Knitting? What's that???
Haven't knit in awhile-- just haven't been motivated, I guess. I whipped up a scarf for myself but that's about all I've done in the last 3 weeks.

I've thought about knitting but I just don't know what's next right now. Maybe I'll go back to the Puff-Sleeved Cardi. Or maybe I'll crank out a Fad Classic. Or should I finish off the button bands for my steeked Wicked Cardi, which is still warming my lovely dress-form? I need some direction.

I just finished The Friday Night Knitting Club by Kate Jacobs. It was really well written. Jacobs did a fine job portraying the strengths women possess and the comradery that developed between them. I loved that it took place in NYC, being a NY girl myself. Though if you have no knowledge of knitting you may miss the metaphor.

Ok, I'm off to make my grocery list...the fun never ends (I also just finished the laundry-- please don't be jealous). Hope you all are enjoying the early days of spring and are more motivated than I've been.

What a great way to start the day....

I started my day/ended my night on a red-eye from San Fran (this particular leg was from Las Vegas) to Boston. I didn't get an ounce of sleep thanks to a bratty, shouting, crying child. Don't people have any consideration...who takes a child on a midnight flight out of Vegas? People like to sleep on red-eye flights-- obviously a screaming, un-parented child is going to prevent that from happening. So now I'm in my 37th our of wakefullness and I'm to the point of being so overtired that I can't sleep. A couple of ativans before bed ought to do the trick.

And, yes, my California trip was chock full of fun. We'll see how my return to reality goes tomorrow. Now onto knitting content.

I had a pretty productive trip knitting-wise. I actually finished my Tree Jacket which was long over due! It turned out okay. Like many others, the sleeves are much too big but then again it's supposed to be a loose-fitting sweater. I like it alright. It came in handy while I was in San Francisco-- it was pretty chilly there during our stay. Picturess to come.

This is an exhibit showing that several Alcatraz inmates learned to knit to pass the time. These men had real balls-- pun intended!

I also started and finished two baby hats for a couple of people that I work with. One's tiny, for a preemie and one is maybe 0-3 months size. There's nothing better that coming back from a vacation with presents ;-)

Can you tell that I have no new knitting content....

What Michele Means

You are confident, self assured, and capable. You are not easily intimidated. You master any and all skills easily. You don't have to work hard for what you want. You make your life out to be exactly how you want it. And you'll knock down anyone who gets in your way! You tend to be pretty tightly wound. It's easy to get you excited... which can be a good or bad thing. You have a lot of enthusiasm, but it fades rather quickly. You don't stick with any one thing for very long. You have the drive to accomplish a lot in a short amount of time. Your biggest problem is making sure you finish the projects you start. You are very open. You communicate well, and you connect with other people easily. You are a naturally creative person. Ideas just flow from your mind. A true chameleon, you are many things at different points in your life. You are very adaptable. You are truly an original person. You have amazing ideas, and the power to carry them out. Success comes rather easily for you... especially in business and academia. Some people find you to be selfish and a bit overbearing. You're a strong person. You are friendly, charming, and warm. You get along with almost everyone. You work hard not to rock the boat. Your easy going attitude brings people together. At times, you can be a little flaky and irresponsible. But for the important things, you pull it together. You are relaxed, chill, and very likely to go with the flow. You are light hearted and accepting. You don't get worked up easily. Well adjusted and incredibly happy, many people wonder what your secret to life is.

What's Your Name's Hidden Meaning?

I Guess I'm Still A New Yorker!

You Are 20% Massachusetts

You Yankees loving homo! You probably think Starbucks coffee tastes better than Dunkin Donuts.

How Massachusetts Are You?

Progress, Planning & Pizza

This past weekend was chock full o' things that had to be done. Friday night we booked our final hotel in San Fran for our upcoming California trip and did a little more planning. During the week I made folders for all three cities and labeled them with the city & dates we'd be there. Every document (hotel confirmations, direction to and from the airport and any attractions that we plan on driving to, car reservations, our itineraries, etc) was labeled and placed inside the folder. I also made up a Flight Folder for all of our flight documentation to and from California and from LA to San Fran. It pays to be organized especially when you're trying to cram a million things into one week's time!
On Saturday we went to Target to pick up somethings for the trip and for the house. We got those cute little travel size toiletries that fit nicely into our carry-on bags and, of course, Jorge got T-shirts. It wouldn't be a trip to Target if he didn't even though his bureau drawers are practically busting at the seams with T's. I guess you can never have enough! I got a bathing suit with a really retro 1920's feel. Makes me feel like I should wear red lipstick and pin-curls when I wear it! (pic from Target.com)
I also picked up a pizza stone. I've been on a homemade pizza kick these days so naturally I had to have a pizza stone. My pizza turned out great. The crust wast perfect. Thin and crispy just like at home in NY.
And, of course, some knitting progress. I'm on the second sleeve. Too busy to finish this weekend unfortunately. Hopefully this week!?

Progress & Cookies-- a pic only post!

Man, Where've I been!?

