An FO, a UFO, and a haircut

I officially love Fetching! As I was working this pattern, I realized that working on DPNs is my favorite way to knit. I definitely need to learn how to knit socks.

In the meantime, I learned the cable cast-on, how to make a thumb (using waste yarn, pulling it out, then picking up stitches), and do a knit picot bind-off with this pattern.

AND, this is a feat for me. I finished it in TWO DAYS! I started it at our WWKIP (World Wide Knit in Public) Day event and finished it last night (and not late either). I worked on it while I was chatting with ladies at my church's 3rd Annual Ladies Spa Day so I got a good chunk done there.



I still need to work in the ends, but it's basically finished. I also made sure to start the next one right away so I (hopefully) don't get catch "second-sock syndrome" (a knitters "illness" in which the second item in a pair is not made, or delayed, because the knitter loses interest in the pattern). We'll see how successful I am, considering the number of UFOs I've got stashed away. People, I am sick. SICK!

Speaking of UFOs....here is the Clapotis. Horribly neglected for the past few days, but still in my WIP (Work in Progress) bag.



I love this pattern, and I love this yarn. It's such a beautiful color and texture. I think it will be my favorite scarf for the winter in San Francisco.



I think it's kinda weird that I've been so interested in knitting cold-weather items. Perhaps I'm subconsciously preparing myself for the colder climate in SF (sheesh, I'm talking like we're moving to Wyoming or something, ha!), and using this as my therapy. All I know is that I'm going with it!

Hopefully I'll finish that tank top sometime before summer ends so I can actually wear it. Or maybe I'll end up working on it in the winter so I can feel closer to summer. I am so weird.

Lastly, going back to my Ladies Spa Day reference, I got my hair cut! I also got my eyebrows a bit more under control, thanks to the wonderful women at my church. For the past three years we've done a spa day where brunch and various treatments are available to the women and guests for FREE! It's an awesome opportunity to spend time together and fellowship as women and be pampered. A number of women in our church are skilled in various areas, so it makes for a fun day.

This is kind of a weird picture - it's at a funny angle, but I was having a hard time getting Nathan or I to get a good picture. Most of you who read this will see it in person soon enough anyway!



By the way, if you look closely, you can see that my shoulders got a bit burnt at WWKIP. I wasn't expecting to stay as long as I did, and I paid for it - I really need to find my sunscreen!

PS: I forgot to mention the cool new sidebar gadget. I discovered My VisualDNA through Tracy and Chauntel's blogs. And I liked it so much that I personalized it and put it up here. It's pretty accurate in describing me if you go to the website and view the details of each "label". I don't know where you gals find this stuff.

Craft and Purpose unite

Disclaimer: Depending on your definition and comfort level, part of this post may be considered over-sharing. Don't say I didn't warn you.

So I've been on a journey lately to simplify my life and my home, and be a bit more purposeful in how I live. Part of this has been de-cluttering (motivated largely by the impending move), part of it is making more earth-friendly choices, and part of it is making more wallet-friendly choices.

(Oversharing about to begin)

The Land Down Under
Nearly a year ago now, I switched from using tampons to using the Diva Cup. I had a variety of reasons, but the main ones were financial and environmental since it's reusable. Considering that women use about 16,800 pads or tampons over their lifetime, that's a HUGE savings of both money and landfill space. The Cup has paid for itself a few times over by this point (it's generally around $30, but I've seen it for as little as $20 online) and it's still got at least another year, if not a few years, of life left.

Not only that, but I don't have to worry about the toxins that can be found in standard tampons (it's debatable that this is an issue, but I would rather not risk it), or the fact that tampons soak up vaginal fluids that are necessary to maintain a healthy pH balance in the land down under. I've also noticed that some of my period "symptoms" have actually changed for the better since I started using it too. I have a feeling it's linked to the pH balance factor.

Anyway, there are a lot of other reasons I could tell you about as to why you (or if you're a man, your wife, sister, etc) should try it out, but I'll get off my soapbox now.

My point is, I decided to also start switching over the cloth pantiliners for backup support.



The first one looks like crap and I put one of the snaps on backwards, but hey, it was my first try. The one on the right is the pattern I think I'm going to go with. It fits perfectly and is very comfortable. I used a cotton jersey fabric I had on hand and it doesn't slip around either (using flannel on the bottom also helps with that...some have had success using pads and liners without wings by using flannel).

