Jofrog is Knitfrog!
August 31 2005
Remember last week when I mentioned that I had a lot of deadline knitting? Well, right after that I found out that Grosmutter was sick, so the Iris was added to the list. I also had a deadline "secret project" for Saturday morning though! Was I able to do it all... what do you think? Of course I was! It was baby cousin Olivia's first birthday and she needed a new friend to share it with. It seems like love at first sight, and from the note her mom sent me today "she loves her new teddy bear and takes him everywhere"! This, once again, was the "Magic Friends" pattern. I used the new Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Astrakahn and it was just lovely! Nubbly, soft, and squishy! To see a picture of his little face click on the link under the 2005 FOs column. Another deadline project down! Check!Beary Nice
Together now, "AWE!"
August 29 2005
We just got back from a quick trip down to NJ to see my great-grandmother. You may remember me talking about her before. Grosmutter is the most amazing woman in all of our lives. She is the true meaning of super-hero. Last Monday she went into the hospital for the first time in her one hundred year life! Grosmutter is so proud of all of my knitting, crocheting, and spinning so I wanted to do something especially nice for her. Everyone has been bringing her flowers, so I thought I'd make one! My mom also made her a gift and she loved them both, don't you think? We visited with Grosmutter for a while and then left to let her rest. We went back to her house for lunch and look at what I saw in the basket of her walker: That is the woaman my great-grandmother is. Yarn is never far away. I hope that we are all still practicing our crafts at that age too. Grosmutter is starting rehab today and hopes to be home again by the end of the week. Please think good thoughts for her.Feel Well Grosmutter
August 26 2005
I got this email yesterday: Hello Johanna I hope all is well. You may be interested in a pattern that I posted on the Lion Brand Yarn web site. I don't think you will teach it as part of one of your classes even though it only takes ten minutes to complete... Enjoy Uncle Ed Here's the pattern! Who knew that two relatives, with such different hobbies would end up like this! Congrats Uncle Ed, and if anyone out there knows a fisherman send them to the Lion Brand site!My Uncle: The Designer
August 25 2005
I finished the second sleeve of the fishy sweater last night! I immediately cast on for the front, but when I pulled out the tan ball I realized there's only a little left! Rather than winding by hand I finished off the bottom border and I'll wind the second tan hank today. Fishies here I come! I may start the hat soon too... that doesn't count as another project, does it?Whole Sweater - Front=75% complete
August 24 2005
I allowed myself another distraction from deadline knitting again to take one more shot at the beaded crocheted ropes. Thanks to a little nudge in the right direction from Dani, and switching to larger beads I've figured it out. This isn't meant to turn into anything. I'm pretty sure I haven't strung enough beads to make it a bracelet, but it was a fun distraction. Off to walk Naomi and finish off fishy sleeve number 2! ...oh yeah, and then go to work!More Distractions
That's a Canadian Quarter next to it for size reference. I would have used a US quarter but I didn't trust that you wouldn't steal it!
August 23 2005
...as in half way there, not as in will this ever get done in time for it's deadline! I find that sweaters with long repeats (in this case the striping sequence is 46 rows) just fly! There is just one motivational force after another and all of the sudden I'm in the straight away to the finish. Sleeve number two is quickly approaching completion also. I wanted to get the other pieces done before I started on the fun front! Kangaroo pocket here I come! ...and just for the "could she be any cuter" section. Look at the HUGE frog friend that Naomi took to bed with her last night. Sometimes it takes two jumps up to get him up onto her chair! Silly girl! Livin' On a Prayer
August 22 2005
Two toddler sweaters. Sockapal2za socks. One secret project. One designing project. ...all with deadlines less than six weeks away. What am I working on? Sitcom chic for me of course! In my defense, if I hadn't been working on the other projects as well I'd be a lot farther in my sweater, but the reality is it keeps jumping into my hands! Ahh, why did no one ever tell me that knitting required self restraint?Deadline Knitting
August 19 2005
Yup, I've got gauge, but a lot of good it's doing me! I started on the fishy sweater yesterday. I got through the bottom border and was knitting happily along when I thought "Hmm, this sure looks big". Sure enough, I measure it and it's HUGE! Oh man, faulty gauge swatch, my gauge changed in longer rows... nope. Seems as if the pattern doesn't quite mesh. In order to get the size specified in the schematic I need to be getting 5.6 stitches to the inch, not 5.25. To you non-knitter readers this might not seem like much, but let me put it into perspective... it's the difference between fitting a toddler, and fitting me! Big diff. No fears though, I'm fully in touch with my knitting, I found the issue very quickly and I'm through the striped section and ready for armholes already. Phew. ...and I was worried about a Sept 14th deadline! If this yarn (Zara and Gems Opal) keeps being so lovely, and I keep flowing like this it will be done in no time... and then the seaming will be done on the night of the 13th, who am I kidding! Happy knitting and watch that gauge, it will get you every time!Got Gauge?
August 17 2005
Swatchy Swatchy!
