Craftin' across the miles

2010-01-17T12:15:00.002-06:00

If you're looking for me, I can now be found at my new blogspace. Hope you join me there!

~Jill

2009-05-08T11:23:00.003-05:00

... a little bit of craft:
A pillow cover I made late last night when motivation struck.

2009-03-23T18:03:00.001-06:00

Pattern: Incredible Custom-Fit Raglan
Yarn: Knit Picks Shine Sport (gray and green)
Reynolds Saucy Sport (purple)
Needle: US 5
Start: January 21, 2009
Finish: March 19, 2009

Its finally finished! This seemed to really drag on there at the end... I just wanted to be done. But I finished it up last week and I love how it looks and how it fits. The yarn is so soft and comfortable, and its not too warm to wear at my scorching-hot office. I really liked the top-down approach and the calculator/pattern I used came out perfectly. I definatley will be making more sweaters using this method. My only problem is that I got so antsy there at the end I basically made everything too short and then I had to pick out the bind of edge and make both the body and the first sleeve longer. This should have been entirely avoidable because it is knit from the top and I could have tried it on to make sure it fit, but I was impatient and I went ahead and bound off without trying it on... and it was too short. Originally I was going to leave the bottom edge with no ribbing so that it would curl, but I didn't really like how that looked so I decided to do the narrow band of ribbing instead.

The pictures were taken in my new apartment... so you get a sneak peak!

2009-03-16T09:46:00.004-06:00

Warmest Slippers Ever: thrummed with wool for warmth, in army green for fashion (ha!)

So, I wrote out a pattern for these, and it should be better than the last one, although it was difficult to write with the thrumming, I think that it is pretty clear. If you're interested let me know. They were very quick to knit up, it took me a month because I took a few long haituses. I'm very happy with them and they are keeping my toes warm as I write!

Crochet Love

2009-03-14T19:03:00.008-06:00

I have not finished my second sweater. I only have about a half a sleeve left and all I can think about it crochet. Yes, crochet. I'm completely obsessed with crochet. I don't know why or where it came from. Well, maybe I do - there are so many colorful crochet projects out there. I had to get in on some of that color. So I've been crocheting with no particular project in mind. Just making things... its actually really fun. I've known a little about crocheting for a couple years now, but I'd really not done much more than a straight line. As I started playing with the yarn and hook, with my crochet book nearby, I realized that crochet is really intuitive. I know three basic stitches and with those I could play around and figure out how to make different shapes. I figured out how to make these flowers just by looking at a photograph of some flowers! I was pretty impressed with myself!

And I've made this thing, I'm not sure what it is or what I will use it for... but it was fun to make! I think I want to make one of those lovely hexagon blankets with reds and oranges and yellows.

Sweater #1

2009-02-24T14:51:00.008-06:00

Pattern: DROPS 109-1 Jumper with hood

Yarn: Berroco Peruvia Quick

Needles: US 10, 10.5, and 11

Start: December 30, 2008

Finish: February 22, 2008

My first sweater of the year is finished! This was one of those total spur-of-the-moment, I must make this sweater kind of things. The pattern included a hood, but I decided to make it with a shawl collar instead. I followed this pattern's instructions for the collar. I knit the body on size 11 needles, the collar on size 10.5 and then I only had size 10 dpns, so I used them for the sleeves and just cast on a few more stitches to make up for the difference in the needle sizes. That worked out fine and the sleeves fit perfectly. I am fairly happy with how the sweater came out, but it tends to bunch up around the ribbing on the bottom. I think if I would have knit the ribbing in a smaller size needle, it would have probably eliminate the bunching. I like the sweater, but I'm not in love with it. I like knitting things with bulkier yarn because it goes faster, but I think sweaters knit in a finer gauge are more comfortable and flattering. From now on, I think I'm going to stick to things knit on a needle size 8 or smaller. Well, until I want a quick sweater...

A Challenge

2009-02-17T16:31:00.008-06:00

I have decided to take on a challenge: Knitting 12 Sweaters in 12 Months. There is a knit-a-long going on for this purpose and I have decided to join. I know that is a ridiculous amount of knitting, and generally I don't like to have deadlines or even goals when it comes to knitting, but I think it will be fun and it will be a challenge.

My rules are this:

Twelve sweaters finished in 2009 - it doesn't matter when they were started
Any adult garment is considered a sweater - this inculdes tank tops, vests, and traditional sweaters
All garments must be finished and wearable by December 31, 2009

In 2007, I completed 6 adult garments: 3 tank tops, 1 shrug, and 2 sweaters... ...so I will have to double my efforts in 2009. However, I already have 3 sweaters and a vest on the needles. I am hoping to have my first sweater of the year finished this week - I just have one sleeve left to do. And I have yarn and plans for 3 other tops: a vest, a tank top, and a cardigan. So, if (when) I finish those, I will have 7 projects completed and I will have almost cleaned out my yarn stash, which has been a goal for over a year now! The only problem I forsee is that I have other projects I also want to work on - I know I won't be able to work on sweaters exclusively... my attention just won't last.

Valentine

2009-02-15T13:56:00.007-06:00

Pattern: Helleborous

Yarn: Ornaghi Filati Superkid

Needle: US 9

Start: February 4, 2009

Finish: February 12, 2009

I had to interrupt my sweater knitting to do some gift knitting. I decided at the last minute to knit a scarf for my friend Heidi for Valentine's Day. I had this yarn on hand and it worked perfectly with the pattern. I held it double and about half way I thought I was going to run out of yarn before it was long enough, but I just kept knitting and ended up with a scarf that was about 60 inches long. If I would have had time to block it, I could have probably gotten another couple inches, but I didn't have time. It turned out great and looked beautiful. I really hope she likes it as much as I do! I love mohair - its so soft and so warm, despite all the holes. I have another mohair project on my mind.

I hope ya'll had a nice Valentine's Day... Alex and I decided last minute (I was looking for an excuse to take my new car on a little road trip) to go up to Pagosa Springs for a night to sit in the hot springs and relax. It was snowing and really nice, but COLD! I persuaded Alex to go cross country skiing - he had never done it before. He has been downhill skiing since he was 4 years old, but had an accident last season and tore his ACL, so he hasn't gone since then. He said cross-country skiing was like 'driving a ferrari all your life and then being demoted to a golf cart'. So, um, I guess he wasn't sold it. I think next time we're gonna try snowshoeing instead.

Sweaters (and Sock)

2009-02-01T15:47:00.005-06:00

I ride the train to work 3 to 4 days a week. Its an hour and 20 minute ride each way, so that provides lots of knitting time. I usually knit about half of the way in the morning and the whole way home (except when I'm roped into playing poker. Which I always win.). Anyway, I really don't mind the train part of the commute - I've made quite a few friends and its a nice way to wind down after work. We actually have a lot of fun. What I don't like is that I dont like is that I don't get home until almost 7pm. My day is spent pretty much at work or getting there and back. Its kind of a drag.

But on to knitting:

First off, I finished a sock I have been working on forever. Its a pretty simple basket weave pattern in a purple and black yarn (Crystal Yarn Panda Wool) that I bought when Molly and I were in Austin last spring. I have yet to cast on for the second sock...

Otherwise, I have been on a sweater mission this winter. I started two sweaters; the first is a cozy sweater knit in bulky wool (I'm using Berocco Peruvian Quick). It is a hybrid between these two patterns. I have the body finished and I just started on the shawl collar. Its really too bulky at this point to take on the train, so it hasn't gotten much knitting time lately.

The second sweater is a top-down raglan sweater I am knitting in some sport weight cotton I have had forever. Its going to be a pretty simple striped sweater/tunic with bell sleeves. I am having a lot of fun with this one because I am using a "sweater calculator" and just making the rest up as I go. I think it will be nice for spring, which is already here in Albqueruque. It has been in the 60's lately :)

More Glittens

2009-01-25T16:50:00.005-06:00

Pattern: Minnesota Mittens from Folk Mittens

Yarn: Berocco Foliage

Needle: US 4

Start: December 25, 2008

Finish: January 5, 2009

One of the first times Alex and I hung out we met in Santa Fe after work and took a walk around the Plaza. It was just before Christmas; it had just snowed and Santa Fe was all decorated with lights, so it was really beautiful. Anyway, he knew that I knitted, although at that point he hadn't seen anything I had made yet. That evening he asked me what I was making and, of course, I had my current project in my purse so I pulled it out to show him. I was making my glittens. He like them and immediately said he could use a pair for fly fishing. Thats when I had my first inkling that he might be a keeper. And so, I made him a pair.

They were quite a bit easier to make than the first pair I made, mostly because I used a size 4 needle instead of size 2, and because I knew what I was doing this time around. The 'pattern' in the book is really more of a guide as to how to make these, not really a pattern. I would not recommend it for someone who hasn't made mittens before and isn't familiar with how mittens are constructed. Anyway, it was much smoother sailing this time around. He requested that there be a way to poke his thumb out so he could use it without taking the mittens off (which makes complete sense - I'm not sure why I didn't think of that.), so I made a hole in the thumb by binding off 6 stitches and then casting 5 on the next row (just like a button hole). They turned out great, fit perfect, and he loved them.

Winner.

Some angora goats (the curly-haired ones) and other good-looking goats at a farm I visited a few weeks ago for work. They were so darn cute!

2009-01-21T18:26:00.005-06:00

I have started a new hobby. It is printing. I have invested in some high quality equipment to the tune of $60 and renovated the craft space to be my new printing center. The photo above shows the disarray of the kitchen before said renovation. My first project was a tandem bicycle carving in linoleum. I've been doing a lot of simple prints on fabric to give to friends as patches.I can just sew the edges with some zig zag stitch (if only the sewing machines were my friends) and Voila, a personalized piece of art to sport on your backpack or bulletin board! I've also purchased a few cute tops at Target for $3.24 to print on. One of them is below, with a series of bicycles printed up the top.I have also done a few cuts in gum pads, which are a little cheaper than linoleum (and much much much much easier to find?) , but I'm not impressed. It is basically the same as cutting into an eraser, and just as easy to break. I had a nice little cut with a series of stems and leaves but it broke in half, and now I'm waiting and hoping Elmers will fix it. It is much softer to carve into, but it is also much easier to chip and just isn't as sturdy. Linoleum is very stiff and takes some elbow grease to carve into, but I think the end product provides much crisper edges and a stamp that will last much longer. I bought the only small sized linoleum block at the local art store, and Michael's doesn't even know what linoleum cutting is. boo.

Anyway, more prints to come but those are all the photos I have right now!

One and Only Christmas Gift

2009-01-08T13:11:00.004-06:00

I only made one Christmas gift this year - these linen placemats for my brother. They are very simple double crochet rectangles. I started these in the airport on the way home on December 22. I finished the second one Christmas afternoon. My hand really hurt; it is not use to so much crocheting. But I really like how they turned out - they are small placemats because my brother has a small, round kitchen table so thats what works on his table. The yarn is Berrocco NaturLin. The two placemats took three skeins of beige and one skein of blue. I had a little left over which I crochet in to a little circular coaster, but I didn't get a photo it, so you'll just have to use your imagination!

Molly made the scones for Christmas breakfast. She is the best scone-maker I know.

2009-01-06T18:30:00.004-06:00

Mountain Hat
Still using up the extra Cascade 220 from the shalom cardigan. This time I designed a simple black "mountain" pattern for the brim of this hat. Nice and cozy.

Globe Hat
I designed this hat from a stitch in The Vogue Knitting Stitchionary Volume 2: Cables. I think it turned out really well and I gave it to my friend Sarah for Christmas.

2009-01-04T17:15:00.004-06:00

Pattern: toast

Yarn: Malabrigo Silky Merino

Needle: US 7

Start: December 16, 2008

Finish: December 21, 2008

This yarn is amazing. I got it for Christmas last year (Thanks, Jamie!) and it has just been chillin while I wondered what it should be. Every now and then I would take it out and pet it because it is incredibly soft and fuzzy and squishy. I saw the pattern for toast online and thought that the two would be a perfect match. And it was. The pattern, of course, is incredibly simple - just a tube, but I love simplicity, especially when paired with gorgeous yarn. I didn't make thumb holes because I wanted to be able to just push them up my arm if I wanted to. And I do actually wear these... I have a lot of shirts with 3/4-length sleeves and when I wear them I sometimes get a bit chilly. But now I have something to keep my arms warm!

The armwarmers only used one skein of the yarn and I had two, so I made a matching cowl with the other skein of yarn:

Fir Cone Shawl

2008-12-22T19:17:00.005-06:00

I started this project on our drive to the Grand Canyon in November. It was rather experimental, as I took a stitch from the Stitch-A-Day calendar of Jill's and improvised a shawl design using the stitch. It worked out really well, with the only problem being I had a limited amount of yarn (it is leftover from the chevron clutch that I made) and would have liked to make it a little larger. I think the size is okay though, it does keep a neck warm! The fir cone stitch was really easy to memorize (it is basically the same line repeated through the whole thing, and purling every other row) and I think it looks pretty fancy for how easy it is. This is a gift for a friend who asked for a lace shawl/scarf for Christmas so I hope she likes it!

