Gracie, Billy Madison and The Gambler

Gracie, Billy Madison and The Gambler - what do all three have in common?

They are all those movies we watched over the last week. What a variety pack, I say!
Gracie is a football movie, Billy is silly and Gambler is, well, about gambling.

Rating: 3/5, 3/5, and 2.5/5

Vests Galore

I will post the little stories behind these vests, but enjoy the visuals till then -

The Express

Based on the true story of Ernie Davis (Rob Brown), this movie actually hits an unexpected end.

The story is set in the 40s & 50s. The super-talented football player recognizes his talent at a very early age mostly due to the hard decisions he's forced to make. He makes his mark through the local winnings. He gets the attention of coach Ben Schwartzwalder (Dennis Quaid) which brings the turning point to his life. Coach helps him to get admission in Syracuse University where he is well received albeit gradually and after a few more wins.

After some very demading games he finally gets chosen for the NFL. This is where the end begins. Spoiler alert - stop reading if you want to watch the movie.

Movie has hints about the racial lines - how deep or dark those were then. And to a moment it seems as if he's going to leave Football and join NAACP but that's not what happens. What happens is, Leukemia. At 23. And that takes Ernie away right before he's set to hit the pinnacle.

As a movie, it was nicely done. Some twists and turns and great momentum. Only thing that I didn't like was the sad ending. But what can you do? Movie imitated the life, however sad that was.

Star rating: 3/5

The Calling

I just heard my calling and it's name is Patty Baker! She is just so talented that I cannot take my eyes off of her work. Stunningly beautiful pieces and lovely presentation. I will have to write to her to get her blessings for my next arts project.

Rosemary Petal - Pattern & Chart

Pattern for the Lavender Pullover (Rosemary Petal)

Yarn: Lavender Jazz of Chunky USA
Swatch info: 12 x 16
Needle size: US 10 and US 11

Front

1. Cast on 48 st using either methods(I used thumb method).
2. Make a ribbing of 2k2p for 13 rows
3. Divide the stitches in three parts. Prepare central panel for the cable pattern 1.
(See below for the chart)
4. Rest of the stitches are worked in stockinette st.
5. Knit even until the armhole shaping.
6. Shape the neck for a turtleneck.
7. Shape shoulder at 76th row and BO at 78th row.

Chart for Cable Pattern 1



Back

1. Cast on 48 st (same as front)using either methods(I used thumb method).
2. Make a ribbing of 2k2p for 13 rows (as for the front)
3. Pick the central panel of 44 + 4 extra st.
4. Work Cable pattern 2 (Bubbles) on the central panel.
5. No shaping for the armholes needed in the back.
6. Shape shoulders at 76th row and BO at 78th.

Chart for cable Pattern 2



Sleeves (Make two)

1. CO 48 st.
2. Divide the st in three parts and worked cable patt 2 on central.
3. Decrease 1 st at either side every 4th row.
4. Make ribbing when desired 26 st reached.

Neck

1. Join shoulders and pick up st using tp needles
2. Work in rounds for 12 rows in 2k2p ribbing.
3. BO, break the yarn and darn it in neatly.

Finishing

1. Sew front and back using invisible stitch.
2. Sew the inside of sleeves.
3. Darn any loose strands.


Some Pics for fun

This is the swatch of the 'Bubbles'


Here is my swatch


Swatch for Cable Pattern 1


And this is how it turned out on the sweater.


Disclaimer

Just to make sure there are no copyright issues with the patterns I adopted for this sweater let me report the sources for both cables. These are taken from "Vogue Knitting Stitchionary, Volumes 2".

If you are interested my review is available at http://knitting.about.com/od/reviews/fr/stitchionary.htm#bvmr

Here are other details on the project with more pictures.


Enjoy!

Rosemary Petal

Yes, that's what I call this pullover. I have to pinch myself and remind that it's over. It's actually done. I had so many retakes on this project that I am kind of exhausted (hand then to machine, mistake in pattern, again back to machine, finally landing on needles). And so very glad to get it done, finally!

I kept a day-by-day picture record of the project. When you see the pics, you'd know what I mean.

Day 1


Day 2
I know! It was quite a progress in the second day. And not to mention the coziness the handknitting had brought to the piece.

Day 3
I had finished the front and started the back.

Day 4
The back is nearly complete.

Day 5

I worked on the sleeves. The initial idea was to make the sleeves upside down because I started to have the feeling that I will run short of yarn if I stick to initially planned long sleeves. So I started sleeves using circular needles with an estimate of 66 st. It was very obvious that this count was way more than what I could handle, secondly, I didn't really enjoy knitting in circle for the sleeves. So, here I was, unraveled the sleeves entirely and redid it using sp needle.

Day 6
Okay, by now I had serious doubts about the remaining skeins and I chose to make the neck first and use the leftover for the sleeves. I was sincerely hoping for some sleeves!

Day 7

The sleeves are worked and I kept thinking to myself, when would I know to stop to start the ribbing. Guess what, I managed to make a decent 3/4 sleeve and correct amount of ribbing before exhausting all of the yarn.

Day 8

No work - I had a bad case of upset stomach.

Day 9

I joined all the parts together. Yum yum! My first formal sweater is ready to wear!





