Brilliant Ideas

I have just had two major break-throughs in knitwear design.

First, a sweater gone wrong...I tried to wear the Soft Focus sweater from an old book, and it just wasn't working for me. I made the sweater by the pattern (a first for me, since I always wind up modifying it for some reason or another) and it worked, but it wasn't the best style for me. Since I made it, and it wasn't very flattering (note to self: boatneck sweaters don't look good on EVERYONE), I decided I could modify the neckline slightly, so it wouldn't be so open and causing bra-strap issues. Once I did that, the neckline then proceeded to thank me by strangling me. It was not happy. It is now in the frog pond. Luckily, my crafty brain refused to give up on the warm and soft sweater...and now, after it is frogged (frogging still not complete), it will have new life as a lovely sweater with a crew neck (more flattering to me, although V-neck would be best...the details of the sweater haven't been fully decided yet).

Second, TONS of leftover yarn from various and sundry projects. I will make an afghan; one to use in the living room with the couch that should be replaced this year (hopefully). I think I'm going to go with a miter-square pattern for it, and then sew the squares together. Either that, or I'll be doing just a striped pattern. I'm leaning mroe towards the mitered square concept.

Third problem without a solution currently: the mohair sweater. I haven't figured out yet what to do with this, but it needs to be frogged and possibly worked into something like the lacy pullover in the Knit Simple magazine. It looks lovely, and simple, but it will give all that yarn something to do.

Fourth problem: Debbie Bliss Cashmerino bag. I have approximately 10 lovely skeins, and I was going to do a sweater, one with a boat neck, but after the Soft Focus fiasco, it would be better served doing something else. I haven't quite thought of what yet, but there's still time.

I have other small stash yarns, and most of those will get used up in lovely scarves, shawls, or wraps. I also think I might have solved my problem of the 3 eyelash skeins! A swatch is needed to determine if the solution will truly work.

Oh, more big news! I finally have a computer that can handle the software for the digital camera, and the software and correct cord for said camera is now in my possession. Hopefully, this will mean pictures soon! I know...I keep promising, but hey, I can only do so much, because believe it or not, I AM only human!

I love this time of year

New Years are great. It's a time for a fresh start, a new beginning. This promises to be a great year.

This year will be a great year for knitting. There are already some projects forming in my head, and hopefully I can put them into action before the year gets too far gone. I'm planning to use up my stash and replace it with yummy stuff (KnitPicks here I come!).

I have to buy some yarn for a friend...she's having a boy, who undoubtedly needs his own blanket, since I made one for his sister. I'm trying to decide between green and blue, and I'm thinking green, just simply because blue is so overly done on little boys. His sister got a really cool afghan, the Baby I.Q. afghan. Sure, it's crocheted, but it was cool to do, and easy. Of course, doing 16 granny squares does kind of wear you out a little, and you get tired of doing them, but it was really cool once it was all put together. I think her little brother needs an elephant, and maybe a cool sweater as well. However, she STILL can't fit into hers, and I used the 12 month size. She'll be 2 in April. Oh well...I guess the pattern was a little big. At least she can wear it later.

Cool reads

I went to Borders yesterday, and picked up a couple of knitting magazines. I could have spent a fortune just on those, but hey, I had other things to buy. I picked up this one, since it was the men's issue and my brother is into knitting now too. The articles were interesting, and I liked some of the designs for the sweaters. Most of it was men's wear, but that's ok...what woman doesn't like curling up in an oversized sweater on a cold day?! Sometimes having something huge makes you feel amazing. I liked some of the ideas as well. I think it has good potential for future work.

Then I was looking through the rack and saw this new one and there was an article about knits for plus sizes. That definitely caught my eye. I picked it up and flipped through it quickly, and just bought it. I'm hoping to write the editors and let them know WHY I purchased it, and perhaps they can do something about the lack of plus sized patterns in the knitting magazines. It might only be one voice, but better one than none. Who knows what might happen? They might do a spin off and make all the patterns in it for plus sizes. One can always hope.

I guess I'm gearing up for the new year. Last night we saw this:

It was good...really good. It was a good re-make, and although I haven't seen the original, I really did enjoy it. It was like a cross between the squeaky-clean movies of the 1930's and Journey to the Center of the Earth. The only drawback was there was someone who added some ambience through smell. Smell-o-vision would be great for cooking shows, but not for gorilla movies.

Woot for Christmas!

Well, Christmas was nice. I didn't get everything done that I wanted to, but Christmas still turned out nicely. I am hoping to knit more this year, and make presents for everyone for Christmas. I like doing handmade gifts, if for no other reasons than 1) they are generally cheaper and 2) they are more personal. I have some really hard people to buy gifts for...what do you get a retired person who has everything they need and most of what they want? For some people, the gifts are easy...sometimes they even provide a list.

