I'm a blogging fool!

Woo hoo! I've been busy. Let's start with the yarn room (WT would call it the music room - I supposed it depends on your point of view). I was getting pretty sick of the way it's been looking recently, so I organized it.

Before

After

Much better, isn't it? I actually have a much better handle on what's in my stash. Even when this was organized before, it was pouring out of the bins and on the floor and all. Now it is neatly confined. I filled two and a half kitchen trash bags with yarn I don't want - it will be donated locally to a women's shelter. I also got together 2 smaller bags full of yarn to be swapped at my knitting group's third birthday party. Yay!

And look! I finished something too! This here is your basic garter stitch scarf. I had two skeins of The Fibre Company's Savannah DK in lime and rose, so I knitted until it was all used up. I changed colors every two rows. I'm happy with it. It lays flat, and it's comfy and warm and pretty. Sometimes simple is the way to go.

I think I like the 'wrong' side better than the 'right' side. The yarn has a rustic feel that I like.

I found this pink hat while organizing my stash. I made it on a loom about two years ago. Banana liked it, so she gets to keep it. It's made out of some really soft acrylic stuff.

I crocheted this hat about 3.5 years ago. It was one of the first hats I ever crocheted. Banana likes this one too, so she's going to keep it.

Look! Unazukin! Aren't they cute? When you ask them a question, they nod or shake their heads. Kind of like a Japanese magic eight ball, only cuter.

This is the last yarn I bought. No more new stuff until 2009. I usually don't buy 100% wool, but I fell in love with this colorway. I have about 600 yards, so I'm thinking I'll make a cropped sweater or something.

I purchased Knit Picks Memories in the Geranium colorway. I'm going to make socks! At least, I'm going to try to make socks. We'll see what happens.

I bought Universal Yarn Co.'s Pace in blue and dark gray to make socks for WT. He likes the colors, as they are nice and manly and they match his work clothes. And at $3.50 a ball, who can resist?

I was going to post pictures of the Memories and Pace, but Blogger is being an asshole and I don't have the patience to try to format anymore tonight. Maybe next time.

So there you have it. FOs, stash, organization, and unazukin. Yay!

All done

I finished the Herringbone Neckwarmer by Craig from Loop. I really like it! It was a quick and easy knit, I love the buttons, I love the yarn, and I love the pattern. The only thing I don't like is my right hand edge (top edge in the pic below). For some reason, when I finish a knit row and go to start a purl row, I have this ginormous loop of yarn at the end of each row. Sometimes I can purl tightly enough to wrap it up and hide it, but as you can see I'm not successful at this all the time. I think it looks sloppy, and I don't like sloppy! Anyhoo, I'm happy with the neckwarmer anyways. I used one skein of Sheep Shop One. I love this yarn (did I already say that?). I also love the buttons. Both the buttons and the yarn were purchased at The Lamb's Wool in Lansdale, PA. They have a nice selection, especially for you spinners and weavers out there!

I think I'll be starting another Tiramisu shortly. I also need to wrap up some WIPs that have been hibernating for quite some time now.

I'm going to bed. Happy Friday and have a good weekend!

Scarves

Here it is, in all its glory: The Chevron Scarf, from Last Minute Knitted Gifts by Joelle Hoverson.

I used two skeins of Koigu KPPPM: one in blues, purples, and greens, and one is greens, peaches, and pinks. The colors are gorgeous; these pictures just do not do them justice.

This yarn is really soft and drapy. I just love it.

I actually blocked this scarf like I was supposed to. If I hadn't, it would look like a really colorful, expensive rope. The chevron pattern tends to pull the scarf in on itself, and the blocking really worked wonders. I guess that's why people do it. ;o)

This is the Herringbone Neck Warmer by Craig Rosenfeld at Loop in Philadelphia. It only takes one skein of Sheep Shop One, and I bought two wooden buttons to finish it off. Had I been able to knit today, I probably would have finished it. Gotta love big needles. This yarn is gorgeous. It almost has a pearlescent quality to it, and the colors are really saturated. This is also going to be one very warm neck warmer.

