ravelry | AuburnChick's Adventures

Another Pair of Socks in the Works

Posted on March 18, 2009 by auburnchick

I’m having the hardest time today, and I’m not sure if it’s due to my not feeling well or to this beautiful yarn:

Maui Yarns - Surfer Boy Blue

It’s 100% Superwash Merino Wool. One of the gals who knits for the West Coast Oddball group sent it to me a few months ago…as a gift. You can find it for sale on this site.

It’s lovely, let me tell you. Hence my dilemma.

What pattern to knit it up into.

I’ve learned, from the ten or eleven pairs of socks I’ve knit, that pairing colors and patterns is essential to showing off all of your hard work. I’ve often bound off a project and been disappointed when the lace was hidden by a dark shade.

Ravelry has a large database of projects…a black hole I got lost in this afternoon on my quest for THE perfect pattern.

I think I’ve decided to make Duckies. You know I don’t like to do plain stuff. These remind me a bit of the pair I just finished, but I like the extra bit of lace involved with the cable-look. I only hope the dark blue doesn’t hide the pattern.

I guess if I don’t like it after a few repeats, I can always frog.

Ugh…

A dreadful thought…

Oh well…off to do a very small gauge swatch. Then on to the fun!

Filed under: Knitting | Tagged: Knitting, maui yarns, merino wool, ravelry, socks | 1 Comment »

Inspiration to Be a Better Knitter

Posted on February 21, 2009 by auburnchick

I am such a home body. Especially on the weekends when the 5:30 alarm doesn’t have to be set. It’s not uncommon to find me sitting around in my robe for most of the day…especially now that Soccer Chick can drive and willingly grocery shops for me.

Yes, I do have quite the life.

As an almost 40-year old mom of teens, my “real-world” social life is pretty much non-existent. I don’t mind. That would require me to shower and fix up…something that it not high on my to-do list on even the best of days.

My “virtual” social life is quite busy, however. Soccer Chick claims you guys don’t exist. Just to keep the illusion going, let’s just say you do.

As such, Saturday nights have become special to me. I may not go out and party, but inside the AuburnChick home, there is one heck of a good time brewing.

All that’s required to join in the fun is the following: BYOC.

That’s “Bring Your Own Computer” for those of you who are lost by now.

Why, you may wonder?

Because of the Virtual Knit & Spin Chat. If you’re on Ravelry, you can access the group here.

You don’t have to be a member of Ravelry to join the party. We use Skype, which is free and can be downloaded here.

If you want to join us, just post a comment, and I’ll get back with you regarding how to add me to your contact list.

If you’ve never joined in a chat, or if you’re not a knitter, you might be wondering why I would consider this chat my idea of “living it up.”

You must remember that I live in a small city that doesn’t have its own “real” yarn store, so there is no such thing as “Knit Night” for me. So, Saturday nights’ Skype chats have become my Knit Nights.

There’s something very cool about talking with other knitters about their projects. It’s extremely inspiring to see the patterns they’re working on and hear why they selected their projects. Some might be knitting for a grandbaby that’s on its way, while others are knitting wedding gifts. The stories are as varied as the projects.

Tonight we had a few new faces show up. What a delight! It’s not to say that I don’t enjoy the regulars, because you guys know how much I love you.

But oh my goodness. These ladies’ Ravelry project pages had us picking up our jaws from our keyboards and wiping drool from the floor. If you’re on Ravelry, go to this link and this link. A friend who shared her friend’s page…that’s how it started.

I’m starting to think that I pick patterns that allow me to play it safe. Looking at these ladies’ finished projects reminded me that I need to get more adventurous. I doubt that I’ll ever churn out such magnificent works of yarn art; however, it would be fun to try. You never know…I might just surprise myself.

One final note…you don’t have to be a knitter or spinner to join the chat. Knitting is the common interest that has drawn us together as friends. The circle is one that we look forward to expanding with your presence.

We joked tonight that knitting might just be the key to world peace…uniting one person to another until the entire world is joined.

Not such a lofty goal, eh?

Filed under: Knitting | Tagged: chat, Knitting, ravelry, skype | 1 Comment »

Evolution of a Knitter

Posted on January 28, 2009 by auburnchick

Another finished project!! I’m so excited! I really needed something to cheer me up after a rough couple of days, eh?

Do you remember this yarn…

Misti Alpaca Hand Painted Chunky - Colorway is "Marvelous"

It was soft enough to coax me away from the socks I have on my needles.

I have to tell you that I think I see signs that I am evolving as a knitter. Here’s the process, as I see it.

