Sunday Snapshot

Today was taking instead of making. Ripping things out, or frogging, as it is called takes a fraction of the time it takes to knit something, even so. It took me a solid 3 hours to finish ripping out this puppy. Here's to second chances. ugh.

Finishing it up

For the first time this year, I feel like I actually have got a handle on the holidays. This pile of knits is ALL FINISHED. Woven ends and all, and will be getting shipped off on Saturday morning. I'm actually starting to make myself anxious because I feel like I should be more anxious or stressed out. It feels good to have completed something in a reasonable amount of time (not exactly something I'm known for around here).

Although I've still got lots of things to get on my needles and some exciting new projects in the pipes. If it feels this good to get some knitting done on time I wonder how great it will feel in the rest of my life. I've started to make some New Years resolutions already! No time like the present!!

Handamde Ryan

My friend Ashley over at, One in the Hand, got the idea to create Handmade Ryan Gossling. If you're in the mood for a good giggle click on over. and if you have some nuggets of funny, click the submit button! The one above is my little contribution.

Sunday Snapshot

Dino hat. Rwwwarrrrrr. This is headed to a very special little kid this holiday.  I've already got tons of ideas to alter this (in better!) ways next time I knit it. And there will be a next time. Lots of dino lovers in my life.

Wednesday Win

Last week I was lucky (CRAZY LUCKY) to win The Sweatshop of Love's giveaway. My Prize? This crazy ass cool cowl kit from Wool and the Gang.

With gorgeous peruvivan wool (in surprise, my favorite color GRAY!!). This kit comes with everything you need. A simple pattern for a seed stitch cowl, two skeins of yarn and some chunky straight wood needles.

The needles are a great smooth and polished dark wood with a really nice heft to them. Between the chunky yarn and those huge needles this will probably be the worlds fastest knit. Now my only question is, do I make the cowl with their pattern or go rouge and re-purpose this beautiful yarn for something else? I haven't made my mind up, which is just fine. With my holiday knitting still on my needles my selfish knitting is taking a back seat. That's alright though, because the time where I can knit and knit selfishly for myself is just around the corner. And well, it would be a lie to say I didn't have at least a few things hanging around in some project bags for myself.

If you're still looking for some last minute gifts, or like me, plotting all of your soon to be selfish knitting for yourself hop on over to The Sweatshop of Love's Etsy store. She's having a HUGE sale for the next two days. Including both knit and crochet kits to make and already crafted items they're perfect for yourself and for those you love.

Sunday Snapshot

Working on an baby hat as a gift for one of my co-workers who's due this month. pink. pink. pink. It's a girl.

Sunday Snapshot

Just working on a Secret Santa Project. Hopefully my person will be very excited about receiving this super cute (and functional!) yoga bag as a gift. I'm hoping it knits up quickly as my deadline is fast approaching. The yarn is Knit Picks Cotlin in Creme Brulee. It might look familiar because I used it in this sweater (and still had a few skeins in my stash).

Recently I've decided to frog it (rip it all out) and re-knit it. As my first sweater there are a few things I want to change and definitely a lot I've learned since I first made it. It has been sitting on my shelf unworn for almost a year. I can't bear to part with it (it is my first sweater!) but I'm tired of not wearing it. So, here's to a second chances and lots and lots of knitting.

Sunday Snapshot: Tuesday Edition

On Saturday I took a workshop from Allyson of  Sweatshop of Love fame at the Knitting Workshop. I learned how to make a half fabric/half crocheted infinity scarf. I've been so busy with it since I learned on Saturday I haven't had time for anything else! Okay, that might not be entirely true, I may have a selfish sweater lurking on my needles somewhere close by, but more on that later.

This beauty is going to be a gift for a lovely someone for Christmas. I felt like it was appropriate to photograph it on my decidedly holiday sheets! Made out of equal parts fabric and crochet (although you could alter the crochet into knit like in this project) this sucker is already half done from the start thanks to the inclusion of fabric. I love how quickly this is flying by and it makes a great option for all of those last minute holidays gifts sure to pop up.

Sunday Snapshot: Thursday Edition

 

Diversifying. 

Sunday Snapshot

I'm taking up new pursuits. More on this later.

Sunday Snapshot

 

The thing about holiday knitting is you think knitting three of the same thing is a good idea. Until you're knitting the third one. Luckily they knit up fast!

