Wow, it's been awhile… Guess I'll update you all on what's been happening. Last weekend James and I went to our annual gathering in Ohio. It was a bit smaller this year. It was the fifth year that the gathering has been "alive" I guess you could say... so we were expecting it to be bigger than it was. But because the date was announced to the public, I think it spooked a bunch of people from coming. Usually they send out personlized invitations to those who seem interested, and sane. We only ended up with about 25 to 30 people this year, compared to about 60 last year. It was nice anyway. I got to see a bunch of people we haven't seen since last year, plus there were others who we have never met. Each year is a different experience, but it's always fun. We also had the best weather we've ever had, so that made it extra fun.

While we were away I worked on a bag using the banana fiber yarn. I decided that because it's such a sturdy feeling yarn that a bag would probably be the best use for it. It knits up so fast! I finished both sides of the bag over the weekend, and I really didn't spend a whole lot of time on it. There were so many other things to do. Last night I began the strap and that zipped up really quickly too. I can probably get it sewn together tonight if I put my attention on it, but we'll see. There's another secret project that I'm working on. It came to me over the weekend, but I think I'm going to save it for the book I write someday. It's worthy.

Yarny things…

June 19th, 2007

Today I received the yarn I ordered from the rainforest site. The two blue hanks are 100% banana fiber. I'm pretty surprised how soft the yarn is. I read a thread recently where someone commented about how rough banana was. But I had to try it for myself. It doesn't feel like it would be very flexible, so I have no idea what to make with it. James really likes the color so he suggested I make something for him, possibly a belt. I don't know about that, but it's an option. I'm also considering making myself a summery tank top like thing from it. I don't know if I'll have enough though.

The other hank is 100% recycled silk. I'm thinking I'll make myself a small scarf out of this, or just add it to my stash to be combined with something else sometime down the road.

As for that Ivy Leaf scarf that I've been working on… I'm 3 rows into the last repeat. It's working up remarkably fast. I should have it done pretty soon. I'll take some pictures after it's blocked.

Happy Knitting everyone!

Another good cause

June 18th, 2007

Today, while browsing through the forums and blogs that I visit on a regular basis I was informed that Annie Modesitt's husband is going through a rough time. For those of you who are not familiar with her, she's one of the knit and crochet designers who I look up to. I thought I'd post about it because as knitters, I know we like to stick together, and support one another. Anyone who would like to lend her some support (and get a great pattern in return) just visit this site.

Good Luck Annie, you'll all get through this!

Penguin Sweaters!

June 17th, 2007

I was browsing through knitting related sites yesterday and found out that there are penguins in Tasmania that need sweaters! From the website, I gathered that the sweaters will protect the penquins from eating the oil off their feathers, preventing them from getting poisoned by it. I don't think I quite understand exactly why sweaters were chosen for this problem, but I think it would be a fun and quick project to do sometime. I think the yarn store down the street might be thinking of doing some kind of collection or something.

Ha… after I posted this, I re-read the website, and the first line says that the project has finished… oh well, they're still cute.

Lets increase our stash and save the rainforest at the same time!

June 14th, 2007

Every morning when I first get onto the computer I pop onto the breast cancer site and click to help fund more mamograms to those who can not afford it... I don't know how it works, but I click anyway.

Recently I've also been visiting the rainforest site to help save that too. Again, I'm not sure how that works either, but I like to think it's doing something.

Today after my rainforest click, I noticed that they sell yarn! I absolutely can not resist the urge to buy some. Not only will I be helping out the rainforest, but I'll also be able to add some fabulous yarn to my stash!

Take a look at all the different kinds they offer!

Another Vogue Knitting on the Go Book

June 12th, 2007

The universe never ceases to amaze me. I randomly decided to pop onto Amazon to check out the availablility of the upcoming Crocheted Shawls book that I had once-upon-a-time created something for.

I was completely astonished to see that this is my shawl gracing the cover. It's showing what I considered the BACK of the shawl, but whatever. It's theirs now, so they can show it however they want. The back's beginning to grow on me. I love how it was photographed.

Whee!

