The Owl and The Bee

Delancey Knit Along

2012-02-10T06:32:00.000-08:00

I've participated in a few Sweatshop of Love Knit Alongs, although all of them haven't gone swimmingly (looking at you summer.) This time around I'll be knitting the Delancey Cardigan. I've been waiting to make this sweater for awhile now and I'm so excited to chart my progress along with all of the other fabulous knitters participating.

After my massive sweater debacle I've become a little more dedicated about swatching and calculating my gauge.I know that a little more work in the beginning will save me A LOT (re-knitting an entire sweater) work in the end.

This pattern runs a little large so I'm going down two needles sizes ( I knit a little loosely). I ended up with a swatch that is a little narrower than called for in the pattern gauge. I'm going to knit a size smaller than I normally wear. Sometimes sweater making is part logic and part gut feeling. I know that I would much rather have a smaller sweater I have to block out larger then a sweater I'm swimming in. I'm looking forward to casting on for this project so soon and excited to stay on top of it documenting it all!

Sunday Snapshot

2012-02-05T18:42:00.000-08:00

Getting my design on. Working those notes. Working that math.

Sunday Snapshot

2012-01-29T07:19:00.000-08:00

these puppies are going to make a real beautiful sweater sometime soon.

Sunday Snapshot

2012-01-22T21:15:00.000-08:00

A FOOL. I am a knitting fool. Somehow I managed to knit a stitch marker INTO my knitting. I have no idea how I did this feat, but I do know that scissors are going to get me out. Here's hoping that your week goes more successfully than mine started out!

FO: Fiona's Slouchy Socks

2012-01-17T09:50:00.000-08:00

You might remember these socks from awhile back. I re-purposed yarn that my sister in law gave me last Christmas into a beautiful gift for my sister THIS Christmas.

Loosely basing these off a few other toe up sock patterns I've made before I learned a very important lesson about WRITING DOWN your stitch counts. One sock ended up signifigently larger than the other. Whoops!

I purposfully had left these large so they would be slouchy and cute to wear with boots or sneakers knowning my sister's style. So I left one slightly larger than the other knowing that she would just roll with the punches. Sizing issues aside, I love how the variegated yarn compliments but doesn't match. It was a wonderful yarn to work with and due to the generous skein size I still have a little left to play around with. There might just be a tiny pair of socks in the works to match these grownup ones.

Sunday Snapshot

2012-01-15T19:57:00.000-08:00

Just working on a set of mitts. These are destined for my hot little hands.

FO: Madison Cowl

2012-01-12T06:00:00.000-08:00

For Christmas last year I made my sister in law these cute mitts. This year I decided to make the matching cowl. I still had the yarn from the mitts left over so it truly is a matching set. These two are a great lace pattern for a beginner, or for someone who's just not that great at lace patterns ( I'm part of the second camp). They are a great gift to give, partly because they knit up so quickly. I also love how you can customize the fabric buttons.

Sweet and stylish. What more could you ask for.

Summer Knit Along: Week Never

2012-01-10T08:24:00.000-08:00

If you were with me over the summer you might remember the Sweatshop of Love knit along that I did. Last time I wrote about it, we were in week four. I had fallen far behind on the Loop Tank Top but was making decent progress on the Makeup Your Mind, and then, I just....stopped. I stopped knitting, I stopped writing.

There were a lot of other things that kept me away from the blog this summer, some good, some not so good, but after I dropped the ball on my knit along a big one was guilt. I felt guilty for not keeping up with it, I felt guilty for starting to write with out addressing it, My guilt kept me from writing about it. It paralyzed me. In the spirit of resolutions for this new year I have dubbed 2012 the year of action. This is a year of doing. Of simply picking up the pen, the mouse, the needle and starting something. These projects have two very different endings.

The Loop has been frogged and returned to it's original form. Wound and ready for...something. I still would like a Loop Tank Top and plan on making one in the future, but I know that this project doesn't need to be completed right away. There are a lot more projects I am itching to work on and if I've learned anything from last year it's that you need to follow your energy and passion where it points you. I'm sure I'll be dying for one of these once the sun starts to peak out a little more and the weather doesn't require multiple jackets.

My Make Up Your Mind however is much further along. Almost done, really! I only have a few inches of laces to finish on the bust and then I need to separate for the arm holes. I plan on throwing this back in the rotation and hopefully you'll see it as a finished project up here soon. It feels good to be letting go of my guilt and worry and starting to replace it with decisions and action.

Sunday Snapshot: Birthday Edition

2012-01-08T12:17:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was my birthday and I was a lucky enough girl to get this beautiful skein of Shelter in the mail from my buddy Lauren. I've never worked with this yarn before, but having longingly stared at it through computer screens for the past couple months I'm anxious to find a one-skein project to get started on. Most people don't realize that people who love yarn always love more yarn. This was such a sweet and surprising gift. It seems like I'm getting a lot those around here!

Resolutions

2012-01-06T07:23:00.000-08:00

Six days into the new year and most people have written their lists of resolutions. They have looked back on the year that has passed, reflecting on what has happened, perhaps thought about successes, assessed what they would like to differently in the future for those less successful times. This blog is no different. There are many notes that I have scribbled down over post-its on my desk or the pages of my journals and one of them dirrectly relates to my knitting.

You see, earlier this summer I had the idea to knit a sweater for a very special gentleman in my life. I worked, in secret on this sweater waiting, until I could reveal it as the perfect, well thought out, and crafted with care present I envisioned it to be. As I was knitting it, I kept having the nagging feeling that something wasn't right. But I pushed those feelings down and kept blindly following the pattern. I've been known to go rouge on patterns at times, and I was determined to put my head down and follow the pattern to the t. All of this was going fine and dandy until the gentleman opened my gift, and prompltly drowned in my sweater.

