i'm gonna build a log cabin...

A couple of months ago, a very good friend announced that he had just gotten engaged. Not only is Mr. I a friend, he was AF's best man. I quickly started to think of gifts that would be appropriate for the happy couple. I'm not so sure they will register anywhere, and I want the gift that I get them to be truly special...Of course what could be more special than something that I make myself? So, I'm going to make them a blanket.

Since I don't have many blanket patterns, I went searching the Interweb for inspiration. Needless to say, there was no shortage of inspiration. However, there was one blanket that stuck out from the rest...the log cabin! I'm not sure why this design appealed to me at first, but I was especially impressed with the version found here and possible designs being tested here. Pure genius!

So, I thought I'd try my hand at designing a Log Cabin blanket for the couple. So far, I've come up with this design:
I wanted the blocks to be organized, but still a little random looking. Also, the colors are nothing like what I'm envisioning...I be working in three shades or brown that I bought from Elann at the end of last year.

Oh, and speaking of log cabins...This is where you'll find me this weekend. Perhaps, I'll start my Log Cabin a the cabin.

nothing but trouble...

I really hate to admit it, but my Gatsby Girl has been nothing but trouble for me. So far, I have had to re-knit one of the sleeves...the picot edge didn't match on the two. I knit a majority of the back twice...I forgot to change needle sizes after the picot edge. As I came close to the armhole shaping on the front, I decided to compare it to the back...They're the same length, even though my notes tell me that I have another 10 rows to knit before starting my shaping!

I have literally taken the project, balled it up, and thrown it in a bag. I just don't know how I'm going to deal with this. I'm so tired of 1x1 ribbing. And, I can think of nothing more torturous than having to restart this project...Perhaps what I need is some distance from Gatsby girl. You know, some time to reflect on my options.

Remember, I said that I would finish my UFOs from last year before moving on to the 1st seven of '07...But, would Gatsby be a UFO if I have to restart it? What if I move this project from the UFO list to the 1st seven list? Does that count as cheating?

Oh well...While Gatsby waits in purgatory, I have picked up Butterfly after a very long hiatus. It took some time to decipher my pattern notes and figure out where I had left off, but I'm heading in the right direction. I have a few more rows to knit, and this one will be blocking in no time.

picture of the week...

Here's my progress on the back of the Gibson Girl Pullover. I snapped this right before walking out the door this morning. I'm done with all of the shaping and will be starting the lace pattern soon. All I can say is that I'll be happy when I'm done with the cabling and 1x1 ribbing. This is the last piece so with any luck, and would love to finish this project by the end of the month...too ambitious?

continuing resolution...

Knit Year resolutions...I have been trying to decide whether to participate in some kind of yarn diet this year. It would be the third year in a row to begin with a yarn diet. Instead of looking for reasons why I should be part of a yarn diet, I looked for reasons why not to...As you could imagine, there were very few reason why I shouldn't.

Next, I started thinking of projects that I've been wanting to knit for a while. It wasn't too hard to think of projects that I had already bought yarn for. I also have yarn that will be very easy to find a pattern for. So, I will be yarn dieting, again.

This years rules:

1. The 1st seven of '07/Knit-From-Your-Stash will continue until all seven projects are complete
2. I will not buy yarn during that period, with the following exceptions:
   2.a. Sock yarn does not count. (taken from Wendy & L-B)
   2.b. If I am knitting something and run out of yarn, I may purchase enough to complete the project
   2.c. I get one "Get Out of Jail Free" card (taken from Wendy & L-B) -- will most likely use this around birthday time.
3. I must complete 2006 UFOs before casting on for 2007 projects

The list:

• Log Cabin Throw (tbd, wedding gift for a friend)
• Michael Kors Aran tee (Vogue Knitting, Holiday 2005)
• Starsky (Knitty, Winter 2005)
• Fiery Bolero (Interweave, Summer 2005)
• Ene's Scarf (Scarf Style)
• Deep V Argyle Vest (Eunny Yang)
• Hush Hush (Knitty, Summer 2004)

I also resolve to post a leat one knitting picture to the blog each week. Things are very busy Chez needleGirl, but I should be able to snap at least one quick picture a week...Afterall, I did get myself a new digital camera for something.

blue monday...

I'm three weeks in to the new year, and it's been a very slow start. Although, today is supposed to be the most depressing day of the year, I'm feeling pretty good.

I don't have any debt! I was able to get through Christmas without overspending on gifts. We paid off the rest of the wedding bills. And, I got a new couch! Thanks to generous wedding gifts. The only other purchase I have to deal with is getting a new set of wheels...skates that is.

I did make resolutions for the year. They are not knitting related, so I have not posted them here. As much of a struggle as resolutions can be, I'm doing pretty good at sticking to mine. I have to remember that resolutions are meant to be a goal for the entire year, not just the month of January.

I have been working out my knitting resolutions, and hope to have those up very soon.

Book Sale...

I'm hoping to free up some space on my bookshelf. Actually, I'm trying to limit the amount of knitting books that I own. I know that I couldn't possibly knit everything in every book, so I want to weed out a few. So, I am offering the following books at 50% off the cover price plus actual shipping costs (tbd once I know where you're at).

Stitch 'N Bitch: The Knitter's Handbook ($7 + shipping)
Stitch 'n' Bitch Nation ($8 + shipping)
Hip to Knit ($9.5 + shipping)
The Yarn Girls' Guide to Simple Knits ($15 + shipping)
100 Afghan Squares to Knit ($12.50 + shipping)

These are all in excellent/almost new condition. If you're interested in any of these please book leave me a comment, including contact info, and I will be in touch. I will accept payment through PayPal or by money order.

Happy (belated) New Year!

I've wanted to do a year-end wrap up post for a couple of weeks now. Unfortunately, every time I sit down to do it I realize that I would like to post some pictures along with it...no pictures have meant no post. argh!

I also want to write a post about projects that I'm going to work on this year, but I feel that should come after the year-in-review post. double-argh!

So, I'm just dropping by to wish everyone a Happy New Year!