Knittipina

Gauge Is For Wussies

2009-08-05T13:10:00.002+08:00

This Natalie Dee cartoon, "paid for by the making shitty sweaters association" was forwarded to me by non-knitter and fellow fountain pen fiend, the one and only grump, Bleubug. Click on image for larger view.

Knitting Tutorial Videos

2009-07-29T12:50:00.004+08:00

I notice from my Feedjit widget that many folks visit my blog via the Knitting Tutorials on Youtube entry a looong time ago. An entire year later, I checked my entry out again, and realize the information I shared then was useful, but quite limited. Let me update it with this list of favorite tutorials:

The KnitWitch has a great variety of tutorials, from casting on to binding off, Magic Loop, knitting backwards and other very useful basic and not-so-basic techniques. I like her videos because she explains things well, has a good contrast between knitting and background, her videos are filmed with decent lighting and reasonably clear focus (as in not blurred, despite the realities of video compression), and her demonstration speed does not create anxiety or frustration in the knitter. Goes straight to the meat of the topic. Exactly what you need when you don't have your favorite knitting bible nearby but happen to be in front of the pc.

Cat Bordhi, who gave us the "knitting with two circular needles" technique, also has a number of very useful tutorials. If you knit Continental and want to learn useful stitches, this Youtube channel would be very useful for you. She chats rather than just instructs, and uses biggish yarn so that we can see clearly where things go. She also provides a summary at the end of each video, and especially where she splits technique videos into two parts. If you knit socks using Magic Loop or two circulars, many of her tutorials will be quite useful. As a sock knitter, I read patterns beforehand to figure out if there were techniques I needed to brush up on. I like that Cat explains how to make things even or neater-looking (I am filled with hope that I don't have to do much finishing because the work already looks neat the first time around).

There a million other knitting tutorials on Youtube, but I realize that

1) I prefer spoken word audio. Music should be discreet or be faded out in a timely manner.
2) I like having a contrast between background and yarn color so I can see clearly.
3) I appreciate summaries at the end of videos.
4) Judicious close-ups are wonderful, especially if it's a discussion-type demo between two people.

The last item describes Knitting Daily TV tutorial videos demonstrated by Interweave Knits' Eunny Jang. I have Jinky to thank for showing me the Estonian lace nupp tutorial episode featuring Eunny with knitting historian Nancy Bush.

Also on my list is Knitpicks on Youtube. Or you can visit their website directly.

There are many videos uploaded on Youtube daily, but some are are posted to display their makers' idiosyncracies than to actually teach something useful. This short list of ACTUAL USEFUL tutorial channels ought to help you avoid hair-pulling frustration and maintain your sense of humor for real life interaction. Of course, patience and diligent searching will produce tutorials to fit your particular needs.

Happy knitting!

Sending Some Love

2009-07-29T10:27:00.003+08:00

To every person who works hard at their craft and reaps warm regard, I send love. To those who feel doubt that they will finish what they started, I send love and encouragement. To those who feel inadequate and are afraid to start, I send you love, and love of learning. To those who worry they can't afford to do things or feel they don't have the time or support, I send love and the Universe's abundance. To those who make mistakes I send love and the willingness to start all over and do right. To those who feel frustrated and angry, I send love and more love. To those who feel pain because they do too much of what they love, I send love and awareness of the need for balance. To those who suffer the unkindness of others, I send love and strength. To those who feel timid, I send love and a sense of adventure. To those who feel sad, I send love, friendship and ice cream. To those who are happy, I send love and opportunities to spread the joy.

I have been all of these. Thank you for everything. Now let's send love to Stephanie.

Knit-Related Wallpapers

2009-07-21T17:23:00.008+08:00

I downloaded this from Lion Brand's recent selection. I guess it plays to my inherent wish to upholster that wire chair with its own knitted cover...

This one, by Knitpicks, I actually find useful (the other version of "Felici" is also pretty, but a bit too cool in terms of colors for my taste). Download your wallpapers here.

I looked at this wallpaper everyday and wondered why I bought the warmer, plummy colors of the lace sampler. I realized I should buy the above sampler as well.

Not to be outdone, Vogue Knitting shares the above shot, from their VK Stitchionary Volume 1. There are a few others to choose from as well.

Here's an urban legend designed to catch the fancy of many hot-blooded knitters, provided by Knitting On The Net:

(As far as Russell Crowe's reps know, he does NOT knit, but whoever did this sure has a sense of humor!)

New Lace Book!

2009-07-20T19:49:00.006+08:00

Amazon.com emailed me today. As someone who previously purchased Nancy Bush's Knitted Lace of Estonia, I was now being offered Knits from the North Sea: Lace in the Shetland Tradition, by Carol Rasmussen Noble, now on pre-order.

When will the madness end? Hehehe. I think I'll wait until I read a review on The Panopticon, Grumperina, or Yarn Harlot. At this point my wallet and I are too timid.

Edited screenshot image courtesy of Amazon.com.

WIP: Lilo's Patterned Cami

2009-07-11T15:08:00.007+08:00

This is the cami front I started while watching the Federer-Roddick Wimbledon final. Two more nights of tv knitting, and I finished it. There's no pattern - yet. I'll write it up afterwards. I just followed the shaping of one of Lilo's t-shirts with an inch added to the width, so she can wear it up to next year. I made the neckline a V to follow the pattern that just showed itself on the bottom panel.

Here's the back panel started. I ran out of variegated cotton so I had to return to the mall to buy another ball.

Anchor Lifestyles crochet cotton is pricier than my usual brands, Cannon and Monaco, about P52 (USD 1.07) compared to the usual P35 (USD 0.72). Mind you I'm comparing mall retail prices, since I'm not buying in bulk. Anchor, like Cannon and the local Red Heart, is made by Coats Manila Bay, Inc. "The only ISO 9001 certified thread company in the Philippines." This is the very lovely colorway KAM17 / 210783 / 65-PHHT. It's supposed to be a size 10 thread, but it's just very slightly thinner than Cannon or Monaco. Softer than Cannon, with more sophisticated colors.

I'm using US size 2 (2.75mm) bamboo circular needles, which give me a gauge of 9 stitches by 12 rows. I think my Addi or Inox 2.5mm circular needles would give roughly the same gauge. Again, it's all stockinette and shaping. No fancy stitches. It'll expand sideways to accommodate at least 10 months worth of child growth.

Stay tuned, folks, I might finish it by Wednesday.

On The Needles

2009-07-09T15:48:00.002+08:00

My tank top, still only 1/3 of the front done, because...

I finished the front of Lilo's cami. I started it at the height of the Federer vs. Roddick game of the Wimbledon Finals, and finished it two days later, while watching re-runs of The X-Files. Started on the back part and need to buy one more ball of that colorway to be able to get that cami done. Yes, I made it up as I went along. Stockinette and shaping, mostly. Family feedback: cute so far. I hope the finished item looks good on her.

Lace wrap, shelved.

Practice lace for the hem of Lilo's cami. If this drives me nuts I'll crochet the hem.

Cheers!

Knittipina Report 003

2009-06-22T11:26:00.004+08:00

What have I been up to?

[Before this I was derailed by a couple of vintage fountain pens I was restoring to working order. Maybe I should have a separate pen blog for that.]

I got a little tired of knitting the lace wrap thingy, so I'm putting that aside. I actually started a basic tank top that I am making from scratch (writing pattern as I go, but made with tips from Stitch 'N Bitch Nation and Teach Yourself Visually Knitting Design. Woke up very early last Friday with a low grade fever, and couldn't sleep, so I made me a schematic based on my favorite cotton v-neck t-shirt.

I knitted steadily, got my proportions wrong, and unraveled half my work. Today, since I am still recovering from that souvenir from the flu season, I discovered where I went wrong and am prepared to frog the whole thing. Yes, the masochistic Gravelcat will start all over again! This should be frustrating for most people, but you see I had a Eureka moment. Today my best friends are my yarn winder, my measuring tape, my calculator, and of course, my needles.

Worldwide Knit in Public Day was a no-go for me, as it wasn't wise to leave quarantine, what with the AH1N1 virus spreading in nearby schools. My friend May told me to stop knitting as I might be knitting continuously into the night. Yes, that danger is ever present, but then my fingers need rest too.

May you all knit in the best of health!

Addi Turbo Lace Needles at Dreams Glorietta 5

2009-06-13T12:47:00.003+08:00

I finally got some Addi Turbo Lace needles!!! *Does the booty shake of joy*

They were PhP690 for the US size 00 (1.75mm). I know, it seems like a lot, but when the prices at online stores abroad plus shipping are still higher. This is a lifetime warranty TOOL, and therefore worth it.

I couldn't afford the US size 000 (1.50mm) yet, maybe later on. I wish there was a book I could get that contained just knitted lace borders, like there is for crochet. Yes, Nicky Epstein wrote several, but not all the titles are available locally. I'd like to learn the traditional kind, the kind you put on the edges of nightgowns or bedlinens. I could use DMC Petra for that. Or anything Egyptian cotton that's reasonably priced.

I also met Marivic, a very dedicated crocheter/knitter who also completed her Addi set one by one - because she goes to Dreams all the way from the province!

Dreams is in the new Glorietta 5 building near Rustan's Makati, on the 3rd floor, near the escalator.

Dare To Knit In Public - In Manila

2009-06-09T20:21:00.006+08:00

Lion Brand Notebook sent me a notice about this year's World Wide Knit In Public Day. I borrowed the really cool logo above from there.

It's actually TWO weekends this June - 13/14 and 20/21. Amy tried to organize something last year for our little corner of the world, but I wasn't able to join. This weekend is tight, it being my dad's birthday on Independence Day and all, but the weekend after might work. MIGHT.

The last time I knitted in public seems to be at the dentist's office. Er... no. I think it was actually at Cibo Shangrila. I was knitting a baby sock while having a leisurely coffee with a childhood friend. Unfortunately, there are no photos to mark that event. I was also a bit afraid of spilling coffee on my knitting. But the admiring glances of passersby were encouraging.

I wonder what my crafter friends are planning.

Hooked on Crocheted String Bags

2009-06-08T08:41:00.044+08:00

Ever since my cousin gave me a pretty & compact reusable shopping tote from the States (a nylon Enviro-sack, I think), I've been obsessed with making a crocheted version.

The first I made is of a thread locally available in Manila called Raylon #8/3-ply. It's based on a free pattern by Deborah Erbach Burger of Crochet: The Extraordinary Realm.

This bag is so roomy, I was once able to fit a king-sized cotton blanket in it while shopping at an Earth Day bazaar. This feature I love: when turned inside out, the bottom of the bag serves as a pouch for the expandable mesh portion.

Recently at Tru Value I saw the Envirosack and other similar products; the lowest-priced ones go for P199 (about USD5.50). My mesh bag, which holds twice as much, costs about P75 (about USD 1.50) for materials.

Currently I'm trying out other patterns with different locally available materials like Monaco cotton twine, which is cheaper & probably sturdier, but also just a bit bulkier than Raylon, which has a soft drape, silky sheen and folds away smaller.

(Cross-posted from Making Time for Joy blog)

Meeting Another Raveler

2009-05-27T08:22:00.010+08:00

I actually met Jinky of Life As A Stitcher before I met Mimi. Jinky and her family arrived for a summer vacation on the first week of May, and were a bit concerned that the rainy season had arrived early. On the other hand, they were thrilled about the possibility that their daughters could experience walking in the soft rain. They are based in Riyadh, where Jinky's husband works as an engineer - the idea of rain suddenly added another dimension to their trip.

Some time before Jinky's trip, I informed her that my cousin was flying to Manila from the US for our family reunion, and if there was anything she wanted to order by way of knitting paraphernalia or pattern book. Two items were on her wish list:

Knitpicks' Options set of interchangeable circular knitting needles

and Nancy Bush's Knitted Lace of Estonia.

Jinky is an experienced, talented knitter. She collects paraphernalia, shares techniques and tips with friends, and has an amazing catalog of Finished Objects. She also loves lace, and in order to attempt beautiful shawl patterns like the ones you are looking at on the cover of Nancy Bush's book, you would need the interchangeable needles set. (The other needles and cables work as "lifelines" when you stretch out your work in progress.) Both items were quite light. The book is a trade paperback sized like a coffeetable book. When my cousin dropped them off, I realized that one day, I'd like to get both the set and the book for myself as well. The idea of making something that pretty is a challenge.

She gifted me with some Inox 2.5mm circular needles when we met - one of the most useful sizes for most of my projects. (Oh yes, it's funny how we knitters enable each other.) Thank you, Jinky!

Here is a photo of us outside Carolina's Megamall (we're smiling, not least because of the sign nearby that screamed "SALE"). With us was my sister Incredible Joie - they got along like a house on fire because Joy follows Jinky's crochet projects. Joy's blog is under construction and will soon cross-post in Knittipina. If you're a mommy, you'll understand why it's taking so long.

The crocheted item I'm holding is the camera case Joy made. I'll be seeing Jinky again soon before she returns to Riyadh, and destashing by giving her some pretty silky aqua Familia yarn I got in Divisoria (don't worry, I kept the silver).

This meeting fellow Ravelers is fun! I should do this more often! (I should also finish more projects, but then I'm at the mercy of my eyesight.)

Screen capture images courtesy of Knitpicks.com and Amazon.com.

Free Goodies from Knitting Daily!

2009-05-26T22:12:00.002+08:00

I got this very interesting offer in the mail today, from Knitting Daily. Interweave Knits was offering the following pdf publications for FREE. Who was I to resist? My preferences:

7 Free Lace Knitted Patterns

5 Free Sock Knitting Patterns

Check out the other free patterns in the KD archive. Enjoy!

Dreams Relocated?

2009-05-25T14:19:00.004+08:00

I attended the FPN Philippines pen meet in Glorietta 2 last Saturday and was hoping I could show Jenny and Erika my favorite source for knitting yarns and paraphernalia. I mean, I thought, after raiding the gallery where Rudolph Lietz was disposing of his NOS Lamy Safaris, we could go down the escalator and choose something for Ik to learn knitting with. No such luck. Apparently Glorietta 2 ground floor was being renovated.

I vaguely heard something about Dreams moving to a location within Greenbelt 5. But isn't Greenbelt 5 the hotbed of branded luxury items??? I'll ask Jenny again. I mean to try teaching Ik to knit socks.

This morning I tried calling their existing landline, but that's not in service. I texted Ma'am Lilli (de Leon) to ask about where they put their new store, but so far have not received any reply. Anyway, when I do find out, I'll let you guys know.

-------

UPDATE: My Ravelry friend Bheng of All Stitch Bright and Beautiful noted in the comments that it's now in GLORIETTA 5. I had no idea there was a Glorietta 5! I bought so much yarn last year and I haven't actually used them all up yet, so I haven't been back since my last guilty pleasure purchase of baby merino.

Ma'am Lilli finally replied, "Nice to hear from u. Yes we moved 2 Glorietta 5 3rd flr. Please come visit us. Our new store no. 856-0741."

