Not a Whole Lotta Knittin' Happenin'

We got back from Puerto Rico last Thursday (sorry for the crappy pic-- the only one I have of me actually wearing my Tuscany). That's an entire week ago and I 'm finally back to normal. There was zero knitting on this trip other than on the flight there. I knit most of the garter yoke of my FLS but that's where it ended. I just haven't felt like knitting much but I did manage to do a few rows on the FLS today before a doctor's appointment.

Just because I haven't been knitting doesn't mean that I haven't been thing about it....obsessively. I went to the Holy Craft Fair & Flea Market last weekend and spotted a chick in the Owls pullover that I've been seeing popping up on Craftster and in Ravelry. This adorable sweater definitely found it's way into my heart even though it's knit in a bulky weight yarn. So weakly, I went over to the Web's website in search of a bulky weight non-wool yarn to make my very own Owls sweater from.

I decided on Berroco Comfort Chunky which is a nylon/acrylic blend. I chose a blue that I thought was sort of teal looking at my monitor but it arrived today and it's not exactly what I was expecting. I think that I might just be able to live with it as long as the owl cables are visible. Guess I'll need to swatch it up.

The pic on the left is from the Web's website and
the pic on the right the yarn I took when I received my order yesterday. I'm trying to envision what a sweater made out of this yarn would look like. We shall see.

Reclamation Scarf!

I made my little sister a neat triangle scarf. I used that beautiful Malabrigo Silky Wool I bought last month. I love the color-- gorgeous. I do have another skein so maybe I'll be making another for me.

Tuscany, Puerto Rico!?

Gee, that doesn't sound right at all! Okay, that's because it's not. What I meant to say is that I'll be bringing my newly finished Tuscany shawl to Puerto Rico next week! I really didn't think that I'd have it finished but here she is...

I used a lovely cotton blend yarn the I bought for another project, for which my desire fizzled, a couple of years ago from Elann, which has since been discontinued. It's called Elann Endless Summer Luna and it is a fiery red colorway! It's has a shimmer and a great drape, but is a bit too splitty to work with in my opinion. I only did 9.5 repeats of the lace pattern because I used a larger needle size than called for and a heavy weight yarn.

All in all, it was a pretty easy and quick project. I think it turned out beautiful for my first lace project of this caliber. I hope that I get to wear it!

Happy Birthday Fish-- Finished!

Well say hello to my little friend...Jorge loves him. He loves him so much he tried to eat him.
The irony is that I'm taking him for Sushi for his birthday dinner! Ha!

Birthday Fish & Vacation Shawls

I've been slow yet steady with the shawl knitting. I'm more than half way at this point! It's turning out lovely and I can really envision what it will look like with my cute black dress. I also cannot wait to block it. Blocking lace = knitter's high! The color is off in this picture-- truly it's a more fiery red!

I also started a knitted Angler Fish as part of Jorge's birthday present. I ordered this pattern from Etsy ages ago but never got around to knitting it for him. This pattern isn't a difficult one just lots of row-by-row instructions. It has tons of short-rows which, luckily, I taught myself to do recently. This is a quick and fun knit and I can't wait to give it to him!

New Yarn, New Project and, yet again, another Bad Haircut

So the weekend before last, I had a Saturday appointment to get a haircut, my first since I was traumatized back in November 2008. By some ridiculous circumstances, I ended up missing the appointment and was totally bummed (this should have been a sign!).

I rescheduled for the next Wednesday (last week) and took a few hours off from work. When I arrived my stylist was giddy over getting her new shears and texturizer-- the scissor guys was still there. I told her that I essentially wanted the same cut but was open to suggestions for a bit of change. She went totally scissor happy and chopped soooo much hair off my head, of already short hair, making me look like a demented little boy. I just don't get it. We discussed how different did NOT equal shorter. I'm gonna chalk it up to a one-time bout of crazy due to her new equipment, but if it happens again I'm outta there.

Good thing is: hair grows. And mine seems to grow fast. I'm really sick of walking out of the salon with tears streaming down my face though. This should not happen when you articulately describe what it is that you're looking for. Maybe I'll post a pick but no promises so you can all see my misery.

