MizCreant's Blog

Standing at The Volcano's Edge, I Found the Fuzzy-Wuzzies

...In the form of toe-up socks. I don't think I can convince myself of wanting to make any pair of socks that aren't toe-up. I loved how these knitted up and just how easy everything went - and even how when I thought I screwed up the heel (try Fleegle's Toe-Up No-Flap, No-Hassle Sock Pattern it's lovely), I didn't. I was impressed.

More impressed that these socks have less holes and were incredibly low-trouble/angst in comparison to the Reaver socks. If anything, I'm just sad I couldn't come up with a Browncoat-related name (I did consider something Kaylee-Strawberry inspired, but something told me these were Lava Toes).

These are for me and I intend to wear them tomorrow and show them off while I find more sock yarn to play with. When I first put them on, I seriously didn't want to take them off. They were so soft and comfortable. Really a dream.

Of course, taking about three steps in our apartment and the socks had to be dehaired. Bloody cats. I love them, but I'm seriously considering shaving them. I can't wait until we can get a Dyson and I'll run that thing night and day. Maybe over the cats.

So, I think my mainstay of knitting projects are socks and illusion patterns. I must get back to my illusion patterns. I have good folks like Sarasyn and Kat who have so graciously offered to test knit for me and I owe them both tons of stuff. All that sorta went to the back burner as Real Life intruded. I need to email those good folks before they give up on me!

I am this much closer to knitting my very own Wonderland Socks (pdf pattern here) and then I will have both - knitting socks and illusions together. I need to figure out how to do the Serenity pattern smaller, somehow. Maybe...oh, there are so many beautiful and crazy ideas bubbling, now.

It took me about 3 weeks to knit these. I'm determined to replace all our store-bought socks with handknits. I just now need to learn how to follow a pattern. The next great adventure...

River's Reaver Socks

As I've posted on my Ravelry project page, I couldn't possibly resist the urge to name my next "big project" after something Firefly/Serenity-centric. I have a reputation to uphold (and a sickness there are no meds for - especially not the Pax, thanks)!

These were put on the backburner since I had a deadline to accomplish the scarf. Everything else was put on hold. Now that I have some free/downtime, I'm trying to finish up these socks in a hurry. I know with the weather getting deathly hot, the man isn't going to wear them any time soon, so perhaps after a few washings, the holes may disappear...although I don't think those "scars" will go away.

They will be Reaver Socks forever! I originally called them "Two by Two, Socks of Blue", but, Kis*Knit (a far more talented knitter) beaten me to it. So I figured until I get my skills down and I can knit a pair without holes or super-wonky-ness, I think they really are Reaver socks.

However, being that the hubby has loved them from the beginning, without the slightest bit of "they could be better" - I knit on, laughing at myself and enjoying making these crazy socks...and planning to buy more sock yarn soon!!! And circulars because I need to learn the toe-up method, too...I can't wait!

Serenity Illusion Scarf = raffled and won!

So, last Saturday night during the Portland, Oregon Can't Stop the Serenity 2008 Benefit, my scarf was raffled off to a lovely woman who I never got to meet (or see, because I'm a self-conscious dork who just didn't have the guts to face anyone when they pointed out who I was when talking about the scarf). I wish I could have gone up to her instead of mumbling some sort of garbled, gooey OMGUWUBITRELY?! sort of thing to a very quiet room. Ugh. So mortifying.

Although, she did sound very happy to win the scarf, which was my whole fear in the first place. Everyone can say how nice it is and all that, but until you get that whole "holy crow" facial expression and/or exclamation of glee...you just aren't sure of yourself. I'm still not sure of myself, but y'know...nothing new.

Modeling the scarf to the right are CSTS 2008 organisers Lono and ShinyFab, respectively. They graciously posed for me while fellow Browncoats kindly lusted after the pretty. It made me feel very special.

I've posted the pattern for free, here - in both chart-form and written-out, just in case there is a preference for one or the other. I did end up using nearly 8 skeins, fair warning.

I also have a polite suggestion to contribute to Equality Now because it would be a nice thing to do and it is because of this whole "Browncoat/Firefly/Serenity thing" I have created this.

Anyway, there is scheming in the works to sell another particular pattern directly for the charity...but that will be forthcoming later. More than likely next year. Should be shiny!

Checkout the PDX Browncoats photo pool for CSTS and other PDX Browncoat events!

Serenity Illusion Scarf Pattern

Serenity Scarf - full pattern!

So, I've been busy for a bit. WhoringPosting this all over the 'Verse and hoping that folks enjoy it as much as they say they do.

I am making this for the Portland, Oregon Can't Stop The Serenity 2008 event happening this June 21st and 22nd (the website is still pointing to last year's dates - just an FYI). It's just one of many things being raffled off for Equality Now.