This next year, my goals are going to be to reduce my stash and get through at least level one of the master hand knitter's course. There are some things I'd love to make just for Christmas, and hopefully I will make those as well. Then there are projects that are stacking up faster than I can knit them. I'm hoping that one of these days I'll have a good balance between stash and projects. Right now, all the projects I'd like to do I don't have the yarn for, and what I do have the yarn for I don't really want to do. Sad, isn't it?! Maybe I can fix that this year, and focus on what I have, find projects for that, and then the projects that I'd like to do slowly work towards getting the yarn for that. At some point, I need to see what projects I have started and where they need to go (finish them or frog pond?). There are also things in the frog pond that need frogging...maybe this week I can frog stuff. Keep your fingers crossed.

Time is all I need...

Just time. I wish I had more...I wanted to make some Christmas gifts. Oh well...I'll plan for next year. Maybe everyone will get socks. Everyone wears socks. Handmade socks all around...just what next year's Christmas ordered. Of course, that would mean I'd have to do at least one pair a month, and I haven't even finished the first one of mine yet! Oh well...maybe 2 at a time? I'm hoping to get some needles so I can do 2 socks on 2 circulars. Then we'll see how fast they go.

Patterns, patterns, everywhere...

So, I've been cleaning. I obviously have been doing something else, since I haven't been posting. Work's been a little more hectic, since it's the end of the quarter, but it hasn't been too terrible. I found patterns upon patterns upon patterns. I have 2 boxes stuffed full of patterns. I still have more left. I'm sure there are duplicates, and they're not organized, but at least they are all together. That's a step in the right direction. I have more organization to do, but we're sticking to cleaning for the time being, since Christmas is right around the corner.

I need to get my secret pal something. She's so sweet, and after having to put up with me all year, she deserves to get something nice. I'll have to see what I can find for her. Tis the season after all. =0)

Slow socks

That's what I'm going to title these things. They are SLOW. On the bright side, it gives me something to do while watching TV. I'm almost at the point of finishing the gusset of my socks, and then it will really be mindless knitting.

Good news...I finally moved almost all my yarn into the study. The bad news is that it doesn't currently have enough space, but that should hopefully be fixed tonight. I have 2 shelves to clean out of the Yaffa blocks (from my college days, but good for storing yarn) and fill them in with the rest of the yarn. That should be enough space, but I wouldn't hold my breath. I still have to figure out what to do with all my other craft stuff. I have cross stitch, crochet, tatting, and who knows what else lurking for storage. In my head, I think I've solved some of the storage problem, but the space problem is now before me. I might have an answer for that as well, depending on how I work things. Some measurements are going to be required. I am hoping in just 2 short weeks to be ready to start sewing on the stockings I want to make for Christmas. I have the felt (easy sewing) and my machine is all hooked up. All I need to do now is cut them out and sew them up.

Woot!

Woot! is all I have to say. My first sock is coming along nicely, although I have to admit that I am slightly worried that it's going to be too big. Oh well, if they are, all the more comfy.

I have to clean out my room tonight. I have TONS of yarn sitting in there. It all needs to join the rest of its family (Stash, Yarn Stash) in the study. It should be really nice and I should be able to divide and conquer a little at a time. I've been doing a lot of knitting, since my sinuses have decided to revolt against my throat, and now apparently my ear as well (it started hurting a little this afternoon). Oh well, more knitting time means socks sooner. I keep wanting those socks so badly...I can just imagine curled up on the sofa with those multicolored socks warming my feet. =0)

Sock Progress

Well, I finished the first pair of Cigar gloves for my brother. The second pair will come once I get some other projects done.

I turned the heel on my first sock! Woot! It's very exciting. I'm working on the gusset now. Oh, and more good news, I got the cable for the digital camera, so hopefully I can post pictures soon! It's been a long-time coming, I know.

The Georgia/Georgia Tech game was Saturday, and that provided good knitting time, with the exception of not having my pattern handy. So, I had to spend most of the third quarter writing it down. It was a sad game, since Tech didn't win. They should have won. It was a very football holiday weekend for me. I think I watched about 3 games total, with hubby watching at least 4 football games and catching pieces of college basketball games. Some days I just can't win for losing.

Progress

Well, I finished pair 1 of Cigar gloves. Woot! I have started the heel of sock #1. Woot! I'm hoping to finish sock #1 over Thanksgiving, and Friday I can get all my patterns organized. Hmm...it's time to start thinking how best to organize them. Any thoughts?

I also have to bake shortbread and a pumpkin pie for Thanksgiving. I thought about making a homemade apple pie as well, but since there will be a sweet potato pie there too, it might be a little overkill on the desserts.

Tomorrow is hubby's birthday, and we're headed to see this movie:





There's another Woot! I uploaded a pic with no problems (I hope). It's the first of many (I hope) on here. I'll take some pics this weekend and hopefully get a cable to the digital camera and post them (cross your fingers that I can find it).

