Experimental Knitting Done

Remember the experimental knitting, the face cloth in chenille? It's done. I'll report the experimental results like in a real scientific paper.

Results:
Before washing/drying


After washing/drying:

Discussion:
Biasing of the knitted fabric was observed post-knitting; this was only slightly relieved by the washing and drying process. The yarn bloomed in a way deemed desirable by the intended recipient. Shrinkage was greater than anticipated, being closer to 20% than 10%.
Conclusions:
Cotton chenille may be a suitable yarn for creating household items such as face cloths. The use of a non-baising stitch such as garter stitch may help to eliminate biasing that would occur if a biasing stitch such as stockinette stitch were to be used. Blocking will not help the item retain its shape, being the item will be used in a wet and often steamy environment. Because shrinkage was about 20% of the final knitted dimensions, care should be taken to include extra stitches and length, so that the final results will be satisfactory.

Really, that's how scientific and medical papers are written, in such formal and stilted language. I'll make another when I have time, in garter stitch. I'll cast on extra stitches (enough to give another inch in width) and make it another inch longer. That should work (see- I even have a hypothesis for the next experiment).

In non-experimental knitting, I made another couple of bibs. I didn't mention previously that I began to use short-row shaping for these, to make the bottoms curve nicely. As easy as turning a heel!

Heartbeat bib
Peaches & Crème in Tea Rose

Swan bib
Peaches & Crème in Eggshell

For the swan bib, I used a dish cloth pattern with bib shaping. I've been lazy about making the bib ties; I've merely been crocheting chains for 14 inches and knotting the ends well. Too lazy to half-double crochet back down the chain.

On the job front: had an interview yesterday and was offered a job; part-time intially but should grow to full-time soon as the pharmaceutical industry brings more anti-cancer drugs to clinical trials. I still have another interview next week, and maybe a dozen more places to contact.

Summertime

Peaches in season, here in New Jersey.

Jury duty is over; verdict rendered; justice served, more or less. I managed some knitting during recess and finished a face cloth in Peaches & Crème yarn.

Appropriately enough, I'm calling it my Peaches and Cream face cloth. I also started some experimental knitting: trying out Crystal Palace chenille on size 6 needles for face cloths and such like. It's not the knitting so much as how the chenille will hold up to wash and wear. For the record, I dislike working with chenille. It's less elastic, if possible, than other cotton yarns. I don't mind working with Peaches & Crème at all (I like it more than Sugar 'n' Cream, will say that). I never minded working with Bernat's cottons (Gloucester, I'm talking about you). But the chenille- ugh! At least I got the 5 hanks pretty cheaply, and if the experiment goes well, I'll make some nice soft gifts for folks.

Signed up for unemployment, and had my unemployment interview. That means I explained why I no longer work for the Department of Veterans Affairs. As if I had a choice. NJ Department of Unemployment is so dysfunctional I received contradictory instructions from 3 different sources. Not having patience for that sort of thing, I called the governor's office and demanded action. Yes, I did. I was put through to the Commissioner of Unemployment herself, who recruited someone with a name and phone number to help me. That person, from Trenton, recruited a supervisor in my local (Newark) office to expedite my case. No one should ever be told that their case will not be reviewed for 5 weeks after receiving a last pay check. Just unconscionable. I'd heard of folks in NJ who were at a new job and had yet to receive unemployment benefits. No excuse, NJ. You can raise great summer fruit and veggies; you can do better for your working people too.

Baby Blankets and Back-Lit Lace

In the spirit of showing rather than telling, here are photos of the baby blankets I'm doing in lieu of the Log Cabin:

That's the progress so far on the one of Peaches & Crème. I should add a third solid color to it, according to DD#1, to make it more unisex. Blue or green? Let me know in the Comments section, please, before I get back to another solid color!

I love how this wool is knitting up. After I soak it in Eucalan, it'll soften (from previous experience).


I just wanted to show off a little here. I like the way the light shines through the lace of Peacock Tail and Leaf lace scarf. It's about half-way done. DD#2 spied it and squealed. Warms a mother-knitter's heart.

Am I Alone?

Am I the only one in the knitting world who hates knitting the Log Cabin blanket pattern? Because everyone else seems to love it, by the looks of the projects pages on Ravelry. Heretical thoughts, I know.

I started one:

Knitted merrily along for a bit, then somehow lost my mojo. Don't know if the colors irk me or I dislike the start-stops with picking up stitches in-between. This one is in time-out until I figure out what I want to do about it.

