I HIDE YARN

Awww - ain't she sweet...

Okay, I couldn't wait any longer. Look what I did yesterday. I just had to try my hand at Penny in the Fall issue of Knitty.

I knitted this on size 5 and 6 needles using some peachy pink Red Heart worsted I had on hand. I modified the pattern slightly by leaving the turtleneck open to create a collar (this is only a 4 lb. dog). I also crocheted it together and put a crochet edging on the armholes.

Just wait until you see the next one...I have got some wild ideas...

Poncho Knit-a-long

I am gonna join in on the Poncho Knitalong. You can find out more information here. You can use any poncho pattern. I am using the Berroco pattern from their Brochure #193. I spied this on greta's site and quickly stole her great idea and ordered the pattern.

I knew Hobby Lobby would have a sale on the Lion Brand yarn I wanted to use if I just waited a couple of weeks. After all, they had just had a "blowout" sale on Red Heart yarn. Sure enough, this week all the Lion Brand yarn was on sale.

I took kiddo with me to pick out the yarn since the poncho will be for her...I think she did a pretty good job of choosing...

Buyer Beware

I admit I am new to Ebay. I have bought some BEAUTIFUL yarn and dealt with some wonderful sellers. Unfortunately, I also dealt with a less than stellar seller.

I bid on and won a cone of "snow white" slub yarn that was auctioned with pictures stating it was a rayon, cotton blend. It appeared to have a sheen and looked quite nice. Seller's auction said they would send an invoice, which they did not. I contacted them to find out the total due including freight. They did not respond. I wanted to pay quickly, so I figured the price of yarn, insurance and shipping from information on auction. After I paid I received a response with the total amount due and it was less than I paid. She did refund this overpayment when requested.

I asked when I could expect to receive the yarn. No response. I received all other auctions I had purchased around that date within a few days. I emailed her again and was told this time they did not have it as their supplier had been out sick.

HUH?

Since when can you list items for a definite auction ending a definite date/time that you don't even have possession of?

She said she expected to have it within the week. I received it about 11 days after the auction ended and it was VERY substandard yarn! Instead of a "SNOW WHITE" rayon blend as advertised, it was a dirty offwhite cotton yarn. I have no idea what I would use this for, it is not attractive at all.

I emailed my disappointment in the yarn. No response. I received some "automatic" email response from her that the item had shipped and I should received it shortly. I replied again to this email stating the yarn was not satisfactory and could I return it for refund. No response. Eventually she did respond to say, "return it if you want with a note pls."

No mention of a refund or an offer to reimburse shipping costs. The yarn was only $15.45, but the shipping was $7.85 because of the weight of the cone. (I won't do that again.) I didn't see the point of pouring more good money after bad to return this yarn at my expense. Yes, I might receive $15.45 in refund on the yarn, but I would be out $15.70 in total shipping (to me and back to them).

I would have been willing to just chalk this up to experience, but she had the nerve to put a complaint on MY feedback calling me a WORST BIDDER! I have paid for all of my auctions within minutes of their closure. A "worst bidder" would be a non-paying bidder. Because I complained about the quality of yarn I am a "worst bidder"?

I paid in full quickly...she has my money...I received shoddy yarn. Who got the best end of this deal?

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I would sincerely advise you to avoid the Ebay seller KNITITEMS.

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I cannot say enough good things about the other sellers I have dealt with on Ebay and if I am going to mention a poor one, the least I can do is mention the good ones.

These have given quick, personable responses to email or questions and immediate shipment. All goods received have met or exceeded expectations.

ritzyknits
elvasfinds
consolidating
liselotte
twoply18
bonnieskozyknit
sunflowers65 (I have not received her items yet as auction just closed a day or so ago, but already received more than one prompt, personal email acknowledging purchase and advising shipment.)

Swatching Blues

Sunday was not a happy knitting day. I swatched and swatched and nothing worked out in a satisfactory way for the intended projects. Wah!

I have some beautiful Luxor d.k. and wanted to make some Chickamis. My knitting never looks tight to me, but I generally have to go up a size in needle to match gauge. So..up from size 6 to 7...still too many stitches...up to size 8...STILL too many, but now the fabric created is too loose in my opinion. What the hey?

I had some Peaches and Cream here and I swatched it just to see. It was perfect. That yarn is too scratchy to make a garmet worn next to the body, so I guess I am gonna be checking into some worsted weight cotton blend yarn. I think Cotton Ease is worsted weight. I was so disappointed that I couldn't match gauge with the Luxor or Reynolds cotton I bought. I even switched needle types along with sizes.

