To: The Best Followers Ever

I’ve been putting off this post for a couple of hours now. Since I’ve arrived home from vacation I’ve done all sorts of things; unpacked, started some laundry, opened the mail, replied to comments on Instagram/twitter/Facebook, and given my kitty some loving. Not necessarily in that order. One thing I haven’t done is write a blog post which I promised myself I would do soon after I got home. So here goes…

I’ve been blogging here for almost three years. It has been fun and I have not regretted a single moment of it. But, I’ve gone from a naïve fifteen-year-old to a slightly-less naïve eighteen-year-old. I no longer have dreams of becoming a famous knitwear designer (Now, that’s an oxymoron), I’ve found that knitting for the sake of knitting is what works for me. No pressure, no deadlines (except for December 25th, that one always sneaks up on me.), just me, my fiber and a pair of sticks.

I’ve grown up and, sadly, I’ve outgrown this blog. I love it to pieces but it isn’t me as much any more. I have no need, no desire, to be Cleo Lititz anymore (Part of the deal I made with my mother when starting my blog was that I’d have a pseudonym). I still love knitting and blogging but, I need more room to grow. I am going off to college in the fall and with that fresh start in mind I decided to make another one. I am in the process of starting a new blog. It’s a big leap of faith that is somewhat scary, I’ve worked hard here and I’m fond of all of this, but it’s time.

I would love to see some familiar faces over in the new space. It would mean a lot to me if you would stop by and say hello. I don’t have any post up just yet but there is the about page.

Thank you all for being here and reading my ramblings. Especially to those of you who reached out and liked and/or commented and let me know I wasn’t blogging into the void. I love all of you and hope you’ll continue to follow me in my journey.

For the last time, Cleo Lititz

Beach Preperations

Two years ago I did my first yarn bomb at a beach in Delaware.

Well, a scrap pile by the bridge. Since then I have done a few but not many. I thought it would be fun this year to take a few down with me and see how many tags I can do.

I went through my box of FOs that don’t have a home. There were several squares from a blanket I was planning on making in middle school that will work great for little tags. I’ll hopefully be able to show off a few when I get back.

Resolution Recaps 5 & 6

Well I’m finally caught up! Over the weekend I knit two months worth of days into the weather scarf. It’s getting so long that I’ve taken to rolling it up as I knit, to reduce the bulkiness. Here it is sans rubber bands.

The teal section on my needles right now is the largest section of any one color, seven days. Here’s what it looks like all stretched out.

0-10 degrees F: White 
11-20 degrees F: Black 
21-30 degrees F: Grey 
31-40 degrees F: Dark Blue 
41-50 degrees F: Green 
51-60 degrees F: Purple 
61-70 degrees F: Lime Green
71-80 degrees F: Teal 
81-90 degrees F: Yellow 
91-100 degrees F: Orange 
101-110 degrees F: Red
Holey moley right? The colors shifting is really obivious in both pictures.

I’ve been trying to get back into the rhythm of one square every day on the blanket. The last time you all saw it, (waaay back in March) it looked like this;

But, after adding to eleven squares to it over the Memorial Day weekend and a bunch yesterday, it looks like this:

I honestly cannot remember what yarns I ran out of this month but, there are a few special squares I want to share individually.

This square is made out of literally all that was left of the yarn from the Bahamas Socks.

This square is made of some oft eh leftovers from Gingko Shawlette, there will be plenty more where it came form.

These squares are both yarns from a swap I did in June with a fellow instagrammer, Jesse. Her username is @oocha if you want to check out her sock yarn blankie which, she has named Mrs. Weasley’s Blanket.

Are any of you making sock yarn blankies (or similar projects)and want to swap mini skeins with me? I’d love to swap with you guys. It’s always fun to add a little more variety to the Blanket.