You see, I had knit something large enough to fit not one but TWO adults. So, this sweater had to be ripped out and knit over again. I was able to save the sleeves and just rip back the shoulder caps but the entire body was a gonner. It languished for months until I mustered up the courage to start ripping that sucker out. Over Christmas I recast on. I'm hoping to finish it by end of February hoping that it can see some sweater weather this winter.

In frogging this sweater I started to think about some of the other projects I have that don't work for me. Although I loved knitting The Dollar and Half Cardigan. I've never actually worn it. It was the first sweater I made and there are some changes I would make (like remembering I have the worlds shortest arms EVER and I need to not knit the recommended lengths, ever.) Other sweaters like The February Lady, just really aren't my style anymore. So, I have made an executive decision. I need to be using, and loving the things that are in my life. 2012 is all about making what I have work for me. The February Lady has been frogged for good, and the dollar and half is in the process of being frogged to be re-knit. Sometimes it can be hard to re-do projects, or to let go of them all together but there's no use in keeping them in my life when they aren't working for me. This year is about doing more with what I have and one of the ways to do that is to re-purpose the things that are already in my life. Sometimes that means letting go of things to make space for something new and sometimes it means starting over, and trying again. The best part of re-doing a project is getting to use the experience of making it the first time around. Thanks to Allyson for being my co-model and here's to 2012.

Sunday Snapshot: Presents

2012-01-01T11:55:00.000-08:00

By now hopefully everyone has had a chance to celebrate their respective holidays, spend time with their loved ones and open their presents. Most people I have talked to mentioned that they tried to keep their holidays simple or scaled down this year. Whether from saving money, avoiding consumerism or focusing on minimizing the stuff in our lives, simplicity seems to be an abundant theme. I tried to focus this year on making most of the gifts I gave and now that they have been opened I will be able to share them in the coming weeks!

My favorite gift I received this year was handmade as well, and comes with quite a back story. I knit the McCarren Park Cap for myself out of leftover yarn from my Beatnik Sweater. A slouchy hat with a double layer moss stitch brim and two adorable fabric buttons. I even had some extra yarn left over that I planned on making some cute ruffle socks with. I love the idea of having a matched set!

On the first day that I wore this hat I left it on the bus accidentally. Many calls later to the lost and found number of the CTA I finally admitted it to myself that it was gone forever. To add insult to injury I hadn't even taken pictures of it before it was lost to the world. I had never lost a handmade item before and didn't realize just how devastating it could be to lose something you've made. It was a sad sad few weeks for my head. I even drew a picture of myself wearing it for my empty raverly project page. I just couldn't take the sadness of a blank photo spot.

Fortunately, my sadness was short lived. When Allyson drew my name for The Sweatshop of Love Secret Santa she knew exactly what she was going to make me. The best part of all of this was I had NO IDEA she was making it for me. I was truly surprised and delighted by my secret santa gift. She even managed to put flower buttons I would have picked out for myself.

It's been keeping my head warm since I got it although I haven't needed it much with this lovely warm weather we've been having here in Chicago! I hope that you recived at least one gift that brought you joy and surprise. I'm very excited to start a new year and all of the new and exciting projects it will bring.

Sunday Snapshot

2011-12-18T20:33:00.000-08:00

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

2011-12-15T21:03:00.000-08:00

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

2011-12-12T09:33:00.000-08:00

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

2011-12-11T20:14:00.000-08:00

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

2011-12-07T14:55:00.001-08:00

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

2011-12-04T19:29:00.001-08:00

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

2011-11-27T21:21:00.001-08:00

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

2011-11-15T09:17:00.001-08:00

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

2011-11-10T21:57:00.001-08:00

Diversifying.

Sunday Snapshot

2011-10-30T22:02:00.001-07:00

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

Sunday Snapshot

2011-10-09T09:18:00.001-07:00

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

2011-10-06T09:12:00.000-07:00

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

2011-09-26T08:51:00.001-07:00

Holiday Knitting in full swing.

Sunday Snap Shot

2011-09-18T21:29:00.000-07:00

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

2011-07-24T21:41:00.000-07:00

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

2011-07-18T20:40:00.000-07:00

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

2011-07-07T19:40:00.000-07:00

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

2011-06-24T08:28:00.000-07:00

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

2011-06-21T20:51:00.000-07:00

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

2011-06-17T19:10:00.000-07:00

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

2011-06-12T08:34:00.000-07:00

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

2011-06-11T09:09:00.000-07:00

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

2011-06-04T14:44:00.000-07:00

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

2011-05-27T06:31:00.000-07:00

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

2011-05-22T21:16:00.000-07:00

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

2011-05-15T19:24:00.000-07:00

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

2011-05-01T20:23:00.000-07:00

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

2011-04-10T22:01:00.000-07:00

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

2011-04-03T19:26:00.000-07:00

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.

Yarn Garage

2011-03-22T14:12:00.000-07:00

On my trip home to Minneapolis my mother and I decided that the time had come to visit the yarn garage.

Located on 35th and Chicago, a mere four blocks away from my parents house it is exactly what it's name implies. A garage sized space FILLED with yarn.

It's literally wall to wall, floor to ceiling. Almost what yarn dreams are made of.

There are knit items EVERYWHERE. Tons of sweaters, sample projects, knit art projects. All kinds of crazy stuff.

My favorite was this knit wedding cake (!!!) Madness of knitting!

