The Trouble with Finishing

I sat and had a finishing marathon this weekend - and it was worth it, as you'll see, but it also has a downside - stay tuned.



Pattern: Pinwheel Baby Blanket
Yarn: Cotton Ease - old colors
Needles: Sz 8 Clover bamboo DPNs and Circulars
Dates: Late June-July 18
Mods: none
Thoughts: I really hate this pattern at the beginning (it's so fiddly having those few stitches on the big DPNs), but I really enjoy it by the end. I wish I had made this a bit bigger, but I needed to finish it, as it is a gift. I predict there will be more of these in the future.


Pattern: Duck Hood from Debbie Bliss' Kid's Knits for Heads, Hands and Toes
Yarn: Berocco Comfort DK
Needles: Sz 7 and 3
Dates: um, June something to July 20
Mods: no foam in the beak
Thoughts: So cute! This is part of the bean's Halloween costume, per her dad's request. I'm working on the booties to go with (the ones from 50 Baby Bootees to Knit), and then we have to find her a yellow "outfit" to wear with.



Pattern: Ladybird Hat from the same book as the duck hat
Yarn: Wool Gotto
Needles: Sz 7 and 3
Dates: June something to July 20
Mods: none
Thoughts: Much cuter on a baby than shown here - the antennae don't stand up as well as I would like, but they are still cute. I may tack down the tops of them to keep them standing up.


Pattern: Olive You hat from Itty-Bitty Hats
Yarn: Sublime Merino, Tahki Cotton Classic and scraps of Rowan Cotton Glace
Needles: Sz 7 Addi's
Dates: June/May to July 20
Mods: I duplicate stitched on the pimentos, and didn't add them to the back.
Thoughts: Very cute! This is a gift (to go with the blanket), and I think the mom will love it. I love it!

There are several other finished knits, but I need to stretch the blog fodder for as long as possible!

The bad thing about all this finishing? Everything else that needs to be finished isn't so close to being finished as to finish in a day or so. So it may be a while before I have any more finished knits. However, if I stretch out the ones that are already finished, y'all may never notice! :)

I don't understand why my computer insists on turning some of the pictures. When I try to manually turn them back, it turns them again, and when I undo my manual turning, it has them turned. Argh! And it seems to pick and choose the ones it wants to turn, as all of these were taken "right side up." Grrr.

Odds and Ends

I'm really tired of apologizing for not blogging more. There are two ways to solve this problem - blog more, or stop apologizing. We'll see which one happens.

We've been busy bees around here - we visited my parents for a week up in Indiana, and since we've been back we've been doing house projects to get ready for the little one. Nothing really spectacular (and thus not really blog worthy), but we've cleaned out the room that will be hers (and this really was blog worthy, but I didn't take a before picture) - this involved the sewing table, three bookcases and hubby's desk moving into our (small) bedroom. I got a new desk (secretary) which will stay in her room for the time being, as we have nowhere else to put it. At least it closes up so we can't see my mess. The yarn still lives in her closet, but there is nowhere else for that to go either, and really, her clothes don't take up too much space right now! Hubby built her a lovely Ikea wardrobe for her hanging things, built a dresser for the others, hung shelves for goodies, replaced the ceiling fan, and I hung curtains. Now we just need a crib, something that keeps going in and out of stock at Target. Grrr. Pictures when her room is complete.

I've also kept hubby busy replacing the bathtub doors with a shower curtain in the hall bath, hanging shelves in our room, finally putting the "cover" pieces on two of the kitchen cabinets and putting in a filler piece around the turntable cabinet, putting a weather strip on the bottom of the front door, powerwashing the old paint off the trim, building a bench/kitty litter box for the kitchen, and stripping and sanding and painting new doors for all the rooms in the house (4). Whew! His only remaining big projects are to finish the doors, stain the bench, paint the window trim (inside and out) and clean/reorganize the garage. Oh, and build a crib when we get one. And he goes to four days of training next week, then back to work August 4th. It will be a miracle if it all gets done before the bean gets here.

I've been busy with a list of my own, mostly involving Christmas gifts that I can't show here and that aren't knitted (gasp!). I've got six gifts done, and our "family" gift that everyone gets - which is usually an ornament, but not this year! It needs just a few more things, and it's done. I'm also nearly done with the advent calendar I started last year right before Christmas, and I've finished embroidering the valances for the kitchen (pictures after hubby hangs the new curtain rods). I've been writing lesson plans and unit plans for novels for my sub, which isn't too much fun, but necessary if I want things to be done. Just a few more things to do, and I'll be mostly ready for her to take the class.

