Cafe2Rose

Knitting in the Hottest Days of Summer

2006-07-31T11:00:00.000-07:00

I started planning this project after getting the beautiful yarn from my secret sock dyeing pal Emy from Singapore. Yarn was too soft to use for socks! Around the time I got the yarn, the new Knitty came out and there were fingerless gloves.. they looked lovely.. I went to the LYS to get yarn, yet they didn't have anything I liked... So I decided to use the hand dyed yarn. It was one of the coldest days when i planned to make the gloves.. Breezy and rainy the first or second week in July. When I finally got around to knitting the first glove.. it was the hottest day around here.. I had to knit in front of fans in order to not have sticky hands! 97 degrees around here, is about the hottest it gets.. no need for air conditioning the rest of the year.

This is the first glove... almost done.. I may start the second before doing anymore of this one. I love the pattern and yarn.. looking forward to cool days when I can wear these and enjoy knitting while watching the kids play at the park!

Dye-O-Rama Package Arrived!

2006-07-11T06:56:00.000-07:00

All the way from Singapore! I was so excited to get a notice, to pick up a package at the Post Office.. that was Saturday. I waited until Monday afternoon (the lines were long in the post office, figured it was better to go by myself than with the kids!) ... so many yummy things. I did start knitting socks.. I plan to start them overagain, so I can do it toe up, two at a time.. I want to make them as long as possible. I'm so excited.. I can't wait to knit while at the park or Science Center.. where ever we end up today. Hope everyone has a beautiful sunny summer day!

Flowers, Sushi & Kayaks

2006-06-28T23:56:00.000-07:00

We were on our way to I LOVE SUSHI at Lake Union in Seattle, when I saw this flower. I love flowers. They have very short lifespans. It reminds me of my grandmother. She's lived 96 years. It's an amazing number. Unfortunately the quality of life isn't that great. Especially these last few years, mainly sitting in someone's home and trying to read with half the time remember what is going on and the other half not. It makes me think a lot of how I would like to live and die.

Basically I would like to live an active life, and enjoy everything. Then go quickly and peacefully into death. I'd rather not spend years and years in a nursing home, or adult family home slowly losing the ability to take care of myself. I am not so concerned about losing my consciousness to what is happening around me. I believe it's simply something which helps detach from our bodies.

I wonder if having people around us who really want us to keep living, if this would cause us to live longer. It seems to me it would be the case. I've had three of my grandparents die so far. The first was very fast. It was my father's dad. He was married to the grandmother that is still alive. He went into the hospital for something, and ended up dying. It was very unexpected.

The mother's parents deaths were very different. They were Christian Scientist and didn't believe in medicines and surgery and all that. My grandmother was bedridden for a year and a half before she died. I remember a week before she died it was Christmas. She wanted me to write a poem down for her. She could no longer move or talk very well, or eat. Yet her mind was as clear as day. It was so sad to me that she had the wonderful mind yet couldn't do anything. It was also moving to know she had composed a simple poem in her head. She had me write it down to include with a gift of jewelry to her daughter, my mom. After my grandmother passed away, we found out it was luekemia. My grandfather remarried 6 months later. He lived another 6 years. I was a senior in college. Spring quarter, I ended up going back to visit my family to see my grandfather because he was doing so poorly we didn't know if he be alive by the time I was out of school. At the moment, when I went to visit him in the hospital it was very hard, he was curled up in bed and moaning. It was a hard one. I had always seen him as being a strong character, and very ... i can't think of the word... very dignified. He was about 6'6" .. that too may have something to do with it. Luckily the last time I visited in the summer, after graduation, he was wake and talking a bit the sun was shining, and birds outside his window. I don't remember his face so much then, or anything we said, simply grateful he wasn't in any pain anymore.

I'm thinking of all this because my grandmother is getting worse and worse. My dad has came out to visit with his sister and see his mom everyday for about five days. She is doing poorly. It's hard for us, and hopefully not so hard for her because of her memory. That is what I can hope. I just hope it happens more quickly for those around us to die. It seems a hard way to go, of not really being able to walk for so many years, at least 6 years with a walker. Then everything else that has happened in the last few years.. I hope there is a better way to go for us all.

