Nepal Vest and other Updates!!

Okay, so it's Wednesday and I'm trying to figure out where half the week has gone, but I'm not complaining. Two more days to the weekend, which will probably be as crazy as my week is right now.

To catch you up to speed, I sang Saturday night at a wedding, and my band played at the reception. The venue was gorgeous, and of course we did an awesome job!!

Sunday I taught the 1st day of a 3 week sock class. I think it went really well. They have their homework so I'm looking forward to see how they made out this week. So far I've only gotten one call. I make my socks on two 16 inch circular needles.She was having trouble figuring out what needle to use, so I told her to mark the needles, that way she'd know what needles she just finished working with. I hope the information helped.

Monday was my mother's birthday. All I can tell you is that she's a trip. She didn't feel like getting dressed so I ordered, per her request of course dinner from Olive Garden and brought it to her along with her gift. We had a nice evening and watched the 2 Mr. Kissels. I left in the middle of the movie, but from what I saw, it was something else. I was still wired when I got home so I started putting together the Nepal Vest. I finished it last night and wore it to work today. I didn't tassel it, like in the pattern. Do you think I should?

Yesterday I wore my favorite skirt to work. It's #28, the A-line Skirt from Vogue Knitting Fall 2003. This pattern was my very first advance knitting pattern. The yarn is mohair and let me tell you, it scratches me like crazy, but I'll do anything to wear it. That means tights, workout leggings and a slip. It's worth it. I always get major compliments, and yesterday was not exception.

On Monday I casted on for Mr D's Socks. I have about 2-3 inches done of one sock. It's cute. I like the striping of the two different shades of blue with the black. I hope he likes them. I also started the mate to the sock for the sock class. I have 5 1/2 inches done. I'm knitting it along with the class so that they can see what they have to do as I go along. I like it because I get a pair of socks out of the deal.

The Bobble Tam is coming along. I guess I would have to say that about half way done. I'm almost on the 5th repeat of the pattern.

Burnish Tunic looks really good. I like the different shades of brown in it. I haven't worked on it in a few days but plan to tonight at knitting group. Hopefully I'll have a picture of it by the weekend.

I purchased Wall-e last night, so Mr. D and I plan to start watching it tonight when he gets home.

Miss Lisa and I are going to see Twilight on Friday night at the movies. We had to order the tickets ahead of time. They're selling out all over town due to the book's popularity. I for one can't wait to see it. Are any of you going to see the movie?

More Crafty Goodness!!

What's a girl to do when she already has a few projects on the needles? Hey, cast-on for more. I wanted instant gratification so Sunday night I started and finished Crafty Pants' pattern Pretty Puffs Slouchy Hat. I didn't expect this hat to go so quickly. The yarn I used was Katia Azteca. I have to give a shout out to Jen for taking these pictures for me. Thanks Jen!!

This yarn is pretty nice. Jen said it reminded her of Berroco Peruvia. The only difference is that Peruvia is 100% Wool and Azteca is a wool acrylic blend. Some of you know I have wool allergies so I don't have too many choices when it comes to yarn. The sad part is that the stupid thing still scratches me. I'm thinking of sewing in a piece of ribbon tape or knit fabric on the part that touches my forehead so that it doesn't scratch me. Right now since I am wearing it, I move it away from my forehead when it starts bothering me.

Project #2 which I casted-on for Monday at lunch is the burnish tunic by Kat Coyle from Fall 08 issue of Knitscene. I don't have any pictures yet, but I already did the decreases for the waist shaping. This baby is a quick knit. I'm liking it so far.

Last night I casted-on for another project. It's the Tunic Dress by Anadiomena of MoreKnits. This is the cutest dress. My co-worker's gran daughter just turned 1 and I haven't made anything for her yet. I thought this dress would be cute. I'm hoping to have pictures by the end of the weekend to show my progress.

On Wednesday I finished the sample sock for my Sock Class I'm teaching on Sunday. I think it looks pretty good. I finished typing up the pattern yesterday, and took the picture last night.

What are your plans for the weekend? I'm singing at a wedding tomorrow, and you already know I have the sock class on Sunday?

I hope you all have a great weekend!!

SP13 Questionaire

Wow!!!! 3 Posts in one week. I'm on a role.

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

I'm a natural kind of girl. Alpaca, Silk, Cashmere, Organic Wool (allergic to treated wools), Cotton, Bamboo. I pretty much will work with everything. Acrylic yarns are okay but I usually use them in blankets or items that I want to machine wash.


2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in? I have a case for my crochet hooks, but nothing for my circular needles, so right now they're in their original ziplocks in a draw.