I have been knitting a bit, but these other things have taken a priority. I didn't knit much on the drive to Indiana, as it was a bit too warm with the sun shining in (and I'm warm all the time now). I did manage to finish up a scarf when we got home that needs to be blocked, and I'm close to being done with a baby blanket for a friend, but all the other knits are in pretty much the same state they have been. My list for today includes finishing up things that are nearly finished so I'll have blog fodder!

I do have some fodder for you. The lovely Theresa sent this cute washcloth for the bean - too cute! Thanks Theresa! The bean also received two handknit bibs from mom (not yet photographed), and a cute hat from a knitting/crochet buddy.

(I don't know why the picture is sideways, but I don't have the energy to deal with it. My apologies)

I've got some new yarn to show off, yarn store reviews, book reviews, and hopefully finished objects to share. I really do want to get back into the "groove" of blogging. I've been reading everyone else's blog, so I'm not sure what my excuse is, beyond lack of pictures.

Sorry for the novel post here - but thanks for reading this far! Oh, and I'm going to have a contest when we get closer to delivery, so stay tuned for that! Have a great Thursday!

Baby sweaters

Last of the FOs for a bit here - but more are en route - just as soon as I get some of that nasty finishing done. I sat and forced myself to "finish" for a few days last week - allowing all of these FOs. Perhaps this weekend will bring another batch.



Pattern: Baby Bolero from One Skein by Leigh Radford
Yarn: Manos Cotton Stira - leftover from mom's sweater last year.
Needles: Sz 8 Clover Bamboo circular
Dates: May-June 2008
Mods: I tried to knit it a bit bigger, since the pattern is sized for a newborn and it will probably still be hot here when she is born.
Thoughts: Would have been done much sooner if I wasn't such a loser when it comes to sitting down and finishing things!



Pattern: Baby Surprise Jacket from EZ's The Opinionated Knitter
Yarn: Mirasol Hacho - 2.5 skeins
Needles: Sz 6 Clover bamboo circular
Dates: April-May 2008 (buttons sewn on in June)
Mods: none!
Thoughts: My gauge is spot on, but this looks big. It's a little frustrating to not know what size it is, especially since we get so few months that are cold enough for a sweater. That being said, there's no guarantee she'll fit into anything when the pattern says she will!


Pattern: Encore Worsted Colorspun Worsted Toddler Cardigan
Yarn: Encore Worsted (only 1 skein- pattern called for 2) and Ella Rae Amity (for trim)
Needles: Sz 5 and 7 Addi Turbo circulars
Dates: April-June 2008
Mods: using the contrast color for the buttonband and collar
Thoughts: My gauge was a little small, but this is a shop sample, so we don't have to worry about it fitting a "real" baby. This is for our sweater construction class that is coming up at the end of July - I hope we'll have some takers as this will be one of the last classes I get to teach for a while!

I started my summer of socks project - but I'll save that excitement for next time!

Baby hats on Parade!

Baby hats are really almost like the dessert of knitting. They are quick, easy, cute, use little yarn, and provide instant gratification. No wonder I've got four down, one that needs finishing and another on the needles.



Pattern: Sweet Baby Cap
Yarn: Hill Country Yarns Sweet Feet
Needles: Sz US 3 Clover bamboo DPNs
Mods: I think I did more repeats of the chevron pattern than the pattern called for - it was hard to tell if they meant 8 more rows or 8 more repeats.
Thoughts: Very cute and easy, once I got into the rhythm of the chevron pattern. I also like how the striping changed as the hat got smaller.



Pattern: Bunny Tails from Itty Bitty Hats
Yarn: Sublime Cashmerino (I think that's what it's called)
Needles: Sz US 7 Clover Bamboo circulars and DPNs
Mods: I didn't gather the bottom of the ear as the pattern calls for - I like it this way.
Thoughts: Thanks to a very lovely raveler, I was able to finish these. I was trying to eek this hat out with the leftovers from another hat that needs finishing, but I was short just below the ears. She graciously sent me almost 1/2 ball of her leftovers, so the ears were saved. :)


Pattern: Cherry-O! from Itty Bitty Hats
Yarn: Leftovers Knitpicks Merino Style in Petal and something else
Needles: sz US 7 Clover Bamboo Circulars and DPNs
Mods: No cherries - I like just the stripes, so I'm leaving it this way for now.
Thoughts: Cute!



Pattern: Inca Baby Hat from Kid's Knits for Heads, Hands, and Toes by Debbie Bliss (now out of print)
Yarn: Berroco Comfort DK in 7 colors (leftovers from the petal hat and two more colors)
Needles: sz US 6 Addi Turbo circulars and Clover bamboo DPNs
Mods: My row gauge was off, so I added some stripes after the people and before the top shaping. I also changed up a few of the colors to use what I already had.
Thoughts: I wish the bottom didn't still flip up (even after a crochet edging), but perhaps steam will help.

