a q u a k n i t s

Moving!

2005-11-21T09:16:00.000-05:00

aquaknits has moved to a new-and-improved home!

http://aquaknits.factotum23.com

Better archiving and categories with a new design. Check out my completed Jude sweater there.

a little progress goes a long way

2005-11-16T10:14:00.000-05:00

The back and one sleeve of Jude completed. This sweater knits up extremely quick, although I did have to frog the back once since following the pattern made it way too short. So, added some body length, some length to the sleeve (shouldn't ALL sleeves almost cover your knuckles?) So far going good.

Closeup of the stockinette. Here you can see the color more accurately. Surprisingly this yarn isn't a bit scratchy. It's actually pretty soft and bouncy. I think I'm starting to love Rowan products...

postal service has been good to me...

2005-11-03T06:48:00.000-05:00

...two short days of waiting, and it has arrived! 13 balls of Rowan's Biggy Print, color GLUM, which by the way is fantastic. It's listed as a purple/pale pink/gray colorway, but honestly looks more like a sort of brownish, creme and gray (and I'm so glad). With such large needles, my Jude sweater should be done in no time. This will be my first official sweater, having gotten off beginner scarves just in time for spring this past year. WIP pics coming soon. Here's to new projects! :D

finish what you started why don't you...

2005-10-27T09:17:00.000-04:00

actually this has nothing to do with knitting (though if it did, I'd be the biggest offender of all), but being a person addicted to tv shows on dvd, I figured I'd rant a bit about something that really bugs me. Doesn't it seem that every decent show on American tv gets cancelled? Well ok not EVERY one. But everything really great somehow always seems to be unappreciated. A recent example: Dead Like Me--no ending no closure, no nothing. If they end up pulling this with a show like Lost in a couple of years, there's gonna be riots. With everything being released onto DVD for future viewers, you'd think they'd at least let these shows make an extra episode to end main storylines or something. Even when you know there's no ending, it's really irritating to go through a whole series and get no satisfaction. I knew I shouldn't have watched Millennium and Soap back to back.....I hate tv sometimes.

FO: Wristwarmers Done

2005-10-18T01:54:00.000-04:00

Well, finally finished something. Here are my voodoo, in all their splendor. I had an easier, faster time with the second one, and by some miracle, the stripes match up almost perfectly (cut off about 5 yards or so, and hoped). It's a pretty fun and quick project, and I love the Noro colors. If I make another pair, I think I'd definitely use Silk Garden though, the Kureyon is awfully itchy. Maybe a wash will help them along.

Pattern: Voodoo Wristwarmers - knitty.com
Yarn: Noro Kureyon - #146 colorway
Needles: US #5 dpns
Size: small

WIP: voodoo lovin'....

2005-10-14T19:10:00.000-04:00

Just completed my first Voodoo Wristwarmer. Had some difficulty with the buttonhole for the thumb, otherwise smooth sailing. These lovelies should keep my wrists warm and toasty for the coming months. Now, to try and match up the stripes for the second one....

Pattern: Voodoo Wristwarmers - knitty.com
Yarn: Noro Kureyon - #146 colorway
Needles: US #5 dpns
Size: small

for the love of a sweater...

2005-10-03T11:45:00.000-04:00

...ever see something and just immediately know you have to have it? Meet my new obsession, the Jude sweater from Rowan's Bigger Picture.

Unique style, unique color, it's damn near perfect for me. Now, I understand that this is not rational. I cannot afford this sweater. But of course I already bought the gigantic size 35 needles. It's awfully bulky, and I'm not sure how wearable it would actually be. Yet I've sat around caculating costs and window shopping internet sites for weeks. And I have this funny feeling I am going to need a sweater just like this for those oh-so-cold winter months approaching. I am SO making this sweater. Soon. See how easy that was to rationalize?

marking your territory

2005-09-24T01:07:00.000-04:00

Here are some pics of my very first stitch markers, made from glass beads. The first set in cream and reds, the other in nice purple tones....of course dangling them from a needle is sure to entice a certain 9 month old kitty to come flying into the room thinking it's playtime. Meet Chiyo, obviously the real star of the show.Must remember to keep these well hidden.

winter on the horizon

2005-09-12T19:18:00.000-04:00

The winter wool rush has already began, with 2 hanks of the new Araucania Magallanes. It's thick/thin and has some gorgeous colorways (this is #300). A bit on the scratchy side (winding the ball by hand didn't help) but hopefully will soften up after washing.

rollin' with the homies....

2005-09-08T03:59:00.000-04:00

...been on a needle case kick lately (can you ever have too many?)I tried following some different patterns out there, but ended up improvising my own method. I think these came out pretty well, I'll probably make some more soon.

not a shawl girl but....

2005-08-15T07:34:00.000-04:00

The new issue of Vogue Knitting is out, so I picked it up. Even though it's mostly not my style, as usual there was 1 or 2 projects I can see my self coming around to. Surprisingly there was even a shawl (cue shock and awe) to add to my future projects list (growing by the hour it seems).

ginger tank

2005-08-04T17:23:00.000-04:00

Here's a pic of WIP Ginger. Just beginning the decreases for waist shaping. I really like the way this pattern is turning out. It was very confusing at first, but after a few rows, like anything else, it just became second nature. Hopefully when I get to pick it up again, I won't have to re-learn it (thank god for row counters).

stash!

2005-08-04T04:25:00.000-04:00

A sampling of the current yarn stash...WARNING: this addiction grows out of control very quickly.

In this pile:
5 balls Crystal Palace Deco Ribbon - Orange Crush
4 balls Crystal Palace Kid Merino - Fog Green
6 balls SWTC Beyond - Chocolate & Sage
4 balls AC Moore's Luxury Cashmere - various blues
4 skeins Lion Brand Microspun - Silver Gray
various colors of Patons Classic Merino Wool
1 skein Patons Divine - Soft Earth
2 balls Lion Brand Landscapes - Autumn Trails
2 skeins Lion Brand Magic Stripes - Denim Stripe
1 ball Gedifra Chapello novelty yarn - Khaki

the great kool aid experiment

2005-07-27T12:34:00.000-04:00

My first two skeins of wool dyed with kool aid. I'm pretty happy with the results, definitely a fun and easy project. Click the picture for more details.

gallery up

2005-07-25T13:09:00.000-04:00

New FO gallery is now up and running, as well as WIPs (see sidebar). Won't be any progress on my current projects for a while though, as I'm suffering with my first knitting injury. Perfect timing too, right after I went and bought a bunch of great yarns. :(

welcome...

2005-07-23T12:13:00.000-04:00

...to aquaknits, my new blog of knitting and other random interests. FOs and WIPs galleries coming soon, so check back.

Inspiration for my design came partly from two of my favorite J-idols, Erika Sawajiri and Aki Hoshino.

NOTE:Great knitwear can always be found in J-pop culture. :)