Gingko Shawlette: a Journey

I finished the Gingko Crescent shawlette yesterday and… what? I didn’t even take any ‘real’ pictures of it, I was so busy. Sorry. So, today, we’re going to try something new. I’m going to build a post entirely around the pictures I posted to Instagram of it.

I cast on Thursday night and took this picture of what I so far Friday morning.

I worked on it on and off all weekend and posted this picture Monday afternoon while I was on a road trip. I was probably 3/4 of the way through the stockinette body.

I posted this later that night at the hotel once I had finished the body. I admit I was rather scared to start the lace since I had never been completely happy with any lace I’ve ever knitted.

Tuesday night on the car ride home I worked the first ten rows of lace before it got too dark to see. I took this picture Wednesday morning at home. I was loving the lace. Even though I had started it at the amusement park while waiting for others to get off the roller coasters it was turning out great.

Yesterday morning I finished it and immediately wanted to take a picture of it, unblocked as it was.

Last night, just before I went to bed, I posted this picture of it while it was blocking. I let it dry overnight and, even though it wasn’t exactly shaped as specified I was very happy with it.

This picture I posted this morning once it was dry. The middle part where the original cast on was has reverted to its original snap a little. I might re-block it but since it’s going to be against my neck it might just leave it. I absolutely live this project. It has to be my favorite thing that I’ve knitted so far and proof to myself that I can, in fact, knit lace and be satisfied with it.

Bahamas Socks… The Complete Set

I knew as soon as I finished the Bahamas Sock’s I would want to wear them. (Wow, that is a blurry picture!) I wanted to wear them to school and have them be visible so I had to make sure they were longer than my converse high tops. That wasn’t an issue, I had plenty of the Painter’s Palate Koigu (in fact, I only used one skein.).

After I finished them I started blocking them that night. The next morning they were still damp. I really wanted to wear them that day because the school year was winding down and it was one of my last non-gym days. (I refuse to subject hand-knit socks to gym class.) So, my mother suggested we put them in the oven on ‘low’.

I left them while I brushed my teeth. When I came back into the kitchen I pulled them out and let them sit while they cooled down. It worked! They were completely dry and unharmed. When I put them on they fit like a glove and the wave detailing wasn’t stretched out.

Just before I caught the bus I went out on the front steps and snapped a few pictures of my socks inside my shoes.

They had plenty of extra room to show off above the shoes. The asymmetrical pooling of the colors gave my outfit a nice pop. I love being able to wear my hand knits. For some reason it feels like it doesn’t happen all that often…

Notions Therapy

Day Four (Thursday 15th May): Conversations Between Workers.
Start by writing a few short paragraphs from the point of view of one of the tools you use for your craft. this might be a spinning wheel, crochet hook, pair of scissors or your knitting bag. These first few lines should include a description of this tool’s task and usage. If you are feeling particularly in tune with this item you might assign it feelings.

Then, write a dialogue between yourself and this item. It might describe your relationships, the annoyances that you have felt for this item at some point (or could it have possible ever have felt annoyances with you) and the wonderful work that you have created together.

I decided to put my own spin on this prompt since I neglected yesterday’s. I decided to write as if one my petulant darning needles (they just disappear everywhere, couches, backpacks, you name it I’ve probably lost one in it) was going to therapy.

The scene: A cozy bedroom with slightly purple walls, an armchair with a teenage knitter in it and an end table with a few framed pictures on it and knitting magazines in the side holders. On top of the table, in front of a lamp are a porcupine pin cushion, a stitch marker and a darning needle.

Cleo: Hello everybody and welcome to this week’s Notions Therapy.

Notions: Hello Cleo.

Cleo: I see we have a new face with us today. Can you tell us your name and what kind of notion you are?

Daryl: Hello my name’s Daryl and I’m a darning needle.

Cleo: Why don’t we have everyone else introduce themselves to Daryl? I’ll start. I’m Cleo and I’m a knitter.

Penny: Hello, my name’s Penny and I’m a pin cushion.

