2 years 7 months

That's exactly how long that darn sweater of death was on the needles.  And 1 week ago I was rejoicing and had such a huge weight off my shoulders!  I finished the darn thing.  Granted I still have to block it which might be time consuming but should be easy enough.  Then there is the dreaded installation of a zipper.  I'll be damned if it's not perfect though.  There's this voice inside me that just says "get it done!  who cares if its not perfect, you will be 100% done with it".  And boy do I want to give into that voice just a little - but I know better.  After almost 3 years of work on this sweater I don't want to screw up something so "little" as the zipper.  That's in quotes since really nothing about this sweater is even near little.  But I want it to be great!  I want my hubs to show it off.  I want him to boast "my wife made this for me!!"  If that zipper is half-assed I'd be hiding behind a rock somewhere when he says that instead!  So here it is -  the sweater off the needles and on a model way too small for it.  There will be a photo shoot when it is really DONE - that was one of the conditions in making this sweater.  I don't care how much my husband hates the camera!

This picture is so awful and was just meant for my hubs.  Feel special that I'm sharing it with you.  Very special.

 
Now that this is done and I have my sewing room back I'm been going crazy with sewing projects.  I've been doing well with my "finish what you start" theme for 2015 and have intentions of finishing one sweater and ripping one sweater.  Then the plan is to start the lovely Artemisia Sweater and follow the sister Craftsy class for it.  Hopefully that will keep me on track!!  I'll leave you with my latest FO and yes - that sure is some of the very coveted Frozen material (i found a steal on it!)

Talk about a 180

My last post I talked about how I have not knit anything this year.  I've done a 180.  Now I have finished one pair of fingerless gloves for my Grandma, one pair of tube socks for my daughter, ripped a shawl for my Grandma twice (started with a new pattern each time) and only have the border left (3rd times a charm right?!) and I knit the Drizzle hat.  I also pulled out the Owlet sweater I had hibernating because if I finished in the size I was knitting it would be way too tight for Miss A.  And the best part?  I'm almost done with the Sweater the Never Ends.

This sweater has a few names - the Sweater that Never Ends, the death of me, the $^%$*#()@# but mostly Hubby's Sweater.  I started this sweater in 2012.  Yes.  Over 3 years.  Granted a majority of the time has been spent in UFO bin.  I have finally finished the whole body.  I've knit the sleeves and now am half-way done with the hood.  I cannot tell you how much a relief this is to me, getting so close.  And now there is no way I will put it back into hibernation, because I can taste the finish line!  So far my year of "Finish What I Start" is well on it's way.  I've ripped one sweater, have another one I plan to rip and as soon as I'm done with Hub's then I'm finishing another for me.  That one will be quick and painless.  Then I plan to cast on!  I've been waiting patiently to cast on what I consider a "real" sweater.

So, in hindsight, I have one piece of advice for you all.  Never, and I mean never, knit a man size Large of an all stockinette stitch cardigan.  Flat stockinette the whole way through.  Guys, the only reason this sweater took so long; pure boredom.  Don't do it.  Just don't.

Finish What You Start

I looked over my projects that I finished in 2014.  I thought I had done so much knitting and I still believe that to be true but I obviously didn't actually finish enough projects.  There are such a measly few and small ones too!  I'm going to be more determined to finish projects in the next year!  And one of them WILL be a sweater!  To go along with the Knitmore Girls Idea of a theme instead of a resolution, mine with be Finish What You Start.

Projects of 2014

That's not all.  There will also be a fiber diet in 2015.  No purchasing any yarn in 2015.  NONE.  Of course there has to be an exception right?  Every diet has to have a cheat right?  My only exception is "if" I run out of sweater quantities of yarn.  Considering I have enough for about 5 sweaters or garments of the sort I don't think it will be an issue but a girl can dream of a year of sweaters right?  Oh wait, that was supposed to be 2014!!!  

My 5 resolutions from last year:

1. I've already started!  Bought the Crochet Lab Craftsy class in their Black Friday sale.  Started learninv to crochet today!
2.  Knit at least 3 pairs of socks this year for myself (really because I need more wool socks)
3. Read just as much as I did last year, if not more.  13 books in 2013.  Maybe I will strive for 14 in 2014.
4. Run a 5k.
5. Last be certainly not least, finish an adult size sweater.  Whether it is one that is started or a new one I don't care.  I just need to finish!!