Eventually, I'd like to get some natural (non-dyed) and/or organic cotton to use, but for now I'm using the fabric I have on hand.

(Oversharing is over now *wink*)

Sewing
It was really nice to pull out the sewing machine after a long hiatus too. I think I might try making one of these purses next (discovered on Abby's Knits and even cooler looking in person). I love bags, especially roomy ones, and I think these would also make awesome gifts for the birthdays coming up in my family and for Christmas.

Food!
Another aspect of the whole simpler living business is food. I've been buying bulk from the IV Food Coop for the last month or so and I love it! They have excellent produce there as well. It's a little more expensive, but the quality is even better than Trader Joe's and I limit it to just a few things (avocados, bananas, apricots, and lettuce at this point). I'm sure the dairy is very good there too, but TJ's prices are half the coop's, so I can't justify that.

They have a lot of bulk goods including spices, baking items, beans, cereals, nuts, dried fruits, chocolate-covered items, and also things like oil, peanut or almond butter, liquid soap (Dr. Bronner's), and yeast.

So far, the bulk items I regularly purchase there are white and whole wheat flour, semolina flour, yeast, brown rice, oats, cornmeal, polenta-style cornmeal, sugar, choc chips and whatever misc things I might need. I love that I can get *exactly* the amount I need, and a lot of it is either organic or close to it.

I've been making more things from scratch too. I've really been enjoying baking our bread and smelling it as it bakes. I've worked out some kinks and have begun experimenting with recipes.

Below I've got the latest batch of bread along with homemade cornbread. The bread is from a basic recipe that I've used to make wheat bread. This time, I used about 1/4-1/2 C semolina flour in place of the white flour to add extra flavor. It turned out really well and I finally got the bread to rise to sandwich size. This was also the first one I baked in glass rather than metal and used the bulk yeast from the coop. I think the glass bakeware made a big difference in the second rise.



I really have loved this process. I am a natural domestic!

Crackyarn, Clapotis, and the Kiss

Evidence of my newfound addiction. I saw the update on K&P's blog yesterday, stopped by after picking up Nathan from work and bought a hank, once I got home, I cast-on for a skinny Clapotis.



PS: It is actually "Indigo"

I've also had some other projects going on lately. This is a puzzle version of The Kiss by Gustav Klimt. We bought it over a year ago (maybe even two years now) and never got started on it. This is what we've gotten done in the last week (and we weren't watching TV or movies all last week). IT IS RIDICULOUSLY HARD. I didn't think it would be this difficult. I've been working on it on my lunch breaks and we've both been working on it in the evenings.

It's 1000 pieces (there are actually some in a box off to the side, so that isn't even all of them) and 26x17 inches.




This is the Home Resource Binder I recently put together. A reference guide to our family, if you will.



Notice the lovely decorations instead of the Ugly Black Bar. Hee.

CRACK!!!!

Yes, that is right folks, I am now the proud owner of my first hank of what is affectionately known as "Crack Yarn" around these parts. I got a pretty purpley-blue kettle-dyed color (I think it's Marine, but I'll have to check later) from Knit & Pearl for $12.50.

Julie wound it into a ball for me using the ball winder and swift, and Nathan was positively fascinated. He turns to me and says "Why don't you get one of those?" [referring to the swift and ball-winder]*faint* I love this man!!

Julie then says "Do you have an anniversary or birthday coming up soon?" Why YES I DO! Ha! Anniversary in three months, birthday in four. Oh yeeeeaaaahh. Maybe I will end up with my own swift and ball-winder (or at least the winder). That would be awesome.

So later after my small group at Starbucks in Goleta, I called Chauntel to get suggestions for what to make with it. After stalking her at Kmart (hee), she suggested the currently popular chevron scarf. Very good idea. But then I got home and realized that I've been wanting to make a Clapotis, and what better yarn to use? (I'll still make a chevron, though. It's such a fun design)

I think I'm going to try to make a "skinny" Clapotis. We'll see how well that works. I've already cast on for it, so if I need to buy another hank to finish it, well, I suppose I'll just have to do that then won't I! hehehehehe....

(I'll take pictures and post later).

Oh, and speaking of crack, Nathan is teaching me how to play Counter-Crack...I mean...Counter-Strike. I am getting my badass self ON! At the end of our late-night terrorist adventures, I'd been killed about, oh...20 times, after making a measly 2 kills. Hopefully I'll get better once I start playing before 11:30pm without Aunt Flo pestering me.

