I frogged it...just like that

I really hate to admit that I have frogged something, especially online. But it is the truth and although it hurts my knitting ego to say it, it has to come out: I frogged my EZ bonnet and my BSJ. There it's out. I said it. I need something I can do quickly and easily as the baby was born ten days ago and I have to get this gift off to her mommy in Germany. I also realized that the yarn I was using was way too big for the needles I was using and the bonnet was so tightly-knit, the baby's head would have been boiling. Hot Baby=Crying Baby=Headache for Mom

Although I love and admire EZ designs, I can't really make sense of the patterns in the Opinionated Knitter, even with the help of the most experienced knitting mavens. I think I may just have to break down and shell out the big bucks to School House Press for the how-to DVDs on the BSJ and other beloved EZ patterns. I know they sell them at I Knit London, but I am not sure I want to give those boys my money yet (which is a subject for another post entirely).

Trolling my blog roll last night, I read a post from travelknitter on an adorable and *easy* design by Jacki Kelly Seamless Baby Kimonowhich I promptly cast on and made significant progress. I haven't given up on EZ, but I will have to postpone my puzzling for the sake of the gift.

Domestic Miss Give Away Contest: Addi Turbo Needles and Artisan Buttons from South Africa

Yes, I know it has been over a week since my last post. I am a lazy blogger, but a binge knitter and that has led to some strange RSI symptoms. RubbishKnitter at BornKnitty suggested paracetamol (European equivalent to acetaminophin) before bed and seconded my learning Continental style.  And I spent 3 days on the back of a motorcycle ogling sheep and the amazing Welsh landscape. Hence I have been off the needles for nearly five days until today.

I had my first internet date today with DomesticMiss, one of my first friends on Ravelry, to check out her LYS, Fibre + Clay in Knutsford, Chesire and its biweekly knit-in. We had a pre-coffee and a post-coffee and talked about so many things we are both passionate about (writing, knitting, etc).

In celebration of the impressive completion of her first big knitting project, a lace scarf, Domestic Miss is giving away a pair of Addi Turbo Needles and 4 artisan buttons from South Africa. Congrats, Steph. Well done.

Fibre + Clay, BTW, is absolutely amazing! I cannot even tell you how inspiring it was to be surrounded by so many beautifully crafted objects, amazing wools, haberdashery, bags (squeal!) and an incredibly library of borrowable books. So good. Can't wait to go back. More in my next post.

The BSJ is in its second incarnation. I have changed needles and wool and am having a much easier time with the aid of Dawn Adcock's notes (hat tip to Knitlist). I am not good at reading conventional patterns, so a little help understanding the method of EZ's (ingenious) madness is most welcome. Will post pics soon once the one-piece wonder has taken a more concrete shape.

Be nice to those wrists. Knit well and knit often (but remember to take breaks!)

Baby's First Sweater: Women's U-Neck Vest by Mari Lynn Patrick

Ta-Dah!

My labor of love is now complete...and boy, were those creative contractions ever painful.

After four semi-froggings and subsequent reknits, the U-Neck Vest is finally wearable. Well, almost.

I have to say I am mostly satisfied. It fits really nicely through the waist and bust, but the sleeves are just too long and a bit puffy. 

Maybe they will loose some volume in the wash. We'll see.

So now I am on a rampant spree of baby knitting. Man, this procreation business seems to be contagious right now. Well, I guess that is what happens when you and your friends are thirty-somethings. 

I just started EZ's Baby Surprise Jacket. Who hasn't knitted one of those? 

I also have an improvised baby blanket on the go too. It is amazing how quickly chunky yarn is knitted on 35mm needles- Above is a preview of the Bigga Baby Blanket.

Ah yes, then there was my lone attempt at hand spinning. It was yet another subtle reminder at how challenged I am in the manual dexterity department. It probably didn't help that I was doing it in public with several experienced spinners looking on while winging constantly about the migraine I'd had for almost a week at that point. 

The Kopfschmerzen are gone (thank God) and has given way to a curious pain arising in my right wrist. Is it time to learn Continental so I can switch-knit? Perhaps. With all that lovely (and cheap) roving I acquired at Woolfest, I will again pick up the lovely spindle Pen lent me, but not yet. I have to bond with Elizabeth first.

Knit well and knit often.