Home

Advertisement

Customize
About the Cat
The knitting cat documents her (mis)adventures with yarn, needles, and patterns.
The Cat's Links:
Knitty Elann MLM Inspirations Stitch 'n' Bitch
Current Month
 12345
6789101112
13141516171819
20212223242526
2728293031
Mar. 6th, 2005 @ 02:42 am Yeah, yeah, I've needed to update.
So the last thing I finished (sort of) was the Kittyville Hat, except I did just the body of the hat and I've not gotten around to actually putting on the ears. I was trying to put on the earflaps and became very unhappy with them. So I just wear it as a hat right now; no harm done, right? It's a hat!

I've decided to put aside the Hooray for Me Gloves for the time being, as 2x2 ribbing with #2 dpns has got to be the most difficult thing I've encountered as of yet... Okay, no. Let me rephrase that: most annoying thing. I get fed up in very short order and I've not quite gotten the hang of putting a moving marker on it (wait, I move it aside one every round? but then how to I keep proper track of my rounds! AIE! ... ahem). I need to devise some sort of marker that won't fall off the needles.

I decided I wanted some fingerless gloves recently and decided it was about time to work on the Hurry Up Spring Armwarmers from Stitch 'n Bitch Nation. So I picked up 2 skeins of Noro Kureyon in Color 088 (click link to see color).

While at the LYS, I saw a hat in the window that I absolutely adored. It was felted and had a fuzzy brim. Gorgeous! And lucky me - the person who made it was the one who had held my order of the Kureyon! She explained the basics of what she did (used Noro Kureyon for the whole thing and some of the "fun fur" type of yarn for the brim, then felted it... size #11 needles) and I poked at yarn. I found some Silk Garden (Also by Noro) in a very pretty color - Color #37. This, combined with some black funfur should make for a good hat.

I'm keeping track of what I do on this hat - all I had an idea of was the look of the hat, that it was felted, the yarn, and that she used size #11s. The rest is up to experimentation. I know hats are simple, but we'll see how it goes. I'm going to post what I did once it's done - and maybe it'll be a reason to actually start work on my website for knitting. I just need a design! Agh! I've not been able to think of what I want it to look like...


EDIT:
Oh, yes, on another note:
I LOVE the feel of Silk Garden. I absolutely adore this stuff. I'm so going to go out and buy another skein of it once I finish the hat and maybe the armwarmers and make a thin scarf with it. Something I can just wear whenever, or tie up my hair with. It's gorgeous and soft and... yeah. I'm in love. :)
About this Entry
sleepy kitty
3 comments
Leave a comment
Permanent Link
Dec. 27th, 2004 @ 05:24 pm Lust: Addi Turbos
Current Mood: surprised
I just began working on the Kittyville Hat on the 16" US #7 Addi Turbos. And not even halfway through the first round, I already love them. They're smooth, slide wonderfully (but not so much that you worry of dropping stitches). If not so expensive, I'd build an entire collection of these.

I think I'll have to find a good pair for the coronet; it'd make working on it so much more of a joy (I still want to make a soft blue one for myself).

But yes - I will pimp the Addi Turbos muchly.
About this Entry
sleepy kitty
Leave a comment
Permanent Link
Dec. 6th, 2004 @ 01:08 am New Knitty!
Current Mood: excited
I am just so overjoyed right now. I was IM'd by coworker and fellow knitter (so great having someone to babble inanely about knitting with IRL) [info]savvyminx this evening about the new knitty issue. Ah, knitty, how I wish you were more than just seasonal.

I can't have enough free knitting patterns. And yet, I could never finish all the ones I like. How lame of me?


Anyway, the things in this issue that I feel I must knit:
Aibhlinn: A cowl. Strange for me, perhaps, but I love scarves and yet they're not entirely practical for covering one's ears, though I try. And look silly. This looks quite pretty and if I get my hands on the yarn (I bet Simply Soft could be used for it and perhaps warmer than the cotton they suggest....)

Mariah: A zippered, hooded sweater with nice cabling. I know I've already decided I wish to do Rogue, but Mariah must be a follow-up project if Rogue goes well. And likely my first project (when I get to it) that will involve a zipper.

