Not much actual knitting happening here

So I haven't been speed knitting at all lately. I've been a little unmotivated and kinda tired. Work has been really busy between recruiting and interviewing and every project that had to be done yesterday, I'm feeling a little overwhelmed. My job is annoying right now so I'm going to blame it for sucking the creative energy right outta me!

I CO for the Puff Sleeve Feminine Cardigan from Fitted Knits by Stephanie Japel. I've been holding off on CO this on but thinking about it constantly. So, here it goes. I'm only ~20 rows in but the yarn called for in the pattern is nice to knit with and the pattern seems pretty easy to follow so far. I can't wait until I'm at the point where I can go button shopping (at Windsor Button, of course) for this cardigan. I originally thought that I wanted to use pearl buttons but now I'm thinking that maybe I'll use cutely shaped plastic buttons in a bright contrasting color. We'll see-- I've only done the collar so far, so I have a lot to knit before the buttons need to be picked out.

I received my June non-wool skein of yarn from my secret pal from the No Sheep Swap. She sent me gorgeous HandMaiden Seasilk. It's amazing and sooo soft! The colorway is called Woodland. A pattern came along in the package for a scarf but I'm not sure if it's my style. Any suggestions as to what pattern works well with this yarn?






I decided to make a (tiny) swatch of this lovely cotton tape I received from my secret pal Sharon the Knitter's Treat Exchange a couple of months ago. It's Cherry Tree Hill Rainbow Ribbon in Sugar Maple. It's soft and light and reminds me of me of melting Popsicles. I have 262 yd of this beautiful stuff and I'm still not sure what to do with it. Has anyone knit with this yarn before?




The top 20 nominations for the next SKC KAL are up so go vote! I'm debating between three: Lillian, Fitted Tank, and Tulip. So many great choices! Ok, I'm off to rest for a bit and hopefully work on my PSC for a bit before supper.

Vacationing and NO knitting!



I just returned the other night from Orlando, Florida. We went for 5 days and our itinerary was absolutely packed. We went to MGM, Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Sea World and Typhoon Lagoon. It was about 90 degrees and exhausting! This is us at Magic Kingdom taking our own picture!

I brought my Lelah-Lotus Blossom Tank along and didn't touch it once. We were so busy each day and by the time we'd get back to the hotel at night we were beat. As much fun as it was-- it was equally draining.

Since I've been home I've had knitting on the brain. For some reason I feel like I'm over the Lelah-LBT. I know I should work on it but I'm not motivated to do so. The puff-sleeved cardigan from Fitted Knits had been sounding really good right now. Also, I want to make a baby hat for the BF's ex-gf who's having a baby in August. I know what you're all thinking-- it's weird for me to make her a gift for her unborn child but I really like making baby items, so it's really a selfish act. (Plus, I'm just being bitchy/catty/gossipy here, but she prego with the child of the guy that she left my BF for in the first place...kinda funny, huh!?)

So, I need to get back into the swing of things and get my creative juices flowing once again. Also, my bestfriend just got engaged so I have to start thinking about favors and wedding stuff to help her out...I am the Maid of Honor, afterall!

KTE Prize!
When I got home yesterday afternoon, to my surprise, I had a package from Ireland in my mailbox! The ladies who organized the KTE, Teaandcakes and Tangelled Angel, sent me a little prize. The package included tea, a pen, a marker, hand lotion, chocolate, and a thank you note!


Thank you ladies-- you rock!

...Gone!


Here's my mom wearing her new sweater...

...Going....

Hey, I'm a winner!
Thanks RandomRanter for the nomination!

Going...

Maybe it's not so far fetched!

I'm thinking that maybe, just maybe I will have it done by Memorial Day !

Rusted Root, Take 2!


Well, I didn't have nearly as many difficulties CO for this project as I had the last time. I'm only 20 rounds in but it's coming along nicely. I really need to concentrate on this one and crank it out so I can have it to my mom for her birthday on June 14th. I really hope that she's ok with the color. I like the color-- that's why I bought the yarn in the first place ;-) She has a nice olive complexion so I thought that it would look nice on her in the spring/summer when she's a little tan. I know no matter what she will say that she likes it and will be very grateful for the gift. My mom is coming to visit me here in Boston from NY Memorial Day weekend-- I wish that I could knit faster and have it ready for her then but I don't think it's possible. A girl can dream...

