What's all the hub-bub about the Clapotis??

Name: Clapotis from Knitty
Yarn: Lorna's Laces Lion & Lamb in #70 Vera
Started: 5/13/05
Finished: 5/29/05
Comments: I was a total follower and knit this pattern because I seemed like EVERYONE has knit this. Granted, it turned out beautiful and it is very functional in the fact that it could be used as a scarf or a wrap, but it was BORING to knit. Really. Still, I'm glad a knit it and will definitely wear it. The Lion & Lamb yarn is exquisite and I would highly recommend it if your pocketbook allows. My MIL admired it, so it looks like I have another one in my future.

Clapotis 

Good to be Girl ROCKS!!

Amy (aka Good to be Girl) had her one year blogiversary this week. In celebration of this event, she sent all of her readers these...a cupcake bath salt, a GTBG magnet, dark chocolate M&M's, and the piece de resistance...a pink snowwoman stitch marker (her mascot). Note how darling the packaging is as well.

I'm speechless! She made these for I believe 40 people! What a special person to do something like this. I am constantly astounded by the wonderful people I meet through blogging.

Thanks Amy! (BTW, I'm going to have to steal your idea!)

gtbg goodies 1 

gtbg goodies 2

Behold the wonders of big honkin' needles

Name: Flirty poncho/shawl
Yarn: Colinette Giotto in #148 Caramel, Classic Elite Premiere in #5299 Dried Cherry, & Plymouth Colorlash in #11
Start date: 5-22-05
Finish date: 5-22-05
Comments: Check out those needles! It was like knitting with PVC pipe. It took me about 2 hours to knit. No kidding. I have been a knitting fiend these past few days. The FO's in 3 days. Not bad, not bad!

Lacy wrap 

Big honkin' needles 

Knitty's Tinsel

Pattern: Tinsel by Vickie Howell for Knitty
Yarn: Crystal Palace Yarns Deco-Stardust in #4437, Lana Gatto Crystal in #4116
Start Date: 5/12/05
Finish Date: 5/22/05
Comments: I bought a pair of gorgeous beaded gold sandals this spring, and had no purse to match (yes, I match my bag to my shoes. It's a thing with me). Solution, MAKE ONE! I love the look of Tinsel, but was way too lazy to cut out all of those strips of fabric. Therefore, I came up with a yarn combination to mimic the fabric. So Boho chic!

Tinsel 

MagKnits Cold Shoulder by Stefanie Japel

Yarn: Jo Sharp Soho Summer DK Cotton in #224 Thyme
What I Learned: Trying on a garment periodically during a project is a good thing. Be very careful with your gauge. Buy an extra ball of yarn, especially if it is inexpensive.
Comments: This sweater has been my favorite project to date. I'm really pleased how it turned out. Stefanie is a wonderful designer, and I love all of her things. I emailed her with questions, and she quickly got back to me. When I did my gauge for this sweater, I thought I was spot on, but I must have been a touch off. I ran out of yarn while I was knitting the bottom edge (grrr!).

Cold Shoulder 

Thank you SP!

I've been stalking the UPS man all day because my lovely SP told me to expect something. Well lookie, lookie! I've had my eye on this book for a while. I am so excited to finally have it. The patterns in it are perfect for hot Texas weather. Thanks SP!!

SP pkg #1 

X-citing X-Back

Name: Ribbon X-Back from Knitty
Yarn: Crystal Palace Yarns Deco-Ribbon, color #9538 Tulips
Comments: Could I be any paler??? What a yucky picture. Oh well, I still like the tank. It was a fun, quick knit. A lot of people in the KAL had a hard time with sizing, but I lucked out on my first try (thanks to heeding everyone's hints). Many people made the pattern in a size smaller than what the pattern calls for, but I made mine true to pattern and used a size 10 needle instead of an 11.

The girls and I are going to my parents' house in the country to pick dewberries (wild blackberries). This is something that I did as a child, and am so happy that my daughters can experience it as well. Hopefully my mother and I will get some knitting in while the wee ones nap this afternoon.

X-back front 

X-Back back 

Decadence

Ok, so I may have gone a big overboard. This is the yarn I ordered to make the world famous Clapotis from Knitty. It is by far the most expensive yarn I have ever purchased. It is Lorna's Laces Lion & Lamb in the Vera colorway. I absolutely adore it, and heck, I deserve it! (at least that is what I'm telling myself) I will also be able to use my new swift and ball winder on the hanks. Yippee!

I had a very productive weekend, knittingwise. I finished the X-Back this morning (pictures soon I promise) and am about 95% done with Magknits Cold Shoulder. For my Mother's Day gift, my sweet husband and daughters gave me yarn money. Do they know what I want or what?

Lion & Lamb 

Tag! I'm it!

This was sent to me by Tabbytuxedo. My first tag!

By Pioggia

Here's the rules:Pick 5 of the following and then complete the sentences. Then pass it on to 3 more of your blog friends! But no tag backs! The Premise (pick 5):

If I could be a scientist…
If I could be a farmer…
If I could be a musician…
If I could be a doctor…
If I could be a painter…
If I could be a gardener…
If I could be a missionary…
If I could be a chef…
If I could be an architect…
If I could be a linguist…
If I could be a psychologist…
If I could be a librarian…
If I could be an athlete…
If I could be a lawyer…
If I could be an inn-keeper…
If I could be a professor…
If I could be a writer…
If I could be a llama-rider…
If I could be a bonnie pirate…
If I could be an astronaut…
If I could be a world famous blogger…
If I could be a justice on any one court in the world…
If I could be married to any current famous political figure...

1) If I could be a scientist...I would create the world's first non-fattening dark chocolate bar
2) If I could be a painter...I would travel the world visiting with other "artsy" people, scribbling stuff on canvases that look like one of my 4 year olds drew it, and get paid millions of dollars
3) If I could be an athlete...I would have a kick-butt body
4) If I could be a librarian...I would get some decent knitting books in the library
5) If I could be a llama-rider...I would shear it for its wool

Now, I'm off to tag Catherine, Ashley, and Alesia.

Nifty swifty & finer winder

I have arrived! I've been wanting these for a while now, and I finally buckled down and bought them from Joann's (50% off respectfully). The girls had fun turning the ball winder. Yet another way to get them into the folds of knitting! Now, if I only had some yarn to ball....hmmm...maybe at trip to the LYS is in order....

swift & ball winder