Team Pie- 3WA Knitting Olympics Team

finis!

2006-03-03T04:11:00.000-08:00

Four days late, alas, but my sweater is done. I spent most of Thursday seaming it and knitting the neck, and then this morning was spent weaving in about fifty zillion ends. I'll block it over the weekend. Yes, there is microfibre in the Cashmerino, but the vast bulk is natural fibre, so it should benefit from blocking. I changed it from a polo neck to a crew neck, because Phil asked me to (he wants to be able to wear it over a button-down shirt), but other than that, I didn't make any major changes to the pattern. It fits brilliantly, and looks just wonderful on him.

What I have learned: Totally natural fibres rule, because splicing is SO MUCH BETTER than weaving in fifty zillion ends. I loved working with the Cashmerino -- it's really a beautiful yarn -- but on a project this big, once I knit through my stash, I am sticking to wholly natural fibres in the future, because the joining and weaving in really did suck that much. I don't know if I'm just that much better a knitter than I was when I made the first sweater, or if this is just a better pattern, but setting in the sleeves was way easier this time. So was picking up stitches for the collar, and my overall confidence was significantly higher.

Next sweater project will be a cardigan in Summer Tweed for my mum, but right now, I'm going to finish the black and pink skinny scarf I'm making for myself, and then I'll probably do a shawl or a throw. I need a break from gauge!

No medals for me, but knocking out a whole sweater in just under three weeks feels like a big accomplishment to me. I subbed yarn, dicked with gauge, and changed a pattern. I trusted my own instincts, and holy shit, I totally fuckin' made ANOTHER sweater!

Go to yarn harlot

2006-02-28T11:24:00.000-08:00

Want a medal jpg for your site? Want to send email to enter for the prize drawing? Want to be all warm and fuzzy?

go here!

In the afterglow

2006-02-27T15:47:00.000-08:00

congratulations to all members of team pie, regardless of whether you finished or not. Something something about the journey being the reward.

Special congrats to folks who've picked up the needles for their first project cause of this. My (just finished before the closing ceremonies started) umbilical cord baby hat is off to you.

Finished!

2006-02-25T17:24:00.000-08:00

That's me, wearing my newly finished and blocked gloves!

I'm also wearing my Olympic beret; it's from the Salt Lake games, not the Torino ones, but it'll do.

Here's ANJA!

2006-02-24T22:33:00.000-08:00

Well, here she is. She's a bit blue-looking, but that's my fault (I'm still learning how to use my digital camera) -- she's actually Brown Sheep Co's Lamb's Pride Bulky in "Pine Shadows".Still needs blocked, I think, although she's pretty close to squared up as-is... I'm torn between the 'soak and pin' and 'steam iron under damp towel' methods. Would you believe I've already started on another project? Egads - I think I've become a 'knitter'!

2006-02-24T18:37:00.000-08:00

14 days. 2 me sized sweaters done. Inch and a quarter into a baby hat. BOOYAH. Pics soon. Promise.

Edited: As promised:

Beth is done in Rowan Ribbon Twist (yes I went and straightened out the collar after taking the pic). That extended collar hangs back like a...er. not hoodish hoodie. Jude is in black (apparently known as 'Savage' to the Rowan people) Biggy Print.

A closeup of the Beth. I have to say I like this colourway, as it kind of reminds me of chain mail.

Knitter down...

2006-02-24T18:32:00.000-08:00

I am recovering from injuries that have slowed me way down. I hope to finish the penis and pattern, but the hats are going to have to wait until afte the Olympics. I took a spectacular fall on a wet kitchen floor and banged up my left elbow, and by the time that started to heal, I managed to burn my left thumb on an oven element and got a second degree burn. It's getting better.

I'm done!

2006-02-23T22:25:00.000-08:00

I made an entire sweater in 13 days, or about 61 hours of work.

Awesome.

VICTORY IS MINE!!!

2006-02-23T10:00:00.000-08:00

I finished my scarf at about 10pm last night -- I've decided to call it 'Anja', since I cast off the last stitch just about the same time Anja Paerson got her gold in slalom. I'm weaving in ends this evening and I'll post a pre-blocked picture later on.

Even though I cheated and started early I'm right chuffed with myself, I can assure you. I feel positively victorious.