Final Word

The best part about this sweater was the use of my statsh! It was there in the original brown bag since I bought it last year. I knew that 4 skeins are just not sufficient for my own pullover but finally I put my creative self to work and the result was a completed piece! I am just so proud of myself that I want to make another sweater for me! I am sure my HD would be little horrified at the idea but hey, he is the biggest fan of my work :-)

Valentine's Day

It's that time of the year again! So much fun reminding yourself what a blessed life you have and not to mention the 'heartfelt' (read heart shaped)gifts you get. It can't get any better if your favorite colors are red and/or pink. Or black or white!

Guess what my last year's gift was - roomba, a vacuuming robot! It's a nice gift, but hey what this has got to do with Valentine's. But you know what, after being married for double-digit number of years, things evolve to a completely different level.

Many of the things come so very naturally that you cannot feel more grateful for the wonderful life you have as an individual and as a couple. Ok, so where was I? At the gift - right! I am not so sure about this year's surprise but I guess something sparkling and wearable would make a great gift *hint, hint*

What do I want to give

I am one of those people who celebrate, just because! What's there not to cherish anyway. I wanna give a collection of 'our' songs to DH, selected, burnt, and well-wrapped. Let's see if that works out. To my little angel, I wanna make a heart-in-the-middle sweater (don't tell me you already guessed that one!) but then again, that means another trip to the local yarnstore and with my broken car I have to rethink on that one. But something valentinish definitely would pop out of this mommy.

Front of Mauve Sweater Completed

The front measures 22" when on machine and I'm ready to bind off. The texture feels rather harsh than when I knitted the same yarn with needles. I am thinking of making the back by hands. Not sure though as I am quite pressed for the time for knitting.

The cables look quite pretty despite the mistake and all :-) I am not too sure what would I do with that. Shall I leave it at that or try to redo it for the second time.


You need to have a closer look to pinpoint the mistake. Here is one -

Legwarmers and Jumper Dress

I saw these on Craftzine and love it.
I had seen another pair where the top resembled high boots. Can't find a pic of it. Anyways, I know what it was and thus, I will post my own pic if done.

One of those days when I will have plenty of both time and yarn, I will make this dress for self -

Right now the main goal is to finish what's on my Bond.

Machine Knitting

I am loving the machine knitting. I know it cannot replace the fun and relaxed way of needle knitting but the part I really love is the speed and consistency it gives to the garment. Some people, however, have the notion that you throw a skein of yarn at the machine and all it returns back is a finished piece. Well, it just doesn't work that way. You need patience, practice, and basic knitting skills for a desired effect.

This is my machine

I have the basic model and I am quite happy with its output. Guess what I saw a couple of minutes ago, a super knitting machine.

And this is a robot

I have yet to find out what this thing is and hoe it works, it looks quite robot-like nonetheless. What gives?

Hats galore

Wanna see a happy hat family? Here it is -

Papa Hat

Mama Hat

Baby Hat


I made the blue hat on my machine, brown one using circular needles and crocheted the baby headgear.

Link Test

What's on...

My needles - a red multicolored child's sweater

On my crochet - a hat in two colors

On Bond - My cable sweater

I am loving the output of cables. It's looking pretty from the back side as well.


Hmmm, I feel better already. Isn't it amazing how good it feels when you have accomplished something.

Knitted Pants & Pompom Scarf

I just saw these in Craftzine. I am thinking of making these sometime soon.

Three Same Themed Paintings

I am thinking of working on three canvases simultaneously. The idea is to have a common theme for all the three. Something like Fire, Earth and Sky or may be all three in different shades of blue. There would be some harmony among all...may be all have human figures in different moods...

What's New

A crocheted multicolored hat

Part of my new year's resolution (Learning 9 new things in 2009)I crocheted a hat. Guess what, this is my first crochet project! So, I guess, one on the list is under my belt. One down and 8 more to go...

I made this with acrylic easy care yarn and used three colors. It's my new year's gift to Adya.



As always, the pattern is free and drop me a line if you'd be interested in one. I have updated this project in Ravelry too.

Upcoming Projects

I am working on a cable sweater and a pullover. I will keep updating. I have yet to put my notes and pics together for the recently completed knitted hats. Will do it in next week or so.

Modular Knits

Modular Knits: New Techniques for Today's Knitters
Author: Iris Schreier
Price: $17 (check price)

This book has a novel approach to make the knits in modular formats. When I first read this book, I wasn't very confident about the modular knitting and didn't quite understand the technique. So I gave this book a 2 star rating.

I guess, I would revisit it sometime soon and will post updated review.

Book of Yarn: The Encyclopedia of Yarn

The Knitter's Book of Yarn: The Ultimate Guide to Choosing, Using, and Enjoying Yarn
Author:Clara Parkes
Price: $20

The best yarn book you'd ever read. This is not a typical knitting book with info about yarns and patterns (well it has that too) but it deals with origin, treatment, and final outcome of the yarn when it appears on the shop-shelves. It's more of reference book but very readable. I am sure you won't be able to put it down until you have finished the last page.
Well written, very explanatory and worth reading.

Bottomline
If you are a not just a knitter but a complete knitting lover, you may definitely consider buying this book. Two thumbs way up!

Joining New Knitting Forums

I just joined a group in Ravelry. Let's see how things move with it.



The main idea is to find a group of fellow knitters to knit together and have fun!

New Slip

I just finished a slip for Adya. Thanks to my Bond, it's done in just two sittings!

Pictures coming soon...