I have off tomorrow. Yay. I don't have work or school, so we are going to head on over to NJ to spend a day with my padre. It's going to be cold, and he has a wood burning stove. Guess where I'm going to park my behind all day?

Good night y'all. Sleep well.

L'Echarpe sans fin est fini!

I finally finished the Chevron Scarf. I should have pics to put up tomorrow. I started it in October, and took a hiatus from it in December. I have been working on it every day for at least the past week. I'm happy with the results - the colors are so gorgeous. I washed it in Eucalan (!), and now it's blocking(!). I feel like such a grown up knitter! I'm abusing exclamation points again!!

I just started making the Herringbone Neckwarmer which can be found on the Loop blog. It takes one skein of Sheep Shop One yarn, which is so pretty I want to marry it or something. This puppy is going fast, as it's knit on size 11s. I hope to finish tomorrow; I have some cool buttons for it, nice wooden ones that will look good with the yarn.

That's about it for now. Pics tomorrow. Love yas!

Some WIPs and FOs for you

Mostly WIPS. This here is a picture of my first attempt at blocking! It was truly necessary to do so, as this shirt is so tiny, there was no way in hell I was going to be able to seam it without doing so. This little tank is for my dad's Blythe doll, Bridget (see previous posts for explanation of 'my dad's Blythe doll'). This is sport weight yarn (Dale Stork), on size 1 needles. I've never knitted anything so tiny before! The shirt and skirt (not pictured) only took one afternoon to knit up; it will probably take me about a week to actually sew everything together. I'm also making a cloche-style hat to go with.

Now on to more normal-sized things. Here is a finished legwarmer, pattern courtesy of Last Minute Knitted Gifts. I probably posted about this before, but I'm hoping that if I post about it again, I may actually be motivated to knit the other goddamn legwarmer. They are soft as can be, although I wish I had learned to knit on DPNs for this project, as knitting these bad boys on circs is a major pain in the ass. I had to cast on 12 extra stitches, and it's still so tight I don't even know what to do with myself. Oh well.

Here's the Puzzle Scarf by Kirsten Kapur of Through the Loops (link in sidebar). I dig this scarf, but again I'm posting about it because the project has stalled and I really want to finish it! I have so many other projects that I want to cast on, but I don't want to come down with startitis. I need to post about more FOs! I really want to start the Lacy Shrug from Kelly Maher at 10 Feet High, and I also want to do the Ballet Camisole by Alexandra Virgiel (pattern on MagKnits). They would make a cute matching ensemble to start the school year with. I also need to re-knit the Green Gable, which I frogged almost entirely due to the fact that it was about 4 inches too big around. I love the yarn and the pattern, so why am I stalling? I don't know. I just need to DO IT!

This is quite the rambling post, isn't it? I feel like I'm throwing a pep rally for myself.

Finally, here is the Crochet Crop Cardigan by Monica Brown at M1 Designs. I'm really happy with the way it came out. It makes my boobs look nice and big, and it's comfy and I like the color. I used 5 skeins of Cotton Fleece. The shell pattern at the bottom and on the sleeves makes me happy.

***

Currently, my two kittens Carlos and Joey are careening around my house, into walls and each other and poor old Tino. They are insane. It's sort of like having two teenage boys in the house, except they don't talk, which is kind of nice. They really enjoying swinging from the sheer curtains in the Banana's room, and Joey has also found out that it's really fun to scrape the paint off the door jam in our breezeway. I come out every morning to find a little pile of white paint chips littering the carpet (no lead, don't worry), the water bowl is overturned and the floor is sopping wet, book are scattered about, etc. I finally got smart and got them a COVERED litter box; before that, they would manage to scoop at least one third of the litter out onto the floor. Maybe they'll calm down once they're fixed. God, I hope so.