Sunday Snapshot: Thursday Edition

Sunday Snapshot is a little late this week because I was too busy KNITTING to even mosey my way over to my camera. or this blog. or the internet. Ok, well not THAT busy. But I did knit up this lovely toe up sock in three days. THREE DAYS.

Even for me, that's a crazy speed. This is the third pair of toe up socks that I've knit and I have to say, I think I'm completely converted. They just seem to fly off my needles. It is also the first time I've worked with such beautiful variegated yarn. This was a Christmas present last year from my lovely sister-in-law. I set it aside because it wasn't really "my" colors and I wasn't sure what to do with it. But, inspiration struck and now they will be finding a very very happy owner in two short months. Have no fear loyal followers, I've already started the second one.

Holiday Knitting FTW!

Sunday Snapshot: Monday Edition

Holiday Knitting in full swing.

Sunday Snap Shot

 

 Crocheted and knitted car cover. 

I was really disappointed to discover that this was re-purposed knit and crocheted blankets sewn together instead of a customized piece. Although seeing anything hand knit while walking down the street is always exicting. This picture is from my recent trip to Seattle. Real life has been swallowing me whole recently but I'm fighting my way back to my blog and have some exciting things to be posting about soon.

Sunday Snapshot

ok. ok. it's not knitting I know. But this really is what I spent my day doing. I've got lots of projects on the needles but nothing new or frankly very exciting. So I baked cupcakes today. I've fallen woefully behind on my knit alongs. Time to start cracking the whip on those! Right after I eat some cupcakes!!

Sunday Snapshot

Sometimes you just have those projects that sit and sit and sit on the needles. This puppy is one of them. I started it LAST YEAR (December, but still) and it has just languished most of the time. I pulled it out when I was on vacation and got quite a bit done. In my defense this is a lace weight (teeniest, tiniest, thinnest yarn) SWEATER. Crazy, just call me crazy now. I know I am. In my defense it is for a very, very special someone.

Lake Side

Vacations are great to take but it always seems so difficult to get back into the swing of things! I've missed lots of updates for my summer knit along and my normal Sunday Snapshots but I'm determined to get back on track here. My week of vacation was beautiful! and relaxing! So it's time to start cracking the whip again.

My week started out with the long drive from Chicago to Minneapolis. After staying with my parents for the night we drove up Cass Lake, MN where we would be staying on Star Island.

Star Island has the very cool feature of having a lake INSIDE an island. Because it's an island you have to take a ferry to get there. 

the ferry on the dock

Camp Unistar is a beautiful, secluded, rustic family camp run by the Prairie Star UU (Unitarian Universalist) District. I've been going here since I was a young child. Four generations of my family have spent time here. This year my aunt, husband and three young children came along with my husband and I. 

This building is the lodge, the largest building in camp. It is also where my husband and I stayed for the week. There are five other cabins each spread throughout camp. All of the cabins have running water (indoor plumbing!) and electricity but are blissfully free of tv, internet and other real world distractions.

 view from the front steps of the lodge

surrounded by beautiful lake front, nature and hiking trails there are many activities to take part in including cannoning, sailing, kayaking, swimming and hiking. You also can just sit back and read, knit, write or my personal favorite, practice the art of doing nothing. 

This porch swing is one of my all time favorite spots to knit, talk, and relax.

as a city girl its such a pleasure to get out into nature. It was was so soothing to fall asleep to the sound of water lapping the shore each night. 

One of my most loved activities was laying out on the dock. I got to get in some time sunning myself like a little lizard. Stocking up on my deficient Vitamin D, reading, relaxing and getting some color while I'm at it.

it's hard not to wish this was every day.

Summer Knit Along: Week 4

Week 4 is hustling along right along over here. Make Up Your Mind is going swimmingly.

Working on the third band in the linen stitch. A deceptively simple stitch to knit it is wonderful looking and I already have some ideas floating around of how to work it into some other projects. This stitch is also much tighter than the previous ones so it starts to give the waist a little shape before you actually start decreasing stitches.

Over all it's coming along quite nicely. I love how the stitch changes keep you on your toes and although it is a little looser and softer than I really care for I'm sure that the final project is going to come out very cohesive.