Bheng, if you don't know how to knit socks yet, I would gladly teach you. Just get yourself some US size 1 / 2.25mm or 2.5mm circular needles 32" or 40" long, and we're good to go.

Olive Green Slippers by Mimi Alelis

2009-05-25T13:06:00.011+08:00

Last December I am sure some of you saw my blog entry about a pair of plain cappuccino socks I made for crochet designer Mimi Alelis, here and on Ravelry. She made this lovely and snug-fitting pair of slippers for me in exchange, from my favorite color of mercerized cotton.

Here are the slippers, folded flat.

And here they are, on me:

Do they fall off when I walk? No. Are they comfortable? Yes. My feet are narrow and flat, and these manage to fit me EXACTLY. The amazing thing is that, after months of exchanging messages on Ravelry, Mimi and I met for the very first time at Chocolate Kiss coffee shop at the University of the Philippines campus last Wednesday, May 20th. I'd never met a needlecraft designer before! In my excitement, I forgot to bring a camera. *knocks head against wall*

Mimi arrived carrying a box of threads, and she showed me the front half of the kid's dress she had knit. I was knitting pen tubes, with small-repeat lace stitches. My mom joined us briefly. We chatted and chatted until sunset arrived.

One day perhaps our small group of friends should have a Stitch n' Bitch Diliman hangout. Nothing but knitting, crochet, needlecraft and talk. And coffee/tea/juice. Amy (Dreaming Knitter) wasn't feeling well that day, and new mommy Gene (geneinthebattle) was busy with newborn Una. Yes, I know, it's funny we can talk crafting all day without really noticing we're doing it. But I guess it's the same with guys and cars.

Wishlist items: A living room for 12. A clean bathroom. A coffeemaker. A shelf with pattern books. A plate of cookies. Friends, needles, fiber, chat.

Help Needed for Lorelei Henson

2009-05-22T23:30:00.002+08:00

Three years ago, my childhood classmate Lorelei ("Lyeh") discovered she had a brain tumor. She was operated on, but a year later the tumor reappeared. Ever since then she would suffer periodic intercranial pressure (liquid in her brain would accumulate, and not drain properly), for which she would be medicated.

Two weeks ago, she suffered a sudden increase in intercranial pressure, which nearly caused a major seizure. Lyeh's mother brought her to the hospital in time for an emergency lumbar tap (removal of spinal fluid for testing and analysis). They discovered that she was suffering from streptococcal (bacterial) meningitis, as a result of her weakened immune system. For the first four days she was in critical condition and nearly died. She was put on a severe cocktail of antibiotics and steroids via intravenous feed, and thus was confined in Delgado Clinic in Quezon City for twelve days.

As a result of this treatment, including laboratory tests and a second lumbar tap, her hospital bills reached unexpected heights. Afraid that her bill would balloon unnecessarily, Lyeh had herself discharged today, May 22. She has paid about half of her hospital bills from all her available direct sources of funds (family members), and has a remaining balance of PhP 75,000.00. She needs to pay the Delgado Clinic by June 3.

Our high school batch, UP Integrated School Class of 1984, is helping her raise money for that recent hospitalization. Her family is taking responsibility for her daily care, but needs to clear that amount in order to move forward.

Lyeh Henson is a single mother, with three children, and is not able to work given her current condition. She is recuperating at home, and is a patient of neurologist Dr. Senna Lim of St. Luke's Hospital and Delgado Clinic.

Please help Lyeh by contributing any amount to

UNIONBANK
Branch: Aurora Boulevard Branch, Quezon City, Philippines
Account Name: Lorelei Henson
Account Type: Current
Account Number: 00-902-001584-2

before or by June 3, 2009.

Thank you very much for any help you can give. You can help by circulating this entry in your blog. Lyeh needs her friends at this time, old and new.

Knitful Thinking Wish Item: Vogue Knitbook

2009-05-14T09:30:00.004+08:00

When I sign up to receive free patterns on sites, to post comments in their blogs, and to participate in their discussion boards, once in a while I get a very interesting email offer like this:

For a closer look at the fine print, click on the above image, which will take you to Vogue Knitting.

Occasionally I am lucky enough to find a knitting book on sale, but the average price would be around PhP150-250 for a softcover. Others (hardcover) would be discounted about 40-50% off from a retail price approaching PhP 1895. I actually ordered Vogue Knitting: The Ultimate Knitting Book at full retail price from Powerbooks, but then as it's supposed to be a lifetime "stitchionary" resource, I didn't mind. I also did not want to lose it in the mail.

(The US dollar's down to PhP 47.25, but I think I've spent too much on fountain pens. No new pens, inks or knitting paraphernalia for several months. You'll be proud of me, I have successfully avoided peeking on eBay and online marketplace for these things like I used to.)

I suppose once you get a Vogue Knitbook, a coffeetable-style Finished Objects glossy photobook from MyPublisher would not be far behind... (I'm a looooong ways away from that at this point.)

Cable Rib Ankle Socks

2009-05-13T10:27:00.004+08:00

I finished these 2x2 cable socks some time after I finished Mimi's cappuccino socks. Well... I started them before Christmas, lay them down, misplaced them, found them again and finished them in January when I was having my thyroid woes. Nothing like keeping your hands busy to get your mind off things.

The cast-on is 64 sts, and I used Monaco crochet cotton with a US size 1 (2.25mm) pair of bamboo needles 40" long. My cable needle - badaboom! - is a bamboo toothpick 2.25mm in diameter. Very very nifty to use a bamboo toothpick, the stitches don't fall off as the surface of the bamboo holds the stitches well. Great for small-diameter portable projects. It follows the standard sock pattern, only I realized (quickly enough in the middle of knitting the first sock) my design error.

You may notice that the last cable columns on either edge of the sock front sort of blend into the stockinette of the underside. I was trying for symmetry, so to fit the cast-on, I inadvertently left the P2 column out. Next time I shall try for:

P1, cable, P2, K2, P2, cable, P2, K2, P2, cable, P2, K2, P2, cable, P1 = 32 (front)

Yes, it's very pretty with clogs and certain sandals.

Knittipina Report 002

2009-05-06T18:52:00.002+08:00

Sometimes people go off their favorite activities for different reasons:

1) An alternate hobby has become their obsession. In an effort to simplify my life, I divided my interests into 3 main areas: gadgets, knitting, and fountain pens. For a good while, fountain pen collecting took over my daily thoughts. Once I started winning auctions on eBay I was, for a while, on a roll. When I tallied how much I had spent on fountain pens and inks and paper since the start of this year, I realized it was practically the equivalent of what I spent on knitting needles and yarns and pattern books last year. Prudence made me decide to stop and enjoy what I already owned for the meantime. (Since all my gadgets worked fine, there was no need to add to them, or to their accessories.)

2) Health issues. My thyroid was acting up, and I couldn't really concentrate much on projects. Now that my cyst has lessened in size, I no longer worry about it as much.

3) Travel. I brought my lace knitting with me from Cavite all the way to Laoag (practically the left coast of Luzon island) and back, for an international family reunion -- and managed to knit ONE INCH of pattern. Happily, it was much admired by my aunties, who have been knitting and crocheting since their teens. A couple of weeks later I brought the lace with me to the beach island of Boracay -- and managed to knit ANOTHER ONE INCH. Oh well, I was trying not to get any sunblock on my knitting. I did manage to knit on the beach front, and elicited the attention and conversation of a German lady on vacation.

Check out how far those trips were here on Encarta. Cavite is near Metro Manila, towards the bottom of Luzon. Laoag is on the top left of the island. And Boracay Island is just at the northern tip of Panay, across the city of Kalibo.

By the way, the summer stole is now around 24" in length.

4) Eyesight. The ear piece of my sexy librarian glasses broke off. This is what happens when you wrestle with little children. Fortunately, I have gotten new frames, although not as sexy as my old ones.

Enough with the excuses already! Suffice it to say that I have regained some of my knitting mojo since meeting up with Jinky (a friend from Ravelry), who recently arrived from abroad. We visited one of our favorite fabric-threads-notions superstores, Carolina's Megamall, and Jinky went home with some Monaco Raylon (200gms in cones) in really pretty colors.

Tonight, while watching a dvd I shall attempt to knit another inch or so of lace.

TDM's ribbed boyfriend socks are still stuck at the heel flap. I happened to choose a dark blue merino that makes it difficult for me to see my own stitches!

In the meantime, am planning to make some pink baby socks for Gene's newborn Una. And planning to finally meet up with Mimi, whose cappuccino socks have been with me since December.

Incredible Joie suffered a theft - some guy broke into her car while it was parked in front of her daughter's preschool, and stole her crochet WIP bag! She lost a set of crochet hooks and several squares for a baby blanket, plus a crochet reference book. Fortunately, except for the baby blanket squares, we were able to replace everything, even the broken car window. This didn't stop her... she has beaten me with her number of crochet Finished Objects. I may add some photos later, when she's organized her hard drive.

Cheers, friends :) I am knitting on!

Modelling Her Coral Top

2009-03-31T00:21:00.004+08:00

I totally forgot that I had taken the following photo. My niece and favorite model was about to be fetched by her other grandma for their date to The Playroom:

This was the first child garment I had ever made successfully, which I blogged about here. I'm so pleased with this photo.

Summer Lace

2009-03-19T09:02:00.005+08:00

Not bad for three hours' work last night, eh? I was knitting while watching the very gothic season 2 of the BBC's mid-90s supernatural fantasy Hex. Ok, I did make some mistakes that way ("...k1, yo, k3, sl1, psso, k3... wait wait wait. Where did this @#$%^&*!!! 2-stitch HOLE come from?"). I actually ripped out 3 rows in episode 3 while Roxanne puts on a cross necklace to draw attention to her tempting cleavage and goes out to seduce her teacher, a young priest. By the time I had corrected myself and got the hang of the pattern, the deed was done and the priest was pondering his foray into sin.

Materials:
Addi Turbo circular needles, 4.5mm
1 cone Monaco beige glace "Raylon" (it's softer than you think, and has a nice sheen)

Horseshoe Stitch Pattern
["One of many beautiful stitches that originated in the Shetland Islands in the nineteenth century, when gossamer laces were a favorite form of knitting."]
(page 305, Reader's Digest Complete Guide to Needlework, 1979 edition):

Multiple of 10 stitches plus 1

Row 1: K1, *yo, K3, sl1, K2tog, psso, K3, yo, K1*
Row 2 and alt rows: Purl
Row 3: K1, *K1, yo, K2, sl1, K2tog, psso, K2, yo, K2*
Row 5: K1, *K2, yo, K1, sl1, K2tog, psso, K1, yo, K3*
Row 7: K1, *K3, yo, sl1, K2tog, psso, K4*

To make the narrow wrap, knit 10 rows of garter stitch, then add 5 garter stitches at the beginning and end of each row as a selvedge. My wrap has a cast on of 61 sts, although to make it wider, you can make it 71 sts.

I figure the blocked and ironed finished item should measure something like 9" wide and 60" long. Perfect for when you want to go to the movies and still have to brave the heat of our summer sun after.

Pen Tubes and Such

2009-03-15T13:51:00.005+08:00

I knitted an apple green prototype pen tube for my Jinhao X750 (a fat black cigar with a B nib) as a prototype. Nice and soft, but thin. Also being crochet cotton it is always in danger of staining. Since January I have made three other prototypes in acrylic, two of which ended up like this:

and one of which turned out better knitted bottom-up. From now on I will make all my pen tubes that way. The more I do that method of casting on, the less complicated it gets. I suppose for someone who prefers to top-down socks one day I will actually be able to finish a bottom-up pair.

The attractive and spicy-looking crocheted gadget garment on the right of the green pen tube was made by Incredible Joie, for our shared Nikon Coolpix around first week of February. She used worsted weight Red Heart acrylic (must look for colorway in case someone asks later). Plus points: water doesn't seep in on an accidental spill, great cushioning, easy to find in deep dark bag.

I am trying to make a two-pen case. Some people of course might not think them presentable enough, but I actually use everything I have ever made, and if it works for my purposes, I will put them to good use.

Erika Knight's Classic Knits

2009-03-15T12:21:00.004+08:00

Last Sunday my sister and I visited Bestsellers at the top floor of Robinson's Galleria extension. I have always struck gold in book sales there, and I found a copy of Erika Knight's Classic Knits that had lost its dustcover. Got it for Php250 (about USD 5).

Yes, this one.

Two days ago we visited the Fully Booked flagship store in The Fort, and the same book was going for PhP 1039 (about USD 21)! It was meant for me.

On The Needles

2009-02-13T00:18:00.003+08:00

... are a pair of cable rib ankle socks, in light blue cotton. This is something I started last December but only managed to knit a couple of rows every now and then. The good thing is that I have finished one sock and am just past the heel on the other.

And then the 40" plastic cable and one bamboo needle decide to separate ways. AAARRRRRGHHHH!!! I will be gluing them back together tomorrow morning. Fortunately I have 32" needles for backup.

Did you know, standard bamboo toothpicks from the supermarket make great cable needles? They're actually a US size 1.

This is actually my second pair, the first one are already with Incredible Joie. Due to a stupid miscounting of stitches (yes, that'll teach me to cast one when I'm sleepy) I end up knitting 2 sets of 2x2 ribbing instead of purling them. Regular folks wouldn't notice, but I do, and I just finished them because I'd already gone and finished one. The one that's on the needles now have the correct number of stitches, knitted according to my handwritten notes.

I brought them with me to Baguio, but when your little niece always wants to be playing there's not much you can accomplish. I went back to them today, until the cable separation occurred.

I gave up and made myself a sandwich of Kiwifruit honey and Brie on wholewheat. THAT always works.

P. S. TDM's socks aren't even past the heel yet! That'll be good for another blog entry. The year started out pretty rough for me, I need to get back into a knitting frame of mind.

Time to Do the Dance of Joy

2009-02-08T07:48:00.002+08:00

The cyst is benign! *Shakes mah bootay.*

My doctors are really good. Very reassuring. I went to see my endocrinologist yesterday morning and waited for my turn for three hours. The good news was worth it. The lump decreased in size significantly since the liquid was removed via aspiration. She prescribed some medicine that I have to take daily for three months, after which I go see her again.

Yes, I can eat broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, mustasa and pechay again! Apparently new studies report that they do not disrupt iodine absorption needed by the thyroid to produce its hormone. I love my leafy greens, and I need their vitamins too. The doctor just advised me to take my multivitamins at night so as not to conflict with the thyroid medicine in the morning.

Life is good and I want to enjoy it longer by keeping tabs on my health.

("So say we all." - Battlestar Galactica's Bill Adama.)

Held at Needlepoint

2009-02-04T17:34:00.001+08:00

Pardon the long online silence. I'd meant to write about the Boracay wedding I attended, about meeting with my local fountain pen group for the first time, about my cable knitted socks, about last weekend's trip to Baguio.