***

So when my mother passed away last year, we donated her body to a medical school in NJ for research purposes. When they are done with the donations, they cremate them and send your loved ones back to you. We just got Ma back last week, and my father doled out a portion of Ma to both me and my brother (since my father is forever an engineer, we both got exactly half a cup o' Ma). So now Ma is in a Ziploc baggie on my dresser. I was trying to come up with an appropriate vessel to store her in, and my friend Jeb had a brilliant idea. When Ma died, Dad let me have this tarnished old copper watering can that leaks. Why not keep her in there? I like it. The watering can reminds me of Ma, and reminds me of how Ma also took such good care of her house plants. I have one houseplant that is from a clipping of hers, a Christmas cactus. It hasn't bloomed yet, but I haven't killed it yet either, so that's good. But I digress. I'm keeping Ma (in the baggie) in the watering can. It's appropriate. And it's comforting to have her around.

Banana saw the ashes and heard us talking about them, and so she asked how the gray stuff was Grandma. I explained cremation as best as I could, then we got into this conversation about God and Jesus and Mary and Joseph and heaven and what you do with people when they die and all that stuff. She listened intently and seriously, and then said:

"Mom, I have one question for you."

"What is it, honey?"

"How do you spell 'Joseph'?"

I swear, that kid always knows the best things to say in any situation. She also asked me later why people turn into gray powder when they 'get all fired up'. Yet another question for the ages. I feel sometimes like I live with the Sphinx.

***

If you haven't already, go read the latest post by Laurie at Crazy Aunt Purl (link in the side bar, I'm too lazy to do imbedded links). It's really brilliant. I truly admire people who are able to succinctly explain what I sometimes have wandering around inside my skull.

That's it for now. Thanks for stopping by. :o)

An FO and 2 WIPs

Hello all. I am somewhat fatigued, and I have no photos pour vous, but I'm posting anyhow because it's been awhile and I feel like it. So there.

I finally finished the Crochet Crop Cardigan by Monica Brown. I'm pretty gosh darn pleased with it too, I might add. The color is good, the shape is good, the fit is better than I expected, and all that good stuff. The pattern originally called for 4 buttons, but I had 3 big buttons that looked really good, so I sewed those puppies on, and there you have it. I used 5 skeins of Brown Sheep Company Cotton Fleece, so the cost of the sweater was under $50 if you include the buttons. I find this to be a tremendous bargain for something so darn cute. One of these days, when I get my lazy butt around to it, I'll post some pictures. Monica's patterns are really cute - you should go check them out! Very well written too, which is always a crowd pleaser.

I found out my friend Gloria is preggers, so I am making a Baby B.A.G.S. (big-ass granny square) and the Heartbreakingly Cute Baby Kimono from Mason-Dixon Knitting. Does anyone have any suggestions as to how to avoid ginormous loops of yarn on your edges when you are casting on extra stitches using the backward loop method? I'm finished casting on for the sleeves, and I think I'll be able to hide the extra yarn in the seams, but it would have been nice to avoid this altogether. Let me know.

I also found out that my next-door-neighbor's grandson's wife is pregnant with twins. Looks like I'll be making the Tiramisu Baby Blanket by Alicia Paulson for those babies. I really like to crochet, but I've found that I'm not a huge fan of following crochet patterns (except for Monica's, because they are short and sweet). Many crochet patterns are eighty bajillion pages long, because it's possible that you need to write instructions for each darn row, unlike knitting. I like Alicia Paulson's blankie because it is literally one page long and the repeat is over two rows and it is just easy and it looks pretty and it looks complicated too, so I can impress people. And that's what it's really all about. Okay, not really, but it's fun to impress people anyways.

I need to get started on my Green Gable again. I put that on hold for a while as I finished the Crop Cardi. I have a bunch of summery tops I want to knit, and it would be nice to finish them in a season when I could actually wear them, rather than waiting until next year. However, I'm feeling the afghan urge coming on again. I started a ripple, and I really want to make a Vintage Stripe Afghan by Bella Dia, and I have an idea for a nine-square granny using 9 different variegated yarns that I think will look pretty nifty when all's said and done. And I have to crochet 3 baby blankies. Woo. But all that double crochet, it's all so easy and fast and satisfying...