I also loved this alpaca, adorned in knit wear, welcoming you when you walk in. There was a class/meet going on when we were there. I got to meet Steven Be. Everyone there was so friendly and so helpful. Definitely one of the most inviting yarn shop/workshops I've ever been to. If your around Minneapolis be sure to stop in sometime, it's a yarn adventure!

Fiona's Two Boyfriends

2011-03-09T20:15:00.000-08:00

I just got back tonight from nice little jaunt to Minneapolis to visit my family. It was great to see everyone and I was able to hand out some very very belated holiday gifts.

For my sister Fiona I knit up the Two Boyfriends Cardigan by Allyson, over at The Sweatshop of Love. One of her original designs it is a simple and easy to knit top down over sized cardigan but she keeps it fresh and fun by having each side a different color. A favorite color for each of your boyfriends. get it?

The stripes and color combo look like they were designed for Fiona. Just her style! I love the pockets and the buttons. I found the button's at Steven B's Yarn Garage which I visited with my mom and will post about next time. It was really fun, just like those buttons!

I've never made something that was so perfectly fit for the person. I wasn't so sure about it as I was packing it up to take but the moment she put it on it fit her perfectly and was so her style. She even loved that I had used blue and orange stripes on the pockets (I had run out of brown yarn).

I also gave my dad his "turtle" as he calls them. Essentially a cowl. A nice neck warmer for those Minnesotan winters.

Seflish Knitting

2011-03-02T21:21:00.000-08:00

It's been a busy month around here without any internet access. Luckily my frown is getting turned upside down by my new internet connection! It took AT&T 10 days longer than they should have and I spent a combined total of two hours on the phone but it is finally working.

The good news about being on hold is that you can get lots of knitting done with your phone on speaker.
This week I started and finished my sleeves for my beatnik sweater.

I'm using Allyson's method of knitting two sleeves at once. It helps them fly by faster and keeps the mistakes the same on both. I am notoriously bad at counting rows so knitting them together means they are always the same exact size.

I'm trying to keep on with the body of my sweater but I've gotten a little discouraged, I've got the shoulder shaping on the back to finish and then the entire front.

I'm taking the beloved mega bus up to Minnesota this weekend so I'm going to have lots of time to finish up my body and seem my sleeves into my sweater. After that I just have the collar to do. There is a slim chance I might finish in time with everyone else!! But I'm not holding my breath, it's more important to finish than to finish it in time with everyone else.

I've got a few more projects sitting around on my needles that I'll try to get up here in the next few weeks and once my (very belated) Christmas gifts for my family once I've finally distributed them.

The Beatnik Continues

2011-02-11T15:28:00.000-08:00

The Selfish Knit Along is rolling right along and despite my best efforts I'm still about two weeks behind. It's been a crazy week around here complete with an ER trip for a very very sick husband. Thankfully David is doing ok and there was a lot of waiting around in the ER so I did get quite a bit of knitting done.

This sweater has cabled charts which I had never done before, its really no different than following any other kind of chart but there are small variations between them that I took Allyson's advice and color coded the different cables so that I could identify the variation quickly and find the description.

I had a really good time of calling out "GREEN" or "RED" when I got to the right cable, although I'm sure it was a less endearing quality to my surrounding human beings. None the less, it gave me a little chuckle and kept me entertained.

I'm really enjoying this pattern so far and I've pretty much go the charts down so that I really only need to double check stitches a few times. The trouble becomes in remembering where I am in the chart and in all of my increases. The little post it note up there comes in handy to mark where I am before I put it down and don't have a complete brain fart the next time I pick it up. So, the plan is to just keep plugging along and hoping that I can pick up some time along the way. Either way, I know I'll finish and that's what's important.

Snowpacolypse

2011-02-02T20:21:00.000-08:00

Here in Chicago we were treated to a truly epic blizzard last night. THUNDERSNOW is new to my vocabulary but it truely was a sight to see. A thunder storm INSIDE a blizzard. I felt like an arctic adventurer braving the snow this morning to make it to breakfast. After a quick (and by that I mean a few blocks through knee deep or waist deep snow drifts) jaunt to our local breakfast place david and I holed ourselves up inside most of the day.

I had the very rare adult treat of a snow day from work! Unheard of! But considering that the side streets were impassable at most points much of Chicago was shut down today. Tomorrow I'll be hitting the slopes bright and early to make it out to the mall that I work in. But today I got to relax and luckily get a lot of knitting done.

I'm still plugging away on my Beatnik Sweater as part of The Sweatshop of Love Selfish Knit Along. It's going pretty well for just starting it a few days ago, I've gotten through to the waist decreases and am just getting ready to knit up most of the body before the waist increases. Super exciting stuff all around.

Looking good!

I'm very excited to have Friday off of work as well so I'll just be drinking lots of tea, firing up some movies and knitting my little heart out. I also have some new projects I'm working on and hopefully will have some more information about in the next few weeks. Until then I'll be glad that this isn't my car:

There are two cars under there! Promise!

Knit Along!

2011-01-31T16:49:00.000-08:00

While my lovely friend Allyson over at The Sweatshop of Love has been staycation-ing in Minneapolis for three months my Chicago knitting sceen has been a little lonely. That's why I was super pshcyed to get on board with a knit along. I've never done one before but I am drooling over The Beatnik sweater in the deep fall issue Knitty that I just couldn't help myself.

The Knit Picks gift card my lovely mother in law gave me for Christmas was a nice little bonus as well. Unfortunatly I waited so long in my deicion and ordered my yarn late so I'm THREE whole weeks behind schedule.