3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced? I've been knitting for 8 or 9 years now. I consider myself between intermediate and advanced because I haven't learned everything yet. I learned at a yarn shop in New Jersey.

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list? Yes (Link)

5. What's your favorite scent? Citrus, Grapefruit, Anything that clean smelling. I'm not too much into the florals unless they are essential oils like lavender

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy? swedish fish, green spearmint leaves

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

Card making, sewing, crochet. Yes I do spin.

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

Jazz, Classic House Music, R & B, Pop, Some Rock. Yes I can play MP3s.

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

Baby Blue, Blook Red, Wine, Black. I like anything that looks good on me which seems to be warm colors right now.

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

I am a newly wed. I got married almost 6 months ago. We have 2 dogs.

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

Yes to all of that.

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

I like knitting garments/clothes, pretty much anything that I can wear. Accessories follow a close second.

13. What are you knitting right now?

A pair of socks, a hat, a sweater, and I'm crocheting a blanket

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?

Yes, Yes Yes

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

Circulars I can see my projects better. Aluminum first, bamboo second

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

Yes to both

17. How old is your oldest UFO?

I think I still have a sweater I started the second year I was knitting stashed away in one of my containers.

18. What is your favorite holiday? What winter holiday do you observe?

I have 2 favorite holidays. My first has always been Christmas, but now I have to add Memorial Day because I got married Memorial Day weekend and my birthday is on the Traditional Memorial Day.

19. Is there anything that you collect?

Crystal Animals. Knitting magazines and books

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

Custom Knits by Wendy Bernard. I subscribe to Vogue Knitting and Interweave Knits. I would love a pair of wooden cable needles.

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

Yes, anything I haven't learned yet. I haven't learned to spin cotton yet. I have the book Spin to Knit, but I'd like another book on spinning

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

Yes. I wear a size 9 1/2.

23. When is your birthday?

May 30th

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

Yes, Andrea670

Selbu!!!!!!!

Kate you are a genius and this pattern is a work of art!! I love my Selbu Modern which I finished yesterday. Mr. D isn't crazy about my color choice, and said I should give the hat away. I told him he didn't know what he was talking about, and that he needed to get some color sense.

I have to teach a sock class that starts next weekend, so I'm in the middle of drafting a pattern for the class. This sock has been annoying because of the yarn I'm using. The sock yarn I'm using is Online Supersocke Cotton. It's 45% Cotton, 45% Wool and 15% Polyester. I had to cast-on for this thing 2 times and switch needles sizes once because the yarn is very stretchy. I think I have it now though, and it looks pretty good. I figure I'm going to have to have two different cast-on numbers depending on the yarn choices in the class. I already know that one of my students isn't using this yarn, so I'm going to swatch for her yarn by the end of the weekend. So basically I'll have 2 different patterns within a pattern(that's confusing. It will be the same pattern, the numbers will just be different.)

I started the hexagon blanket last weekend. I first saw this blanket on ravelry and thought it was gorgeous. It's also a great way to use up left over yarn. I'm in no rush with this project. I figure if I get one hexagon done a night or during the week, I'm good. It's a nice easy way to get my crochet on, and keep my skills/speed up. Since I can't get a hold of the actual pattern, I've been winging it. There are a few tutorials and a flickr group online that are pretty good.



So what are you doing this weekend? I hope it's fun!!! Have a great one!!

Cobblestone and Weekend Update!!

I finished Cobblestone last night. I got Mr. D to try it on with a blindfold of course. He looked so cute, but he wouldn't let me take a picture so this will have to do for now.

I'm very pleased with how it turned out. All that is left to do now is to weave in the ends and connect under the arms with the kitchener stitch.

I casted on for Monkey late Friday afternoon while at lunch and did 2 pattern repeats before going to bed. I ordered out for dinner since Mr. D was working till 10pm. While I was busy at the door handing out candy (We had quite a bit of trick or treaters this year), Jackson decided to knock my dinner down and indulge in my fries, the little pig. He ended up paying for it later with an upset tummy. I finished all the pattern repeats for Monkey on Saturday and did the heel flap on Sunday. I'm doing the pattern on #2 16 inch circulars. I think if I make this pattern again, which I probably will, I'm going to use a #1 needle.

Selbu Modern has been a little slow going, but of course that's because I was concentrating on Cobblestone. Since that's now done, hopefully I can finish it by the end of the week. I've already started the decreases. So it's looking good. I'm having the sudden urge to finish projects again.

I signed up for SP13. This will be my second secret pal, and I'm looking forward to it.

This post is a quickie because I have band practice tonight. I hope all of you are having a great week.