Cool Thing I found while reading blogs...

Your Birthdate: March 23

You're not good at any one thing, and that's the problem.You're good at so much - you never know what to do.Change is in your blood, and you don't stick to much for long.You are destined for a life of travel and fun. Your strength: Your likeability Your weakness: You never feel satisfied Your power color: Bright yellow Your power symbol: Asterisk Your power month: May

What Does Your Birth Date Mean?

Wow...I'm bored at work.

Well, I'm bored at work. I have a ton of text to enter, and it's boring. It's mind-numbingly boring. So, I'm blogging. It's nice to be bored at work, for once. I have enough to keep me busy, but not enough to stress me out. I love a good balance.

So, I did actually finish the purple sweater, and I hated it. So, it's now in the frogging pond as well. I didn't work much on Cigar gloves, but today at lunch, I did finish the pinky of the second glove. That means only the thumb left, and then weaving in ends. Woot! It's close to being done. I think I found a pattern for the lovely mohair. A lovely lady from one of the lists I'm a member of sent me this link for a suggestion. Well, it was the only suggestion I got, but I think it would do WONDERFULLY for that yarn. I might even make 2, and give one to a friend. I also have another mohair blend that would look stunning in that. It might get made 3 times.

I think I'm going to try my hand at designing a sweater out of the purple stuff. I was at one point thinking of doing this sweater, but it needs to be up-sized for me. I'm just not sure that it should be all one color. I already emailed the designer and she was most encouraging about up-sizing it. I haven't decided if I'll do that one, or create my own, or a little of both.

Am I the only one who finds they always modify patterns? I think maybe it's because I'm just never content with how something looks on me, or perhaps it's just that I try to do stuff that's too small. Or maybe I just like to work on my math skills. I should keep a notebook on stuff like that. The calculations and whatnot of patterns I mean. Perhaps there's a perfectly logical mathematical formula for all of it. Ok, that was scary...I just sounded like a mathematician. I guess I am a mathematician for the business world.

I have also realized that in oh-so-many ways I'm WAY too practical. I'm trying to not be so practical for some things, and I think I need to extend that into my knitting. I need to go for what I like, whether or not it's practical. Who cares about practicality?! You only live once, and you should do as much as you can in this life. I'm not promoting insanity, but having fun. We all could use more fun in our lives. Who ever laid on their deathbed and said "I wish I didn't have as much fun in my life"? If someone has, I've never heard of it. Let's be thankful for what we have this week, and work hard on the knitting and have some fun with it! I might just free-form knit with the purple stuff. =0)

I'm trying!

I'm really trying to blog more! Look here...two posts in one week! Ok, so here's the progress. I have about 4 rows left on my purple sweater, so hopefully it'll be done this weekend and ready for wear come Monday. That will be nice, since it's started getting cold here. It got down into the 20s last night. That's cold, even by northern standards. *grins* I am working on the pinky of my brother's Cigar gloves. That should also hopefully be completed this weekend.

The next project is to take out my mohair sweater. I just don't like it. It's too big and clunky (if a sweater can be clunky). I've decided it's in the frogging pond and will be frogged soon. I think it will be a beautiful wrap instead. I think mohair works better for a wrap than for a sweater anyway.

Ack! I almost forgot about my socks! I have one pair on the needles (I'm close to starting the heel for the first sock) and another one waiting in the wings. I also have some sock yarn for a child's pair of socks. Those might wait a couple more months, like during summer. That would be a good light project that I could do easily and quickly (I hope).

I am also trying to budget for a Master Hand Knitter's Certification. We'll see how that turns out. I'm thinking sometime (like my birthday) I might buy myself the membership and the first level. That one should be easy to complete. I saw the requirements for it, and it doesn't look like the first level is too difficult or all that time consuming (also another good project for the summer - swatches). The second requires more thought, but I'm kind of disappointed in the paper requirements. It's a one-pager. What did I take all those English courses for?! I LOVE writing papers about things I'm passionate about. They might get more than they bargained for with the papers. *smirk*

Man, I almost forgot about some of the other projects that are in hiding. I have another pair of the Cigar gloves to do, Marvin the Paranoid Android to finish (I'm in the process of making and re-working some of the original designs - not that they're bad, but for me they're more of a starting point). I also have a felting project to try (lovely shades of Cascade to knit into a bag and felt), and lots of yarn for various and sundry other projects. I'm trying to be REALLY good and not buy more yarn (but gifts are ok *big grin*) and use what I have up.

I was going to make a tri-colored sweater, but now I can't find the pattern! I know it's around there somewhere, and perhaps when I get organized I'll find it. I thought it was in a magazine, but I've looked in all the magazines I thought I had at that time and can't find it. Perhaps I'm just wrong and I made it all up. Then again, perhaps this is a dream and in reality I've already completed it. If only...*sighs*

Once again...

