#8 and #9

Finishing Friday had two more items included - #8 and #9 of the advent calendar mittens. Number 10 is on needles and I'm trying to figure out what color is next in the scheme. I'm doing my best to use what is in my stash.

I think my #8 turned out pretty well - embroidery is not that easy.

I'm almost done with the raglan part of my Ingenue. I'll post pictures soon - I might have to start trying it on with my wonderful tubing my knitting sister gave me...I recommend the 2 yard size.

Finishing Friday!

Yes, it is here - Finishing Friday! Presenting my finished baby blanket for my sister who is due in a week or so. Just in time. Now, my daughter keeps asking "how do you know she's having a boy" and I had to explain to her that I didn't want to make a mint green or yellow blanket - I wanted something with strong color. My sister's two older kids have BIG blue eyes so I'm expecting this blanket will go with those eyes.













My mom follows my blog and she thought the color is perfect. She is heading out to California in a few weeks to be with my sister and help out. She promised she'd wrap the baby up in this blanket - maybe she'll take a picture and I can post the bundle of joy wrapped in a blanket made with love.

WIP Wednesday - one in the home stretch!

Another snow day so lots of knitting happening. I'm cranking on my baby blanket and it is almost done. I'm on my last row of blocks and then just have the garter stitch border and it will be finished. I'm aiming to post it for Finishing Friday.



My Ingenue is trucking along. I'm still doing the increases for the raglan sleeves and am almost at the point where I start the body. Some wonderful comments and discussion on my post about Fudging It on my Ingenue. Seems like fudging is okay and I definitely can't see where I forced in an extra increase...good thing it is dark yarn.















I had some substitute teaching this week and in between classes or while the kids are reading, I knit and read. I cranked out number 8 mitten but didn't embroider it yet. Number 9 is on needles now...I sub tomorrow and should finish that off too.

So, while all this snow is great for my knitting, I'm ready for summer - aren't you?

Scattergories

While reading Julie's blog, I thought I'd give this a whirl. Am trying to post more often and since I'm subbing a lot this week I won't have a lot of knitting for a day or two. So, here goes...

Use the first letter of your name to find a word for each of the following:

Your Name - Estella
Four letter word - Edge
Boy name - Elliot (my nephew's name)
Girl name - Emelyn (a family name I wanted to name Miss America but DH declined)
Occupation - Educator
Color - Eggplan
Beverage - Eggnog (yuck)
Something found in a bathroom - EPT (not in ours though)
Place - Europe
Reason for being late - Everything related to kids
Food - Eggs (I'm using the egg thing a lot, huh?)
Something you shout - EEEK!

Fudging It

I'm knitting along on my Ingenue and checking my stitch count every now and then. I get to a count and realize I'm off by 1 stitch while increasing for the raglan...what to do? Since I've been counting as I go along, I just fit in another increase as soon as I can - to put it simply I fudge it. I had the same problem with my Braided Pullover - a few too many stitches - so again I fudged it rather than pull out all that cabling.

So, what do you do in a case like this? I guess I could say I'm lazy but I know if it was really off I'd be ripping it out. One stitch - no big deal.

Oops!

I realized I took a picture of Ingenue INSIDE OUT! Here is the right side...much better, more interesting texture. I think this stitch would make a wonderful cowl. When I picked up this last night I realized I did a whole section wrong so I had to rip out 8 rows of knitting. Now I'm back on track.













I also read about this cool tool which was introduced at TNNA. The Knit Kit - coming out in March. Kind of clever...especially with the crochet hook tucked in the side and the stitch counter with a lock (I always accidentally click mine when I put it away). They are suggested retail for around $20. Hmmm...maybe I can ask for one for my birthday in May. I won't ask my knitting sister though as I might not get it until next January!

WIP Wednesday

Okay, here are the pictures I would have taken yesterday if it weren't for the fender bender. Funny thing is I told my DH about how I had 1 1/2 hours to kill while waiting for the police to come and take a report. I spent the time cleaning out my purse, wallet, glove box - his comment was "too bad you didn't have your knitting...you wouldn't have minded the long wait". Boy, does he have my number! NOTE TO SELF: Keep knitting of some sort in the car for emergencies!

Here is my Ingenue - I'm just on the neck now. I LOVE the detail of this stitch.

My sister's baby blocks blanket - this is great mindless knitting and is coming along quickly. The color is growing on me...if she has a girl I might put the baby's initials or first initial in pink on a corner block.

This is the Lutea Lace-Shoulder Shell. I had to put it down for a while as the needles I'm using are the same size as for the baby blanket and Ingenue. I can't justify a third set of size 9 Addi Turbos...tempting as it may be. This has some definite waist shaping...I added more as I tried it on as I went along and felt it needed it.