Penile progress

2006-02-20T09:31:00.000-08:00

We were travelling at the beginning of the Knitting Olympics, and I neglected to bring 2 circular size 2 needles, so progress has been somewhat slow. However, last night I finished the shaft and head, and picked up stitches for the scrotum. I will post pictures as soon as I can find the memory card reader, which I know I saw the other day...

Day 10 of the Knitting Olympics

2006-02-19T23:52:00.000-08:00

I estimate I'm at oh, just-below-the-boobies at this point on the sweater. And I'm suddenly quite afraid that using up my various colors that I want to stash bush means that I'm not going to be able to make this even as long as the first one- and hell, I wanted this one to go longer.

It's quite unnerving to be making it up as I go along sometimes.

Finally in the groove

2006-02-18T08:03:00.000-08:00

I'm just about done with the back of my sweater; about 3-4 more rows to go, which I should be able to knock off in 20-30 minutes or so. I'm behind schedule, if you pay strict attention to the calendar, but I'm still determined to make it. You know how it sometimes takes a while to find the rhythm when you're working on a big project? That's sort of where I was until last night. The yarn is gorgeous, I love the new needles, but I've been overly cautious and slow, because of the slippy nature of my materials. I am mildly worried about how slippy this yarn is going to be when I switch over to the Addis to knit the collar, but right now, I just have a heck of a lot of ribbing and stockinette to kick out in a fairly short space of time, so I'm putting the collar out of my mind.

There is one thing I don't like about using yarn that has man-made fibre in it; I can't just splice it when it's time for a new skein, which means way more ends to weave in. I hate weaving in ends. Can't somebody PLEASE sell a readily-available pure cashmere/wool blend in the UK? Please?

I will never forgive Jaeger for discontinuing Cashair and Cashmina. Never.

2006-02-18T06:43:00.000-08:00

I'm down to the last 5 rows and top shaping of the seecond sleeve, and then it's assembly time. I've already seamed together the 2 shoulders and picked up/knit the collar. So, setting in sleeves, seaming sleeves and sides, weaving in approx 3 trillion ends.

Woo hoo.

Day 7

2006-02-16T22:13:00.000-08:00

One glove is finished! I'm halfway done!

Bring on the gold medal!

2006-02-14T19:49:00.000-08:00

Because I am done! This hat was way easier than I thought it would be... but still, I'm gloating. Just a little bit. i love how it turned out! I'm even going to pretend that I got the pompom to stripe on purpose!

Also, I'm now going to see how many more I can knit before the Olympics end. I'm hoping for three.

Better late than never?

2006-02-13T12:05:00.000-08:00

I can knit a little (am recovering from shoulder surgery), so cast on a scarf for a friend yesterday. It's a rayon/sparkly/mohair blend -- black with vivid colors. It kindof shimmers, and is pretty! I'm hoping it will end up about 48 inches long (it's 4 inches right now).

After one weekend...

2006-02-13T06:43:00.000-08:00

... I'm about half-finished with my hat. I thought the cables would take longer!

Maybe I should change my plan to seeing how many hats I can knit in 16 days, because I suspect I'll be done with this one in another day or two.

After three days...

2006-02-12T22:57:00.000-08:00

I have finished an entire back and sleeve! Huzzah!
I pretty much spent the entire weekend knitting except going to the gym/a class, and I am definitely bummed to have to go back to work and then only have lunch hour and an hour or two after work to get my time in. Grr! And I've been so fast at it, too!

The speedskating methodology

2006-02-12T09:14:00.000-08:00

Back of sweater #1 done, 25 rows into sleeve 1. The sweaters are my 'distance events', the baby hats are my short-track.

Back to knitting. Pics later. Knitting and screaming at hockey, what could be better?

T-minus whatever and counting...

2006-02-10T09:45:00.000-08:00

Got my yarn, got my needles, found my pattern, and am about to make dinner, thus clearing the evening for watching the opening ceremonies, and starting my project. I'm not as well-organised as chicagowench, so there is no Italian theme to our meal; I'm making Chicken Etouffée with steamed basmati rice, and I made a disgustingly rich chocolate layer cake as an early Valentine's Day treat, since Phil will be away on the actual day. Mmmm Callebaut. This seems celebratory enough for me, and leaves more time to knit.

I don't have much in the way of actual work to do next week, and will, as mentioned above, be on my own for four days, so I am hoping to make a huge start over the weekend and a lot of progress next week. I am also wishing I'd gone for something really, really chunky, but it's too late now to let my nerves take over, so I am definitely sticking with the black polo neck sweater for my beloved. I swatched last weekend, and have mostly been resting my hands, but for a little noodling around on one of those blessedly gauge- and pattern-free scarves where I let the yarn do the talking, and content myself with mindless knitting.

