Current Works

Within the last couple of days, I have started a new project as well as ripped out an old one. Remember my Celebrity Look-Alike Shawl? It has returned to its original form. I have every intention of going back and redoing this, but in a much smaller size. I only clear 5 feet by several inches, and the shawl was hanging down well below my knees! Not something I would ever wear, so it had to go. I am hoping to crochet one more to my size and perhaps add fringe this second time around. After all, what good is a finished project if it will never be used? The pattern is from Stitch Divas and the yarn is Katia Pisco from Elann.

As mentioned before, a new pair of socks is on the needles. I am doing Whitby from Nancy Bush's Knitting on the Road. The yarn is Plymouth's Sockotta and is very reminiscent to me of sock monkeys. I really like the colors of the yarn (thanks Knittripps again!) but have yet to determine if this pattern will be the best choice. Thoughts? Sometimes it is a little hard to see the pattern come through until you work a few more inches.

Happy New Years everyone! Here's to a safe & festive night!

Knit Group

I have decided that cappuccino & knitting make BAM a frantic knitter on edge. Tonight was the start of sock knitting. I didn't get much done on mine, but we got Knittripps on her way with her first pair of socks!

Onigiri was there, working on her first project...a scarf. She is eager to get rolling on a hat, since she has pretty much mastered the garter stitch! Natalie had her newest little one along for our knitting...what a cutie!

Another nice evening ladies...always fun to knit in groups!

What a wonderful Christmas

Hubby & I had a wonderful Christmas full of time with family & feasting. It is nice to have Monday off to recover, rest, and clean. We didn't have any of the festivities at our condo this year, but it is in need of some real organization!

Especially after a Christmas surprise last night, when after we got home from our final holiday destination, our ceiling started leaking! It was in our kitchen and the water was dripping from our light. We rushed over and cleared off the counter, unscrewed the light bulb, got a bowl, and hurried over to our neighbors to find out what could be causing this. (Note: this is the 2nd instance of water leaking from this neighbor's unit, the first instance earlier this year had my closet out of commission for a good month). Sure enough, she had been running her dishwasher. Eventually the dripping stopped, but now we have another project to figure out what is causing this. Needless to say, we are not too pleased about this. Ahh, to be part of an association. I guess you have to take the bad with the good. But on Christmas? Geez.

Now since the recipients have received their gifts, I can share with you my holiday knitting! Hats were big this year. The red hat (for Hubby's Aunt) was done in Caron's Simply soft yarn with this pattern from Frugal Haus. The multi-colored hat (for my Mom) was done in Crystal Palace's Musique yarn from no particular hat pattern. The wheat colored hat for my Aunt was done in Plymouth Indiecita Alpaca (sooo soft, must buy more of this yarn) from Fruity Chick's Nora pattern. I really enjoyed this pattern, and plan to make more of these. The first scarf is a simple garter stitch done for my Grammie in some soft yarn (Paton's Divine) . The second scarf is Mimi VeryLong done in some Hand Painted Opal sock yarn. The final hat is Safi (for my sis), is from Rowan's Cotton Rope Collection. The yarn used here is Katia Pisco.








This was also a year of knitting gifts for me! I received some great things including a gift certificate to Purls. And as you can see, I have added a few new things to my collection, all from Knittripps (except Scarf Style which I got from Hubby's Aunt). Knittripp's and I are planning on some socks to start the New Year. This will be her first pair!

And finally, I will leave you with one of my favorite things from Christmas Eve....Luminaries!!

Let the Holiday Festivities Begin!

Yes, She is complete! Nordic Lights in all of her glory.

I am loving this capelet. I think the colors turned out well, and again I am very happy with the yarn from Elann. This is their Peruvian Collection Highland Wool in Aubergine, New Leaf, Sapphire, Freesia, Summer Fuschia, & Brilliant Blue. I ordered 2 balls of each color, but really only needed 2 balls of the Aubergine & New Leaf. I still have a full ball or so of the other colors. I really could have used 3 balls of the New Leaf, but altered the color sequence in the pattern a bit to accommodate. I think the color sequence turned out nicely though.

The only other modification to the pattern was on the neck. I tried the full 3 or so inches they recommended, but the neck rolled over too much of the pattern so I shortened it up a bit. As you can see, it fits nicely. (Oh, and I used my Denise Interchangeables which worked well for this pattern. The body was done on 6's and the neck on 4's).

It is warm and snuggly and perfect to wear around the house for a little extra warmth. I really like how a capelet fits compared to a shawl that needs to be readjusted as you sit and move around. According to Wrap Style, capelets fall above the elbows whereas ponchos drape over the shoulders and cover the upper body. This one is a little longer than a capelet on my petite frame by these standards.

