Unfinished business due to new business

I am unable to blog and be as knitty as I would like to be these days. Why? Because I started a new job, and my schedule fluctuates so much that I can't seem to get in a routine. The worst part? I can't socialize with all my knitting friends, and that saddens me. :( I miss the stories and their projects. But what can I do? I gotta work...

Anway, I have been trying to work on stuff....hence, the unfinished business.
What you see in the upper left is my start on the ruffle vest from knit 1, the finished back of my crochet tank, and the never seeming to be finished creamsicle socks. Ya know, this working has somehow cut into my creative juices, and I'm not as inspired to finish. Guess it has to do with missing my peer's knitterly comments.



But, check this out...http://wardroberefashion.blogspot.com/ This is such a cool idea and I am lovin' every second of reading what everyone's doing. Go....check it out!

Crochet Frenzy

It's been awhile, but since my last post I have made some headway...guess you just have to take a step back every now and again to get the machine in motion. Major frustration has been the mood around here, so as I mentioned, I started a new project. It was going to be a simple knit..just a 3 x 3 rib short sleeve summer top....HA! The knitting gods didn't like that! The instructions tell you to knit 6 rows in elastic rib and then use swiss darning. People....this is so like what??? They don't mean duplicate stitch since we are talking about the back neckline. I asked my "advisors" at the knitting group last week and they suggested that it might be tubular cast off. Ok, so I read the instructions for that...seemed like it might be right. Then, I tried it, and it can't be right! Now what???? I feel like I just learned how to knit like 2 minutes ago and the instructions are in some alien language. HELP!!!

Now, I did finish the crochet top that I had to completely rip out the back and redo....I apologize for the crappy picture. I tried to get it so you could see the filet design, but couldn't. I'll probably have to try it again....maybe if I am modeling it.







My post title is crochet frenzy, and it appears that I am in one...this is my latest WIP which is destined to be a summer tank top. It' a freebie pattern from the net so let's see how this goes. Because my sis was here visiting from CA, I let her work on it...it's up to the armhole shaping. Not bad for 1 day's work, huh? While she's been here we went to a bunch of fancy schmancy retail stores (translation: super expensive) and I saw a veritible ton of crocheted clothing! I guess 2006 is the summer of crochet. Everything I looked at, I was like..uh..I could probably make that. So, now that's what I'm trying to do.

Now, in knitting news....I realized I had never photographed this summer cropped tank top I made in the summer of 2002. It turned out to be huge, and I kept thinking I would find someone at work to take it off my hands. I never did. Now it's going to be frogged and will be transformed into the ruffled bra top from the latest issue of "knit 1". Yea! Save money and get a new cute top out of the deal! I love when that happens. Although, wish me luck since I've apparently really p-o-ed the knitting gods.


And I'd also like to say that this issue of "knit 1" was much better than the last one. I love the green cardi, and will knit that a little later on. Plus, I love their idea about the purchased lace and crochet to make the tunic top. Very ingenius. The only quandry I'm in now is...when will I get the time to do all this??

So not newsy

This has been a horrible week! I didn't bother to take a photo of what is now the back of the crochet top. The assembly of this thing had me in a quandry, but today I figured it out, but still had to tear the %^& apart.
If this wasn't bad enough, and trust me , it threw my mojo into a tail spin, my Rebecca summer cardi is TOO SMALL! Yeah...I know...gauge...whatever!! So I ripped the back out, and will have to make some adjustments. Luckily, there is more than enough yarn.
I have been totally uninspired to knit anything. The other 5000 WIPs just aren't cuttin' it, and with some I am very close to a finish. So what's a knitter to do? Start a new project. Problem is, I'm still not gettin' gauge. Maybe I should just shut up and go read.

Keeping my promise

Ok, I have photos for ya today. First, a FO--crochet tank top . I know I'm no expert, but it did fit, although a bit large around the bust, but all in all, a fast project. The pattern is from McCall's Needlework Spring/Summer 1976. I used an F hook and 5 skeins of Lily Cotton-All that I had in my stash. (Technically, that means I can add 5 skeins to said stash, right?) I started this on 4-28 and finished on 5-2. Faster than knitting, I tell ya.



Now for those of you who've been into all my thrift store yarn purchases, I now bring you the rest of it... 6 skeins of Columbia Minerva "Linspun" in cream and a heathery gray. This yarn is 85 % acrylic and 15% linen. I have no earthly idea what to use it for...oh, and a couple of lone balls of unknown sock yarn, I guess. The next is my wool! 13 skeins of Brunswick Germantown in shamrock, dartmouth green, and cherry smash. (Love those color names!!) Anyway, remember, all this was part of one trip! And I forgot to say that these will eventually become a felted bag...maybe the booga bag.

And, I also stated in my last post that I had acquired a new knitting bag...so, here's a pic of it, too. Brand spankin' new from the same thrift shop!! Does anyone know if this is a designer bag? The inside has a tag that says "KMQ Collection". I guess it really doesn't matter, but was just curious.

Am I driving you crazy with all the pics? Ok, last one I promise....my latest WIP...filet crochet! I gotta say, this works up so fast, and now I think I'm addicted! Have you seen the latest Tahki Crochet booklet? There were some really cute patterns in there. Since I'm just starting out, I'm going to work with all these vintage ones I have first. Oh yeah...I already boo-booed this one....I didn't get gauge nor had I bothered to measure, so I will be doing a few new "design concepts" instead of ripping out!!

The Post which is photoless

Many of you may turn around and leave at this point, and I don't blame you. But truly, I've been so busy I can't seem time to take photos, upload them, and wait and see if blogger will indeed upload. Anyway, here's the scoop....I finished my crochet top Yesterday, people! It's a wonder everyone doesn't just crochet-no blasphemy intended to the knitting world-That darn top only took me 5=count 'em-5 days! I promise that my next post will have photos of it, and of the rest of my yarn finds from the previous thrift store trip.

Uh...I have something to confess. I went to the thrift store again today. Yes. I'm an addict. I restrained myself on the yarn...instead I got another handbag. Gulp! I'll show it to you next time, too.

And, I've been somewhat of a gallivanter these days. Flitting from one yarn shop to another for knit night. Tomorrow is another knit night! Yea for knitting! Yea for gallivanting!

One more thing...if you're into crochet at all, you've got to check out the April 29th post here:
http://vintagefusionhandcrafts.blogspot.com/ This is BEAUTIFUL!