburnChick's Adventures

Email Subscription

“Writing, to me, is simply thinking through my fingers” — Isaac Asimov

Recent Posts

Pages

Categories

Archives

Blog Stats

A Pile of Finished Blankets

A Sensory Experience

A Good Deal is Hard to Pass Up!

Tinkering With the Toes

Happy Birthday Sis!

Knotty or Knice Socks

Life Doesn’t Stop For Christmas

Guy Friend Opens His Gift

A Beanie for Guy Friend

Pom-Pom Baby Booties

Currently Reading

Books I’ve Read

Email Subscription

“Writing, to me, is simply thinking through my fingers” — Isaac Asimov

Recent Posts

Pages

Categories

Archives

Blog Stats

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Currently Reading

Books I’ve Read