Monday, February 28, 2005

lost in translation...


Even though I am working from the English translation of my Phildar pattern, I find it necessary to take out pen and paper to work out the instructions. The sleeve shaping is fairly simple, but written really badly. The sleeves also have neck shaping at the top. And those instructions are even worse:

"Dec one st at beg of foll 2 alt rows AT THE SAME TIME casting off at beg of next and every foll alt row 3st (1 time) and 4st (2 times) then cast off rem 2 st."

To add insult to injury, the instructions for the left sleeve include my favorite saying, "work to match right sleeve, reversing neck shaping." It's a good thing that I like a challenge!

Friday, February 25, 2005

knit along/perfect with bridesmaid dress?


During lunch, I flipped through the Rebecca mag...I love it! Conveniently, there's a knit along starting up in March. What do you think of this little wrap sweater?

I think it would be great! Just a little something to cover my shoulders. I wish you could see the other pictures...The model is wearing it with a lacey shirt and jeans! I see some potential for multi-season wear. This design is definitely in the running.

why to not use media mail...


Back on the 2nd, I ordered the new Rebecca magazine from an eBay seller. When I went through the checkout process, I noticed that they offered shipping by media mail. I usually don't mind media mail. I have ordered books and cds, had them shipped media mail, and had them on my doorstep in as little as 4 days. And, the postal service says that it takes 7-10 days.

Well, after 22 days, I have my copy of the Spring Rebecca! This was, of course, no fault of the seller. I got shipping confirmation and tracking info the day after I placed my order...gold star for SuperCrafty; needs improvement for the usps.

Thursday, February 24, 2005

new start...


Since my yarn diet is in full swing and I'm itching for spring projects, I took a dive into my stash over the weekend. I didn't have to look very far before settling on my newest project...Actually, I was sitting right on top of the rubbermaid where I keep my yarns.

It's time to Onde! Thankfully, the Ombré effect hasn't become too passé in the last year. I'm going to be making this top in the colorway that transitions from a denim blue to an almost sky blue.


I swatched and got gauge the first time...always a good feeling. As you can see from this swatch, the fabric that Onde creates is bumpy, almost popcorn like. It is also fairly soft and springy.

I have already started the first sleeve. The are knit using the solid color, so it's kind of boring. Once I get to the body, I'll get to see the colors change as I knit...like magic!

Tuesday, February 22, 2005

open to suggestions...


My BF's sister is getting married in May, and has asked me to be one of her bridesmaids. I graciously said yes, of course. So, since November, I have been waiting to see what style of dress I would be wearing. Finally, last weekend, she picked the dress.

She was in Florida (where the ceremony will be) and went to the bridal store to look for her gown...and, while she was at it, the bridesmaids dresses. She chose them herself, with input from her mom...but, none of the bridesmaids. The price was already reasonable, and they talked the shop into giving us 10% off since the entire wedding party will be shopping there. So, here's the dress:


Here's the catch...The color she chose is called Caribbean Blue. The wedding and reception are going to be on the beach, and I think I want to make a sweater or wrap that I can put on once the ceremony is over. This is where you come in...I need suggestions (both for color and style). I want something that will show off the dress but still keep me from shivering my butt off once the sun goes down.

extra long weekend...


It was really hard to come back to work this morning. Even though I didn't do anything really exciting with my last 5 days off, I really enjoyed doing "nothing".

I was able to finish knitting mon petit chou. All of the ends are woven in and the only thing left is go get the ribbon...I see a trip to the fabric store in the future. Sorry, ladies (and gentlemen), I will not be modeling this little number. :P

I also knit up a quick toy for the new kitten. My BF and I went to Petco to buy all of the cat supplies. We didn't buy too many toys at this point since the prices at Petco seemed a bit high, but I'm sure we'll buy more next time we go pick up food. Unfortunately, we didn't get to bring her home this weekend (read all about it).

Friday, February 18, 2005

out of action...


Yesterday I had to stay home from work due to sickness. I made a little progress on mon petit chou and the project I'm working on for my Secret Pal. Then, midway through the morning I felt too tired to knit anymore.

I rested for a lot of the day so that I would have enough energy to go to the shelter once my BF got home from work. And, I'm so glad I did. We found a cat to adopts.

I went to sleep at nine last night and slept 'til about eight this morning. Today will be spent cleaning the house and shopping for kitty stuff.

Tuesday, February 15, 2005

not knitting related...


I'm currently looking to adopt a cat, and have been going around the apartment trying to get it ready to bring home a little critter. Unfortunately, our first choice kitty -- who we met on Sunday at the shelter -- is no longer available. They said that owners have 5 days to claim a pet that is brought in to the shelter. And, Sunday was the last day...Well, I got a call this morning letting me know that the owners came in today (day 7). So, the good news is that the cat gets to go back to it's comfy home...the bad new is that I have to go look for another kitty.

I think my BF and I are going to go check out the shelter again on Thursday night. We'll play with some of the cats we didn't look at on our first visit and maybe there will be some new rescues as well. If we don't fine one there we might try another area shelter or rescue.

coolest thing...


