The Sewn Bind Off Saves the Day

I've had a busy weekend, including the Bell Choir clinic in Boerne. I haven't had much time for blogging or knitting, but on the bus I did have time to redo the bind off on the One Day Beret. I used the sewn bind off. Now it doesn't leave a mark on Lyndsey's forehead.

The sewn bind off always saves the day. It may not have the neat little loops that come with a regular bind off, but it's as stretchy as bind offs get.

Now I'm going to bed. I would be going to bed early, but thanks to Daylight Savings Time, I'm not.

FO: One Day Beret

I was basically finished with this yesterday during my break at work, but I wove in the ends and finished things off this evening.


I won't really know how I feel about it until Lyndsey tries it on. She said she looked like a "demented swami" when she saw this picture. I know I increased too far, so there's more "slouch" them normal.

Lyndsey has a small head, so the brim is small. I can't even begin to put it on my fat head. I didn't switch to a smaller needle for the ribbing, so I'm hoping it's the right size.


This is the pattern for the One Day Beret. I used one skein of Lorna's Laces Lion and Lamb in "Black Purl." (I used almost the whole skein.)

I also used an extra long US Size 4 Addi Turbo Circular Knitting Needle. (I think it was 40 inches long, but I'm not sure.) I used magic loop.


I'll follow up after I give it to Lyndsey. This is her belated birthday gift.

Catching Up

This past week has been kind of rough. Work's been stressful, but there are signs that things are about to get better. I've been tired and frustrated, and not blogging much. It's time to catch up.

In The Kitchen

Last week I made Applesauce Chicken in the Crockpot. It was good, except for the burnt edges. I think I cooked it too long.

It's taken all week to get all the burnt stuff off the crock. I soaked it over and over with dish soap, then I "cooked" water and vinegar in it twice. Finally, I managed to get the last of it off with a pocket knife this afternoon. All that's left now are a few specks.

Tonight I'm putting together lasagna for tomorrow night.

My dishwasher is broken again. The good news is that the apartment is going to replace it. The bad news is that I have to wait another week before they put it in, and the standing water is getting higher.

Also, I got chemical burns from cleaning the freezer with bleach last week. (I know, I should have used gloves.) They're almost healed, but the resulting calluses on my fingertips make it hard to appreciate fiber.

Maybe I should stay out of the kitchen.

Sleeping

Tuesday I saw a sleep specialist, something I probably should have done ten years ago.

I've never slept like a normal person, but when I was in college, it got a lot worse. I never seem to feel rested, I toss, turn, kick and moan in my sleep, and sometimes my breathing is shallow and rapid.

The doctor suspects Periodic Limb Movement Disorder. From what I've read, it looks like it can be treated with medication.

A week from tonight I'll be doing a sleep study, where they hook me up to all sorts of machines and monitor my sleep.

I'm anxious to get the results. There's a strong possibly that they'll find something that can be fixed with medication or some other relatively simple treatment.

Taco Xpress

I've lived in Austin most of my life, but until last night I hadn't eaten at Maria's Taco Xpress. They're known for their good food and the giant statue of Maria with outstretched arms. I went with my sister, Katie, and her boyfriend, Aaron.


(The tacos were messy, but good.)

I think I'm going to eat my leftover taco after I finish blogging.

All my Taco Xpress pictures are here.

Parting Shot

After much questioning, I'm finally confident that I got the decreases right on the One Day Beret for my friend Lyndsey. Here she is modeling it. It should be finished tonight or tomorrow.

FO: Tychus

Cross posted at Sally Comes Unraveled and Year Long Gift-A-Long.


Keep your fingers crossed that this will fit an eleven year-old boy. It may be a little small on me, but I have a big head.


This is Tychus, the first FO of 2009. I just finished it a little while ago. Before I seamed it up, it looked like this:


I had a big debate whether to do 4 sections or five, since I'm making it for a small head. I decided to go with 5, since the gauge is smaller than suggested. My gauge is approximately 32 rows and 18 stitches per 4 inches. The pattern suggests 15 stitches and 28 rows per 4 inches.


You can also see that the seam is a little wonky. I had to fudge a couple of stitches. Even if the seam is perfect, I don't think there is a way to avoid a obvious seam.