On a lighter note, we had a chance to do a lot of things while my dad was here. Sailing a little boat on Lake Union. There is a boat rental right next to I LOVE SUSHI. I've always looked at it, thinking it would be fun, yet never trying before. My dad use to own a boat and live at Lake Union. It seems so fitting we got a chance to go! We arrived Monday around noon to rent a boat. They didn't have any then, because of a summer camp. We watched the kids for a while get in the boats and sail off, also the kayaks. We had lunch, and went to the Seattle Science Center for a bit, then back to the boat rentals. My oldest son had a great time! He had the biggest smile on his face. My youngest was disappointed we wouldn't be going out on kayaks until the next day. (Actually we weren't going to, yet he really, really wanted to..) We figure out a way to get to kayak with my dad and still have time to get to the airport for his flight. We just made it too! I personally love the kayaking more than the sailing, unless it's a big sailing boat where you can walk around, eat, sleep, etc. This one was very tiny, you know the kind you can use to get to shore when you have a big boat. Amazing that boats can be as much as a house! I don't like the tipping of the boat so much either.. Kayak it great. I like being closer to the water, and paddling was fun. My youngest had the best time! He didn't want to leave, and wanted to go again today or tomorrow. Um.. I am more uncertain about going by myself with two kids. Yet we'll see.. you never know.

I'll end with a picture my oldest took, of my youngest at Lake Union between the boat rental and I LOVE SUSHI. They both had cameras, and were taking pictures of each other. This just happened to be on my camera.

Spinning & Knitting

2006-06-16T21:43:00.000-07:00

I tried my hand at spinning tonight with a little help from my youngest son. He had fun spinning the spindle for me. Since it was my first time it helped. I wasn't able to keep the spindle spinning while creating the yarn. I am looking forward to reading books from the library about spinning. It looks like so much fun.. I may dye some of the fiber first and then dye it up. It looked so good when someone did that for the dye-o-rama. The ball is so small. I will definitely spin more soon!
I've finally started a sock with the sock yarn I dyed during the dye-o-rama time. It's being knit up on size 2 needles using the Interweaves pattern for Embossed Leaves Socks (Winter 2005). It's wonderful fun. I love the lace knitting. I only do a few rows at a time, since I need to concentrate so much on it (not something to do with the kids around). Yet when I do get around it's extremely relaxing.
Last week I sent out a scarf for a present. The picture is a closeup of the mistake rib. I love the effect. It will be fun to do again.

Fish & Yarn

2006-06-02T12:58:00.000-07:00

I love the colors of this little skein of yarn. Maybe it will be enough to make a wallet, a felted one.
My fish has a new home, we'll see he is healthier in a week or so.. He hasn't been coming up to the
top of his bowl for a while. It's a rainy day here, refreshing with sunshine too.

2006-06-01T08:13:00.000-07:00

My attempt at crochet is ok. I mean the stitches are even. Just can't seem to find the last stitch or two that I need to make at the end of the row. So the little coin purse, I was going to make for the niece, ended up being slanted, instead of rectangluar. Ah, well. I will try again. I did find it relaxing. I'd done some crochet when I was little. It takes more patience when doing because I am just learning, which is fine. when things are stressful, better for me to stick with knitting, because I don't have to think about it. I'll probably put it away for a few weeks, or at least the weekend, and come back later, when life is settled down, and I don't have to worry about entertaining etc. (not that I will put away my knitting. I will not put away that which makes me calm.)

Seems there is a brownie crumb next to the yarn, I let "steam" over night... That is funny! my tummy is full of brownies... though an omelet sounds more appealing... there is always a little while from now, after doing dishes, making beds, and general getting the house ready. A clean house, makes me feel like being more creative, yet actually cleaning the house, isn't really the first thing on my list. Maybe I can try a little moderation... a little of this, a little of that, a little more sleep would help it all out. (yet I figured I won't get a chance to really blog this evening, so nows the chance!) It makes me think of shopping for more Kool-Aid. Sure I have tons of orange, and cherry and other flavors, yet no BLUE... That is my favorite. I am thinking I will dye the silk/merino I have into a blue.. with different shades.. and maybe a little green or turquiose.. It will be perfect for a scarf... Yet for me or someone else, I simply don't know!

During Christmas, I was knitting so much, and so stressed trying to get all the presents done. I promised myself I wouldn't knit for presents unless it was fun. Christmas? I don't want to knit for, unless it's all done WAY ahead of time... maybe lot's of socks? Though I doubt my stash of things made will make it that long.

