On the Bright Side of 7

I'm updating in a moment when I'm feeling really, really good. I started working this morning and found myself multi-tasking some things that I'd put off too long, and knocking them down one by one without feeling overwhelmed or stressed. I feel some general lightness of mind, no hunger right now, and just generally GOOD.

I cast on for the Sweethearts blanket last night:

(photo swiped lovingly from my friend Shelley who suggested
this great pattern and is knitting this along with me).

I'm stitching all the love and care I can into this for the baby of my darling friend. Soothing garter stitch and a sooooper soft yarn, Sirdar Snuggly DK in a dusky blue.

I Am This Close to a Pair of Socks

Bracelet by 579 Jewelry

Yarn by Tess Designer Yarns (Ravelry link)

Catching up - Suggestions Needed

Hello my lovelies,

I was so pleased to see all the great responses to the Round Table Discussion. I sure hope some missing mojo has returned for some of you thanks to our little chat circle. It has certainly worked well for me to follow some of the advice from the comments.

I'm in the midst of quite the knit conundrum right now though.

I'm working on this as a super secret surprise giftie thing for someone, and lo and behold my second ball of yarn is a different dye lot

Cozy from Knitty, Fall 2004 (modified to be narrower)

Right now, it's not long enough to be a wrap, and it's not quite square enough to be a baby blanket (either of which would be an acceptable gift). So maybe you can help me decide what to do next. Should I....

- Bind off where I am now (about 48") then put a simple edge around it and give it as a bordered baby blanket? (Garter or Seed stitch or something else...)

- Continue on with the 2nd ball and knit exactly double the length so the color difference is intentional (the variation is very very slight).

- Do a lacy crochet edging on all four sides so that it can be used as a nursing cover-up/shawl and double as a wrapper for the baby bundle.

I'm open to any and all suggestions...and if you have links to demonstrate your idea, please don't hesitate to send them my way.

Wishing you much uninterrupted YOU time this weekend.

Still Knitting (and a promo!)

Thanks to all of you that have sent your good wishes for my blogiversary - your visits and support do make all the difference!

You know how I feel about supporting our own, right? And by "our own" I mean those that put their hands/hearts/minds to all things creative. Today's post is to show some of that support for a friend of mine (full disclosure, I also wanted to show you some photo proof that I'm still actually knitting). Allow me to introduce you to Sarah's Etsy shop - 579 Jewelry

I love the color combination in these - she really has an eye for such things. Light as a feather too - bonus!

She's offering up some beautiful goodies, for you and for your knitting! Sarah has an excellent eye for design and she's quite good at putting together great materials to make something beautiful. Turns out that her talents go beyond just knitting!

Head on over to the shop - all jewelry is on $5, $7, or $9 - and that INCLUDES shipping. Yeah...you won't be sorry you went.

As for me? I've got socks to finish before my UFO list grows legs and kicks me in the...

Koigu KPPPM in Color 400Baby Cable Rib Pattern from this great book

Startitis*

*n. /start eyetis'/: A common condition affecting those involved with handcrafting, specifically the fiber arts. Primary symptom is an overwhelming need to begin multiple projects, usually before other projects have been completed.

That's right. What you see there is a picture of what I assume must be the 9,000th Clapotis cast-on and in progress. Was I expected to resist it though, really? I mean with sites like this one showing proof that you truly can make this scarf/wrap in just about any yarn, and with pictures of finished objects posted everywhere on the net - did I ever really stand a chance? Obviously not.

Stats:
Pattern: Clapotis by Kate Gilbert (uh huh, you have this one bookmarked too, right?)
Yarn: Auracania Atacama Alpaca in Color 506, 10 skeins to make a large wrap
Needles: started on US 7 (4.5mm), but dropped down to a 6 (4.0mm) for a firmer fabric
Gauge: 5.5 sts/inch in the stockinette areas

Have you made one yet? I sure would love to have links to see some finished by you. If not, let me know if this is in your queue...perhaps we could knit along on it together? Good times.