The idea is to turn this:

into this:

I'm working with the Knit Picks DK City Tweed. It's a slightly thiner yarn than what the pattern calls for but I think that I'm going to be ok as far as size goes. I half heartedly knit up a gauge swatch, eyeballed it once or twice with a ruller and just dug in. It kind of just feels like I need a little blind faith in my life right now. So here's jumping in head first. I ordered a few extra skeins so I should be alright in the end.

I'm really loving how soft and buttery it is. The yellow is a little more mustardy in real life than it appears on the web site which I love. We've got a crazy snow storm forecasted in the next two days here in Chicago so I plan on enjoying my days off and getting some serious knitting in!

cha-cha changes

2011-01-17T19:57:00.000-08:00

Even with the end of the holiday season and the end of school (forever!) things have still been really crazy around here. I've got lots of projects to look forward to and set up to get shaking on my needles but its all been set back by my transition to MY NEW APARTMENT.

I'm pretty physced about all of it but its been a whirl wind of activity. I've officially been there a little over a week and tomorrow on my to do list is setting up my very own CRAFT ROOM!

I'll be sure to post some pictures up once I get it all arranged. I also was lucky enough to add a sewing machine to my repertoire (thanks to the hubs for a fabulous Christmas gift!) So we can also look forward to some sewing projects in the future.

I'll wrap this all up with a little finished Christmas project.

Crocheted Washcloths

These were gifts that went to all of my lovely sister in laws along with a cute bar of soap to round it out.

Such a quick and easy gift these were perfect to whip up for a crowd.

I also am going to be participating in the Sweat Shop of Love Selfish Knit-a-long. It officially started last week so I'm getting a little late start but once my yarn arrives in the mail I'll be off and running.

Slippin in some slippers

2011-01-02T20:16:00.000-08:00

As promised up next on the Christmas Gift List extravaganza is... SLIPPERS!

After seeing these adorable crocheted slippers over at the purl bee I knew that they were going to make it on to my list in a very serious way.

The first ones I finished were for my father in law Juan. Having gifted him with hats and scarves on many occasions I knew that I was going to have to get a little more creative this year.

Having already stocked up on Lions Brands Vanna's Choice while I was in New York.

I knew that this affordable, durable acrylic yarn would be the perfect choice. It helps that it comes in about a million colors too!

A beautiful combo of maroon, red and orange I love how all of these colors come together. They were a nice quick project the way in which you seem them together is ingenious! I definitely see a few more of these in some family members futures.

so cute!!

Christmas Review: 1

2010-12-27T09:03:00.000-08:00

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!

2010-12-02T16:56:00.000-08:00

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

2010-11-12T18:51:00.000-08:00

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

2010-10-25T21:42:00.000-07:00

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!

2010-10-06T21:31:00.000-07:00

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!

2010-10-05T16:15:00.000-07:00

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

2010-09-27T07:19:00.000-07:00

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

2010-09-13T20:55:00.000-07:00

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

2010-09-01T21:13:00.000-07:00

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

2010-08-28T19:00:00.000-07:00

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

2010-08-24T07:48:00.000-07:00

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

2010-08-23T20:48:00.000-07:00

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.

Ruffles for days

2010-08-16T09:55:00.000-07:00

I'm jotting this down right before I leave to jet off to New York for a week. I'd like to think I'm going for lots of fun, glamorous reasons but alas I'm just there for work trainings. I do get a chance to see Allyson of Sweatshop Of Love fame and some of my best friends in the world (looking your way Henning). I really couldn't be more excitted.

Of course the day I leave the heat in Chicago has broken and it's absolutely beautiful outside, it doesn't help that my hubby has a vacation this week so my brain is full of picnics and relaxing, but it will just have to wait I suppose. I'm hoping that the weather will be great when I get back because after that two more weeks and I'm back to the grind of school.

Luckily I managed to snap some pictures of my newest project before I packed my camera away.

Twin Cities Anklet Socks!!

Even after washing and drying them in an effort to shrink them they are still too large for my feet (that's what I get for not paying attention while knitting) So they are definitely going to have to be a gift for someone- probably this winter/Christmas. I however already have more yarn coming from Knit Picks for a second pair, that this time will fit- here's hoping.

I love the double moss stitch on them and the ankle ruffle is just to die for. If you look close there's even an eyelet row right before the ruffles start. Cutest details. This was my first experience with toe up socks and I am totally a convert, they just felt less fussy than cuff down. I'm sure this is the beginning of some very beautiful sock knitting.

I'm bringing. my computer with me to NYC so I'll try and get some trip updates in, of course I've bought a billion (four) knitting projects with me so hopefully I will have some fun goodies to show by the end of the week.

The lighting in this photo is so dim but I love the atmospheric effect from it. Off to the blue line my friends. Talk to you soon!

Minneapolis Headband

2010-08-13T22:35:00.000-07:00

Although this headband is officially called The Twin Cities Head Band (a sister product to The Twin Cities Anklet Socks)
I can't help but show my home town love and title mine the Minneapolis Head Band.

I used some left over sport weight beautiful eggplant colored yarn from this adorable baby hat I made a few months ago. This pattern is great, its all knit as one piece starting at the straight end and ending with the ruffle decreases and increases. I love the great shape it gives without overwhelming your head.

Super close up

I love the cute little yellow flowered button detail, originally a contender for my dollar and half cardigan buttons this one didn't make the cut for the sweater but it looked great against the dark purple of the head band.

A quick, breezy knit I know that these will be next to a few names on my gift list this year for sure!

That Girl!

2010-08-12T14:04:00.000-07:00

Cap Sleves! Buttons! Oh My!

Here's the finished product of my That Girl Knit Along. This pattern comes together really quickly and is a breeze to make. It was my first experience with top down sweater construction- which I loved because you can actually try it on as you go and gauge where you are and if you should make changes. It makes sizing a snap because you stop your increases when ever you've reached the length you desire. In addition Nikol Lohr made this so it's very easy to customize and modify to your preferences.

