WIP Wednesday - After Midnight

So I am working an off schedule this week so my days and nights are confused for the time being.  While I burn the midnight oil, I have been checking out some new  blogs and making new friends from Knitting and Crochet Blog Week 2012.  I had so much fun but was definitely, blogged out for the time being.

Anyway, it's WIP Wednesday so here is my weekly round up!

Progress Picture for 5/2/2012

The following projects are what has been worked on recently.  Starting with Gryffindor Scarf, LEGO Blanket, White Centered Granny Square Blanket, and Hummingbird Sock.

I also made some progress on putting together the pieces for a Square Swap I did last spring.

Spring Ahead Blanket

Anyway,  finished off the skein of green for the Lego Blanket and now have a whole slew of little Lego squares.

So close but so much more work to do!

  

I turned the heel on my Hummingbird Socks!  Now the foot and the decreases.  I plan on starting a toe up sock in a plain pattern then I will start to tackle more challenging socks.

The White Centered Grannies are coming along.  They really area project that I do when I want to craft but have no desire to work on anything else.

Lastly, I have planned a bit of a secret project.  It really is Super!  I mean I don't know if I can do it Justice, but I will try.  I hope to make some progress soon but I was nerdy and already did my swatch!  

Check out other WIPS at  Tami's Amis and Frontier Dreams

<3 Heather

WIP Wednesday - Block Party!

Here we are again at WIP Wedneday.  This past week was a bit hectic with Easter but it turned out nice.  I made a really great dinner and pie for the family and had a great time with my dad during the weekend.

In other news, today starts the NHL Playoffs.  As I mentioned around the Super Bowl, the hockey playoffs are one of my favorite times of the year.  Hockey is on every night and multiple games are being shown, plus the excitement and level of play is just at a paramount.  My blood pressure is rising just thinking about it!  The best part is that this is a blank slate and what happened in the regular season goes out the window!  Seriously, this is the best part of hockey season.  Can you tell that I am a fan?

Jenn and I at the first game at the Consol Energy Center last year

For those that are unaware, the race to the Stanley Cup consists of 4 series where teams meet in a best of 7 match up.  There are 16 teams between 2 conferences that between April and June are narrowed down to 2 for the finals to win the cup. The Penguins meet the Philadelphia Flyers in the first round and it is set to be an intense match up.  I am so excited and can't wait for the game tonight!

Given everything that was and is going on, I managed to get some crocheting done. ;o)

Progress Picture for 4/11/2012

The following projects are what has been worked on recently.  Starting with Falling Water, then the Gryffindor Scarf, the Hummingbird Socks, and Lego Blocks.

The most work for the week was done on the Lego Blocks for the Lego Baby Blanket.  I have to get 81 done but I finally started to get into a rhythm and have cranked out 8 blocks in a week and a half.  I am almost done with the skein of blue and will move on to the green.  I am really glad to see the little pile of rectangles start to grow from a lot of red to a nice balance of red and blue.

Look at the lovely little stacks of bobbles!

I want to keep pushing to get to the finished product on this one because I think it is going to be amazing.

I feel like this is a great little project to keep going while working on my paper and studying for my exam and watching hockey. I tend to do one or two at night so when I get sick of studying I will pick this up.

For more WIPs check out Tami's Amis and Frontier Dreams

<3 Heather

WIP Wednesday - And the Scarves Have It!

Hello again, it has been a busy week this week but I did manage to get some work done on my WIPs. Here is the compilation picture.

Progress Picture for 4/4/2012

In the picture above are the projects that I worked on last week.  Falling Water Scarf , Gryffindor Scarf, and the Hummingbird Socks.

I am really pleased with what I got accomplished this week but with Easter coming up and finals (test and paper) for my grad class coming up.  I think my crafting will have to go on hiatus, but we shall see.

This scarf has faux cables through the magic of SSK and K2tog!

