The After, After Christmas Aftermath

Lots has happened since my last post and it's doubtful I will remember everything, but here's what's been happening...dh decided to change out my computer for his old one since now he's on his third. I wasn't up and running as fast as I would have liked to have been, but oh well...I also had an early Christmas sleepover at Red's and we partied down by seeing Da Man!! We gorged on food and dvds, and managed to slip in a bit of yarn shopping for moi. The doggies had to have their annual vet visit, and now my baby girl is able to go for a walk like a real pup. She'd rather chew her leash than use it.

As far as Christmas week...besides working grueling hours at the dungeon(my name for work), I decided to stop all work and try to finish an old one. About a year ago, I started the spicy fitted tee from Fitted Knits. After placing the sleeves on scrap yarn and working a few rounds, my stitch count was way over than what the pattern said. I took it to knitting group, and no answers there. After a year of vegetating, I kept staring at it thinking I should finish the damn thing. I knitted in every spare moment I had, and when I bound off I felt a sense of accomplishment. I tried it on, and .....TOO BIG!!! R-R-Rip!!! And since I was in the ripping mode, I tore up 2 other projects for good measure. Where does the spicy fitted tee stand now? I did a few adjustments on a whim and I'm close to the bind off on the body. Cross your fingers that it will fit....More on that next time. See, I'm leaving you in suspense...Ha!

BTW, here's a gratuitous doggie photo for your enjoyment. See how big she's getting?

The Latest Rebecca

Wow! I got the newest Rebecca and fell in love with the dresses. As you see, I'm still on a high after completing the Drops tunic/dress. I have got to stop this project meandering! I keep seeing things I want to knit, but then I don't ever finish anything! Arghh!
Today I decided to update a few of my links because the gals I added blog pretty much daily, and I find their work amazing....
Also, today is knitting group, but alas, I can't make it (again!). Today is dh's birthday and I think I see a seafood dinner celebration in my future.
Now, on concert news....Last month I had the pleasure of seeing one of my all time fave bands perform...REO Speedwagon. That Kevin Cronin can really belt it out after all these years...and ya know what else??? Got my tickets for Bon Jovi!!!!!!
Probably will have several days when I won't get a chance to blog-damn retail schedule----but I wanted to stop in and say "Have a Happy Thanksgiving"!

Will Wonders Never Cease??? It's a FO!

I meant to post this last week but never had the chance. Here she is in all her glory!

Project: Garnstudio Drops Design 96-9

Start Date: End of Sept (?)

End Date: 11-6-2007

Needles Used: Vintage Nylon Circulars #9, #9 aluminum straights for sleeves

Yarn: Caron Simply Soft in Country Blue (doubled)

Project Notes: First off, I want to say that this was an easy project, and Garnstudio did a great job with the instructions. You might remember from an earlier post that I had problems with the chart...evidently, it's meant to be read from left to right, not right to left, which was what I had done wrong originally. The sleeves were to be done on dpns, but I have to admit that I have dpn fear, thus the straights. I got gauge with the Simply Soft doubled. I figured since it's a work item, I wouldn't invest a ton of money on the recommended alpaca---probably would easily have been over $300.00 clams. I made the second size, and the fit is fantastic.

I opted to omit the bobbles on the back since I certainly don't need to appear any larger on the backside. The new baby got in the photo and decided the dress was her new blankie.

It may be awhile before I have another FO, but I'm so pleased with this one because it's boosted my knitting mojo. Happy knitting to all!

It's been hectic around here...

I know it's been a long time, but really...I have been busy! And I have tried to spend some time knitting, I promise. First of all, you may remember from my last post that I was working on the Garnstudio tunic...here's a pic to show you some progress.

That's about 27" , and as you see, I'm past the armholes. But then, I lost interest. Very typical of me. So, I started another project. Yeah, startitis should be my first name.

Everyone has seen it and done it, but I hadn't...I love the Central Park Hoodie and there's even a kal...which I haven't joined, but think I will. Everyone's hoodies looked so great, I just couldn't resist. My only concern with this is that everyone has cautioned about the sizing, and when I look at it, I think it still looks too small for me...meaning, that it will fit too closely, and I envisioned it being more roomy. We shall see.

Now I saved the best for last. Pictures speak a thousand words, right? Well, here's the reason I can't get anything done....It's my new baby girl!!! Hey, don't look at the horribly scary human in the background! Am I excused for not blogging sooner? I hope so. She takes up alot of spare time, let me tell you. And between you and me, if I have to pick knitting or playing with pups, the furry beasts win out every time!

Knitting Is A Labor

....supposedly of love. Ha! Not these last few months it hasn't. I actually finished knitting the vintage sweater I had started about 2 years ago. Unbelievable, right? Well, the sleeve caps are smaller than the armhole and it will require some doing if you know what I mean. So, that's project #1 that has me mad. I figure that I'll use up some of the stash and start #2...Twinkle cardi from VK...things were really cranking along on this baby. When I tried it on, the top is smaller than I thought it would be, and the bottom portion done in the chevron pattern is huge!!! So now project #2 has me good and mad. What do you do?