Next up - baby sweaters!

Alive and well

I'm here! I'm not sure what happened to cause the delay in posting (well, I do know that I had dead camera batteries for part of the time), but I'll chalk it up to laziness. Why is it so hard to post these days? The baby's not even here yet! I'm going to be awful after that. I'm going to try really hard to do at least a post a week this summer to get myself into a routine, and maybe that will help.

I do have lots of finished things to show you, but I'll spread them out for the sake of blog fodder.

These two have been finished the longest, so they get to go first. In fact, they've been sitting around since the end of May, pictures taken and all, waiting to be shown off.


Pattern: Ribbons Baby Blanket by Fiber Trends
Yarn: Sublime Organic Cotton DK (LOVE!)
Needles: Sz US 8 DPNs, 16" circular and 29" circular bamboo
Dates: March-May 2008
Mods: Um, I know I did something different at the end, but I don't remember what and I don't have the pattern in front of me to check, and if I wait to post this because of that, it will be another two weeks before y'all hear from me. So just ignore this part.
Thoughts: I love this. It was a quick knit, once I actually spent time with it, though the eight rounds of purling when I got to the long rows nearly killed me. Totally worth it for the look though. I love that it is reversible, and I love the colors. I cannot say enough good things about this yarn. It is wonderfully soft, not too splitty, and did I mention the softness? Go get you some.




Pattern: generic top down sock over 72 stitches with heel flap.
Yarn: Sunshine Yarns in Peppermint (I think, I've lost the ball band)
Needles: Sz 1 Chiagoo bamboo DPNs
Mods: picot top
Thoughts: Glad these are done - not sure what took me so long, other than a lack of knitting during the first trimester, and putting them aside to work on Christmas knitting. The yarn was very nice to work with, and I love the colors. This are all ready for Christmas!


In other excitement, I've decided not to set any knitting goals for the time being - too much stress. I do want to finish up some long lingering knits though, and try to pull myself off the baby hat train (there are only so many days in a week, she doesn't really need a hat for every day, does she?). And, since the Summer of Socks starts today, and I didn't sign up, as I am a KAL failure, I do have my own personal goal - finish up some of these socks! Some may get frogged, and that's OK. But I've got two pairs with 1 1/2 socks done, two with 1 sock done, and way too many with one sock started. I need to get them cleared out. I'd also like to finish up some sweaters that are relatively close to being done, and we have a big car trip to visit my parents coming up, so I'm looking forward to some car knitting time. Must get some of this done before the baby gets here! Oh, and I'd like to finish some Christmas gifts too.

Wait, are those goals? Did I just set goals after I said I wouldn't? Oh well.

Thwarted by weather

I was all ready to come home and post Tuesday - and we had no power all night. Thanks to the measly rain that fell earlier that day. I was a wee bit pissed. And last night we had to go out to dinner on Hubby's demand, so I was exhausted when we got home - no post.

Finally - a FO I'm really really proud of, and that took way too long to finish.

Pattern: Icarus from Interweave Knits and Best of Interweave by Miriam Felton
Yarn: Knitpicks Alpaca Cloud in Sky Blue (I think)- 2 skeins
Needles: Sz 3 Clover circulars and Addi Lace
Dates: December 2006-May 2008
Mods: none
Thoughts: The needles made all the difference on this knit. I started it on the Clovers, as that's what I had, and the tiny yarn caught every time on the join. I probably spent more time moving stitches than knitting. But the purchase of the Addi Lace needles last summer considerably sped up the knitting process, and I would have been finished much sooner if not for other obligations (Christmas knitting, I'm looking at you) and the somewhat monotony of the first chart (Gah - I was sick of it by the last repeat!). But the edging is beautiful and I really enjoyed the last bit. At least I learned my lesson - I need more pattern in a shawl to keep my interest.


I did get to use my blocking wires (that I received Christmas 2006) for the first time, and I'm not sure I used them correctly, but they worked great for the top edge, and I pinned out each point individually. This ended up so bit it almost didn't fit on my blocking surface (The Girl's bed).

Overall, I"m really really pleased with it. It is lovely and soft and now, if I only had a place to wear it (or anything that fit to wear it with!)

I've got tons of other UFOs, but I've been bitten by the baby knits bug bad, and they will most likely remain UFOs for the forseeable future. More FOs soon!

I can still finish things!

Proof that I don't only start projects, and that I am still knitting, contrary to what the contents of the recent blog entries would have you believe - finished knits!!

Some of these have been finished for a bit, but they were gifts, so they had to wait to have their turn in the spotlight.