It was at Jun and Jangky's December 19 wedding that we discovered that I have a cyst growing on the left lobe of my thyroid. I spent a week not thinking about it (read: traffic, bank holiday, other reasons to procrastinate). Come January I went to my family doctor. He sent me off for blood tests and an ultrasound. I spent some time hunting for an endocrinologist. When I found her, she recommended that I undergo an FNAB (fine needle aspiration biopsy). For someone who has never been hospitalized ever, the word "biopsy" is a bit freaky. (It took a trip to Baguio for me to build up the right attitude and motivation for it. I found myself walking around Burnham Park in a haze of disbelief, leavened by spending time playing with my little niece on the grass.)

The two doctors (family and endocrinologist) both explained in general what would be done. Imagine the cyst is a rubber jackstone ball with fluid in it. The needle will enter the cyst and draw out as much liquid as possible. Sometimes the solids stick together without leaving a gap. Sometimes the liquid accumulation recurs. The liquid is then sent to the lab for tests, including one for the presence or absence of cancer cells. It's just like a blood test, you'll be fine, they said.

Of course I know I'd be fine. There was just that part of me that really could not process the visual of having a needle stuck in my neck. This is despite the fact that I am not a squeamish person and can look at an open wound without fainting. The way I felt about it is hard to describe, but if you've ever been so anxious and stressed about something that you end up uttering gibberish and giggling uncontrollably, that would be close.

Anyway, it's done. Thank goodness. The pathologist stuck me in the neck twice, in an attempt to remove all the liquid. The first time wasn't painful. The second one was a bit painful, because of the attempt to aspirate until no liquid remained. (Well, it doesn't beat having a tooth cavity drilled.) It was mercifully quick. She ended up with 15.5cc of liquid! That is being tested, and I go get the results on Friday. All I have to show for it are two puncture wounds and a bruise worthy of Twilight the movie. On Saturday I let the endocrinologist figure out how to manage the rest of the cyst.

Some of you know me as fearless and practical, keeping my head in emergencies, coming up with reserves of strength when needed. I used to think I was invincible, and that is an attitude of carefree youth. I'm still young, but then again I'm not that young. Or maybe I should say, in my mind I am younger than this body I inhabit. Perhaps that is more accurate. This body feels tired.

I feel relieved that the biopsy is done. I ate enough fried chicken and cream of potato and basil soup fpr lunch to compensate for my early morning stress. (There was no vanilla ice cream, alas.) Thanks to everyone here and in Facebook who put me in their prayer lists and sent me funny thoughts. I had the strangest thoughts going through my head while there was a needle stuck in my neck for the longest ten seconds ever.

All throughout I could not blog. I could only send emails, chat and write in my journal. I put my mind to writing to my snail mail group. During the time I could not blog I got four postcards in the mail from around the world. Lovely surprises in these electronic times! They cheered me up immensely. I've posted three postcards and three letters. There's something so satisfying about using my fountainpens and different colored inks on lovely paper, writing to people who appreciate the same things.

TDM even took me out for breakfast yesterday to cheer me up. (Pancake House's bacon waffles are great for cheering me up. Now if they had Nutella waffles, maybe you could bribe me to have myself stuck with a needle FOUR times!) Thank you, sweetheart.

Hopefully tonight I dream of myself playing with my niece on the Burnham Park grass. It wipes away my cares.

Peace on Earth, Goodwill to All

2008-12-22T16:22:00.004+08:00

These days we are so caught up in the rounds of parties and gift-giving, that the meaning of Christmas gets lost.

Thank you Lord for the following (and more!):

1) gatherings full of good food, music and laughter
2) the enjoyable company of good friends and loved ones
3) peace to the troubled
4) rest for the weary
5) forgiveness and understanding from the people whose items I have not finished knitting
6) the ability to surprise people in a good way
7) patience when planning for successful events
8) good cheer in trying times
9) strength, good health and safe conduct for all
10) abundant love all around

There's more, but they'll come to mind later.

Special prayers go out to my college friend Margie E, who is recuperating from her operation in New Delhi. As Amy says, we're storming the gates of Heaven for this one :)

Have a wonderful Christmas!

Customizable Needle Sets

2008-12-11T10:42:00.005+08:00

Got this interesting link from my friend Jinky (lyfasastitcher over at Plurk) who discovered Kinki Amibari bamboo circular interchangeable needles!

I know for a fact that Clover brand Japanese-made bamboo crochet hooks and knitting needles are very expensive here in Manila. It's a preferred brand on eBay as well, and priced accordingly. However, the interchangeable mechanism on these Kinki Amibari needles look pretty well-engineered. They even have 9" circulars for small circumference projects!

Must warn you though: I tried accessing the downloadable Knitting Accessories pdf catalogs, and this caused my Firefox 3 to crash. Three times. I can't imagine why, but then I'm only using a modest-processor netbook and not a core 2 duo machine. Anyway, FF3 filed a report and they'll probably look into it.

God is telling me that I have enough (cheaper, made in China) bamboo fixed circulars and (lifetime warranty, made in Germany) Addi Turbos from pre-recession era and that I shouldn't forget to give thanks! I do, I do! I make useful stuff using them! Laborare est orare! (To work is to pray.)

Time was when the Knitpicks nickel-plated interchangeables and their Harmony wood interchangeables were the relatively affordable must-haves. (They still are, based on price points. But I am a fixed circulars girl.)

Trust Jinky to find more new knitting items to drool over. She also referred to me Signature Needle Arts, who offer interchangeable knitting needle points (talk about customization!), and I can bet the "stiletto point" will be one of her must-haves, since she is very brave and does bigger lace projects. However my knitting budget for this year is way done, and I must knit more stuff to show for everything I have bought.

Yes, Jenny. THIS is the reason why I haven't been spending on my fountain pens.

Knitting is joy. Joy to the world!

Mimicat's Cappuccino Socks

2008-12-08T09:35:00.004+08:00

I think these are supposed to be called Caramel Macchiatto socks but that's way too long. The color way is Cannon mercerized cotton MB073, a nice tan-khaki shade with a nice sheen that is in Mimi A's list of personal favorites. Again, the pattern is based on Ann Budd's basic socks, but can be made using the Yarn Harlot's basic pattern as well. These were made with Magic Loop, with a 32+32 stitch cast on, 2 x 2 ribbing, using US 1 or 2.25mm carbonized bamboo circular needles 40" long (you can use 32" as well).

They're for Mimi's birthday, which was sometime last November. I was supposed to have met up with her around then to give her these, but work got in the way and you all know how the season makes schedules crazy. In exchange, I asked for some pink Cannon thread, which I am using in turn for something for Gene's baby. Mimi and Gene are my Ravelry friends here in Manila that I've been communicating with on a semi-regular basis, via our blogs and other social networks. I'm sorry the socks are a little late, Mimi, but they're here, finally. Belated happy birthday!

Note: The carbonized bamboo needles are sooo nice and easy to work with! Honestly, there's not much difference in feel between the carbonized and the blonde bamboo needles, but I can see that the carbonized ones are not as likely to break easily. Worth the slight difference in price.

"Knitting Is Recession Proof" - Lion Brand CEO

2008-11-21T14:54:00.006+08:00

I was checking my knitting-related email subscriptions, and while looking at a Lion Brand knit-along invite, I saw the link to a great article at the bottom of the page. Knitting Through A Downturn, published in the New York Times blog City Room, describes why Lion Brand is confident about opening a sophisticated yarn mega-outlet in Manhattan, the very first in the company's 140-year history.

I find it heartening that Lion Brand head David Blumenthal validates my feelings about knitting and knitting supplies. My favorite quotes:

“Knitting has always been recession-proof,” he explained. “In a recession, people are cocooning. So for $5 or $10 in yarn, you can have a great weekend and come away with a scarf that would cost $60 in a store."

"In this high-stress environment, people want to zone out with a skein of yarn,” he said. “Knitting reduces stress; it’s today’s yoga.”

So, so TRUE. For me, at least. Then I read the comments, which ranged from the snarky to the fuzzy ends of the spectrum. Yarn snobbery, like wine snobbery, is a funny thing. It adds stress to what was supposed to be a yoga thing.

Of course there are ideal yarns suggested for specific projects, but the price of yarns should not hamper creativity or the desire to learn. There are good reasons why these yarns are recommended for their qualities, which you want the finished product to express. If you spent USD 5-10 on an appropriate small project, or learning a new stitch in acrylic or other artificial fiber yarn, the pleasure of knitting alone makes that worth it. When you've gotten more experience and can afford higher-quality natural fiber yarns for specific projects, by all means invest. But there should always be something for the person who finds comfort in the activity of knitting, and the current financial situation weighs heavily on all knitters. I think companies like Lion Brand and similar value brands are doing the rest of us a favor by making knitting more accessible to and more affordable for everyone. Lion Brand itself would not have survived this long if it weren't doing something right.

You all know I buy online (auction ; websites) as well as from brick-and-mortar stores. I'm just so happy to have a CHOICE. And, ah, I choose not to be snarky, as my skills are not developed enough to survive a midnight raid from the Knitting Police. And also, taking oneself too seriously adds to one's anti-aging cream budget.

Thanksgiving is upon us, and as you contemplate the cost of your beautiful yarn, please send a blessing to show appreciation for all those people who breed the sheep, shear them, prep the fleece, plant and harvest and process the cotton/ flax/ soy/ bamboo, spin and dye the yarns, package them, market them, sell them, write patterns and books, create jobs and teach knitters/crocheters how to make all those wonderful, wearable and above all USEFUL gifts.

Relax. Enjoy. Spread the love. Elizabeth Zimmerman herself recommends that we "Knit on with confidence and hope, amid all crises."

Needles Clicking Again!

2008-11-18T10:33:00.003+08:00

I know, it's strange when Knittipina is quiet. I was sick of the flu most of last week and spent last weekend trying to get the knitting groove back.

Spent some time spring cleaning too, and to my horror found three undocumented projects that never took off the ground. I promptly frogged them and rewound the yarn. Sometimes when you start something offhand and don't make notes of what you were planning to make, it's hard to get up the motivation to continue with it, especially since you can't remember what it's supposed to be or who it's for. They were left untouched for far too long.

I am looking evilly at my bookcase. Some of the old books there will be donated to a provincial library, to make space for my knitting books, stash and general paraphernalia. The spring cleaning will be thorough! Well, it will take a while, but I need to reorganize my little universe (reclaim rest space, reduce clutter, repurpose items, make space for items on my general wish list).

In the meantime, I continue with Mimi's cappuccino socks...

New Template!

2008-10-31T03:20:00.004+08:00

I was getting tired of the monolithic blueness that was the "Denim" template. I did like its clean lines from the beginning and the fact that the fonts were easy to read.

It took me a while to find a similarly clean layout in a light and pretty template that looked great in all major browsers and still reflected our blog title well. Also, any sort of color photo should look good in it.

This is called "Dream", in XML code for the New Blogger, by Finalsense.com. I tweaked it a little bit to fit my taste.

Shipping with Johnny Air

2008-10-30T09:59:00.006+08:00

Lilo's Halloween party outfit generated so much excitement, I totally forgot to blog about my receiving my recent eBay+KnitPicks orders! Yes, it's Christmas again, this time in October. I think I started celebrating Christmas way back in July, but that makes for a happier Gravelcat.

Johnny Air Cargo played Santa this time, not Philpost. My previous eBay order of bamboo circular needles did arrive on time, via USPS-Philpost (30 days shipping). I paid PhP 35 processing fee, which is correct. I figured nobody there would be interested in what looked like barbecue sticks stuck together with a nylon cord. While I was relieved at receiving my items, I still can't shake my mistrust of Philpost, and continue to dread missing items, having to deal with "creative taxation" or seeing "received partly torn" notices on my envelopes. I know current Postmaster General Hector R. R. Villanueva is trying to do something about public perception of Philpost's service, but I am not about to tempt fate yet, seeing how close we are getting to Christmas, financial crisis and all. Desperation and corruption go hand in hand.

Several years ago Johnny Air came to my attention via Pinoydvd.com. They offered safe US-Philippines shipping for dvds. While I wasn't that much of a big dvd buyer, I filed it away in my head. I came across them again this year, when I heard from my friend ECT that she had bought a Nikon D40 and had it shipped quickly and safely via Johnny Air. She picked it up in their Megamall branch.

Of course the cheapest way to send to the Philippines will always be the relatives' balikbayan box -- IF you have the patience to wait till December or January. For people who have a choice, Johnny Air's "Shop Online Service" is great. It's safe. It's fast. It's reliable.

I blog about this because I'm a satisfied customer, and you might need the information one day. (I also don't want to impose upon my relatives too much, because I love them, and their plates are full in these trying times.)

Let's say you want to buy something from eBay (vendor A) and something from Amazon.com (vendor B). Amazon.com offers free shipping for your item within the US. I mean, you wouldn't want to waste the savings if you could combine shipping, right?

1) You write an email to Analyn Diego at analynd@aol.com to advise her that you plan to buy items from vendors A and B. You let her know to combine these packages into one shipment, which must fulfill the minimum 2-lb requirement.

2) You shop online. Under shipping info you write:

ATTN: Analyn Diego/Client's Name (this means YOU)
Johnny Air SOL
6904 Roosevelt Avenue
Woodside, NY 11377
Tel. (718) 672-7080, (917) 332-7806

3) You email Analyn Diego again, with your shipping details.

Vendor
Order #
Tracking #
Item/s
Descriptions

Specify whether you want to claim it at JAC Makati or JAC Megamall. Provide your contact details so they can notify you when you can pick them up.

4) Shipping is by volume weight. As of my order it was USD 7.50 per lb + USD 5.00 handling fee. For further inquiries you can call JAC Customer Service at 631-7101, 638-8512 or 0917-8100306.

I see in the USPS international postage calculator that it would have cost me at least USD 29.93 for 6-10 days' Priority Mail shipping. What third party would bother to combine packages for me? And even then, I wouldn't even be sure whether I'd get it via Philpost or if I'd be charged extra fees.

In my case, I ordered my items on October 14, and received them October 24 from JAC Megamall. I paid USD 27.50 for 3 lbs. I showed the very nice folks my ID, and within a minute I got my box! And yes, they smile, too. Nowadays perhaps we don't count on people to smile a lot, but when they do, it really makes my day.

Now remember, it only works if that price and service are acceptable to you. If you are able to find a similar service that is also as reliable, let's hear about it!

Yellow Halter Modeled!

2008-10-25T14:52:00.002+08:00

Little Girl: (Excited) Yaya, what's that?

Yaya: It's for your hair, Isabel has one too. (One of her neighbor playmates.)

Little Girl: Okay. (Fidget. Fidget.)

Incredible Joie: Anak, sit still please. Auntie, I can't believe you made that.

Auntie Gravelcat: Neither can I. It looks better than I thought. Thank God!

Yaya Lea: Andyan na ang marching band! Let's go! Baka antukin itong bata tapos mamaya masungit. (She's beginning to look sleepy, we better go before she gets cranky.)

Incredible Joie: Auntie, bilis, I need my sd card. I need to take pix of the parade.

Auntie Gravelcat: Sure Mommy, I've blogged it na.