I was surprised the red bag, ended up with cables on it still! I can't decide if it will go to someone for their birthday or not. It still needs to be lined. It turned out nicely. I loved how it was before, and I will try to make one of those later, with thicker yarn, simply a denser weave of the yarn... I like this in it's own way. A friend who I consider a "real" artist, says nothing ever turns out exactly how one envisions. It's hard for me to accept that... I get a definite idea in my head, and then when I come to try to make it happen, whether by painting, or knitting, I sometimes get disappointed when it doesn't happen. Actually more with knitting now. I've accepted with painting that things happen, and mistakes aren't really mistakes,... I mean you can change the so called mistake into something different.

Ds youngest, was looking at a painting while eating lunch yesterday (in a restaurant). He said look at the painting. Isn't it pretty? Then a few moments later said, "They did their best."

Brownies & Dyeing Yarn, Yummy!

2006-05-31T21:19:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow evening, my in-laws are suppose to fly into town. Of course, I decided to postpone cleaning and arranging things for their visit, in favor of dyeing some yarn, and making brownies. It seems easier to get the kitchen clean, make some food and other things when I can do a little dyeing, or planning for a project. The kids are talking and playing with cards while I write, a bit distracting. ah, well that is just how life is, right? It was quiet while I was dyeing, DH taking an evening nap, and the kids were playing together.

Our deck was a bit rainy when I was dyeing the yarn outside. It's humid tonight, not the usually rainy that brings the the cool breeze. Maybe it's because our apartment gets sunshine, and the air doesn't flow through it well. It will be a hot summer. Maybe we'll go camping, or find some parks nearby to hang out, until it's cooler here.

Yummy brownies. and Yarn.. Maybe next time, I'll make some yarn that is different shades of the blues. I have noticed the yarn from Knitpicks absorbs the Kool-Aid and food coloring different from the super wash yarn I got from wool2dye4. I love how the super wash wool absorbs the colors, it's much brighter and it absorbs immediately!

I am very sleepy, even with the brownies... hence the picture of the tea that was overflowing, while I was trying to rinse out the yarn to put in the steamer. 'night.

Birthdays

2006-05-30T19:50:00.000-07:00

June brings lot's of birthdays & little time to make things for everyone. What to do? I am going through my stash trying to find things to use for presents. If that fails, then I will go shopping, though I'd rather make things. It seems there will be about 7 birthdays in the first 10 days of the month. It's simply not enough time for it all. The first birthday is a niece. I am trying to felt a red bag made of cascade. It's one I made way back in the winter. I am hoping she will like it. Here's a picture before felting. ( Yes, all the pretty cables will disappear. Next time I do a cable bag, it will be washable and it will be stitched together tights. I've tried using this bag, and after putting something in it, it stretches wayyyyy too much!)

Last week, I was knitting and knitting and knitting (to the annoyance of my youngest son, ah, well he'll get over it some how.) All the knitting has helped me relax, and watch the kids play, and just be! There is a small piece of the hand dyed yarn of which I made a Clapotis (from Knitty.com). I can't seem to take it off long enough to block. It was the perfect project to make when the skies have been gray and rainy here, when I have been wishing for some SUNSHINE.

Luckily we did get some today! Even made it out to a park by the lake, which felt wonderful! I know we still have many weeks of rain/sun/rain/sun before summer really sets it. It makes the sunshine all the more valuable!

I actually liked the knitted Clapotis more before all the dropped stitches. It was the way the colors blended together, I found so soothing. It's not that I don't like the Clapotis. I love it, simply want to make one, that is more of just one color next time, (and a bigger gauge... larger knitting needles.. and more yarn). Mine is about 4 repeats in the middle too short... I love it anyway.. even with all of that.

I am trying hard to make things from the stash I have, so the stash goes down. Then I will feel more comfortable with life, and more comfortable with getting more yarn to dye! I love dyeing yarn. It's so much fun to create my own colors. It reminds me a lot of the watercolor painting I did in college.

I am glad both my grandmothers were creative. I had the chance to make paper, paint on silk, crochet, knit, latch hook, and other things of that nature. I think I did more artsy things outside of school than it.

