WIP Wednesday - An Abundance of Stripes

Isn't it funny how we follow certain trends?  Lately I have been on a stripe kick.  All of my projects   both in progress and planned involve some sort of striping.  I think it's the striking profile they set and the blend of the colors of yarn that just make look at every pattern in my queue and try and figure out how I can stripe it.  I even bought yarn at Maryland with stripes in mind.

This week was a bit slow but I made some progress on two projects.

Hue Shift Afghan

Hue Shift is Quadrant 1 is almost done!

So I have been trying to one-a-day this project.  I have been somewhat successful at getting one square done a day but my progress is more like 2 every other day.  A girl can only make so many mitered squares before she loses her marbles.  I have three more squares done and started on another quadrant as a bit of a change.  Yay for the blues!  Really I want to finish all of the squares that have purple to see if I need to order more yarn.  All in all, I have been watching the KAL threads and the finished blankets are definitely providing some motivation to keep knitting.

Tropical Ginger Hitchhiker

Htichhiking along

Sue commented last week that I was the third blog she read that was making Hitchhiker.  This pattern is so easy and can be very stunning when completed.  Plus this is a great pattern to stripe.  The garter ridges make counting the rows between the teeth a breeze and the color change just looks stunning.

One think that has surprised me is the amount of yarn I have used up until this point.  I bought two 50 gram skeins of Mini Mochi and one 100 gram skein of Cascade Heritage Silk (CHS).  I am over half way through and I am still working on the first skein of Mini Mochi and the CHS still feels like it's brand new.  Perhaps the yardage is bigger than I thought but I wanted to use all of the yarn for this one but the size is getting quite big.

The Flash Square
Candy Skein Leftie

I didn't get as much done on these projects this week but I have plans to finish the Flash square this month for Nerd Wars.  Also, I want to finish one of these shawls for Nerd Wars as well.  Lots of knitting to be done between now and the end of the month.

Anyway, that was my week.  Hope yours is going well.

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

<3 Heather

WIP Wednesday - Slimer Green

Hello all, I admit that I am still in a funk over the Pens performance during the Eastern Conference Finals.  Really this was a cup or bust year and the fans expected a lot.  Overall, I enjoyed the playoffs this season and will probably watch the finals and hope for Chicago to win.

In other news, I painted my nails on Monday and the color reminds me of Slimer from the Ghostbusters.  I like the color but every now and then as I type it catches my eye and I am blinded by bright nail color.

It's really green

Since the Pens are out of the running, I have actually started to work on other WIPs for a bit of variation.

Hue Shift Afghan

Hue Shift

It's really coming along

So I am up to the solid peach block.  The end of this 25 block is in sight.  This is good TV knitting project and I am still trying to get one block done a day.  I feel like that is a good goal to get this project moving along.

The Flash Square

Zoom, Zoom, Zoom. I'm the Flash

So I am sorta cheating on WIP-ogamy goal with this project.  Some would say sorta cheating is like being a little bit pregnant, but I have an explanation.

This blanket project has been going on for a year already so beginning a new square doesn't count as starting a new project.  This is like starting another square in the Hue Shift, it just isn't connected yet.

I measured the height of the first column of squares and the blanket is most likely going to measure 3' X 3'.  Which is okay, I was hoping for a bigger blanket closer to 5' long by 3' wide.  Once everything is joined I am going to try and block it a bit to make it bigger.  Also aside from joining I need to go over all of the super hero squares and mend some wholes the color work caused.

Tropical Ginger Hitchhiker
Candy Skein Leftie

I did get some work accomplished with these shawls but it was minimal and I didn't get pictures this morning.  I have 33 teeth on the hitchhiker and will probably stop at 42 and decide if I want to make more.

The Leftie is coming along and I am now in my third repeat of the colors.  Red is done and now onto pink.

Anyway, that was my week.  Hope yours is going well.

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

<3 Heather

WIP Wednesday - Err Thursday? #2

Hello again, don't you just love the start of June?  I do.  I may not be a fan of the heat and humidity but early June is one of the best times of the year.  School is getting out, summer plans are being made and the season just brings a lovely energy to the community.

The temperature in early June is warm but not oppressive.  The nights are cool or as my mom would say "Good sleeping weather."  Plus the flowers are starting to bloom and perfume the air.

My favorite smell is honeysuckle that grows wild along some roads.  Particularly on the way home from my dad's house.  There is a stretch where the hillside is just full of the flowers and the air just smells sweet and clean.

