a confession

i have a confession to make. i am addicted to something. it's been a little while in the making, but it's full blown now. i don't know what i did without it before. i can't imagine life without it ever again. 

i'm addicted to...

debbie bliss prima yarn. it's drape, it's weight, it's warmth without being too warm. the only thing i am not in love with is that almost every single ball has at least one knot in it. BUT i don't let it sway me away from using it. because of the amazing qualities of the fabric it makes.

there is a slight sheen to it, too. as soon as i finished flirt, i went to the website where i had gotten the purple yarn on sale and saw they had more than enough left in brown. and it was still on sale! i just went shopping for our spring wardrobes and felt as though i was still missing something. a brown, bamboo and merino wool skirt! so yes, eventually i will make another. but not before i get a certain someone's blanket done. and i'm rapidly approaching that point...

don't send help...it's too late for me.

i make things

from time to time i like to knit things. okay, maybe that's a bit of an understatement. trust me when i tell you, i have a knitting project of some sort with me at all times. unless i am going to the vet like this morning. nothing major. just josie's annual. she's doing really well. doc said so.

anyway, last winter i made scarves for a couple of lovely ladies in my life. i liked the giant cable idea, but also wanted something small and snuggly that didn't have the lengthy tails of a regular length scarf. so i came up with a shorter version, added some buttons and voila! a neck warmer.

i made jill's out of alpaca. she took it away from me before i could add the buttons siting she had the perfect ones. i would agree with her. only one is functioning, the other is decorative, but i think it works well!

i have a few things on the needles right now. one is a lap blanket that is inspired by the one i made my nephew. i picked out the majority of the yarn when i was visiting him when he was just 8 weeks old. i sent it to the family with my parents this holiday season. it was a labor of pure love.

the one i am making mom is all the cream color and the blocking is a little different. i am just about halfway there. i have to get more yarn from a friend...must remember to email helen.

i also have a skirt on the needles for myself. it was the project i took with me on our trip (the blanket was getting a bit too big to be a traveling project). i got quite a bit done, but that is easy when all you have to do is sit and knit between going out for food, golfing, lazing around a "river". sadly, i've got no pictures of it, but it is a beautiful purple color. i can hardly wait for it to be done (hell on that, i can't wait for both projects to be done).

and let me not forget the putter cover a certain father-in-law requested. it's not on the needles yet, but it's on the brain.

four more sleeps and other orts

i am going to visit my sister and her family on friday. i can hardly wait to get my arms around my nephew. it will be the perfect ending to what promises to be an exhausting week.

i've been redesigning the office and it is now time to put the plan into action. that means, office is getting cleaned out, old furniture removed, new furniture purchased and constructed...all before wednesday's meeting which is at 1:00. i can do it!

knitting is going well, except for the fact when we walked in the door saturday night kev's first words as he opened the door were, "uh oh! you are not going to like this..." josie had pulled all the yarn out of the bag that held the blanket i am making for eli and family. josie basically pulls out the balls of yarn and tosses them in the air, which makes them all fall apart...so she gets the next one out until it's nothing but a mess. all in all there were four balls of yarn played with and only one had been broken (meaning the yarn was cut essentially). thankfully, she didn't put a hole in the blanket.

i have a different project to take with me on the plane since the blanket is to the size where it just wouldn't travel well (can't imagine knitting it on the plane really). and since i don't want to work on it in front of my sister and her family...it stays here so i can finish it and ship it before the holidays. she knows i'm making it, but she doesn't know what it looks like. man, it's turning out beautifully and i think she will adore it!!

done and done

i didn't get that many photos of me in the dress at both weddings this past weekend, but this is the one that i did get.

it was so much fun to wear! the next night i paired it with a burnt orange necklace (think lots of rocks) and a camel colored pair of sandals. i got many compliments on it, which kind of made me blush.

hit a yarn sale at one of my favorite stores on saturday and bought enough yarn to make just the top of it. my neighbor told me that i had to start making all my own sweaters because this dress fit me so well. i will make another dress, that is certain.

i can't believe that i knit a dress!!!

a single moment

i have this one tiny moment where there is nothing to do. there isn't enough time to start a project because at about 2:30 i will being the process of getting ready for a friends intimate wedding. there are forty guests. i feel lucky to be invited to share this special day.

the dress has turned out perfectly. i couldn't have asked for any better. i couldn't have shopped for anything better. i do not have pictures of it yet, other than shots i took with my phone's camera when it wasn't finished.

i bought more of the same yarn, different color, to make the top of it (which was sizzle from wendy bernard). my friends are asking me to write up the skirt pattern. i will, i promise! and i'll share. it really turned out special.