Unfortunately I'm still behind on the Loop Tank and haven't done ANYTHING AT ALL this week, well so far that is. This will be quickly changing in the next day. Tonight I'm leaving Chicago to drive up to Minneapolis and then on Saturday morning leaving Minneapolis to drive up to northern Minnesota. I'm going to spend the entire knitting, relaxing, reading, knitting, swimming, hiking, knitting and just generally having a great time. Another perk of this vacation? No internet. I'll actually be on an island all week, living it up rustic style. So although I will miss next weeks posts I'll be sure to update when I get back to the cities.

Sunday Snapshot: Tuesday Edition

Although I'm not posting this until today this picture was snapped on Sunday, I promise. It's been a crazy start to the week over here so a few things have shifted back a day or two. I'm just finishing up the second sock in my pair of ruffle socks for my good friend Emily. She made that fancy logo you see up top (owl, with the bee buzzing around it?) and she's my guru of anything design related. These are just a little thank you to her for all of her knowledge and putting up with answering all of my questions.

Still plugging away on my summer knit along sweaters and packing. I'm going to be on vacation next week (an island, woods, northern Minnesota....no internet access...) So I'm going to be busy getting all my ducks in a row. The great part is though, I'll have so much progress and work to show for myself when I'm back. Now I'm just trying to figure out if 8 projects (4 of them sweaters) is too many to take for a 9 day trip?

Summer Knit Along: Week 3

Well, Week Three is here. I haven't gotten as much done as I would like over all. But lets start with the positive!

On Make Up Your Mind I am right on track in our second panel. The checkerboard stitch was easy breezy and I can't wait to get started on next weeks goal. My gauge is a little looser than I would really like but I'm not willing to start over so it's just going to have to be the looser side. If I was going to knit this again I would definitely size down to a size 5 needle for a tighter fabric.

The Loop Tank Top has been much more slow going. This week I was slated to start picking up stitch's for my boob flaps. (the front of the bust of the tank top) But I haven't finished my first strap yet, much less the second. So I'm about a solid two weeks behind on this one. I'm almost ready to bind off my first strap so once I get started on my second I'm hoping to fly through it.

Lots of knitting in my future!

Sunday Snapshot

Just working on a little crocheted zig zag baby blanket. One of my friends has some nephews on the way so I'm getting started on some baby gifts. I started this blanket last month but its a nice thing to pick up when my hands/wrists get tired from knitting. Crochet uses slightly diffrent muscles so it's kind of like crafting cross training. I usually pick it up, work a few rows and get distracted working on something else. Its always nice to have a project you can fall back on working a little bit at a time. I'm going to have lots of knitting going on for the next couple days here as I try to catch up on my Summer Knit Along so this puppy is probably going back on the shelf soon.

Summer Knit Along: Week 1 AND 2

Well, things have been busy busy busy around here recently. I'm participating in the Sweatshop of Love Summer Knit Along. There are two options to choose from. A more simple pattern and a more complex and advanced pattern. Like a crazy person I am knitting BOTH.

My justification to myself it they are both tank tops so that's less time right? Well, that's what I'm telling myself at least.

Unfourtunatly I am already behind. Classic. I know. BUT considering that last time I started three weeks late, and only ended two weeks after everyone else. I think I'll be just fine.

The first summer sweater aka tank top that I am knitting is Make Up Your Mind.

From Knitty.com this racerback tank is made up of five different stitch patterns. Its sure to keep me on my toes. I'm using Knit Picks Fingering Comfy in Blackberry. It doesn't have stretch like the yarn called for but at a much more reasonable price I decided to use it anyway.

Our second sweater is the Loop Enterlac Tank Top

A Sweatshop original design this involves enterlac, the complex looking, but fairly simple technique that gives the straps their woven effect. I'm using they yarn called for, Knit Picks Comfy Sport which I've worked with before and absolutely love.

So far my progress is only a little past to week one on Makeup Your Mind.

And my enterlac is withering away, I'm only still on my first strap.

Luckily I've still got two more days to bang out some inches to get ready for week three. Can't wait to get knitting!

easy living, summer time edition

switching jobs for me means that I no longer have to work weekends. This is very exitting especially as we move into summer, it not only leaves more time for crafting but more time for RELAXING as well.

it goes with out saying that I am very excited!!