I can't finish up without saying, simply - YOU ROCK! Our last round table discussion was a good one, just as I hoped. As you could see, we share some common hesitations with our pointy stick passion. Mostly I was impressed with the positive attitude that still comes through when you write about what you do plan to tackle when the time is right. Love, love, love the conversation. We'll have more of them too. Why not write and tell me what you would like to chat about and hear about from your fellow handcrafters? I'm always willing to take Round Table suggestions, so speak up!

Sending you sunshine and good thoughts from blistering summery New Jersey this week. Stay cool!

Travel Tales / Super Saturday

Yesterday I returned from a 7-day trip away from home. Another one of my classic leisure/business combos. I found out that my friend Gia was going to DC for a conference and so I hitched a ride with another friend of ours from New Jersey into DC. We had a good time catching up and exploring some places in the city. We also spent some time with another couple of friends and their adorable baby Zora. Korey and Kishanna are expecting again this fall and it was great to see them.

DC festivities on a hot Saturday afternoon


The lovely Ms. Giavanni


Tunde & I with my knitting in public on World Wide Knit In Public Day


Kishanna, Korey, and little Zora

From the knitting bag, 2 main projects kept me company during the trip, the Forever Jacquard self-striping socks



and sock #2 in the Sangria Sock pair. Because the blue socks have both my KnitPicks size 1 (2.5mm) circulars in use, I ordered another 32# size 1 and will attempt to complete this sock using the Magic Loop method. My status over at the Stashalong depends on it. Wish me luck!



How are things in your neck of the woods?

Well I'll Be

CPH Progress Report Day 1479 (or something like that):

I've had a nearly phobic apprehension to the attachment of the sleeves to my Central Park Hoodie. Not for any good reason...just because this technique is very new to me and, like all brand new knitting adventures, it has the inherent potential to go very, very wrong.

But this time, it went right.

I give credit for this success to:
*This wonderfully clear tutorial on Knitty (I used the weaving technique plus mattress stitch)
*The tip I heard on the Stash & Burn podcast about finishing where Nicole suggested that it's easier to attach a tube to a tube - in other words, seam the body and the sleeve to the armhole first, and then attach them to each other. Worked like a charm, and no bunching!
*Dreamy David - the golden-voiced Aussie over at Sticks & String...with his show playing in my ITunes, I think I could be soothed into trying any new knitting technique. *swoon*

While we're on the subject of sleeves, if you're going to knit the CPH (Cindy, Nicole), be warned - the sleeves fit snug! No, let me rephrase - the sleeves in your selected size WILL BE TIGHT. If you look closely at my arm picture, you'll see my skin peeking through. Cozy and warm, yes. Flattering? No. Knit and learn darlings! I suggest either factoring in more increases or just knitting the sleeves one size up - much easier to take in any extra bulk if needed.

I've got a new discussion topic in the works, so be on the look out for that. Tomorrow I'll post some more shots from the yard to start our long weekend off with some cheer.

Thanks as always for stopping by!

New Knit

I've made some good progress on my next project and as I was getting ready to write and share with you what it will be, I got the urge to keep this one under wraps. Not because it's a gift or because I want to tease you guys with suspense. More because I think a big reveal at the end of several weeks will just be more fun. There's a lot of color in this knit and I think I'll just give you a glimpse for now. I'm loving it so far. It's being done on my Size 11(8mm) Options needles in Noro Iro (no spoilers if if I mentioned this to you before).

This yarn has such a nice even flow of stripes and because it's all natural fibers, I use the spit felting method to add new skeins and just keep knitting, knitting, knitting. When this project is finished, my knit wardrobe will be up one garment and my stash will be down 660 yards - assuming I use it all up. Whatever doesn't make it into this project will become a scrap bag or a modified Calorimetry.



Progress Report: My Central Park Hoodie is now hooded! I am at the point in the hood where I would normally bind off the row and then seam that row later to join the top of the hood. Thanks to suggestions over at the Knit A Long I'm going to leave the stitches live and use Kitchener stitch to join the two sides instead. I left live stitches on the shoulder seams for a 3-needle bind off after doing short row shaping for the shoulder edges, and I really prefer this to the traditional bind off seam. You can read some more about that here, or email me if you have questions on doing this for your own project. The remaining items to get this hoodie on my back - sleeves to set in (shudder), and a ribbed button band to pick up and knit. I have decided against making actual button holes, so this should be fairly standard ribbing. Like a good knitter, I have already marked off my rows in sections of 20 stitches to make it easier to know how many stitches I will need to pick up in between each marker. The trick will be re-calculating that stitch number now that blocking has...shall we say "extended" my row gauge quite a bit. Note for next time - wash the swatch.