last night i roped jill into going to nordy's with me (really, all i had to do was ask her to go with me and help shop for something to wear under the dress). what i got ain't sexy, but it sure helps the dress look hotsie totsie!

for my knittahs!

i've been remiss. i've failed to keep you all updated on the progress of the dress. it is coming along quite nicely. i did get to try it on at one point, when i'd just finished the top but hadn't started on the skirt yet. it looked great. took a photo with my old phone, but can't get it off that one.

anyway, i took a couple of shots today. the sun was just lovely, a breeze coming in through the window. i'm happy to say i got to work on it almost every day my parents were here.

i kind of changed my deadline from the weddings i have in july to going down to california to meet my nephew. i can hardly wait.

yeah, i might be nuts, but i really think i can make it. the thing that will be hardest is weaving in all those ends and picking up the stitches around the neck and arms.

speaking of my beautiful dress, i think i shall go sit with it for a while. the simpsons are on, the breeze is still coming in through the windows while the sun is shining in the sky.

we've got friends coming over to help eat some of the amazing leftovers we have from the visit in a while, so i have to get a few minutes in...

then it's lakers with the asatos.

math

in jr. high i was a member of the math team. it wasn't due to my love of math (although i do enjoy a challenge); more it had to do with a cute guy on the team. he and i only ever became friends, but i truly think it's that brief stint on the math team that allows me to figure out the number of stitches, rows, etc it takes to make a whole dress.

a friend sent a link to a calculator, a waist shaping calculator for knitters. i got it after i figured out everything and how to do it. i decided to plug in my numbers and see how i compared.

can we say: NAILED IT!

i'm eight rounds into this dress (the pattern i'd originally bought to follow is ending up being a general guide for me) and i'm trying to remember to breathe.

done

i am finished with the scarf for my friend, chaz. her birthday was a little bit ago and jill and i went in on the yarn for me to knit her a fabulous scarf. i think i did just that, if i do say so myself.

the pattern was free and man oh man was it fun! i think pairing it with the malabrigo chunky was perfect. it's sturdy enough a yarn to keep shape, but soft enough to want to wear constantly. i will probably wear it once tonight to give it some of my energy before gifting it to chaz.

i'll be finishing jill's shrug next. it is thin yarn (fingering weight), like the blanket, being knit on tiny needles (us 1's) and i needed a quick break from tiny yarn and toothpick needles. after the shrug i would love to crank out another scarf as well as this hat for jill's sister, darcy. i think she'll like both.

both yarns for the scarf and hat are chunky so they should go quickly. because after that, i MUST get working on the dress i'm knitting to wear to friends weddings this summer!!

what's this? knitting?!

I started my friend's birthday scarf yesterday at work. Man, am I in love with both pattern AND yarn!! I can see women in my family (both sides) wanting one for themselves.

Ladies, tell me what color!

This pattern has to be one of the most fun ones I've ever knit. The yarn is Malabrigo Chunky which is soft and luxurious and like butter in my hands (although with less mess).

today

The house is almost ready. Our friends will be showing up between an hour from now and 6:00. It all started out as me wanting to show my friend how to knit a hat. Then I figured I had a few other friends who should meet, I think the group will meld well. But after I got to thinking about the ladies I was inviting, I got to remembering who their significant others were...gamers.

It seemed only fitting that I suggest a knitting/gaming party. Almost all the couples can make it (and those who can't are missed!!).

I made brownies this morning. Fudgey Wudgey Blueberry Brownies. They are fabulous from what my friend tells me. She'll have to tell me if I did okay. I probably will only allow myself one bite of one because of my cocoa allergy (for those who don't know, man...it's ugly). If they turn out as good as proclaimed, I'll share the link. :)

I'm pretty excited about the day. I hope it's a success.

Off to set the lighting.

the goings on

Well, not a whole lot has been happening here. I've been doing copious amounts of math in preparation to finish a knitted project for my dear friend, Jill. The first math I did, I freaked out because I thought I needed more yarn. I ordered more, hoping the dyelots would match close enough. They did not. But then last night and again this morning I redid my math and found that I actually did have enough of the original yarn. Who knew? I do like the third skein so perhaps I'll actually tag that to make my very first pair of socks? Of course that could be years from now...

I have this dream that I will get laces scarves done in time to ship them down to our sisters with their xmas gifts (oh yeah, we're that late). Time got away from us this year. I wasn't really feeling the xmas spirit. I don't know why...

It's a cold morning. Frost covering the ground. What little "snow" we got the other day is still lingering in parts of the garden. I call it "snow" because it was ice pellets. Those suckers accumulate quickly, too! Supposedly we are to get them on and off this whole weekend, but I am doubtful. We didn't get any yesterday, wait...did we? My days, they run together.