I'm back.....

2008-12-17T00:21:00.004-06:00

So, finally after a many-month blogging sabbatical, I'm back. My mom and I finished the ginormous blanket we've been knitting since May and it's on the way to S.C. as we speak to meet it's new owner.

I made a quick trip home last weekend to assemble the blanket and pretty much worked two days straight so that we could get it sewn together (we went with mattress stitch, which was imperative since many of the squares weren't exactly the same size).

Now, I'm excited to finally finish the tree jacket, but I have to rip out some mistakes.....Hope you girls are doing well and Happy Holidays!

Glittens

2008-12-12T19:02:00.006-06:00

Pattern: Minnesota Mittens from Folk Mittens

Yarn: Noro Silk Garden

Needles: US 2

Start: November 11, 2008

Finish: December 11, 2008

I really have not been doing much knitting lately. About a month ago I cut my little finger on my right hand, right on the back of my nuckle. I cut it with a piece of glass and it was a pretty bad cut. I use my little finger to 'grip' the needle, and although it has healed, it hurts when I knit. These mittens are knit with worsted weight wool on size 2 needles, so they are REALLY tight, which made it even worse.

But, I think it was worth it. These mittens are awesome. They are super warm since they are knit so tightly, I love the colors, and they are really nice for riding my bike to the bus stop at 6 in the morning!

They are definatly a winner and I'm even thinking of making another pair for a Christmas gift... except there's less than 2 weeks until Christmas!!!

Christmas gifts

2008-12-03T08:31:00.008-06:00

In the recent weeks, I have been knitting away at Christmas gifts for friends. These are some finished products. They are all original patterns using leftovers from the Shalom Cardigan! I am so sick of this army green, but I still have more than one more entire skein left (over 200 yards) so it looks like I'll probably be staring at it some more in the coming weeks. I have changed gears a bit after this and started a lace shawl project, also an original pattern. It is using some leftover wool in a gorgeous dark cerulean blue. Don't be too impressed; the lace pattern I am using is pretty simple. If it turns out it should be really nice, though. Pictures to come soon!

Green Cable Hat

Just your typical cable hat.

Norway Mittens
A first attempt at multiple-color patterns (is there a name for this?), and it turned out to be pretty easy, but some of the looped white yarn on the inside are annoying when it catches on your fingers/jewelery. Overall I'm impressed. These are inspired by the patterns in Folk Mittens: Techniques and Patterns for Handknitted Mittens by Marcia Lewandowski.

Chevron Hat
I really like chevron patterns. So I decided to make a hat with one. This stitch pattern came from the clutch that I finished earlier this fall. I made it into a hat with only minor flaws (knitting this stitch in the round was a little challenging for me).

Moonlight Mittens
These are knit from the pattern I wrote. In knitting them I realized how terrible the pattern is. It is dire need of some revisions, but I don't know that I am up for it. eek.

Thing
This thing turns out to be a trivet, I think. It was an experiment that didn't necessarily turn out the best since some of the "wool" yarn I had did not felt. But, it is still pretty cute I think, and will serve its purpose.

Mystery Solved and Decisions Made

2008-11-16T16:09:00.005-06:00

Pattern: Mystery Socks by Kirsten Kapur

Yarn: Koigu KPPPM

Needle: US 2

Start: October 7, 2008

Finish: November 11, 2008

I made these socks not knowing what they would look like in the end; they were 'mystery socks'. A designer (Kirsten at Through the Loops) posted a part of the pattern once a week for the month of October. It was a fun project and I tried to keep up with the weekly 'clues', but of course, I got distracted. I always do. They turned out nice - a little fancy for my taste, but it was a fun to watch the pattern appear as I knit along. They will find a good home, I'm sure.

And since I know you all were really worried about my brown dilemma, here's what I came up with (and thanks for the suggestions!): start one project with fun bright colors and start one project in brown.

So, I am making some of those fingerless mitts with the flop-over mitten thing in Noro (like these):

still havethe flop-over part to do

And I am making a vest with one of the browns. I am making up a pattern as I go, so we'll see how it turns out. It will be a zip-up vest; I am aiming for something like this . This is what I've got so far:

Brown

2008-11-10T14:51:00.002-06:00

I have a problem: too much brown. I look in my closet and see lots of brown, especially in the sweater department. I decide I want to make a sweater, something in blue. Or maybe green. Or red. I take a look at my yarn stash. This is what I have in quantities large enough for a sweater:cream. tan. brown. brown.

When did I become so boring (no need to answer, Molly)? Ugh. I am trying so hard to be good and use up the yarn I have. But its all so blech. See, the thing is... I am always drawn to the natural colors of yarn, but that's not necessarily what I wear. I mean, I can only wear so many brown things.

So whats a girl to do?

Dreaming

2008-11-03T11:58:00.001-06:00

Pattern: Dream in Color Shrug by Kay Dahlquist

Yarn: Dream in Color Classy

Needles: US 10.5

Start: 9.19.08

Finish: 10.7.08

I finished this shrug almost a month ago. I really love the pattern and the yarn, but I'm not sure if I'll really wear this very much. I haven't worn it yet, but the weather hasn't really been appropriate. The sleeves turned out to be a little bit too big - they are kind of loose and I wish they were tighter. I guess I need to bulk up a little :) And the bind off is too tight. So really what I need to do to make it wearable is to undo the bind off and do a sewn bind off so that it isn't so tight under my armpits. But that involves undoing and finding/picking up A LOT of stitches, which is not one of my favorite things. And the doing the bind off itself will probably take forever. Its one of those things that I will eventually do, but it might not be until next spring when I actually want to wear the garment. The shrug itself was really simple to make - its just a big square that is then folded and the sides partially sewn together to make the arms. The lace pattern was really easy to memorize, too. Its a really is a cute shrug and I love the color of the yarn. I think it will look really cute over a black dress.

Speaking of black, I dressed up as a raven for Halloween. My costume involved hot glueing a lot of feathers. Sister dressed up as a picnic which involved a lot of fake grass. Our house was a mess for a couple days during the creative process, but it all got cleaned up. Molly didnt' get a photo of her costume, but I did!

You're right, I have been knitting

2008-11-01T13:47:00.007-06:00

I've been knitting and not writing about it. Time has just been flying lately... I don't know where October went. Or September for that matter... I don't even remember September. Anyway, I've been doing a little knitting - mostly smallish projects. I made a Koolhas hat for my friend Seth when we met up in Wisconsin for a little adventure a few weeks ago. I used a ball of Cascade 220 that I had leftover from my Tree Jacket and I lined it with fleece so it wouldn't be scratchy. I was happy because Seth really liked it - he wore it the whole weekend and kept showing it to other people. I tend to knit for other people whether they appreciate it or not - and I wasn't sure if he would - but its always a good feeling when people really do appreciate it. I only got one really crappy photo of it, though:

The photos from the beginning of the post are from my trip home. I had an terrific time. I packed a lot in for the short time I was there. And for missing my flight to WI. But we won't talk about that. Anyway, we went to a wedding of one my high school friends and saw lots of other friends there. We took a little camping trip up to Door County, where the weather and the colors were spectacular. And we went to a Packer game and tailgated with some other friends. The Packers won and the UW band played during half-time. It really was a blast! It was a perfect fall getaway... it made me all the more homesick, though :(

I made another hat, this one for myself. Its the Urchin Beret pattern by Ysolda Teague. The yarn (Lumpy Bumpy by Farmhouse Yarns) I picked up here in Albuquerque when I came for my interview. It was 'souviner' yarn because at that point, I wasn't sure if I'd be coming back. I absolutely love the yarn and the pattern suits it perfectly. I've been wearing this hat quite a bit already.

And now I'm working on a pair of socks... it is the Mystery Sock pattern that was part of Socktober fest. Right now I am about 70% finished with them. I wanted to finish them by the end of October for Socktoberfest, but now its November and they're not done... I've only got the feet to do on each sock, so I should have them finished pretty soon.

Hope you all are enjoying the weekend - the weather is lovely here. I hope it is wherever you are too!

...I know I'm not the only one knitting.... where are you?

2008-10-26T18:32:00.008-06:00

Little Blue Clutch is finished! Remember, from back in January? Of course you do.... Well here it is, finally finished! I really really really like it, except for one thing; my giant wallet doesn't fit in it. Oh well. The pattern for it was from Interweave Knits and here's the ravelry page for it. They called for some sort of shiny string to be knit along with it, but I definitely prefer it without. I also lined it with an old tablecloth that Jill had laying around that matches perfectly. It has giant blue, green, yellow, and red flowers on it. They're my colors.

And.... the Shalom cardigan. It grew about a foot long when I blocked it, and now it goes down to my thighs, so I may have to re-block. I've also got to sew the buttons on yet. I got simple plastic black ones because buttons are outrageously expensive, even at places where they should be cheap (JoAnn Fabrics?)

As for modifications, I obviously turned it from a one-button cardigan into a full-fledged button down cardigan. I thought I'd be ok, but then I haphazardly had to add a bunch of stitches right under the yolk pattern because I realized that the sweater as it was would have trouble stretching around my chest. It makes it a little strange in the armpits, but it's not noticable when I'm wearing it. The pattern was really fast; I finished most of the knitting in less than three weeks. I'd definitely recommend it.

Shalom Cardigan

Moonlight Mittens

2008-10-10T17:33:00.009-05:00

So I made these mittens last year by improvising a pattern. I wrote down what i did, and today Joelle asked me for the pattern. After a few hours worth of tweaking, I completed my very first original pattern! Exciting! If you don't remember these, I talked about them here and here.

Moonlight Mittens!

Pattern by Molly Wick

Yarn: Natuasha Handknits Creative Focus Worsted, 1 skein
Needles: size 6 double pointed needles

Ribbing:
CO 36 st on no. 6 dpns. Join for knitting in the round
*(K1, P1) Repeat until ribbing measures 7 cm.

Mitten Increases:

Row 1: Knit
Row 2: Increase 1. Place marker. Knit to last st. Place marker before last stitch. Inc 1. The increase stitches between the two stitch markers will become the thumb for the mitten.
Rows 3: Inc 1. Knit cable chart* to last st. Inc 1.
Row 4-15: Inc 1. Knit as shown in cable chart. Inc 1.
Row 16: Put first 14 st on st holder. K37 (to st marker). Put remaining 13 st on st holder. The stitches on the stitch holder will form the thumb.

Mitten Body: 36 st on needles.
Row 17 and up: Knit cable repeat (in chart) until mitten measures 22cm from bottom of cuff. (cable on every fifth row)

Mitten Decreases:
Start these when mitten measures 22cm. Start with 36 st.
Row 1: k2tog, k15, ssk, k2tog, k15, ssk. This should finish round.
Row 2: k2tog, k13, ssk, k2tog, k13, ssk
Row 3: k2tog, k11, ssk, k2tog, k11, ssk
Row 4: k2tog, k9, ssk, k2tog, k9, ssk
Row 5: k2tog, k7, ssk, k2tog, k7, ssk
Row 6: k2tog, k5, ssk, k2tog, k5, ssk
Row 7: Put remaining st on two dpns, the front on one dpn and the back on another. Use third needle to knit into first two st on each needle, and bind off the two sides together to close the end.

Mitten Thumb:
Pick up 26 st on dpns from st holder.
Row 1: k12, inc, inc, k12. 28st.
Row 2: k2tog, k11, inc, inc, k11, ssk.
Row 3: k2tog, k24 ssk.
Row 4: k2tog, k8, sssk (slip 3 & knit), k3tog, k8, ssk.
Row 5: k2tog, k6, ssk, k2tog, k6, ssk.
Row 6: k2tog, k4, ssk, k2tog, k4, ssk.
Row 7: Cut working end and thread it through remaining st. Knot on inside of thumb.

Weave in all ends. Block if desired (suggested) and enjoy!

*To cable: place first 2 "x" stitches (from cable chart) on cable needle and place these behind or in front of knitting, according to chart. Knit next two stitches. Knit two stitches off of cable needle, and continue in pattern. The cable pattern calls for three cables across the back of the mitten, so you repeat the cable three times. The middle cable has a “worm” form, from alternating where the held cable stitches are placed ( in front or in back of work) while knitting other two stitches.

Cable Charts

If you'd like to make these mittens and what a better copy of the pattern & cable chart, just let me know and I can send it to you.

Pretty Fly

2008-09-29T09:34:00.004-05:00

Skirt made with butterfly stitch and sweet thrifted yarn (for cheap)

Itty Bitty Sweater

2008-09-18T16:54:00.003-05:00

Just completed baby sweater for my friend Jennifer who is having a baby at the end of October. The yarn is pompom from Filatura Di Crosa. Man, it's a huge pain to work with because all those little pompoms get stuck on the wrong side of the work. Quick knit otherwise.
Two of my other friends and I had a shower for the mom to be last weekend in WV. It was nice to visit with my girlfriends and my family. Only 2 more weeks until the road trip to come visit you girls. I'm very excited....but under no circumstance am I to buy anymore than $25 worth of yarn at the festival. I'm counting on the two of you....

