I'm in love...

What's that loveliness I spy? No, not the machine. I love my machine, but the exciting toy is my new walking foot.

*sigh* How did I ever live without you? xxoooxxx
Just don't tell my husband...

WIP breakdown

We've been here before.


Click for details.

So, am I knitting my heart out this weekend?


Apparently not.

I hope you're enjoying your weekend however you've chosen to spend it!

Sockapalooza, the Second

My beautiful Sockapalooza socks have arrived!


Gina made me Baudelaire socks from Knitty out of Cherry Tree Hill Supersock in the blues/greens colorway. Yummy!
Thank you, Gina!!


And, I just found out today that my pal received her Pomatomuses (Pomatomi?).
All is well with the world.

Well, all except Bloglines. If you subscribe to my blog's feed through bloglines, please check to make sure you're still subscribed. I pushed some button today that made everybody disappear. Although, without the little pokes Bloglines gives me, I probably would never make it back here. Hmm.

Oh, and speaking of all being well with the world... Lolly made it through the earthquake and out of Peru safely!

Fiberlicious Friday

My favorite bowl, my great-grandmother's trunk, apples from the Farmer's Market and KnitPicks bare yarn dyed with Kool-Aid.
Have a Fiberlicious weekend.

Sockapalooza

Not a moment too soon, the Sockapalooza socks are finished.

Pattern: Pomatomus by Cookie A.
Yarn: Artyarns Ultramerino 4 in color 110. Less than 2 skeins.
Needles: Size 2 Clover bamboo dpns
Mods: Since my pal asked for shorter socks, I did only two repeats of the leg pattern.



I love the color of these socks, and I am a huge fan of the pattern. It's almost sad to send them away.
I'm going to gush about this yarn for a moment. I made my first pair of socks out of this yarn, so you might call me biased. It's springy and shiny and oh so gorgeous. The colors are super saturated and it's all around fiberlicious!
It's not the cheapest sock yarn around, but if you are looking to treat your feet (har), give it a shot!
Lurve.

Now, my proudest achievement is actually doing the Kitchener stitch correctly for once. I have faked it, gotten around it, and now finally managed it! All I needed was a little help from KnittingHelp.com and I did it no problem. I feel invincible!

Have a great Thursday everyone!

Orangina

Well hello. I can't believe this week is almost over already.
Is it just me, or is this year freakin' flying by?


Welcome, July. Nice of you to stop by. Let me show you to the door.
August? I'll be right with you.


Geez.

Anyway, I was out of the loop last week. Had a lovely little vacation. And while I was gone, you people were busy. And I mean BUSY. I had over 1,000 new entries on my bloglines when I checked it Monday morning. Some of them were recycles, but still. Damn.


It took a while to catch up. And I am such a loser and I owe so many people replies to their comments, that I've decided to start over. So, thank you to everyone who has commented on my last few posts. Thank you, thank you. And now, I'm wiping the slate clean and will start replying to comments again. I promise.


Right, you're here for knitting.

Orangina is done and so so totally awesome I can't even believe it.

Pattern: Orangina by Stephanie Japel

Size: Uh, small I think

Yarn: Jaeger Siena - color 418 (black). How can black be color 418? just under 5 skeins

Needles: Size 3 Inox circs

Mods: None really. Just made the ribbing longer than called for.

Comments: This has to be the most comfortable, most wearable and work appropriate thing I've knitted. It made its workday debut on Monday.
The lace pattern is easily memorizable, and if I hadn't ignored it so much, it would have been finished pretty quickly.



And besides all that, Stephanie is awesome. I got her new book Fitted Knits for my birthday and it is so well planned and thought out. I love it!

Hello and goodbye

Just a really quick post to let you know what I'm working on these days. I mean, really, how long has it been since I posted an FO, or a WIP? A while.

We're off on a little vacation for a week, so hopefully I'll have something to show for myself when we get back. I foresee lots of knitting time! And maybe even some dye experiments...

(Just a warning. The pictures that follow are horrible. It's a cloudy day, and I'm taking pictures while packing. I'm just sayin...)