Ahh, finally a swatch, time to cast on for the fishy sweater!
Sunday at Knitsmiths I started on my first fall item for this season. I'm going to finish up the Sirdar lace cardigan too, but I needed some plain old, worsted weight stockinette, so that's what I started. I would up this yarn back in May or maybe even earlier but put off the wool for a bit in favor of more seasonable projects and gift projects. Here I am now, a few cooler August days in a row and I've started Sitcom Chic. I'm using Babjoes WoolPak yarn that I'd originally bought for this project. The old one doesn't fit the cardigan only rules that I'm currently working on so it was scrapped and Sitcom Chic will be just perfect. I bet you can't wait to see where I incorperate the other color! As soon as I started this, and got into it, I got the call that the Zara yarn I'd been waiting for finally came in, so as of tonight (or tomorrow, Miranda and her husband Mike are coming over for dinner), I'll be starting on that fishy sweater I showed you last week. Ahh, new projects!Something New, and Something New!
August 16 2005
I'm trying to clear things off of my plate in anticipation of Fall knitting, so this weekend it was the Phildar tank's time. I'd put this aside a few weeks ago with just the neck shaping and straps to do. After a Friday night and Saturday morning, it was ready to go! The straps have already stretched quite a bit, due to wear, and it came out bigger than anticipated even though I went with the smallest size, but I'm still pretty darn happy with it... despite how the pictures look! What can I say, I'm no professional model! The specifics: The pattern is from Phildar Tendencies #402; last spring/summer I believe. Thanks to Kerstin for first showing me this pattern! I used barely 5 skeins Saucy Sport on super clearance, (always a perk)! I also converted the pattern to being done in the round rather than two flat pieces. Definitely a perk in my book. Off to finish some other knits and work on a new one I started... um, what was that? No no, nothing new, just kidding! ;-)Phinished Phildar
The back is all ribbed, something I love the idea of and may use again in the future.
August 15 2005
Yesterday, fellow Knitsmith Terri and I took a trip down to Sakonnet Purls. I had never been, and although I have no "need" for new yarn, they were at the tail end of their August sale and I'm always up for spending a nice day with Terri. The store is beautiful, lots of room, lots of great yarn, lots of books and buttons, a really great place. The whole store was 10% off, with many yarns being even more. Despite the urge I only came home with this: It could have something to do with the fact that I've come home with TWO huge bags of yarn in the past week from A Good Yarn's 75% off sale and have just embarked on a new project. I've been wanting to make a version of the baskets in "Hip To Crochet" for a while and found great yarn for it on sale. I'm using Morocco, a 50% Linen, 50% Cotton blend. This is my first tester basket, the handle needs a little stabilizing, but overall I'm quite happy with my first attempt. ...of New Projects and Road Trips
August 12 2005
Boy was I glad that I finished this capelet last night! It was so cold outside that I wore it to walk Naomi... Okay, of course the real story is I couldn't keep it on longer than it took to get a descent photo. Had it been cooler you would have gotten a better photo, but you'll have to do with this. Now it's on to tackling all of these ends. All it needs is a seaming, and it's been stuck here for a while. Maybe at Knitsmiths on Sunday. We'll see. Brrr
Pattern:Vogue Knitting Winter 04/05 #6
Yarn:2sk exactly of Malabrigo
Some sort of funky button closure to follow.
August 10 2005
I actually thought about working on another project last night so that I'd have something to show you today! Then I realized that if you are reading here, you most likely have a good idea of how long projects take and that miles of seed stitch can be a beautiful thing. I present to you, miles of seed stitch! I just got to the point where I start binding off and separating for the fronts and back! I'm so close now to the finish line. Ahh, small projects are so rewarding. Okay, enough blog reading for you, go and knit for fun, not for the blog! One thing, before you go, wish my mom a HAPPY BIRTHDAY!To My Readers...
August 8 2005
I'm just getting back now from another wonderfull summer weekend! Then it was off to CT to my mom's for a free concert in the park. For the most part all free concerts in the park are the same. It's great to be outside, hear some good music, go home glad to have gotten lots of fresh air. This one was amazing. Definitely the best free concert I'd ever been to. Of course there was some knitting. I've been asked to make this capelet. It's from Vouge Knitting Winter 04/05. I'm using Malabrigo and I could knit in seed stitch forever with this yarn! I'm trying to finish this up as quickly as possible so that I can start on the fishy sweater as soon as the Zara comes in. Wanna see progress? Of course you do! Off to knit on it a bit more before my afternoon obligations. I hope that your weekend was as much fun as mine!I'm Back!
It started out at a friend's wedding in NH. Always great to get together with friends, (and show off my new shrug of course). The woman to my right will be wearing it at a wedding next weekend. I love to spread the knitty goodness!
It started out with Kevin Briody who may just be my new favorite artist! He's an amazing story teller. Jump at any chance you have to see him live!
Next came Richard Shindell who now lives in Argentina, so to be able to see him at all was a treat. Wonderful great singer and performer. Just a perfect evening.
