Happy Holidays!!!

It's Christmas Eve at around 2:00 pm. Yes, I am still at work. We were some of the lucky ones. My boss didn't close the office today. I'm waiting patiently, in the hopes that we can leave early. It's just plain crazy. There is no one left in the building, but our offices. Oh, and did I tell you, my boss is in Cancun with her family vacationing, with all 20 something of them. Anyway, enough of my complaining.

I just wanted to wish everyone a Wonderful Holiday!!

Thank God it's Wednesday!!

I hope everyone is gearing up for a wonderful holiday!!. I'm trying to finish up my holiday knitting and sewing, but I keep getting interrupted (work, life, etc...) I had planned on knitting and felting 4 clutches for my mom's friends. So far, I have 3 knitted up. I don't think it's going to happen. Since I'm running out of time, I decided to try and make knitted ornaments the little sweater ones that are surfing over the net. I've now scratched that idea and decided to crochet neck warmers. I started them yesterday during the second half of my lunch hour. I spent the first half at Rosie's Yarn Cellar picking out yarn. So far I have five of them done. One is totally complete and I have to buy buttons for the rest. Here is the completed one.

Name: Lestat

Yarn: Berroco Comfort
Needle: H8 hook

I'm going to pick out the rest of the jeweled buttons this weekend. I figure I can complete the clutches hopefully in the next month. I still need to sew them together, felt and decorate them.

In sewing news, this past weekend I cut out material for 4 pairs of pajama pants. I sewed 2 of them up. I made the fi try his on and they are a little snug in the hip area. I know I measured him correctly. He's very stocky, and wants his pants very loose, so I'm going to have to cut the hip and butt area a little larger on the next pair. The second pair I made are for my mom. Those turned out perfect (hello, I want to keep them lol). I just need to hem them. I hope I didn't make the waistband to tight.

The remaining items finally arrived in the mail for my secret pal. One item was coming from the UK. I was able to ship my package off to her on Monday. I hope she likes what I got her. I received my package from my secret pal Amy last Thursday. I LOVE EVERYTHING!!! Thank you soooo much!! By the way if you're reading this, I already ate the Swedish Fish. So, this is what Amy sent me.

Louisa Harding's new book Knitting Little Luxuries. It came out in November. Swedish Fish, Good & Plenty, a coin purse with stitch markers and blocking pins, row counter (I can also use these as stitch markers), 3 hanks of mango moon (love it), an ornament for my christmas tree, 3 pot holders and a beautiful mini storage suitcase, which by the way, I stole your idea. I went to Joann's and sent one to my secret pal. It has an autumn theme on it.

In other knitting updates, I started on the sleeves for the shawl collar sweater for my mom. I hope to have pictures up by the weekend.

I want to make/sew myself a dress. I should go through my patterns. Like I really have time ( 3 jobs, a wedding to finishing planning). I need 3 heads and 20 arms. What am I thinking.

In wedding news, after the holidays I definitely need to get back to the wedding knitting. I also need to get busy on the wedding invites as I need to send them out soon. Can anyone give me advice on cutting an invite list from like 138 to 100, especially when I've known these people for practically almost all my life. I don't think it's going to happen. The sad part is the fi only has about 25 people on that list. It's bad... Oh well, enough of my complaining. I'll try to have another post up by the weekend with more pics. Have a good one.

So what did you do Saturday night?

Yarn: Katia Nordic Print
Needle: US #17

I tried my hand at needle felting almost 2 years ago but I've never done a felting project before, so I decided to try my hand at it. Let me tell you, the process in the washing machine is interesting. It's amazing how much lint these things give off, but it's definitely something that I'd do again. I knitted the handbag with Katia Nordic Print on #17 needles. The bag was finally dry on Friday when I came home from work. I proceeded to give it a haircut because it was a little shaggy. Last night I pulled out my needle felting and had a little fun. I'm just waiting on the hardware to come in the mail. I ordered it on Friday.