I am stealing the DomiKnitrix's name for my CS alias cause Nathan agreed that it was awesome. We'll see how long this lasts. If I get frustrated (or Nathan gets frustrated with me commandeering the computer, hehe), then I've always got my crack yarn.

So many happenings!

I feel like all my posts lately have been "updates". This one is a long time coming (I can't tell you how many posts I've started over the last couple weeks, but then not managed to finish and get posted).

There's so much going on, I'm finding it hard to limit what I say without getting overwhelmed by all the details. I'll try to make this short (HA! Who am I kidding?!).

School

I finally got my official Acceptance Letter from SF State (after a Notice of Denial scare a couple weeks ago...). Technically I am "Conditionally Accepted", but they just need to get my final transcript for my current classes at SBCC (which I just took care of last night). *whew*

I had issues (big surprise) with the math placement test....they never got my registration form (I suspect it got lost in their offices or something because I faxed it to the right place), so I had to take a chance and try to walk-in to take the exam. Which meant I had to be there way before check-in at 8:30am (I was there at 7am). I did get in to take it, so that was good! And we stayed at Nathan's grandparents' house in Oxnard the night before so we wouldn't have to drive as far. It was so nice to see them and go out to dinner. We've never spent time with them without other family around. They are so cute and still in love after 40ish years of marriage!

Also, I found out that I'll need to go up to SF State for an orientation in mid-July for priority registration, advising, etc. Of course it smack dab between when we go up to finish up stuff for Nathan's school and when we're planning on moving AND in the middle of the week. I found a cheap flight out of LAX ($108.80 RT), though, so I'm just gonna fly up the night before, do the orientation thing, and fly back that night.

So, everything is on track. All I have to do is sort out financial aid, go to the orientation and register for classes! I'm in the home stretch...woot!

As far as SBCC is concerned, I'm nearly done! I turned in all my Work Experience assignments last night, now I just have choir rehearsals tonight and tomorrow night, then performances Saturday (7pm) and Sunday (3pm) at First United Methodist Church on Anapamu (in case you want to come *grin*)


Financial Aid

I'm waiting to hear if I have gotten a Cal Grant or not (should know next week), and I've got a couple music scholarship apps out. I'm auditioning for one later this month, and I'll hopefully hear back about the Santa Barbara Foundation music scholarship in a couple weeks.

I've also got to get back on Fastweb.com and apply for the miscellaneous scholarships they've got on there.

I'm a little nervous about managing the cost of both of us being in school. I'd like to live with as little debt as possible. I'm really (trying to) trust God to take care of us. I know He will, but I still can't help but be a little nervous about it at times. Hopefully I can find a flexible job (I really cannot figure out what type of job I should try to go for...I'm gonna have a relatively big commute, so I want to find a job either on campus, or close to home and it will need to be flexible due to school and performances etc).

If I get a Cal Grant, then we might be able to live off the federal student loans plus part-time work, and not have to take out more loans (at least for my school - Nathan's is much more expensive, though).


Fiber projects

The bag for my mom is complete! I haven't gotten around to taking pictures yet (the lighting has been bad by the time I get around to it), but it turned out well. I just need to figure out what to put in it. It may end up being gifted by itself cause I don't have time to shop before Saturday and we're probably going to celebrate early due to the crazy weekend (choir performances, sisters' work, etc).

I've also been working on the black tank-top I'm designing. I've started the waist decreases (I actually started a little early cause the yarn stretches more than I thought) and it looks like it's going to work out pretty well as long as I can get the short-row bust shaping done right. I've just been trying it on every once in a while as I go to check shaping.


Food!

I've been doing a lot of cooking lately, here are some pictures and links:

Oatmeal Bread (Yummy recipe!)
I've made this a couple times now. It just needs to be given plenty of time to rise.



Easy and quick recipes that I use regularly:
Oven Baked Brown Rice
Oven-Baked Basic Polenta


(These are my bulk food purchases and a few Farmers Market veggies: organic flour for bread, brown rice for recipe above, and white rice that I used to rice pudding)

Oh, and I shelled peas for the first time a couple weeks ago - I felt very domestic *grin*. They are SO much better than frozen ones! I did it while my first batch of bread was baking.



Moving

It's only about 2 1/2 months now till we move. I keep saying that "once school is over I'll start working on [de-cluttering, packing, getting together with people, etc]". Well, school is over after Wednesday of next week! The reality of moving is going to be staring me in the face and I don't want to be rushed at the last minute.