I am falling behind on blogging. Oh well, at least it's for a different reason. This time I've been busy with cleaning and getting my life off of hold and started again. I'm doing a fair job of it. I love that I don't take work home with me. I love that I can leave on time without an excuse. So, what have I been doing on the knitting front? Well, I'm about 10 rows shy of finishing my purple sweater (again-the neck was too wide and needed modifying). I'm almost done with one set of the Cigar gloves my brother wants, and I'm part-way through a sock. I had problems finding a sock pattern I like with self-striping yarn. I didn't want any patterns in the sock, since I thought it would be too busy-looking with the stripes. I want to finish both pair of socks (there's another one waiting to be started) by Christmas. We'll see if that's going to really be possible. I know I'll have time to knit over Thanksgiving, and maybe I can get 2 circular needles going on the second pair, and do both socks at once. I have a dilemma...the purple mohair sweater I finished I just don't love. I need to do something else with it. So, it's to the frogging pond for it. I'm thinking a lovely lace shawl would work wonders for it. I'm hoping I'll be able to find something that I absolutely LOVE for it...this one needs a lovely pattern. I'm actually thinking of doing what David did with the other part of this yarn.

Ok, here's the story. A friend of mine had two colors of mohair, the mauvy pink and a lovely turquoise. The turquoise went to David, a friend of hers who knits. The rest went to me, because I also knit. David made a lovely wrap with his, in a leaf pattern. I'm thinking of doing the same thing, and then I can wear it with many different things, and it won't itch like crazy. I did wash the sweater, and I'm still just not crazy about it. It's definitely in the frogging pond.

Saturday and a new life

Well, I'm finally able to relax. I'm glad to be gone from the old job I had, and now perhaps I can keep up with this and so many other things I want to do. Since I don't have to work late all the time, I'll be free to do stuff like cleaning during the week, and knit on the weekends. I also found some of the stuff I want for Christmas gifts at my new job (someone was selling the oranges and tangelos for stockings) and it looks like I'll be home in about 10 minutes EVERY DAY. You gotta love a short commute. I am still decompressing from the old place, and it's been about a week, and I would say I'm about halfway there. I'm hoping this next week I'll be able to push a little and get into a new routine. Then I can spend more time doing what I want to do and having fun doing it. I'm all happy and excited.

Almost done!!!!

I'm almost done with the mohair sweater! Woohoo! It's just got a few more rows for the collar, and then I can actually put it in my "complete" pile. In other knitting news, I'm working on the second glove for Cigar for my brother, the first one having been completed sometime back in July I believe. I'm also about halfway done with my first sock ever! Woohoo! I've completed from the top down past the heel and am working on the foot. I still need to finish my other purple sweater that I changed the neckline on. It's close to being done...it just needs the sewing finished and the collar. Maybe by October I can have the two sweaters and the glove completed, and just be working on the socks. I think I'm going to once again re-assign the Debbie Bliss Cashmerino to Samus from knitty.com's latest issue. I think I could use a cardigan, and it would be a great use of this yarn. I just hope I have enough! I'll be doing some math later on it. This is exciting...maybe one day I'll finish getting my craft corner done too. I think I'll work on that this weekend. Things are coming along!

Christmas is so close...

but I think I have most of the gifts ready in my head. At least the hard ones have been chosen...ok, some of the hard ones have been chosen. There are other difficult ones to figure out. What do you get a 20-something, almost 30-something who buys everything he wants? I have no clue. I figured out my grandparents. Those were semi-easy. I'm lost on my parents and in-laws. Maybe I can do one a month, and not break the bank.

As for my grandparents, my dad's mom is getting DVDs. We already bought them. They just need to be wrapped. For my mom's parents, I'm all about the socks now. I figured out the heel on the one I started for me, and I'm hoping the rest will be easy and will move right along. I haven't finished my sweaters, mainly because it's been too hot. I still have to finish the Cigar gloves for my brother as well. I honestly am at a loss for him for Christmas. Maybe a scarf from the leftovers? We'll have to see what comes out of the ol' bag o' tricks for him.

I cleaned more in the study...I finally have my sewing machine set up! However, I can't get to it. There's more stuff to go through and find a place for but it's coming along. I'm hoping that before Thanksgiving it'll be completed.

Alright, I've been a slacker...

Well, sort of. It's not all my fault, but I guess most of the blame should rest with me. Work has kept me busier than I'd care to admit, and then there was the first week of vacation, spent cleaning. The second week of vacation (last week) was spent in Gatlinburg, TN. For those of you who don't know, it's a great tourist trap. I say great because it has some of the most beautiful scenery in this country. To me at least. I love the Great Smoky Mountains. As much of a city person as I am, I have to admit moving closer to that region has a definite appeal.