Wavy: It's a scarf, I know. But just look at that! It's so cool looking. Heh. This one will require fingering yarn to decide on. And a row counter. I don't have one of those yet. Perhaps in a couple of days I will have one...

Very Tall Socks: And they are. I've recently found I love strange socks. I think this is because I like to remove my shoes at work to be a bit more comfortable and I love the comments (and/or second looks) at my socks when I'm wearing odd ones. Plus, I have this self-patterning acrylic yarn that /may/ be enough to do this. Just, again, I need a row counter...

Pasha: OMG, this looks so hard, but it's SO ADORABLE. My gods. Eee! It's a knitted penguin! If I manage to do this and it's not too difficult... I swear, everyone will be getting one.


Anyway. I've finished knitting things. But I've not posted pictures. Why? Well, before, I used my mother's digital camera. Now I'm away from home and all I have is my really horrendous Mavica. Half the time it doesn't work, so I don't want to waste the effort. I know, I know, so bad of me..... but I can keep my hopes up of getting a half-way decent digital camera for Christmas. :p
About this Entry
fuzzy toy kitty
4 comments
Leave a comment
Permanent Link
Dec. 2nd, 2004 @ 02:45 am [PATTERN] Glove - Idea
This is just a brief bit of idea...

Concept: A pair of those gloves that cover most of the arm (maybe just to the elbows in this case), then come to a point on the hand itself before a loop around the finger.

Yarn: A ribbon-sort. Soft & thin.
Needles/Gauge? Would have to experiment, so need the yarn first. Circulars; better than knitting flat than having a seam.

2x2 ribbing for approx. 2 inches
Garter stitch until desired length (from wrist to wherever on the arm).
Bind off all stitches except those to cover the width of the wrist. Begin decreasing (1 or 2? Depends on type of yarn used, I think) from the edges each round until down to 2. Create a chain (perhaps switch to a crochet hook at this point?) to fit around middle finger, then tie back into the 2 remaining sts.

Need to try this concept out...
Need to figure out:
1. Best yarn (perhaps ribbon, perhaps a v. soft sock yarn)
2. Gauge and needle size.
3. How many stitches to fit around wrist. May need to decrease from the beginning as you go down, to allow for the arm thinning out. Or just use a v. stretchy yarn.


*musemuse*
About this Entry
fuzzy toy kitty
5 comments
Leave a comment
Permanent Link
Dec. 1st, 2004 @ 08:47 pm Musing...
Current Mood: contemplative
As many of you can recall (and scroll back and see), I did the Coronet hat a while back. It wasn't a completely successful experiment, but it taught me cabling.

I'm working on the hat again, this time at a friend's request, so he can give it as a gift. This one has caused me some grief, which is why it's not done yet. I know, lame. Heh. I'm storming through it now. ;) Let's just say he owes me...

Anyway, I suddenly was struck with a thought. What if I adapted the Simple Celtic Cable pattern from Girl From Auntie for use for coronet?

It has 23 stitches in the pattern, plus the 4 on either side to create the border, for a total of 31. The coronet is 17 stitches wide for the band. It would be a very wide band I think, but it could also be quite pretty if executed properly.

I may need to try it as an experiment at a later date...
About this Entry
napping yarn kitty
2 comments
Leave a comment
Permanent Link
Nov. 20th, 2004 @ 07:20 pm Lust...
So I was looking at the Rogue Hoodie again and felt a burning desire anew to have this pullover. It's gorgeous, it has all I love in such a thing (a front pouch, a hood, sleeves that can be a bit over-long and cover my hands) and it has this gorgeous cabling on it.

And oddly enough? While the Coronet hat from Knitty.com is simple cabling, I found it incredibly easy. Just pay attention to the pattern and you're good to go. And even when I put my stitches in front once when I should've put them in back, it still looked good. It looked like I meant to have it arc over two instead of going over then under.

I want the Rogue hoodie. And I need wool to do it. Wool yarn. I love the sort of tan shade that it looks to be (she says it's "light green"? on the page?). I want an off-white/tan 100% wool for it.


So there's my Christmas wishlist. 1300 yards (yes, you heard me - okay, 1200 metres) of wool yarn, in a nice off-white or tan shade. :)
About this Entry
fuzzy toy kitty
9 comments
Leave a comment
Permanent Link
Nov. 18th, 2004 @ 04:24 am Updates on projects (photos forthcoming...)
Sweater: On hold. Too much for me to do right now. I want small stuff.

