Sunday, September 14, 2008

How many WIPs does one girl need?

Well, apparently I need a few! Not that I need to have a few going, but between gifts and my personal projects, I've got a houseful! Here is a peak at what's going on!

First, let's discuss what's on my mind. This so-called thing called a "jogless jog".
I've been working on the "Turn A Square" hat by Jared Flood. I like the simplicity of it, and thought, what the heck - I've got spare wool for that! Well, the "jogless jog" that is used on this project is apparently unattainable. I just can't seen to get it right - when it looks right, I have a hole, when I have no hole, it looks like, well, crap.
Daniele (who had a super blog, so read it) is having difficulties with it as well. Why is this so hard?? What in the world is wrong with my knitting brain? Anyone have a solution - I promise I will share with Daniele. If I can't get this thing down soon - I'm gonna be very done with this project. I won't even frog it - I'll just pull the needles and toss it. It's a flippin hat, for Pete's sake!! (Jared, if you are listening, I think you are divine and I want to lick you, however this hat - which is very simple - is upsetting me. Can I send it to you and you can finish it? Promise, I will love you forever.)

Moving on! I've been working on the fingerless gloves for my friend, Gabe. I love them, and have had a lot of folks ask me to make them some. (NOTE: MsKnottyKnits is not accepting new projects at this time, unless you want to pay. Ahem.) It's actually a very easy pattern, and I am enjoying it. I'm half way through the second one, and I almost think I'm going to need my own. I am enjoying the color - It's Plymouth Yarn Happy Feet, in color 6 on size 2 DPNS.


Next, I've obviously been busy with the drop spindle! Ohh Baby. I decided to put some thought into how I break up the roving. My friend Opal brought up using fractal spinning to control which colors end up where. Here's what I did:
I unbraided the roving and laid it out on the floor, splitting it in half.
I then took one half, and split it in half. It's very dense fiber and has required a lot of pre-drafting, as well as some help while spinning.
I took the remaining half and put it in a bag. It's resting until I'm done with the first bit, but when I go to use it, I will split it up into 4 pieces, and spin another single.

Eventually, I will ply the two together. I'm hoping to have a very lengthy color repeat and a much shorter one. I think it will add interest to the final product. Did I mention that I am aiming for thin? (Shoot me, please, now, shoot me.) I picked this roving up from Allspunup. It's very soft and springy!

Yesterday, I headed out to my A Row of Purls and hung out for a bit. They are such nice folks there! We have been collaborating on the Great American Afghan, and are putting on the final bells and whistles. The Afghan itself will be raffled off to raise money for a scholarship at the local high school. If you are interested in purchasing one, it's $1 for one or $5 for six, you can contact me via email, and we will hook it up through Paypal. Easy Peasy.

While I was there, I had a Malabrigo moment. See, what had happened was... I bought the wrong size of needles. I could for sure have gotten a refund, but why not just trade them in? I love the colors in this - they go from purple, to blue, to green - lovely. I'm going to use it to knit my Morning Surf Scarf, using size 8 needles. I think everyone should knit with this yarn, mainly because it's just so soft and their colors are just outstanding. Apparently, the good ladies at my LYS are going to order more colors - as well as different types. (I plugged the silky.)

Last week, I hopped on the Tempted Yarn bandwagon - I've held out for so long, and it's been soo hard, but I finally found a lace pattern I just knew I needed to knit, and then Stacy posted her Lace Grrl yarn. I picked up Horn of Plenty, and I am going to use it to knit the Ring of Lace Wrap. I am really excited about it, because I really think I'm going to be able to get a lot of use out of it! Here's a sample, and because my camera doesn't do it justice, I'll link you to her Etsy site.Alrighty, fair knitters! I'm done blabbing for now. I know I am falling short of my 3 posts a week goal, but I figure that one major post could count for three!

Happy Sunday!

8 comments:

Lori said...

Wowzers, look at you go! It's all great, but I'm particularly impressed with your spinning!

Zonda said...

Nice spinning there! Love those armwarmers! As for the Jogless join, I have the same problem. A Row of Purls feeds my Malabrigo and Lambs pride urges LOL!

Anonymous said...

I am impressed!

She Knits Socks said...

Sorry I can't help on the hat. It's good to see others have multiple projects going. I have 3 different socks going. A gift sock, a sock with color work, and a sock on size 1 dpns. I'd like to try the fingerless gloves for a nephew. Your spinning is looking good! You will love the Tempted yarn. Stacey's the best.

Opal said...

You've got so many balls in the air, it makes me dizzy! I'm so impressed with your mad multi-tasking skills girl! But like Lori, what impresses me the most if your spinning. Wowzah!

Daniele said...

I must agree with everyone. Megan - you are a natural with the spindle. I can't wait to see the skein once it is finished. I think you've got those color repeats just right.

I also love those wrist warmers. Great pattern.

Lastly, if Jared IS listening, I'd like to lick him too..... ;)

ckknitter said...

When I grow up, I want to spin like you... :~} I love what you're spinning and your yarnie finds, but no jogless join help from me - sorry.

Unknown said...

Love your spinning.

The Queen of Wipsluts thinks you need more projects to work on. :)