So, first off, I have finished the first sock for my Sockapalooza 4 pal.

She requested shorter socks, so I knit only two repeats of Chart A instead of three. Oh, right and the pattern is Pomatomus, knit in Artyarns Ultramerino 4 color 110.

I'm also doing MS3, but am falling a bit behind. Clue 3 was posted yesterday, and I'm about 10 rows into Clue 2.

Mmm... blobby, mushy, unblocked lace. Fabulous. I am using Ornaghi Filati Merino Oro color 731. I decided against beads.

The buttons FINALLY got sewn on my Pudorosa, but the man is out of the house today. So no modeled pictures this time.

I attempted to take a picture of myself in the still almost complete Orangina, but I won't torture you. I only have a couple more inches of ribbing, so hopefully it'll be finished soon.

I am taking yarn with me to start on Joy, and I might need your help on the bead dilemma. Again, I will hope for progress soon.

Be good, have fun and I will talk to you in a week!

Pudorosa pattern!!

I just received the ok to post the pattern for Pudorosa from Tejemanejes.

Click here for the pattern!
ETA 8/17: The link was broken for a short while. Hopefully we won't have any further problems.
ETA 8/21: Well, that didn't help. Let's try again!
Please contact me if there are any issues. Thanks!!

The pattern is in Adobe Acrobat .pdf format. Adobe Reader can be downloaded for free from http://www.adobe.com/.

Pudorosa means "modest," which I think is a perfect name for this little neck warmer. It's a super quick knit. I used some Prime Alpaca left over from the Swallowtail Shawl, and some black buttons I found in my stash. I hope to have pictures soon.

Please let me know if you have any questions, concerns, etc. about the pattern. This was my first attempt at translating a knitting pattern, so it may need some polishing. I tried to do a straight translation, without any "tech editing," but I did end up modifying the way the instructions were given a couple of times, for the sake of clarity. I didn't change the actual stitch pattern or anything though.

I hope you enjoy it!

Catching up...

Hi, it's me. Remember me? I'm still around.
There has been knitting, but I have no photographic proof. So, I'm just going to ramble.

You know that theory that everyone has a twin? Like a doppelganger, but without the evil? I think I've found mine. I have no idea what she looks like, but Larissa of Meathead fame is my twin. In fact, I think we might be the same person.

Why?

Well, first off, we have the same name. And when I say same, I mean both first and last.
We are both married to men with the initals M.J.B.
She works for a library foundation, and I will work for a library someday.
We were both born in May.
We both live on the west coast. She lives in a city I've never been to, but one that I imagine myself moving to someday.
And, duh, we both knit. And blog about it.

I'm still a little shocked about this.

Do you have a "twin"?

In other news, I have made a lovely English translation of this little neck warmer pattern from Tejemanejes, a new Spanish-language Knitty type magazine. I am waiting for their permission to post it. I know they have a Creative Commons license, but I just want to make sure. Better safe than sorry and all that. Hopefully I will get the ok in the next few days.

And, I know this is going to shock all of you who commented on my last post, but I'm going to start swatching for Joy as soon as Orangina is finished. So close.
I've decided to participate in MS3, so that should take care of my lace yearnings for a while.

ETA: Ali's having a contest. Go check it out!!

What next?

I have all these projects floating around in my head, and I can't decide which to do first.

So your task, should you choose to accept it, is to leave a comment telling me which of the following you think I should do next.

After I finish Orangina... of course...

First is Joy from Vintage Style. The yarn will be Rowanspun 4-ply in Sludge.



Next, is Frost Flowers & Leaves from A Gathering of Lace. The yarn is Jagger Spun Zephyr in Sage.


Then, the Scarf (with edging 21 and insertion 25... whatever that is) from Victorian Lace Today in Schaffer Anne.


And finally, the Dollar and a Half Cardigan from Interweave Knits Spring 07. The yarn is Rowan Calmer in Khaki.


Ok, which strikes your fancy? I'd love to know! And feel free to say why if you so desire.
Thanks!

