Bernie's Knit Blog

I finished what I thought was going to be a monstrosity. It was way too big on the bottom so I cinched it in the back. I knit a swatch, but it still came out wrong. I'm saying that the yarn content is the culprit. Anyway, it might not look that great, but it feels really nice on. uh, wrong bra and what is with the bulges ?? yikes !!  the back of the monstrosity 

Over the weekend I was working and working and working on the blue blog tank that has turned into my own monstrous creation. chili red monstrosity  It is getting close to sleeve time. I worked on the tank and Matt worked on Phil's sailboat (pics to come). I am also working on a shrug made of black Crystal Palace Waikiki. I don't know why I love that yarn, but have not made a darn good thing out of it yet. Alsoo, just got something very scary in the mail. The yarn and pattern from Joslyn's Fiber Farm shawl club. This is the THINNEST yarn yet for me to knit with. Just went and got a size 3 32" addi turbo from Knitting Arts. Don't know when I'll get to start that. Hank from Joslyn's Fiber Farm shawl club - scary !!  This was my first visit to Knitting Arts. The lady in the store was very helpful and that store has beautiful yarn. I am so glad this kind of world exists .... Alsooo, am working on a hairpin lace shrug (I love shrugs, but do they love my body?? I...

I helped Lani complete a shrug made out of some yummy yarn that we got from K2 Knits in Tracy, CA. She was soooo happy that it is done. She loves it and it is very beautiful. I started a tank top (for the umpteenth time) made of the red chili pepper yarn that I got really cheap from Frankfortave. Knitting on a size 10 circ. Loving doing it, but we'll see how it turns out...

Finished the cardigan yesterday. It is a little small. but I learned so much knitting this sweater. I made it 3/4 length sleeves instead of full length - on purpose :) I am not afraid of most any pattern anymore after doing this. Having to set in sleeves, doing the mattress stitch, lots of increasing/decreasing and counting. I just don't like the looooong patterns (you know, knit2 purl 2 ribbing for 90 rows!!! that is crazy-ola!!) . This one was quite lengthy. But worth it. It is satisfying and it is not too small to wear, just coulda made more room for myself - HA! Will have to make is look fashionable -- somehow -- help from Kathy? Hip To Knit Cardigan in Deco Ribbon Started a tank top - the Spring Fling Tank at Blue Blog patterns. I am using some worsted weight yarn from Frankfortave (colorado river). It was very inexpensive. I bought 6 skeins. I have to make pattern adjustments as this tank is 34" around. I am more like 38, unfortunately. Broad shoulder, ya know :) Instead...

Spent time on Matt's Dad's sailboat on Saturday evening and Sunday. Matt worked the deck and I knitted - yippee !! lots o knitting time. I am almost finished with my cardigan - thank goodness. picks to follow...

I love knitting. I started working on a tank, my own design. I am using the expensive yarn that I got from Adela's in Castro Valley that I have frogged at least twice from other projects. Don't know how many more froggings it will take. Anyway, I like the way it feels...

I spent all day Apr 3, my birthday, knitting. Still working on the Hip To Knit cardigan. Have FO'd the left front and the back. It is looking pretty cute. I think I messed up a decrease stitch, tho but might be able to hide it later. Also, started the Martha poncho, but I dont think I like the chenille I am using so might start over with something else.

Don't know why I have been afraid to start this cardigan. Maybe because it will be one of my longer term projects. So, I just picked up the needles and started casting on. Did that hurt me?? not a bit. Liked it even. I am using Deco Ribbon in a red/brown/orangy shade. Kinda fall-ish, but it might not be done til then :) The ribbon knits up pretty stretchy. I have the gauge ok . I just hope it fits me ok. Am working the back first. I might have to follow different measurements for the sleeves. I received the rest of the yarn needed to make the fringe on the Floral Mini Poncho and some of the same yarn in it's virgin state (whitish) that I might use to crochet one of the loop-d-loop ponchos. Loop-d-loop poncho. A Teva Durham creation 

On Saturday, I got a new recruit, Lani. I am SUPER-EXCITED about teaching her to knit. She is very excited to to knit the shawl pattern that I got from K2 Yarn Salon in Tracy, CA made of Berrocco Suede. She chose a tan color. Mine is lavender. Lavender Berocco Suede shawl  Tan Berocco Suede shawl  Did not get to knit much on Sunday. A day without knitting is like a day without sunshine...

I finished the shrug last night and got a lot of compliments on it at Kathy's PR function at Baird's Landing. That was a fun event. Ignore the ugly mug. That chest in the background is full of yarn !! hee hee .... Kinda cute shrug Also, finished the Floral Mini Poncho. It needs blocking and fringe. Waiting for more yarn... Floral Mini Poncho (sans fringe) Am going to start on the Irish Hiking Scarf. Very excited about that. Lots o cabling ... The Irish hiking scarf... will I ever finish ?? 

I stopped crocheting the StitchDiva Floral Mini Poncho with the 100% rayon *expensive* yarn - so mad at myself! It just was not working out. I restarted the poncho with some heavy worsted weight yarn that I got from ebay. THAT yarn is great. and it is making up the poncho just beautfiully. A little bright, but the pattern stitches are showing up nicely. I love crocheting this poncho. Lots of ttc's and the petals are looking good to me !!! I will post pics later. I would like to crochet this up in a tan - like the picture Need to find some nice heavy wool or cotton to do that. Need to find a good knitting project... There is a sweater in Hip To Knit. That i think I might start on... we'll see.

So, here is the picture of the shrug I've been working on. Finished it last night. Also took pics of all of the projects that I have not given away :) for prosterity. Will try to finish up the Stitch Diva Floral Mini Poncho today. I have frogged this once because I thought I was making it incorrectly. It is turning out smaller than I thought - even after restarting. I think that I will try this with a less slippery yarn next time. I paid alot for this yarn, damnit! and it's beautiful (Great Adirondack Yarn Co.), but it twists and is very slippery. A cotton I think would be better for this pattern.

Last night I worked on my shrug. I am about 4 balls into it. It's a bulky weight yarn (name?), but I am only about 4 inches from completion. I just found this fabulous poncho on michaels.com. The lacy rose poncho, but the reviews of if say that there are alot of mistakes. Dare I attempt?? I have too many things I want to make and not enuf time. I want to finish both my shrug and the StitchDiva poncho by Saturday. The StitchDiva poncho, I think might turn out a little small, though. arghh!!!! Needs pattern size adjustments.... oh me..... Might see if she'll send them to me. I have to return the Stich N Bitch book to the library today. Not sure if I want to buy it yet... Have the Urban Knitter waiting for me there. Anxious to check it out ...

Today is the first day of my blog. I quit smoking on Oct. 11, 2004. I am 162 days quit and I started knitting to serve the needs of my busy hands. I actually knit and crochet, but only since 10/11/2004. I have done tons of scarfs and ponchos and hate myself for not taking pics of all of them for the blog. And I have given alot away so I may never get pics of those. I will start though. I am currently working on a shrug (knit) and a poncho (crochet) from a pattern that I purchased from Stich Diva.

Berrocco Tank This poncho is much more beautiful in person. Made of Colinette Peaches and Cream mohair and Zanziba. This poncho cost too much money to make really :) Put I liked knitting it and it is pretty in person Close up of Colinette Mohair and Zanziba (Peaches and cream)