Eye Pillows

Tonight in class, I gave my students the eye pillows I sewed up over the break. I think they were a hit! I sure enjoyed making them.

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Hiatus my ass!

Yarn hiatus, schmarn hiatus.

My spending spree has continued! I swear, after today, though, I not spending another dime on yarn. My stash bin is bursting at the seams!
I was catsitting over the holidays and decided to take the money I earned to LK's annual Boxing Day sale.

I bought yarn for another pair of fuzzy socks, two toques (a variagated Malibrigo), legwarmers (Orange Malabrigo Rios - gorgeous yarn!) and another pair of leg warmers (Berroco Vintage, a very soft teal colour).
I also picked up two winter-themed project bags because they were so cheap ($5 each!) and a de-fuzzer because I sorely need one.

I saved a lot of money, but really, really and truly, I'm through buying yarn.

Done. No more.

I swear.

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Do Not Disturb

During the holidays, I enjoy a quaint ritual: I watch movies based on Jane Austen books. My favourite is BBC's 'Pride and Predjudice' series, but I also have 'Sense and Sensibility' and 'Persuasion'. Fittingly, as I watched, I embroidered. I'm trying to get all the embroidery done on those eye pillows so I can sew them up tomorrow.

The embroidery is taking a while, but it looks really retro and cute. I'm enjoying it too! I sewed up one of the eye pillows last night (with the embroidery) and it looks great! I'm actually floored by how cute it turned out!

I had a brief panic episode with my sewing machine yesterday. The handwheel jammed. I phoned my Sewing Guru at the shop I bought it at and she said she couldn't tell me how to fix it over the phone, but I could come in.

Then she dropped a hint about the bobbin area and caught thread. It was just enough information that I could figure it out if I was so inclined. So I took apart the bobbin area and released the caught thread and carried on. It wasn't that hard and I was so proud of myself for solving the problem.

I spoke to my mother yesterday and told her about the sewing machine. Technically, it's her Christmas gift to me and I think she's very pleased. And she offered me her Bernina Serger, said I could take it home with me the next time I visited. OMG. Bernina is the 'cadillac' of sewing machines and the sergers are expensive. I'm not sure what I would do with a serger, but I'm sure I would figure it out!

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Shopping spree!

Remember that 'yarn hiatus' I was talking about? Oh, I was *so* doomed!

I went a little bit crazy yesterday. Yarn crazy. Let me explain.

On Friday morning, I had an appointment at the dentist that I was 99% sure would result in an expensive and painful root canal. I was *so* sure, in fact, that I cleared my schedule for the rest of the day so I could recover. My dentist, Dr. Awesome (no joke - he really is the best dentist ever) examined me and ordered X-rays and guess what? The tooth in question was perfectly healthy! No root canal!

I felt like I'd won the lottery and suddenly, my bank account felt very full.

So after my noon class on Saturday, I stopped in at PP, my non-local yarn shop. I bought three skeins of Cascade Superwash 220 to knit up some full size mitts, my 'homework' after the Mitten Bootcamp. I chose purple and a light blue so I can wear them with either one of my favourite toques. I also bought a skein of yellow yarn to knit another pair of bed socks.

Then I went a bit nuts in the notions section. I bought stitch holders for DPNs (to keep them from poking through my project bags), stitch holders and a lavender lotion bar. Then I bought a bunch of DPNs.

Let me explain: I've been accumulating various sizes of DPNs to the extent that I nearly have a complete set between 2.5mm and 5mm. I completed the set! As of today, between my Hiya Hiya Interchangeables set, my DPN set and the larger needles in my Denise set, I will never need to buy knitting needles again.

At least, I hope not!

Then I went home and did something awesome. I got out my sewing machine and sewed up a roll-up case for my 'new' DPN set. It was an awesome melding of my two hobbies and wholly satisfying to use my sewing machine for a practical purpose.


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Mitten Bootcamp

The long-anticipated Mitten bootcamp was this evening. I've been looking forward to this all month!

