Time to make a change…

Ch-ch-changes!!!

A few months ago I finally got back my domain name! I had previously let it lapse and it was caught up in one of those companies where they try to sell it back to you for a ridiculous amount of money. I had inquired with them about 6 months ago on how much it would cost to buy it back, They asked for $1,000. Dude, it’s a personal website that generates no money. No way in hell!

When I saw it coming up for expiration I put in a back order to see if I could win it back for little money when it went to auction. Sure enough, less than $20!

Anyway, long story short I’m moving my blog directly to my site now So for updates moving forward please visit me at www.recklessknitting.com!

Note that the new site is still a work in progress, but I plan to get it more on track this weekend…

2009: A Look Back

Well then, that update was sooner than expected I decided that rather than going to lunch today and dealing with icy roads I woudl run to our cafe and update my blog. Good call, right?

In looking back I had very few goals for the year:

2009 knitting related goals:

1. Complete at least 1 project per month
2. Update blog at least every other week, preferably weekly
3. Start a monthly knitting group. I already have 3 lovely ladies lined up, just need a venue and date. I’ll likely post details here and on Ravelry if others would like to join us.

Well, I may not have completed a project every single month, but I did finish more than 12 projects. So we’ll check off number 1 above. I did not, however, update my blog every other week nor even close to weekly. I had good intentions, I assure you! And I did attempt to start a knitting group, however it didn’t pan out. I checked out several fun venues, tried to gather friends a few times (never worked out schedule-wise) and then when we found out I was pregnant I became a homebody. Part of the whole knitting group adventure was to be able to go out, knit, chat and DRINK. Yeah, the drinking part wasn’t going to work for me and most people I know aren’t comfortable drinking around me when I cannot. So tabling that one.

1 for 3, I guess that’s…ummm… OK.

And that 1 did include some fun projects. Here’s my 2009 mosaic:

I realize that some of the projects appear to be unfinished, however I assure you they are. I just don’t have the finished pictures taken. Certainly not a new issue when it comes to me. Also not pictured are several cowls I knit in November with the intention of putting up on Etsy for sale (to see if they would sell). Maybe I’ll make that my project this week, pictures of cowls, put cowls on Etsy.

Many of my projects in 2009 were not overly complicated, but I am very proud that I finished a cardigan for me and one for my little Caitlin as well as a backpack for her. I rarely knit hats so that too was an interesting project for me. All in all, not bad in my eyes.

So what does 2010 bring? Well I’ve already started knitting a baby blanket for our little girl that is due in February. Beyodn taht I’m not sure, but here are some things I would like to try:

~ Spin my own yarn
~ Dye my own yarn
~ Knit a lace shawl (scary!)
~ Finally start up an Etsy shop
~ Re-educate myself on how to crochet
~ Knit a few more garments for myself and the little girls in my life

And really that’s about it. I think they are all achievable goals. Then again, I think I said that re: 2009 as well. I guess we’ll know come this time 2010!

Hope all of you have a very safe and happy new year!

Liz

Holiday Knitting

To close out the year I actually did finish a few more projects. Not the shawls I was anticipating knitting for Christmas, but rather a hat and a scarflette for my MIL and fingerless gloves for a white elephant exchange at work.

Now let’s begin by saying I do not look stellar in hats. I probably could have worn it further back, maybe more beret style, but this was Christmas Eve and I needed to photo for my project page on Ravelry so I just went with what I had:

The pattern for this hat was designed by my online friend Brittany, aka Bohoknitterchic, and is called Sweet Georgia

The scarlette is the Mustard Scarf on Ravelry which has a very similar yarn-over type detail as the hat. So using the same yarn they became a decent matching set.

And then lastly there are the super quick fingerless gloves that I made using a loom! Very quick and easy, but they tend to run a little small. May try another pair on a slightly larger loom.

I do believe that this wraps up my knitting adventures for 2009. Not likely to complete any projects this week, especially with the work week from hell hovering over my head. However next year I anticipate great things. Why? Well here’s what I scored for Christmas:

~ Zephyr Knit PIck Options needles set
~ Two stands for my Knit Picks Options sets
~ Double point needles in sizes 1 – 8
~ 5 Knifty Knitter looms
~ Natural Dyeing
~ Soft + Simple Knits for Little Ones
~ A pattern for Rabbit Tracks Lace Scarf (Rabbit Ridge Designs)
~ Yarn sent all the way from Alaska (thanks mom!): Rowan Kidsilk Haze and Rabbit Ridge Designs rayon/cotton (both from Far North Yarn Co)

My friends and family have certainly realized I’m a knitter I’m so blessed to have had such a knitty Holiday!

Did I mention I also scored, in the non-knitting arena, a Kindle!!! We’ll see if I can figure out how to get knitting patterns on my Kindle, then I’ll really be ready to go.

