My My My

So pretty. I'm not really into all of this, but I suppose somewhere, in the pit of my heart, there must be a litte bit of a romantic. This year especially, I've toyed with heart projects, used a lot of red in my work and just felt a little, oh, what shall I call it, softer? My lovely niece once again delivered my box of Turtles. Love them. I only had one. So far.


Another month flew by and little accomplished knitwise. That never stops me from increasing my stash and other goodies I need or is it want? No, it's a definite need. My drug of choice. Maybe a little TMI, but i love the feel and smell of yarn. I think I admire my acquisitions, spend a lot of time "designing" and choosing projects more than actually working on anything lately. A tad quirky but not my only quirkiness ya know.

I've been on a glove kick lately. I must have knit the equivalent of 4 pairs, then ripped most of them, but somehow enjoyed that process. Chalked it up to learning experience. Changed a little here and there. Add this, decrease that. It's all good. So I bought more of the Peruvian Silk Baby Silk from Elann.com. What else could I do? It knits up beautifully and feels oh so good.



What can I say about the Silken Kydd? Luscious. I'm going to knit that barely there lace sweater pictured at elann, pattern in Vogue Knitting Holiday 2005. Rather ambitous, but I should get it done in time for a Christmas gift this year, I think?



I'm slowly but surely trying to replace all of my needles with bamboo. These pictured were bought from Spin Blessing, where I was able to find some hard to get dpn's. Namely 4 & 5 inchers I'll now be using for knitting fingers on my gloves. Makes things a lot easier not having those long needle ends sticking out around a circle of, oh 18 or 20 stitches. I do like the 5 inchers a little better. Easier to handle. And though it's hard to tell from the pic, the little single points are only 2 1/2" long. Not for knitting, but I'll pose them with my Blythe when I get her all dressed. She'll be a knitter, of course.


And my red gloves are coming along. A few changes prevented me from finishing today, but I'm almost there. Love them.

Everything else needs finishing touches, blocking, weaving in ends, etc. The part I like the least.

I never mean to stay away from my blog for so long, but the days are just flying for me. Somehow "later" or "tomorrow" just doesn't happen. I'm really going to try and post more often. So if I start blithering and talking about anything and everything that happens to me, bear with me. It's all in an effort to be around more and not disappear. Really.

Knot So Happy

Sometimes, even the best plans so awry. In fact, in my life, planning is almost futile. Of course if I would take certain things into consideration, I might be able to plan things out a tad better. I'm referring mostly to my Luna Shawl in progress. What is it with me and knots and flaws in my yarn? Just started a new skein on this lace and after 2 1/2 rows, there it was. Almost in the center of my knitting. So I had to rip back and start the skein over.

Anyway... I really thought I would have this shawl finished and ready to block by this weekend, but there are always a few factors I forget to consider. Like A) Time and B) Setbacks. Well, I'll be knitting away over the weekend.

Also wanted to note, there's a contest at Jimmy Beans Wool . Check it out. I haven't read all of the details, but it seems to be an ongoing thing.

Ran into this great tutorial on recycling flip flops. I suppose you could use new ones, which is what I plan to do, since I don't have any old flip flops around. Cute Espadrilles result!

And completely unrelated to anything, check out this Face Morph site. If nothing else, it'll give you some laughs.

MMmmmmmm

Every year one of my nieces makes her pilgrimage to my home to give me a box of Turtles for Valentines Day. Not the reptile with the shell. These are pecans, cashews and caramel covered in milk chocolate. And ok, so it's not a pilgrimage really. She lives upstairs while I live downstairs, in our duplex.

I've been good. I only ate 2. Because I could eat them in a couple of blinks really. My tastes are simple. I know there are better brands of chocolates with fancier names and all that, but I do like these. A lot.

Between knitting my lace scarf, I knit some wire and bead votive sleeves. Not bad. I didn't use a pattern, though I know they exist somewhere. It was just a sidetrack from the lace knitting. I like them. I'll make more since I have lots of wire and beads.

My Jelly Fish. A quickie crochet about 3" long including tentacles.