To celebrate I went out to visit my friend Maggie (check her out here at Chrohn's Chronicles) who was house sitting for her aunt and uncle in Naperville. I took this opportunity to do something I can't at my apartment.

take a bath!

As an unfortunate shower only apartment dweller I don't get many chances to take baths.

With a spread laid out like this waiting for me

it almost felt like I was at a spa.

There was some knitting that went on, I swear! But I'm going to update all about my first week of our Summer Sweat Shop of Love Knit Along later.

because really, when you start your day like this:

nothing else matters.

Fits for Mitts

Way back in March my mom had mentioned that she was having trouble writing while it was so cold because her hands would start to get cold and hurt. Minnesota winters and a drafty house are never a happy pair. Luckily I found this easy pattern for a pair of fingerless mitts and decided to knit her some up. I was hoping to give these to her for mothers day but I took too long blocking them and couldn't give them to her when she was here in Chicago.

I used Knit Picks (surprise) Gloss DK yarn in Gulf Stream, a beautiful rich blue. A blend of wool and silk these are on the softer side and still have enough heft to keep them warm. I picked up the Gloss back when they were having a sale on luxury fiber, I wanted to try it out but didn't want the expense of knitting a sweater up in it. Because these are only a two skein pattern even at its normal price these would be a very affordable project.

The edging that you see is actually a sewn down edge, I probably would opt to do a ribbed edge next time for a snugger fit but this was a quick little project and definitely a great gift to make up. I keep telling myself that I will make a set of mittens one of these days and this was a way to get me more excited about trying a pair.

Unfortunately their usefulness has passed (mostly, it was 45 degrees here in Chicago yesterday. 45 people! It is MAY!) But my complaining about the bitter cold aside I will package these puppies up soon and send them out.

Big thanks to Janella for being my model. As I discovered it's really difficult to take pictures of your own hands while trying to hold a camera.

Sunday Snapshot

Just working on a small toe up sock. If these look familiar its because I've already knit them before! This is my second pair of Twin Cities Anklet Socks I'm making. With an adorable ruffle around the edge and interesting (but not hard) double moss stitch these baby's are a breeze. It doesn't hurt that they are also knit from the toe up which always makes me feel like they are going so much faster!

It feels great to get my hands on some cotton again, for this project I'm using one of my favorite's Knit Picks Comfy Sport. I'll also be using its cousin, Comfy Fingering for a SOL Knit Along soon (more on that next week!). It feels great to start working on lighter, summer projects out of cotton, although have no fear - I still have lots of wool floating around the house and I'm getting started on some winter knitting already.

Sunday Snapshot

I pulled my February lady sweater (started all the way back in February) out of hibernation this week. I've been itching to get some sweater knitting done but my next sweater knit along (more on those soon!) doesn't start for another two weeks. So, I broke this puppy out of the cabinet and got started. An easy top down cardigan I'm just about finished with the garter stitch before I start in on the lace pattern which will make up most of the body and the sleeves. Lots of lace ahead of me. I can't wait!

Sunday Snapshot

Finishing up work on a crocheted blanket that has been hibernating for some time. I know I skipped a couple weeks of updates real life was just a little too time consuming but I'm back in the crafting swing and should have some exciting stuff coming up in the next few weeks.

Sunday Snapshot

Just a quick set of mitts I'm making up for my mom before I see her this weekend. She has been complaining of her arthritis acting up in her hand while she writes and as an MFA candidate for a creative writing program, that is kind of an issue. I'm making them up quickly because I'll be trekking up to Minneapolis this weekend for my great-grandmothers funeral. Its a very sad reason to be going home but my Grandma Hadlich lived a wonderful and long life, she was 102 when she died and I'm just thankful she is no longer in pain.

On a much lighter note, these mitts are made of out some wonderful Knit Picks DK Gloss Yarn I got from their lux fiber sale. A blend of merino wool and silk it is sturdy enough to last those long nights of my mama writing away by oil lamp but still soft enough not to irritate her delicate skin.

The pattern is very simple and straight forward though if I was going to knit them again I would do them in a thinner gauge yarn, maybe more of a fingering or sport weight. It wouldn't knit up as quickly but I think I'd like the delicate look more.

Sunday Snapshot

In an effort to help me update more reguarly I'm going to start snaping and posting a photo every Sunday of what is on my needles currently.

Todays project is a little cowl design I'm working on to eventually launch in my etsy shop.