So, this is what I've been up to...

I went shopping yesterday and bought some time herb plants, potting soil, several clay pot and a little shrub. I re-potted the tiny herbs into larger pots so they have room to grow and just re-potted the shrub in a clay pot.


As for knitting, I've started the LBT and have decided to make it a hybrid of a design, Lelah, I saw on Craftster(like another Craftster did). I'm doing the the Lelah lace (fishtail lace) pattern and the LBT top. Lace knitting takes forever!!! I've been working on it on and off for the last couple of days and I barely have two inches to show for it.


I sent my mom a pic of my completed Rusted Root and she loved it!!! I'm thinking of making her one for her birthday next month. I have the yarn...I just have to knit it! Maybe I'll CO for that tonight. I don't have to swatch because I'm using the same yarn as before and I was able to get gauge easily. Since she's smaller than I am, her sweater will be smaller therefore knit up quicker. I hope that I can gt it done. She'd be so happy!

Tag: I'm it!

I love games and this is a good one...I was tagged by Devon.
This is how it works: Each person tagged gives 7 random facts about themselves. Those who are tagged need to write on their own blog those 7 facts as well as the rules of the game. You need to tag seven others and list their names on your blog. You have to leave those you plan on tagging a note in their comments so they know that they have been tagged and to read your blog. So here are my facts:

1. I've lived in Boston for 10 years and in seven different apartments.
   
2. I grew up in Long Island, NY.
   
3. I've worked at the same medical organization for the last 6 years.
   
4. I LOVE crafting. Especially knitting and jewelry making.
   
5. ZipCar was the reason I sold my own car last fall.
   
6. I never plan on having babies even though I take care of everyone and everything around me.
   
7. I recently lost both of my grandfathers within the last month and a half.
   

I'm Tagging:
RandomRanter
Sharon
Susan
Sarah
Torrance
RubysNPurls
knittyknitter

Tiiiiin Roof...Rusted!
I finished Rusted Root and am proudly wearing it today. It turned out well. My only problem was getting started with this pattern-- and that had nothing to do with the pattern at all. But once I got into it I enjoyed it. The mindless stockinette wasn't too boring because once per round I'd have the lace panel to work. All in all, the pattern was an easy knit and easy to follow. Thanks Zephyr Gals!

Next up is the Lotus Tank. I will swatch the cream KnitPicks Cotlin tonight and hopefully get started soon. I'm going to Florida the first week of June and I'd love to have it done to take along. We'll see how much life gets in the way of my knitting.

Crafty, but not Knitty!
Today Devon and I visited The Wake Up the Earth in Jamaica Plain, my neighborhood. There were local businesses, food vendors, local crafters/artists, musicians, dancers-- a regular three-ring hippy circus. I usually love the jewelry that I see at this festival but not much caught my eye that I didn't think to myself "I can make that!" This is what I bought....couldn't help myself:I have no idea what I will do with them but for some reason I just couldn't resist these little knitted guys.

As usual, I'm still chugging along a few rows at a time on my Rusted Root. I'm seriously ready to be finished and wearing the FO. I also want to CO for this: The Lotus Tank! My memory has failed me yet again...I thought that that the pattern sample was in a cream color but this picture proves my mind wrong. Anyways, I'm still making my version in a neutral cream color. I make actually modify this pattern a bit. I'm thinking about doing a different stitch pattern on the bodice. I don't know how I feel about the one in the pattern and I'll definitely be knitting it to hip length. Well, soon enough.

What the hell....
I hate when a post mysteriously doesn't offer comments....I just don't get Blogger sometimes--very inconsistent!
Grrr....

I'm half-way there!
I got a nice chunk of knitting done this weekend. It's funny, sometime when I feel like shit I can't concentrate on anything but sometimes I can block everything out and just go with it. Yesterday I was able to just go with it. I'm about 50% done with Rusted Root and just itching to wear it. I tried it on last night and I think that it's going to fit ok-- at least it accommodates my chest which is a feat in and of itself (I always have a problem with that!). I have a feeling that the FO will be a bit loose but it's better than too tight right!?