That's all for now!

Why I don't have pictures to show you

This morning was all mapped out...get the kids on the bus, walk the dog, get gas, go grocery shopping, post knitting pictures on the blog, go to the library and then substitute teach in a half day afternoon.

Well around 8:30 as I found out one gas station wasn't open (step 3 on the list) I pulled back onto the road and was heading to another gas station when a big Boars Head Meat truck pulled into my lane trying to go around a stopped car. I slammed on the brakes and next thing you know I'm rear-ended by someone.

No one was hurt, the truck kept going and this poor woman and I were stuck dealing with a morning mess. I will tell you that a Toyota Sienna fares better than a Toyota Prius. Her car's front end was crumpled in and had to be towed away. My car has some heavy scratches on the bumper. After waiting for over an hour for a police car to come and write the report, I got on with my morning.

Got gas, got groceries, ate a quick lunch, hit the library and then went to substitute teach - so in the order of my day I got almost everything done except take pictures and post them on my knitting.

Tomorrow is another day, Scarlett.

A Knitter's Rant

I have a little bit of a rant this morning. Picture putting on your new favorite sweater which you've spent a few months knitting. Then you go to put on a winter coat (it IS freezing out) and your new sweater SNAGS on the Velcro. Or rather the Velcro comes out like a pirahna and ATTACKS your sweater or your lovingly made scarf. Must coats have so much Velcro??? As a mom, I loved Velcro sneakers. As a knitter, I HATE Velcro on my coat.

End of rant. Tomorrow pictures.

My Bounty from Little Knits

Well the mailman brought me a bounty from both my sister and Little Knits. Yesterday I showed you my sister's gift and today I'm showing what I ordered from Little Knits. All this yarn was on sale and I only ordered stuff I had something in mind to make.

First this Uruguay Chunky to make another cowl or mittens (Bella's Mittens are speaking to me right now but I might use the yarn from my sister...or make 2 pairs).


This Debbie Bliss Cathay is to make this sweater (ravery link) - it was on such a deep discount I couldn't resist.

















Lastly, my yarn to make Ingenue - Ella Rae Classic.

I just cast on for the baby blanket and I know I have to swatch for Ingenue right away too. There just aren't enough knitting hours in the day are there?

What a Yarnful Wonderful Day

Two posts in one day! What a concept!










Neither rain, sleet nor snow (nor 90 minute delay, lots of traffic due to the snow and car accidents) could keep me from my sit and knit date with Jennifer. This time to sit, knit, continue a blogging/email conversation was long in the plans and so much fun.

Jennifer has a wonderful Knit Nook which is full of yarns, patterns, inspiration (my daughter loved seeing the bookcases of colors). Thank you Jennifer for a lovely morning - we will plan another sit and knit soon!

Jennifer is working on a baby blanket and it inspired me to whip up one for my sister who is expecting in February. I went to the LYS on the way home and came back with some Berroco Comfort which is inexpensive, washable and dryable...all good things for a 3rd child.












My bounty increased even further when I got home and found a package containing my birthday present from my knitting sister, Beth. Now mind you my birthday WAS in MAY! I completely forgot about the belated gift and she could have waited and gifted it to me this year...one year I got my present when Miss America had her birthday in October but this year she broke the record.

It was well worth the wait! Lovely Saphira yarn which will look great in a Just Enough Ruffles scarf I think, some fun glasses for my knitting (a little stronger than I wear but it will be good for detail work) and some starfish earrings.

The bounty continued with a delivery of the yarn I ordered last week...I'll post that tomorrow. Why can the mailman spread out such fun deliveries???

Must be the snow and cold...

The snow and cold have me thinking of Christmas! I know we just got over that holiday and I should be looking ahead to Valentine's Day (NOT a favorite of mine - a Hallmark holiday) or Easter (a definite favorite of mine even over Christmas). However, I got an email from Knitting Daily and this was mentioned - Father Christmas by Ann Budd. It's on Ravelry here.

I think I'll make him this summer - he really is cute.

Today we have snow and cold and a delay for school - I'm hoping it doesn't mess up my sit and knit plans with Jennifer.

It keeps growing and growing

Here are the first 6 mittens for the advent calendar I'm making. It is a bit addicting working on these and I already have #7 done just not embroidered. At this rate I could make 2 of these before Christmas!

Tomorrow I have a sit and knit date with Jennifer - we were supposed to meet in December but #1 son got the stomach flu and there went that plan! I'm looking forward to it and to meeting Wilma her dog.