Oh my darling girl, you make my finger cramps so worth it. I love you.

Lilo's Yellow Cotton Ribbed Halter

2008-10-23T13:18:00.012+08:00

There's nothing like an event deadline to make your fingers fly! I just finished the yellow halter for Lilo's Halloween-Hawaiian costume. I knitted roughly 3,000 stitches spread out over 5 nights and a bit of this lunch break. I checked my knitting log and realized that I had been steadily engaged in this top for an average of 4 hours a night since Saturday. The fingers need a break.

Lilo tried it on today... fortunately for me she refused to remove it for 10 minutes straight. That counts as "she likes it". However the ribbing makes the top too narrow. "Kita dede," as the kid would say. I added a bit of invisible elastic to keep it snug until she grows into the actual circumference of the top.

Because it's a ribbed top it looks funny all scrunched up. It stretches to about 12 inches across. I know the neckline looks a little stiff, next time I'll just knit it an inch lower, straight across and sew two separate i-cords on either end to tie around the neck. I was kind of thinking that this way it would still fit in the next 6 months. It looks better on the kid, but no pix available till Sunday morning. You have to see it with the grass skirt.

I am sharing this free pattern with my friends and readers for their personal, non-commercial use. Please acknowledge me if you're publishing your success with it online. I'd love a photo or two, if you manage to take some. Please read carefully before starting the project, there are portions where I provided alternative instructions to accommodate different preferences. If you can improve on it further, let me know so I can make my niece an even better version (whereupon I credit YOU!).

GIRL'S RIBBED HALTER TOP PATTERN
Copyright 2008 Mona Caccam

Materials:

2 balls Monaco crochet cotton shade BUT25 (butter yellow) -- about 1.5 balls used up
2.75mm/US 2 needles -- used my bamboos, love love love them
2.25mm/US 1 double pointed needles for I-cord
tapestry needle

Finished Size: As close as possible to a Philippine children's size 8 (roughly 3-4 yo child) cotton t-shirt, about 12.5" wide x 10" from shoulder down to hem.

Gauge: 10 stitches by 12 rows per inch

1. Front: Cast on 128 stitches.

2. Row 1 (RS): *Knit 4, purl 4*, repeat * until end.

3. Row 2 (WS): *Purl 4, knit 4*, repeat * until end.

4. Continue knitting K4 x P4 ribbing for 7", ending in WS.

5. Begin armhole shaping: Bind off 10 stitches next row (RS), knit in ribbing until end of row.

* Alternate instructions #5 to #8 (armhole shaping): Instead of the bind off above, at this point it might be easier to decrease 1 stitch at the beginning of every row until you haveknit 2-2.5" or reach the neckline width you prefer (. This will produce a diagonal "armhole" instead of a round one.

6. Bind off 10 stitches next row (WS), knit in ribbing until end of row.

7. Bind off 1 stitch next row (RS), knit in ribbing until end of row. Bind off 1 stitch next row (WS), knit in ribbing until end of row. Bind off 1 stitch (RS), knit until end of row. Bind off 1 stitch (WS) until end of row. (Ribbing should still be in multiples of 4.)

8. Knit in K4 x P4 ribbing, without further shaping, for 2.5" ending in WS.

9. Neckline: Knit in stockinette across for 8 rows, ending in WS.

*Note, instructions #9 to #12: If you find the neckline portion of this halter top a bit stiff, as I did, just knit across. Bind off. Reinforce with single crochet border if preferred. Make 2 separate I-cords 12" long. Sew ends of I-cords to the corners of the neckline.

10. Bind off entire row. Set aside.

11. I-cord: Cast on 3 sts on 1 dpn. Knit across with dpn 2. Slide work to other end of dpn 2, knit with free needle. Continue knitting I-cord for 26". Bind off. Weave in ends.

12. Fold stockinette portion of halter front with I-cord inside, forming a tube. Sew stockinette seam across, as it contains I-cord.

13. Back: Cast on 128 stitches.

14. Knit in P4 x K4 ribbing (reverse of front) unti 7", ending in WS. (Take note, this is to alternate ribbing when front and back are joined.)

15. Bind off entire row.

16. To assemble, align wrong sides together, making sure that a K4 rib connects to a P4 rib at either side of the halter top. Sew or crochet seams together (use your preferred method, I sewed this one because it uses up less thread). Weave in ends as neatly as you can.

Washing instructions: Handwash gently in cold water, with mild bath soap or liquid soap. Rinse well. Do not wring. Roll in towel to remove excess liquid. Let dry flat. You can use a steam iron on the wrong side of the garment, pressing lightly. You want to keep the color and the sheen of the mercerized cotton.

More pictures Sunday morning!

Sneaking In A Few Stitches

2008-10-22T12:12:00.003+08:00

Lilo, Incredible Joie's precious little 3yo tyke, is going to the neighborhood Halloween party this Saturday in a Hawaiian dancer getup. The last time she did so, she was way bothered by having her tube top shifting unceremoniously up and down while she did her floor-sweeping "freestyle Hawaiian breakdancing" routine. Which everyone enjoyed amid much hilarity, because she brought the house down and created a fan club among the neighbors. She was also particularly bothered by people commenting that they could see her bellybutton. How refreshing to see a little modesty in today's children (which disappears more quickly than we can register our surprise at how quickly they grow up)! Indeed, tube tops are not meant to be either belts or even miniskirts. Even in toddlers. Martial Arts Daddy isn't mentally prepared to filter her visitors list this early. I decide to help out by knitting a yellow cotton halter top long enough to cover the navel.

I want the item to fit right now, with a little ease built into the K4 x P4 rib for the next 4-6 months (I'll give it 4, unless she shoots up and doesn't grow much sideways). The size is based on a "Kentucky" brand cotton cami size 8. It's my own pattern, with some armhole shaping help from Sharon Turner, she of the Teach Yourself Visually Sweater Master Pattern. By my own I mean I drew myself a schematic with measurements in inches and just knitted to shape.

While waiting for TDM to fetch me for our lunch date I am trying to knit 192 sts x half an inch. To the jazz-rock sounds of the Dave Matthews Band (I know they have a new album out, but I spent my money on yarn... forgive me, Dave).

Oops. I only managed 2 rows, TDM is downstairs waiting in the car.

Doll of the Cthulhu

2008-10-20T01:23:00.002+08:00

Now I am a great H.P. Lovecraft fan. (Like I am a great Dr. Who fan. Science fiction and fantasy, I am your girl!)

Dark Roasted Blend, one of my favorite "odd photo conglomeration" sites, gives us this entertaining view of how love of knitting and cult monstrosity mix. [You'll love the different photo sets in their other blog posts too, I promise.]

Just the other night I was watching downloaded beloved reruns of the 80's seasons of The [New] Twilight Zone (Harlan Ellison era, 1985-89) and there was one episode about a little boy whose nigh-on-dying grandma turns out to be a creepy Cthulhu thrall! Now this!

Amber's crocheted Cthulhu is absolutely, uh, adorable. I wish I could post the photo here, but do visit the link to see Amber's celebration of creativity. The amigurumi (knitted toy Japanese style) pattern is free. Unfortunately I'm not that much of a crocheter. Incredible Joie is, and amigurumi gives her a bit of carpal tunnel.

One of the knitters on the monsters page, Kimberly Chapman, did her Dalek from EntropyHouse's "ExtermiKNIT" Kit! Previously I wrote in Knittipina about the Knitted Dalek photographed in a UK convention by Yarn Harlot Stephanie Pearl-McPhee. I did not know there were more in that army *amusement*

Yes, the Dalek pattern is also FREE. I might make it one day. I'll probably have better luck finishing it than meeting David Tennant in person. But hey, I met Neil Gaiman in person, so you never know. And then shall come... a Knitted Sandman?

Pinch me, PLEASE

2008-10-14T22:32:00.000+08:00

At one point over lunch today I asked Incredible Joie to pinch me very, VERY hard. Why, she asked. Good question. I was feeling a little blue due to the time of month and had indulged in some online retail therapy. Remember my eBay bleached bamboo needles? I mentioned lusting after the carbonized ones. Incredible Joie had bought her carbonized bamboo crochet hooks from a certain reliable seller earlier this year and I couldn't stop being amazed at their smoothness and lightness. The seller claimed they were harder than bleached bamboo needles and weren't subject to mildew because of the carbonization treatment. And doesn't bleaching weaken fibers or something? At any rate, I was intending to go to great lengths to get them eventually. Earlier today I just did. Boy, did that drive the blues away!

I'm smiling now, but for a few seconds after I hit that checkout button earlier, several thoughts passed through my head.

1) There's a global financial crisis! The currency exchange rate is at PhP47.25 = USD1.00! (Alarm bells! Sirens!)

2) You don't have the carbonized bamboo dpns yet. (Warning! Danger! The rabbit hole!)

3) How about Knitpicks Harmony circulars? (These are beautiful beech wood needles with the same flexible nylon cords I've come to love. Dream on.)

4) Now you'll have cheaper circular needles from 16" to 40"! (Ecstasy! Delirium!)

5) Oh dear, they're only 12 oz in weight. I have to get 20 oz more to qualify for Johnny Air Cargo's 2-lb minimum! (More on this next month. This was the point of no return.)

6) NOW is the time to get yarn before Christmas! (Knittipina in Wonderland steps off the cliff dazed at the sunset... and lands on a woolly beach seeing stars.)

To make a long story short, there was a sale in Knitpicks.com. I ended up getting 500g of discount sock yarn and Elizabeth Zimmerman's Knitting Without Tears. Figured that would make the Johnny Air delivery service worth it. *sheepish grin*

And this was all because last weekend I made one sock using the new size 1 and 2 bleached bamboo needles. The size 1 bends a bit, but because of that I don't hold it too hard. Because I don't hold it too hard, my hands don't cramp. Yay! Such smooth, light and relaxing knitting! Now when the sock was done I realized the color wasn't suitable for an adult. Too busy a colorway for my personal taste. Maybe for a child's sock. I won't frog it though, there is always someone in the world who likes something like that.

I decided to make another test sock, in a plain color but with texture and pattern. I frogged the first attempt, Christine Walter's Zigzag Socks from Vogue Knitting's Ultimate Sock Book, because I realized after completing 16 rows that my ssk's were going in the wrong direction (how funny is that!). Maybe later when I'm not so frustrated. Or should I say, later when I'm not so excited over my retail therapy that I can't think straight. I'll probably try one of the short-multiples stitch patterns recommended in the same book too.

Right now I started another cable rib sock for fun, in mercerized cotton this time. I just want to see how cables work in cotton. I'd love a good fit. To non-knitters this all sounds like a lot of work after a long day, but that's relaxation for me. I like the rhythm of the needles in my hands. Knitting stitches in a repeating pattern are sort of like using prayer beads. There's the clicking sound for some needles that lulls me, there's that smooth glide when the two tips rub against each other. There's that counting going on that sounds like a mantra. This is what drives me to add needles to my collection and yarns to my stash! The endless possibilities of lovely things I could make! *starry-eyed*

Somebody pinch me, PLEASE.

Famous last words: It'll be at least six months before I do anything this crazy again. In the next breath: Yeah, right.

WIP: Lilo's Cotton Hooded Cardigan

2008-10-09T09:02:00.003+08:00

(Account follows Knitting Everywhere: At The Hospital.)

Here's the pic with the finished first sleeve! I am halfway through the second sleeve as I write. I'm surprised that it actually looks like a REAL kiddie cardie already (and I haven't even blocked the pieces yet). Remember, this is my first knitted garment from a book pattern.

Here's another shot (on my mom's shawl):

Am quite pleased. More progress pix as I go along!

Bamboo Circulars from eBay

2008-10-08T11:07:00.005+08:00

It's Christmas in October this time! The bamboo circulars I got from eBay finally reached me after 30 days (international transaction). These are 2 lots from the same seller, US size 0 to 15 in 29" and in 32". They are smooth, not too pointy, and the joins look good. However, they are bleached bamboo and not carbonized. I still want to get carbonized ones. If later on I get carbonized ones, I'll sell these via the Pinoyknitters yahoogroup or the Pinoy Ravelers group. How fantastic though, to have needles in sizes bigger than US 10.5 (I have no bigger sizes in Addis), for quick baby afghans and the like.

For the future: Carbonized bamboo needles in 16", 24", 29", 32", 40". And dpn versions from US size 0 to 15 if I can get them.

I know, it seems like overkill (didn't I say this already in a previous post?) in these times of financial crisis. But life is short. I want them while I'm still 30 years away from arthritis. I want to knit as much as I can, no matter where I am.

A Knitting Portrait

2008-10-08T10:52:00.004+08:00

While confined at the hospital, my mom got busy sketching. Me! Knitting! I love this! I will scan it when she's well enough to be brought home. I just realized I don't have any pictures of me knitting. I take pictures OF my knitting, but that's all. It's my mom's birthday on Oct. 25, I think I'll make her a knitted summer tee.

Knitting Everywhere: At the Hospital

2008-10-08T10:16:00.004+08:00

It's Nanay's 5th day at the hospital. In 3 hours she will have her gall bladder removed because of a pesky gall stone. As the unmarried daughter, I've been her appointed company and attendant. I brought my ASUS eeePC with me to the hospital so I could finish working on an ad for a November conference, but apart from that I haven't been online much, because... I've been knitting.

Nothing beats what I'd call "captive" knitting -- the knitting you do when you are compelled to stay in one place for a certain period of time. I mean, there's cable tv at the hospital, but one can't just sit and watch all day. One must be productive. (I couldn't surf on the internet all day either; wifi is free at this hospital wing but the signal I'm getting is pretty weak. I've been using my cellphone as a modem for about an hour at a time.)

Good thing I brought my knitting. I had a cone of Monaco 6-ply natural color cotton yarn that's like a thinner version of Lion Brand's Cotton Ease. I'm making a basic vanilla hooded cardigan sized for 3yo Lilo (sized for a 4-6yo, so she'd get more wear out of it). The pattern is from Sharon Turner's Teach Yourself Visually Knitting Design. What a wonderful, very precise book! The moment I arrived at the hospital, I started with the back piece. As of today I've completed the back, the left front, the right front, and one sleeve. I've got the other sleeve, the hood, the button plackets and a couple of pockets to go. And assembly of course. Incredible Joie will add the brightly colored crochet appliques and other decorative trim. After this I'm considering making a mommy version for her.

(Second photo taken at night.)

While at the hospital, my dad brought the bamboo knitting needles that I'd ordered a month before from eBay. I'll save that for another blog entry. *happiness*

Nanay and I have been bonding. Incredible Joie brought her a small sketchbook and she's been drawing the (smoggy) view from her hospital window.

