In the interim

So, there are no pics to post today...not feelin' it. However, I will update you as to what's been going on here. I am about 20" done of the 32" required for the "O" ring halter.-Talk about some boring knitting. I have since stopped the purl lace socks I was in the middle of...again, not feelin' it. I keep picking up the knitted handbag and doing a row or two, but it's not going to be done anytime soon. I mentioned in my last post that I was working on something else...a vintage pattern for a twinset, and that I am motivated to do! I guess it's the Cotton Ease.--and the bamboo needles.

I am experiencing some sort of startitis or glut. Go figure. I want to start something else...it's a copy of a sweater I saw on an expensive clothing site. And let's not forget I have my second purse cover to do.

I did finish my first library book, and will start the second, but this week has been very stressful...guess that's why there's no groove to fall into.

Finishing Frenzy

Yep! She's done! My first Bermuda Bag cover...and not too soon. With all the designers making cherry handbags, I had to get on the bandwagon. It's Mary Engelbreit fabric I purchased at Wal-Mart for $2.20. I love it! I even added an applique cherry to the side. I'm getting a big charge out of this because it's the first sewing project I've done since 1987. Next up? Bag cover number 2...a different Engelbreit pattern. I almost got sucked into buying the pattern off ebay for an ungodly $7.99, but I decided it couldn't be that hard, so I made my own. Oh, should I mention that I didn't include the cost of the sewing machine repair that was $85.00? Yeah, the buttonholer wasn't working so I figured the investment would be worth it. I looked at the new Joann's flyer and I could have bought a new machine for $100.00. Live and learn....

And lest you presume there's no knitting going on...yep. I brought ribbon x-back out of hiding and am now on the left front. Something about this project just doesn't want to be completed. I'm using Lion Brand Incredible in "City Lights", and I do love the color. I just don't think ribbon knitting is for me. I was perusing the ribbon x-back KAL and there's been a bunch of posts about how large the thing is...believe me, I do not want to frog this baby.

I am 95% done with the "O" ring halter, but the endless ribbing-32 inches to be precise-is bogging me down mentally. What's a person to do? Cast on for another project...that's what! I'll bore you with the details of it later. I'm caught between a rock and a hard place at this point....I just got 2 of my library books today and I'm dying to get started! Wish I was one of the ones who can read and knit at the same time! What books? The Kills by Linda Fairstein, and Sullivan's Law by Nancy Taylor Rosenberg--2 of my favorite authoresses!--Hey! Is that even a word????

Let's Blog About Yarn....

First off, I wanted to mention that the straight laced socks are done. Shame on me for not posting the info in flikr, but I will sometime. There's been a lot happening here, but I wanted to take a few moments to share my newest acquisitions with you.

If you don't know, I love a deal...I also love thrift store shopping. The store I usually go to has been pretty lame for about 6 months or so. On a whim, I made a trip on Saturday-not a good day if you're looking to score-and I got a bag of yarn for $3.13!!! You heard me! It was the only one there, so I feel somehow it must have been destiny. The turquoise yarn is Filatura di Crosa "Amico" and the natural color is Berger Du Nord "ecosse #5". What a find. The original price on the ecosse was $5.25 a ball. You do the math. Inside the bag was a receipt dated from 1986 when there was a yarn shop so close to where I currently reside that I could have walked there! S igh...those were the days...

Also, I picked this mag up at Joann's over the weekend...I found 2 cute patterns in it, and was thinking maybe I could use up some of the newly acquired stash! Hmmm....

Photo posting Hell

Here's the purse!

Like I need another project!

After my last post in recounting everything I have on the needles...I got a crazy idea to start some sewing. Yeah, go ahead and shoot me. Do any of you remember these vintage handbags? I got mine at a department store chain called Stix, Baer, and Fuller back in the late '70's. I was ebaying and saw a seller had the pattern to make more covers. However, I think I'm going to try to make my own pattern. What sparked this? Well, my sis and I were at the Lilly Pulitzer store today and they were selling the covers for $20.00. My sister bought me one, but it was for a 4 button purse, and mine is 3 button. (From what I'm seeing, it's more rare.) So, this way I could make more covers in more time appropriate fabrics like Hello Kitty!! I'll have to let you know how it goes...Anyway, this is a pic of the first finished sock. The pattern is from Knitty.Com-natch! And, I'm working on the second!

