Christmas Review: 1

Well, now that the packages have been sent off and are going to be opened soon I can finally get what I've been so busy with all month up and out here!

It's been a busy busy month around here with lots and lots of changes up on the horizon. I can officially say I am college graduate (!!!) not to mention all of the fabulous projects I've got lined up for 2011. So, before 2011 begins lets recap with what I did in the end of 2010.

One of the projects I've been working on the longest has been my Nautical Nights Blanket started back in July this has been something I've pulled out every few weeks to chip away at. I can't say enough how much I love the Knit Picks Shine Worsted yarn. It is absolutely one of the softest things I've ever felt, silky and smooth to the touch. Just a delight!

I added a single crochet around the border to give it a little weight and definition. I do really enjoy the granny square technique but it feels just a touch flimsy without something to anchor it. Over all I'm very happy with how this project turned out (and to be done with it!) and hope that it brings some color and warmth to a bed or couch.

I can't wait to keep digging into all my Christmas project photos. Although I realized more as I went through them that there was more crocheting that I had thought. I've also thought of my self as just a knitter but its becoming clear I just need to update that title to crafter.

More Socks! Holiday Edition!

Starting December off right! I've working on my holiday gifts ferociously for the past few weeks.

The latest installment is a gift for my lovely step father. I found this delightful pattern on raverly a few days ago and realized that this yarn would be perfect:

Knit Picks Imagination Hand painted yarn. A lovely blend of alpaca and merino wool. The best part is the color name: WILD WEST. I have to admit that's part of what attracted me to it.

I've finished the first one and just need to plow through the next one. So excited to get these done! They are super super soft and I love how great the yarn looks. You can't really see the colors very well in the pictures but its a soft brown with some olive, blue and red through it. DEEEElightful.

Chilly Birthdays

My baby sister turned 17 at the beginning of this month. Knowing how cold it gets in Minnesota I decided to whip her up something to keep warm with this winter.

My friend Lydia has a pattern that she wrote that I knew would be perfect.

Knit up in super chunky yarn with a swirl of rainbow candy goodness all through it this was such a quick and pleasant knit. I do feel kind of silly with GIANT knitting needles in my hands. But quick! It's the holidays and the end of my school year, I need all the help I can get even if I feel silly.

I also managed to finish my mother-in-laws blanket in the few weeks I've been gone, plus finishing up some other small odd and ends gifts. I've still got lots to work on, some socks, some slippers. Let's just say its going to be a busy few weeks over here.

Good Intentions

Despite my best intentions I've been sucked into the black hole of school. Unfortunately even my knitting has taken a hit and I haven't been nearly as productive as I would have hoped too. I did manage to start in on some of my holiday projects and finished my first of six headbands for my nieces by marriage. A slightly modifited version of Sweatshop of Love's Detriot Tiger's Bow Headband these will look so cute on all of them. Can't wait to get started on the next ones!

Tube Tops!

Just in time for winter I finished a lovely tube top. This is the first item I've made following a chart. The diamond pattern is made up of knits and purls and just repeats itself. Other than losing my place constantly I really enjoyed following a chart. I felt so accomplished watching the pattern come together.

It's really difficult to take pictures of yourself in a tube top where you can actually see the item and still see the person. I'm sure I looked a little crazy if you saw me during the process.

knit out of a nice light weight sport cotton with these adorable fabric buttons I bought from Allyson over at the Sweat Shop of Love booth at Renegade this top is going to be great to break out in about...six months.

Guess I need to get my winter knitting into hyper drive!

Stripes!

Just a little sneak peak of what I've been working on.
Even though I haven't been posting much I've been knitting up a storm- I swear!
I've got to get some good sunlight to document my recent projects and then there will be a flurry over here soon.

Busy, Donations

Well, contrary to my best intentions I haven't made it over here very often and have sorely lacked the time or will to actually make a post. So, we have lots and lots to catch up on. It's my goal to post at least twice this week- here's hoping my homework schedule will cooperate with these ambitions.

Before all of the madness started around here I did have some time to knit up a few pieces for a donation to a silent auction to my high school.

A stash busting hat knit in lambs wool pride worsted (one of my favorites). 