I thought I might be late, but instead, I was the first to arrive, even before Kate, instructor. The shop (this class was at LK) was *so* cold. By the time the class started, I fingers were icy. The space heater was on and I had some hot tea, but it was still chilly enough that I was shaking after two hours of knitting. There were four of us in the class - a mother/daughter pair and...wait for it...Serena, the Big Raffle Winner! LOL!

The class itself was fun. I love knitting classes - it's like 'Knit Night' with a specific goal, plus I learn so much better hands-on with someone showing me the ropes. I just sat there and followed directions and glanced at the pattern when I needed help and a couple hours later, I had a tiny maroon mitt!

I learned some interesting new things.

- You shouldn't wind a skein of yarn until you're ready to knit it up (the yarn can stretch).
- When doing a backwards loop increase, I need to cinch it up *much* tighter which explains the 'holes' in my work that I've noticed when I use this technique. I was just doing it wrong. Kate checked and I'm doing it correctly, I'm just not knitting it tightly enough. And I can always replace the backwards loop with a M1R.
- Kate doesn't recommend Manos and Malabrigo yarns because they're fragile yarns and pill easily.
- Double-stranding worsted weight yarn creates a more insulating mitten.

And finally, mittens are not all that hard to knit! I had all the skills in place already. I'm ready to knit full mittens!

Of course, with mittens, I run into the same problem I had had with the toques - namely, there are only so many mittens one person can wear. But it's a good skill to have.

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My Gangsta Name is Serena

The LK holiday 'Knit Night' (I like that name so much better than 'Stitch 'n Bitch') was last night. I showed up close to 7 and the party was already in full swing.

I brought hummus and crackers to share, but OMG, the desserts. Pretty much everyone had bought desserts. I wisely ate supper beforehand because I know that unless I'm going to a vegan-gluten-free-crunchy-hippy-party, it's a good bet that I won't be able to eat the food on offer. I ended up munching on my own hummus with rice crackers and casting a longing eye towards the desserts.

I'm shy at regular parties. Turns, out, I'm shy at knitting parties too! Except, at a knitting party, I'm allowed to *knit*, a far better option than standing around with a cocktail glass full of cranberry juice cocktail.

I sat tucked away in a corner near the table. The woman who was sitting there introduced herself and I enjoyed watching her sew on a project (Yes, sew! Not everyone was knitting!) She was sewing a Christmas stocking for her mother with a design constructed of felt and sequins and beads. The kit was only $15! She put in hours of work into constructing it, though.

There was a raffle. I usually don't go for raffles because I have terrible luck, but it was for charity - a local food bank - and the prizes (Yarn! Books! Patterns!) were alluring, so I bought six tickets. A woman sitting to my left, named Serena, bought 18 tickets.

I figured she'd probably win something and she did she ever! It was hilarious! The raffle started and Serena was winning prize after prize after prize. A few people who didn't want their prizes put them back into the draw and Serena won them! When someone put their newly won copy of 'Stitch and Bitch' back in, it was reraffled and the winner was...*drumroll*...Serena! I was having trouble hiding my mirth. It was just SO funny.

Of course, I didn't win a thing. And this is why I don't buy lottery tickets. ;-)

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Knitting in a Handbasket

After reading the legwarmer pattern more carefully, I realised that I need *two* different sets of DPNs for that project. The cuff is knit with with the smaller DPNs, the body of the legwarmer with the larger. Apparently, this is a 'thing' - mittens are knit the same way.

After lunch, I caught a streetcar down to LK to pick up the DPNs I needed. The store was pretty busy. I settled onto a sofa with the owner's three little dogs and I knit there for over an hour. It was fun to watch the bustle of the store as I knit.

I chatted with the shop owner for awhile. She seemed curious about how I had appeared seemingly of nowhere, already familiar with her shop (she bought the shop last summer) and the knitting scene - she clearly assumed that I had 'been away'. I gave her an abbreviated description of my years of intense yoga practice that left time for nothing else, the shoulder injury and my renewed efforts to 'get back into my hobbies'.

I explained my yoga practice is intense. She wasn't surprised, said that I struck her as a 'Type A' personality. And *this* surprised me because she really doesn't know me that well. Do I come across that way to a casual observer? Am I a 'Type A' knitter? Is there such a thing?