Love.

2008-09-15T13:22:00.005-05:00

Pattern: Lace Surplice Top by Gayle Bunn

Source: Nashua Handknits: North American Designer Collection #4

Yarn: Nashua Ecologie Cotton

Needle: US 3 & 4

Start: May 25, 2008

Finish: September 13, 2008

This turned out awesome. I had some problems along the way, but it turned out great. I love it. Its my new favorite knit. I had gauge issues in the beginning, but once I worked those out, it was pretty smooth sailing. Until I ran out of yarn. Because of the gauge issues, I ended up knitting this on size 4 needles instead of the reccommended size 6. And I added 3 pattern repeats in the body; both of those resulted in using more yarn than called for. I didn't have enough to make sleeves for the top, so I ended up making it a sleeveless top, which worked out just fine. I have worn this twice already and I LOVE it. It fits perfectly, is really flattering, and is comfortable! It is definatly a winner.

Molly and I are going to the local yarn store and to a knitting club tonight. I told her to recruit some people for a knitting club and she produced. All she had to do was wear her sweater to school one day. A girl in her office noticed, asked if she knitted it, and informed her of a new knitting club she was starting. So tonight is the first meeting and we're both pretty happy about it :)

distracted

2008-09-11T14:49:00.007-05:00

Summer makes me distracted. I have started a number of things this summer only to get distracted away from them. For example, this gorgeous scarf that I started when I was out west and haven't picked up since:

Lace Ribbon Scarf
Knitty Spring 2008
southwest trading company's soysilk

Hopefully as fall rolls in I will pick this scarf back up, as well as the herringbone clutch that I started last spring.

And hopefully, as fall rolls in I will be wearing a cute skirt that I have been working on. It looks a little tight but I swear, I tried it on when it was only a few inches long and it fit. I swear. That's what I keep telling myself when I look at my butt compared to the area inside of this skirt's rounds. It is not from a pattern, but it is similar to a couple patterns, including the flirty skirt, and Tina's Skirt because the body of it is in the same butterfly stitch. The bottom of mine is going to be a band of green... can you imagine it?
Also-- I am using the yarn that I thrifted back in mpls for $2.50!!

Coreopsis

2008-09-09T09:42:00.000-05:00

Pattern: Retro Rib

Source: Favorite Socks

Yarn: Knit Picks Bare Fingering, dyed by me with coreopsis flowers

Needle: US 2

Start: July 4, 2008

Finish: August 30, 2008

I LOVE these socks. What can I say? They are perfect - love the color, love the pattern, love the contrasting trim. Love love love.

Winter sweater in the middle of summer

2008-09-07T11:58:00.007-05:00

Pattern: Skating Sweater

Source: Twinkle's Big City Knits

Yarn: Rowan Big Wool

Needle: US 17

Start: February 2, 2008
Finish: August 24, 2008

I started this sweater way back in February, knit about two inches and put it aside. I picked it up again a few weeks ago and finished it in less than a week... Knitting on size 17s goes fast! I had originally made a different sweater (Venus) with this yarn, but I didn't like how that sweater fit and I never wore it because it was impracticle - 3/4 sleeves in heavy wool just doesn't work. So I ripped it and knit this with the yarn. Anyway, I like this sweater much better; it is really comfortable and soft. And its gonna be really warm! I think I will wear it quite a bit.

I pretty much knit it as in the pattern; however I lengthened it by about 3 inches and widened the sleeves by 6 stitches. Even with that modification, the sleeves are still pretty tight. And I have rather stick-like sleeves.

*****

Molly and I went with a couple friends to Chaco Culture National Historic Site yesterday. It was an amazing place to visit and we are excited to go back again this fall when it is a bit cooler and we can stay overnight. It is in the middle of nowhere (~75 miles from the nearest town), so the night sky is supposed to be amazing. There are more pictures on my Flickr, if you're interested.

Fitted Tank

2008-08-29T15:23:00.002-05:00

Pattern: Fitted Tank by Alison Williams

Yarn: Thrifted cotton

Needles: US 7

Start: July 23, 2008

Finish: August 8, 2008

This was a very belated Mother's Day-ish gift for my mom. I found the yarn at the thrift store and my mom saw a photo of it and said she liked it. So I decided to knit up a summer tank top for her. She picked the pattern and I think it turned out quite nicely. The pattern was easy to knit and went pretty quickly. I'm happy with how it turned out and I think Mom is too!

This has no relevance to anything, really...

2008-08-20T15:23:00.004-05:00

So I was prusing the internet on my lunch break today and came across this list, the Omnivore Hundred. It is a list that was made by a British woman of one hundred foods she thinks every omnivore should try at least once in their life. There is quite a few things on the list that I had to google because I didn't know what it was. Anyway, I copied the list here and bolded all the foods I have already had and made the lettering really small of all the foods I refuse to eat (mostly sausages/intestines/organs or animals I just don't think we should be eating. I'm kinda picky when it comes to meat. The list is heavy on meat). Oh, and Spam.

I think its an interesting idea and I'm thinking about coming up with a list of my own! How do you all measure up?

1. Venison
2. Nettle tea
3. Huevos rancheros
4. Steak tartare
5. Crocodile
6. Black pudding
7. Cheese fondue
8. Carp
9. Borscht
10. Baba ghanoush
11. Calamari
12. Pho
13. PB&J sandwich
14. Aloo gobi
15. Hot dog from a street cart
16. Epoisses
17. Black truffle
18. Fruit wine made from something other than grapes
19. Steamed pork buns
20. Pistachio ice cream
21. Heirloom tomatoes
22. Fresh wild berries
23. Foie gras
24. Rice and beans
25. Brawn, or head cheese
26. Raw Scotch Bonnet pepper
27. Dulce de leche
28. Oysters
29. Bakalava
30. Bagna cauda
31. Wasabi peas
32. Clam chowder in a sourdough bowl
33. Salted lassi
34. Sauerkraut
35. Root beer float
36. Cognac with a fat cigar
37. Clotted cream tea
38. Vodka jelly/Jell-O
39. Gumbo
40. Oxtail
41. Curried goat
42. Whole insects
43. Phaal
44. Goat’s milk
45. Malt whisky from a bottle worth $120 or more
46. Fugu
47. Chicken tikka masala
48. Eel
49. Krispy Kreme original glazed doughnut
50. Sea urchin
51. Prickly pear
52. Umeboshi
53. Abalone
54. Paneer
55. McDonald’s Big Mac Meal
56. Spaetzle
57. Dirty gin martini
58. Beer above 8% ABV
59. Poutine
60. Carob chips
61. s'mores
62. Sweetbreads
63. Kaolin (not sure what this is - wikapedia says its a mineral/rock)
64. Currywurst
65. Durian
66. Frogs’ legs
67. Beignets, churros, elephant ears or funnel cake
68. Haggis
69. Fried plantain
70. Chitterlings
71. Gazpacho
72. Caviar
73. Louche absinthe
74. Gjetost, or brunost
75. Roadkill
76. Baijiu
77. Hostess Fruit Pie
78. Snail
79. Lapsang souchong
80. Bellini
81. Tom yum
82. Eggs Benedict
83. Pocky
84. Tasting menu at a three-Michelin-star restaurant.
85. Kobe beef
86. Hare
87. Goulash
88. Flowers
89. Horse
90. Criollo chocolate
91. Spam
92. Soft shell crab
93. Rose harissa
94. Catfish
95. Mole poblano
96. Bagel and lox
97. Lobster Thermidor
98. Polenta
99. Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee
100. Snake

Three things

2008-08-19T09:14:00.006-05:00

First off, Happy Belated Birthday, Jamie! I didn't forget, I just got lazy... I hope you had a fabulous day Sunday!

Second, Molly has arrived! Along with 13 of her boxes, which were piled in my front yard yesterday when I got home... Third, the current knitting situation:

Two nearly finished projects, the first the the Lace Surplice Top I have been working on for a few weeks now. I have finished the back and about three repeats of the lace on the front finished. And they I got bored with it and picked up an old project... The Skating Sweater from Twinkle's Big City Knits. I stared this last February but was only about three inches into it before it got cast aside. It is made with super bulky yarn (Rowan Biggie) and size US 17 needles, so it is going super fast. I should be finished in the next couple days if, Molly allows me any time for knitting. I hear we're going furniture shopping tonight...

2008-08-16T08:36:00.005-05:00

Last weekend I took a little road trip up to the Jemez Mountains, which are north west of Albuquerque. I hadn't been up there and there is a ton of stuff to do in this area, so I thought I'd take a little trip through and see the sights. I didn't venture too far off the road since I was by myself (and I forgot to bring a leash for Frazier. I'm a bad dog owner.). The mountains are beautiful, though; lots of hiking possibilities. I checked out a couple campgrounds and went on a couple short hikes. The wildflowers were in full bloom with all the monsoon rains we've been getting. It really was beautiful and I can't wait to get back up there sometime soon and do some real hiking. I'm excited for winter too; there are lots of places for cross-country skiing, and also lots of hot springs - a great combination, in my opinon! I didn't make it to Bandelier National Monument, which supposedly has a lot of really interesting Native American ruins. I definatley want to check it out another time. I drove through Santa Fe, but didn't really stop. That will be another trip, too.

I did stop at the Tent Rocks National Monument, though. Very very cool. All kinds of weird rock formations. I wish I had a geologist around to explain all this stuff to me... oh yeah, she'll be here in two days!

Preserving a little bit of summer

2008-08-07T11:20:00.004-05:00

Can you believe it is August? I can't. But I am feeling the urge of the end of the summer... you know, when you think about all the things you had planned to do this summer and realize not many of them have worked out? When you think, man, I really haven't had a proper summer vacation, I haven't even been to the beach! (that one always makes me homesick and now that I live in the desert, its even worse). But I'm also thinking those thoughts about fall... you know, when you start dreaming about those cozy sweaters on the top shelf of your closet, when you crank the AC just so you can snuggle under a warm quilt, when you cast on for tweedy, cabley, rustic knitwear. The end of summer is always a contemplative time for me. To me, it represents the passing of time, the start of a new year - more so than the actual New Year does. This is probably because up until now, my life has - more or less- revolved around the school year. I can feel the passing of time during the transition between summer and fall more than any other time of the year. I like that feeling, thinking about the past and looking towards the future. But at the same time, enjoying the here and now - all the exhilarating sights and smells and flavors of the end of summer.

Listen: The End of the Summer

So to preserve a little bit of those sights, smells, and flavors of the end of the summer, I present to you my first adventure in canning:: peach/apricot butterscotch jam and beet pickles (both recipes courtesy of my awesome mom; fruits and vegetables courtesy of my awesome friends' gardens.)

Shattered Dreams

2008-08-03T21:32:00.004-05:00

Early last spring I got a great deal on some JoSharp Silkroad Aran Tweed at my yarn shop in Huntsville. This is a pretty high-end yarn and it was 60% off, so quite a deal :) I bought a bag plus a few skeins and imagined a beautiful cabled, tweedy sweater. It is by far the nicest yarn I have purchased and I knew it really needed a fabulous pattern, so I have been on the lookout for the most perfect pattern. And I found it. I cast on last night and have been working diligently since then (with much guilt about not finishing any of the other projects I currently have on the needles, but this is SPECIAL). And then tonight I thought, 'hmmm, this looks kind of big - I better measure it'. It is 24". And it is supposed to be 17". Not good. I did a gauge swatch in stockinette before I started and it was right on, but I guess the cables change the gauge. So, I'm not sure what I'm going to do about a 7 inch difference. I am thinking about going down 2 needle sizes and eliminating one repeat of the cable pattern. I hope that will do it, because I really want this to work!

In completely other news, I am looking for any beet recipes ya'll might have. Mr. Malone is sailing across the Pacific and I get to partake in the fruits (and vegetables) of his garden. And right now there are lots of beets. What to do with beets (other than dye yarn)?

Treasures

2008-08-02T19:24:00.010-05:00

Have I mentioned my new-found obsession with picnics? Ever since I made that picnic blanket a few weeks ago I have been thinking about my next picinic blanket project. Have I mentioned that I love thrift shopping? Have I mentioned that the thrift stores and flea markets in Albuquerque are amazing? I had been frequenting one particular thrift store near my office because one of the employees alerted me that he had checked in a 'ton of yarn and craft supplies' the other day and they were about to hit the floor any time now. Well, I never saw any of that, even after going to the thrift store just about every day for a week and a half. Apparently someone else scooped them up when I wasn't looking. No craft supplies (not like I really need any, but still.... its hard to resist). But I found something even better. One day I found this:

A handmade quilt top. Its huge. And perfect for a picnic blanket! It looks like it was made from old shirts and has LOTS of character. And it also looks like whomever made it has about the same level of sewing skills as me (i.e., not that great). It needs a few repairs where it is coming apart, and of course, a back. But I can do that. I love that its totally random with seemingly no real pattern for the squares. Love it.