Pattern: Reverse-Bloom Washcloth from Weekend Knitting
Yarn: Baby Bee Pitter Patter (Hobby Lobby brand) - barely a skotch of it
Needles: Sz 6 Circular and DPNs
Dates: Um, early May until early May?
For: Mom
Mods: none
Thoughts - goes surprisingly quickly, especially after you get into the rhythm of the petals. That said, I chose not to make another for my MIL for her gift. But I do need to use up the TONS of this yarn I have (OK, I think I only have five skeins, but since this project didn't even put a dent in one skein, I'll be knitting lots of washcloths).



Pattern: Feather and Fan Bonnet from Larissa at stitch marker
Yarn: Cantina cotton, 1/2 ball
Needles: Sz 6 Circular
Dates: sometime in April -May
For: two summer babies
Mods: none
Thoughts: I like this so much I made it twice! We have two friends having baby girls this summer, and I didn't want to suffocate them with wool gifts. I remembered I had this odd-ball of yarn in the stash (purchased a few years ago to get me up to Little Knits $25 minimum purchase). Cotton is good for those summer babies, and I thought the colors would look summery as well. Delightfully, I had enough yarn to make 2 bonnets, and bust a ball of the stash! Woo Hoo!



Pattern: Cherry-O! from Itty Bitty Hats
Yarn: Rowan Handknit Cotton
Needles: Sz 7 Addi Turbo
Dates: April-May
For: Shop sample
Mods: none
Thoughts: When I make this again (and I probably will, as the baby will need one), I'll go down a needle size for the cheeries, as you can see the stuffing coming through. I also really didn't like the cotton/addi combination - it hurt my hands and this took longer than it should have as a result.


I've got one TWO! more FO(s) up my sleeve, but they deserve their own posts. I'm hoping to get a lot of knitting done on our extra day off Monday. 10 more days of school! Now if my principal would just make up her mind about whether I'm teaching summer school or not (kind of crunch time here!) and what grade I'm teaching next year, that'd be great.

Baby knits

My sister asked the other day if I had started knitting for the baby - I have, even though you haven't seen them yet. Here goes:


Sweet Baby Cap in HIll Country Yarns Sweet Feet


Baby Bolero from One Skein in Manos Cotton Stira


Ribbons Baby Blanket in Sublime Organic Coton


Baby Surprise Jacket in Mirasol Hacho


February Baby Sweater in Mirasol Sulka (I think)

I'm starting to think that she's going to be naked if I don't get moving. Luckily, only 3 more weeks of school left, so hopefully I can get some more stuff knit up.

Again, apologies for my bloggy absence - it's been tough as I seem to be thwarted by the camera - it is either dead or only takes blurry pictures, but I do have some FOs to share - hopefully soon!

Thanks for hanging in there!

Sex?

Break out the pink yarn - she's a girl!

Everything Grows

Ok, not everything - hubby finally got the tree chopped up and it is killing our grass, waiting for the city to pick it up sometime next week.



But the garden is growing (corn),



as is my tummy. Finally showing a little this week, which should shut up everyone who keeps saying "Are you still wearing your normal clothes?" and "Why aren't you showing yet?" (But I am still wearing most of my clothes.)

We find out the sex next week - exciting!

And the knitting has been growing as well, but with the crazy last 10 days we've had I've got no pictures. Tomorrow looks slower though, so fingers crossed.

FO Retrospective

OK, I suppose only one of these is really a retrospective, since I finished the other two this week, but at any rate, there is proof that I've been finishing things - and best of all, these were all gifts!



Pattern: Shrug This from One Skein Wonders
Yarn: Elann Highland Wool Chunky - about 3 skeins
Needles: Sz US 10 Clover Bamboo Circular
Dates: February 2008-March 1, 2008
Mods: Did more increases than the pattern called for, thus adding width and length. From Ravelry I learned that it ran quite a bit small, so I measured as I went and tried to make it fit my SIL's approximate measurements.
Thoughts: Quick, easy, but frustrating that the pattern really doesn't turn out a wearable size unless you modify it. I hope it fit my SIL - it was her birthday gift, but I haven't heard yet if it was a success.



Pattern: Simple Baby Cap #2 from Itty Bitty Hats
Yarn: Berroco Comfort DK (yellow) and worsted (purple)
Needles: Sz 7 Addi Turbo 16" Circular and Clover bamboo DPNs
Dates: Monday April 7-Thursday April 10.
Mods: I added the yellow brim as this is a gift for an LSU lovin' family.
Thoughts: Simple, easy baby hat. Made a lot of progress at knitting Thursday night. Maybe I should knit a baby hat every Thursday night!