 Completely the first right away.  Never finished the rest.  I'll stick to a theme this year thank you very much....

Settling In

My life has been pretty chaotic this past month.   We have lived in the new house for just over a month now.  We've moved in, unpacked, had 3 visitors (going on 4 this weekend) and traveled back to my hometown for 5 days.  Like I said, crazy.  Not only that, but it's October, which means a whole lot to do in the surrounding areas.    Also - commissioned knits.  So I've kept myself busy, but of course still finding time for knitting!

#1 - designed a greyhound neck warmer for my Sister in law.  Still have to get it in the mail so a final picture is on hold.

#2 - a Milo knit out of Berry Colorful Yarnings out of Primary DK (formerly Squishy DK) for the dyer's trunk show.  If you have not tried out BCY Yarns DO SO!

#3 - Song of the Sea knit in Wollmeise color way Petite Posion Nr. 5.  This knit might be my most favoritest project ever!

Of the Knitting Persuasion

So this is a bit sad, but proves how crazy my life is right now.  This post is the one I wrote last week.  Just never got the pictures up.  2 Weeks ago, my husband got the official paper copy of his orders, so last week our move date was scheduled.  Guess when that day is?  Next week!  Official chaos time.  So much to do.  Not only to prepare for movers, but to prepare for the 2 weeks my kiddo and I will be spending in the house without any "stuff".  And then there is close to a week of traveling.  Then you know, there is that small thing to do about when we get there....making sure we have a place to live!  So yeah, I've been busy.  Luckily I think the "place to live" is all taken care of.  Oh yeah....and 2 visitors in the next week.  So, this is Army life for you.  You don't always get 4 or 5 months to prepare for PCS.


So long since I've shared for an FO Friday post - at least that of the knitting persuasion.  A few things to share.  #1 - I'm done with the Armchair Travel KAL.  But there is still time!  The KAL goes till Sept 2, so please pop over and join us!!  Maria is giving away some great prizes for it!  I started out knitting a hat but low and behold not enough yardage (even though I should have.  hmph!) so I started and finished the Clara Cowl.  I was a bit confused with this one at the beginning, but kept on working along and boy is it a clever knit!  The way the cabling turns it into a reversible braid is so adorable.  Turned out cute as a button.  It's such a nice quick knit I think I could knit more.

#2 - Finished my Follow Your Arrow shawl a few weeks back, and blocked it.  But put it into my closet without weaving in the ends.  So today's task - weave in ends and take picture!

That Giant Sweater

I swear I feel like I'm knitting for a Giant.  My husband is a smallish guy.  I can't imagine if I was knitting for my Dad or someone of similar size.  I feel bad for all too many knitters I know that have more gigantor husbands right now.  I tried on the shoulders for the Helicopter Guy (I need something to call him on the blog.  That's his new name) and asked if he liked it.

Here's our conversation.
Me - "Do you like it?"
HG - "Yes of course I do.  If I didn't it wouldn't matter now though, you have this much done."
Me - "I'd rather start over, then knit a whole sweater you won't wear."
HG - "I'd wear it even if I didn't like it, because you made it for me."

I appreciate the sentiment and all, but really?  At least I know he loves me that much.  But the whole point of knitting is making something someone will get some use out of.  Granted I do make a lot of things I won't wear (mostly shawls) but they are always gifted to someone who will.  God help me, if he doesn't like this sweater, I'm giving it away to anyone that does.  Even after all the work.  Next time I pick a sweater for him it's going to be more of a "masculine" color (although he loves red), and more of a gansey type pattern.

I'd love to say I've been concentrating on the sweater too, and I was till I ran out of caked yarn.  I need to cake more and the only place in our house right now that I can put up the swift is on our TV stand and we were in the middle of the movie.  So I moved to something else.  Finished my Arm Chair KAL project and will share that on Friday.  Also ripped out one pair of socks, and plan to rip out another as well.  I'd really like to finish Miss A's sweater, which won't take too long.  Then as far as moving knitting I'm thinking Helicopter Guy's sweater, a sweater for myself, and a cowl I think I will be test knitting.  Of course if our household goods get packed a while before our move date, then I will have a lot of time for knitting.  More time than I might be able to handle.