Ms. Marigold

Behold, Ms. Marigold!

I know I say this about everything I knit, but this was a really fun little project. The yarn is delicious; a little splitty, but it's delicious nonetheless.

Pattern: Ms. Marigold from ZephyrStyle

Yarn: About 4 skeins of Elsebeth Lavold Silky Tweed Color 005 (Pink Beige)

Needles: Size 5 Denise circs, Size 3 Inox circs.

Mods: I didn't do the ruffle... It's just not me. Instead, I picked up and knit three rows in k2, p2 ribbing.

Comments: I love the construction of this piece. Reading the directions before I cast on was very confusing. I couldn't see how it was going to work. But I kept the faith and blindly did what it told me, and it all worked out.

Like Leah was saying just yesterday, a stitch count would be nice. Since it's not provided, I had to do some simple math to make sure everything would work out. I ended up increasing the body by two stitches just below the waist so the ribbing at the bottom would work.

I also had to do some math to make sure the ribbing around the V-neck and the arm holes would come out even. I wanted the ribs at the bottom of the V to both be knit stitches, so I needed a multiple of 4+2. I had to do a little fussing to make it work, but I'm really pleased with the way it turned out.

Most important to me was getting the V to join in the right place. Not too high and not too low. I have seen some examples of both around the blogosphere/flickr/ravelry. I knew that this was a crucial factor in the wearability equation. Luckily, this pattern allows for trying on midway, so I think I got it pretty close to where I wanted it.

All in all, awesomely wearable in this warm weather we're having!

Ok, up next. I'm going to re-re-re-resurrect Orangina. I only have about 3 inches of ribbing left but I. Just. Can't. Finish. It. Arg!

Then, some Sockapalooza socks, and you'll get to help me decide what else. Stay tuned!

P.S. Thanks for all your kind words of congratulation for the Man. You are too sweet!

Long weekend - in pictures

I'm still here... Ravelry will be the end of my knitting and my blogging. Crazy addicting.

On Saturday, the man did this:

While I looked on from here:

and worked on this:

(Picture was taken yesterday morning. There's lots more now.)
What is that shapeless blob?, you ask. Well, it's Ms. Marigold in Elsebeth Lavold Silky Tweed color 005 (a la NotFunky). The yarn was on sale. I couldn't resist.
This has to be the quickest knit ever. I cast on Thursday evening, and am zooming right along. (Are those famous last words or what? We shall see.)

WINNER!!!

Vanessa is the winner of a skein of lovely Lemongrass!



Thanks everyone for playing!!



Now, some stats, just in case anyone's curious:
I had 19 people enter. I eliminated any second comments left by someone who had already been entered.
I used this random number generator to draw the winner's number.
I had 11 requests for Jade, 4 for Lemongrass and 4 for G-Rocks.




I think this will have to become an annual event. Come back and play again next year!!

And now for something completely random...

I have been tagged by both Christy and Kellie for the 7 Random Things Meme.

So here goes. Quick, before I get tagged again!

(Oh, wait, here are the rules: Each person tagged gives 7 random facts about themselves. Those tagged need to write in their blogs 7 facts, as well as the rules of the game. You need to tag seven others and list their names on your blog. You have to leave those you plan on tagging a note in their comments so they know that they have been tagged and need to read your blog.)

Ok, ready?

1. I don't own a TV. Wait. Let me rephrase - I have never owned a TV. My mother hasn't owned a TV for as long as I've been alive. But I love watching TV shows on Netflix. We watch DVDs on our computer, and we have a portable DVD player.
Yeah, so, all those small talk conversations at work about that one episode of CSI, or what happened on American Idol last night? Way over my head.

2. I went to college way over on the other side of the country, only to find out once I got there that I have lots of family connections to my alma mater. My great-grandmother graduated from the same college in 1902 (exactly 100 years before me). Her father, uncle and younger sister all went there, and her father taught Romance and Germanic Languages there.
Now I know why it felt like home when I first visited. Kinda creepy.