I’ll post again soon, likely a mosaic of the year’s projects, much like I did for 2008. I’m not sure i met all my goals for the year, but I did get some knitting done despite having a toddler running me ragged and being tired/pregnant. I can only imagine what 2010 will bring with a newborn and a toddler!

Much love to all,
~L

I knit something!

For real! I finished a quick project (actually two).

The first completed project is my Nolita Cowl. It’s massive:

The second project is a smaller cowl made with yarn from Kitty Grrlz, but I need to get a picture of the finished object. Coming soon.

Tomorrow or tonight I’ll cast on for one of the two shawls I’m attempting to knit as Christmas presents. Wish me luck!

ps. Did I mention I finally finished knitting my Clapotis? No pictures of that yet either as it is a gift.

Still Trying to Knit

Yesterday I spent probably 90 minutes knitting on a shawl that I’ve been working forever, which is the most time I’ve spent in consecutively knitting in quite some time. The downside is that I ran out of yarn. I have 6 decrease repeats left and I am out of yarn. Normally not a big deal except i bought the yarn in 2005 and it is no longer available. I ordered online what I thought might be a close colorway, but it is very brown where the prior yarn was not. I’ll likely have to just make it work (clearly channeling Tim Gunn).

I’d really like to wrap up this shawl this week so I can move on to the next two that I need to knit. I want all three to be holiday presents, which is overly ambitious if you ask me, but I will try anyway. And if I weren’t concerned that the people I’m knitting for we’re reading this blog I would provide more details, but since they may be, I cannot

From there I’m not sure what the next projects are. I think I may default back to the afghan that I started so many years ago as well (I had it listed as part of my WIP Wrestling and never got to it). I have a panel and a half completed, which means 2.5 to go. If I recall it knits quick, but is just rather monotonous. However I may need just that as my pregnancy progresses and I find I’m too exhausted to do much but sit on the couch.

And that’s about all I’ve got. I wish I had something more exciting to share, but I’ve just not been knitting much and been really caught up in family, work and life. Maybe the next post will actually include pictures of a completed project of WIPs…

xo,
~L

Knitting Slump

I’ve landed in a knitting slump. As of late nothing has been inspiring and there are no real projects I feel like starting/completing. It makes me sad, but maybe it was/is time for a break.

I did get quite far on my Clapotis for WIP Wrestling, but alas did not finish. I am in the decrease section and out of the main body which is very exciting, however I’m also concerned I may run out of yarn. That is likely contributing to my slump.

I also mostly finished the nordic handbag. It is full knitted and partially seamed, but the hand felting was not working well to my liking and I’m not confident in trying to felt in my front loader. So now that project is also sitting on the sidelines.

As the weather starts to cool off over the course of the next month I really hope my mojo sneaks back in. I really kind of miss it.

WIP Wrestling Mania!

Call me crazy, because we all know I constantly bitch about lack of time, but I’ve joined in on the WIP Wrestling KAL for July. It’s all about finishing as many WIPs as possible. I currently have 4 tagged, 2 that I think are perfectly reasonable and will get two and two that will be a stretch at best. I couldn’t join and then not challenge myself. Go team Knit Girls!!!

The projects:

Round 1: The Nordic Handbag. This is a fairly recent project that is already mostly knit up. I knew I’d lag on the finishing: embroidery, seaming, felting. Lag no more! This is the first project I’ll try and complete.

Round 2: BYOB bag form last year that I’ve still not finished because I didn’t want to deal with the handles. I’m going to improvise on the handles and work out my own version so I can finish this up. This was supposed to be a birthday present for my BFF last year in October. I guess it won’t have been quite a year by the time she gets it.

Round 3: That damn clapotis that I’ve been working on since 2006. Or at least I think it was 2006. I believe I started it just after moving to Ohio. Regardless, it is long past time to finish it. I think it’s about 50% done and I need to get it 100% done. It has so much potential as a Christmas present this year if I do. This project is a stretch, but not nearly as much as the next one…

The final round, round 4: The fantasy throw. This blanket is made up of four long knitted strips that eventually are crocheted together. I finish one strip and half of another before setting this down. I know where the completed strip is, but the pattern book and half strip is oddly missing. So beyond the challenge of trying to also finish up a full size afghan, I have to find it Certifiably crazy? Yes.

So there you have it. Ready? Fight!

I’m off to work on the Nordic Handbag and groove to some Stellastarr*

XO,
~L

Inspired By Me? (aka: Carrie Rocks!)

This post is long overdue and I certainly apologize for the delay. Work is in the forefront right now (along with my daughter) so the rest of life seems to sit and wait until I have time.

About 18 days ago Carrie (craftypuppylover on Ravelry) posted a yarn that was inspired by me and some recent happenings in my life. It is the most thoughtful thing ever that someone I only know via the internet has ever done for me. I really can’t wait to meet her in person in August.

Before I post the story she wrote and the pictures, I should explain that Carrie spins yarns that are inspired by many of the girls in the Knit Girls group on Ravelry. I think that she’s created something like 14 or 15 amazing yarns to date. I’m incredibly honored to be amongst those other ladies.