AND THEN, a few days later I found this:

Now this is a seriously awesome find. Another handmade quilt, this one completely finished and in really good condition. (There is one area that is frayed, but otherwise, perfect condition). It is backed with a really soft flannel fabric, has lots of batting in the middle (its gonna be really warm), and awesome fabrics:

Twist Collective

2008-08-01T12:58:00.004-05:00

Have you seen this new online magazine? The patterns in it are beautiful. I really like Bonnie and Wisteria. You can download each pattern individually; it looks like most of them are $7.00.

Copy Cat Crimes

2008-08-01T01:23:00.005-05:00

First, I couldn't resist making the clafoutis, and I didn't regret it either. It was delicious. Thanks, Jill! It is the perfect summer dish, not too sweet but very fruity. I used peaches, Blueberries, and raspberries. Yum! I made it for my friends Chris and Will, and we ate it with some wine which was a really good summery wine, too (I asked the guy at the store, I don't know about these things). I'd recommend it: moscato d'asti is the kind, and the brand we got was Bricco Riella. Its really light and citrusy, with a little bubble to it. Yum. You can see my guests waiting to get their hands on it in the background :)
In other news I found some yarn in my colors at a thrift store I stopped in on my way home the other day. All this for $2.35! Not a bad find!

I love summer food... and a little knitting

2008-07-28T19:12:00.003-05:00

PART 1:: KNITTING

This sock was completed almost two weeks ago and I haven't casted on for the second sock yet. Not a good sign. I really like how this one turned out... its just that I have so many projects I want to make! This is the Retro Rib pattern from Favorite Socks. And the yarn is some that I dyed last summer with coreopsis flowers. I WILL cast on for the second sock soon. Promise.

PART 2:: FOOD

So, there's been a ton of baking going on in my kitchen. I have always loved to bake (thanks, Mom!) and this summer I have been tearing it up with all the awesome fresh fruits available at the farmer's market and growing in my friends' yards. The photo above is a berry clafoutis (klaf-o-tee). I am going to be volunteering with an organization called HawkWatch this fall. They are a non-profit organization that educates about and promotes conservation for raptors. Anyway, they do raptor counts and raptor trapping in the mountains around Albuquerque during spring and fall migration, and I am going to be helping them out this fall. I got together with a bunch of them for a potluck dinner and slide show of birds last week - and this is what I brought. I think I will be invited to the next potluck. This dessert was amazing. This (scroll down) is the recipe I followed. I put strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries in mine. Its all custardy and fruity and yummy. Kind of like those fruit tarts that you see in French bakeries.

Last Friday, one of my co-workers gave me a bag full of peaches from the tree in her yard. I am a huge fan of breakfast for dinner, so I made pancakes and peaches for dinner that night. I sauteed the peaches in butter with cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla and topped it all off with some pecans. mmmmmm....

And then on Saturday I acquired even more peaches from another friend. I had also bought some apricots at the farmers market, so this evening I made these peach apricot popovers. They were so super easy to make and incredibly yummy.

Here's the recipe:

Peach Apricot Popovers

4 ramekins

3 Tbsp unsalted butter

1 large peach (peeled and cut into 12 sections)

1 large apricot (divided into 8 sections)

1/4 cup brown sugar (I didn't have any brown sugar, so I just used granulated sugar)

1 Tbsp cinnamon

1 Tbsp nutmeg

1 Tbsp cardamom

1/4 all purpose flour

1/8 cup whole wheat flour

1/8 cup corn meal

1/8 tsp baking soda

1 tsp baking powder

1/8 tsp salt

1/3 cup sugar

1/3 cup buttermilk

1/4 cup plain yogurt or kefir

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

-Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

-Seperate butter into 2 and 1 Tbsp portions. Set aside 1 Tbsp.

-Equally divide the 2 Tbsp portion into each ramekin, laying the butter as flat as possible. Divide the brown sugar into 4 equal portions as well and sprinkle each portion into the bottom of the ramekin.

-Arrange three slices of peach and 2 slices of apricot in each ramekin so that the curves of the fruit conform to the top of the dish.

-Combine cinnamon, nutmeg, and cardamom. Sprinkle equal parts of the mixture over the fruit in each ramekin.

-Combine the flour, corn meal, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl.

-Melt the remaining 1 Tbsp butter. In another bowl, combine the sugar, buttermilk, yogurt, vanilla extract, and melted butter.

-Pour the wet ingredients over the dry ingredients, and using a spoon mix them just enough to combine. Don't over mix; lumps are okay.

-Pour the lumpy batter equally into each ramekin.

-Put the ramekins onto a baking sheet and into the preheated oven. Bake for about 20 minutes or until the top of the cake is golden-brown.

-Remove from the oven, let sit for 5-10 minutes. You can eat them from the dish or run a knife around the edge of the ramekin and flip onto a plate for an upside-down popover.

I still have a ton of peaches, so I thinking freezer jam is on the agenda sometime this week!

i'm back!

2008-07-28T10:33:00.005-05:00

I've returned from the wild, wild west with proud achievements, sort of Speaking of kids, does anyone know any 12 year olds, because I accidentally made a tank top that would only fit a 12 year old. It's really cute!! But I think I'd need more than just a diet to make it fit me. I've even got a little rock hammer for scale for you (I've been in the field too long!). I'm sure I'll find someone though. I made up the pattern and had to restart about 18 times, first it was waaaaaaaay too big, then it was waaaaaaay too small, then it was still too small, then I thought it was just right (WRONG) ... Oh well. Maybe I'll make another one that actually fits, because I think at least the shaping/pattern I made up is pretty cute.

As far as all the amazing things I saw out west, in Montana, Idaho, Utah and (east/northeast) Nevada... you should check out mylittleredbicycle for photos. But I will leave you with this one... a view from the top of Block Mountain, which was in one of our field area for intro camp.

This and that

2008-07-26T16:18:00.006-05:00

Here's the blanket progress so far:

My mom and I were hard at work when I was home to visit last weekend. I think we have ~30 squares at this point, we're almost halfway.

Here's the proposed layout, minus the kitten and plus more squares:

I've also been knitting with a group a little. Last night we had a fun time knitting, talking, drinking wine and even some dancing.

Lesley (on the left) just finished her first hat, and Sulema (right) just learned to knit last night and picked it up really fast.

Dora, our hostess, working on her Burning Man scarf. Apparently, Burning Man is all about the fur.

A fun time was had by all, and since I've started a couple of folks with knitting, I've decided to apply for a knitting instructor job at Western Nevada College. I think I have the job if the scheduling works out and I figured that it would make me a much better knitter (at least that was true when I was a snowboard instructor).

Anyhow, I may be contacting you guys for pointers on subjects to cover as well as suggestions on projects, beginner books and yarn. I have to write a syllabus and everything!

Another baby sweater...

2008-07-25T19:25:00.003-05:00

Pattern: Baby Baseball Tee

Source: Knit 2 Together

Yarn: Bernat Cajun Cotton (from the thrift store!)

Needles: US 5

Start: July 12, 2008

Finish: July 19, 2008

This one was for one of my Huntsville knitting club girl's baby. Shes due in October, not August as I thought. Oops. Its hard to keep track of all the due dates! Anyway, its another winner! How can baby stuff not be winners, though? Its all so cute! It was an easy knit and super fast. The pattern is for mittens that attach to the sweater too, but since the baby will be living in Alabama, mittens won't be necessary too often. Plus, I knit this in a cotton yarn, so it is more of a spring/fall garment than a winter one. Jana and Adam thought that it looked like one of those hippie ponchos that are usually all kinds of crazy colors. I agree. They both thought it was adorable and so do I! Yay for babies!

On another note, while at Craftorama 2008, I put some straps on my Lelah tank top. I used some linen fabric I had laying around, made some thick-ish straps and sewed them into the elastic at the top of the tank top. I really like how it looks - much nice than before- and I know I will wear it a lot more with the straps.

Craft-o-rama 2008

2008-07-22T15:52:00.006-05:00

I had a great weekend... I was in Chattanooga late last week for a conference and I stayed for the weekend to meet up with my knitting/crafting girls from Huntsville for Craftorama 2008. We had been planning Craftorama 2008 for some time before I even left Huntsville, but the timing just never seemed to work out. So when I found out that I would be going to Chattanooga for this conference, I inquired if they were interested in finally getting together for Craftorama 2008. And everyone was in!

We actually did quite a bit of crafting, even though some of us were a little skeptical as to whether that would happen or not. We did lots of eating, lots of gossiping, there was lots of baby talk (with two preggos along), lots of walking (despite the two preggos), shopping, more eating, more crafting, etc., etc., etc. All in all, we had a fantastic time and we're already making plans for Craftorama 2009 - in British Columbia?

In proper Craftorama spirit, I (1) brought knitted clothing along to wear:

and (2) sprint-knitted to finish the baby sweater for Jana's baby:

More about both of those in another post!

One wedding gift down...

2008-07-16T00:03:00.007-05:00

One of my best friends in the whole world got married a couple weeks ago. We were college roommates for three years and have shared many incredible times. I love her dearly, miss her tremendously, and wanted to wish her and her new husband the best of the best... so naturally, I figured the best way to do this was with a handmade gift.

I made them this picnic blanket... It is patchwork on the outer ring, linen in the center, and the backing is a vintage sheet I found at the thrift store. I embroidered some little ants carrying away a cherry on the front and made a patch for the back with their names and wedding date. I had SO MUCH FUN making this... especially the embroidery. I did it all free hand, which was something I hadn't done before. I am in love with the way this turned out... I have to admit that when I took this to the park for the photo shoot, I layed down for a bit with a book. I so want one for myself. I am really smitten with picnics lately. Anyway, I found a nice ol' picnic basket at the thrift store and got them a copy of The Notebook; kinda cheesy, but a great love story nonetheless. I hope they'll spend a couple Sunday afternoons in the park reading to each other.

One baby gift down...

2008-07-13T16:21:00.003-05:00

Pattern: Helena

Source: Knitty Summer 2008

Yarn: Baby Bee Sweet Delight

Needles: US 6 & 3

Start: July 2, 2008

Finish: July 11, 2008

This sweater is for my friend Kelly's baby. She's due any day now, so I got it finished just in time! Hopefully I'll get it sent before the baby comes. This was the most indecisive knitting project ever. It stared as EZ's February Baby Sweater, but I just couldn't get that lace pattern to work for me. Then it turned into Angle, which reminded me too much of a dishcloth. And I was going to run out of yarn. So then I tried another pattern, a cardigan with garter stitch stripes. Nope, still not working for me. So finally, I just started with some new yarn and whipped this one out. I love it. Its perfect. So girly!

There really isn't much to say: the pattern was well written and easy to follow, the lace pattern was easy to remember. It was quick. I made my first picot edging. It was lots of fun.

I immedietly started on another baby sweater; this one for another friend (from my knitting group in Huntsville) who is expecting a boy at the end of August. I am making a little baseball tee in turquoise and blue. And then, I found out another friend is expecting... It appears to be never ending! However, I do like knitting for other people and I like giving handmade gifts, so its all good. And I'm lucky enough to have friends that really appreciate my work :)

I'm back...

2008-07-06T22:41:00.006-05:00

I had a really great time in Idaho... I worked with three really fun and hard-working guys, spent every day outside in the sun and wind, only got sunburned once, learned to identify all kinds of grasses, and saw a ton of raptors, antelope, groundhogs, and a couple moose. After all the moaning and complaining I did about having to go, it turned out to be a really great month.

Not much time for knitting, though. I knit a few days, but we were working 10 to 13 hour days, so there really wasn't much leisure time. And pretty much all the leisure time I had I spent sleeping. But now that I'm back home, I've had more time for the sticks... I'm working on the fourth version of a baby sweater for my friend's baby. She's having a girl (yay! the first girl of all my friends' babies). I've finally decided on Helena, from the most recent issue of Knitty.

I've pretty much done all of this over the weekend... I've been working on it like crazy so I can send it off before the baby comes. And because I have a ton of other gifts to work on... everyone I know is either getting married or having babies. I really like to give personalized gifts, especially for my close friends, but it is getting to be a lot of work!

I also started a pair of socks, Retro Rib from Favorite Socks. I'm making them with yarn I dyed last summer with coreopsis flowers. Cheryl dyed a bit of the yarn brown for me so that I can have contrasting heels and toes... I think they are going to look really nice.

Summer Knitting

2008-06-02T21:14:00.005-05:00

I wanted to make a skirt, and then I came into some yarn (thank you Jill), so I decided to make a skirt with it. It may or may not end up looking like I am a giant cloud when I wear it. That is, if I have enough yarn to finish it. Here's the start... In this photo it's upside down. I am knitting a little waistband of ribbing, then using a stitch I found in Interweave Knits for the the Farrow Rib Cardigan. I'm just going to keep on knitting with maybe a few increases here and there, and hope when I run out of yarn it covers my butt. It should give me something to do on the looooong van ride to Montana Monday to field camp.

