2010 Knits

Above is a sampling of my 2010 completed knitting projects. I wasn't very productive this year but I was able to finish a few knitted gifts, a few things for charity and a few things for myself. One of my favorite knits for myself was the Simple Shawl shown above in Koigu.

As for 2011 I hope to finish a few more projects including socks, lace shawls, and possibly a sweater for myself.

Happy New Year!

Birthdays

Yesterday was my birthday so I took half of the day off from work to have a little fun. DH and I went and saw How To Train Your Dragon in 3D. It was a lot of fun. I capped off the day by watching Glee and reading with my dogs on my lap. Not a bad birthday in my opinion.

Spring Fling 2010

I was lucky enough to go to The Loopy Ewe Spring Fling again this year. It was an awesome weekend full of knitting, friends old and new, and more knitting.

Kathy and I drove over on Thursday morning and arrived in time to have lunch, hang out in the knitting lounge with some friends, and enjoy the opening night events of the dessert reception. We received an awesome goody bag that had a skein of Wollmeise in Femme Fatale, a special color for the Fling. I was also lucky enough to have dinner with Gryphon, Anne, Wendy, Stacy, Leslie, Laura, Sara and some new friends. It was definitely a knitting rockstar kind of night!

Friday morning I had a great colorwork class with Gryphon and a wonderful shopping trip to Loopy Central in the afternoon.

Gryphon's Colorwork Class

Kathy and I at Loopy Central

I was pretty good and didn't go over my budget this year. I picked up yarn for a few projects, mostly shawls.


I also received a skein of Wollmeise Spice Market from Michelle, my swap partner.

Friday night Mr. Loopy gave us some tips on photographing yarn which I tried out when I got home. It was interesting to here how a pro does it. Speaking of pro photographers, my roommate Carolina is an awesome photographer from Brooklyn. We chatted into the night over the weekend and I had a great time rooming with her.

Saturday morning I slept in and had lunch before my beginning lace class with Jerad Flood aka Brooklyntweed. I really enjoyed his class a lot. He was so nice and cute to boot!


We had the group picture made in the evening as well as all of us that joined in the Vesper sock knitalong. I finished 1 and a half socks at the fling and then finished the pair later in the week after I got home.

Saturday night was our final event where Sheri gave out door prizes, some great announcements including Loopy's new line of yarn, and the traditional Loopy song.

Sunday morning after brunch Kathy and I drove back to Kansas City after a stop over at Trader Joe's. It was bittersweet to leave as it is very seldom that I get time to just sit and knit or hang out with knitting friends and forget about all of the troubles of life.

I had a great time and while I don't know if I'll get to go again next year, I'll always remember how much fun I have at Spring Fling.

Knitting Olympics

I'm waiting for the 2010 Winter Olympics opening ceremonies to begin so that I can cast on for my Knitting Olympics event. I'm going to knit a cabled hat in 17 days while the Olympics is going. The knitting isn't the challenge for me but the deadline will be.

2009 recap

Wow, looks like I kind of forgot I had a blog! This recap is going to be short and sweet.

On the home front, we spent a wonderful year with Lexi and I can't imagine life without her. We adopted another mini Dachshund the week before Christmas. She is a cutie and a handful! We've had so much snow on the ground here since we got her that she really hasn't gotten to do much but eat, sleep, and play inside with her sister. I can't wait until the weather warms up this Spring so that we can do more with her outside.

DH hurt his back in March 2009 and after visits to the surgeon and pain doctors there is not much they can do for him but keep him on pain meds. This led to him going on temporary disability at the end of June and then getting laid off in November. He then got on permanent disability from the company he worked for which was such a blessing. We were really concerned about how we would make ends meet if that didn't happen.

Good news is that I got a promotion in June and have had some wonderful changes happen for me at work. The position is new so I'm having to feel things out as I go along but I really am enjoying it. Unfortunately I got sick the week of Christmas and have had a cold, sinus infection, and now a stomach virus so the last three weeks I have spent more time in bed than at my desk. I'm praying I can be over this mess now.