Pattern: Flore from Knitwhits
Yarn: Berroco Comfort DK in green, lt. blue, lt. purple, pink and yellow - tiny bits of each
Needles: Sz 6 Addi Turbos and Sz 6 Boye 16" Circulars (clover bamboo DPNs for the top)
Dates: March 2008-April 6, 2008
Mods: none, other than changing the colors from the pattern suggestions
Thoughts: I was really nervous that this would be so fiddly that I wouldn't want to work on it. However, it went fairly quickly, and even the tacking down of each individual petal didn't take too long. It is super cute, and I would make it again.

I have been working on some other projects and maybe starting some new ones. More on them later this week (I hope). Oh, and the tree? Still hanging on the power line. C'mon power company!

Rotten Eye Candy

What we're dealing with this week. Two days, and no sign of the power company who are supposed to come get the tree off the power line. Thank you Texas storms. (And of course, it wasn't the two dead branches on the other tree, nor any of the branches that just needed to be pruned. Of course not.)

Single Sock Syndrome Strikes Again!

Sorry 'bout that break in posting - first I didn't have pictures, then I didn't have a cord to connect camera to computer, then Sock Madness round 2 started and I didn't have time to blog. I did finish my first sock on Friday (after working all week and being struck down with allergies), but sadly, I am out as of last night. :( On the upside, I am half a sock away from having a pair, and I love the pattern and yarn, so I'm happy with my new pair-to-be of socks. And, if I like the upcoming patterns, I'll probably keep knitting along. We'll see though, since I have some April goals to meet.

I did better than I hoped on my March goals, even though I totally sucked at them. Too much Sock Madness and housework over Spring Break really interfered with the knitting time.

March Goals:
Finish Log Cabin Blanket - DONE
Finish Embossed Leaves socks - one done
Finish Child's First socks - one done
Finish the peppermint socks - one done
Finish Devon - DONE
Work on Icarus (get through the repeats of chart 1) - DONE
Work on Rogue (up to the armholes?) - nope
Finish one front of Bristow - nope
Finish one front of Cambridge Jacket - nope
Finish front of Salina - nope
Work on Buttony - nope
Work on Isobel - a few rows
Finish half of mystery knit - 1/4 done
Finish one Solstice Slip sock - not touched


April Goals -

Finish Flore
Finish Embossed Leaves
Finish Child's First Socks
Finish peppermint socks
Finish Icarus
Sock Madness - I'm out already!
Shop model
LSU baby hat
Work on baby blanket
Start something for the baby
Work on Salina
Blog at least 2x week

I'd really like to work more Project Spectrum into my knits, but I'm trying (for the most part) to finish, and not start things. So we'll see. My April Goals are much more manageable than my March (and February), so I hope I can finish some things.

I'm looking forward to finishing Icarus so I can start some new lace projects. I have all the repeats of Chart 1 done, so it's just 3 small charts and I'm done! I think these charts will go much more quickly, not just because they are "shorter" but because they are more interesting than chart 1.

It also appears that I've joined the single sock movement again, since I have four lonely single socks right now.



Embossed Leaves and Reversai


Child's First Sock and Peppermint sock


However, all but Embossed Leaves have a mate started, so there is hope for them (and me) yet. I've really been enjoying the patterned sock lately, so I'm hoping to see more of those in the near future. We'll see though, with all these baby knits coming up!

OK - I've got to complete goal #1 today, as it is for a birthday present that I have to deliver this afternoon. I'll try to keep up with that last goal - with the nice weather and sunshine, picture taking is much easier, so hopefully that will help. Have a great Sunday!

Spring Break Knits

First, thank you for all the well-wishes - we are very excited here.

We did manage to finish quite a few projects over spring break, and I'll lead with what you really care about - the knitwear.



Pattern: Zombie Socks from Sock Madness
Yarn: Socks that Rock Lightweight in Lenore
Needles: Chiagoo DPNs 2.75mm
Dates: Thursday March 13-Thursday March 20
Mods: none
Thoughts: very stretchy sock. Even though my gauge was perfect, these are a little big. But they turned out fine besides that, and I'll still wear them. The yarn bled all over my needles and my fingers, so I'll be careful washing them.


Pattern: Log Cabin Blanket
Yarn: Caron Simply Soft in 5 colors
Needles: Sz 8 Susan Bates Circulars
Dates: Um, August 2006-March 2008. Yikes
Mods: none
Thoughts: This didn't turn out as big as I had originally envisioned, but I just needed it to be done. It was gifted to The Girl for her 10th birthday on Friday, and she seems to really like it, so that's good.


Pattern: Devon from Magknits
Yarn: Rowan Cotton Glace - 1.5 balls in white, purple and green and just over 2.5 balls in brown
Needles: Sz 3 Susan Bates Circulars
Dates: September? 2007-March 2008
Thoughts: This has been mostly done since the end of January - I ran out of brown and kept forgetting to buy another ball, and then I had to spend 3 hours weaving in ends. Ugh. But it fits great, and I really like the colors, so overall a winner.

