The most wonderful time of the year October 25, 2009

That time of year is nearly upon me again.  Funny how it shows up every year, at the same time.  And yet…I can’t seem to prepare myself for it early enough.  It’s just hot to have a pile of knitting in my lap during the hot summer months.  This leaves me with two options.  Either I knit right after Christmas, and put it all away for the upcoming holiday, or I bust my butt to get it all done right before the holiday.

What do I do?  I do the latter.  I’m busily knitting up a storm, trying to get gifts done in time.  I will show what I’m working on, but can’t even begin to elaborate on who they’re for.  They read things like this

Oh!  I need to tell you all about my newest, cool find–square double pointed needles!  I had to find out what was so cool about these new items.  The back of the packaging says that they’re easier on your hands.  They are also supposed to be good for those that have carpal tunnel, arthritis and stiffness in their hands and fingers.  They also say that they let you keep your stitches more uniform.  So far they’re feeling pretty nice in my hands.

Baby things October 25, 2009

I recently finished a cutesy little baby hat for a co-worker’s baby shower.  I can’t even remember the brand of yarn that I used, but it was called “Plush”.  It is the softest, cuddliest yarn around.  A really creamy yellow, flecked colorway.

The hat was super simple to knit up for baby Michael.  We’re all looking forward to meeting this little man.  This picture doesn’t begin to do it justice.  All my co-workers were oohing and aahing over how soft it was

I’m still alive July 22, 2009

It’s been a while since I’ve posted and for that I apologize.  I have just been so busy lately.  I was talking with a friend, over lunch today, and determined that I have a case of the “I-just-don’t-feel-like-knitting” blues.  He encouraged me to pick up blogging about knitting at the very least.

I have so many ideas running through my head, but have no ambition to actually sit down and create.  The other reason is the heat and humidity here in Vermont right now.  Yeah, I know you’re all thinking that Vermont is the land of pretty colored Maple trees and snowy mountains.  Not so folks.  The past couple of months, it’s been the land of rain, rain and more…..RAIN!  There are so few days in a week that are actually sunny, that people almost have coronaries when the sun DOES show it’s face.

All this rain makes things very muggy and just plain ICK.  Not a very good combination when you have a pile of yarn in your lap.

But tonight, I’m determined to at least START to finish a project that is about 75% finished.  I would like to have some stock to list on my etsy shop by September or October, for holiday sales.

And for something knitting and creative…I’m planning on getting a tattoo.  I have a friend that is going to do the design and ink me up.  It’s going to be a purple ball of yarn, with metal skull topped needles and drops of blood coming from the needles.  Then there will be banners with the words “Slip, Stitch and Stab”.  Yes, I’m all about the knitting geekery.

This is the base of what I want my first tattoo to look like

Button, Button, Who’s got the button? April 28, 2009

I finished Hannah’s necklace today.   She came out, saw me working on it, and asked me what I was making.  I told her that it was for her.  She got all excited.  I let her pick out the buttons for it.  She’s all excited to wear it to school tomorrow.

Crochet? *gasps* Say it isn’t so! April 28, 2009

I haven’t updated here in a while.  I’m designing and playing with yarn today.  More appropriately, crochet cotton.  I used to crochet when I was younger.   I would make detailed little snowflakes, then starched them and put them on the christmas tree.  I made shelf lace, doilies and I even went so far as to make a crocheted collar for a dress.  I don’t even know if that’s still in a box somewhere.  A couple years ago, I got some yarn, a big chunky hook and made a poncho for my niece.   I haven’t really crocheted anything else since then.  I’ve done the occasional border on knitted pieces, but that’s been the extent of my crocheting escapades.

Today, I’m trying my hand at it again.  Man oh man.  I now know why I love knitting so much.  Even with finer yarn, it’s STILL easier.  I know it’s simply because I’m not that practiced at it.  I will get better with time and patience, but can I just skip to the “learning crochet montage” now and be done with it?

I’ll get this down and sure I’ll be semi-pleased with the results.  Only time will tell.  Pictures will follow when this item is completed.

Fruity Voodoos February 6, 2009

I started on a new pair of voodoo wrist warmers last night.  I love how this yarn looks.  It reminds me of Fruit Loops, but without the purple and blue.

More pictures in the link…

Working away February 4, 2009

Here I am, working on the Rose Tyler Mittens

I thought a few of you might enjoy seeing me “working” on projects, rather than just hearing me talk about working on them.

My daughter, fingers flying

And then there’s my daughter, a splice off the skein…

Jewel Toned Skinny Scarf February 4, 2009

I just finished a gift for a friend.  I posted in my LiveJournal a give-away of sorts.  The first 5 people to comment would get a handmade item by me.  I am able to pick the color, the item and they would receive it by year’s end.  I finished the first for a friend in Maryland.

Her favorite colors were dark jewel tones.  I had the perfect yarn in my stash-Berroco’s Foliage.  It’s now discontinued, but they have something similar called Geode.  I’m sending it on it’s way tomorrow afternoon!

Ten stitches were cast on size 10 1/2 needles.  I worked until I used up the entire skein (100 yards of yarn).  I’m more than pleased with how it turned out!

Click on the link to see another picture!

Knitting AND food! February 3, 2009

Ok, so this post has NOTHING to do with knitting. I’m posting it because it was just too good not to share!

This weekend, at work, we served a Chicken Florentine as a dinner special.  I decided to make it at home, to the best of my ability of course.  It came out more than amazing!!!  And true to my abilities, there is no recipe to speak of.  I paired it with Yellow Tail’s Shiraz-Cabernet, making this meal nothing short of amazing!

Ok, fine.  I’m going to make a knitting reference here, just so that I can say this post is still knitting related.  I started on a beautiful piece for a friend in Maryland.  I can’t say what it is, because she may read this.  I will most definitely post pictures when it’s done and mailed out to her.

I also started on my first pair of socks, but had to rip them out because I didn’t read the pattern closely enough.  Next time around, I will be sure to put in a lifeline.

And without further ado…Click on the link to see the pictures of dinner

The gloves are off… January 27, 2009

I decided that they were just too itchy for me, and a bit on the snug side.  I listed them, for sale, on my Etsy Shop.