The yarn that I purchased from KnitPicks a few weeks ago has been in the back of my mind. I bought yarn for The Puff-Sleeved Cardigan and yarn for The Lotus Tank...but I can't decide which to CO first! As I knit away on my RR, I find my mind wandering and daydreaming about The Lotus Tank. Is that a sign?

I decided on the CotLin in a neutral cream for the Lotus tank. I think it pretty much the same color as it was in the magazine where the pattern was published (different yarn though). I hardly ever chose the color of the pattern sample but in the case I did. I figured that it would be a nice neutral for the spring/summer in a breathable yarn. Hope that I'm able to CO for this piece soon, which is short for I really want to have my RR completed, like, tomorrow! A girl can dream!

My KTE Package has Arrived!
So my package from my secret KTE pal arrived yesterday! It is great-- I was totally spoiled! She sent me two magazines: knitsimple and Knit'n'Style, Cherry Tree Hill Rainbow Ribbon in Maple Sugar (lovely and cotton!), chocolate among other fabulous treats! Thank you Sharon for being such a fabulous KTE partner! Go check out Sharon's blog .Also, a bit of Rusted Root progress. I'm just about 45 rounds in and I'm finally liking what I see. The lace is starting to look like lace. Thanks to Hattie over at the SKC for her kind advice pertaining to the lace panel in the project. I'm knitting tonight after work with my JP knitting ladies (mmm, maybe an official name!?) so hopefully I'll be making even more progress.

Progress and Presents!
So there ya have it...I'm only 23 rounds in but at least I'm in!
So far I'm not really in love with my lace but maybe it's only
because I don't have enough done to see the full picture. I really
need to get going on this project because I really do enjoy the
process of knitting once I'm actually motivated enough to do so.
And I wouldn't mind having a new sweater to wear!


Also, here's are my KTE goodies wrapped and packaged and ready to be mailed out. I love the sense of accomplishment to have completed a task. I hope that my gift is well received by my giftee. My gifter sent my package out yesterday so it should be here relatively soon. It'll be nice to get a present in the mail.

SKC got me Dizzay!!!
So, looks like the SKC is back to blogger from typepad ....ahhhh! Now we all have to be invited again to post for the current KAL. Because of all the blog switching the KAL hasn't been very motivational at all, but thanks to Jeanie we're going to be back up and running....and motivating each other again very soon. I NEED the motivation, especially at this time.

I've been having some problems in my personal life that are not helping my lack of motivation to knit. I really want to knit but it's been really difficult to concentrate on much of anything right now. I'm just very sad lately and have been living inside my own head. I really hope I can get through this. I wish I had more friends in Boston...I've been sort of lonely lately.

If there are any like-minded ladies in Boston speak up ;-) Us chicks need to stick together. A special thank you to Devon for her support and friendship.

I'm almost done packing up my KTE gift for my secret pal. Hopefully I'll be able to send her package out to her on Fri or Sat.

Happy knitting/gifting/crafting to all...

Rusted Root: again and again and again...

I started fresh, and so far so good (can someone please knock on wood for me!?). I'm trying to be very careful this time. I really love this sweater so I am determined to give it my all.

On another note, I have started to put serious thought into my KTE package for my secret pal. It's so much fun to play detective to try to figure out what she likes. I plan on making a couple top-secret gifts for her which will be a fun way to spend tomorrow afternoon ;-)

Rusted Root , my ass!

Rusted root has become the bane of my knitting existence. If it's not the multiple CO issue it's making mistakes with the increases on the wrong rounds. Ahhhh....I plan on just rip, rip, ripping out out tonight and starting over yet again. I couldn't even bring myself to photograph my so-called progress knowing I was going to have to frog my project. Oh well, that's knitting for you.

I decided to make a few purchases on Amazon & knitpicks to soothe my soul. I bought yarn for the Puff Sleeved Cardigan from Fitted Knits and yarn for the Lotus Tank from last Summer's IK. Also, non-knitting related, I bought myself a new fragrance: By by Dolce and Gabbana from Amazon. My mom has it and I tried it on when I was home and decided that I needed to have it too! I also decided to order No Sheep for You by Amy Singer through Amazon on the recommendation of my KTE secret pal. I listened to a podcast while on the Chinatown bus last week to NYC and was totally intrigued.