And finally, I have to tell you my strange dream. I dream a lot, usually pretty vivid and in color. I used to have a dream dictionary that was 'borrowed' and never returned so I stopped trying to figure my dreams out a long time ago.

In my dream my friend and I went to a shop. I was going to get my first tattoo. I went around the shop checking out designs, I couldn't find anything I liked. In the meantime he decided to get one while I was checking things out. When he was done, I still hadn't picked anything out. So he showed me a picture of one of the 7 dwarfs, from Snow White. I can't remember which one (it better not have been dopey!) I told him I wouldn't get a Disney character tattoo. He said, the dwarfs aren't a Disney invention, they have a long history and Disney cashed in on them (or something like that.)

So I get in a chair and this woman starts my tattoo process. Of course, I was done in an instant, it's my dream after all. So we went to a liquor store after that (don't ask me why the liquor store, I hardly ever drink alcohol) and when I went to show the guy behind the counter my tattoo, he laughed at me... I was so sad. So I looked at the tattoo and it was a drawing with a pen! What's up with that?

One more thing. I bought a new pattern. Can't wait to start but it goes in my knitting 'queue' for now. It's Wicked from Zephyr Style. Love it!

Where Did January Go?

It's been a very busy time for me workwise. Some days I'm so exhausted, I just can't seem to do any of the 1001 things I have on my personal agenda. I've read a blog or two here and there, but never had the gumption to comment. But, I always try and make time for knitting or crafting or plain ole relaxing by being creative, even if just on paper.

My fair Isle project still swims in my head and on graph paper. I haven't made any color or yarn decisions yet. So, instead I worked on other projects, frivolous, and some necessary for the soul. I bought yarn, mostly frivolous.

I'm going to knit an heirloom lace something or other or 2 or 3. I've knit lace patterns before, but never knit with lace weight yarn. That's going to change now. It's very exciting choosing my first project. I bought the yarn. Of course. And Victorian Lace Today for inspiration. This book is lovely. It's informative with numerous projects for all skill levels. The location photos add to its charm. This is not for the bookshelf. Worthy of display, a coffee table book, if you will.

My Touch Me scarf is done. Just needs ends weaved in and a hot wash for felting that I'm so afraid to do. I'll do it. Before and after photos when I take that plunge.

Also, I finally ordered a knit rubber stamp from Patternworks then found this wonderful site for stamps. Kaspareks. Well, of course I had to order a couple more stamps for my collection. Check it out. There are so many choices.

I have too many pictures but I think I'll keep it down for now so I don't cause any explosions with heavy photo posts. And let me add, what a perfect day it is here in the City of Angels. As I sit here, there's a warm and beautiful breeze drifting in through my windows. Could life be more perfect? Well, yes it could. I could have 4 hands and get more done, or never have to worry about debts and the like and pass my time creating fiber goodies. Oh, a personal chef would be delightful. So it goes.

My crochet Amigurumi Chihuahuha. So cute! The pattern can be found here, if you're so inclined.

Karabella's Gossamer Lace Stole in the works.

My Gentlemen's socks to be. The diamond pattern doesn't really show in the pic, but it's lovely.

Delicious Laines Du Nord yarn. Reminds me of Neapolitan ice cream. That was my mom's favorite flavor. I'm not sure what I'll make, but I couldn't resist the bargain price of $2.75 per.

I'm Going Shopping

One of my goals this year is to knit a fair isle sweater. I'm not anywhere near starting. Apparently, unless someone requests a specific color for something they want me to knit, I tend to buy like colors. Going through my stash, I realize there just aren't enough color variations to choose from. Well, this automatically allows me to buy yarn, doesn't it? So I'm in the planning stages of design, which must be kept simple, and then yarn choices. Color and fiber. It's very exciting. Of course, I don't expect this come to fruition any time soon. It'll take a while since I still have some UFO's I'm trying to get out of the way. Enter Vogue's Stitchionary 3 Color Knitting. There are a lot of ideas and colors so I've been swatching. I'm not too thrilled with my results since my current yarn colors aren't all that varied, but swatches to come soon. I knew I could find a reason to go yarn shopping.













I've spent many hours the past few days with this book. It's my new love.

