Knitting in 2008!
This isn't everything, but there were several gifts that I don't have pictures of. Doesn't look like much when it's all compressed like that, but I suppose 2 sweaters, a tank, 5 pairs of socks (my Spring Forwards didn't make it in there somehow), 6 hats, a pair of mittens and 4 bags isn't too shabby. Jeremy's socks were the most tedious, the colorwork hat was the most fun to knit, and the Lila tank is the best fitting garment I've knit thus far.
Now I need to knit at double the speed in half the time, because my stashing has been a bit, um, enthusiastic, considering how much time I actually have to knit!
I do already have a small 2009 FO to show off soon!
Labels: food, knitting, projects, yarn
The Haul...
The haul from SAFF.Luckily I got a good bit of this yarn for great sale prices. The peachy stuff in the upper left corner was 1.50/skein!
But still, a lot of yarn. I'm embarassed! And better get back to knitting!
Labels: knitting, yarn
Think of the Softest Thing You've Ever Touched...
This alpaca is SOFTER.
I got him at SAFF and I love him!
Jerm and I took a field trip to the Southeastern Animal Fiber Fair (aka Yarn Paradise) near Asheville today. We looked at lots of yarn, lots of people wearing ill advised knitting items (hand knit sweater with a shawl? Draw the line somewhere, people) and I spent WAY too much money.
This is what we saw when we walked in. And there were other buildings with more of the same.
I wanted to bring this guy home, but didn't think it was practical.
And I wore my new February Lady Sweater.
Ravelry link. I got lots of comments on it! The best part? It cost me about $8.50 to knit this sweater!
It was a good day! And my husband is awesome for going with me and being such a good sport!
Labels: alpaca, knitting, SAFF, sweater
Some Stuff
Whoops, didn't realize it has been a whole week since we posted!
I finally found a coffeetable- I got an e-mail from Target saying a bunch of furniture was 15% off, plus free shipping and I happened to find this trunk, which was EXACTLY what I was looking for! The legs on the trunk mirror those on the furniture, and it's great for storage space.
All the DVDs and video games fit inside, which is great, since we don't have an entertainment center to put them in. Now I think we're set on furniture. We just need some curtains and decorations and the house will finally be done!
We also got rid of the old couch yesterday via CraigsList. Jeremy was only a little sad, because that is probably the only couch in the world long enough for him to take a nap on fully stretched out!
Also, the knitters will appreciate this- my birthday present that I never posted!
Love it!
Labels: coffeetable, furniture, house, knitting
Saving the Earth and Too Small Socks
Happy Belated Birthday, Mom!
I made a few goodies for my mom's birthday last week! Had to wait until she got them before I posted the pictures, though!
Yet another
Everlasting Bagstopper. This is such a great pattern. I hate knitting them, because the cotton isn't so great on my hands, but the result is so worth it.
Yarn is Sugar & Cream Confectionary Colors in Maple Sugar, though it sort of looks gross in this picture. It's more muted in person.
Full info on
Ravelry.And the Too Small Socks. I made these cute little summer socks out of a single skein of Lorna's Laces.
My first short row heel! I'm in love! I will never do a heel flap again!
Sadly, they're too small for my mom. Tara, I told her to give them to you! Mom, you'll get a new pair that fits better eventually! Grrrr.
Full info on
Ravelry, again!
Labels: bag, birthday, gift, knitting, socks
Lillian Top
I've had several new knitting items to post, but a few are for gifts, so you'll have to wait to see those.
I do have the
Lillian Top, which I finished last weekend and wore to work yesterday.
This is a great pattern- easy, looks fabulous and an overall great summer top! The lace isn't hard at all, but looks impressive. I also think it would be easy to add little cap sleeves on for a spring/fall shirt. The straps are still curling a bit, despite the ribbing, so I'm hoping that will relax in the wash. I so didn't block this before I wore it, but since it's acrylic, I figured the knitting police wouldn't come get me.
I used 3 skeins of Berocco Comfort, with just a bit leftover. I freaking love this yarn. It's great yardage for an incredible price, the drape is beautiful, the FO is soft and it's machine washable/dryable. 220 yards for $6? Yes, please!
I have 4 skeins of this left, I think I may use it for a February Lady Sweater.
And I would definitely make this pattern again. It could be a really quick knit, if you don't start it and then have to move halfway across the country and start a new job in the middle of working on it!
Full details on
Ravelry.
Labels: knitting, summer, tank
Stuff I Made
Things have been crazy around here. The house is turning into a total disaster area, filled with boxes, boxes and more boxes!
There's been some cooking, in a fervent effort to clear out the fridge and freezer. Nothing too photogenic, though.
There has definitely been some knitting going on- stress relief from all the packing!
I made these dishcloths for a friend as a thanks for a big ol' pile of moving boxes. My first entrelac, and the classic Mason-Dixon Ballband. Yarn was Peaches & Cream, woohoo, more out of the stash!
I made this hat for Lin's Birthday. Rav link
here. 
I love this- super easy, super cute, done in 2 days.
I also made this for Lin, since she's the only person that loves Peeps as much as me!
Super easy and fun!
I also knit another Market Bag for my sister and a hat for Jeremy's brother, but I don't have a picture of either. Alas.
