Two down, one to go....

Name: Branching Out from Knitty
Yarn: Knit 1 Crochet Too Douceur et Soie in #8633 Cornflower
Started: 6/8/05 Finished: 6/26/05
What I Learned: My first real lace project, use a lifeline
Comments: I made this as a gift for a special someone, hence the blue color choice (y'all know I'm more of a pink/green girl). I think this is a great first lace project. It eases you gradually into following a chart and using reeeaaallly thin yarn. Although, I must admit, I cheated and used the written out version. I don't like to follow charts if I can get away with it. The Douceur et Soie yarn is so soft, it should be a sin. My only complain would be, and this isn't the yarn's fault, that it stuck to my sweaty hands. Now, I just have one project on the needles. My mind is at peace.

Branching Out 

One down, two to go

If you read my previous post, you know that I'm glad to have this project knocked out. I feel a little better now.

Name: My first attempt at knitting with beads
Yarn: Plymouth Wildflower DK #17, clear glass beads
What I Learned: Adding beaded fringe and beads to knitting, lining a bag
Comments: Using beads is not as hard as I thought it would be. The technique adds a gorgeous touch to your knitting. I really don't like the Wildflower DK yarn. It is VERY splitty, even for a cotton yarn.

purse front 

purse back 

I've over-extended myself

I should never, ever have three projects (see below) going at the same time. I know a lot of y'all do it successfully, but it makes me feel scatter-brained.

It doesn't help that I'm trying to figure out what I want to be when I grow up. My girls will be entering school in a year, so it's back to the workforce for me. I don't mind working. I've worked since I've been in high school. But I've been my own boss, so to speak, for almost five years now. Going back to the grind would be tough. I also want to be able to be there for my kids before and after school. What's a girl to do? I have a few ideas I'm milling around.

OK, enough whining! I've got to go finish my scarf, sock, and purse!

Beaded purse front 

Branching Out 

Kevin's dress sock 

One-Skein Wonder

Name: One-Skein Wonder by Stefanie Japel (Glampyre)
Yarn: Jo Sharp Desert Garden #201 Parakeet
Started: 06/12/05 Finished: 06/15/05
Comments: Another great pattern from Stefanie. She is such an awesome designer. The Jo Sharp yarn was fun to work with. It was a quick knit and very practical. Perfect for all of my summer tank tops.

BTW, my 4 year old took this picture. Not bad huh?

One-Skein Wonder 

Book Meme

This came to me by way of Laura.
1. Total number of books I own - No idea. Maybe 500?
2. Last book I purchased - Knitticisms...and Other Purls of Wisdom. I bought one for myself and one for my Secret Pal. I usually never buy books. I'm more apt to check them out from the library.
3. The last book I read - The Innocent by Harlan Coben. Great book!
4. Five books that mean a lot to me - I don't know if I've read any "life altering" books. I read strictly for enjoyment, not enlightenment. Here are a few that I couldn't put down:
1) The Once and Future King by T. H. White - This was the first "grownup" book I ever read.
2) Interview with a Vampire by Anne Rice - This and the second book were awesome. I think the series declined after that.
3) The Complete Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle - An oldie by goodie. I think the Sherlock Holmes stories are one of the best mysteries written. Not to mention, I love Doyle's use of language .
4) The DaVinci Code by Dan Brown - Just a darn good book
5) Silence of the Lambs by Thomas Harris - Freaky!!
6) Tag Five people and have them fill this out in their blogs - This is going to be tough. I think everyone that I know has already gotten this.

My Secret Pal is the BEST!

First, let me say that my SP is the sweetest. I've really enjoyed corresponding with her, & now she's spoiling me! She had told me in a previous email that my June package would have a theme, and she wasn't kidding. In her card she had me open my little parcels in a certain order, which was fun. The first one was a pair of turquoise flip-flops from Brazil. BRAZIL...isn't that cool?! Not only is she a fantastic person, but she is a world traveler. The Brazilian flip-flops also match my turquoise bikini. My second package was a pedicure kit with some beautiful iridescent pink polish that I love. The third package was the pink floral flip-flops. Pink is my favorite color, and I have been looking for a pair this summer. These fit the bill perfectly! The fourth package had a pair of tan flip-flops with shell buttons on them. These will go with everything I own. And finally, as if I wasn't spoiled enough, she sent me a hank of this GORGEOUS hand-dyed pink (again, my favorite color) sock yarn. Y'all know that I'm into socks right now.

Not only did she make my day, but she also sent my daughters gifts. She continued the flip-flop theme with flip-flop note pads. She also sent them fruit scented paint pens which they immediately opened and painted with.