Armchair Travel KAL

It's that time again!  Of course it's time for another KAL!!  I'll be joining Maria of Subway Knits Podcast, along with some other swell folks in this KAL which has anything and everything to do with her upcoming trip to Greece!!  Don't I wish it was me.  But if you can't travel it's best to live vicariously I say!  The gist of it

Knit a pattern or use a yarn to knit something inspired by Greece while I share the places I go and explore over the next two months

Pop on over to the Subway Knits blog or Ravelry page to learn all the details.  And if you don't know about it already, it means you don't listen to her podcast.  Word of advice?  Do it!  I've been inspired by yarn from my stash diving adventure - this beauty:

I've just started and by just started, I mean I'm still on the cast on.  So take that as literal as it comes.  I cast on once or twice yesterday for Coquille out of the French Girl Knits Accessories book, but the main stitch for this hat I'm making is brioche and I sat and stared at my knitting for 2 hours (while being distracted by Veronica Mars of course) because I couldn't figure the first stitch out.  I think it was because the cast on wasn't working well for me. I'm hoping to plow through this project.  It's just this and a pair of vanilla socks that I'm currently giving my attention to.  Join us for WIP Wednesdays!

New Blog - New Camera

It's Work In Progress Wednesday.  And it's been a while since I've chimed in on the subject.  I pulled all my WIPs out a week or so ago (you don't want to see - it's ugly) and decided what I want to finish and what needs to be frogged.

One of the projects I was excited to get back to was Ysolda Teague's Follow Your Arrow Mystery KAL.  I started this project when it was released in January.  First Mystery KAL I ever did and I stayed on schedule with her clues!  Until the last one. I got stuck.  I frogged again and again because I couldn't get my numbers straight.  Apparently I lose the ability to count when it comes to my knitting.  So I put it away for a week or so, then had to go home for 6 weeks.  The way this KAL worked was that each clue had 2 options, so there were so many possibilities for different outcomes.   This week I decided the best course of action was to rip out the last clue and pick the other option.  And it sure is going swimmingly.  In fact, it seems to be swimming off my needles. That is, when my daughter doesn't decide my highlighter tape on my chart is a sticker for her to pull off and wear. Halfway through the chart already and prepping my blocking area.

Now as you've noticed there has been a blog makeover.  I have a new camera to go with the new blog.  I've been using the Photography Tutorial developed my Eskimimi (if you don't follow her blog, go do it now!) and playing a whole lot.  The hard part is trying to figure out how to work my camera. It's still a point and shoot, I wanted something I could throw in my purse.  But it's definitely an improvement on our old cameras and my iPhone which I've been depending on for a year now.  It is a Samsung WB350F.  We decided on this one after playing with a friends on a camping trip.  I love it and let me tell you, the fact that my camera connects to WiFi and is a touchscreen blows my mind.  And the zoom on this thing is pure genius.  I'll share my best picture of my WIP, but I still have some work to do.  Especially figuring out how to use my white balance.  A step up though, from the past, don't you think?

  FYI - I plan to change my URL feed.  Please check back and be aware that the old one will no longer work!  

WIP Wednesday - A Quiet House

I have to admit I would blog every morning dutifully if every morning went like this morning has so far.  And I would love life immensely.  It is 8:45 am.  I woke up at 8, started reading in bed for a bit, then I just came downstairs and got my coffee started.  It's storming outside my windows and my daughter is still asleep.  This is positively the most peaceful morning I have had in ages.  It must be karma.  I flat out and can tell you I deserve a morning like this and it's about damn time.

I also hope that there is more of this in my future with daylight savings coming to an end this week, but it could very well mean I'll have more of the opposite.  I'm scared though because Miss A has been up at 5 am twice this week.  How much earlier could it get?  I've had a week from utter hell.  She's been sick.  I've been sick.  She's been embracing the climbing, crying and utterly defying actions of the terrible twos all at the same time.  I've needed some solace.  It's no wonder that I've left my sewing behind this week and only concentrated on knitting.  I think the knitting honestly takes less brain work. And I've been doing alot of it.