When you first start knitting, you’re concerned more with the “how-to’s” of the stitches. You pick easy patterns and use whatever yarn is handy.

Gradually, you start learning about different yarns as you begin to visit yarn stores and talking to other yarnies. You start getting more selective with your patterns and begin challenging yourself with more difficult projects.

This is when you start investing in the good stuff…interchangeable needles, smooshy yarn, dazzly stitch markers.

Before you know it, you’re paying particular attention to the color variations within your yarn and how the pattern will complement them.

And then you start getting picky. I mean, knitting is hard work, and the yarn is expensive. You don’t want to waste your efforts for a project that does not turn out the way you envisioned it.

This is the stage that I’m at now.

I knew, when I bought the yarn, that I wanted to make a scarf. The gal in the store suggested a 2×2 rib. I decided to check Ravelry first, though, just in case I found a pattern I liked better.

First, I decided to make the Misti Chunk Ribs and Ruffles Scarf. If you’re on Ravelry, you can find the pattern on this page. You can also click on this link to download the pattern directly from the Misti Alpaca web site.

Well, after a couple of inches, I realized that I was not liking how it was coming out. I had envisioned a thick scarf, similar in feel to my Palindrome Scarf, which I wear to all of the soccer games I attend.

So, I frogged and went back to the drawing board.

I decided to try the 2×2 rib, as suggested by the gal in the shop where I purchased the yarn from.

After a couple of inches of this pattern, it was apparent that this was not going to work either.

Ugh.

I was not happy.

So, I went back to Ravelry and searched again. I went back and forth, trying to decide if I would attempt the Ribbed and Ruffle Scarf again or try something else. I wondered if I was over-thinking things.

I posted an SOS in the Stitch-It forum. Sometimes it helps to get the opinion of others. By far, the pattern that got the most votes was My So Called Scarf. You can find the Ravelry pattern link here, and the regular internet link here.

Did you know that patterns on Ravelry have a comments tab. I have found it very helpful to check out the comments before starting a project. Included in this pattern’s comments was this link to a video that demonstrated the strangely-worded stitch instructions. Armed with the additional information, I cast on.

I began this project on the 20th of January and “officially” finished it this morning, the 28th. In reality, the pattern was so simple that it shouldn’t have taken so long to complete; however, as you’ve been reading, my life has been hectic, leaving little time to work on it. I used both skeins I had purchased. The scarf measures 54″ x 4 1/2″. Not too long, I know, but it’s perfect for my height, which is, to be politically-correct, “petite.”

Here are the results…

My So Called Scarf

The next picture shows a good comparison of the wrong side (the left) and the right side (on the right)…

The next picture is a close-up of the stitch pattern. As you can see, it really does showcase the yarn.

One special note: if you make this scarf, make sure you check out the bind-off suggestion on the comments tab on Ravelry. This scarf has a reputation for having a flared bind-off edge. Of course, I had to learn the hard way and bound off the usual way…purling since I was on the wrong side. The result was hideous. So, I frogged that last row and followed the suggestion…to p2tog, p2tog, and then bring the first stitch over the second one (the one closest to the tip of the needle). From there, you just p2tog and bring that first stitch over each time, as in a regular bind off.

Voila. I had a straight edge.

Perhaps, one day, I’ll evolve to the next phase of knitting…writing my own patterns. Time will tell.

Filed under: This-n-That | Tagged: Knitting, marvelous, misti alpaca hand painted chunky, my so called scarf, ravelry, scarf, wool | 4 Comments »

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 »

AuburnChick Scares the Mailman

Posted on November 20, 2008 by auburnchick

As you know, I have been participating in a Cold Weather Hot Drink Swap, hosted by a Betzi, over on Ravelry. My partner, Figaro, and I have been teasing each other with hints about the gifts we would be exchanging.

The other day, Fig informed me that she had mailed a package to me. I waited with anticipation. Yesterday, I ran home during my lunch (I was subbing) to retrieve Rooster’s shoes for practice. The boy had pulled one of his usual stunts…forgetting to take a key item to school for his soccer practice (can’t play without the proper shoes, you know). As I drove into my neighborhood, I noticed the mailman’s vehicle. It had just begun its route. I figured it wouldn’t reach my house before I left, so I paid it no mind.

I ran inside, loved on the dogs for a few minutes, and ran out again, shoes in hand.

Lo and behold! There was the postal truck…headed around my cul de sac!! I started the car, allowing it to warm a bit while I waited anxiously.