Am I apprehensive about my mom's upcoming procedure? Not really. She underwent a gastroscopy like a trouper (fiber optic camera down the esophagus check to rule out ulcer as main cause of abdominal pain). Our family talked about the gall bladder removal and we convinced her that it's better to have it done now than when she's older and heals slower. We opted for a laparoscopic cholecystectomy instead of a standard big incision. The "lap-chole" involves making 3 or 4 small holes through which the surgeon inserts a tiny camera and various robotic surgical tools. At least that's how I imagine it would be; I remember seeing something like this on the Discovery Channel. The small holes ought to heal faster than the big incision, with less post-operative pain. We expect she'll be right as rain after 3 or 4 days. We're not too worried, because this procedure has been done successfully in the Philippines for the past 7 years. The surgeon she's been assigned to has done a prominent local figure or two.

I figure by the time Nanay is fully healed this hooded cardie will be DONE! Will post pix as soon as it's assembled and decorated. This project actually has a few fans among the nurses already. They've been coming in every 3 or 4 hours to check my mom's -- and the project's -- vital signs!

Catching the Crochet Bug from Kindergarten

2008-10-03T09:24:00.024+08:00

You can catch all sorts of bugs from preschool.

Early this year, hubby & I brought our daughter to Waldorf School for parent-toddler classes. It was a great experience for all of us. My daughter learned to bake bread, wash her cup & saucer, play with all-natural toys (read: no plastic, no cartoons). Her daddy... well, he learned how to make a pom-pom out of yarn & was mighty relieved he didn't have to do more. And me--I'll tell you now: working at corporate speed & efficiency isn't necessarily the best way to crochet a caterpillar.

At the end of the term, all the other parents had crocheted practically an entire nature diorama. Meanwhile, my sorry excuse for an invertebrate was still undergoing countless resurrections (2 weeks!). Then I had to grudgingly hand the caterpillar & the rest of the materials back to my daughter's teacher ('there, there...,' she murmured soothingly, prising the hook from my angsty grip...) Humbled, I was determined, henceforth, to create an entire forest of yarn creatures for my little girl. That's how I caught crochet bug.

That was 6 months ago. The forest of creatures hasn't materialized. Along the way, though, I've somehow finished 3 amigurumi, 6 easter eggs & cozies, 2 hook cases, 3 bags, 2 hats and a baby blanket. I taught myself Tunisian stitch, and how to read patterns from foreign books. Crochet calms me. That's the upside. The downside: some days, I get so engrossed I forget to be hungry, thirsty or sleepy. If it weren't for darlings hubby and baby, I'd probably crochet myself into a stupor.

Even worse: because of YAS, PAS & HAS/NAS (fellow addicts would understand) I somehow now own more hooks, books and yarn than I would openly admit to my hubby. Sometime ago he suggested we use my yarn stash as a baby bed instead of buying a new one. At which point my sister, Gravelcat, suggested I legalize my addiction at Ravelry. I think it's a good idea. I could use a new outfit, not more yarn, or more books, or more hooks.

But tell that to the marines, because the truth is out there: YOU CAN NEVER HAVE ENOUGH, AND EVEN THEN YOU NEED EXTRA.

WIP: Pavel's Olive Merino Socks

2008-10-02T14:57:00.010+08:00

Yesterday was a national holiday, Eid al'Fitr (the start of Ramadan). I managed to finish the first sock. I really enjoy knitting with merino! So relaxing, much more so than with cotton. After knitting with cotton I need to stretch my fingers every once in a while.

Here are some pictures I took with my ASUS V80 phone, while waiting for my dad at the dentist's (he likes to have me around for "molar" support, hehehe). The first two pix don't use flash, I manipulated the brightness and midtones to make the cable details pop out. The last one used flash. It doesn't look so bad, except for the lopsided flashing (2mpx cellphone camera, but one day I'll do better). All photos use macro mode for better close-up detail.

I'm using 2.75mm / US size 2 needles, as recommended by Ann Budd. Knitpicks! (The Addis are on the tv knitting.) The size here is for a child's medium with a 6.5-7" foot measured from toe to heel. Pavel is 4 years old but has big feet. I'll see what I can use to block it with. Maybe the nifty corrugated plastic I saw at the bookstore (in office supplies), cut to shape.

One day I'll get me some sock blockers, the nice wooden ones like they have in Ravelry. They don't have to be fancy. They just have to be the right size. Or... I'll ask our friendly furniture repairman (the one who made Incredible Joie's nostepinne from a chair leg).

Tell 'Em, Grumperina

2008-09-29T21:06:00.001+08:00

In the past 30 minutes I've been tortured by the yummy images of multicolored self-striping sock yarn. The brands parading in front of me seemed incredibly beautiful and unattainable: Noro Kureyon and Lorna's Laces, among others. Unattainable because at their price the socks should last a lifetime. Of course no single pair of socks lasts a lifetime.

I began my sock knitting career with crochet cotton. It feels great for this climate, save for the fact that I have to sew elastic into the rib. I'm willing to live with that, since we get pretty colors in the local brands anyway. Last Monday I began with baby merino, and the feel against my skin is incredible. While I have to keep a firm grip on cotton to make sure the gauge is consistent, I hardly have that resistance with merino. The natural elasticity of the wool made cabling fun. And what looks strangely narrow before blocking is actually a good snug but stretchy fit. In cooler locations, of course. I can't imagine wearing it here on a regular basis despite its seductive softness. Well, I haven't tried, but you know what I mean.

I'm not allergic to wool, and I feel really sorry for people who are, because it makes a really warm fabric when you need it, and it's all natural. There are natural alternatives of course, such as cotton and bamboo and soy. But for socks? Just when I'm so in love with sock knitting and can't sleep for fiber lust! Guess who expresses most of what afflicted me: Grumperina. She surveys the LYS landscape for yarns fitting the requirement of her inflammable feet -- NO WOOL PLEASE -- and does a fantastic job reviewing and testing them. Read on. I love reading blogs that give both information and an idea of the spirit behind them.

This doesn't mean we'll never get good sock yarn in the Philippines. I just have to ask Ma'am Lilli to get me some. Good thing, as Grumperina pointed out, there are other alternatives to wool.

Technorati Tags: socks, knitting, yarn, Grumperina

Knittipina Report 001

2008-09-28T09:29:00.011+08:00

This last week was my little niece's birthday week, so things have been a little topsy-turvy around the house.

Incredible Joie was a little freaked about the tainted Chinese milk business, so instead of crafting or blogging this week she has been madly researching distributors of infant milk brands here in the Philippines. As a result, Lilo's birthday party is milk-candy free (no White Rabbit, folks *sadness*).

Our Tita Nora D. passed by the house recently, visiting from LA. She's leaving Manila in November, so that gives me time to make some cable rib merino socks for her grandchild. The 3yo Pavel is German-Filipino, son of our close friends Annie and Ingo, who are based in Germany but are spending Christmas in LA. According to Annie Pavel's feet measure 6.5" from toe to heel, which would make his socks a child's medium (according to Ann Budd's book). Since baby merino is the only sort of appropriate sock wool available locally, I'm using olive green. (My other baby merino yarns in the stash are in pale pink and cream, and Joy's using her cream one for Annie's crocheted scarf.) As of this writing I'm 75% done on the first sock.

It's a weekend, and I'm enjoying my dose of TV series, so I would need some mindless knitting to keep my fingers occupied, right? When I started this blog I wanted to make a free-style tank dress for Lilo, using a buttery yellow Cannon crochet cotton. After an inch or so I realized it would be a drag to knit two sides, sew them together and finish them off with a crocheted border. So I frogged it. Then I cast on again and tried a circular knit this time. Only I used circulars that were too long and it became a drag to Magic Loop something that's supposed to be 30" in circumference. Yes, there's a reason why Magic Loop is recommended for SMALL circumference knitting. I frogged it again. All this frogging was frustrating but also part of the learning process: a knitter should find the most efficient technique for whatever he/she is knitting. Good thing I remembered my 16" Milward circulars, and they were the very thing for the project (although the bent ends ala Boye and the join really annoy me).

By now you must be wondering, what pattern am I using? The pattern should be what's most efficient. Ordinarily it is, but I wanted TV knitting. Which means, right now, no pattern: just knit a basic tank-dress, using stockinette and some shaping, and then embellish later with crochet or crocheted appliques. Why the crochet and crochet appliques? This is for Lilo, this is sister-bonding crafting. Incredible Joie does the crochet. She can embellish the plain vanilla knit dress with whatever she likes. Give it some personality. A mom knows her kid best. That's how we divide the work. We were able to do it the first time around with Lilo's coral babydoll blouse.

The ballet slipper project is temporarily shelved because of the Pavel socks.

Amy is requesting local knitters to make hats and scarves for Mongolia, to be sent through her sister who's coming home from San Francisco in February. I have never knitted a hat before, but maybe it's about time to learn. Besides, we're going to Baguio end of January, someone in the family might like to wear a hat there too. Amy would like everyone to check out WarmWoolies.org, a charity knitting site whose latest campaign is to send items for orphans in Mongolia. I don't have a lot of wool, actually, but it says in the guidelines that you can use acrylic for a baby blanket.

This is definitely an eye-opener for a lot of knitters like us outside the US. Knitting for those close to you is an expression of love, but knitting for people you don't know really extends the boundaries of love. Of course you only knit what you can, how you can, but think that a worldwide effort gives your participation a bigger picture. Isn't it great that you can help people and enjoy your hobby at the same time! Of course critics will say, why don't you do that here at home first? So many people have been victimized by floods and storms! Baby steps, dear readers. One day Amy and the rest of us will learn how to do it properly for here. Let's say right now donations get too politicized for our taste, and knitters might get frustrated and fatigued. Baby steps.

I have also started moderating at a local tech forum where I have been an active member for some time now. I'm not an IT professional, by the way. But I think there is a role for intermediate-level tech users who have ventured into areas where newbies fear to tread: software tweaking and hardware configuration. People who save money by doing the easier things themselves. We're relatively easier for newbies to approach, don't you think? I'm one of three such mods trying to attract more participants into the discussions: first-time gadget owners, parents choosing gadgets for their children, more GIRLS. The tendency is for these kinds of forums to be populated mostly by guys, but we're going for more balance. These days, GEEKY IS HOT! My current role model: blogger Gina Hughes, the TechieDiva.

Over the past few nights my guilty pleasure has been reading the books that I recently got. My fellow Pinoy Raveler Jinky and I were discussing fun topics like size conversions, yarn substitutions and dyeing, and out of curiosity I tried to find out how we could do things here in Manila. We don't have a lot of wool available to local knitters, but then I aim to find out other unpublished sources. I won't be deterred by the idea that I can't make something because I can't find yarn or needles to produce the right gauge. The size conversions, however, was a great discussion, because it led me to re-examining The Knitting Fiend online knitting calculators. Going over my books I realized that getting Debbie Stoller's Stitch n' Bitch Nation (apart from Ann Budd's Getting Started Knitting Socks) was one of the best investments ever. Why? She simplifies knitting as a process and makes sure crafters have a RELAXED, practical, and fun approach to knitting. A lot of knitters are discombobulated by the math involved in adapting sizes different from what is in the patterns (if other sizes are not provided specifically). They get wistful or tense. I was one of them. If I were you, I'd read and re-read the chapters before the actual patterns. Debbie Stoller, you just removed the woolly gauze from my eyes!

Sisterhood in Stitches

2008-09-23T13:17:00.002+08:00

Ines J. told me once, "You're so lucky, you have a sister to knit with!" Joy doesn't knit though, she crochets. "Oh, that doesn't matter," she said, "at least you have someone WHO UNDERSTANDS. Someone who knows why you do what you do. Why you buy yarn. I have been knitting for so long, my son is already in his 30s. But sometimes I wonder if my husband knows the difference between knitting and crochet. He just calls everything 'gantsilyo'." Ines, mind you, makes beautiful things.

You know that situation where you both love to knit and blog? Where you want to do one and it prevents you from doing the other? I actually put off joining Ravelry for 3 months just so I could knit something and blog about it. Joy's been (st)itching to blog about crochet but could never get around to doing it because she was busy actually crafting. I invited Joy to contribute to this blog. Which means that while I'm knitting you can read her blogging! While she's crocheting you can read my blogging! Best of both worlds!

Eventually, I'll get her to join Ravelry (and the madness that comes with tool/fiber/pattern lust)!

How's that for bonding?

WIP: Prototype Ballet Slipper

2008-09-22T10:51:00.009+08:00

Like I usually do on weekends, I surf Ravelry and other sites for free patterns within my skill level that appeal to me. Now that I basically have top-down basic socks well in hand, I wanted to try other shapes, like Pocketbook Slippers by Lisa Vienneau and Allison Barrett. The pattern is also available here. My feet are small and narrow, and while I haven't actually started that particular pattern, I also wanted to learn knitting toe-up basic socks.

The toe-up pattern here is a mishmash of things I've learned, which I wrote to fit my own foot. While I haven't done things scientifically (as in specifically write steps down row by row as I knit them, counting and all -- I only have a shorthand index card) I can at this point give you a basic outline if you want to modify something for your own foot.

Pattern Outline:

1) Magic cast-on from Knitty, using an 80cm circular needle.

2) Toe increases.

3) About an inch of stockinette rounds from toe increases. Or your preferred shoe entry depth.

4) Divide instep stitches into 3. Knit first third with first dpn, bind off middle third, knit last third with next dpn, place heel stitches on last dpn. Dpn 4 is the working needle.

5) For instep stitches, your selvedge will always begin with a slip 1, whether knitting or purling. Knit or purl heel as usual.

6) As you work try on the slipper. Slipper body should reach up to an inch before your heel ends. Leave stitches on instep dpns unworked.

7) Round heel shaping as usual.

8) Heel flap either plain or reinforced depending on your preference (not a very deep one for my foot).

9) When it's time to join the instep stitches to the heel flap, you will notice a gap that forms between the heel flap and the instep stitches. To address that, knit together (or skp) the last stitch on the heel flap and the first stitch on the instep needles nearest. Knit 1. Turn. Knit across and do the same thing on the other side (instead of skp, p2tog). Purl 1. Turn. And so on. Just keep doing this until you knit the last of the instep stitches and are working with only 2 needles instead of 4.

10) Bind off back of slipper. Instead of cutting the yarn, do a single crochet beginning from the last bind off loop. The single crochet will go around the selvedge of the slipper.

11) Use bright contrasting yarn, add details. Present crochet chain is 18". If you want it to go around the ankles, I suggest you crochet 30".

This slipper is made up of exactly one small ball of choco brown Red Heart worsted weight acrylic yarn, plus some contrast color for decor. It took me just under 4 hours. I had to knit AND unravel AND write shorthand, and do finishing carefully. Maybe less if I memorized it already.

Notes: For my foot cast on should be about 10+10 stitches on a circular. This one is 12+12, which makes for a wide square toe. Body stitches follow a 20 instep +20 heel total.

Rewriting as I blog before the lunch break. Will do the other slipper tonight after dinner. With the 30" chain to go around the ankle. Joy wants to wear it at the Little Gym when she plays with Lilo. Just to feel like Gymnast Mommy. As for Lilo, I still have to trace her foot. Hers will be a princessy pink.

I want to try the same thing with mercerized cotton, possibly 3 strands together. So excited!