Today, I got to see my secret pal show off the package I sent last week...This is my first time doing an SP, and it feels really good to see such a small gesture appreciated!

Monday, February 14, 2005

3rd time's a charm...


Over the weekend, I cast on for the top of mon petit chou. Last summer when the pattern was first released by Knitty, I quickly bought yarn and started knitting this project. It took me 3 tries before I got the bottom right. The first time, I kept running into pattern problems. The second time, my gauge was too tight. Since I wasn't used to working with elastic, I kept pulling the stitches tight. Finally, I relaxed and was able to finish the bottom.

Then I cast on for the top. I was quickly heading down the same path. After starting the top, I read about some corrections to the pattern. Then the second attempt was thwarted by choosing the wrong size for the top. So, it got ripped again and was placed on the back burner. Well, before casting on again, I thought I would go back to Knitty to see if anything else had changed. Am I ever glad I did! There have been more corrections made since last July. So, I printed out an updated version, and I'm ready to go!

Friday, February 11, 2005

yarn diet update...


I've been so good! There have been 41 days this year and I haven't bought any yarn. For some reason, I still have the habit of looking for deals. So far, I haven't acted on the urge to buy yarn online. I have ordered new magazines though, hoping that I will be able to make something using the yarns already in my stash.

Unfortunately, I'm going to be faced with a huge challenge this weekend. There's a new yarn store opening in the city this weekend. And, just my luck, I already have plans to be in that neighborhood on Saturday. And, to top it off, I have already received my tax refund and I can feel the money screaming to be spent.

Just 56 days left...Someone give me some willpower!

Thursday, February 10, 2005

clapotis est fini...


I actually finished clapotis over the weekend while playing Scrabble with my BF and my friend Matt. (hmm, that didn't sound too dorky did it?) When I finished loosening all of the dropped stitches, Matt took a picture of me with the finished product. Unfortunately, he hasn't emailed me that picture yet. I'll post it as soon as I get it from him.

The finished product looks great, but it's a bit short. I was able to do six of the seven increase repeats and all of the "straight" repeats. Also, the tighter gauge made my Clapotis into a wide scarf, not a large wrap, like other bloggers.

Wednesday, February 09, 2005

another holiday in the making...


I'm in the process of putting together a package for my Secret Pal...Actually, it will be the first package that I send her. It's still too early to have a knitted gift to send, but I want to send something. So, as suggested in the FAQs, I'm going to turn into a Secret Valentine!

Gee, I wish I could say more, but I don't want to give myself away. With any luck, I'll make it to the post office tomorrow and the surprise arrive in time for Valentine's Day.

Kung hei fat choi!


Happy New Year! I hope everyone has a healthy and propsarous year of the Rooster. And, in case you're wondering what kind of fortune this year has in store, you can get your forecast.

under the weather...


there's a bug going around DC right now, and I think I'm next on the hit list. Yesterday night, my BF got home from his apprenticeship class looking like death warmed over. He told me that he had felt so bad that he left work after only 2 hours. He went home and slept, eating next to nothing all day. Thankfully, we had made some chicken soup for dinner the night before...I made him have a bowl of that and then put him to sleep for the night. Also, two of my co-workers were off yesterday, one more called in sick today...and there are waves of coughing up and down the hall.

This morning I woke up feeling a bit sluggish but now too bad. Well, now that I'm at work, I can feel the sickness taking hold. I feel almost like a sitting duck.

Monday, February 07, 2005

cleaning house...


That's what I did this weekend. The last few weeks have been pretty hectic at work. So, unfortunately, I had been putting off chores. That's all over now! My apartment is spic & span.

I also took a look at my pile of UFOs. I need to decide what to finish and what to frog. I'm pretty sure that Marsha (my oldest UFO) will be heading for the frog pond. I just can't see myself picking this project up again after a year off. I'm going to aim to finish my remaining UFOs (Peggy, Mon Petit Chou & Daisy) in February...It will be my own personal finishing party!

Wednesday, February 02, 2005

more signs of spring...


1. It's Groundhog's Day. Punxsutawney Phil says just 6 more weeks of Winter.

2. Coincidentally, just six weeks til Maya comes to visit for her Spring Break!

3. Rebecca has put out their Spring/Summer issue! And, I was able to buy a copy on ebay!

it's on...


I got my first message from my Secret Pal (or shall I say my Amica Clandestina). Thanks for the note!

And, in the spirit of SP4, I'm starting to think of things to do for my Pal. I definitely want to knit something for her. So, there will be some secret knitting going on soon.

Tuesday, February 01, 2005

i heart Rowan...


Just in case you haven't heard, Rowan has a preview of their Spring/Summer issue on their site. I love it! This is the one thing that's going to make it hard to stick to my yarn diet...which, until now, has been pretty easy.

Some of my favorites include Toledo, Trek, Butterfly, and Martha. In addition, there are a handful of cute bags/purses that coordinate with some of the sweater patterns.