First FO of 2007

So I sat here, thumbing through many projects, untouched, ideas that have been swimming in my head for what seems like forever, and then all I could do was knit up a quick fix. I really needed to start and finish a project within the first week of this new year for some self satisfaction. So I chose Loop-d-Loop's Ballet T-Shirt. Scroll down the page to the fourth pattern up. I've had the pattern for a while but never got around to it. I'm thrilled that it only took a little over 3 hours to complete. So I'll probably knit a few more, in different yarns and colors, whenever I feel a need for a quick project. It's knit on size 15 circulars with 2 strands of worsted weight yarn. Normally, I like using small needles and thinner yarn, so it felt a little strange until I adjusted to the needle size and yarn thickness. It was fun to knit.














Of course, it never fails, when I try to do anything, my curious little kitty has to investigate anything new or different. So here she is, checking out my ballet-t before I could get any decent pictures.














Every year I swear I'm going to use up my yarn stash and not buy anything new until I do. Or at least until I use up half. OK, at least knit up some of what I have already. But why should this year be any different? I already have a yarn order on the way. Heh! Can't wait to ogle and touch the stuff, line them up with the rest, make my plans for each and every one, then do whatever pleases me at the moment without a thought to what's waiting in the wings. So it goes.

Reflections

It seems this past week I have spent more time reading blogs and books about knitting and creativity than actually creating anything. This brings me to express my gratitude and appreciation for so many talented and generous people I've come to know through published work and especially through the internet. This creative community of wonderful people who share their triumphs and occasional failures, who learn and teach from their successes and mistakes. All of us from different backgrounds and cultures unite without a thought to political or religious affiliations. It's an ideal world for me.

There are so many who have given pleasure and knowledge I can repeatedly turn to, to feed my creative needs. I can, in turn, share so much of this with people who have the same interests, and sometimes bore those who tolerate my passion and excitement for things that can be made with needles, yarn, metal, fabric, stones and... well the list goes on. Thank you.

And then there is family. I am fortunate enough to have a strong and close knit family. Add to this my small circle of friends and I can say I am truly blessed.

I Blinked....

And it's Thanksgiving here in the U.S. Not much to report on the knitting front. I've been so swamped with knitting accessories for a couple of local boutiques and as I mentioned earlier, the most exciting, but now repetitive Japan store knitting.

On top of this, my niece became very ill and was hospitalized for several days. It was a close call. She made it with some medical problems she will have to deal with for a while, but we are very grateful to her team of dedicated, thourough and compassionate doctors.

Just to make certain I didn't have any calm in my life, one of my cats became very ill last weekend and has been diagnosed with kidney infection and I've been nursing him as well. Jed is the most docile, loving, friendly cat I have ever known. It's very difficult seeing him in this condition. It's been a traumatic and exhausting 3 weeks.

For those of you celebrating Thanksgiving, I wish you all a happy and wonderful time, however you choose to celebrate. For everyone, I wish health, peace and calm in your lives.

Ahhhh... Time for A Breather

If I have learned anything through the years, it's that I don't like production knitting. Or mass producing anything that I make. Knitting, sewing, jewelry making or whatever craft or skill I undertake. I prefer one of a kind, or if I enjoy making something, I might make a few of the same, changing colors or whatever I need to keep my interest. Why then do I frequently end up mass producing? It's not that I look for it. It comes to me. I could easily refuse the task. But I don't. I haven't figured why.

Which brings me to my Skully Scarf. I've finished several already, minus the weaving in of ends. I'm bored to death of it. Making the faces is slightly interesting, but after 5 or six, soooo monotonous. Then the scarf body. Garter stitch. On large needles. So I've caught up on a lot of movie watching I've been meaning to do. There is something to say about mindless knitting I suppose.

My toe warmers sit unfinished, collecting dust. Numerous gift items (ideas) still sit in my head or on a sketch pad. I've wound several yarn cakes, just to eye the beauty of them and break the monotony. I knit a mini hat which fits my thumb (inspired by a Dr.B post). I crocheted a wire bangle bracelet.

I still have 8 scarves and 15 hats to finish. But I needed to come up for some air. So it goes.