Monday, May 11, 2009

On the Needles

I don't normally have so many things on the needles at once. I tend to work on two projects max as I like to see things to completion before I move on to the next thing. Looking at my in progress stuff I was a little blown away by the amount. I feel I need to take inventory. So I say, "Let the WIP parade begin!"

The oldest active thing on the needles:

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This eventually will be the Lacy Yoga Mat Bag from Interweave Knits. I started this in late January and I have maybe 12 inches of the bag part done. I decided to do this in the round because I didn't want to purl (because I'm lazy) and I thought it would be a breeze. No. This project has tied me up in so many ways that I've unknit more than I've knit. I get all excited about it and I knit like a fiend only to realized my count is off and my lace is all mashugana. Riiiiiiiiiiiipppppp. Sigh!

Did I tell you I'm gift knitting this holiday season? All of its coming from stash so I hope friends and family like what I have in stock. I got so many surprises planned and its going to be great! And I'm not just half-assing it either.

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I'm on gift number two and I'm glad I'm starting early because it's lace. It's the Woodland Shawl to be exact. And it feels as if it's taking eternity to knit. Although I guess its really not. I started April 18th and I think I have three repeats left before I'm outta yarn. Last time I knit a lace scarf it took a little over 7 months. I'll take that as marked improvement!

Now the next four things aren't even on the needles yet. But I got deadlines, people!

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The silver yarn is part of a kit for the Cylon Centurion. It has sadly taken a backseat to the gift knitting as its for me. The red Malabrigo Sock yarn will be another lacy gift, Lily of the Valley Scarf from Knitted Lace of Estonia. To add to that it is my May Personal Sock Club bag hence why it is a WIP. In theory I should get it done by the end of May. The Cabin Fever will be a Helena and the angora will be another pair of baby booties for a friend who is due in July. I'll probably do these before the scarf as I need a lace break.

If you're still with me, then maybe you noticed that I mentioned the yoga bag as the "oldest active thing?" I have two things that have been in permanent hibernation and I 'm torn if I should rip them or let them hang around a bit longer. This is where you come in, dear reader.

Orangina started in May of 2006. This is as far as I've gotten:

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Since May of 2006, people, that's all I've done! So do I rip or not?

And then there are these cute gloves... urrrr... I mean glove:

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This has been flopping around since late 2007, I think. From the Ravelry page I wrote: "Sophie taught me how to do colourwork and I got this much done before I threw this in the corner because the needles I was using were cheap icky ones." The gauge is super tight so the glove is dense and now that I'm living in California I can't imagine wearing them since it doesn't get that cold. But Sophie taught me how to do colourwork on these gloves and I'm fond of the memories. Do I rip or not?

I'm going to try and promise myself to not add anything else to the list. This is giving me a pretty good headache as it is. Sigh!


Sunday, May 10, 2009

Toronto, here I come!

I'll be back June 12th through the 21st. Who wants to play?!

Saturday, May 09, 2009

My Signature....

More babies mean more baby booties. Here's a pair for the baby shower I'll be attending on Sunday.

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ANGORA BABY BOOTIES
Started: May 5, 2009
Completed: May 6, 2009
Pattern: Last-Minute Knitted Gifts, by Joelle Hoverson
Yarn: Schulana Angora-Fashion
Color: #10 (Pumpkin)
Needles: US 5/3.75mm Brittany Bamboo DPNs
Recipient: ?? (baby's sex and name is being withheld)

I'm pretty excited about the yarn because I should be able to get four pairs out of one ball. This finished pair weighs 6 grams and the ball is 25 grams total. This yarn is a pretty good substitute for the yarn that I was using because I can get my hands on it and it's much cheaper. I paid $18 for the 25 gram ball and the yarn I was using before was $5 for a 5 gram ball . Have I mentioned how much I love my food scale for situations like this? I'll be making another pair immediately since another friend is also having a baby.

Ravelry deets here.

Friday, May 08, 2009

Favorite Photo Day

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Sadly this got lost in the move.

Thursday, May 07, 2009

The FO parade...

I've not completely abandoned this blog. I know it kinda seems like I have. I will admit that I've been a bit distracted with Twitter and Ravelry but it hasn't sucked up all my time. Honestly I've been enjoying my knitting time and I find that when I have free time I'd rather knit either in a comfy chair at home or at one of the many cafés that are in walking distance from my house then sit in front of the computer. I feel like a bit of an old lady! But with the selection of cafés at least I'm an old lady who gets out of the house.

Now to get you caught up on my recent FOs. First off, gift knitting! When I saw the patterns that dangercrafts created I squeeeeeed with delight and bought a bunch. And when I knew I was going to be seeing a friend's totally adorables daughter I knit one up lickety-split:

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EASTER BEATRICE
Started: April 11, 2009
Completed: April 11, 2009
Pattern: Beatrice and Bernard The Inseparable Bunny and Bear by Rebecca Danger
Yarn: White Buffalo Elena
Color: uhhh... dark pink... mauve...pink/purple... #220
Skeins: .25
Needles: 5mm/US 8 Knitpicks Options
Notes: It's the cutest 8" tall toy ever.

Remember my Personal Sock Club? I kinda did a rush job talking about the last three months but I've been doing a good job of keeping on top of the bag pulling. Below are April's bag. How awesome are they? This fine yarn was hand dyed by Lisa the Goth and they are my most favorite socks. Everything is perfect about them: the knitting, the striping, the colors, the softness. They are faboo!

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GENERIC STASH DOWN #2
Started: April 2, 2009
Completed: April 17, 2009
Pattern: just generic toe-up
Yarn: Needle Addict's Hand Dyed
Color:Tropical Murk
Skeins: 2
Needles: 3mm/US 2.5 Knitpicks Options
Notes: My Personal Sock Club project for April. Did Judy’s Magic Cast-On and started with 20 stitches (10 on each needle). Increased to 56 stitches with a plain ol’ m1. Knit the foot until it was 8” long. Knit leg until 6.25” long and then did 2x2 ribbing for .75”. Did both afterthought heels last.

And the big finale? My Lady February Sweater. Made out of Malabrigo Silky Merino. I love it so much.

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I'm A Lady Sweater

Started: January 31st, 2009
Completed: April 5, 2009
Pattern: February Lady Sweater by Pamela Wynne
Yarn: Malabrigo Silky Merino
Color: Redwood Bark
Skeins: 6
Needles: 5.5mm/US 9 Knitpicks Options
Notes: This sweater fits perfectly so I haven't washed it yet. I believe this puppy will be going to the dry cleaners as I hear this sweater groooooooows when blocked. Also, I wish I hadn't been lazy and knit from two balls at a time. One of my skeins was lighter than the others and you can kinda see it.


I'm knitting quickly on more projects then I'd like to be working on at one time. Maybe I'll post about those later.

Friday, May 01, 2009

Favorite Photo Day

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My first UE outings in Toronto. This building is now torn down. I wish I could remember what it used to be.