Start project #3....tunic from garnstudio...I really was lovin' this, and got about 8 inches done when I noticed the waving cables on either side were wrong. Wanna see? Yeah, it sucks. So, I went back to the website, rechecked the chart and the directions. No, I wrote it all out longhand, but it was right. This little conundrum bothered me for 2 days. I recently received my latest copy of Rebecca and decided that maybe that cable chart there was better. See, the tunic from garnstudio is almost like the one in Rebecca. Yep...the chart on the website is backward from the explanation. Do I hear r-r-r-i-i-pp? Sad to say, I did. All that work for nada. Good thing today is Labor Day, because that's what I've got ahead of me.

P.S. Did I mention that I actually got gauge, too?

Secret Project Revealed

First off, sorry about the layout on the last post. Still trying to figure out blogger. Anyway, I finally finished my secret project, and I hope you like it as much as I do.

On June 5th, I happened to be off and caught General Hospital. Elizabeth was wearing a cropped cardi in green that literally revved my creative juices. I then went to my fave clothing website, Anthropologie, and lo and behold there she was! Now, i don't know about you, but I can't afford to spend $88.00 on a sweater even if it is adorable. The next best thing is to make your own-which I did.. I went to the thrift store and found this sweater, albeit a bit scroungy, and ran home and washed it. (Happy to say that all the stains came out!) Next came the motif research, and I found this....http://www.patchworkcrochet.com/doilies.htm.

I furiously went about crocheting the wheels...I was on a mission! I used vintage thread that I bought on a previous thrift store outing. Here's her unveiling..and the best part? Only cost me $2.00. I think I'll wear her to work today. BTW, this is my 3rd Anthropologie knock off. Gosh, I love their clothing!

Crochet is for summertime

I promised an update with pics, and so you shall have it. Last month was killer for me. I got to see concerts at a local amusement park. First it was kicked off with Da Man!

A fantastic show and I got some good pics for a change...sure does help to sit close...I've noticed this camera refuses to function at night events. Oh sure, you can take pics, but it's a waste of time. Found that out last year. Anyway, then a couple weeks later I saw Three Dog Night-without Chuck Negron. A web search revealed he's gone out on his own. The remaining two "dogs" really belted out the old tunes, and I wish they would have played longer. Tonight I'm going to see KC and the Sunshine Band. Yeah, I'm old school when it comes to my musical taste.

On the knitting front, it's been silent. I gave up on Japel's Spicey Tee, and the VK lace cardi. Just couldn't get motivated. However, I did want to post a picture of what my parents brought me back from CA. After reading about the Prince of Knitting, I was fixated on getting some of his pattern books. My mom and sis finally found 3 at the Kinokuniya Bookstore. Yes, the instructions are in Japanese, and no I don't read Japanese. Thankfully, my mom can translate for me.

Crochet you say? Yep...that's the name of the game for me right now...here's a work in progress of Rowan's Joy. Sorry for the crappy photo...the stupid thing kept curling...definitely will need blocking. That's the back and the left front. My only concern at this point is whether it will actually fit around the neck. I've ripped out the neck twice since I wasn't getting the dratted gauge, but you know, that's always my downfall. However, this has become interrupted because I found a new secret project to begin, and it involves this.....I've got to make 16 of these suckers, and I'm already worn out. But I'll remain diligent because I think the end product will be worth it.

Lastly, I wanted to share a few of my most favorite thrift store finds. On Wednesdays, it's 50% off everything, and I ran across these 2 sets of cross stitched pillow cases. I fell in love! They had never been used, and they were only .50 cents a piece. I have been searching for vintage embroidered pillowcases forever, and could never find any. But, these will do just fine. My first craft I really become obsessed with was embroidery, and a childhood friend and I used to sit on her porch in the summertime and embroider dresser scarves and pillowcases. It's a shame someone thought so little of this person's work to donate them to the thrift store like some unwanted trash. Oh well...one man's trash is another man's treasure!

No Picture Friday

Very inventive title, no? I've been meaning to blog and do have pics to show, but currently am feeling under the weather. Twice a year I can look forward to a sinus infection. I have the energy of a turtle.
I went to knitting group on Wednesday night and had to call it quits early. That really bummed me out since it's the group that only meets once a month. Anyway, just thought I'd let everyone know that I am currently crocheting "Joy" from Rowan Spring/ Summer 2007. I'm only on the back, but it's great for mindless crochet, and allows you to chat in a group and not lose your concentration. I am inspired to do crochet when I visit a super knitter/crocheter blog's like this... http://myknittinworld.blogspot.com/. This gal is amazing!
Have you seen the latest Knit 1? The dress is beautiful! I would love to make it, but there are no craft stores around here that carry LB organic cotton, and I would like to see this yarn in person before I made a purchase.