Knitting hasn't been happening that much...it's been too hot. I almost finished the Mohair Cowl Neck sweater, and the temperature soared (as did the humidity). I set it aside. All that's left is the collar. That's it. You'd think I'd endure the heat for a weekend and finish it, but nope, not me. I've set it aside in lieu of other things. I completed one of the Cigar gloves from Knitty for my brother, although I'm thinking of making it a little bigger for him. I'm also mid-sock. It's the first ever pair of socks I've done, and I'm slow. They're small needles, with thin yarn, so it's taking longer than I'd probably like for it to, but it's hot. Knitting is a cold weather activity to me.

I've also been catching up on some reading, or at least trying to. I've been making good progress on the Diana Gabaldon series, all things considered. I'm almost done with book 2 (Dragonfly in Amber) and want to finish the other 2 before the next book in the series comes out. Did I mention that it comes out September 27th? I'm excited.

I've also been cleaning like a mad woman. We're having Christmas at our place this year, and I want everything to be just so. You know how it is...I'm the Martha Stewart wannabe. One of the girls at work calls me "Betty Crocker" so I just want everything to run smoothly, especially since it's the first time we haven't been at my grandparents'. We usually travel all over creation (ok, just the state of GA) for Christmas, which means travelling on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. This is just NOT happy. It makes us miserable, and we wind up dreading Christmas. Not this year...it's at our place and all I have to do is cook and clean. I'll take that over driving for 8 hours over 2 days. I'm starting early, and I'm almost halfway there. Saturday, I'll be finishing the study, which is the big killer. I already cleaned out the trash, so I'm just down to what should be in there. It's a lot more manageable now. I love making progress.

So, that all being said, hopefully soon I'll be able to post the pictures I keep promising, because I have digital camera and the computer's in the study. It should get hooked up to the internet sometime soon (as soon as my husband uses the hub we have and connects all the computers). He's kind of waiting on me, since the cords are in my stuff. But it's getting there. I thought I had posted something before I went on vacation, but I guess I didn't. Oh well...hopefully I'll have time next week for another posting. Keep your fingers crossed!!!

Holy Cow! again!

I can't believe it's been over a month since I last posted. That just goes to show you how busy I've been. I've almost completed the mohair sweater; I just have the cowl neck left. It's so hot here, I just don't feel like knitting most evenings. I've also been working late, and I'm so tired when I get home, I read a little and go to bed after dinner. I did however, finish reading the new Harry Potter book and am making progress on the second in the Outlander series. The new one, A Breath of Snow and Ashes is due in September, and I wanted to read through the series before getting it. My wonderful hubby is just starting the first one again, so it'll kind of be a race to see who can finish first. I'll probably be taking work home with me this week, and hopefully by the weekend I can take some time and blog once again. I've got to clean like a maniac before we have guests. I'm incredibly competitive in some ways, and cleanliness is one of them. I know the people coming aren't the cleanest (I've been to their house people...it was pretty nasty) but I work full time, and Donald's in school, and our house can still APPEAR spotless. It's not, I guarantee, but it can at least look REALLY good. I'm a little OCD when it comes to cleaning. But not in a bad way...I wouldn't suggest eating off my floors, but you won't stick to them either. =)

Vacation

Well, the week's almost over. I have no idea where the time went, but I know I enjoyed every peaceful minute of it. I started a list last night on the projects I have going...it was a long list. I didn't realize I had so many projects! Here's the list:

• Mohair sweater - about 2% complete
• Socks - about 20% on #1
• Purple sweater (reshaping the neck) - 30%
• Marvin the Paranoid Android - 30%

Then there's all the projects waiting to be started:

• Raspberry & Cream (2 skeins creme & 1 raspberry Cascade 220 Superwash)
• Buttonhole bag
• Shapely Tee
• Kid socks
• Cardigan
• Wrap
• Eyelash wrap

As you can tell, there's plenty to keep me going! Let's hope I can get something accomplished soon! I think I'm going to try and finish all the current projects before the end of summer, and get started on Christmas stuff. Some days it's easier to make gifts than to buy them. I'm considering getting the Last Minute Gifts book and making something for everyone out of it. I'm also considering getting my head examined, but that depends on insurance. =) Seriously, though, I'm hoping that by Christmas we'll have a house! That will be fun and exciting, especially since we're planning on having Christmas at our place this year. That means I'll be a busy girl! Let's hope not so horribly busy I miss blogging!

I must be the laziest person in the world.

I rarely have time to catch up on email reading, much less reading of the blog type. I know it's really just a seasonal thing for me...audit season sucks. I however, manage to occasionally look up from the trench I'm walking and see that people are finishing projects right and left. Well, the only thing I can say is that I'm starting them right and left. No, seriously. I might not have many things on the needles currently, but here's what I do have:

-Purple mohair sweater still going. I actually made a decision on it and went with the pattern in IK. I don't know if I'll have enough to do the bell sleeves AND the cowl neck, but I'm going to give it a shot. I was actually thinking of doing a V-neck on the sweater and then doing the cowl separately, so I can take it off if I want to. This way, it will also make sure I have enough for the cowl neck.