Well, that's all for now.

Rusted Root

So I knit my gauge swatch on Sunday. Luckily, and to my surprise, I came up with the exact gauge called for in the pattern. But that was the end of my luck...

I cast on too tight at first. So I cast on again....too loose. Then I can once yet another time and started knitting the first round and made a mistake and ripped it out for the third time.

I don't know what my problem was but it just wasn't in the cards for me to actually start the sweater on Sunday. I did end up casting on (hopefully for the final time!) yesterday evening and I think I'm finally good to go. I just need some nice quiet knitting time to get it going.

You can't really tell from the picture but this green is actually a lot brighter...more kelly green than piney green like it appears in the picture. I'm really pleased with the color. Now I just hope that I can actually get knitting and turn out a fabulous FO!

SKC KAL
I just received my Holly Green Cotton Fleece for my rendition of Rusted Root for the SKC KAL, which starts today. It's the perfect grassy green I was looking for! I was planning on gauge swatching last night but I decided to finish up a few WIPs instead so I would be able to fully concentrate on Rusted Root today.

I finished Le Slouche last night. Cute, but who knows when I'll get to wear it at this point:

Also I promised the bf awhile back that I would add "thumbs" to his red VooDoo (from Knitty) arm/wrist warmers from last year. He begged for thumbs after he saw my Fetchings (also Knitty) completeted. Since I loaned out the correct sided DPNs needed for this project I had to go down a couple of needle sizes...I'm really not happy with how they turned out:
Maybe it's partially because they aren't in the best shape....he doesn't take care of his hand-knits like I would. And partially because of the gauge of the "new" knitted thumbs. Oh well. However, I do like how Isis's cute little head is in the pic ;-)

Ok, enough rambling....I need to go start on a gauge swatch. Yay...

TGIF!!!

Hats and 60 degree days don't exactly mesh....oh well, I'm not done anyways. Here's another progress pic:



Also here's a pic of the Sparkle Hat from SnB that I knit for my mom while I was home a few weeks ago:

Seed Stitch and Me are learning to be friends!

I've always felt that seed stitch is soooo tedeous. As a matter of fact, I still do. This project has been a reminder as to why I shy away from using seed stitch-- it's so time consuming. I'm only 2 inches into the body of Le Slouche and I've been knitting a bit each night since Monday. Granted I get bored of after a few round of seed stitch and put the project down but still ;-) I'm an average speed knitter, but this stitch pattern is holding me back from finishing my project before the weather gets too warm to allow me to wear it! Grrrr..

Le Slouche
Last night I made my gauge swatch and cast on for Le Slouche-- a slouchey beret-style hat. I know, I know-- it's late in the season for a hat, but I've always loved berets. And it's about time that I made something for myself! I'm using heathered-gray lion brand wool-ease. Cheap stuff, but good for the purpose.
Once Le Slouche has been completed, I will be joining the Sexy Knitters Club spring double-knit-a-long. The patterns chosen are Rusted Root by Zephyr and Sahara by StitchDiva. For now, I'm only planning on knitting Rusted Root. Not sure if I'd actually wear Sahara. I think I'm going to knit Rusted Root in a grassy green. I have to actually go yarn shopping for this one. I do not have a good yarn substitute in my stash for this project. Hopefully, I'll find some nice Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece in the right shade. Anyone wanna go yarn shopping???

Knitters Treat Exchange Questionnaire

1. What's your favourite type of yarn?
Cotton blends, super-soft premium acrylics (wool allergy!)

2. What's your least favourite type of yarn?
Straight up wool-- makes me itch!

3. What's the first thing you do when you visit a new yarn shop?
Touch, touch, touch in search of softness

4. What other crafts do you do / would like to do?
Jewelry-making, painting, collaging, cooking

5. What magazines do you currently subscribe to?
Interweave Knits, Knit.1, Domino, Allure,

6. Put this type of magazine in order of preference:
Knitting / Food / Home / Other Craft / Fashion / Garden/ Crochet / Celebrity Gossip