I am in danger of taking this thing way too seriously. Somebody shoot me if I turn into one of Those People, OK?

We're off

2006-02-10T02:39:00.000-08:00

We leave for our trip this morning, so my knitting is all packed. I shall do my best to report in this week on the pattern-making progress.

2006-02-09T15:03:00.000-08:00

I've gauge swatched and am good to go tomorrow. I have fiendishly selected dishes for tomorrow night's northern Italian themed dinner (antipasti of gorgonzola in pastry and various nibblies, i primi of butternut squash risotto, i secondi of lamb shank with mushrooms and red wine, dessert of affligato) that I can almost entirely prep/cook ahead so as to maximize evening time.

I've frightened the manager of the local yarn store with my enthusiasm, I think.

How're y'all doing?

Gearing up

2006-02-08T12:22:00.000-08:00

So, I just finished- and I do mean finished, that beast is seamed, ends woven in, and currently blocking- Jerry's 'Fergus' from Rowan Bigger Picture, as the thought of starting a new project for KO with that unfinished filled me with guilt and shame. But as I triumphantly reclined last night, finally allowing myself to- oh- look at the pattern for the sweater I'm doing for KO, I realized...

It's on bigger needles than I thought. Reducing the challenge level a smidge as it will go faster. Hrm.

So, Knit Olympians. Give me your feedback. Do I throw down the gauntlet to myself and:

a. Knit one sweater and one earflap hat as my KO projects
b. Knit one sweater, one hat, one set of mittens as my KO projects
c. Knit TWO sweaters as my KO projects
d. Stick with one sweater, anything else is a bonus.

It's official

2006-02-06T23:44:00.000-08:00

Check it out - we're on the official team page!

Event Prep

2006-02-06T07:25:00.000-08:00

So I did go over to John Lewis in Liverpool today, and got (gulp!) 12 skeins of the (luscious!) black Cashmerino Superchunky, as I have definitely decided to make the polo neck pullover. The gauge is just, as in barely 1/5th of a stitch, off, but it will be fine; I am not anticipating any real sizing problems with this, since it's hardly intended to be a form-fitting sweater anyway, and Cashmerino definitely blooms a bit when you wash it. (Which you can! Muahahahahahaha!)

Now I am off to order a pair of 8mm/40cm Addi Turbos for picking up and knitting the collar. I am really glad that when I bought my 8mm/35cm straights, I got them in light wood, because dark wool on dark needles sounds like more trouble than I need right now.

Hi, my name is jess, and I am a knitaholic

2006-02-04T16:23:00.000-08:00

I have no fewer than 3 projects on the needles already, and another just needing blocking and buttons, so I need more projects like a hole in my head (and I have a few of those already). But I love a challenge, and can't let there be Team Pie without me.

So: one of my recent projects was a Hanukkah gift for the 3WA goddess Sara Astruc, a knitted penis that could be tied onto the forehead. The origins of the Forehead Cock are shrouded in the mysteries of time (AKA jess is old and forgetful). I was joking with Sara that I could knit her a prosthetic forehead cock, which she thought was hilarious. I mentioned this to my husband, who instantly double-dog dared me to knit one.

So, I did. And it is a marvel of knitted engineering, complete with pubic hair and scrotum, involving circular knitting, short rows, i-cord, a sock heel and felting. However, I was in such a hurry to finish it that I neglected to write much of the pattern down. So, in the spirit of taking on a challenge during the Knitting Olympics, and because several people want the pattern, I am going to recreate this wonder AND WRITE DOWN EVERY SINGLE STEP. And then, if I have any more time, I'll make as many children's hats/mittens as I can from my stash for the Dulaan Project.

In the meantime, I can tell you about my current projects:

- a corset top, in purple tussah silk from Artfibers (a birthday gift), just needs reblocking and buttons

- an almost completed multidirectional purse, my own pattern, in Noro Silk Garden, for my sister

- a Mermaid in colourway 5, (kit was another birthday gift)

- and a Mary Poppins scarf in Kidsilk Haze and Douceur et Soie for a friend

My name is jess, and I am a knitaholic.

About that Rowan sweater...