In other news, I knitted up another quick oven mitt at the request of my friend Emily, who says she always just uses towels. We can't have now that can we!? She wanted a hand on it, and that is what she got...with a blue thumb due to limited green supply. It ended up being about the same size as the first one, which was perfect for her little hands!

Lelah

2008-05-31T15:53:00.003-05:00

Pattern: Lelah

Yarn: Lion Brand Cotton Ease

Needles: US 8 & 9

Start: 5.14.08

Finish: 5.25.08

This turned out pretty nice. I didn't make the elastic at the top quite tight enough, which I could fix, but will I? I think instead I might make some cloth straps for this. I think I would wear it more if it had straps. I didn't really change much: I made it longer than the pattern, which I pretty much do with everything I make because I have a pretty long torso. I also forgot to put in the eyelet row where you were supposed to string a ribbon through for decoration. I think I like it better without anyway. All in all, it was a success. I wasn't sure towards the end - I thought it was going to be too big, but with blocking it turned out great. Its a really fun and pretty easy pattern. It would be a great first lace project.

it's a kitchen kind of birthday....

2008-05-31T01:22:00.003-05:00

for a friend who loves to cook.... ...and clean?

Happy Memorial Day!

2008-05-26T20:58:00.004-05:00

Despite the weekend starting out with having a root canal, it turned out to be pretty good. I didn't get most of the stuff done that I wanted, but hey, I'm not gonna worry about it! I did make a pillow for my bedroom:

I also (mostly) finished my Lelah top; all I have left to do is sew in the elastic. I'll post a picture as soon as I do that. I hope it fits. Its looking kinda large right now. I also worked on my red baby cardigan which really has become my nemesis because I keep screwing up the lace. I don't know what the problem is. Well, yes I do. Its probably not the best idea to try to knit lace and watch a subtitled movie at the same time. So I put that down and casted on for the Lace Surplice Top.

I don't have a TV and don't yet have a library card so that I can get books on cd... so I have really been getting into the podcasts lately. I couple I really like, in case you might be interested: Woodsongs Old Time Radio Hour (bluegrass, folk, Americana, alt-country, blues, jazz; all acoustic. their motto is 'you don't have to be famous, you just have to be good. really good.), e-town (I use to listen to this radio show when I lived in Madison, but I haven't found a radio station that carries it since then... and its a great radio show). Non-music podcasts I like are Cast-On (knitting), This American Life finally has a free podcast (yay!), Terra (environmental stuff), and PRI's Living on Earth (stuff about living on earth). And Dad, you can access these by downloading itunes and going to the 'itunes store' and then searching podcasts for these. I know you would really enjoy the Woodsongs Old Time Radio Hour. Check it out.

Have mom get you an ipod. :)

The last of the fingerless mitts.

2008-05-26T17:46:00.005-05:00

This is the last of the fingerless mitts, I swear. I'm sick of them. But I had to finish the pair that I started. I'm giving these to my friend Sarah for her birthday.
p.s. I didn't think this pattern was simple. The pattern didn't tell you (RS) every time (it would have been helpful) and wasn't really consistent with it's directions. boo. I think these two turned out different sizes, because I screwed the first one up. But I was sick of them so I didn't have the energy to go back and figure out how to make them exactly the same.

I used this wool yarn that I got for cheap a long time ago and I didn't do a swatch so I don't know the gauge, but these turned out a LOT bigger and thicker than the ones Jill made for me....

Big Plans

2008-05-17T10:55:00.005-05:00

Now that life has settled down a bit and I am getting into a routine again, the knitting queue is piling up. I have three tops that I want to make this summer: Lelah, the Aletia Shell from Spring 2008 Interweave Knits, and the Surplice Lace Top from Nashua Handknits. I am planning to use yarn from my stash, and actually I have started Lelah already:

I am using Lion Brand Cotton Ease (I really like this yarn!) in a color called 'taupe', but I think it is more of a 'coffee'. I am hoping that the bottom will be big enough... Right now it looks kind of small, but I am hoping it will stretch with blocking. It is lace, afterall.

I am also working on a red baby cardigan that I started a while back, but I keep messing up the lace pattern and I'm getting frustrated. It needs to be ripped right now, but I'm giving it a rest for now. The baby's not due until Aug. 6th, so I've got some time.

Otherwise, I have been keeping busy with getting unpacked and everything put away. I finally unpacked my last few boxes last night. I have plans this weekend for painting the kitchen, making kitchen curtains, and working in the garden. I bought a few more plants. Frazier got into the garden this week and dug up the squash plant, so I think it might be done-for. I'm not sure what his deal was. He's not usually a digger. But, I have tomatoes and green peppers on the way, as long as I can keep them alive.

My other plans include staying away from any thrift stores/flea markets/antique stores. You guys, these places are incredible. I could spend hours and a fortune in these places. I am use to Huntsville where you really have to dig for a treasure, but here they're everywhere. And reasonable prices, not necessarily cheap and not outrageously expensive, but within reason. Which is BAD. Because then I want to buy things. But I am practicing self control. Trying anyway...

29!?!

2008-05-12T19:55:00.006-05:00

A year ago Molly was in the hospital, my grandpa was sick. I spent my birthday alone, lonely, and worried about my sister. My then-boyfriend brought me a Hardee's biscuit (bacon, egg, and cheese) for breakfast when I told him I wanted to go out for breakfast. (I will never forgive him for that). Life was really, really different and I was a really different person. It's been a long year. But its been a year I wouldn't give up for anything. Among other things, it has been a year of self-discovery, self-analyzation, and self-realization. Realizing that I am a seriously awesome gal (!), that I am 100% capable of being alone (in all senses of the word), that sometimes things don't turn out as I expect, but everything really does end up for the best. I realized how lucky I am to have such thoughtful, caring, loving, special, talented, simply amazing, kindred-spirit friends. And lots of them. Friends I didn't even realize were my friends. For the first time in my life, I feel like I know who I am... I know where I'm going and where I want to go... and I'm happy with where I am right now. Its a pretty incredible feeling. I don't really think there is anything else like it.

So yesterday was a day to celebrate. I moved across the country two weeks ago, but I didn't spend the day alone! I went hiking in the mountains with two of my new co-worker friends. It was beautiful - a gorgeous day, not too hot and not windy at all. There were great views and cactus blooming (check out flickr for more pictures). I hiked 5.5 miles - the longest I have gone in a long time. On the way home, Frazier insisted that I stop at the store to get myself a treat, and of course I didn't really resist, I decided on a six-pack of local brew and a chocolate/hazelnut bar. Little did I know the little man himself went in a got me a treat too, and when we got home he fixed up a wonderful lemon tart with fresh strawberrys and blackberrys. Man, am I lucky to have that dog or what? He's so smart! We were pooped when we got home, so we ate our treats (of course I shared with him) and plopped down on the (new) couch to watched a move and knit and then went to bed exhaused and happy. A pretty darn good day. And I even finished those socks I started last September. We'll call them Jill's longest project ever:

Pattern: Uptown Boot Socks by Jennifer Appleby

Source: Favorite Socks

Yarn: Plymouth Yarns Sockotta

Needles: US 2

May Day Projects

2008-05-11T21:54:00.008-05:00

First of all, It's FINALLY Spring here!!!

Second, I pulled out the sewing machine and the box of scrap fabric the other day, mostly out of boredom.... I granted myself 2 days off after a huge paper & presentation before starting to cram for finals... Here's what I came up with: A cute little skirt made out of a turquoise t-shirt, and the belt to a jacket I bought at Savers. The jacket looks better without the belt, and I just cut the shirt off at the armpits and sewed it right up to the belt, with a few tucks in the back (it fits a little funny but for the most part worked well). Pretty cute, but I'm not quite sure it is my style.
Next, I also came up with an apron out of a bunch of scrap fabric that I had.
I am going to give it to my friend Sarah for her birthday at the end of the month-- she's quite the baker, and I don't think she has an apron. Not bad for one evening's work!

We're Here!

2008-05-08T20:23:00.004-05:00

We made it: me, Frazier, and all my junk:

And all my stuff was delivered today... So I've got lots of work to do to get everything unpacked and put away and organized. I am most excited about the kitchen. I've always wanted a cute little eat-in kitchen like this. I am planning on painting the kitchen yellow one of these days. I just wish someone else could do it for me!

Knitting was virtually non-existent last month. I think I knit, maybe, once. But now that I'm getting settled, the thesis is finished and turned in (yay!), and the first week of the new job has been survived, I think I will get back to knitting and sewing. I've already found a knitting group that I think I'm going to join this Monday. We'll see how that goes... I know it won't compare to my knitsters in Huntsville! I've got plans for lots of sewing too. We'll see if I ever actually do it. I always have plans for sewing but rarely actually do it.

Anyway, I've got unpacking to do! More pictures later...

I'm moving to Albuquerque!

2008-04-15T21:00:00.001-05:00

Like the typical little sister I am, when Jill says, I'm moving to Albuquerque, I say, me too, me too!

I'm excited!

Busy Bee

2008-04-15T09:43:00.008-05:00

The thesis is turned in.
The job has been accepted.

The move is in the works.

My mind is spinning.

But that doesn't mean I have put creative endevors aside...

This weekend I painted a couple pieces of furniture that have been sitting around for quite some time:

Here is a before picture of the record stand, but I don't have a before of the bench/table. I am so happy with how both of these turned out. I love 'em! I have a couple chairs to paint as well, but I don't think I'll get to that until I move. I also bought this chair at the thrift store a while back and I am going to try to recover it. I've been doing some research online about reapholstery and I think I can do it! I've been doing lots of thrift shopping lately... I really love finding neat old things. I have posted some of my treasures on flickr, if you're interested at all. The doilies and the scarf on the tables were all thrifted recently.

I found instructions for freezer paper stencils and decided to give it a try. It is so quick and easy. You can find stencils on line, I found mine here, or you can make your own. I got the paint at Michael's. I made the two in the back row for my friend who's having a baby girl and the two in the front row for a co-worker who's having a boy. This is a really quick and easy way to make a personalized baby gift. Me likes.

And last, but definately not least, knitting. I finished my brea bag almost a month ago, and finally put the straps on last week. I was working on making a lining this weekend. Until I broke the needle on my sewing machine in my finger (really hurt) and now I can't figure out how to put a new needle in correctly... and I can't find my instructions/manual for my sewing machine. I know its somewhere.... so, that will have to wait until I have more time. Until then, I am using it without a lining. I love it.

So two weeks from now, I'll be all moved and starting my new job. Crazy.

Yum

2008-04-13T12:13:00.006-05:00

I worked on this Drops headband like the one I had made for my friend Julia for Christmas this weekend when I was flying to and from New Mexico to visit the last school on my list of options. I made it with the leftovers from the Tree Jacket, and ran out at the end, but it worked out because it fits really well. I wore it running today and it works well to keep my ears warm but my head cool and keep hair out of my face. Plus its super soft!
... And so, in the face of an important decision, what does one do? Why, make beer cupcakes, of course! Thanks for the recipe, Jill! Made with Bell's Kalamazoo Stout. The cream cheese frosting is a bit chunky since I don't have an electric mixer, but these are DELICIOUS!

one more time

2008-04-05T13:55:00.004-06:00

I made some more, with a scalloped edge cuff, with some gorgeous gray yarn I had. Its wool, so they're a bit itchy, but I like these better than the last ones. More photos on flickr.

Highlights from my pottery class

2008-03-31T11:35:00.007-06:00

I wanted to post some shots from the better pieces I created in my pottery class that just finished up. It's a combination of hand-built and wheel-thrown pots.

This is probably my favorite piece. It was hand built on a puki base and coils were added to build the pot higher. I impressed herbs before it was fired and then painted with iron oxide before it was placed in the glazing kiln.

This little dish was thrown on the wheel. It was one of my first attempts at centering, pulling and trimming. It's too small to drink out of, so it's a Splenda and sugar holder.

This is a thrown mug that was trimmed. It was (clearly) my first attempt at pulling a handle. Overall, it turned out ok. Glazing is a whole other art. I was feeling better about my ability to throw on the wheel, and then you have to start glazing. You kind of have to guess what it will look like, because the glazes go on one color and come out different!

This was one of the first things we worked on, a hand-built mug. It was kind of neat, it started out from a single piece of clay. It became lopsided in the firing kiln.

Mitts

2008-03-30T16:44:00.002-06:00

I wanted to make some mitts like the cute ones that Jill made for me for my friend Tessa, but the pattern calls for a provisional cast-on, which I've never done, and requires a crochet hook which I dont have anymore, thanks to losing my handy bag of knitting goods somewhere in Texas. Boo. But I used a little creativity and created my own. They're nothing fancy but I think they turned out well for a project done the past week (it was a crazy one) and completed in only a couple of days.

Like my skirt?