It's those smells this morning on my way to work that reminded me that I should enjoy the weather before it gets too hot or too busy during the summer.

Speaking of busy, yesterday came and went and I forgot to take pictures so this post is a bit later than I would like but I wanted to update everyone on my progress.

Candy Skein Leftie

Lucky Shawl?

So it is with a frustrated heart that I update you all on the Penguins.  You may have noticed my series of playoff recap posts.  The Pens have made it deep into the playoffs and this round decides who goes on to the play for the Stanley Cup.  It is with a sad heart that I report to you that my beloved Pens are down 3 games in the best of 7 series.  The game tomorrow faces elimination and a sweep.  I am so distraught.

During the first game, I did my pregame rituals.  I got my knitting out, the shirt on the game on the ipad and started to watch.  It was an epic fail.  The next game not much better.  Last night, double overtime and a loss.  I don't know what else I can do but I keep working on the shawl to hope the good vibes help the team make an epic comeback.

Justice League Filler Squares

Just a square but it's going in an epic blanket

Before the round started, I wanted to work on something but didn't want to finish the Leftie too quickly so I started another filler square for my Justice League Blanket.  These blocks are fairly easy and mindless stockinette that can be taken anywhere.  The image above shows the 40 rows I have so far and I should get the rest done tonight at knit night.

Juego Sin Fin en el Verano (Endless Juego in Summer)

I ended up ripping this project out.  I just couldn't justify the time to make the shawl when I wasn't excited about doing the shawl or even wearing the shawl.  I learned a lot about using beads, reading charts and there are some aspects that were worth the time I took on the piece.  Instead I am going to use the yarn to make Lunar Tide.  It has a similar cable cast off that I can add beads too like the Juego and still have something that excites me and that I would wear.

Hue Shift Afghan

The latest addition to the afghan

Glamour Shot :)

I didn't work on this blanket but I did finally get some new pictures to show you.  Enjoy :)

Anyway, that was my week.  Hope yours is going well.

#letsgopens

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

<3 Heather

Finished Object Friday - Batman Square

I'm Batman!  No not really, I have been working on several super hero squares throughout the past year and I finished another one this weekend.  In the past, I made Aquaman, Green Lantern, and Superman.  This is the fourth in the series for a Justice League Blanket.

These squares play into my idea for a Justice League Blanket.  The blanket is made of 6 squares for super heroes, 6 solid color squares and 3 squares to represent The Big Bang Theory.  At this time, I have 3 solid color squares complete and was able to join 3 squares in the design.

The Blanket Design

While, I designed some of the previous squares, this one had an existing chart and so I dove in.  This square was relatively easy.  There were only two colors and I was able to carry the colors on the back for the most of the design. I flubbed around the ears and had to do some quick recalculating to make it all work.

NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA Batman!

I think this was easier than the Superman square but I needed some time to do other things before I was ready to work on this again.

Check out more Finished Objects at Tami's Amis!

<3 Heather

Ravelry Project Page

Pattern - Batman Logo Chart
Needles - Size 7/4.5 mm with 24 inch cables
Yarn - Comfort Solids & Heathers, in Primary Yellow, and Liquorice
Duration - 2 days
Size - 60 stitches by 60 stitches
Gauge - 5 stitches per inch

WIP Wednesday - Superheroes

I have been hard at work this week and weekend.  I was off from work last Friday (and the rest of the weekend) and mostly spent the day doing laundry, reading and knitting.  I got all of my laundry washed and dried but I still have baskets of clothes to fold and hang.  I hate that step.

Since most of my weekend was spent knitting here is my update:

Candy Skein Leftie

Lucky Shawl at Primanti Bros for the Pens/Sens Game 5

The shawl was out and in progress during Wednesday and Friday's games.  As soon as the knitting bag was opened, they scored.  I know it sounds crazy but us superstitious fans must do their part too.

Since I am in hockey withdrawal until Saturday (when the Pens take on the Bruins in the Eastern Conference Finals) I decided to save the lucky shawl until the new series starts.  Those are going to be nail biters that will need the lucky shawl.

Juego Sin Fin en el Verano (Endless Juego in Summer)

I did another section of Clue Two of my Juego.  Now that all of the clues are out, the shawl looks really nice completed though I wonder where I will ever wear this shawl.  It's really not to my taste.  Perhaps I will give it away to my grandmother when it's done.

Justice League Filler Squares

Just a Blue Square

Since I was set aside my Leftie until the next series, I decided to work on the filler square that has been in progress since December (oops!).  This was just a plain blue square of 60X60 stitches but they are very important for the Justice League Blanket I have planned.  As of right now, I have the Red, Orange and Blue Squares complete.

