Finished!

Wow - I can't believe how fast February has flown. I've thought about blogging, but just haven't been in the mood I guess. I did finish some knitting recently though. A few friends at work have begun knitting and were interested in completing a shrug pattern - so I pulled out a few books and they picked the Retro Redux Shrug from Lace Style. A really cute shrug that I had already planned to knit and had the yarn for (weird). I had purchased some Mas Acrero from Brooks Farm at Rhinebeck (NYS Sheep and Wool Festival). It is a wool/silk blend. Really nice and soft with a beautiful sheen. I only ended up using about 1/2 of the skein - so I could make another one. hmmm. we'll see.

Retro Redux (please ignore the goofy tank top - I'm in my home from work please get this suit off of me PJ's):
Needles: Addi Turbos size 8 to 10.5
Yarn: see above
Started and Completed: 1 weekend
Modifications: shortened the length of the smallest size by 3"


I'm also making some progress on my Back to School vest from Fitted Knits. It's been slow going because I had to make a few modifications because my gauge in Cascade 220 superwash was considerably different than the pattern (even though it called for the same yarn). However, I moved it to scrap yarn and tried it on today - thank god it fits - I dreaded checking because I didn't want to redo 3-4" of ribbing. I did decide to do a few decreases at this point to bring the waist smaller and knit the rest through in the smaller size. This enabled me to fit my hips and then have a more close fit through the waist. We'll see how it goes.


I also did some sewing this week - a new needle case and tool kit for a co-workers birthday - I'll try to post some pics this weekend. Now, I'm off to do some shopping for my Books & More Swap partner (ravelry swap). I can't wait to see what fun stuff I can find. Happy Thursday everyone!

I'm Back - FINALLY!!

I have been MIA for over a month. I've been working 80hrs+ a week for about 3 months with no time to do much other than work and sleep (and not much of the latter). But the project finally released this week - so it will be busy for the next few weeks, but not as bad as before -so life can get back to normal finally.

I have been doing a bit of knitting and quilting for a little bit before bed each night. I'm quite pleased with my current projects.

Fingerless mitts... Fetching with a few minor changes to better fit my small hands.

a Yarn Harlot Unoriginal Hat

A baby quilt for my youngest brother's first child. It's a panel that I added to, but the truly lovely part is the back - it's backed with Silkie (it's like a really soft plush stuffed animal). The front is flannel so it's very soft an cuddly. I would normally do something with more piecing, but haven't had the time - next time.


A sweater for when the baby is born. It is the free pattern Super Natural Stripes from F.Pea's Blog. I'm making it from Debbie Bliss Cotton Angora - beautifully soft and fairly easy to work with considering the cotton content. My gauge was a bit off to get the tension I wanted - so I'm making the largest size in the pattern - but it will be newborn size with my gauge. Very easy pattern and fun to work with no seaming! Just the right sleeve and front facings to go.


Another pair of socks for me - 1 done and started the second. Cookie A's Flickr socks in
Blue Moon Fiber Arts Socks that Rock. They are very soft and stretchy. The only part I'm not crazy about is all the SSK's - they start to hurt my hands after a bit. I'm really liking the yarn though - which is good since I joined the sock club this year. Can't wait to see what the first package will be.



Also making progress on my Mom's Bacardi sweater. I've just divided for the sleeves and will start the left front as soon as I finish the baby sweater - need the small circular needles. Obviously didn't make Christmas - but Mom's ok with it. She loves it and is being very patient...


Hopefully -- I can get back on track now. Happy New Year everyone!

Finally, time to blog...

It has been so crazy with work - we have an extremely large project getting ready to launch at the end of the month. I have to go to work tomorrow and Sunday. So I've not been able to get much done in the way of knitting - just too tired by the time I get home and do more paperwork before I stumble off to bed. Can't wait for the next few months to end....

It's instigating my startitis..... not finishing anything.

Started ....

Chevron Scarf (Last Minute Knitting Gifts) with Jitterbug & Spritely Goods:


An unoriginal hat from the Yarn Harlot's blog:


A bit of headway on an existing project....


Hopefully this weekend - I can also finish up my last two swap packages. Sorry for the lame post. Here's to finding the energy to do a bit more soon...

Progress Update

I haven't been blogging much lately since our lives have been a little nutty. We have a large project launching this week at work and I'm the project lead. This means that my life is going to be extremely busy for the next few months. But I'm excited because it is a project that I'm really interested in. Despite the work craziness and the usual business of the volleyball season (DH coaches & I help with any computer/administrative/socializing/parent stuff), I have been able to get to a bit of craftiness. I've been hard at work on my felted bag for the Fall Felted Bag Exchange. The front, bottom and back are completed. I'm about 1/4 of the way into the front pocket. Then just the strap and on to assembly. Sorry no pics - wouldn't want to spoil the surprise. Once it's done and off in the mail -- I'll post some package pictures.



The fluffy cuff mittens are coming along. The cuff is finished and I started the main color of the body. I have to say though. I REALLY hate working with the GGH Esprit. Love the feel and look of it -- it's soo fluffy it's a pain in the but. I frogged it back once because I realized I forgot to do it in garter stitch (which in the round is knit/purl alternating rows ---- not knit, knit) .... then I picked up two extra stitches somewhere along the way....Riiiiiiiiipppp. Darn it all... I'm almost afraid to start the cuff on the second -- I wanted to alternate each section and knit two at once since I'm less likely to have second mitten syndrome that way, but UGGGHH dreading the Blue Fluff. I'll take a picture once I get a bit farther into the body -- not much to look at right now. Not much different that the first progress picture.


I signed up for a new class at the LYS. I decided to take the magic loop sock class that is being offered for Fall. I was going to teach myself socks with 2 circulars - but I figured since this is being offered and there is no guarantee that they'll do it again - I"ll try it out and the transition to two circulars from this point might be much easier. Or maybe I'll just like ML ... we'll see. It starts 9/29 and runs for three weeks. I've picked out my yarn -- I'm going to use my DIC smooshy that I got from the Loopy Ewe. We can do any pattern that we want -- so I think I might do Monkey Socks. I want to try something interesting and help will be available if I need it... :O).


























Pretty isn't it.... Can't wait to try it out --- especially after working with the scratchy felting wool for the last few weeks. I have to say while I like how Lamb's pride felts - I don't really like working with it as much as manos or cascade.

Well the bad news for the evening is that I'm having a great deal of trouble with my left arm. I think I pinched a nerve in my neck again. I've been having quite a bit of pain knitting and typing on the computer. Not that it stops me (which is probably not a good thing). I purchased a Handeze craft glove for my left hand (on now). It seems to help a little bit, but still stiff and painful. Tomorrow, I'm off to the chiropractor/physical therapist to see if they can help again. Plus, to top it all off -- my DH has to have surgery on his eye to remove a cyst on Friday. Very minor, but troubling all the same.

Well enough of the depressing news. I think I'm going to be able to send my owl post off to my Hogwarts Sock Kit Swap parter - Craftlily by next Monday. Yeah! I'm really pleased with how everything is turning out. Should be able to finalize it all on Sunday during football. Saturday I'm taking a class at the Pfaff dealership -- the Indygo Junction Metropolitan bag. Hopefully, my Amy Butler fabric from the Fat Quarter Shop will be here in time (scheduled to arrive on Wed). Wish me luck through the craziness this week!