In other knitting updates: I started working on the front of my mother's shawl collared sweater. I'm about 3 inches away from binding off for the shawl collar area in the center. It's looking good so far. I also started crocheting (because it's faster, and I need them for the holidays) a couple of pieces to make some wristlets in the same fashion as the bag above. My mom saw the bag above and then proceeded to ask me if she was on the list to receive one of the wristlets, and that if she wasn't, she better be. I snickered of course. Anyway, I hope everyone is enjoying their weekend. I hope to have more pictures during the week.

Playing Catchup!!

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving. Mine was filled with cooking and family. Everyone enjoyed the meal(that made me happy), and overall the day was nice and quiet. Thursday night, I laid down and thought to myself, for once, I wasn't stressed out. Family can drive you crazy, and there is always going to be something that goes wrong either at work or at home but at the end of the day, I don't know if I would change a thing, except maybe my job. I'm thankful to see another day, and to share it with the people I love, my family, friends, and my new friends that I have found here. Thank you.

Now, to play catchup:
I didn't list any info on the yarns I used because I'm just plain tired, but I think I listed the info on ravelry, and in earlier posts. If you can't find the info, send me a message and I'll do another post or email it to you.

First up is Baby Eleanor

Juliet

Baby Blanket for Courtney

I finally finished my first vogue pattern for pants. The pattern is V8298. The pattern was pretty easy to work with, and I definitely want to make another pair. I only paid $1.00 a yard for this fabric. I was buying fabric at JoAnn's and the sales woman told me that instead of buying muslin to try out a pattern, test it out on some cheap fabric first. That way, you still have a finished project that you can knock around in if the pattern doesn't work out.



The crochet class I taught a couple of weeks ago went over very well. Everyone learned their stitches and even one student already has one fingerless glove made. She plans on giving a pair to her sister.

I casted on for the front of my mother's shawl collared sweater. I hope to have it done before Christmas. I'm also working on a felted handbag for myself. I'm not using a pattern for the bag so I hope it turns out okay. I want to embellish it by doing some needle felting on it and maybe some beading, but I'm not sure yet. That's it for now. I have to go and update my ravelry page, and watch all my television shows' I've missed lately. I love watching my shows on my computer. It beats taping, or tivo.
I

Oh My Goodness, She's Alive!!!!!

Yes, I might have been away for a month, but I have been knitting. I also managed to finish sewing a pair of pants I started a while back. My apologizes for being a bad blogger, but I got caught up in the everyday swing of things. Every time I sat down to blog, something else pulled me away. The season has started on my day job, and is in full swing and very busy. I did try to keep up with my blog reading even though I haven't left any comments. Thank you to all of you that emailed me while I've been away. It was wonderful to know you cared.

Anyway, here's what I've been working on.

1. Baby Eleanor is finished except for blocking.

2. Juliet is about 85 to 90 percent complete.

3. I 've started the red circular blanket now for the 3rd time(I restarted again last Thursday night), and I think I finally got it, and yes, it's a different pattern and yarn. I'm using my own personal pattern so I'm making it up as I go. Because I don't have a lot of time left (the baby is due the end of November), I had to resort to my crochet skills, which I must say, my reading skills are improving daily. Crochet is no joke when it comes to reading patterns.

4. I designed a hat for the fi for Christmas and that's complete. I think it might be a future pattern, but I'm contemplating whether or not to put it on the blog before the holidays. He sometimes likes to read my blog to keep up and be in the know with what I'm doing.

5. I finished the back of my mom's shawl collared sweater and now need to cast on for the front.

In sewing news:

I want to sew a pair of lounge pants for the fi for the holidays. I also bought a few patterns from Joann Fabrics recently (they've been having great sales lately). I'm saving all that info. for another post.

This Sunday I'm teaching my first crochet class at the Knitting Knook in Marlton, NJ It's a 3 hour intensive on the basics. I'm still putting everything together for it. If there's time, I might start a mini project. I'm not sure what the mini project will be, but I'm leaning toward a small purse, that way all the stitches can be incorporated.