I was feeling so bad after my haircut appointment that I decided to got over to Windsor Button for a pick-me-up. I was in search of Malabrigo Silky Merino in teal. I couldn't find it out on the floor so I asked the sales lady. I do NOT usually do that there because they're pretty weird and not usually too customer service-oriented, but I was in a desperate place.

To my surprise the lady was kind and outgoing. She found more stock, and specifically the color that I was in search of. I purchased two beautiful hanks of this heavenly soft yarn. I plan on making a Reclamation Scarf , Stephanie Japel's newest invention, out of each-- one for me and one for my bff.
Though I have been working on the second sleeve of my CPH, I'm at a standstill with this project. I'm just really bored of knitting it. I wondered why so many people took an average of a year to complete this project and now I know why. Though it's got more interest than a straight up stockinette project, it's still very rhythmic and boring to knit. I need more instant gratification. I decided that I'd start a new project while I was in NYC this past weekend to awaken my mojo.

I cast on for Tuscany from No Sheep for You. I'm using my stash of Elann Endless Summer Luna in red which I bought ages ago for another project that I never got around to (and lost interest in). I've always thought that this was a pretty shawl but had no desire to knit a lace project of that magnitude or knit a shawl, for that matter. But then I had this vision of me in Old San Juan, wearing a black dress with a red lace wrap around my shoulders so I figured that maybe it was worth a try. We leave for PR March 12th...less than a month away. I'm not sure if this is going to be possible to finish in time but I'm going to give it a shot.

I work on it on the bus home yesterday afternoon until it got too dark and I got a massive headache. It seems to be working up fast. I guess we'll see.

Color of the Month-- Nuclear Red

So by the end of January my fun Burgundy Wine streaks were on their way out. So I decided to help them out a bit by washing my hair in hot water and a really detergenty shampoo to strip most of the color out. Then I chose a red!

I went for Nuclear Red Special Effects. My streaks are super bright red now and the rest of my head has a nice reddish glow to it. I quite like it. Reminds me of something that I did to my hair ages ago. How do you like it? Better than the Burgundy Wine?

Winter Blues/Frustrations

It's no secret that the winter gets me down. I'm sick of the bitter temperatures, the snow & ice, and grumpy, rude people. It's hard to be motivated when you're always pissed off.

Our sidewalks have been really icy the last few weeks, even in high-traffic areas. So this sometimes means that when people are coming from both directions one has to step aside so that the other can pass by the narrow cleared (ie. ice free) path. I'm always the one who steps aside, mostly b/c I don't want to slip on ice, and let people pass. Rarely do I get a "thank you" or have anyone slow down to step aside so that I can pass. They just keep yapping on their cells and barrel through like they're more important and do not have to time to step aside and allow me to pass. Nice, huh!? Can people please have some manners? If you're not going to slow down, forcing me to get out of your way, you can at least acknowledge that I was polite enough to step aside for you. Boston id full of rude people.

Speaking of rude people, I had two shitty experiences this week all because I was being generous and charitable to a complete stranger. Freecycle is a web-based group where people can offer and request items they they no longer need and want to recycle by giving to someone who could use them. I've used this website once before, maybe a year and a 1/2 ago, when I was in need of a new washer/dryer.

I was able to find an older set being given away and made arrangements to pick them up put in Framingham. The woman giving them away was nice enough but sort of rude when we arrived to claim our booty. She had a way of letting us know that this was a charity case, not necessarily something nice to do for another person or the environment. Plus she didn't need to pay someone to come and take them to her closest landfill. When all way said and done, we were thankful towards the woman and took off with our free stuff. Could have been worse.

For Christmas I received a Cuisinart Food Processor. Now that I have a shiny new food processor I no longer need my little mini chopper food processor. I would never throw something in perfect working condition away without trying to find someone who may like to have it or donating to my local thrift shop. So I went on Freecyle to find out if anyone was specifically looking for a food processor. I found someone in need and reached out. This person made plans to pick it up on Saturday and then never showed, then again on Monday and never showed, the the last time on Tuesday and never showed. Always with a lame excuse and never an apology. WTF?