And a little pattern that I've working on/trying to figure out for a beautiful textured cowl. 

I love the way that the pattern pops out but there are definitely some alterations I will make next time around in the fit and transitions. I'm excited to get working on my next one but unfortunately there a quite a few big projects in the works right now and that pesky holiday list is creeping up closer and closer so it will probably be awhile before I really get to work the kinks out of this all.  But for a first shot in the dark at making a pattern up on my own, I don't think its too bad.

Lion Brand Studio

So between the start of school and the end of summer things have been crazy crazy around here. I was just browsing through my iphoto and realized I hadn't even uploaded the pictures from my fabulous (and much anticipated on my part) trip to the LION BRAND STUDIO when I was in New York a few weeks ago.

They had an amazing window display where everything was knit, crochet or crafted with or covered in yarn. The theme was a summer fair display, think Conney Island. My favorite was the cleverly crafted roller coaster.

Elephants! Crazy Scary face man!

They had all kind of cute adorable toys

Kat enjoyed a relaxing cup of tea

I found enough yarn that I needed to buy a second suitcase.

Although I don't think I'll be making these glitter lace arm warmers anytime soon

Kat on other hand, just looked lost.

I should know better than to drag all of my friends (and husband) out yarn shopping with me, but sometimes I just can't help myself. I know that things are just going to keep getting crazier and crazier around here so here's hoping I can stay on my schedule and tootle over here more often. With that, here's a sneak peak of what I'm working on next. It's pretty exciting if I do say so myself.

The Great Minnesotan Get Together

In Minnesota there are plenty of things to do during the summer but the one to top them all?

The State Fair.

When I explain the state fair to people of non minnesotan persuasion they go "oh yeah, I've been to fairs before, they're kind of cool. With their rides and popcorn and hot dogs and stuff" I of course can only scoff and say, but you don't understand, does your fair have....

The largest boar in the state?

A giant slide?

Or a Sky Glider that traverses the permanent fair grounds?

David is impressed!

The state fair is also home to my favorite booth ever. You may ask, is it the famed Sweet Martha's cookies? The milk booth (all you can drink milk for $1), maybe it's the deep fried candy bar on a stick?

If you answered the Culligan booth you are CORRECT!! What's better than free water? Especially when it comes in cute little cups dispensed from a bubbly machine? Refreshing after you've been walking around the hot dusty fair all day, no?

Other high lights from my day at the fair include breakfast cupcakes with my nephew

Checking out some sweet award winning jams and jellies

Taking a little dawdle in the arts and craft (knitting?!) building.

I loved the intricate detail on this BEE (!!) sweater.

Also notable:

Award winning hamburgers

After all the excitement with arts and farts we decided to enjoy a river raft ride

(note: I do not actually know anyone depicted in this photo and yes, my husband called me a creep for taking it)

Such an exciting day! I can't wait until next year when I can once again stuff my face with sweet spun sugar. Until we meet again next year my sweet get-together.

Layover

It  seems I only just got back in Chicago before I've headed back out on the open road. I'm already up in Minnesota visiting my family and going to the famed Minnesota State Fair.

With only five days back in Chicago I managed to squeeze in a visit from our touring Seattle friends, Unnatural Helpers. (that's their van up there) Some great eats and a few minuets of knitting stuck in between.

Lauren of New York fame was able to fly out and join us for the show so before she jetted off back to New York we swung by Xoco, beautiful brain child of Chicago (the world) phenomena Rick Bayless.

This is easily one of my favorite restaurants to date. the food was delicious and fresh and the service was impeccable and friendly. 

Besides a complete menu of sandwhichs and soups there was delectable Aqua Frescas avalibible.

I had the Watermelon Lime while Lauren partook in the Hibiscus and Lemongrass. Both delightful, crisp, refreshing and delightfully concocted.

Sealing the deal for me? The option of complimentary self serve sparkling water. It was the small details and thoughtfulness (accompanying dish of limes) that really made this such a great experience  over all. As someone who is seriously considering purchasing a personal seltzer machine this was like finding my mecca.

Lauren of New York fame.