Love it when you come by, let's do this again real soon, ok?

No SSS Here

Second Sock Syndrome is powerful. It can grip you but good...mostly because you've just been through all that it takes to make the first sock, AND you know the utter uselessness of a single sock. How's that for a sock and a furry place?

As promised, I did cast on for #2 this week. Mom saw #1 last night and told me that I should open a store and sell my knitting. *Sigh* Gotta love mom.

I'm also working hard on my other knit goal, which is to finish my Central Park Hoodie before my next trip to Jersey. I have visions of wearing it to the office on casual Friday. "Why yes, yes I did knit this....oh thank you, yes, it was nothing really". (giggle)



Send some productivity vibes my way and I'll bounce some right backatchya!
Enjoy your weekend!

Knit Yourself Well

My youngest and I came down with Strep this week, and we've both had a time of it. I finally listened to some good advice and headed to the doctor. We got our meds in short order and the improvement is noticeable already.

Well let's face it, sick time doubles quite nicely as knit time. And what better way to introduce some warm and fuzzy feelings to an otherwise icky situation than to knit for someone else? Though I won't say who these are for specifically, those of you who follow the blog (including the recipient) will notice that (a) these are baby hats and (b)baby talk on this blog is very recent, so going just a few posts back will completely give it away. In the last 2 days I made 2 wee hats for this darling new princess, and here they are:

Just a little artsy rendition there...the hats are strategically placed on the Debbie Bliss Baby Knits book cover. Inside this book are the most adorable, yet completely doable baby items. I started small by making the seed stitch hat you see on the left in the photo, but there is much more to do in this book, and I'm grateful our local library carries it. The hat on the right is made with hand-dyed yarn from an artist named Jamie Harmon in upstate New York. In my stash busting efforts, I'm diving deep! This yarn was purchased in January of 2006 on one of my first New York City yarn crawls. I'm pretty certain I bought it at Downtown Yarns, but don't hold me to that.










No pattern for the hand-dyed mini beret. I was actually inspired to just wing it by some email conversations about designing and modifying patterns to suit your taste. They are very different in size too; I wanted this little darling to have a hat for now and a hat for later.

Other than the hoodie, I've also started these Garter Rib Socks from the pattern in Sensational Knitted Socks.




I'm working these on size 2 (3mm) circulars, so the rows are slow to show up. This is portable though and the color (Cherry Blossom Fibers' Sangria) is delicious!

Have a wonderful weekend dear readers! Remember it's Black History Month - here's hoping you'll seek out, read, listen to or find something new to learn and love!

Get Your Knit Fix Here!

Just a short update post today...I'm knitting, no surprise there. The surprise though is how OFTEN I'm doing it now and how much a part of my life it has become. There are knitting magazines and books with post it flags sticking out of them strewn across my house. There is yarn in at least 3 different rooms. There are knit programs on my remind list for the TV (yes, the satellite service is back...be afraid people). And yesterday, hubby actually told me that he hopes I always put the same level of passion into my knitting as I do now - can you believe that??! This is the stage called Acceptance, and mama likes! (Major bonus points for him! I may even have to actually make him something sometime this year I was so grateful).

I'm reading a particularly good book right now called Beyond Stitch & Bitch. A reflection on knitting and life indeed...and I'm hooked. Small and easy to digest chapters make it easy to pick up and put down, which my life dictates that I do with most books. Alot. I highly recommend this one folks. Yes, Mau - you can skip it darling. I'll give you the highlights.

Knit pics follow...

Here are my birthday goodies from my dearest Sean. Just the right stuff...a very unique and "must be knit" skein of Araucania Atacama Alpaca yarn. Naturally, I want just the right project for this, and I'm taking suggestions!