August 5 2005
Somehow I decided, at 11PM last night, that it was a good time to finally figure out how to make the crocheted beaded ropes. Out come my itty bitty hook (1mm US11/12), my itty bitty beads (size 15, maybe too small), and my itty bitty thread. Internet instructions, check! Tired eyes, check! When Amber and I went to Crystal Blue Beading Co. last fall/early winter she got a magazine showing her how to do it, but picked it up so quickly and said she didn't really need the instructions. I asked her to show me, but she said there wasn't really much to show... you just do it. That easy. Uh yeah, I don't think so. RecentlyDani learned how to do this same technique... on the same day she learned to crochet. Same deal: Me:Oooh, I so want to learn, teach me. I quit when my fingers started to fall asleep! After a few attempts with a few different sets of instructions this is how far I got. Ladies, do you believe me now. Come over and show me please! Oh, and maybe I'll get larger beads and life will be easier... but I doubt it!Beads, Harumph
Dani:It's really nothing, you just have to try it.
Me:Okay, but maybe you'll show me sometime.
Dani:Sure, but everything is so little that you won't be able to see anyways, just try it Johanna.
August 4 2005
As the progects on my current WIPs list wind down and finish up it's time to start thinking of what's next. Okay, so really no thinking is necessary, I've been ready to start this next one for ages! This pattern is from Bouton d'Or Layette #11. These books are so hard to find! I had to order my first one online and then stumbled upon my second one in a yarn store in CT with my mom. The amazingly good news is, thanks to my prodding, A Good Yarn will start carrying the Bouton d'Or and Annie Blatt books, yarns, and kits starting this fall! No more searching high and low for the next babies and childrens book. Just a pop down the road, a quick browse through and it's in my hands. Ooooh I'm so excited about this! Really, if you haven't seen these books you must check them out. Very cute, sophisticated, fun, childrens clothing, and many patterns are sized up to age 10! Wow! Okay, enough gushing. The reason why I've been waiting for ages to start this one is I have all of the yarn except for the white! I can't start more than the first two rows without it and then I'm stuck. The shipment is due in some time soon after Aug 1st... um that's now! If it's not there by the time I weave in all of my ends on the paw print sweater and finish up the Phildar tank I may be asking for some searchers out there in blogland. Anyone's LYS carry Zara? Winding Down and Gearing Up
August 3 2005
I'm nearing the end of my Phildar tank, (from Mag #402 for the unidentified commenter that asked). I've done it all in the round, so now that I'm up to the neckline I'm trying to figure out the best way to proceed. I bound off for the back last night, (woo hoo), and continued on with the first side of the neck. Two problems though. Solution to both: I un-bound off and did some serious decreasing in the back ribbing. I hope that it wasn't too much but I brought the whole back down from 3x2 ribbing to 2x2 ribbing. Hey, it's ribbing, it will stretch to fit, right? I hope so. It certainly wasn't working how it was originally. In other knitting news, I finished the knitting on the paw print sweater. It's sitting waiting for seaming and weaving in of oh so many ends! Check back tomorrow to see what's next.Nearly Neck-ed
Only a little more knitting to go!
August 2 2005
Mike surprised me this weekend with a weekend getaway. I wasn't filled in on details until we were half way there and then Mike asked me "What's West of Worcester?". Now of course, pretty much the whole country is west of Worcester MA, but I knew he was talking about Amherst! We both attended UMass Amherst for our undergrad educations and that's where we first met. We LOVE the area and hadn't been there in far too long. Off we went to lunch at the best burrito place I've ever been to Bueno y Sano. Mmmmm! After that we went to check into our B&B and found this: Then we went upstairs and found this pretty little room: Back to town for some looking around, some shopping, (a quick stop at Northampton Wools and Beaders Paradise) and then off to dinner at Amherst Brewing Company. Almost six years ago we went on our first date at ABC. How could we not go back this weekend? Entrees at ABC work something like this "anything with a side of sweet potato fries". Okay, so maybe that's our interpretation, but those sweet potato fries are the best I've ever had. And to finish off the night, this: This dinner was almost exactly what we had the first time we went to ABC, and almost every time after. No need to mess with a good thing! After the Fried Oreo Sundae we were, of course, ready for dessert. Bring on the top of the wedding cake. All of you who say gross, I dissagree. It was not freezer-burnt at all, no ice crystals, almost as it was a year before. Before this anniversary started to sneak up on us I thought that everyone saved the top of their cake, but since I've been talking with people about it, the opinion seems to be much more swayed towards the "gross" rather than the "nice tradition" side. Thougthts? What did/will you do? A lovely weekend, thank you Mike! Happy First Anniversary
Awww
Perfect
A starter of deep fried pickles!
Dip them in a little honey mustard sauce, yum!
I am a Deep Fried, Beer Battered, Oreo Sundae.
I consist of 5 fried oreos, ice cream, whipped cream, and hot fudge.
Mike and Johanna finished me in 5 minutes flat!
Click to see what it looked like at the wedding last year!