Now, oldest niece is expecting in late summer so another baby blanket is in order. In case I can't bear to finish the Log Cabin, I began one of my own design:

This one's a cinch. I casted on 5 stitches (yarn is Pisgah Peaches and Crème Worsted 100% cotton), then knitted 1 row. With yarn in front, I slipped the 1st stitch purlwise, then knitted front and back in the next stitch to increase one, then knitted the rest of the row. I repeated the increase row, always slipping the 1st stitch (to get that nice chained selvedge) until I reached 50 stitches: time to change yarns. I'll keep increasing until 160 or so stitches, then decide if I'm making it square or rectangular, changing colors at intervals.

The beauty and fun of this blanket lies in combining the colors. The knitting is mindless and portable, and makes a nice break from lace knitting. Will it be a square or a rectangle? Have yet to decide.

How about you? Do you ever try to puzzle out why some patterns flow for you while others languish? Do you try to overcome your hurdles?

Snowed in again!

Yep, we got socked again last night. Unofficial snowfall in my town (measured against Rocky's 25 inch shoulders) is over 20 inches. Poor guy, he could barely leap over it this morning on his way to his tree (I had to remind him he doesn't use the indoor bathroom). I won't bore you with photos of pure whiteness.

In more sad news, Pisgah Yarn, makers of Peaches and Crème cotton yarns, sold out to SpinRite of Canada. In case you don't know, SpinRite bought Bernat yarns years ago, turning it from a really nice yarn company (selling lovely basics, seasonal fashion yarns, inspired design books, and distributing Jaeger before Rowan bought them) to a craft yarn line. Not that I'm opposed to craft yarns- they have their place for many things! But not to have Sesame 4 wool in the beautiful color palette of Berella 4 (what a color palette that was!!) was indeed a big loss. And Gloucester cotton was a great cabled cotton that washed and wore well. SpinRite is the home of Lily, maker of Sugar and Cream. I myself don't think Peaches & Crème is long for this earth, being the 2 cottons are quite similar. But not identical: P&C is much softer than SandC. P&C has colors that SandC does not (and vice-versa, to be fair). This morn I sent in an order for 10 cones (that's over a mile) of P&C. I wish I could afford more. The P&C Ravelry group moderator asked us to make at least one dishcloth for each of the 80-plus P&C employees who will be laid off come February 25th. Last night I whipped off 5.
First, a set of 3 heart-shaped ones based on Grandma's favorite dishcloth pattern:

The color is called Cherry Pink (might as well archive this info for posterity).
Next, Grandma's Favorite Dishcloth itself, in Faded Denims:

One corner is a little off, because I was knitting in bed (I have the cold plus sinus infection from Hades) and was too lazy to check how to end this thing on my computer. One day I'll have an iPad...
Last but not least, the Double Bump dishcloth, also in Faded Denims:

These 5 were completed in a matter of a few hours. Now they are packed up, ready to be mailed to the group mod (if we ever get dug out- so far no traffic moving on our street).

In somewhat happier news, a fellow researcher at the VA got wind of my grant rejection. He looked over the nasty comments and advised, "Appeal. Appeal directly to the program director at the VA. It won't go back to the reviewers. They had the facts wrong anyway so they are not trustworthy." Appeal is due March 25. An entire committee is supposed to help me with this process. Maybe I'll win, maybe not, but it helps to do something (other than job-hunt, which is depressing).

Last, I want to thank everyone who left a comment in consolation over my recent bereavement. It helps to know that folks are thinking about me and wishing me solace. Next week I'll be flying to Israel (February 6th). My camera will certainly go, as will lots of extra batteries. I have a shopping list from the DDs and DH. Not sure if I'll bring knitting, only because I think I'll be too excited and busy and sad to knit.

Stay warm, stay dry, and if anyone has a cure for head colds or cabin fever, send me a line, OK?

Spinning a Yarn

Remember this pretty little spindle I bought last month at Rhinebeck? I used it on the Cotswold roving to make this:

Yeah, go ahead and laugh; I know it's quite pathetic. In fact, I intend to save these ~200 yards of handspun madness as a reminder that we all start out as rank amateurs (and I don't think spinners start out any ranker than this). I suspected that besides my non-existent spinning skills, my pretty spindle wasn't really up to snuff, at least for a beginner. Ravelry spinners recommended several name-brands to me, and so I bought a Kundert spindle in walnut and maple:

It came with the tie-dyed roving you see wrapped around it. I took it for its maiden spin to the spinning guild meeting yesterday. I was the lone person using a hand spindle; everyone else had wheels: Louets, Schachts, Ashfords, you name it, it was there. One wheel in particular was made of gorgeous chestnut-colored wood, with leaves carved around the wheel. It was quite a thing of beauty. Naturally, everyone told me how hard it was to spindle, how easy it was to use a wheel, and how everyone present started with a hand spindle. Two lovely ladies helped me used my Kundert spindle. One, V, took my pretty painted one for a spin and determined that it was not balanced well-enough for me to use (she of course could make a lace-weight yarn out of my BFL roving like that spindle were a $300 Golding!). So I guess I'll use it as a hand-supported spindle, or stick it in a basket as decoration. My Kundert, which weighs 1.3 ounces, V though was too light for a beginner (yikes! and it came as part of a learn to spin kit!!). However, if I draft well (I still really suck at drafting), I should be able to use it. Bonus: I can use it as a top or bottom whorl. Ha- I actually think I like it as a bottom whorl more.

I also bought the cheap $9 lucet:

It's made of walnut, so for $9 I think I really got a bargain. I haven't used it yet; I've been waxing it since it came unfinished. When I like the gloss, I'll start cranking out cord.

On the knitting front, Peggy is about 97% done. I have about 5 rows left on the 2nd sleeve. The body is made up, waiting for the sleeves.

My hairdresser is expecting a wee one on Valentine's Day, so I'm making some bibs. Here's the first, modeled by Betsy:

This is a pattern from the Down Cloverlaine website (link on the sidebar) called Baby Ripples; I modified it a bit. I may make another in the same Peaches and Crème Fiesta yarn.

DD#1 still has lots of stuff at our house that I keep threatening to make disappear. The other week she realized that the dressy hat she insisted I make her when she was in college is still at my house. Now she wants it again (I don't think she wore it once while she was at college, to be honest).

Nice, isn't it? Made of Tahki Sable that is 70% Merino wool and 30% angora, it's sooo soft. The pattern is the cover hat by Nicky Epstein on the Vogue Knitting Winter 94/95 issue, only I made it shorter, in one color, and left off the snowflake and reindeer embroidery. (In case you have that issue and were wondering.)

Later this week DH and I go to Atlanta, GA, where my scientific society is having its annual meeting. I'll be speaking next Sunday about my cancer research. Might take a project along for the plane; can't decide. Flying is such a hassle and TSA is somewhat capricious.

L'Shanah Tovah to One and All

Earl came, delivered no more than some humidity and gusts of wind, and now is a memory.

Earl's passing to our east meant no clean-up (yippee!). Instead, I spent the holiday weekend cooking and baking for the upcoming Jewish New Year. Two gallons of chicken soup, one extra-large noodle kugel (a baked pudding), 3 extra-large fruit cobblers, a gallon of tzimmes (a traditional dish based on carrots or sweet potatoes or both), a brisket, and I'm still not done. DD#1 was supposed to bake for me but instead she broke a rib (persistent cough left over from a cold, if you want to know). She's on the mend, thank G-d, but I'm stuck with all the cooking and baking, plus animal tending. Not to mention I have a manuscript in production (meaning I have to play production editor for the journal so it can be published) and my VA merit grant application is due Thursday. Nothing like a little pressure, right?

I've still managed a bit of knitting. I made another kitchen towel (DH loves the first one; guess I'll be making more towels for a bit). This pattern is called the basket rib; yarn is Pisgah Yarn Peaches & Cream in Teal and Eggshell.

And I made good progress on DD#1's new hoodie; Back is done and armhole for the left front is complete as well. Since she doesn't want sleeves (I think; must double-check with her), it could well be finished by Sukkot (except for the zipper, which I have to order).

Must leave until next week. To all my readers, l'shanah tovah tikoseivu. May you be inscribed for a good year.

Late Summer Musings

I don't know what it is about summer that makes me so nostalgiac, almost homesick, for my childhood. Is it the hum of bees in the flowers, the heat and humidity, the more languid pace, the summer diet with its abundance of fruit? Whatever it is, I find myself thinking back more and more to my childhood home on the northwest corner of Baltimore, in a then-undeveloped neighborhood that was bordered on 3 sides by woods. I can almost smell the soft scent of the azaleas that heralded the coming summer; every house had its pathway lined with these bright bushes. And I can see the 4 o-clocks and phlox that grew along our patio wall. I was fascinated to watch the 4 o'clocks open every afternoon- and remain asleep on cloudy days. I remember our neighbors' rhodedendrons (orange) and mophead hydrangeas (blue and pink and lilac). I can taste the punch my mother used to make from fresh Maryland strawberries (we never had soda in the house in those years), and I can still enjoy fresh local peaches with sugar and cream; that was often a hot weather supper in our house.

