NaBloPoMo preview...

I've decided to attempt to take part in NaBloPoMo (National Blog Posting Month) in November. Prepare for a month of rambling, incoherent posts which may or may not have any knitting or crafting content... Just like this:

***************

This morning, while glassesless (in the shower to be exact) I encountered a spider, inches from my face on the inside of the shower curtain. Now, I'm not afraid of spiders but I don't necessarily like them. I am perfectly capable of taking care of getting rid of them (picking them up, flinging them outside, squishing them with tissue, stomping them etc.) but my first instinct when confronted with one while half-blind was to swipe it off the curtain. Immediately after this action I realized that I now could not see where the spider went. So I spent the rest of my time wondering if it was on me somehow. (Sadly, it did not survive its morning experience)

I can't wait for November 14, when I am scheduled for laser eye surgery. No more scary half-blind encounters with creepy crawlies!! Woo Hoo!!


***************

So, you see, November should be an awesome month of exciting posting! Aren't you excited? hmm...

I'm on a roll

(apologies for the crappy lighting/indoor evening pictures, but it's dark early... and I'm lazy)

I finished another sock! Yay! I realize this is not as exciting as if I had actually completed a pair but it's a sock and it's finished.

In order to avoid the dreaded SSS (second sock syndrome) I immediately cast on and knit 2 rounds for the second sock.



I know! I'm as shocked as anyone.

Now, if you'll excuse me I need to go cough for several hours due to the awesome cold I have start another new project knit on a sweater that has been a WIP for too long and watch the Flames game. (but really I'm going to end up starting something new. Don't tell).

Flame Stitch Scarf

In honor of the new Calgary Flames season (and to have something red to wear to the game on the 28th) I used a Flame Stitch lace pattern from a stitch dictionary and some leftover red yarn to make myself a new scarf.



(Also, check out my new bangs! My hair was WAY overdue for a cut).

ALSO, i finally finished the first of my Spiral Boot socks. I hope to start and possibly finish the second within a reasonable time period... ehem.



I had about 5 yards of yarn left from the skein. whew. (Knit Picks Essential Kettle Dyed)

I need to focus on finishing up some of the random UFOs lying around, and I'm also thinking about Christmas (I know!! early!! well... for me it's early). What are you planning to knit/craft for your friends/loved ones? (or are you planning to knit/craft for Christmas?) I'm looking for inspiration.

How to make a Knitter's day

A couple of weeks ago a new coworker found out that I knit. She and I talked about it and she expressed interest in learning sometime. She told me that a friend of hers had sent her some yarn a while ago to try to encourage her to learn. She wanted to give the yarn to me because it had been in her house for a long time and she knew she wouldn't ever use it. I said sure (who wouldn't??) and didn't really think about it further. Today she told me she was going to bring me the yarn and I didn't know what to expect. I thought maybe it would be a skein or two, enough for a scarf or toque & mittens. I didn't know what kind of fiber to expect, but I can tell you what I didn't expect:



10 skeins of Green Mountain Spinnery Mountain Mohair in Blue Gentian. Enough for a sweater.

(I'll wait a moment while you either seethe with jealousy or gasp in delight)

I was so excited and told her I would make her a sweater with it. She insisted that I wasn't supposed to make something for her with it, it was for me. So I told her if she wouldn't accept a sweater for herself made with this yarn, I would make her something with some other yarn instead (we argue back and forth "No, you're working too hard, let me help you" all day long. It's refreshing really).

So, I'm looking for suggestions for my windfall and also ideas for something I can make to return the favor. Any thoughts?

February Lady Sweater

I knew I loved the look of this sweater when I first saw the pattern appear online. Then when I saw the (literally) thousands of projects on Ravelry I just kept wanting to make one.



I knew I wanted to make this sweater when I was dying the yarn and ended up with a colorway that was vastly different from what I had imagined. (A colorway I am so in love with by the way).

I knew I would like the sweater and that I would probably make good use of it, but...



I didn't know I would love it THIS MUCH

Stats:
Pattern: February Lady Sweater (direct link to the pdf on Flint Knits.) A grown up version of the Elizabeth Zimmerman classic baby sweater (I need to get my hands on that book...)
Yarn: Mystery wool mill ends bought in a 1 lb bag at W*lm*rt. Dyed in brown and blue but somehow a beautiful silver/black mix. I ended up having about 5 meters left of the last skein I was working with. I have one more that was dyed but it was sort of the odd-ball skein from the dyepot so I was glad that I didn't need to try to make it blend.
Mods: None really. I quit knitting the lace pattern on the body at about 13-ish inches, knowing that it would grow with blocking. It's really just perfect. The sleeves come to mid-forearm and are just right I think.

Sigh. I guess I can't wear it every day, can I?

We need to talk...

Dear Options needle set*,
You know how much I love you. I love the whole set of you. The smooth needles with super sharp points, the joins, your case. I love how pliable your cables are and how easy you are to switch. In fact, I love you so much that almost all of your parts are in use at any given moment.

But, my dear Options, I think it's time for us both to admit we have a problem. I think it's time for us to take a step back. You see, this is the third time one of your cables has come apart on me in the middle of a project. Now, considering how many cables I have (a lot... 1 set of 2 in each size available) it's not that bad, but... well... I'm hurt and a little angry after you came apart on me on Saturday. I was in the middle of the back of my February Lady Sweater ** and you knew how much I wanted to finish it. You also know how much I hate the thought of having to save stitches in a lace pattern.

I just think I need some time. I will come back to you, you know I can't leave you. I know you don't mean to hurt me, but... I just think we need some space. You understand.

I do still want to be friends,

Lori


*Dear reader(s), please do not let my experience with these joins deter you if you are considering these needles. I LOVE them. I can't overstate that. They are great. In fact, after the first problem, Knit Picks sent me a replacement set immediately. Love them.
** I keep forgetting to post the in progress pics of my February Lady Sweater (you can get the free pdf from Flint Knits' blog on the linked page). I kettle dyed the yarn using some beige wool I got in a bag of mill ends from W*lm*rt a couple of years ago ($4.99 for a pound!!).