FO: Folding Chair

So named because it tends to buckle at the knees a bit, but at this point I am throwing in the towel.

Advice to knitters who are new to knitting toys/objects/chairs, enjoy working with tiny needles, and have to make art projects on a deadline: DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME. While I find I do love this chair, it took forever to construct and knit, and exactly one week ago I would have never thought it would be such a nightmare (hence why I made this chair in the first place, foolish past self).
But enough whining, more pictures!!!

Yarn: leftover sport weight Filatura Lanarota Cuzco and Malabrigo Yarn Sock in Tiziano Red

Gauge was 16 stitches = 1.5 in. in stockinette

It stands about six inches high and the legs are about three and a quarter inches apart.

At this point I should probably bring up the construction. As I was in such a hurry to put everything together, I didn't think to take progress pictures (booooo). The front legs are standard glass test tubes and the back legs are two test tubes stacked on top of each other; between the top two is a small wooden block. The seat is wood also, although the seat piece is heavier to distribute the weight evenly and keep the chair from falling over on its back. Everything has a knit cover, and I attached pieces by sewing them together.

That little decorative square is the most intarsia I even intend to do x(

In conclusion, many lessons on what to do and what not to do when creating unorthodox patterns from thin air have been learned. Mostly, MEASURE EVERYTHING ALL THE TIME and NEVER KNIT SMALL THINGS WITH A SMALL GAUGE ON A SMALL TIMELINE.

But overall, this thing is just so darn cute that it may win me over :)

Meanwhile!

As the snow continues to lengthen both February and my school year (ugh), the Pittsburgh Knit and Crochet Festival has lengthened the yardage in my stash :D

Mo and me, respectively, knitting and simultaneously displaying our favorite FO's (what else would you wear to a knitting convention?!)

It was my first PKaCF, and oh man…the display room even smelled like yarn. We had such a blast. All the people we met were so nice, and the goods were heavenly!

Speaking of goods:

As soon as we walked in we were given free yarn: a good sign.
Two skeins of Berroco Plume FX that I have no idea what to do with, but free yarn!!!

And with Cascade as a sponser, that meant MORE free yarn. Two skeins of 220 wool in Steelers pride colors and a free pattern for a hat that were given to me by the kind lady at the booth even though I lost my ticket = a very happy MJ.

The catch buy of the day!

Knitting Notions Classic Merino Supersock in a succulent Pear mmmmm.

I will never get tired of staring at it/drooling on it/petting it/sleeping with it (kidding on the last one) <3

Of course we found time to sit back and knit in public, heh. Funnily enough, these WIP pictures are out of date already! You can check out Mo's delicious Traveling Women here, and as for the lump in my picture, here's how it grew:

After it acquires blocking and buttons, official FO pictures will arrive, promise!

Have a yarn apple.

Not a DQ blizzard

We've received probably the most snow I've ever seen.
It's pretty incredible.

This one makes me laugh because it makes us look like survivors of The Day After Tomorrow.

Sledding!!!

(There are no pictures of me because I manage to look like both a coat marshmallow and an idiot while sledding :P )

Happy Blizzard of 2010, everyone!

Act naturally

In between speed-knitting a birthday present for a friend, I've been petting some yarn.

Two skeins of Araucania Nature Wool in an earthy celery color.

My favorite thing about yarn cakes is the whirpool on top!

And two skeins of Noro Silver Thaw.

That I really want to knit up.

This yarny news is a bit late, considering these four skeins were purchased over the New Year's holiday in Pawling, NY, but as the weather around here has been so utterly gloomy it's been hard to take pictures that aren't drably colored. All the snow melted and everything just looks…blah. It's my least favorite part of winter :/

Spaces

I HAVE A DESK AND TODAY THE WORLD IS ORGANIZED AND GLORIOUS.

And it's full of things I like :)

Not to mention the desk itself is very pretty.

I am a bad, bad blogger and I will most likely never improve.

FO: Dinosaur Skin

Now that finals are complete, I could fit in some blocking.

Behold, an evolution!

(Color is most accurate above)

So long ago, I made my first sock. And while it was impressive for a first try, it wasn't quite perfect; the leg was too tight, the eyelets didn't show, the heel wasn't picked up very well. And I never quite got around to making the mate.

About a month ago, I needed something to knit at work. I had the unused second skein of Koigu. I had a simple shawl pattern.

Then I needed more yarn. So…a-frogging I went :D

(It is at this point I should say that my friends in knitting club think I like to torture them by frogging perfectly good FO's in front of their very eyes. I do not, but I must admit, it is pretty funny to watch.)

The scarf…shawlette…thing was actually finished in December, but as previously mentioned, I've had no time to block it until now.

Oh, and as for the project name? I have fallen deeply in love with the smooth, yet textured garter ridges that feel just like our skin fossil at the museum. And after all, no one does know what dinosaurs looked like ;)