Someone that you do not even know is being generous enough to give you something that you need and you stand her up multiple times and don't even feel badly about it? I don't think so. So I emailed this person explaining that she has wasted plenty of my time and I am no longer offering the food processor to her. Ridiculous. People are totally inconsiderate at times.

So I listed my item on Freecycle and got a ton of responses. I went with the first person to respond-- it's only fair. He was polite and willing to come by that evening. Needless to say he never showed and never called, as I requested if his plans changed. Now he wants to come by and get it tonight. I don't think so. I'm all set trying to be generous....now I'm taking down to the thrift shop and making a donation.

So if I'm a bit grumpy you know why. The optimist in me wants to think that all people are good at heart, but I know the truth...most people have no incentive to be nice to a stranger. Anonymity = no need to be nice. It disgusts me. I make it my mission to be nice to people....especially strangers.

Slow Goings...

It's already half way through January 2009 and I don't have very much to show for it. I cast on for the Central Park Hoodie on the 2nd and it's just taking a lot to motivate myself to sit and knit. I started with the front right side which seemed to knit up rather quickly and am now several cable repeats into the back. It's cold out--seriously I want this one done! I need to be wearing it already.
Being that my knitting mojo has been waxing and waning, I've been spending an excessive amount of time cruising the pages of Ravelry when I should be making attempts at progress on this sweater. Damn you, Ravelry! You're such a time sucker. You're a vacuum for all of my possible knitting time. Ahhhh...

Not that I wish Ravelry away, just that I wish I had more self control and discipline. For heaven's sake, I <3 this site more than any other! But when inspiration turns into procrastination, I may need an intervention!

Pink Hair

I had my hair did last week. Jorge gave me a hefty gift certificate to Liquid Hair Studios.
I had foils done. First we lightened and then we toned with Special Effects color in Burgundy Wine. These pics don't show the "texture"-- it much more streaky/chunky bits of bright color. Guess there wasn't enough light. It's crazy in the sunlight!

When looking at the Special Effects color card, Burgundy Wine looked way more purple but when the color was washed out I was sorta shocked at the result-- PINK! I like it, don't get me wrong, but I was expecting a little more subtle effect-- more purpley. I was a little worried about what people would say at the office. No one's really said anything negative though they may have thought it ;-) I did get a lot of compliments which was reassuring.

Maybe when this fades I'll try another purple shade and see if I can achieve the effect I was going for. Do you like???

2008: Year in Review

Snow...mucky, icy white shit
So started snowing Friday afternoon and didn't stop until sometime last night. Needless to say, I wasn't very motivated to leave the house this entire weekend. So my weekend was filled with knitting, movies, and cookie baking.

I stayed in and finished Krissy's Convertible Mitts. I'm not crazy about them but I'm not really feeling it to re-do them at this point. I think that they just needs some buttons to hold the tops open and/or closed to zest them up a bit.

Then I decided to put my newly received Malabrigo to the test. Will it be soft and cozy or make me breakout in hives!? I hoped for the former. I cast on and finished Crofter's Cowl with my own modification. I decided not to do the mirrored top and bottom and grafting that this project's instruction called for. Instead I just make 7 repeats of the first chart. It turned out rather nice. Still needs a blocking but it was so cold today that I couldn't resist wearing it out.
The lace pattern loses a little of it's interest by the varigations in this yarn but, all in all, I'm happy with this FO. And no hives! This may actually be the best news yet.

So now that I know that I can wear this yarn close to my skin and stay comfortable, I think that I'll make more of these. I already was planning on making my bestfriend one for Christmas since she lives in Chicago and could always use more warm clothing. I'm thinking about designing my own pattern for hers though. We'll see.

I have tomorrow off so I'm going to run over to Windsor Button in the moring and pick up a few skeins of Malabrigo Yarn Worsted Merino to knit up into more cowls! I think that these could be a perfect project for my bus trip to and from NY.

Happy Holidays to all, and to all a good night!


edit: I added rhinestone buttons to the mitts!

