Bernie's Knit Blog

This is a poncho that I HAD to make whilst I was STILL making the humongous shawl that I will probably never finish. I got this pattern from the book Viva Poncho that was written by the person that owns Articlepract in Oakland. Great unique poncho patterns! poncho viva

Ha Ha Ha Ha. Haaaaaaaa. I will never finish this gosh darn shawl at this rate. I think 68 rows is alot of rows, but do you think this shawl is anywhere CLOSE to being done. It could be a shawl for the back of my hand right now. This is 68 freaking rows.  

The worst day knitting is better than the best day working. Even when I am making a shawl from Joslyn's Fiber Farm Shawl Club . This is the March 2005 selection and I am just starting it. I restarted this about 10 times! I got smart and put in a safety line so that I don't have to rip all the way back when I make a mistake. At this rate I will finish by my 50th birthday. Stay tuned... 22 rows 

Another FO. This is Cleo from Knitty. I used Schaefer Laurel (I think this is my fav yarn right now). The color is great. Too bad the model is not. I still need to put in the elastic so it will fit better at the high waist. I really like this pattern. I think I will defo make it again but with a little more coverage over my sagging you-know-whats :) This is Cleo 

This is a really simple shrug that both Lani and I made out of Waikiki. Another project that I did while I was trying to figure out what to do next. I don't have any big projects planned right now, but I have some gorgeous yarn coming in the mail - {must get to mailbox before husband}. This shrug feels so light and airy. The pics do not do it justice. It is hella cute. Fabulous Shrug 2  Here is a close up of the waikiki knitted in garter stitch on 10.5's. It's hard to see here, but I love the little nubbies in it and the colors are all the rage, don't ya know. waikiki up close  Fabulous Shrug 

I regret to inform myself that I need to stop knitting so much - NEVER !!! I am getting severe shoulder and neck pain and I think it's from knitting. Ohhhh, the horror of it all. Doc appointment tomorrow to get this all straightened out - uh huh. This is a pic of a crazy poncho that I crocheted up while trying to decide what to make next. No, no, no I can't rest. I have to knit even when I don't know what to make next. The crazy ribbon is some crap that I cannot even pronounce - Gerifil Filati Fantasia. It is wild! But should be cute with jeans and a tank. What isn't cute with jeans and a tank?? Crazy Poncho 

I have not posted in over a week as I was in a class all last week and did not have full access to the internet and all. I was in a Linux Troubleshooting class. Does anyone know what that is ??? Does anyone give a flying freak of the week ?? Anyways, I finished this sweater from Knit 1 mag. It was made of Schaefer Laurel yarn that I got from Adela's in Castro Valley. I LOVE that yarn. It has great consistency and comes in beatiful colors. Susan in Knit One sweater  And my beautiful SIL to be is wearing it and and *HAD* to have it so it was given to her. She looked great in it and I was happy that someone liked one of my creations. It's the same feeling as when a good cook gets compliments on a meal. Uh huh, same thang! I REALLY want to make another few of these, but I have soooo many other things that I also want to make. What's a knitter to do ....??? I crocheted this little flower to put on the lapel of the sweater or in the hair or wherever... It'nt it cu...

This is a pic of a crocheted shrug that I made last week. I really like it. I know I need a new model, but it does the job for me in that it hides the MANY flaws that afflict my body. No, I am not really fat, but the wicked witch of the south keeps tugging on me to join her ranks. I have to beat her down ! front of shrug  In this pic I actually pulled my pants down below my ass so that I would not have lumps and bumps. HA HA Oh me ... back of shrug  Tonight I am also working on a tie front shrug (#3) from Knit 1 magazine. Looks really easy. I have some pretty Schaefer cotton yarn. I LOVE that yarn!! I am neglecting finishing the last panel of the HPL shrug. I am also neglecting a tank top (knit) and a belt (crochet). They will magically appear one day is what I'm thinking ...

This weekend I got a chance to work on the hairpin lace shrug from the Berocco catalog. It is really beautiful (in the catalog) - don't know what mine will turn out to be... Each panel has 186 loops per side and three loops hooked to each panel. It is wonderful watching this THING come together. I love the HPL look. Here are the first five panels crocheted together. I think it might turn out to be quiet beautimous after all. I have only one more panel to go before I can finish it up and be done. What the hell am I waiting for ?? Five panels on my first hairpin lace shrug  Here is the finished product. I have actually worn it and washed it and THEN took this picture. It washed well. I don't normally like to wash my projects - I know dumb, but I get scared! But I partied like it was 1999 in this shrug last Friday and it it got a little dirty - from what, I don't freaking know. But it shrunk a little and I actually like the fit better now. I love this pattern. It ...

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 ??