I have more updates, but that info will come soon in future posts. I'm hoping to have pictures up in the next couple of days. I hope everyone is doing well.

As Adrienne says,

Toodles!!

SP11 & Sample Knitting

First of all, I want to thank all of you that have left me comments on my blog. They have all been wonderful. If I haven't gotten around to all of you yet, I plan to.

Remember when I showed you this nice little swatch.


Well this is what it really was.



The Off Center Argyle Caplet from Wrap Style that I had to knit for Knit Picks. I thought it turned out rather well. Here it is in their October Catalog.

I also received a nice little package from my Secret Pal yesterday.

I absolutely love everything!!!!! The yarn is Pakucho 100% Organic Cotton. It feels sooooooooo good. I can't wait to work with it. I think it will have to be an original design. I also got Elizabeth Zimmermann's Knitter's Almanac (awesome!!), a beautiful handmade card, and 2 CD's of Amy Winehouse music ( love them, I've been playing them all day). Amy is so dirty(nasty girl), but I love her music. I can't wait to find out who my secret pal it. Thank you so so much.

Where for art thou Juliet!!!

Hey, you can never have too many project's going, so why not add one more. I loved Juliet so much after seeing Robin's that I had to make it. It also helped that I'd spent enough at Rosie's to get my 20% off and they had new yarn in. Can I tell you, if you haven't seen and felt Misty Alpaca's 100% Chunky Baby Alpaca. (By the way Robin, this might be a good replacement for the Rowan Cork you liked that was discontinued. Check it out.) It's heavenly. I also have my eye on their Misti Alpaca Suri Silk. I felt that also and it's on my list. The price is great for all it's divine goodness.

In other news, The shawl collar pullover is coming along. I made it up to the armhole decreases and measured it against my mom's back. She has a long torso, so I think I might make a little adjustment and add 2 more inches before doing the decreases. Baby Eleanor is coming along as well. I'm on ball #3.

I haven't gotten too much done this week, because my schedule is crazy of course. September means that summer is over, and everything is starting to get back into full swing. Between trying to get my work done at work, band practice, choir practice, I was on the phone with my caterer figuring out liquor costs for this wedding. Since we booked a separate venue, we can bring in our own liquor. The caterer wants to charge us $16 a person for liquor and not everyone coming drinks, so I'm going to check out Canal's to see what they can offer me. If I can cut my bill by a few hundred dollars or more, it will be worth it. Plus, I really don't want to be responsible for anyone drinking too much, and getting into trouble afterwards, if you know what I mean.

Like I promised, here are some pictures from our trip. The shaped lace tee from Knitting Lingerie Style featured in some of these pictures. I hope you like.

My dad's surprise birthday party.


Some shots from our hotel room. The view was great. The water was just right.


The Fi and I before going out to dinner. I forget the name of the restaurant, but the food the really good. The drinks were overpriced though.








Have a great weekend!!!

Vacation! Vacation! Vacation!

Sorry you haven't heard from me, but I went on a mini vacation with the fi. We went to see my dad for his birthday in Fort Lauderdale, and hung out on the beach while we were there. I do have pictures, but you'll have to wait a couple of days. The fi downloaded them on to his computer, and I'm waiting for him to email them to me. By the way, those pictures also include my long awaited picture of the shaped lace tee from Knitting Lingerie Style. It turned out fantastic. Even though I don't have those pictures, I do have these. I made sure I got some knitting done while I was on the plane.

First up is what I'm calling Baby Eleanor. It's the scarf version of Lady Eleanor from Scarf Style. The yarn I am using is Noro Silk Garden Color #87, Lot #G.

Next up is #23 The Shawl Collar Pullover from Vogue Knitting Winter 2004/05. I'm almost up the the armhole shaping.


Both of these projects are for my mom. I'm starting my holiday knitting now, to ensure that I'm finished by then.

I also picked up some goodies for my secret pal. I'm shipping them off this week. I hope she likes them.

