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.

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.

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"!

slow knitting month...

In case you couldn't tell from the fact that this is only my 4th post this month, I haven't been knitting much. In turn, I haven't had much to say...well not much to say about knitting anyway. Ask my about my crazy mother, I'll tell you something. Ask me about the weather, I'll tell you it's hot and humid. And that's just it...The weather is throwing me off. All I want to do is sleep all the time. Even watching a movie feels like a chore.

So, it was a huge relief when I finished knitting B^4 last night! Yup, no more lugging around the beast. I'm going to weave in the ends tomorrow. Hopefully, I also have time to wash and block it.

Usually, this is the point when I would be looking forward to starting something new...Unfortunately, that's just not the case. I would like to work on one more cottony, summer project. And, I will most likely be Posy, since I've already done a swatch. I have lots of thoughts about what I want to make next, but I don't really have the drive. Maybe it will rain soon...

big bad baby boredom...

I picked up B^4 the other day after a two week hiatus. Once I realized that I wouldn't be able to complete the project in time for the baby shower, I lost motivation. I told the mother-to-be that I was knitting something else, but didn't mention that it was a blanket. I didn't want to ruin the surprise,and I had just seen her showered with several gift, including some of the softest baby blankets in the world.

This week, I received a thank you card from the parents-to-be. That was just the motivation I needed to return to knitting B^4. Don't get me wrong, I love the project. The best part of this blanket is its simplicity. You get a marvelous looking blanket using such simple stitches. At the same time, the worst is its simplicity! I had run amuck with so much stockinette and reverse stockinette. But, I'm getting back on track.

As of this morning, I still have 10 rows of the body and 20 rows of border to complete. I have decided to continue bringing this project with me to work...which, of course, sucks when it's 90+ degrees out. But, I'm truly focused finishing, and will not begin another project until this one is off the needles.

So, what have I learned? 1) Allow as much time as possible to complete B^4, or any other large, repetitive piece that is meant to be a gift. 2) To maintain interest and motivation, the next baby blanket I make as a gift will be a little more involved. 3) Don't knit large pieces on the bus in the middle of a DC summer!

new yarn...

I know that one of my big goals for this year is to reduce the size of my stash...But,I just couldn't help myself. Last week Elann had Silk City Perle 3/2 Cotton featured. At $11 per 500 gram cone -- 1,386 yds each -- I bought two! I got one cone in Henna, a deep red/brown, and Silver Sage, a light green. I'm not exactly sure what I'm going to do with them, but I wanted them.

I would consider using the Silver Sage to make Hush-Hush from last summer's Knitty. Or, perhaps I could get lucky with my gauge and make a cotton version of Rowan's Butterfly. Hmm, both projects seem so girlie. That doesn't really bother me as much as making sure I have somewhere to wear either one.

maya, i'm over here...

I didn't really go anywhere...I've just been a little to busy to blog. Right after the overwhelming family weekend, I went straight into 4th of July mode. This week, that included shopping for food for 8 people and packing it all up for transport to a cabin.

But, to round up the knitting haps...I did not finish the blanket on time for the shower. I should be finishing it up this week, if all goes well. The mother-to-be did enjoy the sweater, and I got several oooh's and aaah's from the other moms in attendance. I picked up Toledo over the weekend and went over it weaving in ends. I should have a finished picture some time this week. I also started the Fiery Bolero from this summer's Interweave.

Once I finish these projects, I will be wiping the slate clean. All of my other UFOs will be ripped out and returned to the stash. I know that sounds really serious, but there are only 2 projects that will be getting the axe.

There you have it...my update, in a nutshell.