I choose the planetarium color in CotLin (again), a lovely light weight cotton linen blend- perfect for a summer or spring knit. The original version has a collar that I decide to nix and originally hangs open with one button up top. I instead put buttons all the way down so I can close it easily and instead of doing a three quarter large puffy sleeve I went with a condensed puff sleeve version. Very cute and light for summer.

I got this great blue fabric in a quilting square pack and decided to use it for fabric covered buttons. I love the way the white and lighter blue pop out against the dark blue of the yarn. I already have plans to make another That Girl, probably with a wool based yarn for a warmer winter wear. Although I like the breath ability of the CotLin it does knit up a little looser than I prefer, I really do like a little more structure to my knits so I'm hoping that a wool will give me a little more body. I also plan on decreasing under the arms for the cap sleeves and switching to a smaller needle size for the seed stitch band on the bottom of the arms. They are a little loose for my taste.

Over all this was a very quick knit, a great sweater for beginning or seasoned knitters alike, this would make a great first (or in my case- second) sweater and I would definitely recommend it. I love all the ways you can make it your own and fit it to your tastes. I predicit that I will be wearing it quite a bit, it's the perfect thing to toss on before you leave the house no matter if you're dressed up or down. A great idea for summer evenings or any where you know its going to be air conditioned.

My First Sweater!!

2010-08-11T15:18:00.000-07:00

I finally managed to get some pictures of my FIRST sweater, the dollar and a half cardigan by Veronik Avery
A beautiful cardigan with lace sections alternated with reverse stockinette stitch (the purl/bumpy sides out) and a giant cable running the length of of the right side.

I love how cozy the CotLin yarn is. It's nice and light weight and will be great to wear in the fall and spring. It is shedding just a little bit but I think that when I wash it it should break in and soften really nicely. I love the way the fabric buttons look! They are a great and easy way to personalize your project. I got a ton on sale at Joanns a couple weeks ago so I'm sure they will be on lots of projects in the future.

So cute! The fabric I choose has little squirrels and foxes on it frolicking through autumn colored leaves. Perfect for fall!

When it starts to get cooler I know that this sweater will be seeing a lot of wear. It's such a creamy buttery yellow that looks great with gray- my favorite color. Overall I'm glad to be done with my first sweater and I can't wait to keep knitting more.

Sock Interlude

2010-08-10T22:34:00.000-07:00

I've been waiting for a chance to take decent pictures: read, morning light, of my new sweaters- that's right, there's two of them!! but I haven't had a chance due to my work schedule so we're just going to have to keep those on the to do list. Hopefully I'll be able to check them off soon. We'll see if tomorrow morning cooperates with me.

Luckily I have had lots of things to keep me busy here on the knitting front.

These little beauties have been a joy to make! You may remember them as the Twin Cities Anklet Socks. They are a breeze as a sport weight, cotton fiber knit on size 4's. I started this first one about three days ago and I just finished up this evening. Not too shabby, by the end of the week I should have the second one. I think these are going to have a very special place on my Christmas knits list. Unfortunately I didn't try them on when I was making them and they are a little too large for my teeny tiny toes.

This is the first pair of toe up socks that I've knit. Where you start at the toe instead of the cuff, as done in traditional sock knitting. I have to say I think I'm going to be a convert. You can try them on really easily as you go (something I should of paid attention to) and it just felt so much less fussy than knitting them from top down. I'm excited to say that I see a lot of socks in my future.

I also picked up a new knitting book while I was browsing the book store yesterday

400 Knitting Stitches!

I've been experimenting with some lace stitching on some cowls recently and it hasn't been going too successfully. When I saw this I realized that someone had already figured out all of this so why was I trying to recreate a look when there was already a recipe for it! So far I've ear marked about 15 stitches I want to try out on various projects. I think this is a great resource to have and I know any time I get stuck I can just sneak on over here and I'm sure to find something that sparks my creativity.

That Girl Update, odds and ends

2010-08-07T21:44:00.000-07:00

I've been plugging away on my That Girl summer jacket. I've made a few modifications using this post. I decided to do the collarless version, with buttons all the way down the front and the cap sleeve variation.

The Cotton Linen blend yarn that I'm using is really nice and light. I think it will be a joy to wear for the rest of the summer. The stitches are on the loose side with the size 7 needles I'm using so I would probably use a 5 or 6 next time. I like my knits just a little more structured and tight. I found some great blue fabric for the buttons and can't wait to get this all put together and put on.

I also got a knit picks order in this week. Lots of exciting things for Christmas projects and a few things for myself. Ever since I've made that cowl from a few weeks ago I've been dreaming up cowl patterns to make for myself. I've got some beautiful sweet potato orange yarn that I can't wait to get my needles on.

Mostly I've just been working on all my knitting and watching the sunlight through my living room windows. Not such a bad view, I could do this for awhile.

Minnesota Love

2010-08-02T22:09:00.000-07:00

You might know that you have the bestest best friend in the world when she goes home to visit and sends you this as a suprise care package...
1.The Best Casserole Cookbook...ever
2. A Minnesota shaped cookie cutter

Man does that lady know what I love. I can't wait to crack open the casserole cook book and get cracking on some goulash asap. We did just have a hot dish night last month

What up tater tot??...and there were rumblings about another. I'm sure I can find some sweet puppy to impress even the most discerning casserole critic.