I NEED TO STOP!
This "Merry Christmas" to me kick I've been on this week needs to end. I've been done with my shopping for a bit so I've been self-indulging all week. First I purchased Malabrigo Worsted Merino from a Raveler last week. It's gorgeous! My plan is to knit myself a cowl out of it since I haven't knit a damn thing for myself since October. It's so soft-- I hope that I can wear it without a hive fest! My next purchase is practical but just doesn't fit my asthetic-- Dansko clogs. They aren't my style but they are a dream to walk in. I've been having a lot of foot problems and my even my podiatrist think these are great. I feel sort of justified because I donated tons of old (ie. uncomfortable, unsupportive shoes) to charity last weekend.
So, I bought another pair in a slightly different style for some variety (and much needed "medical" comfort, unfortunately). They're actually on their way to my doorstep today. I can finally walk pain-free again.
Then, my most frivolous purchase, is a new bag from Scout's Swag. This item won't be in until mid-January so I don't feel as bad as I could.

It's a gorgeous limited edition Eggplant color. Perfect for a combo knitting and day bag. Love it!

Like I said, Merry Christmas to me!

Oh yeah, wanna see some knitting? I'm almost done with these:I got guage but they still seem to be a little big. I hope they aren't too big on my sister.

My Two Thorpes
I finished, with crochet edging and braids, my brother's ear-flap hat. It was so easy and quick that I made another one for a coworker who I promised a hat to ages ago. Best part-- I knit them both from stash yarns!

My brother's Thorpe was knit from Lion Brand's Vanna's Choice yarn in black. I even learned the half double crochet stitch to do the edging. Then I added the stranded braid to each ear flap. Finito.

Then I cast on last night during the Giant's game and finished today my second Thorpe for my coworker Melissa. I promised her a hat awhile back so I figured that I'd be true to my word. I used some Brown Sheep's Lamb's Pride Bulky in Lotus Pink, left over from legwarmers that I made years ago. I decided to forgo the crochet edging and braids and keep it simple.

How Bizarre!

Sunday was the the 2008 Bazaar Bizarre. Of course I got some loot! Jorge bought me a neat resin pendant necklace.
I got him an interesting print which we already framed and hung in our living room. It's odd but very interesting.
Jorge also got us some neat coasters. The mixer is for me and the projector for Jorge! I love vintage kitchen appliances and he's into vintage media players.

I found a cute little change pouch with the PBR logo on it and it said "PBR Powered"-- perfect for Jorge and his love for the cheap brew! Needless to say, he loves the pouch.

Seeing all these amazing crafts was totally inspiring and made me want to quit my job and join the craft fair circuit. I cast on for a hat when I got home and pretty much finished it last night! Oooo...I can sell hats! I dunno.

I'm going to check out Boston Handmade on Saturday morning... so much inspiration that I won't know what to do with myself!

Hair Trauma, Nov '08

So I'm over it and now I can talk about it. Two weeks ago I made an appointment with my regular stylist for a cut. My hair was super long and I wanted to cut it short and donate the hair to Lock of Love.

I sat down in her chair, as usual, and we discussed the cut and what I was looking for. She seemed to not really want to cut my hair short. She was not encouraging at all which was a little disappointing. But I stuck to my guns and said that I wanted to get rid of the length-- it was to the middle of my back and too much to handle at that point.

I described the desired effect: long, shaggy bob with lots of chunky layers, short in the back, long in the front and choppy bangs. I got a One-length bob with thin uniform bangs. I have a lot of very thick hair-- it wasn't blended at all. Tons of weight at the bottom. I had a triangle on top of my head. This really wasn't apparent to me until I left and walked past my reflection in a shop window. I nearly cried right then and there. I figured that it was the way she styled it and that I could do better once I got home. Not so much.

It was awful even after I washed it and restyled it the next morning. Doesn't look as horrendous as it was just by this picture. So, against my gut, I called and asked her if she could fix it because I wasn't happy with the cut. She was really sweet about it but AGAIN did not listen to my requests. I walked out with a shorter, more horrible, uneven version of the first cut. This time I did cry. I will never go back to her at this point.