Marcus: Hello, my name’s Marcus and I’m a stitch marker.

Daryl: Hello everybody.

Cleo: So Marcus, at the end of last session we were talking about how you felt like your relationship with Nina was on-again-off-again. Care to continue?

Marcus: Yeah, every time she comes around she just leaves right away. Zoom! Onto the next stitch, no time for me.

Cleo: Well, you know that’s how circular needles can be… They’re just going around and around… But they’ll always come back to you. You just have to decide if this relationship is the kind you want. And if not? Maybe get to know the nice stitches to your left and right. Penny leans forward

Penny: You think you have a crappy relationship? I can’t seem to get anyone to stick around. Gesturing wildly A few pins fly out. Everyone ducks. As soon as I get them whipped into shape they leave.

Cleo: Do you think, Picks a pin out of her hair, maybe that you’re being to controlling?

Penny: Yeah I know. Sighs. It’s just so hard to find a nice lace piece these days. Looks pointedly at Cleo.

Cleo: Guilty as charged. I just don’t have the patience for lace.

Daryl: At least you get to be involved with the knitting. I just tie up everybody’s loose ends. Slumps in his seat.

Cleo: You could look at it like that. Or, you could think of yourself as the one who holds everything together.

Daryl: Yeah, that’s true. Sits up straighter.

Cleo: Looks at watch We don’t have a lot of time left, before we end this meeting is there anything you would like to add?

Penny: Knit something lace.

Daryl: With a lot of seaming.

Marcus: In the round.

Cleo: I’ll see what I can do.

S.H.I.E.L.D Beanie Needs a Little Love

5KCBWDAY2 Dating Profile
Write a dating profile for one of your past finished projects.

A Little About Me
Hello, I’m Cleo’s S.H.I.E.L.D. beanie. I’m based off of the insignia from the Marvel Movies. I’m only a little over two months old but I’m very mature for my age– I’ve seen a lot.

I’ve been on my own since the release of Captain America: The Winter Soldier because (Spoiler Alert!) nobody wants to be with a relic of an intelligence agency corrupted by a Nazi deep science division kept alive by a super computer.  I have moved on and looking for love!
Construction
I’m a thick winter beanie made out of acrylic black and and grey worsted-weight yarn. I was a stash busting project but, don’t let my simple roots fool you, I had a fair bit of color work that wasn’t exactly TV knitting. I can keep anyone’s ears warm as well. I’m an eye-catching unique practical piece in Cleo’s wardrobe.

Likes
I’m more of a winter FO and I like all winter sports, sledding, ice skating, skiing… Being finished in March I haven’t had a chance to try any of them yet (even though it was plenty cold in March there wasn’t any snow.) but, I’m always up for trying new things. I also would like to try cosplaying someday, maybe as Black Widow? I’m looking for, ideally, someone who’s a little bit geeky and loves to be outside in winter.
Dislikes
I’m not a fan of anything made of really nice yarn because it makes me feel self-conscious. Same goes for bright hand-painted yarns. Other than that there isn’t much I don’t like.
The Future
I would like, in a couple months to go with Cleo to college where I might get the chance to meet more geeky knits. I would also like to be worn to the midnight premiere of Avengers: Age of Ultron.

A Day in the Life of Bahamas Socks #1

5KCBWDAY1 A Day In The Life
Describe a day in the life of a project that you have made, or are in the process of making.

 

Dear diary,

What a day! I can’t believe everything that happened today. I was cast on early in the morning. Cleo was on a road trip with her family. They were headed to Cornell University for her brother’s Rubik’s cube competition. It was a long ride so she had plenty of time to work on me. She had just finished my toe with the wave colorwork when we arrived.

She tucked me away in her purse as they headed to the competition. It would have been really dark except that she hadn’t zipped it all the way closed. I couldn’t see anything but I could hear what was going on. There was a lot of bouncing which were stairs. They seemed confused. I guess the competition got moved. Eventually they figured out where it was. More bouncing. More stairs.