2006-02-02T18:39:00.000-08:00

Er, that may be off the table for the Knitting Olympics, not because I don't plan on knitting it eventually, but because Mother's Day is still some time off, and I started playing with my stash of Debbie Bliss Cashmerino, and oh my God. The Cashmerino, so soft, so silky, so yummy. It is just gliding over my needles and slipping through my fingers, and mmmm. All of my stash is in girly colours, intended to be scarves and hats for me, me, me, but I am probably going to head over to John Lewis in Liverpool and see what they have in the manly colours, because I can seriously see my husband looking and feeling mighty good in a black polo neck Cashmerino sweater. The pattern I plan on using calls for the discontinued Noro Sahara, but I'm pretty sure I can make gauge using either the Cashmerino Chunky or, more likely, Superchunky. And, yes, my stash is already way too big, but this sweater is something I passionately want to knit, it will get worn to death, and Cashmerino is MACHINE WASHABLE, people. I have only so much self-control.

Speaking of my husband and sweaters, the blue Rowanspun roll-neck had just finished blocking when he got back from Leeds for the weekend, and when he tried it on, it fit absolutely flawlessly, and he loves it and praised me to the skies for it. Therefore, he deserves another sweater. In Cashmerino, which, in case I haven't been clear enough, I LOVE AND WANT TO MARRY.

What to knit, what to knit....

2006-02-01T21:31:00.000-08:00

I'm fretting over what to knit. I'm working on a baby cardigan for Slimer (the nephew), and I think I want to do something for myself. I have a good amount of a ribbon yarn I like (700 yds or so, maybe more) , and I like the idea of a ribbon tank, like the one from knitty http://knitty.com/ISSUEspring05/PATTxback.html. However, I'm concerned about the back, as I like the whole wearing a bra thing, esp with something with holes in it.

Or I might do something completely different. We'll see. I need to finish that dang cardigan first.

Knitting with toothpicks (the joys of fine gauge).

2006-02-01T20:48:00.000-08:00

Hello all; on Blogger I'm known as Bliss, but on Team Pie I'm Parenthetical Girl.

My Olympic event is going to be a pair of gloves in red Koigu. I've never made gloves before, and just to make it that much more challenging, I'm going to use a size 0 needle. I've been making socks in fine gauges as training, and I've decided I really like the way they look and feel with the tiny little stitches. Right now I'm finishing up a pair of toddler socks which I'm knitting with a 000 needle (I might as well be using toothpicks). My wrists ache, my fingers are sore, and my eyes are weary. On the bright side, though, when I go back to using the size 0, it'll feel huge by comparison.

[An aside to Amelia: I understand what it's like to be powerless over the forces of gauge. I knit so loosely that I always have to go down at least two needle sizes. I prefer to knit things where I can choose my own gauge and calculate the stitches accordingly. Ann Budd's book is really useful for this; you can knit at whatever gauge you like with a minimum of math involved. You might want to give this a try!]

first sweater post-mortem

2006-01-31T15:33:00.000-08:00

So is it OK if we just blither about knitting in general here, as well? Because I am so excited by how well my first sweater turned out. I am not going to get all hubristastic about it, but for all the frustrations, it actually wasn't all that hard, and I am revved up and ready to go with more complicated projects.

I learned so damn much with this project; knitting in the round (the neck), picking up stitches (again, the neck) sewing invisible seams (and oh my god, it is SO DAMN COOL to watch the stitches disappear when you pull the thread tight), shaping, fitting sleeves into armholes, etc. I think, though, that the most important thing I learned was how to figure things out for myself when patterns aren't written as clearly as one would like. And also, when the author isn't clear, or gives flat-out crappy, confusing directions, don't blame yourself; just find somebody who can explain it in a way that you can understand. And, seriously, Stitch 'n Bitch is a lifesaver. I found Debbie Stoller's explanations for picking up stitches and sewing invisible seams so much more comprehensible than those in the book from which I got my sweater pattern. I will definitely knit some of the other patterns in The Yarn Girls' Guide to Simple Knits, since, in addition to being pretty damn easy, they're just the sort of knitwear I really like, but I can't say I thought much of most of their general knitting instructions.