Overall it was a delicious meal during a quick jaunt home. Minneapolis has been embracing me in its familial bossom and I hate to leave it so soon but I'll be back in Chicago and settling into school soon enough. Also, we're driving our new car back so I'll have a whole 4-6 hours of knitting time to hammer some projects out.

Cotton

Everything that I've been getting my hands on recently has been a cotton or a cotton blend. I don't know what it is but I'm just hooked on the soft cuddly feel. I know that as it starts to get colder( it is Chicago after all, it doesn't take to long around here) I'll be moving into warmer fabrics but right now all i want to do is knit light and airy items.

I've been plugging away on my Traverse City Tube Top for the past couple days. Hopefully I can finish it in time to wear it in some of our last summer weather. I'm hoping to finish it by the end of August to count as my August sweater for Knit a Sweater a Month Challenge. Making my Dollar and Half Cardigan was such a blast that I decided to try and knit a sweater each month until the end of the year (and beyond...? probably) So far I'm doing alright and I've got tons of projects lined up.

I'm loving the color of this project and the yarn is so soft and cuddly. I totally messed up the first two rows of the charted pattern and instead of pulling them back out or knitting back (LAZY) I just started over. I've also made some mistakes and doubled rows, jumping back in the pattern. It looks a little funky but I'm not too worried about it. I just gotta keep knitting forward. I have learned from this experience that I have problems following charted patterns with my usual knitting habits- on the bus, watching TV, talking etc. I have to stay very very focused, but hopefully once I get a little more practice it will get better.

I've also been working on some Christmas presents as well and making some cowls. Always simple but classic I have a feeling the cowl and I will be having a great relationship this season. It works up so simply and can be used by men or women plus it keeps you warm!

This yarn was actually purchased with a special someone in mind and although the lace pattern I've put into it has faced some challenges (mostly my inability to count) it's turning out really nicely and I think will be great to wear through the winter and the spring. This was knit using the Knit Picks Cotton Shine which is blend of cotton and natural beach wood fiber. I love the drape and sheen of it, it is such a comfortable but luxurious feeling fiber.

I just got in a double order of yarn so I've got lots and lots of projects to get started on. I'm off to make a list of what needs to come first so I can free up the right sets of needles. Or maybe I should just buy some new needles- it's so hard for me to wait sometimes.

New York

Even though I dragged my computer all the way to New York with me I didn't get around to updating at all. I was just too busy having fun EATING

Alhtough I did spend very little time knitting I did spend a lot of time doing my second favorite activity. EATING.

First stop on the New York eats tour: Milk Bar. Home to my favorite cookie of all time: Corn Flake, Chocolate Chip, Marshmallow.  If you're only going to eat one thing in New York, let it be this.

Milk Bar is the bakery attachment of the famed Momfuku restaurant. Where my bff, Kat and I had lunch. We order the prix fixed menu, more than enough food for two people. The entire meal was delicious but the star of the show was the dessert.

An ice cream pie consisting of sweat corn ice cream, a pretzel crust and fresh berries. Yum. 

Next up on the New York list: Pie's and Thigh's in Willimsburg, Brooklyn

A celebration of pies and fried chicken (thighs!) As a vegitarian I keep coming back for the delicious sides. Their honey butter on their biscuts doesn't hurt either. Kat opted for the big salad, a beautiful mix of black eyed peas, shreaded carrots, cabbage, avacado and hard boiled egg. Ahhh-mazing. srsly.

Our bounty/The last super

Unfortunately I didn't snap a picture of our pies before we gobbled them up but after much research the Banana cream reigns supreme. Followed closely by the rhubarb pie.

Another Perk of New York City, Make your own frozen yogurt! Lauren took me for this delightful treat after my disappointing experience (grainy) with Eskimix.

Although this seems like the tour of sweets no trip to New York would be complete with out a visit to my beloved and delicious (!!) Shake Shack

The best cheader cheese fries of your life followed closely by a 'shroom burger. Cheese stuffed, battered, deep fried portabello mushroom sandwiched in a delicious bun topped with lettuce and tomato.

Although I was unhappy to leave New York I think that my arteries will be thanking me. I'll be back with some knitting updates soon. I've been working on some fun stuff and have a knitting list about a mile long.