To End The Confusion

2008-09-20T08:58:00.006+08:00

To those who emailed me expressing an interest in the Tita Ting Basic Socks Pattern: I'm sorry I can't give it to you because it isn't mine, and I don't have permission to. I don't even know where Tita Ting got her pattern to begin with. I only have it as the student of Ines J. at Dreams. As for the Ann Budd pattern, I paid for it, and will have to keep to a lower living budget after the bookbuying mania of the recent Manila International Book Fair.

However, I can do the next best thing: give you some links to very similar FREE patterns made available to us on the net through of the generosity of their owners.

Lion Brand Wool-Ease Grey Socks

Knitting Socks by Yarn Harlot *I prefer this one*

To convert this pattern from 4 dpns to Magic Loop:

1. Divide total number of cast on stitches by two. For example: 30+30 = 60.

2. When you join the round, the yarn tail should be on your right. This first half of the stitches (30) would correspond to the first 2 dpns (14+16). The second half of the stitches on the other half of the circular form the heel. These would correspond to the 3rd dpn (all 30 on 1 dpn), with the 4th dpn as working needle.

3. If it makes it easier for you, place markers on the circular needle where each dpn needle is indicated so you remain in place on the pattern.

4. Try for an even tension/gauge, particularly on the joins, so you don't have ladders.

5. When working with crochet cotton, use a 2.0mm needle for the 1x1 rib cuff and switch to a 2.75mm needle for the sock body. The bigger needle creates a soft fabric and a wider stretch. The smaller needle addresses the ankle elasticity.

6. I don't care if people say it's cheating, but sometimes I sew a row or two of transparent elastic in the 1x1 rib. Cotton doesn't stretch much, folks. Good thing mercerized cotton doesn't shrink further. But it is nice and snug!

For those who don't know Kitchener stitch yet, click here for the video tutorial. There are also very good videos for other techniques on Knitwitch.com. I like the clear demonstration, simple language and summary of the techniques. I knit Continental and the Knitwitch knits American ("throwing") but the important thing is to watch not the hand movements, but the needle tips, where they go, and where the working yarn goes.

Other tips and tricks can be found in one of my favorite sites, Knitting Pattern Central. The free patterns directory can be found here.

You can also generate a custom sock pattern using Violet Green's Custom Sock Pattern Calculator. Just find a fiber with the right gauge. I found this in the blog QC Tester Hobbies: Sustainable Excellence (which also has links for other knitting patterns, cooking and other hobbies we all likely share). I think the surfing around is addicting enough. Don't forget to actually knit something!

You can also check out the other sites listed in my sidebar :) Why don't you join the international knitting community Ravelry and get access to other knitters and their projects? Knitter General's Warning: more fun and craziness as you get around.

Ningning's Candycane Ankle Socks

2008-09-17T11:53:00.010+08:00

Note: Photo taken in fluorescent light without flash to give you an idea of the actual color.

Ningning went to Honolulu last month, and asked me if she could get me anything. "I hope it's not too heavy," I said, "but could you manage a book?" I wanted Ann Budd's Getting Started Knitting Socks. Yes, I could have ordered it on Amazon for less, but it would have taken forever to arrive.

I promised the pinkaholic Ningning a pair of pink socks, and had just the right Cannon crochet cotton, in white-pink-red gradient (#S0016). Ankle socks too, because nobody seems to wear longer socks in this climate except school kids.

Leisurely knitted, I finished one sock on the Saturday afternoon of Sept. 6. Ten days later (ie., last night) I managed to finish the second sock. No second sock syndrome, I just had a million things going on in between. I practically knitted this pair without looking at Ines' handwritten version of the pattern anymore. A portion of the second sock was knitted while waiting in line at the dentist the other day.

It was actually while reading Ann Budd's book that I realized that what I'd been calling the Tita Ting pattern (the original of which I thought was from Lion Brand) was practically word for word Ann Budd's. So when I registered this project in Ravelry I filed it under Ann Budd's Basic Socks. I know it's probably a Chicken and Egg situation, but let me clarify: Tita Ting's version was written for Magic Loop while Ann Budd's was for 4 dpns. I resist knitting with dpns only because I lack practice, but a thorough reading of the patterns from the book led to numbers clicking into place in my head. Now I (think I) know how to convert from dpns to Magic Loop...

Ningning -- many, many thanks for getting me the book, and I hope you enjoy these socks :)

Nanay's Apple Green Ankle Socks

2008-09-10T10:43:00.010+08:00

These are my first completed pair of ADULT SIZE knitted socks using crochet thread. I posed them with Elmo and Moo to give you an idea of scale; they fit a woman's size 6-7.5 foot. This follows a basic sock pattern from Tita Ting, but which can be found free on the internet in different guises.

They were actually meant for Mimi, but in my knit-and-frog delirium over the last few weeks I was unable to finish them before she left for Hawaii. However, my mom took a shine to them, as the color evoked youth and gardens, the latter being her recurring source of creative happiness (much as mine is knitting).

One reason why I wasn't able to finish them in time was that:

1) Crochet cotton doesn't stretch very much, even with a tight 1x1 rib in the cuff. Sock yarn, which is a wool-nylon blend, has that elastic give. While I have some merino in stock, I really wouldn't use that for a first try. Besides, cotton is really cool on the feet here in Manila.

2) It was only last Saturday when I discussed my issues re reinforced heel flap mistakes and tight/loose cotton ribbing with my teacher Ines. The reinforced heel mistakes were easily corrected. Then Ines taught me the ff. solution to the ankle cuff:

Needles: US size 1 (2.0mm) and 2 (2.75mm) circular knitting needles (here I used Knitpicks)

Gauge: 32 sts across and 40 rows for 4x4" square for larger needles

Cast On: If sock body is for example a total of 30+30 = 60 st st around on size 2 circular needles/dpns, cast on 90 st on size 1 needles and distribute as for Magic Loop/Cat Bordhi 2-circ method or dpns.

Row 1: *K1, P2*, repeat * until end of 45 sts per circular needle. (For dpns, you divide the heel sts evenly as long as your Row 1 repeats per needle ends with the P2.)

Row 2: *K1, P2tog* repeat * until you have 30 sts left on each needle.

Row 3: *K1, P1* repeat * and knit other rows as for 1x1 rib until you have the desired cuff length.

Sock body: Switch to larger needles for the rest of the sock pattern.

I think what this does is to prevent the cast-on edge from being too tight, but allows the cuff to snugly fit the adult ankle. The technique provides even more give for finer gauge cotton, such as DMC Petra crochet cotton #8. Ines uses Petra for baby socks, which is finer than local brands and requires finer needles.

Et voila:

Obviously, I am the model, as my mother is off to a local Red Cross meeting, where she is a director. I wish there were more light in the photo, but it's the monsoon season... The humid-but-cool weather is a perfect reason to wear cotton! So happy with these. My feet are narrow and flat, but my mom's feet have a higher instep and are just a bit wider across the widest part of the toes, and they fit her quite well! She was a bit alarmed at the lack of elasticity in the cuff, but soon discovered that folding half the sock inside-out and putting the socks on by gently pulling them up the heel worked beautifully.

Material: Cannon crochet cotton size 8, in apple green (shade # MB767) at PhP 25/ball (mall) or just over PhP 21/ball (or PhP 260/box of 12 wholesale). I recommend that you buy 2 balls, and knit a complete sock from each ball so you don't have to make joins if you're not confident about weaving in joins invisibly. Actually you could make 2 socks from one ball, but for an adult women's size 6 your second sock will require a join from the second ball just about where you start decreasing for the toes. I did this, but I had to weave in ends on a side decrease so that I don't feel or see any "double thickness" running across the upper side or underneath. I think I did pretty well.

Care: Ines recommended a mild bath soap or laundry bar such as Perla. Turn socks inside out. Apply soap. Gently squeeze out suds as you handwash. Rinse well. DO NOT WRING. Roll socks in a towel to absorb excess water. Shape and let dry flat. DO NOT IRON.

The Knitted Dalek

2008-09-10T09:04:00.003+08:00

Now I've been a big Dr. Who fan (Tom Baker from the early 70s, Christopher Eccleston & David Tennant from 2005 to present, haven't seen the others) since childhood. Today, while reading about Stephanie McPhee's recent lecture tour of London in her Yarn Harlot blog I saw... A KNITTED DALEK!!! By knitter Alex. How talented is that. BBC fandom for you.

For those who aren't familiar with the long-running BBC science fiction series and its characters, Daleks are a war-crazy race of beings that look like little brains encased in thimble-shaped body armor. Sort of like R2D2 crossed with Pinhead from Clive Barker's "Hellraiser" movie. Daleks can usually be heard dementedly exclaiming "Exterminate! Exterminate! Exterminate!" in a really annoying robotic quaver while its sides are bristling with projectile weapons or ray guns. Classic! Vintage camp! (And much, much better than the Holy Guacamole Batman 60's show starring Adam West! Superior to the robot in "Space Family Robinson"! OK, you can tell how old I am now.)

In the Time War between the Daleks and the Time Lords, the two races virtually exterminated each other and their home planet, leaving Dr. Who as the last of his kind. So he travels through through Time and Space in a blue police call box with whoever is his lovely, spunky, and compassionate human companion of the moment, trying to save Earth and other worlds from the destructive onslaught of Daleks and other villainous aliens.

Trust a London knitter to make an amigurumi out of that villain. What's next, a knitted TARDIS?

Joy's Multicolored Ankle Socks

2008-09-07T14:26:00.001+08:00

Now these are my first adult worsted weight acrylic basic ankle socks, requested by Joy. I'd long been thinking acrylic would be too thick or hot for the local climate, but later realized they make perfect cushioned sport socks! Joy was intending to wear them to the Little Gym, whenever she accompanies Lilo to her weekly class.

Needles: Addi Turbo US size 4 (3.5mm) 80cm long circulars

Material: Red Heart worsted weight acrylic yarn, shade # 08327 (the 255m big ball) by Coats Manila Bay, PhP 70/ball (Carolina's Megamall). One big ball can probably make a pair and a half with a bit left over. Or almost two pairs, if you add one small 18g ball of the same shade.

Pattern: Tita Ting's basic socks pattern similar to this one. The pattern I followed was based on Ines' foot size, which is around a women's 6.

It knit up pretty quickly, being an ankle sock, about 4 hours in front of the tv after dinner? And I wasn't even in a hurry. That time even included unravelling mistakes. Great thing is, same size fits Nanay and me too. Joy got other unlikely colorways for me to make unique looking socks for her. Pictures of future socks as they finish!

Knitting Everywhere: Starbucks Baywalk

2008-09-05T17:07:00.001+08:00

While having coffee with TDM, who met some colleagues nearby, I brought my first practice adult sock. That morning I'd already started on the cuff and heel turn in the car. While waiting for his meeting to finish I managed to finish and fit the sock! One Chinese lady and her daughter were fascinated, and asked me lots of questions. I wish there were more knitting friendly cafe's here in Manila!

Next time I'll make sure my ASUS V80 is fully charged. This sorry photo was taken with a Nokia 6120 and it doesn't handle macros or depth of field very well.

Knitting with Bamboo

2008-09-02T12:04:00.004+08:00

I found some 14" bamboo straight needles at Dreams one Saturday, and since they were reasonably priced (under PhP 100/pair at Dreams, vs. PhP 36/pair in Divisoria -- the difference of which compensates for transport and parking costs) I got them in 4mm, 5mm and 6mm.

I tried knitting with them using DMC's lovely Senso crochet yarn (cotton-rayon spun) in green (cotton) with variegated lavender-to-turquoise-to-white (thinner rayon). The result looked like a summer lawn sprinkled with tiny flowers. And I discovered few things:

1) Stitches don't slip off because of the traction on the bamboo surface;
2) Therefore I can knit American/English style (with thread coming from right hand) without too much thinking!
3) Knitting is slower but I am enjoying not hearing the metal "clinking" I get with straight metal needles.
4) The points are a bit too round for me, but that's not too bad.

And so... I embarked on another crazy mission, which was to buy sets of bamboo circulars on eBay in 29" and 32" lengths. For USD 19.98 per set, and international shipping of USD 2.98 per set, it's not too bad. Comes out to roughly PhP 69/circular. I bought from an American knitter seller rather than one of those Shanghai or Hong Kong-based suppliers because I wanted to avoid communications issues (like Joy had with Joyce Supershop in HK). I also had it posted directly to my home address because people at the post office here are unlikely to steal bamboo needles.

Although I must say, the cooking chopsticks I bought in Unimart look like a US size 10 (6.5mm). And the ultra thin barbecue sticks that we like come out to a US size 1 or 2 (2.25-2.5mm).

I really wanted the bamboo for travelling. But when push comes to shove, I'll bring the barbecue sticks, hahaha!!!

Beginnings of a Knitting Library

2008-09-01T16:36:00.013+08:00

Yesterday at the National Bookstore Mid-Year Booksale at their main branch in Gateway I came across the ff. knitting gems, all for the shockingly low price of PhP 300 (approx. USD 6) and below!:

By Debbie Bliss (really popular kids' knitwear designer):

Easy Knits
Baby Style
The Baby Knits Book

Also in the same price range were:

Erika Knight's Simple Knits for Cherished Babies and

Lily M. Chin's The Urban Knitter

and at 40% off I got: (now reasonable at PhP 600 and below)

Debbie Stoller's Stitch N' Bitch Nation;
Annie Modesitt's Romantic Hand Knits and
Sharon Turner's Teach Yourself Visually Knitting Design

Prior to this year all I had to my name was a Reader's Digest Needlecrafts Book. I think it's important to expand my learning this way. If these books weren't on sale they would be out of the reach of most knitters (especially the hardback trade books). Our family will go to the Manila International Book Fair next week, and I'll see what I can get for a reasonable price there.

On my wish list, the classics:

Barbara G. Walker's A Treasury of Knitting Patterns series (particularly the first two); and
Elizabeth Zimmerman's books

And the wishing goes on.

Knitting Everywhere: At The Dentist's

2008-09-01T16:24:00.005+08:00

I took my dad to see my dentist last Thursday. While he was having a tooth extracted I whipped out my Susan Bates 2.75mm dpns and tried to knit 40 sts around evenly. My first attempt was the night before; it was full of holes and ladders. I ripped it out and started the whole thing from scratch.

It's kind of difficult to knit Continental while holding 4 spiky objects. But I was determined to give it a try. With knitting, the more often I practice the better I get. Better as in less holes. Since I got into sock knitting I wanted to try the different methods. So far Magic Loop is the most efficient method for me, although I want to try Cat Bordhi's sock knitting on 2 short circulars.

I was at the clinic for 2 whole hours and didn't gain much headway. Dr. Elaine was enchanted at the idea that I knitted baby socks. My 1x1 rib on the dpns looked like they could put an eye out or two. I put it away and took out the Knitpicks circulars and actually finished a quarter inch worth of work by the time my dad was settling his bill.

We have a follow-up appointment next Monday. Hopefully I'll have something easier to do and more glamorous looking in my bag by then.

