Geez the summer is slipping away fast and I am still super busy. I wanted to pop in and say hello and show you some progress I've made so far this summer.
So this is an older picture but I wanted to show you all how the border is working up. I actually cast off this side and am working on the other side. I really think I chose well with the camel. I work on this thing in fits and spurts but I am making progress. It's great TV knitting because it's mindless while keeping my hands busy.
I have gotten a few more squares done and I love the combination of colors. I did however make a decision to rip out the single crochet row and add a double crochet row. I have a bit of rework to do but I think the end result will be a nicer, fuller blanket.
I am really pleased with the progress on this sweater. I really think the end result will be better than my original planned stripes. But it's been to hot to think about a sweater.
I truly try and let the yarn guide my project. I want to love what I work on and I want the yarn that I am using to be the star of the project.
This project has some history. It started it's life as a vest that I just wasn't pleased with and ended as a cardigan. In the middle however, I decided to make it a different size and ripped it apart again.
Back in October, I decided I wanted to finish my half done sweater but when I looked at it I realized that I was making it too big. I had just started my journey to weight loss surgery and knew that even if I finished before the surgery, I wouldn't be able to wear it for long.
So I started over and was shocked at how fast this project went. I began with a new skein of yarn and once that was used I ripped out the needles on the old sweater and started to use the yarn that was already knitted. I was about 4 skeins into the sweater and I didn't want to rip it out and re ball it. So I am carried around 2 sweaters, one that is growing and one that is shrinking.
Beginning Again.
I was shocked that in 6 short weeks I was able to finish the sweater. I had the entire thing done and the buttons on but still had ends to weave in. It was also about the time that I was prepping for surgery so I hung it up in my closet and left it alone for a bit.
Buttons!
Then earlier this month I stared at my almost finished sweater and decided it was time. Between loads of laundry I sat on my bed and worked through weaving all the ends. It was done and time for it's photo shoot.
It's Done
Check out more Finished Objects at Tami's Amis! <3 Heather
I am a bit early but I wanted to wish all of my USA readers a Happy Thanksgiving. Whether you eat lots of turkey, watch football, or shop til you drop I hope the holiday brings peace and happiness to your family. To those not celebrating, happy Wednesday!
Well the weather outside was supposed to be frightful but gobble-geddon was fairly lack luster. We got some some snow but the ground temperature was still warm enough that it barely accumulated. We had more of a slushy snow than a fluffy one. In years past we haven't really had snow until December but this is the third of November. I hope this winter isn't too cold.
Gobblegeddon!
This week was really productive. I combined and edited the paper for my class. I also met with my dad to help pick out new shoes for my Grandmother's birthday, which is today! Overall, this has been a laid back week.
Given the weather, I didn't want to venture out and run errands so I worked on my sweater instead. I am proud to say that it's finished. Okay ends still need weaved and it could do with a wash before I posted a FO but darn it the garment is finished and I am proud of it.
So due to the upcoming Nerd War Swap there are the next priority item. The hat is already done and these are the matching mitts. I need to get a move on so I can send this out by December 18th. I mentioned last week that the 2 at a time attempt was less than steller so I am just doing these one at a time. I have 9 more rows to finish cuff one and then I can work on cuff 2.
I feel like there should be screaming and pandemonium, when I read this weeks title. This time next week I will be scrambling to get the ingredients for the side dish I am taking to Thanksgiving dinner. But for now I am in gift making and buying mode. I am in two holiday swaps. One if for our local knitting group and I am just about done with that one. Muwahahaha! I need to order something but other than that I am done! Woot. The other one is for Nerd Wars. I am well on my way with progress for that one so yippy.
As far as other shopping goes, I think I know what I will get everyone but haven't had an opportunity to shop. I usually wait until after Thankgiving to do my shopping but because it's so late this year I may have to start this weekend. There are only 3 weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Aieeeeee!
I have to say the picture above makes me think of something that was scandalous in Georgian England. Seriously it's just a bit of shoulder and arm. How racy :) Perhaps I need to lay off the historical romances...