Ivy Leaf Scarf Photos

June 8th, 2007

So, as promised, here are some photos of the scarf I just sent out to my secret scarf pal. I do plan on putting the pattern up shortly, or you can take a look at the preliminary pattern that I put on here a few months ago. I don't think it's changed much, the only thing missing is the yarn requirements, which would be 7 balls of Wool Bam Boo for this particular size scarf... Oh, and I worked 8 full repeats of the stitch pattern, then work rows 1–12. BO all sts knitwise on a RS row.

I'll work on getting a PDF put up on my patterns page soon... really.

To the left of my hair, you can see the very center of the scarf. It's where the leaves start going in the opposite direction... That's where the first provisional cast on is, then after you finish working one side, you slip the stitches left on a holder back onto the needle and continue working in the opposite direction for the same length.

Here is my current project. I guess I'm not sick of this stitch pattern yet. It's working up so much faster than the other one because there is only one repeat of the pattern, rather than two. I did one and a half repeats last night without even realizing it. It will be done in no time! I love projects like that.

So much to deal with…

June 7th, 2007

I sometimes feel like I'm always just cleaning things up. Like, everything falls apart and needs picking back up CONSTANTLY. I'm not complaining, just making an observation. It's like that's just the way life goes. I was wondering around my apartment over the weekend and I just remember that everytime I went into a new room there was something that called out to me that needed fixing or cleaning up or some kind of attention. It was actually pretty fun, but I've been noticing it more and more since. The oil light in my car has been on for a few days now. I brought it to the dealer for an oil change yesterday and asked them to take a look at why it might be on. They were going to charge me $250 to diagnose why it is on. That's insane to me. So I told them to forget about the light, and just change the oil… which still ended up costing me $40 because my free oil change coupons expired. So I will be changing my oil on my own from now on. It's so much cheaper, plus I'll be creating a closer bond to my car that way. Tonight I'll be dropping my car off with my dad so he can take a look at why the light is on. There is no pressure gauge inside the car anywhere, so I don't know if the pressure is too high or low, but I checked the levels and there's plenty of oil in there. We're thinking that there's nothing seriously wrong, because there hasn't been any change in the car's performance, but I'd like the light to go away, it makes me nervous.

We're also planning on going to see a friend tonight who we don't really see very often. She used to work at a sort of mortgage company, so hopefully I can wrack her brain about that kind of information. Perhaps get that ball rolling. I'd like to get preapproved for a loan before we really start looking for a place. We don't really know what we can afford yet, so hopefully this will be a good starting point.

Ready to go!

June 6th, 2007

Phew, the scarf is finished! It came out absolutely beautiful, I'll post pictures eventually... maybe tomorrow you'll get to see. James helped me photograph it last night. I got to play model and pose with the scarf. That was pretty fun. We should do that more often, hehe. I just weighed it, it's .71 lbs, so that means that it would use 7 balls of Wool Bam Boo to complete it, which isn't bad considering how long it is. It goes down to my knees! Last night, after packaging it up I picked up one of the cashmere/merino balls that I received from Ingrid, and I'm starting to make myself a smaller version of it. This one only has one repeat across, rather than two, and I'm only going to do 6 repeats on each side, rather than 8.5. I'm hoping that the 3 balls I have will be enough. I have 1.5 repeats finished so far, and it doesn't seem like much of a dent has been put into the ball of yarn, so I'm not worried.

I'm really loving the scarf I received from Ingrid. I wore it to work yesterday, then again today. The brown color is perfect, it goes with so many of my clothes! Everyone at work thinks it's beautiful and very well made (which it is!). I love having it with me to keep me warm. I have the feeling that it's going to be traveling with me often. I can't thank you enough, Ingrid! THANKS! :)

My ISE4 Scarf Arrived!

June 4th, 2007

Driving home from work today I was wondering when my scarf would be arriving. My pal told me that she had sent it, so I've been expecting it any day now. When I got home it was sitting there waiting and I felt like a little girl on Christmas! I ran inside and couldn't wait to open it up!

Ingrid sent me lots of great things that she knew I'd love. Of course there is the scarf, made from 100% cashmere! She got it from colourmart, which she says is a "fantastic source of reasonably priced luxury yarn". I believe her! This scarf is great! It's also where she got the yarn. I don't know what I'll make with it yet, but I'm sure it will be wonderful!