I was in at JoAnn Fabrics today and got to make this adorable pin cushion with leftover fabric. It was one of those make it take it clinics. Since it was free, I was like, yup, that's for me.

I also finished my first ever crocheted garment. It's Blissfull from the Happy Hooker. I used King Tut yarn in black. Instead of putting hooks on the back, I did buttons. It fits pretty well, but I need to do a few adjustments to it before wearing. I am a little endowed on my upper half so I need to add a little bit more yarn to cover myself up. I just don't want to fall out of the top, if you catch my drift. This picture is without the ribbon. I inserted it today, and like the way it looks so I'll have to get another picture, when it's finally finished.

Last but not least, there is nothing more gratifying than finding out that someone really likes your design so much that they knit it. Marit knitted my Diamond Girl pattern, and it looks fantastic. She wears it well. I think I might have to go and knit myself one in red now. lol. If anyone else is working on the pattern, please let me know. I'm thinking of starting a flickr page with everyone's FOs on it. That's it for now.

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend.

Warning! Warning!

This is a long one. I've been trying to post since last week, so I've got a lot of catching up to do. I've had a pretty productive couple of weeks. The fi and I went to Hershey Park a couple of weekends ago. The place was packed. They kept closing down the rides and the wave pool. We weren't happy at all. Dorney Park was much better, plus they had a lot more water rides.

Since my last post I casted on for the Saarjte Bootees. They were my train project. You know, I only knit them on the train going to and from work. I finished them in 2 days. A bootee for each day. LOL. They are a great project if you have leftover yarn. Depending on how much you have left, you can probably knit quite a few. I barely used any yarn at all.




I also ripped out the baby blanket I started for one of my knitter friends. I was bored with the pattern so I found this doily pattern online and I'm trying it out. I like it so far and there's enough in the pattern to keep me motivated since I'm working in the round. I'll have pictures of it soon.


I casted on 2 Fridays ago for the Purl Bee Beret and finished it this past weekend. I love this beret, and the variegated pattern of the yarn. I used Trekking on size 3 needles. I'm thinking of making a scarf to match, but I'm decided, as I would have to use this yarn on the ends of whatever scarf I decide to make. I don't want it to scratch my neck, if you know what I mean.






















I also got a chance to work on my shaped lace tee. The back and front are complete and I'm finishing up the sleeves. I'm just about to bind off and put the whole thing together (yeah!!!!) I want to wear it to my dad's birthday next weekend.

Has anyone started their holiday knitting yet? I picked out yarn and a pattern for my mom for Christmas. It's #23(the shawl collar pullover by Adrienne Vittadini from Vogue Winter 2004/2005. I'll have pictures soon. I'm also thinking of knitting the fi something, but I haven't decided yet.

I also need to get back to my wedding knitting. I have 1.5 shawls to make, finish my mom's and my handbags. I found a pattern on ravelry for a knitted garter belt. My mom said she'd give me the something blue(ribbon) to weave into it. I'm also thinking about knitting the fishnet knee-his from Knitting Lingerie Style, but turning them into thigh-his and putting the lace edging from the basic sock pattern on the top of the fishnet socks. I don't know. Anyway, should I make anything for the guys? I figure it's the fi's job to take care of them. While I'm on that thought, does anyone know where I can get a hand blown beer meister (I know I'm spelling it wrong)? I sang at a wedding once where the groom gave them as presents to his grooms men. They were one of a kind blown glass that look almost like a hollowed out horn. Two of the guys in our bridal party are beer drinkers, and I know they'd like it.

Before I sign-off for today, I have to give a shout out to my Secret Pal for SP11. She got in contact with me last week and seems pretty cool. I can't wait for her to spoil me. Oh, and Amanda, I didn't forget. I'm thinking of candidates.