I feel like I've been away for a long time. I haven't been knitting as much as I'd like to. My dad was in town this past weekend and my sister the weekend before and I've just had much too much to do over the last couple of weeks. I'm hoping to reclaim a little normalcy around here and get my knitting groove back!

The last few weeks haven't been a complete and total loss. I got a little knitting done on my wicked cardi. I'd say I'm about 40% done at this point. I'd really like to have it completed by next week. I'd love to take it to California with my in March. I can picture myself wearing it while touring a winery in Napa. I think that it's just the color ;-)

Recently I place a Knit Picks order and bought even more yarn. I finally bought Shine Worsted in Grass for Fad Classic because there was a fantastic sale that I just couldn't resist. I also purchased Wool of the Andes in a lovely heathered red color. I'm not entirely sure what I'm going to do with this yarn but the color is lovely and it was so damn cheap for really nice quality fiber! I clearly have a problem with buying yarn with no particular use in mind. I need to stay away from Knit Picks...they are just too good to be true. Somebody stop me!

Wicked Cardi
I have really wanted to made a modified Wicked for awhile-- ever since I saw Flintknits' version-- which I totally fell in love with! So for my Spring Ahead KAL I've started on Ravelry, I plan to do just that!

I cast on figuring that it's a pretty easy knit which I really think it is. I CO and then promptly found a way of fucking the easy-peasy pattern up....twice. I guess third time's a charm because it finally seems to be working out-- not that I've gotten very far.

I hope that the rest of this project doesn't give me as hard a time.

Ravelry KAL!


So I decided to create and host the Spring Ahead KAL on Ravelry. Last week I was really in the mood for Spring to hurry it's ass up and get here (damn it!) so, hence, the KAL was born. I'd love anyone and everyone on Ravelry to join if they'd like so click on the link or the banner above and join my group!

Don't forget to vote every 24 hours!!!

Thanks for all of your support!!! I love you guys!

Voting...

Apparently, according to the Knit Girls site owner, the rules for voting is 1 vote per day (from an IP address). Who knew!? If you haven't voted to day, click here.
Thanks!!!

February Knit Girl-- Small Polling Snafu

If you cast you vote this afternoon it may not have been counted because it was off line for a bit while the nice lady who runs the site was working on it. I don't believe that there was any sort of message or error thrown when you clicked submit. You may just have to go back and resubmit. I will check and see if I can find out the exact time so it's all fair.

Click here

February Knit Girl-- Vote For Me!!!!


You may have noticed that cute little button to the right of my posts! Please go click on it and vote for me for February Knit Girl!!!! Purty please!?!? Thankyouplease!

Love,
Michele

"Downtown, Everything's Waiting for Yo-ou... downtown"

Yes, jury duty has been a PIA but the benefits have also been great. No, I'm not talking about being given the opportunity to perform my civil obligation of serving on a jury. I'm talking about actually taking a lunch break (as opposed to scarfing down a balance bar at my desk while I work) and getting to browse through stores that I'd otherwise have to wait for the weekend and a specific T ride downtown for. Everyday I've been able to grab some soup for lunch (my fav on a chilly day!) and leisurely browse through H&M and Windsor Button without any specific task in mind. It's been fabulous. And, yes, costly. Here are some of my finds...yes, only some.


Not to mention the adorable shoes I picked up at Payless, yes I said Payless. These are too adorable to have been at Payless but what a score!


In knitting, I finished Jorge's fingerless mitts and the pink fingerless mitts I was making for myself but have decided to give to Rebecca. I already cast on for another pair which will be for me!

Small Updates

On Sunday, during the fourteenth hour of watching football, I finished knitting the fingerless mitts that I was working on but am yet to work the duplicate stitching that I've planned. This is partly due to procrastination and partly due to my drawing up shitty charts on graph paper.

I finished sewing on Kristin's Juliet's buttons but still need to get it in the mail to her. Unfortunately, I had jury duty yesterday and then got selected to serve on a jury so it's been hard to find time to get my ass over to the post office.

Though I have sad some time, when we're not in the courtroom, to get a little knitting in! I finished the first sleeve of my Tree Jacket. I turned out HUGE. I followed the pattern but still it's kinda big. Not sure if I should frog it and re-knit or deal with it. I better decide so I can move onto the second sleeve.


Being downtown at the courthouse has definitely disrupted my daily routine but it has it's perks. Yesterday I got to stop by Windsor Button on my way home and pick up a couple skeins of Brown Sheep's Lamb's Pride Worsted in two lovely variegated shades. One's a lovely mix of pinks and the other is rich teals. Both are gorgeous. I've already started knitting with the pink-- a pair of fingerless mitts for me!

This week in Knitting

I finished and sent off my Dad's mittens. He received them yesterday just in time for 50 degree weather. Tomorrow's supposed to be quite chilly so he'll get to put them to good use then.

After finishing the mittens I finally put the finishing touches on that baby hat. Since the bay has now been home for one week I figured that it'd be nice to finally give it to the mommies.