Let 'Er Rip

2008-08-23T16:27:00.004+08:00

All week I've been knitting and frogging (that's "unravelling" to non-knitters). As in ripping out work. It's probaby a testament to my excitement, ambitiousness, and the unhappy realization that for some projects (the patternless ones that I make up as I go along) I might not have enough yarn. Sometimes despite knitting a swatch I end up overestimating how a fiber will stretch sideways. If I'm a couple of inches deep into a project I don't mind doing it again. I guess I'm a bit of a perfectionist. Sometimes. Thank God for the nostepinne and the yarn winder!

Funny. I used to be the little tween hothead who plugged the new Betamax directly into the 220v socket without reading the manual and promptly fried it. I could list down everything I've done in that nature when I was younger and more foolish. Have I grown up? When confronted with a morass of crochet cotton that looks like the instant mami you could eat after three minutes in boiling water, I set to work unravelling, unknotting and winding with a single-minded focus for at least 30 minutes. Now that's a long time for most people. I could leave it, go to work, and return to it after dinner and not go to sleep until everything's just right. It's so nice to wake up to neat, usable balls of yarn. OK, that sounds OC, but if I don't impose some kind of order in my yarn wilderness I can't move on to my next project. It's a different kind of satisfaction.

Now I can face myself in the mirror and say: You've bitten off more than you can chew, so at this point take a look at your work and see if you can finish it. You might end up hating the project and go off knitting altogether. You don't want that. You don't want that. Just rip it up and do it all over again. (Somehow the prospect of doing things over sparks my interest in the project afresh!)

Of course this sort of thing only works if you really enjoy something and want to keep at it for the long term. And I really, really want to keep on knitting. Especially as I just bought some inexpensive made in China bamboo straight needles! Photos later. More knitting coming up.

Christmas in July: Yarns & Accessories

2008-08-13T21:05:00.005+08:00

We're right smack in the middle of August. I waited three months for these goodies to come to me, and they've waited another three months to be blogged about. I wrote about receiving the needles first, otherwise the baby socks and other exciting projects wouldn't come into being.

First up, my Knitpicks Sunset Picnic Lace Sampler. Six beautiful colors! Actually I also liked the selections Sea View, Winetasting and Riverside Cafe, but was on a budget (needles before yarn) so I chose the brightest, warmest, happy colors. Of course I keep in mind that whatever is made of these yarns must be suitable for the tropics. I can't stop touching these, they're made to attract the hand, otherwise you wouldn't work with them or wear them. Knitpicks really tries to live up to their motto: "Passionately committed to affordable luxury knitting." It sounds like an oxymoron, the combination of the words "affordable" and "luxury". But if it means Knitpicks offers access to better quality materials to motivate the home knitter, I'm all for that!

Next, my Lacis Yarn Ball Winder. I remember mentioning in a previous post that I wanted a Royal Yarn Ball Winder as it was mentioned in Knitters Review, but when I discovered the price difference (Lacis at USD 27.99 vs. Royal at USD 34.99) I figured that the basic mechanism didn't differ too much between brands and ordered the more affordable Lacis. Locally available crochet cotton sometimes comes wound around a cardboard tube (Cannon, Anchor) and therefore I can't find the center pull to knit from. It's a major pain to have the ball rolling around madly and then getting all tangled up. After I've wound the balls (as needed) I just keep the working ball in a ziploc bag with the project needles to keep it clean and portable (stash in handbag and go). It can be addicting winding balls, but there's one area where they can't compete: winding frogged (read: unravelled) yarn while the project is still attached. That's where I use our nostepinne (made for us from a photo by our local furniture repairman). And I love this, because this is Joy's advance birthday gift to me.

I really wasn't planning to order these notions (Susan Bates Universal Knit Counter & Boye Balene II Stitch Marker Rings, both under USD 2), but Joy needed to make up a minimum purchase to avail of free delivery for sale items from Knitting Warehouse.com. At the moment they cost more locally than online, so I decided to get them. The row counter helps, especially when knitting to pattern, to shape. I've already used the stitch marker rings on the beginnings of a shawl project, just to remind me where I am in a 200+ stitch cast on (a fine yarn, better not make more mistakes than necessary).

And last but not least:

Lion Brand Pound of Love claims that you can make a baby hooded blanket using just one giant skein. Caron One Pound claims that you can make 4 full scarves! Don't you just love value! Best of all, they are machine washable acrylic. At first glance they seem a bit thick (worsted weight) for the tropics, but I don't think I'd complain if I snuggled into a finished afghan at the height of typhoon weather. I chose nice antique-ish colors so that either gender may benefit from a finished product. I still have no idea what that would be, but it's nice to have these on hand.

Etienne's Striped Cotton Socks

2008-08-09T12:17:00.005+08:00

Yes, I took the time to trim out the messy background with Adobe Photoshop. Doesn't it just look ADORABLE?

This "gradient blue" baby sock was made using the Magic Loop method, with 2.75mm Knitpicks 80cm circular needles. The pattern is the one taught to me by Ines J. of my Dreams Knitting Group two Saturdays last month. We call it "Tita Ting's Baby Socks Pattern". I am rewriting it to make it clearer to me, since I had two false starts with a practice sock before coming up with this little beauty.

I used Cannon "escalado" mercerized crochet cotton thread, which would be about PhP30/ball retail from mall outlets, or P22.50 wholesale from Divisoria. The "escalado" refers to the gradient colorways. This particular one is SHD # 00210, Ticket 8, 175m per ball. Ines estimates that with the Tita Ting Pattern she can make roughly 2 pairs of baby socks from one ball with a bit left over.

Knitting one sock took me three hours from the beginning of the Beijing Olympics Opening Ceremony (8pm Beijing/Manila time). I rested at around 11pm last night, then spent one final hour this morning knitting the toe, grafting it with Kitchener stitch, and weaving in ends. I love it! It's so (almost) perfect for a sock attempt! Why not perfect? I really need to tighten that first stitch before the picked up stitches connecting the gusset to the heel flap. It's the only stitch at the moment I can see daylight through. Other people can't see that tiny flaw, but since I made it, I can... Oh well, continuous improvement is always to be desired.

The practice sock looks cute here, but let me list down the things I needed to work on after finishing it:

1) Picked-up stitches were loose, creating holes along the gusset.

2) When stitch tension is uneven, you can see the glaring errors in 1x1 rib and stockinette.

3) My Kitchener graft was bad. It was twisted, when you're supposed to be able to flatten the sock from the instep. The graft was extremely strong, though.

4) I noticed that from 2.75mm-3.0mm size needles the resulting cotton fabric is softer. Work up faster, too.

But I am happy with this attempt.

Up next: baby socks for Jianna, for Lilo, for Ethan, for Inigo, for Meg, and for Red's baby boy whose name escapes me at the moment.

I am grinning from ear to ear.

Christmas in July: Circular Needles

2008-07-18T17:08:00.011+08:00

Several months ago when the dollar was weaker and I was ridiculously besotted with getting knitting supplies via eBay and other sites, I ordered circular knitting needles. And other stuff. Tita Lulu was coming home from the US with a balikbayan box.

Finally, these arrived last Wednesday the 16th:

Addi Turbo Premiums (2.0mm, 2.5mm, 3.0mm, 3.5mm, 4.0mm, 4.5mm -- all in 100cm except for the 3.0mm which were 80cm). [I actually ordered those first, but ended up buying 80cm sizes in local yarn shop Dreams because I was too impatient (2.0mm, 2.5mm, 3.0mm, 3.25mm, 3.75mm, 4.0mm, 4.5mm, 5.0mm, 6.0mm & 6.5mm). Fortunately their prices were roughly the same, about USD 7.50 each on the average.] I actually have several projects on the needles and am glad I have extras because I tend to use sizes 2.0mm-4.0mm a lot. These Addis I got on eBay from a UK seller in a six-pack so the price was irresistible. My first eBay experience, and a positive one, thank goodness.

Knitpicks fixed circular knitting needles (2.0mm, 2.25mm, 2.5mm, 3.0mm, 3.25mm, 3.5mm -- in 80cm) from Knitpicks.com. I got these because I couldn't afford the Knitpicks Options interchangeable needles and cables set. I heard about them from Knitters' Review. Something about being pointier than Addis. Someone said something like, "Addis are this shade of lethal. Knitpicks are lethal!" Check out the ff. picture (Addi on the top left, Knitpicks on the bottom right):

I think the Knitpicks would work really well for lace, but for other yarns people like Addis because they don't end up splitting the ply too much. But I think they'd knit pretty fast! And on the whole, are cheaper on a retail basis in the US. Addis fetch up to USD 18 for retail in some places.

And because these were so affordable (well, except for the 2.5mm which I got from Dreams), I got two Milwards 3.0mm, 40cm long from Carolina's Megamall.

These Milwards are roughly only 16" long. They're a British brand, Henry Milward & Sons (Studley, Warwickshire, England). Unfortunately with these needles stitches can bunch up where the cables meet the metal. Also please note that they are similar to Boye needles that have that angle at the base. An advantage of this is that stitches don't slide out. I plan to use these to practice the Cat Bordhi two-circular needle knitting method for socks.

And from my cousin Rosie Fe, a kindergarten teacher in Edmonton:

I know... it looks like overkill. I nearly ordered Inoxes from Paradise Fibers. And Susan Bates Quicksilvers or Silverados, just to compare. But I think I have most everything I need right here. I haven't even mentioned the inexpensive straight needles I got from different people or shops! I use the straights now mostly as stitch holders or, in the future, to lay lacework flat.

Yes, knitting is crack.

Work In Progress: Maize Cable Scarf

2008-07-18T15:30:00.007+08:00

When I started knitting this scarf I thought it would be for Tristan's birthday, but when I showed it to Joy, she suggested it would be better for our dad PEC, who might actually need it and use it more each time he travels to Baguio.

Given that the stockinette stitch makes the edges curl, I will try to block it properly before presenting it to him. There's roughly 17" length knitted so far (I did the first 15" in one afternoon while watching the CSI Sunday Marathon on AXN). The cable stitch is "Coiled Rope". I cast on 45 sts using a double cast on (slingshot style) which should create a width of 9". The tension is not too tight. Most likely I'll use up both 100g skeins of Lion Brand Cotton Ease Maize from my stash.

It is so incredibly soft!!! I'll post more pictures when I finish and block. Hopefully that's by this weekend.

Stash: Lion Brand Cotton Ease

2008-07-16T11:34:00.005+08:00

During my first meeting with Ines last Saturday I saw some Lion Brand Cotton Ease which Joy was currently obsessed with. Cotton Ease is 50% cotton and 50% acrylic, and best of all, machine-washable. Joy was thinking, perfect for baby blankets... I ended up buying two of Maize (color 186) and one Violet (color 191). For non-knitters they might seem a bit pricey (PhP 320 per 100g skein at Dreams in Glorietta 2) but if it's for your loved ones, they're worth it*. The softness is unbelievably good against your skin. Such texture makes sure all your knitting effort is appreciated long, long after.

Having just learned cable stitches I was thinking, perfect for a man's scarf! The worsted weight makes the cables pop out against the background, and it's a real classic. Originally I was thinking of it for my brother-in-law's upcoming birthday, but when Joy saw the initial stages of the project she suggested it would get more wear if I gave it to my dad instead, who travels regularly to Baguio. "Tatay has a dark blue sports jacket that's always in his luggage, the Maize scarf will look great with that."

Wish list colors for this yarn: Olive Green (color 132), Lime (color 194), Lake (color 110), Hazelnut (color 125), Almond (color 099).

*compare with getting it overseas via eBay and with shipping... getting it locally is instant gratification, you don't "lose" it in the mail, and the VAT you pay helps the Filipino economy.

Cable, and I Don't Mean Internet

2008-07-14T18:37:00.008+08:00

This is my first attempt at cable stitches, using Familia M yarn and 3.0mm Milward circulars 40cm long. What did I use for a cable needle? A Susan Bates Quicksilver dpn, US size 2 (2.75mm), with rubber point protectors to prevent the stitches from slipping off.

I got the classic stitch pattern "Coiled Rope", a 3x3 cable design, from the Reader's Digest Step-by-Step Guide to Sewing and Knitting (Sydney, 1993), p. 468.

Multiple of 9 sts plus 3
Rows 1 & 3: *P3, K6*, P3 [or add Row 5]
Rows 2, 4, 6: *K3, P6*, K3 [or add Row 8]
Row 5 [becomes Row 7]: *P3, sl 3 sts on cable needle and leave at back of work, K3, K3 sts from cable needle* P3

What I learned:

1. If you use a dpn as a cable needle, it ought to be slightly smaller than the working needles. This is so you won't be tugging too much at the 3 stitches on the cable needle in order to knit them. Knitting those 3 stitches will be a tad tight and uncomfortable for the knitter if the cable needle is the same size. Also, there will be no gaping holes on either side where the cable "coil" occurs (Row 5).

2. I prefer to modify the stitch pattern to be an 8-row rather than a 6-row pattern. It results in a more comfortable looking coil. This is recommended especially when you are knitting with worsted weight.

3. I made a mistake in the rightmost cable in the above photo. You can see that I missed a knit stitch and it wasn't coiled in. After that I started using point protectors on either side of the dpn, counting very carefully. Also, make sure that in Row 5, after slipping your 3 sts to the cable needle, when you knit the 3 sts on the working needle, keep your yarn source between the cable needle and the working needle. This is so that the long yarn spanning the 3 sts doesn't show in the back. It's hard to explain but you have to see it to understand what I mean.

4. To put this in the center of a scarf, for instance, a pair of coiled ropes would be a 21-st vertical motif. Three coiled ropes would be a 30-st motif. I'd have to make sure the number of stitches I cast on allows for this.

5. It's fun! There are so many cable stitches to learn! What a lovely way to create texture! But this "coiled rope" is a personal favorite. There is a "simple cable rib" that is a 2x2 cable, flatter, less bulky. Of course I am not really ready to knit an Aran sweater yet, but you never know.

Crafty Ladies: Lilli and Ines

2008-07-14T17:11:00.005+08:00

Last Saturday after lunch I proceeded to Glorietta 2 for my date with Ines. I had no idea who else would be there, but I called first to make sure they were around. Had the good luck to finally meet Lilli!

Lilli noted that like most of the knitters in her group, I knitted Continental, while Ines knitted American style. Apparently Continental knitting is in again. I brought Ines the free diaper cover pattern, plus a free Bernat baby kimono pattern. Ines brought 2 projects, some baby socks and the start of a chocolate brown Lion Brand 100% cotton yarn afghan. I brought along Lilo's coral blouse as an example of what I'd finished, the current yellow dress front, and some practice cabling from a couple of days before.

I told Ines that the joins of my magic loop weren't that tight during my first attempt at home, but she said it had happened to her too on her first try. It really takes a lot of practice. I should have freed up my 2.5mm circulars so that I could start learning magic loop properly, but they were on the yellow dress project. So I didn't actually start on my socks lesson. Maybe on Tuesday afternoon. We ended up talking about how we got into knitting, and about the things we were still excited to learn.