2008-03-28T13:52:00.003-06:00

I made this a while ago, but finally wore it for the first time yesterday. So, I decided to take a picture of it. Both fabrics were from the thrift store. The brown is a really soft and slightly stretchy cordoury. The other is a cotton fabric that looks vintage, but who knows. I just cut the squares out and sewed them on. I really like how it turned out!

Chugging along...

2008-03-25T15:14:00.003-06:00

Exactly two weeks until my thesis is due... eek! I actually feel pretty good about it, though. Ask me a week from now... I'm not sure I'll feel the same.

I have been very disciplined lately - working a strict schedule, and making time for knitting, reading, and relaxing for an hour or so before my 9pm bedtime. So, progress is slow but sure. I finished one of my Uptown boot socks. I've barely started on the second one though. I've been spending lots of time on my Brea Bag. I'm almost finished and I'm afraid I'm going to run out of yarn... Its just Lion Brand wool, so I could buy more, but the whole point of making it was to use up that yarn! Oy!

I did these little embroidered hedgehogs a while back with no plan for them. I just thought they were adorable, which they are. The other night I decided to send a package to one of my friends and I figured the little 'hogs would be a prefect patch for this red tote bag I had. My friend Cheryl made the bag while she was teaching a sewing summer camp and gave it to me when Frazier was having his surgery. My friend is kind of going through a crisis and I needed a quick package to send her... I don't think Cheryl will mind that I'm passing on her tote (I hope not, anyway!). I think it turned out really cute!

Springtime Scarf

2008-03-23T13:10:00.008-06:00

Did this scarf mostly in a really boring GIS lecture, and on the airplane to and from Oregon last week. Sorry, didn't take any pictures there... They wouldn't have sufficed anyway. Really easy pattern: Nereides. I used smaller needles (8) & yarn (Ironstone Warehouse Flake Cotton), and it turned out really well. I like it a lot better than the one in the pattern. It will be perfect for spring, if it ever comes.

Look what the Easter Bunny brought!

2008-03-23T12:51:00.002-06:00

1. Guinness cupcakes (He said he didn't get a chance to celebrate St Patty's day, so he was sort of combining it with Easter).

2. Garter mitts in Rowan Felted Tweed (with a racing stripe - when I knit with them on, it looks like I'm knitting even faster than I am!).

What I did on my spring break

2008-03-21T17:38:00.004-06:00

I finished my tree jacket... and wore it today for a day exploring little towns in Tennessee with a couple friends. We started out by visiting Falls Mill, a working grain mill that 135 years old and is powered solely by water. They have a unique museum with lots of old tools and machinery and upstairs they have a whole room devoted to fiber - spinning and weaving, mostly. At one time the mill was used as a cotton gin and at that time they had a 1000 spindle woman-powered spinning machine. Unfortunatly, with all the time they spend milling grains, they haven't had time to restore the machine so we didn't get to see it. Their grounds are incredibly beautiful, especially this time of the year and with all the rain we've gotten lately.

Then we headed over to the Swiss Pantry bakeshop to pick up some 'fried pies' - delicious - and then to the Belvidere Market for lunch ($13 for all four of us). Here we experienced true southern hospitality. Michelle didn't have any cash and the store owner told her that was fine, she could just pay the next time she came in! Don't worry, we spotted Michelle the money. The owner offered us a couple cats that she had hanging around (and I didn't even take her up on the offer, if you can believe it!). And then she went on to tell us about a man in the area that rescues retired zoo animals and gave us directions on where we could find camels and zonkeys (donkey + zebra)! Unfortunately, the zonkeys were too far away to get a good look, but the camels came right up to the fence. So naturally, I needed to get a picture of the sweater with a camel, right?

Then we went on to Sewanee, TN, home of The University of the South, a beautiful private college located on the top of a mountain. They own a ton of land and we went for a short hike after a little walk around the campus. This, of course, included more pictures.

It was a really beautiful day - full of random funness and gorgeous spring weather! As always, more pictures at flickr.

Happy First Day of Spring!

2008-03-21T10:00:00.002-06:00

(and still snowing)

Vegas, Baby

2008-03-15T22:22:00.008-06:00

Hey girls, long time, no post.

We got back from Vegas last Sunday, and we had a great time. Lots of relaxation by the pool for me, lots of learnin' for Kane. I did a lot of walking around, looking at casinos, went for a run (the weather was perfect....70 degrees with a breeze), swimming, did some good eatin'.....etc. We stayed at the Paris, and the only thing it made me want to do is visit the REAL Paris.

We saw a Cirque du Soleil show and it was amazing. "O", set over water. The ususal gymnastic craziness mixed with synchronized swimming and diving. I was ready to come home and apply for a job with the troupe, but realized that I'm about 15 years too old, and 30 pounds too heavy. Kane insisted that if I really wanted to do it, he would be totally supportive.

While sitting by the pool, I knitted some on the sweater, but realized after I saw Molly's that I needed the smaller size, so it got ripped. Now, I'm ripping again after a stupid mistake of misaligned eyelets, but sometimes those happen. It's moving along very quickly now that I'm past the garter section of the body. I also did a little reading and some drinking...it's Vegas, the only place where people don't judge you for having a drink with an umbrella in it, by the pool, at 10 am.

The little trip made me ready for spring, but I've come back to the Sierra to realize that it's still winter. We got a nice spring surprise of ~2 feet of freshies this morning. Riding in powder is something that I'm not very good at, since it's something I experienced once every 10 years back in WV....so today was a challenge but lots of fun. I'm going to take a women's specific clinic next week to help me work on more ski skills before the end of the season.

Hope you guys are doing well. Molly, again the sweater is beautiful. Jill, keep up the good work on the thesis, you're almost there.

I think you've both been to Vegas.....thought I'd leave you with one of MY favorite attractions, the Bellagio fountains.

Cheers!

How many projects can I work on at one time?

2008-03-07T11:44:00.011-06:00

I have managed to get some knitting time in over the past few weeks and I even went to knitting club last night! I've got lots of projects in the works, so here's what I've been working on:

Uptown Boot Socks in Plymouth Yarn Sockotta

I started these way back in September, and finally just pulled them back out this week. They are very fast... When I pulled them out on Wednesday I only had the cuff done.

Tree Jacket, in Cascade 220.

Coming along nicely. It use to be a lot longer, but I had to rip it all out because it was too big. I think this will fit better. That stitch marker? Yeah, I accidently dropped a stitch.

Cabled socks, in Kollage Lucious

I don't really like the yarn. Its very splitty, which is annoying, but it also just kind of feels like its going to fall apart. I haven't worked on these since I got back from Austin. Lately, I'm just not interested in having to think when I knit.

Brea Bag in Lion Brand Lion Wool Chunky

I have one side finished and have to do another side and the gussetts. This was really fast, I made this side in a couple days, I think. It was a while ago, though. Again, I'm not really interested in having to think.

One Done!

2008-03-06T10:42:00.007-06:00

So I finished the KALII Tree Jacket!! Yay! Check it out.
I knit the size small (second size), and didn't do any shaping. It seems to fit pretty well. The next size up would have been too big. I'm wearing it today!

Don't Mess with Texas?

2008-02-27T08:41:00.014-06:00

I'll second everything Jill said, but I'm not making any moving plans quite yet. UT was HUGE, the campus was gorgeous and very impressive, and the geology department building and facilities were awesome.

However, I also got a lot of bad vibes about my potential advisor. For example, the first thing I learned was that he is the "antichrist", he is a bad communicator and will not form relationships outside a very official advisor relationship with students (they didn't even know he was having a child until it was born), he treats his male students a lot differently, and he can throw some very stinging comments at you about your work, which makes it difficult to talk to him about problems. But, I will say that those opinions come from two students that I believe are also crazy. What it really comes down to is that I don't think I really want to do the research he does. He does work with eruption dynamics of volcanoes and the project I could work on would have to do with why some magmas (continental volcanoes) form bubbles as they rise and degas CO2 and other volatiles while other magmas (mid ocean ridges) do not. The actual work would be running experiments and then counting the bubbles and measuring their size and surface area to try and figure out if there is a pressure and temp or a time (rate of ascent) cutoff to form the bubbles. I think it's interesting, but my true interest lies more in the area of mantle dynamics and deeper processes.
Thankfully, I just received notice that I was accepted at Oregon State, who has a person who does things more along those exact lines. The package wouln't be as sweet, and the facilities (and everything else that comes with being the richest geology school in the country) probably wouldn't be either, but I think it is worth it to be working with someone I get along with and doing something I actually want to be doing. I also was accepted to University of Missouri, but they guy there does things more with magma viscosities and eruption dynamics also, so I'm not sure about that. I applied at a broad range because I wasn't sure what I wanted to do exactly, but I have become more focused since I applied 3 months ago.

Otherwise, it was a great weekend. I met a bunch of really cool people, including this hilarious southern girl from Auburn, and of course the "its a small world" requirement of two guys from Minnesota, one of whom I had actually run into once before without really knowing it. I'll probably see them again around the city this semester, so that's cool, since more friends are always good.

The photos show some of my highlights....
1. Cupcake, anyone?
2. Cutest girls in Texas
3. Austin at night
4. Texas Hill Country
5. Thrift shoppin
6. Green Texas?
7. Park
8. Texas Hill COuntry -- The *other* Colorado River

Oh, and i've been a bit busy to knit lately... but I am almost done with one sleeve of KAL II

Lone Stars

2008-02-26T13:56:00.011-06:00

Molly & I had a fantastic time in Austin...we could definately live there, but if I did, I would probably spend way too much money and eat way too many beans. So, I'm still not sure...

Most of our weekend was spent doing one of the following things:

Thrifting and vintage shopping,

My vintage treasures: super-cool red shoes,

interesting alarm clock, embroidered dress,

green and yellow fabric.

consuming delicious pasteries, coffee, and various entrees containing tortillas or black beans (or both),

and hangin out with Hillary and Barak.

While we did manage to find an absolutely devine (and incredibly large) yarn store, which was in fact a bit overwhelming, we spent no time knitting. Molly brought her KAL II sweater along & I tried it on... fit perfectly, so I measured it... 14" across at the bust. Mine is 17". Not good. So, I tried mine on when I got home and indeed, it is much too large. So, I must rip back and start again from the cowl. Ahhhh... well, I'm glad I figured it out now & not later, but I think it might be spring before I finish it! I am also working on some blue cabled socks. The yarn is Kollage Lucious, a cotton sock yarn I've had for a while. And last night, instead of doing school work, like I should have, or working on the sweater, or even working on the sock, I decided to cast on for two (yes, two) new projects. I have determined that cast-on-itis is a definate side effect of me being too stressed out. And so I shall end this post and get back to the work at hand (only ONE MONTH left. help.)

Oh, and I uploaded some more pictures from our trip to my flickr account if anyone is interested.

Tid Bits

2008-02-17T17:49:00.004-06:00

I made a couple little Valentine's gifts this year... these mitts for Molly. I've always thought that fingerless mittens were rather silly, and I guess I still do (especially in Minneapolis), but for some reason I really thought these were cute, and I had the yarn (Rowan Felted Tweed) in my stash, so I whipped them up and sent them out. I think they were well received.

And then another cowl, this one for my Mumsie. I am always hearing about how cold her room is at school, so I figured this was definately the answer. It was another stash-busting project, made with ancient Lion Brand Wool-Ease (and by ancient, I mean a couple years). The verdict: cute & warm. Fashionable and functional - always my ultimate goal.

My KAL II sweater is coming along... I'm about 5 inches into the pattern on the body. Its going super quick! I hear Molly is already onto the sleeves! How is yours coming, Jamie?

Here's my progress...

2008-02-08T11:08:00.001-06:00

Tree Jacket
Originally uploaded by wickjill

done with the cowl, but that's as far as I've gotten. I'm using Cascade 220. I'm going to add the grey border to the top, bottom, and sleeves. I love how that looks.

Sneak Preview

2008-02-06T17:59:00.000-06:00

Here's a sneak at what I've been working on....

Like how it looks like i might be done? i'm not. Good news! I was admitted to the graduate program at UT Austin with full support of a research assistantship! And they're flying me there to visit at the end of February! Pretty amazing. I'm still waiting to hear from the other 5 schools (Oregon, Oregon State, U New Mexico, U South Carolina, & U Missouri) To celebrate, I am procrastinating....

Which included the creation this afternoon of this vanilla-almond sour cream pound cake. After major lessons learned on my behalf about the concept of bunt cake pans, it turned out gorgeous, and I only sacrificed about a fifth of the batter to the bottom of the oven, and the kitchen only stank too bad for a half hour......

Back on the Knitting Wagon

2008-02-04T10:48:00.000-06:00

Pattern: Baby Yoda

Yarn: Plymouth Jeannee

Needle: US 7

This little sweater is for my friend's new baby. He was born one week ago today and I am sure he is anxiously awaiting his hand-knit sweater! This took me way too long... it was a kind of boring knit & I couldn't get motivated to finish it. However, the baby wasn't due until February 12, so I thought I had a bit more time! Now I can't decide if I like the turtle on it or not. I made the turtle out of felt, thinking that the sweater need a little 'something', but now I'm not sure. What do you think?

