Wednesday, August 31, 2005

i want a new template...

I just don't have time to sit down and think about what I want it to look like. I really just need to sit down and sketch some ideas out...wish I weren't so busy. Perhaps I'll have to move this on to my to-do list. Maybe once work slows down next month, I'll be able to devote time to a re-design.

Tuesday, August 30, 2005

another endurance challenge...

I'm thinking of starting a project that could very well consume all of my knitting time from now through November (or longer). My brother and his wife are expecting their first child in late-November. They know that they are having a boy. And, from what I understand, they have starting talking about names, but affectionately refer him as Boy...I guess you would have to know my brother.

Anyway, when they got married this spring, they said they didn't want gifts. Part of me wanted to get them something, but nothing on their registry screams for me to buy it. So, I'm thinking I'd like to do something special for Boy. How special, you might ask...

Image hosted by Photobucket.com*

How about Debbie Bliss' Alphabet Block Baby Blanket special? I've been thinking about this for a while. Heck, I've even bought the book already. The entire body of the blanket is charted out over something like 4 pages. Then the border is knit onto the body. I think this will hold my interest a little better than making another B^4.

The blanket is knit with Wool/Cotton, which I guess is (being) discontinued. Both WEBS and Jimmy Beans still have some in stock. I should order the yarn soon, and plan on starting once Posy hits the blocking board.

*Oh, and, it's completely possible that Boy will look like the child in this picture. My mom loves to tell everyone about how my bro was born with a full head of curly hair.

posy zips right along...

So far, posy is turning out to be a perfect late-summer knit. I'm using yarn from my stash, so I'm saving money that can be spent on yummy, fall knits. It's cotton, so it's not scratchy and it's easy to carry along with me. And, it knits up pretty quickly. This is turning out to be a very simple lace pattern...once I got the hang of it. I've managed to get through most of the increases for the back without having to backtrack.

Friday, August 26, 2005

gettin' my groove back...

I didn't get as much knitting done last weekend as I thought I would. But, I've been making up for it this week. I've been bringing my knitting with me on the bus to work again. Honestly, I think this is the most productive time of the day.

I've been working on Posy. So far, I have finished both sleeves. (Thank goodness for short sleeves). And, I have started the back. I'm not really sure what to think at this point. The 1x1 ribbed band looks pretty narrow. Stretchy, but narrow. Part of me is fearful that this project will be too small. Unfortunately, another part would rather deal with it being too small than go back on re-knit 30 rows of 1x1 rib using size 1 needles. I think we all know which side is going to win!

Oh well, I'm glad I'm knitting again. Now all I need to do is get in the habit of including pix in my posts.

Thursday, August 18, 2005

knitting news!

Okay, I'm trying to break out of the slump. So, I'm taking baby steps.

1st - I have started Posy. Mine will be black with light blue trim...very functional. The lace pattern is easy to follow, though I wouldn't say I have it memorized. So far, I have a sleeve and a half. I'm taking this with my on my road trip this weekend.

2nd - Another LAST-MINUTE KNITTED GIFTS rant. This weekend, I'm going to a bridal shower. The bridesmaid who arranged it decided to have Christmas theme. Everyone is supposed to bring an ornament for the couple's first Christmas tree. I set about making an ornament like the ones that I made my mom last year. Well, when it came time to insert the bulb, the f#*king thing broke!

I had to think fast...so, I picked up the aforementioned book and quickly decide that I would make the mini-sweater ornament. It is in the section of one-hour gifts. You'll never guess how much time I spent making a little green and white striped sweater! I started last night and got to the point where you join the pieces at the yoke. That, alone, took a little over an hour. I finished knitting it this morning before leaving for work. I was then left with a disproportionately large number of ends that needed to be woven in. I got most of those done on the bus to work. And sewed up the sides at my desk...Thankfully I got to the office early.

All in all, I would say close to three hours were spent! Once again, I find that these are great last-minute gifts, but don't believe the times in the book!

3rd - I got my copy of the new Rowan! I <3 Rowan. I can't wait for it to cool off so I can make Tara or Pandora or Electra! In the meanwhile, I might make the scarf that came as a gift for renewing.

Wednesday, August 10, 2005

non-knitting news...

I'm not sure what happened. Once I finished B^4, my knitting streak was broken. I had been knitting daily for the last few years. But, somehow, the flame blew out. Now, before this starts to sound too negative, I'd like to say that there has been some knitting. Just not much.

I've been driven to distraction by another project, of sorts. Since the wedding I attended in the spring, there's been a lot of buzz in my BF's family. His step-brother is getting married in October...leaving my BF and his younger brother as the single siblings. Well, his mom set her sights on us as her next project. Yup, she's ready for us to get married. At first, it felt kind of like she was meddling...But, over the last few months, I could tell that BF was getting very excited. So excited that he just couldn't keep it to himself. (BTW, my BF can't keep a secret to save his life!)

Then,at the end of June, BF's mom gave him her mother's engagement ring. I know this, because he told me, and he showed it to me. (Really, he can't keep a secret) But, he didn't propose when he showed me the ring. Nope. Another month went by.

Well, two weekends ago, it happened. The two of us rented a cabin near Shenandoah, and he "popped the question"!