Friday, June 24, 2011

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.

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

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?

Friday, June 17, 2011

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, June 12, 2011

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.

Saturday, June 11, 2011

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!

Saturday, June 4, 2011

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.