I lived with the results for a few days and just hated it. It wasn't only a bad cut but it was very soccer mom. Totally not my style. So Saturday morning I called my old salon in the Southend, Liquid Hair Studios. My stylist is no longer there but I chose another stylist based on some reviews that I read on Yelp! and also by how cute her hair was in her picture on the salon's website.

I saw Francesca. She was totally in tune with what I wanted and agreed that the cut was NOT for me and done really poorly. She cut in some layers, dried it, and then razors some of the weight out. It turned out a millions time better than before. A little shorter than I originally envisioned but that was because of the 1st (and 2nd) botched cut done by EX-stylist. New cut pics to come.

I'm going to go back to her sometime in the near future for some color. I want foils that are some outrageous color. Maybe for Christmas!

Vested, I mean Gifted!

I finished the Mangyle vest for Jorge the Wednesday before Thanksgiving. He was thrilled-- I don't think he realized how much I did NOT enjoy knitting this vest. It was a total chore. I did already assure him (selfishly) that I will not make another no matter how much he likes his vest.

I also gifted the Fleegle socks to my mom who LOVED them. She went on and on about how much she loved then, how soft they were to wear and how she would like more in different colors. Of course, I created a monster!

No more WIPs...now what!? I want to knit for me but my sister and brother both requested knitted items and I'd like to make my dad a hat to match the mittens that I knit him last winter. My sister wants a pair of Convertible Mittens in black (she wants to blind me apparently). My brother wants a hat with ear flaps, though I couldn't tell if he was just kidding about the ear flaps. Maybe this one? I dunno. I still haven't picked out a pattern for my dad's hat but that should be easy-- something simple to show off the beautiful hand-painted variegation of the yarn. Maybe this one? It's simple enough, right!?

We'll see. I didn't plan on all this holiday knitting. And I'm sure that the fam has no idea how long it will take me to knit them all goodies. What a PIA. What can you do, ya know. If they're all done by the time Christmas rolls around, great. If not, they'll get them when they get them. I'm not going to worry about it. They would be extras at this point since I bought them all gifts already!

Sock it to me!

My Fleegle Socks are done. They aren't perfect but turned out pretty decent. I never wanted to knit socks, but it everyone else loves them so I wanted to see what the big was. Once I figured out the heel turn and gusset (with help), I felt like I could understand why knitters like socks. Though I'm not sure if I really even want to knit more socks but they are a great take-with project.

I don't know what to do with them now that they're done-- keep them, give them to my mom? Would someone else even want "fraternal" socks? Are they thin enough to fit comfortably in a shoe? I did knit them on size 3's afterall. We'll see, but at least I can cross this project off my WIP list.

Goodies!

I had to go into the office early yesterday so I decided that I was leaving at 4. What would I do with this extra time that I had on my hands??? Hmmm...I dunno, go to my LYS!? Ok, that's a great suggestion! And so I did.


I was in search of "real" bobbins used in stranded knitting. I made some bobbins out of tag board and they just weren't cutting it. They were bendy and kept making my yarn unravel. What a PIA! Talk about time-consuming-- I'd have to stop, knitting, rewind each of my eight bobbins several times before I got through a single row of color work. At that rate I'd never finish this godforsaken vest!


I also got highlighter tape to help me follow the chart easily, knit clips to help me with finishing/seaming, and a pair of Addi Turbos just to see if what everyone says about them is true.
Man, those needles are expensive! We'll see if they live up to their reputation.

Mangyle...my arch nemesis!

Mangyle, why do you hate me so? What have I ever done to you? I don't deserve to be taunted yet that doesn't stop you. Just when I get comfortable reading your chart and knitting with 3 different colors (only 3 colors...but 8 bobbins!), you screw with me by tangling and undoing my neatly wound homemade bobbins. You cause a level of frustration that makes me want to throw you across the room in aggrevation. You continue with these antics because you know that I will not give up on you. You know that I want nothing more than to conquer you. You laugh at the thought, but it will happen. I want you to submit!