It's also pointier than I prefer. Maybe the recipient can stretch it out.


To recap, I used a little more than half a skein each of Cascade Greenland in colors 3510 (blue) and 3523 (green.) This was some of the yarn I bought at Wildfiber. I used only one strand, not two as suggested by the pattern. I also used US Size 6 needles from my Boye Needlemaster.

FO: Foliage: Purple, Version One

Cross posted at Sally Comes Unraveled and Year Long Gift-A-Long.


It's revenge of the chunky Foliage hats!

Remember last year I made three of these? One in red, one in Emerald and one in lime alpaca.

This one was made with Malabrigo Chunky, like two of the other three, This color is "Purple Mystery." Like the other hats, I used US size 10.5 dpns for the main hat, and US size 9 dpns for the ribbing. I'm pretty sure I used bamboo needles.

I actually made this one in one sitting for last year, but it never made it to the recipient until this Christmas. It's been on my coffee table ever since.

This one turned out like the rest. I'm pretty happy with it.

Things that cut into my yarn budget: Out of Network Doctors (and a new WIP)

Yesterday I got the first bill from my hospital stay. This bill wasn't even from the hospital. It was from the doctors who treated me while I was at the hospital. That means this wasn't included in my original estimate from the insurance lady at the hospital.

After insurance, I owed the doctors' $244 and change. I called in and asked about the charges. It turns out there was roughly $200 denied by my insurance because the doctors were out of network and not pre-approved. Apparently I was supposed to get a doctor pre-approved before I went to the ER.

So I called the insurance company. The "customer advocate" said she would put it through as in network because I was admitted as an emergency.

A few minutes later, she came back announced proudly that they were going to pay about $27 more on the claim. Yipee. She suggested that I call the doctor's office and ask for a write off.

Someone call Michael Moore.

I know I already posted this clip, but listen for the lady talking about pre-authorizing the ambulance. It's a similar situation.



WIP: Tychus

Sunday night I started Tychus for a belated Christmas gift. This picture is where I was when I went to bed Sunday night.


This is where I was last night before bed. I have two of the five sections complete.

I used the Cascade Greenland that I bought at Wildfiber. It's thick enough that I only need one strand. So far,so good.

FO: Le Slouch (Code Name: Pink)

Cross posted at Sally Comes Unraveled and Year Long Gift-A-Long.


This is the first of a long parade of holiday FOs. We're starting with the Le Slouch (Ravelry link) that I made for my sister.


Her boyfriend tried it on too.


Here's the hat in it's infancy. My sister asked for a shawl, but I was running out of time for this Christmas. (And this was before I was sick.) I recommended a "jaunty beret."


I originally called it "Code Name: Pink" because I was originally planning to use some pink yarn in my stash. I ended up using Lorna's Laces Shepherd Worsted in Amy's Vintage Office, the precious yarn I got on the Hill Country Yarn Crawl. I was hoping to save it for myself, but the color was too perfect for my sister.


Here is the hat from the bottom. I used US Size 6 needles for the ribbing and US Size 7 for the rest of the hat. This was unusual for me because US Size 7 is recommended on the yarn label. Normally I go way under what is recommended. However, the recommended gauge for the hat is smaller than the one on the yarn label.


I think seed stitch is a really good choice for this yarn. It adds some depth to the variegated colors.


Mom and I debated whether the ribbing was too small. It was a little tight on my head. But I knew if would get stretched out, and my head is bigger than most. Also, we debated exactly how it how it should sit on your head.

It fit Pancho Pig ok.


The good news is that there's half a ball of Amy's Vintage Office left so I can make something for myself.

FO: Odessa

I told you I'd finish it today.


I put the finishing touches on Odessa this morning, and took pictures of it at The Knitting Nest this afternoon.


I managed to finish the top with my weird magic loop hybrid, although I switched to a pretty basic magic loop towards the end.


The hat turned out pretty good, but I somehow ended up a stitch short, which meant one of my ridges was thinner than the others. (You can see it here.)


To recap, this is Odessa, which is now only available on Ravelry since MagKnits called it quits. I used one skein of Rowan RYC Cashsoft DK in Ballad Blue (508) and size 6 beads from Joann. The ribbing was done with US Size 0 dpns and the rest was knit with a US Size 2 - 16 inch circular.