On the knitting front, I haven't gotten much done this past year. I finished 13 projects. A few of those were baby items including my second baby sweater for a coworker. I only knit 3 pair of socks which was below my goal but I still enjoy knitting socks so I'm sure I'll crank some out this year.

Drive By Post

Wow, I didn't realize it had been so long since I posted. I've still been knitting, but not a lot. My big interests lately have been cooking and reading. I've been on this whole "I'm tired of processed food" thing so lots of cooking and reading about cooking.

I should be finishing up a baby sweater for a coworker soon and some socks so hopefully I'll have something to blog about soon.

Ciao!

Knitting bags

I just bought my first major knitting bag, a Namaste Newport in Peacock. The bag is discontinued and I've been eyeing the Namaste bags for a while. I thought I would buy a Zuma in Peacock but I got such a good deal on the Newport at Hip Mountain Mama that I couldn't pass it up.



Hip Mountain Mama is also having a giveaway for an Off-Hand Designs bag that is gorgeous! I got to see some Off-Hand Designs bags IRL at TLE Spring Fling and loved them but unfortunately out of my price range. Go check out Hip Mountain Mama to enter for a chance to win by May 30th.

Spring Fling Recap

The Loopy Ewe Spring Fling was last weekend and I had so much fun! Here is my recap.

I rolled in on Thursday afternoon about 2pm and entered the lobby of the hotel to see a bunch of knitters, which was awesome. I didn't know anyone so I just plopped myself on the floor by some people and started talking to them. Now I'm not that outgoing but I knew beforehand that I was going to make an effort to meet new people and have a good time. Luckily I sat down by Diane and Susie and made some new friends. Turns out my roommate Jaci, whom I didn't know either, was there as well so I got to meet her too. She was the best roomie ever! Cupcakes were also delivered by Leslie and Laura that afternoon. Thursday we ate dinner on our own and had a dessert reception. We just hung out and knit over the course of the evening. I had my own little rockstar moment when Cookie A. walked through the lobby!

Friday was my class day. I had a Cookie sock design class in the morning and Anne Hanson's beginning lace in the afternoon. I could go on and on about my classes but I will just say that I felt I was in the presence of greatness.

Cookie is awesome and energetic and I was just basking in her presence. I love all of her sock designs and couldn't believe I got to take a class with her. We even designed our own sock which I hope to actually knit someday. I even got to hold the Monkey sock. It was like going to Graceland! Diane and Sara had the same schedule as me so I had some friends in my classes as well and that made it even more fabulous.

Anne Hanson is so down to earth. She designs beautiful patterns especially for lace. Her class was designed to get us knitting lace and then ask her any questions we had as we went along. I had the least amount of experience using charts in the class but now I am a lot more comfortable with them. After meeting Anne I want to knit everything she has written. I've even downloaded a few patterns to get me started in the near future.

Friday night was dinner on our own again and knitting time. I also got to see some spinning on wheels and drop spindle. While I think it looks cool, I really don't need another hobby. I barely have time to knit as it is!

Saturday morning was my trip to the fabulous Loopy Ewe. It was unbelievable and I bought a ton of yarn as well as some other fun things like a t-shirt and sock Peacock. I went a little over my budget that I had planned but I think it was all worth it. It was awesome to get to touch the yarn in person. My roomie Jaci was so overwhelmed she started to cry but it was sweet.


Lots of picture taking was done and before we knew it we were headed back to the hotel. Saturday afternoon and evening was just more knitting and socializing fun. I met several indie dyers that I like including Allen of Numma Numma. That night we had some giveaways by TLE and the wonderful Claudia who dyes Wollmeise.

Sunday morning was brunch and then goodbyes. I actually got to sit with Wendy Johnson at brunch which was cool since I didn't have a chance to take her class. She has some awesome toe-up patterns I like.
When it was time to go it was sad so I had to cut out kind of early because I didn't want to be too emotional. I loved meeting all of my new knitting friends and knitting rockstars!

Alexis
Susie Diane, Sarah, Jaci

I hope I get to go again next year!