The two black things on the right are bags of tea. James and I are trying out the green cherry kind as I type. It's delicious. It reminds me of my favorite tea, but I think I like it better.

She also included an issue of Yarn Forward, which I've heard a lot about in knitting forums, but have never seen. I'll have to give that a look-see. The white book in the center is all about finishing techniques, which I can't wait to read.

She included her favorite kind of chocolate. It sure is yummy. I couldn't wait to try a piece. Thanks for feeding my sweet tooth, it loves you for it!

The multi-colored thing in the back is a toy for my kitty! Here she is trying to figure it out. She's like that with new toys. I'm sure she'll have a blast with it.

Here I am with my new scarf. I still haven't taken it off. I just love it so much. It's perfect!

Thanks a million! You're awesome!

Now, I've got to go work on the scarf for my pal. I want to get this out tomorrow, so I don't have to feel guilty any more that I have my scarf and my pal doesn't have hers.

Unite.

June 4th, 2007

So, I didn't finish the scarf. I ended up having to finish up a sweater for a magazine that I was having knit. My knitter had to take care of some personal things this weekend and didn't have time to do the finishing on the sweater. I have to get it in by Wednesday so I sewed it up and did the neck trim. It was kinda fun. I enjoy finishing garments... well, I guess I enjoy all parts of making a sweater, hehe. But because I had to do this I didn't have as much time to work on the ISE4 Scarf. I only have 1 more repeat to do before I finish it, so maybe I can get it done tonight or tomorrow night. We'll see.

My friend Tim, (who was recently diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma) just told me that his father will be doing the Pan Mass Challenge this year for the Jimmy Fund/Dana-Farber. It's a 47 mile bike ride that raises money for finding a cure for cancer. I would love if you could help out my friend Tim as well as anyone you may know who is overcoming cancer by donating. Any amount would be greatly appreciated.

Babbels

June 1st, 2007

May seemed really short. I guess being away for a week and a half of it will make it seem that way… So I didn't really have a reason for beginning a new post. I guess I'm just slightly bored and figured I'd ramble and maybe something interesting would come out…

I'm so close to being finished with the ISE4 scarf. I've been working on the second half for awhile now, and I'm on the tail end of the seventh repeat. I need to finish 8.5 repeats before I can bind off and call it done. It needs to be in the mail by the end of next week, so my plan is to finish it this weekend. That'd be nice because then I can steam it on monday and plan on shipping it out Tuesday. That should work out well… as long as I finish it this weekend.

I'm finally adjusted back to this timezone. It's still a little rough getting to bed at night, but it may just be because the weather's been nicer and the sun stays up later. Getting up in the morning is not nearly as difficult anymore though, which makes me happy.

I'm not really sure what I'll be knitting next. I may take some time to come up with swatches for designs. I've been really slacking on that lately. I had a small phase, but then stuff came along and it got put onto hold. Now there are bunches of magazines asking for designs and I've only got a few. I do also have to knit a child's sweater for Classic Elite. It's due sometime mid July, so I have some time. It's a big yarn, and a small sweater, so I'm not expecting that to take very long at all.

James and I have recently been seriously tossing around the idea of moving to Vermont. He has been interested in going back to school and he's eyeing the University of Vermont. Plus, we're sick of sending our hard earned money off into the eathers on rent. It makes so much more sense to own what you live in, so we're planning on buying a house finally. We have a friend who used to work with mortgages, and we're planning on talking to her about how to start going about this kind of thing. It's also probably not a bad idea to go to one of those "first time home buyers" classes or something. A girl at work just took one and she said it's definitly worth it. She learned a lot of stuff that she never would have even thought of. I've also been told by another woman at work that her husband is in real estate and he could help us out. So it seems like things are just falling into place, and I really have faith that this is the right direction to be heading in. So, we'll see how it unfolds for us.

My Raw journey

Patterns for Sale

Tweed Beret

Violet, the Slouchy Head Friend

Lush Woven Scarf

Petal Socks

River of Life Socks

Crochet Motif Cardigan

Beatrice Ribbed Tie Coat