Around closing, I paid for my DPNs and headed home. I *didn't* buy yarn! I'm finally taking my 'yarn hiatus' seriously! Especially sock yarn - I have enough to last me for several months at least.

I'm acquiring a nice little collection of these stainless steel DPNs. For now, I'm keeping them in my interchangeable circular case. Looking through them, I realised that I now own all the DPNs necessary for the 'Mittens Bootcamp' class I'm taking this Thursday

On Monday night, I walked over to Mirvish Village and stopped in at EK to buy one of those row-counter-thingies. I already have one, but I could use a second. I bought the green counter that you string on a cord to put around your neck. It's great, actually - much better than my red one. The green counter even has a lock.

I also stopped in at the home decor outlet and picked up two baskets lined with embroidered cotton. They're meant to be wastebaskets, but they work fine as storage receptacles for crafting supplies, which is what I bought them for. One basket holds my current knitting projects (my actual stash is in a plastic storage bin) and the other holds my sewing supplies. Everything is much better organised now!


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Juicy Orange Socks

I'm still learning exactly what my abilities are around watching a DVD and knitting at the same time. I had to frog the toe decreases on Orange Sock #2 because I borked it. Once I was back to a good re-starting point, I turned off the DVD for every decrease round so I could give it my full attention. Then I turned it back on for the even rounds.

This strategy worked - I finished the sock! I was happy to finish it up so I could wear the pair. These are bedsocks, to be worn with my funky pink-and-orange pyjama bottoms. They look great! Having now knit both toe-up and top-down and I can definitively say that I prefer the top-down technique. The fit is SO much better. For some reason, the toe-up sock was too large for me, even knit in the same size (Women's M, according to the pattern).


That said, I think I would like to learn the Kitchener Stitch or a similar grafting technique for the toes of my socks. Because I have wider feet, a pointy toe isn't comfortable for me and I think my socks will wear better with a blunter toe. I bookmarked a few good tutorials for this and I'll try it with my current sock project, the Festive Red Socks.

I started two new projects yesterday. I'm knitting up another 'Cabled Tea Cozy' because the one I made last week doesn't fit the cups at the cafe I frequent (the cozy was too big). I saved a paper cup from the cafe and I'll fit this cozy to the cup.

I also started the black leg warmers I bought yarn for last week. I've started the cuff ribbing and I have a few more inches to go on that. I'll need to pick up another set of DPNs because this project uses smaller DPNs for the body of the legwarmer.

I considered switching to a 'Magic Loop' technique for this project, given that I have an interchangeable needle set now. This morning, I sat down and taught myself Magic Loop using online videos and tutorials. Although I like the concept in theory, in practice, I find it awkward and fiddly. Also, I knit fairly tightly and I found it hard to move the stitches around on those needles. Maybe I'm doing it wrong - it might make sense to take a class on this so I can learn the method properly. So, for now, I'm sticking with my DPNs.

I'm absolutely *loving* the Berroco Vintage yarn that I'm using for the legwarmers. It has a nice feel and holds together well. To be perfectly honest, I also love the price point. I can knit up a pair of legwarmers for $18. Often, I find that it's more expensive to knit a garmet than buy it. In this case, it's the opposite - I paid $30 for my Roots legwarmers and they're inferior quality compared to what I'm knitting with right now.

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Tea Cup Cozy

Yesterday morning, I decided to do some knitting before heading to teach my first class of the day. I tackled the 'Cabled Coffee Cozy' from Kate Atherley's book, Beyond Knit and Purl. After one false start (I was knitting too tight around the cables), success! Within an hour, I had a very respectable little column of cables and I was SO excited! I couldn't believe it was this easy!

I worked on that project all day (it's actually a do-able streetcar project as long as you wait for a quiet moment to work the cables) and I finished it up in the evening while watching a movie.

This project is knit flat and seamed together. I'd never seamed before, but I followed the directions in the book (thank goodness there were photos!) and it turned out great! Best of all, it was SO much fun! I'm sure a faster knitter could whip this out in an hour and it's a great use for scrap wool.

I'm thoroughly addicted to knitting cables now and I want to give it a go on a larger project.

