FO: A couple of hats, a pair of mittens

Finally, some finished photos!

Pattern: Simple Slouchy Hat
Knitting needles: Size 6 & 10
Size: Large
Yarn: Fisherman's Wool, doubled

Thoughts: Definitely love this hat, even the second time around knitting it. The pattern is so easy, great for TV knitting. The yarn softened up drastically after a good soak. 

Pattern: Urban Necessity Gloves

Needles: Size 6

Size: Medium

Yarn: Fisherman's Wool

Thoughts: These were a pain to knit. They aren't exactly a matching set, perfectly. One cuff is about three rows longer than the other. And one pinky finger is slightly longer. Not sure about the sturdiest of this yarn...

Pattern: Brambles Beret

Needles: Size 4 & 6

Size: Medium

Yarn: Malabrigo Worsted

Thoughts: Love the way this hat turned out, however it seems a bit small. I may put it through another soaking and blocking session to see how it turns out. As always, this yarn is pleasantly soft and warm. I'm definitely a huge fan of the malabrigo. The pattern was very well written.

So friends, I'm thinking about going out of my comfort zone, and trying to sell some of my handmade items. I've had the idea running through my head for years but I think the time has come to put it into action. Plus I could definitely use the extra money. We'll see what happens in the future...

another september post

I always intend to blog about knitting. About food. But I never remember to. Currently, I am enjoying the last of some cabernet (courtesy of the naked grape, I give it so-so reviews), just finished yet another episode of Mad Men & I find myself completely lost. I'm always trying to figure out what I'm doing. I wish I could look into the future and know now where things are supposed to go. I don't know how much longer I'll be able to stand my job. This town, really. I can't go anywhere without thinking of  my brother and sister-in-law. I obviously need a fresh start. But where? How will I survive without knowing so many people? I'm terrified of the future... yet, I can't wait for it to get here. I am sure I'm not the only one that feels this way. I can't be.

Knitting... always. Still working away on all the same things. My knitting speed has seemed to have gotten much slower these days, which is disappointing. I have so much yarn, and so many patterns, that I want to get to. Some day.

Food-wise, I'm going to try to start eating better. Today, I fail. I caved in and got breadsticks from Mancinos. But after this, something a bit healthier! I am going to try to cut out most meats. Occasional fish or chicken, but I'm thinking only those in my diet. I have no need for beef or pork. I'm also going to try to get more into vegetables and fruits. I've never been a huge fan of either, but perhaps I never had them the correct way. Who knows. We'll see how long I last. Probably not too long. But I'll just keep on trying.

I made apple "mush" today. It's supposed to be applesauce, but I don't smash it very much, and I like to put it on everything. I also got apple cider. Can you tell I'm ready for fall? Bring on sweaters, scarves and boots. I can't wait.

Also, my hairdresser totally butchered my hair this past week. It is so very short. Oh well, it's kind of growing on me. Ha, I wish...

birthday

I've been knitting a ton, I swear! I'm still working on that darn shawl, and the flippy mittens. I am a bit mad at the flippy mittens, they're just irritating. Otherwise I started a brambles beret from knitty in malabrigo. I always forget how much I love malabrigo until I start knitting with it again. I swear it's the most fantastic yarn on earth. I've also been dreaming about sewing, although I've been too lazy to get my butt in the "craft room" and do it.

Oh, and one last thing. Happy birthday to the best man I'll ever know. My papa. He's turning 69 today, I can hardly believe it.

hello, fall

I've been in a crafty mood lately. I've been finding things I'm wanting to knit up the wazoo. I did take a break from knitting to play with yarn and make this fantastic fall wreath. I'm thrilled that fall weather seems to be in the air and couldn't resist making this.



I have nothing else to update. I've been watching too much mad men, and dreaming about too many lives that aren't mine.

Always Neglected

You blog, you are always neglected by me. In a time when I could probably use you the most. Go figure. One day away from September. Seriously, where did the summer go? Time really does move faster as you get older. I have been keeping busy, for the most part. And knitting again! Don't believe me? Look.



I am much further than that now, but it's the only shot I have. These are the urban necessity mitts, or as I call them, flippy mitts. I wasn't too thrilled with the idea of doing individual fingers but it was so bad. I did hate sewing up the small holes made between each finger but it's something new for me. I'm also working on a shawl that I have been working on for way too many months. I get so burnt out by the long rows. It would probably help if I could get my knitting speed back up, I have slowed down a bit. Hopefully this fall weather will get me back into it.

I've also been cooking. And getting into cooking new things. Last night I had the best mussels ever. Next I'm looking at artichoke crusted chicken (I love artichokes) and Indian food. Hm, we'll see how that turns out! I figured I should expand my cooking horizons. Mostly so I'm not just eating pasta every night. Which I wouldn't really have a problem with. Yum.




I will try to update more. Especially if I'll be cooking more. I need to keep track of it all somewhere!

busy

Oh blog, I've been so busy and neglectful of you. As usual. Please meet my new friends to explain my absence.



I'm going out for my local roller derby team. What would a 5'0, 94 pound girl do that for? Why not. :) I haven't broken anything yet... just shin splints!