I don't enjoy swatching anyway so when all of my efforts resulted in missed gauge, I was not a happy camper.

Perhaps I should just work on the Collared Shawl and give everything else a rest for now...

Announcing the Arrival of...

Booga Bag #1!

It may be a little wider and a little shorter than the norm. My knitting sometimes gets looser as I knit. I will make some corrections for my next bag. I LOVE IT! It was the most fun thing I have made in a long time. I am a new fan of felting.

Thanks Julie for this terrific pattern!

Sock Success!

Well, I did it! I managed to complete one sock. It is a little big, but it will be fine for running around the house in the winter.

Since I am new to sock making and have not done much grafting (never in a toe), I decided to use Lucy Neatby's toe chimney trick...worked like a charm. If you grit your teeth when it comes time to graft the toe, you might want to give this a try.

(click to enlarge)
I have to say the "sock knitting thrill" began to finally set in when I was shaping the heel and going for the toe. I was beginning to wonder what you were all talking about, ha! Now will I finish the pair? Or start another pair on smaller needles with a better fit...

Sock Progress

Well, I kept at it and I discovered there was a mistake in the pattern! If you are knitting from the Socks Soar on Two Circulars book, third printing...Simple Sock...be careful on the women's medium. You cannot divide the ribbed instep stitches evenly - beginning with p2 and ending with p2. There are 30 stitches on the instep, dividing by 2 = 15. You will begin with p2 and end with k1. Start on next needle with k1 and end with p2.

I am finally getting the hang of it. I made the leg portion a little longer (my preference). I may have to do a few extra decreases as it is a little big on the foot. This one was mainly a trial to see if I could knit a sock. So far...so good. We still have to get past that toe grafting part, huh...

Is it cheating to put a fan on a Booga bag to make it dry faster? I drool every time I go past it...

Stumped by a sock...

The Booga J bag is blocking! I finished it day before yesterday, but didn't have a chance to wash and block until last night. I know I am going to love it. I am already wanting to start another one.

I have continued working on the Collared Shawl some and decided to pick up my socks and have a go. I got the heel turn done and got confused picking up the gusset stitches and figuring out where to go. I think it was just because it was very late last night and I was super tired when trying to do this. Hopefully the pattern will click in my brain today.

If not, I will be back with begging pleas for help...

End of the Wave...Start of the Red Collared Shawl

The Wave & Shell Shawl is finished...now to get this baby blocked. I have been considering my options for blocking:

1. My daughter's bed (she likes to sleep on the couch anyway)

2. The dining room table with extra leaves (might fit)

3. The floor (the problem with this one is - once on the floor - I would need EMT assistance to regain mobility due to my M.S. Of course there is always the odd chance I will end UP on the floor without planning it...so I could carry my shawl, towels, pins and water bottle around just in case)

I think I will concentrate on a more definite plan for blocking. Wish me luck

And of course with one project being so close to completion...I gave myself permission to start on the Red Collared Shawl. Pattern from Sally Melville's book The Purl Stitch, yarn TlC Amore in Red Velvet, needle size 7. I used a provisional cast on since this will have edges picked up to have ribbing added.

I switched needles a few times. I started with Clover bamboo circulars (too pointy), switched to Susan Bates, received my Denise needles and gave them a try - needles are so light...also too pointy in this size...back to Susan Bates. Once it is a bigger size with the stitches picked up for the ribbing, will probably switch to Addy Turbos I have in a larger circular length. My fingers get too sore when knitting with pointy ends. Does anyone else have this problem? I love bamboo needles, and I love the multitude of possibilities with the Denise needles. For comfort with any needle under size 8 it appears I always rely on Addi Turbo or Susan Bates. This yarn is very textured too and it was not sliding well on the Clover or the Denise.

Here is a close-up.
This pattern has lots of texture which is lost a little with the textured yarn, but I love the softness.

Birthing a Booga

I decided to celebrate the completion of Green Bob by starting a new project. Originally I had planned to start the Collared Shawl I showed a couple of days ago that is in The Purl Stitch.

However, the Noro Kureyon has been pleading to be knitted since it came in the house a week or so ago. Once a new project was definitely in the works, it begged so loudly I just had to give in....

VOILA - the first of the Boogas!

I love this yarn! This pattern just flies, I started it late last night and it is coming along nicely. I have the dp's needed for the I-cord on order...I hope they get here soon. This will be my first foray into felting...if I am successful...there will be a line of little Boogas popping out in the future!