Here it is, modelled on my favourite ceramic green tea tumbler. The cozy is designed to work on those paper carry-out cups.


You can find the pattern in Kate Atherley's book Beyond Knit and Purl. I knit this in DK weight 'mystery yarn' in my stash that I bought at Romni Wools years ago.

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Knit Ditties

For all the years I've been knitting, I've kept my work in 'ditty bags'. These are actually old 'Outdoor Products' bags that I bought at an army surplus store in 1992. I used them to organise clothes in my bag as I backpacked around Europe. Since then, they've been repurposed to many uses.

I like them for knitting - the nylon fabric actually works well because it's slick enough that the yarn just rolls around inside. All of the project bags sold at yarn stores in Toronto are made out of this same ripstop nylon.

Mine are a bit worse for the wear after so many years. I examined the construction and realised that I could easily sew some up myself, so I did! I went to King Textiles to pick up the nylon fabric. I bought a half-yard of five different colours, plus some more thread and little pins to hold them together, plus cord and the clasps, which look like little pig noses. In terms of costs, the supplies for the first batch came out to $30. From that amount, I was able to sew up 9 small bags, 5 large ones!

The first bag I tried to sew up was yellow. I really didn't know what I was doing, but I dove in with enthusiasm and a great deal of patience. A half-hour later, I was holding a beautiful little bag in my hand! It was really that easy!

There was a learning curve around sewing through multiple layers, but this is one tough little sewing machine. I'm finally becoming more skilled at feeding my fabric through and sewing on a straight line. This is actually a fabulous sewing project to start out with because if things get a bit crooked, it doesn't really show up much in the finished product.

The bags turned out far more awesome than I would have ever predicted! They look very nice - very professionally done! The only change I'm going to make in my production moving forward is to reinforce of the seam where the cord comes out.

The commercial bags have an additional strap that snaps onto things - or your wrist. I decided not to bother with this because the cord on the bag can actually be tied onto things and it wraps around the wrist. I used my red bag on the train last night during my commute and it's great!

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Interchangeable Drama

I decided to frog that Peach Melba Hat because I hate, hate, HATE my Denise Interchangebles. There, I said it! I hate them. I hate the plastic, I hate the blunt tips and I particulary hate the cables, which are stiff. UG. I frogged the project because my tension was so uneven, due to those awkward cables.

The Denise Interchangeables were a loving gift from my mother - she loves hers. I'm feeling very guilty about them, but at least I gave them a seriously good go. (Sorry Mom! *hangs head*).

So today I threw in the towel and bought a set of HiyaHiya interchangeable sharps. After years of Denise Needle guilt, I wanted a set of
interchangeables that I LOVED. So I resolved to buy exactly the set I wanted in the colour (the cases come in different colours) I wanted. I phoned around and didn't have a lot of luck, but Lettuce Knit had a good supply of them so I decided to drop by and check them out.

First of all, the store has changed hands! I was so surprised! A friendly French Canadian woman greeted me and after awhile, I realised that she was very much in charge. So I asked - Sylvie's owned the store since July 31st. She's an executive assistant by day and runs the store in her free time.

The bad news is, the only small sharps available were in the red case. And I hated the red case. I had my heart set on the teal case. I said as much to Sylvie and she laughed. "Switch the cases - it's the needles I'm selling!" So I did! I switched the small set of sharps into the beautiful teal case (and it really is lovely - instead of a floral it has a geometric pattern).



I also bought a new set of Hiya Hiya 2.5 DPN 'sharps' console myself for not getting the Signature 2.5 'stiletto' DPNs I really wanted (maybe for my birthday?). I also bought two skeins of Borroco Vintage in black. As soon as my orange sock is finished, I'm going to knit up some legwarmers!

I've already cast on the Peach Melba Hat on the HiyaHiya circulars and oh my, it's SO much better! I'm very happy with my purchase!
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Return of the Fuzzy Blue Sock

I had the nicest afternoon yesterday. Sundays are my day off - I sat in my comfy chair to knit and read.