I Must Have a Thing for Stars

I thought I'd share one of my secret passions...I love quilts. Back in the '80's, I use to watch public television so I could catch Georgia Bonesteel making lap quilts. I have 2 of her books...alas, I am not a skilled or talented quilt artisan. As you may also remember, I love to go to thrift stores. All I can say is Eureka!!! I scored !

This first one was in a bad state, and I spent 4 hours painstakingly sewing up all the tears, but when hubby saw it, he fell in love. The original price was more than I wanted to spend on something so tattered, so I waited til half off day, and snatched it up as a surprise for him. This one matches our decor perfectly.

This second one, unfortunately, had to be repaired, too. I love the colors and thought I could use it as my tv watching blankie. It has that whole denimish chambray thing going for it.

This last one I had to have! It is handmade, as was the first one, and it is in perfect condition! No stains or anything. Uh...I paid $4.60 for it. Yes, score! You may notice that someone else is in the photo. You try taking photos of quilts when your Maltese wants to play ball!

And then, this is for everyone who probably thinks I don't knit anymore...a finished back of the VK lace cardi. This sucker has been something else as far as gauge goes...I surfed around, and no one else has had a problem...anyway, I am knitting the largest size and am now afraid it might be too sloppy. If I have to reknit the back I will scream, so stand by to cover your ears.

Have you tried the new Diet Coke Plus? It's the one with vitamins added. The flavor was too similar to Pepsi for me...Coke, you gotta stick to the original recipe for DC...we all remember the fiasco with New Coke, now don't we?

Yep...I've got the goods!

I've been anxiously awaiting the arrival of the "new" LB Cotton Ease...FINALLY, Michael's got it and I couldn't wait another millisecond to get it! I bought Berry, Violet, and Terracotta. Next time, there'll be more !

Yes, It's Really Me...

Sorry to say there are no pics, but there will be. My excuse? Work, work, work...yuck! I knit when I can and am frustrated that I haven't finished anything. I am currently knitting the Spicey Tee from Stephanie Japel's book, Fitted Knits. I love her patterns, but I must say, I must be a dummy. I have ripped this sucker 4 times, and I still have way too many stitches. In checking for errata, there's nothing there. The folks in the KAL haven't discussed this one, so I can only conclude that it's the knitter and not the pattern. Yikes!
I do have some new stuff to share, but again, I want to show it in pics. My Little Man is doing well...translation? He still bites and barks, but he's so darn cute you overlook it. I'll have to post a new pic of him, too.
The Patons pattern I was working on is about three quarters of the way done, but I don't have progress pics. After the Spicey Tee, I may crochet something from the latest Rowan book. As I like to say....it's always something.

Happy Knitting New Year!

Well, I don't know about you, but New Year's (as I've gotten older...ahem) has been considered "amateur night" around here. What do I mean? Well, it's a time when some people feel it's ok to get totally stinking drunk, and perhaps drive. I like to stay at home and get into my "toys". And quite frankly, it's some time off from the retail hell in which I work.

I finally got a chance to visit my LYS, and do sit and night. People, it's been months...and after feeling the knitting vibes, it put me into action. I think it's just what the doctor ordered as I've been in a crazy slump. Even though I have returned to work and have some cash to buy, I'm not. I figure I've been heavily stashing for 3 years, and I just better make do. So, what have I cast aside to start?? As you may remember, I was working on my second go round of the RPM socks, and they are the right size now....I'm on the toe decreases of sock #1..but like I said, after being with my lovely knitting friends, I got the itch to start something new... It's the "Must Have Cardigan". I love this pattern! I decided to use Plymouth Encore since I can't bear to wear wool....my first attempt was WAY too small...so I started again. Too bad I got so excited that I misread the pattern...as you know, it's called a new design element. If you look closely at the left side (panel a), you'll see that I forgot to cross the cable. Live and learn....and no, there won't be ripping since there's a good 6 inches there and my time is so limited.


I would like to address Michele who left a comment on my last post. (I love comments) I love to take pictures of my new pup, and various and sundry things, but I have this phobia about sharing too much personal info on the net. So, he shall just remain to be My Little Man...aka MLM...and here's a new one for ya cause he likes to have his pic taken... (truly he loves the attention, and doesn't care too much about my knitting projects...when he sees me get it out, he likes to chew the yarn. Bad Boy!) That's it for now, but I promise to be better for 2007...ok, I'll try. Oops! One last knitterly piece of business...every year I keep saying I'm going to make a list of the new things I have learned, and I never do it...(slacker!)..this year is pretty pathetic...the only new skill I learned was the long tail cast on--Thank you, Roz!
Everbody have a a great New Year!!!