But I'm getting REALLY excited about all the possibilities! We're going to go up to the East Bay area at the beginning of July to take care of some administrative stuff for Nathan's school, then hopefully find a place and put down a deposit (I really don't want to have to go up there again to look for a place). Later that month I'll be flying up for the orientation, and then we're gonna move up.

I'm gonna try to make June the big "push" month to get everything in order and start packing up the stuff we don't need till we get there.

So that's my big huge update! :-D

Not Dieting and an FO

Lately I've been researching and starting to put my hands and feet where my mouth is (more like where my brain is...I don't really talk about this stuff much, but it's been niggling the back of my mind for a long time) and simplify my ways of living, and start being conscientious about what my money supports (fair trade? sweat shops? local business and farms? the environment?) in terms of regular living (produce, groceries, cleaning supplies, clothes, amenities, etc), stuff I waste (electricity, plastic bags, paper packaging) and so on.

One natural outcome of this has been that it's encouraged me to be more resolute in eating healthier as well. If you are trying to eat organic, locally grown, and bulk foods, it's going to be a lot easier if you're eating healthier!

Honestly, I feel more FREE not worrying about tracking points, or counting calories, or specifically limiting certain foods, or whatever. I don't want to diet the rest of my life...I just want to be HEALTHIER, even if it means not losing weight as fast (although I have started losing weight again! Yay!). I don't want to be scared, or feel guilty about, eating something I enjoy either (like CHOCOLATE!). But when I'm generally eating healthier, I do notice I don't crave junk as much.

Anyway, Crazy Aunt Purl Posted today about this same subject of "Not Dieting" and I just love this quote. It put into words what I've been feeling lately:

"Sometimes it feels INSANE to trust myself enough to pick out my own foods without a diet telling me how. It feels CRAZY to let loose and give up dieting forever and just eat whole, nutritious food and once in a blue moon have a piece of warm sourdough bread straight from the oven."

Yay for not dieting! And for being healthy!

Lastly, I have an FO! Yippee Skippee! I haven't really worked on anything since I finished this Sunday, but I'm almost done with the crocheted bag. Only the last couple inches on the handle and doing the finishing and I can add that one to the FOs.

I made up this pattern as I went, and I like how it looks and how nubbly it is for scrubbing. I plan on making more for various cleaning purposes (I might crochet rather than knit, though) and also create some other house and body cleaning tools (I'm thinking of trying to make a cotton version of a shower poof). What I like about these things is that they are both reusable and WASHABLE, so they are more likely to be sanitary and also more likely to last longer.

So, here's my little dish washcloth:

Spring Break!

This week is spring break for me and I am OH SO HAPPY about that. Although I can't really sit back and chill *too* much since I still have plenty of homework to do, scholarships to apply for, life to catch up on, yadayadayada. But at least I don't have to go anywhere in the evenings.

This past weekend was a bit of a break, though, since we went down to San Diego and just hung out for the weekend before celebrating Passover last night. It was a really nice trip and we had a good time with the in-laws. We even played pool at a local pool hall on Saturday night! For some reason, that struck me as both amusing and very special. I guess it's partly cause I can't really imagine doing that with my parents! Hee. Not that they wouldn't be willing to, just not as likely to happen, I guess.

I also managed to get a decent amount of knitting done. Saturday, after playing pool, Nathan went to hang out with one of his best friends and I grabbed a movie and went home and just knit and watched Le Divorce. Not the best movie (it couldn't seem to decide whether it was a chick flick or a drama), but it was good for knitting! And I snuck in knitting whenever I could and carried it with me everywhere (not that I always pulled it out, but I had it just in case....very handy when I got stuck at his friend's house while they played video games *sigh*).

Even with all that time I had to knit (and knit I did), I have about 4-5 inches done. I don't even want to know how many hours this thing is going to take me. But I am determined. I brought other projects with me, but the tank (projet du mois) was all I worked on. I suppose I could think of it this way, if I weren't working in the round, I'd have about 9 inches done! There. That made me feel better.

Here's a pic:

Here it is!

~2440 stitches down, 1 million to go



What I've done so far (I cast on 244 st and I've done about 10 rows to equal about 1.5 inches of work - this is gonna take a while!!). Underneath is the sketch.