Three projects going on this week.  One is off the needles so you can come back on Friday to see it.  I've been continuing on with my Grandpa scarf.  I'm knitting the pattern Celtic Cables and it's not like this is my first time knitting a cable.  But it is my first time knitting several traveling cables all at the same time like this pattern.  I was a little intimidated by it at first and thought it would just be one of those patterns that requires a bit of extra concentration.   I discovered that this is my "no brain required" knitting for the time being.  When I'm utterly drained at the end of the day and don't want to think about what I'm doing I'm pulling this cabled scarf out. This is a sure sign that I am advancing as a knitter.  I never once thought I would consider a cabled scarf like this autopilot knitting.  It's also becoming a bit potato-chippy which I think is probably a great sign since I have a lot more to go.

Next up, I'm getting back to Nozky for Baby.  I've realized I have all the things I want to cast on syndrome, but I always feel like I don't make real progress when I have so many projects on the needles at once.  So I like to whittle down my WIPs first.  These baby leg warmers are something small and easy that should be done in no time!  I'm thinking maybe today?  Especially with this wet and stormy day that lies ahead.

The book.  I'm reading The Yarn Whisperer as half the knitting world itself is.  Maria of Subway Knits instagrammed (that's not actually a word.  I made it a word) about reading it and in my head I shouted "Yay! I am too".  Then I said we should have a read-along in the group.  It's not really a formal one since some of us have started, some of us may have finished and some people just decided to order the book.  But it's a nice place to go and discuss Clara Parke's writing. This book is made up of small essays.  They all relate in some way to a fiber topic, but almost as in comparison to something else. I'm realizing while reading this book that I'm finding the topic at hand more compelling than the actual way it relates to fiber.  This tells me how great of a story teller she is that I could almost take or leave the fiber content.  And that's the only reason I picked it up in the first place.  That might sound like a criticism but really I'm saying that she does such a great job with her writing that she doesn't have to write about fiber to entice me to want to read more. This is a good thing.

Linking up to Tami's Amis for WIP Wednesday and Yarn Along this week since I actually had some reading to talk about.

A Proud Momma

The past week Miss A has done a few things that sure make a Momma happy.  I know, you usually hear something like this and expect me to say something like "she used the potty" or "she put her own shoes on" or some type of milestone.  Not me.  Don't get me wrong, she hits milestones all the time and I get excited but they are part of her development.  They are in a way "normal" because they are things most kids do in the same timeframe.  

I have two proud moments from this week that are worth sharing.  The first: remember that Low Tide I made that upset me so immensely when she wouldn't wear it?  Well she let me put it on two days in a row.  Thursday she wore it for an hour.  That was a start.  Friday she wore it to daycare and kept it on the whole time!  I took it off at nap time, we put it back on when she woke up and she wore it the rest of the day!  I was so proud!

Second - We went out to eat Saturday night with a friend.  It's not something we do too often.  Toddler in a nice sit down restaurant.  I'm sure you get why it's not an often occurrence.  She climbed up the booth next to my friend and could see the TVs in the bar area from there. They had college football on.  The moment she saw it she put down her drink, clapped her hands and exclaimed "foo-ball! foo-ball". If you know me well you know my day stops the moment football starts.  I'm a huge fan of the NFL so this was a big deal to me.  Needless to say Miss A's anxiety about Daddy being gone seem to have subsided a bit as of late and we've really been having fun together!

Car Knitting

Super short post today.  All that's left on the Low Tide Cardigan is sleeves.  Quite happy with what I got done on our 9 hour trip yesterday!  Took this picture before i binded off the body.  Can't wait to finish so she can wear it to the beach!  More posts like this at Tami's Amis.

When Knitting Attacks

I don't have too many major problems with my knitting.  Don't think I'm trying to be arrogant in my knitting with that statement.  I'm far from being professional. I just usually I just "make do" with mistakes if I know they won't bother me.  I'm not a perfectionist.  I know the people that rip several times a project just to get it perfect.  It's just not me.  I do my share of ripping but its usually because I didn't like the pattern, or the pattern yarn combo, or the item just didn't look good on me.