Weekend recap

I will do a weekend recap for the Spring Fling next weekend when I have some time. For now just stare at the beautiful Wollmeise I won!

Spring Knitting

I haven't blogged in quite a while. I've been knitting and enjoying the beginning of Spring.

In March I knit a pair of Monkey Socks for the TLE Spring Fling challenge. I love this pattern and made it once before for my mom so this pair is for me.


I'm currently working on a pair of Toe-Up Socks with a Difference in some Yarn Pirate that I got from the Booty Sock Club last year.


I recently finished my second baby sweater. This one was for my boss and his wife whose little girl was born at the end of December. I made the Baby Shrug from Simply Baby by Debbie Bliss. I made it in the 3-6 months size in a cotton yarn. I liked the way it turned out even if I didn't do a great job picking up the stitches for the border or the seaming.


On Thursday I am headed to St. Louis for The Loopy Ewe's Spring Fling knitting retreat. I don't remember the last time I was this excited to go somewhere. This is my first knitting retreat and I am looking forward to the classes (can you see Cookie A. and Knitspot), the shopping, and hangin out with other knitters.

I'm sooo over Winter

It's snowing today. We've probably gotten about 3 inches so far. I'm really hoping this is the last snow of the season. I'm so ready for Spring!

Our week long trip to Disney World was awesome. It was warm, everything was green, and I didn't even think about work for a whole week.
We did miss the baby dog a lot though. How could you not miss this face?

I've been knitting some. I finished my Noro striped scarf. It is so long - probably 7 feet at least. I'm trying to finish up a pair of socks. I don't think I'll make my goal of one sock a month in February. I did have one less week since I didn't take any knitting on vacation.

A little piece of heaven

I finally got my hands on some Wollmeise. I have been drooling over this yarn for a year or so but it is so hard to get. I traded some Yarn Pirate yarn for my first skein in the colorway Saami with a fellow Ravelry member and then I was able to order a couple of the Yarnissima kits. I bought Fratello and Spina de Pesce. Let me tell you, this stuff is awesome. I can't wait to knit it up.

Saami
Fratello
Spina de Pesce

As for my other knitting progress, I don't think I'll make a pair of socks this month or next but I am hoping I will make one sock each month. I've almost finished my first sock of the pair.

My boss and his wife had the cutest baby girl right before New Year's so I'm in the mood to knit some baby stuff. I bought the yarn for a Baby Surprise Jacket and I think I'm going to do some mittens and booties too.

2009 Knitting

I don't think of this as a resolutions list but for 2009 I would like to knit:

1. A pair of socks every month. Or at least a sock a month so that would be 6 pair for the year.

2. A sweater for me.

3. A lace shawl.

4. Entrelac.

5. Fair Isle or colorwork, probably mittens

Happy New Year!

2009 is here and 2008 is gone. I don't have any formal New Years resolutions but every year I vow to get in better shape, save money, and try to be happy.

From my family to yours, I hope everyone has a great 2009!

Blog? What Blog?

Oh yeah, I have a blog. I forget about it sometimes. I'm not exactly a great blogger or wordsmith so most of the time I just throw my stuff up on Ravelry and keep on goin'.

I recently finished a cable hat which was meant to be knit for me but it came out too small for me, for my DH, essentially anyone over the age of 10. So I gifted it to a coworker's son who is two. If it doesn't fit him then I seriously need to rethink this whole knitting thing.


I also started a Noro Striped Scarf of Brooklyntweed fame. I'm a couple of inches in and to be honest I'm not that crazy about it. I think it might be too wide for me so I am thinking about ripping it out.

Other than that I haven't been knitting too much. I have another baby sweater to make and of course more socks that I want to knit.

I hope everyone has a Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Holidays!

First Sweater

Pattern: February Baby Sweater from Knitter's Almanac
Yarn: Dream in Color Classy - Giant Peach
Needle : Size 8 16" circular

So I finally made a sweater....a baby sweater. This is my first completed sweater and it was fun but a lot of newness for me. I made the February Baby Sweater (ravelry link) from Elizabeth Zimmermann's Knitting Almanac. I started the sweater in August for a coworker whose baby was due in October. I gave him the sweater last Thursday (in November when the baby was a month old). It's not that the tiny thing took me from August to November to knit but I had a hard time being monogamous to the project. I made some socks, a cowl, a Clapotis, a booby, etc in between.