The design



And this is the design! Up close and personal! Like I mentioned before, it's loosely based on the Shapely Tank by Joan McGowan-Michael, but I essentially just took the short-row shaping technique that she uses. The front is going to have a little arm shaping (enough so it's high enough to not show too much cleavage), but not much. The back is going to cut straight across also, but a little lower. I haven't decided whether I'm going to just do a garter edge at the top, or do something a little fancier. I think I'll end up deciding once I get there. I might not WANT to do anything fancy by that point!

The straps I'm thinking will be a skinnier version of the straps on Mariposa and possibly a different stitch pattern that's a little sturdier than stockinette (I really need to get a Stitchionary). Maybe Seed or Moss stitch.

The shaping will essentially be a flare from under the bust. Then for the bust shaping, I'll use the short rows.

We'll see how it works out! Especially considering I have still not finished a single garment yet.

I have a problem.

I am officially addicted to yarn.

I needed to switch a project to circ's from DPNs and so I went to Craft Essentials, since they have a wider variety of lower-priced knitting needles. I went in determined to only get the circs.

I walked out with two pairs of circs and three skeins of Red Heart Casual Cot'n yarn in Black Grape. It was 30% off! Cotton blend! And an awesome colorway of purple, black, and a tiny bit of pink! And the last three at that! I could not resist.

So, after confessing that I bought more yarn, Nathan told me to just get good needles from K&P. I can manage to avoid buying yarn there, since the prices are beyond our budget for any large project. Somehow, my brain thinks differently about the yarn there. I can't justify buying the "good stuff" without a particular project in mind, or, more importantly, without it being "on sale". The only yarn I've bought from K&P was on sale. Why is it that those words can justify so many varieties of purchases? *sigh*

Anyway, I'll need to figure out a project for those three skeins. It will be beautious, whatever it is. And from now on, I am banning myself from buying any more yarn until I finish some projects or destash (I am SO going to be at K&Ps Stash Swap in April - though I doubt I'm gonna end up getting rid of anything people will actually want, heh).

Projects

So, I am still all over the place with my projects...as is the story of my life at the moment. I am fine with this, though, for the most part. I would like to finish something in the next month, but we'll see if that happens.

I'm primarily working on a tank top (worked in the round), of my own design, but essentially altered from this free pattern from Joan McGowan-Michaels at White Lies Designs (Bonne Marie Burns from Chicknits.com has a good article about using short-rows for garment shaping on Knitty.com that uses this pattern as a guide). The primary difference is that I'm going to make wide, straight straps, rather than the standard shell, scoop-neck tank design she uses. They'll be wide enough to hide bra-straps, but I want the back to be just above the bra so I can show off my tattoo when I'm wearing it (the poor tat rarely gets any love since most of my clothes cover it). Plus it makes it nice for summer. I'm using the shortrows so I can have shaping around the bust AND show that I do actually have a waist underneath all the boobage.

I have a general sketch of how I want it to look, but I have weird lines across it for the measurements, so once I re-draw it I'll take a pic and post it.

The Back is DONE!

I just finished the back piece of the "Yarn Girls Guide to Simple Knits" sweater I've been working on! I managed to sneak in a fair amount of knitting Friday and Saturday, and finished it at Knit & Pearl's "Sit & Knit" (2-5pm on Sundays). Most of the gals were working on baby hats or cat "blankets" for Cottage Hospital and the cat rescue place (ASAP, I think?), respectively.

Also, in K&P news, there is now a Knit & Pearl Blog! From what I hear, more will be added soon, so bookmark it and keep checking back!

Project Picture Update

I have gotten caught up with my project picture taking, so be prepared for an inundation!

Firstly, in the spirit of the origins of this blog, I present to you my first crocheted blanket. It is still not "finished" because I never got around to weaving in the ends (bad Marieke!), but it was "mostly finished" a couple years ago. I love it in all it's purpley, lacey, coziness.





Secondly, on to some knit items in the works (notice, I have no completed projects, just more WIPS, ha! As my friend Jenn put it "You're really ADD with your projects"):

The first item, of course, is the Rebecca Sweater I'm about 1/3 of the way to the armhole shaping now (6-7ish inches).



The Dream Swatch (12ish inches):



The "Java Cozy Scarf" (named after the Java Cozy I crocheted for my mom, which inspired the scarf) - this is my own design (alternating blocks of stockinette and reverse stockinette) and it's working up fast on size 13s (I hate this yarn though - Red Heart "Light & Lofty" in Pheasant - it's not fun to work with).





