Bloggin' Blues

I've got the Bloggin' Blues. It's been so long since I've blogged, that it seems like I should make a really GOOD entry with GOOD pics and some very IMPRESSIVE knitting.

I got nothing. Nada. Zilch.

As an excuse, I have a New Job thing going on around here. Not only does it significantly cut into my knitting time, but it also takes up too much brain power so not much is left to make a cohesive sentence (not that I'm good at that at the best of times.)

I've been working on the 6SoxKAL Amble socks this week--nearing the goal with only 2 days left to knit. It's been fun, but I just have to follow the pattern row by row the whole way thru.


I've also been working on the CIC vest/sweater challenge by working on this LaZ Diamond vest. It knits up quickly using 2 strands of Arucania (Sorry--too tired to look up the correct spelling).


And I bought some fishy markers!

Felting the wrap

I really didn't mean to leave yesterday's post in a cliff hanger. It's just that I'm no longer motivated, so I abandoned my posting....sorry....

It actually took 2 days to write yesterday's post. I was uploading the pics while I was felting. I would set the timer, upload a couple pics, check the felting, back to the computer, then argghh! When the wrap had a nice texture--very pliable, but could no longer see the stitch definition, it was WAY too long. After the next 5 minutes, it was approximately the right size, but now it's rather stiff.

I have to show off the one neat thing I did, though. Since I had made a non-felted version, I traced it onto freeze paper. When I needed to check the felting version, I just laid in on top--I moved it to one side so that you could see my pencil lines.





So....the approximate size is good, but folded up? I dunno.




The next reason I got stuck is this:



This is what my table looks like when my kids do crafts. I have in no way added, deleted, or changed any items in this picture. It really looks this messy. (This is not my eating table, however. Phew. We can still eat.)

This is where I normally put my sewing machine. I still need to sew on the aplix, but I'm just not going to touch this mess. Maybe I'll take over my eating table. :)

And it all came to a screeching halt.

I've been working hard on the wool_soaker_group's soaker challenge this week. My goal was to make a felted soaker wrap and pattern by Sun. night at 11:59 EST.

First, I made the knit version, which I previously posted. Made the rise higher which also increased the back width--a good thing.

Next I made swatches, measured them and took pictures.



Felted, measured, and took more pics.


Tried different leg openings,


And felted them (which lost all the curling sides--a predictible result, but disappointing none-the-less.)t


Figured out percentage of shrinkage and used that with ratios to figure out the rows and inches.


Knitted a to-be-felted version.
Look! She ran out of yarn again! Er...I mean.... Look! What pretty stripes!

Those aren't just any stripes; they're Fibonacci stripes.
Remember the math sequence from pre-algebra: 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21.... ?

Well, the theory is that you can use those numbers for the number of rows for each stripe. No matter in what order you do them, it should still be pleasing to the eye. Here's a more detailed explanation.


Inside view:


Folded view:


Comparison view:

Looks rather huge next to the ready-to-wear knit version, doesn't it?

I figured....that's okay......I did all the computations, and ratios, and percentages, and feel confident that it's right.

And it all came to a screeching halt.