Anyway due to swap projects in the works I put this aside the later part of the week. I cast off the first sleeve last week and got a lot done on Thursday but didn't manage to finish it like I hoped. I should be able to finish it tonight and get started on the button band.
So I mentioned that I started and finished this guy between last week's post. I love making hats, so quick and satisfying. The pattern is called Cherry Soda/Orange Soda and while I call all fizzy drinks pop, I needed a green soda to name my hat. Ginger ale came to mind but not just any ginger ale but Mint Ginger Ale. I love this stuff, it totally reminds me of the holidays because that's when its available. Apparently it's a Pittsburgh thing but this is my drink of choice around Christmas time. Anyway the pop is Green! So of course I had to name my project after this favorite!
So I tried to start these two at a time but that was an epic fail. I think I got the needles twisted so I just pulled them off and will make them one at a time. I will try again at some point. Anyway so a friend made these for her last swap and they turned out really nice so I wanted to give them a try.
I originally picked a different yarn but it had a color that my swap partner didn't like. Thankfully I was still on the hat so I swapped out the mitt yarn. One complaint with the teal is that it's kinda dark and it bugs my eyes. I think it will be easier now that I can see my stitches versus just the cast on row.
What a week. I can't believe that we went from a spike of 70° F weather last Wednesday to snow on Tuesday. Fall and spring are so fickle, but the blue sky this morning was breath taking. Anyway the thought of snow just has me itching to pull out my hats, scarves and shawls to show off.
The juxtiposition of fall leaves and snow
Aside from the weather, Monday was the 2nd anniversary of my mother's passing. I admit to being down but the pain was less acute. I was thankful for work and class to keep my mind occupied. One unfortunate thing is that Veteran's day is forever tinged with loss instead of thankfulness for the veteran's who fought for our freedoms.
I am so proud of this accomplishment. My sweater is almost alive, it has a body and 1.15 sleeves! I am currently on the 3rd pattern repeat (out of 18) of the second sleeve and after that is the button band. I plan on getting this guy done in November!
After this project, I need to recast on for my Quaker Foxhunt, make something for my Nerd Wars Swap and finish Cherry Sundry.
While the rest of my life seems to be flying by my knitting seems to have slowed to a crawl. Well the speed of a snail actually. At work things are full speed ahead on various projects, my class this semester is fairly intense and everything else just seems to have some claim to my time lately. Plus I have plans of plans of plans that I need to accomplish or just get started on.
Does else feel like their good intentions go to waste? Lately, I feel so rushed. I want to clean but am too tired or don't have time. I need to do laundry but am getting home in time to crash for the next day. Things just keep piling up, perhaps I just don't prioritize them high enough. As this month winds to a close I hope to make some positive changes in February.
This gal has definitively been growing. It is so lovely and squishy and is already 90+ stitches across. I love this pattern as it's so easy and is great when watching or listening to something while working on it. Plus it's all knit stitch so I can really turn the brain off.
I watched most of the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy last night and loved Trillian and Marvin. I can't believe it took me this long to see it. Plus does anyone know why Martin Freeman doesn't keep his hair so lovely and fluffy like that. Ugh I just want to run my hands through it. Sigh, but he is BAMF in Sherlock so what can you do?
So due to some crafty enablers on the Let's Go Pens board I made an impromptu trip to Grove City, PA to Wolf Creek Yarns. So after some browsing, I bought some Berroco Vintage Chunky in Pumpkin to help finish this sweater. And ever the child, I wanted to use the skein right then so I got some work done on the cardigan this weekend. I am pleased with how it's coming though purling on the wrong side is a pain in the ass. Seriously, it's a lot of stitches.
Welcome to my 100th post! Can you believe that I have posted here 100 times? I really can't but then again, this year has passed by so quickly. I am not going to do anything special with this post but I do plan on celebrating my Blogiversary on January 6th! So stay tuned for awesome celebratory games and prizes!