The mailman (actually a lady) stopped in front of my mailbox and turned around to retrieve my mail. I stepped up to the mailbox…waiting with outstretched hand. She turned to put the mail in the box and visibly gasped in surprise! She had not heard me approaching. I think I gave her a mini-heart attack.

I didn’t see a package in her hand..only stuff that resembled bills.

“Honey,” I wanted to say, “Take this stuff back and bring out the REAL mail!”

I didn’t, though. She turned back into her truck, saying that she thought she had something else for me.

Uh huh, I thought so, I wanted to say.

She emerged with this package in her hand:

It was heavy. I got more excited!

I put it in the car, making myself wait until I got back to school before opening it. I wanted to savor the moment by myself.

And that’s just what I did. Here’s what Fig packed into that envelope:

Here are close-ups of the contents:

What a thoughtful gal!

Mr. AuburnChick looked over everything with a quizzical look. “Why would you want to send stuff back and forth?” he asked.

He doesn’t get it. It’s a SWAP. It’s a wonderful way to get to know someone better and stay connected.

I love knitting, and I love the internet. And I love that they have opened up new avenues to friendship.

Mr. AuburnChick may not “get” it, but I sure do.

Thanks Fig! You made my day. What a sweet friend you are.

Filed under: Knitting | Tagged: Knitting, ravelry, swap | 2 Comments »

Knitting Up More Stockings for the Troops

Posted on November 2, 2008 by auburnchick

Boy, is this project addicting! The mini-stockings project that I started working on yesterday has quickly taken over my knitting life. Thankfully I’m subbing every day this week, so I’ll use my free time (i.e. Planning) to work on them.

Y’all saw the first one I made in yesterday’s post. Here are three more that I’ve completed since then:

I Love This Yarn - Color #530/Green Camo Stripe

I Love This Yarn - Color #40/Red

I Love This Yarn - Color #672/Mistletoe Ombre

I’ve been playing a bit with the loops, trying to figure out the best way to make them. I tried i-cord, but it’s tedious. Then I tried casting on 30 stitches and then casting them off. This made a nice cord, but it’s a little too thick. On my third attempt, I crocheted a single strand of stitches. I think I like this method best. I can do it using the tail from my cast on, and it’s thinner too.

I’m going to take a small break from knitting these stockings to work up a little something for a friend. I joined a Cold Weather Drink Swap over on the Virtual Knit and Spin forum on Ravelry. My partner is figaro, who is also a buddy on KH. There’s a $5 limit, and all items must fit into a padded 9×11 mailing envelope. The challenge is fun, and I love how creative it’s causing me to be.

So, no pictures of what I’m cooking up for her. I think she may read my blog, and I wouldn’t want to spill the beans.

Filed under: Knitting | Tagged: Charity, christmas, i love this yarn, Knitting, Mistletoe Ombre, ravelry, stockings, troops, virtual knit and spin | 6 Comments »

AuburnChick Succumbs to Temptation

Posted on July 25, 2008 by auburnchick

BRIEF INTERRUPTION…

Littlest Chick will henceforth be referred to as Rockin Rooster. Thanks, Megan, from the Stitch-It Ravelry forum, for this suggestion! We mulled over each idea very carefully and decided that this name fit the bill nicely, being something he will not outgrow as he ages.

AND NOW, BACK TO YOUR REGULARLY SCHEDULED PROGRAM…

AuburnChick has hit the road again. Soccer Chick’s team is playing in a national tournament in Virginia Beach, so we loaded up the car and headed out Thursday afternoon.

Packing for this almost week-long, 13-hour each way trip proved challenging. As fellow knitters, I’m sure you can identify with the following scene.

I arrived home from taking the kids to youth group and decided to get busy preparing for the trip. What’s the first thing a knitter packs when going on a trip? Clothes? Um, no. Toiletries? Wrong-o. Of course, it’s the knitting that goes into the bag first. Clothes and other stuff go in last, and if there’s no room, my motto is that you buy them when you get to your destination.

I currently have three works in progress. This is way more than the one I usually have, but into the bag they went, along with all possibly-needed accessories and patterns.

Next, I decided to pack yarn and needles for the charity blankets I hope to cast on this week. I don’t think I’ve mentioned this before, but I am heading up the West Coast Oddball Baby Blanket project that’s based over on KnittingHelp.com. You’ve seen the other blankets I’ve worked on. Well, wonderful Shandeh, brave leader of the entire project, decided to split the country into regions to make the project more manageable. I was asked to coordinate one region. I’m very excited about this. I created a blog for the project, found here. My region covers the states of California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming, and Hawaii. If you live in one of these states and want to participate, please let me know. We have a thread going over on Ravelry in case you’re not on KH, so you can stay connected there as well. Or, you don’t have to be a part of either site. Just drop me a line, and I’ll explain how the project works. It’s a fabulous way to use your talents to benefit others…without having to make a humongous time commitment to knit an entire blanket.