Although, with that, I am offering those brave souls who knit the pattern for free (with a bit of a catch - I ask that you donate a little extra to Equality Now if you use this pattern).

The chart is here
The written out directions are here

I used DK weight Debbie Bliss - Prima (bamboo and merino wool) and worked the pattern on size US2/2.75mm bamboo needles - but feel free to experiment. The CO is 57 sts - so the thicker your yarn, the wider that scarf gets!!! Right now it's looking to take 8 skeins of that stuff, but I'm hoping to only use 6, total. We'll see how it goes...

Project Rundown

Good gravy, help me, I've joined Ravelry. I must be utterly mad - in a good way, though.

More places to pimp out my knitting soul.

As always, whenever I say I'm going to do something, that just jinxes me into doing everything else but. Figures. I should be used to this by now, but I am constantly trying to break the cycle. Or else, I really just like punishing myself. Probably the latter.

Latest projects:

1. Hoodie (wip); got the back, front, one sleeve and half of the other sleeve complete; I'd probably have it done by now, but because item #2 has a real deadline, this has been shelved for a bit
   
2. Serenity illusion scarf (wip); yup, another illusion scarf - I'm addicted, what can I say? This one, though is of my own design and I'm excited to show this off once it's complete; this one's going to be raffled off - and they better gorram appreciate it!!!
   
3. Socks (still conceptualising - but I got the yarn, at least!); I've got needles, this awesome sock yarn and it's all because I've sworn to my husband that I wouldn't start another project until I finished one, that this remains anticipated (I'm dying to start my first pair of socks!)
   

Yup. This must be what going mad feels like.

Rouge et Noir

My illusion knit scarf (also known as "shadow knitting") of the skull & crossbones. Couldn't submit it for the charity (still don't have enough yarn to complete it!) but now my husband gets the thing, which is what he begged when I started it. He gets his wish and maybe next year I'll make a design of my own.

I still like the scarf. Never really not liked it, but anticipating when it will be done. Desperate to get it done. Winter is nearly over, thank goodness. Of course that does mean scarves and the like get put away - and for a new scarf to not even see its first season is sad. Although, I realise that's just me.

Although now I've started making a hoodie and I think I'll have a few more months of potential useage for that. Hopefully I'll finish it in a month or so. Photos to come when I've finished the first piece (the back). It's shiny. (and I mean that in the Browncoat way)

QotD: Best Photo of '07 (etc., etc., etc.)

What's the best photo you took this year?  Show and tell!

Cape Meares, Oregon, USA

I'm really proud of this photo. I have more photos of the seaside - my attempt to be artsy-fartsy. One of these days I'll be good at this, too.

In other news, I've finally pulled out my guitar, tuned it and started remembering the pain. It's kinda cool and one of these days I'll figure out how to play barre chords without the annoying buzz....

Still knitting. Almost done with my scarf (although it's black and red and sexy - and I can share photos of that if anyone wants to see it), hopefully the funds will exist to purchase 2 more skeins I need to finish it with fringe. Right now it's still in limbo and the deadline for our local Red Scarf Project is drawing close!

Lastly, I'm looking into putting together a theatre group with another pal. A very unique one. More on this once ideas and venues are secured because I really don't want to jinx myself on this. This has some seriously awesome potential.

Skull & Crossbones Illusion Scarf

This is the start of it. As you can see it looks like a simple green/yellow stripey thing, until you see it at eye-level and then you get the cool image popping out at you.

I'm pretty pleased with this, even though I think I screwed up some stitches tonight and I'm trying to quell my urge to frog it (rip rip rip). I will see if I can repair the damage - and just sort of hide any weirdness.

I got the pattern here: skull illusion scarf

I'm thinking about altering it a bit to make the skull wear an eyepatch. We'll see how I do. Folks at work have been impressed. Good "wow" factor.

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Tonight I've also got it in my brain to start practising my drawing. I want to do henna bad and why wait around for someone to charge me up the wall when I can just mix my own paste and draw on myself and my friends? I think I could do it.

I think I can do just about anything these days.

Never mind whether or not it's a good idea.

Illusion Knitting!

Yeah, so it's been a while.

Don't have any of my own photos, yet, but this is what I'm making at the moment (in lime green and lemon yellow) and I'm pretty happy about it, so far.

skull & crossbones

Once I have the image complete, I'll provide a picture. Should be interesting. Anyone like those colours? I'm open to giving my first illusion knitting attempt away.... (it's going to be a scarf)

Sod's Law, Really

The girls are coming over this weekend and I'll feel the "ATC temperature", maybe nail down a time/day where we can do an art day...or somesuch. They have each made one a piece, but I'm hoping for more frequency.

Wrote a little regarding my college-conceptualised sci-fi. I still can't believe most of it really does work. I just need a lot of editing work to do and pretty it up. I think this might actually go somewhere.

Although, now that I've said it for everyone to hear, it's probably ready for the bin.