I remember taking art class in high school as a Freshman. I'd decided I didn't want to be in the band anymore (I had played the flute.) I didn't really get the class. I was so use to getting grades and worrying about creating things in order to do that. It was so relaxed in the art class. Just come and play around with whatever medium the teacher was showing us at that time.. and make whatever you wanted... I wish i'd relaxed more and really enjoyed the class. It seems easier to understand now, than then.

Sock-O-Rama Yarn

2006-05-20T09:37:00.000-07:00

One of these skeins is for my secret Sock-O-Rama buddy. It got mailed out. I am amazed how the colors turned out in the darker skein. I added some food coloring to darken the colors. It worked like a charm. I can't wait to dye more yarn! And yet I have missed knitting lot's of things (plus I have lot's of stash.) So I will knit and reduce the stash as quickly and joyfully as possible, so I can dye more yarn. Oh, and I am passing along the knitting bug to a friend. I think she'll like it as much as I do! She loves colors and textures and paints too!

Batch 2

2006-05-09T10:47:00.000-07:00

This batch was dyed over the weekend (on Sunday). I was still testing colors, to see which Kool-Aid color create the colors I'd like to use for the yarn dyeing swap. Once I created a ball out of one of the left over skeins, I was amazed how well the colors went together. Just prefect to make a purse for a friend's daughter's birthday. The colors aren't my colors, yet they look great together!
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Left over Dye

2006-05-09T10:41:00.000-07:00

The leftover dye from Batch 1 was used to make these two skeins. My favorite is the one with blues and green and orange. I'll most likely make bags from this worst weight yarn or gift some yarn to people for their birthdays. Dyeing is so much fun!

Batch 1 (Dyed Swatches)

2006-05-06T20:49:00.000-07:00

I decided in order to dye the sock yarn just right for my secret pal I would need to know what color combinations I could create using Kool-Aid. (I'd decided a while ago that I didn't want to use any of the acid dyes which require special gloves and a mask. #1. My kids are always home. #2. I like to do things that are really simple, also that my kids can participate in too.)

Process:

Soaked the mini skeins which were 3 feet each, in cold soapy water for about 30 minutes.

Prepared the kool-aid dyes, by putting in the two packets of kool-aid in each 9 oz. plastic cups (the kind you throw away after a birthday party and added about 7/8 cup of water that was almost boiling. I wrote on the cups the colors that were in them. Next time I will simply do that on paper and assign a number. This time I had to go back and write all the flavors down and label them with numbers.

Squeezed out the water and added to the prepared kool-aid dyes. (I forgot the rinse them first. oops!)

They sat there for about 45 minutes - 1 hour.

They got squeezed again to get the excess dye out. Then wrapped in saran wrap and labeled with a number (same as the one on the paper.)

The steamer was heated on the stove until water boiling, then turned off. The mini skeins were added and left for 1 hour- 1 1/2 hours.

They were taken out of the steamer. Then rinsed off with excess water squeezed out.

Lastly put on a paper towel next to the corresponding number given to them from the being.

Flavors of Colors

1. Grape & ice blue raspberry lemonade
2. artic green apple & ice blue raspberry lemonade
3. arctic green apple & lemonade
4. lemon-lime & mango
5. lemon-lime & lemonade
6. 2 packets of artic green
7. 2 packets of ice blue raspberry lemonade
8. 2 packets of grape
9. 2 packets of lemon-lime
10. 2 packets of mango
11. cherry & ice blue raspberry lemonade

This batch is mostly greens and dark colors. I was trying to find a black color. I got more of a dark brown or dark purple, yet not black. I will have to do about two more batches to get all the colors I would like to see. It will be a good reference point. I didn't add vinegar to the dyes ( I simply forgot.) I don't know if it would make a difference in the colors or not. I am excited to think of the combinations I will make tomorrow. Maybe pinks and reds, or oranges, more blues? purples??

I could see having a birthday party for someone where you make your own knitting needles and dye yarn and also teach everyone to knit. Yet since I have two sons, I doubt that will be a party I will be having for them. We do have a friend whose son decided to learn to knit. So you never know. Maybe one day it will happen.

dyed yarn

2006-05-03T23:58:00.000-07:00

Here is a picture of the start and finish of a dyeing process, with yarn over the weekend.
It's worst weight, Knitpicks yarn. I can't seem to get the picture i really want to post, which
have the colors better in them... They are in my photo album on the computer, yet can't reach
them when trying to upload.. I can't quite figure out the problem.. I'm hoping I will figure it out
in the next day or so.. because it's frustrating not to be able to post what I really want to post.

