Secret Pals

I got my matchup tonight, and while I may not be on "the list" yet, I am just as excited as the other members who are! I think I have some good ideas for my pal already :)

Tomorrow I hope to have pictures of a finished pair of socks (for crying out loud, I have only had to graft together the remaining 10 or so tow stitches for what? two weeks now? how hard can it really be. I just don't like to graft, or kitchener, or whatever it's called) and my progress on my multidirectional scarf, which I am in love with. I may end up keeping this one and making another one as a gift. I also need to research working the Broad Street knitty mittens on two circulars instead of double points because I think it may go faster. And I want to make the DNA cable scarf as a Christmas gift as well. I think. I do a lot of thinking about these things, there needs to be more actual doing.

Note to self: DNA scarf pdf file & Lefty-translations

4 months from this past monday I'll be married!
4 months from today I'll have been in San Francisco and be on my way to my Hawaiian honeymoon!

Kuryeon my Blues Away

Last night I cast on and started my multidirectional scarf - I like this yarn, especially the color(s).  Potential holiday gifts here... Anyway, I had myself scared of short rows but they really aren't so bad! I hope I haven't just jinxed myself with that.

I forgot to mention that last week during sidewalk sales days I wore my Chickami! I was a tad nervous about it, but it was so comfortable.  I impressed my boss with it - "It looks like you could have bought that in a store!" "Look at the detail on the bottom!" (rib)  :)

Random thoughts: So GAP's newest fall "must-have" is a poncho. Will that bring in a slew of new knitters? Or critiques? 

The cover of GQ has Halle Berry in a sexy sort of bikini-type-thing.  My fiancee showed it to me and asks "You can knit that right? You'll knit that right?"  Aside from the fact that I think it's crochet rather than knit and I can't crochet, sure.  Maybe I'll make the "Stitch-n-Bitch" bikini to hold him over.  I am flattered that he thinks I could do that.  He has been telling me lately that he was thrilled when I stopped beading and started knitting.  :)

Mid-summer blues?

I've been bushed lately - I worked more at the store this past week because of sidewalk sales.  It was busy, but at the same time the days just dragged.  I was so pooped that I could barely pick up any knitting.  I think I only knit 2 or 3 rows on my Bottoms Up hat (after finally casting on properly!). 

This funk has not stopped me from purchasing yarn though - I took one of my closest friends http://www.yarnsdownunder.com last week.  She's moving back up the area, so I was helping her find the good spots!  I treated myself to some Noro Kuryeon to make myself a multi-directional scarf ~ I am going to be the scarf queen this year :)  I also picked up a skein of something, which I have forgotten the name of and don't have it here with me... in the store it was used in a sample with cables, and I wanted to try it out... if it works I'll pick a project and buy more.  I also fell in love with "Aura" - but I wanted it in white - I'm thinking that it would make a gorgeous shawl for my wedding (11/26!)  The dress shop ordered extra material to make me a shawl, but this would be a little extra special, right?  Thinking about it, but do I have the time? When school starts up I have so little time for knitting...  Bummer.  Don't get me wrong - I love my job (middle school science teacher), and I'm looking forward to the start of school, but I have enjoyed the knitting time that summer brings.

I also need to buy yarn to make my brothers their Christmas presents - knitty's Broad Street Mittens - I made myself a pair this year using Mexican Wave, but I think my brothers would want something solid color / dark.   I've been checking on elann and just have to decide. 

Frustrated

Last night I was working on my summer bottoms up hat.  The night before it took me 3 times to cast on the right number of stitches with enough yarn.   Anyway last night I realized that I should have cast on with 2 strands not the measly one.  Because you are supposed to drop one, and I can't very well work with a half strand.  Gah.  The bottoms up went flying across the room.  Followed by all the other knitted objects in my grasp - which really was only a pillow, but had I made it to the beer cozies they would have gone too!

Grumble.  I really don't feel like casting on again.

It's probably ok to use one, it would just be more floppy, right?  But I'm a sucker for directions.

