FO: Ishbel the Second

Pattern: Ishbel
Yarn: Araucania Ranco Solid
Needles: Size 7
Thoughts: Obviously I adore this pattern, this is the second Ishbel I've made! I would absolutely make it again. And again. Especially since after making it, and being extremely frustrated about the curling that was going on with it even after blocking, a lovely fellow "raveler" let me know that I may be doing something wrong in my knitting/purling. So I looked it up. And what do you know, I've been purling wrong ever since I first taught myself to knit! (I suppose that it what you get for teaching yourself, ha.) Turns out I've been purling through the back loop the whole time I was supposed to be purling through the front. Oh well. Now I know. I still love everything that has been knit with twisted stitches. :)



I've also learned to crochet! Ah, so fun. :) I am working away at a giant granny square blanket and loving it. I love granny squares. I'm using probably the ugliest combination of colors but it's just acrylic I have laying around in my stash. What a great way to use it up. I can't believe how much faster yarn seems to be used up in crochet than knitting. Kind of crazy.

FO: End of May Mittens

New Mittens! Hooray!


Pattern: End of May Mittens (rav link!)
Yarn: Cascade 220 & a tad bit of KP Palette for cuff
Needles: Size 3 dpn
Thoughts: LOVE!! Such a great pattern. Have had so many compliments from people. And hints that they may also like a pair of these amazing looking mittens. They are very warm and I love the brightness of the green. Or I just love green. :D I would absolutely make this pattern again.



Speaking of green, I've cast on for another Ishbel. In green. I'm really pushing to get it done for the end of the month so I can use it for Feb in my 10 Shawls in 2010 group but it's not looking promising. The loooong purl rows just slow me down way too much. There's got to be a faster way to purl! Well anyhoo, I'm loving the way it's coming out and can't wait to finish it and wear it everywhere.

Here's a photo of Duncan to finish this post. He's kind of cute, even though he woke me up at 5:45 this morning to eat.

A Lack of Words

Yesterday I lost two of the most amazing people I know. My brother and sister-in-law were murdered in their own home. I don't really know what to say about it. I'm still in a state of shock and am trying to be strong for my father. He is the one that found them. I can't imagine the pain that he is going through. I know not many people actually read my blog, but for those who do, and perhaps those who just randomly come across it... please keep my family in your thoughts and prayers. No matter who or what you pray to. And please don't let petty things cause trouble between you and your loved ones. You really don't know how much time you have left.

"If tears could build a stairway, and memories a lane, I'd walk right up to heaven and bring you home again" I will never stop thinking of either of you.

A Dog Slave

I have become what I said I would never be. A slave to my dog. He has me wrapped around his little finger. Or, paw. But really, how can you resist this face?

Neglecting Knitting?! Oh No!

Of course I am not intentionally neglecting my knitting. I have just stumbled upon a new obsession.



Meet my latest obsession. A sewing machine. *cue scary music* Seriously, what was I thinking? I wasn't. I bought it on a whim, at Joann Fabrics. I don't even know why I went in the store in the first place... but all of a sudden I was walking out with a Singer Simple. On sale for $99. (Could anyone really pass this up?) So, after getting it home and unwrapping everything I decide to watch the dvd a few times to see if it will help any. I watch it over. And over. And yup, again and again. Somehow I still mess up sewing and spend a ton of time just cussing at the stupid thing. Turns out I kept forgetting to put my foot down on the fabric and the thread kept bunching up the back. Oops.

Now I can't stop reading sewing books. Sewing blogs. Looking at pictures of homemade sewn items! I've taken on a few things so far, but nothing earth-shattering. A bag from Bend the Rules in which I forgot to fold down the top edges and it now has a rough edge. A tiny bag for my sister-in-law for her ITouch. And a headband, for me. Which is far from perfect. But I pretty much love it. :)






That is all for now. It's Sunday evening and all I have been doing is sewing and blogging! Now it is time to relax and enjoy my glass of wine for as long as I can before passing out on the couch...

a new year

I did not get a chance to post about Ishbel before the new year snuck up on me! I really did finish it in time, even before Christmas. Which is good, considering it was a Christmas present. And well received, I'd say. She changed her shirt to match the color so she could wear it that day. Woot. :) Always nice to see your knits appreciated.


Pattern: Ishbel (ravelry link)
Yarn: Bristol Yarn Gallery Buckingham, about one and half skeins (Just to add in that this yarn is very soft and I am so glad I was able to snag something so cozy at my extremely LYS... that is more of a sewing store)
Needles: Size 6
Thoughts: Loved the pattern, was fairly easy to memorize. However I'm still pretty sure I got off a stitch or two near the end. But you can't really tell. I will definitely give this pattern another go sometime. Probably in the near future, since I have joined the 10 shawls in 2010 group on ravelry! (When I told K this, he whined and said "No more SHAWWWWWS. Join the 10 scarfs/hats and mittens for boyfriend group!")

2009... I will give it a thumbs up. It was pretty good to me.

This year should be filled with wonderful things as well. Lots of knitting plans....

Duncan

This is Duncan.


We rescued him from Pet Refuge. He's between 3-4, and the vet said she'd bet everything that he is a full blooded english lab. He is pretty awesome... even though he looks at me like he is so much wiser than me.