I also finished this cowl thinger last night, I am thinking I might send it to someone special for Valentine's Day. I just have to figure out who that someone special is....

Pattern: Razorshell Neckwarmer

Yarn: Tahki Cotton Classic (found at the thrift store!)

Needle: US 6

Started: 2/2/08

Finished: 2/3/08

And in other news:
I have finally started my KAL II sweater... I've got two rows completed!

A little of this, a little of that

2008-01-26T11:18:00.001-06:00

The mittens are done!

The mittens are pretty cute, after having ripped out the top of one of them three times. The cable isn't perfectly centered because I didn't account for it being tighter, but I still think they are cute. I think I will give them to my friend Nicole who lives in Indiana, because they wouldn't do a whole lot for the type of cold here.

This is a picture I took on my way to school the first day. It's the mighty Mississippi! I have to walk/bike over it every day to get to school. It was about -15 so the water was lots warmer and you can see all kinds of steam coming up. It was a gorgeous day if it weren't so cold!

And then I must show you all my handywork in the kitchen. I made biscotti this weekend, and of course burned the chocolate so only a fourth of them got coated, but they are delicious nonetheless.

Last weekend I made spring rolls and this delicious sauce that my friend gave me the recipe for. They were delicious! Here's the recipe, I'd highly suggest using it sometime. It's more of a summer type of meal, but perfect for the spring, which hopefully will be on its way in no time?

Spring Rolls

Ingredients:
red cabbage, carrots, bean sprouts, spinach, lettuce, cucumbers, and fresh cilantro & basil (and whatever else you might fancy), vinegar, sugar, lime juice, rice paper, rice

Cook some rice or rice noodles first. Chop up some cabbage, carrots, bean sprouts, spinach or lettuce, and cucumbers (chop up according to how many you want to make).
Cover the cabbage with a little vinegar and sugar. Squeeze some lime juice over the carrots, lettuce and cucumbers. Dip the rice paper in warm water for a minute or two to soften it up. Then lay it flat and put a little of each ingredient in the middle, fold the sides in, and wrap the roll like a burrito. Make a bunch of them.

Peanut Sauce:
Ingredients:
Sriracha sauce, soy sauce, tomatoes, peanut butter, peanuts, sprig of basil
Here's the recipe, straight out of the email my friend sent me.
"sauce, yes yes threw stuff together but it wasn't half bad you know? there's this stuff that you can get almost anywhere, and by almost anywhere, i can imagine that it's found in the asian section of most conventional grocers, don't know about the coops (wtf about north country by the by? i'm ever so pissed), but you can always try united noodle in seward or some place will have it on nicollet south of like
24th or so. it's a ubiquitous vietnamese red spicy garlicky delicious magic sauce (called Sriracha) that shouldn't be terribly difficult to find. then add some soy sauce, or better yet, some gomaicho (sp? it's the toasted sesame seeds with sea salt and sometimes, if you are sassy enough, wakame flakes) which you can use to salt in a less conventional manner. then, make sure you have enough tomatoes, at least 2 and enough peanut butter, at least 2 table spoons, but i don't know why i bother giving you these measurements because this is really where the subjectivity runs wild. just make sure that the balance is slightly harmonious and fits to the number of people you are going to have. i don't recommend skippy peanut butter or any of that processed stuff, but i am in the land of groundnuts right now. you may want to opt for crunchy to add some texture and if you already have smooth and don't just want some paste or what have you, then maybe try crushing peanuts and tossing them in. ooh, don't forget little sprigs of basil!!"

Maybe you have to know the guy, but his recipe cracks me up every time I read it. The sriracha is this stuff, but if you can't find it, you could also make your own, using chili paste or chili peppers and tomatoes, a little water, and some chopped fresh garlic. Happy knitting, or cooking, or "schroomin", or whatever you two are up to!

'Schroomin'

2008-01-23T13:17:00.000-06:00

I've been looking for instant gratification projects lately since I don't have much knitting time on my hands these days. Myriads of Mushrooms is perfect! These adorable mushrooms are really cute, really easy, and really fast. Not to mention great for those of us trying to use up odds and ends. I used four different colors of left over Paton's Classic Merino. The bigger stem you see in the picture was my third try, all because I didn't know what yarn in my stash was wool and what wasn't, but even with that set-back, I knit both of these in about 2 days. Very fun!

Check out the creepy ghost schrooms:

Winter knitting

2008-01-21T10:36:00.000-06:00

So, I remember the days of holiday break being numbered. I wish that I had been a knittter at that time! I did go home to visit family and that was sort of like Christmas break, so here's what I accomplished. My mom and I finished the entrelac bag that I completed the knitting on this summer. I wanted to line it and sew on these really cool green leather straps.

Here's a veiw of the liner:

I wanted to wait to go home to finish the bag because I don't have a sewing machine. I really dislike hand sewing, but I think I mostly dislike it so much because I'm really bad at it. It was a fun thing to work on with my Mom. I'm not sure I'm finished with it quite yet, because I've carried it a few days and I don't like the fact that there is no way to close it. A zipper is out of the question due to the shape of the bag. I may do a hook-and-eye closure or even a button....I'm not sure....any ideas?

We've been trying to get back to our usual routine since coming back to NV on Tuesday. We did get some skiing in yesterday and I'm probably going to head out for a few runs today. I have worked a bit on the KAL II sweater. I'm not crazy about the yarn I chose, it's really sticky because it has silk in it. It is also full of slubs, which makes the gauge off a little (it is labeled worsted, but I'm not sure about that!). But, I have a lot of it, and I'm trying to stay on my "yarn diet" until the bulk of my stash is used up. Here's what I have completed so far:

It's hard to see because the stitches are all bunched up on the needle, but I think that I'm about 3/4 of the way done with the garter stitch on the yoke. I sat by this elderly gentleman on the plane ride back to NV who was just obsessed with my knitting. His main concern was why the sweater was called the "tree jacket". I told him that I had no idea. He seriously spent the majority of the flight coming up with reasons for the name. He was really entertaining and cute. He finally decided that the eyelets looked like leaves and that the "jacket" part of the name was a typo.

I also wanted to share with you one of my favorite Christmas gifts from my mom (I had lots of favorites this year.....the pottery mug made by my friend Melissa, WV wooden spoons, a scarf made by Jill....)

It's wool yarn spun from sheep who live in my hometown! The yarn is undyed, and the picture does the actual color no justice. It's a deep chocolate brown with natural color variation flecks. It's way too scratchy to make a garment out of it (those sheep must have had a really high-protein diet), but I'm thinking of blanket made from squares of complimentary colors. The owners of the sheep make old-style felted blankets out of the wool (think military blankets). I may end up lining the back with a soft fabric to ease the itchiness, but I'm very excited about the yarn and the fact that the sheep live in West Virginia. Go Mountaineer sheep!
I hope you both are doing well. Jill, good luck with the writing, keep making good progress. Molly, good luck with the new semester, it will be midterm before you know it! And Molly, I have some geology questions to ask you, but I'll send them via email. Cheers!

My days are numbered

2008-01-18T01:03:00.000-06:00

Four more days until school starts, and my knitting binge will have to come to an end. Until then, I am cramming in as much as I can. I started these mittens that I am designing myself tonight that are really cute.
Plus, I'm using up the last 2 skeins of sweater yarn. If I have some leftover after the mittens, which I feel like I might, I am going to make one of those headbands that I made for my friend Julia.
Also I re-did the bottom of the sweater and finally blocked it, so hopefully after this you won't hear much about that anymore. It's cute, but not exactly how I envisioned it. I think the yarn was chunkier than I imagined. Oh well.
And, I also churned out yet another hat last night.

I wasn't sure who it was for, and when I got done, I really liked it and couldn't think of anyone else that would wear a bright yellow hat, so I decided to keep it. I'm really proud of coming up with these patterns myself. I know I keep it pretty basic, but it's so much more enjoyable to me to knit something I'm coming up with rather than just follow patterns. I think that is why I have already gotten sick of the little green (blue) clutch It looks really good, and I've probably spent more time admiring the pattern than actually knitting it.

But when I get around to it, I think it'll be very cute. So, that's a real workload when my deadline is next Tuesday when school starts. We'll see how far I get. If I'm housebound by this 0 degree weather all weekend, I probably won't do too bad...

Cream of Carrot

2008-01-15T00:10:00.000-06:00

Pattern: Cream of Spinach

Yarn: Classic Elite Miracle, 2 skeins

Needles: US 8

Start: 12/26/07

Finish: 1/6/08

Another winner! I feel so lucky that I have been ending up with some awesome suff lately... you never know how things are going to turn out, but I love this scarf. Its very delicate and feminine, but in an organic, earthy sort of way. Kind of how I like to think of myself :)

This yarn is an alpaca/tencel blend, and it drapes just beautifully. It is incredibly soft, has a great sheen to it, and just a little halo. Its delicious. And the color is amazing. I don't think these photos capture the color in all its glory and I just don't know how to describe it. I guess you'll just have to come here to visit the scarf sometime.

P.S. I love scarves. I don't think I could ever have too many.

Finished socks....in the St. nick of time!

2008-01-14T12:20:00.001-06:00

These are the socks that I wanted to finish in time for our us to open gifts with my parents. The second sock was completed in the wee hours the day before we opened.

My mom loved them and tried them on before they were completely dried and blocked.
We've had a great visit and will be on our way back to NV tomorrow morning.

Tie-Dye Socks

2008-01-14T10:01:00.001-06:00

Tie-Dye Socks

Pattern: Toe-Up Sock Formula from Knitty

Yarn: Knit One Crochet Too Wick, 2 skeins

Needle: US 4

Start: 12/28/07

Finish: 1/13/08

These turned out really cute... the yarn pooled (or chunked, as Molly says) like crazy, but I like how it looks - like it's tie-dyed. The yarn is soy/polypropolene blend (thus the name 'wick') and it is super warm. Good thing the yarn wicks, because my feet are toasty warm whenever I wear these socks (like right now).

These were my first toe-up socks, and boy were they easy. Toe-up socks are so much more straight-forward than top-down socks. And making that toe is kind of magical, too :) With the formula/pattern Knitty provides it is super easy to custom fit your sock for any size foot and yarn in any gauge. Plus, you can knit until you run out of yarn! No leftovers makes me VERY happy, cuz I'm kind of weird about leftovers. When I pay $15 for yarn to make a pair of socks, I want to use up every last bit!

Warm Necks

2008-01-13T00:33:00.001-06:00

Jill's Christmas scarf: The pattern is Clapotis from Knitty. It turned out really well. I used this great green shade of Kraemer Yarns Fountain Hill Brushed Mohair, which turned out really well on the size 8 needles. It took a while and got a little repetitive, but it was worth it. The timing was a little late for Christmas, but you'll get that. And it's gorgeous!

Dave's Birthday Scarf:
This one is for my friend Dave's birthday, to match the hat that I made for him for Christmas. I am quite proud of my timing (his birthday is Jan 21, so I'll have plenty of time to mail it to him in Milwaukee by then). The scarf is a farrow rib, which I copied from the scarf Jill made for our Dad. It is really cozy and warm. The original pattern I was going to use, "My So-Called Scarf," just didn't work well with the yarn, even though I might still use it for something else. I'm happy the way this one turned out.
More photos of these on Ravelry, too.

Boots

2008-01-12T12:44:00.000-06:00

Ok. I must have these boots. They are from Anthropologie and are $268.00. Not gonna happen. I spent the entire morning traversing Huntsville in search of something similar... nothing to be found. So then I thought - Could I make them? I mean, they wouldn't be that hard, would they? Just like socks, but where do I get the soles? I looked online, and I couldn't find anything, but I'm not giving up yet. Any ideas? I am completely consumed with the idea and can think of little else right now. I am going to start swatching/trying out a pattern tonight... I am thinking about using a brown tweed yarn with a herringbone stitch. And then lining them with either fleece or flannel (ha! not the kitties!) to make them thicker and warmer. But will they stand up? I could use some of that, oh, whats it called? That stuff you iron onto the back of fabric to make it stiff? Anyway, that might work. I don't want them to be tight like socks are... Oooo, I think this might work if I can just figure out the soles. I'm going to check out the thrift store and see if there is anything I can reuse there - like maybe take apart some old boots and just use the soles? I'll have to figure out how to attach the knitted part to the sole, but I think I could just sew them. Or maybe have a shoe repair person attach them?

Ok, so much for getting any work done today. Knitting is much more important!

More Warm Heads!

2008-01-11T10:38:00.001-06:00

Caroline's Hat:
This was made from my huge, annoying stash of Lion Brand Jiffy. It knit up in a night though, and turned out very warm and cute. No pattern, just figured it out myself. It was a request for some sort of patterned white hat, and I think she'll like it.