I finished a scarf! I did something similar to the Coney Island Fireworks scarf in Stitch'N'Bitch. It's in blues, however. But still v. awesome. Took me 3 nights to do.

But anyway. What else... Uhm, oh! I'm trying to learn to crochet a hat pattern. It's confusing. Never crochet'd in the round. I keep getting lost. I need to figure out the best way to mark my rows, without having to remember how many stitches I've done. I... always forget.

I've made one wrist warmer, with the intent to finish it's match. I carry it in my bag, I just haven't had the chance. However, I do want to do the one in Stitch 'N' Bitch: Nation. I love those colors. Likely won't be able to buy the yarn for a while, though.

I'm working on my fingerless gloves, slowly. I was doing them when I watch TV, but my SO wanted a scarf like mine, so I'm working on another when I watch TV. Once it's done, I'll go back to the gloves for a bit.


Right now, however, all is on hold as I make two hats. Why two? Well, someone comissioned I make one for him to give his girlfriend for Christmas. Sounds cool and he's a good friend, so I'm doin' it. He just OWES me, man.

I couldn't find the yarn I wanted in the right shade (I love the 'Simply Soft' stuff for the Coronet hat, but I didn't find it in brown). So I'm trying just a basic brown yarn, and a brown chenille. I hope the chenille turns out good...

... but it's true what they say. Chenille is a whole new beast to knit with. Wow.


EDIT:
Ohyeah, also slowly working on a little crochet'd pouch thing. :)
About this Entry
napping yarn kitty
3 comments
Leave a comment
Permanent Link
Sep. 11th, 2004 @ 03:09 am Update on the Coronet Project:
Current Mood: artistic
Current Music: " "
Yes, I am still working on the Coronet pattern from Knitty.com. It would likely go faster were I not only working a few hours in the evenings. I hope to get a very large amount done tomorrow; I currently have no plans (which can always change), so much of my day will be spent knitting and watching TV, or reading. I'm trying to finish Redeeming the Lost, by Elizabeth Kerner.

( On to the pictures and rant! )


I am now on to the next step: 8.5 inches of stockinette stitch. This is where I'll likely whine that it's tedious, but 8.5 inches (that includes the band already, really, which is... 2 inches, so really 6.5 inches), but once that's done, I begin the few decreases (which is where it gets interesting again) and voila, I'm done.

I very much hope to finish by bedtime, on Sunday (midnight, EST).

Then I begin on my mother's birthday present:
the Cabled Wide Brim Hat from Frugal Knitting Haus
 
I'll be doing it in Patons' worsted weight 75% acrylic / 25% wool, in "Pale Grey Heather", which is a nice pale, almost silvery grey, which should match both of my mother's coats: black and a mock-fur brown.

It should be interested if simply because I only have 4 10.5 DPNS and the only time I've used DPNS at all, it's been with 5 of them. I prefer that method. ;) We'll see how it goes! And I'll keep my journal updated.
About this Entry
fuzzy toy kitty
4 comments
Leave a comment
Permanent Link
Sep. 10th, 2004 @ 02:18 pm Passing on a tip:
Current Mood: accomplished
Current Music: "Aaron Lines - Turn It Up (I Like The Sound Of That) "
This is really only possible with the Denise Interchangeable Knitting Needles (which have already been well worth the $40 I paid on Ebay to get them). I do, however, wish that you could make straight needles easier, by just popping the end caps onto the needles themselves. Ah well, I'll survive. ;)


Anyway, in working on the Coronet pattern I discovered something: the suggested 16" circulars? Too big. I spent more time moving the stitches than actually making them. So I thought I'd try putting them down to the 14" length in my kit.

What I did was I pushed the stitches down the tubing, removed the needle on that side, and put on one of the end caps. Then, I put the needle I'd removed onto the 14" tubing, put an endcap on it, and now I can just slide the stitches off onto it.

I know I could just knit them onto it, but I'd rather do it this way; less bulky and less chance of messing up somewhere. ;)
About this Entry
sleepy kitty
Leave a comment
Permanent Link
Sep. 9th, 2004 @ 04:47 pm Progress on Coronet:
Current Mood: accomplished
Current Music: "Metallica - Harvester Of Sorrow "
I have, for you, a few pictures of my progress on Coronet, which I began just last evening. I could be done with the band by now, but I've been working on it when not sleeping the flu off. I'm about halfway done with it, as it is.