In other news, knitting related, I have FINISHED (!!!) my first sweater ever, I've just got to sew on my buttons and it will be gracing these sweet pages soon enough. I'm also about half way though my That Girl sweater and as soon as I get off my casserole obsessed butt to take some photos I will be updating about it in here as well.

Inside Out Cowl

2010-07-26T21:40:00.000-07:00

Even though its the middle of summer and over 90 almost everyday here in Chicago I know that in no time at all it will be crisp and cool. I've kind of become obsessed with the cowl in the past year so this pattern has been on my list for a few months now. The original is knit in a soft baby alpaca yarn and it has a wonderful drape and hang to it. When I was in Joanns a few days ago I stumbled upon a wonderful shade of blue in an eco wool (made partly out of post consumer recycle materials). When I came home I decided to get cracking on this:

The pattern calls for you to purl for ten rows and then knit two but I'm too lazy to purl for that many so I knit it inside out. As I was working on it I realized, hey I could wear this either way.

Inside!

or out!

and in the case of windy weather, it will make a great hood.

serious business. seriously.

I have a sneaking suspicion that as cute as this is it may make its way onto someones holiday gift list. That decision might also be influenced by two skeins of a beautiful light blue I also bought and really, I could use an even longer hood, this is Chicago after all.

That Girl Knit Along

2010-07-23T07:44:00.000-07:00

I was in knitting class the other night when one of my compatriots had a copy of this pattern from Craftzine. Once I saw the cuteness of That Girl Jacket I knew I was hooked, the fact that it was knit with knit picks CotLin just sweetened the deal. When I saw they were doing it as a knit along I knew I was IN. I picked up a lovely dark blue color, planetarium to be exact and got started.

It looks like its going to be a quick knit and I can't wait to be wearing this sweet puppy around town.

I heart packages

2010-07-22T13:35:00.000-07:00

With the arrival of my knit picks package last week I now have quite a few projects ready to get started on. Let's take a look!

I picked this sassy teal:

For the Traverse City Tube Top by The Sweat Shop of Love

I can see myself lounging pool side in this beautiful pattern in no time at all.

I also picked up some adorable pink yarn for these ruffled knit toe up socks.

Twin Cities Socks

Also an original Sweat Shop of Love design. I just can't stand the cuteness of these. They are going to look so great peaking out of my shoes in the fall. The deal is just sweetened that they are named after the twin cities. One of my true loves, Minneapolis.

Both of these come from the Sweat Shop of Loves Summer Tour Ebook. It's a steel at $18 for 10 patterns each one more adorable than the last. I'm really looking forward to sporting all my sweet designs.

I've love the way that both of the teal and the pink compliment each other.

I realized that I've made a very similar purchase reccently.

Such cute colors! Such cute glasses!

I also got some great sock yarn for a Christmas present.

I'm starting to check things off my list already! It feels great to be so productive.

Blankets Galore!

2010-07-21T17:46:00.000-07:00

Continuing with my blanket trend I've been working on my husbands blanket as well. I originally started it as a blanket for my mom but when he gave me the pouty face and told me I never make him anything it quickly morphed into a blanket for our house.

Originally I just started with the teal and green squares

my mamas power colors.

but when I realized it would reside in our house I knew it needed a little something more so I added the red and yellow squares to alternate with.

much more exciting.

I decided to add the white borders to allow the colors to really pop out more and I'll use the white to connect them all together as well. I'm very excitted with how its looking so far and I only have a two or three more rows to go before I start putting it all together.

Again, I know I'm going to feel like killing myself when I have to weave in all those ends but I'm always in such a rush to start the next one. Not too shabby for learning to crochet a month ago.

Nautical Nights

2010-07-20T13:55:00.000-07:00

I just couldn't help myself and started on a new project already. My sweater is still sitting snugly in the corner just waiting for me to pick up and start it again. Unfortunately I think I've knit the sleeves too long. So I'm getting a second opinion tonight and we'll see if I have to frog a few inches. Either way I've got a great new project taking up some space in my mind.

My mother in law is a huge fan of light houses. So much so that when she took a trip to main with my husband when he was 14 they took a light house tour of the state. This lead my husband to hate lighthouses- even the mention of them and continued to fuel my mother in laws love of their nautical presence. Combining her love of the nautical with her love of home furnishings I've decided to make her a crocheted blanket for Christmas.

I have to admit I gave myself a little pat on the back for starting my Christmas list so early this year. Hopefully there will be very little last minuet frantic knitting on my behalf. A stark contrast to last year as I knit 4 hats in the airport during our 6 hour delay on Christmas Eve. But, this year- it's a whole new ball game. I've got lists and charts and all kinds of motivation. It is going to be spectacular.

I know that I'm going to hate myself for not weaving in all those ends as I go but for now I'm riding the wave of my out of school, sunshine, summer motivation. Here's hoping that I can translate that to my dollar and a half cardigan and finish it by next week.

Sweater Progress

2010-07-16T10:37:00.000-07:00

It is amazing to me that I have managed to turn this

into this

I only have about 5 more inches to knit on the body. At the recommendation of Allyson I cast on the back and the two sides together. It eliminates the need to seem the body together (I hate seeming) and also ensures that my patterns are continuous (as I am also very bad at counting rows). I love the ease of just knitting one big piece and think I will use this method quite a bit in the future.

The sleeves I am knitting simultaneously again at Allyson's recommendation, shes full of such useful tips and tricks!

I have about 5 more inches to knit on these and then the shaping for the tops takes place.

After the few inches I have left for the body and the selves I just have to go through and knit the front panel with button holes and attach my fabric covered buttons. I've already found the cutest material for my buttons.

It has little squirrels and foxes on it. Adorable detail and I love the way it looks with my creme brulee color. It's going to be hard not to make more projects out of this color I just love it!