7. What items do you like to knit / crochet?
I love to knit small projects for their instant gratification: hats, toys, mitts

8. Are you allergic to anything?
Peaches, wool

9. What do you like to* smell of?
(*This is not a typo. The question is: What do you like to smell of)
Soft, clean scents with light floral notes for Spring & Summer and richer, spicier scent in Fall & Summer

10. What's your favourite way to relax?
Glass of red wine, curled on the couch with a good book or a movie and my boy

11. You're stood in front of a Victorian style sweetshop, an Italian cafe, an old fashioned bakery and a dainty tea room. Where do you go first?
Italian Cafe

12. What do you come out with?
Canoli & Cappuccino

13. Where do you go next?
An old-fashioned bakery

14. Any other words of wisdom for your pal?

Knit, what else can I do?
So here's yet another hat. I think I've been knitting small projects all week to keep my hands and mind occupied. I'm having trouble coping with illness right now. My maternal grandfather (my Pop) has a 30 year history of heart disease. He's been through numerous procedures including by-pass surgery in the 70's, angioplasties, stent placements, removal of the pericardium, etc. He's always been so strong-- a real fighter. We always joked that he was like a Timex: "takes a lickin' and keeps on tickin"! But this time it's bad. There's nothing else that they can do for him. He's so skinny and weak. A shadow of his former self. I've always been very close to my maternal grandparents. It's just so hard to accept.

To top it all off, my paternal grandfather was admitted to the hospital on Friday night with cardiac problems. He's scheduled to have a mitral valve replacement, a huge open-heart procedure, tomorrow. Talk about adding to my stress. My dad's going to fly down to Florida from NY either tonight or tomorrow. I think he's going to be okay. I feel guilty that I'm not as worried or saddened by this as I am for my Pop. We were just never very close. I'm more concerned with my how my dad's mom is coping, but my dad will be there for her.

I made this hat for my Gram (my maternal grandmother). I know that there's nothing I can do to better this situation so I felt like I had to make something that I can give to her. I know it's not going to make up for the fact that she's going to lose her husband, but I feel totally powerless. It's just been really hard to come to terms with.
Update 3/14/07: My Pop passed late Friday night after I arrived in NY to see him for the last time. I got to tell him that I loved him. It was really hard. And, yes, my Gram loved the hat. I even knit my Mom a hat while I was home with my family ;-)

Oh, Baby!
Here's the cutie-cute-cute hat I made in a couple of hours for my co-workers infant. The pattern is the Umbilical Cord Hat for baby from the Stitch'n'Bitch book by Debbie Stoller. Apparently one of her 3-year-old twins is totally obsessed with the color yellow hence the color choice for the hat. I hope that I'm not too late-- the baby is about 4-months-old at this point. Guess I should of had this done sooner. Oh well, better late than never. Hope the mommy likes this gift.

Take Two...
So, here's an attempt at making my own 3-hour sweater. The color is not nearly as bright as it is in the picture. It's more of a dark teal. I knit this while watching "The Departed" with the boy this afternoon. I decided to knit it in the round because seaming sucks and I hate to have to do it unnecessarily. I contemplated making the version either sleeveless or long-sleeved. I know-- those choices do not sound like they make sense, but I'm not too fond of short sleeved sweaters. At least if it's sleeveless I can comfortably wear a jacket over it or a blouse under it. With long-sleeves, I'll be warm....

It's a done deal!
So, here it is. I just need to add the little pearl button to the top to form the key-hole and the single crochet edge around the neckline. Unfortunately, I have no idea how to crochet the edge. Can anyone help me with that? Guess I'll have to learn before I send it off to the giftee. For my first sweater, I'm quite pleased. It's extremely itchy because it has a strand of mohair which I cannot tolerate, but I know my friend isn't as skin-sensitive as I am. Hopefully she'll think it's fabulous and not itchy!

Update 2/11/07: Added the crochet edge and the cute pearl button. It'll be off to Chicago tomorrow!