This is it in its entirety so far. It's a bit difficult to see the cabling, I'm afraid. I hope, if this attempt at the hat goes quick and easy, to get some nice wool yarn and make another: perhaps that one will have better definition of the cabling.


Here's a closer look at it. If you can see (doubtful), at the upper left, you can see where I messed up and one "strand" of the "braid" goes further than it should've. When I noticed, I decided to leave it in. It doesn't screw up the whole thing and it gives it a bit of character.




I hope to have the whole thing done by the end of the week. :)
About this Entry
napping yarn kitty
Leave a comment
Permanent Link
Sep. 8th, 2004 @ 09:10 pm Current project:
Current Mood: sick
Current Music: " "
Now I know why most knitters have a whole bunch of projects at once. You actually finish them faster. Instead of majorly burning out on one project, to the point of not touching it for a year (*looks towards a scarf*)...

Well, this one is from Knitty.com: Coronet

It's my first attempt at cabling and I've had to pull it all apart a few times already. The most recent was because I realized I'd messed up on a row (I really need to learn to recognize which are purls and which are knits, so I stitch them properly).

Still, it's interesting. Cabling isn't as hard as it looks. When I first saw an example of it, I feared I'd never manage it because it just... looks hard. But it's not as much. Just a bit confusing. No idea if I'll ever be able to do it on my own in creating my own pattern...

Been too sick and such to really make headway on anything. Hoping to pull off this hat within the next couple weeks, though.
About this Entry
fuzzy toy kitty
Leave a comment
Permanent Link
Aug. 31st, 2004 @ 03:06 am Domain Name:
Current Mood: creative
Current Music: " "
I now have two domains for my knitting. Both will direct to the same site, but upon getting http://www.kittyknitting.net we discovered that http://www.kitknit.net was free as well. And the latter is so cute (as well as short and simple, which is a rarity in names these days) that I had to get it, as well.

So now, I guess, I must begin actually designing the site. If only I had a concept for what I wanted it to look like in mind. Hmm.
About this Entry
fuzzy toy kitty
Leave a comment
Permanent Link
Aug. 30th, 2004 @ 03:06 pm Ebay
Current Mood: calm
Current Music: "Roch Voisine - Kissing Rain "
I am steadily discovering that <a href="http://www.ebay.com"> is bad for me. While I have yet to win an auction for something, I am doing my best to win one of these ones for large collections of bamboo needles. I give up once they reach a cost that'd exceed simply going to a store and buying them all on my own, but in many cases, I can get 10 or more pairs for about $20 if I win, which is a lot less than I'd get them otherwise.

For a bit, it was only the needles, but <a href="http://search.ebay.com/yarn_Yarn_W0QQcatrefZC12QQcoactionZcompareQQcoentrypageZsearchQQcopagenumZ1QQfromZR10QQsacategoryZ36589QQsotrZ2">now I've found the yarn section</a>.

Though, I've decided that if I buy any yarn, it's going to either be:
1. Specific yarn for a project (sock yarn being an example)
2. "Yarn Lots" where for a low price, I can get a large collection of yarn.

I should likely stay away from the latter until I've moved into a larger place. I've an "Apple Store" bag currently holding all of the yarn I own and I've decided that once I've got more room, I'm going to start investing in those stackable plastic drawers for storing yarn: I can then organize it by type, project, color... However I find myself organizing it at that time.
About this Entry
napping yarn kitty
3 comments
Leave a comment
Permanent Link
Aug. 29th, 2004 @ 03:36 am My first sweater!
Current Mood: quixotic
Or the beginnings thereof.

I love sweatshirts and sweaters that you can just drown in. The big, enveloping sort that you can just snuggle up in for a night in front of the tv, fire, or just a good book. The type you pull on over your PJs when you're sick, or you're having a cuddly Saturday morning with your SO. The type... well, you get the point.