I did get a bit of other knitting progress made, but I'll save that fodder for another day!

Eye Candy Friday

Hopefully this will fully explain the lack of knitting and blogging around here! This little knitter is due in September, and you can expect some baby knits to show up soon!

2 more days

Until Spring Break. I think I can, I think I can.

Nothing like waiting until almost the ides to post the goals for the month, eh?

February pretty much sucked for the knitting - let's take a look.
February Goals:
Knit at least 8 panels of Log Cabin Blanket (take on retreat) - NOT DONE
Finish fingerless gloves for hubbo DONE
Finish hat for hubbo DONE
Finish Zuluknitty socks DONE
Finish Embossed Leaves socks NOT DONE
Finish Child's First socks ONE DONE
Finish at least one peppermint sock ONE 3/4 DONE
Finish Devon NOT DONE
Work on Icarus (get through the repeats of chart 1) ONE MORE REPEAT TO GO
Work on Rogue (up to the armholes?) NOT TOUCHED
Finish one front of Bristow HAHA
Finish one front of Cambridge Jacket NOPE
Finish front of Salina NOT EVEN CLOSE
Work on Buttony NOT TOUCHED
Finish Noro Scarf - DONE
Work on Isobel NOT TOUCHED
Finish half of mystery knit NOPE
Finish one Solstice Slip sock HAHAHA - ONE REPEAT DONE

It's pretty sad really. So the March goals become easy.

March Goals
February Goals:
Finish Log Cabin Blanket
Finish Embossed Leaves socks
Finish Child's First socks
Finish the peppermint socks
Finish Devon
Work on Icarus (get through the repeats of chart 1)
Work on Rogue (up to the armholes?)
Finish one front of Bristow
Finish one front of Cambridge Jacket
Finish front of Salina
Work on Buttony
Work on Isobel
Finish half of mystery knit
Finish one Solstice Slip sock

I'm hopeful that with 10 days of Spring Break coming up I can get most of this done. Don't laugh too hard.

I've also got my yarn wound and I need to grab some needles to get ready for SOCK MADNESS!! The only hope I have is to make it through round one, since it will be spring break. Fingers crossed.

With all this upcoming time off I hope to take some pictures of WIPs for you, and do an update of where things are. Right after I spring clean the house, put in a garden, do something about the muddy patches in the back yard, plant flowers in the front of the house, purge the closets, purge the bookshelves, clean out the garage, reorganize the study, learn to quilt and clean up the knitting corner. Just a few things on my to-do list.

In like a Lion

March is here, and with it, my first spring cold. With left me with little energy to knit all weekend. I did finish one project, but you will have to wait for pictures until it has been blocked. But, I did count up the number of projects I took and we have a winner!

I took 18 projects, so with a guess of 17 Chris is the winner!

I hope to be back soon with March goals and whatnot, but I've got to take my congested self off to bed now.

Ketchup

I really have been knitting! Need proof?


Pattern: My generic 72 st sock with heel flap and gusset.
Needles: Chiagoo sz 2.25 mm DPNs
Yarn: Scout's Swag in Zuluknitty.
Dates: Um, September 2007-February 1, 2008.
Mods: none
Thoughts: I love these socks. I love the colors. I love how they sort-of stripe. I LOVE the base yarn. I've worn them twice and it'd be more if I did more laundry. Love. Go get some yarn people. Run! Now I really want to knit up my other two skeins of Scouty-goodness. Yum.



Pattern: Improvised hat - basic hat pattern with garter border.
Yarn: Mission Falls 1824 Superwash wool in the new tricolor.
Needles: Sz 7 or 8 Clover bamboo DPNs
Dates: January 2008-February 1, 2008.
Mods: Hubby really wanted an earflap hat, so that was the original intent. However, after I'd finished the hat part, and was going to go back and add the flaps, he decided he liked it the way it was. Voila!
Thoughts: Love this yarn too - so squishy!



Pattern: Fingerless gloves from Weekend Knitting - Ann Budd
Yarn: Knitpicks Wool of the Andes in Mist - about 1.5 skeins
Needles: Sz 7 or 8 Clover bamboo circulars
Dates: January 2008-February 1, 2008
Mods: None!
Thoughts: He seems to really like them and has worn them on the few cold days we've had.


Pattern: 1x1 ribbed scarf, inspired by all the other ones in the world.
Yarn: Noro Silk Garden, and I can't remember the two colors.
Needles: Sz 8 Clover Bamboo
Dates: October 2007-February 25, 2008
Mods: None
Thoughts: Don't know why it took me so long to finish, but I love it. My only complaint was with one ball of Silk Garden that kept pulling apart, leaving me with way too many extra ends. Wore it today and got tons of compliments. It really is pretty.