Well that wasn't the case with the Low Tide Cardigan I'm making for Annabelle.  First I'll start with probably one of the things I hate most in knitting.  Picking stitches up.  I had to pick up 120 stitches along the lace panel to start the body and it can be such a pain to get just the right number of stitches evenly.  And this is the smallest size....oh how many stitches it will be when I make one for me!  I have started measuring and putting markers at halfway points to help.  It just takes so much time and concentration for such a small step.

I got that step done anyhow, and started the body.  When I put the markers in for the decreases on the back I really thought something was off.  They just didn't look right, but I swore I was following that step in the pattern exactly right.  After some knitting I just couldn't take it.  The back was uneven and it was just going to keep annoying me.  So I ripped.  Had to pick up all those stitches again and this time I made sure my center marker for picking them up was exactly in the center of the lace panel.  Something I'm sure I did not do last time and that had to be the problem right?  Nope.  I got to the same step and could not fathom why it was off.  I did the math for the stitches and verified that there were no problems with the pattern so it had to be me.  Then I reread everything.  I missed a step.  I didn't cast on 4 stitches between the front and back of the sweater in the armpit areas.  Which put off everything.  Well I was NOT picking up all those stitches again so I made due with what seemed like a decent amount of slack between the front and back anyhow and put 4 stitches in those spots.  I really hope it's not noticeable and it works out.  I think it will.  Otherwise I'll be complaining again next week!  All at my own fault.

Now onto the reading front.  I finished Starting Now by Debbie Macomber and I think it might be one of the best of the Blossom Street Yarn series.    I just really liked the main character and all the different relationships she had throughout the book.    The first one in the series will always be my favorite though.   This means I downloaded a new book from Audible.  I have had the first 6 books or so of the Women's Murder Club Series by James Patterson for close to 3 years and I have yet to touch them.  I then leant the first book out, never got it back and decided my next audio book would be 1st To Die.  I've started.  I don't often listen to "thrillers" or "mystery".  Not even really sure what genre it's considered yet so that tells you how much I've listened to.  But so far so good.  I usually listen on my iphone, but just d/l it to iTunes so I can listen in the car on my drive next week.  I think I need to load up with podcasts too! Any suggestions for new ones?

Check in over at Tami's and Yarn Along.  We'd love to have you join!

FO Friday

I actually have something to share for FO Friday!  Yay!  And truthfully these socks have been on the darn needles long enough so I sure am glad to be done with them.  And boy am I happy.  Laura Linneman did an amazing job designing this pattern - Socks on a Plane.  I get so bored with vanilla socks and this is just the perfect amount of detail to add to the self-striping yarns.  The fit was also perfect.  I was put off by toe-up for a while, but still typically just go with the way the pattern I want to make was written.  After the fit of this sock and how many issues I've had trying to get the fit of toe down socks right, I think I will look for toe-down patterns more often now.  I used Knit Picks Felici in the Tiki colorway and I love the yarn.  The socks are super-soft.  All over comfy and cozy.

Should Have Listened to My Teachers

This is the 3rd attempt at writing this post.  First was on the Blogger iPad app.  2nd was on the laptop.  Now I'm on my phone.  Apparently I have to learn to save my work because my typing disappears after so long.  Odd.  I feel like I'm in Middle School all over again learning to write papers on a Word Processor.  And the teachers always emphasized "Save Your Work"!

I've been trying to say that I miss also linking up with Ginny's Yarn Along on Wednesdays (as well as Tami's Amis WIP Wednesday).  But in order to post about reading I need to actually be reading.  I haven't been able to stick to my goal of reading 20 minutes a day (really blogs don't count.  It needs to be an actual book) .  After the craziness of my life subsides for a little bit in just a few months it should be easier to get back at it.  Not only will reading help me stay busy, but I should actually have the time.