The colors are reds and pinks with a bright green and a bit of yellow and white in the mix. I was trying
to figure out how to dye the yarn with Kool-Aid without using a warp board, since I don't have the tools
to make one.. yet maybe there is a way to still make one without all the fancy tools.. (living in an apartment,
doesn't make me want to go out and get lot's of tools.. I need lot's of space for yarn and other art supplies..)

New way to use yarn

2006-04-11T08:04:00.000-07:00

I am learning to crochet too! It's the first time in so many years! Isn't it lovely? a simple bookmark made at the park.

Summer Tank

2006-04-10T11:45:00.000-07:00

The weather here is sunny one day, and cloudy the next, making me think of sunny and all it brings, the long sunny days in the park.

The pattern is from KnitSimple. I love that it's a four row repeat, and just enough of something different from stockinette or ribbing, to give me a challenge, yet not so much that I won't be able to finish it.

I love this yarn! It's from Elann, and it's so soft! Katia Demin.

A close up, just because.. I can't wait to finish this, and jump into summer, my favorite time of year!

2006-03-31T23:40:00.000-08:00

Everythings out of order, and upside down. Simply
need pictures here! so There is a scarf which I started. I didn't plan on it, simply enjoy having something that doesn't require shaping. And after I've been having problems with my projects, it just makes life easier. The sweater is a present, yet the arms aren't long enough.. they seem more like arms for a sweater that would fit me, instead of a guy. They will be undone, and a few inches added. This involves measuring the person who gets it for a gift, and me getting more yarn, since I barely have enough to do that collar. Yet i can do that while I wait for the yarn, and the information about sizing to come.

Then there is the picture of the blue/black/green jacket I'm working on. It has the opposite problem. It's a bit longer than it needs to be, and I shall fix that too!

Favorite project of the day? The scarf that doesn't need fixing. I am using up the yarn I dyed, along with a grey ball of alpaca from Elann.com and some cascade quattro, a bluish/purple color I simply love. I can't decide if it will be really long for an adult. Just see how long I feel like knitting it!

2006-03-29T22:52:00.000-08:00

I recycled this yarn, from my second attempt at a sweater. so far i've made two scarves, one given to my grandmother, another to my husband's mom, and this hat. My aunt as the lucky one who got this, for her adventures in nature, when it's so rainy around here! (the pattern is from winter KNIT IT!)

She also got a scarve. This is just a close up of the colors/texture.

Here is the finished bag knit with the handdyed yarn. i love it! it was so much fun!

Here is a close up of the purse.

I've started the jacket/sweater pictured below, with the yarn from Elann. I love the lightness of the yarn. I'm still not certain about the color. I'm afraid it might be a bit too dark for me. Just have to wait and see how it knits up. it might be that i am just ready for spring and those colors.
I started working out this pattern, even though I haven't finished my dad's sweater. I've been motivating myself, by knitting a little of this pattern, and my dad's sweater in the same day. Guess the sea of endless blue is getting to me.. just too much of one color, and also the end is near, and i am a bit worried it won't come out right. I know it will, it's just having motivation to get it done. Maybe i'll end up with two things done at the same time, a jacket for me and a sweater for my dad!

A swatch of stretchy cotton yarn, that is really for socks. I'm considering making a teddy bear sweater out of the yarn. I simply am not sure about three colors together. I may settle on the purplish color and the dusty rose color together for a sweater.

2006-02-24T20:16:00.000-08:00

It seems I will have to frog the projects I started with the fluffy pink yarn! I wonder if it's not working, because I haven't finished the sweater that was going to be for my dad's christmas present. Now it's going to be for his birthday, months and months away.. Yet i am getting close, Just the shaping of armholes, and front, then the sleeves. Really half way, right? Yet I stopped and tried making a sweater for myself (didn't like how it turned out), and now I have all this fluffy pink yarn, no pattern that is working. Um, maybe it's time to get Daddy's sweater done. It might all work out, if i do that, right??