Instead of jumping straight into another solid square I started to look at my plans and decided to put some squares together and see how the join would work.

A little bit of progress really motivates you

Once I started to weave in the seams I became really pleased with the result.  This method as shown in the video above does not show the join and it just looks like I switched yarns.  There is a bit of a ridge on the back but I am going to put a back on the blanket to hide all of the yarn tails and seams.

When this was done, I decided to start and ultimately finished another super hero square which I will show on Friday.  Now all that's left of this column is one solid green square.

Anyway, that was my week.  Hope yours is going well.

#letsgopens

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

<3 Heather

WIP Wednesday - Beautiful and Bright

I often think of my blog on my way to work on Wednesdays.  As I drive across a bridge, the colors often inspire what I start my post about.  Today, the colors were just so vivid.  The trees are finally at their greenest and the pale blue sky just made the color stand out.  The bright orange of the construction sign contrasted with the blue steel of the bridge and the red car in front of me.

Anyway, these colors are great examples of why I love colorful projects.  I love using the rainbow of colors at my fingertips to make something beautiful and bright.

Candy Skein Leftie

Let's Go Pens!

Well my lucky Leftie got a bit larger this week and the Pittsburgh Penguins advanced to a 2-1 lead over the Ottawa Senators.  I did knit on it during the third game but with a minute left I put it away because I thought we were going to win.  Clearly it needs to be out and in progress during the entire game.

Juicy Hitchhiker

Pretty Pink and Purple Hitchhiker

So I have mentioned this shawl when talking about Tropical Ginger Hitchhiker but I haven't had a chance to get a good picture or much work on it.  Thankfully, I had a lot of time yesterday where I worked on at the Election Polls.  We didn't have a great turn out for our local primary but I had 15 hours where I had to occupy myself and reading and knitting were my favorite options.  I needed something easy that could be picked up and put down and this shawl fits those requirements.  I also worked on a solid Justice League Square as well.

There was a part of me that wanted to finish the other hitchhiker but it is still benched.  Honestly it had better be late June before that thing is worked on again.  (read: Stanley Cup Finals are in the middle of June)


Juego Sin Fin en el Verano (Endless Juego in Summer)

I am working on the Juego Knit-A-Long with SpaceCadetCreations in Celeste base.  The colors are Endless Summer and Burnt Clay.  The Endless Summer was a Yarn Alliance exclusive from last September.  I love the green blue and orange that is weaving it's way around clue one and clue two is starting to grow on me.  I wasn't too keen on the clue at first but seeing the later clues has enabled me to keep working on it.  The burnt clay is really lovely and I just love squishing the ball I wound.

I have kept my swift and yarn winder in my car as well as my Maryland yarn to avoid the temptation to start all the projects but I really need to bring it in soon.  Anyway, I put two large Pens tumblers on the floor and stretched the yarn around it to wind the ball for this project.  It worked fairly well.  I tried it again for Leftie and it was a bit messy (Huge honking knots)!

Anyway, that was my week.  Hope yours is going well.

#letsgopens

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

<3 Heather

Cozy Cone Dreams

As a reminder, there is a giveaway going on so check out my Blogiversary Post for details.  Remember, the answers are in the blog so check out my old posts for the answers to the clues :)

Honestly it has been a busy couple of weeks.  I have had a couple blogs that I wanted to get too but time got away from me.

Sunny California!  - California Adventures!

I had a trip planned between Christmas and New Years to Anaheim California.  I mentioned earlier in December my drama with my flights. Since that point, the flight situation got a bit interesting.

The original plan was for my Dad to take me to the airport, it snowed on the 26th of December.  We got about 6 inches of snow rapidly overnight and Dad is not a fan of driving in the snow.  We were going to maybe use my car since it has all wheel drive, but we panicked half way to the airport and he jumped out to take a bus back to the house.  I continued on and drove myself to the airport.

Image from my Parking Spot at the Airport

Once checked in, and through security the rest of the evening went as planned.  The flight out was uneventful, though I was by the latrine the whole time.  I will leave that experience to your imagination.

Me Trying to Find Some of the Students

Anyway, the conference was good.  I had 4 students from the chapters I support to keep an eye on and they were all great girls.  I think they had a good time and were able to take a ton of information back to their chapter.

Overall, the first 2 days were workshops for the students and alumni the the last 2 days were the legislation meeting.  In between, there was one night that was less regimented and we went to Disney's California Adventures.

