tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-194207232024-03-13T06:54:08.510-05:00StitchcounterMusings, knitting and otherwiseStitchcounterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10487010394803256658noreply@blogger.comBlogger141125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19420723.post-69640085499111859892015-02-09T22:05:00.002-05:002015-02-09T22:05:32.862-05:002015: the year of makingIts still January early in the year so I'm counting this as a new year outlook post. mmkay? (Apparently, I forgot to actually post this after I finished editing. Doh!)
I noticed a lot of resolutions to cut down on RTW acquisitions and to focus on making more "cake" and less "frosting". (total aside, but doesn't it just make you want to eat cake every time you see those references? no, just Stitchcounterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10487010394803256658noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19420723.post-15658823162633657922014-12-13T19:57:00.002-05:002014-12-13T19:57:40.054-05:00Marlborough Woman*Warning: this post will contain lots of discussion of b@@bs and my b@@bs in particular. You've been warned.
So, as a young girl, there were a couple of things I wanted to be: tall and voluptuous. Fail on the first count and sort of on the second. (To add insult to injury, my little sister is both.) I developed early so I thought perhaps there was hope. Yes, I had bought in to all those VSStitchcounterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10487010394803256658noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19420723.post-15757552679588307632014-12-11T23:42:00.002-05:002014-12-11T23:42:28.247-05:00Trying to find my sewing selfSo, The Sewing Party was awesome. I really appreciate that I can go back and watch the different presentations for a full 90 days after the fact. There is hope that I can actually get one of the projects done in that time. Some of the things that I found more interesting were things that I had not even thought about "attending" beforehand.
I had high hopes that I could finish at least one thing Stitchcounterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10487010394803256658noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19420723.post-53681606543986960592014-10-17T12:48:00.001-05:002014-10-17T12:48:42.253-05:00Old Skool BloggingBack in ye olden days, circa 2008, when I started blogging, blogs were more like personal journals that you shared with cyberspace. These days there seems to be more focus, both in terms of writing (clearly, most people are not posting their first drafts) and in terms of the content shared (yay for all those picture tutorials). Also, I don't remember more than a handful of bloggers making money Stitchcounterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10487010394803256658noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19420723.post-58648681709921989982014-10-11T09:00:00.000-05:002014-10-11T12:17:53.420-05:00A List and A PrayerI'm putting my plan out there to help me stay focused and actually finish some things. Knowing me, I'm giving myself lots of time to complete it.
So here is what I'm hoping to accomplish in the next year (in no particular order):
1. finish the 3 (oops make that 4) quilts I started and never finished
2. make the Marlborough bra
3. make the Lakeside Pajamas
4. make Vogue V1419, aka the Ralph Stitchcounterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10487010394803256658noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19420723.post-33502558714832798672014-09-26T11:52:00.001-05:002014-09-26T11:52:26.622-05:00Practice, practice, practiceWell, I finished another pillowcase for Pie. (Why yes, I was late to that as well.)
This was my first pillowcase:
Can you tell Pie picked the fabric? I tried to explain the concept of finding matching fabrics but all she cared about was that she liked them. Oh well. It actually doesn't look too bad after the fact.
Here's my seam:
Meh. Not great but I can live with it especially Stitchcounterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10487010394803256658noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19420723.post-306773360264492112014-09-03T16:22:00.000-05:002014-09-03T16:23:24.677-05:00Sewing PlungeWell, I did it!
I registered for The Sewing Party. I am committing to making at least one garment between now and then. Surely, even with my penchant for procrastinating and super full schedule, I should be able to manage one basic piece. Maybe a Sorbetto?
I want to take all the classes. I'll have to somehow convince my hubby to watch the kids so I can take the classes and try some of the Stitchcounterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10487010394803256658noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19420723.post-35665349579365013182014-08-31T15:29:00.002-05:002014-09-01T16:35:23.500-05:00My First Sewing ProjectOK, I'm late to the party--not the first time--the sewing revival party that is. As I mentioned, I have 2 adorable daughters. Pie is tall and very verbal so people often think she is about 5 or 6 rather than 3.5 years old. So far, clothes are not a problem but in the next year or so when she starts wearing true kids clothes (no toddler clothes), styles look decidedly older. While its not too Stitchcounterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10487010394803256658noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19420723.post-65601485766138210572014-08-23T21:17:00.000-05:002014-08-23T21:17:21.978-05:00Project MonogamyAfter my initial post back in May, I did finish a couple of projects:
The baby blanket, Seedling, I initially made for Bunny:
and I wove in the ends of a Wool Leaves blanket I started years ago:
I got them done in fairly short order and then started casting about for what else I could finish.