Will's Hat
This was another request--for just a really warm hat--from about a year ago that I finally got around to making. I believe it was well worth the wait since what I was knitting last year definitely wasn't this cute. I am really proud of the cables on this one, since I have seen hats like this a few times, but I just figured the pattern out myself without even looking at one while I did it. All from the noggin, and it worked out really well. I like the colors I chose from my narrowing selection a lot but I ran out of the gray yarn about two inches from the top and finished with a slightly different color (a little more shiny). You can see a little in the photo of me wearing it, but you can hardly see it at all in person. I gave it to him last night and he really seemed to like it!

Vicki's Hat
Lastly, I reproduced the exact hat that Jill made for me when she was visiting for Vicki so that she wouldn't steal mine. Since I was going to make the white hat for Caroline, I used mauve instead of white for the two narrowest stripes, which isn't quite as satisfying, but the spherocity of the hat is phenomenal on Vicki's head.

Squared Afghan

2008-01-10T09:35:00.001-06:00

Pattern: Squared Afghan

Source: Free in-store pattern from Lion Brand Yarn

Yarn: Mission Falls 1824 Wool

Hook: H

This was a gift that I made for my friends' wedding last weekend. I absolutely love how it turned out... I love the colors and the squares and the pattern, and how the crochet stitch looks. It was quite simple to make and I got quite a bit faster at crocheting by doing this project. Crocheting goes so much faster than knitting does! Instead of sewing the squares together, I crocheted them together. If I ever make something like this again, I will use crochet to attach the squares to one another. I hate sewing, so I like the crocheting better, and I think it looks much nicer. It turned out a bit smaller than I had hoped, but it will make a nice lap blanket. I ran out of yarn and time...

This was a really good stash busting project - I had the yarn in my stash for about a year and I used it ALL UP. Every last bit! I have made a resolution to only use yarn from my stash from now until I move... My stash is getting a little out of control, and also, I don't want to have to move yarn across the country. I'd rather move sweaters and hats and scarves :)

As for my current projects, I just finished a scarf. It is blocking as I write & I will post about it when it dries, which may be a while. I am also working on my first pair of toe-up socks... Love em! Toe up is the way to go, for sure. Its so much easier than top down.

And then next on the agenda is a baby sweater from my friend who is expecting in February. AND THEN, I can get to the knit-along sweater.... have you guys started yet? One of us should buy the pattern soon. I am thinking about using a brownish tweed yarn, do you think that will look okay for the sweater? Its what I have... and I can't buy any new yarn, you know?

Finally, the sweater

2008-01-07T10:55:00.000-06:00

Pattern: Carolyn Cardigan

Source: Knitty Spring 2007

Yarn: Lion Brand Lion Wool

Needle: US 8

Start: 8/9/07

Finish: 11/30/07

This is definatley the most wearable garment I have made so far... I am really happy with how it looks, how it fits, and how it feels. It is very comfortable. This one took a while and I was very particular about finishing it. And it was so worth the wait. The pattern was really not that well written. The front and the back don't have the same number of rows, so when you are putting it all together, I had to unravel parts and reknit so that the stripes would match up. The sleeves are HUGE if knit as the pattern is written. I ended up knitting one sleeve three times before I came up with something I was happy with. And also, the neck was huge, like a boat neck, so I ended up modifying that as well. I learned the mattress stitch for seaming, which I am so happy with. I had never used it before and thought I would be really tedious and annoying (based on other's comments about seaming), but I didn't find it that difficult. And the seams look so nice! As I am growing as a knitter, one of the things I am learning is patience. Rushing through things and not paying attention to the little details is not worth it in the end. And that inner voice that says "this doesn't look right" is usually right, so I should listen to it more often!

MODIFICATIONS:

Sleeves: CO 38 sts, increase every 14 rows (13 rows St st, one increase row) until I had 48 sts, then I started increasing every 6th row (5 rows St st). Then I increased every other row for 4 rows (64 sts). My sleeve was 18.75" at this point. Then I followed the directions for shaping the sleeve caps.
Neck/Collar: I decreased the neck stitches by half... the first row I k2tog all the way around.
Other: Five buttons instead of seven.

2007: I knit a little too.

2008-01-06T11:33:00.000-06:00

These were my projects in 2007!
1. Headband, 2. Sweater, 3. Blanket, 4. Pillowcover I, 5. Cowl, 6. Cabled hat, 7. Legwarmers, 8. Entrelac Purse, 9. Cowl, 10. Cabled Hat, 11. Pillowcover, 12. Lacy Skirt with Bows, 13. patchwork purse, 14. Beret, 15. Leg warmers

2007: A Year of Knitting

2008-01-01T11:11:00.000-06:00

2007 was a very productive year for me in terms of knitting... I really developed as a knitter over the year and tried a lot of new techniques: cabling, fair isle, lace, seaming and finishing, entrelac. I feel like I learned quite a bit about different fibers, how they look, how they drape, what they can be used for (i.e., don't use cotton to make a skirt!).

In 2007 I finished:
3 pairs of mittens

3 sweaters

6 pairs of socks

3 tank tops

7 hats

7 dishcloths

6 scarves

1 coin purse

1 felted box

1 skirt

1 shawl

1 baby sweater

1 pair baby booties

2 crochet birdies

1 headband

I've been trying to think of what my favorites from this year are... its so hard to pick, though. The skirt was the first major project that I did and I loved it before it stretched all out... I am very proud of the Swallowtail shawl, I feel like it was a big accomplishment, however it's not something I wear very often. I am also proud of the fair isle mittens... again, it was something more difficult that I had not done before and they are beautiful. As for wearability, I have worn my striped cardigan quite a few times (and always get compliments!). My other favorites are: Wisp, Liesel, and Molly's socks. All in all, it was a tremendous year for knitting and I hope to learn even more in 2008!

Mom Mittens

2008-01-01T10:31:00.001-06:00

Pattern: Norwegian Mittens by Elizabeth Zimmerman

Source: Knitters Almanac

Yarn: Knit Picks Telemark

Needles: US 4
Start: 11/30/07
Finish: 12/23/07

Happy New Year! This is the last of the Christmas knits... mittens for my mom. This was really my first stranded knitting project and I think they turned out quite lovely! I did make a simple fair isle hat about a year ago, but this was a tad more advanced. I did have a few problems in the beginning, but once I got a rhythm down and figured things out, it was smooth sailing. It is a bit more puckery than I would like, but most of that smoothed out with blocking. I like Elizabeth Zimmerman's patterns because the basics are there, but you still have to do some figuring out for yourself. I will definately be making another pair of these for myself.

I've made a sweater

2007-12-31T10:24:00.001-06:00

My sweater is finally finished.... Pictures were a little slow in coming, but you get a ton of them. It is stretching out, and curling too much, I need to block it still and maybe it'll help.

Also whipped up a DROPS headband in Alaska which I am going to give to my friend Julia for our Christmas gift exchange. It was a really easy knit that I finished in one night, and is pretty cute. I will probably make one for myself soon...

More Christmas Knits

2007-12-29T09:42:00.000-06:00

A few of the smaller items I made for Christmas gifts...

Top: Mistake Rib Scarf for my dad, made with Paton's Classic Merino Wool.

Middle: Utopia Hat for my friend Mary, made with Classic Elite Renissance and a little of the Patons. I absolutely love how this turned out and I know Mary will love it too.

Bottom: Wisp Scarf for Jamie, made with Rowan Kidsilk Haze. I didn't put the buttons on it because I didn't think you would wear it like a caplet. I really love how this turned out, too. I think it will actually be pretty warm. I just love how mohair looks.

Peaks N' Valleys

2007-12-27T21:00:00.000-06:00

Sock number 1 for my Mom. Lace pattern "Peaks and Valleys". Knitted with hand-dyed fingering weight yarn my Mom and I dyed last year at Christmas time. Time to start number 2! I always have SSS pretty bad, but I'm motivated to finish this before we get home in two weeks. I think I can do it!

Lace Leaf Pullover

2007-12-27T18:11:00.000-06:00

Pattern: Lace Leaf Pullover by Teva Durham

Source: Loop-d-Loop

Yarn: Valley Yarns Berkshire Bulky (6 skeins)

Needle: US 13

This was the first Christmas project that I completed. It is supposed to be knit in two pieces in the round... knit the bottom half and then the top half and then graft them together. This is because there is supposed to be a leaf motif near the bottom of the sweater and you knit it this way to keep both of the leaf motifs pointing toward the middle of the sweater. Well, I tried this, but my grafting looked like crap, so I decided to just leave off the leaves on the bottom and knit it in one piece. It is a bit short, so I am going to make it longer for Molly, but otherwise I am very happy with it. I hope Molly likes it as much as I do!

There are lots more Christmas knits, but I will do them one at a time so its not too much of an overload...

Another Knit Along!

2007-12-26T12:17:00.000-06:00

Merry Christmas, Jamie! We hope you had a wonderful, snowy Christmas. Ours was wonderful, but not nearly snowy enough (in my opinion, anyway).

We were talking about doing another knit-along and wanted to see if you are interested in joining...

This time we want to make a sweater, the Tree Jacket, from Zephyr Style. Its not a jacket at all, its a really cute top-down sweater knit with worsted weight yarn. I already have yarn at home that I am planning on using... either a brown tweed that I just got or else dark red Cascade 220... I'm not sure yet.
It should be a fun sweater, and fairly easy. We hope you'll join us... the last knit along was really fun!

We're planning a big photo shoot today with all of our Christmas knits, so be ready for lots of pictures 'here soon'.

Jill & Molly.

Where Did My MoJo GoGo?

2007-12-21T10:44:00.000-06:00

So, 4 days until Christmas. I have two projects to finish up. Well, one really hasn't even been started, but I won't think about that... And my knitting mojo is gone. I have not picked up the needles all week. Not even at the Cast Aways meeting last night. Uh oh. It all has to do with the fact that I have a deadline, and *must* finish these things, so I just don't want to. I usually don't force myself to knit if I don't want to. Its supposed to be fun, right? But, these circumstances are different. So, I am hoping that I run across some mojo somewhere between Alabama and Wisconsin (and preferably closer to Alabama) tomorrow.

I have been doing a lot of kinda fancy stuff lately and all I am interested in right now is mindless stockinette. Thats what I want. All I can think about is casting on for some plain old stockinette socks, but I haven't, trying to tell myself... if you just finish this one thing, then you can do whatever you want! It isn't working. Instead I just pet my yarn. Petting my yarn is one of my most favorite things to do. I love yarn.

And speaking of yarn, I have entered all my stashed yarn on Ravelry, and once you do that, you can download that into an excel file and calculate how many yards of yarn you have.... uh, my number is close to 20,000 yards. This is getting out of hand. I have been trying so hard to knit only from my stash, but with the holidays, I had to buy some yarn, and then Yarn Expressions had a really awsome sale where I got a whole bag of Jo Sharp Silkroad Tweed for 60% off. I just couldn't pass it up! And then I lose my knitting mojo...

Merry Christmas, Jamie!
Molly, I'll see you tomorrow!!!!

Keeping People's Dishes Clean Since December '07

2007-12-15T10:51:00.001-06:00

I absolutely cannot believe that it is the middle of December already. The weather here has finally cooled down a bit, but it still doesn't feel like winter. I have been working on finishing up my Christmas gifts, so there isn't much to post because they're SECRETS! However, I made a couple dishcloths to add to gifts. I love these things... they are the best dishcloths ever. I found a bag of kitchen cotton at the thrift store a while back, so I have lots of colors to choose from when I make these.

Last Thursday at knitting, Cheryl gave us all awesome Christmas presents. She dyes yarn & she dyed each of us our own special colorway. She had written words to describe us on little tags that she read aloud and we had to guess who she was describing. It was so sweet, and I love my colorway - its so me! However, she did forget to write 'bossy' on my tag...

Keepin Folks' Heads Warm Since December '07

2007-12-12T22:58:00.001-06:00

The first hat was supposed to be for my friend Dave but it turned out a little tight, so I'm going to give it to my friend Joelle for Christmas. The second one is my second attempt, and it's for Dave. Both original patterns, and my first time with cables, so I'm pretty dang satisfied! The yarn is Lion Brand Jiffy. A hat like that for $2.71? Not bad!!

Also a sweater update... I am soooo close. But with a calc final Friday, I probably won't finish until the weekend. Also notice the sweater is displayed on none other than.... my beloved blanket that I FINALLY got returned to me last weekend, with a nasty note, after three months of trying to get it back, after giving it to Brian the DAY he stopped talking to me/answering calls/ and went back to his exgirlfriend who he now lives with after moving to Chicago and moving back again three weeks later, (that's the short story, Jaime, if you haven't heard). Oy. It's super warm and cozy though. I'm so glad I got it back; isn't it beautiful?

Anyway, with the sweater, do you know if I block it if it will keep the bottom and the neckline from curling? If so, do i necessarily have to pin it down to something or can i just shape it and hope it stays? I don't have an ironing board.