Okay, knitting is clamoring for me to get to it. And nothing delights me more than sitting and knitting while sipping my coffee. So that's what I'm gonna do!

a taste

It's killing me, not being able to share the wonderful things I've been knitting for my nephew. So we were playing with the macro setting on our new camera (mom, don't freak out...we are fine) and I am thrilled with it. This way I can tease you all with little snippets of what I've got done and what I am doing without truly giving away the surprise for those family who will be seeing things in person in just under two weeks!! I am beyond excited about Thanksgiving this year.

So, here is just a little peak. I'm pretty happy with the color, as it's pretty spot on for the true color of the bib. And every knitter knows, it's hard to get yarn color to look as it does in real life when taking a photo.

I have a tan one on the needles right now, a cream one laying in wait, only to be followed up by a striped one (in all three colors).

Knitters on ravelry, you can go see it there. :)

brian

I went to the Oregon Flock and Fiber Fest (OFFF) yesterday with three fabulous women. We got up early and headed to the Canby fairgrounds. Much lovely yarn was purchased (I'd been on a yarn diet, saving for OFFF). I got yarn for Chaz's wedding cardigan (not at OFFF, but from one of my amazing friends who dyes yarn...and she had much undyed yarn that she offered up). I found the perfect yarn for Jill's shrug for Chaz's wedding. I also found some yarn for a Christmas present for my sister. And then some lovley yarn for a lace shawl for myself (?) or for whomever it tells me it needs to go to once it's done. I also picked up some skeins of alpaca for the "left over" blanket. I needed cream and I didn't have any cream in the stash...what?!?! :)

I will post what I got over at Ravelry once I have photos taken (sadly I can't do that today since I am working today).

However, I did make friends with a special someone in one of the flocks...

Meet my new friend, Brian. As soon as I pet him, his tail started WAGGING!!! With much enthusiasm. It was really quite sweet.

Okay, must gather my things to go to work downtown. At least I get to work at my store. Of course I am taking the lace shawl to start playing with...what?!? It is Sunday, most likely it will be slow (at least I'm kind of hoping it will be so I can play, although if it is busy time will pass faster...oh the catch 22).

the knitttahs will know

I got mine.

Have you?

you may well know

I am a knitter. I am not quiet about it, nor am I loud about it. I just am.

I have three major projects lined up for myself this year within the knitted world. My dear friend is getting married in June of 2009. She caught sight of my sweater and gushed, asking if she paid me, would I make her one. It was later in the evening that we realized she was wearing a rock on her left hand. It was seconds after that I knew what I would be doing for her wedding gift (he'll get the gift of watching her enjoy it).

Now I've got the wild hair to make my other friend (the other brides-matron) a shrug. She found one in a style she likes and I am thinking about trying to figure it out, or finding something that is similar. It, too, will be made in time for the wedding. I feel safe at the idea of making those two garments for those two amazing and beautiful women.

However, just a minute ago as I was surfing through that site some knitters still don't know about (mind boggling) called Ravelry and found a really sweet top that I am trying to decide if I can somehow convert it into a dress. You know, for the wedding...

Any of you knitters think this is a sane idea? :) The shell is knit bottom up, but I'm thinking of figuring out the length I want and the circumference for the bottom of the skirt and going for it. Of course, I do have to find all the yarn for these projects (well, two since I've already gotten the bride's on order).

devoured

Well, Tuesday night was not quite the night for us to eat the artichokes. Kev wasn't feeling well and just wanted something simple so we fended for ourselves. That meant only one thing...

Knit night!

The six of us ate those two in about two minutes flat. :) They were fantastic!!! It amazes me that those are growing in our backyard. I will be watching the rest on the plant and picking them as they are ready, nothing will go to waste on my watch. I have to read up on them because from what I've already read I learned that they only produce for about 3-4 seasons. So, I am not sure what season we are on with these, but the books tell me to harvest the best ones to keep as...crap, the words have escaped me.

Ah well, just know that artichokes are GOO-OOD!

Thanks for a fun night ladies! Already looking forward to next time. :)

Because next time I might actually get more than six rows down on my lap blanket.

done-diddly-une flanders!

I think I may be one of the only people in Portland who is really happy that it is a chilly day today! I'm sure the picture tells you why. I finished it this morning with the addition of the i-cord ties. The pattern had called for buttons, but me and the "girls" don't really do buttons all that well. You know, with all the pulling.

I can not even begin to tell you all how much I LOVE this sweater. I mean it fits me perfectly. It ended up with 3/4 length sleeves and that is 100% okay by me. I generally push sleeves up on sweaters anyway AND alpaca is crazy hot!

