Yarngirls Unite

To new beginnings

I took a huge dive into my newly acquired Phildar yarns and started this project! It uses this weird Copacabana yarn, which feels like paper. Something to shake me out of the blue-ribbed blues.

I'm also going to try my hand at wood-block prints for my holiday cards. I haven't done this since high school, but my memory tells me that it was fun and easy. We'll see about that! So I'm off to the art store to pick up a few supplies. Wish me luck.

Ding-dong

Guess who just got a visit from UPS? Woo-hoo! Take a big guess what I'm making next? I suppose it's time to get busy. I loved ordering this yarn, and it was so worth the wait!

Turkey Lurkey

Our Thanksgiving celebration was tons o' fun! I played in a jumpee with the kiddies, ate a delicious meal, and watched all the girls put on a little show. My two future nieces love performing. Maybe I'll sneak in a little knitting at the end of a long day...

Cookie day

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Lucky for me, I don't have to do much cooking today. I did want to contribute something to the family dinner, however, so I threw together these awesome treats that I recently discovered: Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies. They are little pillows of yummy.

Does it count for anything if I've been thinking about knitting?

Holiday

With only one more work day this week, it's time to start compiling a list of knitting things for which to give thanks:

1. Bamboo needles. They're lightweight and fun! But I am becoming a big fan of the Brittany birch. Hmmm, dilemmas.

2. Phildar. If all we had were American knitting magazines, we would surely throw away our knitting needles in disgust.

3. Ebay. The royal we buys lots of yarn here, so let's pause briefly to appreciate what it gives to us.

4. Knitting friends. Who else will listen to us whine about our yarn getting tangled, bottomless pits of UFOs, and our undying epic projects? (ahem black poncho ahem)

Let's hope we have lots of time to knit over the long holiday weekend!

Oh, forgot one. Not knitting related, but important nonetheless.

5. That we are not David Blaine. Does anyone get this guy?

Happy Birthday

Today is my brother's birthday! He is officially an old man now -- the big three oh. I told him it was no coincidence that The Great Depression happened in 1929. I hope you have an awesome day!

I feel so mellow today. Grey skies are lurking about, which makes me want to crawl back into bed and drift into dreamland. However, I am at work in a room full of machines with creepy fluorescent lighting. I think I'll get to leave early today though. I'm needing the weekend.

I might go to the public library tomorrow and borrow a few Alice Starmore books. Looking at her designs just blows my mind. But I'm open to the challenge sometime in the near future.

Pictures coming soon.

Books

The Phildar pullover is coming along slowly but surely. I enjoy the 4/2 ribbing. It has a certain soothing rhythm to it. I added The Big Book of Knitting to my library yesterday. It is full of awesome tips and finishing details, which I'll be needing more as I take on more complex projects.

Also, I'm joining a book club with a handful of other women. A friend from work invited me, which is so cool. I'm excited to be doing this. We're starting with House of Sand and Fog. Back in April I worked a bit on the movie adaptation, which will be out next month. The book club is going to take a field trip to see the flick together!

The holidays are around the corner, I suppose. No huge list of knitted gifts for me. I just want to knit for myself (and a few others on occasion). Mandatory knitting just seems like a lesson in frustration. But I should probably start thinking about gift ideas for a few loved ones.

Went to Venice last night with Paul and enjoyed a slice of pizza and hazelnut gelato. Life is good.

Finally

For those of you who know about my black poncho -- you'll be cheering now that it's done! You don't have to hear me talk about it (aka make excuses) anymore. It is pretty much a disaster, but at this point I am thrilled to have it off the needles. The yarn was some kind of strange nubby rayon, and as the poncho got bigger and heavier, it just kept stretching and stretching. It really came out way too long on one side. It really is a gorgeous piece of fabric though, so I'll find a way to wear it somehow...

no monkey business

I have officially been absolved of all crocheted sock monkey obligations! I got Paul this little cutie at Giant Robot yesterday. His name is Monkey. He is very loved.

Here's the back piece sans blocking. It feels so stretchy and yummy. I'm pleased with the outcome. I've started the front, but I've hopped back over to my old black poncho for a bit of finishing.

I hope everyone is watching the finale of The Office tonight.

Off the needles!

The back of my ribbed pullover is finally off the needles, however, I want to solicit some advice from all the experts out there. While I've been binding off for armhole decreases and shoulder edges, is there a way to avoid that stair-step look? I consider myself an advanced beginner, but I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong. I've never read any technique regarding this...I think it will probably be fine regardless because these edges will all be inside of seams. Let me know what you think.

Casting on for the front!

The week end

What's better at the end of a long, hard week than placing a big, fat order with Breiweb? Nathalie made my day! I'm awaiting supplies for a few special projects that I've been eyeing for a while...no details just yet.