I'm going to leave you with this link today. It's different ways to treat your hair naturally. Has anyone ever tried any of these? The fabric softener one scares me. I have done the mayonnaise on the hair and that works. I also tried the baking soda tip(mixing a little in when you shampoo your hair to get rid of any build up in your hair. It works. My hair felt lighter afterward. Even the fi made comment when he saw me. You know, "Did you do something different with your hair? It looks nice. I like it". Anyway gotta go. Have a good one!!

Secret Pal 11 Questionaire

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?

I love alpaca, silk, cotton, cashmere. Any yarns that are organic or natural. I’m allergic to wool, but since I started spinning I’ve been able to handle it a little better. I can handle organic wool that hasn’t been treated or superwash wool.

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?

I have a needle case that a family friend made for me for the holidays, and a plastic bread container.

3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?

I have been knitting for 7 years. I learned at my local LYS. My skill level is between intermediate and advanced, but there is always something new to learn, and I love the challenge.

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?

Yes
http://www.amazon.com/gp/registry/wishlist/1GLC4WI60DLUD/

5. What's your favorite scent?

Anything that smell clean/fresh or like citrus

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?

Not really. I do like Swedish Fish, spearmint leaves and chocolate on occasion but I don’t crave them.

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?

I do spin (love it). I also sew, and make handmade cards. I just took a class on calligraphy the other day. I also just bought a kit from Sublime Stitching the other day to try my hand at embroidery.

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)

I love classic house music, disco, music from the 80s(because I grew up on it), smooth jazz, classic rock(Journey, Foreigner, Chicago, Kenny Loggins, Michael McDonald, etc…), R&B, Maroon 5, Corinne Bailey Rae, Brand New Heavies, Incognito. My computer can play mp3s.

9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand?

Sky Blue, Burnt Orange, Blood Red (the dark one), Army Green, Black, Chocolate

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?

I am engaged. We are getting married in 2008. I have 2 dogs (14 almost 15 year old beagle and a 3 year old schnauzer/poodle) My fiance has a Lovebird, so I count him too.

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?

Yes to all 4. =)

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?

I like to knit everything. Right now I’m in a sweater mood though.

13. What are you knitting right now?

I am starting to work on a couple of ideas for 2 new original designs I’m also working on the Shaped Lace Tee from Knitting Lingerie Style, and today I’m finishing up knitting the Saartje’s Bootees I started yesterday. They are so cute and a great project for leftover yarn.

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?

Oh yes

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?

It depends. I love circular needles. I prefer addi turbos or inox needles. I only like to use bamboo double pointed needles. I also like plastic needles for traveling.

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?

Yes to both. The fiance (I call him the fi) gave them to me for my birthday this year.

17. How old is your oldest UFO?

I don’t like to answer this question because I’m ashamed, but I have a sweater that I never finished and it’s about 6-7 years old.

18. What is your favorite holiday?

Christmas

19. Is there anything that you collect?

Buttons. I started my collection last year when I cut the bottons off of some old coats that I had to throw away.

20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?

I have a subscription to Vogue Knitting. I’m thinking about getting one for Interweave Knits. I would like to try my hand at a Japanese pattern. I have a wish list on Amazon.

21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?

I’m sure there are. I’ll have to think about that one.

22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?

Yes I am. I wear a size 9.5 shoe

23. When is your birthday?

May 30th

24. Are you on Ravelry? If so, what's your ID?

Yes I am. Andrea670

Apple of Our Eye Pattern

Apple Of Our Eye
Designed by Andrea Jennifer


Finished Measurements

14, [16, 18, 20] inches

Materials:

Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran: 1 red, 1 brown, 1 green

#6 circular needle 16 inches, and #6 double pointed needles, #8 double point needles (for leafs only), 1 stitch marker

Gauge: 5 sts to the inch on #6 needle.