-Marvin the paranoid android. Yes, I saw The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, and loved the knitted part. I had to stop myself from squealing (yes, squealing) in the theater. I found some patterns online, but of course I'm not happy with them, so I'm modifying them.

-I just received some lovely sock yarn in the mail yesterday from my secret pal, along with some sock patterns. I'm very excited, since I want to start some socks, and I have some trips coming up where I should have some car-ride time to work on them. It will be my first attempt at socks.

The second project up there has spurred some new thoughts for me, and so I've dug back into the deep recesses of my childhood and pulled out some favorite characters. I don't know how many will get knitted, but at least the idea is there.

In happier news, I have next week off. I'm taking a vacation. You know what that means...lots of knitting time! I'm a perpetual planner, so I've scheduled it in every afternoon. I'm also hoping to catch up from being about a month behind on everything else in life.

Holy Cow!

I didn't realize it's been so long since I updated this blog. Well, let's see...I finished deconstructing Soft Focus, I still haven't had time to get pictures developed, and I haven't made any progress on the purple/mauve mohair. I still have no idea what to do with it. I can't decide whether to make it into a plain sweater, or one with a pattern. I guess I should get knitting though, huh? It would be easier if I didn't work all the time, including over a holiday weekend. I'm hoping that in a couple of weeks, when I go on vacation, I'll have time to clean and I can knit in the afternoons some. Here's to hoping!

Deconstruction

I have finally started deconstructing Soft Focus. Not to worry; I have pictures safely locked in my camera. I will get them developed this weekend and hopefully post them. This will prove to be a fun adventure. I already took the sleeves off and have undone all but the side seams of the sweater. I have also started the great adventure of undoing the collar on one side and I started undoing the shoulder on another...that one wasn't on purpose. I somehow got ahold of that particular end and started to pull, and we all know what happens when you blindly pull a string. You lose a button in the WRONG place on your blouse and have to use a safety pin for the rest of the day at the office to be decent...um, no, I didn't do that. Hopefully more will come later. I am still working on that mohair sweater...I'm not convinced that I like where it's going currently. I'm wavering back and forth on doing the actual pattern in Interweave Knits or creating my own. When I decide, I'll pick up those needles again. In the meantime, I'm trying to catch up on my reading. So far, it's not too shabby.

There is always something there to remind me...

Wow...two posts in a week. I'm doing good this week. In any case, I found 5 extra skeins of the mohair yarn in my stash, so I'm up to 950 meters for my sweater. I don't know how well it's going to work out, but if it has to be 3/4 length sleeves or just a round neck, no worries. That's the joy of making it up as you go along. You get to control the outcome based on the materials at hand and if you find changes are needed they are easily made.

I was told that my Backyard Leaves scarf looked like something from J. Crew. Go Annie! The only thing I'm not happy about (it's the perfectionist in me, people) is the seam. I was afraid of the scarf "dipping" in where the seam was, and sure enough, it does. I'm going to try and block that out and see if that will fix it.

I still have a skein of LionBrand Magic Stripes for a pair of socks, and I might start that after I get done with this sweater. I've been told socks go quickly...we'll see. If they go easily, I might see about making socks for some people for Christmas. I also have 2 skeins of Cascade 220 that's calling my name and begging to be played with, but I just haven't found quite what I'm looking for yet. I need to go back to Knitty and look up a pattern that might work. I love being creative some days! If I don't find exactly what I want there, I might just make it up too!

I have some other yarn that needs to be made into something. It distresses me to see some of it just sitting there...begging not only to be knit but also be worn. I have a wrap in mind for some different mohair (this is a peach/creme varigated) and then there's another huge bag of still more mohair (although I could be mistaken and it's just alpaca) that I think needs to be made into a cardigan. Perhaps I should use it to make the Sitcom Chic from Knitty. Or something similar. It would be extremely useful...and useful's always good. =)

This week

Well, I finished Backyard Leaves. Ok, almost finished. I blocked the other half, and it's waiting to be sewn together and the ends woven. It's close to be completed. I was going to do that now, but didn't have a yarn needle with me. What was I thinking?! Why didn't I put on in the little kit bag I always have in my knitting bag?! Oh well...always double check.

Since I've cast off, that means I have to cast on. And oh boy did I ever! I cast on Avocet Alpaca and Mohair in shade 107. I have 14 skeins of 50 metres each...about 700 meters for a sweater perhaps? I'm being optimistic. Has anyone ever used this yarn? I'm knitting on size 15 needles, and creating my own pattern as I go. So far so good. I want a bell-sleeve pullover with a v-neck. I'm hoping to get it. If not, we'll start over. I think I'm going to research the yarn a little. I've never even heard of it; it was a gift from a friend. She inherited it from a friend of her mom's...in Maryland. We'll see what happens.