I obviously took this shot and it's dark and slightly grainy. I will get more shots tonight, I'll have Kevin take them. He's really impressed with it, as are the few friends who've seen it. Brett, my neighbor, LOVES it too. He kept going on about how wonderful it is. Another reason to love my neighbor.

Okay, going to get my things together to head into the store downtown soon. I'm scheduled to be there at 3, but honestly, I really dislike half days when I close. I'd prefer opening, but since Julia needs the second half of the day off to get ready for the art walk she's part of, I am being nice.

blockage

Not THAT kind of blockage, sick-os!

The sweater has been wet, pinned and locked in the guest room so that no cat will sit on it. I am hoping to get it seamed up this week sometime, although I'm not sure when. Perhaps tomorrow, if it is dry by then. I didn't soak it, just wet it slightly, so it should be. And the window it is sitting in front of is open.

I am so happy to have the next couple of days off. Work has been busy! Covering for employees, working at a different store everyday, not getting any office time in. I actually don't mind it, though. It makes for interesting days.

So now that I'm done with the sweater (knitting it at least) I'm deciding what to do next. I'm thinking with the leftover skeins from several projects I may make a lap blanket. It's all alpaca, too, so it will be soft and I am guaranteed to have a cat in my lap every time I use it. But we'll see. I also have my eye on a little black dress (in my queue on Ravelry, users).

Today Kev doesn't go in until later (5pm) to do inventory. So we have the entire day to hang out, weed the garden some, go grab lunch, take the dog on a walk. Tomorrow he is off and we are planning on hiking in the gorge. Nothing too strenuous as it's been a while since any of us have really gotten out there. Far too long!

Okay, he's done with his shower and we're off to grab lunch.

Here's to hoping that the sweater gets all seamed up tomorrow and I can share those photos soon!!!

getting my sweat on

So the sweater is all done being knit up! However, it now needs to block (be wet down, stretched flat, and pinned) before I seam it up. Of course now is when the weather is WARM again. Ah well, it will be a good plane sweater for our trip to Vegas in July (work related, not me and Kev). I sometimes get cold on planes.

Of course this allows me to dream up the next fabulous project to start. I am not sure what it should be, but perhaps I will dive into my wee stash and figure something out today.

Life without a kitchen hasn't been too bad, although it's not been super comfortable. Thankfully we have amazing friends who we've shared dinners with. Tonight we head to Jill and Mark's for a bbq. I will be taking ingredients for pasta salad as well as a can of baked beans. I couldn't resist them. Kev could get off work as early as 4:00 today, but when we spoke he thought it'd be more like 5:30. I just sent him a text message telling him that we (myself and the trio) miss him so he should totally try to get out of there earlier.

Then we can take Josie on a walk before hopping on our bikes to head to J & M's house. I'm so glad we moved closer to them! It's really going to save $$ on gas.

Okay, off to dive.

to all my ladies...

Okay, first things first...my cat Chloe, you know the quite refined one? She just had a small spider hanging in her whiskers, did she notice? NO!! This cat may be a mouser, but a spiderer she is not. At least when they are right in front of her face she's not. She can see them from across the room, but in her own whiskers?

Anyway, had to get that out.

Last night was fabulous. What great and amazing women I surround myself with. Only four of the 9 invited ended up being able to make it, which turned out to be okay since we ended up knitting downstairs where the dust hasn't infiltrated and seating is not abundant down there.

Nibblies were brought and promptly left because, "you and Kev need easy stuff to eat so you don't have to dirty dishes!" Thanks girls! We really appreciate it.

The trio did fabulously, and everyone adored Simon. Chloe was a bit scarce, but would flit in and out of the room as she felt the need. Josie laid down next to me on the floor and slept almost the entire time. The thing I love most about that dog is the fact that a mere one foot above her head sat all kinds of food. She didn't even pay any of it attention. Everyone kept saying what a good girl she was being. Smitten!

I'm now nearing the end of the actual knitting of the sweater. I've just got the decreases for shoulders on both sleeves and then I must block before seaming together. I can hardly believe it!! And it's actually gotten chilly again so if I would just hurry up and finish I could wear it in the mornings to work!

Speaking of work, I should probably get going soon since I have to go in today. Although since I've worked every other day this week, except Tuesday, I really have only gotten one day off (and I'm working the floor tomorrow and Sunday with Saturday being an office day). So in theory I should have today off as well...Maybe I'll call it a short day?

So a shout out to the ladies. Kaarin, Jenn, Liz, and Kate! Thanks for coming over, drinking beer and knitting up a storm with me and my trio! It was a blast. Next time, there will be counters!