Then a new project was started last night: fingerless gloves for Jorge. I'm very loosely following a pattern I found on Ravelry. I've modified it so much that I'm considering writing my own pattern up in case anyone's interested. The plan is to use the duplicate stitch technique to make an anchor in white on the top of the mitt, an idea I stole from my friend Carolyn. I've never duplicate stitched before-- hope it's not too hard.

And, finally, I got the perfect buttons for my sister's Juliet yesterday at Windsor Button! I'm so glad-- I feel like I've been looking forever though it's only been 1 week! I think that they are a perfect match. Hope they're fun enough for Kristin.

2008, so far

So far...I mostly finished my sister's Juliet. Still on the hunt for the perfect "glitzy" buttons per Kristin's request. I picked up a few neat silver-tones buttons at A Good Yarn but I'm just not satisfied with them. One of my favorite yarn shops but not the best button selection if you're looking for something truly out of the ordinary. I think that I'll try to hit up Windsor Button sometime this week or next weekend.

Speaking of family knitting, my dad brought it to my attention that I've never knit a stitch for him. So I asked him what he wanted. He wanted mittens. I find this slightly amusing that a grown man, such as my father, wants a pair of mittens. Not a pair of gloves or even fingerless gloves, but mittens. Ok-- can do. I've finished 1 mitten and the cuff of the second so far. They're an easy knit and actually my first pair of mittens. I'm knitting them in this yarn I bought years ago from Circles Knitting Salon (when it was still here in JP). It's a really lovely worsted-weight super-wash wool. The color way is a nice variegated earthy green.

I haven't touched my Tree Jacket in quite some time. I really should work on it but.....sleeves.... They are really dreadful. Especially these sleeves which are garter stitch in the round. Now can you see what I mean by dreadful?

I still have to finish a baby hat for my exec director at work and make two more for a doc and one of my staff members. Seems like everyone is popping out kids about now....yuck.

Well, even though I'm not a fan of babies, I still find their clothing adorable...I'm not totally heartless. Well, at least not for that reason...

pinup
Originally uploaded by michele1620

Shrinky-dink fun!

This is my first attempt at make art using shrinkable plastic. It's transparent IRL-- it's a suncatcher. Can't wait to try more!

What I've been up to (in the crafty sense)

I went to the Bazaar Bizarre on Sunday and got a few goodies and tons of ideas! I have a bad habit of thinking to myself as I browse the tables, "I can do that!" But I need to remind myself that just because I can doesn't mean that I will or that I shouldn't support indie crafters! So I bought some really cool pieces of fabric and Jorge bought me a cool necklace and pair of earrings.

Sunday was also Community Day at the ICA. This means FREE admission! It was fun to see the new building (well they've been there for ~1 year now) and the neat exhibits. And for FREE-- ya can't beat that! I think that there's one day a week from, like, 5-7 or 9 that admission is free...maybe Thursdays. Everyone should check it out at least once.

In knitting, I attended a finishing class on Tues night with Devon at A Good Yarn instructed by Allison of The Blue Blog. It basically reinforced that I do know my finishing techniques. I just need to practice them. I try to never do any modular knitting because I dread finishing but I should give it a try once all of my WIPs are off the needles.

Speaking of WIPs, I have 3 right now. A baby hat, which I'm totally dragging my feet on, my Tree Jacket, and my sister's Juliet, which I've just short of abandoned. Right now I'm in sleeve hell with my Tree Jacket...sooooooo boring.

Hopefully, I can make a big push to finish all three up before Christmas so I can start a fresh project for my travels and stay with my family in NY-- I'm sure I'll need a mental get-away at some point ;-)

Bazaar Bizarre

In case anyone's interested, Bazaar Bizarre is today. Check it out!

It was a nice long weekend!

I went to Chicago to visit my best friend Rebecca. It was three days of good old times. Rebecca and I met in college and became great friends in our second year. We were pretty much inseparable. We were good influences on each other. We were bad influences on each other. We were like long lost sisters.

Not much has changed except for our zip codes. After Rebecca finished PT school she was off to travel and work all over the country. I stayed in Boston and began managing the medical practice I worked at. For the first bit our cellphones bills were atrocious. Then we learned the concept of moderation (sorta--I had a phone bill of $250 at one point!). We'd chat during daytime breaks, when we weren't exhausted at night-- sometimes multiple times or just quick calls for trivial matters.

We may not talk on the phone or see each other as much as we used to or as much as we'd like but this bond can't be broken. A few days of phone tag can't change that. We're family at this point.

A couple of years ago we decided to take almost a month off to travel Italy together. That adventure was something that I could have done only with Rebecca. It was an amazing experience. The planning reminded me of the first vacation that we planned together-- driving to Daytona Beach all hopped up on No-Doz and immediately following final exams. We've shared some wonderful and crazy times together.

Rebecca and her fiance Chris are now planning their wedding which is to be next Labor Day. I'm the Maid of Honor-- it really is an honor. I love her and want her wedding to be everything that she's ever wanted it to be. Her face lights up when she talks about the details. I can tell that she's having fun and I'm happy for her.

Through the last 10 years since we've been friends we've been through many different stages of life together. And I know that we have many, many more ahead of us.