3. I was a Romance Languages major. (Is this freaking you out yet?) I had planned on majoring in International Business, but they wouldn't let me specialize in more than one region. So I developed my own major, and took all kinds of crazy classes in French, Spanish, Italian and Latin. (Oh, and I once found a book in the library with a bookplace saying it was donated by my great-great-uncle.)

4. When I was born, my parents had a 40 acre sheep ranch. We moved away when I was 5, so I don't really remember it. But now? It sounds like heaven!! All that wool? Fabulous.

5. I think my parents are the coolest.
My dad is the funniest, most level-headed and most fun-to-be-around guy that you will ever meet (in my humble and not at all biased opinion). He would do anything for his family and does it without expecting anything in return.
And my mom is the most creative and hard working mom in the world. She is a glass-blower, olive-grower, knitter and mom extraordinaire! She and my step-dad totally landscaped their backyard for our wedding, and are have 4 more weddings scheduled for this year.
She will be getting hand-knit socks for the rest of her life for that one!

6. In both high school and college I was a pole-vaulter on the track team. I was never very good, but I had a lot of fun.

7. I tore one of my ACLs pole vaulting in college. And I tore the other one skiing in high school. If you can avoid it, don't do that. It really hurts. And the surgery to fix it? Not so much fun either.

Ok, so I am tagging Ariel, Stacey, Jena, Kathy, Susi, Amy, and anybody else who wants to be tagged. (Don't feel obligated!)

ETA: Oops, I guess I should have looked at who Christy tagged. Sorry ladies :)

It's not too late to enter the contest! Comments entered before tomorrow night (Saturday 5/19) at midnight will be considered. Good luck!

EXTRA! EXTRA!!

The very merry un-birthday un-blogiversary contest has finally arrived.

The prizes came in today's mail, so the contest will begin!!!

Up for grabs are one skein each of Socks That Rock Lightweight in Lemongrass, G-Rocks, and Jade.

Simply leave a comment by 12:01am on Sunday, May 20th letting me know which colorway you choose! I will choose and announce the winner's name on Sunday.

Mmm... Lemongrass

Yummy... G-Rocks

Delicious... Jade.

Isn't it hard to choose??

Come one, come all. And good luck!

One year older...

Thank you all for the birthday and blogiversary wishes. It really means a lot to have such a large community of like minded people surrounding my little place in the internet. You are all wonderful. Thank you for being here.

I spent a nice, long weekend with my family. We spent my birthday and Mother's Day together, and watched my graduation online. Even though I couldn't be there "for reals" it was nice to hear my name.

This was the first birthday that was difficult for me to celebrate. Maybe it's just part of getting older, but I didn't want it to come this year. Time seems to be speeding up, and passing me by. How can I be in my late 20's already? How can my 5 year college reunion be this summer? and my 10 year high school reunion next summer? Many cousins and friends are having children (all boys - what's up with that?), buying houses, settling down. It seems a little late at this point, but can I please stop growing up?

Oh well. Nothing I can do... At least my family approves of my knitting habit. See here for proof.


As I mentioned a few posts back, I made Roza's Socks for my mom for Mother's Day (Here is the Ravelry link for those with acocunts).

These were a really fun little project. I had to fly through the project to get them done in time.

Taking inspiration from Christy, I made a star toe (found here) instead of the toe called for in the pattern. What a relief! No kitchener! Love it.

ETA: Oh yeah, the pattern specs. Duh.

Pattern: Roza's Socks by Grumperina from Interweave Spring '06
Yarn: 1 sk. Sundara Sock yarn in Lenten Rose (Petals Collection colorway)
Needles: Size 1 Susan Bates dpns
Mods: Just the star toe.

I haven't forgotten about the contest. More info will be forthcoming as soon as the prizes arrive!

Blogiversary!!

Oh my gosh. Today is my blogiversary and I almost forgot! I have been so preoccupied with an event happening tomorrow (more on that at a later date, maybe) that I haven't been paying attention.

