Mind Change

So I've changed my mind about this fall. I am still going to use minerals, rocks, gems, and their countries of origin for my inspiration, but I'll mostly just use the colors and maybe textures of the gems. After drawing and thinking a bit, the design will look and work better this way.

India is to be first in line. I want to create a copper polygon base with enamel work inspired by Hindu art. I decided to go with Russia next. Russian architecture will be an inspiration for the design. I'm pretty excited about this.

Ramblings

My notes from my Rambling Rose Cardigan project on ravelry.com were too long so here they are:

I splurged and bought this yarn the day that my stepdad died- not so much to make myself feel better... I don't know why, I guess. Well anyway, it feel so beautiful and I'm really in love with it. I think I'm going to like this project; I've never knit lace before.

Okay, have become quite intimidated by the pattern as I can't understand it. ha- but love google as it has explained everything except why it doesn't seem like it will work numberwise. I also wish I knew more about, and felt more confident about addidng stitches to make it a bit bigger; so I'm going to play with some cheaper yarn and see what happens.

Okay, I have, I think, figured out what was wrong with my math. It has something to do with the bold red outline in the scallop rib chart. What? No, that big red line couldn't actually mean anything.

I have decided to knit with size 7 needles, because I am bigger and longer than the pattern calls for. We'll see.

Alright, I have figured it all (almost) out to knit a size that will work for me. Because the armhole shaping is the same for both sizes, I'm going to knit the size small for the back and the size large for the two fronts. To fix the armholes, I'm going to bind off, (instead of 4 sts beginning at back, left front and right front's armhole shapings,) 2 in back and 6 on the two fronts, putting my side seams nearer the back. So, will line up arm seam 2 sts forward from sweater side seams on each side... RIGHT?

I have again changed my mind. I have decided to cast on 43 for the two fronts (in between the two sizes) which will change the scallop pattern as it calls for 16 uninterrupted sts. So, at the front edges of the two panels, I will just add 8 sts garter stitch.

I love blocking so very much. If I had to work this over again, I might not add any stitches or fret about sizes, as steam blocking and pins make everything perfect. I hope it won't be too big with my added stitches... ONE SLEEVE, THE YOKE, AND BUTTON BAND TO GO!

Am almost finished and I just ordered more yarn to make another but in a solid color. I think it's going to fit well; I did change some things, which may work out perfectly.

okay.....

Should have added stitches to the sleeves as I did for the two fronts. The sleeves are too tight. I’m taking the seam out to reseam less tightly and with less bulk. It will be borderline… GRRRfingers crossed.
If it doesn’t work out, I’ll pick up stitches and add some stinky rows.

I did pick up and knit rows along the sleeve seam. It worked pretty well, and I’ll make and add buttons and I’ll be done!

I have decided not to make buttons, but have ordered perfect ones from this etsy store.

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So, I frogged and restarted so many times... I didn't give up and finally finished.

Line Up for the Fall

This semester in school, I have freedom. I can create anything that I want for my "Special Studies" metals class. I have 4 hours per week to work in the school studio. That's where the metal work will take place. The glass is going to be worked at home in my garage... yes I know what I'm going to make.

I've decided to make blown glass oil lamps with copper and brass bases. Gem and mineral growth is the inspiration. The glass is going to be blown, fumed, stretched, cut, etched, and otherwise manipulated to create sculptural lamps that will echo rocks! rocks! rocks!

The US, India, Madagascar, Brazil, Morocco, China, Pakistan etc. will also be inspiration. I'm going to use the gems and minerals' origin as inspiration for the base of each lamp. I'm really excited to see what comes out of my head and into what it turns. Here are some of the minerals that will be inspiration. (These pictures will take you to minservice.com, where you could buy them!)

Rambling Rose Cardigan: Rainy Day Roses

Okay, I've been working on this cardigan for over a month, and I mean nonstop. School started, but in my free time, I am working on the cardigan. It's almost done, and I tackled new techniques throughout it. So strike on, fearless knitters, learn something new and put yourself out there when you see something beautiful that you want to knit.