One thing I have discovered this year though was Audible.  Most people in the knitting world have now heard of it.  When I signed up I got one month free and only did it for the read-along book.  Then I went to cancel and it asked why in the survey so I clicked the option that said it was too expensive.  From that, they offered me 3 months at 1/2 price which I think was about $7.50 a month.  Not bad for an audio book so I stuck with it.  I realized how much I enjoyed listening to them.  I mostly listen during chores and when cooking.  So I stayed with it and I think it's definitely worth it.  I listened to about a chapter of one book, didn't touch it for two months because I wasn't really interested and was then able to return it for a new book credit!   Currently I'm listening to Starting Now: A Blossom Street Novel by Debbie Macomber and I'm quite enjoying it.  I almost feel like the Blossom Street novels get better with each book.   The ones I like best though are always when they revisit the characters from the original book.  That's one appeal of a series I suppose.

I've also cast on for a new project this week.  Working on Low Tide by Tin Can Knits.  I checked the measurements and compared them with my Annabelle and I'm actually making the 12 month size.  I was surprised to a.) see how small and lanky my daughter is and b.) see how big the measurements they call for in the pattern were.  I'm really glad I measured.  This is also the first time I'm making something knit in pieces - and blocked parts before I finished knitting.  It sure is interested construction.  I can't wait to pick it back up and finish the body.  It will be a perfect addition to Miss A's vacation ensemble.

So Many Distractions

I'd love to tell you I'm sorry for not posting in almost 2 months.  But you know what?  I'm really not.  I have no pressure here to post constantly.  I don't feel like my readers are pressuring me either.  And I've had life to deal with.  Alot going on right now for me and blogging just hasn't been on my things to do. I am however sorry that I haven't really wanted to blog.  I think that so much of it has to do with my toddler.

Little Miss A on Mother's Day

And toddler really is the only way to describe her now.  Baby definitley doesn't fit anymore.  She runs me ragged.  She is constantly getting into things. We are constantly telling her no, pulling her down from climbing furniture, and dealing with tantrums.  She's hit the terrible twos quite early.  She's also been sick 4 times already this year, which of course doesn't help the behavior any and makes it even more challenging.  It's a big reason why I haven't touched my blog.  Why I haven't touched much at all.

Oak Trail Hat

That's not all of the stress in my life.  I can't go into detail (for the safety of my husband and anyone else in his battalion) but my husband is deploying soon.  Sometime in the next few months.  This will be our first time going through a deployment while married and of course the first time with a baby.  It amazes me how much there is to do before d-day, as if it isn't stressful enough knowing he's going to be gone.  But man, I swear this time is more stressful than the actual time away will be!  It doesn't help knowing that we have every weekend packed with plans already and we will be doing some traveling.  Needless to say, its very possible you will see more posts about Army life and possibly some venting.  Everyone told my husband couples get into more fights before a deployment than any other time - I'm not surprised one bit.

Spring Foliage Mitts

I wouldn't say all this has put a halt to my knitting, but it sure has slowed the train down a bit.  I've finished three things in the past few months.  Two of these projects were for the Alana Dakos KAL that was with Subway Knits.  I made the Oak Trail Hat and the Spring Foliage Mitts.  The mitts I think will be a Christmas gift for my Grandma.  The Oak Trail Hat was gifted to my Aunt (In Law).  I finished it while visiting the family and she took quite a shine to it.  I decided it was such a nice, quick knit that it didn't really need to come home with me.  I do, however, want to make another one.  The construction is quite unique and it was very easy and fun to knit up.

Mrs. Tumnus Shawl

I also finished the Mrs. Tumnus Shawl by Eskimimi (on a side note, if you have checked out her blog Eskimimi Makes, I highly suggest it!).  I've never made a shawl from the outside in and this was a new challenge to me.  I will say that this project is what pushed me into charts - rather than reading the written directions like I always have.  It was lace on both sides and the chart just all of a sudden really made sense to me!  This shawl turned out gorgeous. I actually ran out of yarn and had to find a contrasting color for the center.  I wasn't so sure at first but after I knit it, I fell in love.  I almost decided to keep it, but I made it for my husbands Grandmother and I know she's going to love it.  In just a few weeks I'm going to be able to give it to her in person - only the second time I'll ever be meeting her.  I can't wait!

Stripe Study Shawl & Socks On A Plane

On the needles I have a few things going on.  I started some simple stripe socks a while back with some Knit Picks Feleci and was too bored with it so I ripped and started the Socks On A Plane pattern by Laura Linneman.  Much better for my brain right now.  Also have the Stripe Study Shawl on the needles in yummy, bright Wollmeise!