Monday

I am slowly starting to get it together on the weekends. It's going to take some time, but I'm getting there. I'm learning to ride the waves of energy and use them to my best advantage.

I finished blocking the first half of Backyard Leaves, and am about halfway done with the second half. I went looking through some knitting books at Borders this weekend, and have decided to start designing some with the yarn that is already in my stash. I can't afford to buy more, so the major project I want to do I can't start just yet. I've noticed that charts are an EASY way to plan something, so I'm going to chart things. I can write out the patterns as well, but sometimes to start, the chart is easier. I have some mohair that's screaming at me to do something with it, and I think I finally figured out what I want to do. I was going to make the Mohair Cowl Pullover sweater from Interweave Knits Winter 2004 magazine. However, it would require up-sizing, and the gauge isn't working right for me. So, back to the drawing board. I'll be tinkering around with some stuff, and perhaps I'll even be able to computerize it and post it for you to comment on. That would be cool, now, wouldn't it? I've got to learn more HTML in order to change things, so some things might be getting moved around a bit in the next few weeks. Spring gives me such a push of energy; I should use it while I can. =)

Wednesday

Well, I can't believe it's Wednesday already. Monday was spent at work, and yesterday was work with an informational meeting at night. I also made yummy brownies.

As for the Backyard Leaves, I've finished the first half, and I've moved on to the second. I still need to wash and block the first half, and I hope to do that tonight. I also have plans to un-do my Soft Focus sweater and re-work the collar. I'm not too fond of the boat neck look, as it makes my shoulders look wider (they're wide enough without help, thanks). So, at some point, I will be taking out those seams, ripping the collar and neckline on the front and back, and reknitting the collar. It will also require me reseaming the whole thing, which, to tell the truth, I've been wanting to do anyway. See, when I first seamed it up and wore it, I left holes under the arms and in order to fix it, I just pulled a free end that I saw and patched the hole. That was not the brightest idea, since it made the sleeve seam to the body tighter. So I figure if I'm going to redo part of it, I might as well fix all the problems with it.

I liked the pattern and it was easy enough to follow, provided that I read it. I now need to find a pattern for 3 skeins of Plymouth Whisper that my AKSP sent me last month for my birthday. I haven't quite decided what to do with it. I was thinking a lovely shawl or wrap, something plain since it's varigated in bright colors (which I have grown to love in recent months - I think it's a love of spring showing through). I'm still considering a pattern for my Debbie Bliss cashmerino yarn. I was originally going to knit up Tempting, from the winter 2004 Knitty. However, off-the-shoulder isn't the best idea, since a good strapless bra is hard to find. I have 10 skeins of it, and 15-20 of two different yarns that I'm thinking of making sweaters out of. These other two are old, and I have never heard of them before. One's an alpaca/mohair blend in a mauvy color, and the other's a mohair blend in a varigated white/grey/yellow. I need to do some research on them and perhaps just create a pattern to suit me. That might be the best idea yet.

Man, what a week!

It's been a long, grueling week for me. I've finished 9 repeats, so I only have 2 left on the first half of Backyard Leaves, and then I can end that half, block it, and start on the second half. I'm also planning my next project, not sure what part of my stash to use up.

I had an interview Monday that lasted for 3 hours (WAY to long...a note to all employers - if you schedule a lunch interview, realize that the person you're interviewing probably has a job and only has an hour to spend, including driving time. Please be considerate and be respectful of that time.) . I had a meeting Tuesday night, so I had to fly home, eat and fly down to the meeting. Wednesday I not only had choir, but my husband received an award at school (ntice I'm beaming with pride). He won the Upper Division English Award - for the most outstanding paper in an Upper Division English class. Not bad, huh? Today, well, today was reporting day. We were supposed to get some reports done, but got an extension until Monday and I'm still here. I'm ready to go home.

It's amazing...

how I can always sqeeze in a few minutes to post to this blog. It must be knitting. So, since we're already talking about it (since this IS meant to be a knitting blog), I'm 8 repeats through Backyard Leaves. I am amazed at how quickly I'm going through the pattern now. I can do an entire repeat in about an hour, and that's while watching TV or reading blogs and emailing. I'm pretty amazed by my speed and agility. Ok, enough bragging. I have decided that my Soft Focus sweater needs a little "improving". I'll do a before and after picture, but I have to wash it first. Here's a helpful hint to newbies...when you wash a sweater you have knit and plan to wear, make sure it's COMPLETELY dry before folding it up. It causes a really nasty odor to follow you around all day, and even though apparently no one else smells it, it can really get on your nerves. I've decided to reknit the collar portion, and reseam the sweater. I screwed up the armholes after I seamed, wore and washed. There were some small holes, and instead of taking a new piece of yarn to fix them, I just pulled some from the seam and sewed it up. BIG mistake. Now where the sleeves join the body is a little tight around the arm. It's not very comfortable, but it's not bad enough to make me not wear it. However, since I'm going to fix the collar (I'm thick through the shoulders, and the boatneck draws attention to that) I figure might as well.