Definitions

co – cast on

bo – bind off

k – knit

p – purl

k2tog – knit 2 stitches together

2 x 2 ribbing – knit 2 stitches, purl 2 stitches

ssk – slip one stitch knitwise, slip the next stitch knitwise, insert left needle into the fronts of both stitches and knit them together

yo - wrap yarn around the right-hand needle from back to front counterclockwise before knitting the next stitch

sl1 – slip one stitch

psso – pass slip stitch over stitch you just knit

Directions:

CO 66[76, 88, 98] stitches in red. Place stitch marker and join to work in the round. Work in 2x2 ribbing (K2, P2) for one inch. Inc. 0[1, 0, 1] st at beginning of next row. Work in knit stitch until work measures 4.5[4.5, 5, 5] inches.

Hat shaping (Decrease rows) *Please note that somewhere in this next section as the stitches get harder to work, switch to double pointed needles.

*K9, K2tog repeat from * to end.

*K8, K2tog repeat from * to end.

*K7, K2tog repeat from * to end.

*K6, K2tog repeat from * to end.

*K5, K2tog repeat from * to end.

*K4, K2tog repeat from * to end.

*K3, K2tog repeat from * to end.

*K2, K2tog repeat from * to end.

*K1, K2tog repeat from * to end.

At this point keep knitting 2tog until you have 4 stitches left. Switch to brown yarn and make and i-cord for 6 rows. BO.

Leaf pattern (Compliments of Nicky Epstein’s Knitting On The Edge. Thank you Nicky.)

Leaf with stem (Make 1)

CO 3 stitches with #8 needles.

Work i-cord for 5 rows. On next row inc a stitch each end. Purl back. 5 sts.

Row 1: K2, yo, K1, yo, K2

Row 2 and all even rows are Purl

Row 3: K3, yo, K1, yo, K3

Row 5: K4, yo, K1, yo, K4

Row 7: SSK, K7, K2tog

Row 9: SSK, K5, K2tog

Row 11: SSK, K3, K2tog

Row 13: SSK, K1, K2tog

Row 14: Purl

Row 15: SL1, K2tog, PSSO

Leaf: ( Make 3)

CO 5 stitches with #8 needles

Row 1: K2, yo, K1, yo, K2

Row 2 and all even rows are Purl

Row 3: K3, yo, K1, yo, K3

Row 5: K4, yo, K1, yo, K4

Row 7: SSK, K7, K2tog

Row 9: SSK, K5, K2tog

Row 11: SSK, K3, K2tog

Row 13: SSK, K1, K2tog

Row 14: Purl

Row 15: SL1, K2tog, PSSO

Place two leaves. together wrong sides showing and sew them together leaving and opening to turn inside out on to right sides. Complete sewing together. Do the same thing to the remaining two leaf pieces. Embellish hat with leaves by attaching stem part of leave to hat. Then attach other leaf to the edge of the stem part of the leaf you just attached. Enjoy!!

Note***This hat can be made in yellow (Lemon Hat), orange (Orange Hat), and green (Lime Hat).

© 2006 Designed by Andrea Jennifer. All rights reserved. No portion of this pattern may be photocopied or reproduced by any means without written authorization.

Apple of Our Eye

I designed this pattern at the end of last year for one of my church members that was having her first baby. Since everyone is gearing up and getting in the mood to knit some winter knits, I thought I'd add the pattern to my Sidebar. The pattern is pretty easy and knits up in no time. Hopefully I'll have it up by this evening.

Apple of Our Eye

Sizes: 14[16, 18, 20]

Materials

Yarn: Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran: 1 red, 1 brown, 1 green

Yarn Substitution: Any Aran weight yarn that gives you 5 sts to the inch in St st gauge.

Needles: US 6 circular needle 16 inches
US 6 double pointed needles
US 8 double pointed needles (for leafs only

Supplies: 1 stitch marker

Gauge: 5 sts to the inch on #6 needle in St st

Skill Level: Advanced Beginner

I'll make a slight correction

to my last post. I said I wasn't impressed with the new issue of Vogue Knitting, the 25th Anniversary. I love the interviews, and no, I haven't read them all yet. I guess what I wasn't too crazy about was the pattern section. I thought there could have been more. The issues this past year have been fantastic, and compared to them, I was a little let down. I will admit, there were 1 or 2 I did like. The big sweaters I'm really not crazy about. I know they are getting ready to make a big come back, but let me tell you, they are not flattering in any way.