Ines wanted to learn how to work with two colors. I told her about learning it from my Reader's Digest Complete Guide to Needlecraft (Sydney,1987 - now out of print), but like most people I guess she learns faster from demonstration. I'll probably bring 2 colors of Monaco thread and some needles for that tutorial, apart from the materials for my learning to knit the socks. She was so pleased.

Lilli was doing hardanger, a sort of white-on-white embroidery on linen canvasthat involved some cutwork. The finished product looks much like lace, only geometric. It's for a wedding-ring pillow for her son's upcoming marriage ceremony. In the course of our conversation it turns out that she is the niece of my favorite English teacher in UPIS! And as part of the De Leon clan, she used to go to our church (UP Church of the Risen Lord)! Small world!

As for Ines, I asked if she was a fellow Ilongga, because she would inject the word "dason" ("and then") in her sentences. Turns out that she is from Iloilo (my mom is from near Bacolod). She is a great believer in cotton for most projects. The chocolate brown afghan she is making she wanted to trim with olive green, but there was no olive green available, so she asked the Dreams staff to wind for her a 3-strand ball of Cannon. Which gave me an idea... when the Royal Yarn Winder Joy ordered for me in the US arrives, I'll be able to do the same thing at home!

Lilli will be traveling to Hong Kong soon to get her new orders. Hopefully there will be cable needles in that box. And size 3.5mm and 5.5mm Addi Turbos... And my wish list goes on, hahaha.

I'll be seeing the other crafty ladies Tuesday afternoon.

Stash: Sale Bin Mystery Yarns!

2008-07-12T13:24:00.000+08:00

Welcome to sneak peeks of my stash. This is my contribution to the worldwide phenomenon of "yarn porn" (the term, my friends, is not mine, nor new, hahaha). Tactile fiber goodness!

Last Tuesday when I met the senior knitters at Lilli's Dreams boutique (see previous post) it was while looking for cable needles. I didn't find any, but I did get me some Susan Bates Quicksilver double-pointed needles in US 1 (2.25mm) , 2 (2.75mm) and 3 (3.25mm) to use just in case. I wanted to learn sock-knitting from Ines, but while I waited for the time I would be able to see my volunteer teachers on Saturday (or Tuesday), I might as well learn cable stitches...

I really wasn't looking for yarn, honest. I always say I have enough for the meantime, but for a knitter, how much is enough?

They just sort of called out to me. Lovely, anonymous, value fingering-weight yarns, in off-white, butter yellow, and dark chocolate. Butter yellow is Lilo's favorite color, and the rest of the family loves it as much. We also tend to go with the more natural looking shades. The yarn cakes (on average) went for about PhP 125 each (approx USD 2.25). I have no idea how long they are in yards or meters, since these are supposed to be factory/store close-outs. And while I'm not sure, I think they're acrylic. They have that slightly hairy shiny look about them.

When I bought them I had absolutely no idea what they'd turn into. I got 2 of each color. Maybe I'll make small shawls or scarves or maybe a simple knitted tank top...

Tuesday Knitting Group

2008-07-10T11:04:00.010+08:00

After coming from a business breakfast meeting last Tuesday I had some time to pass by our local yarn shop Dreams, in Glorietta 2. It's run by Lilli de Leon, a lady whose work with DMC inspired her to put up her own shop. She carries most of the stuff you'd expect of a modest LYS in the US or Singapore, and offers lessons. Two months ago I called her to find out whether she would stock Addi Turbos in specific sizes. That phone call inspired my first ever (don't laugh) MRT ride to Ayala, in fear that the needles would sell out fast. Lilli told me about a group of ladies who meet every Tuesday to do needlecraft together and share techniques. This got me all excited, but time passed and I forgot about it. Yes, last Tuesday I met three senior ladies, Pacita, Nora and Ines. Nora mentioned that the rest usually came after lunch, by which time things would get more lively. Unfortunately Lilli was not there yet. That's the second time I've missed meeting her.

Pacita does tatting and a Japanese embroidery technique, and gauging from samples of her work, she's VERY good. She said she was interested in learning bobbin lace, which Lilli is presently passionate about. Nora enjoys knitting, and showed me some baby socks in the works (one set circulars technique - MUST LEARN!). Ines was also knitting baby socks in a different pattern, and said that if I would join them Tuesdays (also Saturdays in Ines' case) she would teach me how to make baby and adult socks! How could I resist! She uses Monaco or Cannon crochet cotton with 2.5mm (US size 2) Addi Turbos. I will be there this Saturday. Pronto!

Ines asked me to show something I'd made, so maybe I'll bring Lilo's baby dress. I told her about this free pattern for a vintage knitted "soaker panty" or diaper cover that babies used to wear over cloth diapers when disposable nappies weren't invented yet. Apparently, using natural fibers meant that babies back then didn't suffer nappy rash. Babies using cloth diapers were also toilet trained earlier. I told her that the use of knitted diaper covers is coming back in vogue in the US, and I'm sure pretty soon some moms in the Philippines will follow suit. Since one of her sons just started a family and now works overseas, she was mightily enthused by the idea. I'll print it out for her when I go. I'll also bring the acrylic practice version I made (too warm for the Philippines, methinks).

I had to leave in order to get home in time for lunch and get back to work, but while I was there I got myself some double-pointed needles (in sizes US 1, 2 and 3) and some irresistible mystery yarn from the sale bin (fingering weight, in brown, yellow and cream). I went there wondering if they had cable needles, but those were out of stock. Fortunately I could use dpn's in the meantime. I want to learn cabling to be able to make gifts from male friends and family, and as detailing for garments.

Ambitious, hey? Yes, but more like inspired. You get that from meeting new friends who knit.

[Dreams. G/F Glorietta 2, Ayala Center, Makati City. Tel. 894-5380. Lessons offered in cross stitch, hardanger, tatting, knitting and crochet. Lilli de Leon, teacher and owner.]

Lilo's Coral Babydoll Blouse

2008-07-04T11:35:00.010+08:00

Ok, I had to post this already, I took photos without waiting for the blouse to be washed. I couldn't wait! We tried it on Lilo, adjusted the strap length one last time, and wove in the dangling ends of thread you see here. This is a two-sister project: Auntie knitted the body and assembled it, Mommy crocheted the edging and the straps. THIS is bonding!

This is a children's size 6 blouse. There's no pattern, I just made a schematic based on one of Lilo's existing blouses adjusted for size. There are 4 pieces, assembled before adding the crocheted embellishments. It's all in stockinette stitch, with shaped armholes.

Materials:
2.5 balls of Monaco mercerized crochet cotton (P19/ball in Divisoria, P25/ball from Carolina's Megamall)
Addi Turbo Premium 2.5mm 80cm (32") circular needles (P270 from LYS Dreams Glorietta 2)

Here's the crocheted shell stitch hem detail:

Comments:
1. Since I knit Continental, I can see where the purls are looser than the knit stitches. The right side of the bodice shows some stitches bigger than the others, and they slant to the right. It bothers me. Just a little bit. No, it really bothers me. Must purl more tightly next time.
2. I drew the schematic on a piece of paper which promptly got lost. I should make another one to put in my knitting projects notebook, with measurement details like they do in the Lion Brand free patterns, so I can make it in another size for another kid, or in another color when Lilo grows bigger.
3. Must improve finishing techniques so that seams match up properly. My vertical side seams match ok, but am not satisfied with the neatness of the the horizontal empire seam.
4. This is my first project using Addi Turbos. They ARE the fastest knit in the East! [Will compare when I receive my Knitpicks needles later this month.] Best investment ever. I have some more coming in other sizes that I had ordered from Ebay. Lifetime warranty pa!

But the important thing is, Lilo likes it! Mommy and Auntie did a good job!

Handmade is beautiful.

Knitting Tutorials on YouTube

2008-07-03T16:03:00.006+08:00

Amy, based in Quezon City, teaches Knitting for Beginners. I am not actually a beginner, but whenever I read her blog or contact her through our Filipino Knitters Yahoogroup she founded, I've been learning new things.

For instance, I used to wonder why my bind off was rather tight. I eventually solved that with a crocheted bind off, but it never occurred to me that I could use bigger needles, or to knit into every other stitch as I bind off. (Obviously I didn't read a lot of knitting magazines or books until recently.) I also wondered why Lola Mama taught me to hold my yarn source from my left hand, when I could see in pictures that most people wrapped yarn around their right-hand needles before making the stitch. I finally learned from Amy that my knitting style is Continental (as is hers). I just thought that it helped me regulate my knitting tension better. According to Amy, Continental knitters tend to purl more loosely than they knit, so that was one thing I was determined to control.

Still, I was very glad to read a blog entry listing some knitting tutorials on YouTube. There was a discussion in our yahoogroup on knitting books and how much they cost, so you can imagine I have only a few to my name (mostly bought on sale). I'm interested in a Magic Loop tutorial, and I know there is one somewhere. It's one of my ambitions to be able to make a pair of socks. I don't care if they're lopsided, as long as I made them.

Knitting Organizer Bag from Make Room

2008-07-03T15:05:00.005+08:00

This is my Knitting Organizer Bag. I got it from the Make Room branch inside Rustan's Tower in Shangrila Mall, for about P295, just before Mother's Day. It's actually an organizer bag. Women who change handbags often are supposed to transfer all contents from one bag to another using THIS one. The very thing for Nanay, who manages to leave her house keys and senior citizen's id in the bag left at home. I thought I'd get one for myself, since I saw

4 main compartments
2 mesh inside pockets
1 solid nylon inside pocket
1 inside zip pocket
1 zip coin purse attached to main bag with lobster claw hook on a flat woven cord
1 flat woven cord with double coil jump ring for keys
2 outside pockets
and velcro to hold the thing closed if necessary.

The yellow knitting you see there is the bottom of a mercerized cotton toddler dress for Lilo. It has 8 repeats of Feather & Fan border before segueing into stockinette stitch. I have about 5 inches of knitting into this panel. The front and the back will be the same, the dress will have shaped armholes and a square neck with crocheted spaghetti straps. The fiber is a lemon yellow Cannon thread, sold in the malls for about P25 a ball, in Divisoria for about P19. I estimate I'll use about 4-5 balls. And no, there is actually no pattern for this. I made a paper pattern from one of Lilo's existing dresses, but adjusted for a child's size 8 (she is currently a 6). I'm so excited about it, since already it looks so pretty and it's in Lilo's favorite color.

Inside:

assorted circular needles
2 pairs rubber point protectors
plastic knitting gauge ruler
measuring tape
small scissors
tapestry needles
stitch markers
one plastic container of round-headed straight pins
huge plastic coated paper clips (to use as stitch holders)
knitting supplier calling cards
wooden nostepinde (a 9"-long wooden dowel used for handwinding yarn into balls)
clip-on snakehead LED light powered by 3 watch batteries
Victorinox swiss knife
hot pink toothbrush case containing (4) 2.0mm dp needles, 3 crochet hooks
Visual Quick Tips: Knitting handbook

This bag is so handy for carrying work around the house! I do have a Work-In-Progress bag, a cheap P25 Winnie The Pooh zip bag with woven nylon handles (like the kind you put your Divi shopping in, but 7" x 7" x 4", made of waterproofed woven plastic straw). That usually contains yarn, the WIP, needles, scissors, a crochet hook and tape measure.

It's so lovely to know one's knitting paraphernalia are always at hand.

Needled by Two Grandmothers

2008-07-03T12:47:00.000+08:00

Lola Nanay (mother's side) taught me how to crochet, and Lola Mama (father's side) taught me how to knit. I think I was around 12 or 13 at the time. I started showing interest at the precise age when I was captured by the beauty of the finished products and had the manual dexterity for it. Of course, my vision was 20:20 then.

One summer three cousins and myself attempted a very basic white grid crochet curtain (one panel for each of us). I was the youngest in the group. Needless to say, it took the whole summer, and the curtains were left behind in Lola Nanay's old house in Negros, and I have never seen them since. Because of that I never quite attempted such a large project again, but would occasionally knit odd granny squares,asymmetrical flowers and lopsided doilies. I even made doily skirts for my Barbie doll Francie. (Come to think of it I never actually played house with the hand-me-down Barbies. My play consisted of making them clothes from scrap cloth from the dressmaker. I think that's where the fiber and fabric arts interest began.)

Lola Mama lived with us in Quezon City when I was in high school. She was quite pleased when I asked her if she knew how to knit, and whether she could teach me. An Ilocana who lived most of her married life in Baguio City since the 1930s, she was exposed to American-style needlecrafts and took to knitting quite naturally. Apparently, I was the only grandchild who ever showed interest.

For 16 years our family lived in a 1950s style house in UP Diliman, which we rented from a Chinese mathematician who had immigrated to Maryland. On rainy Saturday afternoons I would open the cabinet Dr. Lin left behind, and inside were some of my childhood treasures: a
stained white silk short dress with lace overlay, a vintage green-and-gold chocolate bonbon tin filled with fancy jewelry, a wooden cigar box filled with unsharpened pencils and old fountain pens, a real corncob pipe, and postwar Sears and Jaeger catalogues. Not to mention a pair of US size 3 metal knitting needles that had begun to rust.

The Sears catalogues had really pretty feminine clothes and sexy shoes in them, as Christian Dior's influence on postwar fashions had just begun to emerge. There were lots of glamorous fitted twin-set knits, to fit women wearing the pointy bras popular at the time. All the models looked like Elizabeth Taylor or Grace Kelly. And all the men were pictured with martinis lounging in cashmere cardigans, or playing golf in Argyle vests. The Jaeger catalogues showed more of the same, only with instructions for making everything from socks to shawls to separates. I was fascinated. (The catalogues didn't survive our moving house.)

I have knitted on and off through the years. My fiber arts bible was the Reader's Digest Book of Needlecraft, a hardcover compendium of stitches and projects which must be around 20 years old now. I have knitted drawstring purses, scarves that fell short of yarn, and teddy-bear sized garments. Last year while I was spring-cleaning my bedroom I discovered a horseshoe-lace scarf in a fine cream yarn in a plastic bag. SHETLAND LACE! IN WOOL, NOT ACRYLIC! I was amazed that I had reached a certain level of experience. How sad it would be if I didn't use that! I was galvanized. Of course I had to relearn EVERYTHING from that point on.

Fortunately today there are more sources for yarn, and needles, and patterns. Fortunately I read my friend Amy's knitting blog, because now I have someone to share all this craziness with. None of my other friends seem to have any interest in fiber arts and crafts, apart from wearing the results. They prefer to cook, or bake, or maybe scrapbook for their children. Fortunately I have my little niece Lilo who inspires me to make REAL garments, not teddy-bear ones.

I have recently finished knitting Lilo a coral-colored mercerized cotton babydoll halter top! It took me a week of knitting a few hours a night in front of the tv, plus some time for assembly. It is currently being embellished with crocheted shell borders by my sister Joy. Pictures later.

Things made by hand (and eye and mind) are precious. Special. One day I'll make something beautiful enough to sell or swap in the online handmade crafts market Etsy.com.