Maybe I just won't work anymore. I'm sure WT won't mind if I just sit my ass on the sofa 24/7 and crochet afghans.

Har dee har har.

Another reason that I have not posted for a little while is because all of my attention and energy is being sucked into Ravelry. I can't wait until everybody can join. It's so fun. I'm not even sure why it's fun, it just is.

This will probably be my last post until next week, as the fam and I are going to Santa Fe on Thursday. I am very much looking forward to this. We'll be staying with my aunt and uncle (free lodging), and my cousin will be there with her kids (free babysitting). So it'll be good. Not to mention they're only a stone's throw from Taos - can you say Georgia O'Keeffe? Like one of my favorite artists ever? Dude, I so hope we get to visit Ghost Ranch. That would totally make my day. My week, even. Bah, it'll be fun no matter what.

My head hurts. I'm going to bed. Thanks for reading my rant. Talk to youse guys soon.

Amazingly enough, I have finished...

... three projects! I know, it's truly amazing. But that's how I roll - nothing for months and then BAM! FOs all over the place. So here's the first one.

As you can see this a crocheted bag of my own design, made of Sugar 'n' Creme. This is for my Knitter's Treat Exchange treatee. I bought her some nice smell-good stuff, and it all came in this horrendous, cheap-looking plastic bag, so I made this instead. I hope she likes it. It took one afternoon to complete. I am a much faster crocheter than knitter.

This is a kerchief, from a pattern in Last Minute Knitted Gifts by Joelle Hoverson of PurlSoho. I used Elsebeth Lavold Silky Tweed from my stash, one skein. I love everything about this yarn except that it is kind of splitty. But it is drappy and soft and speckled and lovely, and I just can't say enough good things about it!

Don't ask my why I am frowning; I don't know.

I like this little kerchief. I needed something easy and (relatively) quick after completing the project you see below.

And finally, the FO you've all been waiting for, I present to you:

Interweave Knits Spring 2007 Green Tea Raglan by Cathy Payson

How do I feel about this sweater? Meh. It is too short, and the sleeves are too tight. I am happy with my knitting and unhappy with my finishing (which is why you see no extreme close-ups of the seams). It's definitely wearable, and the yarn was nice to work with. I used about 5 skeins of Cascade 220 Heathers, and I would use it again, but not for a pullover because it's very warm. I do intend to make a cardigan with it though.

I won't be making the belt that is in the pattern as it is too short and I really don't need to attract any attention to my waist (or lack thereof). As I said in a previous post, I had to rip out about 10 rows at the top of the front and back to ensure that the raglan decreases on the body matched the raglan decreases on the sleeves. Overall, I guess I am not too disappointed with this. I tend to be a perfectionist, and I get tremedously irritated when things don't turn out as I think they should, especially when I've followed the directions and not just winged it. However, I will continue to knit, and continue to crochet, and continue to learn and get better. I still love these crafts, and I have to keep reminding myself that I'm not going to be a Norah Gaughan or Mari Lynn Patrick or Eunny Jang right out of the starting gates.

Even though I want to be. :o)

Yay, my computer and my camera are on speaking terms again!

So these first two pictures are of the granny square scrapghan that I blogged about two posts ago. See, the colors aren't too atrocious are they? Are they? I like them.

Following are some pictures of our MontCo Sit n Knit in wonderful Ocean City, NJ. We had such a good time. I arrived on Saturday afternoon when several of my co-knitters were at a knit-out in Ventnor. Bev and I met them at the Knitting Niche LYS in OC, and we cleaned out the back sale room, ridding the store of many back issues of Vogue Knitting and Knitter's Magazine. For 50 cents each, 3 for $1! We can't resist a sale. Here are pictures of us knitting and perusing the aforementioned magazines.