Kimberly and I were on the phone at work for a good portion of the day selecting colors for all of the yarn we want to order. Knitting friends are the best! Hope our bosses didn't actually expect us to get anything done today...

Pictures soon!

Another day

It has been a pretty hard week at work. The knitting has definitely been the highlight. Some very sad times as well. Our close friends' baby passed away yesterday. I'm not sure what to say about it, but our thoughts and prayers have definitely been with them.

While reading Mason-Dixon today, my interest was piqued by all the Alice Starmore chatter. I spent a little more time reading about this enigmatic lady and all of the controversy over her copyrights. At some point I want to try my hand(s) at fair isle and attempt one of her patterns, or one of her daughter's. It seems like she has a cult following. Hmmmm. I don't know if I have the energy to track down one of her books right now without breaking the bank.

The back of the ribbed pullover should be off the needles tonight. I think 2cm left...knitting in metric is like monopoly money. It really has no meaning...what is 56cm anyway?

I spoke to my brother on the phone this evening, and he told me to pick up the DEVO dvd re-release that is coming out on Tuesday. I said I wasn't sure because I need to save my money for yarn. His instant reply was "yarn is for cats."

Changes

Hello! I've added a gallery. It still needs tons of work, but at least it's a start. There's no way to get back to my blog from the gallery yet -- other than the back button. So bear with me as I make improvements.

A thank you goes out to my mom for being the person who introduced me to knitting! Thanks for planting the seed for an obsession that sucks away all of my free time. I love it!

I'm starting the armhole decreases tonight. I know what you're saying. Just do it and stop talking about it. Okay, okay.

Life is good

With some awesome help from Becky, I now have a giant supply of Phildar patterns that I'm dying to make. The ribbed pullover is looking good, but my eyes are roving everywhere looking for more, more, more. Why must it be like this?

Last night was tons of music fun. Thurston is my fave. Don't get me started on him. I will go on and on. And how does he still look like a litte boy? The Shins were impressive. The keyboard player was funny with his little quips between songs. Spoon was good too, but the lead singer was mildly annoying. He looks like a University of Texas frat boy who just joined a band and is trying so hard to be cool. By the way, does anyone really dig the skinny, pasty-faced, bad-haircut-lovin' mod wannabe tight-slacks-wearin' music lover? I don't.

Slumber Party

Paul and I babysat Hermione for his parents last night. I was quietly knitting on the couch when she came barrelling around the corner and jumped up on me. I pulled my knitting out of the way just in time! Maybe she wants to join a knitting circle.

I planned on knitting about 20 rows, but only got in 3. We started Clash of the Titans, but drifted off to sleep after about 20 minutes. I forgot how awesome that movie is!

Here's what I've done so far. It seems to be growing so slowly. But I love it.

Woo hoo

I had to work late and missed the OC last night, but my sweetie taped it for me! Who knew? I know that he is secretly starting to like this show. Phildar pullover is growing -- slowly (it's on 3.5s!). Soon I will be starting the armhole shaping. I just found out that my friend Mary Jo has a knitting obsession too! Ha ha...We wacky knitters love good company.

I'm ready for the weekend, but it's only Thursday. I will be rocking out on the Queen Mary Ship this weekend at All Tomorrow's Parties. Sonic Youth, here I come. Thurston is the bee's knees. I swear I haven't had any caffeine today...

Ho hum

Nothing much going on. I'm knitting away on my ribbed pullover -- a super enjoyable project that lets me just unwind in the evenings. I'm eyeballing new projects already, and I'm only halfway done with the back piece! I always get ahead of myself. I love the cardi raye that everyone's making, but I also want to make a sweater for Paul. What's a girl to do?

Progress Report

Today's one of those lazy Sundays that I just love. I'm sitting here on the couch, knitting my little heart out. Here's what I've done so far. I'm just about to begin the second ball of Debbie Bliss!

It has been a wee bit cool here, almost creating an illusion of fall. I know it won't last, but it has been wonderful to experience a pseudo-season.

Dia de los Muertos

What better way to spend Halloween night than in the rain at an outdoor concert? Paul and I went with a friend from work to see Tomahawk, the Cramps, and Queens of the Stone Age. Fun night, chilled to the bone. It was great to see and hear some loud rock 'n' roll. Some people were dressed up in costumes. Lots of zombie couples roving around -- or maybe they weren't really in costume...

My Phildar ribbed sweater is coming along nicely! I love this yarn, and the ribbing is just enough to keep me engaged.

Today is Dia de los Muertos. What a fun, strange holiday. Here is one of my day of the dead amigos whom I keep on display all year long. Have fun!