California Adventures

We didn't get to ride to much only the Merry Go Round but it was nice to walk around.  We got Cozy Cone Drinks from Carsland too!

Nothing like drinking from a traffic cone.  :)

And we caught the Pixar Parade!

Who doesn't love Roz!

After Disney, the legislation dictated the rest of the time in California.  I knit on the floor to keep myself occupied and got 1.5 Justice League Filler Squares done.  Nice and easy knitting while listening to debate.

I am on the far left, knitting away.  Notice I am not the only one knitting.

So we ended with the banquet and I flew home on December 31st.  I got an Economy Plus seat for the main trip to Chicago which was nice and a half empty flight home with no one else in my row.  All in all a good trip.

Now for a small amount of bad news, while in Anaheim my Grandfather passed away.  He was 86 and just didn't recover from a procedure to remove fluid from his lung due to his congestive heart failure.  He passed away peacefully and we buried him on 1/3/2013.  While I am mourning his loss, I know he is at peace.

Sorry for the sad news but I wanted to catch up and share my adventures in California.  I had originally intended to meet up with Tami from Tami's Amis Blog (where I link up on WIP Wednesday and FO Friday) but she was sick with the flu.  Maybe next time.

<3 Heather

WIP Wednesday - Knitting for Christmas

Hello all, I was rather busy last week and just didn't get time to share an update with everyone.  I didn't have to cook the Turkey this year but my WIP Wednesday was spent on my biggest WIP of all.  Laundry.  I like clean clothes but I hate doing laundry.  You spend all day washing, drying folding and hanging and at the end of the day, the dirty clothes start to pile up again.

So my day off was spent running to and from the laundry room at my apartment and waiting on the cable guy.  I got a new set of boxes and it allows me to watch what I DVR'd in my bedroom which is a lovely thing!

Anyway, Thanksgiving was great.  I made more Cranberry Squares and a Pumpkin Bread Pudding with homemade caramel sauce.  Yummy.  I forgot to take pictures it was tasty.  Also I couldn't just follow the recipe and I doctored the recipe with Pecans and and Bourbon soaked Figs and Cranberries.

We went to my mom's best friend's house for dinner.  Becky and her sister Francy are my adopted aunts and are very special people in my life.  My mom and Becky met when they were five and have been friends ever since.  It was really nice to spend the holiday with them and I could really feel that my mom was with us that night.

The rest of the weekend was pretty mellow.  I didn't partake in Black Friday shopping because nothing was really worth the crowds and hassle this year so I stayed home.  I did intend to work on my research paper for my Grad school class but I didn't and procrastinated on that until Monday....the day it was due.  Oops ;).

In my procrastination I did get some knitting done so let's see what I got accomplished.

Hue Shift Afghan

Ooo Shiny Stripes!

From the last update, I got four more blocks done.  I have to say that each new block is my favorite, though I really like the peach squares so the next row should be fun.  The pink had a huge yarn barf in the skein and thanks to help from Samie yesterday we were able to de-tangle the skein.  I think it cause I travel with this project so much that pulling it in and out of my bag has something to do with all of the tangles.

Anyway, I love this blanket and it's so soft and drapey that I can't wait for it to be done to snuggle underneath it.

Justice League Filler Squares

I finished the orange one but haven't cast anything else on.  It looks really nice with the finished Justice League squares but I am happy to have my needles back to work on Batman!

Owl Fingerless Mittens

Purple!

I cast on another project this week.  I needed to get a move on this as it's a gift and I have a deadline earlier than Christmas so they need to get done.  I am using a combination of the House Mittens with my Fingerless Modifications and the Owl Cable Knit Coffee Cozy.

I am holding off on finishing the thumb because I  want to match the light purple yarn so it doesn't look like it was added onto the stitches.   The owl is a little hard to see in the picture but it's so cute.  I hope the recipient likes them.

So that's it for me.  I wanted to knit more for Christmas but my ideas never formed on what to make people.  I guess I am a pretty selfish knitter that way.

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

<3 Heather

WIP Wednesday - Pops of Color

Hello all, I trust that you have had a great week!  

Sunday was the 1 year anniversary of losing my mom.  The day definitely had a pall of melancholy over it but it wasn't as bad as I anticipated.  I had planned to make a pie as Pumpkin from PumpkinSpins suggested but I took a nap after church instead.  As I have mentioned in past posts, the act of making those pies just relaxes me and reminds me of all of the amazing women in my family that I have lost, plus they are pretty tasty.  So when Pumpkin made the suggestion earlier in the month I knew it was the right way to remember my mom, alas time got away from me.  