Lettuce Pullover (its more navy and less gray than it seems here)

Last but not least, a blast from the past!  I started the Lettuce Pullover in March of 2011.  Didn't even get to the sleeves when I got pregnant and decided I didn't want to finish a sweater I wouldn't be able to try on.  It went in hibernation through both moves, then got unpacked into the hibernation stuff.  Last week I pulled it out.  It's been on my "things to do" list for this year and I looked it over, looked at the pattern and really thought I was going to have to pull it out so I started looking at the other patterns I could make with the yarn and I kept coming back to the Lettuce.  Well, I thought if I'm just going to pull it out (i didn't know what size needle I knit it in!) I might as well try it first then pull it out if I can get it right.  Tried sliding the stitches to one needle, a size six, which I soon discovered wasn't the right size for my gauge even though it was what the pattern called for.  I switched down to size 5 and I'm on the right needle.  And now I'm almost half way done!  So excited to really finish a sweater!  Finally - linking up to Tami's Amis WIP Wednesday.  Nice to have you back if you're a reader and thanks for visiting.  Come back again if you are new!

Action Packed Week

I forgot to post my Gratitude Sunday. Wrote half of it. Does that happen to anyone else? I do it more often than I'd like to admit. Today is WIP Wednesday. I have nothing to share. One thing on the needles and one hibernating.

But today I'm driving to St Louis. Ill be spending the week with a bit of my husbands family. One of which is a good friend and a knitter, and has volunteered a guest post some time on the future so I will keep you updated on that. So there will be some casting on this week. There will also be lots if LYS visits. There will also be knitting so I sure hope this means lots to blog about this week! Stay Tuned!!

Finally an FO

I finished this but didn't post last week.  It was a simple knit I know, but oh so darn cute.  Modified the hat pattern to make my daughter a matching hat/cowl set.  She looks pretty darn grown up in it.  I might decide she needs to wait 10 more years to wear it again.

Projects Page: Aston Cowl

Pattern: Aston

Yarn: Organic Worsted Heathers by Marr Haven Wool

Linking up with FO Friday

A Mood

I haven't been in the greatest mood today.  I wasn't thrilled to get up and go to a mandatory (for the hubs) company picnic at 9 am!  Let's just say it was cold this morning and that is with a high of 80 F today.  Imagine if it was tomorrow - high of 49.  Who's idea was this?! 80 degrees in March is a FLUKE and no one knew it would be like this when it was scheduled. Oh, and it was wet.  Did I mention that?  They make the guys play a kickball tournament, which with grown men can never end well.  Am I right?  Well, 5 minutes in the first man on base runs when the next ball is kicked and naturally tries to get to second base.  As all men do...  Only these guys, all in aviation and not exactly ones to play organized sports don't really understand the concept of not standing in the base line.  Huh, imagine that.  I'm sure you can picture what happened next.  The guy running is watching the ball, the guy standing there is....well, watching the ball.  And they collide.  And we have blood shed.  Alot of it. This guy running just happened to be my husband.  A trip to the hospital and a diagnosis of broken nose and possible concussion preceded.  So you can imagine my mood when I was at a function I obviously had a bad feeling about.

On a much better note, I thought tonight might be a good night to update my blog.  I had the intentions of updating the links in my Sunday Gratitude post and connecting it to the Mr. Linky on Sunday.   Didn't happened.  I logged in though and found a bunch of comments on my last two posts!  I was very excited because you see, I love comments.  Who doesn't?  And I haven't been getting quite as many as of late.  So a very happy baby tonight, and a bunch of comments has put me in a bit of a better mood.  Thank you readers!  I owe that to you.  Well, the comments part.  If you put my daughter in a good mood you'll have to share the secret!

Here's the link I failed to add in later on Sunday. The book my swap partner gifted me was Sock Yarn Studio by Carol J. Sulcoski.  Any book with Zauberball on the front has to be good.  There are a few patterns I love including the Poppy Beret and Cushington Square Pillow.  The beret, which is really a beanie as far as I can tell, I know I will make for myself.  The pillow would be quite a challenge for me yet.  Maybe in a few years.  