In other news, I went to the auto body shop to get the damage appraised from my accident and they were able to clean it and buff it so that I may not need to get it fixed. Still deciding of course but it's nice to have options.
My paper is still sitting in draft form but I have to get a move on and finish it this week and weekend. I even took off of work on the 11th to make sure I have ample time to finish it before I submit it on 12/12. Ah the joys of Grad School.
I have been busy weaving in ends on this project. I had some holiday knitting and so this one is on the back burner until that's done. I hope to get the rest of the holiday projects done this week (you know while I am procrastinating on my paper) and then get back to this.
I wanted to work on something different from the garter stitches of the blanket so I pulled out my sweater. I pulled the stitches off for the arms and cast on for under the arms. I may have cast on a few to many (okay 50 but who's counting) so I am working on decreasing those to a more manageable amount.
But I am so excited about this project. It's nice to be able to put it on as I go and it's no longer an orange blob on my couch for pictures.
So after I made all of the Gryffindor winter knits for my boss' daugher, I felt a little bad about not making something for her son. So, he decided he wanted a Ravenclaw hat and I may make a set of wristlets too if I have enough yarn.
I love this pattern as it's a no brainer. Cast on, work the ribbing, work in stockinette until it's 5 inches then do decreases. Easy peasy! But navy is just as hard on the eyes at night as black so there is some challenge there.
I am more of a book purist and chose the accent color to be a bronze yarn versus the grey used in the movies. Hope he like it!
I wanted to show all of you the progress on my crochet shawl. I know most of the pictures just have the swatch I did but I have been doing a row here or there when the mood strikes. Isn't the yarn just gorgeous?
Well, that's about it for this week. I need to get a move on with the Owl Fingerless Mittens as the gift exchange is on Saturday! Go Go Gadget knitting needles!
Hello all, it has been a while since I blogged. This has been a hectic month between busy at work, crashed hard drives, and family drama I just haven't had be able to fit blogging in.
I hope that those of you who were affected by Sandy are safe and the waters are receding Speaking of Sandy, we have just gotten a ton of rain and the rivers and streams are flooding but no where near the levels that NY and NJ are facing. As a result though, they have moved trick or treating to Saturday which is my Dad's birthday. We have plans to go to the casino for an American Cancer Society fundraiser and I get to meet my bestie's new boyfriend.
Anyway, between now and then is All Soul's Day and there is a service at church that will honor those who have passed away between the last All Soul's Day and this one, which includes my mother. Please keep us in your thoughts because it's going to be a hard day.
But in the meantime of all of these goings on I have made some progress in my knitting that I would like to show you.
Well I am making good progress on the socks. I love the pattern and doing socks 2 at a time is great because I know when I get to the toe the pair will be finished. Anyway, I plan on getting the heel flap, turn and gusset done by the end of the week. The it's a mad dash to election day to get the foot finished.
I know it may not look like much bu this is a top down raglan cardigan. If you recall, this used to be my Karina Vest that I blogged about earlier in the year. I really was not feeling the pattern and ripped it out and started this cardigan. I will need more yarn but I will cross that bridge when I get to it. However, I am so amazed at how the leaning increases have been able to produce. There is some serious Hogwarts magic that occurs when you knit.
I have to admit, that when I think about the name, the voice in my head sounds like Long Duck Dong from Sixteen Candles....Oh Shapely Boyfriend!!!!!
So I am working on making a blanket with 6 Justice League Characters as an homage to an episode of Big Bang Theory. I have Superman, Green Lantern, and Aquaman done but needed a mindless project for a car trip. So I started on a filler square. This one is half way done but I should be able to finish it soon.
I couldn't help but start this project. I had some stylecraft stashed and matched up the colors to the kit as best as possible and started. Unfortunately, my gauge was wrong and I dropped a stitch so I decided to count this as a swatch and then restart the blocks on 11/1/2012 for the next round of nerd wars. This blanket is made in 4 sections and if I make one square a day I can get a section done before the end of the round. :)