Here is my first project on DPNs, first hat, and first "in the round" project - a baby hat (although I think I may have gauge issues to work out since I changed from garter to stockinette stitch).



Lastly, I got this book for Christmas...



...and I decided that I need to make a sweater that I can actually finish before it gets warm again, so I'm going to make this one (but longer):



I matched gauge with Caron Simply Soft in Raspberry (it's more red than this picture lets on) for this sweater, so it's the one I'm making (I tried to match gauge on another sweater from a different book, but that didn't really work, so I'm going with this one). Since it's two strands of yarn at once, it seems like it's gonna work up quickly (yay!).

Oh, and going back to Jenn (a very close friend of mine), she is now officially the first person I've ever taught how to knit. I gave her a skein of Thick & Quick Woolease that I got from Chauntel's stash-purging, and let her borrow a pair of size 11's and off she went making a scarf in garter stitch (I'll teach her to purl next). She caught on very quickly (nice, even stitches) and got really into it. One skein wasn't enough (she was nearly through it after about 2.5 hours of knitting), so she's gonna buy a couple other colors to add on.

Yay for knitting! Now if I can get one of these projects finished!

Bah.

I want to be home, snuggling with Nathan and/or knitting. I am so ready for the weekend right now.

In other news, I have successfully conquered DPNs! I am behind on picture-taking (sorry), but I was working away on them last night at knit group anyway, so you've all seen me in action. The hat is turning out to be really cute and I really enjoy using DPNs...and making stockinette in the round (no purling! yay!). Anyway, I think I like DPNs better than if I used circulars in the round cause I feel like I get a different sense of accomplishment since I work 1/4 of a round at a time. If I finish 3 rounds, it feels more like 12 to me and that keeps me motivated. So this has equaled a bunch of firsts...first knit hat, first use of DPNs, and first project in the round. Woot!

I've also working a couple more inches on the sweater and I think I'm about 1/3 of the way (maybe more) to starting the armhole shaping.

I've also increased my current works in progress as my mom asked for a scarf. I've decided to do alternating squares so it's not boring and not too fancy for the yarn (it's an annoying bulky-weight yarn...difficult to work with and too thick to do any ribbing).

So yeah, my hands are full, and a few things have been put on the backburner for now, but I'm plugging away and making progress, so I'm happy as things are for now.

I am Merino Wool

How appropriate that I got this result as I recently started working on my first project using Merino! haha! The quiz even got the color right ;)

What kind of yarn are you?

You are Merino Wool.You are very easygoing and sweet. People like to keep you close because you are so softhearted. You love to be comfortable and warm from your head to your toes.
Take this quiz!


The Dream Swatch is coming along nicely, though I'm starting to feel scattered about my projects. I haven't been working on the sweater as much as I want to, and I think it's because life has been a bit helter-skelter recently, and I can't finish one row in just a minute or two. And when I sit down to knit, even if it's for a few minutes, I like to complete more than just one row.

I really need to get my butt in gear on that one.

I have to say, though, that it's fun to work with smaller needles and finer yarn! I might have to start making socks or something soon...

Happy New Year!

Unfortunately, I spent the end of 2006 and the beginning of 2007 sick. Blah. I suspect it might be strep throat, but the rapid test came up negative, so I'm waiting on the culture to see whether I've actually got strep. Otherwise, I've just got a really weird sore throat (no stuffiness or cold symptoms) and major tiredness.

At midnight, Nathan woke me up to wish me a Happy New Year and give me a kiss. He's such a sweetie :)

I did manage to be somewhat productive in that I finished "Little Earthquakes" by Jennifer Weiner (one of my Christmas presents) AND finished BOTH of my little Wristies (they're small for wrist-warmers, so that's what I'm going to call them). I love them because they don't get it my way, but they actually are pretty good at keeping my hands warm and cozy. I can even knit with them on (I was knitting the second one with the first on one of my hands, teehee).

Nathan loves them too since he wants me to make him a pair now!

The pattern is simple, so my next post will hopefully be the pattern and pictures.

I'm gonna be keeping myself busy in 2007!

I got a set of circulars thanks to my dear hubby!





I LOOOVE these needles! I switched the sweater over to the Boye needles so I can see all my work stretched out as I work on the sweater.



I'm still getting used to having the wires attached, but I like that the actual needle part is shorter and doesn't get caught on blankets/pillows/couches/husband/person that are near my elbows.