I know 2 in 1 day?

I just had to come back on and ask this question. Has anyone seen the new issue of Vogue Knitting (25th Anniversary Issue)? I received mine this week. I haven't read it yet, but at first glance, I'm not sure I'm impressed. Let me know your thoughts.

Happy Friday!!

Well, it's been a while. I've been spending most of my time on Ravelry, listening to podcasts (they're great to listen to while knitting), and finishing up my sample knit for KnitPicks.

Ravelry is lots of fun. There is so much to do and it is very time consuming. I still have not put my stash on it yet. I keep freaking out about all the pictures I have to take. It's definitely a work in progress.

I don't know about anyone else, but I love listening to podcasts. A lot of them are very informative and entertaining. There are things from teaching different and new techniques, book reviews, yarn reviews and designer interview, just to name a few. There is always something new that I've never heard of. Case in point, I was listening to Episode 12 of Knit Picks and they were teaching the technique of Steeking. I was like what's that? Here it is, it's the art of knitting a sweater in the round and instead of doing the decreases for your armholes, you just knit your garment straight up, (knit a tube) and then cut your armholes out with scissors after sewing in a few stitches with your sewing machine to protect yourself against those live stitches. It's a useful technique to learn and can be used in many different ways.

Say for instance you have a pullover that you weren't too crazy about. Pull out your sewing machine. Stitch down the front of the pullover 2 times and then cut down the center in between the 2 stitches. Fold back the area or pick up the lives stitches and either knit or crochet a border down the 2 front pieces on the edge and you now have a cardigan.

A co-worker of mine had asked me to knit a few caplets for her grand daughters a while back. She gave me their measurements fully aware that they were much larger than the sizes the girls actually were. She wanted them to be able to get a couple of seasons out of them. When they put the caplets on, the girls were floating in them. I didn't want to knit the caplets over, so I pulled out my sewing machine, sewed a couple of lines where their arms could come through, added an extra button at the neckline and the caplets were salvaged. Eunny gives a good tutorial on her blog on steeking as well as Knitty and Elizabeth Zimmerman's Knitting Around.

Anyway, I'm just about finished my project for Knit Picks. Here's a sneak peek.



I'm shipping it off on Monday. Yippee!!!! I can get back to my shaped lace tee from Knitting Lingerie Style. I want to wear it while I'm in Florida at the end of the month.

I also just signed up for another Knitalong, hosted by Robin of course. She's great!!! This time it's for Teva Durham's book Loop-d-Loop, and Loop-d-Loop Crochet. I don't own the crochet book, but it's on my list. I can't wait to cast on, but I guess it would help if I picked out a project first.

I'm also trying to decide between these next 2 crochet projects. Let me know which one you like better. They are both very similar, just the backs are a little different. The first one is More Than an Apron and the second is Tunic. I first saw Tunic on Carrie's blog which I found through Ravelry. Thanks Carrie. Anyway, let me know which one you like better.

Toodles!!

Ravelry and Sample Knitting

Hi Everyone!!! I hope everyone had a nice holiday. I know I did. The Fi had me running around with him and a buddy of his that was in town. I had loads of fun and ate at a few really good privately owned restaurants. What more could a girl ask for.

First of all I want to thank all of you for the lovely comments you have left me. I haven't gotten around to emailing everyone back, but I wanted to say thank you anyway. I haven't blogged about anything lately, because I've been a little busy. 2 Thursdays ago I received 2 nice surprises in my email. I finally received my invitation to RAVELRY. Yeah!!!!!!!. If you haven't signed up yet, you need to. The site is amazing. There is so much that I need to do to get fully functional on that site. I love it!!!! I'm hoping to start some time this weekend, depending on how much work I get done on my other surprise I received, which actually came in the mail last Monday.