This hat is another Christmas gift.

WIP: Odessa

I'm getting close to finishing Odessa. In fact, there may be an FO post tomorrow. And because I started decreasing at work, (where I didn't have dpns) I'm doing some bizarre magic loop hybrid with a small circular. If it works out, I'll try to post a tutorial. So far, it's not ideal, but it works in a pinch.

Hopefully, I'll start the Entrelac Scarf this weekend.

The Knitting Nest is having its one year anniversary party tomorrow, so that's where I'll be tomorrow. I hope to see you there.

This isn't knitting related, but Mental Floss is giving away five $10,000 scholarships in its College Ain't Cheap Tuition Giveaway. (And yes, I'm posting this in hopes of getting some more traffic. It doesn't have anything to do with knitting, but it is a good opportunity for the full time college students who are reading.)

FO: Soy Wool Spiral

I can't wait until it's cold enough to wear this hat!


Tonight I finished my Soy Wool Spiral hat. I was so excited that I didn't bother to change out of my pajamas to take the pictures.


This is my first time doing a three needle bind off. I used a tutorial from KnittingHelp.com. (Ironically, I have more experience with the Kitchener Stitch, which is more difficult.) Here is a look at the seam from the inside.


Here is the seam from the outside. The pattern calls for a three needle bind-off, but you could probably use the Kitchener Stitch to make it less noticeable. I might consider that in the future, but the seam adds some character.



Once again, this is one of the Spiraling Stripes Hats by Lee Meredith, aka "Leethal." It's a good pattern with several variations. I did the counter clockwise spiral with a straight brim. This hat is knit from side to side, so I used US Size 5 aluminum straights like these, and a US Size 7 needle for the three needle bind off.

The yarn is my own handspun from the Tour de Fleece. It's a soy/wool blend. I'm guessing that it's worsted-ish, and I spun about 120 yards. I still have about half the hank left. The pattern doesn't take much yarn. I was pleasantly surprised by how even the yarn was when I knit it up.


I was worried it would be too small, but it seems to fit. I'm trying to remember if I added another short row "wedge" or not. As you can see from this picture, it can easily be worn as a beret.


Poncho Pig likes the beret look.

FO: Center Square

Cross posted at Sally Comes Unraveled and Year Long Gift-A-Long.


This hat defies math. Or something.


I'm proud of my first stranded colorwork project. It really evened out after I blocked it. The problem is that it's waaaaayyy too small.


What really confuses me is that the gauge measures at 4 stitches per inch, what the pattern calls for, now that it's been blocked. (Actually, it's a little on the large side. The pattern calls for 16.5 stitches per four inches, or 4.125 stitches per inch.) But it seems to be toddler size, or child size. I thought I might be able to stretch it over my head if I pulled hard enough, but I didn't want to stretch it out of shape.


I just double checked the the pattern and it says the finished circumference is 15.5 inches unstretched. I measured the finished circumference at around 16 inches. (I tried to stretch it a lot when I blocked it.) Is this really an adult hat? The math adds up to a kids' hat. I know my head is a little on the big side, but the Craft Yarn Council considers the average adult woman to have a head that's about 20 inches in circumference. The pattern says snug fit, but four and a half inches of negative ease?


So I'm debating what to do with my tiny hat. Will it fit an adult? I have some kids on my Christmas list, but no toddlers. If all else fails, I'll probably donate it to the Dulaan Project or Afghans for Afghans. It's very warm.


To review, this is the Center Square hat from Knitty. I used Cascade 220 Superwash in 801 Army Green and 819 Chocolate. It took less than one skein of each color. I knit it with 40" Addi Turbo Circular Knitting Needles in US Size 4. (I used the Magic Loop Technique.)


The completion of this hat fulfills several goals. It's a Ravelympics entry in the Colorwork Cross Country, Hat Dash and Gift Knits Pentathlon events. It's also part of the Year Long Gift-A-Long Q3 Challenge as my "something new." Finally, it fulfills number 21 on 101 goals in 1,001 days list - knit a colorwork project.


I'm such a knitting geek.