OK! Now that I'm all caught up with FOs, I wanted to share some fun with you. My LYS is having a retreat this weekend. All knitting, all the time. I'm really hoping to come home with some more finished objects. But a little wager has arisen. Apparently there is a pool to see how many projects I will bring. Funny, right?

In keeping with all fairness, I think y'all should get a shot at a prize too. So, you are invited to take your own guess, and the winner will receive a little goodie from the stash. To keep it fair, let me tell you that I currently have 40 WIPs. I hope to finish up two of those before we leave, but no promises. However, there is always the possibility that I will start new projects (at least I can admit this, right?).

TO PLAY:
EMAIL your guess to knitnlit AT gmail DOT com, with the subject line CONTEST. I will not open those emails until I get home on Sunday night. The contest will close at 4 pm CDT Sunday afternoon. Please do not leave guesses in the comments - I will see those, and I don't want to be swayed! :) And, if you know me IRL, you are welcome to play along too.

I think this post is long enough, perhaps I'll be back tomorrow to show you some of the new projects I've started recently, but it'll more likely be next week. Until then, happy guessing!

Time Machine Tuesday

Look! It's a real, live Jenn! With an actual post! With pictures! I'll allow you a moment to recover.

Apologies for my absence - a number of factors have been contributing to my absence, not the least of which is my computer's need to tell me that my hard drive is full (even though I've deleted a number of things), and, as a result, it won't let me upload pictures. However, lucky for you, I found these lurking in my iphoto, just waiting for their moment of glory.

Project: Feather and Fan socks in Yarn Pirate Merino/Tencel. Completed in June of last year, they haven't seen too much wear (what with it being summer and all). However, I did wear them a handful of times this winter, and while the yarn is holding up well, the color is not.



Then



Now


They bled like the dickens in the water (and I handwash all of my socks in cold water with Euculan.) And they keep bleeding (I know I should put some vinegar in the water, but I just keep forgetting).

The worst part? I can't get them on my foot. The tencel has ZERO "give" and unless I stretch them on my sock blockers, I can't get them over my heel (and even after the sock blockers it's a struggle. I have to sit down and pull really hard). They also leave a lovely little pattern on my instep, since they fit so tightly.

Lesson learned? Go up a needle size the next time I knit tencel socks. But in all honesty, I probably won't use a yarn like this again. It is lovely, and shiny, but I'm not thinking it's best for socks. I think it would make a lovely shawl.

I try to keep religion and politics off of the blog. But I have to share this story. We're big Obama supporters. And since the campaign is finally here, hubby went down to our local office today and picked up some yard signs and signed up to help out. He's making phone calls to people in our precinct. The list of callers is very specialized through some system I'm sure I don't understand (since we don't register as "democrats" or "republicans" here in Texas). It is comprised of people who are likely Obama supporters.

The second person on his list of 292 registered voters? Me. The fourth? Him. We're just waiting for his mom and brother to show up (they also live in our precinct.) Too funny.

I do have some FOs to share, as soon as I can convince my computer to let me upload pictures. I'll try not to be gone two weeks again!

February goals

Well, I didn't manage to finish any more projects in January. We had quite a week with some state field testing, very strong winds (which blew the satellite dish out of whack twice - thank goodness hubby could fix it or we would still be without TV and be paying $80 to have it fixed), fires nearby, and cold. But I did make some good progress, so I'll have some FOs soon.

Let's recap January goals:
January Goals:
Finish Wicked (already done!) DONE
Seam Bow-knot cardigan DONE
Finish Hedgehog DONE
Finish Snowy Triangle Scarf DONE
Finish Noro Scarf NOT done
Finish Monkey Socks DONE
Finish Zuluknitty socks almost - need to knit the toe.
Knit 8 panels of Log Cabin Blanket 1 PANEL DONE
Finish back of Bristow, start fronts. BACK DONE, FRONT STARTED
Finish back of Cambridge jacket, start fronts. BACK DONE, FRONT STARTED
Finish back of Salina, start front or sleeve. BACK DONE Front Started
Finish 2 mystery knits. ONE DONE
Knit hat for hubbo almost done
Knit hat for hubbo's friend DONE
Knit fingerless gloves for hubbo need to be seamed
Start Rogue STARTED
Finish one Embossed Leaves sock 3/4 DONE
Finish one Child's First sock nearly done
Finish one of hubbo's ribbed socks 3/4 DONE

I managed to complete 10 goals, which isn't too shabby. I also knit one thing (the ladybug) that wasn't on the list, and worked on another project that is nearly finished that wasn't on the list. I'm pretty proud of myself, and glad I went back to the goal list. It helped keep me focused, without feeling pressured. And I did work on some other things, and I didn't finish everything, and that's OK. So, what's on deck?