I have been epically frustrated with the falling water scarf because it just didn't seem to be turning out the way I expect.  I am using Space Cadet Creations fingering yarn I got at the Knit and Crochet festival and I just wanted to show the tonal color and the sparkle to the best of it's ability.

Well, this guy went into time out and when I picked it back up this week everything just seemed to click and I was able to see the pattern emerge from the yarn.  So happy that I stuck with it, as this is going to be a beautiful scarf.

About another inch or so to go until the heel flap.

I have added a couple inches to the Hummingbird sock and can't wait to get to the heel flap but am comfortable with the pace I am keeping on this sock.

The Gryffindor scarf really is my go to project right now, particularly when watching the Penguins or any TV program.  The Pens won last night against the Boston Bruins, but I had to switch over to another program because I felt like I was jinxing the game.  I did get about 9 rows done on the scarf.

I am going to the next game on Thursday.  It's against the Rangers and I am so excited.  Not only am I going to the game, but I am volunteering through work to sell raffle tickets for the Flight 93 Memorial before the start of the game and through the first period of play.

You will also notice that I have some stitch markers in the compilation picture.  After receiving and purchasing some awesome markers, I thought that I could make some.  Really I just love how they hang from your work and are more attractive that the plain old plastic ones.

Aren't the Bumblebees and Lady Bugs adorable?

I still have some finishing work left to do on many of them but the above is just a sampling of what I was able to create. Really I know they look complicated but after about 15 minutes of work I end up with a handful of these colorful gems.

I do want to plug my own handy-work a bit, my good friend Samie at Not Your Gram's Afghan is doing a giveaway for her blog-aversary.  Not only do you win 2 skeins of King Cole Riot and a pattern for the Spring Ripple Scarf, but you get 5 stitch markers that I made!

Stitch Markers for Samie's Giveaway!

Go check it out and register to win!  *And may the odds be ever in your favor!*

Check out other WIPs at Tami's Amis!

<3 Heather

* First person who comments below with the source material of the starred text above will get a set of stitch markers in their color of choice!  Good Luck!

WIP Wednesday - Socks and Scarves

Happy WIP Wednesday everyone!  I actually have some marked progress to show this week so I am excited to share.

Progress!

So in the picture above are the Gryffindor Scarf and the Hummingbird Socks.

I wanted to go back to knitting with bigger needles to give my hands some relief so this had been my night-time knit.  I am at the second set of stripes and planned to work on it during the hockey game last night (Pens lost in an epic fail to the NY Islanders) and instead I fell asleep due to a headache and didn't do much of anything.

The hummingbird socks are a new pair of socks.  I am using Silver's Sock Class again without the ribbing to show off the fabulous Knit Picks Felici in Hummingbird.  Isn't the color great!  Saturated colors of green, teal, magenta and purple make me smile.  I hadn't anticipated casting on more socks but I like working on socks while sitting in traffic on my way home and its an easy travel project to have on hand.

In other WIP news, I have another blue square done for the Lego Blanket but it really wasn't worth digging out the squares for a picture before I left for work this morning.

I haven't worked on either the Falling Water scarf or the Karina Vest because I am trying to focus on the projects that are gifts for other people.


I have finally found time to read and finished a book last week but I am behind on my goal and need to get in gear.  I have a ton of books to read but really reading and knitting are a hard combination to pull off. Pictured above is what I am currently reading.

Here are some details about those books:

• Breakaway by Deirdre Martin

Breakaway is a part of the author's Blades Hockey Series.  I mean really Romance novels and hockey, what could be a better combination.  This one also has an Ireland flair to it and so far I am really enjoying it.

• The Garden Intrigue by Lauren Willig

The Garden Intrigue is a part of the author's Pink Carnation Series that focuses on aristocratic spies and their romances during the Napoleonic Wars.  The novels are well written and fast paced and always make me want to read them in one sitting. 

I will keep updating my progress and post a review when I finish.

Don't forget to check out what other bloggers are working on at Tami's Amis

<3 Heather