I had my last day of summer school classes yesterday and I only have two more weeks of online classes so I should be able to find lots of time to finish this baby up quickly. I can't wait to wear it around! I have a feeling it is going to be a staple in my wardrobe this fall.

Ikea

2010-07-12T22:13:00.000-07:00

Taking advantage of a borrowed car the husband and I decided to take a little trek out to Ikea this evening.

Our trip allowed me to turn my yarn/craft corner from this:

Into this:

It was great, I got to pull out and look at all the yarn I've been stashing recently. I was surprised at how little I had once I put it all away and it wasn't overflowing all over the place. Now the hard part will be resiting more yarn shopping now that I know I have the room. Luckily I have an order coming in from Knit Picks any day now.

Another really great feature of my new shelves is that I can sort not only my yarns out but I have space for finishing projects and in progress projects. I have a set of granny squares that I'm making up for a blanket for the husband and they haven't been so cute stuffed into my shopping totes.

Much cuter option.

I'm so excited to be organizing and sorting, its going to make starting and finishing projects so much easier!

baby patch

2010-07-06T11:23:00.000-07:00

Throughout this last week the weather in Chicago has been steamy and beautiful. I have to admit that I have been spending most of the time stuck inside in air conditioning but I did manage to pull together a little picnic with my friend Madelyn on Friday morning.

It was great to get together and chat and knit. I'm still slogging away on my sweater, updates to follow soon. I did manage to take a little break to make this adorable baby hat for one on my co-workers.

She saw an eggplant hat on a baby last winter and couldn't get it out of her head. She found this pattern and asked if I could knit it up for her. It was a quick project and so cute when it was finished. I just hope that it fits the cute little baby head it was meant for. I don't see a lot of infant heads in my daily life so I kind of had to guesstimate the size a little bit. I hope it all works out, I can just imagine how cute its going to be on a bald little baby head.

The last month and half of summer will hopefully be a little less crazy then the beginning and I'm hoping that there will be more time for backyard picnics, relaxing and of course knitting. Every day would be a great day if I could just sit down and relax with one of these:

Granny Squares- Nola style

2010-06-29T21:55:00.000-07:00

Well my obsession with granny squares has continued. This week I made an extra large granny square to double as a baby blanket. It was for one of my co-workers soon to be niece. Their family is originally from New Oreleans and even though they are having a girl they are very anti-pink so I settled on some classic colors: MARDI GRAS.

festive and fun. I almost feel like I should throw in a pair of beads to the gift package.

This is the first blanket I've ever crocheted and I'm pretty pleased with the results. Not too shabby for learning two weeks ago.
It looks so cute all folded up ready to go out the door tomorrow.

Now I just need to get started back up on my sweater, and finish my husbands socks oh and keep working on a crochted blanket for the house. It seems like the lists never end.

old lady tendancies

2010-06-21T21:57:00.000-07:00

As an avid knitter I have always been beffudled and scared of crocheting. just one needle?!! What do I do with my hands?

well a few hours of homework induced boredom and this tutorial later last night I taught myself how to make granny squares.

These adorable little squares of color can be made into anything from afghans to slippers.

Already today I've knit five of these suckers up, they are like little yarn crack. supper easy, quick and addictive to make.

The yarn I'm using is the Stitch Nation yarn by Debbie Stoller, It is manufactured by Red Heart and available at Michael's and Joann's. At $4.99 a skein its a great buy for the quality. I picked up two skeins of the Bamboo Ewe, a blend of bamboo and wool fibers. It is super soft and silky feeling. The color selection is fabulous, I picked out a wonderful turquoise blue and a soft robins egg blue. I have a sneaking suspicion that these might just end up as a blanket for someone special.

Sweaters in Summer

2010-06-09T19:13:00.001-07:00

This year I'm forcing myself to try knitting new things I've never made before. I've just embarked upon my most ambitious project so far... a sweater.

I do have to admit that I'm not doing it all by my lonesome. I've signed up for the sweater club though The Sweatshop of Love. Allyson runs classes out of New wave Cafe in Logan Square, a short hop and skip away from my house. Her classes are so fun, approachable and reasonably priced. She has been really helpful and accommodating!

This is the pattern I've chosen

It is The Dollar and a Half Cardigan, designed by Véronik Avery, published in the spring 2007 issue of Interweave.

I really love the contrast of the reverse stockinette stitch and lace pattern. I also love the bold statement of the cable on just one side. It gives it an appealing asymmetry.

I've chosen a nice cotton linen blend from Knit picks. In creme brulee. Its a beautiful soft buttery yellow. Definitely something that will see a lot of wear.

Its coming along well so far. Just lots of repeating patterns. Five more inches and I'll be starting my arm hole decreases.

Here's a picture from a few days ago.

I'm sure I'll be getting a lot of work done during the Blackhawks game this evening.

Socks!

2010-06-04T07:41:00.000-07:00

LOOK!!!

We have socks! An adorable sassy orange. Just in time for summer time in Chicago..... I figure that I'll just knit everything off season, sweaters and socks in the summer. Light clothing in the winter. Or maybe I should just knit year round regardless of the season- I think that might be a plan easier to stick to.

These socks were fairly easy to knit up. I also switched between socks as I was learning different sections so I knit them almost at the same time, which kept me from the dreaded second slump. It always seems easier to make the first of something than the second. I've definitely got the sock bug, I've got a skein of self striping yarn waiting for me in my yarn basket already and I'm about half way through into a pair for my husband.

I'm so excited to start experimenting with different types of sock yarn. I also have a sneaking suspicion that some of these soon to come socks will end up on the Christmas list this year.

its never too early to start planning ahead!