Knitting news, there hasn't been much. I've started a Penelope from Rebecca Danger for some friends of ours that recently had a baby, but haven't gotten around to finishing it. I am also ignoring my Peggy Sue because I hate the way the sleeves are turning out. I really should have smaller circulars to do things that small - I can't stand the way the dpns make it look.

I really will try to update more, because I want to. I really do. For now, happy knitting.. and skating. :)

FOs: Socks & Mittens

Hooray for new socks AND new mittens. Unfortunately it's been too cold to wear the mittens out. I've found that Patons CWM just doesn't stand up below freezing temperatures particularly well. So until the weather decides to get a bit warmer, I'll just be wearing them around the house on occasion! I still don't have a great photo of the Grove mittens. Also, it's true that it took me MONTHS to finish the Angee socks from Sock Innovation. I'm not too sure why. The pattern worked up quite easily. I think I just got caught up in other projects.





Currently I have a Seaman's Cap on the needles and really should be casting on for my nephew's baptism booties. I have the yarn and everything needed, I'm just lazy. It isn't happening until the first weekend of March so I've got a few weeks.

I really want to sew my own clothes. But I'm so scared of patterns. Ugh, how is one supposed to overcome this?

January ending

A post because I never post.

First off, a few book reviews. I finished My Sister's Keeper and could have thrown it across the room. I could not believe that it ended the way that it did. Really author? Did you have to go and ruin everything for me? I've read a few of Jodi Picoult's books before and I must have forgotten they are always so sad. It was a good read and refreshing to read about someone elses's insane life... even if it wasn't a true story. I also read Casting About, which isn't really worth talking about. It was quite a waste of time but I still read the entire book for some reason. Go figure. I've made another trip to the library and am taking on a new stack of books so I'll talk about this at a later time.

I'm nearly done knitting my Grove mitts. Just the thumb on the right hand to go and then I'll be finished. In time to enter them in the NaKniMitMo2011 group on flickr! I'm sure they won't get much attention but I made it my goal to finish them by the end of this month. I do enjoy the mitts however am not too keen on the yarn chosen. I think they would have been much better in Cascade 220 or Malabrigo. But I used what I had on hand and wanted something to match my Quincy hat anyway. I'm also nearing the toe on my second Angee sock. FINALLY. I never thought I'd see the day that happened. Tonight my sister-in-law asked me to knit a pair of booties for my nephew's baptism at the beginning of March. I feel honored, but am now in a panic. What pattern do I choose? Which yarn? Oh my. Thankfully booties are small and even if I spend weeks panicking, I will still have time to crank a pair out. I keep dreaming about knitting sweaters but my goodness, I must be the slowest knitter ever. And I never thought I was that slow. I can't even begin to figure out how some of these amazing knitters on ravelry create sweater after sweater after pair of socks! What?! You gals (and guys!) are my heros.

Still have plans to sew. Still have plans to learn to cook new delicious meals. So far this year I have been somewhat successful with a potato and leek soup. Not so successful with stuffed mushrooms. (However, it may be that we just don't like fungi around here.)

Moo wanted to pop in and see you off. Hope everyone is staying warm with all their wool goodies.

Reading & Knitting

I've been reading quite a bit. And wishing I was knitting more. Then trying to figure out how to read and knit at the same time. Eventually I'll figure it out. In the meantime, I'll write about what I just finished reading. I just finished "The Beach Street Knitting Society and Yarn Club" and while I thought it was a good, quick read I wouldn't recommend it if you were looking for something that had any meaning. It reminded me quite a bit of The Friday Night Knitting Club, but with an English twist. A good, ridiculous read if you just want to pass some time pretending you are in a different place. I'm currently reading My Sister's Keeper - which is definitely breaking my heart. In both a good and bad way. I'll let you know what I think once I finish it.

Knitting, I'm currently working on not enough. I wish I had at least two more projects on the needles right now. I'm way too anxious to have finished knits. My two main projects right now are Grove by brooklyntweed and Angee by Cookie A. Both patterns are stimulating enough, but I just have the urge to start a hat. And a Penelope the Empathetic Monster. And perhaps something from the MochiMochi book I checked out at the library. Here's a photo of Grove that I've got going. Not the best photo, nighttime knitting photo taken with my iPhone..


Life-wise, I'm most likely insane. It's getting close to being a year since I've lost my brother and sister-in-law and as much as I don't want it to affect me, it definitely is. My mind is constantly racing and I find myself fighting off those horrible feelings as I did before. A bit obnoxious and I wish I had more control over it. But how can someone control that type of situation?

Until next time!

Is that really you 2011?

I know, I always say it but it's so true. I am so terrible at blogging. But I'm going to try really hard to do better this year. Really. :) My other plans this year include knitting more, learning to cook better, reading more and worrying less. Probably a million other things but we will just start from there for now. So, because I knit so little this year I feel that I don't even deserve a mosiac to show off what I knit. However I do want to show off my new favorite hat!





The pattern is Quincy by the fabulous brooklyntweed. I used Patons Classic Wool Merino doubled because I loved the color and I had it in my stash. I'm not always a huge fan of Patons but this didn't turn out so bad. I absolutely loved the construction of this hat and it really jump started by urge to start knitting again.

I've also been sewing. Unfortunately I have no photos to show of that. I will also get better at taking photos of my sewing.

More to come soon.