WTF is taking me....
So, this is what I've got so far. I thought that I would be finished by last week but life/procrastination keeps getting in my damn way! Ahhhh.... One more sleeve to knit then I get to sew it together and learn how to add a crochet edge to the neck opening. I have no idea how to add crochet to my knitting but I guess I'm going to have to learn. I don't really have to have this project done for another month-- the recipient's birthday isn't until March, but I have other projects in the wings and a WIP that I should have finished ages ago. Hopefully I'll get a lot done on Saturday when I'll have the entire day to myself. I can't wait to finally say, "I've completed my first sweater!" Even though it's not for me I'm going to totally HAVE to try it on....she'll understand! I don't generally wear/use the gifts that I make people before I give them away but in this instance I think that I'm required to-- since it's my first sweater and all!

It's an addiction

So, remember how I said that I couldn't buy any more yarn until I've used up the yarn in my stash??? Well, scratch that. I couldn't help myself. I went to Boomerangs, the thrift store up the street from my office and found an incredible deal on this brightly colored mohair. I justified the exception because it was a steal. I'm weak. I should be punished.

Almost there...
I finished the front piece while "watching football"(I call knitting while the game is on and my boyfriend is screaming at the TV "watching football"). Now I'm onto the sleeves which are a pain in the ass. How ridiculous is it that the short cap sleeves are the hardest part of this piece?

I really thought that I would have finished this weekend but, much to my chagrin, I ran out of the purple acrylic yarn I was pairing with the mohair. I broke down and bought another skein. It's funny this sweater has only cost me about $4 total. Anyways I hope to actually finish this week. Can't wait to be done and start a sweater for myself!

I feel like a Squirrel!
Clearly I have a stash problem. I never thought I did until I attempted to re-organize this afternoon. Apparently I can not be trusted to accurately judge the amount of yarn I already own. Do NOT, I repeat, do NOT let me buy more yarn or convince you that I'm in need of having more yarn or pursuade you that I have a project in mind that I'll need more yarn for. I will lie, cheat and steal to make additions to the overly abundant stash of unused yarn. I MUST use the yarn I have before I'm allowed to purchase anything else. If I make any excuses or try in anyway to manipulate you in regards to yarn in any way feel free to sucker punch me. No, seriously.

Here's the 3-hour sweater progress....
So, this is the finished back. I'm onto the front at this point, but have been a lazy knitter for the last day or so. I'm out sick today so maybe I'll knit while I'm resting. We'll see how much I can get done. I'd love to finish it this week if possbile so I can block and do all of the finishing and have it ready to go to Chicago early for my friend's birthday! I need to track down those cute little tags that say "made with love" or something equally as goofy to sew into the back of the sweater. Maybe I'm check out Windsor Button Co. or A Good Yarn today after my interview.

My First Sweater
I bought myself a brand-new digital camera for myself for Christmas! I'm so excited....I can finally post decent pictures of my projects! Yay for detailed illustrations.

So, my newest knitting project is the infamous 1930s Vogue 3-Hour Sweater. It took me about a couple of hours to knit about half the back....this project is definately not going to be completed in the said 3 hours! Though, to be fair, I'm NOT using the recommended US 15s for the body of the sweater, which would have probably shaved a bit of time off for sure. I'm using US 11s based on the recommendations of a bunch of ladies from Craftster.org. I also swapped out the US 8s for US 9s for the ribbed waistband.

The fabric is knitting up quickly and isn't as dense as it may look in the photograph. If I had followed the pattern and used US 15s, I think, that the body of the sweater would be turning out rather holey-- kind of defeating the point of a sweater ;-) Then again, aren't the short cap sleeves doing the same!?

Anyways, I still have a lot of work on the project to do. I'm using some lovely lavendar mohair that I bought ages ago at a thrift store held together with a strand of a light worsted-weight soft lavendar acrylic yarn from my stash (Caron Simply Soft in Grape). I'll post picutres of the finished piece. Hopefully that will be within the week. This is my first adult sweater. So far so good. Wish me luck!

While the cat's away, the mice will play!
Christmas gifting! Current mood: creative
I love giving Christmas gifts! I really do. It's so much fun getting to shop for fun things to give to the people in my life that I love. I just wish I was able to devote more time to actually making the gifts that I get to give others but the timing, especially this year, has been damn near impossible to do so. My creativity hasn't been completely lost. Here are some shots of some little guys I made for a friend...



Happy Holidays!