2006-02-23T16:47:00.000-08:00

I decided to frog a project this morning. It's from this book, THE YARN GIRLS GUIDE TO KNITS. I had tried once before to knit this sweater, yet the yarn wasn't right...

It could have turned out ok this time, um.. i just didn't want to wear a really BIG PINK sweater that was fuzzy! the gauge was all off! After knitting up one ball, i've decided I'll make a hat, and a scarf, a vest and maybe some fingerless gloves I've been meaning to try knitting, yet haven't. See the wire in the background (of the top picutre), it's for our TV. I don't mind not having cable, I'd rather watch movies any day, though I do miss seeing the Olympics without the fuzz. (I think I like fuzzy yarn better than fuzzy TV! Of course yarn and great books are even better!)

As I was taking the pictures, our fish decided he would check out what was happening with all the knitting on his table. (I think he was quite happy to have something to stare at, besides a blank white wall! um maybe one day we'll live somewhere with lot's of colored walls. That would be cool!)

Though I have lot's of projects, and to be projects, I ordered more yarn this week. I just couldn't resist.

I got 15 balls of the above yarn(Schoeller Stahl Excellent), for a jacket or sweater. I love the colors. Like the colors of the ocean!

I got 3 balls of this yarn (R2 Fuzzi Felt from Rowan Yarns). Just enough for a cabled hat, nice and fuzzy (a birthday present).
I love knitting hats and bags, they are so easy and quick. And easy to take anywhere!

I just got one ball of this alpaca yarn (Peruvian Collection Pure Alpaca). I was curious how soft it would be, and how it'll knit up. It's yummy!

I ordered all the yarn from Elann.com I love their website and service. And yarn of course! It's always so fast! I ordered on Tuesday, and it came today, Thursday!

2006-02-22T23:57:00.000-08:00

Here's the Kool-Aid Yarn I dyed on Friday. Saturday, I started making this bag, with the cute flowers on it. The pattern is from VOGUE KNITTING BAGS AND BACKPACKS. I love making bags, it's so nice to not worry about shaping etc.. and as a friend from college remembers, I always had lot's of bags hanging around! Plus I love the flowers for this bag!

I love how the yarn is turning out to be striped! When I dyed it, I wasn't sure how it would work out! I can't wait to get rid of some of my stash, I mean knit it, so that I can make room for lot's more dyeing.

In the meantime, I will try to get lot's of reading done (and blogging) which knitting, (*though the blogging and surfing the web is hard when knittng, too bad we don't have more hands!)

I did end up finishing this wonderful book. Each chapter starts out with a quote from various books. It's a wonderful, horrible story all at once, that is well written. This is the third story I read by the same author. The other two books were LORD THIEF and DRAGON RIDER. I wonder what to read next?

2006-02-20T23:03:00.000-08:00

Friday the kids and I went to the store to stock up on lunch items, and a little color for my yarn.

I just couldn't wait for the book about dyeing yarns to come in the mail.

I soaked the two skeins of yarn in warm water for 20 minutes.

And squeezed as much of the water as possible out of the skeins.

I was careful not to tangle the skeins of yarn.

I mixed three of the packages of Kool-Aid with water and vinegar.

And quickly realized I'd forgotten the main color of each package DID NOT represent the color inside! ugh!!!

I didn't really plan on TWO REDS.

Ah, well.

Just as a friend said, when making something, it never turns out exactly as planned!

One of the skeins, I decided to use a dipping method in applying the color.

The dye was RED, the yarn turned bright PINK instead of RED.

I am kind of glad, I'd rather not have CHRISTMASY yarn in February!

This skein, bright pink and lime green, I decided to wrap in plastic wrap and steam for about 30 minutes, and left in the pot for another 15 minutes until i got it out.

I rinsed it out, though no dye came out of the yarn then, and hung in up to dry in the shower and later off the medicine cabinet.

The second skein, I put into a big pot which already had the water, vinegar and Kool-Aid mix (just one color, light pink).

The second color, pale yellow, was sprinkled on the top of it.

Then cooked it for about 45 minutes. (I didn't this while the bright pink/green skein was soaking in the bowls of dye.)

The second skein, didn't have dye come out of it either when I rinsed it.

I love the colors of the yarn, simply wish it was softer.

I keep thinking it's cotton because the colors are so bright!