I also wanted to take this opportunity to share the finished - finished object from two weeks ago. It's the Yoked Cardigan by Hannah Fettig and I know I showed you already but the buttons I just so darn cute you have to see them on!  They are from Joyafibers on Etsy.  The picture of Annabelle wearing the gorgeous sweater is more true to color.  Check out my posts like mine at Tami's Amis FO Friday.

WIP Wednesday - Proud

When I got back to blogging at the beginning of the year I said I wasn't going to post about the same WIP every week. And as you know I've been working on 3 sweaters at the same time so it seems I wouldn't have a great deal of progress to post. I surprise myself when I say this but I actually do!

Ravelry Project Page: Pen Pal Mystery KAL

Pattern: Hoaloha

Yarn: Knit Picks Simply Cotton

Last week I was just swatching for Mel's Mystery KAL. I'm proud to say I've kept up with the clues and have started clue #2, which puts me past the bust. This is the farthest I've gotten on an adult size sweater and I'm proud to say I did it in a week. It's amazing how working with others at the same rate can motivate you to keep up and keep going. Mel is doing a wonderful job with this mystery. Not only does she put out a new clue every week with further directions, but she also has password protected posts on her blog to help explain and for asking questions. Then of course there is also a thread for the KAL on Ravelry AND you can tweet her! So there is no reason to have any issues because its impossible not to get your questions answered! If you aren't participating the pattern will be available later. I also suggest keeping an eye out in case she does another mystery KAL. If you are on the fence about them, hers is definitely the way to go!

Ravelry Project Page: Blue Tweed Road

Pattern: Yellow Brick Road

Yarn: Cascade 220 Tweed

I've also cast on a cowl this week. It's quite a fun knit and I can't wait to see the finished product. I think it's turning out to be a great combination of yarn and pattern. In fact I'm really loving the tweed. I don't think I've ever knit with it before. I really chose this cowl pattern because of its versatility. I'm sharing with you the actual pattern photo because that is what sold me on this pattern (even though its free). There are so many ways you can wear it so it works weather you want to dress up or down and wear it with your outer wear or regular clothes.

Linking up with WIP Wednesday!

ETA*  Will have links added later today!

WIP Wednesday #8 And Another

Well I will say I'm off to a good start if I want 2013 to be the year of the sweater.  Only 2 months into the year and for 3 weeks in a row now, I'm posting about 3 different sweaters!  And the very cool thing?  They are for the 3 different people in my family!

I had every intention of waiting till my husband's sweater was off the needles to pull out a hibernating sweater for myself.  That was the plan, but you know what they say about sticking to the plan right?  It never works out that way.  I have a pen-pal made through the Single Handed Knits Group on Ravelry. We keep in contact mostly through snail mail, which was the whole appeal of the pen-pal idea, but every now and then we send quick little messages on Ravelry.  Imagine my surprise when I opened up my account the other day and found Mel Ski's Mystery Sweater Hoaloha gifted to me by my pen pal!  I was so excited!  I've never done a mystery KAL before!  If you haven't heard about it, or Single Handed Knits for that matter, you should go check it out!  Mel is such an upbeat, optimistic podcaster and she lives in such an amazing place!  She shares with you so much of the culture that is Hawaii in her podcasts.

Pattern: Hoaloha by Mel Ski

Yarn: Knit Picks Simply Cotton

I don't actually have my sweater on the needles yet, but I'm hoping that changes tonight.  I'm doing mine a bit different.  Since I'm on a yarn diet and I wasn't planning on this knit, I'm stash-diving.  But I only had cotton in my stash in sweater quantity for worsted weight yarn.  The pattern calls for wool but I'm going to experiment.  If it doesn't work than it doesn't work.  But it is always worth a try, right?

Also still plugging away at Miss A's Purple Yoked Cardigan.  Hopefully I'll post again about it soon as a Finished Object!  I just have about 2 more inches on the one sleeve, then I have to knit the next one.  I also think I have the perfect buttons I just have to search for them because I've apparently misplaced all the new buttons I bought from Etsy.  And I really want to tell you about them.

Ravelry Project: Purple Yoked Cardigan

Pattern: Yoked Cardigan by Hannah Fettig

Yarn: Jojoland Baritone

Linking up with WIP Wednesday.