My hair stylist calls them "toaster covers". They remind her of the little cloth covers one puts over their toaster. I thought she might have been referring to a particular body part being covered when she first said this. Hehe.

So, toaster covers it is. I am enjoying mine and am looking for another one to make for a project for the new year. I might do another one out of Wrap Style.

Again, Happy Holidays! Wishing you all the very best this holiday season!

Merry Christmas!

Happy Holidays to you and your loved ones!

Lovely Weekend

It is time to relax this evening after a busy and lovely weekend in Chicago. Hubby & I went with family to a very good family friend's wedding in downtown Chicago. It was a beautiful wedding, and it reminded me of how lucky we all are to have such good family & friends to share these memories with. A special I love you to my own dear husband. I am so happy for the bride & groom....wishing you the very best!

On the knitting front, mittens are in full swing. I can't say I have gotten very far, but the cuff is looking good right now.

As for Nordic Lights, I am nearing completion. All I have left to do is seam the shoulders, finish the neck, weave in the ends, and then lightly block. I am hoping to have this project done to wear on Christmas day to all of our festivities! Here are some pics, after a special request to see the back side (inside) of the work. I think I will have more color projects on the list for 2006!

It's a Wrap!

Has anyone else noticed the trend lately? Shawls, Shrugs, capelets, Ponchos..in lace, wool, alpaca...you name it and someone is knitting one! It seems as though everyone has gone crazy for these accessories, and who can blame them?

Knit and Tonic has a post recently referencing shawls and the excitement of knitting them and how useful they really are. Knittripps is planning a lovely shawl for her next project and has already done one beauty this year. I am in the midst of my Nordic Lights and am eyeing the next possible wrap to knit. It has really gotten me thinking. I never thought myself to be much of a "shawl lady", I tend to think sort of matronly thoughts when I hear the word shawl. But I am telling you, my perception is quickly changing when I see all of the neat things out there!

This year, I myself have done 3 that can fall into that category this year, and I am already on another wrap! Ok, I am addicted....easily admitted. Anyone else in this camp?

What has been your favorite wrap, shawl, poncho, etc. that you have loved to knit, could not live without, or are totally itching to make?

A little Progress

Nordic Lights is still in progress. I have probably done about 3.5 inches since the last pic I posted. I think I need to start another project so I have 2 in the mix again.

I am thinking about beginning a pair of mittens. These mittens are from Knitting Marvelous Mittens (Ethnic Designs from Russia) by Charlene Schurch. See the pic below for the mitten I have chosen and the colors I am going to use (charcoal, teal, & orange). The yarn pictured is Dale of Norway's Baby Ull, which is sooooo soft. I think the mittens are going to be luscious. They are my b-day knitting project, so I think I will enjoy knitting them.

Anyone have any tips for working a border like this? I usually hold both colors in my right hand when working 2 colors, but think I may have to move to one in each hand for the multi-color ribbing.


Time to get ready for our big holiday party of the season...should be fun!

Sometimes...

you just never know....ya know?

Ok ok, just let me be a little ambiguous from time to time.

The temps today are NORDIC

Wow is it cold here today. Too cold. Unusually cold for this early in December. It is definitely the type of weather that makes you want to curl up by the fire and relax. And of course knit! Yes, there has been a little knitting going on. Nordic Lights is in full swing and is probably about 30% finished. Diggin' the color combo so far. Whatcha think?

Already?

Last night I finished off one more of my Christmas knit gifts. I looked at my "gift stack" that I have been accumulating and realized....I am finished with all of my Christmas gifts! Of course, who's to say if I happen to see a quick knit that looks like a perfect gift (always a likely option) for someone on my list. I could always be back in the December last minute knit game!

OMG, Interweave ROCKS!

I just checked their website and they have their Winter Magazine for Knitting coming out soon. But even better, they have some great Staff projects on their website ready for free download and KNIT! I am totally feelin' the earflap love with their Cover Your Ears, and am eager to knit their Short Row Hat.

Yes, cold weather brings great knits to keep the head warm!

Ready for Stuffin'

The stockings are hung by the chimney with care.....

DONE!

This means I can get back to my other holiday knitting and perhaps the Nordic Wrap. I am happy with these stockings, the cheap-o TLC Essentials yarn worked out beautifully (a little less than 2 skeins for these). As you can see, our stockings are hung up next to our MEOW & WOOF stockings (store bought) for the pets. Glad hubby and I have our own stockings this year!

MEOW!