Labels: bag, dishcloth, hat, knitting
Halla-freaking-leuia!
There has been lots of knitting going on, but most of it has been secret gift knitting, hence it hasn't been shown on here yet. I did make a pair of FiberTrends clogs for my mom, but I forgot to take a picture of them!
However, I have held off on starting a new big project because of this WIP that has been sitting around since late Feb. Finally, though, the socks are DONE! Men's size 14 feet socks in the finest sock yarn I've ever used take a LONG time.
They're done! Hooray! I'm so happy!
Hopefully Jerm will like them!
Jeremy's Socks
Pattern: None used, Top-Down Stockinette, Eye of Partridge Heel, Star Toe
Yarn: Jarbo Mini Raggi, 3 skeins (2 green, 1 brown)
Started: Feb 23
Finished: May 8
Full scoop
here.Labels: knitting, socks
Everlasting Bagstopper
I knit this cute little bag from
Knitty
It's the
Everlasting BagstopperYarn: Plymouth Fantasy Naturale, 2 skeins
Started: March 16
Completed: March 27
Needles: Knitpicks 5 and 10.5. I would use 6's next time for the bottom, because the 5's were excruciating to knit with.
It'll be great to take to Farmer's Market this summer. It is super stretchy and will hold a ton of stuff. I should cram it full of stuff and take a picture, but that is a 2 person job and Jerm is at work right now.
I couldn't find any wide ribbon that I liked, so after a failed attempt at fabric straps (the fabric was fraying horribly) I decided to go with two pieces of narrow ribbon.
I will probably make another one of these, I have 2 more skeins of this yarn and some other navy blue cotton. It's a super easy pattern and worked up pretty quickly.
Labels: bag, cotton, knitting
Clapotis
Finally, some more knitting content!
My Clapotis, in Rowan Damask.
I have no idea how long it took me to finish this, all I know is that I finished it somewhere in the midst of residency interviews on one of many painfully long flights or sitting in an airport somewhere!
I do remember that I did one less increase than called for in the pattern, because I wanted it to be long enough. It certainly is long enough!
I knit this not knowing if I would ever really wear it, but I used it quite a bit as a scarf. I haven't quite mastered using it as a shawl or any other fashion accessory yet!
Labels: clapotis, knitting, rowan, scarf, wrap
Hat-o-rama!
So, this blog started as a knitting blog and has been sorely lacking in the knitting content lately. And by lately, I mean the last 3 months. Sorry about that!
I got on a hat kick a while back and then knit a couple more recently, after I finished my Starsky.
First up, I learned how to cable, with this cute little hat. Made it with some Wool-Ease I had lying around. If I can figure out how to line it, I'll give it to my friend Meg.
Next, I decided to learn how to do some stranded knitting with Center Square from Knitty. I'm really proud of this one, although it is too big for anyone with a normal sized head to wear. I think my tension was absolutely whack from the stranding- I held one strand my "normal" way (english) and one strand continental. Using various Paton's Classic Merino Wool I had around the house.
Check out the guts. I'm so proud! My first stranded knitting!
I made a few more hats recently. This one was from a free pattern from Rosi G, that I found on Ravelry, using the softest yarn ever. Misti Alpaca. I want to roll around in a huge pile of that yarn. Not even joking about that. This was a super fast knit and is so cute! I found the buttons at The Studio.
Finally, I made the ubiqutous Unoriginal Hat from the Yarn Harlot's blog with some deliciously soft Harrisville Heathered Wool. This went to my sister in Chicago, because she is the most grateful knit-gift reciever! You hear that, people? If you are grateful, I will knit more things for you!
I just realized I never posted about my Clapotis. I'll do that later this week. Spread out the knitting joy! And of course, I still need to post my Starsky!
Full details of all my projects are on Ravelry (I'm Pan over there). I'm too much of a lazy blogger to drag up all the details right now! And I need to get working on Jerm's huge socks!
Labels: cable, gift, hat, knitting, stranding
Yarn Barf
Dinner (and lunch, for that matter) was of the liquid variety today. Pomtinis to celebrate the end of Health of the Public!
I did rock some mac and cheese for a 9:00 dinner, though.
We sort of lost our appetite for dinner after a severe case of yarn barf. There's no reasonable explanation for this, so I'll just let the pictures do the talking.
We did get it untangled, have no fear.
Labels: knitting, yarn
Happy Birthday to the Knitsters!
Since my fellow knitters have all celebrated a recent birthday, I figured I should bring them some sweet treats! For knitting tonight, I made birthday cupcakes. The yarn ones feature knitting "needles" made from toothpicks and gummy candies.
Behold.
Yummy.
Labels: baking, cupcakes, knitting
Baby Pants!
A Christmas gift for our niece Erica.
Baby Bell Bottoms, pattern from
The Blue Blog
Knit in some Hobby Lobby Baby Bee Yarn, a little less than one skein.
I didn't exactly follow the pattern, basically made the three month size, but made them longer, since Erica is so long. Easy, pretty quick and really stinking cute! I would definitely make these again. And of course a picture featuring the attention seeking cat!
Labels: baby pants, cat, knitting
