Coming Soon...

Thanks to Jolie for posting about my pattern. She's a very cool knitter - very visual in her style. I always like to see what she's working on - it always gives me a new perspective. She takes it beyond function and makes knitting almost geometric in her designs and color work.

I've been keeping busy by working on my January project. I'm trying to work through EZ's Knitting Almanac in a way, using projects I already either have the yarn for or have cast on. This way, I have a goal, I'm using stash, and I'm cleaning out current WIPs. This month is a sweater, and I have been eyeing the Knit Picks Gloss in my stash. I found the perfect pattern from Knitty (Zora) and have been working on it diligently. I don't know that it will get done in January (I have a sweater to repair and a hat to finish for my brother) but there's a good start on it. I'm also making notes as I go, so if I have to put it down in February, I'll know where I am and the modifications I've been making (amazing - I think I've grown up as a knitter). :)

Here are some pictures of what I've already finished this year:

Noro Scarf from J. Flood

Turn-a-Square Hat from J. Flood (a family of 3 - only mine is pictured here)

Lidsville from D. Stoller's Son of Stitch & Bitch (Little Man as model - I think I constructed it incorrectly, and plan on fixing it)

Autumn Sun Wrap from Crochet in Color (shop sample at TWNY)

That should take care of most of what's been going on - other than the holidays, and Little Man's 3rd birthday. I found some pattern errors in Skolnick, so I'll be working on that in the coming months as well. A huge thanks to Jolie for test knitting them for me. I'm still working on confirmation that the recipient of the originals received them - Alex? Hello?

Look for exciting updates coming. Oh, and I decided to participate in the Ravelympics in February. Staying true (somewhat) to EZ's Knitting Almanac, I'm going for the WIP event with Little Man's sweater. I really want to finish it, but the cables are killing me. Maybe this will be the push I need to get it done. Finishing that will also help when I finish Zora, since I'm working both cardigans as one large piece rather than 3 separate pieces as the pattern calls for and having to seam them. I'd rather have the ease of knitting one large piece, keeping my gauge the same, and not having to seam - it's a complete win/win, except when the directions don't work with you.

Finish in 2010

It looks like this year will be a year for finishing. I have several projects on the needles (try at least a dozen if not more) plus yarn to make many other things. I have already completed a few things, and will post pictures hopefully this weekend. Other things will be finished soon, and my goal is to finish at least one project a month. Nice goal, right? We'll see how well that works. As far as blogging goes, I'm hoping to get back into a regular habit of blogging at least twice a month, once with a progress report and once with a finished object. If I can post more, I will. That's all for now - watch for updates! :)

Pattern Erratta

I started working my own pattern, and have found errors. That really sucked. So, in an effort to be a consciencious designer, I'm fixing it. Well, as I work it, so after this week, a new version should be posted. Hopefully, someone will actually pay attention and download it. I seriously need to figure out how to post a PDF file, and how to convert the Word file into PDF. If I can do that, we'll be all set.

This week should be fun - hubby's birthday, a mini-vacation at the in-laws, a virtually stress-free Thanksgiving, and a fun holiday concert. Look for an update on Hubby's birthday next week. :)

Updates

I've been working on stuff, seriously. I completed all 3 Turn-A-Square hats, a Noro scarf, plus a couple of repair projects. I've been working like crazy for a while, then in lulls get a chance to actually knit or crochet something. I've also been working on a crochet wrap for TWNY and still waiting on yarn to finish it. It will all come together.

In other news, Little Man has been battling a cold, Hubby's picking it (or something worse) up, and it looks like it's striking Mom next. This is not good news since next week is Thanksgiving and Hubby's birthday. We have plans, and those plans do not include being sick. I also don't want to be sick for the TSO show in Greenville on the 27th! Hopefully extra rest, water, Vitamin C and some chicken soup will make it all better. :)

New Stuff

Oh, there has been knitting going on...I swear I've finished things. I completed 3 dishcloths (doesn't sound exciting, I know, but sometimes you need a quick finish project that you can do while you watch your 2-year-old run around a room), and have started a sweater for Little Man. He's surrounded by much knitted love. :) I also completed another shawl for a lovely lady who frequents the shop. She still considers herself a beginner (I think she could do more if she'd pick something other than garter stitch) and needed the edging done for her. She's not a crocheter (understandable; not everyone can be a great hooker!) and wanted the shawl finished sometime this century. Fortunately, her order came at a perfect time to distract me (during some serious losses). I finished and blocked it, and she adored it. Pictures to come later - when maybe I have a little more time, and some new batteries in the camera.

Oh, on a side note, the bathroom is to be painted this weekend (thank goodness for long weekends). Will post those pics too.

In honor of Bruce

This past month, so many things have happened. I don't know that this is the time or the place to say everything, but one of the many downs this past month was the loss of a friend. He was a good friend, a great knitter, and he will be missed terribly. His name was Bruce, and he was a huge fan of lace. Bruce was incredibly smart, not just book smart, but everything smart. And he never lorded it over anyone; he was always happy to give a word of advice when asked or help you understand something. He had a quirky sense of humor (let's face it - math jokes aren't everyone's cup of tea, but Bruce enjoyed a good one), and the depth of knowledge he had about science, math, and his favorite - knitting, was amazing. The ability to pick his brain over something so small seemed to be one of his favorite past times. No question was ever stupid (only the unasked one) and no detail to small to be described to the utmost perfection. In honor of Bruce, I picked up my shawl again, and will finish it in his memory.

It doesn't look like much now, but that's the beauty of lace. It's the "ugly duckling" of knitting. It starts out all crumpled and horrible, then once it's stretched out, it turns into the most delicate and beautiful work of art.

You will notice the lovely bobbles hanging from the work - those are my stitch markers. Gotta love that! I made them on the cheap. Not bad for a $10 investment. And it makes the lace go incredibly smoothly while working the pattern. Now I get it.

Unfortunately, Bruce was the only one at TWNY to teach a lace class. A mutual friend of ours I think got to pick his brain more than anyone else, and I hope that she will continue his tradition at some point (or someone will pick it up). She also has a lovely tribute to Bruce on her site. I only hope to reach his expertise someday with lace and other knitting. So, in loving honor of Bruce, please knit on.

Done!

Alright...it's done. It's ready to download...won't someone please download it? :)