Here is her post:

Alright peeps! Behold! New yarn!!

Ok that was the fun part. This yarn was inspired by Miss Liz and I would like to just add a disclaimer right now that we talked about this in part (no details of course…it’s a total visual surprise for her too!) because my idea is extremely personal and I got her permission to do this and share it with her and the rest of the world.
As most of you know, Liz had a miscarriage a few months ago. We were all so pumped (of course she was too!!) to hear the news and then equally as heartbroken to hear what happened on her vacation. Liz is no stranger to tragedy, I’m not sure how many of you know this, but she got shot through both of her legs in a freak accident in high school and managed to fully recover! Yipes! One night it all just popped into my head…I looking for inspiration for what to create with my My Little Pony spin-a-long batts from jazzturtle…and I emailed Liz. I asked her if they knew the sex of the baby and she said no, but had a strong feeling it was going to be a little girl. I knew then and there I had to do the batts for her! See pre spun:

I wanted a few things from this yarn. To provide Liz with a tangible thing for the memory of her baby. To create something beautiful and terribly girly. And also give it a bit of an unfinished look, as to remind us of this unfinished chapter in her life. I spun it up with a ton of locks from hollyeqq and even some sparkly bits from dena1975. It’s mainly pink, purple, and green, thick and thin, sparkly, soft, and in a few places a little harsh -due to sequin strands and easter grass- to remind us of the hardships we all face in life. In total, both skeins are 305 yards. It’s beautiful and unique, just like Liz. And whether or not you believe in reincarnation, heaven, karma, or that our precious time on this earth is short, I think we all can agree that the little halo effect created around the yarn from the locks is a powerful symbol for Liz’s little angel. We love you Liz!! I hope this brings you lots of joy, as I was spinning all the love I could into this one just for you.

(sorry it took me so long, pictures fixed!)

Yeah, Carrie rocks. ‘nuff said. Trying to determine just the right project for this. I will knit it up!

I’ll post another blog in the next week or so updating on my continued quest for a good bar/knitting night venue. I feel like this one should stand on it’s own.

Until then! XO

Adventures in knitting (or not)- Surly Girl edition

I previously mentioned that I have a directive from my husband to get out and knit more. Preferably in a bar or lounge type environment. So of course on the first Thursday following Mother’s Day I did just that… sort of.

The first venue I ventured to was Surly Girl Saloon in the Short North district of Columbus. I’d been there twice in the past, enjoyed the atmosphere and figured it would be a worthwhile first attempt. How can you go wrong when the décor is cowgirl pinups and other oddities? BFF in tow, we gathered our knitting and headed into the bar for food, drinks and not much knitting. Or rather no knitting at all.

We ended up at a tall table with high stools that likely had just enough light for knitting. However it was 6:30pm and we were both starving. Drinks and appetizers first, please! I started off with a Shady Lady and artichoke/spinach dip, Kerry started with the Sucker Punch and quesadillas (or maybe that was her dinner). Yummy! We hadn’t seen each other in awhile so being caught up in chatter was easy. Before we knew it our drinks were gone, the apps were devoured and no knitting was done. Time for round two!

Round two consisted of another Shady lady for me and Kerry moved on to a drink I cannot recall (maybe Lindeman’s Pomme?) Being mothers that rarely get to sit down and eat, we were clearly still hungry and ordered dinner; tomato, bacon & avocado pizza and something else I can’t remember (this is what I get for waiting to write my blog). On with the catching up we went and next thing we knew they were dimming the lights. Uh oh! It was almost too dark to knit.

At this point we gave up on the idea of knitting altogether. We were busy catching up, chatting with our waiter/bartender and people watching (note the creepy guy at the bar nursing his beer for an hour checking us out). Had I known there were benches in the back room I likely would’ve mentioned moving so we could knit and talk, but I had no idea they were there. Instead we ordered dessert! One maple bacon cupcake (it was like breakfast and dessert all at once!) and one chocolate cayenne (spicy!) Kerry threw caution to the wind and also ordered a Cucumber-infused Peach Vodka which tasted like spiked spa water.

After nursing the spiked spa water for a bit we decided it was time to call it a night and head back to the ‘burbs.

All in all an enjoyable evening, this was the ultimate goal, but no knitting accomplished. While Surly Girl has potential to be a place we can go and knit, the back room sounds like it would be the ideal location. Next stop, Grandview. I’m thinking King Ave 5 or Brazenhead.

Surly Girl inspired knits- Cowgirl vest and skirt TBD (to be designed)

Sweater Accomplished!

Finally! Seamed and blocked, I present to you the baby cardigan I started in February.

I started to embroider it, but ripped it out as I did not like how it looked. I’m thinking a little felt something for one side or a patch. Something to spice it up for my little Bug, but not the embroidery.

Anyway, had to show off that I did actually finish it. Longer post next time…