Thank you so much Suzanne. I'm speechless at your generosity!

unopened sp goodies 

SP goodies for the girls 

SP June goodies 

I have a taker

Knitting Nurse, you are the lucky winner of the Knit.1 shrug! She was the first one to email me, and thus the shrug is hers. Enjoy!

Any takers for this shrug??

I finished this gorgeous shrug tonight, and realized that it is too big for me. I would love to send it to one of y'all if you think you would wear it. Just so you have an idea of it's size, I'm 36" around the chest and it's probably a couple of inches too big. The arms are too wide for me as well. I used the yarn shown in the photo. I'm so upset that it doesn't fit, but I'd be happy if it went to a loving home. Send me your address and I get it out to you ASAP (look in my profile for my email address.) Now, for my usual info.

Yarn: Lion Brand Incredible in #207 Purple Party
Started: 5-29-05
Finished: 6-10-05
What I learned: Gauge on ribbon yarn knit in garter stitch is a crap shoot
Comments: Although this project turned out beautiful, it was very boring to knit (all garter stitch). It would be a great beginner's project.

Knit.1 Tie-Front Shrug 

Serious Stash Enhancement

Y'all get ready for the pictures. I've gone a bit overboard in the past four days. Yes, you got it right. I've gotten this much yarn, through the mail and at my LYS Yarns 2 Ewe in the past FOUR DAYS. Normally, I would say I've gone off the deep end, but I really had a good reason to buy each of the yarns. At least that is what I keep telling myself.

Reason for yarns in picture 1 - Threadbear put everything in their store 20% off, therefore I couldn't pass up buying more Lion & Lamb. With the discount, I basically got almost two skeins for free. Wohoo! Rob, one of the owners, was such a doll. He told me over the phone all of the colors he had in stock, and helped me pick out these colors (Sand Ridge & Jay Pond).

Reasons for yarns in picture 2 - I ordered both the Noro Hana Silk & the Rowan Kidsilk Haze from Yarnmarket, my favorite online store. The Kidsilk Haze is to make the Reverse Rib Wrap (see the the fabulous finished version on Nimrodel's blog). The color that I wanted has been discontinued, so I snatched these up ASAP. The ribbon is for a shawl similar to the poncho I finished a few weeks ago. Ok, I didn't have a real good reason for the ribbon, but it allowed me to get free shipping.

Reason for yarn in picture 3 - Yarns 2 Ewe had all of their sock yarn on sale 20% off this weekend. Nuff said.

Reason for yarn in picture 4 - I ordered this afghan kit from Herrschners for 50% off. It was originally $70 and I got it for $35 (plus free shipping). My cabana boy has been after me to make him an afghan, & I think this one is beautiful. $35 for 9 balls of yarn plus the pattern...not bad.

Lorna's Laces 

Shawl & wrap yarn 

Sock yarn 

Afghan Yarn

Finished afghan

Socks...They ROCK!

Name: Socks from Knitty Gritty's Sock-It-To-Me episode
Yarn: Berroco Pleasure in #8617 Verdigris
What I learned: Sock making is SWEET
Comments: My curiosity got the better of me, and I decided to see why people rave about knitting socks. Not to mention the fact that my husband expressed some interest in a pair. I watched this Knitty Gritty episode this spring, and remembered that they said it would be a good first sock. It was knit with a bulky yarn on #7 dpns. First, let me just say the Pleasure yarn lives up to its name. This is a gorgeous yarn. It is 66% angora, 29% merino, & 5% nylon and is constructed in a sort of I-cord. Very cool. It's a bit pricey, but heck it seems like everything I buy lately is. It was what the designer used in the show, and I'm rigid about using what is called for in the pattern.

I think I enjoyed knitting the socks so much for two reasons. First, it is very interesting how they transform in front of your eyes. Second, you don't say on one stitch pattern for very long and thus I don't get bored.

Now, look at those gorgeous gussets, those heavenly heel flaps, those tantalizing toe decreases! It's art I tell you, ART!

Don't worry, I haven't lost my mind. I know they aren't the most exciting socks you've ever seen. I'm just a proud parent.

First Socks 

My Dad is the BEST!

I go out to get the mail this afternoon, and I have this mysterious box. Lookie what was inside! My sweet dad sent this to me out of the blue. This, on top of also giving me a subscription to National Geographic this week. Am I a lucky girl or what to have such a great dad?

I have been childless this week thanks to my MIL. You would think that I would be knitting up a storm. Alas, no. On Tuesday my mother and I had a girls day out. We had our nails and toes done, went to the LYS, and had lunch. The other days have been spent running errands, shopping, and doing my usual chores. BUT I HAVE PEACE & QUIET!!! Silence is bliss.

The only knitting I've done is work on a ribbon shrug and my first sock. More on those soon.

Knit Wit