It was a good experience. I had to restart the sweater three times because my stitch count was off. Then I messed up the collar when I had to make one and forgot to knit into the back of the stitch so there were some holes but I played it off as a design element. My button holes were off a little too. I tried to knit the sleeves in the round but that didn't work out so I ended up knitting them flat and then seaming. I'm not the best seamstress so I hope everything stays together. It was also my first button sewing experience for knitting. I hope those stay on too. I pulled apart some strands of the wool and used it to sew them on.





Overall I think he liked the sweater and I hope the kid hasn't outgrown it already. Don't know if I'll ever brave making one for me. It could take years!

Happy (Canadian) Thanksgiving!

In honor of the Yarn Harlot being in KC tonight, I thought I would tell everyone Happy Canadian Thanksgiving!

I'm so excited to get to see/hear her again! I've also got a knitted TitBit in the works for the event.

Home again, home again, jigetty jig

Home again after a long weekend road trip. My mom drove up from Arkansas last Wednesday and Thursday morning we set off out west to Mount Rushmore.

We had a fun trip. We drove through the Badlands, saw lots of beautiful scenery and wildlife (including some buffalo really close on the road), and had a good time. I didn't get much knitting done because I did most of the driving but I did finish one sock on the way home.

We also did some geocaching and I got to add 3 new states to my states visited list, SD, WY, MT. I have a dream of going to all 50 states, probably the geographer in me.

October should be a busy month. We start puppy school this week and it just happens to fall on knit night so I don't know how much I'll get done over the next month. But there is going to be a Fiber Festival at one of the LYS and the Yarn Harlot is coming to KC. I'm excited about that more than anything. I drove to Wichita a year ago to see her and I'm really looking forward to her coming here.

Ravelympics 2008

Life with Lexi is beginning to settle down a bit and we are getting into a routine. This means that I've actually gotten to knit a little in the last week.

Today was the last day of Ravelympics. And while I didn't make my goal of 2 hats and a cowl, I did finish one hat that I have been wanting to make for a friend's little boy. They are from Minnesota and big Vikings fans so I made him a Baby Viking Hat (Ravelry link.) It turned out a little big so I'm not sure if he will get to wear it this year but maybe next year.


I've also made some progress on my RPM socks. I hope to finish them before Sept 1 when Summer of Socks is over. I didn't meet my goal there thi year with a pair of socks a month but life has been crazy around here this summer so I'm okay with that.

An Actual FO

Life over the last week has been crazy. Having a puppy is like having a child. DH and I discussed it for months before we finally made the commitment to get Lexi. We are glad we did but we are still getting used to having to get up in the middle of the night and let the dog out, having to watch her all of the time that she is out of her kennel, and not having all of the time to ourselves that we used to have. I haven't knit hardly at all since Lexi came home with us. In fact I think I am going to have to give up on my Ravelympics goals.

Before we picked up Lexi I actually finished my Koigu Clapotis (Ravelry link.) I used 3 skeins of KPPM and did the full increase and decrease sections but only 8 repeats of the straight section. I finished it in time to wear to the Knitting Guild's Opinionated Tea to celebrate Elizabeth Zimmermann's birthday. I think a good time was had by all and I actually got dressed up for a change.


I started a February Baby Sweater in Dream in Color Classy Giant Peach for a coworker's wife who is due in October. Hopefully I should be able to finish it before then. Yesterday I also started a Viking Hat for the little boy of a friend. They are from Minnesota and big Viking fans so I think they will get a kick out of the hat.

Today I stayed home from work due to having to go to the dreaded DMV and register the car and pay the taxes. Also lots of cuddle and play time with the puppy. I picked up the Fall Vogue and Fall Knit Simple as well. I think I might have to knit up some mittens this fall. And maybe a doggie sweater....doesn't she look like she needs one come fall?