When we got to the room all I could hear was a lot  of people talking and a weird clicking noise. As soon as they sat down Cleo got me out so she could work on me. I couldn’t believe how many people there were. I felt really small so I made sure to drop one of my dpns so that everyone knew I was there. It worked.

There were cubes everywhere.

There were people solving cubes with one hand.

There was a person who’s job was to un-solve the cubes.

There were ‘cubes’ that weren’t even square! (these are three of them stack on top of each other.)

They  went to lunch at a place called Jimmy Johns where they made subs super fast. The food was messy so Cleo didn’t have a chance to work on me so she just got a progress shot of me with the menu.

By the time we got back they had started some even crazier things than before.

They were solving Rubik’s cubes with their feet!

And with their eyes shut!

Eventually the competition wound down and Cleo’s brother was eliminated so we left. (He got 37th place out of around 60 people for the three x three. The traditional Rubik’s cube.) Cleo’s parents said they wanted us to see something before we left.

Buttermilk Falls! They were so pretty. Cleo even let me take a selfie in front of the falls. It was such an exciting day, I went from cast on to having a heel turned. I can’t wait to be bound off!

 

PS~ Cleo wants me to add that I’m the Turkish Walrus pattern by Rachel Brown and I’m made out of this yarn….

Resolution Recap #4

Wow, another month passed in a blur. It’s finally warming up though, the birds are chirping and the grass is slowly turning to green. And with the beginnings of spring the colors of the scarf are changing.

I started using purple and lime green, which I switched for pink because there wasn’t any pink in cascade 220 superwash.

0-10 degrees F: White

11-20 degrees F: Black

21-30 degrees F: Grey

31-40 degrees F: Dark Blue

41-50 degrees F: Green

51-60 degrees F: Purple

61-70 degrees F: Lime Green

71-80 degrees F: Teal

81-90 degrees F: Yellow

91-100 degrees F: Orange

101-110 degrees F: Red

(Temperatures are based on the average for the day.)

I didn’t even work on the blanket I don’t think, I’m not going to post a picture of it but I promise I’ll make time for it this month. I hope. I have to make a graduation present for my best friend so that’ll be first but hopefully it won’t take long.

I’ve been planning some off the blogging week posts and I’m getting super excited. I can’t wait for it to start.

What I Did Instead

I should be working on the Ginkgo Crescent shawlette.

I have the pattern.

I have the needles.

I have the yarn.

(Madelinetosh Tosh Sock)

Buuuut…

Monday morning I pulled out the yarn to wind it and when I removed the scrap pieces of yarn holding the skein in order I found two bugs! They were larvae of some sort and after a post on ravelry suggested that I freeze my yarn for three days, let it sit for one and then let it freeze for another three.

So instead of working on the shawl I found various other things to do.

I wound the yarn I dyed earlier this week with yellow onion skins and an iron after-mordant.

(The lighter yellow is without a mordant.)

I got caught up on recording temperatures for The Weather Scarf.

I tried to turn a heel on the Bahamas socks and ended up with an extra needle with ten stitches on it when I picked them up after finishing the sole flap.

Seriously, who does that?

Upon closer inspection I realized that, not only do I have no idea where those extra stitches came from or how to eliminate them, they are too mall in various places, the heel being one. So,  I frogged it and started over, making a medium instead of a small.

I worked on a sister to the Stevedore hat. It is only slightly different. I’m using the Alpaca yarn I bought in Gettysburg last summer. I’m calling her Stevedora.

I bought the hair ties I needed for Flower Power (AKA Tiny Tether) and a set of pacifiers.

Apparently you can only buy a 72 pack of these suckers at Wal-Mart and apparently they make different sized pacifiers for different ages. I bought some for age 16 months. I’m going to go back and get some smaller ones I think.

I did a lot of things other than the thing I wanted to do but I still got a lot done.