I (re)started the cuff on the blue fuzzy socks last night. It took me a few hours to cast on and get through that ribbing, but it's now ready to go. I like having a back-up even knitting project for commute-knitting in case my current project gets too complicated. So far, I'm finding that there are two types of knitting that must really be done at home consistently (rather than on TTC, intermittently): Ribbing/cuffs and heel-turns. Shaping the toe of a sock is probably best done at home too.




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Pattern Madness!

Last night, I bought a pattern for an heirloom baby hat and then regretted buying it because I'm wondering if I can actually pull it off by myself. I'm show pretty good restraint in yarn acquisition, but I seem to have a bit of a problem developing with patterns.

I bought Kate Atherley's book of simple accessory projects. There are a some really fun patterns in there I want to try, including cowls and *leg warmers*! Her first book, 'Beyond Knit and Purl', offers sections on cabling and colourwork. I think I'll give these a go on my own before taking more classes.

Speaking of classes, Mitten Boot Camp is in two weeks! I'm excited for that. The weather has been warmish, but I'm sure we'll certainly be into mitten weather in Janaury.

Last night, I cast on for the red sock, *again*. But this time, top-down. I think it will look nice. I'm loving my sock knitting adventures!


On the sewing front, I had a fantastic idea yesterday afternoon. One of my sewing books features a dish-towel pattern that includes light embroidery into the finished product. I could add a panel of plain fabric to my eye pillows, then embroider messages on them!

I was pondering where to buy embroidery floss when I remembered my craft bin. In it, I found several old cross-stitch projects (unfinished, because they were massive) along with all the floss for the projects. The embroidery fabric is stained and brittle, but the floss colours are really nice. I have embroidery hoops and needles too!

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Orange Sock #1

I finished Orange Sock #1 yesterday after lunch, sitting in my comfortable chair and listening to an audiobook. Shaping the toe isn't hard - there's a logic to it.

Honestly, the close of the toe on this top-down sock *is* a bit pointy and weird. I wonder how hard it would be to learn the Kitchener. My knitting instructor, Kate, didn't seem inclined to bother with it, but I really do prefer a flatter toe.

The sock is also a little bit long in the foot. I'll need to knit shorter when I tackle the fingering weight socks.


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My Big Fabric Store Adventure

Yesterday morning, I headed down to King Textiles on the Spadina Streetcar for my Big Fabric Store adventure.

I really like this store - it's organised very logically and I was quickly able to find what I needed. The woman who helped me was wonderful - helpful without being intrusive and genuinely enthusiastic about my projects and fabric choices. It felt like shopping with a friend.

I picked out three crazy colourful cotton prints and three cotton solids in complimentary shades. I also bought some plain white cotton to experiment with. The fabrics ranged from $5-$7 per yard. I bought 3/4 yards of everything.

When I got home, I whipped out out my machine and had sewed up a complete eye pillow in less than 45 minutes! I even transferred the flax seed from my old eye pillow to the new one. It's looks great! Very colourful.



There was one line of stitching that was a bit crooked, but I'm still learning to 'steer' the fabric as I sew it. Also, I don't have any proper sewing equipment. I may need to use Christmas money to pick up a good pair of scissors, some pins, a pin cushion etc. I checked out six sewing books from the library. One of them has a list of recommended tools I can reference.

I started to work on the bags, but my brain was beginning to fizzle. I think I need to sew up a prototype first because they're far more complicated than the eye pillows.

I knitted a bit in the afternoon and by the time I headed out to teach my evening classes, I was working on the heel flap! I finished it by the time I got home, so I settled in with a hot cup of tea to work on turning the heel and decreasing the gusset.

It was all very straightforward and took me a little over 90 minutes to complete. I'm already on the foot, back to knitting even! By my estimation, I have about three inches to knit before I start shaping the toe. I could very well be finished with this sock before the weekend!



Before I went to sleep, I got out that red sock out and *frogged* it. I'm officially a top-down convert! I don't plan to suffer through any more wrap-and-turn and picking up wrapped stitches experiences until I'm a more skilled knitter.

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A different kind of stitch

Well, I did it. I picked up my new sewing machine and you know what? It's awesome! Teresa, the store owner, greeted me and gave me a quick tutorial on how to load a bobbin and start sewing. She even offered me six spools of free thread and some fabric so I could hit the ground running.