My second surprise was an email from Knit Picks letting me know that I was excepted as a sample knitter for them. I received my package as I said before (The yarns are beautiful and nice to work with!!) in the mail on Monday, and it's due back by August 9th. I have casted on and I'm moving along nicely. I don't have a sneak peak for you yet, but I know it's for the October Issue. Hopefully I'll have a little taste for you soon. This also means that yes, all my other knitting has stopped temporarily while I'm working on this. I'm pretty excited, and you never know what else can happen in the future.

I did start working on the Shaped Lace Tee from Knitting Lingerie Style. I have the back done, and I casted on for the front. I don't have any pictures yet, but it looks great, and it's a quick knit. I can't wait to finish it, as I would like to wear it for my father's birthday next month.

Anyway, that it for now, I'll try to have pics up real soon. I did decide to go with buttons for the baby hoodie I'm working on. I found these adorable wooden baseball buttons. I'll be sewing those on this week and handing it over to it's proud new owner hopefully by the end of the weekend.

Update on FOs and WIP with Pics

I finally finished Rusted Root last Saturday. Here it is:

I love how the variegation of the yarn turned out.

I also finished the baby hooded jacket I've been working on this morning. I only have to sew in a #10 separated zipper. Let me tell you. They aren't easy to find. None of the fabric stores carry that size zipper in brown. I think I finally found a company in New York, but I need to give them a call. They weren't open today, so I'll try on Monday. In the meantime, here is what the jacket looks like so far. I'm very pleased with it.

This weekend is the start of 2 KALs that I am in. The first one is for Knitting Lingerie Style. Can I just say that I love Joan McGowan Michael. I think I want to knit everything in this book. I knit the Angelina Jacket last year. And just love it. Here it is.

I am going to start with the Shaped Lace Tee first. I have had some Cascade Sierra in my stash in like a canary yellow color for the past two years. I figure I ought to use it. I'm destashing and that's a good thing. I have a ton of yarn I need to use up.

I also want to knit the Surplice Bodice Camisole and the Basic Stockings. I have some King Tut Yarn in black that I'm thinking of using for the camisole. I also have an idea for the lacy part at the bottom but I'm not sure if it's going to work yet. We'll see.

I started working on a new design that I would like to submit but I'm not sure I'll be finished in time for a winter submission. Wish me luck.

The second KAL I have joined is Socksational July at Rosie's Yarn Cellar, through their Knitting Circle. There is a free sock pattern every week to knit. I have to go through my stash tonight to see what yarn I want to use. I have quite a bit of sock yarn. I'm sure I'll find something I can use.

I'm still working on my lace nightie from Interweave Knits. It's slowly coming along. I hope to have pictures up soon. I haven't done much on the pinwheel blanket I started a couple of weeks ago. I might try to put some time on it this week.

I'm going to leave you with some pictures from my gig last weekend that the Fi took and birdie our bird getting his exercise. Fi has this thing about letting him get exercise at least once a day. It use to freak me out, but I've gotten use to it. I know one family member who's not crazy about it. Here he is watching him. I think Jack definitely wanted a taste. Can't you see the excitement?
Toodles!!

Playing Catchup!!

I hope everyone had a lovely father's day!! Mine was productive. I sang with my band Saturday night, and me and the fi got a lot of yard work done over at my mom's yesterday. She was happy. I don't have any finished projects, but I do have a lot of WIP's. Here are a couple of pictures. I hope to have more up this week. First up is Rusted Root.
Next is a new project. The pinwheel blanket.


I haven't worked on my interweave Knits Nightie in about a week. I'm hoping to have some time this week, if not next week.

In sewing news: It started out like this:


and I finished this last week. I definitely need to iron this.

I love it, and it fits perfectly. I used a discontinued pattern from McCall's #4454. I had it in my stash, and some fabric that I recently purchased from JoAnn's. I will be making more of these, maybe in a different version with jersey fabric. I haven't decided yet. I also want to try my hand at some embroidery to refashion a few tops I have. That's all I have for now.

I hope you like the music.

Toodles!!