Sharon reading up.

Bev making a cute denim hat.

Robin working on a kick-ass sweater with lovely colors.

MJ knitting away.

Maria working on a blankie strip for charity.

Everybody brought enough food to feed their entire extended family. There were five of us. I, for one, was not complaining at all.

Fermented libations to get us through.

Delicious snacky-wackies.

One can never consume to many Entenmann's products.

Here are two pictures of the condo. Right on the boardwalk at St. Charles Place, it was heaven. We could walk right out of the condo and straight onto the boardwalk. Woo hoo!

The sun room.

Sunrise over the Atlantic Ocean, shining happily right into our dining room.

The rest of the pictures are just ones I took for the heck of it, because I just love Ocean City so much. You can see a bazillion more on my flickr site (link in the side bar).

Looking south.

Itty bitty shell.

It's funny, the things people leave behind...

This weekend was so restorative. I took two long walks, one on Saturday with Robin and MJ, and one on Sunday, all by myself. Each was about 5 miles long, meditative, with only the sound of the gulls and the waves and the wind. I don't think I could ask for anything more. Thanks to Robin and MJ for arranging this weekend; it did this body good!!

Well, I WAS going to post some pictures...

But my !#$%^&* computer won't let me upload any pictures from my camera. Son of $%*. I will now go into excruciating detail, so as to paint a picture in your mind's eye.

Project: scrapghan #4
Design: BAGS (big ass granny square)
Yarn: ACRYLIC ACRYLIC ACRYLIC (variegated, mind you)

Details: I used 4 different variegated yarns for this afghan. I made it for my friend Jeb; when I asked her what her favorite color is, she said all of them, so that's what she's getting. It's actually one of my favorite scrapghans to date. There is a blue/purple/pink yarn, a brown/red/green/orange/think autumn colors yarn, a pale blue/tan/off-white/sage green yarn, and finally, a brown/tan/turquoise yarn. I know it sounds horrendous, but I promise it is not so bad, and if my stupid computer and stupid camera decide they want to talk to each other, I will post some photos.


I am terribly excited about the upcoming weekend. Some girls/ladies/women/however you'd like to be addressed people from the MontCo Sit n Knit got a house on the boardwalk in Ocean City, NJ for the weekend. Ocean City is my favorite place after Paris - I'm not even kidding. I spent two summers there as a young twenty-something, and it is just heaven. So we are going to knit and crochet and eat and laugh this weekend. It will be a good time. And I am going to walk to boardwalk and the beach and relax and enjoy the ocean and not think about the ignorant teenagers that I have to contend with on a daily basis (I'm sorry, did I say that out loud?).


Since I just finished the scrapghan, I think I'll take the Zen Garden Stole and the Green Tea Raglan down with me to work on. I may also take the legwarmers, as that is a fairly mindless knit once you get going. I hope to bring back one more finished object!


Guess that's all for now. I was watching a show on Discovery Health last night called I Eat 33,000 Calories a Day. I'm not even kidding. The one dude they showcased consumes, on average, 4 lbs of FAT per day. Not just food - FAT. I can hear my arteries collapsing simply from reading those words. I feel bad for these people though - they are truly addicted to food, and unlike other addictions, you can't simply remove the focus of their addiction from their life. If you're an alcoholic, you stop drinking; if you're addicted to cocaine, you take it out of your life (obviously, it's not that easy, but you see where I'm going with this). You just can't do that with food. And these poor people are even too large to get gastric bypass or anything. Makes me feel lucky. I like to think I am relatively healthy, but I was also blessed with good genes too (thank you Mom and Dad!). Okay, so that's my depressing blurb for the day.


Here's some nice pictures to enjoy (they were already in the computer). Thanks for stopping by!!

The following photos were taken by yours truly last summer at the Morris Arboretum in Philadelphia, PA. Can you tell I'm ready for warm weather!?!?