Within 30 minutes, I had filled up two bags with knitting supplies. My family was not amused that half of our trunk is devoted to my hobby addiction.

Now, being the techie that I am, I also cannot leave home without my gadets. Enter in my laptop, with its 17″ screen (aka a LARGE computer bag), and my new camera.

Oh, I didn’t tell you about that yet? Well, remember that my old camera was kicking the bucket. It finally quit sputtering and completely died. I just cannot be without a camera. My blog requires the frequent posting of pictures, plus I want to capture every drop of sweat that Soccer Chick works up on the field.

After much inquiring and research, I finally went to Best Buy, where I totally disregarded everything I had previously read and fell into the tech trap that frequently engulfs me the moment I step foot into that place. To be fair, I passed by the $899 cameras. There’s a line I won’t cross, and that was it. Stepping over to the cheaper aisle, I was quickly overwhelmed by all of the shiny gadgets. I was like a kid in a candy store…I wanted everything!

Timing is everything. At that very moment, Mr. Young Salesman appeared at my elbow.

“Hello, you look like you’re confused and thus willing to spend an exorbitant amount of money right now. Allow me to lead you down the path to debt.”

Yeah, that was me alright. And boy did he lead me astray. It was almost like he had chocolate in his pocket, and my sniffers knew that and followed blindly behind him.

Sure, I’ll take that expensive camera that happens to be on sale this week (of course).

4gb memory card, that’s also on sale this week? Of course. Why not. I’m gullible today.

Extra warranty? In case I drop my camera in the toilet? Sure thing! You go boy. Ring it up!

To my credit, I bought the generic camera bag.

I walked out of there the proud new owner of a Nikon Coolpix P80. It’s got 10.1 megapixels and 18x optical zoom. No longer will I have to wait until the second half of the game when Soccer Chick is on my side of the field. I can photograph ever hair of her unshaven leg from across the park, if I want. I’m sure she’ll appreciate this comment, but since she doesn’t read my blog (thinks it’s stupid, but what does she know), who cares.

Here are a few of the pictures I’ve taken so far…

My Leaf Lace Scarf…

A Little Slip of a Thing…

Pele (Soccer Chick’s dog)…

Molly…

Aubie…

This is Ziggy, Soccer Chick’s teammate’s dog…

I plan on posting more pictures from Virginia. I can’t wait! The scenery is beautiful up there, which should give me ample opportunity to play with my new toy.

Filed under: Knitting | Tagged: best buy, blanket, camera, Charity, coolpix, Knitting, knittinghelp.com, lace leaf scarf, little slip of a thing, nikon, Oddball Baby Blankets, Pets, ravelry, scarf, soccer, stitch it, travel, virginia | 2 Comments »

Goodies for Ms. Jean

Posted on July 10, 2008 by auburnchick

Over the last few weeks, I’ve mentioned a project I’m involved with. A group of knitters on KnittingHelp (and a couple from Ravelry) banded together to produce home-crafted items for a fellow KH’er. Mason’s (Knitting_Guy) mom, Ms. Jean, underwent surgery to remove her larynx and is supposed to be undergoing a second round of chemo.

We wanted to something nice for a member of our “family.” The items have been trickling in over the last couple of months.

I wanted to post pictures of all of the items so everyone could take one quick look at everything.

Before I start posting pictures, I wanted to say thank you to every person who participated. You know who you are. As I’ve said before, crafters are a special group of people…overly generous and quick to respond to needs. I have been touched as I’ve opened each package and seen the creativity and care given. Thank you for allowing me to organize this.

Y’all rock!

And now, on to the photos…posted in the order I received them.

One knitter had a bump in her plans when her dog tried to help her knit.

She sent me a non-doggified hat later (picture is posted a little further down).

Here are items that were completed without the…er…”assistance” of furry friends…

A washcloth…

A bath mitt…

More hats…

A couple more washcloths…

In addition to the above items, the group wanted to make Ms. Jean a blanket. Our original hope was to get at least 14 squares. I think we wound up with 28 or 30! One of our knitters is seaming them together, and another knitter will crochet a border. Here are the squares that we received. I don’t think I have photos of all of them. I do apologize if you don’t see your’s. Send me a picture, and I’ll post it!