Serious baking this year!  Peach Raspberry, Cherry and Apple

So this coming weekend, aside from Light Up Night and volunteering at Pittsburgh Indie Knit and Spin, the holiday baking will get started.  My friends are having a Friendsgiving to celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday with their friends.  I am really excited because I can't remember the last time I was at a big gathering for the holidays.  Anyway, I want to take a dessert so I will probably make cranberry squares (family recipe I will share next week) I need to make something else as well.  If you have any suggestions, please let me know :).

Alrighty, now to my yarn progress.  Again I am entranced by the colors floating through the Hue Shift Afghan and that is what got worked on the most.

Hue Shift Afghan

I am in love with the pink pop of color with the red!

So I am behind as today is the 14th and I only have 8 blocks done but whatever, knitting is supposed to be fun not a chore right.  

I think after I finish this row I am going to block it with Toothpicks for a challenge in Nerd Wars.  Then the pressure is off to get all 25 squares done and I can get some other things done as well.

Overall, I love this project.  I love watching the colors blend and meld into a great pattern and can't wait to finish this block.

Other Projects:

I did get a couple rows done on the Orange Justice League Filler Squares but it's nothing to really photograph. I am also working on a gift for my Secret Santa swap partner from Nerd Wars. I hope she likes it! At lunch I am going to get some more supplies and try and find awesome other things to stuff the box with.

So that's my progress this week, how about you?

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

<3 Heather

WIP Wednesday - Happy Halloween!

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.

STV Spiffy Iffy Peresphone's Return! Socks

I have heels!

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.

Shapely Boyfriend

Raglan Cardi!

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!!!!!

Justice League Filler Squares

Orange you glad I didn't say Banana?

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.

Hue Shift Afghan

Two Little Blocks

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.  :)

Hue Shift Afghan from Knit Picks

So that is what's going on in my neck of the woods, how about you?

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

<3 Heather

Finsihed Object Friday - Superman Square

Well, it's not a bird or a plane, it's a Superman Square.  I have been working on several super hero squares throughout the year and I finished another one this week.  In the past, I made Aquaman and Green Lantern and this is the third in the series for a Justice League Blanket.

These squares play into my idea for a Justice League Blanket.  The blanket is made of 6 squares for super heroes and 6 solid color squares.  I really need to get on making those solid color squares.

While, I designed the previous squares, this one had an existing chart and so I dove in.  Really I started this guy for Tournament 5 of Nerd Wars but didn't finish it and was annoyed by the color work so I ripped it out and started over and resubmitted it for Tournament 6.

To say that I was annoyed by the colorwork did not begin to explain the pain this square was.  The black edging and little spots of color left holes in the square.  I had to go back and mend the holes to pull them together.  I think this is just the challenge of using 4 colors for detail and it may not have been as bad if I did it with only 2 colors.

I think it photographs well and it should be okay in the blanket but I had such high hopes after the other squares I made.

Check out more Finished Objects at Tami's Amis!

<3 Heather

Ravelry Project Page

Pattern - Superman Logo Chart
Needles - Size 7/4.5 mm with 24 inch cables
Yarn - Comfort Solids & Heathers, in Primary Red, Primary Blue, Primary Yellow, Liquorice
Duration - 1 Week
Size - 60 stitches by 60 stitches
Gauge - 5 stitches per inch

WIP Wednesday - Kryptonite

Hello all, as I was about to write "I have been quite busy lately" I realize that is more the normal than being bored or boring.  While I haven't done anything considered exciting, work and life keep me pretty busy.

I went home to my parent's (I still never know the proper noun to use now) house this weekend to visit with my Dad and Gram.  She has been staying with Dad for a 2 months now but it's weird to see someone else beside my mom around the house.

Anyway, Dad and I met up with my mom's best friend and her sister.  Aunt Becky and Aunt Francy are not  related but are as good as family.  My mom and Becky met each other since they were five.  She is super awesome and I always love hanging out with them.

Honestly I can attribute a huge portion of my Nerdiness to them.  Aunt Francy had me watching Mystery Science Theater 3000 and other science ficition shows as a child.  My favotite was when MST3000 did Gozilla vs Mothra!  Bring out the butter!

So between that and cleaning and sewing my weekend was pretty jam packed.

So following the weekending, I really cranked it into gear with my knitting.  Nerd Wars is on and I am determined to get a few things done each month.  In the mean time, I am also moonlighting as the team's blogger.  Check out my posts here.