Going through my stash, I found quite a few knitting UFOs and really wanted to finish my Niome Stitchcounterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10487010394803256658noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19420723.post-35509110767199718142014-08-09T17:16:00.001-05:002014-08-09T17:16:49.848-05:00New DirectionsWell, I'd made this great decision to start blogging again and then proceeded to fall of the blogosphere again. This time, it is due to my limited tech options. See, these days I almost exclusively surf the net on my smartphone. I read my blog feeds on my phone, take pics and even check Ravelry forums online. However, responding to a forum post is different from trying to compose a blog post. So,Stitchcounterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10487010394803256658noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19420723.post-10208010341037504732014-06-15T20:55:00.000-05:002014-06-15T20:55:24.176-05:00Reviving the crafty lifeWell, I'm working on a modified monogamy plan with my projects to work through UFOs and unearth my yarn stash. I recently had success finishing the blanket I started for my baby. She's not quite 5 months old and can definitely still use it so I'm counting that as a win.
Additionally, I have recently been exposed to modern quilting and have unearthed my sewing machine. I know, apparently I've Stitchcounterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10487010394803256658noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19420723.post-76506684663763160102012-05-19T21:48:00.000-05:002012-05-19T21:49:06.155-05:00Back for NowWell, I decided to revive the good ol' blog here because I've been knitting again and need to share to those who will understand.
I joined the 12 Shawls in 2012 group over on Ravelry. I was totally psyched to find so many beautiful shawls using just one skein of sock yarn. A few years ago, I joined the sock yarn craze but realized that I didn't really enjoy knitting socks. (Love the sock yarn Stitchcounterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10487010394803256658noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19420723.post-60672359922564889342008-12-09T20:25:00.003-05:002008-12-09T20:34:05.635-05:00The blobI'm on a roll. I finished the first repeat of Chart C. Here's my current lace blob:The close-up:The only mod so far is that I went down one needle size so it won't be quite as airy as some of the others out there. I'm a little worried that it may not block out as big as I would like but it is lace and blocking does amazing things to a project.At this rate, I might actually be done by Christmas. Stitchcounterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10487010394803256658noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19420723.post-67102227264211602102008-12-07T21:27:00.003-05:002008-12-07T22:24:50.050-05:00Finally, photosFor my Tia, who is celebrating her 50th wedding anniversary in a few weeks:(for reference, the shawl is blocking on a queen-sized bed)(sorry for the white on white, hopefully you can still make out the shawl)Pattern: Blue Curacao by Doris Chan (Ravelry link, part of Amazing Crochet Lace)Yarn: Lily Chin's Greenwich yarn in white, 60% nylon, 22% acrylic, 28% mohair. This was the yarn in the patternStitchcounterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10487010394803256658noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19420723.post-81428723980075069462008-12-05T20:27:00.002-05:002008-12-05T20:51:42.186-05:00Apparently, its no big surpriseā¦Because I couldn't resist...Your rainbow is strongly shaded orange, red, and brown. What is says about you: You are a passionate person. You appreciate the roughness of nature. You feel closer to people when you understand their imperfections. Others are amazed at how you don't give up.Find the colors of your rainbow at spacefem.com.I saw this on Stitchcounterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10487010394803256658noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19420723.post-60167948739833201242008-10-27T20:01:00.003-05:002008-10-27T20:47:56.907-05:00Souvenir YarnI've been trying to cut back on my yarn purchases but the one thing I haven't given up is souvenir yarn. When we were in Jacksonville, I had to get some yarn. One of the yarns I purchased was this lovely yarn from J. Knits. Its superwash light sock in the color "Kansas".(the true color is somewhere in between)The vividness reminds me of Kill Bill, one of my FIL's favorite movies. When I mentionedStitchcounterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10487010394803256658noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19420723.post-37267836523268381252008-10-17T14:05:00.004-05:002008-10-17T14:39:17.389-05:00"Hot for the Harlot"That was what one of the signs read at the Yarn Harlot (aka Stephanie Pearl-McPhee) reading last night. I'd always said that if she ever came to FL, I would find a way to go to the reading. If you think her books and blog are funny, let me tell you she is even better in person. (Run, do not walk to the nearest reading, you will never regret it.) I laughed so hard that I cried. Amy (who kindly Stitchcounterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10487010394803256658noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19420723.post-35319790395610285492008-08-20T16:01:00.003-05:002008-08-20T16:23:06.141-05:00Eye of the StormYou ever wonder where you fellow bloggers live? Well, from now on when I tell people where I live, they'll actually know. Unfortunately, they'll know all about "Melbourne, FL" because tropical storm Fay has been sitting over us for the last 36 hours or so. Thankfully, we are safely nestled away in our home with our storm shutters down over the windows. We only lost power briefly this morning and Stitchcounterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10487010394803256658noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19420723.post-85160212322034117742008-07-03T09:24:00.002-05:002008-07-03T09:30:11.329-05:00I'm back!I know I have yarn and fiber to give away but I am sorry to say that I have not picked the winners yet. Sorry! My inlaws are coming tonight so I'm thinking Monday will have to be the big day so I can try to reach winners via email over the weekend. Alaska was beautiful and I highly recommend that if you ever have the chance, you should go. The marathon was tough and there were moments where I Stitchcounterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10487010394803256658noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19420723.post-60094576261684136352008-06-15T17:35:00.004-05:002008-06-15T19:01:04.167-05:00Last Raffle - Lots of PrizesJune 21st is my first marathon. As part of the fundraising effort to raise money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, I'm raffling off the rest of the prize yarn/fiber. Just a dollar gets you a chance at a prize and for every $5 you get 6 chances. Donate at http://www.active.com/donate/tntcfl/tntcflBGuzman. Technically, I get an email from the site but you can also send me an email at betzig ATStitchcounterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10487010394803256658noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19420723.post-78646700300570191882008-06-03T13:39:00.003-05:002008-06-03T13:57:26.639-05:00For the love of ravelryI know not everyone is on Ravelry or would care to be part of it, but it has saved my credit card from over use. Although I have bought yarn (for a good cause to be sure, but still) so my diet is a bust, I am trying very hard to stop myself from spontaneous/"must have now" purchases. I was cruising through some pattern pages and that, of course, leads to yarn pages and next thing I know I'm Stitchcounterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10487010394803256658noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19420723.post-40395263816790608182008-05-22T16:20:00.004-05:002008-05-23T18:04:31.834-05:00C is for crochetI gave in to the temptation and started a crocheted baby blanket. My college roommate just had a boy and another friend is supposed to have a boy next month. Since I don't have really boy-appropriate yarn in my stash (stop snickering, its true that despite all that yarn there wasn't anything just right for a baby blanket for a boy), I fell victim to the acrylic at one of the big box stores. Now, Stitchcounterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10487010394803256658noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19420723.post-64320349285432626642008-05-19T18:33:00.006-05:002008-05-19T19:03:39.542-05:00Bad BloggerUm, yeah, its been a few days since I posted and I owed you some photos. First, the nearly finished Baby Surprise Jacket:When I seamed up the first sleeve, I went too far over and the neck opening was too small so I had to pull out the seam. This time I'm going to use safety pins to help me figure out the right spacing. I need to find buttons--what side should the buttons be on for a girl? I Stitchcounterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10487010394803256658noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19420723.post-85432307617161559402008-05-13T16:29:00.003-05:002008-05-13T16:49:00.005-05:00Crochet is callingI'm almost finished with my Baby Surprise Jacket. Only one more ridge, the bindoff and I'm ready to put it all together. I love the colors and think it will make a great gift. Unfortunately, its intended recipient is already too big for it. (I guess I should have actually started this while the baby was still in the womb.) I didn't bother to swatch since I knew I wanted to make the pattern and I Stitchcounterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10487010394803256658noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19420723.post-90605923705332984432008-04-19T14:01:00.005-05:002008-04-21T08:46:23.202-05:00We have a winner!It took a while to get to the goal, but we finally have a winner for the Coral Shock sock yarn. Congratulations to Christine! (She also just signed up the Breast Cancer 3-Day walk so go on over there and show her some love.)This means that we'll be ready for the next yarn. In the opposing corner we haveDesert Songcoming in at 1250 yardsmade of 50% silk and 50% merinothe opponents don't stand a Stitchcounterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10487010394803256658noreply@blogger.com2