I'm still not sure about going for one of the Summer Tweed patterns for the Olympics. I might have all I can do to get it done with something a bit easier, and done on bulkier yarn, but I've got about a week to figure it out and source anything I need, so I will let you all know when I decide. Right now, I'm going to treat myself to a quick, instant gratification knit of some sort, just as a reward for having stuck it out and concentrating on only one thing through the first sweater project. Oh, and the medal I intend to reward myself, if I succeed in my event is a new pair of disgustingly spendy Asciano Rosewood needles. I have one pair in 5 mm, and I adore them.

Round 2...

2006-01-31T11:35:00.000-08:00

Hi, I'm Jennifer, and I'll be doing the Tubey sweater from Knitty...again.

Is that a cheat to do something I've done before? I really don't know. But I started Tubey #1 a few weeks ago and fell in love with making it. So simple, so quick! The (first and last) time I made a sweater, it took me four months! This one took me...well, I didn't write down when I started it, but I think it probably went about as long as the Olympics are going to. So that seems appropriate to me, somehow. I didn't particularly try to be fast about it, but this time I'd like to do a Speed Tubey. Just go as fast as I can, though maybe making the second version with tighter sleeves and a longer waist, and more colors. Well, that and I keep thinking of a girl I know who made an entire cardigan in a weekend, and someday I'd like to be that fast. So this could be practice for that. Besides, my other current knitting project right now is a total PITA and is going to take me fifty years... way too much detailed Fair Isle, color switches, and counting every stitch on small needles! Aiee!

A Scarf's Tale

2006-01-31T10:44:00.000-08:00

Yes, I know I'm totally bending the rules by having already started my project... but hey. Like I said, it's my first ever knit item, and I've been purling for less than a week. So, with no further ado, I hereby announce I'll be completing the 'Ribbed for Her Pleasure' scarf from Stitch 'n Bitch. GO TEAM PIE!

Caution, Slow Knitter

2006-01-29T13:42:00.000-08:00

Many years ago I admitted that I was powerless over the force of gauge, and have since then vowed to knit only textiles, never garments (except hats, because I can see what I am doing as I go along). I'm not much with the groovy stitches, either, so I count on the colors and textures of my yarns for dazzle.

For the knitting Olympics, I will be making a baby blanket with my old favorite Lion Brand Homespun. I love the softness and washability for kids' stuff, and it's bulky enough to go pretty fast. I strongly believe that children's items should not be limited to pastels. I usually enjoy using vivid combinations that scare adults, but this time I have a lot of different variegated yarns that all go well with purple, so I'm planning to alternate big marled sections with dark purple stripes. I hope there will be something of a sunset effect.

Another thing I enjoy about blankets and scarves is working out stitches that look good on both sides. I think a blanket should not have a front or back, so I often use differnt types of checkerboard patterns or more complex alternating textures. In this case, though, I think the focus should be on color, and the yarn has a lot of texture already, so I think it may be moss stitch or even garter stitch. I'll have to start up a swatch to decide.

Despite my mediocre knitting skills, I manage OK with PhotoShop. I created the Team Pie badge at the top of the page. Feel free to swipe it for your own pages (if you are part of Team Pie, that is!).

Howdy

2006-01-29T13:13:00.000-08:00

I am in the midst of seaming my very first sweater, which I should complete in a day or two, even though this is a stupid easy pattern, because setting sleeves made of stop-rolling-dammit stocking stitch is driving me INSANE. Still, I soldier on.

I'm Ana. I am still deciding exactly what to knit from my embarrassingly vast collection of pattern books and my scary huge stash, because while knitting is so much fun, just, you know, buying yarn and patterns is much more exciting. And did I mention my knitting needle fetish? Anyway, I am leaning towards either "Basil" or "Rosehip" in Chocolate Fudge yarn from the Rowan Summer Tweed collection. Both are listed as easy knits, but this is Rowan we're talking about, and their definition of easy is not necessarily the same as mine.

In conclusion: Go Team Pie!

Welcome, my friends

2006-01-29T11:36:00.000-08:00

To the blog that WILL end, though it may turn into some bizarroverse 3WA knitters forum. Who knows?

We are the few, the proud, the knitters of ThreeWayAction, which despite its name is not a site for WOO HOO teh_SEX! but is instead a discussion board. Together, we have thrown down the (gauntlet, mitten, fingerless glove, YMMV) and are entering the Knitting Olympics.

I'm Chicagowench, and I will be knitting the Rowan "Beth" out of the ribbon twist collection. As an extra carrot and stick to myself, I will reward myself with a gift certif to jimmy beans wool if I also bang out a hat.