Aside from being focused on some projects, I have to say that I am trying to get to bed earlier to get up earlier.  So far, not so good.  Ten, Eleven and Mid night come around and I am just so close to finishing my project that I just go a little bit more.  Crafting is really my Kryptonite.

So let's look at what's keeping me up late:

Superman Square

Will Superman save me from the Kryptonite?

After being ripped out once, I am really just ready to get this thing done.  I have some follow up work where there are gaps and holes but it's coming along.  I think it looks nicer in picture than in person but then again I see the holes that haven't tightened up yet.  This should be done tonight.

Diagonal Lace Socks 

Banana!

So this is my car project.  I have to go through a detour on my way home from work.  What is a 15-20 minute trek to work become 45 minutes on the way home thanks to a bridge backing up.  So I sit through a few lights and am at a complete stop between so I use the time to knit.  Now I wouldn't cast on in the car or do the gusset and heel but the foot and cuff sections are perfect.  To see what it looks like completed, here is the other sock.

Sock #1

So that's what has been my focus this week, what have you been up too?

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

<3 Heather

WIP Wednesday - Super Azalea Socks?

I know you all may not realize it but I try and come up with nifty titles for each post.  It's my little trailer to my post and I want you be intrigued to read this instead of hitting skip in your reader.  That said, I admit this one while intriguing is just a mash up of objects I am working on this week.

Really, I think that I may actually have a post each day of the week this week so my creative snark is a little depleted.  Anyway, make sure you check out my commercial debut for Math + Science = Success that I posted yesterday and I have a long long awaited FO on Friday.

So now that we have caught up, let's get to the yarny goodness!   I didn't get individual shots but here is what I have been working on.

Weekly Update for 10/03/2012

Superman Square

Usually these squares are done within a weekend and I move on but this one has challenged me.  There are a lot of color changes and color blocks.  I started this initially back in August but didn't like where it was going and ripped it out.  I am back to the point where I ripped it out and have restarted it for the next go round of Nerd Wars.  I am relieved that its going better not great but better.  I think once I get past the fiddly bottom of the S finally, I will be okay.  Keep your Fingers Crossed please!

Sweet Azalea Shawl

I finally started this shawl/blanket.  I had the swatch done forever ago but just needed the right push to get things going.  I had to make a chart to show where the stitches went.  The pattern is quite clear but I just could not picture it in my mind where everything went.  The chart is a huge lifesaver!  Anyway, I am plugging along and can't wait to see it completed.

STV Spiffy Iffy Peresphone's Return! Socks

Mel over at SingleHandedKnits had a great idea to have a KAL for the elections and created Sock the Vote and asked Indie Yarn Dyers to create specific colors ways for Cuff Down socks, Toe Up Socks and the Undecideds.  

I have a bit of a connection to both dyers (SpaceCadetCreations and Yarn-vs-Zombies) so I chose undecided to let chance decide which yarn I would receive.  

I got a beautify skein of Cashmere and Merino wool sock yarn and had to wait patiently for 10/1/2012 to start my socks.  I decided to up the ante and am knitting the socks at the same time using the magic loop.  I have never done this before but I jump into things with both feet and a dash of YouTube so hopefully the yarn knot gods are not against me.  So far I am kinda pumped about this because I had a heck of a time getting a pair of socks done within a month for NerdWars so hopefully this is a fruitful experiment.

So that is what's going on, betcha thought I designed super flowery socks didn't you?  

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

<3 Heather

WIP Wednesday - Dog Days of Summer

Seriously, who said that this weekend could be Labor Day weekend?  Class is back in session and cooler fall air is right around the corner.

I honestly have been so busy that progress had been slowed to a crawl.  But I do have some updates.

Gryffindor Scarf

I am so close on getting this done that I can taste it.  I really wanted to get it done for Nerd Wars but that isn't going to happen but now I am just aiming for as soon as possible.  Really it's holding everything up because I need to get it done.

I had to fold it in half to fit on the couch

Superman Square

I really like this one but it's been slow going. 

You can see the bottom of the S in superman

This is next to get completed once the scarf and wristlet are done and on their way to the recipient

Sweet Azalea Blanket

Last but not least is a new crochet blanket.  I am making it with Madelinetosh Pashmina and it is going to be so gorgeous and soft.

Just a Swatch

I swatched the pattern first to see if I liked it.  I know now I need to just a bigger hook to start the foundation row and initial single crochet row.  

So that's it, are the dog days getting to you too?  Made any good progress this week?

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

<3 Heather