So, that, and Saturday is my birthday (and Nova's too!).

There's so much going on that I think we need a contest!! Don't you?

I am taking a few days off of work, and going out of town. So while I'm gone, get your contest-winning hats out, and come back next week for the big prize reveal and entry guidelines.

Have a great rest of your week, a great weekend and Mother's Day! Talk to you soon.

Sockapalooza 4

Oh yes, I am one of the ONE THOUSAND crazy knitters who signed up for Sockapalooza 4.

I have my pal's info, and purchased some awesome yarn for her socks. She asked for pink, and boy is she going to get it! Now to find a pattern...
I have been looking at Monkey, Charade, maybe Jaywalkers, or maybe something toe-up... I have emailed her to see her preferences, but do you have any suggestions?

I know my pal has my info because I saw a referral from Alison's database on my sitemeter... I am so tricky.

(Oh, and if you're keeping track, yes, I did break my stash diet to buy pink sock yarn. So there!)

I *heart* Koigu

My how times flies. We are in the process of switching ISPs at home, and it has taken me this long to take pictures of my Chevy and then get them on my flash drive and bring it to *gasp* work with me (sh!!!) to post this. I hope we get our Internets back up soon.

In the mean time, I have finished my Chevron Scarf. I love the colors even more now that it's finished. I can wear it every day because it goes with everything.

I can wear it with a caramel colored sweater.
I can wear it with my black coat.

I can wear it with my favorite blue velvet jacket.

Fabulous! Love it. I'm so glad this became a 'fad' in the knitblog world, because otherwise I probably would never have made it.

Ok, specs:

Pattern - Chevron Scarf from Last Minute Knitted Gifts

Yarn - Koigu KPPPM in colors P506 and P436. A little over a skein each.

Needles - Crystal Palace Daisy straights - Size 5

I am working on a few projects. My April UFO resurrection is Orangina, of which you've already seen a little black bit. The ribbing is slogging along, so I'll be finished soon.

My mom has asked for socks for Mother's Day, so I started Roza's Socks for her. First in the Tofutsies my SP sent me, but the gauge was all off, so I started again last night in Sundara's Lenten Rose from the Petals Collection. Hopefully this will go better.

Altogether, lots of 3x3 ribbing. Lovely.

Since I don't have more knitting pictures, I'll show you some from a little hike to Bernal Hill we took a few weekends ago.

What a lovely view. The only problem with it is that I can see my office building. Not so nice on the weekends!

There was a guy flying the hugest kite. Hard to tell in the picture, but it's about 8 feet tall.

Until next time - have a great day!

ARRRR!

So, a pirate walks into a bar, and the bartender notices something strange about him. The pirate asks the bartender for a drink, and the bartender says, "Um... Mr. Pirate, sir, is that a steering wheel in your pants?"
And the pirate says... (wait for it...) "Aye, and it's drivin' me nuts."

Ok, one more... What's a pirate's favorite restaurant? ARRRRby's!

I think you probably know by now what this is leading up to, and don't think I'm launching a career in stand-up...

Aye, maties, it's an FO!



Pattern: We Call Them Pirates, free from Hello Yarn
Yarn: Random acrylic blend from the stash, and Rowan Calmer for the lining
Needles: Size 3 bamboo
Mods: I made the lining only about 1" instead of the 2.25" length designated in the pattern. It fits just perfectly this way, instead of being a smidge too tight.

Overall, this is a great project. I feel like I learned a lot about fair isle, and my gauge is much more even on this than on the Endpaper Mitts.

I am officially a two handed fair isler. I just can't get the hang of holding both colors in one hand.

Now that it's complete, I realize I must have changed the dominant color in the middle, and then changed back. It's hard to see in the right side, but I can definitely see it in the guts. Do you see it? In the middle skulls, the white was being carried over the black, and on the top and bottom ones, the black was carried over the white.


I'm sure it's one of those things only knitters notice.

Once I got my momentum, I really had fun with this. I finished it about a week ago, and the Man has been wearing it constantly ever since. I'm so glad he likes it!