With the addition of some rope and bungees, my laundry cart worked great as a sewing machine transport device. The cart made it possible to carry the machine home via public transit. The entire trip took me 2 hours, door-to-door.

By 1:15, I was unpacking the machine. First bit of good news: It's smaller than I thought and even with the hard cover on, it fits neatly underneath my desk (I live in a tiny city apartment, so this was a concern). Second bit of good news: The instruction manual is very clear and thorough. I followed the step-by-step instructions to thread the machine for use and within minutes, I was experimenting with my first stitches.

Teresa seemed convinced that I would learn the basics of the machine on my own and she was right. This is *not* a complicated machine. I grew bored of sewing scraps very quickly and sewed up a little yellow cube from some scrap linen and a tiny eye-pillow bag with another scrap.

This made me wonder if I could sew up the 'real thing'. So I sat down and examined the seams of my favourite large eye-pillow and created a pattern based on that design. I tore apart an old pillow case and used that fabric to sew up a prototype.

The biggest surprise is, it worked! And it didn't look half bad! I still have some work to do with sewing evenly, but that will come with practice.
I've already worked out that for each yard of fabric, I could make 7 eye-pillows. According to the internet, a yard of fabric costs anywhere from $2 to $7. Let's say I bought $7 fabric. The cotton inner pillow will likely be a lot less - let's say it's $1 per yard. The flax seeds and lavender are probably 50 cents per pillow. The cost of these pillows is less than $1.50 each.

That's just crazy! My friend R knew what she was talking about when she said that sewing stuff up yourself saves money! I'm just floored by how easy this machine is to use and how much fun I had creating my prototype. Why didn't I do this before?!

Next week: Visiting the fabric store.

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Socks from the top down

The top-down sock class was illuminating. Last month, there were three knitters in the toe-up class and none of us had knit socks before. We struggled to complete our mini toe-up sock in the three hours alloted and it was very tough going. Kate, the instructor, mentioned as an aside that she usually recommends the top-down sock class, rather than the toe-up, as a starting point. Now I understand why: top-down socks are easier, much easier.

Aside from me, one other person (I'll call her 'Violet') from last month's toe-up class returned for the top-down class. We compared notes on our toe-up worsted weight socks. Violet had completed one sock and cast on for a second. I had finished the pair. We had both struggled a bit with the technique.

I'll be honest: I was all prepared to hate top-down socks. Mainly because of the close of the toe. In a top-down sock, you decrease to a few stitches then cinch the yarn through similar to the close of a hat. I thought it would look goofy and I thought I preferred the flat edge of the toe-up sock. But looking at the socks that Kate brought along to show us, the toes didn't look bad and everything else about the top-down socks looked a bit tighter and tidier.

And then we started knitting. Throughout the top-down class, Violet and I exchanged amazed glances and exclaimations like "What?! That's all?! The heel is done?! Just like that?!" We were gobsmacked. The group (there were five of us for this top-down class) finished our mini socks a little over two hours, with very little fuss or trauma.

After the ease of the top-down training sock, Violet was ready to go home and frog her second toe-up sock in favour of the top-down method. I have to admit, I did the same with my blue fuzzy sock (I wasn't very far along). I'm putting my red Indigodragonfly sock aside for now (I'm up to the heel on that one). Kate thinks it's a tad too big for me so it might make sense to frog it, given that I'm only a quarter way through the pair.

I had a few questions for Kate. I was curious how long it takes her to knit up one sock (about six hours) and what her favourite method was (top-down).

I'm not prepared to declare my affiliation quite yet, but it's entirely possible that I may be a top-down sock knitter. I cast on for a top-down worsted weight sock today - this time in orange. Since these are destined to be bedsocks, I chose colours that would match my PJs!

I have to admit, the best part about the top-down socks (besides their ease) may be the fact that you get the horrible, interminable ribbing out of the way at the beginning. And the best part about taking a toe-up sock class first is you get a huge amount of perspective on just how easy knitting a sock can be. At least I hope so - I'll keep you posted.

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