I just got an email saying my yarn for Ingenue has shipped - I hope I can cast on by this weekend.

Time to Delurk

I was on Julie's blog and she pointed out today is Delurking Day! So, I'm here to tell you to leave a comment, say hello, de-lurk! Would love to hear from you.

BTW, the graphic gave me the giggles so I had to join in!

3 Down, 21 to Go!

Okay, I'm loving this project! No rush, plenty of time, and quick little knits for when I need to fill the gap between big projects. Mindless knitting - got to love it! There is a method to this color selection...can you guess what color the next mitten will be?

I think I'm going to have to rip out the embroidery for the #2 - it can be better.

I'm still waiting for my yarn to start Ingenue. I've cast on for Lutea Lace Shoulder Shell and will post pictures soon. I'm about 1/3 done and should have more to show after today's football games (GO GIANTS!).

Some searching, some input and a decision

I've decided to go with Ingenue - both Kimberly and Jennifer suggested it. I had liked the pattern since I first saw it.

So I went online to find an affordable way to make it and ended up with five skeins of Ella Rae Classic in Deep Sapphire Blue Heather. It was on sale for $3.25 a skein - you can't beat that!

Until my yarn arrives, I'm working on the Adventskalendar which I first saw on Leslie's blog and have completed two mittens so far. My numbers are different sizes but I can't worry about it - freehand embroidery isn't easy.
















I think I'm going to cast on either Camisa or Lutea too - I have some Berroco Touche I've been looking to use and I could wear it when I visit my parents in Florida this spring.

Okay, now I'm off to knit before the darlings get home. We had an ice storm today and I was really surprised they had school - while the main roads are fine side roads and driveways require ice skates!

Help! I don't know what to make now!?!

Oh, I'm in a quandry, at a loss for inspiration...I just don't know what to knit next. Part of me wants a cardigan, part of me wants a pullover...I'm all over the place. I've been searching on Ravelry, in my magazines, books, etc. and I just don't know what to make.
Some contenders shown in order here:
Amused





Drops Tailored Cardigan (have any of you done a Drops pattern?)




Mr. Greenjeans

















Ingenue




















I'm looking for something fast, satisfying to knit, warm for use soon. I'd love your input, advice, suggestions, inspiration...HELP! I've spent so much time trying to figure out what to make.

How do I love thee, Braided Pullover, let me count the ways!

Okay, self timers and my camera don't begin to do this sweater justice! I love my Braided Pullover (Interweave Knits Fall 2008). I used Berroco Ultra Alpaca and started in September. Due to a glitch in stitch count, I got afraid and put it down (and knit a bunch of other stuff). When Miss America got sick with pneumonia and I was housebound, I picked it back up and I'm so glad. I finished just yesterday (football playoffs are great for my knitting output).

This sweater fits like a dream, it is warm, it is comfortable, it is versatile. I can wear my required cold weather/cold house (we keep it at 56 most of the time) Cuddleduds underneath and they don't show (a problem with my Poppy sweater).

I've included a few closeup shots of the detail at the neck.

I just love this sweater - it hasn't been blocked yet but I had to wear it today!

Call Me Crazy

So I was reading Sheep in the City's blog and saw she had joined up for NaKniSweMoDo 2009 (Ravelry link). I looked at it and thought I could do this too if I really tried....call me crazy if you want. However, I think it will tie in nicely with my Finish or Frog It 2009 efforts. While the guidelines have you knitting 12 adult sweaters over the course of the year, I can adapt the rules a bit and include a few sweaters for my daughter (she's 11 going on 25 so let's say she's an adult). Oh, and I do have a head start - my Braided Pullover is almost done so that could be my first sweater completed!

Then I saw Lucia had a wonderful adaptation which I'm looking forward to seeing what she comes up with patternwise for us to knit.

Now, what will I include on my list of 12??? Some are already on my yarn resolutions list.
- Slinky Ribs (already have the yarn)
- Ingenue (yarn is on sale at Webs and I'm going to have to cash in on that today as it is the last day of the sale) which looks like a fast knit
- Camisa
- another sweater for my almost adult daughter

I'll keep you posted on what other ones come to mind.

Okay, I'm joining up this year

In an effort to keep my blog more updated, I was inspired by Jennifer aka Major Knitter to join in on her Ravelry group - Finish or Frog It 2009. Very simply I will post every Friday an assessment of what I have on needles and make the decision to keep going or frog it. I like this as it keeps me evaluating what I'm doing.

So, it is Friday and I'll just let you know I'm going to Finish my Braided Pullover...I will post pictures tomorrow. I'm on the second sleeve and hope to be done in a week or so.

Why don't you join in on the fun?