I have also decided that I'm getting really good at this knitting thing, and I should probably follow in this person's footsteps. I'm not sure if I was aware they had a knitting certification, but I figure, heck, why not have more certificates than a wall can handle hanging up? If nothing else, they're impressive to most people who would come in to your office, right?

Speaking of offices, is there a job that includes knitting, music and accounting? Oh, yeah, I guess I should mention that I am an accountant by trade (good at math, good with numbers...NOT a Type A personality though) and my current dream job is teaching college level music courses. How's that for being WAY off track? I do plan on going back to school for a music degree (through a PhD, mind you - although not a Type A, I am ambitious) after my husband gets where he can work full-time. He's still pursuing a bachelor's in English Lit, and then a master's. He also wants to be a college prof, just in English (obviously). I can't think of anything that could include all three of those (knitting, music and accounting) unless it was working in a bookstore. Then I could be shelving all those, and passing out general knowledge of each to those interested.

Well, so much for the weekend

I was hoping to get a lot more done this weekend. All I managed to do was about 2 more repeats on my Backyard Leaves scarf, and I got batteries for my camera. That was such a non-productive weekend, it's not even funny. I guess working a 50+ hour week makes you really want to just stop on the weekends. I do have some film, so even though I don't have a digital camera (yet), I might still get some pictures done before too much longer, and post a couple here and there. I don't want to overload my blog. We'll take it a couple of pictures at a time, how's that?

I can't believe it's Friday...

and April already. BTW, you have just one week to file your taxes. In other knitting news, I am now on my 4th repeat of Backyard Leaves, and might have pictures this weekend. That's a might, people. In other news, I'm planning a shawl for a friend, as a possible auction piece. Does anyone have pattern recommendations? I'm thinking a pretty lace pattern for some mohair yarn...it's a peach and creme varigated. I have the specifics around here somewhere...I'll have to find them later and post them. It's been insane.

I thought this was cute...

so here's my results.


Which flock do you follow?
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Champagne tastes on not even a beer budget

Well, I've almost completed 3 repeats of the Backyard Leaves scarf, and I'm already thinking to my next massive project. For a while, like since last fall, I've been wanting to try my hand at designing something. I saw a great coat/jacket, and wanted to find a pattern; but alas, there was none to be found. So, being the crafty person I am, I decided to make it. Or at least attempt it. I got as far as a swatch, and realized there were other things that needed to be done in order to properly work this out. I tried submitting it to a book, and it was rejected (but it was nicely rejected). What I'm thinking is this: if I make it, go ahead and work up a pattern and make a sample, perhaps it would further my ideas and possibly open a door for other patterns to be published. Here's my dilemma...and where the title comes from. I need a bulky weight yarn, since it's to be a jacket/coat and having long pieces knit up quickly would be helpful. However, my budget is small (I've been stealing stuff out of my stash to do projects and haven't been replacing them) and I can't really afford an expensive yarn. I would try to go through a yarn manufacturer or knitting magazine, but the problem wth that is that they could reject it, leaving me with nothing. So, if I just make it myself, I probably have a better chance of getting it completed. So, are there any bulky weight yarns out there that aren't terribly expensive that wouldn't break my piggy bank but would let me purchase enough yarn to do said jacket/coat? I don't know how many responses I'll get on this, but I'll take what I can get. Any suggestions?

Once again...another rushed week

Well, I have another week from hell at work. I can't post much today, but perhaps once again I'll try and post something this weekend. I'm currently working on a scarf from Scarf Style. It's called Backyard Leaves by Annie Modesitt (she rocks!). You can visit her here. I really loved the design, and it's my first chart project. I think it's going very well, even though I always seem to have a "d'oh" moment...like with the "no stitch" blocks. I thought there was something special that happened there, and I was wrong. That's why knitting is so great...it's forgiving. I only wish my deadlines at work were.

Short on time...long on work

So, it doesn't seem that this blog is necessarily any better for me. Or maybe it's my workload. I'm GOING to keep up with some of this. I do plan on using this to post pics of finished work and do more in the knitting realm. There's so much to do and so little time to do it. I'm working currently on Backyard Leaves by Annie Modesitt from Scarf Style. It's my first attempt at a chart, so we'll see how it goes. Something no one has ever mentioned when you work a chart, but I'm guessing you alternate working right to left and left to right. So, I started on the right side for the set up row, and then worked row 1 from left to right. That's the only way I can figure it working out. I have to get back to work...I hope I'll have good news about that next week.

Here goes...

Alright, here's my first attempt at a real blog. We'll see how it goes. I'm borrowing my brother's digital camera this next week, so hopefully pictures will be up, and life will be good. I've tried other times to get one up, but maybe the third time's the charm.