So, that is what is leading me to attempt the sweater found on page 190 in the Stitch 'N Bitch Handbook, "Skully". I am, though, not adding in the skull in the pattern, or using the same color yarn they did (how often do we do this? use the same exact colors of yarn? I think, save for my long-ignored Ravenclaw scarf project, that I never have). I'm simply using their pattern as a "general guideline" of sorts for my sweater. I'm doing it in Large, so even though theirs is meant to be oversized, mine should be even more so. The measurements for Large are: 47" chest and 26" length. I generally go 38-40" chest if I want a bit of give in something. You want even more in a sweater, but like I said: I /want/ give in this. Lots!

Yes, I'm insane.

Anyway, I'm currently at the very beginning stages of the front piece. I finished the 7 rows of garter stitch and am now working on the 19" of stockinette stitch (the 19" includes the garter). I think I have about 2.5" done so far. I may be lucky if I'm done by the time winter hits. *grin* But hey, this is what learning is all about.

( And now on to pictures and explanations of this great on-taking )

Though, all the rows of purling (I hate purling, really, it's awkward for me and my quirky ambidextrous knitting style) may slowly drive me insane. I've thought of further researching and attempting a tactic I heard of today: switching from right-handed for knitting one side, to doing it left-handed for the other, to attain the effect of purling. Is this possible and does it work?

I must look into it in the morning and find out. If so, it may be reason to grab some spare yarn, make myself another bag for storing my knitting tools (the one I'm using, the condom cozy is too small) to practice knitting left-handed. I feel I can do it, I just have yet to try.
About this Entry
fuzzy toy kitty
4 comments
Leave a comment
Permanent Link
Aug. 29th, 2004 @ 03:20 am In which we get a glimpse...
Current Mood: artistic
... into what? Well, just a bit of what I have around for knitting. :) I do hope in the near future (once I'm in my own place and can expand my stash, storage, and so forth), I can have more extensive pictures.

( These will do, for now... )

The above (behind the cut) yarn is of the Sock It To Me Collection's "Puzzle" set. Moonlit Lake. I found it on Elann.com and I feel they have the best selection. My only gripe with the site is that the only order confirmation that I received was the one after clicking the final submit for my order.

Then again, I am a package-tracking addict. I so enjoy having a tracking number and being able to obsessively watch my package. However, it did not take long to receive the yarn, I got exactly what I asked for, and at quite a reasonable price. I will certainly shop there again. Nevermind that they have some cute free patterns.

The yarn is for a project I intend to start soon (once I get a better idea of the pattern in my head). Fingerless Gloves. A.K.A. Hooray For Me Gloves. A friend made these for me last winter, as my hands get quite cold even when indoors, but normal gloves make most tasks quite difficult. I adore them and want more, so why not make my own? Nevermind that I've got a wonderful set (5) of bamboo #2 DPNS.

I love bamboo.


Next post: my current WIP.
About this Entry
sleepy kitty
Leave a comment
Permanent Link
Aug. 29th, 2004 @ 12:14 am It starts...
Current Mood: excited
Welcome to Kitty Knitting, a.k.a. The Rogue Neko's knitting journal (who is also known as [info]tadiera).

I intend to post my "active" (meaning it hasn't been shoved aside for the time being) Work-In-Progress shortly (once I get pictures up). Hopefully this evening, in fact. Right now, though, I have one thing to note:

I feel I am finally beginning to gain more skill in this, to the point where I picked up a pair of socks while out shopping today (Target), called "slipper socks" and was able to figure out the way they were constructed. And now I'm tempted to dig around for instructions to knit socks and make my own pairs. They were made of very thick, soft, and colorful yarn. Might be very nice come winter- I hate wearing socks to bed, but I like having them on around the house when it's cold elsewise. Having a few pairs of fluffy, warm socks would be nice.

If you're joining me to watch my (mis)adventures: welcome! I hope that by my stumbling along in learning to knit (and crochet, for I've found it quite useful for some things) will help or inspire others.

A bit of background info:

I'm eighteen, still at home (though, I full well intend to be out of my parents' house by the end of October of this year), seeking a job (I've been in and out of temp/part-time work) and always searching for new hobbies. I think that knitting has found a true place in this JOAT's (Jack-Of-All-Trades) heart and I hope to keep with it and perhaps make money off of it someday.

Now, I just need to find me some good user pics....
About this Entry
napping yarn kitty
Leave a comment
Permanent Link