AND he got me this!



May I just say that a book full of fun patterns and good reading is just the most perfect gift for the knitter who has...err...wants everything. Thanks Sean!

Here's what I'm working on...the Central Park Hoodie from the Fall 2006 Knitscene (back and sleeves shown in the photo). Love. This. Knit.

There's a knit-along for this here and here - join us!

And here's something I'm calling my Stash Tote because (a) it was knit from leftover yarns in my stash and (b) when it's done and felted, I'm likely to use it to store or carry other yarn skeins from my stash (cuz some of it is just too yummy for Ziplocs, you know what I'm sayin?)

No pattern, I just can't stand to waste even a yard of yarn, so this wool just had to be knit.

That's all the news that's fit to print my dears. Send me sugggestions for my 110yds of Alpaca goodness by shouting me out in the comments. Thanks!

Vacation Photos

I have the pictures back from our trip!

I have included them here as a Flickr Slideshow so you can browse them at your leisure. Thanks to everyone who already left comments. You guys make me blush (though it may be hard to tell..hee hee).

Our trip highlights included a trip to Hershey, PA to be surrounded by all things chocolate (even the ketchup, I kid you not); cool nights on the patio with the Tylers and TOO good wine; watching the cutie pies get along like they've always been friends with Rayna; climbing around the rock outcrop in Central Park; strolling through Hershey Gardens; the crunch of colorful leaves underfoot; and of course - the joy of being right there with my little ones during the take off of their first flight!


Have a great week everyone! I have an afghan to work on, so my posting may be limited (I need to be mostly done with it in less than 1 month - don't you just love my delusional knit schedules???).

MWAH!

Vacation Mathematics

Hello All!
I'm sending just a quick update about our vacation for now...More details soon.
We arrived in New Jersey Tuesday evening, then drove over to Hershey, PA on Wednesday (yes, that Hershey...I can't even begin to tell you). We're traveling with my co-worker and his family, and he and I had actual work to do on Thursday and Friday, while hubby and the kiddies did some touring.

There are schools of thought that believe math is the basis of all things, so I thought I'd use that theme to share some vacation math with you. ..


Principle #1
The number of Fritos remaining in the bag is inversely proportional to the width of the upper thigh in inches (it also has a direct relationship to the number of completed knitted rows...knit, purl, crumb, knit, purl...)

Principle #2
The amount of joy a toddler experiences at taking their first flight is multiplied exponentially by the number of toddlers included in the equation (double your fun!)
Click here to see a video

Principle #3
The cuteness factor is also multiplied exponentially by the number of toddlers included in the equation.





Principle #4
When on vacation, the number of parents must always exceed the number of chilren under 4 feet tall by at least 1; an exception applies if the adult is "high" on crisp autumn air and lulled into taking on any challenge.




Principle #5
There is a common theory that increased absence increases the fondness of the heart, however, nearness also has it's place.






Many more photos to come (my other camera is an SLR, you know the deal)

From The Mouth of Babes

Two really good ones this week

The Setup: Hubby has started his homeschooling efforts full scale this month. From what we've read, everyting is a learning experienc, and you must be prepared and patient to answer your little one's questions.

[I overheard this exchange in the kitchen while working in my home office]

Adachi: Daddy, why is it called a GRAND mother?

Dad: .....

Adachi (5yo): Why is it GRAND in front of the mother part?

Dad: Well...It has to do with their wisdom. They have so much wisdom that they are GRAND mothers

Mizan (3yo): NOOOOOO Dadeeeee...that's not right!!

Adachi: Let's ask mommy. She'll know. She's the smartest one in the house!

*sigh* So young and brilliant. (snicker)


The Setup: Pre-teeth brushing exchange between the girls and I (we always have some doozies standing around the sink)

Adachi: Mommy...I think that if everyone in the world was just like me, this world would be -

Mizan: Perfect!!

Adachi: Um, no Meezee. Um..Mommy, if all the people in the world were like me, they would be -

Mizan: Onterrugent (Intelligent)!

By this point Adachi and I have collapsed in happy giggle fits at the adoration of a little sister.

Goodness me! They do just make it all worth it, don't they!