Summer

2010-05-19T20:23:00.001-07:00

Despite my best efforts the end of the school year managed to steal any time and ambition I once possessed.

The downside to all of that was I didn't spend any time here.
The upside of it all, I've still been knitting lots of fun stuff.

I'm currently in the middle of a sock knitting class through Loopy Yarns.

Its been a blast so far and I only have the body of the foot and the toe to finish up. Only one more class to go!

I've decided to actually knit something for myself for once and picked out a lovely bright orange color. Nice and easy to spot in my soon to be over flowing sock drawer.

The cuff and tube of the sock.

After I knit the heel flap and turned the heel. You can also see the second sock I started and put on holding needles.

I'm very excited to finish up. I already have a beautiful skein of green yarn that my husband picked out for his socks. We got in our recent trip to New York. Pictures to come soon! I was able to check out some really fun stores there!

In addition to the New York trip I also am starting a sweater knitting class in the beginning of June. Post and pictures to follow.

Lots of new project and skills learning. It's going to be an exciting summer!!

flash dance

2010-04-12T20:35:00.001-07:00

Although I have been knitting hats for years the idea of starting a project on double pointed needles terrified me. I was always intimated to try and cast onto three or four needles. I'm a surprisingly timid knitter- i don't feel comfortable trying lot of new things and I'm really nervous following patterns, it just puts me on edge. One of the reasons I started this blog was to encourage myself to try out new things.

I've realized that I need to learn how to cast on and knit on double pointed needles for quite awhile now if I ever want to learn how to make socks. (I'm planning on taking a sock class at loopy in May- hopefully with my knitting partner in crime, Janella!)

All of this brings us to my first project knit in the round exclusively on double pointed needles. I watched some youtube videos to get an idea of how to begin and have a few mess up along the way, but once I had all my stitches joined it was a breeze. I also added the stripping just to keep it interesting.

Here they are flat. I ran out of red yarn on the second one so the stripe pattern doesn't match. I think it give them character and they're a present for a person with a lot of character so it works.

Here they are on. I made them for my friend Nishi who always has a problem keeping her ankles warm in class so I thought they would well.

They are a nice medium weight wool, and in fun colors too. Next time I make leg warmers I will add some decreases to them to create a little shape. These are simply straight tubes. If they were to go any higher you would want them to be more fitted. Over all though, they were enjoyable and a nice learning project.

scarves

2010-04-05T21:01:00.000-07:00

I'm terribly backlogged in keeping up with my current knit inventory so you should see a lot of projects filter through here in the next couple weeks.

this is not the worst thing as I've had very little time to work on anything new because I've been so busy with school and work. The last half of the semester is always like a rat race and it feels particularly speedy this year.

Although scarves are my least favorite thing to knit (they take forever, they're pretty boring and they don't travel well- not very compact when you just keep going and going on forever- everyone seems to want long scarves these days ) I made quite a few of them as gifts over the holidays (and beyond- the list seems never ending some days!)

This was one of my favorites as it was for my mother.
She bought me this beautiful hand dyed and spun skein of wool about five years ago and it sat forgotten in the bottom of my yarn basket until I was pawing through it looking for gift ideas for this year.

It was so exciting to make something for someone with yarn they had given me. plus i couldn't imagine anyone else rocking this lovely orange color as well as my mama.

it was kind of pain to knit up because it was so bulky and I had a fairly limited supply. I ended up casting on about four stitches on size 35 needles and just knitting until I ran out of yarn. It's on the shorter side, which I don't care for with scarves but for a nice pop of color in the spring I think it is perfect.

Up next is a set of arm warmers that my brothers girl friend requested back in JANUARY! luckily they're done and just waiting for me to get my behind to a post office. I also have another set of arm warmers I'm working on for a lovely someone. Here's hoping I can find some time to work on them on top of my 12 page paper due this week.

hiatus

2010-03-29T21:34:00.000-07:00

It's amazing how quickly time can pass. It has been on my to do list to update here since January but the days keep flying by. I've been keeping myself very busy here between school and work and although i've still been knitting up a storm there has been very little time to document it all.

It's my new project though to make sure i'm here more often.

so i'll leave you with a little bit of this. I made this scarf as a present at least a month and half ago but it hasn't made it into the mail quite yet. I don't mind having it lying around though, it's just so fuzzy and furry. Always good for a giggle.

Muppet Scarf!

Just look at that furry texture!

I have never knit with eyelash yarn before but it was really quite a fun quick project. It took awhile to get used to the texture of the yarn and to not having to worry about splitting stitches. By the middle it almost felt like I was cheating.

Lifes a Knitstorm

2009-12-30T18:21:00.000-08:00

It's been a busy busy holiday season. By my count in the last two weeks I have made: 6 scarves and 8 hats. busy bee's.

Here's a small collection of the goods.

Unfortunately my scattered knitting brain forgot to take photos of some of them. I made a beautiful collection of scarves for my nieces that didn't quite make it into the camera and a set of hats for some friends in Seattle that settled for the same fate.

Our pacific northwest vacation has been flying by smoothly. Its been a joy to relax and see friends and family. Tonight we leave my in-laws house in Snohomish and head into Seattle to visit with friends until we take our early morning flight on New Years day. Then it's back to our land locked city- luckily I have lots more projects on the docket.

tiny beginnings

2009-12-22T09:35:00.000-08:00

It seems appropriate that I would start my first post with a small project.

I made these baby booties (and a pair in purple which I forgot to photograph) for a teacher and a classmate. Everyone seems to be pregnant these days. Luckily they knit up quite quickly so I can get them done, even when I have six on the list.