Well, whatever it is, I've been missing it intensely and trying to recreate it however I can. I've been enjoying our local Jersey peaches and tomatoes (this has been an exceptionally good year for fruit). I pulled Betsey-Wetsey out of storage to model my baby knitting. She like me is a Baltimore girl, coming from I & L Toys, now defunct, on East Lombard Street. I grow a lot of hydrangeas, some of them mopheads that shade from blue to pink to lilac. I've planted black-eyed Susans, in honor of my home state. Even my knitting is meant to soothe my nostalgia. Especially the cotton knitting I've done with Peaches & Crème; I'm sure it's the imagery on the label of a ripe peach and a jug of cream that reminds me of home.

My new project in Peaches & Crème is a kitchen towel; the pattern is by Janet Carlow. This will be the first replacement of our old kitchen towels (if DH and I like hand-knit towels, that is).


I finished the Diagonal Baby Blanket

and made a berry-nice hat as an added bonus:


Summer is fast-over; nights are already cool, even if the days are hot. Now I can knit again with wool. Yesterday, I began DD#1's belated birthday present (her birthday is late May; she didn't need a wool sweater for the summer, right?):

The pattern is Bonne Marie Burns' Twist hoodie, and it's available at her site, ChicKnits (link on the sidebar at left). Yarn is Rowan Magpie, saved in my stash for a special present. I think a birthday present for a dear daughter counts. Which reminds me again about Betsey-Wetsey: she was a birthday present too; I got her for my 3rd birthday. I lost her original clothes but have long dressed her instead in cast-off baby clothes from my brothers and now from the daughters. She was a big part of my summers in Baltimore; she was a playmate when no one else was around. DH thinks she needs a hat of her own. And I think she needs a sweater to match it.

While Waiting for the Cavalry

While waiting for the US Cavalry to arrive (being the VA's payroll service has merged with the DoD's it's apt), I finished a bunch of stuff with yarn on hand.
First, I modified Elaine Fitzpatrick's slipped-stitch bib (find the stitch pattern on her website at Down Cloverlaine, it's called Rhonda's Delight) to make it into an over-the-head bib. I sent it along with the blanket, and have heard that it fits the recipient.

Next, the matching fingertip towel to the facecloth:


The rainbow blanket for DD#2 is ready to go down to Baltimore with her next week (so soon?):

And finally, I figured out another way to make an over-the-head bib; I think I like this one better (pattern is just garter stitch but it looks fancy in the ombré yarn; I'll be writing this up and posting it as a free download to Ravelry):

Betsy-Wetsy agreed to model this one, though she is up in years:

Sure hope the cavalry arrives soon, before I run out of stashed yarn!

Baby O Baby!

So a buncha people I know are having babies- must be in the water or something. One, a former post-doc, is about to become a papa for the second time. He's from Peshawar, Pakistan, and whenever his mother comes to visit from home she always brings me exquisite jewelry. So I'm making a nice cuddly blankie for the child-to-be, in Caron Simply Soft Brites. Based on comments over at Ravelry, Simply Soft has a nice hand coupled with easy care. I ordered a skein in nearly every color, to knit into a rainbow of feather and fan stitch (hey, it's easy and fast and needs little blocking). It arrived the other day and I set to work. Casted on 180 stitches, worked 4 rows of garter stitch in Blue Mint, then switched to Berry Blue and the FnF pattern stitch. Two repeats of FnF, then switch color to Grape, then to Watermelon, and so on. When I've done a rainbow of colors, I may switch to 4 repeats for a couple of rainbows, then end with 2 repeats of FnF in the rainbow sequence and the garter band. Oh, and I have 6 stitches of garter on each side. See how it's looking?

Now I remembered that DD#1's oldest friend and his wife are expecting their first child too. I have known the young man since he was 2 1/2 years old, playing Haman at the synagogue's Purim pageant. Cannot miss marking this event. So what should I make the baby blankie out of for this one? In the end, I decided to make it out of Pisgah Peaches and Creme in Rainbow. Love the colors, and think the mother will like that it's cotton. At least, I hope so.

Bluebell is finished; pattern will be uploaded to Ravelry soon.

When it is, the link will be on the sidebar at left. The Lily of the Valley scarf is slow-going. Two reasons I can think of for this. One, the yarn is darker than I normally work with, so I require fairly bright light. Two, the nupps really make me nuts; even though I do them easily enough, they just slow down the knitting a lot. The Estonian Lace Group on Ravelry discussed this pattern and quite a few members found it boring. I don't finding it boring, but I can see their point. And to think at the end I get to save live stitches, reknit the edging, and graft together. Oh joy, I can't wait. /sarcasm.