Oh No! Not another one!!

I personally think FL has had enough of the hurricanes--and the season is just beginning! I'm over it! The only good thing that comes out of this is the fact that the weather is so yucky that your time is well spent knitting!

I cast on for a new sock over the holiday weekend and it's almost done! I had originally planned the yarn to make socks for a friend, but she never gave me the measurements I needed...so I ripped out the project and am making them for me. Selfish devil, aren't I? Don't answer that! I was also pondering if I'm on project overload...I have the almost finished ruffle tank-still needs to be cut and sewn-, a cabled handbag, the Tahki "O" ring tank, a fisherman's sweater, a shawl, the summer sweater from Rebecca, a crochet shrug, and now these socks! All I can say is that when I start socks, they just seem to fly.

I'm gonna post a pic to see if blogger is working. I'd hate to think that I'd lose another week due to their web issues!

Ok...good...it works.

Happy (?) FO urth of July!

So, I should be happy, right? A FO on the holiday.....As you can see, the knitting was completed on the ruffle tank....ah yes. But look at the shoulder ruffle. After the nonsense of casting on 210 and working the lace--not fun, mind you-I started assembly. The pattern tells you to leave a 7" gap for your armholes, but I had a sneaking suspicion that that wouldn't work. I tried it on after sewing up the back and literally the front fell down which would have shown the whole world one's chest! I have approximately 10" of knitting that I will be cutting off. Why does that anger me? Because it was time wasted and the fact that the ruffle won't be done properly. I have never chopped off a knitted piece, so we'll see how this goes. It's a shame really...the rest of the tank fits like a dream. I wanted to post the link to the pattern, but they have removed it from their website. Who were they kidding? Do they really test out these patterns for fit? Or was the ruffle pinned in the back on the model? Cussing has seemed to alleviate some of the stress...

So, last night I cast on the the "O" ring halter from same pattern book....got gauge right on the first attempt...you know where this is going, right? IT DOESN"T FIT EITHER!! I held it up to myself, and sure enough...too big! Ripped it out, and am now starting over by deceasing 12 stitches. I am using Berroco Cotton Twist in what I'll call "grape". When I first cast on, all I could think was...oh, no! Another splitty yarn! For some reason the cast on was like that, but it seems to be behaving now. Please send good knitting vibes this way....2 disappointments in a couple hours does not make a happy knitter.

And ya know what else? I don't think blogger uploaded the picture either! I'll put it in flicker....

Caught! Like a deer in the headlights...

Today the DH and I had to drive over to another county to pick up a special order for him, so that meant I would be able to visit 2 yarn shops. If you've read my other blog at MSN, you'll notice that this makes 3-count 'em-3 weekends in a row that I have enhanced the stash! It's incredible, but I can't seem to stop. Anyhoo, I digress.....at my first stop, I picked this up.
It's an older edition of Inspirations --a girl living in the south can't have too many summer knitting patterns! Also, I picked up 3 skeins of Reynolds Saucy in the juiciest shade of rose.

The next place we went was to Uncommon Threads...the owner of the shop is super nice and friendly and it's always a joy to shop there. And before I knew what was happening, I ran into 2 of the people I've met through the knitting groups! Like I said, caught! Forgot to mention that at the first shop, there was another one of the knitters from group! Ok, so on to the purchase... That first one is a pattern for Mystery Twist socks and 2 skeins of Lorna's Laces in an autumnal colorway called Gold Hill. Just beautiful. Then, and the picture does it no justice, I bought 3 skeins of Cotton Classic in a deep brown. Ah, how I love yarn shopping!

Oh yes, and do stop by my other blog ...I've updated the photo gallery. If only I could find a good one for this blog. Now, I'm off to cast on 210 stitches for the lace ruffle for my tank...wait a sec. Are they nuts? 210 stitches? See Ya!