Speaking of the sweater....I am DONE swatching! I don't have it down 100% perfect, but as long as I'm paying attention to what I'm doing, I can get it right and usually fix any mistakes I do make. Plus, since I've got it mostly down, the mistakes aren't as noticeable.

After Chauntel & Tracy's help:



Finished! (the extra mini-swatch was done on the circulars to make sure the gauge was still right because ny straights were *slightly* larger even though they are supposedly the same size):



I stopped by Chauntel's house on Saturday to say hi and borrow some knitting books. She gave me a TON of yarn (yippeee!) and so far my favorite is this mill-end cone that is a beautiful lavendar color. I already started on a scarf for MIL's (other MIL - not the one I made the belt for) birthday in January. On my new circs of course!




(The ball is the largest center-pull ball I've ever done - and by hand!! LOL)

Lastly, a non-yarn creation :)

Christmas Breakfast!!



I hope you all had lovely Holidays! Hooray for a short week :)



PS: Oooh, I almost forgot....the last crochet project I did was the java cozy for my mom. I love how it turned out and she loved it too!

The Purse!

Here it is! Happiness!





I love how well the crocheted scallop edge adds the perfect feminine touch, but the wide ribs give it structure. I am kinda amazed that I actually made this!

Everyone really liked it at knit group, so I will post the pattern for everyone! (I've got a good chunk written out already).

This was SOOO much fun to make, it went pretty quickly (it's a really nice yarn to work with), and it looks so great. Even though the blocking took for-freaking-ever, I'm super happy with how well it worked. YAY!!!

I can't wait to see how my sister likes it :)

Swatching...

Here is my swatch for the Rebecca 32 Hooded Sweater.



The swatch is two motifs in a row and there are three on top of each other (so a total of 6, if I'm making sense). Anyway the motifs SHOULD be symmetrical from side to side, but for some reason, I am getting big holes on the left of each motif (the top part of the top left motif has a dropped stitch, so don't mind that bit of crazyness - oops!).

I am wondering whether this is just a tad over my head....hopefully the gals at knit group can help me out tonight!

Ahhhhh!

It's done! The purse (aka: blocked item) is DONE!! I am so pleased with how it turned out. But, I'm gonna be mean and not post pictures until after knit group. I want to show it to you all in person if possible. I am too proud of it to not see initial reactions in person. Ha!

I did take some pictures and will post them Thursday night or Friday.

I've had a pretty productive evening so far. I bound off a scarf and added fringe for one of DH's co-workers. She started the scarf a long time ago and didn't know how to finish it off. She wants to give it to her grandmother for Christmas so she asked if I could finish it for her since she didn't have time to learn how. She did me a favor also, so i could be sneaky and do something Christmasy behind DH's back....muahaha!

Now I'm on to finish a swatch for the Rebecca Sweater. I should be able to have it cast on tonight.

The only Christmasy thing I have left is the Java Cozy, then I have to wrap the rest of the gifts and I'm FINITO! *Huge sigh of relief* It feels good to be in the homestretch and know you're gonna make it with time to spare!! I can't believe it, to be honest....

Getting my knit on.

Now for the promised pictures!

First off, I am jumping on the fan bandwagon and posting my signed "Knit 2 Together" book. I LOOOVE this book! I'm so glad I got it as my first real knitting book. I can't wait to get started on a project from the book...although it's gonna be probably a month till I do. *sigh*




Now on to the meat of this post: I did my first blocking! And I took pictures to prove it. I read Eunny Jang's recent post about blocking, and it really helped. My only complaint was how freaking loooong it took to dry! But it's a little thick and I did put a towel under it (on top of a very large, thick plastic bag), so that might be why.

Pre-blocking:




Soaking (I used no-rinse "Soak" in the Flora scent):



Draining:



Expressing the water:





The pinning process:









I only blocked the side strip (which will make up the side panels and strap) on the sections that will be sewn to the side.

All blocked and writing the pattern (which I will share when it's all done and I know it looks good!):



Here it drying the rest of the way on a clothes drying thingy, with the scarf for my mom next to it (don't mind the mess). It's amazing how much better it looks! I can't wait to get it finished.



And to top it all off....here are my first real cables! I've been wanting to figure out how cables work, and I finally did. Yippee!



They are attached to my sad looking little tester swatch, but there they are and they are cute :) I put my handy-dandy new cable hook thingys from Knit & Pearl (Clover brand). I really like how they work.