February Goals:
Knit at least 8 panels of Log Cabin Blanket (take on retreat)
Finish fingerless gloves for hubbo
Finish hat for hubbo
Finish Zuluknitty socks
Finish Embossed Leaves socks
Finish Child's First socks
Finish at least one peppermint sock
Finish Devon
Work on Icarus (get through the repeats of chart 1)
Work on Rogue (up to the armholes?)
Finish one front of Bristow
Finish one front of Cambridge Jacket
Finish front of Salina
Work on Buttony
Finish Noro Scarf
Work on Isobel
Finish half of mystery knit
Finish one Solstice Slip sock

Hopefully I can get a lot of this done, especially as the LYS is hosting a retreat at the end of the month (a weekend of knitting! Woo Hoo!).

I also want to do something for Project Spectrum, so I'm going to try to finish my Solstice Slip socks in February and March for the "Fire" months.

I didn't finish up my first book yet (The Knitter's Book of Yarn), but I'm close. More on that when I'm done.

If I'm going to get all this done, I'd better get moving! Pictures soon!

So, about that more blogging thing

Kinda fell off the horse on that one. But I do have two FOs for you today!



Pattern: Monkey by Cookie A.
Yarn: BMFA Socks that Rock Silkie - Sock Club yarn
Needles: Chiagoo DPNS 2.75mm
Dates: um, summer/fallish to January 22, 2008
Mods: none
Thoughts: Love the yarn. Love the colors. Love the pattern. I can see why this has been so popular! I did have some gauge issues, and then some pooling issues with other yarn, but this has been a winner. Glad to have new socks this week, since it's been cold.


And now, I can finally reveal one of the secret projects I've been working on. My LYS, Yarns Ewenique, is having a sock club, and I was flattered to be chosen as one of the pattern designers. It has been an interesting experience for me (and it's not over yet!) The first pattern was "released" on Friday, so now I can show it to you!


Pattern: Loopy Laces by me!
Yarn: Louet Gems fingering weight yarn
Needles: Chiagoo DPNs 2.75mm
Mods: I knit the sample socks with the fine/sport weight yarn, so mine feel a bit different from the others, but the gauge worked out the same for me, so it's all good.
The pattern is exclusive to the club for one year, but after that it will be available here for you! (It will be available next year through the shop and here as a downloadable pdf.)

I really do hope to make some progress on a few other things this last week of January, so stay tuned!

Whoops!

I didn't mean to fall off the blog for a week there, but life had other plans. Anyway, there has been knitting - not much, but a little progress. One of the projects I've been working on I can't show you quite yet, but I was finishing it up on Sunday, and ran out of yarn. Oops.

I weighed the first sock - 53g. The second sock - 46g. That is a BIG difference. Luckily, my LYS had another skein in the same dyelot, so it is finished now, and you'll see it soon.

I hope to have some more things to show you soon, and to get back on the blogging horse this week. I'm off to enjoy the last few hours of my holiday and get to bed early - more soon!

Sometime this has to stop, right?

I managed to finish up another project this weekend! Put some butter on me baby, 'cause I'm on a ROLL!

Pattern: Seaman's Cap from Brenda Zuk at Needle Beetle
Yarn: Knitpicks Wool of the Andes in Mist - about 1.75 skeins
Needles: Sz 7 Addi Turbos and Clover bamboo DPNs
Dates: Tuesday January 8 - Sunday January 13
Mods: I added length before beginning the crown shaping
Thoughts: Great length, according to hubby. Very soft and warm. Love this pattern.

I promise this won't turn into a FO blog, but I can't stop the train!

Stripey and Pink. What more could I ask for?

Pattern: Snowy Triangle Scarf by Iris Schreier from Handknit Holidays
Yarn: Paton's Soy Wool Stripes in Natural Geranium - a smidge under 3 balls.
Needles: Sz 10.5 Clover Bamboo Circulars
Mods: longer
Dates: July 2007-January 2008
Thoughts: Love this. Love the triangles, love the stripes. It was relatively easy, though I did make a bit of a mistake early on.



Hint to those of you think of making this - when you've repeated row 3 until you have *31 (if you have the pattern, this makes sense), DO NOT turn and knit back. Ask me how I know. You immediately start over with row 1.

The pattern was deliciously simple and went surprisingly fast. I knit 11 middle triangles, and I might have been able to get 12, but I didn't want to run out of yarn.

I find the yarn a bit scratchy on my neck, but not enough to not wear this loveliness. I haven't made a scarf for me in forever, so this is a welcome addition to my small collection. And just in time for the "winter weather" we're supposed to get next week.