Sidetracked

Last Wednesday I went out to this yarn store and to my surprise they were having a "Christmas in July" sale - mostly the funky/novelty yarns for scarves and such.  I took my time picking and choosing but ended up with a skein of black opal lang, 4 skeins of eros (2 that are like a mermaid's tail (blues/greens) and 2 that are more blue/purpley), and 1 skein of the blue "butterfly" or "daisy" yarn by Giardino.  Completely selfish knitting, I am making myself some thin, long summer scarves... because I want to.  :)
 
Sophie has been felted and dried, and I am still debating what to do about the handles.  Pictures will come I promise. 
 
I'll be going to my first knitting meetup this week, with my good friend in tow (not really, because she's looking forward to it as well!)  I'm very excited!

Sophie Update

This morning I was (pleasantly) surprised to see that Georgia was "checking in" on my Sophie status. I finished knitting it, but somehow goofed on the handles I think - hanging from the side of the chair it looks ok, but laying flat I'm cringing... But I want to toss it in the washer to see what happens anyway, and if the only way I can use the bag is off the back of a chair, so be it - I'll make another one and pay attention this time to the hand placement. I thought I followed the directions properly about holding the six stitches on each side... but perhaps not. And I didn't realize until I was "done" either - now I don't know how to fix this without unravelling everything. So I think that I will toss it in the wash and see what happens from there.
Sophie1 Handles

And here's a picture of the fabric I purchased, but don't know what to do with...

I need a bigger oven

I have way too many projects "on the back burner" as it were. I made it out to Fabric place today and bought several needles, yarn for my summer "Bottom's Up!" hat (Classic Elite Flash - Lily Pad), yarn for a pillow, lion brand cotton to make a scrubber and several fat quarters. I also bought some patterns to use on the fat quarters (small bags, small cases, etc) - I don't quilt, I don't sew although I would like to learn. What can you do with fat quarters? I have found these ideas:Tissue Holder and Circular Needle Holder. And according to craftster I could also make a regular needle holder.

The Guilford Handcraft Center Expo happens next week - it's a juried show - always interesting. I haven't been able to attend in the past because I have had to work, but I think this year I may swing through after an appointment.

Future Projects

Yesterday I had to deal with some unexpected car issues (not my car, but I'm doing my parents a favor since I had the time to go up to the dealership) and did not go to the yarn store. Kind of bummed about that, but it will be ok. After I work a few days at the retail shop I'll use my paycheck to treat myself. In the meantime I am looking online for the needles I need just so that I can get started!

This weekend is highly lazy. Everyone is out except for me and my fiance is out of town too! I got a stack of movies from the library (Frida, Raising Victor Vargas, Life as a House, Sopranos Disc1: Season 3) because I'm waiting for Netflix to get the ones I sent back and send me some new stuff!

So, while I watch DVDs I'm going to knit. These are my upcoming projects:

*Finish the mate for the Regia blue / green sock
*Start / finish the mate for the purple Koigu sock
*Sophie!
*Weave in ends on a flower facecloth, block it
*Tea Set (maybe)
*Deco-Ribbon Bag
*Silky Look Cardigan Need the needles for this one, I don't want to work with Susan Bates needles on this one.
*Hat, with yarn sent to me from my Secret Pal, from back in May

My first sock on 2 circular needles, wow this is quick! I started Sunday evening, and will finish the toe tonight!! Yarn: Regia 4-color, (Fabre 5025, Partie 44134)
Posted by Hello

I really am diggin this socks on 2-circular needle dealio. I truly don't feel like I've given more time to this particular sock, although being that it is summer vacation, it's entirely possible. I noticed today that the pattern for the lavender eye pillow from Interweave Knits is on 2-circs as well... Yay! I think that I will treat myself to the yarn for that tomorrow following the car service appointment!

I'm not happy with how this grafting job came out - I think I did it backwards, because there is a ridge at the top.
Posted by Hello

How lucky am I though that in the latest issue of Knitty.com one of the features is about grafting!! Invisible seams here I come. I'll have to try it on the blue-green sock and then whip up the purple sock companion on the 2-circs.

Sideways view of my purple sock - yarn is Koigu Painter's Palette Premium Merino, Dye Lot #97, Dye Code P305
Posted by Hello